Posts by Coffee House Girl

16

Coffee Appreciation

by FL_Panthers in

as i'm making my seventh cup for the day, i thought it would be a good idea to have an appreciation thread.

what's the best ground coffee?

beans?.

We have an old Bunn restaurant giant coffee machine (reclaimed from a restaurant that went out of business)...it came with three of those glass pitchers, there are warmers on the sides and back...there is a heater always on so it only takes minutes to brew a pot

so you can see that Coffee Shop Guy and I consume more than we probably should....Coffee Shop guys likes African beans , in his old days of owning a coffee shop he would order Tanzanian peaberry...the coffee beans are smaller and brew a nice dark yet smooth cup of coffee. Lately that has been really hard to come by in the US-

I like the South American beans myself...but I like my coffee really light and smooth, this morning (because we are out of Coffee Shop Guy's beans) I brewed Gevalia "Colombian" blend, its cheap and really good :)

CHG

43

How do you study? What are your methods of memorizing big amount of text?

by will-be-apostate in

jw
friends

i'm having an exam in mineralogy in 20 days and need to learn 120+ pages of content.

i've learned a part of it so far.

i'm just curious how did you/do you study?

Coffee House Girl

I found when I needed to memorize a lot of info (I did take a geology course in college so I can relate to the material)...I would write the terms down (multiple times on a piece of paper)...I would say the term out loud after I wrote it...and then also have flash cards with a pictures of the mineral or rock-

I find that using writing, speaking, and visual cues together work the best for memorizing/cramming short term information I need for an exam...I find this method works best one to two days before a big exam (and I do like to do this the day of as well)

unfortunately I tend to dump 90% of the info out of my brain as soon as the test is over :(

good luck

CHG

55

One of the big reasons I left the JW Cult

by Still Totally ADD in

jw
friends

he would love to see you.

i would tell them please come out anyway he would just love to see you.

i saw the lack of love and could not believe it.

Coffee House Girl

Still Totally ADD & Reopened Mind;

I hope getting your story out there in print was cathardic for you, it was heartbreaking to read and makes me think of how much I have been stunted by being a born-in JW...your self-sacrificing love (sorry to use the JW term) is a quality that was "preached" about growing up but rarely put into practice...so as a result I often don't think of others as I know I should...I need to be trained to think more about what kind of impact I can have on others by helping out in small or big ways...I feel so absent minded sometimes- but you and your wife knew how to show real humanity without the BORG telling you what to do-

How wonderful to have had your son in your life for the time that you did!

Thanks for sharing!

CHG

10

Life after meetings

by GoUnion in

what are the positives in your life since leaving jws?

mine would be a healthier lifestyle mentally and physically.

i'm free to do what i want and can make my own decisions, is this good for me will it help me or could it hurt someone else?

Coffee House Girl

The positives for me are an awakened and hungry mind....I still have trouble with the whole criticall thinking thing, but college has really helped me to try and analyze information, ask questions, and take time to formulate my own opinions about many things. It's funny, my family doesn't have anything really to do with me anymore (or JW friends- they have all moved on without me and that is okay).....but I don't miss them like I thought I would. Shortly after my departure (now 4 years ago), my mother did ask me when I came to her house to do some cleaning for her since she is older and needs help with some things...."Coffee House Girl, what do you do with yourself with no meetings?"

Its funny how JWs think that leaving will create this huge void in your life...but in reality you quickly fill it with many things, and I am just as busy now as I was in the cult, except now I don't feel as exhausted because I am no longer spinning my wheels doing work that is unfulfilling to me....my life is full doing what excites me!

Its good that you are excercising and taking good care of yourself! You must see what a physical toll the JW lifestyle has on your former JW friends, and connecting with your brother is excellent for you both, he has needed you in his life and now you two have each other!

