I'm Back...And So Is Lent

It's Lent (as of Wednesday, yesterday). And I've given up shopping this year. I prayed for something to give up for Lent and well, it came to me - shopping! Ironically, I was watching Oprah's Next Chapter (I am still watching too much television). She was interviewing a Hasidic Jewish woman who talked about having a want satisfied and then thinking what can I "want" next. And there it was. Replace material wants with "wanting" Jesus. Every time I get paid I think of a new want. As I am sitting here, having given up shopping, I am looking around my living/dining area thinking of all the things I could want and buy that would make everything perfect. Is there such a thing? Or would I just think of new things to want and buy? Good question. And so it begins...

Father Time

I fell asleep last night writing a post. Well, I signed in and...promptly fell asleep. So here I am this morning - well rested and on time (so far, but remember the day is just starting). I am going to keep this short (so that I may stay on time). Lent is almost over. I am almost reunited with my television (and guilt-free might I add because I have been briefly reunited a few times during Lent, but couldn't quite shake the thought of Jesus dying on the cross and all). Well, have a great day!

People Before Things

There is less than a week left of Lent. So many of you with grandiose faith thought I would be cured of my tele desire (of course I am not). The way in which I watch television will be different though as my DVR practices have changed dramatically. All of the shows that I thought were okay, but wasn't crazy about I have stopped recording and wasting my time watching (sorry Castle). Erasing watched shows from the DVR made me feel as if I had completed something (I guess technically I had completed "something"), which is a part of the sickness I think (I refuse to admit that a perfectly sane person - well, sane the majority of the time person - wasted so much time on shows she doesn't even really like). Now here's the kicker: I was willing to spend a trillion plus hours on television that didn't surprise me, make me crack a smile, or anything else that would signal to others that I found it the least bit pleasurable, but people I like a wee bit (a unit smaller than a little) I spend absolutely zero time engaging. Something to think about...

On a side note (well, I don't really have one - I just missed the side note - terribly)...

Cap City Confessions

Being with yourself without distractions is difficult. All those little "things" that you manage to mask during your day-to-day are all of a sudden bigger "things." Television was a great cover-up as was my internet surfing, dinner with friends, etc., etc. While it's nice that I am connecting with His peeps, I think the point might be that I connect with his #1 peep (again, I know God loves you, too) because by doing so I am growing as is our relationship. Maybe Lent is about abstaining from a comfort and relying on God to make you comfortable. I sound enlightened huh?

Insomnia

I know - just a few weeks ago I couldn't wake up to save my life and last night I woke up at 1:00 a.m. as if it was time to get ready for work. In the past, how would I have handled this situation? Yep. You guessed it. I would have watched one of the shows recorded on my DVR. People, I am SICK. I used to record shows that I didn't like as much because God forbid I should run out of recorded television to watch or be forced to watch television in real time with all the commercials and such. I have not figured out yet if this is a test or if God is saying I have been without television long enough so just turn it on and have at it. I wish!

Snitches!

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted last. As you know, I had my Colloquium Presentation (Proposal Meeting) on Monday. The experience was surreal to say the least. Many of you are not aware of my past advisor and her mean and manipulative behavior (but I guess you know now). Anyway, this was the first time I met with my new committee in its entirety and it was a great experience. They challenged me (I mean they asked some really tough questions), but they weren't intent on humiliating and demeaning me like that other broad. Even though they were not patsies, they supported me throughout the entire process. It was at the end of the meeting after everyone signed the paper (everyone signs off and this means that you can go forward and collect data) that I realized that I was like a battered woman without the bruises. I really didn't (and still don't) know what to do with all that support I was given. It felt weird (this is the best description I can provide at this point) to receive support. It should have felt weird when that racist broad (she is not a lady) was mistreating me (sadly enough, it didn't).

Okay. So after the meeting I went to El Vaquero with Caroline (I am going somewhere with this - follow me). She talked about how she gave up desserts for Lent, but that she had a peanut butter cup blizzard on her way back from Tennessee. Then we began talking about television (I shared that I had given it up). You know those dang counselors...they are always asking 1,001 questions...What are your favorite shows? Did you see the Oscars? Blah blah blah blah...And when I got home I watched television. STOP JUDGING ME! To be fair, Jesus is a great interventionist because I fell asleep within the first ten minutes of the television being on. I thought I would keep it as our little secret (you know, we have shared quite a few over the years), but a certain someone (who will not be named, but anonymous person know that you are no longer in my will) said you better blog about that or else I will. Hmph.

In The Name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit...Amen!

