Church Etiquette Rule #1: When in Rome...

I have noticed as the years have gone by (and my mother has pointed it out to me several of times) that people in churches of Christ located east of the mighty Mississippi (the river, not the state, people) sometimes do things a little differently than their brethren on the western shores. For example, most (not all) churches east of the Miss have their members put the little cups of grape juice for the Lord's Supper in little cup holders in the back of the pew in front of them after having taken it, while most (not all) churches west of the Miss have their members just put the cups back into the tray as it is passed after having partaken of it. If you are visiting a church on the "other side," you used to be able to play by this rule and all would be well. The real trick is that nowadays many churches have decided to go against tradition and do the opposite of the rule I have just laid out.

An example of this problem was demonstrated this past Sunday to myself and my now western-habitating family members when we attended church with my grandparents in Tuscumbia, AL. I had not really thought about this rule until almost the very moment that the prayer for the blood of Christ was about to be said. Suddenly, as we were about to bow our heads, I panicked. Was I supposed to put it in the pew in front of me after drinking out of the cup or put it back in the tray? Normally, I would assume that this was a cup-holder church all the way (conservative, east of the Miss), but nowadays one can never tell. Many once-conservative churches are opening up to all kinds of new things, such as putting the cups back in the tray and other such crazy western ideas, so I was unsure of what to do.

As the prayer ended and the men at the front began to pass the trays to the others, I leaned over to my brother, Mark, and whispered, "do we put them in the trays or in the cup holders?" He looked slightly concerned, as if the idea had just hit him as well, and then whispered back, "watch what the others do." I nodded ever-so slightly and quickly sat up as Mom gave me a warning look. I focused in on the men sitting in the front row who were now being served. They took a cup each, drained them...then placed the cups back in the tray! Okay, this was something I could handle. I leaned back happily, motioning to the front-row guys for Mark to see. He nodded smugly and we sat back, sure of what to do now.

As I sat there, I casually glanced at another row in front of us being served the wine. As I watched, the couple there each took a cup, drank it...then passed the tray on, putting their cups in the pew cup-holders! Yikes. Suddenly I realized - the guys in the front row had to put their cups back in the tray - they didn't have a pew in front of them to put the cups in!!! I had to warn the others.

It was almost too late. The tray was already starting down our row. I glanced at Mark, desperately trying to make some sort of signal of what to do. Then I realized the Derek was going to get the tray first. Blissfully unaware of the faux-pas he was about to make, Derek took the tray and waited patiently like the good husband he is for me to get a cup too so we could down our grape juice together (so romantic). I seized the tray and a cup for myself, then before he could protest, passed the tray on to Mark and the rest of the family. Derek looked at me strangely, but I just smiled and drank the sweet grape juice of success, afterwards placing my cup in the tiny cup-holder in the back of the pew in front of me.

Christmas Christmas-time is here, time for toys and time for cheer...

If you didn't catch Justified-T on SNL this past Saturday, it was pretty funny. But enough about that.

The countdown to Christmas has begun! We are nearing the final days leading up to that most joyous of holidays, and yours truly is most exuberant. My thoughts are as follows: friends, food, presents, cake, family gatherings, food, cookies, parties, finger foods, presents, Christmas songs, after-Christmas sales..

I know what you are thinking. "Mare, according to you this looks like nothing more than a season of self-indulgence and materialism. All you have listed is food and presents." Yes, that is true - if you only skim through. But you'll also notice that intertwined through these words are words like "friends" and "family gatherings" and the ever-popular "Christmas songs." These words and thoughts are the glue that hold the Christmas season together, that have made this season the most wonderful time of the year and my favorite time ever.

True, I enjoy the food, the sweets and the presents as much as the next girl. But if I didn't have my family surrounding me while eating or opening gifts, those things would seem as hollow as though my plate and my gift boxes were empty. I love going to after-Christmas sales, not because I get a lot of stuff, but because Mom and I get to hang out together and talk. I love family gatherings at my grandmother's house not because the food is excellent (although it is) but because we have had these get-togethers for as long as I remember and the chance to see everyone and make awkward small talk is always fun (really, I'm being serious).

