Penguin SexThis is not a proper blog. But it’s a paraphrase of something that I read recently that really hit a few spots. It’s from “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller. You can
visit his website here. You should also go read his books and buy heaps of copies, giving them to all your friends. That would be cool (This site has no conflicting interest in this venture. Unless they’d like to give me money, which I doubt).
So anyway, a couple of guys are talking about why they believe in Jesus, and one says that penguins really helped him understand why he believes. He goes onto to talk about how penguins travel north in large groups over winter until they hit ice. Then they slide along their bellies in single file for days and days. Then suddenly they stop, gather in a big circle and start making noises to find a mate. This goes on till they find one and then – yeah penguin sex. Then the female lays eggs, passes them off to the males, and goes fishing for a month. They just get up and leave. The males then keep the eggs warm by standing over them. The males keep each other warm by gathering into a circle, each taking turns to be on the outside (the coldest) and on the inside (warmest). Then once a month has passed, the females return just as the eggs hatch. It’s like clockwork, even if the females have never had babies before. “So,” his mate asks “what does this have to do with anything?” The first guy says how much he just identified (in a really random sort of way) with the penguins, that even though they had no idea where they were or where they were going, and none of it made any sense, it was like this tiny radar in their head telling them where to go and what to do. That somehow that radar leads them perfectly well. And that maybe isn’t so silly to follow the radar inside of him. The one that points to Jesus.
So at the moment I have no idea what happens beyond next year. Well actually what goes on beyond Nov 3rd 2006 when my exams officially finish. This is a scary thought. actually what's scary is that in some small way I don't care. And I don’t know about God, and church and Jesus and how that fits in with the whole med thing or how the whole med thing fits in with them. So I’ll just follow the radar, try my best and watch as the story unfolds.
Currently on my orthopaedic run. 7:30am starts suck. But other than that its good. I’ve had some really good registrars and consultants and heaps of theatre time. Also seen a lot of pathology which has been cool. I’ve also developed a new respect for some of my clinical teachers, who I previously found very impersonal. I now hold them in quite high respect. Oh yeah, I got a PD (potential distinction- highest mark possible) for paediatrics. I am quiet pleased with this mark, and whilst it will probably be my only PD in medical school, I’m glad that it came in this run. Just enjoyed it so much.
Otherwise my life consists of study. I’ve given up my church stuff so I can focus on med for the next few months. Note that doesn’t mean given up on God, just not leading cell group anymore. Which is a very freeing thing. Who knew how much time you had when you didn’t have a church meeting to go to every night? Still I miss it though. Ok, so I’ve also been slightly distracted by the soccer. But I try to combine it with other things (like weights), so its not a totally wasted session.
But yeah, read the book.
