Alright, I admit it. I love American Idol. And for no real reason. I feel really bad for the ones who can't sing... and just get awkward for the ones that don't realize they can't sing. I love it when there is some sappy story behind how that phenomenal singer got to the auditions (see Chris Daughtry... he and his wife and his children melted my heart from day one. AND, I still think he should have won, although, in the end, it was better for his career that he didn't).
So, I am one of the many counting down the days until the return of American Idol, especially with the writers strike. We have no new TV, and it is getting pretty hard. Back to depending on Netflix for my entertainment, I guess.
Anyway, here is a fun news article concerning American Idol.
12.18.2007
12.17.2007
About Me
So, I really want a cool "About Me" section on Facebook... but for some reason I am afraid to put it up. So, I am taking a small step and letting you see if first. Then maybe if I get brave and less afraid of what people may think if I post it, I will...
Here it is:
I love all gummy candy (sour worms, gummy bears, starburst, etc)... chocolate is so-so. If I eat it, I prefer it in the form of Snickers, Milky Way or Twix. I hate ALL white chocolate. Thinking about it makes me gag.
I love to dance, but am pretty much a goof ball when i do. I also love music. If I could change one thing about myself, I would totally give myself some sort of musical ability. Wait, that's not entirely true. I would also change my height. So, there are two things I would change about myself. I know those are both kind of superficial, but I am not ready to let people in enough to tell them other things I would change about myself.
I truly love bookstores. I could spend hours getting lost in the racks, getting to know each book and its story. Books are like people to me, and I just want to get to know each one. I also tend to get lost in office supply stores. I don't know why. I have always loved office supplies and the stores. Its my secret obsession.
I consider myself organized, although my messy room doesn't reflect that. I may be organized in a bad way... like sometimes I take so much time organizing and making lists that I waste precious time. However, when things overwhelm me, spending that time organizing calms me.
I am really self conscious, to the point of selfishness I have recently realized. It makes me nervous to post this, but I think I need to... let people in and all that jazz.
I really enjoy reading people's "About Me" sections... and if you truly know me, then you know I spent a very long time agonizing about what to put here.
Here it is:
I love all gummy candy (sour worms, gummy bears, starburst, etc)... chocolate is so-so. If I eat it, I prefer it in the form of Snickers, Milky Way or Twix. I hate ALL white chocolate. Thinking about it makes me gag.
I love to dance, but am pretty much a goof ball when i do. I also love music. If I could change one thing about myself, I would totally give myself some sort of musical ability. Wait, that's not entirely true. I would also change my height. So, there are two things I would change about myself. I know those are both kind of superficial, but I am not ready to let people in enough to tell them other things I would change about myself.
I truly love bookstores. I could spend hours getting lost in the racks, getting to know each book and its story. Books are like people to me, and I just want to get to know each one. I also tend to get lost in office supply stores. I don't know why. I have always loved office supplies and the stores. Its my secret obsession.
I consider myself organized, although my messy room doesn't reflect that. I may be organized in a bad way... like sometimes I take so much time organizing and making lists that I waste precious time. However, when things overwhelm me, spending that time organizing calms me.
I am really self conscious, to the point of selfishness I have recently realized. It makes me nervous to post this, but I think I need to... let people in and all that jazz.
I really enjoy reading people's "About Me" sections... and if you truly know me, then you know I spent a very long time agonizing about what to put here.
iTunes
I am bored and thought I would do this for some entertainment value. This is only a selected random list as it is my iPod we are using here... not iTunes... my iTunes would be really random as I have tones of songs. But, the iPod will work for now.
Put itunes on random and write down the name of the song
Opening Credits: Sure About It by Hanson (yes, Mmmbop Hanson)
Waking up: Fool the World by Drake Bell
First Day at Highschool: I've Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
Falling In Love: Love on the Outside by BBMak
Fight Song: Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan (ok, not even close to a fight song, but maybe it makes sense... I hate fighting)
Breaking Up: Let the Good Times Roll by Shirley & Lee
Prom: Do What You Want by Drake Bell
Life: Sparkling Diamonds by Nicole Kidman (from Moulin Rouge)
Mental Breakdown: Blessed by Martina McBride
Driving: The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani
Flashback: Thank You, Lord by John Meixner
Getting Back Together: Neverland by Bryan Greenberg
Wedding: Take Me Home Tonight, verison by acapella group Madison Project
Birth of Child: Bed of Lies by Matchbox 20 (ummm, I don't know how I feel about this)
Final Battle: City of Blind Lights by U2
Death Scene: L.O.V.E by Chelsea Krombach
Funeral Song: This Time Around by Hanson
End Credits: You Won't Be Mind by Matchbox20
Maybe I will do this again with iTunes. But still kinda fun.
Put itunes on random and write down the name of the song
Opening Credits: Sure About It by Hanson (yes, Mmmbop Hanson)
Waking up: Fool the World by Drake Bell
First Day at Highschool: I've Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
Falling In Love: Love on the Outside by BBMak
Fight Song: Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan (ok, not even close to a fight song, but maybe it makes sense... I hate fighting)
Breaking Up: Let the Good Times Roll by Shirley & Lee
Prom: Do What You Want by Drake Bell
Life: Sparkling Diamonds by Nicole Kidman (from Moulin Rouge)
Mental Breakdown: Blessed by Martina McBride
Driving: The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani
Flashback: Thank You, Lord by John Meixner
Getting Back Together: Neverland by Bryan Greenberg
Wedding: Take Me Home Tonight, verison by acapella group Madison Project
Birth of Child: Bed of Lies by Matchbox 20 (ummm, I don't know how I feel about this)
Final Battle: City of Blind Lights by U2
Death Scene: L.O.V.E by Chelsea Krombach
Funeral Song: This Time Around by Hanson
End Credits: You Won't Be Mind by Matchbox20
Maybe I will do this again with iTunes. But still kinda fun.
2007 ReCap
Click here for some great political cartoons that cover 2007. I won't comment on all of them, but I do have to comment on a couple.
#3:
I only enjoy this one now that I have been living in Durham/Raleigh and worked at Duke. The Duke Lacrosse players were raped by the justice system, and I hope Nifong gets punished. Amazing how a little power can really go to some one's head... especially when they want to make some sort of political statement.
