yo,
i like to read the bible a lot - get to know my god better and figure out what makes him tick and all sorts of other stuff. lately i've been reading through the book of jeremiah, which is about this old prophet guy who spends most of his time telling this old school nation, israel, to quit being metephorical prostitutes by "getting together" with all these other new gods. he communicates these messages from god about how sad and envious and ultimately pissed off isreal is making their god. i really like it because jeremiah uses a real name (it's translated LORD, but it's a name not a title in this case, it's a name) when he talks about god, so when you notice that you see how personally god is taking it - he reaaallly likes israel and just sounds devastated at how they've gone off to be with other gods.
back to the story, this other major nation, the chaldeans (babylonians) show up and take a bunch of the israelites off into captivity (something the babylonians apparently liked to do), but some of them are still left in jerusalem. jeremiah is among the bunch in jerusalem, and he keeps telling the israelites that they gotta return to their first love - their first god. usually god says pretty harsh stuff to the israelites (through jeremiah), but every once in a while you get a glimpse of something awesome that's gonna happen in the future when god restores the nation of israel, and the israelites start loving him again.
that's just some context for the book of jeremiah, but what i REALLY wanted to talk about was this sick passage that god showed me a couple weeks ago, and that i keep returning to. i've really identified with it and prayed it for myself as i've moved to london:
jeremiah 24:4-7
"Then the word of the LORD came to me: Thus says the LORD, the God of israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place tot he land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.' "
i've been praying that god will give me that heart to know that he is the LORD. i want so much for him to be my God, and for my whole heart to be chasing after him like he's been chasing after me.
my god is something else! when my heart is fully turned towards him, and i get a little glimpse of who he is, i am so captivated! what a guy...
don't have the time or the words to do this justice, but just wanted to put this down in writing for now, as something to return to over my diasporic stint in london.
shalom,
- josh
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
My New House
Hello,
Two weeks ago they kicked us out of our temporary Barclays housing, so I've been livin on the streets. Some nights a generous friend lets me crash on their couch, but most of the time I just find a soft patch of grass or maybe a park bench if it's warm enough outside.
I was pretty content with life on on the streets until my colleagues started making a fuss about my personal hygiene. Being forced to take a hit for the team, I collected all of my belongings from the various trash cans where I had stored them, and moved everything in this brick and mortar cubicle they call a bedroom. It's taken some adjusting, but the place is growin on me. Here's a quick tour of the new digs:
Joking aside, I can't believe how quickly god provided this place for me. Let me give you a timeline of the events leading up to the move-in.
August 16 - Josh checks his calendar, realizes that he needs to move out of the Barclays housing by August 30 (two weeks)
Monday, August 17 - Josh starts asking his London peeps how he should go about searching for a new flat
Tuesday, August 18-August 19 - Josh is too excited about the upcoming weekend visit to Boston/is having too much fun hangin with his friends after work to be bothered with looking for something as basic as a residence.
Thursday, August 20-23 - Josh is in Boston for Zach's wedding, having a blast with his BFFs. In his mind, he thinks "Yeah, six days will be long enough to find a flat. I'll start when I get back to the UK."
Monday, August 24 - Six days to go, Josh tries to arrange a couple viewings after work, and fails miserably. Starts thinking that maybe five days will be cutting it a little close...
Tuesday, August 25 - Josh gets a text from a random dude. "Hi josh. Seen your wanted ad on christian flat share. Are you still looking? I think we have a great place you might be interested in near Oval. give me a call if you are interested. Paul." Oooh, someone contacting me? That's unexpected, but pretty cool. Josh sets up appointment to visit the next day.
Wednesday, August 26 - Upon asking his colleagues about the area around Oval, Josh finds out that two of his good friends from work have recently moved to the same area! He visits the flat, likes it quite a bit. Calls Paul later that night and says he'd like to take the flat.
Thursday, August 27 - Minal and Pat and Hani are going to Paris for the long weekend, leaving early Saturday morning. Against all sound judgement, Josh decides to come along, effectively shifting his move-out deadline from Sunday morning to Friday night. Aka the next night. Hasn't yet signed lease, hasn't yet met landlord, doesn't even know for sure the landlord will accept! Great idea, or the GREATEST idea?
Friday, August 28 - Josh meets the landlord, and both parties feel comfortable with each other. Landlord asks when Josh would like to move in. "How's about, 90 minutes from now," he responds. Heads back home, throws his six boxes in a cab, makes a withdraw from the ATM for the downpayment. Four hours plus two more trips later, Josh has all his stuff moved in to the new flat. He returns home with only minutes to spare before the final train departs. Throws the remainder of his stuff in a couple of suitcases, which he will drop off at his friend's place the following morning before they leave for Paris.
Soooooo, in short god TOTALLY hooked me up. I really should have been homeless given how last minute it all was. I've heard horror stories from other friends here in London who have spent weeks and weeks viewing flats before they find something they like, and here I effectively did it in three DAYS. thx for droppin that one in my lap, god :)
Shalom,
- Josh
Two weeks ago they kicked us out of our temporary Barclays housing, so I've been livin on the streets. Some nights a generous friend lets me crash on their couch, but most of the time I just find a soft patch of grass or maybe a park bench if it's warm enough outside.
I was pretty content with life on on the streets until my colleagues started making a fuss about my personal hygiene. Being forced to take a hit for the team, I collected all of my belongings from the various trash cans where I had stored them, and moved everything in this brick and mortar cubicle they call a bedroom. It's taken some adjusting, but the place is growin on me. Here's a quick tour of the new digs:
Joking aside, I can't believe how quickly god provided this place for me. Let me give you a timeline of the events leading up to the move-in.
