everybody, somebody, anybody, and nobody

If I haven't mentioned it before, I live in a house with 16 people. You may be wondering how this is even possible but let me explain. There's the main house with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a kitchen, and 2 rooms with couches and whatnot. Behind the house is a dormitory with 6 bedrooms. Two people live in each room adding up to 16 people. It really isn't that crowded most of the time because of course not everyone is always there. Now, this quite populated, humble abode will be referred to as "the house" from this point on.

Once again, if I haven't mentioned it before, I am a clean freak. Like, borderline OCD. No lie. However, the house has several rules to nip this potential problem in the bud. For instance, each person is to wash, dry, and put up their dishes almost immediately. Also, each housemate is assigned a chore to complete each week, ranging from vacuuming to taking out the trash to mowing. This whole system runs quite smoothly during normal school semesters. However, when summer hits, so does a major case of "that's not my job" syndrome. 

Some people are moving out while new ones are moving in. Many go home for extended periods of time. And thus, the house becomes a mess. Now the person who normally vacuums the living room isn't here anymore, so guess what? Yep, you are correct. It doesn't get done. Surprising huh? 

The biggest surprise to me though is that this is a house full of Christians. You would think this wouldn't be a problem. Yet, time and time again the trash goes without being taken out. Dishes are left in the sink for extended periods of time. The floor becomes unbearable sticky. Now, I'm not completely innocent here. There have been a couple of times I just crammed my empty water bottle in the trash can because I was too busy to take out the trash. Yet, with 16 people, you would think things would get done, but nevertheless, they do not. 

I'm going to tell you a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody:

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

In 1 Peter 4:9 it says "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." I'm honestly not trying to pass judgment on anyone because I know I am guilty of this sometimes, too. Yet, it is something I think some of my fellow housemates need to hear. It's hard to do what you know is technically not your job but sometimes it has to be done. And to do it out of selfless love and service, as an act of kindness, not out of bitterness or pride, then it truly says something about you and about your walk with God. 

Because waiting for somebody else to do what anybody could have done won't always cut it. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, suck it up, and get the job done. 

And after all, practice makes perfect.

environmental concerns

I am a thermometer.

Of course not literally but metaphorically speaking, I am. If you've never heard the thermometer versus thermostat theory, let me explain my dear. A thermometer simple measures the temperature; it adapts to its surroundings. A thermostat changes the temperature. Now, apply these simple definitions to people, and voila! You got it? Good.

Now, back to the I am a thermometer part. I am very easily affected by other people's moods, whether that be up or down. It's not a good thing per say, but thats just how things are. Sure, I can easily fit in and adapt. It has no major consequence in most things, but it's not a good thing when it comes to being a Christian. This weekend at church, the Master's Commission students performed one of their skits they take on the road to high schools. Now, looking pass the cheesiness perfect for the targeted teenage audience, it had a good message: environmental concerns. 

It portrayed a world where the "system" dictated what you should do which was basically conform, be like everyone else, DO NOT different. It told the story of Liberty, a girl who believed in God but never really followed him; instead, she followed the ways of the world. Until one day, she finally realized she should be living for Christ and not for the world. She also realized it was up to her to change her environment; she knew she had to tell others the good news. Yet, upon hearing her story, they just laughed and threw in her face all the things she had done before. It was not easy for her. Things she did before she was a Christian were still holding her captive. She was still bonded by her sins. 

The point of the skit was to show us that we have to change our environment in order to change us and those around us. We can't live mediocre lives as Christians simply believing in God but not acting upon this belief. What is faith without works anyway? We HAVE to be thermostats, not thermometers. 

We can not let our sins affect us. Instead, we must take hold of them, hand them over to the Lord, and accept his forgiveness. As Christians, we should not adapt but change.

In Romans 12:2 it says  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

God tells us straight up that we are not part of this world and that they will not understand us. (The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1) It continues to say in 1 John 2 that: "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." And then in chapter 5 it continues with: "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

God makes it clear through John's writing that we are to be no part of this world in any way, shape, or form, but instead, be transformed and overcome the world by believing in him.

This is where the title comes in: is your environment in danger? Are you controlling the temperature or are you merely acting as a thermometer? It's actually quite easy to fall to the status of the latter; your thermostat is probably just broken. I would call the repairman though, or rather, call on the repairman. Summer isn't approaching. It isn't right around the corner. It's here. And if you're use to having a support system of Christians, this is prime time for that system to fade out for a few months while people go home, vacation, etc, etc. Only God can change your environment and keep you where you should be, not where the world wants you to be. 

So, next time you're in a group of people, look around: are you changing the environment? Or are you simply adapting? 

Are you conforming?

Or transforming?

bandwagon's full. please, catch another.

It's a good thing I don't believe in ghosts. 

Currently, I am sitting in the lobby of Randolph doing my thing as a desk worker--which means setting up shop on the couch, turning the t.v. on, and roaming the intranets, and, yes, I do get paid for this. Jealous? You should be. The point is and I promise, I always have a point; even though it may not seem that way. If you've ever held a conversation with me, you would know I change subjects as often as Angelina Jolie is pregnant. But I digress. 

The point is: Randolph is said to be haunted. I would almost have to agree because I used to live here, and I would always here what sounded like furniture being moved around upstairs. The problem with that was I lived on the second floor and above me was the attic. No one was ever up there. Fortunately, I do not believe in ghosts; especially feng shui savvy ghosts. Let me remind you why this is a good thing: I am sitting in this dorm by myself at the moment. People are supposed to be living here, but its pretty stinking quiet. And if seeing is believing and I haven't seen these people, then I don't believe they're here. So I'm going with the theory I'm alone. 