#5:
Gas prices are outrageous. And there are probably a million reasons why... I won't disagree with that. I, however, will say that I am sure one major reason why they are so high is because of the oil companies' greed. End of story. They are earning more than plenty and here we are all paying an arm and a leg for it. I am positive I spend more on gas each week that I do on food. Sad.
#9:
I think this cartoon is so true. I do not think anyone should be forced to take a vaccine. I do think the vaccines for polio, chicken pox, etc make sense to have. You have them as I child, and they have proven to be successful. I know there are some arguments that they may trigger autism... and maybe when I am a mother I will do some more research. However, i am hesitant about this whole cervical cancer vaccine... it doesn't cure cancer... nor 100% prevent it. All it does is protect against a virus that could possibly (sense they might factor here?) cause cervical cancer. I am sorry, at this point I would not want my daughter having the vaccine. And I don't think the government should mandate it. But, hey if they mandate it, and as this cartoon points out, lets make circumcision mandatory. It has been shown to prevent the spread of AIDS. (sarcasm here for the last sentence or two, just in case you missed it).
#21:
I admit it. I love People Magazine. I miss Behind the Scenes on VH1, and I have been known to watch a True Hollywood Story. However, I am sickened by the celebrity gossip world. I think it has gone to far. What has Paris Hilton ever done to be famous? She can't act (but seemingly has been hired for some really bad movies). She can't sing, yet she had a record. She is pretty (maybe? I don't think so), and rich... and therefore news worthy. And not just People news worthy, but what she does gets on the News... on CNN... All I have to ask is... really? CNN and other news outlets, please stick to real news. If you are desperate for something to cover, look to people who are truly making a difference in your community. I know there are some. Oh, and if I see one more story about Anna Nicole and her whole saga on CNN or any real news outlet I will barf and never watch again. Got it?
#25:
Enough said. I personally agree with this cartoon. That is all.
#42:
I don't know why everyone was so high strung about the airport delays over Thanksgiving. I flew and definitely had some delays but nothing to stress about. The hype made it all very anticlimactic.
Well, that is all. Happy Holidays!
PS, I am still not good at the regular updating of this blog... but I am trying. I was inspired recently by a friends blog. I wish I could write like her. I'll keep trying, though!
#3:
I only enjoy this one now that I have been living in Durham/Raleigh and worked at Duke. The Duke Lacrosse players were raped by the justice system, and I hope Nifong gets punished. Amazing how a little power can really go to some one's head... especially when they want to make some sort of political statement.
#5:
Gas prices are outrageous. And there are probably a million reasons why... I won't disagree with that. I, however, will say that I am sure one major reason why they are so high is because of the oil companies' greed. End of story. They are earning more than plenty and here we are all paying an arm and a leg for it. I am positive I spend more on gas each week that I do on food. Sad.
#9:
I think this cartoon is so true. I do not think anyone should be forced to take a vaccine. I do think the vaccines for polio, chicken pox, etc make sense to have. You have them as I child, and they have proven to be successful. I know there are some arguments that they may trigger autism... and maybe when I am a mother I will do some more research. However, i am hesitant about this whole cervical cancer vaccine... it doesn't cure cancer... nor 100% prevent it. All it does is protect against a virus that could possibly (sense they might factor here?) cause cervical cancer. I am sorry, at this point I would not want my daughter having the vaccine. And I don't think the government should mandate it. But, hey if they mandate it, and as this cartoon points out, lets make circumcision mandatory. It has been shown to prevent the spread of AIDS. (sarcasm here for the last sentence or two, just in case you missed it).
#21:
I admit it. I love People Magazine. I miss Behind the Scenes on VH1, and I have been known to watch a True Hollywood Story. However, I am sickened by the celebrity gossip world. I think it has gone to far. What has Paris Hilton ever done to be famous? She can't act (but seemingly has been hired for some really bad movies). She can't sing, yet she had a record. She is pretty (maybe? I don't think so), and rich... and therefore news worthy. And not just People news worthy, but what she does gets on the News... on CNN... All I have to ask is... really? CNN and other news outlets, please stick to real news. If you are desperate for something to cover, look to people who are truly making a difference in your community. I know there are some. Oh, and if I see one more story about Anna Nicole and her whole saga on CNN or any real news outlet I will barf and never watch again. Got it?
#25:
Enough said. I personally agree with this cartoon. That is all.
#42:
I don't know why everyone was so high strung about the airport delays over Thanksgiving. I flew and definitely had some delays but nothing to stress about. The hype made it all very anticlimactic.
Well, that is all. Happy Holidays!
PS, I am still not good at the regular updating of this blog... but I am trying. I was inspired recently by a friends blog. I wish I could write like her. I'll keep trying, though!
11.19.2007
ARG!!!
And this is a mad ARG!!!
As a preface... and warning to my post. I am honored to be asked to be in people's weddings. I have no problem with it. In fact it brings me much joy and humbles me when people ask me to do it. I do not think I will ever turn anyone down.
However, I do hate the bridesmaid dress buying process.
WHY??? because it robs you blind! Let me tell you.
Do you know that I just had to pay an extra $40 dollars because I am tall, and to add 3 inches of fabric to my dress, they are charging me $40. See short people... you don't want to be tall. Because how much you want to bet I just paid that extra money and on top of it, I will have to pay to have it altered (ie, shortened and taken in).
Not to mention that the dress size I had to order was two sizes above what I normally wear and it supposedly runs small.
Hmm... way to make us feel good about ourselves dress business. Make the dresses too small to begin with... then make them two sizes above "normal." AND, make us pay more because we are bigger/taller. Way to go.
Ok, I am done.
I love being in weddings... and repeat, feel honored to do so. But as with all things, sometimes there are downfalls. This would be one.
As a preface... and warning to my post. I am honored to be asked to be in people's weddings. I have no problem with it. In fact it brings me much joy and humbles me when people ask me to do it. I do not think I will ever turn anyone down.
However, I do hate the bridesmaid dress buying process.
WHY??? because it robs you blind! Let me tell you.