August 16 - Josh checks his calendar, realizes that he needs to move out of the Barclays housing by August 30 (two weeks)
Monday, August 17 - Josh starts asking his London peeps how he should go about searching for a new flat
Tuesday, August 18-August 19 - Josh is too excited about the upcoming weekend visit to Boston/is having too much fun hangin with his friends after work to be bothered with looking for something as basic as a residence.
Thursday, August 20-23 - Josh is in Boston for Zach's wedding, having a blast with his BFFs. In his mind, he thinks "Yeah, six days will be long enough to find a flat. I'll start when I get back to the UK."
Monday, August 24 - Six days to go, Josh tries to arrange a couple viewings after work, and fails miserably. Starts thinking that maybe five days will be cutting it a little close...
Tuesday, August 25 - Josh gets a text from a random dude. "Hi josh. Seen your wanted ad on christian flat share. Are you still looking? I think we have a great place you might be interested in near Oval. give me a call if you are interested. Paul." Oooh, someone contacting me? That's unexpected, but pretty cool. Josh sets up appointment to visit the next day.
Wednesday, August 26 - Upon asking his colleagues about the area around Oval, Josh finds out that two of his good friends from work have recently moved to the same area! He visits the flat, likes it quite a bit. Calls Paul later that night and says he'd like to take the flat.
Thursday, August 27 - Minal and Pat and Hani are going to Paris for the long weekend, leaving early Saturday morning. Against all sound judgement, Josh decides to come along, effectively shifting his move-out deadline from Sunday morning to Friday night. Aka the next night. Hasn't yet signed lease, hasn't yet met landlord, doesn't even know for sure the landlord will accept! Great idea, or the GREATEST idea?
Friday, August 28 - Josh meets the landlord, and both parties feel comfortable with each other. Landlord asks when Josh would like to move in. "How's about, 90 minutes from now," he responds. Heads back home, throws his six boxes in a cab, makes a withdraw from the ATM for the downpayment. Four hours plus two more trips later, Josh has all his stuff moved in to the new flat. He returns home with only minutes to spare before the final train departs. Throws the remainder of his stuff in a couple of suitcases, which he will drop off at his friend's place the following morning before they leave for Paris.
Soooooo, in short god TOTALLY hooked me up. I really should have been homeless given how last minute it all was. I've heard horror stories from other friends here in London who have spent weeks and weeks viewing flats before they find something they like, and here I effectively did it in three DAYS. thx for droppin that one in my lap, god :)
Shalom,
- Josh
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Weekend in Paris
Jetsetting like a mofo. Hop it to Paris last weekend with my mates Pat, Hani and Pooja (aka Pooj-bro). We covered a lot of ground, as you'll see in the vids below. The place was better than I expected. There's all this hype around it being so beautiful and the food being awesome, so I thought for sure it was overblown. Turns out it's not!
In a string of almosts:
Enter the Eiffel Tow
Pooja almost believes that WE think the Tow is only ten stories tall. Notice her reaction to our estimations.
Top of the Tow
Hani almost guesses the correct height of the Tow.
Cool street
I almost get hit crossing the street. What I interpreted to be a gesture encouraging me to cross the street turned out, instead, to be a warning to stay on the sidewalk.
Notre Dame
I almost cause the flamethrower lady to catch on fire. Siiiiick.
Arc de Triumph
Napoleon almost conquers Russia.
There're a bunch of pics on facebook, so check 'em if you're interested.
Hats off to the worker dude at the London train station who was so friendly and helpful on Saturday morning (story to follow in later post).
Thoughts on Paris (perhaps) sometime in the future. Wakey wakey at 5:40 tom, so it's time to sack it for now.
- Josh
In a string of almosts:
Enter the Eiffel Tow
Pooja almost believes that WE think the Tow is only ten stories tall. Notice her reaction to our estimations.
Top of the Tow
Hani almost guesses the correct height of the Tow.
Cool street
I almost get hit crossing the street. What I interpreted to be a gesture encouraging me to cross the street turned out, instead, to be a warning to stay on the sidewalk.
Notre Dame
I almost cause the flamethrower lady to catch on fire. Siiiiick.
Arc de Triumph
Napoleon almost conquers Russia.
There're a bunch of pics on facebook, so check 'em if you're interested.
Hats off to the worker dude at the London train station who was so friendly and helpful on Saturday morning (story to follow in later post).
Thoughts on Paris (perhaps) sometime in the future. Wakey wakey at 5:40 tom, so it's time to sack it for now.
- Josh
Monday, August 31, 2009
A Weekend in the States
Last weekend I flew back to the States for one of my best friends' wedding. Was pretty baller. Here are a few vids from the wedding and shenanigans surrounding the event:
Despite our worst efforts to contain our immature streaks, Zach ended up getting married, as planned. It was the most beautiful one I've ever been to, by far.
If you're reading this Zach, love you a lot man and I'll be prayin for the adventure y'all are setting out on.
glhf.
- Josh
Despite our worst efforts to contain our immature streaks, Zach ended up getting married, as planned. It was the most beautiful one I've ever been to, by far.
If you're reading this Zach, love you a lot man and I'll be prayin for the adventure y'all are setting out on.
glhf.
- Josh
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Where?
Realities blur
like bayou waters once swirling
or a snowy mountain pass
Touch a real face
someone from a story
or ask a question I'll forget
Hear some voices
detached,
maybe connected to yesterday
A song
we used to listen on repeat
do they make new songs?
Soon I'll step back
to a thick vivid tempo
only to leave it again
and let my skin hold still within foreign walls
like bayou waters once swirling
or a snowy mountain pass
Touch a real face
someone from a story
or ask a question I'll forget
Hear some voices
detached,
maybe connected to yesterday
A song
we used to listen on repeat
do they make new songs?
