The alarm cued the start of the morning and with a slap of the snooze function, my retreat back to restful bliss.
My first Greek class was coming up, first period of the morning. Sleeping was a better thing in my mind.
Beep Beep Beep!
Slap!
This repeated several more times until I rousted myseld and readied for the day's activities.
With much trepidation I jogged to Founder's Hall. Grabbing a gulp of water before venturing to room 245, I purposely situated myself in a mass of students because that is exactly opposite my normal routine.
Wanted to be different today.
The first lesson was simple: the difference and history of the words pedagogy and andragogy. The class is an andragogy course. Its for adults--the apparent difference between the two words that can mean "to teach" is that one has the connotation of being the teaching of children (peda) while the other is adults (andra) particularly adult males.
The male bit aside--the feminine sex is represented on the class roster--his point was well made: I won't hold your hand. I'll teach you and give you everything you need--even meet with you to explain things outside of class--but you must be your own advocate and motivator.
Good. Its nice to be treated like an adult.
So, with that in mind he skipped most of the syllabus, hitting only a few highlights and jumped into teaching us how to sing the Greek alphabeta. (ha).
I found myself having a good enough time but nervous nonetheless.
Particularly when I learned why our book wasn't the Mounce 'Basics of Greek Grammar.'
Our book was of the inductive style of learning, giving the student only enough to start then requiring them to learn by doing.
Mounce, a deductive text, gives you everything before you do anything.
I've always assumed I would be a deductive learner when it came to Greek. So it was that i left the class feeling that apprehension rise again.
Was I going to find my text book useless?
Would I need to drop the 40 bucks to get Mounce to understand my mandatory text?
Several hours later found me in the library basement, tucked away happily as a scribe of old--barring the tilted desk--pouring over my text.
Happy. No, giddy. I was giddy. Completely unexpected but I like learning Greek. So much so I found it refreshing. I had fun making up Mneumonic rules for the grammar paradigms. The one sad thing was the knowledge my good friend Kevin Reed would be loving it too and he isn't here.
So, while its too early to tell whether I really like the study of Koine Greek, I can say for certain it was a great first date even if she was a little dead.
Josh
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Free Time: Waving Goodbye
I thought I might have some free time.
Today Kim and I went to the Covenant book store and purchased our texts for this semester.
300+ $'s later and two sacks of books, we departed, still short about 4-5 books, but having found the majority of our needs.
Many are 200-300 page Christian texts one would likely enjoy reading of an evening. Several are large hardback textbooks--intimidating things that speak of things opposite to the inspiring leasure of the first group.
The third was related to language studies. I bought my first Greek New testament--which I can't read.
My first lexicon--which I can't yet use.
And my first mini-grammar. I call it mini because it is not 300-500 pages long being more a feild guide than a full fledge exploration of the language.
Did you remmeber that basic western speech has 8 parts?
I didn't. Here they are:
Nomen (Noun)
Pronomen (Pronoun)
Verbum (Verb)
Adverbium (Adverb)
Participium (Participle)
Praepositio (Preposition)
Conjunctio (Conjuction)
Interjectio (Interjection)
Feeling out of my depth I had cracked my "Still Greek to Me" reader and learned that horrifying fact: My grammar is rusty as an iron spike at the bottom of Chesapeake bay.
I think I know what I'll be doing for my 'free time' in the next few months: Greek and Language studies.
Today Kim and I went to the Covenant book store and purchased our texts for this semester.
300+ $'s later and two sacks of books, we departed, still short about 4-5 books, but having found the majority of our needs.
Many are 200-300 page Christian texts one would likely enjoy reading of an evening. Several are large hardback textbooks--intimidating things that speak of things opposite to the inspiring leasure of the first group.
The third was related to language studies. I bought my first Greek New testament--which I can't read.
My first lexicon--which I can't yet use.
And my first mini-grammar. I call it mini because it is not 300-500 pages long being more a feild guide than a full fledge exploration of the language.
Did you remmeber that basic western speech has 8 parts?
