Waste of Space

There are some things in life that are wasting space, that are a waste of space, and cause wasted space.

There are many kinds of space to waste. 

One of which was very clear to me today. 

A waste of mental space. 

Why did this come to mind you ask? Let me tell you:

My summer roommate and friend of 5 years, Kelly, has been perusing the TV room and noted I own the games Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero for the  PS2. As I do own these, in years past I have wasted much time in entertainment through them. (Time, another thing to waste)

 

Dance Dance Revolution became a fast favorite of mine in college when we played for hours on end instead of doing our soccer workouts. I, however, have not played much as of late. (It is much more fun with people than alone.) 

Kelly also played DDR for hours on end during her college career. 

So of course, having 2 hours to fill with something to do, and learning that we are both awesome at DDR, we played. 

*not as in arcade level awesome, those guys are cray cray. 

And it was as they say, like riding a bike. 

Why does my memory keep those steps and rhythms so keenly preserved?

What else could I put in my mind rather than (mostly) useless video game knowledge?

How can I train myself to use that power and form of memory for the greater good or at least more of a purpose?

What other things are stored in my mind that will come out at a least expected time?

But, alas, maybe it isn't a waste. Without it, I wouldn't have enjoyed the time spent playing DDR yesterday with Kelly or the memories that emerged from days in the quad of playing until we could hardly stand anymore.

So maybe a waste of space isn't all bad. Maybe it isn't a waste at all. But I would still like to know how to harness that power for the greater good.

 

A good weekend

This weekend was good. Just plain good.

It started with a round trip to the beach. Sullivan's island to be exact. 

My friend Abby had a spare ticket to the Lumineers concert in Charleston and I had the rest of the day off. So we (along with 2 others) made our way to Charleston for a short stay at the beach, a good dinner at Poe's Tavern and a fun show under the evening sky. The concert was a good time but the drive and conversation and time spent with friends on either side may have been what I enjoyed the most. 

 

Then, Saturday, my first full day off since camp started, I did quite a few more fun things as well.

I ran 10 miles. 10 miles! And I made it in under my target time by 13 minutes. Apparently, I'm faster than I think I am.

Then, as is the usual for a day off, a few of us camp locals enjoyed a lake day. Swimming, zip lining, sunning, etc.

In the 2 and half years I have been here I had never done the zip line. I have been off of other zip lines plenty in the past few years, but never felt the urge to jump off a platform just to walk back around the lake soaking wet. But, this weekend I decided to change that, and as it turns out, our zip line is quite the enjoyable and smooth ride. I should have done it sooner : )

One of my lifeguards taught me how to run and dive. I can stand and dive, but not take off running and dive in head first. I'm still not great at it, but I can do it now thanks to Ward and his pirate voice.

Kelly, Aly, Lauren and I attempted to get a free meal at a new restaurant in town, but we were a little too late and the lady was not pleased that we new their secret.
 

That evening I made the most delicious cookies I have ever made. Monster cookies thanks to the framily's family recipe. 

Then we went to contra and danced the evening away.

I got my work things completed Sunday morning and was able to attend church and stop at the fram's and enjoy a lunch of Johnny Marzetti which is apparently a regional name for mac and cheese with meat and tomato sauce. Thankfully Kevin is from the same region as me and he didn't think I was crazy for referring to it as such.

Then it was back to the races for another week of camp.

But.

It was a really good weekend. A much needed one indeed.

Beautiful Feet

One of my favorite verses from the bible is about feet. It says, "how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news" It is first in Isaiah 52 and then quoted again in Romans 10.

The context is about those sharing the good news of peace and good tidings and salvation. And it seems that in life right now I am surrounded by people who are going and doing just that. Whether in direct ministry or through teaching English or just helping those that they can. 

This girl just left for a summer in Thailand. She is working with college students and human trafficking victims. And she is just fantastic.

This guy is on a short trip to Kenya to teach men about leadership and exegesis through a partnership with Grace Church SC.

This gal is leaving for the summer to go to Hungary to work with refugees and teach them English. 

This gal is preparing to spend 10 months as a gap year living in Asia and learning about the culture and working alongside a family. 

This gal is returning from 3 years in Rwanda where she had been working in various functions in a school. (she will also be living with me for the summer!) 

This gal just returned from a gap year in Guatemala. 

 

This gal is in the Philippines working with the Peace Corps. 

This guy just left for a summer in Honduras as the leader for a short term team that he put together and fund raised and prepared all school year for.

And to be honest, I think that might not even be half of the people I know and love that are living and working and loving well outside of this country. (Not to mention all the people that I know and love that serve and love well inside the country)

I pray that their feet are indeed found to be beautiful by those that they meet and that the opportunity to share peace and good tidings and salvation is not missed in my own life.

 

Just Keep Running #2

I have kept running.

I enjoy running.

There is progress being made in becoming a better and faster runner.

I think the new shoes make me faster:

(what, pink laces?! who am I becoming?)

Last week I ran 6 miles with only a little bit of walking on the back road hill at camp. (I had already run up it twice and three times was not a charm) It is 0.3 miles of steady incline.

This week I ran a 5k distance in 29 minutes. That's 3 minutes faster than my Swamp Rabbit 5k time. (I ran my first actual 5k in May).

Today I ran 6 full miles with no stopping in 1 hour and 6 minutes. Not too shabby for a girl that hated running 3 months ago.

This week I started a half marathon training plan given to me by a pal. It involves interval runs. I do not care for them, but supposedly they will make me faster. Tomorrow I am to run 6 miles again.

I haven't lost any more pounds since I started running, but I am ok with that for now. Reaching new running goals is equally satisfying.


And to any of you who encouraged me to run, many thanks. I really do like it.