Making Progress Homework-Wise

So, church was good. Finished my first assignment for English. And I did quite a bit of homework for Algebra. And Bible study was good. Urbana story below.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

7:49pm

Speaker at Tuesday evening session: Shane Claiborne

The more stuff we have, the more clubs we need to buy to protect it.

Our Savior wept over the city of Jerusalem.

Don't take more than what you need

Luke 16

God is bailing one little man, not big man

Average executive makes $1500 an hour; average hour worker makes $7.50 an hour

An American Dream.... Or Canadian dream. ;-)

Mother Teresa picks worst pair of shoes (so no one else would have a bad shoe pair)

The best thing to do is to give it away, not keep it to ourselves

In the Bible, it doesn't said "God so loved America", but "God so loved the world"

All other ground is sinking sand.

Saturdays of Exponents, Panera and Phones

Did homework. Yep, again. Mostly anthropology and algebra. I actually did a lot from algebra. Took one of my bros to Panera, it was enjoyable. Talked with a friend who's away at school, that was enjoyable too. And I watched "Mamma Mia", it was okay, cute at parts, but SO cheesy. Anyway, no Urbana stories tonight. I have got to update this thing earlier when I'm not so tired. Oh well. Good night.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

More Homework....

Yep. That's what I did. Homework. And I read Foxtrot comic strips. That's all I did. That's pretty much all I'm good for.

Um.... No Urbana stories again. I feel bad, but oh well. I WILL finish this, though, I need to get to the good stuff (well, okay, all are good, but still).

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Homework. Quite a bit of homework.

So.... I did homework today.

Sorry, I didn't do much else. And no Urbana stories, maybe tomorrow.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Since When Did 23 degrees Feel Warm?!

Yeah, it was frigid cold this morning and when I walked out of school it was snowing, but it felt warmer. Then as I drove to the local library, I saw that it was 23 degrees.... Only in Illinois.

Anyway, classes went fine, got some studying done, but I'm tired, so I'm going to bed.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Happy Peanut Brittle Day 2010!

Yep, found out today that today is National Peanut Brittle Day. Shame I only just found this out.

Anyway, nothing much today, just homework. And work. Tomorrow is just classes and studying (but no Urbana stories tonight). Good night.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Who Writes These Silly Chalk Reviews?

Ah, I love writing titles that create intrigue, wonder, confusion.... Hm, maybe I'm going crazy.

Well, piano was still repetitive but nice, Geometry was okay and Algebra was interesting. Why? Well, my teacher had bought this chalk that is supposed to be the highest rated chalk out there (which made us all wonder "Who on earth writes reviews for CHALK?" That would be a fun career option.... Just kidding). Well, honestly, there's little difference between the school chalk and the highest rated chalk-my teacher was a bit disappointed. So we may have to write a new review.... Just kidding.

All righty, not much else on the agenda today. Need some major studying tomorrow, and I need to locate an adapter.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=======

4:35pm As you can see, I'm not in a seminar. Nothing grabbed at me. A lot looked good, but none jumped out at me, and so I got indecisive and yeah. So I looked at the bookstore, read, went to Global Connexions (really cool and tiring at the same time; so many people recruiting and talking when you just want to browse!), read, napped (tried to, at least), walked and photographed. There were a couple times where I thought I saw a friend of mine, but it wasn't. Oh well. I think I got some good books.

I Really Don't Think I'm a Morning Person

Woke up at 6 AM. Church at 8am. Work at 11:45am-5pm. Bible study from 6-8:30. I was exhausted the entire day (wanted to fall asleep multiple times). And I need to wake up early tomorrow. Sorry this post lacks creativity and zeal, tiredness kind of saps all these and much more from a person.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Meh. And Yes, Apparently "Meh" Is A Word

"Meh" is just used way too often, so yeah, guess it's a word. And it describes my day well.

Work was so busy. As usual. Got a little homework done. Watched "27 Dresses"-cheesy, predictable, semi-cute romantic comedy that for some reason put me in a very sour mood. So not the best day. And I'm tired, and I need to get up freakishly early, so no Urbana stories tonight.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Plugging Along in the Work Marathon.

