On Friday, a student asked me what I did all day. I struggled to remember. I was pretty sure I wasn’t lounging around on the couch in my office, and I could remember a few things, but what exactly do I do all day? So I thought today I’d just keep a little record. It’s not really a normal day because today is the first day in the last 14 that I haven’t taught or led the students. Most of them are at the beach in Ashkelon right now (where the lifeguard tower served as the huge bonfire last night; fire dept hung up on their emergency calls 5 times), and I’m hoping to have a fairly productive day. Whether or not this will interest anyone besides my friend Happy, I don’t know. But I’m not making anyone read it… [ed. note: at the end of the day, I wonder if it was worth doing this; the day wasn’t remarkable in any sense of the word; maybe I shouldn’t even post this…]
9:00 I’ve spent the hour this morning working on a sermon. I’ve been thinking about the text (2 Cor 1:9) for the last month, but only now have put something to writing. The sermon isn’t for 3 weeks yet, but I have exactly one free day between now and then. It was a very good hour in which I feel like I got the main points outlined. It’s actually easier to write on a subject that you’ve been thinking about for years. And my goal isn’t to make some new discovery, but to just bring into sharp focus what Paul wrote and why….
9:30 Started going through some email before being interrupted by the delivery guys with the new IBEX picnic table (gift of class of Fall 04 – thanks guys!) and a bench for our home. Very solid (and heavy) pieces of furniture. Back to email…
10:30 Enough of email for now (went from 67 to 52 in the inbox). I also did the last bit on the new packaging for the Pictorial Library DVDs – that’s been in process for many months now. The DVDs are available only in Israel (sorry).
11:30 The students are back with tales of the fire. Apparently the fire dept is first-rate. They arrived an hour after the fire started. Three of their hoses broke so they ended up using a garden hose. When told that the arsonist was possibly spotted, the firefighters denied it (oh, you’d have to go to the police station and file a report and all that; you didn’t see anything). So the interruptions have started, but so far, the morning has gone extremely well from a productivity standpoint. I did various things this last hour, ending with the typing of 6 pages (of 20 total) of notes I took on a trip with an archaeologist in April. One non-negotiable with me: no matter what else is going on, I insist on typing up hand-written notes immediately because my writing can be hard to read (esp. when writing quickly) and while the memory is still fresh. The fact that it’s taken me 5 months indicates the backlog here. The notes I’m typing are from a tour of “Jerusalem in the Rockefeller Museum.” There are a number of interesting things about the museum, which I’d like to report in a future blogpost. On to something else; typing hurts the wrist.
1:30 More random things, including fixing some problems with my DVD/network interface for the Pictorial Library. I hope to release that in the next BP newsletter. The moshav manager called to say they installed wireless internet in the guesthouses; another headache for me. Lunch was good; at home with Kelli, Bethany and Katie. Found a traveling partner for Malta, Pompeii, Rome, plus in November and emailed the travel agent for a quote. Made a few DVDs with the new packaging (DVD insert and labels). One of the students is editing video from the beach trip in the computer room next door and every minute or so, everyone busts out laughing. I pretend not to hear my name. Onward…
2:45 I took an hour to do something “fun” and go through some “new” old b/w photos for a project I’m working on. I made it through 1000 pics, largely because many are poorly preserved or duplicates of what I already have. 3200 more of those to do on other days. There were a variety of interesting photos, only one of which I’ll comment on here: a group of Americans (in the 1920s?) enjoying a fun day at the beach at Ashkelon. Sounds like a good idea :-)
4:50 The afternoon has raced along, like usual. I got the price for the Malta trip – ouch. That may change things. I worked on new problems with the DVD/network interface and think…think that’s done now. Various other interruptions. Down to 30 min. before heading home.
