Aix en Provence... Oh why does it have to be so far from what is familiar? Why does it have to be so far from home?
I love it here. I love how foreign it is. I love the adrenaline rush of being embarrassed by not knowing enough french to know what I did wrong. I love learning french and i love watching people here.
Aix en Provence has been amazing. I promised to blog later, after I got back to Oxford, but I figured why not give a mini version of what is to come.
I am staying in the very center of centre ville (the center of the center of the city lol). Every morning I wake up to a colorful open market being set up with the most gorgeous fruit and veggies straight from the country-side of rural France. Am I dreaming? pinch me, please.
I have been doing work around the office of ICCP (international community church of provence) where I am staying. Small things, like fixing door knobs, glueing linoleum down, building shelving units, fixing doors etc... That has been fun, it is nice to do something productive with my body after a rigorous semester.
In my free time I have been writing more of my novel. My goal has been to get to chapter ten and I am somewhat there...
I have outlined (read planned) half of it and started on most of them, however I haven't fully flushed out all of my ideas but I am very close.
I have one day left in Aix and I am sad, but will probably return for Easters (I just watched Nacho Libre again) lol, "Do you realize I have had diarrhea since Easters!" lol
My stay here has been very very pleasant, and J'espère revenir pendant LONGTEMPS (I hope to come back for a long time).
That is all for now, soon I will post pictures of my stay and a more detailed description of what I have done during my stay.
Until then, stay well and enjoy whatever you are doing.
Ciao
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Last day of term
Today I woke up late... much later than anticipated. But, I got to work soon after and had a semi-productive day. I was informed today that I won 50 quid (around 75 bucks) through being a subject in an experiment for the department of experimental psychology at Oxford. That definitely made my day!!
I just got back from dinner with one of my housemates, her boyfriend, and two other friends (all brits). I have gotten quite close to all of them and it was nice to sit down to a very nice late supper at Jamie Oliver's Italian before we all part for the term. At the moment I am just about to start and finish the outline for my essay due tomorrow (the last one!!!).
Countdown to France - T-minus 1 day!!!!
I just got back from dinner with one of my housemates, her boyfriend, and two other friends (all brits). I have gotten quite close to all of them and it was nice to sit down to a very nice late supper at Jamie Oliver's Italian before we all part for the term. At the moment I am just about to start and finish the outline for my essay due tomorrow (the last one!!!).
Countdown to France - T-minus 1 day!!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
New Post... New Question
Hello all!
The last few days have been pretty uneventful. Today I woke up late, met a mate of mine that I met in college and we grabbed some food and chatted for a while. Now I am studying for an exam tomorrow and reading for my Arthurian Legend tute on Friday.
Through studying for my Theology exam I have found I have a couple of questions - the likes of which you may have some thoughts on.
The most pressing question I have is on the consistency of religion:
Must religion be consistent?
I understand and agree that it must be reliable, but there is so much debate in the church over theological matters, in fact very vital aspects of Christian faith, and they can't seem to be answered.
For example, election and eternal security. There seems to be much on both sides to say that you can BOTH gain and lose your salvation depending on the circumstances. But it seems like that is far too inconsistent. I want to know whether or not I need to guard myself in order to maintain salvation instead of being surprised when I see God face-to-face with him saying "you know, I know you tried your best, but it just wasn't good enough. Those habitual sins that continually crept into your life cost you."
The bible says that salvation is founded on God not on the works of man (Jude 1:24). But it also says that a lifetime of on-going unrepentant sin may lead to a loss of salvation (Heb. 10:26-31). Which is it? Is it both? If it is both how do they work together?
Ultimately my question is, Does religion need to be consistent and for those who follows Christ, does Christianity need to be consistent?
I know how I will remain until my questioning is appeased - in the grace of God, training myself to be like Christ so that God will transform me into his likeness - but the question still remains.
What do you think?
Anyways, love you all. Only four more days and I will be in France!! So excited, I will be sure to actually post pictures, I know i've been slacking off a lot so I will make much more of an effort that you will be able to share the experience with me.
May the peace of God be with you.
Alex
The last few days have been pretty uneventful. Today I woke up late, met a mate of mine that I met in college and we grabbed some food and chatted for a while. Now I am studying for an exam tomorrow and reading for my Arthurian Legend tute on Friday.
Through studying for my Theology exam I have found I have a couple of questions - the likes of which you may have some thoughts on.
The most pressing question I have is on the consistency of religion:
Must religion be consistent?
