Would you like a Testament?

From: xxx-announce-bounces@xxxxxxx.edu
On Behalf Of xxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 8:01 AM
To: 'xxx Announce'
Subject: A simple thanks



I appreciate the fact that when I decline the free New Testament offered that those giving them away are polite and leave me alone. Yet I wonder why they’re allowed to hand out these materials. It must be ignorance on my part. Can someone please clarify for me?


Thanks.
[signed, faculty member at my workplace]



As my friend Jill would say, this email really 'burnes my crotch!' What happened to freedom of speech? Why are we questioning if it is legal to pass out Bibles on campus? I am sure if other materials, such as the communist manifesto, were being handed out this would have gone on without an incedent. What about the Koran? Instructors and students on this campus advocate women’s rights, acceptance of sexual orientations, and religious tolerance- except the tolerance of Christianity.

Later that afternoon, a student came by my office. He told me he didn't want to be a bother, but there was a man outside talking about God and handing out Bibles. He was angry and asked why the school wasn't doing anything about this. Tonight, as I left our building, a clean cut older man asked my quietly as I walked by if I would like a Testament. I told him no thank you as I have several. He stood silently while holding out a Gideon's Bible asked nothing else.

What is our society gaining in return for such rejection? If it is not allowable to hand out specific materials on campus that some may even associate with politics or religion, then issues that are political in nature should be banned as well. It is perfectly legal for someone not associated with the college to hand out religious materials. The line is drawn when a public institution is forcing religion on students. This is not the case, however, I guarantee several instructors would suddenly no longer have much to talk about in class if this law was truly enforced.

Funny, this email came from one who has political posters and sayings wallpapered in his/her office...

Starting Over

Aaron and I finally decided which 5k we are running this fall-the Gumbo Flats 5k. It takes place October 28th, which is Aaron's only free weekend in about a 6 week time frame. Today, I ran 2 miles during my lunch hour on the path at work. I pushed moderatly hard and ran it in 18:30. I was really frustrated because I felt like I was being held back by my breathing. I haven't felt that way in quite some time. Of course, I haven't exactly been picking the pace up above 10 minute miles for some time either... My goal for this race. My last 5k was 28:xx, so I most definately want to beat that. I think I can. I just have a lot of work to do.

Because you needed to know...

Take the quiz:
Which Full House Character Are u?

Becky
You're the normal one in the family..heh

Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!

Half Marathon!

Sunday, Aaron and I ran the Lewis and Clark Half Marathon. We've been training since Aaron came home from military training in late June. The half marathon was really well organized with about 3,000 participants.

Our training plan only took us to a max of 11 miles on our long runs, so when we crossed the finish line at 13.1 miles it really was an accomplishment. I do have to say, having the course run right next to the finish line at mile 11 was the toughest part of the race. You hear the music and applause as you are getting closer, only to realize that the course is taking you far to the left and down into a forrest only to circle back around and up the only hill in the course to finally make it back to the goal.

Still, it was a great experience and I am ready for the next one in April! Oh, and here are our results. Have fun finding us! (Okay, we're near the middle if that helps). Here are the overall times. Edit-It's now actually linked to the HALF marathon page.

Apartment!

Aaron and I moved into our apartment about a month ago. I thought I would share some pics. It's still a work in progress, but we love it!

Our kitchen overlooks the living room area.

More of the kitchen...

Awesome mixer!

Our washer and dryer with Baci's food and water between them.

Baci and her gold medallion.

Bathroom

More bathroom with Aaron's art on the wall.

The throne.

I love having a window in the bedroom. Okay, after living in a basement for 2 years, I would will take any sunshine I can get.

Love the ceiling fan and Aaron's art.

Aaron's computer...

Wall art between our kitchen and living area.

Aaron and his mom who brought us Dairy Queen ice cream sandwiches tonight. Come on over anytime Mary-Ann!

This victrola was Aaron's grandparents. It still works! It was built sometime around 1920.

Oh, if you happen to drop by, you can't miss us. We are the ones will the welcome mat that says, "LEAVE." Never let your husband purchase your welcome mat...

