How ironic...my last post occurred at the nearest estimate of Pi. Okay, I think I can let my inner geek chill for awhile. Oh my.
( 3:17 AM ) Meghan
Jane's most recent blog took me on a bit of a journey down Jefferson's halls of memory. The result is the recollection of a few other memorable mantras:
Sine, Cosine! Cosine, Sine!
3.14159!
Bits per second, kilojoules,
Kick their axes, TJ rules!
(Thanks to Dave and Rob!)
We're going to college, we're going to college!
(Thanks to Sarah!)
TI-82!
You let TJ score on you!
That's all right, that's okay,
You can work for us someday!
(The day of the AP Calculus exam): Don't drink and derive.
Come on and give a cheer for TJ high school,
Best school in the land.
Come on and watch us win a victory,
And give us all a hand.
RAH RAH RAH!
Show your spirit, stand up and cheer.
We all know that victory is near,
So fight, fight for science and tech
And the glory of TJ high!
If you other alumni (and I know there's at least five of you that read this) should recall any others that I haven't included here, send them along! We can revel together in the nerdity of our prime.
( 3:14 AM ) Meghan
Friday, December 28, 2001
"All we decide is what to do with the time we are given."
--Gandalf the Grey, The Lord of the Rings
A fitting response to the timeless question, "Why do bad things happen to good people? Or at all?" Let us take control where it has been granted us. Well put, Gandalf.
( 1:27 AM ) Meghan
One of many reasons we should take time out this break to reflect and thank God for our ample supplies of mental crack, for which we are all so grateful:
Me: we are so on crack this break :)
Justin: but it's good crack
Me: mmm...tasty Tollhouse crack. just like
mom used to make!
Justin: yay!
Justin: hehe I'm reading LOTR so a tad
distracted
Me: s'okay, i'm just soaking in the beauty of
the internet
Justin: *cough* *sputter*
Justin: a few too many crack cookies?
Me: well, i'm on a religious art site, i'm not
looking at porn :)
Justin: lol
Justin: well that would help :P
Me: wouldn't be right on christmas
Me: i'll wait 'til after the epiphany
Me: once the three kings split, it's all
downhill from there
( 1:08 AM ) Meghan
Tuesday, December 25, 2001
Reported on 24 December 2001 at 2200 hours from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD):
"Santa is in the Big Apple. I wonder how many kids will receive Fire Department or New York Police Department souvenirs this year. It's amazing how quickly Santa can make it through such a large city. One of our NORAD pilots has radioed headquarters, saying he believes he saw a little tear rolling down Santa's cheek as he left New York."
Now it came to pass in these last few months that a decree went forth from United States President George W. Bush that terrorism would not be tolerated. This decree was made while the Taliban ruled the lands of Afghanistan. For people in all the world were suffering at its hands.
On September 11, 2001, the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, and clergy from New York City and Washington D.C. left their usual posts and entered the hearts of the cities. And it came to pass while they were there that threats of evil were fulfilled. Many of the workers died as they tried to save the thousands swept away in the smoke because there was no room for their heroism at the tragedy of Ground Zero.
And yet there were those personally unaffected by the falling planes in the same country, living in other cities and keeping watch over their families. And behold, the angels of the Lord stood by them and the glory of God shone around them as they trembled in fear for their own safety. But the angels comforted them and told them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, we bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all; for today in this land of brave people, the Savior who has been born to you, remains with you. And this shall be a sign unto you: you will find Him inside the hearts of every man, woman, and child in the great capitols who is in need of your kindness." And the multitude of the heavenly host praised God and sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth--peace."
And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven that the people were saying to one another, "Let us go over to help our friends." So they went with haste and they found despair as they had never seen it. They dug through rubble. They collected food and clothing. They gave their money, their prayers, and their very blood. And when they had seen the love they were showing one another, they understood what had been told them concerning the child, the Savior. And all who saw and heard the love, marvelled. The people kept in mind all these things, pondering them in their hearts and they continue to this day. Now when the people see their flags, they no longer see only their country. They see red stripes for the blood shed from heroes, white stripes for the holy purity of their love, and a sky full of the brightest stars for the 50 states that witnessed hope.
This has been my contemporary adaptation of Luke's Gospel on the birth of Christ. A reminder of a timeless story. Merry Christmas, everyone.
( 4:25 AM ) Meghan
Monday, December 24, 2001
"It's snowing tonight in the Blue Ridge,
There's a hush on the Chesapeake Bay.
The chimneys are smoking in Georgetown,
And tomorrow is Christmas Day.
The Tidal Basin lies quiet,
The tourists have found their way home.
Mr. Jefferson's standing the midwatch,
And there's a star over Capitol Dome.
