some good news and some not-so-good news...

Good news: I talked to Virginia today.

Not-so-good news: She told me that there is going to be rioting this weekend in the city where she lives because of political unrest and she won't be able to leave her house... Please pray for her safety!

Thanks to all who have kept Virginia in your prayers, and please continue to do so!

desperate television

housewives
Originally uploaded by ew153.

So, I watched the season premier of Desperate Housewives with some friends tonight... and it also marks the last time I'll watch it for the season (I did the same thing last year). I don't really know why I watched it... Maybe because that's where all my friends were at and I wanted to hang out with them.

At any rate, this has to be the most ridiculous show EVER. I think I have it pegged why people (women mostly) are drawn to this show... the same reason they're drawn to paper-back books with the same premises. Need I say more???

you did WHAT to your hair?!

So in keeping with the whole 'changing of the seasons' I decided to stay one step ahead of the trees (if you know what I mean). I don't really know what possessed me to do this, but at the time it sounded like a pretty sweet idea. Besides, my girlfriend's not around to tell me that she hates it!

On a more serious note, the Lions suck. This week they are on a bye and I think they're still 8 point under-dogs. In fact, I think the whole NFC north will have trouble when they face their bye week, which means the bye week just may make the playoffs.

I was able to talk to Virginia on the phone yesterday... She is adjusting well, but staying really busy... Her class is going well, but is very hectic. She says she misses everyone. The exciting news is that she has a plane ticket home for Christmas! I can't wait... I'm also planning on flying out to see her in April.

Okay, now that I have that out of the way feel free to leave your comments about my red hair... Or anything else you wish to comment on... Thank you, good night.

hmm

Please tell me what you think this picture means... here's a witty take on it:

If you hear the Backstreet Boys, Michael Bolton or Yanni on the radio, cower in the corner or run like you're on fire.

see...

I told you so

one year to go

It is crazy to think that Virginia is in Ethiopia right now. I can no longer just pick up my cell phone and talk to her, or buzz 20 minutes down the road to see her. I don't even know how much access she'll have to a phone or e-mail over there.
Yesterday seeing her leave was hard. Just thinking that the image I have of her driving away is the last image I'll have of her for a while... There are of course other good images from previous times we have had together, but anyway, the most recent image.
Last night I was driving and saw how beautiful the moon looked. It reminded me that her and I are still under that same moon. I know God is bigger than this universe and not only does he hold it, but also everyone in it.

time

Time is so precious. Tomorrow Virginia will be gone. I can't believe how quickly this day came. I'll have just a short time with her tomorrow and that will be it... Off to Ethiopia. There is so many thoughts racing through my mind. I wish I could be there with her through this.

Thanks to all of you who have (and continue to have) this in your prayers. They mean more to me than you can imagine.

One year... It seems like an eternity, but in reality I know it's like the blink of an eye.

real-life tetris

A few weeks ago I was helping some friends move. We had to load all their 'stuff' into trucks and trailers, bring it all to their new home and then unload it all. I nominated myself to be the official 'loader'. People would bring me boxes and I would load them into the trucks strategically so that as many boxes as possible could fit. I took a great deal of pride from the superb job that I did. It made me think of how I was pretty sweet at the game Tetris. Fitting pieces just so, eliminating lines, saving the eliminations until you got a 'long 4' and could wipe out 4 lines of blocks... Loading trucks has the same basic concepts except the fact that they didn't disappear after I lined them all up perfectly. I wish I had a picture of these truck beds so you could better understand my thoughts here... Just imagine 3 pick-up trucks with boxes of all shapes and sizes in the beds of these trucks... Then imagine no gaps or spaces between these boxes, but perfection all the way around. They looked like mini, city sky-lines. I've been craving Tetris ever since...

ribs... I had ribs for lunch

Actually I had a beef and cheddar sandwich at Arby's, but whaddaya gunna do? Anchorman is always a good pick-me-up on those dreary days... Especially when you're a little fuzzy on the original translation of San Diego. I really have no reason for this picture, but I guess I am a random guy at times.

So, last night I was on my way home from Virginia's (*new ETD: Sat. 1:20pm, Chicago - O'hare) and I happenned to be driving behind someone who was either drunk or really tired because he was in and out of his lane on more than one occasion. As I continued to observe his fine driving skills, I saw him almost lose control of his vehicle as his back end slid and smacked the gaurd-rail, seriously damaging his truck. His spare tire also fell out and his muffler was hanging on by a thread, leaving nothing but sparks in his trail. Fearing for the lives of those who may have encountered this wreckless madman, I called 911 and reported him, fulfilling my duty as a fine citizen of this fine, fine city.

On a more serious note, let me leave you with this quote from Channel 4 lead anchor, Ron Burgundy: "I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me. I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

fix you

fireworks
Originally uploaded by ew153.

When you try your best but you don't succeed,
When you get what you want but not what you need,
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep,
Stuck in reverse.

And the tears come streaming down your face,
When you lose something you can't replace,
When you love someone but it goes to waste,
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home,
And ignite your bones,
And I will try to fix you.

And high up above or down below,
When you're too in love to let it go,
But if you never try you'll never know,
Just what you're worth.

Lights will guide you home,
And ignite your bones,
And I will try to fix you.

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace.

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes.

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

-Coldplay

here we go again

Ah yes, the cool breeze, the fall weather approaching... Saturday afternoons of watching the Wolverines lay the smack down on their opposition...