I didn't. Here they are:
Nomen (Noun)
Pronomen (Pronoun)
Verbum (Verb)
Adverbium (Adverb)
Participium (Participle)
Praepositio (Preposition)
Conjunctio (Conjuction)
Interjectio (Interjection)
Feeling out of my depth I had cracked my "Still Greek to Me" reader and learned that horrifying fact: My grammar is rusty as an iron spike at the bottom of Chesapeake bay.
I think I know what I'll be doing for my 'free time' in the next few months: Greek and Language studies.
Orientation: 2 Curriculums
Class hasn't started yet but yesterday Kim and I had our first day of school at Covenant.
Orientation was very nice. Unlike undergrad, where the info is boring and perhaps useless to inane, the info and discussions were useful and challenging.
The purpose of the Orientation seemed two fold. One was a very effecient welcome and data delivery of needed topics.
The second was addressing preconceptions with a challenge that directed us to move toward a right mindset for our time here. Our hearts and our intentions were concerns--something I've taken for granted as this is a Seminary, but frankly had not ocnsidered how the execution of such care and concern would materialize.
We were told "Grades were not the point," personal and spiritual development was. Grades were real, they are par for the course, but there were two curriculums we must keep in mind at all times.
One you pay money for. You get a grade. Some professor(s) give assignments, teach and what not. The usual. The thing one sees.
The other is set by Christ, tailor made for each person. Addressing thier sin and pushing them out of thier comfort zone".
Since arriving I have found so many things about myself that need to change its been a little overwhelming at times, though not crushing. I am being shone daily things for which I need Christ's grace all the more.
While the first set start Thursday, I must confess I'm finding that second curriculums already started.
Josh
Orientation was very nice. Unlike undergrad, where the info is boring and perhaps useless to inane, the info and discussions were useful and challenging.
The purpose of the Orientation seemed two fold. One was a very effecient welcome and data delivery of needed topics.
The second was addressing preconceptions with a challenge that directed us to move toward a right mindset for our time here. Our hearts and our intentions were concerns--something I've taken for granted as this is a Seminary, but frankly had not ocnsidered how the execution of such care and concern would materialize.
We were told "Grades were not the point," personal and spiritual development was. Grades were real, they are par for the course, but there were two curriculums we must keep in mind at all times.
One you pay money for. You get a grade. Some professor(s) give assignments, teach and what not. The usual. The thing one sees.
The other is set by Christ, tailor made for each person. Addressing thier sin and pushing them out of thier comfort zone".
Since arriving I have found so many things about myself that need to change its been a little overwhelming at times, though not crushing. I am being shone daily things for which I need Christ's grace all the more.
While the first set start Thursday, I must confess I'm finding that second curriculums already started.
Josh
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Love x (30) = 17
17 Jan 2010
Today is the 884th day of the marriage of Kim and Josh Hammans. Not too long ago we celebrated the 17th of each month with a date.
The first year of our marriage I got Kim a piece of jewelry every month.
With Hunter in our lives and no job, we can’t afford such extravagance, however it is still nice to do something for our special day.
Today we went to church, watched a football game at a sports bar and went shopping before retiring to watch TV.
I don’t feel that counts for something romantic but it was good. Life with Kim is good.
Here is something for romance:
Kim, you are my best friend.
You care for me more than anyone.
You’re better than I deserve.
I enjoy the role reversal, the green chilies and a house well decorated.
Your sports fanaticism is fun.
Thanks for teaching me cool stuff like the rules for football and explaining why baseball isn’t boring. I still don’t believe you, but thanks. Go Cubs…
I’m proud of you, my Proverbs 31 woman and blessed to have you as my wife.
Thanks for being a great mother to Hunter.
He is a happy baby and without you, it wouldn’t be so.
I love your smile.
He gets his infectious smile from you.
Happy 17th, baby; it’s our 30th.
Fun with Math:
We’ve been married
~76,377,600 seconds
~1,272,960 minutes
~21,216 hours
~126 weeks
Sweet…
Today is the 884th day of the marriage of Kim and Josh Hammans. Not too long ago we celebrated the 17th of each month with a date.
The first year of our marriage I got Kim a piece of jewelry every month.
With Hunter in our lives and no job, we can’t afford such extravagance, however it is still nice to do something for our special day.
