A Survey: Definition of a fight (and other silly things)

A fight. An argument. When we hear these terms, different images and situations are brought to each person's mind. This was brought to my attention recently, when I found out my definition of a fight (any time two people disagree on something, or there are hurt feelings, in a way that causes distress to one or more involved parties) is a much broader one than Ryan's (all involved parties must be yelling, or it's merely classified as a "discussion"). I appreciated this difference and found it intriguing. To further explore the topic, I decided to poll my friends on what makes a fight a fight in their minds. Is it heated conversation or can it be silent hurt feelings? Does your definition require physical blows? Can it be one-sided? In short, what do you think of when you hear "they had a fight"?

In other news, I have decided my bathroom scale hates me and likes to toy with your emotions. It keeps telling Ryan he's losing weight, even though he swears his belly is growing, not shrinking. Meanwhile, I work out 4-5 times per week and try to eat little to no junk food and it tells me I have lost nothing. I suppose there was the one time it told me I lost 2 pounds, but it added back a pound each of the next 2 times I checked (which was all within about 8 days, I think). If I step off and back on to ensure that the reading was accurate, it INCREASES the number. If I pick up a big pile of stuff and step back on, it doesn't change. Does anyone else (besides Garfield) have such a cruel scale? And yes, I do try to weight at the same time of day and all that... Perhaps I should just forget I even own a scale.

I think the most common things I say to the other living creatures in the apartment would probably seem wierd to "outsiders". For example, the rabbit most commonly is addressed with: "Bunny-Boo, are you still alive?" When directed at Walter, it is frequently "Stop being a TURD/PEST!" (Second only to "Hello, little buddy!") The most common comment he gets from others is invariably something about his large girth... I'll spare you the sappy things I typically say to Ryan. We frequently ask each other "Howsa your day?" Do you have anything wierd you say that seems normal only to members of your household?

The big interview in McHenry is on Thursday the 5th, so I hope you can all be in prayer for me and Ryan about that! Thanks! Okay, that's it for me today.

Time to Re-Focus

So I know I haven’t blogged in a long time. I can’t claim being too busy as my reason, as I’ve had more free time than I know what to do with on most days recently. Of course, there are always many things a person SHOULD do with their free time (clean, re-organize things, find ways to improve themselves, help out others, etc.) but I, as I think most people would, have to confess that much of the time was spent watching TV and manically sucking up every morsel of information on Facebook. It was fun, to some degree, but at the peak of my really lazy days I was pretty depressed. I’m trying, however, to be wiser with my time lately. That is partly because our small group is studying “I Really Want to Change, So Help Me God” and partly because it was becoming plain that things needed to change in me anyway.

I guess a real update is in order, so here’s what’s been up with me lately. I’ve been doing a lot of job searching. It has been an emotional roller-coaster process, as there is so much to dread (crappy job market with few openings and fewer interviews, my own inexperience, not wanting to take a job for the wrong reasons, not wanting to forget everything I’ve learned, the USPS failing to deliver my resumes…). I have gotten my hopes up and had them crushed, felt like I let others down, and questioned every step. However, I can be grateful for my time of unemployment for several reasons. First, it has allowed me to get back to working out on a regular basis, which has been a healthy move I previously allowed time restrictions to crowd out. Second, I have time to search for and try new recipes, which is something I generally enjoy a lot. Third, it has given me more time to focus on starting my marriage to Ryan off on the right foot. Finally, it has allowed for a lot of self-examination and re-focusing. That has been very important, as I saw far too much me and not nearly enough Christ in my assessment. Not that this will ever NOT be the case, as life is (at best) a slow and steady growing in Christ-likeness, but I wasn’t really STRUCK with it for some time and finally owned up to being in quite a spiritual rut. God is pulling me out of it now that I can see I’m in it and care to ask for His help.

Some brief highlights of the last few months: Late August found the Hawkers and Heidners having a ball at the State Fair. September brought the Drake-Giordano wedding and a nostalgic trip to Champaign. In other news, my nephew (Zachariah Scott) was born on October 5th! I tried to put up his photo, but that kept crashing IE... He's such a cutie. We’re looking forward to meeting him soon, when we’re near Bloomington for the IV Deep retreat. October also brought a fun trip to Shedd Aquarium with Ruthi (see my pics and video on FB). The month will finish up with a Halloween party (if I didn’t already invite you, feel free to come, just let me know to expect you!), which I’m very excited for.

Ryan had a decent first session of the year at school (with the expected ups and downs) and just started teaching the second session today. He’s playing volleyball on Saturday mornings at church while I volunteer to help the building services staff. Walter continues to be a pest and best little furry buddy. The incredibly ancient rabbit, Gwennie, is finally starting to show some weaknesses, especially in his left hind leg. I hope to find a job soon for many reasons, but especially because I don’t want him to suffer, and it looks like he’s headed that way soon.

On the job front, I have finally have another potentially promising lead, so prayers for God’s will in my hopes for an interview and offer are appreciated. Hope you are all well!