DStilled

Have a ZOOrific day!

Back in the day, personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee’s wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman’s face she was told, “mind your own bee’s wax.” Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term “crack a smile.” In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . therefore, the expression “losing face.”

William, David, Ryan, and I went to the Louisville Zoo yesterday. It was a wonderful day not only because of the activity and the company but also the weather was perfect for walking around looking at animals. We arrived there right before 11 am after I took the wrong exit and then got us back on course. I will be hopefully living in Louisville for a few years at seminary so getting lost allowed me to learn a little more about the layout of that part of the city. Speaking of getting lost, I just started watching the first season of Lost and man! is it good! Anyway, we only got lost IN the zoo once because of some remodeling.

The animals were very exciting to look at. We started off with some very stationary and massive rhinos. Some birds (the sea eagles were the coolest), boar, and antelope on the way, we hit the giraffe and elephant sections. The giraffe are always cool to watch because of their ridiculous height and scrawny legs. I have video of one bending down and getting a drink by using its foot long purple tongue! This zoo had African elephants-which are bigger than their Indian counterparts-and this whole section was being remodeled. Apparently the changes won’t be too obvious to us but much better for these massive lumbering beasts. The lions on “pride rock” proved why Animal Planet deemed them the second laziest creature on the planet. For the lionesses’ defense, only the male lion was deemed as such. Someone has to hunt! The polar bear exhibit was cool but there was no mauling yesterday much to our chagrin.

Some of you may know that my ideal pet would be a genetically miniaturized tiger. While I still hold true to this the cost and probable animal cruelty would not justify the having of one. We did see many other large cats like the lynx, jaguar, puma/mountain lion, snow leopard, and the mountain fishing cat. I think a small jag or perhaps the fishing cat could do as well. If anyone out there would help me purchase one, I would be much appreciative.

The albino alligator was one of the unique things about the Louisville Zoo, but like so many animals it too was proving what its favorite activity is: sleep. The most exciting animals to watch were our genetic cousins. We got to stare down gorillas eye to eye from about 2 inches away, watch wooly monkeys use their amazing tails for grip, and orangutans actually interact with people. The other exhibit that had very excited animals was the rock-hopping penguins. They were crazy in the water and hanging out with each other. There was a group on the top rock that was standing in a circle like the council of the most high penguin.

After we left the zoo we went to a gourmet pizzeria called Tony BoomBozz. I ate a whole one and it was fantastic! As far as quality goes, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a better pizza. Good thing I hopefully will be living like two miles away at seminary. Well everyone, enjoy St. Patty’s Day by wearing green and seeing the Veggie Tales version of the true story.

Seminary Interview

In the late 1700’s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The “head of the household” always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the “chair man.” Today in business, we use the expression or title “Chairman” or “Chairman of the Board.”

Sunday I went to Louisville with my Dad for my interview at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Right after church, we grabbed some Arby’s and drove west (young man). Afterall, it’s the evil that goes east. We arrived about ten minutes before it all started and everyone was kinda just standing around waiting and talking. I may feel old at times in my normal life but I was definitely one of the youngest people there. My dad kept getting asked if he was there to be a student as well. There were 13 of us there and they split us up into four different groups. My first task was to write an essay developing my thoughts around 1 Corinthians 10:13 which states, “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength.” Basically they wanted to see my writing skills, thought development, and organization. I felt really good about the paper when I finished except that it didn’t print. Word froze up when we printed mine and nothing was responding. I was a tad bit anxious even though they told me not to be.

The as soon as I completed that I went to a room where two Marriage and Family Therapy professors were seated. We all sat in comfortable chairs in a circle so as to downgrade the formality of the interview. They asked me to expound on certain points of my application, to reiterate ideas that others had mentioned, and to discuss the pros and cons of coming to seminary so young. It was relatively intense, not because of the questions themselves, but because “normal people” answers didn’t quite cut it with them. There was one point where my youth and ignorance was really coming through because the guy simply said, “Well I’m not convinced with your logic, but let’s move on.” He also said he thought I was fully capable of doing all the things the program requires very well assuming I handle the EMOTIONAL rigors of the program. This was very affirming to me and is the bottom line I took away from the interview. I will hear within the next week and a half whether or not I’m in. When I came out of the room, the lady who facilitated the writing portion handed me my copy of the essay I had written. I was relieved they got it to print.

On a slightly less life changing note, I finally got new shoes. I found some amazing ones call the Brooks Beast but the back order on them kept being pushed back (weeks into months). So the store that Ryan used to work at – Ecco – got a new shoe that is very similar. They are quite nice and comfortable and supposedly they will last as long as my 991s did. I’ll believe that when I see it.