Soon I'll step back
to a thick vivid tempo
only to leave it again
and let my skin hold still within foreign walls
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lance Formally Retires
London (AP) -- After four long and faithful years of services, Lance has finally retired. Things started to head south last semester when the notebook champion blew a back light, but that alone wasn't enough to keep him down. Overcoming operating system changes and a complete reformatting of his hard drive, Lance limped to the finish line with the help of a prosthetic monitor.
Speculation surrounding a possible comeback was met with a rather pointed response from the four-year champion:
"0100001001011111101010111010011011111111111010010010010010001001101001011010100010110."
Replacing Lance will be anonymous newcomer HP DV6, who boasts a turion X2 processor, more than triple the hard drive space and a much-needed video card upgrade. When asked about the choice, US head trainer Carles responded "At least he's not a Mac."
Fans will get their first chance to see DV6 in the upcoming Skype Time Trials.
Speculation surrounding a possible comeback was met with a rather pointed response from the four-year champion:
"0100001001011111101010111010011011111111111010010010010010001001101001011010100010110."
Replacing Lance will be anonymous newcomer HP DV6, who boasts a turion X2 processor, more than triple the hard drive space and a much-needed video card upgrade. When asked about the choice, US head trainer Carles responded "At least he's not a Mac."
Fans will get their first chance to see DV6 in the upcoming Skype Time Trials.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
First Weekend in London
Yo,
On Saturday I woke up a couple of hours after my alarm went off. Didn't feel too guilty, however, since I'm still getting over the jet lag, and hadn't slept much on the plane the day (night?) earlier. Grabbed a quick bite and then set off for another part of the town called Camden Town. I'd heard that Camden is the more "alternative" district, so I thought it'd be a nice change from Canary Wharf.
Whoever told me that was not joking. Liked the area a lot - reminded me of South Street, Philly at night time. There were loads of random clothing shops and several (at least four) open-air markets where people sold a strange variety of stuff that can best be described as the offspring of chinatown (nyc), gothic garb and dime-a-dozen touristy treasures. The typical shop included a barrage of printed tees with witty/smarty remarks (the same tees you'd find four shops to the right and left), cheap sunglasses and watches (i.e. chinatown), neon bongs and shishas and tobacco, and punk/goth accessories. There was this one store, however, that was quite possibly the most well-branded apparel store I have ever stepped foot into. It's called Cyberdog. I don't want to try to describe it, cuz it'll take too long, but here's a link: http://www.cyberdog.net. Dang it, there aren't any pics of the store there. Here's one of the entrance: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3294345244_e9bd81f9ba.jpg. Okay, here's a verbal shot. Take those statues times 10^4, stir in some cyborg (think seven of nine from Star Trek), add glowsticks and rave attire, top it off with a a healthy dose of LCD and lava lamp, and bake it all under black lights. That's Cyberdog.
It started raining after a few hours, but not before I had managed to complete the secret mission part of my trip to Camden Town: buying American peanut butter. They don't carry the stuff in most grocery stores in England! And even this place didn't have big or even medium-sized jars of Jiffy, only these baby-sized little buggers! So I bought four jars this time. They should last a couple of weeks. If you are out there and thinking of a holiday present to send my way, a giant bar of American peanut butter would be as good a gift as any.
Hung out in a Capoeira circle for about 45 mins; real cool. The dancers weren't great at it tho, haha, resulting in some great foot-to-the-stomach moves much to everyone's amusement. Music was solid, tho. The rain kicked us out, however, so that was that.
Checked out several phone carriers here, too. Vodaphone, O2 and Orange seem to be the weapons of choice, but this other carrier called '3' gives free Skype phone calls. Since this will come in SUPER handy for talkin to peeps from 'MERIKA, I think I'll be going with them.
It's late, gonna rush through the rest.
Roomie was hangin with his mum Saturday night, so I had a chill evenin sitting on my balcony (great view! pics to come soon) listening to Joanna Newsom and practicing blowing better O's. Mark Lester knocked on my door about 1am, surprise! He's on his way back from Israel.
Hung with Lester and Annabel today. Checked out Annabel's church, called ChristChurch London. Liked it, but gonna check out other ones next week. She said there's a church plant in Camden Town, and her friend told me about a smaller church that she goes to. Got a bunch of phone numbers and email addresses, and hopefully a bunch of mates with whom I can play futbol! Stoked about that :)
Okay, bedtime. Shalom,
- Josh
On Saturday I woke up a couple of hours after my alarm went off. Didn't feel too guilty, however, since I'm still getting over the jet lag, and hadn't slept much on the plane the day (night?) earlier. Grabbed a quick bite and then set off for another part of the town called Camden Town. I'd heard that Camden is the more "alternative" district, so I thought it'd be a nice change from Canary Wharf.
Whoever told me that was not joking. Liked the area a lot - reminded me of South Street, Philly at night time. There were loads of random clothing shops and several (at least four) open-air markets where people sold a strange variety of stuff that can best be described as the offspring of chinatown (nyc), gothic garb and dime-a-dozen touristy treasures. The typical shop included a barrage of printed tees with witty/smarty remarks (the same tees you'd find four shops to the right and left), cheap sunglasses and watches (i.e. chinatown), neon bongs and shishas and tobacco, and punk/goth accessories. There was this one store, however, that was quite possibly the most well-branded apparel store I have ever stepped foot into. It's called Cyberdog. I don't want to try to describe it, cuz it'll take too long, but here's a link: http://www.cyberdog.net. Dang it, there aren't any pics of the store there. Here's one of the entrance: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3294345244_e9bd81f9ba.jpg. Okay, here's a verbal shot. Take those statues times 10^4, stir in some cyborg (think seven of nine from Star Trek), add glowsticks and rave attire, top it off with a a healthy dose of LCD and lava lamp, and bake it all under black lights. That's Cyberdog.
