Years ago, someone told me this story:
http://www.frtommylane.com/homilies/years_abc/second_sunday_after_christmas-2.htm
It came to mind* when, recently, I visited a good friend who is going through a rough patch. "Rough patch"--you know, what we call any point in our lives (which we all have) when any number of things isn't working out right, or we're blue, or we're struggling to get on the right path.
As we sat and talked, I realized how much I could identify with her. And the funny thing is, seeing someone else struggle the way I have/do, I realized that before me sat the very reason why struggling (I want to use suffer, but that seems to extreme; I'll reserve that for the mystics and the martyrs) makes us more human, and more compassionate.
For a moment there, I realized how our struggles help us better see one another and walk alongside one another.
*I know, the parable doesn't quite match up. But it's simple, elegant.... a helpful reminder.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
One week to go...
Err...a little more than one week. I can hardly believe how quickly the time here has gone by, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to focus on my work. But. But....
I'm ready to be home, too. Since, oh, say, the first night here, I've been missing T. But it was ok. The first few days, anyway. Being able to focus on my work, not worry about taking care of another person, not feeling selfish for focusing on work (me? Why would I focus on me?) After a week in, I started worrying. Am I that girl? The one who complains about sleeping alone, who can't stop talking about her husband/bf/what have you. These worries, from a girl who prides herself on her independence.
This month has been a great reminder about why we live in community, why intellectual engagement alone is not enough. We are, after all, far more complex than the sum of our thoughts.
Hopefully, when I return home in a little over a week, I'll be able to take this momentum into finishing the last chapter. And then comes the reworking--I'm anticipating a lot. But here's hoping that the work will be good, focused, fruitful.
And of course I look forward to being in community again.
I'm ready to be home, too. Since, oh, say, the first night here, I've been missing T. But it was ok. The first few days, anyway. Being able to focus on my work, not worry about taking care of another person, not feeling selfish for focusing on work (me? Why would I focus on me?) After a week in, I started worrying. Am I that girl? The one who complains about sleeping alone, who can't stop talking about her husband/bf/what have you. These worries, from a girl who prides herself on her independence.
This month has been a great reminder about why we live in community, why intellectual engagement alone is not enough. We are, after all, far more complex than the sum of our thoughts.
Hopefully, when I return home in a little over a week, I'll be able to take this momentum into finishing the last chapter. And then comes the reworking--I'm anticipating a lot. But here's hoping that the work will be good, focused, fruitful.
And of course I look forward to being in community again.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sabbath
Today was my first day off. How is it that it's only when I'm away from home that I manage to have a complete (er, almost--I still worked for an hour) day off? I slept in past my alarm, so I didn't make it to church with the methodists this morning. And I had planned to take the train into Stuttgart, but, well...the best intentions, you know.
So with a few hours of daylight, I strapped on my walking shoes (you know the pair--the sketchers I've had since undergrad) and took off. I walked along the river, among the vinyards, to Ludwigsburg. There are giant locks just above Marbach, a wonder to look at. It's a pity there weren't any ships out. I've enjoyed watching locks fill and empty ever since I studied in England and studied the English countryside.... There were also plenty of water fowl out. One poor bird kept flapping up the river ahead of me and resting until I came along again. Poor thing. Bird brain, really.Were he just a little smarter.
They have an old baroque city, and also a christmas market. For an hour so, I enjoyed the crowds of people, the smells of roasting nuts and Glühwein being served, and the stands and stands of crap. But it's European crap, so it's automatically classier, right? Right?
I do wonder who does indeed make purchases at such stands. Usually they just sell trinkets, little christmas ornaments or leather goods or carved figures from the Erzgebirge. What it seems most people go there for is the Stimmung, the atmosphere. And the drinks. Oh, the drinks!
So with a few hours of daylight, I strapped on my walking shoes (you know the pair--the sketchers I've had since undergrad) and took off. I walked along the river, among the vinyards, to Ludwigsburg. There are giant locks just above Marbach, a wonder to look at. It's a pity there weren't any ships out. I've enjoyed watching locks fill and empty ever since I studied in England and studied the English countryside.... There were also plenty of water fowl out. One poor bird kept flapping up the river ahead of me and resting until I came along again. Poor thing. Bird brain, really.Were he just a little smarter.
They have an old baroque city, and also a christmas market. For an hour so, I enjoyed the crowds of people, the smells of roasting nuts and Glühwein being served, and the stands and stands of crap. But it's European crap, so it's automatically classier, right? Right?
I do wonder who does indeed make purchases at such stands. Usually they just sell trinkets, little christmas ornaments or leather goods or carved figures from the Erzgebirge. What it seems most people go there for is the Stimmung, the atmosphere. And the drinks. Oh, the drinks!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
One week down...