It's Christmas Eve in Washington,
America's hometown.
It's here that freedom lives,
And peace can stand her ground.
It's Christmas Eve in Washington,
Our joyous wish to you
Is for peace, love & laughter
To last the whole year through.
Snowmen peeking through the windows,
It's warm with love inside.
'Round the tree the children gather,
Awaiting Santa's midnight ride.
Mom and Dad are counting their blessings,
Reflecting on all they've done,
So thankful for another
Christmas Eve in Washington.
It's Christmas Eve in Washington,
America's hometown
For it's here that freedom lives,
And peace can stand her ground.
It's Christmas Eve in Washington
Our joyous wish to you
Is for peace love & laughter
To last the whole year through.
It's Christmas Eve in Washington
Our joyous wish to you
Is for peace, love & laughter,
To last the whole year through."
--Maura Sullivan, Christmas Eve in Washington
( 12:15 PM ) Meghan
Sunday, December 23, 2001
Happy 22nd birthday, Jason!
( 11:47 PM ) Meghan
Saturday, December 22, 2001
And just so you know what you're getting into this Christmas on TV...
( 1:54 PM ) Meghan
"And you make it feel like Christmas
Even when things go wrong.
I hear the sound of Christmas in your song.
All year long..."
--Neil Diamond, You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Thanks, Catherine, for the vocal Christmas magic and also to Cindy, Carson, and Justin for a wonderful evening, littered with geek moments :) Happy 22nd birthday, Justin!
Also, a belated happy birthday to Andrew! My most sincere apologies.
( 3:55 AM ) Meghan
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
"Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee.
I spoke to you with childhood fantasy.
Well, I'm all grown up now,
But still need help somehow.
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream..."
--Amy Grant, Grown-Up Christmas List
Thanks, Santa. You know, I never stopped believing.
( 8:57 PM ) Meghan
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
Both relief and winter chill are in the air, now that I've received the verdict for this semester's performance. I did well. I came out with a 3.74 term GPA that resulted from two A's, two A-'s, and a B+. I can't help feeling that I don't entirely deserve such marks...after all, I was late with most of my critical assignments. Fortunately, it's not my opinion that matters. The way I've been looking at it is that after three years of excellent work and dedication to the Social Work program, I get to have one sub par semester for which I can cash in my brownie points for a little bit of mercy. What? As if you don't get brownie points in the "real world..."
This effectively means that I'll be starting next semester with a clean plate. I've set no former precedents for any kind of field work. I'm not really sure what I'm going to encounter anyway. Sure, there are expectations. I have high standards for myself and an insane amount of concern for other people (sometimes too much...maybe that's good this time). Besides, it only makes sense. Good students must do well in practice, right? Let's hope that logic rings true before irony.
( 9:24 AM ) Meghan
Monday, December 17, 2001
Since everyone seems to be posting their year-end reflections, I suppose this would be an opportune time to chime in with my own. I'll agree with Jason in that times were a mixture of both beautiful and horrible feelings and with Catherine in that I'm indeed ready for a fresh start.
It was quite a year. Now that I look back on it...it really was incredible. I made new friends and grew with old ones. I worked for three different employers and was blessed to have experienced determination, betrayal, and unconditional love so that I could more adequately prepare myself for a career. As time passed, I saw God work wonders in the most hopeless of situations, whether caused by the ignorance of one or the hatred of many. I felt relationships take twists and turns, learning that sometimes all I can do is trust the greater plan. I experienced hardship in my academic life, feeling the burdens of burnout and the temptations and consequences of irresponsibility. I watched hearts break and dreams come true for people that I love. I tried my best to help heal pain, hoping that my support mattered and thanking God when I found out it did. In turn, I was helped to heal by many people, all of whom I owe any future greatness and all my current goodness. I saw life come full circle, realizing that birth and death command our utmost respect and are both beautiful things in their own right. Self-improvement and self-defeat were at each other's throats...I learned the power of attitudes and their influence on success and friendship. I learned that I still have far to go with my social work skills (especially with tact), but that I won't stop empowering myself as long as I believe that I can. I also learned that confidence is key, but that humility adds a great deal of flavor to the taste of achievement. I realized that naivete does not always equal repression and often helps to light the way of the more challenging path.
The semester is over. The year has almost ended. So has this blog entry. But things have only just begun. If I had to take only one lesson from 2001, it would be that you must never experience things without realizing that someday you might need to use what you've learned. Bring on 2002! I have some theory to apply...
Merry Christmas and Yuletide greetings to all of you, and good luck to those of you still haunted by the ghosts of finals yet to come.
( 12:59 PM ) Meghan
Friday, December 14, 2001
Finals are over. My responsibilities are through until January. Things got better. Who knew? And I finally got some use out of my mistletoe...thanks, that meant alot to me :)
"I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas...
