Thankful Thursday: With Friends Like That...

You know the rest: "... who needs enemies?"

I'm thankful for more friends than I can count, none of whom fall into this category. (Because those people are now enemies, haha.) Not so much Job, who's story I've been reading this week. Just when the guy is down and out, you'd think his friends might attempt to share an encouraging word. Or at least one of those platitudes that tend to make the friend feel better, but not so much the sufferer. You know, like "this is all part of God's plan." Absolutely true, but sometimes hard to swallow when in the middle of a terrible experience.

Instead each of Job's friends (and there are several) explain at length that Job must have an incomplete faith or a hidden sin in his life, and that is why God has allowed him to suffer. The best friends will be brave enough to confront you when you need to straighten something out in your life, but these guys were relentless; they couldn't point out Job's shortcoming and they didn't believe him when he said he was right with God.

Tomorrow I'm reading the end of the book, where God finally speaks after 35 heartbreaking chapters of silence. I don't think I've ever read through this entire book before, although I've certainly heard the Sunday School highlights many times. I'm glad that I already know that Job has a happy ending.

Welcome to San Diego State!

I just got off the phone with San Diego State, and the word is: I have been officially admitted for the Fall of 2008. I'm going to grad school!

Back on May 9, I had already received an e-mail with the same subject line as this post, with a qualification attached: that I had been recommended for admission by the School of Business but that official admission could only be granted by the Division of Graduate Affairs. It went on to say that I could expect a further update in about a week.

Having not yet received that update, I called the Business School a few minutes ago. They are re-sending my paperwork to the Graduate Affairs office, and explained that this final step is a formality, and that I can plan to begin classes in the fall.

Yippee!!

I Kid You Not

A week ago today, our church had a potluck outside and it was well over 90 degrees. It felt that summer had arrived in full force. By Tuesday it was overcast and cool. Thursday, the freeway I used to drive on every day was CLOSED because a semi truck blew over. On the train tracks next to the freeway, a train was blown off the tracks. Now we get high winds now and then, but this was actually due to a tornado. Seriously. Less than 50 miles from my home.

Toto, I'm not sure we're in California anymore!

So here's a couple funny stories related to this. Thursday, I heard the radio announcer discussing the area that was under a tornado warning. The announcer went on to describe what one should do to be safe during a tornado warning, including the suggestion to go to the basement. A great idea, but it is a rare home that actually has one of those around here. Guess the bathtub will have to do.

Technically, I was probably within the warning area, but assessed the clouds in the distance and just went about my business, because after all, we don't get tornados in California!! The lightning and thunder a few minutes later did rattle my nonchalant attitude... momentarily. By this time, I'm at the store, talking with the sales person helping me, and she mentions that with all this crazy weather - I kid you not - we were sure to have an earthquake next. I couldn't help it, I laughed.

Book: Into Thin Air

This book is a first-hand account of a successful climb to the top of Mt Everest in 1996, a climbing season that ended as one of the deadliest on the mountain to date. Krakauer's tale was both compelling and tragic, as several of those who died on the mountain were teammates who had become friends in the many weeks they had prepared to make the ascent to the peak.

The author joined an Everest expedition as both an experienced mountain climber and a journalist, intending to explore the "commercialization" of the mountain. In years leading up to his trip, many had been critical of those who "bought" their way to the top, but were perhaps not physically fit enough to meet the rigorous demands. His tale is interspersed with researched facts about the “business” of climbing Everest, the environmental impact, the history of the mountain, and the social, spiritual and political issues in Nepal and Tibet that have had influence over access to the mountain.

I will say that if I had little inclination to attempt such a feat myself, I have absolutely none now. The author explains that those who make this trek do so knowing that to do so is to risk one's life... but do it anyway, admitting there is some irrationality to the decision. For the privilege of enduring two months in a hostile climate with no guarantees of reaching their goal, climbers pay up to $60-70,000 or more.* I was more than fascinated to simply read the story, enjoying immensely the opportunity to "visit" Everest through Krakauer's words and photos.

Into Thin Air
by Jon Krakauer

* Cost mentioned is at the time of the 1996 season – use your imagination to determine what the cost might be today….

Book: Shopaholic and Baby

This is the fourth installment in the Shopaholic series... all equally fun and entertaining. What's not to like about a girl named Becky who loves to shop... even until it gets her into trouble? Her bent for the dramatic leads the reader through all kids of adventures, some real, some just figments of Becky's wild imagination.

A fun read, to be sure... and the perfect book to read on vacation (like I did!)

Shopaholic & Baby
by Sophie Kinsella