It is finished...(kind of)

Four years, 140 credits, and many thousands of dollars later, I graduated from this place. Ah how great it feels, right? Well, kind of.

Goshen College wasn't the only institution holding graduation ceremonies two weekends ago. Many of my friends were also finishing finals and receiving their diplomas. Except many of them actually graduated.

Much to my chagrin, I noticed many Facebook status updates along the lines of: "It is finished," or "finally!" or "packing for home!"

While I finished editing the last issue of the Record, completed finals, and packed for home, reality was still at bay: May term was yet to come.

I haven't been on campus for May term since my first year. Sophomore year I returned from SST in Cambodia and completed an internship during May at home in Pennsylvania. Last year I went on the Business in Spain trip to Barcelona.

So far, May term is what I remember. Early mornings, long class sessions, and a constant internal urge to be outside. Which, thankfully, I do have plenty of time to do. I actually just got back from a nice work out. And I have an intramural volleyball game later today.

But this May term feels different from what I remember my first year. For one, I'm living off campus, so impromptu football games aren't as frequent. More than that, I'm graduated. I've walked across the aisle, shook President Brenneman's hand, and signed the "book" (a longstanding Goshen College tradition).

This year it is more than a constant urge to be outside. The Friday before graduation, I received a message that I landed a one-year internship with Sojourners in Washington, DC next year. And many of my friends are already home for the summer.

Alas, I have one more class to go. I must remember that Sojourners won't start until September; my friends will still be at home in two weeks; and I need my Humanities class credit in order to get my real diploma. After all, that one we got at "graduation" was a blank sheet of paper. So it is finished, kind of.

Parkside Elementary students walk to campus
On Friday, 450 students and staff from Parkside Elementary walked four blocks down 8th St. to Goshen College and back to celebrate All Children Exercising Simultaneously Day.

The celebration was part of an overall Health Awareness Week for Goshen Community Schools. All schools invited students to walk somewhere in Goshen this week to promote healthy lifestyles.

Goshen College students, faculty and staff welcomed the Parkside Elementary students to campus with claps and cheers as they arrived, led by the Goshen High School drum line.

Click here to view video.
Posted at 11:41 #

Goshen College alumni in canoeing accident
Two Goshen College graduates were in a canoeing accident in the Elkhart River on Tuesday. Nick Loewen and Glenn Schumacher upset their canoe near the Goshen dam.

Both of them were rushed to the Goshen General Hosptial. For more information:

http://www.goshennews.com/local/local_story_077120447.html

Visit the Goshen News Web site for updates.
Posted at 23:21 #

President Obama visits Elkhart
I got a press pass (as editor-in-chief of the Record) to President Obama's town hall meeting in Elkhart on Monday. It was his first address outside of Washington since being sworn into office. And recall that Obama ended his campaign right here in Indiana as well.

Click here to read my post at the Record online for description, photos and video uploads! I got to sit next to a reporter from the Wall Street Journal. He's the guy with the bright orange tie in the one photo.
Posted at 21:44 #

Visit the Maple Log
I am the editor of the Record this semester. For those who don't know, this is the student newspaper at Goshen College. After a semester hiatus, we are now publishing online again (and still in print).

Check out the new Record Web site that I helped design:

http://record.goshen.edu/

Read my editorial about the Maple Log, a new blog that I am coordinating:

http://record.goshen.edu/for-the-record

Here's a direct link to the Maple Log:

http://record.goshen.edu/category/maple-log

I'd like to generate traffic to the Maple Log. I will now use the Maple Log for most of my blog posts. But I'll still post here from time to time. Enjoy! And feel free to email me links, stories, etc. to post at sheldoncg@goshen.edu.
Posted at 16:34 #

Sense of break in Telford

I'm down to two more days here at home in Telford, Pennsylvania. I can't believe it is 2009 (that makes me sound older than 21). Like many "seasoned" people often say, time goes by faster every year. I agree. The fall semester came, hung out for a bit, then disappeared. And now I'm down to one final hurrah this spring. Let's not harbor on the spring semester yet though. In order to hold on to a bit of the past, which has slipped out like a rug from under me, I will recount (using my five senses as a guide) a bits and pieces of my break:

SIGHT-- apparently Circle Drive is infested with turkeys. Who knew? As the photos show, every morning around 30 turkeys infiltrate my backyard. We live near a creek and have woods beyond our property. During the winter there are often random cats, deer, geese, turkeys, and small game that trek through our yard. But 30 turkeys?? I wonder what they're looking for.

