Falling...

I fell today. The fall was from a 4-foot ledge and I fell straight back. Fortunately for me, there were several people waiting below the ledge in a zigzag formation to catch me when I fell! :)

I know I haven't blogged in a little while but I'm at camp now and we're about half-way through training week. Part of the regular camp schedule is recreation so we've been training on all of the rec games as a part of training week. Tonight was when we had the trust sequence. This may not sound like a big deal but you need to know that this is my sixth year of camp and we've had the trust sequence in our rec rotation twice since I've been working and I've NEVER fallen! I can do the starter moves: see-sawing back and forth and "wind in the willow" but I have never been able to do the trust fall. It's not that I don't trust my staff. I just absolutely hate the sensation of falling. It's miserable and awful and I try to avoid it when at all possible. Heights don't bother me but I completely freeze up when I feel like I'm falling. And according to my mom, I've been that way since I was an infant.

Anyway, back to the story. I think it's also important to note that I've been dreading these trust falls since I decided that I would work again back in September! I knew it was coming and I was nervous all day. When we finally made it over to the ledge for the actual falling, I was sick to my stomach. I was hoping that people just wouldn't notice that I hadn't fallen and I could get out of it...but I'd already run my big mouth too much about how I was dreading it, so of course my group was very encouraging. Pushy is more like it! They wouldn't let me back out!! just kidding--they were very kind and truly encouraging and had it not been for all of their encouragement, I probably would have chickened out again. But they didn't let me give into my fears. They supported me and made me as comfortable as I could be and I knew that if I fell they would catch me...but all of that didn't matter because ultimately, I would have to be the one to let go. And I did! It was horribly wonderful! I will never like falling but I was able to push through my fears and in doing so, conquer them.

Trust falls are a beautiful expression of faith and trust and a wonderful metaphor for salvation...and I've always recognized the power of the lesson, but until tonight, I'd never experienced it. So many students will be coming here this summer with questions and issues that I can't begin to understand. Some may have been raised in Christian homes and have gone to church all of their lives and will know how to play the game to a tee--they will know all of the right answers, but until one experiences the love of Christ, all the head knowledge in the world will not do.

I've had several friends who've engaged in quite interesting conversations with non-believers in the past couple of months on their blogs and such and the interchange has been quite interesting. In those conversations, such interesting questions and responses have been posed and have erupted into some beautiful verbal fireworks. But intellectual discussions have as much to do with recognizing the need for salvation about as much as adding oil to a car that's out of gas. Yes, the oil is needed (and so is the biblical knowledge that's discussed) but gas is what gets the car moving. We do such a great job of distracting ourselves--believer and non-believer alike--from the essentials. I believe it's the power of the Holy Spirit to convict, but it's our responsibility as Christians to live a lifestyle that honors and points to our relationship with our Lord. And in doing so, exhibit the love of the One who died, taking our sins upon himself and then rising three days later, having conquered death.

Well, it's late and I don't quite know where I'm going with this. I really just wanted to say that after five years, I've finally managed to fall! It was scary but there is power in overcoming fear...and in letting go. I've definitely learned a lesson that I shall carry with me for a long time to come.

Way to go Louisiana! We've done it again!!

Well, it looks like we're in national news again! According to ABC News:

The FBI's raid on the office of Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) was the first such raid on Capitol Hill in history...

At least we're making history while we're at it!! They found $90,000.00 in the freezer at his house! Oh brother...it ain't lookin' good!

And in other news, guess who's the Mayor of New Orleans again??? We Louisianians sure know how to pick 'em, don't we?! I find small comfort in knowing that neither distinguished gentleman was elected in my voting district.

And, if all of that isn't enough, NOAA is predicting an "above normal" hurricane season this year...which is exactly what they said last year! Hmmmm...so perhaps moving wouldn't be such a bad thing?!

Fun with languages!

That's my name! Well, at least that's what this nifty Japanese translator I found online said that it was! :) It even tells you how your name would be pronounced in Japanese! In my case, Elizabeth would be pronounced: "ERIZABESU". (Consonants are pronounced more or less the same way as in English. "A" sounds like a in father, but shorter. "I" sounds like ee in meet, but shorter. "U" sounds like oo in hook, but with less rounding of the lips. "E" sounds like e in met.) Just in case our relationship has reached a more informal level, you can just call me "BESU" and write my name as:

Beth, the gardener

Hahahahahahahaha! :)

Do we have something on Thursday?

