Seminary, St. Louis and... Stowaways?

A weekend of fun, relaxation and jaw-dropping surprises was had by three of four friends this previous weekend. If I may boast for a moment, I was the only one whose jaw had not hit the floor in astonishment. However, the jaw to floor experience started with this incident...

This is Todd, just after his jaw hit the floor from seeing me in his kitchen instead of Kelly. Let us recap how this all happened. Jess, Kelly and myself all plotted and planned (and did not tell Todd, which is not lying by the way). Kelly picked Jess and I up from the Amtrak station, and thus proceeded to travel to their apartment. After waiting a long while for Todd to not only get out of his class, but also to travel home, he finally arrived and this is the aftermath of the whole ordeal. (Oh, and Jess and I became engaged while waiting for Todd)



Friday, I attended a couple of seminary classes, which included a two hour Greek session. Followed by this was a scrumptious dinner with fire roasted tomato soup. We kicked off Saturday with breakfast and a trip to the St. Louis Arch. Look here it is...

Actually this is two lovely ladies posing as the arch (what a bunch of nut-cases).

This is the real arch.

A quick side note, apparently the arch's base is called the leg(s). This then raises a question; if we were to have gone to the viewing platform, would we be in the crotch?

On to the "real" part of the post. Not only did Jess and I receive as a gift a balloon that has been circulating between the four of us, but when unpacking Sunday night I found another surprise. Now this surprise was not of the same category as showing up a few hundred miles from where someone thought you would be, or even to the caliber of an engagement. No, this surprise was one of perplexity and fear. The fear arrives with a question of why would someone even have this thing? The perplexity came a little later and a picture might possibly explain this...

This is Clyde.

This is Clyde... pooping?!

Yes, it seems that I had a stowaway. However, this was not just any stowaway. This is Clyde the pooping moose, he poops jelly beans. Mmmm, sounds delicious. Obviously my jaw did not hit the floor, nor was I overwhelmingly surprised that something like this would happen after being around Todd and Kelly. Anyway, thanks for the pooping moose Todd and Kelly.

Yet Another Semester...

Here in Mequon, WI, many have undertaken yet another year of Biblical Languages. I am one of the many to return to Greek and begin Hebrew. It is hard to ignore the many and various people(s) who have learned these languages generations and centuries before. It is safe to say, however, that I feel excited and quite calm about the present semester. As much of a shock as this might come to a few people (T-Leaf, to name a name) I have begun with some advantageous study habits, and I have become like-minded with other (insert T-Leaf, again) on the matter of Hebrew. While we have not begun and hard material as of yet, I still feel confident that many have overemphasized the "difficulty" of Hebrew. C'mon! It is not that hard...

Sure that is an overwhelming picture of Genesis 1, however, if I can read Hebrew after only two weeks of classes, than I am certain my fellow classmates can accomplish a favorable amount of learning. After receiving a perfect score on the vowel points quiz, I feel as if the world is at my feet. Sure, it might have been the massive amount of studying I have been accomplishing lately, but I like to think the Hebrew language is not all that bad. Plus, our textbook is immensely easier to read than Voeltz's Greek textbook (T, I hear his Hermeneutics book is insane).

With that said, it was rather cool today and I felt that a new season needed to begin. It is no longer summer in Wisconsin, that was gone with August. Since Autumn/Winter has already arrived with a 55 degree welcome, my favorite season begins. Autumn? NO. The 9 month Wisconsin winter? NO. Maybe a visual will help to discover my favorite season of all...

If you have not guessed it even by now, my favorite season is sweater season! When paired with a great tie, a sweater can provide a nice feeling. There are very few things throughout my day and week that can beat the wearing of nicely fitted shirt, a wonderfully tied tie and a lovely sweater.

As nice as this sounds, the reality of academic fulfillment can only take a person a short distance. A sad feeling enters my mind every time I patron places such as the Roastery, when I drive past a certain apartment complex and when I drink my morning cup of coffee/tea in the BBC. Who goes to Seminary anyways?!

Books, books and more books...

A short time ago, a month or so, I was given an opportunity to help at my home church. While back in the sacristy, an older woman named Carol and I were talking. She asked a few questions about school and which seminary I plan to attend. After finding out that her husband, a second career pastor, had passed away three years ago she continued to ask me a wonderful question. You might have caught on already, but just in case, she asked if I would be interested in her late husbands books! My obvious response was, "absolutely."

Over the past month I have received many great books that will be useful and necessary for seminary. What a blessing. I told Carol yesterday while I was picking up more books that I am overwhelmed with her giving-heart. She instantly reminded me that God had it in mind for us to meet and how great it is to give to the next generation of pastors. After moving a bookshelf into my room last night my little brother and I spent some time unpacking and organizing my 'new' books. Take a look at this...

