Why People Desperately Want to Believe in Aliens

This semester, in order to graduate, I'm in a ridiculous class about the "adaptation and evolution of biobehavioral systems." Funny thing is, its a psychology class, though the professor has yet to mention the word "psychology" other than when describing the course title. But I digress...

The little squirrely, French-accented professor loves asking the class questions and having students raise their hand, indicating what proportion of the class agrees/disagrees with what he just asked.

On the first day, he asked questions like "Is life abundant in the universe?" and "Is there intelligent life outside our galaxy (or even in our galaxy)?"

To my utter shock, the majority (save myself and two other girls) raised their hands confidently in support of life outside planet Earth. When I didn't raise my hand (and decided to wear my bright yellow, eye-catching cardigan. Curses.), he promptly asked me why I didn't think that. I would like to think I appropriately articulated what I was thinking and said I think life, especially intelligent life, is unique.

I was flabbergasted about how many people truly and confidently believed there was life outside of Earth. Then, I read this:

"The public wants to believe in aliens (or extraterrestrial intelligence, ETI), some say, because they believe that 'ETI comes from 'utopian societies which are free from war, death, disease or any other... mid-20th century problems' and could 'help mankind overcome its problems.'" (Howard A. Smith, "Alone in the Universe", American Scientist, Volume 99)

Initially I thought it was radiculus that people would a) want to believe in aliens and b) have enough faith in the idea to do so. Then after reading this, I realized we all, regardless of belief, have a deep longing for something greater than ourselves and greater than our world.

As outlandish as it seems, the desperate desire for intelligent life in the universe is actually a distorted longing for the most intelligent, loving, wise and just Being that ever lived.


(Side note: I'm still exploring if it even matters theologically that there is one form of intelligent life in the universe, but I feel like the Bible wouldn't leave out that pretty major detail (if intelligent life did exist elsewhere). That's definitely not the point of my discourse here, however.)

(Late) Monday Musings: Shopping Finds

This weekend we headed up to the mountains to see Miles' family. It was wonderful to get away for a few days and see his parents, brother, and grandparents! Plus, the weather was beautiful!

On our way out of town, we stopped by an antique store to peruse/buy some decor for the reception.

I spotted this guy: (Seriously does a Furby qualify as an antique? Even if it does, can we disqualify it for being creepy?)

And this adorable little washing machine. I would've snatched it up had it not be $8,749. Or $125. Same diff.

We also stopped in the grand Boone, NC mall and spotted the cutest Halloween costumes of all time, which naturally Miles pointed out. (Swoon.)

We rounded out the trip at World Market. Can I just buy everything in there? Seriously, its amazing.

This chair was too cute and all the buttons were different! 

 
I wound up with this gem in my basket and am sporting it to class today!

Aaaand we all know about my obsession with HK. I don't even like pink lemonade that much, but I'd buy this stuff in a heart beat. Good job, marketing people.

Giant ampersand + map = perfection.

These cheap chalk board labels are oh so pinteresting and cute!

Last goodie: the most beautiful quilt of all time. If anyone wants to get me this for gettin' hitched, go right ahead, then we can be best friends. 

High Five for Friday: Random

This first week of school was by far the most random. It was unexpectedly and indescribably weird going back to campus for classes. I feel like I'm already too old for college!

Here are my high fives for this oh so random week:

1. Early mornings
I kicked the week off by helping with a breakfast for teachers at Eastway Elementary, a school that is undoubtedly under-resourced and literally two minutes from my house. It was so wonderful to network with teachers and serve them!

2. Soul Sisters
I was told that Cori, my next door neighbor, and I look "JUST ALIKE." Funnily enough, I kinda see it.

3. Counting down the days til December 21st!
We went wedding band shopping. Note the hand.

4. Hanging out with muh frends.
I got to spend some quality time with all my GoUrban friends! I'm so thankful for this community! (And surprise we went to CookOut.)

I also tried Pelican's SnoBalls for the first time ever! I got a strawberry daiquiri flavor and it was delish!

My roomies on the other hand got some flavors they weren't so crazy about...

5. Sweeeepy puppy
Aaaand what would a H54F post be without a Buddy moment?

Freshmen, Here's Your Sign...

It's the first week of classes here at UNC and campus is buzzing with freshmen. How do I know? Here's how:

1) The girls are wearing heels to class.

2) They're also carrying purses, a la high school.

3) And there's an 84% chance they're wearing lanyards complete with a OneCard and room key.

4) You don't notice they're sitting next to you until they suddenly exclaim in an inappropriately loud voice, "BY THE WAY I'M MICHELLE." This, naturally, is for the purpose of getting your notes later on in the semester, which probably won't happen.

5) They act ridiculously impressed / weirded out when you tell them you're a senior.

High Five for Friday: Bye Bye Summer

I'm sad to say its the last Friday of the summer :(

This summer has flown by. Part of me is glad because its one season closer to the wedding, but the other part of me is sad because who doesn't love summer?

In honor of summer ending, I did some pretty summery things this week, all of which were definitely high five worthy:

1. Lots o' dates.

Miles and I went to this gem that's just right around the corner from my house. It's been around since 1942 so its super vintage, but not the trendy, we think we're cool because we're old.

The food was delicious and the outdoor seating that overlooked the old Durham Bulls stadium was adorable.

 

Then, last night, we went with a group to a trampoline park called Defy Gravity.

I really wasn't sure what to expect, but it. was. awesome. We jumped for an hour and it was definitely a workout! I was embarrassingly sweaty to prove it.

Aaaand then we had worked up an appetite for cherry limeades so Miles treated me to Sonic. It was the perfect ending to a fun and exhausting night!

2. House fixin'

Miles spent hours in my room working on hanging blinds for my roomie and I this week. He would get frustrated because the house is old, screw heads kept popping off (literally), etc., but he persevered and now we have beautiful blinds! He's pretty great.

3. Failed summer reading list. 

I never never ever read all the books I initially hoped to read in May come August. It just never happens. I'm not even sure its possible. And books keep piling up on the list, like this baby with a super cheesy couple picture - a requirement for all the marriage books I read.

4. Late night CookOut runs

You remember my friend Cortney from Indiana, right? Well this is my friend Mike from Indiana. Neither of them had ever had CookOut prior to this week. It was obvi a life-changing moment for the both of them. 

5. Sweet encouragement

This week wasn't the best in terms of job situations for Miles and I and to be honest it was hard. My thoughtful roommate wrote me a sweet note of encouragement (on a pig stickie note nonetheless) and it just made my morning!