tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62938342011-05-27T07:09:32.564+02:00I make boring sexy.Barbaranoreply@blogger.comBlogger6931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-91066736720978906922009-01-01T20:12:00.004+02:002009-01-01T21:31:10.820+02:00

A friend asked me whatever happened to my blog where I write about what I'm reading. I had to hang my head in shame. So much for that resolution to write something about every book I read this year. I do want to write a bit more about what I liked, didn't like, read, didn't read... etc. And I positively must comment on the large number of books I read about monks and nuns. Completely

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-50612206205156074182008-08-01T11:15:00.003+02:002008-08-01T11:44:23.367+02:00

I've been meaning to write more about this book, but I have several other more pressing and/or important things I should be writing instead. So in case I never get back to that post I'd like to write, here are some quotes that I would say more about had I the time, quotes that have been intersecting with my life in many ways lately. I hope they make some sense and carry some measure of meaning

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-37600235379635241342008-07-28T11:39:00.001+02:002008-07-28T11:41:54.905+02:00

Just a couple quotes from Godric, by Frederick Buechner:It's less the words they say than those they leave unsaid that split old friends apart. (p. 89)When friends speak overmuch of times gone by, often it's because they sense their present time is turning them from friends to strangers. Long before the moment came to say goodbye, I think, we said goodbye in other words and ways and silences.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-55472721390186489362008-07-03T14:00:00.008+02:002008-07-03T15:17:42.057+02:00

I went to a conference in Vancouver last week and went on to visit family in San Diego before returning to South Africa. I spent far too much time on planes and sitting in airports (I visited a grand total of 6 airports on my various flights), and as such, did a lot of reading. Here's the list:A Severe Mercy, Sheldon VanaukenI started this one about a week before I left, and then debated

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-22979247315865100012008-07-02T20:31:00.004+02:002008-07-03T15:18:17.276+02:00

This book wins the prize for shortest period of time between me watching the movie and finishing the book. I watched the movie on a flight between Jo’burg and London, and noticed it was based on a book by Dick King-Smith, one of my favorite authors when I was a kid. The movie ended, the plane landed, and a couple of hours later, I came across the book while browsing in a W.H. Smith in Heathrow.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-57066861658455574602008-07-02T20:28:00.000+02:002008-07-02T20:41:20.468+02:00

This was ok. That's about it. It filled my need for "more French Revolution!" without getting me a few hundred pages into Les Mis, only to abandon it due to lack of time when getting to South Africa became foremost in my concerns.This is one of those spin-off books. It imagines the events in the life of Sydney Carton (from Tale of Two Cities) during the parts of the book where he disappears from

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-75444634104241566612008-05-26T17:10:00.000+02:002008-05-26T17:12:57.619+02:00

This book has been republished under the title Hearing God (as per the cover image to the left), but I read an earlier edition, as per the title above. You're just gonna have to live with the discrepancy.This book has long been on my to-read list. I actually procured this particular copy while I was working at GHBC--it was on Bob's reading list for one of his D.Min. classes. I got the book for

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-83296955516784237602008-05-26T17:02:00.000+02:002008-05-26T17:03:42.613+02:00

I decided to tackle this almost 900-page novel on my flights to South Africa. It was really really good. I’d read Wally Lamb’s She’s Come Undone years ago, and thought it was absolutely amazing. A former boss of mine had read both novels and thought this one was far superior, so I had high hopes. And while I thought this one was a little more scattered, it worked for me.At first, I didn’t

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-46363345428739669982008-05-26T16:34:00.000+02:002008-05-26T16:35:51.318+02:00

Kristy gave me this fun kids' book for my birthday, accompanied by an apology for giving me yet another book at a time when I was trying to streamline my library and narrow down which books to box up and which to take with me to South Africa.* I read it over a couple of sittings in an afternoon/evening and then packed it into a box not too long after. A balloon adventure gone awry on a

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-14587817781693798762008-05-26T16:25:00.000+02:002008-05-26T16:27:09.957+02:00

It seems to be all or nothing with me. I haven't been doing a very good job with my goal of writing something about each book I read this year. I've read 18 books so far. I've written posts for 6 of those books. Yikes. Last night, I sat down and started writing. Forthcoming are the fruits of my labors.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-68084473431832455912008-05-04T19:40:00.000+02:002008-05-04T19:56:20.995+02:00

A short tour through the books I've read/re-read/been reading/been re-reading...but haven't written about yet.Finished:A Spirituality of the Road, David BoschI Know This Much Is True, Wally LambThe Twenty-One Balloons, William Pene Du BoisA Far Better Rest, Susanne AlleynHearing God, Dallas WillardThe Time-Traveler's Wife, Audrey NiffeneggerCurrently re-reading:Life Together, Dietrich

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-59765287413022826792008-04-07T08:08:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:52:58.355+02:00

I thought I was going to love this book. Halfway through, I was sure I was going to love it. It ended up leaving me with a lot of thoughts, but mixed feelings. The fact that this brief children's book left me thinking quite deeply is a sign of how good the book was, but still. I think I wanted something different out of it in the end.One of the blurbs on the back of the book describes it as a