Thanks for sharing,

CHG

64

I'm not trying to brag, but being an EXJW is awesome!!! Status Update-

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

hello jwn!

i don't get to check in here or comment as often as i would like because i have been working so hard at school...but i just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education is worth it-.

i am graduating this spring with a bachelor degree in art history, minor anthropology...many people (including nonjw's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the watchtower organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... i decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...i am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-.

Coffee House Girl

Thanks everyone for your replies and PM's I will get to replying soon!!

for band on the run: first...Margaret Mead...wow, she definately does have the reputation...I know people are re-evaluating her work and say some negative things now about her possible "exaggerations or liberties", but she is still an amazing researcher & writer! secondly...Haha, people have hinted that perhaps I should pit one school against the other to see what happens...

VCU only gave the the offer when I informed them of EIU's...I do have to email EIU to let them know I need an extension on replying because I will fly down to Richmond to see the VCU campus...I am horrible at asking for more so I probably will let it go from there and see what happens. EIU is a vigourously competative program, they interviewed 20 people and they only let in 10 per year- so I know there are many clammoring for my position- so I doubt that EIU will offer more (and I am not expecting that).

I know what you mean about following the rules...it is TOTALLY ingrained in me too- although I have been more aggressive than I ever have been asking for things that I want in the last year or so...I'm learning by watching how the worldlies do it!

64

I'm not trying to brag, but being an EXJW is awesome!!! Status Update-

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

hello jwn!

i don't get to check in here or comment as often as i would like because i have been working so hard at school...but i just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education is worth it-.

i am graduating this spring with a bachelor degree in art history, minor anthropology...many people (including nonjw's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the watchtower organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... i decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...i am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-.

Coffee House Girl

Thanks so much everyone for your replies and support!!!! I don't have many people to share my excitement with who REALLY get where I'm comming from or what I had to do to get there....so your words mean so much to me

I'm going home to tell my mom the news today...I don't know how she will take it, but she doesn't really understand anything about higher education so I doubt she will appreciate why I am going for more...she thinks I am addicted to being a student (that I don't really want to get a job)...but she will NEVER understand so I am not expecting any great rejoicing there.

Coffee House Guy still remains a great support for me, he is excited for the adventure of living in a new place & will support which ever school I choose- he doesn't stress about things like I do. He just tells me that he will get a job, find a church, and make new friends...no worries!

I often think about "proving myself" to my JW relatives and friends who no longer speak to me (proving that leaving the "truth" doesn't mean your life turns to shit)...and I fanticize about their reaction when my mom telling all the JWs that I am going on to graduate school...but I don't think I will be proving anything to them other than "she has chosen her paradise now" and they will still think I am a sad sad individual. So I won't give my hopes up that any of my former family/friends will be inspired by my life's direction.

I really hope that I can be of some help/encouragement for anyone here on this board who has questions/concerns about college...so if anyone wants my perspective and practical advice about classes-homework-finances-dorms-professors-internships....ANYTHING- please know you can message me anytime

Thanks again for your love and support JWN!!

CHG

64

I'm not trying to brag, but being an EXJW is awesome!!! Status Update-

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

hello jwn!

i don't get to check in here or comment as often as i would like because i have been working so hard at school...but i just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education is worth it-.

i am graduating this spring with a bachelor degree in art history, minor anthropology...many people (including nonjw's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the watchtower organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... i decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...i am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-.

Coffee House Girl

Hello JWN! I don't get to check in here or comment as often as I would like because I have been working so hard at school...but I just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education IS worth it-

I am graduating this spring with a Bachelor Degree in Art History, Minor Anthropology...many people (including nonJW's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the Watchtower Organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... I decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...I am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-

To credit my upbringing at a witness kid....I do know how to time manage well, and be studious- so I have worked really hard to keep up my GPA and choose classes that will help me get into a good grad school-

I applied to 8 grad schools (master's degree programs in Art History or Museum Studies...I have no interest in a PhD)...and I went to interview last weekend for my #1 choice: Eastern Illinois University, they have the top reputatioon in the nation for museum studies, and have an extensive network.... graduates have NO trouble getting a job-

I got my letter Tuesday, not only do they want me, but they are offering a full scholarship and a prestigious fellowship at the Art Center...meaning not only do I not have to pay tuition...but I get a paying job in my field as well!!!!

