Category: Literature


Looking Backwards and Looking Forwards

Filed Under: Blogging, Geekiness, General, Life, Literature, Poetry, School by Thursday's Child — 9 Comments
Sunday, 2nd March, 2008

Ho-kay. I know I don’t have a whole bunch of readers, but the complete lack of comments on the last entry tells me 1)I really am as bad at poetry as I thought I was or 2)Poetry isn’t you guys’ shtick, so I think I’ll refrain from any poetry posting here. Maybe some day I’ll make a separate blog for that.

In other news, I’ve been working on my application to attend Oxford for the Spring semester of 2009. To be completely frank, the very idea creates in me a giddy anticipation of the adventures (quests?) the trip will hold for me. At the very same time, that idea creates in me a nearly debilitating fear and trepidation that I’m nearly unable to work on the application process at all.

The last time I was considering doing this was just last year. I was thinking about going to Oxford this past fall semester, and following that trip up with a semester in Russia during this semester. I wussed out. As it turned out, though, what with all the crazy stuff that went on with my head, it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t end up going then.

As far as what I’ll do if I get in, I already know because I had to pick classes and things as part of the application process. For those of you who don’t already know, the British do things a bit differently in their university system than we do here in the states. I had to pick a seminar track, and a primary and secondary tutorial. The seminars are like typical lectures, given by a number of different faculty members at Wycliffe Hall. The tutorials are just that: one-on-one meetings with faculty to discuss readings, go over papers, etc. The style is largely self-motivated, because you only meet with your tutor once a week, and you have to make sure to get your assignments done in the meantime.

Looking at all the many different tutorials they offer, I decided on these, under the English Language and Literature seminar track. Primary Tutorial: Linguistic Theory; Secondary Tutorial: Old Norse Literature (which will be entirely in Old Norse, which they’ll teach us how to read); Alternate Primary (in case I can’t get into it): The History and Use of the English Language; Alternate Secondary: Old English Literature (Again, it’ll be in Old English, which they’ll teach us).

Those may or may not sound at all interesting to you all in the vast internets, but I can’t wait. ‘Course I’ve got to get myself accepted first. Wish me luck, and please forgive me if my next post is some ramblings as I try to straighten out my application essay.

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Juxtaposition

Filed Under: General, Life, Literature, Love, personal philosophy, Poetry by Thursday's Child — 2 Comments
Thursday, 28th February, 2008

So, to go along with the new bright color scheme, here’s a very dark poem about child abuse.

Not The Way it Ought to Be

But surely that’s not the norm,
Families taking such vile form,
Sisters at 6 years old to mourn?
Children going to bed with nothing to keep warm?

Surely that’s not the way it ought to be.
There’s a father who promises love unconditionally
Whether or not the dishes are done; see,
For Him, it’s ok just to be.

With all the hate, all rage and pain
With our other Father, we can regain
The life we’ve lost to our parents vain
And selfish with all their arguments inane.

Surely that’s not the way it ought to be.
A family who’s decree
Is pain and sadness confuses me,
I don’t understand how could we
As a people allow such travesty?

No support, no love, living alone
As children, when their parents are grown
Who, in their age, really should have known
A child needs reassurance, just throw them a bone

Surely that’s not how it ought to be.
Mimetic ghosts chasing, the children flee
Lost in their sanguine-filled sea
Surely, that’s not how it ought to be.

If only they knew about God’s love
The father whose mercy rains from above
The one who came down as a dove
And through ultimate sacrifice of

His son, He’s set us free.
Surely that’s the way it ought to be.
Wrapped in a warm blankee,
Ear to ear, smiling in glee

That there’s nothing to fear.
Sons and daughters near
To our Father who’s ear
A prayer never doesn’t hear.

Surely that’s the way it ought to be.
Brothers, sisters, mothers, daughters as holy family.
Surely that’s the way it ought to be.

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Sex, Sushi, and Salvation

Filed Under: General, Literature, School by Thursday's Child — Leave a comment
Saturday, 9th February, 2008

For my school newspaper, I recently read Christian George’s new book Sex, Sushi, and Salvation: thoughts on intimacy, community, and eternity (Here on Amazon) so I could write a review on it. Here’s that review for you all who aren’t attached to LeTourneauland to read the paper.