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-51488318378715332052008-03-31T08:45:00.001+02:002008-03-31T08:46:58.813+02:00

The changing of the season has been gradually creeping up on me. The nectarine tree outside my window has gone from bare branches a month ago, to a few scattered pink blooms mid-month, to blossoms and bright green leaves this past week. I've kept an eye on it from time to time, seeing the change coming. My life has been kind of a parallel of late. There are changes coming, and signs of those

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-82057420942702413262008-03-31T08:40:00.000+02:002008-03-31T08:47:50.802+02:00

Some quotes upon the occasion of my birthday. "At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will be; at thirty they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact, and, if sensible, console themselves by remembering that they have twenty more useful, happy years, in which they may be learning to grow old gracefully."--Louisa May Alcott,

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-91011669485291224452008-03-24T05:16:00.000+02:002008-03-24T05:27:32.717+02:00

It was blazing hot today. It went from nice, sunny spring weather, in the low 70s, to a whopping 90 degrees today. We had a big family Easter dinner, and afterwards the kids pulled me outside to play soccer and then tag on the front lawn. After a bit, I collapsed in the shade and the girls followed suit. We were all within arm's reach of each other, so our game of tag degenerated into

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-36063150158860896982008-03-18T03:37:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:53:40.362+02:00

I finished this over the weekend, and you know what that means? It means I finally completed that Winter Reading Challenge from 2006. Go, me. Also, I'm jumping ahead a little by saying this is book #5--I'm gonna have to circle back to another one I finished earlier, but I felt like writing about this one now. So I am.Also also. I feel a little weird writing any kind of review of Tale of Two

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-38911027423659917992008-03-18T03:22:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:54:57.438+02:00

I read Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy for English Seminar one semester at Biola, and was fascinated with the way it explored an extreme form/manifestation of religious devotion (stigmata) and the reactions that such phenomena can spark. I later picked up this collection of Hansen's essays, intrigued by the title alone (specifically the subtitle: "Essays on Faith and Fiction"), but also because I

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-38948666372017019232008-03-06T02:01:00.000+02:002008-03-06T02:05:53.036+02:00

My niece Hannah, this morning, during a game of tag: "Barbara, let's keep playing tag until you go to Africa. Then after that, whenever we see each other, we can tag whoever's it." Then she tagged me and ran off, shouting: "You're it!!!"

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-18829047568635169452008-03-05T09:07:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:55:51.881+02:00

Sarah picked this up at the District Six Museum in Cape Town and lent it to me because of its similarity to the writing project we're working on. (I can say that without guilt because I actually did some writing this afternoon!) It's a collection of personal essays and poetry written by women in prison in South Africa. It's interesting, because Sarah and I toyed with the idea of doing writing

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-69122385969439751312008-03-04T04:10:00.000+02:002008-03-05T09:53:22.921+02:00

Maybe I'll just alternate reviews and book memes for the rest of the year. I have no idea where this came from, but it was in my saved drafts...1. How old were you when you learned to read and who taught you?I was somewhere around 3 years old. My mom taught me to read; she was all into the Teach Your Baby to Read book. The sight method, basically. No phonics for me. It’s actually a

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-76383904211089796382008-03-03T01:08:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:56:24.179+02:00

I want to get this review written so I can give the book to Heather & Aaron this afternoon. Motivation!I got a free Advance Reading Copy of this book a few years back, and never got around to reading it. It's the first in a trilogy, and as of now, not only has this one been officially released, the other two books have also been published. So much for my advance reading.Basic plot: Reason (yes

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-59824131979420578292008-02-28T22:10:00.000+02:002008-02-28T22:13:24.718+02:00

So. I promised a bunch of book reviews. I had three mostly written, that I was this close to finishing up and posting. And then I thought: no, it's more important that I do all these assignments for CRM new staff orientation. And, well...it kind of was more important that I do that. But. During said new staff orientation, my hard drive crashed. I thought I had saved the reviews as drafts in

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-89945088048043472132008-02-03T02:37:00.000+02:002008-02-03T02:39:22.127+02:00

This afternoon after Heather's baby shower, one of the girls (and her mom) asked if I could answer some questions for an Awana "interview a missionary" assignment. Tricia (4th grade, I think) asked me the following questions:What did you do when you were a missionary?What did you like about it?What was your job?Then, after a whispered conference with her mom, she determined that she could ask

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-60686212700945209372008-02-02T03:19:00.000+02:002008-02-02T03:30:00.309+02:00

I've been casting about for what I want to do for my birthday this year. My goal was to be in another country by then, but that's probably not going to happen that quickly. (Both birthday and being in another country will indeed happen...just not simultaneously.) My 3-year-old nephew was recently elated to discover that he has the same birthday as me, and I will no doubt celebrate his 4th with

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-16486169536189934122008-01-31T09:03:00.000+02:002008-05-26T15:57:04.061+02:00

This isn't as put-together as I'd like it to be, but it's what I've got, and things are gonna get pretty busy for me these next couple of weeks. So here you go.First book of the year. I started it in Oxford, because it seemed like a good one to read there (sadly, I never got to read any of it while sitting in The Eagle and Child), and I finished it on the train to Scotland...just minutes before