So, I worked Tuesday from 5-9. Then I worked last night from 6-9. Today I worked Friday 3-6. Tomorrow, I work 8:45-5, and Sunday I work 11:45-5. Ouch. At least I get money, and I get next weekend off. I was planning to go to Champaign next weekend, but I don't know if that'll happen now. But I'm not giving up. If I have transportation (since I can't drive down) and a travel buddy (since I can't go down by myself), I'll be set. But we'll see. And I really want to see Les Miz in London.

Short Urbana post today. I HATE working busy shifts. I know people with 40 hours jobs may think I'm nuts for complaining, but hey, my shifts are so weird AND I go to school. Oh well.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

In the Bible story where the temple is being used as a market, religious leaders had the means (sacrificing animals) to replace the message (worshipping God) financial profit blinded them so that they are not models.

Jesus challenged exploitation of people and the long term use of the temple.

Jesus is the new temple-the link between heaven and earth.

He (Jesus) had a concern for the truth

1. Some good things can be hinderances

2. The church can lose focus [maybe? I didn't catch the second point, but I THINK that's what it was]

You are heirs to a courageous kingdom.

Give the truth and let the chips fall where they fall.

Never compromise, always live with integrity.

Beware of praise, welcome criticism

Don't link your lifestyle with your ministry's budget

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings.

END OF MESSAGE NOTES

The Word [According to Greg Jao]: You are not monkeys, stop grooming yourself (i.e., don't touch your eyes).

Sleeping In Feels So Good

I slept for a while.... It felt great. Did a little homework, then worked 6-9. Nothing else.

Sorry, nothing exciting really, today. NEED to go to bed, so super short Urbana entry today. I'll try to post longer mañana.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

======

RANDOM NOTES FROM SESSION

Ramez (speaker) is no longer a liberated Egyptian, but a captive in the Urbana tribe. ; ) [He mentioned yesterday that he was a "free Egyptian" because the Urbana people forgot to give him the wristband that all Urbana attendees had to wear. Now he has one. So he is no longer a free Egyptian]

Are you angry when we see something wrong? Jesus does.

First Official Day of Spring 2010 Semester

I survived. That sums it up, I think. At least my day was quite productive. I woke up, didn't have TOO much trouble getting up and stuff, then Mom dropped me off at school because she didn't want me driving in this huge ice storm we were supposed to get (but we didn't.... Silly weathermen). First was Piano at 9am. It was absurdly easy, as we reviewed both clefs and some things with the hands, both which I know, so it didn't feel like college credit. 10am was Geometry, and that wasn't bad, just review of basic math stuff and history of geometry. Had lunch break, finished Geometry homework, then on to Intermediate Algebra at 1pm. Went through syllabus, started a couple concepts. I can already tell this will be a hard class, but thankfully my teacher seems really nice and helpful, so that makes a big difference. My other teachers seem nice too. Then I went to the library closest to me (not the one I work at) and studied for an hour and a half. I am now almost done with the stuff required for Creative writing this week and 1/3 done with the stuff I need to do for Cultural Anthropology. So a very productive day and I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO CLASS TONIGHT!!! That made me happy.

Wow, I wrote a lot about the first day back. Well, glad I'm off to a decent start. I'll type a little bit on Urbana, but not much. I need to attempt to sleep. It's amazing how when I know I get to sleep in, I stay up later. Weird. Oh yeah; the beautiful thing about this semester is that I ONLY have classes Mondays and Wednesdays. So nice.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

12/29/09

6:49a Not sure if I got sleep or not. I don't FEEL tired. We'll see. Feeling okay physically, but not 100%.

8:40am Still feel weird. Bible study starting.

RANDOM STUDY NOTES

Active study

-Mark it up!

-Enter imaginatively, emotionally, cross-culturally into the text (reading Bible is a cross-cultural experience)

-Requires serious effort, commitment

John 2:1-12

Cultural Background

In Israel, weddings were week long celebrations. Ceremony focused on groom, HIS family paid for it. Wine was a necessity rather than a luxury (water scarce).