I understand and agree that it must be reliable, but there is so much debate in the church over theological matters, in fact very vital aspects of Christian faith, and they can't seem to be answered.
For example, election and eternal security. There seems to be much on both sides to say that you can BOTH gain and lose your salvation depending on the circumstances. But it seems like that is far too inconsistent. I want to know whether or not I need to guard myself in order to maintain salvation instead of being surprised when I see God face-to-face with him saying "you know, I know you tried your best, but it just wasn't good enough. Those habitual sins that continually crept into your life cost you."
The bible says that salvation is founded on God not on the works of man (Jude 1:24). But it also says that a lifetime of on-going unrepentant sin may lead to a loss of salvation (Heb. 10:26-31). Which is it? Is it both? If it is both how do they work together?
Ultimately my question is, Does religion need to be consistent and for those who follows Christ, does Christianity need to be consistent?
I know how I will remain until my questioning is appeased - in the grace of God, training myself to be like Christ so that God will transform me into his likeness - but the question still remains.
What do you think?
Anyways, love you all. Only four more days and I will be in France!! So excited, I will be sure to actually post pictures, I know i've been slacking off a lot so I will make much more of an effort that you will be able to share the experience with me.
May the peace of God be with you.
Alex
Friday, March 5, 2010
Another new day!
Herro!
So I have just woken up at 12 pm :) gotta love sleeping in.
The reading this morning for me was on the crucifixion of the cross. My prayer is "Father, I fear I have become so used to my seen that it doesn't bother me much, Change me!!" Amen
Today I have to finish a response to a prompt on the salvation of those who aren't Christian or who are pre-Christian. I am excited about this concept and what the fore-fathers of the church have to say about it, for I have always wondered and supposed how salvation extends to those who did not know Christ or those who know Christ but not by his given name. It will be cool.
Here is a question for you:
Is it possible for someone who has never heard the name of Jesus to be saved? On the other hand... Do you think it's possible for a non-christian to be saved (mormon, muslim, buddhist, hindu) if they believe that a Christ existed but they haven't heard His name?
I'm curious to hear your responses.
As for the next week and what it has to offer. I have a Final exam for my online Theo course and my final Arthurian legend tutorial next week. After travel week is over, I have a three meeting course on British History 1900- and then I'm done :)
I hope all is well with you :)
Love,
Alex
So I have just woken up at 12 pm :) gotta love sleeping in.
The reading this morning for me was on the crucifixion of the cross. My prayer is "Father, I fear I have become so used to my seen that it doesn't bother me much, Change me!!" Amen
Today I have to finish a response to a prompt on the salvation of those who aren't Christian or who are pre-Christian. I am excited about this concept and what the fore-fathers of the church have to say about it, for I have always wondered and supposed how salvation extends to those who did not know Christ or those who know Christ but not by his given name. It will be cool.
Here is a question for you:
Is it possible for someone who has never heard the name of Jesus to be saved? On the other hand... Do you think it's possible for a non-christian to be saved (mormon, muslim, buddhist, hindu) if they believe that a Christ existed but they haven't heard His name?
I'm curious to hear your responses.
As for the next week and what it has to offer. I have a Final exam for my online Theo course and my final Arthurian legend tutorial next week. After travel week is over, I have a three meeting course on British History 1900- and then I'm done :)
I hope all is well with you :)
Love,
Alex
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Entry March 4, 2010... enter something creative here--> __________
Herro,
Long time no talk - 24 hours can feel like forever... <---- sarcasm
Today I had my third Arthurian legend tutorial, it went... well. I did not feel as strong about my paper as I had in the last two, but she said I am improving so I will take her at her word and leave it at that. Last night I went to the oxford union and was two rows away from a performance by Brandon Boyd (singer) and Mike Einziger (lead guitar) of Incubus. It was sweet, both of them are very very nice people. I asked a question in the Q&A time directed to Brandon and he was impartial with his attention and the answer was exactly what I wanted to hear (you'll have to ask me what I asked him to find out ;)
After the concert, we weaseled our way into the after party and talked to them a bit more, it was pretty sweet also.
I just got done with a one-on-one with a british dude I met at St. Ebbe's, the Anglican church I am attending. We shared stories of our background, talked about science, music and about witnessing to non-believers. It was most encouraging to reconnect with a fellow believer and encourage each other.