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-68638717913072923602008-01-29T07:33:00.000+02:002008-01-29T07:47:56.599+02:00

I’m always impressed by people who read a ton of books (read: significantly more than me) every year. It makes me feel a little inadequate. But then, this feeling is usually somewhat balanced out by friends who tell me they're impressed by my annual reading totals. In 2007, I read a lot fewer books than I usually do. I didn’t read nearly as much fiction as usual. I read a lot more good

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-31524674955502709682008-01-17T06:20:00.000+02:002008-01-17T06:36:23.359+02:00

I came across this poem today, one I'd come across before and liked enough to copy out. Reading it tonight reminded me of the New Year's Eve just past and the feeling I had as I watched the last seconds of 2007 count down and disappear. I was sad to see 2007 go--it was an amazing year. I'm given to nostalgia anyway, but these last lines resonate: "...while something else / wonderful dies." I'm

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-51621279041959251482008-01-09T18:19:00.000+02:002008-01-09T18:17:45.937+02:00

Here's the annual reading list, a little late this year due to recent travels. I actually thought I might finish a couple more to add to this list while I was gone--but no. So here's this year's somewhat meagre total, broken down by category, with brief notes to follow. The titles with stars were ones I read for NCSA.Fiction: (9)Atonement, Ian McEwanPerelandra, C.S. LewisNeverwhere, Neil

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-29545301523004218812007-12-25T18:57:00.000+02:002007-12-25T19:05:36.261+02:00

I need to get out of bed and join the family NOW, but I wanted to post these bits of things I've read lately, which are in my head today as I celebrate Christmas and as I head out tonight for two weeks in the UK.This, from here, which reminds me that God can and will speak when He chooses. I am longing to meet with God in these next two weeks, and I know how He's broken through with me before.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-65425043142621725222007-12-23T02:13:00.000+02:002007-12-23T02:17:35.824+02:00

I usually don't mind the long drive between the Bay area and SoCal. Six hours is actually just about right--six hours to be alone, listen to music, think, pray, and think some more. I stock myself up with some good music or a book on CD and I'm good to go. As long as there’s no Thanksgiving traffic, I really don't mind. Just don't take away my CD player.Last Saturday, just after I stopped for

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-39832748351721747752007-12-06T05:09:00.000+02:002007-12-06T05:35:40.473+02:00

Tonight I discovered my baby book in the closet in my room. Tucked inside the front cover were the following newspaper clippings, which I feel compelled to share. Our local library, like most libraries, always had a "summer reading scheme" for kids. I won the thing two years in a row.Look at my smug little smile as I display my certificate and prize! Please note that I am the youngest of the

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-9407167623053035162007-12-01T08:32:00.000+02:002007-12-01T08:47:52.115+02:00

"How would your friends describe you?"Or, in a slightly different, fill-in-the-blank version: "In regards to God's calling for my life, most people who know me would say I..."Well, let's see. I'm giving you five references to contact, in addition to the names and contact information for at least three of my former employers/supervisors. Why don't you ask them instead of me and then: I can stop

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-2045923403546057312007-11-26T20:53:00.000+02:002007-11-26T20:55:58.202+02:00

I'm re-reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams, and in doing so, came across this quote which has been resonating lately:There are all the small things you love and despise about a parent: the disappointed eyes, the mannerisms, the sound of the voice as much as the meaning of the words, that add up to that singular thing--the way you are both going to respond, whether you like it or not.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-9734451221315836402007-11-26T20:42:00.000+02:002007-11-26T20:56:18.107+02:00

So. I’m back. I feel like I need to post something reflective and thoughtful upon my return to the US, something about transitioning and being back and what’s next. Oh, doesn’t everyone want to know what’s next. I’ve started several posts, attempting to get back into blogging here. And it’s not really working for me. I find that I get half-inspired to write about something, start, look at

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-75765401577903891212007-10-11T09:21:00.000+02:002007-10-11T09:53:44.674+02:00

So here's the thing. I was scheduled to fly out of Johannesburg on November 12th. I tried to change my ticket to the 9th, so I could make it to a friend's wedding on the 11th. I was denied by both the travel agent ("that is not available for your itinerary") and then British Airways ("You'll have to contact your travel agent"). This week I made one last-ditch attempt and emailed the travel

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-40602271544806039322007-10-08T21:45:00.001+02:002007-10-08T22:17:48.795+02:00

I'm in the middle of editing a paper on church growth for one of the staff members here, and I keep getting frustrated with extremely convoluted sentences. This drives me to take small procrastinating breaks, which really don't speed things along. But they help my sanity. So here I am, avoiding the last 2 1/2 pages of the paper in order to make a small announcement.I'm going to be an aunt

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-47775963996278233752007-10-03T14:23:00.000+02:002007-10-03T14:28:09.446+02:00

Just a few links, because I'm in a remembering mood today.The AnticipationThe FulfillmentThe Reflection

