I feel so lazy because I never post. I haven't blogged in a while, this is true. But I'm so flippin' busy...
Friday evening Dan, Jay & I had supper at the cantina just north of here on the PCH. It is such good Mexican food...REAL Mexican food. I had carnitas. After supper was all said and done, we headed back to school. I don't really know what Dan did this weekend but Jay and I went to our "casas". I went to Tio Mike's and Tia Nancy's. Jay went home.
I have my own room at Tio Mike's and Tia Nancy's. It is soooo pretty: it has yellow walls and this gorgeous wooden bed frame from Mexico with a Sun and a field of lillies and sunflowers carved and painted on the head-board. The curtains have three dimensional flowers on it and the whole room is just simply gorgeous.
I had a wonderful time with la familia. On Saturday we went to Tia's brother and sister in law's house with all her family. You know you are Mexican when extended family includes the family of your aunts and uncles by marriage...I love it. There can never be too much family. I also got to watch Sleeping Beauty and Mulan this weekend - I have a strange obsession with Disney movies.
I bought my own Martinelli's Apple Juice this weekend...no longer shall I depend on Jay for my apple juice fix. In addition, I was able to procure those that come in the original glass jars. I gave Jay half: they don't make them in the glass jars anymore so WICKED is all I have to say.
Last night I tutored Gina in Spanish. I guess I forgot to mention that huh? Gina is the daughter of Lorraine G., Dean Saxer's assistant. I have started tutoring her in Spanish. It's a double bonus for me because now I don't have to spend extra time to do my own Spanish grammar everyday now, plus I get paid ($40.00 an hour...nice).
Jay showed his movie this weekend at La Sierra's homecoming: he said it went over really well. I'm really really proud of him. He has done such a good job doing all that stuff even while we are in school. He worked so hard on that movie and I'm glad it went over so well for him.
This week will be a busy week for us. Tomorrow is Project Uganda for IJM. We also have a midterm on Wednesday, and one on Friday. In addition, we have the ABA conference this weekend. Plus, we have a midterm next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Sigh.
I am exhausted but I do this for Justice.
Victims of child sex trafficking don't want to hear how tired I am. They want to see me at their front door with that arrest warrant and the sense of safety only justice can provide them.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Rough
My Mystery Man and I had a bit of a tiff today: and I don't really want to talk about it, mostly because I am not ACTUALLY sure what it was about. It reminded me of a fight I once had with Jeremy. We fought for like 2 hours. When it was over, it was all traced back to a comment someone had made about Strawberry Jam...
This wasn't quite about Strawberry Jam, but it was started with something equally dumb: Jr. High Kids doing Hello Dolly. LONG STORY...so DON'T ask. Suffice to say I can't believe the people in the apratment didn't hear us.
I am home now: I came home about an hour ago. But it's all ok now...sometimes things take more work than you thought to make them work...but as my Mochi says: "Nothing will work if you don't".
When two different worlds co-operate at a distance, or occupy the same space with a large buffer zone in between them, negative energy and conflict are minimal. But as the two spheres of existence collide, and try to exist very close together in tandum things become more difficult.
That's not to say it cannot be done.
This wasn't quite about Strawberry Jam, but it was started with something equally dumb: Jr. High Kids doing Hello Dolly. LONG STORY...so DON'T ask. Suffice to say I can't believe the people in the apratment didn't hear us.
I am home now: I came home about an hour ago. But it's all ok now...sometimes things take more work than you thought to make them work...but as my Mochi says: "Nothing will work if you don't".
When two different worlds co-operate at a distance, or occupy the same space with a large buffer zone in between them, negative energy and conflict are minimal. But as the two spheres of existence collide, and try to exist very close together in tandum things become more difficult.
That's not to say it cannot be done.
Monday, February 13, 2006
CHECK IT OUT MAN!!
Well, it's not the Optimist or anything, but it looks as if my free reign of the school has begun!! This came out in the Pepperdine Undergrad Paper, THE GRAPHIC, just a few days ago. LOOK OUT PEPPERDINE!!
Campus group seeks justice
NICOLE KLIEST
Staff Writer
Senior Jonathan Hudson spent his sophomore year studying in Pepperdine’s Florence program. While most Pepperdine students spend their time overseas absorbed in Eurail and house drama, Hudson gathered much more while away.