I love the fall and football is a big reason why... but here's the dilemma: I'm a Michigan Wolverines fan as well as a Detroit Lions fan... (I'll never be swayed so don't try). As far as the Lions go, you always come to accept humiliation, but U of M just breaks your heart... They start the season with a couple of wins and are usually ranked in the top 5 of the nation. Then they blow it with one loss. This loss drops their ranking to like 14th which means they have to try and claw their way back up to the top for the rest of the season. They usually make it back up to like 6 or 7 and maybe a bid to a respectable bowl, but no chance at a Title. This has been a pattern since their last championship in '97.

This afternoon my mighty Wolverines host the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. This was the first big game that they lost last year and hopes for a National Title went down the pooper. Even though they ought to win this game and probably will, this does not mean that they won't fall into the same routine as years past and break my heart. It really is a shame because of the talent that UM recruits. But I figure if they don't make an impact in college, they could hope to be drafted by the Lions.

fear

globe
Originally uploaded by ew153.

I have never stopped to think about how big the earth actually is. I mean compared to the size of a human, it seems infinite. As the day comes closer to Virginia leaving for Ethiopia, many things become more real to me... And for one who hasn't stopped to think about reality too often, that is pretty scary. Things like space, distance, time, communication, etc... Things that have always been there but are not often thought of (unless you're Andrew Rudd). I was looking at a globe to see just how far away Ethiopia is from my safety-net here in Skee-town... On a 12 inch sphere, nothing looks too intimidating, but watching her pack tonight and as I was thumbing through her airline tickets and itinerary (she is scheduled to fly out Wednesday at 1:20pm) I was captured by reality to the point where I couldn't escape it. It was frightening. The only other feeling that I can relate this to is as a child, at that moment when you realize that you have been caught and know that you're in huge trouble. You all know what I'm talking about (unless you're Angela Rudd).

As I think about all of this and what it means, I think the thing I fear the most is putting my faith in what is not clear. I have no idea what will come of this situation, but pray that God continues to have His hand in it.

I'll hopefully have other topics to write about in the future, but it's hard not to share what occupies most of my thoughts.

little to give lots to gain

I find that when I'm worshipping and my life is going well, it is easy to sing and praise God with what seems like everything I am, but when I'm broken and hurting the most and have almost nothing left to hang on to, it's more difficult. I believe that this falls back on surrendering all control to Christ. This morning it was so hard for me to sing such simple but loaded words... 'we're all about you and world you promised and all we have we give you praise.' This morning I knew exactly what I had left, and when I decided to sing those lyrics on the third time through, I began to break down emotionally. I broke down because I meant what I was singing. I believe that in the moments that we are the weakest and most heavy-laden, and are able to lay our burdens fully at the feet of Jesus, we have the world to gain. It is in these times that you know God is working on you... And He is faithful.

triggers

chris of ag silver
Originally uploaded by ew153.

It's funny how different senses can bring you back in time to a specific memory. For example, when you smell a particular perfume on a complete stranger and figure out that it is the exact scent your girlfriend wore the night of your first kiss... or if you hear a song on the radio that you haven't heard in a while and your mind immediately escapes to a moment in time where that piece of music meant something to you. I have these experiences quite often and it's cool to know that I'm the only person that knows the stories unfolding in my mind and wondering what ones may be resurrecting in other's minds as well. Tonight I was in Holland at a concert where my good friends, AG Silver were performing. I've known these cats since college which means I've been listening to their music for a good 7 years now. The last time I saw them was about 5 months ago, which happened to be the first night I called Virginia. I left her a voice-mail and I figured that if she'd call back it would be in the middle of the concert and I wouldn't be able to answer... and I was right. I remember the song that they were playing at the time I saw my phone light up with the name 'Virginia' on the caller ID. Tonight I couldn't help but be taken back to that exciting moment when they started playing that song: "Can't you see, can't you see, you're the one who's making sense of me..." I'm sure that I had a silly grin on my face, but that's okay... I'm the only one who knew why.

Meet Virginia

Me and the love of my life, Virginia
Originally uploaded by ew153.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, let me introduce you all to my beautiful girlfriend Virginia. She currently lives in Grand Haven, but could very well be moving to Ethiopia within days, if God allows. She has been accepted to teach English in a Private school there for a one-year term and she is so excited about going. Boyfriend Eric is excited for her and that she will be able to live out this dream of hers, but I already cannot wait to have her back. I will miss her like words can't begin to explain. This photo was taken on our second date which was a friends birthday party. I think back on the 4+ months that we have been together and am so thankful. She has taught me more about myself than any other human being ever has. She is the most beautiful person that I know. Her heart for people and her passion for ministry is contagious, and I absolutely adore that about her. The most difficult thing for me to do right now is surrender to God this season of our lives. We'll be worlds apart, but I am confident that it will only make us grow stronger as individuals, closer together and closer to God. I thank God every day for her and for showing me exactly why He made woman.

smiles and cries

will crying
Originally uploaded by ew153.

Today I was spending time with my nephews and I couldn't help but notice that Will had been growing more and more fussy. Like the good uncle that I am, I decided I would cheer him up. Thus began a ridiculous spectacle of gooing, cooing and tickling all in a high-pitched voice... All things any normal human being would refrain from doing in public. Will seemed politely amused and gave the occasional courtesy smile, but seemed always on the fence of crying and smiling. As I think back on this situation now, I wonder if he didn't want to be cheered up. Maybe he was upset for a darn good reason and needed to let somebody know. I put myself in his shoes, (or booties) and know that there are times when I am not happy and don't want anything to do with someone trying to cheer me up. I am the type of guy who will laugh at just about anything, so people who know me and know when I am upset will eventually get me to laugh. But they never know that I really don't feel like laughing and it just makes me more upset. So... To Will: I'm sorry dog, I've been there. You cry when you need to little man... ain't no shame in it.