I'm finding that there are simply not enough hours in the day!!! I am leaving for camp in less than two weeks and I am at a point where I wonder if I will actually get it all done before it's time to go. Maybe if I give up sleep? Hmmmm...

I've not really talked about it much on here, but I am doing that whole camp thing again! This will be my sixth straight year of camp. I will be serving on the North Greenville University team. It's a combo camp so we'll have both Centrifuge and M-fuge going on simultaneously. Actually, it'll be Centrifuge programming but during the day half of the students will be leaving campus to work at ministry sites. While I completely enjoyed every part of directing last year(please note the sarcasm!), I have decided to go back to being an AD--Administrative Director. I will be handling the paperwork and the business of camp. This year will be much different because I'm finally back at on a stationary team (please note the relief!) and we will have a total of 38 on staff!! That's as many as my last three teams combined! It will be a kick to work with so many people again. I was a little worried that I'd be the old lady on staff, but I'm finding that while there are many young 'uns, there are also quite a few that are near my age and maybe even a couple that are older than me!!

But all of that doesn't happen for a couple more weeks. Right now I am neck-deep in preparing finals! Yeah, we all hate to take them but a lucky few of us (again, the sarcasm) have the exciting opportunity to 1.) prepare them, and 2.) grade them!!! Bleh! It's taken me about 5-6 hours to prepare my Church History final...but it's done! So one down, three to go!!! [And here's a happy little thought for ya...It probably took me longer to prepare the final than most of my students will actually spend studying for it!]

Once the finals are finished, there are still a hundred other tasks on the ole' "to do" list! And I think I have something going on every night until I leave...which brings me back to my original question. Does anyone know what I committed to do on Thursday night? I know I told someone I would do something, but for the life of me I can't remember who I was talking to! Oh well...I guess I'll figure it out eventually! Until then, there are finals to prepare and clothes to wash and things to pack and places to go and people to see and ring ceremonies to attend and classrooms to pack up and...the list goes on!

I like to call this one...

The Contemplative Daisy

(I thought it was funny)

HELLO!!!! Did you SEE The Office finale?!?!

Well folks, it finally happened tonight!!! :D (And yes I do realize how sad it is that I'm living vicariously...shut up!) My favorite relationship on The Office has always been that of Pam and Jim--my second is that of Jim and Dwight, but I digress. Ah, the angst of hidden affection!!! It's painful to watch, but it's a rather sweet pain. I cannot believe that Jim finally told Pam that he loved her!!! I know I sound really cheesy and girly (and it IS just a tv show) but it was definitely a season finale with some punch...well, the rest of the show wasn't particularly gripping, but the last few minutes definitely were!! I absolutely love Jim Krasinski and Jenna Fischer is one of my Myspace 'friends' so of course you can see why I feel like I have the place to comment on their relationship?!

Ah, but as always the pain of the season finale is setting in...we don't get to know the rest of the story until the fall! And of course it never plays out as you imagine it should. Reality...boo! But I'm so glad Erica and Damon have a DVR because I think I need to see this one again. :)

update: I did watch it again and I must say that the rest of the show was much more interesting than I'd first realized. I recognized it even as it was happening, but the first time I watched it, I was looking for the Pam/Jim storyline. But OMG(osh)--the rest of the show was GREAT! I love this show!!!

ah, the people I know ...

I'm gonna brag for a moment. I need you to know that I know a couple of celebrities! Well, to be completely honest, I should say I know the parents of a couple of celebrities. Together they shared maybe three whole seconds of screen time in a major motion picture! Their names are Sam and Will Cole and they play Reba Cash's infant son in Walk The Line. I'm just excited that I personally know people who are listed in the Internet Movie Data Base (one of my all-time favorite websites! ;) Just thought I'd share! ha!

Another interesting one...

