Books

I have read some this summer, trying not to mindlessly spend my days in front of the tube... Those that I've read, I recommend: The Sin Eater by Francine Rivers is a neat story about redemption. I've only read this book of hers, but I know from other's opinions that her other books are equally engaging. I recently started and finished in a short few days For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. This is a book I highly recommend for all women to read. In it, Shaunti talks about the inner lives of men, the things that we women just do not understand, but her explanations backed by her own extensive research make sense. She encourages us women to make changes in our lives to affirm, love, and support our men in the ways that men need. I am just starting Sex God by Rob Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, MI. So far, I can suggest this read to anyone wanting to look at relationships with anyone in a new and real way. I'm really enjoying it. I flip to the endnotes in this book quite often, which are usually Scripture references. I like having my Bible open next to me so I can understand the context of the writing.
Living with Liz this summer has kind of transformed me into a more avid reader. Thank you Miss Elizabeth.

Trends

I tend to avoid trends alltogether, even if they are good ideas. For a while, I didn't want an iPod because of the stupid way people looked while they walked around my college campus with their earbuds in listening as they walked instead of politely saying hello in passing. I now want one because I think they are great. I wanted to get my nose pierced once, and then it became the cool thing to do where everyone and their mother started showing up with studs in their nostrils. I've since forgotten about that idea, especially after switching from art to nursing. Facebook was another fad I have tried to dodge. As soon as the rush of excitement for Facebook had waned, I began to use it as a resource to find friends or people that friends talked about but I had no clue who they were. The other day, Austin reasoned with me that I should just get my own instead of signing onto Liz's (with her permission of course) to peer into the lives of friends and strangers. I have finally succombed to the pressure to create a Facebook profile. Oh dear. I am glad, however that I have caved during the summer so I can get tired of it by the start of school. I surely hope that this does not mean that I am losing my backbone and jumping on all the bandwagons that pass. You might find me someday in the circus if I go with the crowd too often. Let's hope not.

The Rag-O-Rama Experience

Today, Liz and I explored the shops of Little Five Points--a rather new-agey, vintage, artsy area. Not knowing we would find incense, bongs, crystals, feminist book stores, and psychics , we enjoyed the creative atmosphere nonetheless. In one of the vintage style consignment shops, I browsed through some clothes for myself, finding a cute skirt to commemorate my time down here. I went over to the men's clothing area to possibly find something for Austin. An interesting character stood next to me. The dialogue went something like this:
C (for character): "Aww, you're shopping for your boyfriend are you?"
M(for me): "Yeah..."
C: "How nice. Where can I get a girlfriend like you?"
Awckward pause, cheeks are flushing, don't know what to say...
M: "Go to church."
Liz and I laughed in line when I told her the story. What a funny day.

Bread...

Liz, my summer roommate is waiting for me to go to bed so she can look up a good bread recipe online. Since I've made pizza, they have extra yeast and she is testing her cooking skills tonight by making bread. By the way, yeast is a pretty amazing thing. It makes a lump of dough expand to twice or three times its original size, it ferments fresh drinks to make alcoholic beverages, and it also gives people bad infections. Well anyway, my pastor's wife has a great recipe for bread dough which I will share:

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Yeast
• 2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 3 1/4 Cup Flour
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, salt, oil and seasonings

2. Beat in flour and knead dough to make smooth and elastic

3. Let dough rise 1 hour

4. Punch down and roll out

5. Bake on pizza stone or cookie sheet with toppings at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.

It is delicious. This past weekend, at Austin's, we topped one pizza with pesto spread, sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella and parmesean cheeses. I think my favorite combo lately.