Education and Augustine Installment 1

Photo by K.L.R.

This is installment one of three on the topic of education.

Education fascinates me.
Growing up I loved to play school, but I always said I would never be a teacher.
My reason: I love kids, but I do not have the patience to teach.
Just before my senior year of high school, I decided I wanted to teach.  I wanted to influence students to love reading and writing.  I wanted to be their friend.
A year and a half into the program at CIU, I was losing the passion.
I heard one of our instructors say during a department chapel, in order to be an excellent teacher we needed to have passion for teaching (I paraphrase).  I became worried because I realized I didn't have that passion.
The next semester I studied in Germany.  It reawakened what I loved as a child.  History, literature, art, etc.  It caused me to like philosophy.  I spent hours thinking about what solution would fix my dilemma of what to study.
I finally decided to become a Humanities student.
Best. Decision. Ever.
The major, the classes, and the professors under whom I studied influenced me more in the year and a half than the two years I spent in Teacher Education.
I've come to see the importance of a Classical education.

The classics are scattered through the centuries of writing and art, allusions connecting the generations.

Dear Friday & 300th Blog Post

 
Dear Blog, Happy 300th Post!!!  We started two years and nine months ago.  I've updated you frequently...and not so frequently.  But, I love looking back to see where it all started and the tales that have been told since.

Dear Friday, once again, you've rolled around quickly.  It is hard to believe a week ago I was excitedly anticipating my trip to Columbia.

Dear Job, I really like you. 

Dear Lynchburg, we need to become friends.  I am willing to explore your brick buildings, riverfront, and cute little shops.

Dear Friends in Lynchburg, let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah.  Mmm, broke into a Parent Trap song.

Dear Josh, I am SO excited to see you next week!  I've missed having you around.  I'm glad we are cousins : )

Dear People at Work, I'm glad we are getting to know each other and becoming friends. 

Dear Life, I am excited about the options opening up before me.  I'm also beyond thankful that God knows what is best for me.

Dear Europe (Specifically England and Germany), I miss you.  I can't wait to be on your land again.

Dear Weekend, we need some plans. 

Why Am I So Tired?

Today...

God blew my very recent prayer and thought out of the water.  I attended my first BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) meeting.  THEN, I sat in on/gave input at the high school bible study that is starting.  (Made me miss my Apostles kids so much!)

It is my cousin's birthday, and I surprisingly got to see her!!!  And her sweet little girls.  AWESOME surprise.  Happy Birthday!!!

It is also Becky's birthday!  Happy Birthday, my dear Fern!

I scheduled my trip to UVA to rep AMBEX!  Whoop!

I sat through my first presidential debate as a registered voter.  Four years ago...I didn't have an official say.  My one blog response:  Mr. President, Germany makes better cars than the USA.  Please don't claim otherwise.

Now, you ask?  Bed soon, my friend!

Friday's Letters: Pretty Much My Week

Regensburg, Germany

 Dear Friday, Are you here again already?

Dear BCHS, are you ready for me?  Regardless, I will be there tomorrow at 8AM to sub for Math (you may laugh).

Dear Week, you've been interesting.

Dear AMBEX, I am so excited about repping you guys to schools in VA!

Dear Undergrad Student Who May Be Reading This, do you want to study in Europe?  Email me!  I have a great recommendation!

Dear Germany, While making a slideshow, looking at all the pictures has made me miss you SO much!

Dear Regensburg, I miss you especially!

Dear Weekend, Please bring fall colors!

Dear Mailman, Please bring me my packages : )

Most Sincerely,

Kirsten

My Favourite Clothes!

Today's blog challenge is to write about my favourite article of clothing.

This topic has many sub-topics.  My favourite item because of nostalgia, beauty, frequent wearing, currently own, used to own, owned at some point in life?  You can see where I run into a problem.
I am just going to answer in several topics because, as I've said in the past, I don't like choosing!

*Disclaimer: "article of clothing" is being translated into shoes, too*

So, my favourite article of clothing for nostalgia's sake is a pair of black ballet flats I bought in 2007 from Aeropostale.  I finally HAD to throw them away.  They had lost all ability to hold their own shape.  But, I was loathe to toss them as they had traipsed all over Europe with me.  We had memories from the Alps to the streets of Italia.  Every other time I thought about throwing them away, the memories won out.  Last semester I finally put them in the rubbish.