I was looking for the Gatorade Big Head Commercial to post on here (btw, it doesn't seem to be working but I'm gonna leave it just in case it starts...that's happened to me before), and I ran across this ESPN article for the Michael Jordan commercial and it was really interesting. I'm not a big basketball fan, but I thought both the play on history and the technology involved were really neat. Good job Gatorade! :)

I just think this is funny

Get this video and more at MySpace.com
The Gatorade Big Head Commercial

Stark Raving Mad

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you feel like half of the people in your life have gone absolutely and completely insane?! well, let's just say it's been one of those weeks for me. I can't go into any detail about any of it because this is actually one of those times that I don't want to spill my guts onto cyberspace. I know this is my space, so to speak, but I am very aware that my words and actions can hurt those that could possibly read them, so I shall refrain. But to those of you who could be hurt by my words, yeah, I know...and you need to know that I'm hurt right now...and very discouraged. It's really hard when you don't like the people you love sometimes.

I've been half-joking with some of my students all spring about how listening to them has made me realize that I don't want to have children. I was only kidding at one point, but it's becoming more serious by the day, it seems.

What makes someone want to self-destruct? And do they even realize all the people they bring down with them in the fall?

Perhaps there's a desk job somewhere with my name on it??? hmmmmm...

(I realize that I haven't posted NYC pics yet...I've not been home much and I'm just not in the mood at the moment. I'll post some soon though.)

To those of you who have no clue, sorry to be such a downer. It's just been that sort of week.

Wish you were here!

early mornings
late nights
lots of walking
being "Chief" is harder than it looks!
the newfound joy of hailing cabs :)
more shopping than I've ever wanted to do
NYC prom dresses
Guggenheim in 15 minutes
Is a completely black canvas really art???
late-night voyeurs
attempting to look intelligent on national news shows
did I mention the walking?

One more full day!

ps, in case you happened to have been watching Day Break on Fox News earlier today and saw someone that looked kinda like me...it was me! I meant to blog about it yesterday and didn't have the time (my computer is VERY popular on this trip!) And three of 'us' even spoke up on the show! Becca and Grace asked great questions and Mrs. Alleman made a good comment as well...and I just did my best not to look like a complete idiot! :) Being on national television is a little nerve-racking!!

In case you missed it, you'll have another opportunity to see us on national television. We will be on Good Morning America in the studio audience tomorrow (Thursday)...and I write that realizing that most everyone will read this after the show has broadcast! Sorry...it's been busy!

I haven't had time to look at my pics, so I'll post some next week! We're having lots of fun!

On the road again...

Well, I'm leaving in a few minutes to chaperone this class trip to New York City with these lame-o juniors who are absolutely obnoxious... ;) j/k! Well, about the lame-o, obnoxious part! We ARE leaving in just a few minutes and how ready am I??? VERY...and not nearly enough!! I'm packed, but I just KNOW I've forgotten something or not packed appropriately or something!! So what am I doing now? Everything else I can think of just so that I can distract myself until the absolute last minute!

For all of those suffering through the break in absolute boredom and slothfulness, have fun! Maybe I'll bring ya back something fun if I like ya! Oh, and Corey, I'll be bringing YOU a receipt for the snowglobe I have to buy to replace the one you BROKE!! bring your wallet monday! ;) Happy Break!Beth (...er, Ms. Hintze for those to whom it applies! ;)

...and my plan is to post pictures (if I can) in the evenings, so check back to see what our days are like!

funny!

a question

...so, when did Moses affect a British accent?

temporary amputation

Isn't it sad how quickly we get attached to things...and how we forget how to function normally without them?! I had a temporary amputation occur on Friday and I felt off-balance all weekend. Fortunately, everything is back to normal--and working better than ever--today. Sadly, this amputation, while somewhat painful, was really quite petty. As I've mentioned in an earlier post, my computer seems to have been possessed by Satan. We've recently set up a wireless system in our building at school and Anita and I have been working diligently to get my computer to pick up the signal. It was doing all sorts of bizarre things on Friday, so Anita's computer whiz husband took it home over the weekend to clean it up and perform a routine exorcism.

It's so strange to think that a mere 15 months ago, I didn't have internet access at home...and now I feel so trapped when I don't have access for three days! Rather sad, I know. Ah, how easily we become addicted to the convenience!

The Office PSA's

funny stuff! Click on the picture to check it out!!!