Only one more week until Aix En Provence!!!
love all of you :)
Long time no talk - 24 hours can feel like forever... <---- sarcasm
Today I had my third Arthurian legend tutorial, it went... well. I did not feel as strong about my paper as I had in the last two, but she said I am improving so I will take her at her word and leave it at that. Last night I went to the oxford union and was two rows away from a performance by Brandon Boyd (singer) and Mike Einziger (lead guitar) of Incubus. It was sweet, both of them are very very nice people. I asked a question in the Q&A time directed to Brandon and he was impartial with his attention and the answer was exactly what I wanted to hear (you'll have to ask me what I asked him to find out ;)
After the concert, we weaseled our way into the after party and talked to them a bit more, it was pretty sweet also.
I just got done with a one-on-one with a british dude I met at St. Ebbe's, the Anglican church I am attending. We shared stories of our background, talked about science, music and about witnessing to non-believers. It was most encouraging to reconnect with a fellow believer and encourage each other.
Only one more week until Aix En Provence!!!
love all of you :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
It's been a long time...
Hello!
So I'll begin by acknowledging that I have been very lazy in updating this blog. Sorry. If this excuse brings any consolation, for I am sure you are heartbroken, I did not know blogging was for the purpose of cataloguing my day. I reserved it for interesting things that happen, and since nothing interesting has happened I haven't posted anything!! But, now I know the true purpose of blogging and i'll try my best to post my daily activities.
Today I got up around 11am. I am able to sleep in fairly often since I don't have too many activities throughout the day. After rising I did a bit of food shopping, read some for my Arthurian legend tute and hung out until four, when I had my CS Lewis tute. It was my last one *sniff* and it was pretty good. My paper, of course, was not as good as it could have been. Since I am used to writing scientific papers it is hard for me to write english papers. I always hit on good points from the text I am reading, but never expound to their full extent. It takes some getting used to. While I am not writing to my fullest ability I did make several steps in the right direction. I now am able to write in first person, something I haven't done for a long time in an academic setting. I am also able to write in the present tense, which, if you are from a science background, is a weird experience since all writing is done in past tense. I am also able to express my own opinions in my writing. Not that I don't have opinions or thoughts from analyzing the text, but opinion has no place in scientific writing and so I never had the license to express myself in an academic setting. My CS Lewis tutor did say that I am making large improvements in my writing, but she is too merciful to be completely honest, for I know that I have a long way to go.
After my tute, I came back home and didn't do much worth noting. I talked to my dad on skype, and hung out with jake (my next room neighbor).
Oh! Here is something cool. One of my good friends Zach, who is from APU also, ran into the guitarist of Incubus at the library today. The guitarist (we'll call him jim) is my friends favorite guitarist and wanted to say hi but was shy. So his friend went straight up to him and was like "hey, you play guitar in Incubus right?", Jim said, "Yeah!" she said, "sweet, well my friend over there loves your stuff and wanted to say hi, but didn't have the balls to do it." (I'm paraphrasing by the way). What resulted was a two hour hang out session with my friend and Jim, who apparently, was a super chill dude and really really really nice. Zach came back home beaming and told me the story, which in turn made my day.
Now, I am sitting in my room, as I mostly do, and am waiting for the kitchen to be free so that I can make dinner.
Dinner tonight will be, chicken and potato roast with rosemary garlic and pancetta. I'm super stoked, as I am extremely hungry :)
Here is what I have to look forward to in the future:
I received an email from the tutor for my British History from 1900- containing the prompt and reading list for my first paper. The list itself is a book. It's going to be a tough paper.
Also I have bought my tickets and figured out my lodging and purpose for the travel week we have from March 13th until the 20th. I am going to Aix En Provence to hang out and see the city. For housing, I worked out a deal with a family friend where I will do work at his house and at his office in exchange for free housing :). Its going to be an amazing week :)
Also, I am traveling to France, again, and Switzerland with a friend from APU. On the itinerary is snowboarding in the alps(for two days), paragliding, and mad chilling for a few days. I am sooooo excited :).
Other than that, I have two weeks, four essays and one exam before I go to Aix. Almost done with the term!!
love you all.
Here is some scripture to chew on. The Holy Spirit is powerful!
1 Kings 17-18
So I'll begin by acknowledging that I have been very lazy in updating this blog. Sorry. If this excuse brings any consolation, for I am sure you are heartbroken, I did not know blogging was for the purpose of cataloguing my day. I reserved it for interesting things that happen, and since nothing interesting has happened I haven't posted anything!! But, now I know the true purpose of blogging and i'll try my best to post my daily activities.