Fall 2010; Photo Credit: Katharine Hormann

My favourite clothing for beauty's sake is my "Charger Dress."  I fell in love with this beautiful, tangerine dress when I was in 7th grade.  At the time it was a bit too large.  But, I was able to wear it for a pageant that year.  Two years later I wore it in another pageant (winning that time).  Then, for my Senior prom, after putting another dress on hold, I decided to wear it a third time.  It is just such a lovely dress.  The reason we called it the "Charger Dress" is because the local school, and where I graduated, had a Charger as their mascot.

Prom 2008 at The Homestead

My favourite item for frequent wearing is a navy skirt with while polka dots I bought from H&M while in NYC in May.  I saw it and loved it.  It reminds me of a navy skirt with white stars my grandma gave me when I was little.

See that cute lady with me?  She has the best boutique ever!  It's where I bought the Charger Dress!

So, there you have it, three of my favourite items to wear!

The Dirndl is from a thrift shop in Regensburg, Germany.

The "Charger Dress" is from Laura's Boutique Ltd. Hot Springs, VA!  Hit it up if you are ever up there!

The skirt, shirt, and belt I am wearing are from Forever 21, and the shoes are from H&M.

My Favourite Place

I forgot about my blog challenge until I was getting ready to go to bed.
I started it and then decided to just do it in the morning...and then forgot.
So, while it is still morning, here is yesterday's blog challenge: My Favourite Place

I don't like picking my favourite.

Well, if I have to pick,my favourite place is in England.  But, preferably with a friend.  And in the country.  Or at the coast.  Or in Wales.  In the Wye Valley.

New Romney, Kent, England Summer 2010

 But, I love Germany, too.
I think I need to be with a friend in Germany.
Actually, almost any place is better with a friend.  But, especially a place that I have mainly shared with other people.

Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, Fall 2010

Another favourite place is at the river at Kae Lacy's.
It is peaceful and relaxing.  I love being there by myself and with friends.

Photo by Abbie Slate, Summer 2012

So, I don't have one favourite place.  But, my favourite places are mostly because of the memories they hold.

Like, Like, Like

Hi!

Last night I told you all about my 27 day blog challenge.
Today's challenge is to write about 10 likes.
A little vague, but I can work with that.

1.  Cary Grant.  I like Cary Grant.  He is (was) handsome, daper, English (from Bristol), funny, suave, versatile in his roles, and one of the best actors the screen has ever known.  I will forever be a fan (and will live in denial over any skeletons he may have had).

2.  Christian Louboutin red-soled shoes.  It's a dream of mine to own a pair.  They are gorgeous, comfy (so I've heard), and classy (the pumps).  The red-soles add spice to walking down the street.

3.  My cats.  Rillian and Caspian are cuddly and precious.  They are so sweet when they cuddle together.

4.  Fall in the Virginia mountains.  Fall arrived yesterday.  I'm elated.  The trees have changed shades of green, causing me to believe they are preparing to become hued with red, yellow, and orange.

5.  Diamonds.  I just really really like them.  I don't care if they come in a tiara, a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, or earrings.  I love when Matthew McConaughey says, "Frost yourself."  Yes please.

6.  Laughing.  Forget like, I love to laugh. Till my stomach hurts and tears role down my face.  Or till I hyperventilate (which has happened...and can be a little scary).

7.  England.  Germany.  France (never been, but still).  Europe.  Like the chocolate, countryside, and cities.  I am anticipating moving there.  Oh, that will be a beautiful day.

8.  Earl Grey Tea.  Mmmm, smells scrumptious, tastes amazing, chic.  I am ready for tea with the Queen (just waiting for my invitation).

9.  Chocolate.  The dark stuff.

10.  Pink champagne.  Mmmm.  Classy, chic, and DELICIOUS!

Well, there you go, my ten likes.
Tune in tomorrow for #2 blog challenge.

Open Season for Surprises!

I am unpacking and trying to settle in.
It is hard because I know I want to move to England, Germany, France, or anyplace in Europe.
But, I sorted clothes today and measured a space for a mattress.
No bed for me.  Instead, I want to make a tiny room with three walls.