He heard about human trafficking on a Spring Break mission trip to Albania attended by students from various overseas programs that year. It is there that Hudson first learned about the abductions of young girls who were forced to go into prostitution in Italy.
“It blew me away,” Hudson said. “It was then and there I vowed to do whatever I could.”
Upon returning to campus, Hudson found his outlet in Pepperdine’s chapter of International Justice Mission. Hudson, now president of the club, does his part by working to “inspire vision” and “engage the community” on campus.
Human trafficking is only one on a long list of social concerns touted by the club with chapters at college campuses like Pepperdine across the nation.
IJM’s official Web site explains that it is a human rights agency aimed at rescuing people around the world who are victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression.
Hudson said the club has a threefold purpose: to pray for resolution of social ills, to bring awareness of injustice to the community and to raise support for IJM’s national and international work.
“Prayer is our most effective weapon in the fight against global evil,” Hudson said. “We also seek to support other organizations fighting for the same causes.”
Pepperdine is the first university to have a law school chapter of IJM. First year law student Elizabeth Alvarez, who was highly involved as an undergrad student with the IJM chapter at Abilene Christian University, co-wrote the constitution for Pepperdine’s first graduate IJM chapter.
“The focus and goal of IJM,” Alvarez said, “Is to use existing laws and infrastructures to help rescue people who are victims of oppression.”
Hudson and Alvarez said they plan to take advantage of Pepperdine’s law school and undergraduate chapters to foster cooperation between the two.
“There are so many resources at the law school for this type of work,” Hudson said. “They bring unique assets, and we want to be able to compliment each other and work as a team.”
Pepperdine’s IJM chapter is unique in that it focuses on the spiritual aspect of social injustices, urging students to pray for both the victims and perpetrators of social injustices as well as for the safety of those who work to resolve the issues.
“The magnitude of the human rights issues is so daunting,” Alvarez said. “The people that work for IJM are out in the fields. They are giving everything they have for very little money to help people.”
Ashley Nolan, associate director of the Pepperdine Volunteer Center (PVC), said she agreed that the best way to support IJM and other organizations is to simply attend the events. Nolan said she hopes the programs like IJM on campus will inspire motivation in students and move them to want to make a difference.
“I think at times justice issues can seem very overwhelming.” Nolan said, “IJM has been successful in breaking these issues down and personalizing them. They educate in a way that is more approachable.”
Alvarez attributes the club’s rapidly increasing membership to this sense of approachability. Hudson said the club is now up to about 45 active members with a mailing list of more than 100. The club meets every Monday at 9 p.m. in CAC 304.
Hudson added that the club is open to working with others, to finding out “where God is moving” and try to help out.
For instance, IJM worked together with Intercultural Affairs and Amnesty International to put on events throughout the week of peace, hope and justice. The intent of the week’s events was not only to inform society about social injustices, but also to encourage them to use that knowledge.
“I think that as Americans we take simple things for granted,” Alvarez said. “We don’t realize that there are people all over the world who cannot even begin to dream what it is that we have.”
Campus group seeks justice
NICOLE KLIEST
Staff Writer
Senior Jonathan Hudson spent his sophomore year studying in Pepperdine’s Florence program. While most Pepperdine students spend their time overseas absorbed in Eurail and house drama, Hudson gathered much more while away.
He heard about human trafficking on a Spring Break mission trip to Albania attended by students from various overseas programs that year. It is there that Hudson first learned about the abductions of young girls who were forced to go into prostitution in Italy.
“It blew me away,” Hudson said. “It was then and there I vowed to do whatever I could.”
Upon returning to campus, Hudson found his outlet in Pepperdine’s chapter of International Justice Mission. Hudson, now president of the club, does his part by working to “inspire vision” and “engage the community” on campus.
Human trafficking is only one on a long list of social concerns touted by the club with chapters at college campuses like Pepperdine across the nation.
IJM’s official Web site explains that it is a human rights agency aimed at rescuing people around the world who are victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression.
Hudson said the club has a threefold purpose: to pray for resolution of social ills, to bring awareness of injustice to the community and to raise support for IJM’s national and international work.
“Prayer is our most effective weapon in the fight against global evil,” Hudson said. “We also seek to support other organizations fighting for the same causes.”
