Highlights
September 1st was the first day of the first full week of classes. It was also the first Halcyon Hall Dinner of the semester! Nearly everyone came and we had a great time hanging out over dinner.
September 3rd, I joined my friends Lorrian, Lana, and John for community group at the home of one of RCF’s elders. We discussed the sermon from the previous Sunday. The group that meets there is now my community group, and I go every Wednesday that I can.
September 6th, the DAs of Mac met for the first time together to discuss chapter 1 of 1 Thessalonians that we would each be presenting to our halls or floors the following week. We now meet every Monday for breakfast to discuss the next section of the book together. I think we are great group, I really enjoy working with all of them. I can’t wait to plan All Building Prayer and Praise with them in November!
The 6th was also the first tea of the year! It was - as always - a wonderful time of fellowship - even if Stephen and Elijah were teasing me about what was actually in my homegrown peppermint tea. XD
September 8th, I and two of the other DAs (both girls) met with our RD to talk about what the expectations for DA on both sides were and so she could hear our plans and know how to pray for each of us. It was a sweet time.
It was also the first day of Halcyon’s bible study. I was nervous, but I knew I had friends and family prayer for me, and I knew that God wouldn’t have put me in that position without properly equipping me to be there. But it went very well! My DA from last year came and has come every meeting since then, which is such an encouragement and joy!
September 11th was the first meeting of Halcyon’s Leadership Team where we planned Day of Prayer and our first hall event.
September 11th, the Women’s Ministry wing of the Chapel Department hosted a women’s brunch where our speaker gave a really good and beneficial crash course on how to study the Bible. Several Halcyon girls came, and we sat together and worked through the study together.
September 17th, RD Emily invited the DAs to join her and the RAs for a staff meeting to share about how being DA is going and how they could be praying for us. It was really sweet, and I greatly appreciate how intentional RD Emily and the RAs have been to support the DAs even as we seek to serve and help our RAs.
September 19-21, my family was in town for Homecoming and my dad’s 20th reunion. Friday night was Jazz on the Overlook, which I was actually able to attend this year (hooray!), and I danced basically the whole night. It was so much fun! I’m not the best dancer, but I enjoy dancing when I’m with a good dancer, and that’s who I ended up with for every dance.
Saturday, we attended Singing of the Saints where all of my roommates were performing as well as several of my friends. That afternoon, my family, Stephen, and I went down the mountain to Makay’s and then dinner at Mr. T’s. Then, we went and watched the men’s soccer game and then the fireworks.
September 22nd was Hobbit Day! A couple of us dressed up like hobbits and walked around everywhere we could barefoot. It was fun! And the Great Hall had mushrooms!!
September 24th was Day of Prayer! Halcyon drove down to Rock City and like last year, we attended the Sunrise Service and then made and ate breakfast as a hall together. This DoP, I decided to not do any homework. In the past, I waited until the afternoon or the evening, but this time I really wanted to rest and enjoy a full day of prayer and fellowship. I did, and it was very restful and good.
September 27th was Halcyon’s first hall event: Halcyon Craft Night! We all brough our various crafts - or used the bracelet making materials provided - and hung out together while watching a movie.
The 28th was Mac’s All Women’s Prayer and Praise. I love gathering with my sisters in Christ of Mac to sing, pray, and study God’s word together to close out the day!
Writing
I wish I could say that I got writing done this month…
What I can say is that a lot of productive brainstorming happened, and I now know my writing road map much better! My story is going to eventually be a trilogy. The first book will be set early in the history of Aridina and will center on my Adam-type and the introduction of the taint and corruption of magic. The second book (the actual first book I started writing in this world) will center on King Rindare’s life (my David-type). And the third book (the one I am currently writing) focuses on my Christ-type and will close out my writing in Aridina.
I also added a ton to all of my character Pinterest boards…. probably too much.
Reading, Music, and Cinema
I’ve started working through War of the Ancients, a World of Warcraft book. So far, it has been helpful in how I think about worldbuilding, and it has continued to refine how I write descriptions, meaning it is serving its purpose.
My music has been a lot of the same: my Themes Songs, rap, and instrumental trap.
