Forward.

I have this quote hanging in my room, and it always reminds me of those periods that seem fallow and parched and dormant. They are precursors to the miracle of new things blooming; silent harbingers that what is in the works is too deep and too fragile to watch in the glaring light of day:

"The seed is in the ground
Now may we rest in hope
While darkness does its work."
Wendell Berry

I just read a short novel of his called Remembering. It's about grief, and life, and love. It was quite moving. Read it if you get the chance.

Also, read this post by my Mams. She's a wise and gentle one. I think she is secretly an Ent...without the weird, low, slow voice, of course.

Spring...you can almost taste it. There are green buds pushing up through the thawing ground. New life feels good after these many freezes....we get a chance to be warmed by the sun, we get a chance to hear the birds singing. I know, I know. I'm a sucker for the romance of it all.

I'm preparing for a big paper and two midterms this week. I should be studying presently, but am instead looking out my window and thinking about Switzerland.

I'll be leaving for Basel, Switzerland on Saturday to go visit Linz for spring break, courtesy of her company, CRB. It is a chemical engineering firm, and they are flying buddies (and spouses, whichever the employees choose) over to visit their forlorn employees who have been working far from home these last 6 months. And Linz, in her generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness, asked me to come. I am still speechless. I have not shared this news with many mostly because I feel kind of like a chump. I feel like a chump because I've yet to learn how receive gifts graciously, if at all. But friends are good and keep giving them. And God is gracious, and he does too.

I am meeting my friend Irum in a few minutes for a special treat. It is something that she described as perfection in a bowl--this hot chocolate soup stuff that they have at Bissengers. Now that's a great way to hang out. It's almost (almost) better than coffee.

That's all for now, I suppose. It's time for some Psych Disorders practice tests. Just wanted to say hey. To y'all. You know who you are. I'm thinking about you, and praying for you, and hoping your Sunday days and Sunday nights are just fine.