Lent

It's that time of year again. I seem to always get more reflective around Lent than I do at the New Year. Last year for Lent I gave up the E! Channel. I don't even remember that I did that, except that I just looked up the blog I wrote about it last year. Really made an impact I guess.... this year I have decided to give up watching television after 10:00 pm. To many this may not seem like a sacrifice, but it is. As I mentioned before, if you've read my blog, you know I like television. And I do. But I also use it as a crutch. today is Thursday, yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and it's already difficult. I miss it. There really aren't any shows that I regularly watch after 10 pm, but without the television on it's so quiet. I was just packing for a weekend away (with becky and tim!) and it felt empty without my television. I turned on music, but I realized that having the tv there is like having a friend to talk to. it's something to interact with.

Most days I don't mind being single. In fact, in many ways I really enjoy it. I've gotten used to my time being my own. But after 10 pm is when it bugs me. Life is just so quiet, and I like having someone to chat with. I've also learned that after 10 is when married people go to bed, and so all i really have is the E! channel. They are my late night friends. (you know, Chelsea and Ryan)

Now, the point of Lent is to prepare for the Easter season. We give something up to remind us of the sacrifice that Christ made for us, and how little our sacrifice is in comparison. So, what am I going to do when it's after 10 and I feel lonely and I'm not turning on my tv?? Well, currently blog, but I also really want to spend that time reading. Reading scripture and reading books that point me towards the truth in the world. We shall see how it goes.

On a quick side note about Lent, last night a group of friends and I went to a bar downtown for Wednesday night trivia (we got 2nd place, which is not the point- but is exciting). We usually go after our small group (well, i've gone twice) but last night we didn't have small group because of Ash Wednesday service. So, we went with our Ashes on. Which I was torn about doing, because I didn't want to seem like I was showing off "EVERYONE LOOK AT ME... I'M RELIGIOUS" but we went. We got a few stares (one girl said- i think there is a guy checking you girls out.... oh no, he's staring at the mark on your face), and the host of trivia came up to us to ask what we were giving up. It was an interesting conversation. Nothing earth shattering, but that was the first time a stranger has ever struck up a conversation with me based on a "religious" marking on my face. She's giving up sugar, btw.

good friends

February is slipping quickly by (but I'm not complaining- I would be fine if January and February slipped right off the calendar), and I haven't posted a thing. This is not for a lack of things going on in my life- but quite the contrary. I have had some kind of work or ministry meeting pretty much every night for the last 2 1/2 weeks. It gets hard to do much of anything. I'm neglecting the blog, my email, and even facebook (gasp). But, better busy than nothing to do!!

One thing though, that I have made some time for is good friends. In the midst of the busy-ness I have been able to squeeze in some visits with friends I haven't seen in a long time. Last weekend was Jubilee (post on that coming soon) and while there were great speakers and seminars and good times with students, it was also a great opportunity to reconnect with a few old CCO friends. I forget how much I miss these folks until I get to see them. The highlight was a walk around the conference center with not-quite-so newlywed Erica (whom I haven't seen since her wedding), and a (too brief) breakfast with come of the girls I came on staff with. Celia, Jamie, Becky, (Tim!), and Erica (who didn't join with us, but we added her in). It's never enough time with those women!

Last week was busy as well, but the highlight was a sushi lunch with Christy (Phyllis). It was wonderful to catch up with her. First she was a student, then a CCO coworker, and now a fellow Yorkian (She's also a York native). Her family owns an ice company, and we had a fascinating conversation about ice... it was truly enlightening.

Then this past weekend, after spending most of Saturday to myself, I went down to see my HS bff Rachel's new place and hang out. We watched a movie and ordered take out. Super fun!!! Then Sunday, I headed to Bel Air to meet midway with Becky and Bryanne. I lived with these girls for only 1 year (less for Becky who got married!) but we had a great year. All three of us had really flexible schedules, and we'd sit around the table nearly every morning over coffee before heading to work (or, staying in the house to work as we often did), and spent many nights standing in the upstairs hallway chatting. It was great!! I miss the schedule of life from those days, but I also miss those women. We were just 3 single gals, now Becky is due with baby #1 in just 5-6 weeks, and Bryanne is getting married this summer! It was wonderful to catch up.

After lunch and ice cream (becky's pregnancy craving), I went directly to dinner at MaGerks, a great downtown Bel Air restaurant with my sister and her friends, who have become my friends. It was a great time.

Tonight I am having dinner with a former coworker, and am REALLY looking forward to that... after that... I think I'm back to the mundane of life. There are still a few long lost buddies I've been hoping to reconnect with... if you read this- CALL ME!!!