It started raining after a few hours, but not before I had managed to complete the secret mission part of my trip to Camden Town: buying American peanut butter. They don't carry the stuff in most grocery stores in England! And even this place didn't have big or even medium-sized jars of Jiffy, only these baby-sized little buggers! So I bought four jars this time. They should last a couple of weeks. If you are out there and thinking of a holiday present to send my way, a giant bar of American peanut butter would be as good a gift as any.
Hung out in a Capoeira circle for about 45 mins; real cool. The dancers weren't great at it tho, haha, resulting in some great foot-to-the-stomach moves much to everyone's amusement. Music was solid, tho. The rain kicked us out, however, so that was that.
Checked out several phone carriers here, too. Vodaphone, O2 and Orange seem to be the weapons of choice, but this other carrier called '3' gives free Skype phone calls. Since this will come in SUPER handy for talkin to peeps from 'MERIKA, I think I'll be going with them.
It's late, gonna rush through the rest.
Roomie was hangin with his mum Saturday night, so I had a chill evenin sitting on my balcony (great view! pics to come soon) listening to Joanna Newsom and practicing blowing better O's. Mark Lester knocked on my door about 1am, surprise! He's on his way back from Israel.
Hung with Lester and Annabel today. Checked out Annabel's church, called ChristChurch London. Liked it, but gonna check out other ones next week. She said there's a church plant in Camden Town, and her friend told me about a smaller church that she goes to. Got a bunch of phone numbers and email addresses, and hopefully a bunch of mates with whom I can play futbol! Stoked about that :)
Okay, bedtime. Shalom,
- Josh
sup london
Hello America,
Rolled into London about 8 am local time on Friday. Took me a couple of cab rides plus tube rides to get to my place, which is on the opposite side of town from the airport. I'm super thankful that my employer is helping myself and the other dude from NYC with accommodations until August. The area is called Canary Wharf, and it's one of London's main Financial Districts, hence work is less than five minutes walk from our flat!
Canary Wharf sits on an island created by a bow in the Thames, and almost every building on the island is a huge financial headquarters. Part of me is impressed, part is appalled by this. An interesting side effect of the location, as opposed to NYC's financial centers, is that Canary Wharf goes absolutely dead after 6 pm. Compared to Times Square, where I worked at Lehman Brothers HQ last summer, this place is Green Acres haha. There are many bars and even a shopping mall on the Wharf, but these places get most of their business during the day. At nighttime, everything save a couple of pubs close by 8 pm. It's bizarre!
On Friday night I walked all over the island and probably saw 50 total people. Wearing only my street clothes in a district that is usually replete with Suits, I was an imposter sneaking in the shadows with the sleeping financial gods looming overhead. There is this one square with a water fountain and this nice foliage, and as I walk up to it at night I think "Oh nice, what a pleasant park!" I get to the fountain in the middle, hop up the step and start pacing around its circular perimeter. After a lap or two, I slow down and lift my head to look at the sky, only it's not the sky that catches my attention. The park has been surrounded, besieged by giant concrete and steel bodies. Like symmetric sentinels with oversized neon nametags on top, HSBC and Citi and Bank of America and Barclays glare down at the park, reminding the perfectly manicured lawns and trees that they are the outsiders in this stolid London district.
I suspect that the real imposter is the one who puts on the suit and tie and walks around the corner to work every morning. The proximity of my workplace to my home, coupled with my solo nighttime escapades that I expect to ensue, might help me to come to terms with working here. It's like the banks lose their power over me when I'm just kickin it in shorts and a white Tee. In those unfettered afterwork hours I can safely shake my fist at the buildings, make jokes behind their backs or maybe even join forces with the trees and fight to take back the land. I already made friends with one - a tree that is. I climbed it.
So much more to say. Think I'll throw stuff into another post so it's easier to split the labels and titles up.
- Josh
Rolled into London about 8 am local time on Friday. Took me a couple of cab rides plus tube rides to get to my place, which is on the opposite side of town from the airport. I'm super thankful that my employer is helping myself and the other dude from NYC with accommodations until August. The area is called Canary Wharf, and it's one of London's main Financial Districts, hence work is less than five minutes walk from our flat!
Canary Wharf sits on an island created by a bow in the Thames, and almost every building on the island is a huge financial headquarters. Part of me is impressed, part is appalled by this. An interesting side effect of the location, as opposed to NYC's financial centers, is that Canary Wharf goes absolutely dead after 6 pm. Compared to Times Square, where I worked at Lehman Brothers HQ last summer, this place is Green Acres haha. There are many bars and even a shopping mall on the Wharf, but these places get most of their business during the day. At nighttime, everything save a couple of pubs close by 8 pm. It's bizarre!
On Friday night I walked all over the island and probably saw 50 total people. Wearing only my street clothes in a district that is usually replete with Suits, I was an imposter sneaking in the shadows with the sleeping financial gods looming overhead. There is this one square with a water fountain and this nice foliage, and as I walk up to it at night I think "Oh nice, what a pleasant park!" I get to the fountain in the middle, hop up the step and start pacing around its circular perimeter. After a lap or two, I slow down and lift my head to look at the sky, only it's not the sky that catches my attention. The park has been surrounded, besieged by giant concrete and steel bodies. Like symmetric sentinels with oversized neon nametags on top, HSBC and Citi and Bank of America and Barclays glare down at the park, reminding the perfectly manicured lawns and trees that they are the outsiders in this stolid London district.