Special vessels were used for washing feet and stuff (not for regular drinking water).

Observation

The amount of wine estimated is 908 bottles of alcohol!

Jesus didn't have to touch the wine to perform the miracle

Running out of wine is very shameful at a wedding.

Jesus' miracle is a behind the scenes miracle

To see it, you have to be there with him

He gives the very best and gives it abundantly

Break's over, Back to Work!

Argh. Technically, school has started for me. Though my regular classes don't start until tomorrow (EVIL! NOT looking forward to them. At all), I had to sign into my online classes today. Nothing major yet in either classes, but I am worried how I will manage my time with assignments (plus, for Cultural Anthropology, we have to take tests in the Testing Center! Not via Blackboard! Ahhh!). Hopefully it'll be okay. The rest of my day was fine, work was fine. I got my textbooks, which was nuts, took me 20 mins to find a parking spot! I hate being a commuter student. I'm already getting School Depression (where your stress levels rise, you get crankier and more cynical and your brain is washed of almost everything but homework).

Anyway, in an attempt to cheer up, here are Urbana stories.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

======

Prevention:

-Youth Clubs

-Awareness

-Advocacy

Protection

-Counseling

-Education

-Sponsorship

-Advocacy

Prosecution (the weak link)

-Training

-Enforcement

-Advocacy

What can I Do?

Pray

Act-let your voice be heard

-Child Soldier Prevention Act

-Human Wrong Initiative

www.humanwrong.org

-Child Protection Combat Act

worldvision.org/advocacy

5:30ish Got a text from a friend who is also at Urbana (he went with the group he's involved with at U of I). He wanted to know if I was having fun yet. I thought that was nice.

7:25ish Dinner (around 5:50pm) was good, I feel stronger.

Things in session included testimony from Cheryl Bear-First Nations Christian from British Columbia (she's a Native American), a Native American dance, and an interview with head of OMF International Patrick Fung. All were very cool.

RANDOM NOTES FROM SESSION

Ruth Padilla DeBorst from Costa Rica

Many people are forced to move

Where are those of us who claim to know Jesus?

700 people leave El Salvador EVERY DAY

2 million children are forced into the commercial sex trade

God is near at hand

God is not only with the immigrates, foreigners and refugees, His Spirit is IN the hearts of them.

Jesus sees, loves and recruits foreigners and people on the move.

"God, tear off my blinders and allow me to see"

Love Demands Death

We are called to recognize Christ in the faces of refugees

END OF RANDOM MESSAGE NOTES

York Moore-"Christ is out to win the world"

The Word (according to Greg Jao): Be a witness, not a traffic obstruction.

9:51pm: Track session was good.

11:34pm THE BUS DIDN'T GET LOST! PRAISE THE LORD!

MLK Day 2010 and The Last January Birthday

Well, I forgot for the most part that today was Martin Luther King Day. Probably cuz it was my bro's 16th birthday. I think he had a good day. Me, him and the 12 year old brother saw Avatar (not IMAX 3D, sold out) and it was VERY good. Even without IMAX (which I plan to see soon), it's cool. Seriously, see it. No Urbana stories tonight. Also, I made the mistake of checking Blackboard tonight and my online professors already posted; my depressed school feelings have now overwhelmed me. :(

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Getting Close to My LAST Semester at this school

I'm really not looking forward to school. But at least this will be my last semester. Well, maybe I'll take a summer class, but that's different than a full semester. Anyway, went to church, didn't see some people that I had hoped to see, but I did see a friend who had surgery almost two weeks ago, so I was thrilled that she's doing much better. Went to Bible study, that was good, and I'm exhausted, but I'll post SOME Urbana stuff. Also, I got chocolate today, I was happy.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

Human Trafficking isn't just people forced into prostitution or to work in brothels. It can also be in the form of:

-Garment factories

-Brick kilns

-Fishing & Farming

-Domestic Child Labor

Story: "Mya" (Name changed for privacy reasons)

-7 year old who was asked by her family to sell flowers on the street (fam was incredibly poor)

-Later she was sold to a stranger, who told her parents that Mya will be working for a good family, will ship the money she earns to the family, etc (this, unfortunately, turns out to be a lie).

