Moved.

From now on, my blog will be at http://dmonti.wordpress.com ...

Literature, pt 1

I wanted to name this blog something more creative, something to capture my meaning. Yet I think the current title will express it all...

My life in books* began as a young child, with my parents buying me the mainstays of childhood literature: Dr. Seuss, the Golden books (those golden spines, coupled with the convoy of characters bordering the covers, used to intrigue me), and the like. I could not officially read until I was in first grade. Thankfully, once I was taught, I quickly understood the role of phonics, vowels, consonants and spelling. I didn't start reading chapter books -- a rite of passage for young readers -- until I was in the second or third grade. Specifically, it was a selection from RL Stine's Goosebumps series, something about a phantom piano man. When I was nine and ten, I became obsessed with Star Wars and began reading (or tried to read) the novels that take place where the movies end. Although reading books was fun, I hadn't yet experienced the properties of genuine literature.

Before I go into my tale of "enlightenment" through the literary novel, I need to explain what I believe constitutes a genuine piece of literature vs. a good, but superficially-entertaining story. To me, I think a novel's literary merit can be reduced to authorial intent. You know the author's intent when you see the reoccurrence of themes, added with the presence of symbolism and patterns in the sentence or plot structure (these are just a few of the signs of literature!). Because of these literary devices, I am able to distinguish the intent of John Steinbeck (he uses these tools for the purpose of social commentary, religious exploration, or the like) from the messages found in John Grisham (he has good themes, but his prose lacks these elements that would classify his works as literature). This is not to put down any prolific novel writer, or their readers (I like to read some books for their entertainment value), for that matter, but I want to clarify what I believe distinguishes literature from ordinary novels. What I'm realizing is that almost anyone can come up with a good story, but it takes a true genius to craft literature.

I will soon return to my personal quest through literature.

* By the way, call me a nerd, but I love to read. So if you want to make fun of me, you will enjoy reading this blog. Although if you make it through all this, you might as well read an actual book.

Classes

I'm almost done with this semester, but I've already registered for next semester.

• Social Work Practicum II - 5 credits
• Social Work Practice III - 3 credits
• Field Seminar - 1 credit
• Personal Finance - 3 credits
• Psychology of Religion - 3 credits

So that's ... 15 credits. I really only need the first three classes, but I want to learn the most I can while I still have time. I'm looking forward to it.

My Black Friday Adventure

Black Friday has always seemed like something cool, but I've always envied others for doing it. I know it doesn't make sense why I've never participated in these said events if I think it'd be so cool, but it's true: I've always wanted to go to stores early in the morning to buy things ridiculously cheap. So naturally I was very excited when "J Birdie" (not his real name) and Cristy asked me to join them.

• Our adventure started with us arriving at BestBuy at 2:30 (in the morning) in order to secure a good spot in line for the store's 5am opening. Our goal was to be able to secure a laptop of which the store had limited quantities.However, a few hundred crafty (and very intense) people beat us to the punch. Even though we were almost three hours early, we apparently weren't early enough. J Birdie befriended a gentleman who resembled T-Pain, except we couldn't understand him because of the gold plates on the front of his teeth.
• We left after J Birdie got a voucher for a computer and got something to eat at Whataburger (lobby open 24hrs). By the time we got back to BestBuy, the 5am gates of paradise -- I mean doors -- opened. We (well, J Birdie) spent from 5:15-7:00 waiting in line to actually purchase the computer. As an aside, the deals at BB were only good if you were buying something huge like a TV or computer, not for the majority of DVDs and CDs. I was done with the place by 5:15, but of course J Birdie was in line.
• By 7:15, we were out of the store. I'd already taken Cristy to work, so it was J Birdie and I to take on the world -- well, if you count Walmart, Target, Circuit City and the mall as the world.
• After the BestBuy fracas, we headed to a more tamed Target, where the real deals were supposed to be. I grabbed the second season of Monk (at BestBuy for $43.99) for a measly $13.88. Trust me, I was very tempted to get the third season, but I put the temptation on hold, thinking the mall would hold some great deals for me.
• After Target, we crossed the street to the mall. I was told earlier in the week by an Old Navy employee that the sales today would be "crazy good". And yet I was disappointed. I wanted that blazer more than anything but it was one of the only items not on sale. Go figure.
• Got energy drink, which is always a good time for me when i have caffeine.
• I headed to trusty Aeropostale and was pleased. I got a pair of jeans "half-off" for $25 and a T-shirt. Who would normally buy $50 jeans?? Certainly not me. Aeropostale wasn't a steal, but it was a deal nonetheless.
• I grabbed J Birdie and we took a detour through Books a Million on our way to the parking lot. Don't get me wrong, BaM is my favorite hangout and store, but I was mad about their lack of sales. Maybe it was for my own interest that there weren't any books on sale; I wouldn't want to overdraw my checking account.
• Went to Circuit City and left after two minutes. No wonder they're having problems, they don't have anything.
• Went to another Target. I caved in and got the third season of Monk against my better judgment. Luckily, my partner in crime convinced me that I was making a smart investment in purchasing the season now while it's on sale.
• Went to Walmart 1 and we were again disappointed with the lack of great sales (pertaining to our wants).
• After this, I was plum-tickered out but we headed to Walmart 2. Nothing. I was done. We were done.

