this and that

this is one of those "i need to keep myself sane" blogs. a few musings from today.

the true meaning of research
research in university really just means go find yourself a whole pile of extra readings. that's it. nothing more, nothing less. just find something, read it, and write about it. to think i've been so intimidated by this all these years. what a pity cuz it's 90% econ courses next year.

pet peeves
today suz and i were having a really nice chat together at paiges until the couple behind us decided to publicly display their affections. it wouldn't have been so bad since they were behind us were it not for the fact that they were kissing across a table and so when they disengaged it made a smacking/sucking sound like a plunger being.... unplunged(?) cringe. awwwwkward. so then throughout the entire day i started compiling a list of my pet peeves when i got bored.

1. any PDA beyond holding hands and casual side hugs.
2. when people spell my name "shelley".
3. when people don't give others the benefit of doubt.
4. nylon socks with sandals. my oex peeps knows what i'm talking about well at least the girls anyways.
5. when i run out of white out and have to cross mistakes out.
6. when things are lost in translation like the lyrics to "qing fei de yi".


i think those were the only ones i thought of. it's not good to think negatively anyways.

Spirit-filled life
we were talking about the Spirit-filled life in discipleship group today about how we could fake it only for so long. i think the past three weeks (not including the last four days) i was tricking myself into thinking that i was Spirit-filled. basically living in denial. but man alive, it feels sooo GOOD to live by the Spirit. these past 4 days weren't the easiest 4 days of my life nor were they uber hard, but i've definitely been having the BEST four days of my life in a loong time especially today even though there was a minor house conflict and another bump in the road. i feel like i could soar away. love it. God is good. mhmm-hmm.

Trials
i think last week i was getting nervous about all the possible trials God could and would put me through next year. hence the "i'm bracing for impact" comment. so silly worrying about trials that haven't happened. but that's just having a bad perspective on trials because we are suppose to rejoice when trials happen. read this in my devo today.

God allows trials in our lives not for his own enjoyment or to spite us, but to draw us away from our pride, selfishness, and other sings. He uses them to bring us closer to himself and to teach us as we endure difficulties. He proves he's the only Person to run to, the only One who can be depended on. He's the God who won't let us down.

Lamentations 3:19-24
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."