Christian Romance Novels

I have a love/hate relationship with them.  I am addicted to reading.  It was not always this way, in fact, I used to hate reading.  That all changed when I took an Honors English class my junior year of High School.  During that year, I had to read several classics including Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, The Scarlet Letter, Sense and Sensibility, Oliver Twist, Northanger Abbey, and the Red Badge of Courage. By the end of the year, I had gotten so used to always having a book with me that I went out and got the Count of Monte Christo. From that point on, I was a goner.  I learned early on in my college career that I should not read for pleasure during the school year because it sidetracked me from my schoolwork.  During semester breaks, you can usually find me reading a book.  I love to read classics.  My three favorite authors have to be Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Alexandre Dumas.

As much as I love classics I have found myself reading a lot of Christian romance novels recently, but like I said in my first sentence.  We have a love/hate relationship.  I love that they are easy reads.  You do not have to dissect and figure out analogies or metaphors.  You do not have to get through a chapter like “it was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.”  In addition, never do you find an author like Victor Hugo, who has to give you a history lesson on the geography and layout of Paris before he can continue his story.  Christian romances are simple, which happens to be the thing I hate about them.

It is nice to know that when I settle down with a book that I will finish it in a few days… perhaps even hours.  I do not have to worry about the language or questionable content.  I find it very hard to put down the book.  I have to know how they couple ends up together.  With the exception of maybe two or three books, the following are usually the case: you always know which characters are going to fall in love by the end of the first or second chapter; and the books are predictable, and there is never any great shock over the course of the story.

The books leave me with one of three emotions.  I think they are sweet and worth reading again one day.  Second, I felt the book was merely adequate.  Third, I have no idea who these characters are!  For example, I just read a 300-page book and I still have no real comprehension as to whom the characters are and what makes them tick.  Who cares is the guy and girl fall in love.  I want to know more about them.  Because women write most of the stories, the woman’s character is developed more fully than the man’s.  The man is always some Mr. Dreamboat who the girl thinks is too good for her.  He is almost always tall dark and handsome.  Okay so this does not seem like a huge deal, but the stories do seem a little repetitive after a while.

Another thing I do not like is that God is not a main character.  Oh, the people talk about him… sometimes… but they do not have a full relationship with him.  I can understand that in a 120 pg book you can’t go all out like you might in a 400 pg  book; but if I don’t understand these characters’ walk with God how am I suppose to under their character?

I guess if I were to write a novel I would be very specific about its contents.  God will be the central character in my book.  Furthermore, the plan of salvation will be clearly presented.  Finally, maybe the girl will not even get the guy… now that would be different .  However, until I write this novel I think I will sit on the couch and read another book.

Ordered to Post

I am at James and Renae’s and Renae has ordered me to update my blog so here I go.

Nothing entirely major has happened lately, just a bunch of random things so here is a random post.

Customers are interesting.

There is this one elderly gentleman that comes in early in the morning to get a bowl of soup.  He will only eat chicken noodle or minestrone.  When he comes in and we are serving Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder or Broccoli Cheese he begins to lecture us about how nobody likes those soups and that he needs lots vegetables to keep himself alive.  He doesn’t understand first of all, people love those soups more than chicken noodle and second, that we have to rotate through our soups.  What makes him even more interesting – and somewhat scary is that this man needs a walker to get around.  Okay, so that walker doesn’t sound scary…. but the man drives a car!!  Seriously… if the guy has to us a walker should he really be driving?

I was very studious the other day while I was avoiding my homework.  I know this sounds like an oxymoron…. but its true.  I took a ton of classes for subway university.  I have now finished 22 classes… I’m not sure how many more I have to do before I graduate.

I have taken Hannah to the ER allot recently.  I think I’m getting used to this idea of staying up all night, well, that is until i get to class the next morning.  I did fine in class on Thursday, but I was pinching myself all through chapel in order to stay awake.  Thankfully I have never fallen asleep during class or chapel during my college career… yet.

I have a dilemma for next Friday night.  PBC is going bowling then to coldstones.  LBC is going to boomers.  Bowling and ice cream is “free” cause I paid the activity fee… boomers’ isn’t free.  Either way I will be making some of my friends mad… maybe i should ditch both that way I don’t have to decide

Hmmm, I’m not sure what other random information I should post.  If I think of anymore I will post it later.

Colonel Mustard and the Cube

The movie “Cars” is one of Melissa’s favorites; however her auntie seems to be having the worst time with vehicles right now. 

As you already know I went mattress surfing a few weeks ago; as a result my beautiful Malibu was totaled.  I got a rental car that was totally sweet (2008 Malibu) but had to return it when I went home on vacation.  I am now the not-so-proud-owner of a GOLD!!!! ford focus.  I am very greatful that God has provided a car for me… but does it really have to be gold?  I refer to my car (actually its Daniel’s car) as Colonel Mustard.