5:20 Time to post this and go home. The price for Malta did go down some. Overall, I feel like I had a pretty productive day, though it got worse as it went on. It’s not as exciting (for the reader) as other days, and maybe I erred by choosing this one (not knowing in advance, of course). And maybe I shouldn’t post it. Or maybe you shouldn’t have wasted your time reading it :-). Now to home for 1) dinner; 2) scouting out group photo place at Neve Ilan for tomorrow night’s shot; 3) working with the boys more on reading English; and hopefully 4) naming more of my Istanbul Museum shots. I did 100 (of 800) last night and would love to get 100 more done. Tomorrow I lecture for 4 hours. And hope the call comes that the car parts are in. You don’t realize how important it is that the back door closes until it doesn’t. :-)
Despite you being hesitant to post, I’m glad you did. Being a new reader to “Todd’s Thoughts” it was interesting to read how your day went. I am praying for you and your strength to continue to push hard through this semester. Thanks your all of the time you put into us!
Hi Todd! Reading about your day interested me and I’m not Happy, despite the fact that many people know me as “Happy’s girlfriend.” I guess I need to be a little more outgoing…
Anyways, I’m excited to see the group photo of this semester! The one from last semester is still on the IBEX bulletin board outside my office. It seems like things are going well with the new group. They were fun at the airport before they left. I still don’t think you’ll ever get a group as loud as ours though. Then again, I didn’t actually contribute much to that.
I hope all is going well with you, Kelli and the rest of your clan. Glad you got to have a “day off.” God bless!
p.s. Happy liked your date idea :-)
Todd, I always wondered what you did with your day too, when I was there…but I figured that you were super busy. Now I know that it is true, not to mention that you are very disciplined. The part you wrote about random laughter coming from the computer lab brought back many fond memories, and made me laugh! And, sheesh, do you take a ton of pictures…maybe you should see if you could make it through one outing with a set number of pictures…would you be more selective that way? It might save time, but then again, it might just cuase frustration and you not getting the shot you wanted:)
Enjoyed reading about your day…it was worth doing and reading!
Well would you lookie there. There’s more people out there who care, Todd! Or maybe your “no one will care” ploy really worked and got people to comment out of sympathy. Now if only that would work for my blog!
I was talking to AJ Woodsum a couple days ago about our favorite class of ALL-TIME: History of Ancient Israel. I have “The Israelite Monarchies” chart above my pillow on the wall for easy reference. Just another perk of “taking a Todd class.” Keep up the hard work Todd. I miss Israel a lot!
You guys are great. Thanks for reading and praying. Today has been more “normal”, with more reminders of my weakness and my daily need for grace and wisdom. Too much is at stake.
Todd,
Thanks for posting your day. I, along with a few others I see have wondered what fills your days and I would have to agree with Ilena…you’re definitely disciplined right down to when its time to go home. I know, for me, I waste way too much time. Thanks for the conviction there. Hearing you mention the group in the email room brought back memories of all the games of Family Feud that Christian, J-Rob, Matt and Leah would play and how we even got you to come out now and then to either play or to make a comment… Sigh…good times. I miss Israel too and yes, History of Ancient still remains my fav class…even with that rediculously hard first test.:) God bless, enjoy your students (you need to harass Mary Buck and Hannah Johnson for me :) cuz they deserve it) and I’m praying for you all.
Oh man, I miss those days of being one of those students making noise from the other room, mocking you behind your back. I have also wondered what a day in the life of Todd looks like, now I’m enlightened. I read your blog daily.
Todd, a day in the life of Todd Bolen. Who would have thought that it would raise this much controversy? FA03 will still remain one of my most favorite 105 days of my life. Taking two Todd classes was not on my high list when I heard how hard you were, but God knew what you would do to my heart. Every day that you teach students about God’s Word and the locations found in that place gives God a chance to work amazingly in that student’s life. HAI was the best class that I ever took. Not because of the book knowledge that I learned…although that was a huge plus, but because of the nuances and small details that were taught to me by you Todd. Keep up the good work and I will miss you always.
In Christ,
sh
Ha ha – it makes me laugh that you post your random not ultra-adventurous Israel day and you get more comments than ever. Thanks for keeping us all up to date on the blog… it’s been fun to finally have a few minutes to peruse the site. I’m still trying to get up the guts to go check out the ibexsemester site and realize that I’m not on there anymore. I know – I’m a wimp. Take care and God bless! Jodi