There's No Class on Fridays...

It was a bit perplexing to know that last night, while in all other realms of the world, was Thursday, here in Seminary Village, it was like a Friday night. That is, you see, because there's no class on Fridays. A few of us walked, or jay-walked across the street for some fellowship at a new establishment known as the Rusty Bucket, although I found neither rust nor a bucket in the place. It's a nice little pub with some darn-kickin' hot chili sauce! We came back and watched a movie and alas, it was time for bed!

I had thought to myself, "This will be a grand opportunity to catch up on the week's uncompleted reading and writing, maybe even work a few hours, and then enjoy the weekend!" Today, the first "free Friday" didn't live up to my expectations!
I ended up sleeping far later than I had anticipated, and putzed around for a few too many minutes. I've realized how much I love tv, which isn't a bad thing, but leads me to waste an inordinate amount of time each day. I did have a nice lunch with my colleagues from the "Magnificent Admissions Office Staff," go to the bank, and pick up a few items at the pharmacy, and go over to the Capital University gym to sweat out some boredom on the elliptical machine. However, I feel as if today is perhaps the laziest day I've had in quite a while...and for some reason I feel guilty about it. Maybe its the list next to me with a number of uncompleted assignments...the clothes that need to be washed, the books that need to be picked up off of the floor?

No. After talking with Rachel this afternoon, and discussing the adjustments of independent life in a new city and new community, I've determined that I feel guilty for doing nothing because I'm still attempting to discover how to walk the line between Solitude and Alone-ness. It's not that I'm lonely...I'm just used to being engaged at most parts of the day with community, whether the guys at the Olsen House at Augie, my family, or others. I do enjoy a bit of time for self-reflection, but it is certainly a tougher line to determine than I anticipated. With time, like most things, this should become clearer, but indeed, I now understand why even though I'm talking with myself most of the day, my Myers-Briggs test says I'm an extrovert. People are good things. The community here has been wonderful and I am grateful for my inclusion in a number of social activities. Now I just need to include myself in my own little community, and learn to cherish the Friday's of solitude. Somewhere, someone I know has the book Out of Solitude by Henri Nouwen. I'll have to check it out or something, because I need to re-read it and learn what power solitude can have in one's spiritual nourishment and development.

While I'm able to be critically cynical a little bit more tonight, I realized today, after checking my bank account on www.bankmidwest.com, that living independently is freakin' expensive. I've been really good about keeping my grocery list to the staples: milk, juice, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, pasta, sauce, peanut butter, some deli roast beef, cheese, fruit and some carrot chips! However, food is expensive; gas is expensive; books, while beautiful, are expensive; shampoo is exorbitantly priced, and I've spent way more than I ever anticipated in these first three weeks. It's not a bad thing, it's just a hard realization to face!

On a positive note, I got an e-mail this afternoon which exempts me from having to take Hebrew I because I've tested out based on my Augie time! That's exciting...Thanks to Dr. Nakamura for taking care of that...Now I have some options for some travel and courses together in January, which could prove to be unique and fun...more on that later.

May you all find joy in your solitude, comfort in your solace, and courage when you must fly solo. That was a solemn use of sol... words, don't you think?

Peace