One Step Closer...

One more step! As of this past Monday evening I finished writing my doctoral exams. For me, the hard part's over, although I still have an oral defense next week. The stacks you see in this picture constitute about 3/4 of the books I used for the exams. No, I did not exactly read every single one of them - there was some skimming involved - but I got to know quite a few of them quite well. Overall the process was fun: when else are you stuck in a room by yourself and given three days to write about the things that interest you? It's pretty cozy, all camped-out with a laptop, some music, a couple books, and my emergency kit prepared by Beth, complete with snacks, soda, kleenex, a Paul Robinett candle, and a picture of me, Beth, and Maeby to watch over me. And the total pages after three days of writing: 88. Oh yeah, baby! One page for every key on a piano. Am I the only one who thinks that's cool? Probably.

Sunday School

Nick and I were asked a while back to begin teaching the "Young Marrieds" Adult Sunday School class at our church (worthingtoncc.org). This is continuingly baffling to me, as I view ourselves as compartitively young marrieds still! However, it's been 4 1/2 years- so where's the cut off? And, though we've had our fair share of varying marriage experience with a few relocations, degrees, and time-management issues, does the lack of home ownership, kids, multiple vehicles, etc... matter in teaching others how to work through these things? I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know in a few weeks.

I'm enjoying the organization, social event planning, and community-building part of it, and Nick is excited about the teaching and lesson plans. It works out well. We're going to start with the book, The 5 Love Languages, which is good. We read it a number of years ago, and it really opened our eyes to a lot of things. I'm glad we're reading it with a group, however, because there are a few problems with the book. There are many more than 5 Love Languages, and the book certaintly doesn't do anything to break down gender stereotypes (it automatically assumes all men are horny all the time and cannot function without a woman, and that all women need to be told they're beautiful 300 times a day for them to go on living...), but it begins the discussion that there is a whole different set of vocab for different people, and that is the important part.

So, wish us luck! We're excited about it and feel really called to teach this group. We'll keep you updated! And, for those of you who are planning on moving to Columbus, we'll save you a few seats!

The 2 'D's' of Dodgeball: Dekker and Dekker

So, Nick and I have recently added one of the strangest skills to our resume: Dodgeball Officials. My boss recently offered this strangely high-paying gig for our Friday night Life Time Fitness Adult Dodgeball league to Nick and I, and we eagerly accepted! I mean, who wouldn't?!

Now, I use the word "adult" loosely. The individuals who form the highly competitive teams that we have the pleasure of organizing may resemble the advanced version of the species homo sapiens, but in no way do their actions or manners reflect their supposed age.

I have often said, having directed children, teenagers, college students, and adults, that adults are the most difficult to control. This league perfectly demonstrates this fact. These (mostly) men, are some of the most out-of-control petty whiners I have ever come in contact with! Last night, even after my nightly speech of "It's just a game...chill out," we had people disputing calls, yelling at us, calling us names...it was just thrilling.

Overall, however, it's a pretty fun time. I mean, watching grown men dive to the floor to avoid a ball just never gets old for me. And we get loud whistles. And hand signals. I couldn't ask for anything more on a Friday night!

O. Dekker

One of our professors is part of a radio project exploring writers from Ohio, and from time to time she asks her students to lend a helping voice. Check out the site below:

http://www.ohioana-authors.org/

Scroll down and click on the December 5 entry featuring short story writer O. Henry. Listen to the little the audio excerpt. You may hear a familiar voice...

Save Our Bluths!

For those of you who missed last night's episode of Arrested Development, shame on you! Priceless, as usual. It was essentially the Bluths brilliantly begging FOX not to cancel them. At one point, a website flashed on screen: SaveOurBluths.org...which, incidentally, is nonexistent. However, SaveOurBluths.com is a very informative site all about how you, too, can contribute to the grass roots campaign for keeping this show on the air.

One of the things they suggest is buying Arrested Development apparel...which I am now kicking myself for not bestowing these brilliant gifts upon my friends and family this Christmas. At www.cafepress.com, if you search for Arrested Development, you will be rewarded with a number of designs that perfectly exemplify the show and its myriad of inside jokes.

So, stand up for the dozens of never nudes out there, grab a hit of a juice box, and give yourself over to the secular flesh! Write a strongly worded letter to the FOX execs and help save one of the smartest shows ever!