Pepperdine is the first university to have a law school chapter of IJM. First year law student Elizabeth Alvarez, who was highly involved as an undergrad student with the IJM chapter at Abilene Christian University, co-wrote the constitution for Pepperdine’s first graduate IJM chapter.
“The focus and goal of IJM,” Alvarez said, “Is to use existing laws and infrastructures to help rescue people who are victims of oppression.”
Hudson and Alvarez said they plan to take advantage of Pepperdine’s law school and undergraduate chapters to foster cooperation between the two.
“There are so many resources at the law school for this type of work,” Hudson said. “They bring unique assets, and we want to be able to compliment each other and work as a team.”
Pepperdine’s IJM chapter is unique in that it focuses on the spiritual aspect of social injustices, urging students to pray for both the victims and perpetrators of social injustices as well as for the safety of those who work to resolve the issues.
“The magnitude of the human rights issues is so daunting,” Alvarez said. “The people that work for IJM are out in the fields. They are giving everything they have for very little money to help people.”
Ashley Nolan, associate director of the Pepperdine Volunteer Center (PVC), said she agreed that the best way to support IJM and other organizations is to simply attend the events. Nolan said she hopes the programs like IJM on campus will inspire motivation in students and move them to want to make a difference.
“I think at times justice issues can seem very overwhelming.” Nolan said, “IJM has been successful in breaking these issues down and personalizing them. They educate in a way that is more approachable.”
Alvarez attributes the club’s rapidly increasing membership to this sense of approachability. Hudson said the club is now up to about 45 active members with a mailing list of more than 100. The club meets every Monday at 9 p.m. in CAC 304.
Hudson added that the club is open to working with others, to finding out “where God is moving” and try to help out.
For instance, IJM worked together with Intercultural Affairs and Amnesty International to put on events throughout the week of peace, hope and justice. The intent of the week’s events was not only to inform society about social injustices, but also to encourage them to use that knowledge.
“I think that as Americans we take simple things for granted,” Alvarez said. “We don’t realize that there are people all over the world who cannot even begin to dream what it is that we have.”
Saturday, February 11, 2006
It's the Little Things In Life :-)
Jay gave me this brand new pillow so that I could like take it to class and stuff: it's for my back. He said it would be good for me...it's blue - a nice cobalt blue - and sort of suede like and soft. I got it just before I left town this weekend: he had it for me like two weeks ago but I never went and got it. He left it with Judd for me to get on my way out of town.
Let me just say that without that pillow I would NOT have made it this far this weekend. It was behind my back at the airport, on the plane, at the desk in the hotel late last night and in the early hours this morning while I do my work. The same is true right now and you can BET it will save me from almost unbearable pain at the tournament tomorrw while I'm judging like Parli outrounds. Ugg.
I like flowers...in fact I love flowers. I love daisies. I love stuffed animals. I love Skittles and bright colored pens and anything with glitter on it. But this weekend, NONE of those goofy things would've helped me much. This pillow combined with my heating pad [which is now with me EVERYWHERE I go] make my life bearable.
What a good thing to have..
It's the little things in life you know?
Let me just say that without that pillow I would NOT have made it this far this weekend. It was behind my back at the airport, on the plane, at the desk in the hotel late last night and in the early hours this morning while I do my work. The same is true right now and you can BET it will save me from almost unbearable pain at the tournament tomorrw while I'm judging like Parli outrounds. Ugg.
I like flowers...in fact I love flowers. I love daisies. I love stuffed animals. I love Skittles and bright colored pens and anything with glitter on it. But this weekend, NONE of those goofy things would've helped me much. This pillow combined with my heating pad [which is now with me EVERYWHERE I go] make my life bearable.
What a good thing to have..
It's the little things in life you know?
Tournament
I don't know how many of you are aware of this, but I am a debate coach for Pepperdine's Undergraduate team. DON'T ask me why I do this as a First Year Law Student and DEFINATELY don't ask me why I am in ARIZONA during P&A Memo II Week. I'm dumb.
Anyway, to add stress to open OPPRESSION wounds, I am THE ONLY COACH here at this tournament in Arizona, and I am exhausted beyond all reason. I WOULD sit here and blog ALL about the misery of today but there is no need: I already complained about it to Judd AND my mom. PLUS I know you won't know what I'm talking about ANYWAY.
