"A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving

I have been trying to ready more... it's working ok. I finished this book in August, and am just now getting around to writing what I thought.

I picked this book up because it is my Dad's favorite book. He likes it so much that he wants everyone at his funeral to get a copy. I know, I know a little morbid, but I think that kind of recommendation speaks highly.

It took me a long time to read it, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I didn't (and sometimes don't) make reading a priority. But, I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. There were moments where I laughed out loud (on a plane no less) and there were moments where I cried (tears streaming down my cheeks).

But, I think I enjoyed this book the most because it made me think. It made me think about my faith, my political views, etc.

Oh, and I enjoyed how he tied in everything, especially the shot. What seemed like a trivial part of the played a huge part.

It's a shame I didn't write this sooner after finishing. I'll try to do it more quickly the next time.

Disney World!

Guess who is going to Disney World? That would be me!!!

Laura, my roomie, Rachel, one of my closest friends, and I booked out hotel last night. We will be staying at the Pop Century All Star Resort. I am pumped, to say the least.

We are looking for a fourth person to go, but I don't know if that will happen. No matter what... Feb 27th-March3, I'll be in Disney World. EEE!!!! I am sooooo excited. So, today, I thought I would share some memories about Disney and all the greatness it has to offer.

Well, the first memory is one I have been told about. I don't know if I actually remember it. But, anyway, my mom and dad took Ross and I many times to Disney World. Evidently the first time I ever went, when asked what my favorite ride was, I answered, "The bus!". If they had know that, my parents could have saved a LOT of money.

There is also the story floating around in Kremers legend of my younger brother, Ross, throwing a HUGE fit in the middle of the Polynesian Resort. According to this legend, we also have this on video tape somewhere. I'll have to see if I can't dig it up.

I also remember staying at Grand Floridian. It was the period in my life where I didn't have to take naps, but Ross did. I have this memory of my mom telling me to "pretend to sleep until Ross goes to sleep. Then you and your dad can go ride rides just the two of you." And, I also remember staying up really late to watch the fireworks with Dad.

In High School, my parents took us two different times. In ninth grade, I took my friend Amy with me. Do you know what I remember most from that trip? Amy having to call her boyfriend at-the-time every waking moment of the day. Oh geez... I am still rolling my eyes.

Then in 11th grade, I took my friend Heather. Talk about a much more fun time. :-)!! But, if you asked us both about this trip we would remind you of how COLD it was. We each only brought one pair of pants and one sweatshirt. It is all you have pictures of us in because we were that cold.... the whole time!

I also have gone to Magic Kingdom twice since then; once with some girls for a Bachelorette weekend and once with some girls from Duke. But this will be my first staying on the grounds in about 8 years. And, I am about to jump out of my skin with excitement!!!

I am trying to decide what my favorite ride is. And, I don't know if I could tell you. Of course the Tower of Terror at MGM is great... and so is the Rock 'n Roll Roller coaster (you listen to Aerosmith the whole time). The are the classics at Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, The Haunted House, etc. Animal Kingdom is cool just because of what it is. Epcot has never been my favorite, but I have heard they are working to make it much better. Oh man... I can't wait!

Do you all have any fond memories of Disney World? Anyone else, like my roommate, who has never been?

Financial Crisis

I will be the first to admit that finance and politics really aren't all that interesting to me. I believe that I have said it before, but I will say it again... I have lots of opinions but ultimately don't know if blaming a party is the way to go.

So, here is the article of my frustration.

Do I know who caused this financial situation?

NO.

Do I care who caused it?

Not really.

Do I think Democrats blaming Republicans and Republicans blaming Democrats is going to help?

Absolutely NOT.

Ok, so personally, I have traditionally voted Democrat. Will that always be the way I vote? I don't know. I am very middle of the road. And probably because I don't think being bipartisan or blaming each other is going to allow for change or reform. Change, in my opinion, comes from the grassroots, from people acting out the change they want to see.

