Tag: friends

Norn Iron

James HoganLeave a comment

Quickly I write!

About to go off to Rosemary and April’s flat for dinner(a surprise meal- I have no idea what’s brewing!), but I wanted to write a few words. Firstly, I need to say that I still maintain Halo soundtrack music is some of the best writing music there is. I still remember writing Finance discussion boards listening to this…and now, as I’ve struggled through my Bible study prep(this coming week! Elijah awesomeness!! Well, not really. More like Elijah despairing. But that doesn’t sound that fun..) – anyways, I’ve gotten my best writing done listening to Halo music. I don’t know why.

So yeah, been working on my Elijah study for the past few hours now. I really should have been working on it all day, but I’ve been procrastinating by drinking coffee and looking at pictures and talking to fam. Oops. But these past few hours have been productive – I now have a very serviceable draft(i.e., I’d be comfortable preaching off my current notes). Tomorrow afternoon, want to tighten it up a bit and work on structure and format, etc. Anyways, I’m sort of looking forward to Wednesday night. Key point – we are not alone. God our Father is with us. Always.

That’s enough of that though. You surely don’t want to hear all my study thoughts!!

Last night was bittersweet. Mostly sweet really! Ruth and Zara came over here for a delicious(if-I-say-so-myself) fettuccine alfredo dinner with me and John. Youtube videos were watched and cake was eaten and laughs were had and funny pictures were taken…and I realized yet again how much I love these guys. Why sad though? Well, Zara’s moving tomorrow(Northern Ireland – home – for a month, then Glasgow in August)…after I helped her move her stuff to her brother’s this morning, we said goodbye. Well, not goodbye. Not forever. But I don’t know when I’ll see her again. And as we hugged farewell, I just…couldn’t help but be a bit sorrowful. She’s been such a friend to me…indescribably so. And so, instead of wasting mean words now, I will simply say a prayer of thanks to my God for giving me a friend such as her. Peace, my friend.

And now, I must away. Dinner calls my name!

May Day

James HoganLeave a comment

Just thought a quick Friday morning update was due!

This week’s been long and intense…but I am still alive!! Maybe I should write more later about what lessons I’ve been learning(truly, going through such rough days and weeks means there is no one else I can go to…but God), but for now, just wanted to wave to you all this beautiful last day of May and say happy Friday!!!

I’m enjoying my Friday mocha and soon enough work will begin in earnest. One more day, and I can rest a bit! Tonight going to enjoy resting at home – so needed! Last night was simply beautiful – was at Zara’s for dinner, along with Ruth and John and Mel. Good times. As always. Simply being able to chill and be silly together after a rough few days – what’s better, right? I was sort of falling asleep at the end though. Oops. Anyways, now it’s Friday, y’all. And I’m going to enjoy this day that our God has made.

Leviathan

James HoganLeave a comment

Spending my last few minutes in Books and Beans here before I dash out into the warm sunshine! It’s a glorious day outside, but I needed some quality writing time, so I thought I’d chill here for a few hours first. But now I can see the sunshine slanting fiercely upon the stone walls across the street and I just cannot resist the urge to go outside any longer. But quickly! Had a sweet time this morning with Joel and Graham and and Ben…good breakfast time with some awesome guys. Talking and praying and enjoying some sweet cinnamon rolls. Not a bad way to start my morning, although I was a bit sleepy after a late night yesterday! Yesterday, following a brutal day at work…I went to Chris and Jo’s for dinner! As always, a most marvelous night was had, full of random fictional linguistic discussion, Tomb Raider intensity and occasional kitty interruptions. I love you guys. And really, as I drove to their place last night and watched the sun’s rays play upon the folds of Aberdeenshire, I thought again how much I’m going to miss it here. I do think I’m going to be moving back to the States this year, but the closer I get to that impending possibility…the more I realize how much I love everyone here. And I rejoice in this fact, and yet I’m sad. I’m going to miss y’all deeply.

And now, enough melancholy from me. Going to finish my sandwich and go hang with Mike Patrick this beautiful afternoon. Time to soak in the sun. Peace, y’all.