-Mya was sold again, became a slave

-Held captive by bonds of fear

[Author's Note: Mya is from Myanmar. If you want to find out how her story ends, follow this link: http://www.humanwrong.org/. Mya's story is the furthest on the right, I think. You can read other stories of victims too. Some end happily, some not so happily.]

What's the solution

-Prevention

-Protection

-Prosecution

I Want Chocolate. I Don't Know Why.

So, some people may comment on my title with, "Well, EVERY woman LOVES chocolate!". Well, actually I know a couple people who hate it. I like chocolate, but I'm not a chocoholic. So it's weird that I want it.

Anyway, work beat me up. Well, not literally, but it was busy. And then I got in my weird "I'm gonna be single forever, I'm never gonna find a guy" moods. Those are fun (yeah, right). And.... I don't know what else. Urbana stories tomorrow. Hope no one's getting sick of them (or mind that they're spread out so much....).

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Last Friday of Freedom :(

Yep, in approximately 5 days, I will be at school. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww. Trying to cram as much as I can in these last moments of freedom. What I need to do most is READ. In a fun manner, not read textbooks. And play the Harry Potter Wii game. Otherwise, I think I accomplished everything on my list of things to do over break! Still sad that it'll end soon.

Anyway, met a friend at Noodles, which was sooo nice. I worked. I read about Colorado and now I want to go back. That's it. I'm going to attempt to go to sleep "early" (meaning no Urbana stories) because guess what I'm doing tomorrow? That's right, working. I don't mind, though, at least I'll get money. And I'm lucky to have a job. Anyway, good night.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

A Nice Day with a Happy Equation

So, I hate math, but this much I know: Breakfast at Panera with one friend + Tea/Hot chocolate @ Caribou with another friend + Singing along to the Urbana 09 worship CD = Really good day. Now, I'm going to share more Urbana stories and go to bed and SLEEP. This is the third morning in a row where I've had to get up early and I don't want to get sick!

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

Triangles of power in the New Testament: Gospels

1. King: Rome, religious leaders, spiritual forces

2. Prophet: All the followers of Jesus

3. Disenfranchised: The poor, infirm, women and children, tax collectors

Today

1. Kings- City council, school board, newspaper

2. Prophet- You, your fellowship, church, campus community, etc

3. Disenfranchised- Child laborers, child soldiers, women in brothels, poor, victims of human trafficking

Unveil the shame

END OF SEMINAR NOTES

Anyway, back to random story. After the first session, one of my roommates was having really bad stomach cramps and they took her to first aid area. She's better now, thank God, so that's good. And kind of weird to say this, but one of the paramedics was pretty cute. :) Wish I wasn't so weak, I ate food, but things are still out of whack.

RANDOM NOTES FOR SEMINAR

Righting a Human Wrong

"Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few".-1 Samuel 14:6

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery

Slumdog Millionaire accurate representation of trafficking-little kids forced to beg on the streets and be in street gangs.

27 million slaves

Every year, 1.2 million children are forced into labor

Who is at risk?

The Vulnerable: Orphans, mentally/physically disabled, poor kids

Causes

• Poverty
• Lack of Education
• Cultural/Religious Factors

Belated Birthday Celebration and Others

So, today Kevin and I went to Culver's. It was delicious. Then the people who were in Peoria came home and we had Chipotle for dinner (not my fave, but the guacamole is delicious) and celebrated my mom's birthday (a little belated). And.... I'm exhausted. And.... I'm having one of those days where I just want to know what I'm doing for the rest of my life and I'm so confused. And.... I'm getting up early, soooo.... This post will be short.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=======

Theology is like football: In Super Bowl,there's only a winner and the other team. With Christianity, you're either Chirstian or not.

Sin distorts creation and we can't fix it. God steadily works to redeem what God made. {Good news and bad news: You're part of the solution and part of the problem}

-In Exodus, people of God are in Egypt and they cry out to God for deliverance.