TASTE-- I've spent a good deal of my break cooking. I thoroughly time in the kitchen, especially when I don't have homework hanging over my head. I've posted a few of the meals I made for me and my parents. Ever since I was a wee little child my family has pridefully baked an assortment of cookies around Christmas. Now that my sisters are married (but still live nearby), our tradition has morphed into a one day bake-off. We've cut back from about a dozen to three kinds of cookies. This year we chose gingerbread cutouts, rum prints, and red velvet whoopie pies.

SMELL-- I can't really convey this very well. The recent cooking and baking has lit up the entire house with friendly fumes. Our fireplace has also been crackling pretty consistently as well, which provides a pleasant pine juxtaposition with the constant candles that are lit around the house. I love fires and candles as much as cooking. Too bad we can't have either at School House!

TOUCH-- hmmm...a few highlights of what I got for Christmas: Wawa gift card (for all non-PA residents, visit wawa.com to see for yourself the glory of this place), book of my former pastor's sermons, book of Obama's faith walk, book of the spiritual life of U2, and a bottle of Sriracha hot chili sauce.

HEAR-- aside from my daily alarm clock, my break has been infused with holiday tunes. I say holiday tunes not to devalue Christmas songs, but because I enjoy the non-Christmas songs that only seem to get played this time of year. Think Barenakes Ladies "Elf's Lament," not "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things." As December has turned to January, the seasonal songs have slowly slipped away. Until next year...

The number one highlight of break was our family holiday light drive. Every year we hop in Pop's van and analyze, critique, and exhort over people's holiday lighting decorations. This is priceless. I've never met anybody who can break down a seemingly standard decoration (take one of those moving reindeer, for instance) like my family can. This year the award-winning house went to some dude who'd spent $27,000 decorating his house and fitting it to music. I have a video of it but can't figure out how to put it on the blog.

Getting to know Interstate 80
In two days I’ll head east on Interstate 80 for my last Christmas break as an undergraduate. Two finals remain between me and freedom, with three finals already a part of history. Finals this semester have been surprisingly less stressful than years gone by, but I won’t complain. I think this comes from my general lack of accounting and economics courses this fall.

But let’s not live in the past. Well, okay, we can for another moment. Let’s back-track over the past number of days.

I’d never been home for Thanksgiving break before. It always came close enough to the end of the semester that it wasn’t worth making the 10 hour drive twice in less than two weeks. This year it was no different, except, as I alluded to already, I’m a senior. Ever since coming to college I had wanted to surprise my family. They never expect me home for Thanksgiving, and this was my last chance, right?

So I surprised them. My two sisters and parents had no idea I was coming. We had a wonderful break together, with plenty of relaxation, eating, and lounging around. Many of the same activities I intend on pursuing in a few days.

Last weekend was Festival of Carols, the annual Christmas music concert. Another event I’d waited four years for was to have my parents attend this concert with me. So after only five days of missing me, they arrived last Friday night at around 2am.

We had brunch at Rachel’s Bread and hung out at the farmer’s market and Old Bag Factory afterward. Mother took her usual afternoon nap while Pop and I traversed around in the snow. We then ate baked potatoes for dinner and attended the concert. That night we lounged around.

It was a generally low-key weekend. This week is slipping away fast. Before I know it, I’ll finish my final two finals and hit the road. The Good’s will officially track over I-80 for three straight weekends. Thankfully it will be almost four more until I have to do it again. And I anticipate that trip to be my final trek before graduation. Wow.