...and four more to go. It seems as though time is going so very quickly, and yet it can't be over fast enough. I find myself having to stop, pause, remember to take this time for what it is--the opportunity to finish up my dissertation so that I can go back to Nebraska with a lighter load and a easier conscience. Thank goodness the archive has set times when it is open, and I try to use that time to the fullest. It opens at 8:30 and closes at 8 in the evening. I get in by 9 and stay until a little after 6. On Saturdays, they have a special card you can swipe and work from 10 to 5. Today I did most of that.
Here's hoping that I continue to progress well, and achieve my goals for the trip.
Here's hoping that I continue to progress well, and achieve my goals for the trip.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Los! In den Archiven!
In a few hours, we'll drive to Omaha so I can board a plane for Germany. This time tomorrow, I'll be checking into the archives and setting up my home for the next month. And hopefully work there will be productive. To help me acclimate to the timezones so I can focus better, I've woken up at 5.30 this morning after going to bed at 12. With the help of some benadryl on board, I should sleep like a baby.
I've still not packed (!) and I have to finish up this chapter and send it off. Hmmm. Does someone not want to go? If the young man were coming with me, it would be easier, I think. But tickets are over $1200, and, well, that's a bit outside of our budget.
Hopefully I'll update a bit more while I'm in the archives, offering little fun stories about the time I spend outside the archives. Thank goodness for German work hours--the archives close at 5:30, and so I'll have a few hours of downtime in the evenings. Weekends? Free. And so many people to come visit, I don't know how it will all get fit in.
Bis das nächste Mal,
e
I've still not packed (!) and I have to finish up this chapter and send it off. Hmmm. Does someone not want to go? If the young man were coming with me, it would be easier, I think. But tickets are over $1200, and, well, that's a bit outside of our budget.
Hopefully I'll update a bit more while I'm in the archives, offering little fun stories about the time I spend outside the archives. Thank goodness for German work hours--the archives close at 5:30, and so I'll have a few hours of downtime in the evenings. Weekends? Free. And so many people to come visit, I don't know how it will all get fit in.
Bis das nächste Mal,
e
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mending
Today I left work to go to the cobbler, where i picked up my old leather satchel. I've used it for the past 10 years or so, and it's carried me thourgh job interviews, intercontinental moves, and through work on my dissertation. You can imagine my sadness when, about two weeks ago, I picked it up and one of the straps broke.
Fortunately, I found a cobbler here in Lincoln who does leather repair. And for a mere $20, I hope to have another good ten years of wear.
As I biked home in the cold (yep, it's cold. I now wear a face mask/Balaclava to commute) I thought about how good it is to mend things and not simply throw them aside, and how wonderful it is to repair something enduring for a mere $20, rather than spending $50 every year or two on something badly made that doesn't warrent repairs. Rather than tossing a bag every few years, I can help employ a craftsman and own fewer things made in sweatshops.
Fortunately, I found a cobbler here in Lincoln who does leather repair. And for a mere $20, I hope to have another good ten years of wear.
As I biked home in the cold (yep, it's cold. I now wear a face mask/Balaclava to commute) I thought about how good it is to mend things and not simply throw them aside, and how wonderful it is to repair something enduring for a mere $20, rather than spending $50 every year or two on something badly made that doesn't warrent repairs. Rather than tossing a bag every few years, I can help employ a craftsman and own fewer things made in sweatshops.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Time, time, time
Dear friends,
Many, many apologies for my negligence. It seems getting married, moving, working full time, and writing a dissertation have gotten the better of me. I find it an incredible challenge, staying on task and completing assignments; I write this as I'm working with undergraduates and trying to teach them about time management. Blerg.
We have, however, found a church, and taken care of the basic necessitites for a simple life. Hopefully, soon, we will also have our home in order, with enough bookshelves for our books and everthing in its place.
I hope to post more regularly as the weather gets colder and I want to come home and nest.
But for now, friends, I'd like to let you know that the (still messy!) room which functions as an office also has a full-sized bed. You should make use of that bed just as soon as you can.
Love,
e
Many, many apologies for my negligence. It seems getting married, moving, working full time, and writing a dissertation have gotten the better of me. I find it an incredible challenge, staying on task and completing assignments; I write this as I'm working with undergraduates and trying to teach them about time management. Blerg.
We have, however, found a church, and taken care of the basic necessitites for a simple life. Hopefully, soon, we will also have our home in order, with enough bookshelves for our books and everthing in its place.
I hope to post more regularly as the weather gets colder and I want to come home and nest.
But for now, friends, I'd like to let you know that the (still messy!) room which functions as an office also has a full-sized bed. You should make use of that bed just as soon as you can.
Love,
e
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