Then I also got an acceptance letter from my 2nd choice, Virginia Commonwealth University, who also has a very well known program. I replied informing them of Eastern Illinois' offer (that it was too hard to pass up)...and they emailed me to say that they wish to match Eastern's offer!!!!!

OMG!!! I am so overwhelmed :) This will be a hard decision indeed....

Thanks for reading...I'm hoping not to come off braggy, I am just so excited and happy....and when I look back at just 4 years ago...I had no hope for the future, just the same old routine and no satisfaction in life- IT IS WORTH IT to pursue in life what you think will make you happy, it is sometimes scary to leap into the unknown, but if you push yourself you won't be sorry!!!

CHG

24

Did your congregation have a "Pioneer Appreciation Day"?

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

my mom (who is now a regular pioneer) has been laid up after having major surgery, and i assert my "biblical" rights as a daughter to do what i can to take care of her, so i have been trying to go to her house on my day off to vaccum and run errands for her since she is not supposed to drive.. she called me last saturday to tell me that i couldn't come by because she was driving to her pioneer appreciation day get-together, wtf .

i'm just curious if this only happens in my area (michigan, us)????.

chg. .

Coffee House Girl

Thanks for everyone's replies, it is interesting, I guess "Pioneer Appreciation Day" all depends on the congregation, the elder body, and probably most influenced by the elder's wives (especially if they are regular pioneers, they want to get some acknowledgement of their efforts).

It is funny that my mother used to condem that kind of "glorifying" special people in the congregation...it is easy to be critical when you are outside of the cool clique, but now that she regular pioneers I suppose she feels differently (especially if she is willing to drive on icy roads even though she is recovering from knee replacement surgery).

I love reading your perspectives!

CHG

24

Did your congregation have a "Pioneer Appreciation Day"?

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

my mom (who is now a regular pioneer) has been laid up after having major surgery, and i assert my "biblical" rights as a daughter to do what i can to take care of her, so i have been trying to go to her house on my day off to vaccum and run errands for her since she is not supposed to drive.. she called me last saturday to tell me that i couldn't come by because she was driving to her pioneer appreciation day get-together, wtf .

i'm just curious if this only happens in my area (michigan, us)????.

chg. .

Coffee House Girl

My mom (who is now a regular pioneer) has been laid up after having major surgery, and I assert my "biblical" rights as a daughter to do what I can to take care of her, so I have been trying to go to her house on my day off to vaccum and run errands for her since she is not supposed to drive.

She called me last Saturday to tell me that I couldn't come by because she was driving to her Pioneer Appreciation Day get-together, WTF ...so I guess from her description that the elders and pioneers get together, and the pioneers get gifts from such as: a rose (one year she said that one of the elders got each pioneer a prepaid gas card)

I'm just curious if this only happens in my area (Michigan, US)????

CHG

12

2014 DC in DETROIT? anymore info ? scan of the "letter"

by ?me? in

jw
friends

so in our area, we have the circuit assemblies going on, so the "letter" about when and where our dc was delayed.

but a local elder let everyone know in their service group, and they let it out of the bag( only to have 30 comments on socal media, and only to be deleted a day later).

not a big deal, right?

Coffee House Girl

I actually always liked DC's at the silverdome...yea I know the sound was terrible and no temperature control...but I loved the restuarants....my only chance to eat lebanese food (mmm la shish), and got to shop at the mall with my friends (we were from a small hick town and thought Detroit was the shit)

I'm suprised they are considering a move back...maybe with detroit in such financial mess HQ gets a great tax break renting the ford field (or the area business bribed them to bring back all the business they get for endless weeks of dubs visiting in the summer)-

CHG