The title, weighing in at a substantial ten words, really gives a fairly concise explanation of what the book addresses. The book takes the reader on a journey through the memories of its author, Christian George, as he begins putting together the pieces of his life, and weaving a tapestry of faith-centered messages.

George has led a life of travel, having been on many a pilgrimage to pertinent places in the Bible and in the history of the Christian faith. He has also traversed the globe on several mission trips. These experiences, along with some personal medical issues, marriage, and long talks with good friends, have given George some insights that the less world-savvy individual might not be able to grasp. That is, at least, the attitude which seems to run the course of the entire book.

George shares his thoughts on why people feel a need to be connected, ways in which people seek out that connection, and things in his life that have made him feel both connected and completely isolated. His stories are straight from the pages of his past, and each one ultimately reveals a spiritual truth, or a piece of the nature of God. From the mundane lunch-room jitters of talking to a girl for the first time, to the extraordinary grief of emergency room visits, everything, it seems, has a deep spiritual purpose, but he expounds on the story itself more than on its meaning of application.

That was a major theme running through the book: exposition of the circumstances and events with little depth into the spiritual truth he’s trying to outline in that specific chapter. At times, George tries so hard to stretch his situations to fit their theme, I found myself getting lost in the narrative. The narratives, also, seemed at times strained, and the language forced in an attempt to try to sensationalize a feeling or event.

Overall, the book begins to say some great things about Christianity, relationships, personal hardships, missions, community, faith, travel, and the list goes on. The list continues, but the outline is only of the second order, without much meat for each topic. While there were chapters on each of the three aspects of the title, the chapters were each self-contained units, and there wasn’t a sense of cohesiveness through them in regard to the expectations derived from the title: intimacy, community, and eternity.

Sex, Sushi, and Salvation is George’s third book. I expect he will continue writing and publishing, and while I think this book leaves some depth to be desired, George is certainly on the track to becoming a top-notch Christian Life writer. I give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

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NaBloPoMo? NotNoMo.

Filed Under: Congratulations, General, Literature, NaBloPoMo, Poetry by Thursday's Child — 11 Comments
Friday, 30th November, 2007

Well, today’s the last day of NaBloPoMo. I made it. Did you?

There were a few times that I didn’t have anything to say, or forgot to post until way late into the night, but you know, these things happen sometimes. I feel accomplished. Each word I type gives me a sense of glee to know that I actually finished something that I started. And I met all sorts of wonderful new people! I hope you all who started hanging around here will continue to do so. I’ll keep reading all of your lovely blogs because I thought they were so good.

Tomorrow is the big Conference day, and when it’s over, I’ll tell you all about what a mess it was putting it together, but for now, I’ve really got to get on this paper that I’m presenting for it tomorrow. I’ve been pouring over this poem for hours on end, and I’m making headway, but it’s fairly slow going. Things are, however, beginning to fall into place mentally, though; I’ve just got to start getting those ideas out of my head, off of my book and notebook, and into a word processor. After that? No sweat. 5-7 pages should just fall right out. I mean, I’ve done more prep work for this paper than I’ve done in a long time.

Also, I’ll post the paper here after a few months if I can’t get any takers for publication. The title is “Counting the Stars: A New Critical approach to Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella Sonnet 5.” If you’re interested, I can send it to you when I finish it, just comment and ask me.

Congratulations everyone for a job well done!

P.S. As a bonus, here’s the poem itself:

It is most true, that eyes are formed to serve
The, inward light; and that the heavenly part
Ought to be king, from whose rules who do swerve,
Rebels to Nature, strive for their own smart.
It is most true, what we call Cupid’s dart,
An image is, which for ourselves we carve;
And, fools, adore in temple of our heart,
Till that good god make Church and churchmen starve.
True, that true beauty virtue is indeed,
Whereof this beauty can be but a shade,
Which elements with mortal mixture breed;
True, that on earth we are but pilgrims made,
And should in soul up to our country move;
True; and yet true, that I must Stella love.

Enjoy!

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