Some thoughts.

I wish I knew how to write letters. You know, the kind of letters that they used to write; Jane Austen, Shakespearean-type letters that don't just ramble on about the weather. Letters rich with metaphor and emotion. I wonder if our technology age has deprived us from that-- We're in such a hurry to communicate that we don't take the longer route. I wish Calvin had a letter-writing interim class. I can just see it: examining famous letters (letters from wars, love letters, persuasive letters...), discussing what makes them work and writing a few of our own. It would be interesting as well to consider a few of Paul's letters as what they are-- not specifically as biblical scripture, but as actual letters. Would that/could that change (or deepen) our understanding of what his message is?

The reason I bring it up is because a friend from California tried to call me, but seeing as how his phone died and the three hour difference doesn't help much for convenience, before the call got dropped he asked me to write him a letter and quickly gave me his address. Since then, I've been trying to figure out how to approach this whole letter-writing business. I want it to be conversational, but my form of conversation is deeply affected by instant messenger. Can't help it. (And I'm even one of those people who still uses whole words spelled correctly with proper grammar and punctuation!) At any rate, I'm going to keep trying. I want to believe that the letter is an old, rich art form that is worth reviving.

In other news, I'm busily wrapping up another semester of school (can't believe how quickly it flew by!) and anxiously preparing/looking ahead to student teaching beginning in February. I'm also eagerly anticipating a missions trip with MCC to Rohoboth, New Mexico. It's just around the corner in January but I can't wait! :) Welp, I better finish up my reading for my night class. I would recommend The Saturated Self, actually, to anyone who is fascinated by the way language and lexicon affects society.... Not that you all think about it as often as I've been thinking about liguistics lately! :)

Blessings.

Betsy