the more things change, the more they stay the same

I wrote this post exactly one year ago.

A lot has changed since then. But then again, a lot has stayed the same. If you've read this blog before, you may have noticed that I love documentation. I learn a lot from reflection, so I thought it would be fun to do a little "compare and contrast" between November 23, 2009 and November 23, 2010.

Then, I was on the third floor of Samford University's library trying to finish up a paper before heading home for Thanksgiving. Today, I'm on the fourth floor of an apartment building in DC waiting for my family to come to me for Thanksgiving.

2009

2010

Then, I was concerned about the Great Eggo Ration of 2009. Now, I am back to eating an Eggo a day with a free conscience.

Then, I was happy for Susan Boyle. Now, she has just released a Christmas album. You go, Boyle.

Doesn't she look fantastic?!

Then, I was feeling sorry for John Mayer. Now, I'm still feeling sorry for John Mayer. I like John. He's had a hard year.

Then, I ate Snack Wells Devil's Food Cake from the Samford food court for lunch. Today, I had an Auntie Anne's pretzel from Union Station.

Then, I was worrying about what I was going to do with my life. I recall feeling "square in the dark" about a lot of things, specifically life after graduation.

Now, I'm still square in the dark. But it's not as much of a scary, looming cloud kind of dark as it is a mysterious, thrilling, temporary shadow kind of dark. It's the kind of dark that makes me recognize my dependence. It is the kind of dark that is lit by the "lamp unto my feet and light unto my path." It's the kind of dark that makes me trust and hope and rejoice in what is to come.

I finished all of my papers that semester. The Eggo shortage didn't last long. Susan Boyle is lookin' good. John Mayer is learning. And I'm a different person in a lot of ways. But I'm still just the same.

And I'm still eating terrible lunches.

relishing

No, this is not going to be a cliche' "Fall" post.

I'm not going to talk about how beautiful this time of year is.

I'm not going to tell you how much my heart leaps when I see things like this:

I'm not going to mention any pumpkin-flavored beverages.

I'm not going to tell you how much I'm relishing in this season.

Nope. I'm not. Gonna. Do it.

I'm not even going to write a verse about it.

Okay, I lied on that one:

"May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest;

God, our God, blesses us."

Psalm 67: 5

pie pumpkin

I requested we have a "pie pumpkin." But the official carver said it would not be scary enough.

So he added a good 'ole "boo." Problem solved.

I celebrated Reformation Day a little differently this year. We had a party at our apartment. I was Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. Can you see the resemblance?

Liz likes Pop-Tarts, too!

We had a plethora of delicious snacks, including some toes, eyeballs and a few molars.

Thankfully we had David Caruso from CSI: Miami on hand to investigate the alarming amount of body parts:

I'm going to leave you with a picture of the graveyard cake I made. As Liz Lemon would say, "It's my own recipe. I used cheddar cheese instead of water."

on snow globes

I've been a little shaky lately. Sometimes even a little queasy. And no, it's not from all the Halloween candy.

I'm being exposed to a lot. I'm learning a lot. My head is spinning a lot.

I feel like a snow globe, turned upside down and tossed about. Don't get me wrong... it's a beautiful thing. All the glitter floating around, suspended and reflecting the light. It's actually very cool. But I'm being shaken, nonetheless.

But just when I think my head and heart are about to explode, and my little globe is about to shatter, I remember the Rock.

"For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip."

- 2 Samuel 22:32

What a firm foundation. What a blessed comfort and security. My feet have not moved! I have not slipped! I'm just holding on tighter. And enjoying the glitter. And reflecting the Light.