Pharaoh:

-Robs them of the fruit of their labor

-Robs them of their human dignity and worth

-Sees them as a means to his own cards

Mixing Religion and Politics

-Triangles of Power

Three Powers of Kingdom Building

1. King

2. Prophets (the advocate)

3. The voiceless oppressed

How Will My Body Live This Upcoming Semester?

I had to get up at 7:15ish to feed Cleo and let her out. I did so, then fell back asleep for a couple hours. And I'm STILL tired. How is my body going to cope with Spring semester when 9-10 hours of sleep is simply not an option? No clue. Speaking of next semester, I bought my textbooks. Rather depressing, if you ask me. I do NOT want break to end.

Anyway, despite my exhaustion, I will post something short about Urbana. Don't want to get sick!

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=========

2:02pm.... Yikes! I will write later.

RANDOM NOTES FROM SEMINAR

Advocacy 101

-See Advocacy as part of larger biblical story

-Better understand why advocacy matters to God, to the oppressed, and to us

-Discuss what it looks like to engage powers in our world today

There's something about longing for something bigger than you

-God's vision of "shalom"

PEACE Shalom is flourishing, things as they were designed to be in all its goodness-"very good"

JUSTICE [Didn't catch those notes, sorry!]

RIGHTEOUSNESS-The living out of relationship justly

Why Does Exhaustion Happen Even on Break?

Seriously, I'm TIRED. Not cool, and I'm getting sleep? What will happen this semester when sleep is a thing of the past? Argh. So again, no Urbana stories, but I PROMISE that tomorrow I'll post some stuff. Seriously, yell at me if I don't.

Anyway, today was Day 1 of watching Kevin while Mom, Ryan and Sean are in Peoria (at least until Dad gets home from work). Wasn't bad. We had Jimmy John's for dinner. Not much else happened. My cat is trying to tear up the party streamers left over from my bro's b-day. It's entertaining.

It's also my mom's birthday! Talked to her on the phone a couple times, hope she had a good day.

Anyway, I'm tired.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

A Whopping 16 Degrees! Heat Wave! For Chicago, that is.

Yeah, the weather forecast on my laptop says that the low was only 16 degrees F. Liar. I know for a FACT that it was around 4 degrees at some point today. As I am typing this, I am also browsing houses in Arizona. So sick of cold.

Today, I: Woke up at 5:45am (ack!), went to 8am service at church, worked from 12-5, and went to Bible study at 6pm. Productive and good day, but I'm EXHAUSTED. So no Urbana stories tonight. Nighty-night!

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Third Friend Outing This Week

Well, Internet was being goofy, so I hope this post will work. Today, I woke up earlier than normal (8:20ish). Unfortunately, it was hard for me to get comfortable last night (hopefully tonight will be better). Saw a friend at Caribou today, it was great to see her before she goes. It was the third time this week that I got together with a friend. Cool. Other than that, not much else. Saw part of "West Side Story". I say part of it because the disk was scratched. :( Anyway, here's another Urbana update (hopefully longer).

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

=======

RANDOM NOTES FROM BIBLE STUDY

STUDY: John 1:35-42

Scrpt Ref [Scripture Reference] Proverbs 16:19

Inductive Bible Study

1. Text-centered

2. Active

3. Collaborative

Pattern: Individual-Small Groups-Whole Group

-Observation

Look for: Repetition

Caparison and Contrast

Numbers

People

Cause/Effect

Opening the Bible is an act of prayer.

Cultural Background

Lamb of God-reference to the sacrificial lamb.

Rabbis and Disciples-Religious teachers and their "pupils" of sorts (disciples often followed rabbi around).

Messiah-Christ is Greek for "Messiah"

[I forgot to write a bunch of the definitions down, so I'm just summarizing in my own words]

The Cycle of Witness in John's Gospel

Hear testimony-->Respond (e.g. "Come)--> Experience ("See")--> Believe --> Give Testimony

Q for app (Question for Application): What is it that blocks us from sharing Jesus?

www.urbana09.org/sonagacchi

END OF BIBLE STUDY NOTES

10:17am Just got out of Bible study. It was great. Waiting for Ash and Carol. Going to Dome in a little bit.

