Freshers Week

This last week is indeed called “Freshers Week.” Freshers is freshman in British vernacular, to me it sounds a little a little derogatory so i feel awkward asking people if they’re a fresher expecting them to be offended and say, “No, I am a freshman.” Speaking of British oddities, this week was also registration and I could not believe the inefficiency with which they conducted the process. It seemed like they were trying to accomplish too many tasks with no specification as to where or what tasks could be handled where. I would stand in one line to get up to the front to be either be told to go to a different line or have someone who didn’t really know if “that’s possible” help me for way longer than it would have taken if there was a specific desk to go to for English majors. It wasn’t a horrible experience but it did give me a little more appreciation to be American. Since registration there have been a lot of events for the freshers…a few i participate in and a few that I don’t. Mostly I try to attend those that offer free meals…I don’t think I realized how expensive it is here. I mean I knew it was and I knew that I would have to pay for food since we don’t have a meal plan…but I didn’t know a Pizza Hut pizza would cost $20.

This Friday is the Freshers Fair where one can sign up for clubs and activities…I think this is where I’ll find more information on playing badminton. I think that since I have a fairly light course load it would be fun to be active in a lot of extracurricular activities, so we’ll have to see what they gave to offer.

And by the way don’t be afraid to send me an email…it’s scary, I know, but you can do it. kevincram@gmail.com

And this song is in my head constantly (don’t worry dad, I’m still making you mixes).

Please Sir, can I have some more…Spoon?

This has been a good week. Sunday night, the three other interns and the new audio visual guy came over the house and we played spoons. It got pretty intense. Bob flipped over the table and there was the twisting of limbs and the rending of flesh. It was a lot of fun and we had some good laughs afterward watching the Office (the episode where Michael cooks his foot). So good. There are some pictures floating around, so when I get my hands on one I’ll post it.

Yesterday at the hospital I made a few visits in the morning and got to have some good conversations. I got to sit and chat with a man who had taught at Oxford. So we talked about London and things to do and see. Apparently there is a Texan Embassy in London from when Texas was an independent coutnry, he said that it was the only place that would put ice in your drink and give you a free refill. I’m hoping that they also serve a good steak…or burger, whatever. A lady named Onolee was my favorite visit. I had visited here earlier in the summer when she was at her home but she recently checked into the hospital and so I went to see her again. She’s a pretty heavy smoker so when I walked in there she was smoking away, except she was smoking a fake plastic cigarette that the hospital gives to out. She has a little bit of a mouth on her so a few times while we were talking something would be said and then we would have a good laugh about it. After I prayed with her and was getting up to leave she wouldn’t let go of my hands with a surprisingly good grip, she wouldn’t let go until I promised I would come back and visit her again today. So I’m going to run up there pretty soon.

In the afternoon Mike and I visited an old couple, and it was an amazing visit. They were both just so sweet and kind that it was really moving. I suppose that it isn’t too strange to come across these kinds of people and couples but something here was different. The husband, Jim, had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and so even though he wasn’t showing very many signs of it you could just feel a hint of sadness. Despite that though they were so at peace and caring and making good decisions for their futures. It was just a great visit.

Do you remember the twenty year old with the connective tissue disease, his name is Ben, anyway I might be going out to lunch with him today, so that will be interesting to hear whats going on inside his head.

Working Title: Saturn Uranus

So…car trouble. The battery died a few days ago while I was driving, not supposed to happen. Then I jumped it…and it died again. Sounds to me like the alternator is sucking. The battery is still good because I remember very clearly changing it on the side of the road, in the heat, with my grandmother sitting on the curb, so that leaves us with the alternator.

This picture is of my not happy car face.

Today, at the hospital was what I’ve been waiting for. It finally happened. I felt sick. I don’t know why it happened but I felt myself losing it. My body was getting hotter and hotter and my head started to get light. I don’t think it was the hospital because we made a trip later and I was fine. I don’t think it was the illness, I don’t know what it is. I think it’s a combination of things but I think it definitely has to do with coming to grips with mortality and uncertainty. It’s early but it’s interesting.

That makes today a strange day.

And then there was one…

I can’t believe that I only have one month left in Texas. Today is July 13th and the 13th of August will be my last Sunday. I’m still not sure if I will leave on that Sunday or wait for Monday morning…but either way my time here is winding down. The fact that I will be home in a month also means that I will be in Europe in a month and a week, which is even more unbelievable. It’s strange because it’s very much a similar transition to Europe as it was to Texas, but Europe seems so much more overwhelming. I am so looking forward to it, but I guess I don’t know what “it” is.

—————

Tuesday I went to the nicest nursing home in Amarillo, and it was pretty nice. It had one of the more pleasant atmospheres throughout the facility…of course I still haven’t really seen a pleasant alzheimers ward. Anyway, I got to sit and chat with Hazel who is 97 years old and still sharp…she doesn’t have any teeth and is hard to understand but hey you can’t ask for too much. She would start crying sometimes which broke my heart but it wasn’t really sad, it was just understood. And besides, I scored my first Texas kiss (on the cheek). I also met a man named Red Youngman who used to coach high school basketball. He had newspaper clippings on his wall from when his team was the underdog in the state championship and won on a last second desperation shot. I loved that his name was Red, and that he coached basketball in Texas…so good! There was another lady who had some parakeets, another one with stuffed animals who would repeat her stories in a determinable pattern, and a few others who were quietly sleeping.

