Words...and more Words

I'm not sure how many of you know, but I am an avid crossword puzzler. I have completed a myriad of crossword puzzles...ranging from the NY times to New York magazine, my college daily Targum to a number of daily newspapers. I also own a collection of crossword puzzle books, with which one I am currently in the process of finishing, "a set of crossword puzzles to boost your brainpower!" edited by WILL SHORTZ. He's the crossword puzzle editor of the NY Times and he's brilliant. I have to say, I have yet to fully complete a NY Times crossword, I get really close but it's too hard to finish off. My favorite is the New York Magazine crossword because the clues relate to our progressive culture and pop stars. This is my secret habit...love of words and knowledge. Well, my reason for writing this is because there is a new docufilm out called, "Wordplay," and I'm dying to see it. Check out the link. I also found out that Mike Mussina, my favorite Yankee pitcher, is also in the movie b/c he is a crossword puzzle junkie too!

Well, here's an update regarding my job situation. So, there is a huge change in the position. It's being moved to NYC with the rest of my department. So, they are in the process of moving and there are many changes going on in the department, so they haven't settled on any decision yet. So, here am I still waiting...but I'm just trusting God and living life.

Jaden turned 18 months last Friday and he's developing fast. His words of the moment are Bear, ball, no, car, dada, buh bye, mama, book, and he's learned how to sign 'puzzle' on his own. He's so into balls, puzzles, books, musical instruments and trucks. I have to tell you a funny incident. For Father's Day, we went out for breakfast and obviously, half way thru the meal, Jaden wants to get out of his highchair. As he's just roaming around near us, he begins to kind of venture out and then we tell him, "Jaden, No, don't go too far." Then he looks at us and says, "NO, bye bye!" starts waving and then starts to run. We were in shock. He's starting to put things together and beginning to understand life especially disobeying. Ahhhhh! It was the cutest thing though.

Recently I finished the Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. It was a really honest and mindset challenging book... I have to admit, the writing wasn't the greatest, but the read was good. I enjoyed the book, but of the honesty of his thoughts and his ability to think deeply in order to relate our inner thoughts to our "living" life. There was this part on relationships and it really convicted me about my motives and the way I view people. Here it is...
"Mr. Spencer then asked us about another are in which he felt metaphors cause trouble. He asked us to consider relationships. What metaphors do we use when we think of relationships? We value people...We invest in people...and soon enough we listed an entire white board of economic metaphor. Relationship could be bankrupt...People are priceless. All economic metaphors. I was taken aback.
...The problem with Christian culture is we think of love as a commodity...I could see it very clearly. If somebody is doing something for us, offering us something, be it gifts, time popularity, or what have you, we feel they have value, we feel they are worth something to us, and perhaps, we feel they are priceless."
This passage really hit home for me. As it convicted Donald Miller, it convicted me to repent for not understanding love with grace or with equality. We are all selfish human beings. It opened up a new paradigm shift to value people for being people at the core. People cannot be equated with/ or judged by economic statuses. In our culture, we do that...we naturally veer toward people who seem to have it all or people who are established. We've perfected our own sense of worth by performing and doing to make ourselves look good or that we have the material possessions people want. C.S. Lewis said, "to love all is to be vulnerable." To be honest, it's easier to love people when they do offer back (whether its money or advice, roles) or you do feel a connection. Why do I have the close friends I do? We connect and offer each other something. I don't think Donald Miller is saying re-assess your relationships and determine your motives in your current friendships, but he's saying when you see people...How do you see them? In God's eyes, no one is better the other and everyone is on the same page. We are all sinners and fallen short of God's glory. I'm not saying that this type of love is going to be perfected here on earth nor am I saying that I can possibly love every single person as God does. I will try...b/c I am obedient.

Okay, too much deep thinking. Right now, I'm reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel, so I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll leave you with some pictures...enjoy.

In Central Park, NY...