Do you know that I just had to pay an extra $40 dollars because I am tall, and to add 3 inches of fabric to my dress, they are charging me $40. See short people... you don't want to be tall. Because how much you want to bet I just paid that extra money and on top of it, I will have to pay to have it altered (ie, shortened and taken in).
Not to mention that the dress size I had to order was two sizes above what I normally wear and it supposedly runs small.
Hmm... way to make us feel good about ourselves dress business. Make the dresses too small to begin with... then make them two sizes above "normal." AND, make us pay more because we are bigger/taller. Way to go.
Ok, I am done.
I love being in weddings... and repeat, feel honored to do so. But as with all things, sometimes there are downfalls. This would be one.
11.14.2007
Yikes!
I have had quite the hiatus from letting you know what is up with my life, huh?
Well, here is a recap for you all...
On Oct 12th I FINALLY got to leave Duke. YAHOO. It was kinda bittersweet. More sweet than bitter, but was sad to leave my friends there. How many places to get to work with people your own age that you get along with? Ummm... not very many that I know of. However, knowing that I no longer have to QA grids, read study materials, pay $60 a month of pay for a parking space? Priceless.
I now work at the North Carolina Coastal Pines Girl Scout Council as a Membership Director. Tomorrow will be my one month... and as with any new job, I am definitely still trying to figure out what my job description looks like; although, I feel that I am getting closer. Hmmm... what else?
Well, here is a pic of my poor little Stratus:
So, as you can tell... I had to get a new car. I ended up with a cute little Ford Fusion that I like lots and lots. Here is the exterior and interior of the new car (which is treating me really well and I can't wait to take on a long drive to truly test it out!)
Well, here is a recap for you all...
On Oct 12th I FINALLY got to leave Duke. YAHOO. It was kinda bittersweet. More sweet than bitter, but was sad to leave my friends there. How many places to get to work with people your own age that you get along with? Ummm... not very many that I know of. However, knowing that I no longer have to QA grids, read study materials, pay $60 a month of pay for a parking space? Priceless.
I now work at the North Carolina Coastal Pines Girl Scout Council as a Membership Director. Tomorrow will be my one month... and as with any new job, I am definitely still trying to figure out what my job description looks like; although, I feel that I am getting closer. Hmmm... what else?
Well, here is a pic of my poor little Stratus:
So, as you can tell... I had to get a new car. I ended up with a cute little Ford Fusion that I like lots and lots. Here is the exterior and interior of the new car (which is treating me really well and I can't wait to take on a long drive to truly test it out!)
9.27.2007
Four Things...
Another Chain Mail used a procrastination...
Four Things about Me - in no particular order:
A) Four places I have lived: Virginia Beach, VA, Ann Arbor, MI, Raleigh, NC... and no where else long term... yet.
B) Four TV shows I love to watch: The Office, October Road, American Idol, Friends
C) Four of my favorite foods: Chick-fil-a Chicken Strips, Papa John's Cheese Pizza, Stucchi's Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream, Mom's homemade sugar cookies and icing!
D) Four places I would rather be right now: Home and in bed, Ann Arbor seeing people I love and miss, anywhere with a beach and some sun, traveling to see the world
E) Four Movies I could watch over again: Sound of Music, Finding Nemo, any of the Star Wars movies (although, preferably the originals), any chick flick... Sweet Home Alabama
Four Things about Me - in no particular order:
A) Four places I have lived: Virginia Beach, VA, Ann Arbor, MI, Raleigh, NC... and no where else long term... yet.
B) Four TV shows I love to watch: The Office, October Road, American Idol, Friends
C) Four of my favorite foods: Chick-fil-a Chicken Strips, Papa John's Cheese Pizza, Stucchi's Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream, Mom's homemade sugar cookies and icing!
D) Four places I would rather be right now: Home and in bed, Ann Arbor seeing people I love and miss, anywhere with a beach and some sun, traveling to see the world
E) Four Movies I could watch over again: Sound of Music, Finding Nemo, any of the Star Wars movies (although, preferably the originals), any chick flick... Sweet Home Alabama
9.26.2007
Allergies
So, it looks like my kitty girl has allergies. Poor thing.
Last week we noticed these "hot spots" where she kept on scratching and licking. They didn't go away over the weekend, so I took her to the vet yesterday afternoon. They said that most likely she has allergies... anything from the dust to pollen to the food she eats. Who knows...
So, they have her on antibiotic pills in case it isn't allergies (which you have to put in her pill poppers, make the pills like treats). Then there is the gel that you have to put on the hot spots that will help it heal. And finally, she is now on a special hypoallergenic (low allergens) diet. Yikes, stripes, fruit stripes gum!
So far she has been good about her medicine. Hope it continues!
Last week we noticed these "hot spots" where she kept on scratching and licking. They didn't go away over the weekend, so I took her to the vet yesterday afternoon. They said that most likely she has allergies... anything from the dust to pollen to the food she eats. Who knows...
So, they have her on antibiotic pills in case it isn't allergies (which you have to put in her pill poppers, make the pills like treats). Then there is the gel that you have to put on the hot spots that will help it heal. And finally, she is now on a special hypoallergenic (low allergens) diet. Yikes, stripes, fruit stripes gum!
So far she has been good about her medicine. Hope it continues!
9.25.2007
Girl Scouts
Guess what?!?!
I got a new job!!!
Who is excited? I mean, besides me? I am very, very excited, pumped, stoked, etc about this new job. I really think this is going to be a good fit for me.
I will be a "Membership/Field Director." I will be supporting, training, loving the volunteers. I will be letting them know that they are loved and appreciated. I will help them however I can, etc. There will also be a monthly newsletter that I will be responsible for... I will have to do some marketing (as a non-profit, we do partner with businesses around the area). So, all in all, I am very excited to be the face of Girl Scouts. AHHH!!!
Man, who would have thought that someday I would be working for the Girl Scouts. I have such fond memories of it all.
I started Girl Scouts when I was in first grade as a Brownie, and then kept it up until I graduated High School as a Senior. My mom was the troop leader (Troop 340, thank you very much), and it was good times. We went camping, our annual trip to Busch Gardens. Who can forget all the lock-ins I helped to plan... Thinking Day... selling the Girl Scout cookies (which when I was little made my brother sell for me because I was so shy about it...). Oh man... fun memories, and now more to come!
