Friday, May 29, 2009

My Reading/Watching List Summer 2009

For the summer, the new leadership team for Christian Student Fellowship, we are aiming to read the whole bible in 90 days. That will be exciting.






I am currently reading this book right now. "This is a comprehensive treatment of how God uses people as tools of change in the lives of others, people who themselves are in need of change." It is really interesting and offers a good breakdown of systematic theology, as well as practical ways to put all that stuff into action. I dig it.






This book debunks the idea that there are three kinds of people: unsaved, those who are saved but still walking in carnality, and those saved and walking in the spirit. Thats kind of bullcrap.. but alot of people believe it. But anywhoo. This is a short but sweet little book. I recommend it. Also very rich with correct theology.



"The Case for Christ records Lee Strobel's attempt to "determine if there's credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God." The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own."





Ok so this is literally a movie about a tour guiding lady in Greece. Obviously Im going to want to see it. haha.




Jesus Camp is a film about a Pentecostal summer camp for children who spend their summers learning and practicing their "prophetic gifts" and being taught that they can "take back America for Christ." According to the distributor, it "doesn't come with any prepackaged point of view."
We will see.





Whats on your Summer List?
leave a comment=)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Jon and Kate + 8

I was reading some articles on CNN.com about the whole Jon and Kate drama and it makes me super sad. I know they are tv people and who knows what life is really like blah blah, but its sooooo depressing and I dont like to think about it. They have 8 kids.. is it 8? or 10 whatever. They cant just fall apart. No. unacceptable. Its kinda intense the public outcry for this family as well. Everyone is acknowledging that the best kind of family is one that is intact. Obviously thats the truth but I wasnt sure society embodied that opinion any longer, but they do. Tell you that media and crap likes to pretend to be the public opinion but it really isnt. People still have values.
It makes me sick that TLC is capitalizing on their marital drama. Obviously there is an issue, and TLC should put the show to the end. Someone said it well when they said the kids are literal Truman Shows. 24/7 being watched by the public. So creepy.
I wish I knew this family but for now, the best thing I can do is pray for their wisdom and for some godly and caring people to speak into their lives (or punch Kate in the face and tell Jon to man up.)

ugh.

Good afternoon, Johnson & Wales University, Alissa speaking, How may I direct your call?"

So I am seriously loving my new job. Its challenging and exciting and time passes quickly. I work on the switchboard, or University Information Center, or UIC, as its called for JWU. Totally digging it and the hours are great.

Also, we got gas yesterday, from national grid, haha. And so this morning I took my first hot shower in a long time and it felt soooo good.

This morning Melissa drove Jon and I to Trader Joes, Target, and Shaws, and I was able to pick up some much needed supplies, like sharp knives. We didnt have any at the apartment and it was tough to cut things with a dull butter knife. I also bought a cheap little cat toy that was on sale. Hopefully the cat chills out and isnt so skittish. Anyways, Thank God for Melissa, what a blessing it is to have her offer to drive us grocery shopping. We did that trip in under 2.5 hours, which would have taken about 5 hours by bus. No joke about it.

Im missing some people right about now. Kim is on her way to Germany, Nathan is back in DC, and all those crazy fools over in that Western New York area. Blaaah.

After getting pretty settled with everything, Im starting to look into doing some useful things with my time. We will see what comes along. Its good to be more relaxed though. Its been a while since life was like that, and Im going to take it.

Ok peace out for now!
-Alissa-

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I can never think of what to say.

Hey this is a quick update. Im stealing internet from someone for a quick minute.
Still no internet or hot water or electricity in my room or Eileens room.
Its a fun time.

So jusgt wanted to let you know that I am really super enjoying my apartment no joke about it.

I got a cat today from my friend who is leaving for the summer so I am catsitting! The cat is freaking out though. And is like screaming its intense. I dont know what to do. I hope it doesnt die.

And .. Ok that is all for now.
-alissa-

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Granted



How often we take for granted the essentials of life. Some things that I took for granted last night:
  • you cant go to the bathroom if you dont have toilet paper (unless you are Russian but thats another story.) 
  • You cant microwave hot water because your hot water isnt working when you dont have electricity.
  • You cant plug in your phone charger when you dont have electricity. 
  • You cant sleep in a bed when you dont have a bed.
  • you cant check the bus times when you cant go on the internet because you dont have wifi.


My apartment is bare right now. National Grid kind of messed me over.  So I dont have any modern conveniences until next week. Thats ok though. Its purely amazing and beautiful and I look forward to every second I spend there. Last night Eileen brought some stuff over and Nathan came over and we sat on the balcony and he played guitar and it was like one of those perfect summer days that you never want to end. Oh man. I woke up at 7am today and I was up and ready to go and pumped.
I can see the difference in my outlook already. I am not bogged down by crappy attitudes and the constant feeling of just wanting to hide away. I am free and happy and so thankful for what I have now.
Hey real quick: One of my pictures got featured on the Greater City Providence blog. Check it out here.
Its the picture that I took of Kennedy Plaza, black and white, the statue. So yeah. cool beans.