I also did some good ‘ol fashioned intern work this week. I organized, inventoried, and packed some of Bob’s books and lessons into eleven boxes and got to stuff the Sunday morning programs with the inserts. It was the first “intern” work I had done since I’ve been here and it was kind of nice. I just finished making phone calls to the elderly just to chat and take prayer requests. I have band practice again tonight maybe afterward I’ll be able to add some pictures to this post.

Oh and tomorrow there is going be a huge cocktail party being thrown for this couples wedding. I guess it’s going to be quite the event…I haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to wear, maybe I’ll go buy my boots for it. They’ll be a hit.

Boot Me Up

Saturday Margie, Bob, and I went to Cavendar’s Boot City…to look at boots. The boots that I’m wearing in the picture were by far my favorite. They fit like a dream and look similar to boots I had when I was a cowboy/child. They’re $150 which isn’t bad for boots but do I really need a pair of black and white boa skinned boots? Yes. I haven’t bought them yet but I’ll let you know when I do. Speaking of buying, the second disc of Sufjan’s Illinoise comes out tomorrow!

Oh, and Erin, everyone here says “foy-er,” you would die.
Now I’m at work with no more world cup to look forward to and if you missed Zidane’s head but you missed the most awesome soccer moment of the cup (sad though that is). It’s funny to be an American watching the cup in the first place because of the apathy of the general public but then to be watching it in Texas where football is king is even better. Of course, this is the first world cup to happen while I have access to cable so its been fun to actually watch as opposed to reading…kind of like the Tour de France. Maybe since my parents are moving they will move up to cable to and my dad will finally be able to watch USC games and the Tour…maybe…

I am still reading Final Gifts, I didn’t read over the weekend and it takes a little while because I have to take breaks. The flow of the book is generally some sort of principle about communication or awareness and then is followed by one or two stories of the principle at work. So here I am reading these interesting and enlightening communication/dying theories and then I have to read some story about this older couple who have been traveling the world since retirement and are deeply in love. Suddenly the husband is diagnosed with cancer that is terminal. The couple’s relationship is strained and they fight and argue because of misunderstandings. Once they discover how to communicate and understand the upcoming change and transition they fall in love all over again and have peace as they hold bedside hands as he leaves.

Then I put down the book and take a breath and a break.
Why don’t you take a little break too (as in Sufjan’s dics two) and enjoy.

Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah

I flew back out to Texas on the fourth and was greeted at the airport by Bob, Sarah, and Jered wearing black socks and shorts. It was pretty good. We went back to the Schroeder’s and watched the cities fireworks from their front yard and then went to laugh in the hot tub. The fireworks were pretty impressive, it wasn’t the most extravagant display I’ve ever seen but each firework was a quality firework and you could feel the flow and movement of the whole. It was good.

Yesterday at work we had a lot of meetings. I had a meeting at nine with Mike and a woman named Nancy who wants to start a parrish nurse ministry at the church. Basically, a parrish nurse is exactly that…a nurse tied to the church who would provide information, educate and be a first point of access to the members of the congregation. The three of us just brainstormed about what that could look like, what needs would be addressed, who could be involved, and how we could get it started. Then at ten we had an all staff meeting in which we discussed two books we had had read, the discussion was actually pretty insightful. It was led by the senior pastor, Tommy, and he made some interesting points and shifted perspectives around a little bit. Then at 1:30 we had a pastors meeting where the construction on the new facility was the main topic of conversation.

After all the meeting I started reading a book called Final Gifts, it was written by two nurses who worked in hospices and is basically about understanding the needs of the dying. I have only read a little past the first chapter and it has changed my life. I’ll write more when I’m done or at least farther along.

Last night I went to the contemporary worship practice. I’m playing acoustic which is fine with me and felt like I fit right in. Practice was supposed to be tonight but got moved up so I didn’t really have time to practice any of the songs but after work I ran through the set and listened to the tracks we’re playing so I had a good idea oh what was going on in them. Probably the thing I had to get the most used to was that we’re using wireless in ear monitors so you have to mix your own feed. I’ve never used it before but it’s a really great system. So I play this Sunday…boo yah!!!

I feel like I had more to write but I don’t. Love you guys.

Butch is his name.

I was trying to post something last night so I spent a long time getting a photo sequence ready and then when I tried to upload them the server wouldn’t let me, so I got a little frustrated and put my computer into a Jello mold. We had a good thunder storm last night but it was bittersweet. It didn’t start until past midnight and I was already in bed, I desperately wanted to get up and watch it, photograph it, and play in it but when you have to get up at six sleep begins to take priority. I’m sure we’ll have more and hopefully I can get some good lightning shots, I LOVE Midwest thunder. Plus, I hear that we’re pretty close to Tornado Alley which means the danger level associated with thunder storms triples, can it get any better? But I really do love the thunder here (but mostly Chicago) it’s so much more awe inspiring than California’s. I had my first Texan sincerely tell me that he thought California was going to fall away into the Pacific with our next earthquake…which should be the big one people let’s make sure we all have our kits and evacuation plans.