If you can make the bottom center books out you might be able to tell that there are four volumes of Luther's Works, and more to come. Eight boxes of books and if Luther's Works do not intrigue you that much, then take a look at this picture...

This is the lovely three volume (four with the index) Christian Dogmatics by F. Pieper. What a great blessing. Even though this summer has been hard, having Jess be so far away and a plethora of other things, it is great to have God remind me that His blessings are a bigger encouragement than the set backs and frustrations.

Appalling, Simply Appalling!

Until a few hours ago my day was fair. However, these things always change. I do not know if it were by chance or if God simply wishes to reveal the folly of some people? Thus begins the story of the week. This story was brought to my attention this evening by a distressed call from a newly-wedded K-Leaf. Although I have not yet gone through counselling courses, who could deny a friend a listening ear and some advice in a time of need. Oh, how does that old saying go? "Secrets, secrets are no fun...." Just a few weeks into their marriage T-Leaf drops a bomb into K's lap. Oh no, it is much worse than you could ever imagine, and what is worse is that it affects me as well.

As a young lad, T-Leaf had an obsession with a certain movie of Titanic magnitude. This fetish, as some have called it, has been replaced and cheapened by a single individual who encompasses more debauchery and evil than Charbucks and McDonald's combined. What is this repugnant problem? Not only has a "JT" also known as Justin Timberlake brought Sexy Back, but now our beloved T-Leaf has jumped on the bandwagon as well. Are not these the things that need to be discussed in marriage counseling? I thought Rev. Daul had done a great job, apparently there is only so much one man can accomplish.

Since T has broken faith with all sanity and joined a cohort of fourteen year old girls who admire and adore all things "JT", I am fearful that K will loose her sanity soon as well. All that there is left to wonder is, was T a Spice Girls fan as well? Or Better yet, is he still? It has been a sad, miserable evening since hearing this tragic news that yet another misguided person has joined the fight to "bring sexy back."

A Short Update...

This is not a recap of the weekend, which was amazing, but rather a recap of this evening for all who think I am weird (the wedding post will come later). Well, you are all right! I am very odd and strange and I have proof. This evening I decided to make some tasty treats so that I do not have to give in to high fructose corn syrup. Thanks to the wonderful Food Network and Alton Brown's show Good Eats, I can enjoy not only granola bars, but rice crispy bars as well without killing myself quicker than you can say, cardiovascular disease. Check out these scrumptious treats, which are also quite healthful.

Now that we have seen how great they look try making them yourself...

Granola Bars

Brown Rice Crispy Bars (I made mine with puffed white rice)

T & K Leaf, put these into the recipe box!

A Brief Trip Before The Work Begins

It is Sunday evening, Mother's Day, and also the eve of my summer work. It is needed to be said that work is not all that bad, I rather enjoy it. However, there is much more time to talk about that. Let us recap the last few wonderful days...

Wednesday: woke up at 6:15 so I could study Greek before the exam at 8. I took the exam at 8 and felt fairly uneasy about it. Rushing to the BBC was the next activity as Jess and myself said our goodbyes to Todd. I was checked out of my room at 9 a.m. and then ran out to the car so Jess and I could get on the road. Having to drop my car off in Brookfield was the final stop before hitting the road for Michigan. Finally! We arrived at Jess' home around 8:00 eastern time. We took a walk later that evening and then called it a night around 12:30 (again, eastern time).

Thursday was filled with fun activities, such as taking pictures of the blossoming flowers. Here take a look...

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took. This would not be all the fun to be had for Thursday, Jess and I then went shopping! I bought some much needed summer clothes and found an amazing pair of pants from Express that I really wanted, but did not get (or did I?). Later that evening Jess, Phil, Hannah and myself went to see Spider Man 3. I left perplexed by the poor reviews I had seen, I thought it was great, not to mention the many Biblical parallels. We all were tired when we got home and the bed was calling to me, thus ended a great day.

Friday was a day of much to do and see. We went into Leeland, the town that Jess works in all summer and where their church is located. Visiting a local art store was first on the list, the owners are members of the same church as Jess' family, this made it a fun visit. Johnston is the business and marketing end of the art store and Brenda is the artist, they also have two amazingly cute girls. After this we went to get coffee and lunch at the bakery/specialty food store just a block away. The coffee was good and the sandwich I had was magnificent! We then left to go back to Traverse City where I bought the aforementioned pants. Returning home, we waited anxiously as we picked out a restaurant to patron later that evening to celebrate Jess' 21st birthday (a few days early).

The place we decided to patron is called North Centennial Inn and they had quite the menu. However, Jess and I went for the fillet. This particular fillet was covered in a caramelized port wine sauce and was the best sauce I ever have had on a steak. I was impressed! We capped off our dining experience with desert and what a desert it was.... Fried bananas wrapped in a puff pastry topped with vanilla bean sorbet and plated with caramel and macadamia nuts. What a desert! I left less than stuffed (I despise felling stuffed to the point of hating food) and well pleased. I even told our kind waitor how impressed I was with the restaurant (not as if I would have an opinion *wink wink*).

