The Rhythm's Gonna Get You

A week or so into the semester and a rhythm is finally starting to develop.  After an incredibly hectic August term and a fairly hectic start to the semester things seem finally to be falling into a pattern and it's becoming easier to feel as if I know what I'm supposed to be doing and when I'm supposed to be doing it.  Just as importantly my class continues to be fantastic and growing together into our new role.

Most significantly, I spent yesterday afternoon in southeast Washington DC doing homework with kids from the Potomac Gardens housing project.  Life in this project is one of abject poverty, with the average family income being about $8,000 a year  In spite of this, the kids we're working with are resilient, bright, capable, and surprisingly hopeful in spite of all they've seen.  It was an absolute pleasure working with them and I'm really excited about spending the next five Tuesday evenings with them.  The joy the children have in spite of all the challenges facing them is a truly inspirational thing.

Oh My Sweet Carolina...

Greek is done. Alleluia.  

For now at least.  

August term and orientation are now officially over, and thus I have taken a trip to ensure that the wonderful state of North Carolina is still around and to visit with my girlfriend.  NC is still here, Sarah is great, and both of those things make me happy.  

Proof of NC's existence: an old photo of the Governors Mansion.

August term is a pretty brutal way to start Seminary.  We spend almost all morning in Greek Class, then eat lunch, then have either a writing workshop or orientation in the afternoon.  Following classes we have a short break before dinner, then about 4 or so hours of Greek homework and studying.  Needless to say three weeks of that is pretty exhausting.  

On the upside I can now (with great effort, a little time, and a few tables to help with declensions) translate some pretty basic Koine Greek.  I have gotten to know my class pretty well, and it is a truly fantastic class.  I have learned how to get around Alexandria reasonably well and have figured out where the essentials are.  I am very much looking forward to getting into a more regular rhythm when our more normal schedule picks up on Tuesday, but for the next few days, I'll just enjoy relaxing, being back in NC, and getting too spend a bit of quality time with someone who is usually entirely too far away.  

Happy Labor Day!