"Back to life... back to reality"

So, today I returned to school. Bright and early I hitched a ride in the 15 passenger van I thought I'd left behind in Youth Ministry ('cause BOTH shuttles are in the shop) and headed into the 8am preaching plenary session. What a way to begin my 2nd year.

I'll tell you one thing, there's nothing better to dispel the optimism of a new year like receiving syllabi, being assigned precepts and realizing that your perfect plan for a stress-free semester is nowhere in sight. I mean, these classes look interesting. I'm definitely excited about the material (not to mention the material in at least 2 other classes I just couldn't fit into my schedule) but it's like being in line for a roller coaster. You stand there for an hour, just inching along, looking so much forward to the ride. You observe the screams, you chart the huge drops, the spins, the turns and you can't wait for your turn. Then, when you finally get in, the lap bar secure, and you begin the ascent of that first monstrous climb and you ask yourself "what have I gotten myself into?!"

I kinda feel like that. With 14 ACADEMIC credits (which doesn't count field ed) translating into 5 actual courses (which includes a 2 credit preaching class that's more like 4-5 credits worth of work) plus a field ed placement that is 30 minutes away and will require at least 1 late night/week (and up to 15 hours), plus a job at 10-15 hours per week (that pays awesome and will allow me to do some reading - really can't complain) and of course a wife who is pregnant and requiring just a little more assistance around the house as things move along... well, it's going to be a busy semester.

So, that's where I'm at. But I'm realizing, I'm not sure I want to keep this blog ENTIRELY about me. So, at the expense of becoming preaching and pretentious, I may start blogging about stuff that I'm reading/thinking about from classes as well this next semester. Since this is my blog, it doesn't really matter what anyone else things about it... but in case anyone cares, feel free to e-mail: ian.torrance@ptsem.edu and tell him what you think. I'm sure he'll be VERY interested.

As for the photo above, yes, those are the front doors of Stuart Hall, the building where most of the classes are held (3 of my 5 this semester). And yes, that's a real sign in the foreground, at the corner of the administrative building. And yes, if you know Princeton at all, the whole photo is pretty freakn' ironic...