I am so excited about this job, and best of all, I just can't believe the timing. God totally knew what He was doing... not getting the Google job... having me wait to apply for a new job until the summer... etc. He is so good! Yea!
I'll let you know how the job goes. I'll start Oct 15th, and I can't wait!
I got a new job!!!
Who is excited? I mean, besides me? I am very, very excited, pumped, stoked, etc about this new job. I really think this is going to be a good fit for me.
I will be a "Membership/Field Director." I will be supporting, training, loving the volunteers. I will be letting them know that they are loved and appreciated. I will help them however I can, etc. There will also be a monthly newsletter that I will be responsible for... I will have to do some marketing (as a non-profit, we do partner with businesses around the area). So, all in all, I am very excited to be the face of Girl Scouts. AHHH!!!
Man, who would have thought that someday I would be working for the Girl Scouts. I have such fond memories of it all.
I started Girl Scouts when I was in first grade as a Brownie, and then kept it up until I graduated High School as a Senior. My mom was the troop leader (Troop 340, thank you very much), and it was good times. We went camping, our annual trip to Busch Gardens. Who can forget all the lock-ins I helped to plan... Thinking Day... selling the Girl Scout cookies (which when I was little made my brother sell for me because I was so shy about it...). Oh man... fun memories, and now more to come!
I am so excited about this job, and best of all, I just can't believe the timing. God totally knew what He was doing... not getting the Google job... having me wait to apply for a new job until the summer... etc. He is so good! Yea!
I'll let you know how the job goes. I'll start Oct 15th, and I can't wait!
9.18.2007
Fire Alarms
Last night was interesting... not really, but still a little bit.
I was lying in bed... reading Real Simple (the best magazine EVER!), when the fire alarm in our apartment went off. For like three seconds only. I looked at Laura and Howard (her boyfriend who was visiting for the evening), and we decided... well, it stopped, no smoke billowing for our neighbor's apartments. Lets ignore it.
I lie down again... and it goes off once more.
Ok, now we were like, what is going on here. Is it both a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide monitor... because we can tell there is no smoke, but if its carbon monoxide, we should jet. While we were checking to see if the batteries were low, it goes off again, and this time, won't stop.
So, we leave the apartment. I grab the cat and head outside...
We call the apartment company... beep them, etc.
Meanwhile, the alarm doesn't go off again (we had the windows open, so I think we would have heard it), go upstairs... and wait. Good news... it didn't go off again. When the apartment maintenance guy calls, he tells us it was probably malfunctioning, but unless we can tell him which one was beeping red, he can't come in fix it.
Howard heads out for the night... and Laura and I decide to go to bed. It hasn't gone off since, but we will keep an eye out for the red flashing one...
Ok, sorry... just leading a pretty boring life, but wanted to update this thing.
I was lying in bed... reading Real Simple (the best magazine EVER!), when the fire alarm in our apartment went off. For like three seconds only. I looked at Laura and Howard (her boyfriend who was visiting for the evening), and we decided... well, it stopped, no smoke billowing for our neighbor's apartments. Lets ignore it.
I lie down again... and it goes off once more.
Ok, now we were like, what is going on here. Is it both a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide monitor... because we can tell there is no smoke, but if its carbon monoxide, we should jet. While we were checking to see if the batteries were low, it goes off again, and this time, won't stop.
So, we leave the apartment. I grab the cat and head outside...
We call the apartment company... beep them, etc.
Meanwhile, the alarm doesn't go off again (we had the windows open, so I think we would have heard it), go upstairs... and wait. Good news... it didn't go off again. When the apartment maintenance guy calls, he tells us it was probably malfunctioning, but unless we can tell him which one was beeping red, he can't come in fix it.
Howard heads out for the night... and Laura and I decide to go to bed. It hasn't gone off since, but we will keep an eye out for the red flashing one...
Ok, sorry... just leading a pretty boring life, but wanted to update this thing.
9.05.2007
Are you for real?!?!
So, I don't watch the View... one, I am at work, and two, just don't care to. Sure if I am home, I might think to put it on, but isn't my priority.
However, every morning I do read MSN... almost too much. This morning I read a review Whoopi Goldberg's first day on The View... after Rosie she has big shoes to step into. Rosie brought much controversy. And some say ratings, so Whoopi, I suppose, has some expectations thrust upon her.
I guess she wanted to start good. She actually defended Micheal Vick and his dog fighting business... she said that it is part of the Southern culture.
Ummm... now, I have worked hard to not really think of myself as Southern... but living in Virginia, lets be honest, it may not be deep South, but it can be very southern and very country. And for all my time there (18 years plus people...), I have NEVER heard of dog fighting like it is part of the Southern culture... and I do not think it is common in Virginia nor in the South.
Do others from the South agree with me? Or am I just crazy and lived under some rock?
I really don't think that is it people... I think Whoopi is the crazy one on this. Dog fighting is horrible, and Vick deserves whatever punishment comes to him.
However, every morning I do read MSN... almost too much. This morning I read a review Whoopi Goldberg's first day on The View... after Rosie she has big shoes to step into. Rosie brought much controversy. And some say ratings, so Whoopi, I suppose, has some expectations thrust upon her.
I guess she wanted to start good. She actually defended Micheal Vick and his dog fighting business... she said that it is part of the Southern culture.
Ummm... now, I have worked hard to not really think of myself as Southern... but living in Virginia, lets be honest, it may not be deep South, but it can be very southern and very country. And for all my time there (18 years plus people...), I have NEVER heard of dog fighting like it is part of the Southern culture... and I do not think it is common in Virginia nor in the South.
Do others from the South agree with me? Or am I just crazy and lived under some rock?
I really don't think that is it people... I think Whoopi is the crazy one on this. Dog fighting is horrible, and Vick deserves whatever punishment comes to him.
8.31.2007
Priorities
Man... sometimes I have messed up priorities... today would be one of them.
Now, you may sometimes here me joke about my priorities being "God, Michigan football, family, friends, work, etc."
Well... it isn't really. I love Michigan football. We all know this. I don't hide this. However, do I need to get a grip on what is important.
This year I bought tickets from a senior who didn't want them, and yea, I had magically had tickets to all the games. At the beginning of this week I told them to send them to me... yet, I gave her the wrong zip code!!! AHH!!!