Today we went to church, watched a football game at a sports bar and went shopping before retiring to watch TV.
I don’t feel that counts for something romantic but it was good. Life with Kim is good.
Here is something for romance:
Kim, you are my best friend.
You care for me more than anyone.
You’re better than I deserve.
I enjoy the role reversal, the green chilies and a house well decorated.
Your sports fanaticism is fun.
Thanks for teaching me cool stuff like the rules for football and explaining why baseball isn’t boring. I still don’t believe you, but thanks. Go Cubs…
I’m proud of you, my Proverbs 31 woman and blessed to have you as my wife.
Thanks for being a great mother to Hunter.
He is a happy baby and without you, it wouldn’t be so.
I love your smile.
He gets his infectious smile from you.
Happy 17th, baby; it’s our 30th.
Fun with Math:
We’ve been married
~76,377,600 seconds
~1,272,960 minutes
~21,216 hours
~126 weeks
Sweet…
Get Jack'd
24
So far I enjoy how the writing is allowing Jack’s character to be blunt with the bureaucrats he’s encountered thus far. He’s not interested in playing nice. What does this man have to do to get a pass? Why is there anyone in the government who second guesses him?
Other seasons he had reasons to be upset and reasons to live.
Now…He wants to go to LA and play with his grandkid.
?
I don’t know whether to laugh at the line I wrote above or find it moving that Jack’s somehow managed to avoid becoming a hard and ugly person. I suppose I’ll find it moving.
The bad guys are on notice either way. He’s retired and has two baddies down already, axe and gravity vs. MP5 = Jacked.
I guess those fan’s with their drinking games may need to brace for disappointment however, the day’s just getting started.
I give it a max of three episodes before he puts a knife to someone’s eye. He’s already blackmailed an official and put an ax into someone so they’re not having retirement turn him soft.
How does a guy like Jack Bauer retire anyway?
That guy has got to be the nexus where Ying meets Yang as his life is a perpetual storm of bad things going sideways with everyone but him dying even if the bad guys eventually loose out.
First Sunday
Today we visited a local church, Covenant Presbyterian, then went to a local sports bar and watched the big Vikings vs. Cowboys game. Sadly for Kim’s family the Cowboys were slaughtered. I think Brett Favre was rubbing salt in the open wound of his old enemy franchise.
Yes, Kim has gotten me interested in football. If only I could convince her that Sci-Fi was cool. 33% of my readership may take note of the above comment as hope and dream.
After the game we went to half the electronics stores in a 10-mile radius looking for a TV converter box to translate the confounded digital signals into something our older TV can use. After finding one for too much money we quit the search but as providence had it, a neighbor had a spare. That left us short an antenna. After fashioning one from a coat hanger and a long coax cable, we watched the season 8 two hour-long premier of 24. New York got Jacked and we loved it. Jack is back people.
Yes, Kim has gotten me interested in football. If only I could convince her that Sci-Fi was cool. 33% of my readership may take note of the above comment as hope and dream.
After the game we went to half the electronics stores in a 10-mile radius looking for a TV converter box to translate the confounded digital signals into something our older TV can use. After finding one for too much money we quit the search but as providence had it, a neighbor had a spare. That left us short an antenna. After fashioning one from a coat hanger and a long coax cable, we watched the season 8 two hour-long premier of 24. New York got Jacked and we loved it. Jack is back people.
The Move
Thanks to the military, Kim and I enjoyed the services of professional movers. They arrived Friday and began unloading their truck around 9am. It was a full service, one time placement job, which boils down to them unpacking their truck, setting your stuff where you tell them, but only once and if you wish, unpacking your stuff and disposing of all the packing waste.
Here’s the catch: They don’t put anything away.
That’s right, not a dish in a cupboard or a nick-nack on a shelf. They open boxes and pile it out onto whatever surface they can find.
Kim and I are still debating whether they method used by our packers at the 3PM hour was an attempt to punish us into releasing them from their job or simply the way they do their thing.
We’ll never know for sure, but so far very little is broken and we are in possession of well, our possessions. And what’s great is that I didn’t have to drive a 28 foot U-Haul with a 17’ trailer attached to the back.