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-30709516950501624252007-09-24T12:34:00.000+02:002007-09-25T17:35:34.173+02:00

A dear friend mentioned the Jars of Clay song "The Eleventh Hour" to me a couple of years ago, when we were both thinking through some big transitions and decisions in both of our lives. I'm on the brink of more such transitions and decisions right now, and the lyrics have been on my mind a lot lately.I've got seven weeks left here. SEVEN! That's insane. Everyone is asking me what my plans

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-50105783037238578212007-09-09T14:05:00.000+02:002007-09-09T14:21:41.204+02:00

Tag.- Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog eight random facts about themselves.- They need to post these rules.- At the end of the post, they need to tag some people by listing their names.I NEED to, do I? Well, then.Some of these are things you people already pretty much know...but hey.1. I had blond hair until I was about four years old. I'm partially convinced it darkened to

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-26045307655600492052007-09-08T19:37:00.000+02:002007-09-09T00:09:47.928+02:00

Chatting with a friend I haven't talked to in years:Me (referring to McLaren's New Kind of Christian): In addition, I hated his pseudo-fictional narrative styleHim: hahahahafor saying thati will tell you thisi am a married manhappily marriedi love lindsey a lotbutif she didnt existi would ask for your hand right here and now

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-26227245645187603872007-08-18T19:32:00.000+02:002007-08-19T07:40:29.507+02:00

My trip to Mozambique, in bullet point form, broken down by category.The Bad:-Getting pulled over by a police officer who threatened to arrest Tyler for driving illegally because he didn’t have an international driver’s license. -Also getting harassed by this police officer for not having a triangle. Quote of the day from Tyler: “I know what a triangle is. The shape?”-Said police officer asking

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-68338358290229513482007-08-05T00:42:00.000+02:002007-08-05T00:47:57.334+02:00

I recently got an email from our site director here saying they've shifted our year-end final dinner from Nov. 9 to Nov. 8. This means, in theory, that IF I can afford to change the date on my flight back to LA, I can leave here on the 9th and be back in CA in time to go to my friend Hannah's wedding on the 11th.I chatted a bit with Hannah tonight online and this started me thinking (a dangerous

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-44845004592886584932007-07-27T20:19:00.000+02:002007-07-27T20:25:59.450+02:00

On Wednesday, driving to Granny's house in Soshanguve, we pass a group of schoolgirls. Doug waves at them, and they wave back. The following conversation ensues.Barbara: Do you know those girls?Doug: No, I waved because I thought one of them was Pretty.About 20 seconds pass, in which I totally accept this statement, knowing exactly what Doug meant. Then I start laughing, realizing how his

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-23967554240121543722007-07-21T00:16:00.001+02:002007-07-21T00:23:02.724+02:00

I just looked at the time and realized that the final Harry Potter book has now officially been released here where I live. I'm sitting in bed and will soon turn off my light. There will be no midnight release parties for me this year. Alas. In lieu of such madness, I shall instead post a picture of me from the HP5 midnight release party, in which I am wearing my free Harry Potter glasses and

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-86583851195356014292007-07-21T00:03:00.001+02:002007-07-21T00:06:55.539+02:00

My roommate, just now:"Huge...bed....."[muttering]"Huge, huge, huge...bed..."[muttering]"....stinks"[rolls over]"Did I just talk?"[wild laughter on both of our parts]This tops the "because of the sand issues" sleep talking conversation she started a few weeks ago.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-29444474266341769932007-07-07T10:19:00.000+02:002007-07-07T12:44:56.591+02:00

When I was working at the Wad, we kind of had a running joke that when I left the country for mission trips, my friends and coworkers either got promoted or quit their jobs. I just had that kind of power.Well. I'm in the middle of ten months in South Africa, and I have discovered that I have a new kind of power. During my time in South Africa:-Five friends (or pairs of friends) have gotten

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-36302114502165153462007-06-23T00:35:00.000+02:002007-06-23T01:05:09.560+02:00

For the past couple of weeks (among many other visitors), we've had an NC alum staying here at Pangani before he heads to Durban for a course in teaching English. He leaves tomorrow and I realized tonight how good it's been to have more guys around to hang out with. Somehow it's a different dynamic when it's just the five apprentices: Tyler and the girls. (Not that I'm complaining. I often

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-31713139219267166032007-06-13T00:06:00.000+02:002007-06-13T00:19:09.286+02:00

I've never been a nonfiction kind of girl. I've always preferred story to fact. I know that nonfiction isn't always just facts...there are plenty of compelling true stories that fall into the whole nonfiction genre. But pure story is what I've always been drawn to.It's funny; Lucinda introduced me to goodreads.com this week. I happily searched for and added to my virtual shelves all the books

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-29601627729607467742007-06-04T21:48:00.000+02:002007-06-04T21:50:00.611+02:00

Tonight, at Potter's House, a women's shelter in downtown Pretoria:Woman: You are from America?Me: Yes, from Califonia.Woman: You must help me find an American boyfriend. I want an American boyfriend.Me: Really? So do I.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-65231103979331541482007-05-26T08:38:00.000+02:002007-05-27T11:58:33.726+02:00

I've been thinking to myself that I should post something on this poor neglected blog. But I've been busy and important. Ha. There's nothing like a friend calling me out to get the posting going. Julie tagged me for this. She posted a pared-down version, and I tracked down the original because I'm an over-achiever like that.1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-49274944938507836782007-04-16T19:25:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:45:55.123+02:00

You ever want something that you know you shouldn't have? The more you know you shouldn't have it, the more you want it. And then one day, you get it. It's so good to you. But it's just like my girl, when she's around me, I just feel sooo good...so good. Right now, I just feel cold. So cold. Right down to my bones, 'cause...