Happy belated Birthday Casey.
Everyone should come visit me.
-Alissa-

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

And Im Back.. dun dun dun

Hey Hey!

So Thanks for keeping things up around here Kailey. Good job. hah.

First of all... Greece was amazing. I cant contain how beautiful and glorious and historic yet modern all at the same time. Athens was sprawling and the islands were picturesque. Our hotel was clearly budget, but the employees made it five star. Our travels took us all over, and we bonded more with each other. While the trip was definitely pleasureable, there was alot of work involved for all. Every second of the trip we were graded on behaviour, professionalism, attitude, and actions, so we had to make sure to put our best foot forward every day. On my tour guide day, LaToya was my partner and we wore tye die tshirts to make us stand out from the crowd. We visited Corinth, and stood where Paul stood; Epidaurus, the amphitheatre with perfect sounds, and Mycenae, where cyclops built some walls.

At the moment I do not have all my pictures on the internet.. so here are a few albums for the time being:

Photo Album 1
Photo Album 2
Photo Album 3

One more thing. I am moved. For good. My new apartment is amazing. Except I need to buy toilet paper. And a flashlight. Apparently national grid wont come and turn on electricity until Friday, and Hot Water/gas until next Tuesday, so this will be an adventure. haha. Okey dokey.
I dont have internet at the new place yet, so call or text if you want to get a hold of me at the moment.
later
-alissa-

Sunday, May 10, 2009

I'm excited for us

Well, Alissa is off to Greece and I suppose someone has to keep this show on the road. That someone is me. (Kailey)

I do not have much to say. My computer probably has a virus and there is no task bar or start menu so I can't minimize anything or get any files or use the handy calculator. It's not that bad because I don't use it often except for internet usage.
what am I talking about? idk.

I love my mom. Shout out to all the moms out there! Go mother

ok that's enough! leave some comments

Friday, May 8, 2009

Quick Quick!!

Hey! Casey and Janelle are posting finally. Scroll down to read their posts. Im glad to have them around this dusty old place.

Today passed in a jiffy. I spent the night at a friends house, we walked around the mall today, and then I came home and packed to the max. For once, all my luggage is packed the night before, and I packed up alot of my house stuff so I dont have to rush to move when I get back.

Its insane how I cant really think about how I am going to Greece tomorrow. I honestly still dont grasp the fact, and probably wont until I am on greek soil chomping on some pita and hummus or something. This trimester went by all to fast and now its down to the end.

Some things I have learned this trimester:

1. I CAN wake up at 530 each morning if I know that I will get fired if I dont.

2. Friends and family are amazing and I love them all for supporting me.

3. Patience is a virtue. haha.

4. Love Love Love. Love people. Love people that you dont like. Love people that dont love you. Love annoying people and people that try to under cut you.

5. On Christ the solid rock I stand.

6. I am capable of more than I thought generally..

7. Always save your work on a thumb drive. Always.

8. Friends always come out of the wordwork and are people you never expected.

9. AAA has more than 80+ products and services. hehe.

Im rambling on. But real quick. Ive decided to dedicate this summer to apologetics, learning more about other religions, and getting to know as much of the Bible as possible. Lately I have had so many conversations about religion and God, and I am often frustrated at my lack of knowledge. If anyone has any reading material to suggest about any religion, evangelism, christian theology, or apologetics.... please let me know!

kgood night. And Greece, here I come, literally. Be back on the 17th! God Bless and leave me some love!

Happy Mothers Day too my mom as well<3

-Alissa-

greetings!

Oh dear, dear, dear. I was supposed to start this posting thing last night, but as is the case much of the time, I just kinda forgot. Whoops. but I am here now, so here goes: Hey. This is Janelle, and I am officially becoming a blogger. Yay. Now that that is done....

School is finally over. As awesome as it is to be done for the year, I will miss the social aspect of the college experience. Oh well. It is time to move on to bigger and better things, such as finding a job that pays more than minimum wage and trying to fill time with ministry activities.
I may have this super cool opportunity to start and co-lead youth group at my church for the summer, which is something that has been on the hearts of my friends and I for a while. It's very preliminary at the moment, but I'm hoping it will get approved by our church board.

Besides that, my life now consists of rearranging my house. The eight of us are going to switch rooms all at once and hope everyone ends up where they are supposed to be. And we are repainting and building a closet. all this weekend. at least we will keep busy. Mmm, I smell ricotta and my computer is about to die. Guess that's my cue. adios mis amigos.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Oh Hai

Well hello there.

My name is Casey.

I love Jesus, and I want to be a counselor/ESL teacher/ missionary/friends with Alissa when I grow up. Try and stop me. 

Anyways, I think most of my posts on here will be cross-posts from my blog, twohappycupcakes.blogspot.com. It's mostly about relationships and romantic/sexual developement. I'm long winded, but you'll probably get the message if you just read the first and last two paragraphs on my posts. Heh...

