-People watching in the airport under the guise of knitting.
-Telling stories and laughing around the campfire last night with my family. We went to our family hunting ranch in South Texas that my Great-Great-Grandfather bought in 1912. It's a serene and pristine place, that still has no electricity or running water. It's perfect for contemplation, reading and recharging.
-Hearing my Nana's laugh again.
-Listening to my Grandmother tell a hilariously animated Christmas story last night.
-Watching "The Sound of Music," and enjoying all 3+ hours of it.
-Catching up with two old friends over breakfast and lunch.
-Singing Paul Simon songs at the top of my lungs with Rob and Karen on our 14-hour drive across four states to get to Texas. It was actually a really fun drive, made better with great music, snacks galore, knitting and conversation.
-Creating a perfect relaxing evening by renting a movie, ordering my favorite thai food (when I called in my usual order, the man taking my order said "Whitney?"), having a glass of wine and delicious orange and chocolate-dotted biscotti Elizabeth gave me for dessert.
-Watching the men who were cleaning the gutters on campus rappell each other across the rooftop while using a leaf blower to blow all the leaves away. It was quite a feat.
-Hearing haunting Appalachian and Celtic music at a concert last night. A friend was kind enough to give me a complimentary ticket (she was one of the choreographers). Rising Appalachia were especially fantastic.
-Receiving a wonderful care package from my parents today. It came complete with yummy hot chocolate, African tea and garlic-rosemary crackers. Delicious!
-While chatting with an older woman at church last night, she mentioned that she applauds women in the ministry, because she graduated with an M.Div. from Union Presbyterian Seminary in 1956, the same year women were first allowed to be ordained in the P.C. (U.S.A.). She asked if I was "attached" or "floating" (i.e. single) and I said that I guess I was "floating." I said that, of course, I would love to meet someone, but as my call is getting more and more defined, I would need to find someone that could complement my call to reconciliation mission work. She said that she was thrilled that I felt that way, because in her day women had to put their lives on hold for their husband's career.
-The most random of road trips with Rob and Karen last night. Karen found out that she needed to drive 100 miles for her car computer to register its emission before she could get it read. So, we logically drove 45 miles one way to see a movie in Cumming, Georgia. It was an evening of the obligatory Christmas chick flick, a tub of popcorn so large it was called "the monster" and continuous laughter over just how ludicrous the whole event was.
-A serene moment of utter silence and grey light as I walked beside vine-engulfed trees.
-When I was feeling stressed about all the work I have to do this week, I received a hilarious email from my sister of a clip from "Sister Act" (see Dec. 8). It made me laugh and relax.
-Watching Brian blow strawberries on his daughter Britney's stomach at tonight's Christmas party.
(I came across a great pic Sarah had of me dancing with Zoe and Shirley, and had to add it.)
-A random two-hour conversation at Java Monkey with the man that sat next to me on the red couch. He's a children's book author and professor, and we chatted about books, travelling, school, politics, religion and writing. It was a refreshing and affirming conversation, where I renewed his faith in young adults and he renewed mine in the power of talking to strangers.
-Not being afraid to assert some strong opinions about Christology in the Old Testament in my theology class today (and having people thank me for them later).
-The final post-greek class, pre-theology class Chick-fil-a breakfast run with friends. We've made a routine of going between classes on Tuesdays or Thursdays, and it's a much-needed relaxing (and delicious) break.
-Waking up in time to see the first pinkish colors of a sunrise hit the sky. The moon was still full and bright behind the wintery trees.
-The strong, pungent smell of the Farmer's Market as I enter. It smells like a combination of coffee and spices. It's a wonderful place where I find the most obscure fruit, wines and vegetables. I always hear at least three different languages being spoken around me.
-Receiving my first Christmas card from my parents' minister. She even included a little gift.
-Tree shadows painted onto the wall outside my apartment. When I first moved in, I loved the wall, with its red Georgia clay staining that makes it whisper of Tuscany.
-Taking the youth group to Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Trappist Monastery in Conyers. It was their compline (evening) service, and the sanctuary was in complete darkness other than the cross and Bible lit up in the front. We didn't even know anyone else was there until the monks began to sing. It was the most transcendent combination of deep throaty hums and tonal variations I've ever heard. It felt holy, sacred, other...a "thin" place like Iona.
-Today at church I sat by an older woman named Minnie, who is a matriarch of the church. She isn't able to come very often because she's in her nineties, but she came today. As the choir processed past us, a member reached down and squeezed her hand.
-Indulging in a chocolate martini to celebrate Erin's birthday last night. It was the most fantastic thing I've ever had. To top it off, the waiter had lived in Ireland for 10 years, and we had a lovely chat about that lovely place.
-Trying hard not to laugh during class when something funny happened. It's the wierdest feeling having laughter rise up inside and trying to quell it.