Let me start off by saying that there are some really amazing and talented young people out there. I had the opportunity to meet a few Saturday as I conducted Penn interviews for high school seniors living in the Central Ohio area. My first interview was at 10:30 a.m. and my last at 5:00 p.m. (I know – I’m committed). One young woman in particular was so friggin’ (that is a word) amazing (she reminded me of myself – just kidding). She was a great conversationalist, super articulate, considerably thoughtful, with a ton of other wonderful qualities. Strap in because I am going somewhere with this…She was (I suppose she still is) Catholic and we were talking about abstaining during Lent and if this is what Jesus really wants. She said during last year’s Lent season she decided to do something instead of not doing something (like we do during Advent, which makes sense because what we now consider Advent – the time leading to Christmas - was once upon a time referred to as Lent). If Lent is ultimately about strengthening your relationship with Christ, you’re kind of missing the point if you now use your internet instead of your television (I swear I am not talking about myself). *sigh* Pray for me…

I Heart Television!

I know I said that I was feeling okay with not watching television, but as you (my fellow addicts) know there is always a trigger around the corner (food, that red light, the Octomom’s odd behavior on The View, and the list goes on). After having thought I made it over the hump, there I was, feeling as if I was back at square one. Behavior change is difficult (yet doable). We have to be willing to stick with it (whatever it is) even when (especially when) we behave in a manner that is disappointing to ourselves or incongruent with the new way we see ourselves. On a side note (it seems I love a side note), I found this site that posts what people have given up for Lent. It’s pretty cool so check it out. On a side note to the side note, folks have been asking how they can formally follow the blog (I must admit my self-esteem is suffering since I have only one follower – but just know that the one person will be provided for greatly in my will – after the government gets all of their money (they are called student LOANS for a reason). Okay so here’s the process: under the title “Followers” click on the link “Follow (with Google Friend Connect).” "Followers" is found underneath "About Me" on the right side of the blog. Follow the prompts and voila you’ll be a fan follower of my blog.

Ambien, Anyone?

It’s the fourth day of forty and I am ashamed to say I took an afternoon nap (literally). I slept the entire afternoon. What gives? I guess during the first week you sleep through the withdrawals (I don’t know – work with me here). I did exercise today (on a side note my thighs are not any smaller) and I received a book titled “The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse” (I ordered it – it wasn’t magically sent to me). I am excited about reading this book and completing the exercises in it. I think this is where that enlightenment I talked about enters the picture. We will see…

Is JC @ My Hair Salon?

Well apparently he is! Any other day that I have been at the hair salon the television has been on, but not today. Before I arrived I salivated at the idea of catching a few glances of The View from the salon chair. But no go. And so there you have it - I have not watched television since Tuesday. Since Lent is technically 40 weekdays until Easter, I am going to watch television on Sundays and set my DVR for the following week. I feel your judgment... Unfortunately, my thighs are the same size and I still have a ton of things to get done!

That Red Light!

The DVR was for sure created by one of God's people. Who else would make sure that I'd be able to record at least two of my shows at a time and play them back without having to sit through commercials? When I arrived home last night, that red light was on and I was so tempted to turn the television on - just to see what was taping, of course. While eating a slice of pizza I thought, "Television would go great with this..." It seems television is like a great merlot (because I don't drink, I am unable to sensibly complete the analogy, but you get it). The DVR is what started this whole thing. I could have easily given up some food group, but no, that was not good enough. Last Thursday, all 46% of my DVR storage disappeared and when I reacted as if my bestie disappeared and not television shows, I thought, "TELEVISION! I should give up television!" After I acknowledged it, I wished I could go back and unacknowledge it, but as you all know there is no going back and so here I am wishing I could sneak a peek at Oprah (I would watch paid programming at this point). So wish me luck! So far I haven't created any additional time for myself, but my hope is that I will gain something (enlightenment, smaller thighs, peace - my expectations are not lofty at all).

No Television?

So today is the day as they say. It's Ash Wednesday and I have given up television for Lent. Not candy or red meat as I have done in past years - television. What was I thinking? I mean, I guess I wasn't. Even worse, I don't have anyone to blame, but the Holy Spirit. Ouch! So, no television it is. Oprah, The View, and my countless other shows will have to wait until the weekend (I am still in negotiations with the Holy Spirit as to whether I can watch a little on the weekends and maybe an hour a day during the week). STOP JUDGING ME! It's apparent I have a sickness; however, if Jesus can sacrifice Himself for me, I can sacrifice a little American Idol. Right?