However, my nonexistent fear of ghosts is not what I wanted to talk about today, so on to what I really wanted to rant about.

I have this ongoing complex about trends and conformity. I also have this ongoing problem of what I like to call anti-conformity. Basically meaning, I don't just not hop on the bandwagon, but I stay as far away from the bandwagon as physically possible. The problem is, sometimes this works against me. Take skinny jeans for instance. Oh[em]gee. I refused to even think about skinny jeans because they were the latest fad, but one day I broke down and bought and pair and it was love at first wearing. The same thing goes for a couple of songs and gladiator sandals and you get the idea. I had to come to accept that if I like something because I honestly like it, it's okay. No matter the current status of its trendiness. I've come a long way I must say. 

But, no matter how far I come, there is one thing I will never understand. The concept of putting yourself together in the morning to not look put together. It's almost as if they put on a blindfold, reached in they're closet, and threw on whatever they grabbed. It's like wardrobe russian roulette. 5 chances to get it right with 1 fatal shot of a horrible outfit. It's that one fatal shot you usually end up with, too. But I'm no fashion expert, and I never will be. But the stuff some people wear; well, I know that can't be very fashionable. To each their own though. I have my own style, and it seems to be working for me. No comment please.

Well, I've said my piece, so I'm out.

Peace.

i hate this part right here.

So, I have a small dilemma at the moment. You see, I am currently saving up to buy a car. However, to save money, I need a job (well at least one where I work more than 15 hours a week). Yet, to get a decent job, I have to have a car. But, wait, to get a car, I need another job? 

It's like the perfect catch 22. I can't have one without the other. FML.

I'm not lazy, I promise. I love working. I'm the restless type; always have to be doing something. It's the finding a job part. It's not exactly easy. Especially when you only have a 4 block radius to work with. I'm not that picky either. It's just that, well, I really can't bring myself to work at a fast food joint. I'm not that desperate. However, I really do want that car. 

With a mission to accomplish, I set out today to scour those 4 blocks in hopes of landing a job. Hurriedly passing by the Taco Bell and the Burger King and even a McDonald's, I applied at a local, very small restaurant. Then I made my rounds through campus applying at a bookstore and the library. I skipped the PJ's coffeehouse, but I'll go there if it comes down to it. I already applied at the other local, very small restaurant and the last place I tried weren't even taking applications. So, one hour later and 4 job possibilities in hand, only one looks promising. I'm crossing my fingers I get a call back. I want this job. I need this job. (which for some reason reminds me of T.I.'s need your body)

If not, well, I hear they give about 30 bucks a pop for plasma donations. And if all else fails, in Kristin's words, "There's always Cameron."

the writings on the stall

So something that  has always intrigued me are the things people write on bathroom walls. I mean seriously, do you always have a sharpie handy to scribble down what's on your mind? Don't get me wrong, I find it thoroughly entertaining; it especially came in handy that one time I got locked/stuck inside one of the stalls in Griffin. 

Yet, who really writes this stuff? I've never felt the urge to jot down my innermost feelings. Ask a question. And I've certainly never been looking for a good time and thought putting my name and number up there would be the best way to find it. Take the 4th floor bathrooms in Griffin. As your eyes scan the small 3 walls of the stall, you'll find a wide variety of writings from different people. However, if you pay close enough attention, most of these "authors" can't spell very well. (maybe there's a connection....)

Come to find out, there is actually a name for this: latrinalia, or graffiti found in latrines. If you really think about it though, there's got to be more to this "art" than someone being bored. Sometimes you'll find confessions, dreams, hopes, aspirations...maybe someone wants the world to know what they're really feeling. Even if that world is limited to the frequenters of, oh say the 4th floor Griffin bathroom. Maybe, somehow, writing it down makes it real. I kind of equate it to Post Secret, but maybe that's just me.

But enough of me pondering the writings on the stalls, here are some of my favorites:

"It's nice to be important, but it's even more important to be nice."

(simple but true)

"Tiffany 337-481-3478-Call for a good time!"

(why would you put this in a bathroom? a girl's bathroom to say the least?)

"I cheated for him and he used me. I almost lost my husband and child over it."

(seriously, who writes that?)

 

"Sorority girls are ugly!"

followed by

"Sorry I have a life and you don't."

followed by

"At least I don't have to pay dues for mine."

(burn...i love it. all time favorite i think.)

Yea, so maybe this doesn't interest you. Maybe it does. I find it hilarious, sad, and intriguing all at the same time.

And who knows? Maybe one day I'll actually call Tiffany to see what constitutes a good time.

P.S.: If you want more, check out this place- http://www.thewritingsonthestall.com/

I'm not going very far.

School's over, summer's in. 

I must admit, it's a weird feeling. Usually, as the end of the semester draws near: I say my goodbyes, pack up, and head home. Yet this time, I'm staying; I didn't go very far. I'm settling into my new home for the summer; mainly just trying to make it feel like home. It may prove to be a challenge. 

Currently, I am sitting at work. Really, this desk worker job is the main motivation behind this: numerous hours with nothing better to do. I don't have any homework, and I won't always feel like reading. Not to mention, I'm sure Facebook, YouTube, and other random frequented sites will start to bore me. 

So yea, that's basically it. I'll be doing this from time to time, or maybe more. Who knows? I'll be around though. In the meantime, google Connie Culps. It's amazing what doctors can do these days.

And that's what's up.