Tag Archives: writing

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Where’d Ariah go?

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Sorry folks, it’s been a busy time. Last week Mindy was on Spring Break and I didn’t have time to write much (though I was able to publish some of my drafts, so you didn’t notice). Then I surprised my friend Zach in Florida this weekend, so I wasn’t bored and sitting at my computer typing. And now I’m working nearly 12 hour days all week. I think this weekend I’ll have a chance to settle down but for now it’s just go go go.

In other news, today they are sending out the first issue of Excel magazine, in which my first two published in print (and paid) articles are in. I’m pretty excited about that. I’ll see if I can post the articles online for folks to read after it’s out.

More later, for now it’s time to bike to work.

P.S. I also got a crazy haircut by my students, if you want to look I upload a couple pics to flickr (look bottom right).

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Not ready for the week.

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I’ve been future posting as of late (meaning finishing post and setting them to go live on certain days in the future). It’s kept me from feeling like I’m procrastinating to the last minute, and helped me to get writing spells and set up my blog for one nice post a day.
But, this week is Mindy’s spring break. This means instead of spending mornings reading and writing, I’m hanging with her, which means I haven’t had time to turn any of my drafts into actual posts. I’ll still try and write at least one post a day, it just might be quicker stuff. And your going to have to be patient if you were just getting into any of my interesting series-like post (finances, etc). Hope that’s okay!

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Why I wanted to go to Wheaton College

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It’s funny I have this weird feeling that after posting this there are going to be a number of searches that will land on my site from high school seniors googling, “How to get into Wheaton essays” and “Free Wheaton Application Essays online.” If that’s how you got here, just know the essay that your about to read is probably not what got me into Wheaton. I actually got in because of my personal interview where I presented a song and dance routine in the key of h# and directed an entire pantomime by a troupe of trained monkey’s (though I had to agree not to house them in my dorm room; something about a total sum of body hair between roommates restriction).

I figure now that I’ve graduated, and because a friend asked why I wanted to go to Wheaton, there is no harm in revealing this essay to the general public. This was one of three essays I submitted for the Wheaton Application my senior year of high school. (UNCUT: Director’s Edition)

How do you see yourself as a good match to Wheaton’s academic and spiritual environment?

Since I first heard of Wheaton I knew I wanted to attend college there. It was a bright orange T-shirt with a blue Ichthus on the front and “Wheaton Soccer” on the back that first attracted me. “I’d go to that college just to get that shirt!” I told my friend who was wearing the shirt. At the time I wasn’t serious, but as I’ve learned more about the school I’ve found many more important reasons to go to Wheaton then to get a T-shirt.

Compared to many other colleges, Wheaton has tough academic standards. That appeals to me. I’ve always liked to challenge myself in school, taking hard classes that really push you. I don’t like to just get by, that’s a waste of the thousands of hours I spend in school. I believe Wheaton is looking for students that want to get the most out of their academic experience, and I believe I’m that kind of student.

The best way I’ve found to really get a feel for a colleges spiritual environment, besides visiting it, is by the people I know who have attended or are attending there, and the ways they are changed by it. In talking with friends attending Wheaton I’ve heard only positive comments and seen great growth in their spiritual walk. Those adults at my church who have attended Wheaton are individuals I have great respect for. The Wheaton alumni and current students I have talked to are all people with whom I agree theologically in almost all respects.

Two great men who have greatly influenced my life have also graced the halls of Wheaton. John Piper’s sermons and the memoirs of Jim Elliot have never ceased to amaze me. I want to learn from a school that has helped John Piper gain an amazing insight into God’s word and Jim Elliot an incredible patience for God’s guidance. Yet more then anything, I want to go were God leads me to go.

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If I don’t write, you don’t read.

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I took a brief look at my stats for Trying to Follow the past few days. It seems my assumption was right: If I don’t write, you don’t read.
Okay, you might read something somewhere else, but you certainly aren’t getting your daily dose of Fine thoughts from Ariah. I feel a sense of duty to write for you more. I’ll do my best to make that a reality.

At the same time I would encourage you to take a look at my “Links” post that come up each day. They are from my bookmarks at Del.icio.us and they give you a good idea of what I’m snooping around and doing each day. I’m going to start adding notes to each of them so you can have a better idea of what things are before you click on them. For now enjoy.

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Writing for Geez Magazine

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Though not to be confused with the popular rap artist, Young Jeezy, Geez Magazine is a little controversial.
It wasn’t until I received the first issue and started reading the Letters section that I realized the controversy of the title, Geez.

Using guttural language in connection with our Lord is not at all complimentary. In fact it is a cowardly and sinful act… Dan U. Dalke, Inman, Kansas

I had read this article, and thought Geez was just the word that we used growing up, not some attempt to blasphemy God. Needless to say I think they got some heads spinning.

I like Geez Magazine. Every article I’ve read so far has been thought provoking and to some degree challenging. I’d like to be a part of that, I’d like to write for Geez Magazine.
The problem is, I don’t know if I’m Geezy writing material. I don’t know if my style fits. I’m not quite sure where to start. I did write something and I’ll send it in, but it doesn’t have the sort of abstract flair that so much of the magazine is covered in. The stuff people read at a poetry gathering and everyone snaps their fingers. Any suggestions on me becoming a better writer?

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At least one new years resolution.

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For my faithful readers. This is my new years resolution for you all to see:

Become a better blogger.

I know there is a big difference between a personal journal type blog (like my xanga is meant to be) and a more professional, thoughtful, and informative blog (like I’d like this to be). Truth is I’m not very good and doing the later and I could use some help. I’m going to make an effort in that direction this next year. Maybe I’ll develop a solid and interested reader base. Maybe not.

For now it’s time to work on another goal, go to bed earlier.

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So I’m just supposed to write on here?

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I have a xanga. I started my blogging on a xanga because a lot of my friends where using it and I figured that was the place to be. The way I would post on there (and still do) is I tend to post just a few thoughts each couple days and I wait till enough people comment on the post before I post again.

Well, enough of that, this blog is for me. It can be for you too, and I apologize to those who subscribed to the email updates if you don’t want three or four a day. Seeing as I don’t have a job, I’m still randomly at home and have time to post more often.

So, let the true blogging begin.

p.s. and there WILL be spelling errors.