I don't know what I was expecting, really, except an entirely different demographic.
But what I've found at IU, in comparison to my Taylor years, is that there are way too many similarities, when it comes down to it.
Taylor is known for its beautiful people. Its intimidatingly gorgeous, rich student body is well known throughout the small liberal arts Christian college realm and perhaps beyond.
What I wasn't prepared for here in Bloomington is an equal, if not greater, ratio of incredibly beautiful people, who are equally as wealthy.
The car models are new and newer. The clothes and shoes and aviator sunglasses are just as posh. The hair is dyed and streaked just as many times. And the bling is equally as obvious.
Sometimes I just feel like this is Taylor expanded 100 fold.
Then I hear the stories kids tell on the bus about their weekends, or I choke through the back doors of the library where everyone and their mother takes their cigarette break, or I feel intimidated ever so slightly to mention that I go to church, don't drink very often, or happen to love God very much.
That's when I remember that I was blessed with Taylor, that I'm blessed to be far from it, and that I'm blessed to be here among this chaos which is truer to life than anything I've previously experienced.
Taylor and IU - similiar - who knew?
14 September 2005
12 September 2005
Finding Myself
Bertie, my housemate, came downstairs with a book she wanted to share on Saturday night. It's called: The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. And before anyone rejoices or gets bent out of shape because it says "Christian" - just hold on. It's awesome.
We found out (by Bertie reading it out loud to me) that I am a #5, with severe bits of #1 - a combo which is not actually possible on the Enneagram. But it's true. When she was reading things from the section on #5: The Need to Perceive, I kept saying, "Yes, that's ME!" It's was enlightening and freeing, to know I'm not the only one like me (although - I've been finding that out here in Library School - we're all very very much alike).
I wanted to include some of the greatest lines from the section about me. These writers know how to use language, just you wait:
"They sense in themselves an abyss of emptiness."
"Their inner world is the only free space in which they could [as children] move undisturbed."
"A lack of security and the feeling of homelessness and loneliness can lead to Fives' creeping inside themselves like an animal that plays dead when danger approaches." (Wow! I'd never have been able to put those words with that feeling, but now that you mention it...just kidding, I think. Emphasis is mine.)
"By nature they are monks, hermits, ascetics [professions I've always dreamed about - honestly - since childhood I've been overly intrigued with monks and ascetics], bookworms, LIBRARIANS..." (Seems that I've picked the right profession, huh?)
"Their eyes are like vacuum cleaners."
"Most Fives find too many people and too much closeness fatiguing and exhausting." (AMEN! I really thought that was just me! I'm glad it's not.)
Elaine, this one is for you: "Fives can take on schizoid traits; they can develop forms of autism..." (Guess Mom was right.)
And for all my dear friends who know me, this is the ultimate reason why I am a Five:
"When you touch a Five, [she] generally gives a start or jumps back."
If you want to know more about me, my pitfalls and my strong points, or anything about yourself, read this book:
The Enneagram: The Christian Perspective Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2002.
We found out (by Bertie reading it out loud to me) that I am a #5, with severe bits of #1 - a combo which is not actually possible on the Enneagram. But it's true. When she was reading things from the section on #5: The Need to Perceive, I kept saying, "Yes, that's ME!" It's was enlightening and freeing, to know I'm not the only one like me (although - I've been finding that out here in Library School - we're all very very much alike).
I wanted to include some of the greatest lines from the section about me. These writers know how to use language, just you wait:
"They sense in themselves an abyss of emptiness."
"Their inner world is the only free space in which they could [as children] move undisturbed."
"A lack of security and the feeling of homelessness and loneliness can lead to Fives' creeping inside themselves like an animal that plays dead when danger approaches." (Wow! I'd never have been able to put those words with that feeling, but now that you mention it...just kidding, I think. Emphasis is mine.)
"By nature they are monks, hermits, ascetics [professions I've always dreamed about - honestly - since childhood I've been overly intrigued with monks and ascetics], bookworms, LIBRARIANS..." (Seems that I've picked the right profession, huh?)
"Their eyes are like vacuum cleaners."
"Most Fives find too many people and too much closeness fatiguing and exhausting." (AMEN! I really thought that was just me! I'm glad it's not.)