And, I didn't realize this until today...
and, now I am all worried... what if they are lost forever. How tragic would that be... and I am all worried, and I am letting it consume my thoughts. (ok, so I am being a little dramatic in this post, but you get the point).
But, I am not lying... it is consuming my thoughts.
I have called the ticket office to see if they replace lost tickets (they don't... but I may call to see if they replace ones that are lost in the mail...). I have called the post office to see what happens if the wrong zip code is used (they try to deliever it based on city, but if they can't they return to sender), but who knows. And now I am running every possible scenario through my head.
Will someone please just slap me and help me get my priorities straight. I mean... really! Starving people... Dafur... those without homes still in New Orleans and Mississippi... Iraq. This is small potatoes. And, yet, I am consumed.
Partly because it is something important to me... but really, I should just let roll. Just my random thought for right now.
Now, you may sometimes here me joke about my priorities being "God, Michigan football, family, friends, work, etc."
Well... it isn't really. I love Michigan football. We all know this. I don't hide this. However, do I need to get a grip on what is important.
This year I bought tickets from a senior who didn't want them, and yea, I had magically had tickets to all the games. At the beginning of this week I told them to send them to me... yet, I gave her the wrong zip code!!! AHH!!!
And, I didn't realize this until today...
and, now I am all worried... what if they are lost forever. How tragic would that be... and I am all worried, and I am letting it consume my thoughts. (ok, so I am being a little dramatic in this post, but you get the point).
But, I am not lying... it is consuming my thoughts.
I have called the ticket office to see if they replace lost tickets (they don't... but I may call to see if they replace ones that are lost in the mail...). I have called the post office to see what happens if the wrong zip code is used (they try to deliever it based on city, but if they can't they return to sender), but who knows. And now I am running every possible scenario through my head.
Will someone please just slap me and help me get my priorities straight. I mean... really! Starving people... Dafur... those without homes still in New Orleans and Mississippi... Iraq. This is small potatoes. And, yet, I am consumed.
Partly because it is something important to me... but really, I should just let roll. Just my random thought for right now.
8.30.2007
Waiting on the Lord
This is something I have been meaning to write about now for over two weeks... see I really do procrastinate!
Every time I go to Michigan, I get sooo nostalgic. I went about two and half weeks ago, and of course, I got way nostalgic (PS, Congratulations to Paula and Ross, about time you two got married!). I always walk away thinking "I could find a job up here. Move back right now. It will be like college again."--> HA! Things change...
Then, I need God to bring me back to what He has been telling me for the last year. He has called me to North Carolina. He wants me to put down roots, to LIVE here. I may not like my job, but this is what brought me to the place where He wants me. That much I know, and have felt this since I moved down here. That lesson, or confirmation, just gets a little cloudy every time I go back because I loved Michigan so much, and I loved my time there, and I love the people there.
Well, God never ceases to keep me reminded of what He has told me...
a couple of days after I got back, I went to The Gathering, one of the points in Brian's talk that night was:
"In Light of His Sovereign Power Over All Things, We Can Learn to Patiently Wait in His Determined Place, at His Determined Pace"
WHOA.
Yes, so I am learning to wait in His Determined Place (me in Durham/Raleigh right now) at His Determined Pace (I don't know when I will be out of the job that I am not in love with BUT, I won't be He forever. I know that).
God, thanks for reminding me of your truth, teaching me patience, and allowing me to be comforted even when I don't fully understand.
Every time I go to Michigan, I get sooo nostalgic. I went about two and half weeks ago, and of course, I got way nostalgic (PS, Congratulations to Paula and Ross, about time you two got married!). I always walk away thinking "I could find a job up here. Move back right now. It will be like college again."--> HA! Things change...
Then, I need God to bring me back to what He has been telling me for the last year. He has called me to North Carolina. He wants me to put down roots, to LIVE here. I may not like my job, but this is what brought me to the place where He wants me. That much I know, and have felt this since I moved down here. That lesson, or confirmation, just gets a little cloudy every time I go back because I loved Michigan so much, and I loved my time there, and I love the people there.
Well, God never ceases to keep me reminded of what He has told me...
a couple of days after I got back, I went to The Gathering, one of the points in Brian's talk that night was:
"In Light of His Sovereign Power Over All Things, We Can Learn to Patiently Wait in His Determined Place, at His Determined Pace"
WHOA.
Yes, so I am learning to wait in His Determined Place (me in Durham/Raleigh right now) at His Determined Pace (I don't know when I will be out of the job that I am not in love with BUT, I won't be He forever. I know that).
God, thanks for reminding me of your truth, teaching me patience, and allowing me to be comforted even when I don't fully understand.
8.29.2007
Two Things
Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. Teal's Good-bye dinner at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen for those of you who don't know)
2. Attempting to stay awake a work
Two longest car rides:
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan to Orlando, Fl (but we have four drivers, so it wasn't too bad)
2. Raleigh, NC to Ann Arbor (all by myself!)
Two Favourite Holidays
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving has good food, or Halloween because of all the candy
Two Favourite Beverages
1. Coca-cola
2. Barq's Rootbeer
Two Things About Me! Things you may not have known.
1. I don't like climbing stairs with no backs (risers). It makes me nervous. Too bad I have to do it everyday to get up to my apartment.
2. I don't put milk on my cereal. GROSS
Two jobs I have had in my life:
1. Grants and Contracts Assistant
2. HR Intern
Movies I would watch over and over:
1. Sound of Music
2. Star Wars
Two places I have lived:
1. Ann Arbor, MI
2. Virginia Beach, VA
Two of my Favourite Foods:
1. Papa John's Pizza
2. Chick fil a Strips
Places I'd rather be right now
1. Home. In my bed. Sleeping.
2. Michigan... its almost football season, folks!
Two Favourite songs
(We'll do current favs)
1. still can't narrow it down... I just like to listen to music. Try Tony Lucca's New York City or Crown Love King, those have been on replay recently
1. Teal's Good-bye dinner at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen for those of you who don't know)
2. Attempting to stay awake a work
Two longest car rides:
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan to Orlando, Fl (but we have four drivers, so it wasn't too bad)
2. Raleigh, NC to Ann Arbor (all by myself!)
Two Favourite Holidays
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving has good food, or Halloween because of all the candy
Two Favourite Beverages
1. Coca-cola
2. Barq's Rootbeer
Two Things About Me! Things you may not have known.
