Staying Square in the Moment

I just wrapped teaching A Separate Peace by John Knowles. On the first page of his novel, he writes, "...I had always thought that the Devon School came into existence the day I entered it, was vibrantly real while I was a student there, and then blinked out like a candle the day I left." I was reminded of these lines upon arriving on UM's campus this weekend. I've only been gone for three years and in my place stands a new parking garage, a new classroom building, a sushi bar in the food court!, the gigantic Convocation Center, a completely remodeled student union, a crepe stand in the middle of the patio, several new trees, an entirely different library, a new addition to the School of Music, and my favorite new item: Jamba Juice. Wesley and the BSU/BSM/BCM (depending on what year you were there) are thriving even in my absence. Ok, so maybe it was a little egocentric of me to think that I would find UM exactly as I had left it...but, it's much better!

For those of you who know UM well, I made certain that I visited "The Pit" (which is void of all leaves now and boasts a simple, dirt floor) and "The Earthen Stairs." Upon my visit to my most favorite, most beloved, most visited place on campus, the earthen stairs, I saw 14 baby ducklings swimming with their mama! I am very concered for their safety, for near the lake is now a posted sign warning its visitors of alligators (which I didn't notice before and think that it is new). Sadly, I did not have my guitar with me on the earthen stairs, so I could not sing "I Will Sing Praise to God," but I remembered with GREAT FONDNESS the many times spent singing worship songs in the beautiful darkness on the earthen stairs with such dear friends...with the music of the lake's fountain accompanying us!

So, this visit was mainly to see Luis's senior clarient recital (WELL DONE, Luis!), but was also kind of the final good bye (and a chance to purchase my very first UM t-shirt!). Recently, a friend and fellow Dylan enthusiast, sent along to me a fantasic Dyaln interview in which Bob said, "I'm always trying to stay right square in the moment. I don't want to get nostalgic or narcissistic as a writer or a person. I think successful people don't dwell in the past. I think only losers do." And, as I said good bye to UM, the earthen stairs, and the 14 ducklings, I was reminded of Dylan's words...and am perfectly content now to "stay right square in the moment."

Beginning Blog

Now I begin my online adventure! I am quite thrilled to have my own little space here on the information superhighway. So now, along with my two crazy cats and growing gnome family, I also have my own webpage! I would like to thank my all too clever and witty friend, Mr. Jed Brewer, who helped me arrive at my awesome URL: sola alisa. (Thanks!)

For those of you who might be interested, sola alisa is a reference to Mr. Derek Webb (who has proudly tattooed himself with the solas):

Solus Christus - Christ Alone.
Soli Deo Gloria - To God Alone be the Glory
Sola Fide - Faith Alone
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone

Now, who is Derek Webb? He just happens to be AWESOME. He's a singer/songwriter who is unbelievably amazing...not as awesome or amazing as Dylan, but certainly easier to understand! Check him out at: www.derekwebb.com (official site) or even www.derekwebb.net (the site I like better).

So...thanks so much for stopping by.