Weight and Measures...

It's been awhile, and I've been busy. But I wanted to give an update and make a little request.

I been three whole months on Weight Watchers... and I've lost 25 pounds. Pretty cool, no? But it's been getting really tough recently. Luckily, I have a new roommate Micci who's also keeping her points. We exercise together in the mornings, and she cooks healthy food too! Now, if I can just stay away from the Dr. Pepper. It's been really tough in the hot summer weather and with the heavy homework load this week. So pray that the Dr. Pepper doesn't come and get me! =)

Also, I got this really cool piece of mail yesterday. There is a conference for Bone Marrow/ Stem Cell survivors and their families in Dallas on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21. It's only $75, and that includes meals! If one of my family members wants to join.... it's only $50 for them. hint, hint, wink, wink... Of course, it's a little more for a hotel room... But think of it! I can find out cool information on stuff like chemo brain! (I'll actually contact my family in person about this, but do you want to go?)

Well, I better get going. My paper, my essay, my journal entries, my abstract, my action plan.... everything is done for my last two classes this weekend... except my reading. Just 90 pages to go. ;-)

Happy Birthday, Jill!

For my big sis, I composed a little poem. ;-)

Jill

My sister is full of life and grace,
With depths of intellect that truly amaze
Those who listen to her words,
even the uppermost of the nerds.

To me, she’s the source of sage advice,
Of light-hearted humor and sometimes vice…
She supplies my book-habit like a drug,
Against my schedule, her fiction tugs

But in times of deepest need…
Her comfort and concern can lead
Me through the depths of pain or sorrow
Showing me visions of new tomorrow,

Encouraging all my aspiration
Challenging me by her perspiration
An example of long-term affection
Without harsh criticism or correction

Jill, a sister of my heart,
Perfect, yes, in every part
With me now for 30 years,
Often far but always near.

Happy Shauvot!

Looking at my day planner, I was pleasantly surprised to find out today was Shauvot! The Festival of First Fruits or the Festival of Weeks. It was a celebration right after wheat harvest in Israel... which seems somewhat of a coincidence considering if it hadn't rained these last couple of days my dad would be harvesting his wheat currently.

According to tradition, this holiday celebrates God giving the Torah to Moses. It occurs every year, 7 weeks after Passover... the traditional amount of time that the Israelite wandered in the wilderness before Moses went up Mt. Sinai.

In Christian tradition, the Pentecost is almost equivalent. Of course, this year, the two would have been celebrated on two totally different days... even months. However, I was kind of impressed with a parallel that I saw. Shauvot celebrates the anticipation of God giving the people of Israel is word in the Torah. Pentecost celebrates God giving his word in the Holy Spirit. I thought that was kinda cool.