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-18802531189761330772007-04-04T22:44:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:45:20.247+02:00

I've been doing some editing this evening--helping one of the NC staff with an assignment for a New Testament class. And doing hands-on editing again has made me realize anew my love for the serial comma. I feel the compulsion to proclaim that love here and now. Long live the serial comma! It helps one avoid confusion in cases such as these*:"I'd like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa and

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-28203452160737973792007-03-31T10:29:00.000+02:002007-03-31T10:33:54.416+02:00

29Gin BlossomsTime won't stand by forever if I know it's trueAnd I've learned not to say neverOr else I'll seem the foolTwenty-nine you'd think I'd know betterLiving like a kidWhen my lies may seem less than cleverIs when I fall for itOnly time will tell if wishing wellsCan bring us anythingOr fade like scenes from childhood dreamsForgotten memoriesSome rides don't have much of a finishThat's the

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-53145747361313522582007-03-22T22:11:00.000+02:002007-03-22T23:10:03.889+02:00

You know, it's weird posting on this blog now. If I post here, I feel like I'm separating out areas of my life that aren't appropriate enough or spiritual enough--or are too personal--to post on my other blog. But this post is so not going on the other blog. I even wonder about posting it here, because sometimes I wonder just how public this particular forum is. But oh well. (And besides,

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-40918494132744420942007-02-18T21:50:00.000+02:002007-02-18T21:52:14.699+02:00

"There'd be a lot more room on the dance floor if half these guys had left their egos at home."--Random guy, to my friend Elizabeth, at a concert we attended on Friday night.He was totally right, too.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-33007149851609542682007-02-04T21:04:00.000+02:002007-02-04T21:05:47.851+02:00

Here's one midnight release party I'll probably miss. Sorry, Kristy.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-55246762224968035062007-02-04T08:37:00.000+02:002007-02-03T22:38:02.713+02:00

I wrote this just after Christmas and never posted it. I cleaned it up a bit two weeks ago, and went to post it, and then Pangani's wireless decided to quit. Then there was this whole lightning storm thing last weekend...so...yeah. Here is a much-belated post. (I told you I'd be updating this really infrequently...)----------I listened to a good portion of Jane Eyre on my drive down to LA and

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-78267726914345109762007-01-28T14:25:00.000+02:002007-02-18T21:56:51.086+02:00

I started writing this the weekend before I left CA. I meant to post it, then I changed my mind and started editing it (I know, Elise--I'm sorry, it's just what I do!). And then I decided I should just post a bit of it anyway. And when I had that ready, Pangani's wireless crapped out on me and I got annoyed and went to bed. And now it's a week later. But...here you go anyway. --------------

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-10160204660688498812007-01-21T21:34:00.000+02:002007-01-21T21:40:44.051+02:00

I was asked to share a bit about my South Africa trip at GHBC's Awana program on the Wednesday night before I left. Jerry shared a few Bible verses before he "interviewed" me, and one of the verses included the word "boldness." This led to the following:Jerry: Who can tell me what boldness means?Kid: Like when you lose all your hair?Bill, later, rubbing his head: I think I'm getting a little

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-64596799341661442382007-01-05T04:42:00.000+02:002007-01-05T05:14:47.780+02:00

Here's the year-end tally on my 2006 reading, broken down by genre/category. Starred titles were for book club.Children's (4)Love That Dog – Sharon CreechThe Children of Green Knowe – L.M. BostonSaffy's Angel – Hilary McKayHaroun and the Sea of Stories – Salman RushdieNonfiction (8)Bella Tuscany – Frances MayesThe World According to Mimi Smartypants – Mimi SmartypantsAre You Dave Gorman? – Dave

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-81090433444290211782007-01-04T08:39:00.000+02:002007-01-05T04:42:40.706+02:00

Tonight I bade a fond farewell to my first iPod, self-referentially named Babs. It fell prey to a software corruption that could not be rectified through any efforts on my part or on the part of the kind service personnel at the Apple Store. However, the kind personnel at the Apple Store did replace my sad departed iPod. Say hello to DJBJ. DJBJ is sans engraving (a gift from my former boss,

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-17116771537905470132007-01-04T05:12:00.000+02:002007-01-05T05:23:11.051+02:00

This song's been in my iTunes for a while, but I keep skipping over it when I'm not in the mood for something peppy and happy. Then I actually listened to the lyrics yesterday, and now I'm hooked because they're just so completely awesome.Fine Day for SailingGo SailorThis is the last time that I'll wish you deadI think I've decided to like you insteadI'll throw away the letters that I never

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-69986755993351737062007-01-03T03:14:00.000+02:002007-01-03T03:15:58.231+02:00

Now to keep it up. Daily photos for 2007 will be here. Dangit, I need one for today...

