Emotions are Strange Creatures

Ah, hello there. Yes, it's been a while. Quite a while, actually. As it turns out, it's tougher to keep up a blog whilst doing school during a regular semester. And, as the title of this post suggests, emotions are indeed strange creatures and tend to influence things such as blogging ("I just don't feel like it").

Well, a little updating is in order. I just graduated on December 17, 2009 with a B.S. in Food Science & Technology from Texas A&M. And for anyone who thinks they're funny or something, that B.S. stands for "Bachelor of Science." Sorry-I didn't make the rule, but I gladly adhere to it.

At this point you may be asking one of several questions such as: "Why Chris, do you want to be a chef? Is this a cooking degree?" or possibly, "Is that the same thing as Nutrition?" To which my answers would be: "NO, NO, NO--you're all wrong, you silly oompa loompas! If I wanted to be a chef, I would go to culinary school. And if it were a Nutrition degree, it would be called Nutrition, not Food Science." As it turns out, Food Scientists and Nutritionists tend to be on opposite sides of the food game (in my opinion, anyway). But I digress.

Anyway, I graduated, and now I'm looking for work within the food industry (ie: every product on the grocery store shelf was made by a company. I could work for any of them.) and I'm highly interested in paying off a crap-ton of student loans ASAP.

Now-regarding the title of this post. I'm still living in Bryan, and originally was greatly desiring to stay in the B/CS area and work full time. The reasons for staying are that I love the church I'm at, it's solid, and I really love and am blessed by the community that God has placed in my life. I've lived here 4 1/2 years now, so it's pretty much home (sorry Scurry...). Also, being a college town, it's super cheap to live here, especially the living situation I'm currently in. So, all of these things led to my desire to stick around for a bit.

However, as I looked for work, it seemed that nothing around here was going to work out. There's really only a handful of food companies in the area, and most of them are small and do not have openings. So I started to apply for jobs in other cities and prepare in my mind and heart that I would likely be moving soon. Something I learned last year is that there actually are Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christians in other places than Bryan/College Station, and there actually is a chance for community in other churches and cities. Knowing this, along with the whole sense of "adventure" that comes with a big life change, I started to actually lean toward and prefer the idea of moving and seeing what God was doing and had planned in another location. New town, new job, all that stuff. I would miss people in B/CS, for sure, but the adventure of leaving would be fun. And part me, the complaining part, was beginning to feel ready for a new town. Being burned out on the overly-spiritual and "Christian" culture of this one, the idea of heading to a new city was intriguing.

And then on Friday, January 29th, a local food company called me out of the blue and set-up an interview for next Thursday, February 4th. I hadn't applied for a position there, but had sent my resume to someone at their out-of-state corporate office based on a contact I had at A&M. The resume made it's way down to the local plant, and they called to discuss a position and potentially training for a supervisory position they expect to open up in the coming months.

What? Come on Lord, I was just getting over staying, was holding things open-handedly, and actually getting excited about change and then BOOM-You seem to be giving a "Yes" to my earlier prayers of finding a local gig. Unless I really botch up the interview, I expect they will offer me a position, and I'll likely take it. It will be good experience, and nice that it's local (and only 5 miles from my house), but part of me is still a little bummed that it doesn't involve leaving B/CS and starting fresh elsewhere. Oh conflicting feelings.

But, like I said, emotions are strange creatures.

The good news is that God is sovereign. He's not asleep at the wheel. He's not deaf. He hears the prayers of the saints. He's a good Father who gives good gifts. And He can turn the heart and give it the right desires-which has been my prayer as of late.

Whatever you want, Lord-take it. Keep me here or move me elsewhere. But make my heart soft and mold-able in all of it. Stir my desires and affections for You, and make my deepest desires be to obey You and please You.

Pickin' and Diggin'

I just saw a car on Texas with a bike turned longways on the back. For whatever reason I looked over at the driver, and it was this girl and she was totally picking and digging in her nose. I laughed so hard! Ah, it's going to be a good Wednesday.

UPDATE: I was leaving Sweet's around 12:15ish, and spotted the pickermobile in the parking lot. I was SO CLOSE to the picker and didn't even know it! Of course, she could have been at Fuddrucker's. I hope she washes her hands before she eats. Anyway, if anyone sees a silver Saturn Ion with a bike rack, Toms (shoes) sticker, and Bellhaven College sticker around town, smile, and think of this blog post.

I Am A Juvenile

So, when I could have been using my time in more productive ways, I spent the last twenty minutes perusing failblog, lolcat pictures, and O RLY pictures....we'll count it as "rest and relaxation" and not call it a waste of time. Sometimes life seems very dark after my 8 AM (mostly because I had to get up to go to it), so laughter is good. In other news, I got a 90 on the last test and will probably get a much needed A in the class.

Anyway, here are some of the stuff I came across that made me giggle quite a bit.

From failblog:





And



And




If you're not familiar with LOLcats or O RLY?, you can check out the wikipedia pages for each. Otherwise, this won't be funny.




And





The good news for you readers is that I recently became disillusioned with many of the recent lolcats publications floating around, so I didn't even bother to google for them. But the whole concept still cracks me up (especially when inserting such lolcat and o rly-related phrases into conversation in real life), so it was worth mentioning.

The Satisfaction of Work

Going back to work at the hotel this summer has reminded me of the satisfaction of work. Even if it's boring work, or annoying work, or tiresome work, or sweaty work. It's still satisfying to accomplish another 8 hour shift on my feet running back and forth from the front desk to the laundry room (I've gotten quite proficient at folding sheets and towels).

I just got off at 11, and I am tired. My feet are tired. My brain is tired. But satisfied. Even though the pay is way lower than bus driving, still satisfied. That's nice.

It's been man's task to work since Creation. And since the fall, that work is difficult and sweaty--that's a man's part of the curse. Despite the fact that the toiling is a result of sin, honest work is satisfying and there are several verses in Proverbs that encourage hard work and discourage laziness:

Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.

And

Proverbs 28:19
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

There are many other Scriptures commanding us to work as well. And yet "play," is the message of the world. Sure, there is a time for play, but there is also a time for work, and it seems many would rather not think about which one it is time for, but rather spend their time on worthless pursuits.

Anyway, just some thoughts after a long shift. And now, for something completely different.

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Now playing: Eisley - Come Clean
via FoxyTunes

Theme Testing

I figured out you can download blogger themes from a TON of different websites and upload them. I figured I would try some different ones till I found one that stuck. This one is called "moleskine," after the slightly overpriced brand of journal.

I'm not too sure about the whole "two column" look. Plus, the lines on the background make it kinda hard to read, it seems.

Any thoughts?

True dat

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!

"For who had known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"

For from him and through and and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

As Seen on TV

The snuggie is one of my more favorite "ridiculous TV products" that I've seen, but recently I saw this:




Wow! I had no idea I was such an archaic caveman, what with still using my hand and all! The good news is, I'm a folder, which I think is more advanced than all those primitive wadders. (On a related note, in some informal surveys I've conducted, I found that most men fold, while most women wad. The answer, from the ladies, is that they have to use the paper so often [compared to men], that wadding is simply more time effecient.)

This product also means that my search for the perfect white elephant gift for Christmas 2009 is over. Of course, I'll have to wait till it comes down in price. Or perhaps find a used one (craigslist?).

In other news, I once heard Aaron Hendrick say that some friends of theirs had invented a Snuggie-like product a long time ago. They called it the Slanket (Sleeves + Blanket = Slanket).