something, everyday.

So theme of my long weekend has definitely been the newer the better. I moved into Shannon’s studio apartment in Arlington on Friday afternoon. We set up camp and made a quick trip to Target. I was having that scared feeling that you get when your parents drop you off at camp as my sister pulled away- but the familiarity of Target cured it pretty quickly. Also, Shannon and I were discussing the ways to maintain a standing pitcher of Sangria in our fridge all summer…so that lifted my spirits. 

Hah, spirits. 

Last night we headed down to Southern Maryland- which apparently is a whole new world. Quite different from being in DC. Not entirely unlike being in regular Maryland (after all, there are still crab cakes)…but its a little more country. We came into town to visit with her  older sister and ended up going to a boat burn…What is this, you may ask? Pretty much how it sounds…pour lots of gasoline on a retired old fishing rig, gather a ton of people, provide fried chicken, ribs and beer…and then light the boat on fire. It was so hot you couldn’t walk within 15 feet of it. But it was fun, and more importantly it was new. 

Last and probably the most important event from this weekend was hanging out at a private beach with good friends, great weather and a puppy! We managed to be outside all day enjoying each other’s company and watching Rufus learn to swim. No one was burned too badly by the sun or the jellyfish- and it was just a picturesque American holiday. In the spirit of remembering…I’m thankful we have the freedom to celebrate so care-free :) 

For dinner, we went down to a restaurant on the Pier and had seafood. Big new thing #3: I ordered fish. I’ve never done that before, but I decided that if ever in life I’m going to start liking seafood and fish- that it’s going to be the summer I’m living out East. Today felt like my big opportunity- so I took it! Fish tacos, for me please. They were delicious. I was a member of the clean plate club within 7 minutes of getting my dinner. I’m naturally a faster eater than most- but everyone did kind of pause and take notice of my speed eating…to which I replied “Well guys, I guess I like fish!”. 

We’re back to our apartment and I’m finishing up my weekend of newness on my couch/bed watching a movie that’s new to me…”Gran Tarino”. Shannon fell asleep, and I have to say I’m pretty close. Nothing to wear you out like a day of sun-lazing and a good meal. 

Today’s roomie love comes from Shannon- an interesting roomie because we lived together last year (my first year in Ann Arbor) and will again this summer, as she is hosting me through my summer in DC. We are officially referring to each other as reunited-roomies-to-be. 

She sent me an email today about our summer logistics- the subject line of course being “trapped in a closet” because we will essentially be trapped in a closet. Together. Happily. We hope. I replied to her with a 21 point address- the following being my favorite points. 

1) When I saw your email subject I legit thought you might be trapped in a closet somewhere at work or something and were emailing us to inform us of how entertaining you find the predicament. 

2) I also opened it immediately because I thought you might be in danger. 

If you are a scientist studying rocks, you have to go and find the rocks. They will not come to you, and if you go to them they cannot run away. The initiative lies all on your side. 

Suppose you are a zoologist and want to take photos of wild animals in their native haunts. That is a bit different than studying rocks. The wild animals will not come to you: but they can run away from you. There is beginning to be a tiny trace of initiative on their side. 

Now a stage higher, suppose you want to get to know a human person. If he is determined not to let you, you will not get to know him. You have to win his confidence. In this case, the initiative is equally divided- it takes two to make a friendship. 

When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others- not because he has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dirty mirror as clearly as in a clean one. 

From Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. 

If you read this, read it with an open heart. It’s not judgement- it’s an explanation, and we are all different. And it’s not always so simple, but we are all loved.  

I’m really stressed out today and I can’t seem to get away from it. Finals week, work drama making me feel bad constantly and a lack of motivation to study for OB because it’s so simple and so complicated all at the same time. The last two days, every time my phone goes off I dread checking it…and I just have no way to look at life past this stupid exam. In 26 hours it will be over- and after this weekend is over things will reset and life will be a little more bearable. But until then…I just keep counting down the minutes.