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-43640943767437385842006-12-29T21:55:00.000+02:002007-01-03T20:26:51.002+02:00

I know how you feelNo secrets to revealNobody knows me at all...--The WeepiesDavid tagged me to do this one: five things most people don’t know about me. I found myself drawn mostly to childhood memories. And this was more difficult than I would have thought. After all, where do you draw the line for what counts as “most people”? But here goes.1. I had blond hair until I was about four years

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-71268191038326834222006-12-29T21:51:00.000+02:002006-12-29T21:55:00.436+02:00

From The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, by Gideon Defoe--a book I gave to my brother for his birthday last year, and which he lent me at Thanksgiving to read. The following quote is one that my brother the science professor would put up on his office door if he didn't teach at a Christian college and he didn't think that certain people might be slightly offended by said quote. '

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-58034212058947046492006-12-25T08:15:00.000+02:002006-12-29T22:17:55.899+02:00

A little belated. Some thoughts from Christmas Eve, so I've back-dated the post.One of the drawbacks of growing up in church, I think, is that the sacred can become too familiar. Hymns rich with meaning become rote, commonplace--loved for their familiarity, but not for their meaning. As I got into college, I began to discover what it really was to worship, to think about the words I was

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-88768615839629023812006-12-24T02:47:00.000+02:002006-12-24T03:24:44.531+02:00

I'm just a posting maniac right now, can you tell? I have in mind this whole post on Christmas carols and lyrics and deep meanings that I've overlooked for years because of over-familiarity with said lyrics. But somehow blogging on a timetable is stifling any introspection and meaning-ful-ness that was brewing in my head. (And should get home in another 45 minutes or so, because I said I'd

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-22252364225407176482006-12-24T02:02:00.000+02:002006-12-24T02:16:30.881+02:00

This feature kind of fell by the wayside, didn't it? On Sunday, I dug out my Italy journal one more time and came across this account of visiting Neuschwanstein with Melinda. As I poked around in the journal some more, I discovered that the day of my leaving Florence ten years ago corresponded with the day of my leaving the Bay area this year. Kind of a cool parallel. Anyway, here's my

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-39050339803428582082006-12-24T02:00:00.000+02:002006-12-24T02:02:46.253+02:00

Over the Rhine, Snow AngelsOver the Rhine, The Darkest Night of the YearPedro the Lion, It's Hard to Find a FriendCasey Dienel, Wind-Up CanaryRegina Spektor, Begin to HopeRosie Thomas, Only with Laughter Can You WinSufjan Stevens, Songs for ChristmasPlus a couple of sermons and repeated listenings of The Cure's "Cut Here" and "At the Edge of the Deep Green Sea."

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-22510697000810412782006-12-24T00:35:00.000+02:002006-12-24T02:00:23.325+02:00

(Actually, I miss a whole lot more than Firefox.)Quick post to say that I'm now safely down in the LA area. After a 7-hour drive with a very very full car indeed, I am camping out in my old bedroom at my parents' house. I say camping out, because I'm still living out of duffle bags and boxes...can't wait for a room at Pangani. =) I will blog more later when I have more time, and can get my

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-41416341885922807962006-12-18T03:42:00.000+02:002006-12-18T21:50:47.665+02:00

Friday was my last day at work. Today was my last Sunday at PBC. The past few days have been full of great conversations and heartfelt goodbyes. And hugs. Lots of hugs. I'm not a crier...not at all. But I've been on the edge of choking up a LOT lately, which is saying something for me. It was a beautiful, clear, cold sunny day today. And the weather and the goodbyes and the hugs have made

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-28226314596180317972006-12-15T19:50:00.000+02:002006-12-15T20:10:24.303+02:00

When my family moved from England back to California, I was nine years old. We moved out of our house in Ely before school was out for the year, and until we left the country, we stayed in the home of some good friends from church who were out of town. I was already unhappy at being uprooted from my home and friends, and being pulled out of school early was another unhappiness. (Add to that

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-29938823651925068832006-12-08T02:17:00.000+02:002006-12-08T19:54:34.982+02:00

I started this post and never finished it. Recap of Thanksgiving weekend.-Wednesday: After a half day at work, I loaded up my car with a bunch of stuff to store at my parents'. Man, I have a lot of books.Wednesday night: Played speed Scrabble with the parents and David & Dianna, until midnight. I coined a new word: "foet." You know, an enemy who recites verse. Sadly, it was not deemed

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-52310386078671411122006-12-07T19:09:00.000+02:002006-12-08T02:15:49.548+02:00

From an email from my mom:Our Christmas tree is up! Johnny was here on Monday and was absolutely amazed. I hadn't thought about it before, but I don't think he had any memory of Christmas trees at all and Nancy hadn't been anywhere with him to see one. He stood in front of our tree, looked at it, then looked at me, and back again. Then he said, "How did chu built dat, how did chu built dat?"