Posted at 19:54 #

This I Believe
Just thought I'd let you know that I was on the radio this morning! As part of my Writing for Media class we wrote "This I Believe" papers. National Public Radio (NPR) runs this public dialogue to discuss the core values that shape us. My essay was chosen by our local NPR affiliate, 88.1 WVPE, to air this morning.

I recorded it last week at our Goshen College radio station, 91.1 The Globe.

.

A text version is also available on the Goshen College website and via thisibelieve.org.

I hope you enjoy it!
Posted at 16:31 #

Phinally!

I'm not sure if you heard or not, but THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES WON THE WORLD SERIES! Yup, that's right. The city of Philadelphia won its first professional sports championship since 1983 -- its first since I've been alive. Words can't express the overabundance of joy this brought me last Wednesday.

On Monday, the Phils played six innings before a rain delay postponed the rest of the game until Tuesday. On Tuesday, it was STILL raining in PA, so they waited until Wednesday.

Uh oh, I thought to myself. I had a group project meeting (for the MEDA convention -- Mennonite Economic Development Associates) that night. Thankfully my group members were willing to push our gathering time up an hour so that I we could finish in time to watch the game.

And watch the game, I did. Barely, though.

We fought through two tough innings of one-run baseball. At the time, it was the most nerve-wracking sports experience of my life. I kept thinking, "why can't we be up 10-2 like the last game?" But I wouldn't have it any other way. Our closing pitcher, Brad Lidge, who hadn't lost a save opportunity all year, came in for the ninth inning. All he had to do was get three outs to put us at 86-0 on the season when leading going into the ninth inning. That's all. Three outs. Three outs, and the city of brotherly love would erase its mark as the longest championship-less city with four professional sports.

I haven't left you with much to guess. I opened the blog with the answer. Lidge did it. He got three outs. The Phils won. The city won. We won. We are the champions.

Complete (ph)andemonium overtook the apartment room we were watching in, throughout the city that night, on Friday during the parade down Broad Street, and will continue for years to come. Cause who knows how long it'll be until we see another championship. It had been 15 years (Sixers won in 1983).

Hopefully I won't be 36 when the next one comes to town.

Check out some photos of our watch party during the game, our celebration Friday night at the South Side Soda Shop (owned by a Philly native) where my buds and I got Philly Cheesesteaks to commemorate the win, and a few others from the press.

Fall Times Six

My life has been inundated with the theme of "fall" this past week. Here are just a few examples:

Fall foliage -- according to AccuWeather.com, last week marked the "best" time for fall foliage in northern Indiana. October is my pop's favorite month of the year. It is definitely up there for me, too. I recently changed the background on my cell phone to a patch of leaves I passed on my way home one day. Sometimes I wish you could bottle the scent of leaves. C'mon Bath and Body Works, why don't you have leaf-induced aromatic candles?

Fall classic -- actually, that's PHALL classic! In the biggest news of the week -- and entire year thus far -- the Phillies won the Major League Baseball National League pennant on Wednesday. For all you baseball fans (in Philly we're "phans") out there, here's a bit of Phillies trivia: first World Series since 1993 (when I was six year old); last championship was in 1980; only fifth postseason series victory in franchise history (est. 1883!). This is our chance to reposition ourselves from the losingest franchise in sports history with over 10,000 losses. If only we had a team to play...

Fall down -- Lane Miller, one of my four house-dude-mates fell off his bike on Thursday. If Wednesday held the overall biggest news of the year, Thursday claims the funniest. I'm not going to say much more since I haven't asked for permission. Sorry I don't have any photos of Lane. If I did, you'd see his bruised thigh, sprained right-wrist (he's a piano player...), and gash on his chin.

Fall break -- FALL BREAK 2008 WHOOO!!! Not much else needs to be said here. We have off Monday through Wednesday. Word.

Fall cleaning -- because we are on break, I decided -- along with Lane, the aforementioned cripple -- the house was in need of a makeover. We spent all of Saturday morning dusting, washing, vacuuming, scrubbing, and any other verb synonymous with cleaning. Ben was at play rehearsal, Greg's in Virginia, and Matt's visiting his brother.

