Oct 25, 2004

Monday Blues

Starting a new job and that female time of the month on the same day probably isn't the best of combinations. Not that work was horrible, but it definitely made me question what exactly I'm getting myself into. I don't know what made me think that working for a government-funded program would give me all kinds of freedom to save the world. Just based on what I observed today half the time is spent actually providing some kind of direct service and the other half is spent writing down every single move you made that day. I don't know, maybe I completely missed the boat on this one...or maybe I should just suck it up and not be afraid of a challenge. The reality is that it's only been one day, and at this point my exhaustion is entirely dominating my outlook.

Oct 21, 2004

Date Night

I always seem to come home really excited about writing, and the second I sit down to do so sleep hits full force. In other words, I apoligize to all my beloved fans out there for failing to create coherent sentences. Today was a big day, huge in fact. Red Sox are going to the world series, I was officially offered a job, and I went on my first date in New York City. Life certainly doesn't come in small doses around these parts.

Let's start with the date since it's fresh on my mind. I went out with an aggie from Hereford, TX. Don't worry, it gets better...he goes by "Slim." So, in traditional Texas style we ate Mexican food, went to a Robert Earl Keen concert and finished up the night at a bar called Coyote Ugly. Seriously, who am I? But I can't lie. Aside from not having a taste for beer or knowing a full chorus to any REK song, I had a pretty good time. Unfortunately I have to be all "deep and spiritual" when it comes to this dating stuff so a good time doesn't hold much weight against the more important issues of God, faith, and our place in this world. What I want is someone who desires to please the Lord more than anything. And at this rate it looks like I may die an old maid. I have a feeling this topic will show it's face in plenty of other entries, so if this leaves you begging for more, don't despair.

About the Red Sox's big win....I'm pumped! I have to be careful where I say that around here though. It's just that my whole life I've had a soft spot for the underdog--I can't help myself. Boston, it's been a fun ride, but if my Astros make it to the big time, well....you'll be yesterday's news.

And finally......I have my first real job and I start on Monday!! Tomorrow I'm paying them 25 bucks to do a criminal background check. Is something wrong with this picture? I know I'm new at this whole job gig and all....but shouldn't I be the one getting paid? At any rate, it feels good to be employed. I have no idea what to expect. Texas girl meets the south Bronx--should be a must-see this holiday season. But until then I'll be savoring my precious last days of freedom.

For those interested, here is my new employer: www.cabny.org

Oct 16, 2004

Casual Sex and the City

So I think tonight I was officially introduced to what us Christians call "the world." The other week I ran into a friend on the subway who used to work with me in Bryan, TX (of all places). Tonight I met up with her and some friends at this bar, and it was one of the girls' 30th birthday. Anyways, we were all sitting at the booth having some girl hangout time when I suddenly found myself on an episode of Sex and the City. Now granted I've never seen the show, but I can pretty well guess what a conversation between those characters sounds like. Birthday girl is going on about her long slew of ex-boyfriends, not forgetting important details like male anatomy measurements and how perplexed she is about whether or not to keep the old boyfriend around as a "casual sex thing on the side."
Needless to say, my opinion on such matters was never asked for, and so I sat quietly, secretly relishing this unofficial initiation to The City.

Oct 6, 2004

Real People

I love that I can go to a Bible study in my new home of NYC and a)be outnumbered by guys, b)when asked the question, "What's your favorite type of music?" hear answers ranging from electronica to Cuban Jazz to Brazilian to Stevie Wonder to oldies and c)be asked if anyone wants to grab a beer afterward. Yes indeed....New York is everything I had hoped for and more.

I don't know if anyone would describe New York City as a "breath of fresh air" in the real sense of the term, but that's exactly what it has been for me these first 3 and a half weeks. My faith feels more alive than it has been for about 2 years. I find myself praying out loud as I walk to the subway, feeling a deep sorrow everytime I come across a homeless person trying to keep warm for the night, and being eager to share my beliefs with people because it is such a strange message to their ears. I guess to sum up the experience, my sense of purpose is so much stronger here. As humans we want to be different and know that we actually have something to offer society. But that longing is severely handicapped in an environment where everyone is the same (or tries to be anyways) and something as simple as a nose piercing is synonymous with non-conformity.

In this city I have encountered what I've been starving for...real people. People who aren't afraid to cuss you out on the street or ask a complete stranger about politics or break dance on the subway or freely admit in a Bible study that 90% of the time they are thinking of anything but their relationship with God. And it is in that messiness of reality where God's face become that much more vivid.