1. I don't like climbing stairs with no backs (risers). It makes me nervous. Too bad I have to do it everyday to get up to my apartment.
2. I don't put milk on my cereal. GROSS
Two jobs I have had in my life:
1. Grants and Contracts Assistant
2. HR Intern
Movies I would watch over and over:
1. Sound of Music
2. Star Wars
Two places I have lived:
1. Ann Arbor, MI
2. Virginia Beach, VA
Two of my Favourite Foods:
1. Papa John's Pizza
2. Chick fil a Strips
Places I'd rather be right now
1. Home. In my bed. Sleeping.
2. Michigan... its almost football season, folks!
Two Favourite songs
(We'll do current favs)
1. still can't narrow it down... I just like to listen to music. Try Tony Lucca's New York City or Crown Love King, those have been on replay recently
8.28.2007
blah...
So, i don't really even know. I guess I just have a lot of thoughts and feelings swimming around up in my head right now, and I need somewhere to empty them.
To be honest, right now, I don't know how I feel. Disappointment maybe? But, it sorta feels like I am disappointed with where God has me at right now... maybe that is it. I don't know.
I am not disappointed with God in the sense that I don't trust His plan...
I guess I am just impatient. I want certain things on my timeline and in my way... and it isn't happening. And, I guess... I am just disappointed.
Maybe it is just a good case of the comparisons....
"well, if I had job at a place I liked..."
or
"if I had someone who even showed an interest in me..."
or
"if i was as cute or as skinny or as outgoing as so and so..."
BUT, that isn't how life works.
Just feeling blue with where I am at. A job that I don't love, some days don't even like. Life full of friends, but yet, sometimes I still feel lonely. So, all in all, today is just a day I feel disappointed with where I am at right now.
I must say though, I have never been good at being content with what I have and being patient with God's plan. I do trust that He has something bigger and better for me than where I am at right now. Somedays it just doesn't feel like it.
And, today is one of those days. I have shared this with God... I feel you have to be honest with Him. And, now, I just need to empty my head some more... and you all are the lucky recipients.
So... yea... blah.
To be honest, right now, I don't know how I feel. Disappointment maybe? But, it sorta feels like I am disappointed with where God has me at right now... maybe that is it. I don't know.
I am not disappointed with God in the sense that I don't trust His plan...
I guess I am just impatient. I want certain things on my timeline and in my way... and it isn't happening. And, I guess... I am just disappointed.
Maybe it is just a good case of the comparisons....
"well, if I had job at a place I liked..."
or
"if I had someone who even showed an interest in me..."
or
"if i was as cute or as skinny or as outgoing as so and so..."
BUT, that isn't how life works.
Just feeling blue with where I am at. A job that I don't love, some days don't even like. Life full of friends, but yet, sometimes I still feel lonely. So, all in all, today is just a day I feel disappointed with where I am at right now.
I must say though, I have never been good at being content with what I have and being patient with God's plan. I do trust that He has something bigger and better for me than where I am at right now. Somedays it just doesn't feel like it.
And, today is one of those days. I have shared this with God... I feel you have to be honest with Him. And, now, I just need to empty my head some more... and you all are the lucky recipients.
So... yea... blah.
8.02.2007
Belle
My kitty may be the cutest thing ever... well, I think so.
Update on how great she is...
She slept with me in my bed for the first time last night. Typically she just sleeps on the couch or in the chair by my desk. But last night she decided to hope up on the bed... and the best part, she didn't just sleep on my feet. No, she went for sleeping up by my arm. She is turing into a lover I tell you!
I love my cat... she has me wrapped around her paw, that is for sure.
Update on how great she is...
She slept with me in my bed for the first time last night. Typically she just sleeps on the couch or in the chair by my desk. But last night she decided to hope up on the bed... and the best part, she didn't just sleep on my feet. No, she went for sleeping up by my arm. She is turing into a lover I tell you!
I love my cat... she has me wrapped around her paw, that is for sure.
What happens in Vegas...
... does not stay in Vegas when you go with your family... or you are me and nothing would happen anyway.
BUT, I just got back yesterday (well, middle of the night Tue/Wed) from Vegas. I went with the family, and I must say that was pretty fun.
Vegas pretty much is sketchy and seedy and yea... but if you stay away from the "trading cards" (ummm... don't ask) and ignore all billboards/ advertisements. But, other than that, I had a great time.
The evening we went to see Martina McBride... and I thought it was awesome. I don't think my brother shared my views ("If she says for the girls one more time..."). But, I had a great time... Martina is one talented singer, that is for sure. And, I love her music, as well, not all women, but most women do. Fun times...
Saturday must have been the longest walk of my life. Just so you know, the strip seems pretty close together when you are on the 21st floor of your hotel and looking out at it... but when you go to walk it, much longer. We walked four miles in the hottest time of the day. YIKES! In the evening we went to the Stratosphere and rode the Big Shot... on top of the hotel... which was 112 stories into the air. Ummm.. pretty much scary, but AWESOME.
Sunday we drove to the Grand Canyon, which I had never seen before. I LOVED it... you want to talk about beautiful! Stunning, in fact.
Ummm, what else? The hotel we stayed at was the Mandalay Bay, and it was absolutely amazing. It had a wave pool and a lazy river, and I had a great time catching some rays.
Also cool... Ross taught us all how to play Craps. And, he won be $80, so I came back a little bit richer. I am ok with that, I must say. After learning and "playing" for a while, I can see how gambling can get a bit addictive. When you are winning, you just want to keep going. It is definately important to make sure that you set limits.
Oh, and just another thought about Vegas. It is noisy. There is really no such thing as peace and quiet in the Vegas.
and in the Vegas, they don't seem to card. Not once, did I get carded. They certainly know where they make their money... gambling and drinks.
So, there you have it. My trip to the Vegas with the Family. Fun times!
BUT, I just got back yesterday (well, middle of the night Tue/Wed) from Vegas. I went with the family, and I must say that was pretty fun.