Fall frost -- we had our first frost of the season in Goshen this morning.

The end.

You don't need a football team to have a hopping Homecoming
Okay, so we don't have a football team at Goshen College. That doesn't mean we can't still have a hopping Homecoming weekend. And a busy one at that!

Friday night after tennis practice I went over to the music gala in Sauder Hall. A bunch of my friends performed, along with a few of our stellar faculty. After the concert I was pleasantly surprised to see three or four couples who were visiting from my home area. I chatted with them for a bit, then rushed over to the Peace Plays in Umble Center.

There were two plays and this year's theme was remembering 9/11. One was intense and poignant, the other much more comical and laid-back. Both were fun. That was about it for Friday night.

Saturday morning I had to get up with the roosters for our tennis match. We played non-conference Defiance College and won 6-3. I only played doubles because of my ailing knee injury. I hope to mobile enough to compete at my full potential next week at our conference tournament.

After an afternoon of tennis, I hung out at the WGCS reception to celebrate their 50 year anniversary. The highlight was these amazing chocolate raspberry strudel dessert bars that Susie Lambright (residence director) made. Oh yeah, it was fun to see some of my old and graduated radio friends as well haha.

After supper I ate cake and drank tea with a bunch of my housemates/friends from last year in Howell House. It was my roommate Greg Yoder's 22nd birthday. We had TWO cakes. Yup, that's right. We don't mess around when it comes to cake -- one carrot and one banana nut. Both with creamcheese frosting. Both had leftovers that are now downstairs in our kitchen!

Saturday night's alumni hymn sing was probably the highlight of the weekend. New music professor and former GC TENNIS PLAYER Scott Hochstetler led us in an hour of song.

I'm sure there will be photos posted online soon, care of the PR department. I don't have many. Actually none right now, but I'll try to track some down for you in the coming days. K, back to demoralizing reading about the lackluster state of our economy!

PS- even though we don't have a football team, Penn State does. And they won on Saturday. Again. Oh yeah, and then on Sunday the Phillies clinched the NLDS. Word.
Posted at 20:09 #

School House rocks
Schoolhouse Rock! Who remembers the ABC animated series from the 90s? Ah, what a nostalgic feeling I get when I think of Conjunction Junction and that one old Nike commercial.

I'm quite proud to proclaim that I am one of a third of all GC seniors eligible to live off-campus this year. I'm renting School House with four other guys who I also lived with last year in GC-owned Howell House. We actually live just down from Howell, about a five minute walk from the college.

We played our second conference tennis match earlier today. Unfortunately we were shut out -- only up from here! We have another match next Tuesday. If you live in the area, come out and support us!

It is a big sports weekend all-around. I plan to watch the GC women's and men's soccer teams later tonight. Right now I'm hanging out with some friends in the new apartments, watching Penn State football and the U.S. Open men's tennis semifinals.

Tomorrow will be a reality check though. We're a week into school, and homework is already piling up for Monday and Tuesday. I'll get on homework after tomorrow's potluck meal provided for college students at East Goshen Mennonite Church. I'll admit, I'm a little bit behind on work because I've been spending too much time watching democratic/republican convention coverage.

It is about halftime in the Penn State game, and I think we're going to go play some cards. Until next time, Schoolhouse Rock!
Posted at 17:03 #

Are you (still) listening?
Are you (still) listening? These words just rang out from a popular Jimmy Eat World song that popped up on my iTunes shuffle. I'm curious if anyone is still following my blog during the summer. Here in southeastern PA we're in the middle of a six day heat wave (temps above 90 degrees), so I'm just hanging out, watching the Phillies lose. I figured I'd submit a few updates.

I'm obviously now back from Europe -- I'd be broke if I were still there! I won't try to share words about my experiences in Spain and Morocco, other than to say everyone should visit these two countries (you can if you go to GC, hint hint). I've left a link to my photos at the end of the blog.

