The 'Advent Conspiracy'

I'm thinking about Christmas already. It makes winter my favourite season, and Houghton is already getting some snow, so how could I not?
In chapel today there was an interesting video; I included the link. The website is "adventconspiracy.org", and it provides some Christmas perspective. I like the emphasis on using time as a gift, something I've realized more and more as I grow older and spend more time away from home.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&eurl=http://adventconspiracy.org/

October break

Dad and Ali flew in to Houghton and we are just finishing our little vacation to New York City. As soon as you leave the Lincoln Tunnel, I swear peoples driving attitudes change. It's like you absorb this city persona and your driving becomes a little more aggressive, a little more fluid, and a lot more aware. No matter how many taxis speed through crowds, or how many jay-walkers step into the street a little too early, there seem to be no major accidents. I find this fascinating. I stood in Times Square for a good half-hour just watching traffic and people and this little camera crew trying to film a short segment for some movie.
We left New York in the late afternoon, after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Then we got lost and went too far south. Now we are heading back through Pennsylvania; we'll pass Scranton! and back to Houghton.
It's going to be extra tough to say goodbye to my family because I know they will be going home to see the new addition to our family; baby Lukas Edward Hummelman.
I'll have to be consoled knowing that I will see him in a month's time :)

Nothing much else to say, I'm pretty tired.

More pictures.

Just thought I'd update with a couple more pictures. Homecoming was a lot of fun; ever since they've lifted the 'no dancing' rule, people have just been springing out of no-where with these crazy moves (yes, I am one of them).

But there are bigger and better things than dance coming to Houghton: Dad and Ali will be here in three days! I am beyond thrilled. And it really is the best time to come; it is sunny, the leaves are changing colour, it is nice and cold at night, and I don't have any exams. We are driving down to the Big Apple to spend a few days there. I make only one promise: Dad will own a new pair of jeans before he goes back to Vancouver.

Houghton had some fireworks.
Me and my house-mate Jenny sporting some 80's garb for the dance.

The Ferris Wheel in the midle of campus!

And this is my ambulance. I've only been on 2 EMT calls so far, but I feel more comfortable. As terrible as it sounds, I look forward to emergencies. I love being involved, I love talking to the patients and using my minor amount of skills to help them.

Dining and Dancing

This weekend is rather important for Houghton; we are celebrating 125 years! Of course, that means good food, a couple of dances, and a Ferris Wheel. In front of the chapel. I'm excited.

Tonight begins the weekend of feasting, and while I am in amazement at the history of this school, this one verse keeps popping into my head (and in the voice of Aunt Sophie): "Celebrate your feast days, oh Judah!". Houghton has come a long way, as I recently discovered. It used to be a town of 'debauchery and whore-houses', and there was a lot of prayer for transformation. And boy did God answer! Houghton and its effectiveness, its ability to sustain a community that bears fruit, really shouldn't happen in this small town. But it has continued, with the same amount of students almost every year since it began, to provide for the people in this area.

I'll post more pictures as the festivities continue. For now, these are of me and some housemates.