Vegas pretty much is sketchy and seedy and yea... but if you stay away from the "trading cards" (ummm... don't ask) and ignore all billboards/ advertisements. But, other than that, I had a great time.
The evening we went to see Martina McBride... and I thought it was awesome. I don't think my brother shared my views ("If she says for the girls one more time..."). But, I had a great time... Martina is one talented singer, that is for sure. And, I love her music, as well, not all women, but most women do. Fun times...
Saturday must have been the longest walk of my life. Just so you know, the strip seems pretty close together when you are on the 21st floor of your hotel and looking out at it... but when you go to walk it, much longer. We walked four miles in the hottest time of the day. YIKES! In the evening we went to the Stratosphere and rode the Big Shot... on top of the hotel... which was 112 stories into the air. Ummm.. pretty much scary, but AWESOME.
Sunday we drove to the Grand Canyon, which I had never seen before. I LOVED it... you want to talk about beautiful! Stunning, in fact.
Ummm, what else? The hotel we stayed at was the Mandalay Bay, and it was absolutely amazing. It had a wave pool and a lazy river, and I had a great time catching some rays.
Also cool... Ross taught us all how to play Craps. And, he won be $80, so I came back a little bit richer. I am ok with that, I must say. After learning and "playing" for a while, I can see how gambling can get a bit addictive. When you are winning, you just want to keep going. It is definately important to make sure that you set limits.
Oh, and just another thought about Vegas. It is noisy. There is really no such thing as peace and quiet in the Vegas.
and in the Vegas, they don't seem to card. Not once, did I get carded. They certainly know where they make their money... gambling and drinks.
So, there you have it. My trip to the Vegas with the Family. Fun times!
7.19.2007
I feel like I am a teen again...
So, I got a retainer today... well, actually it is called a Spring Aligner.
Now let me explain why I had to get one (or chose to, I guess).
See... about two or three months ago, I was at home, hanging with the fam. And, well, our dog is kinda crazy. And she ate my retainer. Now, this was NOT my fault. It was in its container, in my bag... so the dog actually had to go searching for it. Nonetheless, the dog found it and ate it.
Fast forward some and I go to the orthodontist... and she says that she can make me a new retainer and have my teeth stay the way they had shifted to (to say that i wore my retainer even semi regularly may be an overstatement). OR, they could give me spring aligners.
Spring Aligners are actually alot like retainers, except they are made from a mold of your teeth as they are and make it as if your teeth were straight. And I know own a pair. The orthodontist says I should only have to wear them for six months and then my teeth will be like new... or well, like they were when I got my braces off in 8th grade.
But, until then... I have to wear my aligners everyday all day unless I am eating (or she said I could take them out if I have a hot date... wink, wink... yea right!). Anyway... here I am, wearing them... feeling like I am in early high school all over again. And, I have a lisp, so I sound like I am two. And until my teeth get used to this... my mouth KILLS.
Oh well... it will all be worth it in about six months.
Harry Potter way soon!
Now let me explain why I had to get one (or chose to, I guess).
See... about two or three months ago, I was at home, hanging with the fam. And, well, our dog is kinda crazy. And she ate my retainer. Now, this was NOT my fault. It was in its container, in my bag... so the dog actually had to go searching for it. Nonetheless, the dog found it and ate it.
Fast forward some and I go to the orthodontist... and she says that she can make me a new retainer and have my teeth stay the way they had shifted to (to say that i wore my retainer even semi regularly may be an overstatement). OR, they could give me spring aligners.
Spring Aligners are actually alot like retainers, except they are made from a mold of your teeth as they are and make it as if your teeth were straight. And I know own a pair. The orthodontist says I should only have to wear them for six months and then my teeth will be like new... or well, like they were when I got my braces off in 8th grade.
But, until then... I have to wear my aligners everyday all day unless I am eating (or she said I could take them out if I have a hot date... wink, wink... yea right!). Anyway... here I am, wearing them... feeling like I am in early high school all over again. And, I have a lisp, so I sound like I am two. And until my teeth get used to this... my mouth KILLS.
Oh well... it will all be worth it in about six months.
Harry Potter way soon!
7.17.2007
Its a Harry Potter World
Guess what?!?!
The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out in THREE days. I don't think I can contain my excitement... for real people. OH MY GOSH!!! I canNOT wait. Please, please don't let Harry die... that would be beyond tragic.
But, this also means I move my apartment in three days. ACK! I am sooo not ready. Do you all realize how much junk I have. I fill boxes and boxes with crap. I am trying to downsize... but, really, I can't. Oh well... I actually downsize more on the putting away... or at least that is what I keep telling myself.
This past weekend I got to see the new Harry Potter movie (#5, Order of the Phoenix). I have to say that I think this one was my favorite so far. It was GREAT. The director did an amazing job getting the actors to become more adult... or maybe they are just aging well. Not to mention, Ron finally became brave... the way he was always in the books. I think before they were just using Ron for comic relief... and now that Luna is there, you don't need it so they let him actually become his character. And, I think they realized Fred and George make good comic relief... as well as that it can come from other places, too.
I also think they did the best getting all the information you need into a two hour and 15 min movie... much better than the third and fourth... they didn't have to change nearly as much... some was changed, but more of tweaking what character did what rather than the WHOLE plot line (hem hem, four).
Plus... I loved the way they handled what Harry was going through in book 5. In the book alot is going on in Harry's head, and they made it come across so well in the movie... it was just a great movie... I can't wait to see it again, and again... and maybe a couple more million times.
Oh... man... the new book. I will be reading all Saturday night... I move that morning... once I get all the stuff into the new apartment... I am going to sit and read until I am done... even if that means I am up all night. I have to know what happens... bitter sweet, though. Last book... tear.
Please don't let Harry die... Please, please. Voldermort has to be one death... the Snape or Hagrid or Lupin or someone... but not Harry... or Ron or Hermione... they all have to live happily ever after.
Ok... well... yea. Back to work!
The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out in THREE days. I don't think I can contain my excitement... for real people. OH MY GOSH!!! I canNOT wait. Please, please don't let Harry die... that would be beyond tragic.
