Crazy Math Lady

Not At All Math Related

So I've determined that the reason I never got along all that well with Shakespeare in high school is because I didn't get how intricately tied the words were to the medium. Trying to read a play like a novel doesn't work so well. Susi's experience in her Shakespeare classes, and her enthusiasm has helped me try again, with a new method. I now read aloud. Only when I'm alone, of course, because it would be too weird (even for me) to entertain all the other patrons at the local Starbucks. But in the midst of this, I'm rediscovering that the Bard is beloved for a very good reason: he's genius. Wit and wisdom.

I only wish we paid more attention. Somehow in the last decade or so, I had come to believe that having a sharp answer, teasing others and generally trying to outwit them, was clever, attractive and desirable. Praise the Lord for conviction coming (again -- I'm stubborn on this one) from unlikely sources. Katharina's speech to her sister and another woman at the end of The Taming of the Shrew illustrated again for me what true beauty is:

I am ashamed that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway,
When they are bound to serve, love and obey.

I was reminded also of 1 Peter 3:3 - 6

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

A gentle and quiet spirit; not contending, but submitting; not striving, but obeying. This is what I want to be, towards God, towards the authorities in my life, and hopefully, one day towards my husband.

I <3 Summer

If any of my students are reading this, yes, I miss you all, but...

Summer vacation rocks my world! Sleeping in, reading, hanging out with my family, reading, drinking coffee, reading, playing video games, reading, seasons one AND two of Veronica Mars, reading, not having to leave care group early, reading, monday mornings, reading, going to church in the city on sunday nights, reading...

So without further ado, I announce the beginning of my summer reading list in the sidebar, as soon as I can figure out all the wacky HTML stuff!