slight randomness as an exercise of the freedom that comes after finals

I had my last final exam this morning at 8am. It was ridiculously intense...5 pages front and back of straight writing about 13 different novels we read this semester. I'm glad to be done.

....On a brighter note, I'm really happy I did all that reading this semester. I really enjoyed reading a lot of the novels.

I've discovered I love American Realism...and also naturalism. The Great Gatsby is of course one of my favorite books...and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again with fresh eyes. I also really liked McTeague, Passing, and the short stories "The Figure in the Carpet" and "The Real Thing" (both by Henry James). Although, I still can't bring myself to fully appreciate House of Mirth...Oh, Edith Wharton...how depressing you are.

Dude. Weiland is also really amazing. And The Scarlet Letter. Okay, I still have yet to read Moby Dick...but seriously...how was I supposed finish that one this semester?!

Anyway...so Liz (my roommate) and I are starting a book club together...and by book club, I mean book couple. I think we're going to start with Jane Austen's Emma, one of my favorites!!!!! Was that enough exclamation points for Austen? Maybe one more for good measure... !

I like the way it looks when there are book titles mixed with writing...the mixture of italics, quotes, and regular text looks interesting. That may have been one of the main reasons for writing this blog. Sorry for the selfish reasoning.



So, this semester was pretty difficult...but I'm actually really excited for the next. It feels like my life is actually moving a little...exciting! I've been doing more creative things...painting, drawing, writing...it's been a nice change. I feel more like myself...less intense.

I also feel like God has been waiting to give me answers until the right time...like now when I have time to deal with them...instead of while I'm worrying about reading (or not reading enough of) Moby Dick.

I don't have answers, really...but more leads--like I'm a detective looking for the path He wants me on...it kind of an adventure! Epic, I hope. I'm excited.

And while I'm on this subject, I would like to outline my Christmas list. For God. Yeah, I know...sometimes it's weird to ask for blessing...you feel selfish. But if there's one thing I learned in Japan, it's that unless God blesses me, I will wither and die. He came that I might have life and have it abundantly...and then freely give as I have freely received. Here are some things I am asking from Him that I can't get on my own:

1. Rugged joy
2. Rugged hope
3. Contagious enthusiasm
4. Love for others
5. A faith that remembers


I don't really have the energy to fully explain these...maybe later. Procrastination...ENFP-style.