Morning Light

James HoganLeave a comment

Thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to write a few words prior to starting work here! Got in a few minutes ago and made my coffee to warm up. It’s less than 40 degrees outside…and it’s almost June. This is completely intolerable! I’m tired of being cold. So roll on summer!

And besides my random weather thoughts, what else is going on lately, you may ask? Well, mostly just keeping busy at work, although also having some sweet times with people on the side! Got to catch up with Graham for dinner on Tuesday night, and then me and Ruth hit up Starbucks last night. Good times, always. And of course, last night was Wednesday bible study – Joel led it with an awesome message from Genesis 1. Powerful and beautiful…just thinking about the majesty and intricacy and utter beauty of all that God has wrought from nothing. Stunning. And unsurprisingly, good discussion and prayer was had following that.

And now, I probably should close this and get ready for my work day. Laters!!

Twenty Six

James HoganLeave a comment

So I’ve sat here for about thirty minutes with this window open in front of me, meaning to write something meaningful – and failing miserably! John and I are chilling out this drizzly grey day, me with my cup of coffee and a good book beside me. So can I write something insightful and deeply penetrating as I begin my twenty-seventh year? I suppose I could. But I really want to read my new book(Temeraire, courtesy of Chris and Jo!) and so I’ll just say that I really have had the most amazing day thus far and I really do have the most awesome friends. Y’know. Had a sweet birthday brunch at Zara’s, accompanied by her and Ruth and Chris and Jo and Alec and Pip. Being together with them all for a few hours – truly truly wonderful. I am blessed beyond measure. And now John’s back from his interview in Glasgow(for Commonwealth Games next year!) and we’re in the lounge together enjoying that comfortable Saturday-afternoon-feeling…

And now that I’ve done my duty and written these few words, I’m off. Peace.

Swansong

James HoganLeave a comment

Well seeing as it’s been far too long since I’ve written anything in here, thought I’d dash a quick update! It’s been an awesome Saturday thus far, and now a relaxing evening awaits! A bunch of us had breakfast at the Smarts – where I ate far too many bacon and sausage rolls! – and as always, good conversation and sweet fellowship was had. After, had a few hours at Books and Beans…I made my mint mocha last the whole time, oh yes I did.

And now these past few hours, been doing some cleaning, laundry and cooking…how domestic am I?? John’s just out for a run, but as soon as he gets back, we’ll enjoy dinner – chicken parm and salad. A good Saturday dinner, mmm…so yeah, dinner and watching Avengers and then a bit of a good book, methinks.

Now, dinnertime. Peace, y’all!!

A Heart Full of Love

James HoganLeave a comment

And yes, my friends, I most certainly should not be writing this entry so late on a Sunday evening! But I cannot help but pen a few words. Whether they be worthwhile, I’ll leave you decide. But ever so briefly before I dive into a book and let myself slip into sleepiness…

Today was a beautiful Sunday, made all the more appreciated for the fact that I was working part of the day yesterday. Truly, a day of rest is needed and I cannot help but be thankful that today was indeed restful! Enjoyed a glorious morning at church before coming back to the flat with John and having lunch together. I cleaned my room a bit, but in the main I spent my afternoon on the sofa with my coffee and book! Lovely.

And then this evening, I skipped church for a very good reason…got to have an international skype call of awesomeness with Steven and Anna! The three of us hadn’t talked in…a long time. And yet we enjoyed a most amazing time of talking and laughing and reminiscing and praying and more laughing and..well, I can’t really say much more than that I have been greatly blessed with friends such as these. Hopefully we’ll get to actually reunite someday soon! Germany + Hungary + America forever!!

And once I tore myself away from skype, church was over, but I couldn’t let my Sunday evening go out with a whimper, so I made my way over to Andrew and Sarah’s to watch the BAFTAs(I could leave you ignorant, but for your education – British Academy of Film and Television Arts, basically the British version of the Oscars) with them – also joined by Ruth and Zara and Steph! I discovered several things – first of all, I have definitely not seen many movies this past year. Secondly, my aforementioned BAFTA-watching companions made for a most enjoyable and amusing viewing experience, especially as they were far more cinema-knowledgeable than I. Thirdly, movie stars appear to have very…interesting tastes in clothing. That is all.