Saturday night I took the ferry home, and Todd whatever you heard about the ferry it is most likely true. What a "moving" trip, and by moving I mean my stomach. Sure, we crossed the lake in 2 hours, but at what cost?! Nausea? Upset stomach? A Pepto Bismol commercial? I did survive and arrived home at 1:30 and then attended the late church service with my family. On Mother's day the whole Maassen side met for brunch at North Hills Country Club where we ate many great things and gave my mother her gift. My siblings, dad and myself gave my mom a pink iPod nano for Mother's day and her birthday in about a month. She enjoys using it and I had to help put all the music on. Well that is about it... off to a busy week and unfortunate week with Jess on the other side of the lake. Have a look for yourself, she is there... At least it is only 25 days until I see her.

I Am Not Sure How This Happened

It is April the 13th, and although I am not superstitious, I felt like posting. If I were to be superstitious, I will cover all my bases and recap some good and bad things about this school year. I have now been back at Concordia for almost 8 full months. Over these 8 months many things have occurred and changed, and not all for the best. There have been troublesome situations which have tested my patience, and others that appalled me. The good seems to still overshadow all the "bad" and here are some good things since I have been back (in no specific order):

1. My G.P.A. has increased
2. I met Jess (and all the other things that accompany that)
3. A job at Cafe Forte
4. Friends like T-Leaf and K-Money (HA HA "K-Money" :-P )
5. Not having to walk outside to class
   

A short list of the many wonderful blessing of this school year so far. There have been a few events and influences that have been less than needed. The majority of these influences may allow someone to gloat over me with much pride. However, I shall face that risk. Here is the "bad" list (even though they are not that bad)...

1. My car died (but I have a "new" one)
2. I live in Augsburg (yikes)
3. A job at Cafe Forte (my co-workers lack responsibility)
4. Friends like T-Leaf and K-Money (those kids are CRAZY)
5. Specifically one person also known as TODD!

This might contain the most time consumed way to tell T-Leaf that his uber-organized ways have influenced even me. For you see, I am not the "organized" type. I misplace many important things, such as a recent check from work. Therefore, in pursuit of organization I have purchased a calender tool. A picture might tell the story better...

I have become organized and bought... a PLANNER?! Yes, I concede to the "organized" ways. I am in need of help and I have consulted with my friends at the Office Depot and purchased this fine tool. This is not the real issue, is it? Of course it is not the issue! The problem is that Todd has corrupted me, and with all honesty I am not happy (really it is for the best). Now it is clear that this is how I have been influenced improperly. Just so everyone knows, Socrates was put to death for corrupting the youth and I am 28 days younger than T-Leaf. If nothing else can be said than this it might just be a good post. Todd, I bought an weekly planner/organizer. *Head hung in shame*

29 days (20 school days) until graduation/end of the school year! Yeesh, this has gone by fast! Also, according to the Harry Potter countdown (on someone's blog), it is 90 days away until the new movie. The same 90 days until the wedding.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Is that?! It must be! No, it can't be...

Yes, you guessed it! It is one of the greatest heroes of all time. One of four to be exact. This is the one the only Donatello of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, given to me by Jess. She unfortunate had to procure this from a McDonald's "Happy Meal," however the gift was gratefully accepted. For those who have no clue why I would be posting about such things as the Ninja Turtles, I will inform you a bit. The Ninja Turtles have been near and dear to me for some time and I watched them as a small lad, and recently a new TMNT (short for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) movie was released. Explaining how Jess acquired this toy from McDonald's. She did drop the ball when she did not request for Leonardo. How could you not ask for an action figure with TWO, count them two, samurai swords? Oh well, she is forgiven.

Now what could make a Holy week even better? I think that I have the answer. The answer is a who and a great who at that. This who comes in 2D and can be seen on a wall and was claimed for only $50. Some would say that is a steal. Are you wondering who could be so great that "he," yes it is a he, would be worth $50? The answer is simple and profound, healthily unhealthy and blunt as an old kitchen knife. Let us see if this picture will explain anything. Hmmm. He looks familiar. As a friend once told me while smoking a fine cigar looking at this painting, "Justin, that is going to be you in the next ten years." No it is not a projected picture of me at all or at any age. This is a parting if Winston Churchill and yes I paid $50 for this painting. Why? Does it not speak for itself? It is Winston smoking a cigar (no whisky in this painting but I am sure he just had one) looking so young. Now to close with a favorite quote by this beloved and venerable man, "I drink a great deal, I sleep a little and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in two-hundred percent form."