Reading

It's the season of Lent and all around you've heard everyone asking, "What are you going to give up for Lent?" Well, being a Lutheran I wasn't raised to give something up for Lent and I didn't totally understand why all my Catholic friends were always trying to give something up for Lent and usually were not successful. There have been several years I've tried to be like everyone else and give something up like fried food, sodas or sweets. I can't remember that I've ever been successful myself. Since childhood I've learned that it's not just about giving something up. That sometimes it's a time for reflection, prayer, dedicating yourself to bettering your life or others. So my choice is to read in my Bible every day. I started at the beginning several years ago and the farthest I've gotten was Joshua. Even in the small amount I've read so far there were things in there that surprised me. So I'm looking forward to some growth.

For my government class the teach sends out 25-30 pages of current events every week. This has made a big difference for me. I had the first government class with her in the fall and am taking the second one this spring and I've never in my life known as much as I do now about what is going on in the rest of the world (okay maybe the rest of the US). Some days these current event readings are a drag for me and it's a struggle to just get through a couple of pages. And others days it's made me feel like I can converse with the rest of the world because I actually know some of what's going on. For most of my life I've hated watching the news, primarily because most of what is reported is negative. Shootings, fires, deaths, same stories day after day. But I have enjoyed having these current events to read each week. Definite growth for me.

I was reading a few of those vampire series like everyone else. I'm stuck in the middle of the 5th book of a series and just don't have much drive to finish it. I stopped after the 6th book of another vampire series too. The rest of the girls around that share books have read about 2-3 other vampire series that I haven't even started nor really want to start. I'm the slow reader in this group. And the other thing is that I always need to make sure I'm taking care of my reading for school first before I read for pleasure.

Which brings me to my last subject on reading. Well, listening actually. I love having a library nearby because you have a number of books to select from to read for free and give back. Doesn't cost you money or take up room on the bookshelf. So I decided to check out a book on CD. I've done this before when I lived in San Antonio because I had a 30-45 minute drive to and from work every day. Well I don't have as long of a drive to anywhere in Lake Jackson but I have resumed my book listening in my truck. My first selection is Fahrenheit 451. I read it in high school but wanted to 'read' it again. I have a completely different view in listening to it this time. And with that I realized it's due today, I haven't finished it and I forgot to renew it....oh well.