All in all, it was an event-filled morning. I had a good time hanging out with two of my best friends, but most of all, I got some cool stuff. All for under $50.

A little reminder

I want to remind myself and others who read this about one thing:

God can see the whole picture of our lives. We only see a small part. We are two dimensional in thought -- we see the past and the present. God can see in 3D -- the past, present, and future. When you feel like you keep on fighting the same thing, keep in mind that it all makes sense to Him. I don't know why He chooses to do things this way, but I am trusting Him nonetheless (do I really have a choice otherwise??). As Paul would say, "Be encouraged, brethren."

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch

This book may change the way you view life. The author, a popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He was asked to deliver a "last lecture," a speech where professors are asked to deliver their most important wisdom. They're to give the speech as if they were dying. In Pausch's case, he actually was dying.

Throughout the book, he is surprisingly upbeat, yet realistic, about his diagnosis. The most important subject of his lecture was following childhood dreams. Pausch describes a list he wrote as a third grader in which he includes: flying in zero gravity, working for Disney as an Imagineer, and playing for the NFL. Through a NASA experiment and serious persistence, he was able to accomplish the first two, while realizing early that he could not be apart of the NFL for his strength, stature, and athletic prowess (or lack thereof). Through these anecdotes, he exhorts his audience to go after their dreams instead of wasting time being unhappy. At least, that's what I got out of it.

Since one can't help but analyze one's self when reading such a book, I realized that my life is too short to be occupied with small details. As a task-oriented person, often my sense of satisfaction comes only when my to-do list is all crossed out. After reading this book, I think I can take more time to appreciate the process of completing my to-do list. I can take the time to get to know people I work with, rather than just bustling around the office in my own fury. I can enjoy interruptions when I work on something challenging.

I wouldn't want to create a list of things to do before I die, a veritable "bucket list." Instead of accomplishing assigned goals, my goal is to just be pleased with life as it comes. That doesn't mean I won't plan for the future, but that I will not be so dissatisfied when things don't go my way.

The curse, I mean, gift, of loneliness?!

I always hear people talking about how Southeastern is a "bridal college" instead of a "Bible college". Apparently, people feel pressured to get married once they're here. It's true that Christian couples tend to marriage quicker. This added social pressure can make the single folk on campus feel slighted. We may think, "Did you miss giving me my blessing, God??"

Admittedly, my gift of singleness has turned into a curse of loneliness in past months. I had lost sight of what is most important in my life -- God and his will for me -- and focused on what I lacked and most wanted. I struggled through the "dark night of the soul" and was so frustrated for my inability to find a date (let alone find a spouse!). It's been a long process, but I've finally gotten to the point where God is the center of my life and my so-called needs are on the back burner. I trust fully (well, for the most part... I'm working on it though) his will, whether that means I will find someone or not. I'm not in a rush anymore; my sole purpose on this earth is not to be a husband or father, but an exemplar of Christ. I must work on that task first and count what I do have, rather than what I lack.

My biggest concern now is the underlying theme of loneliness that is found quite often in singles. To me, loneliness has seemed like my red-headed stepchild or cockroaches: always around, but not really welcomed. Yet I know that loneliness -- truly being alone, as in having no friends, no family, no self-love -- does not exist in Christians. They have a friend that truly cares for them, even when family or romantic relationships fail. At the risk of sounding cliche, I honestly believe in his neverending presence -- whether I'm single, engaged, married, widowed, divorced, or all of the above. He has asked me, "Did I not say I would never leave nor forsake you?"

One of the reasons why I believe I've been given this propensity for being lonely is because God trusts me to be a messenger of his peace for others who may have a far worse case. I can better empathize with people who are alone, giving me an opportunity to more passionately share his love. He's allowing me to go through these personal deserts in order to better communicate to others about the rest and hydration found in oases. This is an honorable responsibility that I honestly believe I can handle. I mean, I've made it this far.

So in my realization, I know I must go be a friend to the friendless. I can be an instrument of His peace, as Francis of Assisi once said. I know that he is redeeming my past hurts in order to make my life a masterpiece for his glory. He has got my best interests at heart, regardless of how connected I feel to others. What matters is that I'm connected to him.