Boys and Girls

When I was sitting at lunch with some friends yesterday, one of them brought up something that I found pretty amusing.

She said she found it funny that, though we are in college, most of us had been referring to our peers as boys and girls instead of as men and women.

I dawned on me that I had, in fact, been doing that.
It's habit!
When you've been calling someone something for years and years, change can be hard to come by.

Plus, though I'm an adult, but there are times that I don't feel like it.
I guess I must unconsciously assume that everyone feels the same way I do.

What's a girl to do?

I suppose that I'll have to bite my tongue and refer to people as adults, even though many of us students are still getting there.

Knowing when to bite one's tongue is a sign of adulthood I suppose.

On the contra-ary!

This semester, I have discovered a new pastime.

Dancing. Contra dancing, to be exact. :-)


I am terrible at it, but I really don't give a care. It's fun.

Contra dancing is like a cross between square dancing and English country dancing (or something like that), complete with cheesy music and someone telling you what to do the whole time.

Now, doesn't that just sound wonderful?
I was very skeptical that I would like it at first, but I suppose even skeptics like me can be proven wrong once.

I think the being terrible part comes from having a dance partner.
I'm used to dancing by myself.
At least I can blame my partner if I don't do well!

It's kind of confusing at first. There are almost too many steps to follow.

Nevertheless, I like it.
One does get the hang of it.

I've been twice with a group of friends, and I wouldn't be opposed to going again.
It kind of makes me want to try other types of dance too!

Here's some of what the dancing looks like:

What's "love" again?

Though I’m single, I have a Valentine’s Day tradition that I’ve kept for a few years now.

When I woke up this morning, I remembered the date on the calendar, and I lay in bed a few extra minutes to organize my thoughts.

It’s reflection. And on Valentine’s Day, love is the focus.

When I think of love, I don’t necessarily associate it with being in a relationship. There could be a day in the future when I thank God for a man in my life. Even so, I hope I will continue to focus on the way I think of love now.

Love isn’t exclusive. It isn’t just for those who are walking down the boulevards hand-in-hand with their significant others. Love is for everyone who is willing to accept it and give it away.

When I see those people walking hand-in-hand, I hope for their sakes that it’s love—not the “He’s hot, she’s hot” kind of "love", but the kind that actually makes a difference.

I draw my definition of love from the Bible. Though verses like 1 Corinthians 13 are quoted all the time, they offer the best definitions I’ve found.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

To me, love isn’t really love unless it’s striving to measure up to that. I keep saying the phrase “I love you” to a minimum because love means so much to me. I don’t take it lightly.

I realize that, though I’m single, there’s plenty I can do to show love to people. I just need to remember to be patient, kind, non-envious, non-boastful...

Despite the barrage of candy hearts, red roses and P.D.A. our society presents us with on Feb. 14, I pray I remember what love really is.

Then, I pray I can act on that love.
Love is an action after all.