11:36am Worship was so great, drama was neat (modern version of text [John 1:43-51])/

RANDOM NOTES

He (the speaker) was smuggled [maybe? Uncertain of word choice] out of Egypt.

When he was a foreign student, people cared about and reached out to him-he still remembers that

He (Nathaniel, from Bible) was....

1. Skeptical

2. Willing

3. Startled

4. Exposed

5. Totally Convinced

Water wheel maker evangelizing [Author Note:can't remember full details, sorry! Maybe they'll come later]

Fig tree-where people lived in safety

We need to all be willing to seek anyone who will listen

Our mission is to take Jesus [Possibly more to it, but I forgot....]

END OF TALK NOTES

Announcements from Greg:

+Wear wristbands and name badges @ all times

+Lunch: Please eat in your designated geometric shape locations [On the back of our badges were shape sequences like TriangleSquareStarCircle. In our Handbook were fours lists of restaurants, each list with a shape by it. This is basically a way to eat without completely overwhelming the restaurants in St Louis. My group would be eating in the Triangle area that day]

+Dinner: Please eat @ your assigned times (don't save spots)

Medical Assistance: Renaissance Suites

Urbana Offering: Goal-$1 million

Give: www.offering.urbana.org

Book of the day: True Story-[don't remember author]-$5

END OF ANNOUNCEMENT NOTES

Noodles and Others

Today I went to Noodles and Company with a friend, sooo nice to catch up. Other than that, I was lazy. Watched a couple Disney movies, surfed Facebook, silently moped about never having a boyfriend, not getting attention and other selfish stuff like that, did quizzes and... that's about it.

I'm actually NOT going to post Urbana stuff, because I need to go to bed (I didn't get up until 10:15am today, don't want that to happen tomorrow!). But I will do an EXTRA long post tomorrow.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

Happy Birthday! January Edition: Round 1

Today one of my bros turned twelve! I think he had a good birthday (at least I hope he did!). Went didn't do too much, had a crazy weird video chat (while in the same HOUSE), played Clue Express and went to Fuddrucker's, which have some of the best burgers ever. Glad we got to go, too, we were initially debating about it because of the horrible snow. Hope the snow doesn't damper my plans tomorrow!

More Urbana journal stuff. Enjoy them yet?

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

========

7:23pm Still waiting for Ashley. Shouldn't be long now

7:30ish Got to the session. Had some cool worship

7:50pm RANDOM NOTES [Author's note: When I put down random notes, that means they're just stuff I scribbled down while I was listening to a talk. Some of those notes are not complete or make any sense. If you really want to know, ask me. Also time written was when I started scribbling these random notes]

Theme for conference: He Dwelled Among Us

75% of the world do NOT have a Bible. :( India is the least reached place.

-God's mission is much smaller than you think

-God's mission is much bigger than you might think

The incarnation is:

• The means by which God reaches out to us
• The message by which God wants to communicate to us
• The model for how we minister

God calls us to go to others.

A garbage village in.... Egypt(?). So cool. [Author's note: I think the story was about someone who ministered to people in a garbage village]

-Mission in the world can best be understood as the incarnation of Jesus Christ

RANDOM NOTES: EMCEE GREG JAO

+The Word came with grace and truth

+Please, no flash photography

+Please silence cell phones, beepers, pagers and PDAs during sessions and seminars

-Urbana culture: The Handbook & wristband peoples

-Lost and Found: Washington Avenue Entrance

Family groups: Form with people in your housing area

For more info, Handbook, pg. 53

Let Scripture Speak: Locations on Your Info Card

+Book of the Day: Kingdom Without Borders- $5 (normally $18- less than 10 cents a country ;) )

9:33pm Session was cool. World Vision leading Poverty session now. I'm SO hungry, stomach hurts.