Last night I went out to dinner with some friends (well Mallory’s friends…but I’m pretty sure they love me more). I went to camp with Sarah and Jered and they’re just a lot of fun. Jered and I look a little bit alike so we started a rumor that we were brothers and then when the foreign exchange student thing came up we added that I have been away in Germany preparing for the World Cup and that I was missing this week just to come back for camp. Anyway, it was nice to be able to go out and have fun since most of my free time is spent reading or watching the world cup and wishing I was playing in it.

It’s kind of weird that I am getting to know my way around in the hospitals…and I park in Clergy parking…how weird is that? Mike and I went in today to visit a guy who’s bowel’s exploded and then had a heart attack while he was in the hospital…worse, I don’t think so. He was actually doing pretty well today, earlier in the week he was near death and now the doctors are saying that it’s a miracle that he is recovering the way he is. It is amazing.

I’m excited to be coming home this week, and maybe I’ll get to see the great salt lake as I’m flying home.

Under big skies wearing sweet ties

I have been busy the last couple of nights so I haven't been able to write. Tuesday night I observed the DivorceCare class. I was really excited about it but it wasn't as good as I had hoped. The class follows a curriculum and there are facilitators that I haven't seen around the church so I don't know if they are affiliated with Paramount at all but Mike, my boss, is also there. There were three facilitators and Mike and then probably six people in the class. Two guys didn't say anything the whole night, one lady couldn't stop talking and all the facilitators seemed like they liked to hear themselves talk as well. The one lady was talking about how she had found the week's curriculum to be very negative and all the facilitators immediately jumped in, each expressing how they just wanted to encourage her and make sure that she is was cared for. I was sitting there thinking, "Are we really not going to ask her why she thought the material was negative?" The most basic question and it was never addressed. The facilitators were too comforting and the woman was too hurt to be able to listen. Another guy who was there, Steve, he was the person who probably said the best and most insightful things…and he's a truck driver. The class broke my heart because everyone there looked pretty good but you could just sense that they were either one word away from tears or they were one wall away from isolation.

Yesterday Bob and Margie (my host family/boss) left for a week so Bob could go speak at a camp. And now I am house sitting. I have never seen a man love his dog or his plants more than Bob, and now I am in charge of both, everyday I tell them "Don't die, don't die, don't die." Anyway, since I am alone for the week I was invited over to the Jones' for dinner last night. We had some very good soup and a lot of good conversation. Rich is an elder in the church, Cathey is one of the most Texan women I have met, and Jeffrey, their son, seems like a really great guy. He's 20 and goes to Baylor so we had a good time talking about schools and life afterward and the adventures that we're on or wish that we were.

Today we have some more hospital visits, there's also a funeral at the church but I don't think that Mike and I are going to be involved. Later tonight I am attending the contemporary worship practice. I'm pretty sure I'll be playing during July. I thought and had hoped that I would be able to play the drums but it looks like right now they need a guitar player more so I expect that's what I will be playing.

For now…let's get in trouble.

One more day…

I finished my bookshelf yesterday but just didn't have the time to take and post the pictures, but I have the time today. It came out looking a lot better than I ever expected it to, not to mention the fun that I had and the memories that I have of making it. The other great thing about these pictures is that you can learn a lot about me, like; what books I read, the color of my wall, whether or not I have an iPod, if I like lemonade, and you could guess two of the instruments I have hanging on my wall. There you go, near eternal intimacy in one photograph.

In other news, while preparing for travel in foreign states and foreign lands I decided I should probably know how to cut my own hair. Accordingly, I got out my hair trimmers and gave myself a hair cut…it is short. Certainly shorter than expected but it'll be okay, besides I'm going to Texas. I also had a little goodbye party with my family and some friends tonight. It was the last time I will see them for a few months and then even when I get back from Texas I'll only be in California for a few days before I leave again. It's strange to think how much will have changed by the time I get back. My niece, who is right now just barely on the verge of walking and talking, will be walking and talking when I get back from London. WALKING and TALKING. My parents said they might move from the house I was raised in before I get back from London, which will be fine but obviously significantly different. My friends will be even more scattered and living in a new season. Add to that the experiences I will be having and the change those experiences will have on my life and who I am, and we have a whole new life.

I'm excited.

I-40

This is the path I will be taking. It seems I will be driving through three and a half states (although whether or not New Mexico can be considered a state is still under deliberation). If I could only use one word to describe each state California is the only state that I wouldn't use the word "hot." Of course "meat" and "shoot things" follow closely when thinking about Texas. It's also a little unnerving to have everyone I know from Texas laugh when I tell them I will be spending the summer in Amarillo…ominous, foreboding, luminescent, sparkly? Yes. However, I am looking forward to being able to remove hot pans from the oven without a mitt, as well as putting out candles without licking my fingers due to the thin yet fluid layer of sweat that will constantly be forming and reforming on my skin.

By the way, I had a biopsy today.

Cancer = Thwarted.

And I am still loving this guy…