Accessible Books

I love to read and seem to always have several books on the go, and not just because of readings for my classes. When I'm reading for fun I prefer to read science fiction and fantasy novels. I read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein for the first time when I was in grade 4 and he hooked me into the genre. This was followed by books by Eddings, Adams, Lackey, Fforde, Rowling, Simmons etc...I've read Star Trek and Star Wars novels and will shortly be reading some Herbert. Many of these authors may not mean much to you if you're not a reader of sci-fi or fantasy but I love them all. I also read many textbooks on topics ranging (this semester) from Old Testament Prophets to Human Resources.

When reading through these books I've come to have this idea about accessibility of language and concepts. There are some of my fiction novels that contain concepts that you just shouldn't jump into - especially the science fiction ones for me. As you become more familiar with concepts and words that seem to be common in these genres you can delve into some of the more so called "hardcore" novels. Our textbooks are much the same. Some of them are easier to understand and help you grasp concepts using common and everyday language. There are others which take me more time to struggle through and understand as the language is complicated and so are the concepts.

Now, as I'm always on the lookout...anyone have any authors to recommend? I read far more then those authors listed above and certainly in every genre - I like Jeffrey Deaver too for example and the classics such as those written by Doyle or Austin. For non-fiction there's always Yancey, Lewis, and well, the list is too long to continue. Who or what do you like to read?

Deep Breath

Well, today, I saw for the first time my name written out including the rank I will have as of some time on June 25. The reaction I had took me by some surprise as it was intense. I find now that January is here I am thinking about June more and more even though I am really trying not to wish my time here away. There is a security in the environment here at college that I appreciate and a wonderful support network of people...not to mention all my great session mates and the Friends of Christ session right outside my door if I want company or study buddies :).

In some ways it seems much longer then 16 months that I've been here but in others it's only the blink of an eye since I left Calgary. I still miss home in so many ways although I am adapting to living outside of Calgary and the idea of living who knows where come July. As I speak to friends and family who are thinking of going to Toronto for commissioning I can't believe that we're close enough to even have that discussion...well time enough left at the college to enjoy and I will enjoy as much as possible. I am excited about this terms course load and what I will learn, in fact am already learning this semester.

New Year...Fresh Start?

So many people, so many New Years resolutions - some kept, some not, some unique, some typical....do you have any? That you're willing to admit to? I have a couple - although they have been around longer than today though so I'm not sure they count.

I did a bit of reading on New Years resolutions and one particular passage struck me as interesting. I'm not sure how historically accurate it is, but I read that Romans would count the herds and resolve to have more the following year. What struck me about that reading is that we often mock resolutions, won't admit to having them etc...and yet - when the new fiscal year rolls around and a company resolves to increase their holdings it makes the papers. When a church raises it's goals for giving or attendance we encourage and seek after that (as we should). These are forms of resolutions, ways to improve things and ourselves but we just have a different mindset about them. An odd thought to strike me but there it is...

For me I'm going to use the opportunity of a New Year the way I have for awhile - a continual fresh start (hopefully not too much of a contradiction in terms). A way to continue working on the goals that I've set to hopefully become a better person and to grow closer in my relationship with God and others.