Time for sleepies. Love! 

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Oh AAA, and pics

With tomorrow being the last day at AAA, things are winding down. We had our huge presentation this afternoon, speaking in front of top execs at AAA Southern New England, alot of marketing people, HR people, travel people, you name it. It was basically a project about helping AAA SNE get into the young professional market 21-35 year olds, and creating an event that brings them all together.. Its more complex than that sounds.. But it was awesome. They told us that our presentation was the best one in at least 2 years of interns. (which is how long the program has been running I think.. haha.) I love AAA the most because I feel like I got the most real world experience out of it, as well as the fact that each and every single employee there treated us interns with respect, from the front door man to the head person of the club.

Well.. enough about that.. here are some pics:



From top left going clockwise: Bill Southerland- a super top head guy at AAA SNE, Vivien, Chimene, Me, Latoya, TA Meghan, and Professor Tremblay.

We got some super cool AAA swag as a parting gift=)

Someone stole my lunch today at AAA. Straight up from the cafeteria fridge. Heh really? yeah it was from Whole Foods too. People are absurd. But thats ok.

So GREECE. 2 more days before I leave on Saturday, May 9th-17th. For those who are not familiar with this- I am going as a part of my Travel Internship through JWU. It is what every travel intern gets to do, and its not just a happy good time vacation either. We each have a day that we thoroughly run from sun up to sun down, we plan everything, make sure people are awake in the morning, getting on the right bus to the right place, know where we are eating for our meals.. where to shop, maps, communications, money stuff, educational stuff.. Its hard core. Yes this trip is fun, but its also some work involved too. All of us interns, there are about 20 of us this trimester, are so excited because we have been waiting since our freshmen year to do this. We have also slaved away for the past 10 weeks at our different rotations- from AAA, Collette Vacations, State House, Airport.. and all our hard work gets rewarded with this awesome treat. YAY!

Something else that is awesome- I am officially moving on May 20th into a new apartment!!!  (If I sit out in my current apartment in my kitchen at night I can watch a whole family of mice trample back and forth across the floor. Its cute. NOT.)

...More about the new place coming soon.

Praise GOD ALMIGHTY LORD!!! 

Real Quick to all my friends and family who read this- I promise that I will become a person again after May 17th. I feel completely awful for my lack of communication with so many of you since beginning of March, but its been so difficult to talk to everyone I want to talk to, with intense practicum hours, work study, different leadership obligations, side projects, and apartment hunting. Please forgive me, and keep me in your prayers! I love you and miss you all.

Greece! HERE I COME!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Quick Little Tidbits of Lovin'

Ok so my one picture got put up on a website called... ironically "Crummy Church Signs." So if you click HERE you can see that. Its a funny website in general so I recommend checking it out for some great laughs.

If you click HERE you will see a video about the Save the Bay Cleanup- and I am in the one of the background shots helping to gather up some tires. lol. Its a neat little video. 

If you want some more info on Tour:RI then click HERE for a cool little brief on it. 

Also, here are some funny pictures from this weekend:

Look! Its me and Amanda on our Tour:RI ferry to Block Island.


HEy Noahs Ark hand puppet slash book. You are cool.

Kim and Dan at Tazza, a neat little coffee shop, as we watch our friend James play at an open mic night.



So no school tomorrow due to swine flu, but with only 7 days left until Greece, I have alot of things I should be doing with my time. Aka figuring out what else I need to do and pack. Yar. K I should sleep now?

-Alissa-

Sunday, May 3, 2009

4 Swine Flu cases at JWU now.. And Block Island was fun

Hey hey all!

The count is up to 4 probably cases at Johnson & Wales for swine flu, and classes are now cancelled tomorrow. This is intense. Greece better not get cancelled, and I dont have swine flu, so no worries.


Yesterday I participated in Tour Rhode Island. Its this awesome tour that is open to any resident in Rhode Island. It was basically formed 10 years ago because the governor's wife realized that no one in rhode island has every seen most of their own backyard, so she formed this super cool thing. There are 25 motor coaches with 50 people each and there are about 20 different tours all over RI, everything from "East Bay History" to "Warwick then and Now" to "Discover Block Island."

I was the lone tour guide on the Block Island trip and it was really alot of fun. I have wanted to go to Block Island since I came to RI in the beginning and this was a great way to see it. So all the participants loaded up and off we go. First motor coach then ferry then school bus.

I will add more later, but right now I have to go hang out with Nathan and Kim, and then Bible Study.. ttyl.
So look at these super cool pictures for now:

Block Island Pictures Here!

-Alissa-

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Swine Flu at JWU?

So I got a call from Johnson and Wales Safety and Security tonight about a possible case of Swine flu in a JWU student. So all the weekend activities are cancelled, and as of right now everyone is just on alert.. no working.. no classes.. until the test comes back.

Dang if someone at our school has it then I hope Greece isnt cancelled. I will cry. lol.

Other than that its been a pretty average week.