Elaine, this one is for you: "Fives can take on schizoid traits; they can develop forms of autism..." (Guess Mom was right.)
And for all my dear friends who know me, this is the ultimate reason why I am a Five:
"When you touch a Five, [she] generally gives a start or jumps back."
If you want to know more about me, my pitfalls and my strong points, or anything about yourself, read this book:
The Enneagram: The Christian Perspective Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2002.
10 September 2005
You simply must check out my adorable niece on her first day of dance class.
Is anything cuter than tiny dancers?
Is anything cuter than tiny dancers?
09 September 2005
Night on the Town
Today I had my first mixer. And it just happened to be with a bunch of librarian-wannabes.
Surprisingly fun, I'll have to admit. The girl I sat next to shared my birthday. Another was a self-titled "self-deprecating Jew," and I thought of Elaine (merely for the Jewishness, however). Two others were a nontraditional couple - a new phenomenon for me to encounter. Another didn't shave her armpits and was wearing a tanktop. Most of them had just moved from the East coast (Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC) and one was from the Oregon coast. They kept flashing eastside/westside gang signs around and I felt a bit out of place considering I was severely outnumbered, being from the Midwest.
No one could understand the appeal to living here. We don't have good snowboarding mountains or oceans.
No, I assured them. We have farms, fields, and lots of oligotrophic lakes. We have roads that don't make sense and lots of flat land. Skiers and snowboarders won't like it here.
They talked about Lake Tahoe for a long time. I don't even know where that is. But thanks to my birthday maps, I can find out later tonight!
I had diet coke, while others had beer. I just can't bring myself to take this step to "lighten up," as some call it. But among strangers...why? I'd rather drink among friends for my safe, happy times. With strangers, it's not worth it. Not worth the cost, the ease with which I communicate, or the time. Maybe I won't talk to these again; maybe I will. If we become friends, I might consider having a social drink with them now and then. Maybe. Though I rarely feel like it. The appeal has continued dwindling over the past year.
I had lunch today with an old, old friend - an elementary, middle, and high school close friend. Hadn't seen her since high school graduation, really. It was fabulous. She hasn't changed, which I found comforting today.
The final first that occurred today was locking myself out of the house. At the most inopportune time - meaning when above friend was dropping ne off after lunch. She then had to take me to the library on campus so I could use the internet to locate my housemates, get a ride home and a way into the house.
Surprisingly fun, I'll have to admit. The girl I sat next to shared my birthday. Another was a self-titled "self-deprecating Jew," and I thought of Elaine (merely for the Jewishness, however). Two others were a nontraditional couple - a new phenomenon for me to encounter. Another didn't shave her armpits and was wearing a tanktop. Most of them had just moved from the East coast (Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC) and one was from the Oregon coast. They kept flashing eastside/westside gang signs around and I felt a bit out of place considering I was severely outnumbered, being from the Midwest.
No one could understand the appeal to living here. We don't have good snowboarding mountains or oceans.
No, I assured them. We have farms, fields, and lots of oligotrophic lakes. We have roads that don't make sense and lots of flat land. Skiers and snowboarders won't like it here.
They talked about Lake Tahoe for a long time. I don't even know where that is. But thanks to my birthday maps, I can find out later tonight!
I had diet coke, while others had beer. I just can't bring myself to take this step to "lighten up," as some call it. But among strangers...why? I'd rather drink among friends for my safe, happy times. With strangers, it's not worth it. Not worth the cost, the ease with which I communicate, or the time. Maybe I won't talk to these again; maybe I will. If we become friends, I might consider having a social drink with them now and then. Maybe. Though I rarely feel like it. The appeal has continued dwindling over the past year.
I had lunch today with an old, old friend - an elementary, middle, and high school close friend. Hadn't seen her since high school graduation, really. It was fabulous. She hasn't changed, which I found comforting today.
The final first that occurred today was locking myself out of the house. At the most inopportune time - meaning when above friend was dropping ne off after lunch. She then had to take me to the library on campus so I could use the internet to locate my housemates, get a ride home and a way into the house.
07 September 2005
Happy Birthday to Me!
I've been celebrating my birthday for the past month. But this past weekend it finally came and went, with a lot of fanfare. I celebrated it Friday and Monday. But that's alright by me.