Just over a week ago I began my summer internship (while some of my friends are just now finishing theirs!). I'm working with ASSETS Montco, an organization that does local entrepreneurship training in suburban Philadelphia. Many GC students have worked with a similar program in Goshen.

Now that I'm finally home again and have returned to my home congregation, it has been fun to catch up with folks about my travels and what they've been up to over the months. I haven't really been home since Christmas. While at church today, I spoke to one of my fellow young adults who will be a first-year this semester. Her words about the pain of scheduling courses, the joy of emailing with her roommate, and the general anticipation that comes with one's first semester away from home were pleasantly familiar. And then I realized, uh-oh, I'm going to be a SENIOR this year. I'm a bit apprehensive. But I can't wait!

So I'm gonna throw this out there -- since I see I'm the only to blog this summer haha -- anyone who will be a first-year this fall 2008 should feel free to email me (sheldoncg@goshen.edu) with any questions, comments, or concerns. And email with your new Goshen email address. You'll appreciate the practice. And there's an odd sentimental value to it :).

Link to my photo gallery.
Posted at 18:45 #

Where's my London Fog when I need it

Oh how so much has happened since the last time I blogged! I have included some pics to go along with this entry; be sure to check them out.

Class wrapped up in Barca last Monday (on-campus May Term classes went till Wednesday!) with final presentations, mine being on FC Barcelona -- the Barca soccer club.

After almost three weeks in the city centre, it was time to relax a bit. I flew to England to stay at the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) base about an hour north of London. I spent two quiet days relaxing, reading, and running in the hospitable hands of the Peachey family. John and Suzi are the base directors, and John is a GC grad from Sarasota. They also included me on their Tuesday night worship service and their Wednesday evening potluck where we ate burritos Portugese-style.

Thursday I bussed up to Bradford in the north of England to visit two young adults serving with Mennonite Voluntary Service. It was cool to finally meet Kate Harnish (GC grad) and Matthew Yoder, after exchanging emails and IMs with them over the past few months and more recently spending two and a half hours waiting to be picked up in the bus station -- no hard feelings :). After home-cooked meals with the Peacheys, Kate and Matthew allowed me time to explore some English eateries: eggs and bacon for breakfast, fish and chips for lunch, curry for supper. Unbeknownst to me, Bradford has a huge population of Pakistanis, is often referred to as "Bradistan," and claims to be the curry capital of England.

A Saturday afternoon train-ride (take notes America, National Express UK offers free on-board wireless -- not that I had a laptop) brought me to the East End of London, where I will be until Tuesday. I spent the day with my host Karen Stallard, touring the 'hood and learning about her work with church-planting and inter-faith dialogues. East London mirrors Bradford in being curry heaven (can you tell I love curry?) but in contrast, is due to the large population of persons from Bangladesh. While Bradford is slowly reframing its mills from the post-industrial era as new apartments, East London is quickly rebounding from its former days as a port city to its current reality as a post-war haven for both young English professionals and aspirational Bangladeshi families.

Today was to be my day to explore downtown (Westminster, etc.), but the London rains have moved in. It is sort of depressing but not unexpected. The weather is supposed to be quite nice the rest of the week though. Tuesday and Thursday will have to be my exploration days; Wednesday I will travel to Belfast for the day. Friday its back to Barca to reimmerse myself in Spanish culture and prepare for next three weeks of exploration of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa! Until next time, cheers.

PS: London Fog of Philadelphia is a large manufacturer of rain-gear that sold two-thirds of all raincoats to the Baby Boombers of the 1970s.

Hola de Barca

So I've been in Barca (Barcelona) for a little over a week now as part of GC's Business in Spain trip. We've done so much -- I don't even know how to begin describing it!

First of all, we're here to take classes at EADA, a management university for business executives and person's seeking MBAs. The Spanish profs have all been really good and stress student participation, which makes class unpredictable and fun.

We've been fortunate to visit a number of cultural sites in and around Barcelona too: Montserrat sanctuary, La Rambla, the Piscasso museum, and Paula de la Musica, which I visited on my own (I saw Joe Satriani!). Today we took a class trip to Sharp Corporation's Spanish headquarters. And for all you futbol (soccer) fans out there, we're visitng F.C. Barcelona on Tuesday!