I watched Sound of Freedom with some friends. It is a good movie with a sad story to tell. It was very moving. I also rewatched Castle in the Sky and Honor Among Thieves, two movies I really enjoy.
Common Place Quotes
Dr. C. Ward (calling role): Sam?
Sam: *raises hand*
Dr. C. Ward: Nate?
Sam: *raises hand again*
Dr. C. Ward: No. You may not do that. If you do, you will fail this class and bring your brother down will you because I won’t know which is which.
Dr. C. Ward: *arrives at K in the role list* *makes face*
Tjabe: My name is Tjabe (Jabe).
Dr. C. Ward: Thank you.
“A theologian is one who prays; if you pray you, are a theologian.” - Gregory of Nazarine
“I realized after my interest in anesthesiology that I don’t like working with people who are awake: thus, I became a professor.” - Dr. C. Ward
“There is a reason Mary Poppins flies around with an umbrella: everyone in England already does that.” - Dr. C. Ward
“The final is blank because I just didn’t want to put forth the effort to find the date.” - Dr. Bunn
“The other red-headed stepchild of political science is political theory: ME!” - Dr. Bunn
“The prophets came to tell the Israelites that they were doing naughty, naughty, bad things.” - Dr. Bunn
“Be good person, do good thing, good thing happen.” - Dr. Bunn
“Putting on my way-out-of-my-field-of-expertise hat…” - Dr. Bunn
“Hips don’t lie: the Greek version of fists don’t lie.” - Dr. Bunn
“Let me now tell you why your textbook is wrong and stupid. =)” - Dr. Bunn
“The curse of Cassandria: women with teenage boys.” - Me
“None of Tolkien’s characters have nice endings. The LotR is the one exception. All his other stories go like, ‘aww, how sweet’ and then are immediately after, ‘oh. my.’” - Dr. Bunn
“I’m developing some beef with this editor.” - Dr. Bunn
“Taco Bell undermines eudaimonia.” - Dr. Bunn
“My wife has an excess of fear of spiders. She should work on becoming more virtuous so I don’t have to kill them all the time.” - Dr. Bunn
“The Chicago Manual of Style: the way God intended for us to write. If he didn’t want us to write in it, he wouldn’t have given it to us.” - Dr. Green
“Some people say, ‘ugh, I was born in the wrong century.’ Haha, enjoy that unmedicated or sterilized surgery.” - Dr. Green
“You only have one life, and you are living it. Good job!” - Dr. Green
“If you looked at the style guide - which you clearly haven’t - on page one it says, ‘buy a stapler!’” - Dr. Green
“Because I am an all-knowing professor, it’s hard to say, ‘be suspicious.’” - Dr. Green
“I’m on to you, sweet baritone voice seeking to seduce me.” - Dr. Green, on documentaries
“Your first task as a historian is to shut up and listen.” - Dr. Green
Dr. Wingard: Was there anyone I didn’t call? Oh wait, I didn’t call myself. Dr. Wingard? Here, I think. *proceeds to give a lesson on Descartes*
Drew: If we bought you a ruff, would you wear it to teach?
Dr. Wingard: Absolutely not.
Clare: You would refuse our gift?
Dr. Wingard: Absolutely yes.
Mary Clare: I’m here for the vibes and Bacon.
Mary Clare: I’ve been working on a new theory of beauty.
Isaac: I’ve got one: In the eye of the beholder.
“I’ve got to finish this lesson and go home to mow my yard because afterward I’ve got a hot date to a movie.” - Dr. Wingard (He took his wife to see the new Downton Abby movie)
“I married into a strong AL family…. the things you do for love.” - Dr. Wingard
“Thomas Hobbes. Now here’s a dude who could use a turban.” - Dr. Wingard
Oh dear, one of the mutant flies has escaped the sleepy gas chamber. Oops. - Dr. Nelson in genetics lab
Looking Forward
Next month is Kilter! I’m excited to go with my friends and to have a blast enjoying a late night off campus, and of course, the excuse to dress up in a costume is another plus. Fall Break is coming up, as well as several of my friend’s birthdays. Around Founders, Mountain Affair, and Open Rowan are also in October.
These are excellent pictures, especially the first one. Shiloh is a perfect Kuzco