In short, I love this season not only because of the food and presents but because of the memories that I have of Christmases in my childhood, growing up in a loving family, celebrating with everyone around the living room/table/fire/etc. The past two years I have not gone with my parents to my grandparents' houses for Christmas (2004 I was in Brazil, 2005 I had to work), so this year I am especially looking forward to seeing everyone and introducing a few of them to my husband (some of them have never met him!!!). I am in a perpetual good mood from this night on - I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

So far, so bad

After a lovely weekend of no schoolwork and lots of fun (and not so fun - paying big bucks to fix my brakes) activities, I decided on Monday to extend that leisure time into another evening. I watched The Wizard of Oz on TNT last night, periodically checking my e-mail and doing other things on the computer, and putting another load into the dryer. After nearly four hours of straight TV-watching, my eyes started to water and my head began to spin. I can't take it like I used to!

But seriously, I'm worried. I know myself. I'm afraid that I'm going to be sluggish about getting a good start on my Mexico research paper before Christmas, and we all know that if I don't get that momentum up before the holidays, afterwards will be hopeless. After all, what could one possibly console oneself with after the joyous occasion of Christmas except for television, movies, shopping with all those lovely giftcards, and (who would have believed it) reading for pleasure? As you will notice, none of these activities involve going to the library, studying, taking notes, or typing.

Thus, on my second day out of captivity (for the semester), I turn with a heavy heart to those copies I had made back in June from the archives in Mexico City. The library books I will have to look up again, as I had to turn them back in for fear of racking up huge overdue fines. However, I still have so much to do in other areas. I need to wrap Christmas presents. I need to send out Christmas cards. Derek and I are hosting a coaching friend of his tonight and tomorrow night for a conference that is in town. How am I to get work done with a guest in the house? Friday I go to Abilene for the weekend for Mom's surgery and a friend's wedding. Next week we leave Wednesday (if all goes well) for our Christmas extravaganza trip...

The more I think about it, the more I begin to rationalize not doing the work. I think that I am a chronic underachiever and procrastinator. Honestly, I think if I went to a doctor, this is what he or she would tell me. I wish there was a cure...

It is done

I am done for the semester. It feels good to say that. True, I will have work to do over the break on several projects, but it is nice to not have any more assignments for the time being. Here is what I plan on doing this first weekend of freedom:

1. Hang out with Derek.
2. Do some Christmas shopping.
3. Get new tires for my car - woo-hoo!
4. Go to a "Terminator" movie marathon at some friends' house.
5. Go see the Riverwalk Christmas lights with Derek's family.
6. Go to Derek's UIW Christmas party.

It's already late Friday night...the weekend lies before me with the promise of Christmas fun. Like I've said before, I love this season. I only hope seeing my grades next week will not damper my mood...I doubt it will. I think I did fairly well, at least in ProSeminar class. The Nationalism class...well, let's just say that I'm less certain about it.

That's about it for now. More later on my holiday festivities.

The home stretch...or is it?

With the beginning of December comes the end of the school semester, and I am ready for it. This is my last week of classes, with a final paper due Wednesday evening and a brief presentation on Thursday night. Both should go rather smoothly, and then I will be done!

However, there is a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that reminds me that this victory is only short-lived. "Don't forget your Mexico research paper!" it says. Dang it! Yes, I will be working on that over the Christmas break in an effort to get most of it done before we come back to school January 17th. Will it happen? I hope so. Here's how I figure it:

• Finish this week out - take the weekend off and relax (Terminator movie marathon!)
• Work on it next week and the next while at work in the mornings and at home at night.
• Dec. 20th Derek and I leave for Abilene, Tuscumbia, AL and Nashville. I plan to take some stuff to read and work on in the car (but not too much).
• Return Dec. 29th, work a couple of days on the paper.
• Gone to Rockport with Derek's family Dec. 31-Jan.3 - won't get very much done there.
• Return to work and life on Jan. 4 - work in the mornings and evenings.
• School starts Jan. 17 - I've told my professor that I will have a draft to her by Jan. 19

Is this possible? Am I totally naive (like I was this semester) in thinking that I can do this? I'd like to hear what you all think. Remember, this has to be a 20-page research paper. Write me a comment. Thanks.