Today I got up around 11am. I am able to sleep in fairly often since I don't have too many activities throughout the day. After rising I did a bit of food shopping, read some for my Arthurian legend tute and hung out until four, when I had my CS Lewis tute. It was my last one *sniff* and it was pretty good. My paper, of course, was not as good as it could have been. Since I am used to writing scientific papers it is hard for me to write english papers. I always hit on good points from the text I am reading, but never expound to their full extent. It takes some getting used to. While I am not writing to my fullest ability I did make several steps in the right direction. I now am able to write in first person, something I haven't done for a long time in an academic setting. I am also able to write in the present tense, which, if you are from a science background, is a weird experience since all writing is done in past tense. I am also able to express my own opinions in my writing. Not that I don't have opinions or thoughts from analyzing the text, but opinion has no place in scientific writing and so I never had the license to express myself in an academic setting. My CS Lewis tutor did say that I am making large improvements in my writing, but she is too merciful to be completely honest, for I know that I have a long way to go.
After my tute, I came back home and didn't do much worth noting. I talked to my dad on skype, and hung out with jake (my next room neighbor).
Oh! Here is something cool. One of my good friends Zach, who is from APU also, ran into the guitarist of Incubus at the library today. The guitarist (we'll call him jim) is my friends favorite guitarist and wanted to say hi but was shy. So his friend went straight up to him and was like "hey, you play guitar in Incubus right?", Jim said, "Yeah!" she said, "sweet, well my friend over there loves your stuff and wanted to say hi, but didn't have the balls to do it." (I'm paraphrasing by the way). What resulted was a two hour hang out session with my friend and Jim, who apparently, was a super chill dude and really really really nice. Zach came back home beaming and told me the story, which in turn made my day.
Now, I am sitting in my room, as I mostly do, and am waiting for the kitchen to be free so that I can make dinner.
Dinner tonight will be, chicken and potato roast with rosemary garlic and pancetta. I'm super stoked, as I am extremely hungry :)
Here is what I have to look forward to in the future:
I received an email from the tutor for my British History from 1900- containing the prompt and reading list for my first paper. The list itself is a book. It's going to be a tough paper.
Also I have bought my tickets and figured out my lodging and purpose for the travel week we have from March 13th until the 20th. I am going to Aix En Provence to hang out and see the city. For housing, I worked out a deal with a family friend where I will do work at his house and at his office in exchange for free housing :). Its going to be an amazing week :)
Also, I am traveling to France, again, and Switzerland with a friend from APU. On the itinerary is snowboarding in the alps(for two days), paragliding, and mad chilling for a few days. I am sooooo excited :).
Other than that, I have two weeks, four essays and one exam before I go to Aix. Almost done with the term!!
love you all.
Here is some scripture to chew on. The Holy Spirit is powerful!
1 Kings 17-18
Monday, February 1, 2010
Belated Post
It has been quite a while since I last wrote, almost two weeks to be exact. I have settled in rather nicely. I have had one meeting with my primary tutor for creative writing and presented the first chapter of my novel. I did not know what to expect and so was surprised to find my paper torn up with editors notes, which is exactly what I wanted. We had plenty to talk about, and over all he said that the chapter was a good start and had a lot of good things in it. I just turned in my first paper for my secondary tutorial which was on whether the Chronicles of Narnia are myth or allegory and how best to read them. In short I said that the chronicles are to be read as myth substantiated with Christian truth. I do not think I did too well on it because I have been feeling out of sorts lately, getting random stomach aches throughout the day. It has been about three days since it first started, hopefully it doesn't turn into anything full blown.
I have been going to a church near the center of town called St. Ebbes. I believe it is of Anglican origin but I am not sure. I have met some very nice people there and am excited for how our friendships will grow. The first time I attended, I met two dudes, who invited me to go to a rugby game with them in Bath. It was really nice to hang out with brits on my own and get a feel for how they are and the whole outing turned out to be great fun. The teaching at St. Ebbes is also really good.
I can't think of much else to write and at the moment all I really want to do is sleep so I think I will. Until next time...
I have been going to a church near the center of town called St. Ebbes. I believe it is of Anglican origin but I am not sure. I have met some very nice people there and am excited for how our friendships will grow. The first time I attended, I met two dudes, who invited me to go to a rugby game with them in Bath. It was really nice to hang out with brits on my own and get a feel for how they are and the whole outing turned out to be great fun. The teaching at St. Ebbes is also really good.
I can't think of much else to write and at the moment all I really want to do is sleep so I think I will. Until next time...
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