I suspect that the real imposter is the one who puts on the suit and tie and walks around the corner to work every morning. The proximity of my workplace to my home, coupled with my solo nighttime escapades that I expect to ensue, might help me to come to terms with working here. It's like the banks lose their power over me when I'm just kickin it in shorts and a white Tee. In those unfettered afterwork hours I can safely shake my fist at the buildings, make jokes behind their backs or maybe even join forces with the trees and fight to take back the land. I already made friends with one - a tree that is. I climbed it.
So much more to say. Think I'll throw stuff into another post so it's easier to split the labels and titles up.
- Josh
Monday, July 13, 2009
My Backyard
When I come to Boise
I walk in my backyard.
I take off my socks, shoes and shirt.
Like a weirdo.
I pace for about two hours every day.
The grass gets all matted,
like when your dog runs back and forth
along the fence.
I can do all the mosts the best in my backyard.
I touch the most,
I breathe the most,
I smell the most,
I think the most,
I listen the most,
I feel the most.
I miss the most.
I walk in my backyard.
I take off my socks, shoes and shirt.
Like a weirdo.
I pace for about two hours every day.
The grass gets all matted,
like when your dog runs back and forth
along the fence.
I can do all the mosts the best in my backyard.
I touch the most,
I breathe the most,
I smell the most,
I think the most,
I listen the most,
I feel the most.
I miss the most.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Boise Friends
Tonight I hung out with some of my best friends, Larry and Cory. I love these two guys. Larry mentored me from junior to senior year in high school, and Cory was my high school youth pastor. They have had more of an impact upon me than I can even I imagine. Even to this day, the people that know me the best hear me describe Larry and Cory as the men who, more than any other persons in my life, first demonstrated what real love looks like. I can't thank God enough for these dudes, so hanging out with them tonight is a highlight of my time back in Boise.
We talked for over two hours, and our conversation meandered over numerous topics, most of which had the flavor of broad generalizations about how Jesus impacts the way we experience life. After a few choice beverages from Sockeye Grill (my first time there, but when I return to Boise I'll definitely be back. Might take JC there when he stops in), Cory leans over and asks "So, you went to..." I jump in to save him, "University of Pennsylvania." "Right, right, University of Pennsylvania." Cory always starts with this question as a way of moving us from intermixed anecdotal chatter, towards direct inquiry pointed towards me. It's always a question, too; each year during the gap between my biannual visits to Boise he forgets.
The point of clarification made, however, he asks me to elaborate on my past four years at PENN. It's a timely topic, not only because I just graduated, but because of an email thread that my friend Zach initiated a few days ago between Jordan, Josh, Matt and I. "When I first decided to go to PENN," I begin, "I thought it would be fun to meet people form all over the country and the world. Even moreso, however, I highly anticipated the quality of the education that I would receive at the school. But after the fact, I'm confident that the most valuable thing about my college choice wasn't at all the academics. It was the immense diversity - in every sense of the word - of the people with whom I came into contact."
My worldview and my faith has been radically transformed and refined by interacting with people that have vastly different perspectives than I do. I think this is an incredibly positive thing, yet it is something that is nearly impossible to communicate to someone who hasn't had a similar experience in their life. I won't attempt to do so in this post alone, but it will definitely come out the more I write (and speak and live, hopefully). It has, even in the nine days that I've been home in Boise, caused some friction between my parents and I, which is also a good thing.
By the way, listening to Joanna Newsom right now and she is the shnazz.
That diversity that I found so valuable, contrary to what many of my Christian acquaintances might guess, showed up both in communities of non-Jesus-loving and Jesus-loving folk; both groups challenged me immensely. My non-Jesus-loving friends blew my mind again and again as they showed me how well-thought out, rational and cohesive a secular worldview can be. I also saw how this worldview, sans Jesus, played out in their stances in social, economic, political, ethical and vocational choices. Before PENN, I had a pretty clear understanding of some of the surface-level issues that (mainstream) Christians and non-Christian peeps disagreed upon*, but I hadn't realized that these differences can be traced back to very basic assumptions we have about the world. Basic assumptions that are different than mine lead, quite cogently, to different conclusions, which I now respect.
*I'm speaking about these two groups, Christians and non-Christians, from the mindset of pre-PENN Josh. At the time, sadly, the world could be subdivided as such. I now see (hopefully my life shows it!) that such broad strokes aren't very useful. When I refer to (and espcially when I criticize) Christians, I'm often referring to the evangelical Christianity that I grew up with, which fits most of the stereotypes that Americans have about Christians.
From the Jesus-following friends I made I found that Christianity is a far cry from a monolith, and that that's okay! As I told Larry and Cory, I arrived at PENN with a picture in mind of what Christianity looks like - my specific cultural expression of Christianity. I was immediately wary of cultural expressions that deviated from my own, but through a lot of grace and conversation with other Jesus-lovers, I finally became aware that what I called Christianity was only a cultural expression thereof; it wasn't the Gospel or Jesus. Although this realization didn't come all at once, it's now shocking how limiting my perspective used to be. Larry and Cory agreed that, when you finally figure this out, you can start to nail down what the Gospel actually is without all the extra stuff each particular cultural expression piles on top of it.
This is just a start to that topic, but it's getting late so I'm gonna hit the sack for now. I mentioned the email that Zach sent out, which does in fact tie into all of this, and maybe I'll also hit on some of the other stuff that Larry and Cory and I talked about in another post.
I also need to decide how to balance between honesty and censorship in this blog, haha.
Shalom,
- Josh
We talked for over two hours, and our conversation meandered over numerous topics, most of which had the flavor of broad generalizations about how Jesus impacts the way we experience life. After a few choice beverages from Sockeye Grill (my first time there, but when I return to Boise I'll definitely be back. Might take JC there when he stops in), Cory leans over and asks "So, you went to..." I jump in to save him, "University of Pennsylvania." "Right, right, University of Pennsylvania." Cory always starts with this question as a way of moving us from intermixed anecdotal chatter, towards direct inquiry pointed towards me. It's always a question, too; each year during the gap between my biannual visits to Boise he forgets.