I do think that there is blame in situation. Some of those who were given mortgages and loans should have never been given them in the first place. Maybe there should have been more government oversight. However, we are here now people. Where do we go from here?

I don't know. I am trying to do my part... learn how to be financially responsible for myself and for my future. I am trying to learn what it looks like to truly honor God with all of my purchases, with all that He has entrusted to me.

Maybe if we all, businesses and government included, learned how to be financially responsible and not greedy, we might be in a better place. But, then that would call for a change of heart. A change in how we all approach money and life. We live in a fallen world, and I just pray for a day when we won't have know this type of worry and suffering anymore.

Christ, teach me and us how to trust you to provide for us, even amidst the uncertainty of these times. Teach me how to live You out to others during this time. Lord, come soon! We again have proven that we are fallen and can do nothing without You. I pray for those who are now without a home and little money. May this draw them to you. I pray for those who are now worried about their fortunes. May they, too, come to know you. May be we all just turn to you rather than to our own capabilities... because those will fail us. Lord, thank you for using all things to draw us to you. Amen.

Spending...

Good Morning Blog world.

I took the day off yesterday and it was probably one of the best decisions I made in a long time. Today I am feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. So, watch out here I come!

On another note... my thoughts on my spending habits.

I have very bad spending habits. I mean... very bad spending habits. And what is worse... I am not very good at denying myself things. If I want it, I buy it. Without much thought either. And as you can guess, that has probably gotten me into some trouble these last couple of years.

Now, I do want to say... people, I am not in serious debt. I am doing fine.

However, if I don't get these bad habits under control, I will be in trouble.

So, what am I doing about it? Well, I am praying about it. I am telling you about it, as well as considering telling a couple of people in my life right now so that they can help me and keep me accountable.

I am also praying about maybe taking a Sunday School class at church that goes through the Crown Financial Series. I think a class just started so I may have to wait until next "semester." (can you believe that semesters still rule your life post college...)

But I am also trying to go on a spending fast. I have read about people who do these for many reasons. They seem to be very trendy right now.... you now... the American kick to not appear to be so materialistic and all.

Well, I guess I am doing my own version of it. What does it look like you ask? Let me tell you.

Of course I can buy the necessities. Food... duh. But, only what I need. Hence why no more buying soda. no more buying ice cream or candy. Just what I need to survive. Do I need that candy bar? no.

Clothing. I have plenty... so no new clothes. There are a couple of items I am allowed to buy though. If I need new undergarments, I can buy those. I am also in desperate need for a new pair of tennis shoes. The pair I am wearing now, I have had since Junior year of college... maybe earlier. It is time to retire them. But that really cute black wrap dress? no... I don't need those. What about if a really cute shirt is on clearance? No... I don't NEED it. I have how many shirts in my closet? in my drawers? no... tennis shoes. And, if I get a hole in one of my pairs of jeans I can replace them. But that is it.

Books. Nope... no new ones here either. I have plenty of books on my book shelf that need to be read first. And then after that... it is called a library. They are your friend. I will use them.

What about Scrapbooking stuff, you ask? a no go there. I have plenty of materials to play with in my drawers. So... I am going to use that stuff first. It is time to let go of the idea that I need new stuff to be creative, to be happy. What is that idea, and where did it come from? I have plenty of stuff in my apartment. Stuff that I don't ever use. It is time to discover what I have, use it and let the idea that I need to buy something disappear.

The hard part is knowing where to draw the line socially. How many times a week is too much for eating out? I feel like I go out a lot, and that is a place I need to cute down. I'll let you know what I decide about that.

Anyway... that is a small part of my plan. A spending fast, of sorts.

Let me know if you have any advice on how to make my bad habits into good ones. Change is happening. I am growing up.... slowly but surely.

Christmas in September?

So, I was in Target the other day... doing my normal wander around the store. Seriously, I cannot get in and out of that store in anything less than 30 or so minutes. No matter where I need to go or what I need to get done... I have to wander. I wander through the Dollar Spot, the Scrapbooking area, the clearance section of the women's clothing department.