RANDOM NOTES

1. Risk in relationship w/ Christ

2. Risk w/ people

3. ??? [A: He said there'd be three points, I missed the third]

27 million enslaved around the world

T-shirt

5 stories

5 postcards

Instructions for tomorrow:

-Wear the Advocacy t-shirt

-Talk to people, talk about the story of the person you have

-Give them cards

-Ask them to sign postcards [A: similar to a petition], you drop in Senate box

Bible study: 8:45 in the morning

Evening Session: 9:45pm

20 after midnight: Just got back to hotel. Took an hour and 1/2 with the shuttles. Bad, cuz I was sick (threw up from low blood sugar). I THINK I'm okay now-felt like crap for most of the night, though. : ( Weak and ill stomach.

We're at Urbana, we can stop the big wait,

I just hope that tomorrow we won't be late!

12/28/09

8:35pm Bible study starting soon. Stomach is better, but not 100%. Breakfast was good. Buses were on time. Got no sleep-couldn't get comfy (beds were good, though).

Double Dose of Urbana-ness

So, I got to see a friend today who went to Urbana, and it was very very cool. It's one thing to explain something to someone, but it's always sooo nice to talk to someone who was actually THERE. So that was really nice. Panera is a great place anyway. So nice to relive Urbana.

Speaking of Urbana, I have more updates! Enjoy, or try to enjoy. ; )

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

PS. I accidently posted this on my other blog at first. Whoops, guess I still need sleep.

=========

6:42pm Waiting. Trying not to stress.

6:46pm Rows 130-140 is where we're supposed to sit. We'll miss the start, but hopefully I can bug someone later about what I missed.

6:48pm Lesson #1: 5 mins in St. Louis is equivalent to 1 1/2 hours.

6:51pm Ugh, still waiting in line.

6:56pm Met Madeleine, one of my roommates, she's really nice.

6:59pm Playing telephone. "It's not for great grapes, but for great raisins".

7:00pm Session started. Hoping we don't miss too much.

7:03pm I've been waiting in line for 40 minutes! *sigh* Trying to let go and let God.

7:06pm I left my wallet in my coat (which Madeleine took with her to save us seats), now Madeleine has to come up and give it to me. I feel SO bad! I'm really frustrated [Author's note: To check into the conference, you need a government issued ID card. Mine is typically kept in my wallet. So that's why I needed the wallet]. But our day" Waiting in long lines, late to everything, but having fun.

7:11pm I have my wallet.

7:14pm I GOT EVERYTHING!!! My name bags, wristband, materials, everything! I'M OFFICIAL!!!

Nothing But Work

Slept too late, again, work was actually not that bad, somewhat boring day. More Urbana stuff, at this rate, I'll be posting until July. :-\

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

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4:49pm We just got on the shuttles. Even though they said "20 minutes", it tookk one hour. We're gonna miss our orientation. So frustrating.

5:30pm Arrive at the Dome

5:46 We're at the track orientation. Hear are some random notes:

-There are more than 27 million people enslaved. This means there are more slaves today than at ANY time in human history.

-Human Wrong Initiative helps spread awareness on human trafficking, with hopes to stop it.

-Using creative activism to call (?) for voices who cannot be heard. CPCA will hopefully help. CPCA is Child Protection Compact Act.

-Sold, Seduced, Deceived, Abducted, Defiled.... All words describing how a child was forced into slavery. Also words that will be on T-shirts that we'll wear to represent a child who has been enslaved and to help spread awareness at Urbana.

-It takes 10 calls to a Senators office to make an invisible issue a HUGE issue.

-You need to step out and make your voice heard.

6:23pm Standing @ the end of a looooooooooooong line to check in. Ugh, this is so frustrating! At least the orientation (what we saw of it, we missed half of it) was good.

6:31pm Still waiting, but moved along a couple times.

6:37pm Still waiting.

6:40pm Waiting. Trying not to stress.

Laziness?

The ONLY productive things I did today was sleep 10 hours and upload all my FB pictures. Nada más. Need to sleep soon and be productive!

Read more Urbananess below.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

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1:29pm St. Louis 118 miles, Springfield 80. Mt. Pulaski. "Nada me faltara" (¿con o sin acento? No sé).

