I want to hold really soft things... like my cat

Ok, have you seen this new Kotex U commercial?

It seriously make Laura and I laugh out loud when we see it on TV.  I don't think men will appreciate it -- but I think all the women will.



What do you think?  You should also check out this ad and this one.  They also have some great points...

Commercialism and Faith

Have you ever visited Donald Miller's blog?  It is one of my favorites.  Right now he is doing a series on Commercialism and Faith.  The first three posts have been really interesting. If you have time, take a moment and read them:

Post 1: The Effect of Commercials on the Human Brain.
Post 2: Paradise Lost
Post 3: Rituals and Evangelical Voodoo

Personally, I have been thinking and learning a lot materialism.  I have so much stuff-- from music on my iPod to clothes in my closet; from books to read to paper and pens to use; from crafting supplies to scrapbook with to DVDs to watch.  I don't have a need... not one.  I have extra food in the pantry.  I have clothes to keep me warm.   I have a bed to lie on each night.  I have a roof over my head.  Yet I want all the time.  I want that new song I just heard on the radio.  I want an iTouch.  I want not the food I have in my pantry but the fast food I just passed.  Donald Miller's series definitely has me examining the why's and even more importantly thinking about how to combat this mindset.  I look forward to more of his posts!

What are your thoughts?

Did you see this?

This is kind of old -- well, maybe even really old.  Forgive me.

BUT, did you see one of my favorite musicians Josh Wilson in the Newark airport?

Well, it made US Weekly!  Nope. Not kidding -- here is the little article.  

Made me smile. 

That being said, there is a rumor amongst my friends that Josh might be our worship leader again this year at the Fort Caswell retreat.  I can only hope... because Josh is awesome!

Random Articles

I have run across a lot of great articles recently -- most of which I want to share with the blog-world (or just keep the link for someday when I want to re-read them, I really hate when my bookmark list gets too long).  Today's two articles are all about money... or more accurately saving money and getting out of debt.

I make it no secret that one of my biggest long term goals right now is getting myself out of debt.  It is going to be a while before I can yell "I'm Deb Free" from the top of my lungs -- but everyday and every month I am getting closer and closer.  How exciting! 

That being said, when I see articles on MSN or other blogs about this topic, I almost always click on them to see if they have any great (and new) tips.  These two are worth a puruse, if you will.

1) Trick Yourself Into Saving More Mony, msn.com
I liked this article because I saw some tips I hadn't seen -- or maybe more accurately taken notice of lately.  My personal favorite is the "round up extra cash" idea.  I may try this for a month or two... see if the feeling of being strapped for cash is outweighed when I magically have some extra money at the end of each month to put away in savings for grad school or pay down debt.  Does anyone do this?  Do you like it?

2) Cash is King, Johnny B. Truant Blog
I like this article more because I agree with it whole heartedly.  Now that I am using the envelope system for eating out, entertainment, groceries and clothing I feel RICH!   No, really -- I DO!  I am certainly not making any more money or saving it better.  I just can SEE the money and know where it is going.  I feel RICH... and I like that feeling.

And since we are talking about finances and getting out debt -- let me introduce you two new blogs I have found that I like -- both are people/families blogging about their adventures while they go debt free. 

Man vs. Debt
Debt Free Adventure

That's all I got right now folks!  I should do a detailed update on how I am doing with my get out of debt plan.  I am working on two bigger credit card debts right now, so it has been a while since I have reached any great milestones.  But I promise I am still plugging away and I am feeling pretty good about it!

What makes a good teacher?

On Thursday I start an American History Class at Wake Tech Community College here in Raleigh.  As of today all my references have given me their references to turn into NC State and Meredith.  Why?  Because I want to go back to school, to get my Master's of Education -- specifically an MAT program.

I am a pretty opinonated person.  I'll more than likely tell you what I think -- especially if you ask me to.  If it is something I haven't been asked before I may have to internally process it first, but I will come up with something to say -- well, normally.

One issue that always fires me up (whether you hear about it or not) is education.  What we can do to make it better.  Why it fails.  Why I want to teach.  Why I'll probably end up in administration.  Why my dad now loves to teach.  The best teachers I had and why. 