It has been interesting to notice differences between Spain and US culture. But what I've found even more compelling is comparing and contrasting Spanish/European culture with what I experienced while on SST in Cambodia. In Spain, the dollar is weak, bread (and sandwiches) are part of the cuisine, Smart cars are the norm (though motos are prevalent too), and public displays of affection are not only common but almost expected.

By the way, today was the first day we had rain -- every other day has been sunny and in the low 70s. Gotta love that Mediterranean temperate climate! I have yet to visit the beach but plan to sometime next week. Till next time -- adios!

UPDATE: photos loaded :)

T minus four hours
In four hours I will be headed for the mountains of Pennsylvania. All that stands in the way is a Public Relations presentation. I'm ready to get this show on the road!

Last night I had the privilege of procrastinating a bit with a trip to the Reith Interpretive Center downtown. Three of my housemates and I made the half mile trek to this environmental learning center to hear about how local businesses are thinking "green." It is always fun to get off campus for a good meal, network with some folks, and catch-up with old acquaintances.

In other news from last night -- this time more nationally -- Obama conceded the PA primary to Clinton. I tried to vote but my absentee ballot got here too late for me to return my vote in time -- a bit frustrating. So it looks like Clinton has a glimmer of hope now, but Obama seems to still be holding the hope trump card.

Speaking of politics, I'm sure you all heard our CNN debut was delayed a few days. There are already two videos up on CNN from similar round-table discussions, both from PA. Go to cnn.com/videos, search for "first-time voters," and you'll find them. One is students from Penn State, the other is women from Scranton.

As I grab a cup of java and head off to my final final, I realize this yet another semester of "beth midrash" -- Hebrew for "house of learning/interpretation," as I learned from Jim Brenneman in our Prophets class -- is nearly complete. I also realize I haven't seen my family in over three and a half months, which is as long as when I went on Cambodia SST. PA has been in the news so much lately, I better head back to my roots while the state is still in the spotlight!
Posted at 08:53 #

My voice matters?
I'm in a state of elatedness. For one, I just finished my Hebrew Prophets final a hour or so ago. And then I watched tonight's episode of The Office and ate ice cream. But the bigger reason I'm on such a high right now is because I'm going to be on CNN soon!

Six other GC students and I discussed how our faith informs our political decisions and views with Emmy- award winning journalist, Rick Sanchez. How cool, huh?!

While my faith has been important to me for a long time, I've only recently developed a liking for politics. It is probably somewhat based off of my fascination with current events and the media. But I also feel like I have a unique worldview to offer, and politics can be an avenue to voice such a perspective.

And on Wednesday we offered our perspectives. In fact, I've never in my life felt like my thoughts mattered and were valued so much before. CNN, local media, and college public relations persons were asking us questions and throwing us in front of cameras.

As a communication students with interest in journalism, I couldn't help but be in awe of the broadcast process. Even though I've been backstage at ABC news headquarters in New York City, it was way different to be on a mock-CNN set in the church-chapel!

I haven't given myself ample time to process the whole event yet. And with finals looming next week (though one was finished tonight!), I don't see myself setting aside too much time for personal reflection. But the three local newspapers sitting next to me will provide a steady reminder of how excited I was on Tuesday -- and still am now! Tune in next Wednesday morning from 6-9am to see us on CNN. Sorry I don't have more specifics.
Posted at 22:55 #

Speeding up or winding down?
Just two more weeks of school. The area public schools are taking their turn with "spring break" this week. Major League Baseball has begun. Tennis practice is in full swing. And winter seems to have finally made its exit.

I'm at that point in the semester when I feel like I should be winding down, but things only seem to be speeding up. Tests, projects, papers, finals, here I come. Admist all this work, I'm playing drums for three different bands that have performances within a week of each other.