As I sit here listening to Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake I realize that it probably doesn't even matter that today sucked butt since I won't remember Thursday night when I am frantically trying to finish my memo. And I am SURE that all the people in Africa who will be making bricks in the heat all day at the kiln today DEFINATELY do not want to hear about it. Let's just leave it at this:
CRY ME A RIVER
Anyway, to add stress to open OPPRESSION wounds, I am THE ONLY COACH here at this tournament in Arizona, and I am exhausted beyond all reason. I WOULD sit here and blog ALL about the misery of today but there is no need: I already complained about it to Judd AND my mom. PLUS I know you won't know what I'm talking about ANYWAY.
As I sit here listening to Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake I realize that it probably doesn't even matter that today sucked butt since I won't remember Thursday night when I am frantically trying to finish my memo. And I am SURE that all the people in Africa who will be making bricks in the heat all day at the kiln today DEFINATELY do not want to hear about it. Let's just leave it at this:
CRY ME A RIVER
What a Long Week
Ok you guys I have had like the LONGEST week ever. And since I am too tired at this point to tell you about it, I will do two things.
1. I will promise to tell you about it tomorrow.
2. I will appease you, my faithful readers, with a picture of who you have all been waiting to meet: My Mystery Man!
1. I will promise to tell you about it tomorrow.
2. I will appease you, my faithful readers, with a picture of who you have all been waiting to meet: My Mystery Man!
That really is him! Isn't he cool?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
IJM
Today was spent in the atrium of the law school...but for good reason: my officers and I sat all day long in attempt to garner membership for our club: THE FIRST LAW SCHOOL CHAPTER OF IJM EVER. I am SO excited - I just don't know what to say. We sat there all day and as of my last count, had almost SIXTY people sign up to join our chapter.
I can't even begin to talk about how happy I am. I clearly made the right choice as per law schools. Dean Gash and Dean Starr weren't lying when they told me that this would be the place to come if I wanted to start an IJM Law School Chapter and eat up all the human rights stuff I could hold.
Jay and Judd and I went down to the Law School Worship night this evening at Stauffer Chapel: it was great. Afterwards though, my real worship began: our law school chpater in conjunction with the undergraduate chapter showed Invisible Children at Elkins Audotorium. If you guys don't know about Invisible Children, your lives are lacking somethin' awful. Invisible Children i the story of Ugandan children who run away from home each night in search of a safe place to sleep: a place where the rebel army LRA will not find them. The run from terror and blood and horror. And the disgusting truth: that over 50,000 of them have already been kidnapped, is IGNORED by the world at large. They are invisible.
BUT THEY ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD.
And so they are not invisible to me.
Elkins was full tonight; we had standing room only. I don't know what to say except that as I watched the movie, wrought with tears, I had a heart full or both horror and joy at the same time. What is happening will not be tolerated. But the fact that we got SO many to witness it means that God's justice will be done. And even if not tonight in Uganda, then tonight in the hearts of the newly broken.
SEEK JUSTICE.
I can't even begin to talk about how happy I am. I clearly made the right choice as per law schools. Dean Gash and Dean Starr weren't lying when they told me that this would be the place to come if I wanted to start an IJM Law School Chapter and eat up all the human rights stuff I could hold.
Jay and Judd and I went down to the Law School Worship night this evening at Stauffer Chapel: it was great. Afterwards though, my real worship began: our law school chpater in conjunction with the undergraduate chapter showed Invisible Children at Elkins Audotorium. If you guys don't know about Invisible Children, your lives are lacking somethin' awful. Invisible Children i the story of Ugandan children who run away from home each night in search of a safe place to sleep: a place where the rebel army LRA will not find them. The run from terror and blood and horror. And the disgusting truth: that over 50,000 of them have already been kidnapped, is IGNORED by the world at large. They are invisible.
BUT THEY ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD.
And so they are not invisible to me.
Elkins was full tonight; we had standing room only. I don't know what to say except that as I watched the movie, wrought with tears, I had a heart full or both horror and joy at the same time. What is happening will not be tolerated. But the fact that we got SO many to witness it means that God's justice will be done. And even if not tonight in Uganda, then tonight in the hearts of the newly broken.
SEEK JUSTICE.
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