Sometimes I am so controlled by my emotional state it’s scary.

My stupid Citibank credit payment is due today. May 29, 2003. It was late last month. Crap! On top of my uncontrollable sneezes, congested sinuses and itchy eyes (ah, allergy season) the stinkin’ payment is late again. But wait…

And my mood swings upwards, the allergies forgotten. Online Payments. What a beautiful thing. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

I just wrapped up Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It’s one of five finalists for the “One Book, One Lincoln” campaign of 2004 and I admit I picked it up because of its title… I sang in a madrigal choir with the same name during my senior year of high school. A quotation from Robb Forman Dew, Washington Post Book World, on the book’s front cover gushes, “Bel Canto is its own universe. A marvel of a book.” Though this statement is a little overblown, I dreamed about the book all night long after I completed it. I suppose I agree!

Here is a passage that I enjoyed as much for the content as for the writing style:

In Paris, Simon Thibault had loved his wife, though not always faithfully or with a great deal of attention. They had been married for twenty-five years. There had been two children, a summer month spent every year at the sea with friends, various jobs, various family dogs, large family Christmases that included many elderly relatives. Edith Thibault was an elegant woman in a city of so many thousands of elegant woman that often over the course of years he forgot about her. Entire days would pass when she never once crossed his mind. He did not stop to think what she might be doing or wonder if she was happy, at least not Edith by herself, Edith as his wife.

Then, in a wave of government promises made and retracted, they were sent to this country, which, between the two of them was always referred to as ce pays maudit, “this godforsaken country.” Both of them faced the appointment with dread and stoic practicality, but within a matter of days after their arrival a most remarkable thing happened: he found her again, like something he never knew was missing, like a song he had memorized in his youth and had then forgotten. Suddenly, clearly, he could see her, the way he had been able to see her at twenty, not her physical self at twenty, because in every sense she was more beautiful to him now, but he felt that odd sensation, the leaping of his heart, the reckless flush of desire. He would find her in the house, cutting fresh paper to line the shelves or lying across their bed on her stomach writing letters to their daughters who were attending university in Paris, and he was breathless. Had she always been like this, had he never known? Had he known and then somehow, carelessly, forgotten? In this country with its dirt roads and yellow rice he discovered he loved her, he was her. Perhaps this would not have been true if he had been the ambassador to Spain. Without these particular circumstances, this specific and horrible place, he might never have realized that the only true love of his life was his wife.

Hah. If only they knew how many have the Word written on their hearts! How difficult then would it be to get the Bible out of the jury room?

Reading: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Watching: American Idol
Eating: Fruit Loops
Gardening: pole beans and radishes
Organizing: the books in our library
Wanting: a vacation
Loving: warm weather and sitting on the porch
Despising: people who vandalize public art
Wearing: sandals
Thinking: what verb I can use next
Completing: this silly blog entry

About 10 months ago I bumped into Alyssa and her husband at Barnes & Noble. A quick look at the books in our arms revealed we were both anticipating babies… Her choice, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” and mine, “The Idiots Guide to Adoption.” This past Sunday we sat next to each other in church—she, bottle-feeding an 8 week old baby, and me… wait a minute! Where’s my baby???

Ah, adoption. Ah, the Hand of providence. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Do good things really come to those who wait? Or is that just a stupid saying?

At least the friends in my life share their adorable children with me. I’ve enjoyed some of the best company over the past several days… Chunky Dawson dreaming peacefully while I read a book in our study. Sweet Cadence drifting asleep in my arms to “Jesus Loves Me” and rhythmic back-thumping. Two year old Andrew gleefully yelling my name into the phone his mother was holding: Beba! Beba! Bye-bye Beba.

Some days the waiting is harder than others. But the cute little pookies in my life remind me that the hardships and joys of parenting are well-worth waiting for.

I have successfully seen the movie. Let the reviewing commence.

In short, I’m not exactly sure what I saw or how I feel about it. I feel a little confused actually… ‘The Matrix’ will remain on my Top 10 list. ‘The Matrix Reloaded’? Probably not.

I was pretty darn bored in the fight scenes with the multiple Agent Smiths. Upon seeing the trailer for ‘The Matrix Revolution’ (which followed the credits) I groaned at the idea of a third movie with Smith and his darned “inevitability.” Another complaint, the l-o-n-g sex/dance club scene. Besides the fact that many Christians probably shuddered in horror at the gyrating, dirty-dancing Zionists (okay, so it was me shuddering!), the sex scene was too much… No one needed to be literally in the room with the sweaty Neo and Trinity — and definitely not for that extended length of time.

Despite a few things, I did enjoy the film. Loved being back with the favorite characters and seeing them in action. Liked the whole Keymaker bit. Though it confused me, I liked the whole Architect thing. I thought they would use Persephone more, but the kiss scene was fun, albeit strange.

Blah, blah, blah… Tell me what you think. An interactive blog is what I’m aiming for.

Stu is preaching on the book of Ruth right now… I used to read this book (and Esther) all the time during church when I was younger — it was my way of checking out of the sermon and into “interesting” reading. Anyhow, I’d like to get my hands on literature about the historical setting in which Ruth takes place. I’ve done a little googling but can’t find anything very helpful. Maybe I’m searching with the wrong words. I just think the Bible becomes more fascinating when we understand the cultural/societal settings of the books… especially Ruth. So, what’s up with her laying at Boaz’s feet on the threshing floor? If you have any comments, try to back them up with sources. Thanks!

Clay. Ruben. Tough choice. I’m leaning towards Ruben just a little — but both are worthy of the American Idol title. Who gets your vote?

Nineteen years ago, little Bethany Koenig was born. The world has never been the same.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bethany! The Tredways are sending loving birthday vibes your way!

(Really, I knew it was your birthday… Ummm, I was just messing with ya earlier.)

I went to Zoo Hell today.

It was dark and humid, full of people and a little stinky. It was the Nocturnal exhibit at Henry Doorly Zoo.

I went in against my better judgment, at the desire of my loving husband of five years. Afterall, it was a special date day and marriage is nothing if not compromise. So in we went. Within minutes, standing in almost pitch-darkness in the child-congested corridor I knew I had entered some strange netherworld. It was only a few steps further where the younglings’ loud shouts and shrieks echoed off the black cavern walls into displays of various creatures of the dark, where the warm, stifling, stagnant air practically sucked the breath from my lungs that I knew I had entered Zoo Hell. We then double-timed it past the reptiles and insects, past the bats, past the swamp area where we briefly saw a ghostly alligator (or was it a crocodile? don’t care, just get me out!!), jostling millions of small children, big children, strollers and backpacks, and finally out the exit door.

Zoo Heaven is sunshine and a clean breeze. Room to smile at and walk alongside the large numbers of yellow-shirted 4 to 10 year olds from McKinley Elementary School. It’s a special date day with my loving husband on an absolutely beautiful day in May. And it was appreciated all the more after Zoo Hell was conquered.