1:39pm Arrive time 3:18pm. It'll be tight, but we can do it!

2:02pm Getting gas-our first stop.

2:24pm On the road. Subway hit the spot! Got gas and went to washroom, too, so that was nice. Killed birdies! Not literally, just another way to say "killed two birds with one stone". 1 HOUR!

2:59pm Arrival time 3:40pm. Hope we'll be okay!

3:10pm 27 miles? Who knows, I really hope we won't have problems! Praying.

3:18pm We're in Missouri!!!

3:19pm Mississippi River frozen.

3:39pm We're here at the hotel.

It's Shifts Like These Where I Want to Throw Something

Yeah, work was BUSY, not stop, AWFUL. There were several times where I wanted to cry, yell at someone or throw something at the patrons. Thank GOD it was only 5 hours, if it was 8 hours, I would have died. Argh. I least I slept 10 hours. And I chilled for the rest of the day. And remembered Urbana stuff again.

So, briefly, the link I posted earlier is a website to take action against child slavery. Very important, if I say so myself.

Tomorrow, I plan to:

1. SLEEP

2. Clean (I think my luggage threw up all over my floor)

3. Post pictures on Facebook (2 miscellaneous albums and 369 photos from Urbana).

4. Read

5. Watch West Side Story, since I think that's overdue. Oh the bad thing about working at a library, you become lazy with returning stuff.

6. Plan stuff with friends. Two weeks is not enough time to see everyone!

Oh, check out some more Urbana journal stuff.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

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URBANA FILES-12/27/09

12:20pm Traffic is really bad-roads are bad, not terrible; snow is steady. Hope we're not late. Eating string cheese and dried apricots. There are cars from Tennessee, New Mexico and Indiana.

12:29pm We're moving again-praise God! Not sure why it was backed up, maybe cuz a lane ended (merge). Well, we'll get there at 3:01pm, but hopefully it won't be too rushed. Eating a granola bar.

12:41pm Arrive time 3:05pm. Saw an Oklahoma Civic!

1:02pm Arrive time 3:11pm.

1:15pm 2 hours!!! Whoa. Anyway, "Nadie Como Tú" is good! "Lord, there is none like you, you're precious and glorious, so beautiful and marvelous" (some of the English lyrics, song's bilingual).

Back to Reality.... :(

I hate going back to the real world after a fun trip.

Anyway, work was busy, had fun seeing a friend at Caribou (and I saw a former Spanish classmate!). It was FREEZING outside, unbelievable; St. Louis felt balmy in comparison (and it was pretty cold there, too).

All right, can't post all things Urbana related yet (NEED sleep, don't wanna get sick!), but I will post two things to hopefully whet your appetite.

1. A link: http://www.humanwrong.org/ I will explain the significance tomorrow.

And 2. I will post a LITTLE of my journal entries. 36 pages, yikes.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a day of rest, work, reading, uploading photos and relaxing in general.

Also, I'm bugged that I had 299 posts in 2009; only one away from 300! So annoying.

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley

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December 27, 2009

9:25am, WE LEAVE! Church was good, a missionary from Alaska was there (and brought part of Alaska with him!). He was amazing, so faithful, even as his wife is going through terminal brain cancer.

11:10 am We're only 208 miles from St. Louis! "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman and Andre Bocelli (I think) is SO beautiful. Ashley is sharing her idea of her dream music studio and now I want one!

11:22am 197 miles!

11:34am 186 miles.

Magdan Lik, Dios, Jesucristo, Rey de Reyes, Hakuna mungu kama wewe, God is amazing!

So, I am tired, but basically I had an UNBELIEVABLE time at Urbana!!! So amazing, and God did some wonderful things there! I need to sleep, but tomorrow, I will give a LENGTHLY description about Urbana. You will be bored to tears, I guarantee that.

Oh, my title is lines from several songs, ending with "God is amazing".... Because He totally is!

Anyway, must go. Can't believe it's 2010! But it should be a great year!

From the Realm of Randomness,

Ashley