In case anyone is thinking of taking a trip, it is always open season for surprise visits to Kirsten's.
Not being in college proves for some lonely days.
And, not being employed full-time leaves lots of hours to idle away time.
Routine is coming slowly.  I need to speed it up, though.

I will do a before, mid, and after post of my area when it is complete.

Until next time, friends!

The Grand Adventures of...Yours Truly : )

A little more than a year ago began this little adventure of mine.

I don't remember the exact place I was sitting or what I was doing but I decided I wanted to try and go to Germany for the Spring Semester of 2010.  Now, being the lover of socialization that I am I had reasons for going in the Spring rather than the Fall. These were mainly...I was not a Junior or a Senior so I wouldn't miss the Spring Jr/Sr and I would not miss the Winter Formal.  That was basically my reasoning.  So, I talked to Mr. Auld, he thought the idea was brilliant and off I went.  Over the summer I filled out the application and began talking with the program I wanted to go with.

Now, fast forward to Fall 2010.  I had decided I would go in the Spring and would hopefully live in England for the summer and work as a nanny for some friends of ours who live outside London.  Now, my  to-do checklist began.  Most importantly: Get my British Passport.  Let me tell you. Confusing.  Well, I spend Thanksgiving with my Dad and he helped me greatly!  We phoned the Embassy and figured out the proper form I would need.  Then, one afternoon he and I chatted about other options.  What if, instead of going in the Spring, I went in the Fall?  Thus began agonizing over what God's will for this part of my life. I prayed, I journaled pros and cons for both situations, I charted out my class schedule for the rest of my Undergrad career and STILL did not know.  I had many conversations with my parents and Grampaw.  I discussed it with a friend on the way back to school after Thanksgiving, and when I finally got back to school I discussed it with my advisor.  See, I was lacking finances, an English passport, and I would be missing key classes I needed if I went in the Spring.  I was feeling guilty because I felt as if I was not trusting God enough with my circumstances and decision making.  My advisor (who, by the way, is amazing!) told me that I was using wisdom to make my decision.  It was not lack of trust (ok, I don't remember what else he said but that was the basic jist).  I left with a weight off my shoulders.  I knew what I was doing and could relax and take a little more time.

Well, I was still dreaming big about all the places I would visit while in Germany because in my mind, Germany is a whole lot closer than the US to the rest of the world.  I mean really, we are kind of isolated.  My friends teased me greatly when I mentioned trying to make it to China and Japan.  Well, it's true, I want to go! South Africa did not work out either...oh well. There is always another year (although I am running out of summers between school years).  Pretty soon the real world starts (a JOB).

Well, I began making calls to the British Embassy in March I believe trying to figure out if I WAS a citizen of England or not.  Let me tell you.  It is practically impossible to get a live voice at that place!  Well, after being told it would cost at least £800 (I think that is what they said)=$1300 approx I was phoned back and they told me I WAS a citizen!!!!! The elation I felt was marvelous! I told everyone!!!  Next, I had to fill out the form and figure out everything I had to send with it to prove I was an English citizen since I had not been born there.  So, on March 29 ( I think) I posted my forms! However, I am still waiting to receive my passport and must phone the Embassy this week to see what is holding them up!

So, I was then facing needing to buy a ticket...I may have already bought it actually...I don't remember.  Anyway, I didn't want to spend more than $700.  I had searched and searched! Seriously, ask my roommate how many hours I wasted on airline websites!  Anyway, I finally found one from Newark for $625.  I thought, brilliant! So, I bought it only to discover right after I would not get back until 11 PM. Ok, that is dumb! SO, I called, canceled, and rebought for $25ish more.  Later, I felt so dumb for flying from Newark, but Mama and I were able to make memories and travel back to where we used to live : )

THEN....shopping.  I have always wanted to go "Traveling Abroad Shopping." I finally got to!  I was SO picky because I did not want to just buy anything.  I was worried also because the first day I did not find very much.  Yet, as always, God provided so much more than I expected!  This whole trip (planning and the actual thing) have been God showing time and time again how faithful he is, AND he knows the little things that make me happy!