Hoorah! for the free moving service.
I would like to know where my TV remote is though….
Here’s the catch: They don’t put anything away.
That’s right, not a dish in a cupboard or a nick-nack on a shelf. They open boxes and pile it out onto whatever surface they can find.
Kim and I are still debating whether they method used by our packers at the 3PM hour was an attempt to punish us into releasing them from their job or simply the way they do their thing.
We’ll never know for sure, but so far very little is broken and we are in possession of well, our possessions. And what’s great is that I didn’t have to drive a 28 foot U-Haul with a 17’ trailer attached to the back.
Hoorah! for the free moving service.
I would like to know where my TV remote is though….
Better Than Panera...
St Louis Bread Co…
Everywhere else it is called Panera Bread, but here, where it all started, the name may be different but the bread is just as good. But, can you guess what’s better than Fresh Panera Bread?
Free Panera Bread.
That’s right. I’m dining on free Panera Bread. Apparently, St. Louis Bread Co has been generously donating its evening left-overs twice a week to Covenant Theological Seminary for some time.
Thursday night found me tired, but awaiting the delivery of the fabled free bread. A new comer, I hung back to observe the proper etiquette of the event as trash bags of bread were brought into the community center and set down before us on the mail room tables.
As it turns out, the proper etiquette is to bring your own bags and stuff them full. Being new I hadn’t a bag, but no worries as the community here is so nice that not even the temptation of free Panera got in the way of a friendly student giving me a bag. Thanks to her I was able to grab several loaves, which, by the way are coming in very handy these first few days while Kim and I sort out our new apartment.
Thank you St. Louis Bread Co and thank you to whoever go the bread this week. It sure hits the spot.
Josh
Everywhere else it is called Panera Bread, but here, where it all started, the name may be different but the bread is just as good. But, can you guess what’s better than Fresh Panera Bread?
Free Panera Bread.
That’s right. I’m dining on free Panera Bread. Apparently, St. Louis Bread Co has been generously donating its evening left-overs twice a week to Covenant Theological Seminary for some time.
Thursday night found me tired, but awaiting the delivery of the fabled free bread. A new comer, I hung back to observe the proper etiquette of the event as trash bags of bread were brought into the community center and set down before us on the mail room tables.
As it turns out, the proper etiquette is to bring your own bags and stuff them full. Being new I hadn’t a bag, but no worries as the community here is so nice that not even the temptation of free Panera got in the way of a friendly student giving me a bag. Thanks to her I was able to grab several loaves, which, by the way are coming in very handy these first few days while Kim and I sort out our new apartment.
Thank you St. Louis Bread Co and thank you to whoever go the bread this week. It sure hits the spot.
Josh
Arrival
What to say…
It’s now 2010 and I’ve been remiss in posting for the last month and a half. However, with this first post of 2010, I can say that the Seminarian blog is truly coming from a Seminary for Kim and I are here.
6195 miles later, we arrived Thursday, 14 Jan 2010 at Covenant Theological Seminary. The school was good enough to put us up for the night in guest housing. The next morning I was giddy as I went down the stairs to check out.
Kim says I’m a pessimist, I suppose that is why I find it hard to believe we are here at times. But…we are. We are actually living out our dreams. God has provided and we are here.
Thanks to everyone who helped Kim, Hunter and I along the way. You all made 2 months and 6000+ miles of road time and existing out of a suitcase livable.
Josh
It’s now 2010 and I’ve been remiss in posting for the last month and a half. However, with this first post of 2010, I can say that the Seminarian blog is truly coming from a Seminary for Kim and I are here.
6195 miles later, we arrived Thursday, 14 Jan 2010 at Covenant Theological Seminary. The school was good enough to put us up for the night in guest housing. The next morning I was giddy as I went down the stairs to check out.
Kim says I’m a pessimist, I suppose that is why I find it hard to believe we are here at times. But…we are. We are actually living out our dreams. God has provided and we are here.
Thanks to everyone who helped Kim, Hunter and I along the way. You all made 2 months and 6000+ miles of road time and existing out of a suitcase livable.
Josh
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