I shouldn't pick favorites, but I have to admit that my favorite presents were the ginormous maps - one of the US and one of the World - given to me by my mother. (When my dad saw them in his room, waiting to be wrapped, he said, "who are those for?" with an air of disgust). I cannot wait to get those babies up on the wall.
Also of note is the 1970s collection of music from Time Life, meaning about 10 cds of great hits. Way to go Evan and Emily and Leslie!
I had to include this picture because, frankly, it's the best birthday cake my mom has ever done for me. She's a pro at the designing and decorating of birthday cakes - and this one, man, she won! It says, "Happy Birthday, Lana! our professional bookworm"
Random Medicinal Procedures
My roommate, Bertie, found a bottle of natural-looking herbal capsules sitting on the counter last week. They were left over from the natural medicinal cabinet of the roommate who moved out. The bottle says, "SUPER COLON CLEANSE" and promises to clean you out.
She began the process last night. At which time, Katie declared that this is much like cocaine for the colon. She dubbed this medicine "Colon Blow".
It's horrible to picture. It's even more horrible to smell (the actual capsules, sorry).
Bertie has reported "changes" today, after 4 doses.
Do not exceed 3 days worth of doses.
She began the process last night. At which time, Katie declared that this is much like cocaine for the colon. She dubbed this medicine "Colon Blow".
It's horrible to picture. It's even more horrible to smell (the actual capsules, sorry).
Bertie has reported "changes" today, after 4 doses.
Do not exceed 3 days worth of doses.
03 September 2005
Let's talk School
I'll clue you in quickly: I hate school.
High school was an especially awful time, college wasn't much better for the first two years. Then I began talking to people and made some friends, which allowed me to finish out on a positive note.
But being a student is not my favorite thing.
One might question this, knowing that I am now enrolled in graduate school - but I assure you, it is no different.
What I hate about it is the separate reality that college campuses impose on you, which is nowhere near real life situations.
I have finished my first week of classes and I'm excited, which seems to contradict my previous statements about hating school. What I have learned this week is that I hated school before.
Now, however, I'm taking classes that apply to my life - to my vocation - and this makes everything more relevant, more purposeful. There is no more Fit For Life crap classes or public speaking courses. It's full blown library and information courses.
I'd like to introduce you to the two courses that will change my life forever:
L505 The Organization and Representation of Knowledge and Information. It caters to OCD persons such as myself. Final project: figure out a way to classify and index a journal of class commentaries, article abstracts and summaries that we're keeping this semester. That I can do.
L524 Information Sources and Services. This caters to my love of reference sources by introducing us to nearly all the reference materials that we will interact with on a frequent basis as professionals. Final project: create a Pathfinder, which acts as a preliminary guide to outside users to help them understand any topic that I choose. Senior paper? I'll choose you. Feminism and Carol Gilligan. Piece of Cake!
And, while I don't love school - the schooly part of it - these classes rock my boat. So does my house, my roommates, and public transportation in the U.S.
High school was an especially awful time, college wasn't much better for the first two years. Then I began talking to people and made some friends, which allowed me to finish out on a positive note.
But being a student is not my favorite thing.
One might question this, knowing that I am now enrolled in graduate school - but I assure you, it is no different.
What I hate about it is the separate reality that college campuses impose on you, which is nowhere near real life situations.
I have finished my first week of classes and I'm excited, which seems to contradict my previous statements about hating school. What I have learned this week is that I hated school before.
Now, however, I'm taking classes that apply to my life - to my vocation - and this makes everything more relevant, more purposeful. There is no more Fit For Life crap classes or public speaking courses. It's full blown library and information courses.
I'd like to introduce you to the two courses that will change my life forever:
L505 The Organization and Representation of Knowledge and Information. It caters to OCD persons such as myself. Final project: figure out a way to classify and index a journal of class commentaries, article abstracts and summaries that we're keeping this semester. That I can do.
L524 Information Sources and Services. This caters to my love of reference sources by introducing us to nearly all the reference materials that we will interact with on a frequent basis as professionals. Final project: create a Pathfinder, which acts as a preliminary guide to outside users to help them understand any topic that I choose. Senior paper? I'll choose you. Feminism and Carol Gilligan. Piece of Cake!
And, while I don't love school - the schooly part of it - these classes rock my boat. So does my house, my roommates, and public transportation in the U.S.
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