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-13374417214237031512006-12-06T23:06:00.000+02:002006-12-06T23:10:12.655+02:00

When I go away from youThe world beats deadLike a slackened drum.I call out for you against the jutted starsAnd shout into the ridges of the wind.Streets coming fast,One after the other,Wedge you away from me,And the lamps of the city prick my eyesSo that I can no longer see your face.Why should I leave you,To wound myself upon the sharp edges of the night? -Amy LowellThe last two lines of this

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-71062915162462607992006-12-04T21:19:00.000+02:002006-12-04T21:23:03.391+02:00

It was fun, but....just once, I would like to attend a social activity where neither football nor video games are repeatedly discussed in detail. I'm just saying. My coworkers, happily, provide me with balance. I'm looking forward to lunch conversation with no talk of video games. =)

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-41791779134753120962006-12-03T05:02:00.000+02:002006-12-03T05:09:30.307+02:00

Because who doesn't love these things? First things that came to mind, though I was clearly compelled to add comments.1. Yourself: cold. (In temperature. Not in personality. I hope.) 2. Your spouse: nonexistent3. Your hair: messy4. Your mother: sigh5. Your father: hug6. Your favorite item: book7. Your dream last night: no idea. (However, I had a dream a couple nights in which a friend kept

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-13151261091771393922006-12-03T04:32:00.000+02:002006-12-03T04:38:59.006+02:00

I feel like time is flying by. I have less than three weeks left here in the Bay area. Part of it is being past Thanksgiving. Part of it is wrapping things up at work. Part of it is planning a going away party. Part of it is being into December. But mostly because--THREE WEEKS. After I pack up and leave here, I have a little over three weeks in SoCal, and then I'm off. It boggles the mind.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-16065423953184184092006-11-30T01:02:00.000+02:002006-11-30T01:18:16.653+02:00

I wish I had time to dig in and offer you a nice long update. But I don't. In the meantime, here are some pictures from my Thanksgiving weekend.Sarah, Barbara, Melinda, Hannah, Corina...the AHs!Reunion and breakfast with dear friends from FC choir days.Me with Baby Dell! I got to meet Heather and Aaron's new baby boy.My crazy nieces, Hannah and RebekahCelebrating Emily's 11th birthdayMy dad,

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-77683286232214826832006-11-22T21:26:00.000+02:002006-11-22T21:26:53.405+02:00

That the needle-poking is over (and I don't have TB! Woo!)That we have a half-day todayThat I am going to South Africa next yearFor fundraising support from unexpected placesFor the amazing friends I've made in the Bay area over the past three yearsFor all my amazing friends everywhereThat I get to see the AH's this weekendThat I get to meet Heather's baby this weekendFor my familyThat I get to

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-22696844194488729382006-11-21T02:08:00.000+02:002006-11-21T02:10:50.969+02:00

Just so you all know, the dreaded TB test has now been performed. Along with two other needed vaccinations. I feel like St. Sebastian.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-77659797395402408372006-11-21T02:05:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:47:37.184+02:00

I've been attempting to get rid of a lot of the stuff that I've accumulated over the past few years. Last night, I went through the box of tapes in my closet. Yes, cassette tapes. I don't even own a cassette player anymore, haven't since I moved here, and yet these are still in my closet. As I went through the box last night, I came across some items that are just so embarrassing I have to

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-68441914211842360402006-11-20T21:45:00.000+02:002006-11-20T21:47:16.038+02:00

A new form of movie review.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-46599359707863096402006-11-17T22:04:00.000+02:002006-11-17T22:05:06.647+02:00

Yesterday was the company "Turkey Pluck." Yeah. Every Thanksgiving that I've worked here, the company has had some sort of cheesy holiday-themed mid-afternoon social activity, prior to Thanksgiving. It always includes a game to be played for such thematically-appropriate prizes as Safeway, Whole Foods, and Honey Baked Ham gift certificates. And gift certificates for holiday pies available at

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-65730977220103112712006-11-16T03:27:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:51:15.341+02:00

I gave notice at work today. I'm both sad and relieved at the same time. It's good to have the news out--it's been wearing on me, especially the past couple of weeks. Last week was filled with a bunch of team meetings, author conference calls, and the like--all of which made me more and more conflicted about my plans to leave. Or rather, about my not yet disclosing my plans to leave. I told

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-24802977932173915122006-11-11T21:56:00.000+02:002006-11-12T00:17:17.046+02:00

I've seen this on several of the book blogs I read, and I'm giving in to the peer pressure. The challenge is this: select 5 books that you have already purchased, have been meaning to get to, and haven't read before...and READ them, between Nov. 1st and Jan. 30th.These all seem to be better winter books than South Africa books, hence the need to read them now rather than take them with me under

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-59346362689129791572006-11-11T21:51:00.000+02:002006-11-20T20:49:24.928+02:00

