Theology 7372, Fall 2009

thank you, michael, for this glorious shot taken at sunrise

Really, all there is in Agra is the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Because when those two things are in a city, why would you focus on anything else? This post will be largely pictures. Also, the Taj is just as impressive as you think it is. There are things in life that are underwhelming because the hype overtakes the reality. However, the Taj is not one of them. It was incredible to stand there and gawk at the incredible structure. The detail is fantastic and the symmetry is striking.

We’re almost at the end of our recaps of India – only one city left, friends! Stay tuned for the last round of temples and forts: or, our time in delhi

This is the entrance gate to the Taj. Yeah, just the entrance.

THE TAJ MA-FREAKING-HALL! I happened to be walking in next to Stroope and I looked at him and shrieked. He just laughed.

Side view

Detail work on the Taj

These are the pieces that make up the detail work on the Taj. And each of those pieces are made up of several pieces. DETAIL.

What the Taj looks like backlit

Obligatory picture

Clearly, my turn

Me and Stroope

Architecture at Red Fort

Another shot taken by Michael on his early morning adventure

Me and Michael in front of the Taj

Pictured above is the Mango Tree Temple, nestled inside the massive temple in Kanchipuram. Our tour guide told us that this was the temple you went to worship at if you wanted a spouse, or if you had a spouse, you went to pray for children. Most of our marrieds stayed far away, but us single folk traipsed through in hope. You enter right here and then walk around the tree counter clock-wise. Once you reached the entrance again, you were met by a priest standing in front of an altar. He then sprinkled white power into your cupped hands and placed a blessing on your forehead. A pretty straight forward process.

Except, of course, for me.

I somehow got separated from the rest of the team and ended up in the middle of what I can only assume is the Indian version of the YaYa sisterhood. Giggling young women around my age surrounded me as I approached the priest. He asked my name and I replied, “Kristen.” He then placed the dust in my hand and replied, “Name.” Confused, I said, “Kristen.” Because, you know, that’s my name. One of the women crowded in next to me said, “No, he needs to know the name of the man you are to marry.” Confused and feeling a little bit snarky, I replied, “Zach Levi.” He then nodded, placed more dust in my hand and some on my forehead and I was sent on my way.

Thus, if I ever meet/marry Zach Levi, I’m converting.

(For anyone who doesn’t know, Zach is the star of the television awesomeness Chuck and is pictured here: )

Back in September, I made a significant decision in my life to pursue a healthier lifestyle. It’s not something I talk about publicly much – mostly because it has been a lifelong struggle and one associated with much emotional and physical pain. I’ve made several starts and stops before, but September marked a permanent choice to move forward. I began to eat healthier (who knew that made you feel better?!) and go to the gym (even hired a trainer!). Much progress has been made and there is much more to go.

However, yesterday, I bought and wore the smallest pair of trousers that I have ever bought for myself.

As I said above, the journey towards being a healthier person is not finished and will probably face more detours. I’m hoping it involves training for a 5K and continuing to discover new vegetarian meal options and the best way to cook artichokes. However, in the midst of all of that – I just wanted to take a moment and celebrate the victory. Thanks for celebrating with me.

I’ve talked about it before on this blog, but it deserves repeating – the musical Wicked is one of the most profound pieces of art I’ve experienced in the past ten years. I know that it’s cheeser and fluffly and one of the major songs is about being popular. Yes, I recognize that. I know that the costumes are insane and it’s got some typical random singing that turns off most people to musicals. I know all of that.

But it also never fails to make me cry.

I’ve now had the privilege of seeing it several times in several different cities. I’ve seen fantastic performances and so-so performances (I have my favorites and ones I judged), but the source material stands fantastic in spite of what the performers do with it.

There are various themes that I adore, so I’m going to. This isn’t a summary or a review of any particular performance. Some of these are major “spoilers,” so if you haven’t seen the show and plan to, don’t continue after the jump. If you have seen the musical, please feel free to continue on.

Point One: green girl gets cute boy

song: “As Long As You’re Mine”

This may seem cheeser to some of you, but I’d like to remind you that there are few women in the Western world (I’d argue none) that do not feel like the “green-skinned freak” on any given day. The idea that an entire musical celebrates the male lead choosing the outcast is honestly nothing short of revolutionary. After growing up with the Disney princess image of perfection and desirability, I cannot express to you how much I love that little girls now have at least one counter to that. Fiyero chooses Elphaba because she is strong and independent and stands up for what she believes in.

Point Two: critical thinking is required

“Where I come from,” the wizard tells Elphaba, “we believe all sorts of things that aren’t true. We call it history.” One of the major themes is that people in power are not always trustworthy and history is not always reliable. We must ask questions and seek truth, even if it demands we stand up to authority. In fact, one of my favorite lines ever only appeared in a London production that I saw, where Dr. Dillamond explains to Elphaba that the Emerald City isn’t actually green – the Wizard just required everyone to wear emerald colored glasses.

Point Three: friendship = life

“Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

The longer I’m around this planet, the more I am convinced that life simply cannot be lived alone. We need people to push us and love us and give us roots and give us wings. We need to be changed for good. I quoted this to Sarah and Mike in their wedding toast and I meant it.

Point Four: everyone deserves a chance to fly

“I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.”

There comes times in life when one must defy gravity. When Elphaba finds out that the man she was hanging all of her hopes on was a complete fraud, her response was to take matters into her own hands. The last moments of the first act, when Elphaba asserts her self-hood and that if the system is oppressive she will buck the system, never fails to make me cry.

Jesus says destroy this temple and I’ll rebuild it
he insists that his execution would not be the end
he’s talking about something new and unexpected
happening after his death
he’s talking about resurrection

resurrection announces that God has not given up on the world
because this world matters
this world that we call home
dirt and blood and sweat and skin and light and water
this world that God is redeeming and restoring and renewing

greed and violence and abuse they are not right
and they cannot last
they belong to death and death does not belong

resurrection says that what we do with our lives matters
in this body
the one that we inhabit right now
every act of compassion matters
every work of art that celebrates the good and the true matters
every fair and honest act of business and trade
every kind word
they all belong and they will all go on in God’s good world
nothing will be forgotten
nothing will be wasted
it all has it’s place

- from Rob Bell’s new video: Resurrection. head on over to rob’s website for the fantastic video of rob presenting these ideas…