Short Thought / Rogue Agent

to nobody in particular:

...after more than a dozen times throwing up within a span of 8 hours throughout the night, Hannah is finally feeling better -- and sadly, it was already laundry day today, so the washing machine is working over time...

...on top of that lack of sleep, the Superbowl game (starting at 12:30am local time) is welcomed at our party at Don's house, along with more than 10 other guys who are crazy enough to hang out with us superlate on a Sunday night (most of whom aren't even American!)...

...did i mention: go not-Colts!...

...i've almost forgotten what normal snowless sidewalks look like, as well as the fact that grass is the color green -- snow, just give it up already...

...how is Avatar the highest grossing movie of all time? -- disgusting...

...i'm wondering if Jesus Christ is one of the most mistakenly misunderstood individuals in the history of individuals -- or maybe just simply one of the most awesome, probably...

...you know why i'm blogging right now? because Sarah is watching Pride & Prejudice (the A&E Colin Firth version) in the other room -- and life goes on...

...dot dot dot...

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currently reading: Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Sanction by Eric Van Lustbader

Singing & Friends / Forgetting Loved Ones

to nobody in particular:

my daughter, at 18 months old, is a genius -- and this is just a sliver of proof...

...she does pretty well with learning the words (or at least, the sounds of the words), and we have a growing list of songs that she likes to sing...when it comes to music, i think Travis has the rhythm and Hannah has the harmony -- so far, anyway...

..."and now for something completely different"...

...at one of our last brunches last year (in reality, a few weeks ago), i guided our discussion in thinking about God as our Friend -- how Jesus views us, those who know Him and His Father, as friends...

...this reality and truth has carried on with me into this new year, and though many times i'm inclined to focus on my relationship with God as a Father/Child relationship, or Creator/Creation, i want to intentionally realign and look at it as a Friend/Friend relationship. this is very eye-opening and challenging -- in the areas of communication, perspective, responsibilities, etc. i think one of the toughest things is not necessarily looking at it only as God as my friend, but that i am a personal, close friend of His. how am i trustworthy, reliable, honest, listening, and sensitive to God as His friend? is my communication limited to my perspective, or should my improved perspective even enhance and breakthrough previously grounded limitations?...

...He's great...

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currently listening to: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Soundtrack"

...great soundtrack to a fantastic movie -- gems like this are rare...

Upcoming Test / Anticipating Rest

to nobody in particular:

...this past week has been an odd one, and the one to come will be, as well -- it will be nice to enjoy this coming saturday...

...on thursday and friday (23rd & 24th), we'll be taking a language proficiency test -- i can't say that i'm super-excited about it, but i will definitely be glad when it is over...

...i'm confident that we are going to do well, and am really praying we do better than well, so that we won't have to take again (a specific "grade" is hoped for/required)...

...but this week we'll continue our studying specifically for it, as it is the giant that we're gawking at right now...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...seven days ago, i learned: Easter is so very especially fantastic...

...six days ago, i learned: i'm not necessarily afraid of or intimidated by females that are taller than me, but i do kind of notice when their a foot or more taller...

...five days ago, i learned: smaller groups can bring bigger results...

...four days ago, i learned: the Goethe-Institut only gives the B2 test every two months, and the next one is on april 23rd/24th -- register & pay, then study & pray!...

...three days ago, i learned: the Eisbären won the DEL (German Ice Hockey League) again this year, for a total of four times in the last five years -- dynastyabulous!...

...two days ago, i learned: the left side of the brain has two language learning regions -- one for grammar, the other for vocabulary...

...yesterday, i learned: even though language learning only takes place in one small region of the brain, your whole head will hurt after a super-long day of studying...

...today, i learned: Travis picks up and understands more than i realized...

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recently watched: Man on Fire

This Week / Last Week

to nobody in particular:

...we had a fantastic brunch last week -- our first one in a public setting...of course it had its ups and downs, but overall, it was a great one...

...i turned 27 this past week -- and it was the first time in my entire existence that i didn't blow out any candles on my birthday...pavlova for dessert...

...we have a four day weekend this weekend, which is very nice...it has had a decent start to it, and we'll see how it pans out tomorrow and monday...

...Jesus is tremendous...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...eight days ago, i learned: rebuilding a lost template is annoying, but finally finishing it is rewarding...

...seven days ago, i learned: kaffee und kuchen with neighbors is gooooood...

...six days ago, i learned: brunch is goooooood (but don't get all your hopes up)...

...five days ago, i learned: just take a day off -- seriously...

...four days ago, i learned: working on your birthday is a bummer, but it's not all that bad...

...three days ago, i learned: finally!...

...two days ago, i learned: each time i watch The Passion of the Christ, i am challenged with a new insight...

...yesterday, i learned: Travis rocks the Laufrad...

...today, i learned: stop and think about what the shortest way to your destination would be before you go ahead and start out with the first idea that pops into your mind...

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currently watching: "Fawlty Towers"



...truly wonderful...