SO...the week after school ended was a whirlwind of fast visits and au revoirs to family and friends!  May 24, 2010 found me leaving my house 2 hours later than planned to embark on my newest adventure!!!  May 25, 2010 found me at the airport bright and early boarding a plane to London, England!  I will not be returning until December 28, 2010!  Wow....that is a long time!

I sat next to an interesting lady named Pam.  She works for Lifetime television station.  She was very nice!  Please pray for her though.  She needs Jesus.  This is her second or third time to the UK (I don't remember exactly).  Well, neither of the movies I wanted to see were showing, BUT my meal was very yummy AND they gave us tea cups...for tea. However, I drank Pepsi out of mine...and AFTER they brought tea.  Darn it, I should have asked.  Oh well, on my return flight I will know : )

Due to a late departure and odd winds we landed 45 minutes or so late.  If I had my British Passport I would have been through customs in a breeze....BUT I was not.  However, half way through they sent all who did not have visas to go through these new lines....where I was told after answering their questions, I could indeed have an English passport.  I told them it had not come.  I then walked through and picked up my luggage.  I wanted to leave a note for Pam but I didn't know which was hers and didn't want to get in trouble for checking the tags.  Yet, as I was walking out we passed and I said goodbye!  I walked through the doors, saw a sign with my name on it, met Tim (the husband of the lady my mom used to teach whom I am staying with for the summer) and Joe (the cab driver) and was taken to the cab and taken to my abode for the summer : )

The next day I awoke at 12:30, prepared myself a regular English Breakfast (tea and marmite included) and explored a little.  A bit after 2 PM Mary (the lady I am staying with) and Julia (her 3 year old daughter) and I went to pick up Jude (her almost 5 year old son) from school.  A good 20 minute or so walk later...we arrived (maybe only 15).  We then took Julia to dance class which is held in her school building which is actually an old estate that was turned into a community center! It is beautiful!  Then we returned home.  Needless to say....I was all turned about.  The next day Tim and I took Julia to school, picked her up, and later picked Jude up.  I was beginning to learn my way.  By the next day (Friday) I had learned my way about a good bit.

Now, Julia and Jude are quite funny.  Jude is always making funny little comments about Julia and Julia is always turning everything into a song or having conversations with herself...the other day as I was preparing lunch she was sitting at the counter saying, "No, don't take the covers, I'm not taking the covers (etc etc etc)." SOOO funny!

Mary's nephew, Nick, lives with them while he attends college an hours ride away.  He is going to culinary school.  He made quiche the night I arrived.  Very delectable.

I also found out that a girl from school is a 20 minute walk away from me for the summer so I walked down Saturday and surprised her with a visit.  Another girl from school is coming over tomorrow!  I am THRILLED because I was really rather missing CIU today : )

Now, today, we went to church.  They attend an Anglican church.  It was very nice.  The Vicar mentioned John Stott and had I not taken Romans I would not have known who he was : )

THEN we walked into Blackheath and saw the most wonderful shops!!! Seriously...one of them, if I was very wealthy, I would have done a good bit of damage!  Well, I will be going back!  Then we walked to Greenwich (the market is AMAZING!!! Helloooo Christmas shopping!)! I saw where all time begins, meaning our time is right and the rest of the world is slightly off ; P

After a long day full of fun (Oh, I had an ice cream cone with a chocolate flake in it like Daddy used to have when he was a kid!  Yes, it did come from the ice cream truck!) we finally arrived home.

In July I get to move into the upstairs room (for now I am in the kids room).  It is SO cute! At the very tippy top of the house (the 6th floor, essentially one room per floor).

Tomorrow is the Barbeque.
Lenae is coming.
Maybe Sarah.
I get another real hamburger (my first in ages was today).
I see my Uncle on tuesday.
LONDON 13 days from now = )

Well, I am really asking God to show me where He is calling me in the world during this trip.  Or at least rule out places.  Please pray that I would listen and hear God's voice.  That I would follow Him, know Him, and get in the Word like I have never done before!

The next chapter of my life will be written when I next take the time : )

Happy Bank Hol and Half Term ; )

PS.  The end of the story...As of now...Germany in September and England for Decemeber ; )