I want to read more about education -- articles, books, etc.  I find it interesting -- and I think a good education, a good teacher can truly change kids lives.  Education is a chance for many children to become greater than what is expected of them. 

But what makes a good teacher? passion? the right classes on classroom management? a good school? supportive parents? supportive administration?

This article looks at Teach For America, why it is so successful and takes a gander at what makes a good teacher.

It is excites me to read it.  But it also frightens me.  Do I really have what it takes to be a good teacher?  Do I have the grit it talks about?  I hope so -- and as I type this there my heart races and my inner guts says "Yes you do!"  Only time will truly tell... but I hope so.  I inspired by the Mr. Taylor in the article -- and it gives me great ideas on how to be successful in the classroom.

Live for the Comma...

If you read nothing else I point you towards on this blog, read this blog entry at Stuff Christians Like.  Please.

PS.  Are you living for the comma?  I know I am.  If you do live for the comma, how do you show that to others around you? 

Dec 3: Best Article of 2009

Ok, true confession.

I am terrible at favorites and best ofs.  Can you tell yet after two posts?  I have to mention at least two things, because deciding on just ONE moment, ONE thing is next to impossible for me.  It will probably be the theme of this series.

AND.  I rarely read news articles.  I skim headlines on MSN in the morning and that is about it.  If it is a good article, I normally stumble upon it because someone (blogger, friend, family) has recommended it to me.  Sorry, sue me.

This post was (and is) really hard to write.  I definitely borrowed and sifted through many articles that others partcipating in Gwen Bell's bestof09 series mentioned.  I looked through my articles I posted throughout this year (none of which are all that though provoking as those others have mentioned).  And upon all of that searching I have concluded that this was the best article of 2009.

Why?

Because it made me think.  it made me feel.  yes, it also confirmed what I have felt for a long time, but gave me concrete evidence.

I will never, ever support the death penalty.  Even if you can prove to me 100% that someone murdered, I don't condone it.  We have probably put to death in our country too many innocent men and women and it does nothing to actually deter the murders. 

Other runners up?  This article pointed out to me by Jennifer on not delaying motherhood.  And this article from Oprah magazine (that I did find myself via MSN) written by one the Columbine killers' mothers. 

Do you have any great articles for me to read? 

Living Healthy...

Ok, I get it. I should live a healthy lifestyle.

Over the last two to three years I have made strives to be healthier, and I want that to continue.

I recently started working out 4-5 days a week (30-35 minutes of cardio, plus lifting weights).

I started eating better two years ago. In 2010, I want to make it so that I cut out the stuff I know does me no good (soda, candy, etc). We'll see how it goes.

But this article does inspire me a little bit.

Read This

I found this article of msn today... and it comes from the O magazine.

I think you should read it. Why? Because it explains so much... and I hope it makes you see that things aren't always so black and white.

I won't excuse what these two teenagers did... but I will say this. They were probably both very sick and needed help themselves. As Dylan's mother said... this doesn't excuse their reaction. But it does need to be understood that these boys were sick and are in need of forgiveness. Holding onto hurt and bitterness won't help.

And more than they need forgiveness, their mothers, their fathers, their siblings and other family members need forgiveness. Because they live under the burden of losing a loved one, not understanding that loved one's actions and feeling guilt for those actions.

I didn't attend Columbine and I didn't attend Virginia Tech. My brother, however, did attend Virginia Tech and he lived through one gruesome mass murder-suicide. It affected him deeply and was a very dark hour for our nation and that campus. But I'll never forget talking to him a couple months later and hearing him say some very mature and profound things.

"I feel for his family. He not only killed others, but killed himself. They lost a son both physically and the son they thought they knew."

My brother also feels pretty strongly that people should count him as part of the loss that day. You may not need to memorialize it... but it wasn't just 32 lives lost at Va Tech that April day. It was 33 lives lost.

I hope this article helps to explain why I feel so strongly as to why we need to remember that distinction. Those three men did horrible things. But they left behind loved ones who lost someone, too. And they lost the memory of that person. Don't know if that makes sense. I just know in my heart I feel sorrow for every person in this story and every side of it, too.

Someday we won't live in a fallen world and I for one can't wait to see Jesus face to face.