The point of clarification made, however, he asks me to elaborate on my past four years at PENN. It's a timely topic, not only because I just graduated, but because of an email thread that my friend Zach initiated a few days ago between Jordan, Josh, Matt and I. "When I first decided to go to PENN," I begin, "I thought it would be fun to meet people form all over the country and the world. Even moreso, however, I highly anticipated the quality of the education that I would receive at the school. But after the fact, I'm confident that the most valuable thing about my college choice wasn't at all the academics. It was the immense diversity - in every sense of the word - of the people with whom I came into contact."
My worldview and my faith has been radically transformed and refined by interacting with people that have vastly different perspectives than I do. I think this is an incredibly positive thing, yet it is something that is nearly impossible to communicate to someone who hasn't had a similar experience in their life. I won't attempt to do so in this post alone, but it will definitely come out the more I write (and speak and live, hopefully). It has, even in the nine days that I've been home in Boise, caused some friction between my parents and I, which is also a good thing.
By the way, listening to Joanna Newsom right now and she is the shnazz.
That diversity that I found so valuable, contrary to what many of my Christian acquaintances might guess, showed up both in communities of non-Jesus-loving and Jesus-loving folk; both groups challenged me immensely. My non-Jesus-loving friends blew my mind again and again as they showed me how well-thought out, rational and cohesive a secular worldview can be. I also saw how this worldview, sans Jesus, played out in their stances in social, economic, political, ethical and vocational choices. Before PENN, I had a pretty clear understanding of some of the surface-level issues that (mainstream) Christians and non-Christian peeps disagreed upon*, but I hadn't realized that these differences can be traced back to very basic assumptions we have about the world. Basic assumptions that are different than mine lead, quite cogently, to different conclusions, which I now respect.
*I'm speaking about these two groups, Christians and non-Christians, from the mindset of pre-PENN Josh. At the time, sadly, the world could be subdivided as such. I now see (hopefully my life shows it!) that such broad strokes aren't very useful. When I refer to (and espcially when I criticize) Christians, I'm often referring to the evangelical Christianity that I grew up with, which fits most of the stereotypes that Americans have about Christians.
From the Jesus-following friends I made I found that Christianity is a far cry from a monolith, and that that's okay! As I told Larry and Cory, I arrived at PENN with a picture in mind of what Christianity looks like - my specific cultural expression of Christianity. I was immediately wary of cultural expressions that deviated from my own, but through a lot of grace and conversation with other Jesus-lovers, I finally became aware that what I called Christianity was only a cultural expression thereof; it wasn't the Gospel or Jesus. Although this realization didn't come all at once, it's now shocking how limiting my perspective used to be. Larry and Cory agreed that, when you finally figure this out, you can start to nail down what the Gospel actually is without all the extra stuff each particular cultural expression piles on top of it.
This is just a start to that topic, but it's getting late so I'm gonna hit the sack for now. I mentioned the email that Zach sent out, which does in fact tie into all of this, and maybe I'll also hit on some of the other stuff that Larry and Cory and I talked about in another post.
I also need to decide how to balance between honesty and censorship in this blog, haha.
Shalom,
- Josh
Monday, July 6, 2009
Campin in the 'Ho
Hi,
Just got back from McCall, ID where the fam spent the 4th of July. Apart from frequent, short-lived rainstorms, it was pretty perfect.
On Saturday afternoon, Tyler, Pops and I went mountain biking down the backside of Brundage mountain. Soooo sick. Tyler (Jon, too) is finally old enough that we can do pretty much anything together, so the three of us just ripped down the mountain without having to wait up for each other at all. Took us just under two hours to bike 14 miles, according to dad's GPS. The trail had a great mix of tough uphill climbs , wide downhill paths, and "technical" rock dodging. Since most of the paths were covered with loose fist-sized rocks, the uphill climbs were a twofold challenge - sheer legpower, plus balancing at low speeds with abnormal angular momentum. we missed a couple of turnoffs causing us to take a couple of really steep uphill offshoots. along the switchbacking trail we ran into periodic mountainside meadows, through which we caught glimpses of Cascade lake at the foot of the mountain. Goooorgeous.
Other highlights include: cliff jumping (only 30' max, so nothin as big as ye ol' Walnut Street to Schuylkill drop), making homemade ice cream, duct taping foam into Bandit's ears so he didn't freak out with the fireworks, drugging Bandit via Benadryl tablets in hot dogs, sitting around the campfire, Oreo milkshakes at My Father's Place, and finally looking out the window at the huge sky on the way back home.
things i'm gonna miss about the 'ho:
1. rugged mountains that will mess you up and/or take your breath away
2. driving to mccall
3. camping with the fam
4. sky that stretches forever, and single clouds that cover 270 degrees of view
I think I like my family.
Lots of controversial talks with the rents. Topics included drinking (public and otherwise), American nationalism and smoking (hookah specifically). Plenty of nostalgic reflection with the rents too. Driving home with just the two of them (plus Bandit) was really pleasant. I love my parents a lot. I'm super lucky to have 'em.
That's all for now,
- Josh
Just got back from McCall, ID where the fam spent the 4th of July. Apart from frequent, short-lived rainstorms, it was pretty perfect.