Yesterday, though, I made myself slow down. I set aside time to go to an on-campus conference on what it might take for the Goshen community -- both the college and the city -- to practice "sweatfree" stewardship. Sweatshops have infiltrated our global market over the past number of years but are also a local reality. A Cambodian woman and Costa Rican man shared powerful stories of working in garment and pineapple-harvesting sweatshops.

Some of you may know that I was a member of the Spring '07 Cambodia SST. Besides learning about how to combat Walmart and sweatshops, I was able to use my Khmer again for the first time since SST. Oh how wonderful this felt. Juxtaposing the stories I heard with the language I once again struggled to speak, made me want to rush back to my house and book a ticket for Southeast Asia.

Reality reminded me that I was to spend three more hours in that same seminar room in Newcomer Center to prepare for this week's Hour After, which is a "coffee-shop" kind of musical performance led by GC students. A few of us former Kratz 3 guys decided last year to put on an hour after this year, although, in retrospect, we probably should've picked a different week!

My agenda for today is as follows: class, chapel, modeling (for an Art Dept. drawing class!), lunch, homework, tennis practice, supper, homework, indoor soccer intramurals, homework, and in bed...by midnight? Let's hope so.
Posted at 13:50 #

Wait...

It began yesterday morning, lasted off-and-on throughout the day, and culminated last night. The windowless library helped me forget about it. But as I watched my hometown Villanova Wildcats get embarrassed last night, I was reminded that it had yet to reach its climax. The eerie scrape and scratch of the tri-axle trucks with their flickering yellow lights was just loud enough to make me bump up the volume just a few more notches. Yes, on the second day of spring, winter is alive and well in Goshen.

I write this on the THIRD day of spring. The snow is still lightly falling, and the temperature may struggle to reach freezing today. But I sit in the comforts of Howell House, a cup of java by my side. When the birds and sun returned last week, something in my mind clicked and I returned to spring-mode. We, in Goshen, wait for spring.

Last night, as CBS Sportsline broke for commercials, I continually flipped the channel to taped coverage of the pope's Way of the Cross procession in Rome. I watched Christians proceed through piercing rain around the Colosseum with their black umbrellas raised high, as in a holy confession. Similarly, Christians visited Jerusalem last night in a pilgrimage through the Old City. We, as Christians, wait for Easter Sunday.

Yesterday I waited dreadfully for the climax of the snow. Today, I wait patiently for the climax of Christ's resurrection. For the snow to melt, the birds to sing, and the stone to roll away. For the Eucharist, a celebratory feast for lunch, and my chance to eat sweets again.

As my coffee gets cold, I realize I also wait for my roommate to wake up, for the library to open, for my homework to do itself, and for the end of the semester. But I've waited for forty days before, right? Alas, just another forty and I'm off to Barcelona for Business in Spain.

Hello, blogosphere
This is my first blog in over a year and my first for GC. I'm not exactly sure who's reading this, but, alas, welcome.

While I haven't spent much time blogging before, I am a seasoned blog-reader. I have a number of friends living internationally right now, along with some acquaintances who I "keep in touch with" via their blogs.

Interestingly enough, I spent considerable time last night on someone's blog who I've never met. His name is Zach Lind, and he's the drummer for the band, Jimmy Eat World. After some careful clicking and tracking, I was able to officially confirm my hypothesis: he's Mennonite.

This to say, feel free to try to track me down through whatever means you prefer (my old blog, Facebook, Google image searches, etc.). Whether you "know" me or not, I hope this blog can serve two visions. One, as a way for you, the reader, to learn what it's like to be a student at Goshen College. Two, for me to organize my thoughts and feelings in written form. Because we can all use a little of that from time to time!

Next time I hope to offer more significant insights into GC life on campus and beyond. For now, I simply want to introduce myself.

Favorite website: Accuweather.com

Favorite TV show: The Daily Show (and The Office, when it's on)

Source for news: Slate.com's "today's papers" (among others)

Hobbies: tennis, drums, card and board games, eating popcorn

Email program: Gmail

Thanks for stopping by. It's now time for me to come up with a proposal for my end-of-the-year communication research project!
Posted at 14:46 #