In timing with the New Year I have decided to map out the calendar year by its months according to how my brain imagines them when i close my eyes. To begin, when I close my eyes and think of the year, I imagine each month like any wall calendar, except the pages run together and form a giant multi-colored abstract loop. The colors are sensitive to their location in the year and will often vary slightly, but stay generally the same. Below I will outline some basics about each month as I see them.
1. January
Color: Light Purple
Food: Leftovers
Beer: Samuel Adams Winter Lager
This isn't my favorite month of the year, but I must begin with it. Despite its significance of being at the beginning of the year, it really only fosters a sense of stale pleasure to me. It's always back to school and back to work and everyone's gotta diet and tell you about it and hold it over your head. I'm sure I'll be doing the same thing in some strange way, perhaps running more, or trying to wake up earlier. Especially as I start my year at CSULB, perhaps it will be a tad more enjoyable than most years, but I think, for some reason, it's still gonna be January.
"All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun."
- Ecclesiastes 1:8-9
2. February
Color: Dark Blue
Food: Homemade Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Soup.
Beer: Bitburger (Belgian White)
And then just before winter's end there's that month that is too short to often even be noticed. I always seem to be short of cash this month, and probably because my bills are still due on the same day of the next month, and yet there are quite a few days less. For someone who would prefer to have more days in the year, taking three out just isn't a good idea. Man this is more depressing than I thought it would be.
"He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever."
- Psalm 111:5
3. March
Color: Turquoise
Food: Linguine al Arrabbiata
Beer: BJ's Jeremiah Red
By now the routines have set in and life gets a bit more interesting. The coolness of winter is starting to die and I'm beginning to notice the successes of that diet I started two months ago. I'm looking forward to Easter, and spring break, and mid-terms being over. Maybe I'll make ten lbs of pasta and invite my friends over.
"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
- Romans 8:19-21
4: April:
Color: Light, Forest Green
Food: Steak and Potatoes
Beer: Stone IPA
Finally some heat! I'll be looking forward to a couple of cold ones and a huge steak basking in the sun in my grandmother's garden at a family bbq after celebrating the resurrection of my Lord. Laughter, joy, friends and family as new meaning is given to the word communion every year.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
- Matthew 13:44
5. May
Color: Deep Green
Food: Grilled Chicken Salad
Beer: Stella Artois
Feeling the intensity of the school semester with finals soon, and the desire to be at the beach instead of in a library becomes all the more enticing. I'll push myself too hard this month, but it will feel good and you couldn't stop me if you tried.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."
- Hebrews 12:1
6. June
Color: Sky Blue
Food: Double Bacon Cheeseburger, xtra Pickles, Fries, Pop
Drink: Coca-Cola
Airplanes, beaches, waves, cold ones, anticipation for the fun of the summer months ahead, and the summer class that I surely signed up for...
"...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
- Hebrews 12:2
7. July
Color: Bright Yellow
Food: Apocalypse Dog
Drink: Hen-Dubs Root Beer
Friends and worship nights, bike rides to long beach, long days, movie nights, stars, explosives, fires, and bbqs. In a word: SUMMER!
"Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day."
- Psalm 96:1-2
8. August
Color: Yellow Orange
Food: Beer Roasted Chicken
Beer: Peroni
HOT!!! And by now, I'm darn tired of it. Long boring summer days start to drain my creativity and the depression sets in. The end of all summers is at hand, and as bad as my heart doesn't want it to leave, you'll finally hear me complaining about how much I can't wait to be back in school.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
- Galatians 6:9
9. September
Color: Red
Food: Nachos
Beer: Killians Irish Red
Go! Go! Go! By far the busiest month of the year, and still hot to boot! At least it is in so-cal. With so many church activities, classes starting, and I can never seem to manage to stay on top of it all. Oh well, the good months are coming...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
- Ephesians 6:10-12
10. October
Color: Orange
Food: Pasta, Bread-sticks, n' Pizza!
Beer: BJ's Pumpkin Ale
You can smell it, and it smells amazing! There is nothing like the smell of October, it is my favorite month of the year, and not just cuz my birthday is in it. I love the shorter, cooler days, the midterms don't seem all that bad, and all my friends seem like they want to give one last hoorah to the world before being sucked into the joyful terrors of the holiday season.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
- Ephesians 5:1-2
11. November
Color: Brown
Food: Turkey, stuffing, mashed taters!
Beer: Alaskan Amber
A good mix between October and December, except it seems like everyone's always sick and it isn't until Thanksgiving when we all realize that Christmas is coming soon.
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."
- 1 Timothy 4:4-5
12. December
Color: White
Food: Lamb, Carrots, Cookies n' stuff!
Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (it tastes like Christmas!!!)
The year always ends with tons of rushing around and then Wham! It's Christmas! Turkey, cookies, lamb, cookies, potatoes, cookies... did I mention cookies? :) I'll probably spend the day after Christmas just lounging around the house being lazy and writing some silly blog...
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."
- Isaiah 9:6-7
Oh well, that's how I see it. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year!!!