On Saturday afternoon, Tyler, Pops and I went mountain biking down the backside of Brundage mountain. Soooo sick. Tyler (Jon, too) is finally old enough that we can do pretty much anything together, so the three of us just ripped down the mountain without having to wait up for each other at all. Took us just under two hours to bike 14 miles, according to dad's GPS. The trail had a great mix of tough uphill climbs , wide downhill paths, and "technical" rock dodging. Since most of the paths were covered with loose fist-sized rocks, the uphill climbs were a twofold challenge - sheer legpower, plus balancing at low speeds with abnormal angular momentum. we missed a couple of turnoffs causing us to take a couple of really steep uphill offshoots. along the switchbacking trail we ran into periodic mountainside meadows, through which we caught glimpses of Cascade lake at the foot of the mountain. Goooorgeous.
Other highlights include: cliff jumping (only 30' max, so nothin as big as ye ol' Walnut Street to Schuylkill drop), making homemade ice cream, duct taping foam into Bandit's ears so he didn't freak out with the fireworks, drugging Bandit via Benadryl tablets in hot dogs, sitting around the campfire, Oreo milkshakes at My Father's Place, and finally looking out the window at the huge sky on the way back home.
things i'm gonna miss about the 'ho:
1. rugged mountains that will mess you up and/or take your breath away
2. driving to mccall
3. camping with the fam
4. sky that stretches forever, and single clouds that cover 270 degrees of view
I think I like my family.
Lots of controversial talks with the rents. Topics included drinking (public and otherwise), American nationalism and smoking (hookah specifically). Plenty of nostalgic reflection with the rents too. Driving home with just the two of them (plus Bandit) was really pleasant. I love my parents a lot. I'm super lucky to have 'em.
That's all for now,
- Josh
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Shipping Boxes
Dropped off all my personal belongings at the shipping company today. Six small boxes in total, plus a rug with my sweet walking stick rolled up inside of it. I don't really care about the rug much, but that walking stick...the rug was just an excuse to smuggle the stick and provide some padding around it. Adding in the stuff I'm carrying in my suitcase, I think my total personal affects sum to less than 350 lbs. I think that's pretty good? I sure threw out a lot of stuff - mostly clothes - so at least I feel like I'm living light relative to two months ago.
I called around to a bunch of overseas shipping places, and this was the best deal. Still gonna cost me upwards of $350 (!), but that's significantly less than the others. Guess that makes sense, considering a plane ticket is like $500 or $600. The boxes, however, will be livin it up ON A BOAT for the next 3-4 weeks, so I'm pretty jealous.
The dropoff was about 20 minutes northeast of University City, and this was my second time driving there because the place closed at 4:15 (surprise!) yesterday when I had been told it closed at 5. Nonetheless my friend Sufjan Stevens kept me company on the ride over, and driving can be a great mix of chill and (in a city) high-pressure, which I found I kinda enjoyed. To make things even better, I had to wait 45 minutes for the warehouse workers to finish their lunch break, allowing me to go to this awesome barbecue place called Sweet Lucy's. It was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese and cornbread. And then a homemade cookie to boot. Yeah, even though it was a restaurant the cookie did qualify for homemade, because it was the same size, freshness and texture as the kind of cookies your mom or your neighbor makes. Mmmmm.
Shalom,
- Josh
I called around to a bunch of overseas shipping places, and this was the best deal. Still gonna cost me upwards of $350 (!), but that's significantly less than the others. Guess that makes sense, considering a plane ticket is like $500 or $600. The boxes, however, will be livin it up ON A BOAT for the next 3-4 weeks, so I'm pretty jealous.
The dropoff was about 20 minutes northeast of University City, and this was my second time driving there because the place closed at 4:15 (surprise!) yesterday when I had been told it closed at 5. Nonetheless my friend Sufjan Stevens kept me company on the ride over, and driving can be a great mix of chill and (in a city) high-pressure, which I found I kinda enjoyed. To make things even better, I had to wait 45 minutes for the warehouse workers to finish their lunch break, allowing me to go to this awesome barbecue place called Sweet Lucy's. It was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese and cornbread. And then a homemade cookie to boot. Yeah, even though it was a restaurant the cookie did qualify for homemade, because it was the same size, freshness and texture as the kind of cookies your mom or your neighbor makes. Mmmmm.
Shalom,
- Josh
I missed the sky
I was walking along 38th on the way to Cav's last night, and I looked up to notice the sunset. The rest of the sky was empty, but a handful of fluffy clouds circumscribed the sun almost as if it was pulling the rest of the sky with it as it dove underneath the horizon. Distracted by the sight, I petered out to a standstill and felt my arms fold across my chest as my head slowly rose to take in the scene. That's what sunsets can do to you. They so much capture your attention that you almost forget you have a physical body, until you feel your arm holding its counterpart or a breeze brush across your face. Until then, you don't exist because you're caught up in something so much greater and more beautiful than yourself.
As this was happening, I was (and am) ashamed to realize this was the first sunset I had taken in for more than a week. It's horrible, how can I miss stuff like that? I need to mentally slow down, to trudge with my head up, and to go out of my way to taste the wind and the grass and the sunshine more often.
I'm thankful to say, however, that there has been a lot of time spent with my good friends as of late. Some of my favorite times have been the nights when we go out and sit on the grass between the high rises with my green astro-turf blanket, my new waterpipe and a variety pack of summer ales from Alegro's. The air grows sluggish and still, the temperature drops, and if you look out across the grass you notice little lights burning on and off, welcoming the dusk. Fireflies, mmmm. They remind me of Kansas.
I get a kick out of Curty, when he comes out to the grass with his cotton shirt and pants that we bought in Istanbul. The guy looks like a cross between a merchant from the far east, and a stoner from the American far west. But when he sits down with the rest of us, slouching on the midnight blanket and shooting the breeze like old cowboys, we're all just urban chill.
- Josh
As this was happening, I was (and am) ashamed to realize this was the first sunset I had taken in for more than a week. It's horrible, how can I miss stuff like that? I need to mentally slow down, to trudge with my head up, and to go out of my way to taste the wind and the grass and the sunshine more often.