New York City, take 2

I'm gearing up for my second trip to NYC! It's a school trip this time and there are twelve of us going which should be lots of fun. I've been reacquainting myself with the subway routes and popular attractions in an effort to get some sort of itinerary set. Going with a bunch of 16-year-old girls will definitely mean this will be a very different experience! Shopping is a high priority!! I just hope we can squeeze in a few culturally significant experiences in between! ;)

I was thinking about Daddy today. He and a co-worker went on a long business trip in the early 80's--New York City, London, Amsterdam, and Bombay--and I thought about him alot on my first trip. It's neat to see the places he went. I wish I could have had the chance to see it with him. I've posted a few of his pictures from the little bit of touristy stuff they did on the NYC leg. He has lots of neat pictures from Bombay. Maybe I'll post them some time.

Dad on the observation deck of the Empire State Building--World Trade Center in the background

Another shot of Dad at the Empire State Building

Dad at the World Trade Center, looking North

At the World Trade Center, looking South with the Statue of Liberty in the background

Check it out!

Those crazy folks at Google seem to be at it again! :) Click on the picture for more info...be sure to Take the Tour and maybe you can even upload your own profile! This is internet dating on a whole new level!

Working after hours found to be potentially hazardous to one's health and well-being

No, there's no new study out. This one comes from personal experience! First, a little background. I'm sick--ugh! I've had this weird cold/allergy thing going for a couple of weeks now (nothing new--seems like everyone is suffering with seasonal allergies these days) but it got worse this weekend. Fever, general ickiness, etc. I would have called in sick today and spent the day trying to rest, but I didn't have a recent sub list at home and I didn't have the energy to come up with the plans for the sub. So I drug myself out of bed and on down to school...such a lovely day! bleh! Early on I decided not to try and repeat today's wonderful experience.

A sick day. ahhhh, I never take sick days. Those of you who are teachers know why teachers hate taking sick days but for those of you who don't share in our lovely profession, I'll explain. One sick day = twice as much work. First, you have to prepare lessons that the kids can do independently...while you're feeling awful. And then after that blessed yet brief respite--when you're still weak and lacking in patience--you get to come back. Showered with multitudes of questions along with alot of whining about how awful the sub was, you return to your desk--now covered with all of the busy work you created to keep them busy before you left! And even if the busy work is legitimate, it still takes the rest of the quarter to wade through it all. Boo, sick days...but I digress.

So I decided that tomorrow was definitely a sick day. Amazingly enough, I found a sub who was excited to sub! She's a soon-to-graduate education major who just interviewed with our principal that morning at UL's teacher job fair. She seemed friendly and competent which made me feel better about leaving (hopefully the whining won't be too bad when I come back...and they all knew why I would be missing if I weren't there tomorrow. I made it abundantly clear that I was NOT feeling well and would not be putting up with their crap! They were actually somewhat subdued.) So, now that the sub was in place, I had to write up my lesson plans. A test for Church History (gee, I hope it make sense! I was a little loopy when I was working!), a unit review for English, and a few other assignments that of course took twice as long as they normally would because I couldn't think straight! I'd hoped to have finished up by around 6pm...but nearly two hours and a near death experience with our copier later (That copier was about to meet his maker!!), I was done.

Ok, this is where life gets interesting. Our building is a fair walk away from the parking lot--maybe 25 or 30 yards. It was dark and my car was the only one in the (rather poorly lit) parking lot. I was about 1/4 of the way to my car when I see a man running full-steam across the parking lot...and he was heading in MY direction! Several thoughts ran through my mind when the image finally registered. Is this a joke? Is he trying to freak me out? What is he gonna do when he gets over here? Well, about the time that last thought was registering another thought quickly came--I don't want to know!!! So I ran back to the building, fought with the dag-gum stiff lock, and finally got inside the door. When I looked back from behind the protection of that lovely locked door, he'd made it up to the sidewalk about 10 yards away from the building, but he had slowed to a kinda strut before he turned off and started walking toward one of the other buildings. I didn't stay at the door to watch him!

I went back to my classroom to calm down and after having the dumb thought that I'd just wait a few minutes for him to leave, I had the much brighter idea that I should call the sheriff's office and ask them to escort me to my car! So that's what I did. And here I am now, a couple of hours later, heartily promising to NEVER stay at school after dark again!! Watch it folks! Staying late at work could potentially be hazardous to your health!