Well the other day I was once again about to go visit James and Renae.  I was driving around the block at the dorm when I got a flat tire.  That did it!  I was in tears over a silly car!  Thankfully Mr. and Mrs. Wilson came to my rescue and helped me take care of the Colonel. The Wilson’s vehicles are currently acting up on them so they were in a rental vehicle (the Cube). And yes, i got to ride in it when we went to walmart to get a new tire.  The Cube is truly a unique car.

I never made it to James and Renae’s.  But I am very greatful to people like the Wilsons who are willing to help me… and sometimes spoil me.

Mattress Surfing

So… last week I kind of sort of probably totaled my car.

Yes, that’s right!  Last Saturday I was on my way to visit James and Renae down in Costa Mesa.  I was on the 57 south in the fast lane traveling about 75mph in the fast lane.  I had just past the Honda Center and was next to Angel Stadium when the cars ahead of me began to merge out of the lane.  The reason for their actions was that there was mattress in the middle of the lane!  I began to break and I was unable to merge into another lane.  I continued to break…. break…. break… Screech… BANG!!!!!!  I was rear ended by a astro mini-van.  I’m not sure whose car did the screeching.  It took me a little while to figure out that I had been hit, by that time I was in the carpool lane several feet from the van and the mattress.

A CHP officer was soon on the scene and the two vehicles and the mattress where moved onto the shoulder. The paramedics were called along with tow trucks.  Nobody was taken away by the paramedic, but my car was towed…. the muffler was scraping the ground.

I went to urgent care to get myself checked out…. the doctor said that I have a strained neck.

I am now in possesion of a rental car.  The status of my vehicle is unknown… probably totaled.  I am somewhat sore but can survive without medicine. And in conclusion I don’t know what happened to the matress.

Random Ramblings

Grrr. I made great plans for today. It was my day off and I was going to seclude myself at the coffee bean, which has free Wi-Fi, and I was going to spend time on the internet. Checking email, blogging, Subway University, etc., well I made it to coffee bean just fine, ordered my drink and got ready to use my computer. Wouldn’t you know it… my computer decides it does not like the internet today. Oh, it says I’m connected… but nothing is loading. On top of that, I had brought my headphones so that no one would have to listen to all my subway stuff… and my computer won’t admit that I have even plugged them it. Sometimes computers make me want to go crazy.

I rebooted my computer… that didn’t help. Texted my brother… he can’t help until I visit tomorrow. My only solution is to give up, go home, and finish the book I was reading.

Well, seems how I am writing I might as well give a good update about my life. As usual, work keeps be busy. Oh the drama of work! Half the time I can’t help laughing at all of it. Most recently, I heard a rumor that I was trying to get someone fired! I’ll try to tell this story as simple as possible. One morning I was working with two other shift leaders. One of them is usually a closer (like me) and we were commenting how another closing shift lead has become “comfortable” with work. Well somehow, word traveled and the shift leader who we said was “comfortable” heard that me and the other person thought she was “lazy” which then was interpreted, as we want to get her fired! Honestly, I should know better than to say anything like that at work. It doesn’t matter who you work with, whatever you say will be spread through the entire store by the next day. Nothing is ever held in confidence. I guess that comes with working with a bunch of girls.

Life in the dorm is going normal. Hannah and I see each other every occasionally. Between our work schedules, different churches, and her doctor appointments, we see one another for maybe two 15-minute sessions a day (that’s just Monday through Thursday). From Friday to Sunday, it is actually a miracle if we see each other. I think we have become fairly good at summing up our days in those few minutes.

I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain last week with my Sunday School Class. It was a blast. I honestly couldn’t tell you what was the best ride… terminator… batman… tatsu… I don’t know they were all pretty fun. Although I definitely didn’t like the line for superman… dark tunnel… crowded… hour wait… I couldn’t wait for fresh air! My only regret was that we didn’t get to go on X2… both times we got in line we were informed that the ride was down.

I can’t wait for August. I get to go on vacation! I will by flying home then driving with my parents and brother up to Oregon to attend my cousins wedding. I will be gone for two weeks! When I return I will be registering for my classes and back in school. I feel as if summer is flying by!

I’m not sure what else I should say. Oh! I cut my hair! It is now above my shoulders. I haven’t had it this short in over 5 years. It is taking a little while to get used to, especially when I have to try to put it up for work.

Today is my little brother’s and Grandpa’s birthdays. Daniel is 19! Man that makes me feel old… even if I’m only 20 I made sure I texted him bright and early this morning to wish him a great bday. Well, in actuality, it was still dark outside, and I hadn’t gone to bed yet. I’m sure he appreciated a text just after midnight though.

Ok. I need to stop rambling. Hope you enjoyed reading about everything.