I'm thankful to say, however, that there has been a lot of time spent with my good friends as of late. Some of my favorite times have been the nights when we go out and sit on the grass between the high rises with my green astro-turf blanket, my new waterpipe and a variety pack of summer ales from Alegro's. The air grows sluggish and still, the temperature drops, and if you look out across the grass you notice little lights burning on and off, welcoming the dusk. Fireflies, mmmm. They remind me of Kansas.
I get a kick out of Curty, when he comes out to the grass with his cotton shirt and pants that we bought in Istanbul. The guy looks like a cross between a merchant from the far east, and a stoner from the American far west. But when he sits down with the rest of us, slouching on the midnight blanket and shooting the breeze like old cowboys, we're all just urban chill.
- Josh
Monday, June 29, 2009
Living Situation
Yo,
So I HAD found an apartment that I was pretty excited about. Great price, less than 20 minutes from work, and within walking distance of not one but two parks (!!), but last week I found out that Barclays is paying for corporate housing until August. Real downer, I know.
Guess this means I have to physically go look at apartments instead of just rolling the dice and judging based upon pics on the web. Until then, I will be rooming with my buddy Pat with whom I interned last summer in the NY Barclays (formerly Lehman) offices. He's a cool dude, so I'm pretty happy with that. It'll help to be living with someone I know, and who is eager to explore a new city. Also, the corporate housing is very near where I work and the waterfront, which is convenient as I was planning on swimming in the Thames every morning anyways.
Mom, if you're reading, that was a joke.
Now I'm off to buy boxes from UPS and try to squeeze all my belongings into eight or fewer cubic feet. It's expensive to ship overseas!
Cheers,
- Josh
So I HAD found an apartment that I was pretty excited about. Great price, less than 20 minutes from work, and within walking distance of not one but two parks (!!), but last week I found out that Barclays is paying for corporate housing until August. Real downer, I know.
Guess this means I have to physically go look at apartments instead of just rolling the dice and judging based upon pics on the web. Until then, I will be rooming with my buddy Pat with whom I interned last summer in the NY Barclays (formerly Lehman) offices. He's a cool dude, so I'm pretty happy with that. It'll help to be living with someone I know, and who is eager to explore a new city. Also, the corporate housing is very near where I work and the waterfront, which is convenient as I was planning on swimming in the Thames every morning anyways.
Mom, if you're reading, that was a joke.
Now I'm off to buy boxes from UPS and try to squeeze all my belongings into eight or fewer cubic feet. It's expensive to ship overseas!
Cheers,
- Josh
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Start of Something New
Hi,
So I sorta got into blogging while myself and my mates were trippin through Europe (http://euronaboat.blogspot.com), so I thought it'd be a good way to keep in touch with my American pals while I am abroad.
Abroad you ask? Yes, there's been a change of plans and I'm now working in London instead of NYC.
Here's how it happened. After interning and receiving a full time offer from Lehman Brothers last summer, I thought I was out of a job when Lehman went bankrupt in September. Fortunately, Barclays, who bought Lehman, honored the Lehman offers, and I was slated to work full time in New York at the same offices, same job function etc. Jordan, Matt Curtis, Austin Regan and I were planning on living together in the city, so when I learned that there were some openings in the London Barclays HQ in January, 2009, I shrugged it off. By April, however, my best mates were still without jobs, so it was looking uncertain as to where they would be working and living. So I decided to contact Barclays about the London position, and within a few weeks I scheduled an interview.
Interviewed over the phone while I was on a train from Hamburg to Berlin, and, despite dropping the phone call at least four times due to bad reception (insert expletives-filled flashback) seemed to jive well enough with my interviewers. They thought the same, and offered me a position on the equity research team in London. Since London is just ramping up that division they are still filling out many positions, meaning more flexibility as to what I'll be doing. Right now it looks like it'll be something more on the strategy side than 'fundamental research' as they call it. Not sure yet, but I think I'd prefer this as well. Neato.
My friend Zach wants to play dota now, so I'm gonna call 'r quits. I'll fill in more details later, but as for now I have a temporary place to stay in London, and I'll be moving out there on July 16.
Shalom,
- Josh
So I sorta got into blogging while myself and my mates were trippin through Europe (http://euronaboat.blogspot.com), so I thought it'd be a good way to keep in touch with my American pals while I am abroad.
Abroad you ask? Yes, there's been a change of plans and I'm now working in London instead of NYC.
Here's how it happened. After interning and receiving a full time offer from Lehman Brothers last summer, I thought I was out of a job when Lehman went bankrupt in September. Fortunately, Barclays, who bought Lehman, honored the Lehman offers, and I was slated to work full time in New York at the same offices, same job function etc. Jordan, Matt Curtis, Austin Regan and I were planning on living together in the city, so when I learned that there were some openings in the London Barclays HQ in January, 2009, I shrugged it off. By April, however, my best mates were still without jobs, so it was looking uncertain as to where they would be working and living. So I decided to contact Barclays about the London position, and within a few weeks I scheduled an interview.
Interviewed over the phone while I was on a train from Hamburg to Berlin, and, despite dropping the phone call at least four times due to bad reception (insert expletives-filled flashback) seemed to jive well enough with my interviewers. They thought the same, and offered me a position on the equity research team in London. Since London is just ramping up that division they are still filling out many positions, meaning more flexibility as to what I'll be doing. Right now it looks like it'll be something more on the strategy side than 'fundamental research' as they call it. Not sure yet, but I think I'd prefer this as well. Neato.
My friend Zach wants to play dota now, so I'm gonna call 'r quits. I'll fill in more details later, but as for now I have a temporary place to stay in London, and I'll be moving out there on July 16.
Shalom,
- Josh
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