If only in my dreams."
( 6:18 PM ) Meghan
Wednesday, December 12, 2001
This week has been surreal and stressful, and I don't expect it to get any better. I was hoping that as Christmastime drew nearer, my quotient for Yuletide cheer would increase proportionally, but I guess it was not to be. I'm sure that I'm just being melodramatic again...but times are tough. I feel that very few other people are going through what I am right now. The end of this week is effectively the end of my college career. Sure, technically I'll be a college student next semester. But practicum is a whole other world, separate and distinct from anything I've experienced the last three and a half years. And so, if I've seemed depressed and difficult to deal with the last couple of months, I'm sorry. Every loss has it's grieving period, and I guess this is mine. I hate forgetting to take things like that into account.
I had my last parking enforcement shift today. I thought it would be easy...my sensibilities have been screaming for me to retire. But I was sad. I have friends there...I'm a well-seasoned employee, and one of the best from what I've been told. So it wasn't easy to leave, to log out of PowerPark for the last time. Of course, just to remind me of what I won't miss, I got one last chance to deal with some inflammation in a fire lane. Ha ha.
So, my supervisor told me that in lieu of throwing me a retirement bash, they would retire my unit number. So if ever you hear about JMU Parking Enforcement Officer 676, know that my legend lives on. Who knows what evil parks in the lots of men? I do...
Four exams. One bout of insanity. No fear.
Have a safe flight back to Hawaii, Justinne!
( 9:20 PM ) Meghan
Saturday, December 08, 2001
While passing away valuable studying time downloading Christmas music, I have come across some disturbing songs of which you all should be made aware. Be warned, patrons of the holiday spirit!
Everclear, I Will be Hating You for Christmas The Pogues, Christmas in the Drunk Tank Spinal Tap, Christmas with the Devil John Prine, Christmas in Prison Flickerstick, Execution by Christmas Lights
I'm getting chills. And not the good, frosty kind either.
( 6:33 PM ) Meghan
"I gotta thank God, cuz he gave me the skill to rock HARD!"
Thanks to Ben for my new motto, after having introduced me to the wisdom of LL Cool J :)
( 3:24 PM ) Meghan
"I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside.
And I wonder what I've done.
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now
To carry your Son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.
Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven...
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one
Should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me."
--Amy Grant, Breath of Heaven ( 2:38 PM ) Meghan
So this week came to a close with me turning in just about every assignment late and feeling extraordinarily delinquent. Not too big a deal...everything got done and it's been a productive last few days. The Professors' Dinner on Thursday was a smashing good time. It was indeed a memorable evening, followed by an early morning trip to Wal-Mart to play Santa Claus with Jason. Friday ensued with my last pet therapy session. It was an experience I won't soon forget, mostly because my puppy was quite large and my arms are still sore. But it was definitely a good time. Thanks, Perry. Good dog.
The other big news, Social Work Sweatshirts have arrived! And if you haven't paid, hand over the cash soon before I send my Phi Alphan goons to your houses.
( 2:33 PM ) Meghan
Wednesday, December 05, 2001
"Dum, dum, dum, honey what have you done?
Dum, dum, dum it's the sound of my gun.
Dum, dum, dum, honey what have you done?
Dum, dum, dum it's the sound
Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Her whole world's come undone
From lookin' straight at the sun
What did her daddy do?
What did he put you through?
They said when Janie was arrested they found him underneath a train
But man, he had it comin'
Now that Janie's got a gun she ain't never gonna be the same.
Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Her dog day's just begun
Now everybody is on the run
Tell me now it's untrue.
What did her daddy do?
He jacked a little bitty baby
The man has got to be insane
They say the spell that he was under the lightning and the thunder knew that someone had to stop the rain
Run away, run away from the pain yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Run away run away from the pain yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Run away, run away, run, run away
Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Her dog day's just begun
Now everybody is on the run
What did her daddy do?
It's Janie's last I.O.U.
She had to take him down easy and put a bullet in his brain
She said 'cause nobody believes me. The man was such a sleeze. He ain't never gonna be the same.
Run away, run away from the pain yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah
Run away run away from the pain yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Run away, run away, run, run away
Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Everybody is on the run
Janie's got a gun
Her dog day's just begun
Now everybody is on the run
Because Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Her dog day's just begun
Now everybody is on the run
Janie's got a gun."
Dedicated to all my fantastic, supremely dorky social work colleagues. I really am going to miss you guys next semester.
( 9:02 PM ) Meghan
While I have little time or patience for anything else these days, I will always make time for one thing--LETTING SCHOOL SUCK ME!
That was by far the most immature thing I've said this week. Wait, how much do I care?