But that is neither here nor there.

Anyway... I went in the store on Friday before I went to the Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, and Third Day concert to pick up a bottle of water and shower curtain. WAIT! Don't judge the purchases. Walnut Creek will allow you to bring in a sealed water bottle. That saved me like $4 dollars. AND, the shower curtain under the blanket is genius. My blanket didn't get wet like everyone elses. :-)

Ok... so again... I digress.

As I was looking for the shower curtain I ran across the Halloween candy. No big deal... Halloween is about a month out. It is to be expected to see the Candy. But what was in the next aisle over?

Christmas stuff... Christmas lights... Christmas decorations... Christmas cards.

REALLY? Is that necessary? Is anyone thinking about Christmas yet? I am not. Heck... I am not even thinking about Halloween yet... and I am a planner, people. So now we get to lose both Thanksgiving and Halloween. Christmas really will just start in July... won't it?

Well... anyone else seen Christmas stuff yet? I hope Walmart or Kmart haven't yet broken the stuff out.

Random Thoughts

*update* I thought I had lost this post earlier today... but alas Blogger thought it would be nice to me and really save this (despite it not being here this afternoon)... :-)

TRL

I don't know about you all but I can remember when TRL was just Carson Daly and a black background playing the top requested videos... then it went live and went to the studio in Times Square. I can remember being in NYC in High School and being so excited just to SEE the windows of TRL. Now sadly, it has been said that TRL is being retired... and really, I guess it is about time. 10 years!?!?! When did I get old?

Boys

There is far too much detail to go into it here... but just know that boys are STUPID. Sorry if you are from the male species and are offended by the previous statement. But from my personal experience of the last week or so... Boys are just plain stupid... don't know what they want and aren't willing to go for it.

Discipline

I am pretty sure this isn't the first time I have written about this idea before.

Discipline.

For someone who is as organized as I am at times... I truly lack discipline and even sometimes follow through. Over time, I have gotten better. Maybe I never had good work habits... school up through college (and even at times in college) came very easy for me. I could put in little to just enough work and still get good grades.

Well, now it is catching up with me! This job is CRAZY... I could work all day long seven days a week and never sleep... and still not get everything done. My Inbox is ugly... both at work and at home. My room is a mess. I feel like I am not a good friend. And it is probably because I am not the best at budgeting my time.

So, I am beginning to work on it. I am vowed not to start watching any new shows this season. I am sticking to my One Tree Hill, Road Rules/Real World Challenge, House, and that is probably it. I am giving up Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, and others. I don't need to waste my time idly in front of the TV.

Now, I just need to get home and not play on the computer...

But, what do I want to do with my free time? Lots of things. How about some goals?
-Read one new book a month
-Complete one scrapbook page a week
-Keep my room clean and picked up
-Keep my personal Inbox at "zero" messages to return
-Keep my work Inbox at less than 10

Think it is manageable? I don't know... I'll have to ask you, blog world, and my roommate to ask me how it is going.

Soda

I have a never ending battle with soda. I love the stuff... and just can't seem to manage to cut it out of my diet for more than 3 or 4 months at a time.

This time around I am trying to slowly cut it out of my diet.

September was when I stopped buying it from the grocery store (and I only slipped up once by buying a 20oz Sunkist).

October I am no longer going to buy it at sit down restaurants, or at lunch on Sundays.

Then in November, it is cold-turkey. No more soda. Anyone want to help me on that one?

Sign-off

There is still more to tell you, but I need to get back to work. But this will be the last topic for today. Sadly, on Tuesday night... my computer at home crashed. I am currently mourning the loss of it... it can be fixed, but it takes time and time is not something I have a ton of right now. Luckily, God provides in different ways and about two weeks earlier I got a laptop for work. So, I can at least use that one.

Enjoy your Thursday. Hopefully I'll be back to blog tomorrow or this weekend about my thoughts on money, budgeting and why I suck at that, too. But, also my thoughts on how to approach it differently from now on.