I really want to see Lincoln now. I also want to see Les Mis again, but I should probably not see it a third time. Its music is now stuck in my head. Yet again.

Ah but a most lovely evening has been had. And now the clock ticks ever closer to midnight and I must bid you all adieu. I again just can’t say enough to express what gratitude overflows from my heart. Our God is good, my friends.

Grace and peace.

Pumpkin Spice

James HoganLeave a comment

So when I got home a few minutes ago, I thought I’d write a long intellectual entry today…but now, I’m looking across the lounge and see the comfy chair with the sunlight just perfectly shining down on it…and I think a reading session is called for instead. Yes? Yes.

I had a lovely morning at Books and Beans, drinking my peppermint mocha and letter-writing before being happily interrupted by Chris and Jo! After chatting for a bit, they went off to Pret and I finished my letter…upon which I thought lunch sounded quite a good plan, so I bounced over to Pret to join them for lunch. Had a delicious salad and even more delicious chat with Chris and Jo(mostly centered around writing joys, the merits of Russell Crowe and raw singing in Les Mis, and the impact our moods have on our literary pursuits…oh good times indeed).

Afterwards, stopped by John Lewis and picked up a cafetiere – honestly, how have I been living here over 2 years without one? I do not know. But now I have some beautiful coffee(mad props to Laura K for sending it thousands of miles to me!!) brewing in said cafetiere and I think it must be ready just about now. Or over-ready.

So I think I shall make myself a nice mug of coffee and read a bit this perfectly wonderful Saturday afternoon. Have a sweet day, my friends!!!

Market Street

James HoganLeave a comment

About time for a sandwich this gorgeous Saturday morning(sunny, blue skies, crisp and not-freezing air!) but thought I’d write a few words first. Am still a little bit sleepy despite the copious amounts of sugar I’ve been consuming via my raspberry mocha, but the fun times last night with John and Ruth and Zara were very much worth the sleepiness today.

So now…well, I thought I’d try and write a short poem or story or something at least mildly literary, but my muse has fled and I’m hungry and I can think of some words far better than any I could craft…

And we know that the
Son of God has come,
and has given us understanding
so that we may know Him who is true;
and we are in Him who is true,
in His Son
Jesus Christ.
This is the true God and eternal life.

Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
-1 John 5:20-21

How true and lovely these words are!! As we have been made pure and holy in the sight of God Himself, how much more should our love overflow and our hearts long to stay free of the snares of this world and our songs rise e’er higher to our Father and our God! May our praise mingle sweetly with the music of the glorious stars above and the roaring seas below as all things created worship the Creator! May all things – both visible and invisible, both weak and strong, the mighty and the humble, both old and young and the wise and the simple and both fey and common and the low and the glorious- may all things praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

A Snowy Sky

James HoganLeave a comment

And I thought it was time for a very brief, very random Friday lunchtime post! I’m methodically demolishing my chicken sub sandwich and enjoying a brief respite from work and feel quite happy indeed that it’s a Friday afternoon and the weekend is almost upon us! It’s been an interesting work week and all I’ll say further about work is how thankful I am to have a job, despite my sometime desire to complain! I will say that the highlight of my week was definitely Wednesday night at church, being able to listen to Dominic’s teaching and be with my dear brothers and sisters!

But God is good and the day is beautiful and my joy is e’er more abundant! Tonight me and John are going over to Ruth and Zara’s for dinner, and I have absolutely no doubt it will be an evening of loveliness. Tomorrow there are no firm plans as of yet, which means a downtown jaunt and a coffee morning. And whatever else happens tomorrow, I can be confident it will be good and God will be with me. Always.

And now, I think I should resume my sandwich eating and meditate a few minutes on the love of God. The love of God that is for us. Truly, I think this is definitely something I could stand to do more often. Peace, y’all. Peace and love.