I started this post last week, in the midst of a lot of struggling with the idea of hope. I'm still not sure it's exactly what I want to say. I wrote part of it early in the week, as I reflected on Sunday’s sermon. Then later in the week, my thoughts got turned upside down and I felt like hope had the rug pulled out from under it. Yet again.My mind isn't settled on this yet. I'm still

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-12869007207685835702006-11-11T02:36:00.000+02:002006-11-11T02:53:52.869+02:00

I'm getting to the part in the plans for South Africa where I apply for a visa. I have the FBI clearance, I sort of have a flight reservation (or will shortly), and thought I was ready to send everything out. Until I talked to Katie today and she said something about the letter from her doctor. Aw, crap. Something else I have to do. So I logged onto the NC site today, and started making my

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-21682651983958364452006-11-08T02:17:00.000+02:002006-11-08T03:10:10.630+02:00

Today's been a little crazy, but I have a free moment while I'm waiting for someone else to get back to me on this proposal that needs to be looked over by our editor in chief before the day's over...so, you know, in the next 30 minutes. PLENTY of time. (This has been my day today. Quote of the day: "Barbara, you've had that worried expression all morning...")But anyway, as I impatiently await

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-74665663412419954132006-11-06T22:42:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:48:54.327+02:00

I have a small mental list of things I want to do before I leave the Bay area. One of these things is to take advantage of living near SF and get myself to more concerts. Toward that end, I was checking a few websites today to see if there are concerts I'll just have to attend in the near future. And I discovered this lamentable fact: The Weepies are playing in LA on Nov. 18. Then they're

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-83809243774672212482006-11-04T00:15:00.000+02:002006-11-04T00:15:43.648+02:00

Belatedly, I am getting around to linking to Lisa & Tom's blog. Recap: Lisa was one of my roommates in Florence, one of the two I reconnected with at the Trevi Fountain a month ago. Lisa and Tom are living in Rome for the fall, chasing after their beautiful two-year-old daughter as they do research for a book on Baroque churches. Now that I've caught myself up with their blog, and it's a month

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-42163241362532458912006-11-03T21:26:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:49:14.306+02:00

Another glimpse into my life as an assistant editor/associate development editor/whatever other job title you want to give me; bring it on. (See this post for the beginning.)11/1, author: I will try to get it to you by the end of today. I am pretty sure it can be done but if not, would it be the Wrath of Barbara if I get it to you tomorrow?11/1, me: The earlier the better (know what I mean, know

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-5351036376378434682006-11-03T00:08:00.000+02:002006-11-04T00:16:27.028+02:00

Here is one of a series of Florence picture pairings: 1996 vs. 2006. You've seen the Mr. Right mug spanning two decades. Now I bring you the Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri (say that 5 times fast), then and now.At first, Melinda and I walked right past and didn't recognize the place--it was completely under construction. We doubled back and stood around gaping, then took some

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-65186287962277675222006-10-31T19:36:00.000+02:002006-10-31T19:39:29.138+02:00

In a similar vein, today I am dressed up as an Assistant Editor. Clever, no?

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-32424727364311480352006-10-31T19:10:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:49:28.888+02:00

"Yes, I am planning on emailing it to you on Wednesday. Of course, the more time the better. Hint hint, nudge nudge, say no more, say no more."

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-12899127819020168822006-10-30T21:05:00.001+02:002007-08-19T15:50:46.726+02:00

HowManyOfMe.comThere are:0people with my namein the U.S.A.How many have your name?Interesting facts:-There are 1,469,846 people in the U.S. with the first name Barbara.-It is statistically the 15th most popular first name.-More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Barbara are female. (I really want to know about that rogue "less than 0.1%" who are male.)-More than 99.9 percent of

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-51842835825815144892006-10-30T19:05:00.000+02:002007-08-19T15:51:36.136+02:00

Yesterday, I shared a little with the couples class about mission stuff for next year. I chatted with Scott, the young adult pastor, for a few minutes beforehand.Scott: Where's your husband, Barbara?Barbara: Guess this isn't really the place to find one, huh?Scott (looking around the room): Well...there are a lot of husbands here...I just think they're already taken.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-34384081120308641642006-10-30T02:11:00.000+02:002006-10-30T02:26:25.445+02:00

I saw my parents off early this afternoon, after packing their car full of books and a bookshelf and a few random boxes from my closet. My dad pulled out of my driveway and as the car scraped against the curb,* I wondered if maybe I'd put TOO many books in their car. Too late. What's sad is the lack of a dent this seems to have made in my shelves.After the parents left, I got myself to the

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-21452315221912538792006-10-27T03:14:00.000+02:002006-10-27T03:14:35.356+02:00

Updates and things from inside my head.Work stuff:I got to sit through a Big Long Important Meeting yesterday at which I got to play three roles because I'm still doing two jobs and another team member was out of town. I get to attend a Big Important DE Meeting tomorrow to figure out what I'm currently supposed to be responsible for. And then subsequently I will figure out all of the

Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293834.post-68946232088180381502006-10-24T21:04:00.000+02:002006-10-24T21:09:57.177+02:00

There's an email in my work inbox titled "since i'll be gone" and every time I see it, I get Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" stuck in my head.

Barbaranoreply@blogger.com