Paramount's King's Island

I loved King's Island. I was worried I would be disappointed since the park doesn't sport 16 roller coasters. Not a problem. It was great! In fact, The Beast is my new favorite roller coaster EVER! You seriously think that the train will come right off the track! That is, if the track doesn't rip apart first! I never thought impending doom could be such a thrill! I love this ride!


I didn't feel like losing my camera filming this crazy ride, but these people tried to capture it's essence.



Vortex is another great ride at King's Island. And the only non-coaster ride of the trip (worth speaking about- Tomb Raider the ride was not worth the time to wait in line) was Delirium. It was just fun. I was laughing the whole ride.


Face Off seats pairs of passangers facing each other. We were lucky enough to have two boys opposite us. I don't know what it is, but there is this special innocense with little boys and roller coasters. While being pulled up the track only to be dropped down a wild looping track one of the boys said to Aaron, "Excuse me sir, but can you not throw up on me?" About half a second later we were dropped into oblivian and the little boys eyes just about bugged out of his head and he screamed with both fear and delight.

On the way back to the hotel that night after two full days of amusement park madness Aaron sounded like a cross between Barry White and a drill instructor. That boy can scream!

Cedar Point

Cedar Point has 16 roller coasters. We got to ride 9. Lines were crazy. We definately weren't the only ones who decided to go to the greatest amusement park in the world that day. Best ride? I loved Millenium Force! Smoothest coaster I've ever been on and FAST! You're moving pretty quickly before you get to the first drop.



Bummer of the day? Top Thrill Dragster (you're shot over 400 up at 120 + mph) closed down 4 times. We were in line twice for it. :(



Sunday was 13 hours of thrills and screaming insanity!

The Columbus Zoo

On the last day of our vacation (Tuesday the 5th) we went to the Columbus Zoo. I haven't been to a zoo in years. I have to say that was too long. I had a great time. I loved the Manatees and the feline creatures.












...WE JOIN LARRY AS HE FOLLOWS THE TRAGIC SAGA OF
BARBRA MANATEE
IN THE DAY TIME DRAMA ENDANGERED LOVE

Larry: Barbra Manatee (Manatee, Manatee)
you are
the one for me (one for me, one for me)
sent from up above
(up above, up above)
you are the one i love (i love, i
love, i love)...

Vacation!

We packed our bags last Saturday and left St. Louis to head to the great state of Ohio, home of the best roller coasters in the world! Over Labor Day Weekend Aaron and I went to Cedar Point (greatest amusement park ever) in Sandusky on Sunday and Paramount King's Island just north of Cincinatti on Monday.




Next year Aaron and I are planning to spend 2 or 3 days at Cedar Point. We just didn't have enough time to experience all the rides. Rumor has it that the park is practically empty early in the season, so we are planning to take a June vacation if at all possible next year.

update

So, it's definately been a month since I've last blogged. August was crazy! I definately put in some weekends at work. Everybody likes to wait until the last minute to enroll (not that I did that when I started at MNU. I just didn't know I was going there until a week b/f classes started my freshman year...) A combination of summer graduation (grades are due August 1st for the summer term so that's when I start graduating students-it takes 3-4 days to check if students have met all requirements and to be processed as grads in our system), spring diplomas arriving (they were 10 weeks late! I had to return the first batch because they were printed with the former college president's sig- she's been gone for a year-thanks, Jostens...), and of course the hundreds of transcripts from transfer students that must be evaluated and entered into the system (contrary to popular belief among students, there is no magic button that transfers credits from one school to another. It's all manual!). School started the 21st and things are finally slowing down.

A wonderful thing also happened in August; we signed the lease to our OWN apartment! So, somehow we squeezed a move into my crazy work schedule. If you would like our new address, send me an email.

Aaron and I are also training for a half marathon. It's only two weeks away! I'm so excited. I feel good and Aaron loves to watch his body fat disappear. You can eat a lot if you run 20+ miles a week and still lose weight. It's great!

Anyway, this morning Aaron and I are leaving for Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio for some serious roller coaster fun! Hopefully, I will have a chance to do some remote blogging. There are still a few more updates...