Bradley Woodrum Bradley Woodrum Bradley Woodrum

Up to what has Bradley Woodrum been? An excellent question, Brad. Among other things, I have been engaged whole-heartedly in a campaign of Passion, a journey of Excellence, and noble pursuit of Americanism: I have been trying to get a million cat/kitten images to appear in a Google image search (GIS) for "Bradley Woodrum" and "Brad Woodrum."

Step one of this devious plan is to, you guessed it, write "Bradley Woodrum" or "Brad Woodrum" in blog-posts featuring cats slash kittens.

My less-noble, more-boring, recent pursuits include:

1) Teaching my ESL classes in Chinatown. Helping out at Cornerstone.
2) Doing some freelance editing for McGraw-Hill.
3) Finishing up my last few RU classes.
4) Writing for DRaysBay, where they treat me like, eh, maybe the son of a demi-god? Yeah, not great or anything, but they at least recognize me and say stuff like, "I think I kind of like your writing."
5) Polishing up a short story for a writing contest.
6) Learning how to write the word "meow" in Chinese. 咪.

My ESL Classes
I feel very fortunate to say I love the place I'm in right now. I really like teacher -- even though it can be a real strain sometimes -- and I suspect I'm decent at it. I can easily picture myself teaching for a while. And, with the possibility of decent income coming my way via freelance writing/editing, I should be able to work at the Pui Tak Center and still put noodles on the table.

Jamie and I have also taken leadership roles at Cornerstone (the church that formed out of our old church in Chinatown). We really love Cornerstone! It's a collection of great friends and genuine, God-fearing and God-loving people. Jamie has started helping with Hospitality and Greeting, and I'm currently serving the Children's Ministry and Worship Ministry (they want me to learn more keyboard, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!).

I really have a burden for the Youth Ministry, though, but unfortunately we don't have any youths. So, since half the church is under age 13, the plan is to help with and learn from the Children's Ministry while we wait for the kids to get older, which can take any unknown amount of time. I'm told children age at different rates, but they don't seem to be aging at all. Go figure.

Summer Plans

For those who didn't know, I had a grueling, 3.5-hour job interview on Monday. After putting all the time and effort into the interview, I'm no longer certain if I even want the job. I haven't had any peace about the subject all week, until a day or two ago when Jamie and I decided it would be best to decline if they offered me a job. It's still hard to say exactly why I didn't feel good about the job, especially since we could really use some solid income, like, right now; but today, I talked with one of my professors about an independent study I plan to take this summer, and he noted something interesting that I hadn't really considered before: Apparently, in recessions, when the labor market is really tight and everyone's looking for work, people are inclined to take the first job offer they receive. This results in people entering career paths that don't best suit their interests or skills, and since people tend to stick with a general career path, this first job defines the remainder of their lives. (In turn, the society as a whole suffers as thousands of people fail to reach their highest potential.)

I don't know if that's why I don't feel good about this job, but it's very true that the offer is not really in line with my ultimate career goals (to work for the Tampa Bay Rays or Cubs, or writing [about economics]). Also, adding a job at $40K per year, but still taking classes would actually carry the potential of worsening our financial situation (i.e. still no cats, and possibly having to move to the ghetto). The difference, in terms of actual weekly and monthly obligations for us, of $40K and $45K is monumental, so we would be better served to hold out for a little more.

So, on Tuesday I applied to about 6 or 7 more opportunities, namely some summer internships or internship-type jobs. So, if you guys remember, please keep me in your prayers that I might navigate this summer prudently and according to God's big, sometimes secret plan.

In the meantime, Jamie and I have continued to train for the Chinatown 5K. Yesterday, I ran a 5K in about 24 minutes, which is about 4 minutes slower than I want to, so I'm still far away from my goals. Additionally, we are now in possession of three different kinds of Oreos (peanut butter, chocolate, and reduced fat -- which is hilarious). I have deemed all three kinds of these Oreos contrary to my running goals, but too delicious to resist.

Also, and I don't know if Melissa reads this or not, but Daniel and Melissa: I've been praying for you guys every day, because I'm intimately aware of the pains of wedding planning. If there's anything Jamie or I can do to help you guys (maybe send you a pizza?), let us know.

As March Nears an End

Here's a maine coon kitteh I've been stalking on Craigslist.

Hey everyone!

Today, Jamie and I registered for a 5k run in Chinatown! It's about 3 miles, which I run about once or twice per week, so hopefully I won't collapse in a quivering ball of shame. My main goal is to beat Jamie and all her friends. Because they are women.

In other news, I've started teaching a pronunciation class at the Pui Tak Center, and though I'm a nervous wreck going into every class, God usually blesses the time and we have a lot of laughs. I can only hope they learn something, too.

Also, I had my first baseball game last Sunday. It was really fun (photos should be forthcoming on Homebody and Woman), yet really windy and cold. I didn't start the game, but came in to play right field in the 4th inning (or thereabouts). I finished the day with a walk, a stolen base (yeah, you read that right), a run, and a groundout. I also dropped a pop up, but was able to throw the runner out at second base, so we'll say it was a fielder's choice, not an error. (We fought admirably, but lost 6 to 16ish... To an art school.)

Recently, I've been spending my days searching for internships, applying for jobs, and wistfully looking at pictures of cats on Craigslist. I've sent applications to a couple of places, and even had some friends from church look into a few opportunities for me, but right now God is having me wait. Maybe this means there's some incredible job just around the corner... Is there such thing as a Kitten Tester?

The big news, however, is that the refurbished XBOX 360 Daniel ordered for me arrived sometime yesterday. As I write this, Jamie should be collecting the package from the office downstairs (I'm at work right now) and preparing it for the coming era of Brotherly Video Game Jubilation!

***

UPDATE: I've meaning to mention this book: When Wanderers Cease to Roam by Vivian Swift. I bought it in January with a gift card from December, and have been loving it through March! It's like an illustrated diary and it's just wonderful. Jamie and I are really liking it, and have decided that:

Janelle would like the cats.
Jessica would like the art.
Dad would like the art, too.
Mom would like the art and cats.
And Daniel would like the fact that there's a lot of pictures to go with the words, but still wouldn't read it.
Matt would possibly dislike it because it lacks beards and meat.

I like the cats, art, and cats.
Jamie likes the cats, teacups, and travelling.

(Oh, and just kidding; Matt would like it too.)