But, this also means I move my apartment in three days. ACK! I am sooo not ready. Do you all realize how much junk I have. I fill boxes and boxes with crap. I am trying to downsize... but, really, I can't. Oh well... I actually downsize more on the putting away... or at least that is what I keep telling myself.
This past weekend I got to see the new Harry Potter movie (#5, Order of the Phoenix). I have to say that I think this one was my favorite so far. It was GREAT. The director did an amazing job getting the actors to become more adult... or maybe they are just aging well. Not to mention, Ron finally became brave... the way he was always in the books. I think before they were just using Ron for comic relief... and now that Luna is there, you don't need it so they let him actually become his character. And, I think they realized Fred and George make good comic relief... as well as that it can come from other places, too.
I also think they did the best getting all the information you need into a two hour and 15 min movie... much better than the third and fourth... they didn't have to change nearly as much... some was changed, but more of tweaking what character did what rather than the WHOLE plot line (hem hem, four).
Plus... I loved the way they handled what Harry was going through in book 5. In the book alot is going on in Harry's head, and they made it come across so well in the movie... it was just a great movie... I can't wait to see it again, and again... and maybe a couple more million times.
Oh... man... the new book. I will be reading all Saturday night... I move that morning... once I get all the stuff into the new apartment... I am going to sit and read until I am done... even if that means I am up all night. I have to know what happens... bitter sweet, though. Last book... tear.
Please don't let Harry die... Please, please. Voldermort has to be one death... the Snape or Hagrid or Lupin or someone... but not Harry... or Ron or Hermione... they all have to live happily ever after.
Ok... well... yea. Back to work!
7.12.2007
One Year ago TODAY
So... yesterday, my one year mark moving to Durham...
Today, one year mark of starting this job.
Whoa, how time can fly and crawl all at the same time.
I am having a hard time believing that I have been here one year. I mean... whoa. In that time, I have had five or six managers... about a dozen different assignments... whoa.
It was a weird first day. I got here at 9 (which, PS, no one confirmed that was the time I was supposed to arrive... I just did). And then, I sat in Bill's office all day. I didn't meet one soul... although I kept seeing people walk to and from the file cabinets. But, it was just weird... it was almost as if none of them were in the office that day anyway.
The only person I did meet was Bobbi (also still not here)... and she took me on a LONG walk to the ID office and got my ID... which PS, my picture is hideous. But all good ID pictures should be hideous, right?
Then, after looking at clinical research websites on line to "help me understand what I am doing" (which, it didn't), Bill sent me home... early... to allow me time to apartment hunt. Or really, he was tired of entertaining me and they had nothing for me to do. I still shake my head at that one... why did I have to get down here sooo quickly, if really, I have never been that busy, nor had that much to do?
Oh well... that is ok. I have learned alot... about clinical research. And, it hasn't been that bad.
I love all the people I have met... it has been great. God surrounded me with some amazing Christians as well as just fun people. We laugh a ton... and we have fun together. Really, could you ask for more. Working with people my own age has had a lot of advantages... built in social circle... that has been a saving grace.
So, all in all... while, I don't love the job... it has been a good thing. Or, that is what I am saying today ;-).
Today, one year mark of starting this job.
Whoa, how time can fly and crawl all at the same time.
I am having a hard time believing that I have been here one year. I mean... whoa. In that time, I have had five or six managers... about a dozen different assignments... whoa.
It was a weird first day. I got here at 9 (which, PS, no one confirmed that was the time I was supposed to arrive... I just did). And then, I sat in Bill's office all day. I didn't meet one soul... although I kept seeing people walk to and from the file cabinets. But, it was just weird... it was almost as if none of them were in the office that day anyway.
The only person I did meet was Bobbi (also still not here)... and she took me on a LONG walk to the ID office and got my ID... which PS, my picture is hideous. But all good ID pictures should be hideous, right?
Then, after looking at clinical research websites on line to "help me understand what I am doing" (which, it didn't), Bill sent me home... early... to allow me time to apartment hunt. Or really, he was tired of entertaining me and they had nothing for me to do. I still shake my head at that one... why did I have to get down here sooo quickly, if really, I have never been that busy, nor had that much to do?
Oh well... that is ok. I have learned alot... about clinical research. And, it hasn't been that bad.
I love all the people I have met... it has been great. God surrounded me with some amazing Christians as well as just fun people. We laugh a ton... and we have fun together. Really, could you ask for more. Working with people my own age has had a lot of advantages... built in social circle... that has been a saving grace.
So, all in all... while, I don't love the job... it has been a good thing. Or, that is what I am saying today ;-).
7.11.2007
One Year
Well, one year ago today I moved to Durham. That's right folks, it has been one year.
A year ago Monday (July 9th) I left Ann Arbor. It was quite possibly one of the hardest days of my life. I woke up (after spending all day Saturday packing up my car and my parents' car) and went to church at Oakpointe. Miss Sarah Maynard, Jenn, Josh, Melissa and Keli all came, too. They are some of my favorites. Well, anyway... we went to brunch afterwards at Denny's (oh, Denny's has some good memories)... because really, I didn't want to go. It was fun times.
But, then the impossible came... Jenn and Josh were heading back to their apartment and the rest of us back to the house. I didn't think I was going to, but, as I turned to say good bye to Jenn, I couldn't. I teared up. My best friend... how was I to say good bye (well, at this point, even a see ya later seemed impossible). It pretty much SUCKED! I have to say, I still don't think anyone knows me quite as well as she does.
The drive home, I pulled it together, but when I got to 727, my parents were there... ready to go. Oh man... the tears came again. This time I had to say good bye to those lovely women... and the memories. Ann Arbor was home for four years... it was the place that I became myself... I had never felt so comfortable in my life, never so comfortable in my skin. I didn't want to start over again... Ann Arbor was home, and those people my family. But, I had to... it was really awesome though, Keli and Sarah and Melissa prayed for me before I left. What amazing women of the Lord.... they pretty much are amazing :-).
It was sweet... as I was getting in my car to start the 12 hour drive home... my Dad gave me a hug... a man of few words sure can be profound. He said to me, "I remember when you left, you didn't want to come... you cried that morning you left Va Beach... and now you are crying about leaving this place." How true... how awesome. If in only place I have to leave, I am that attached. It means that i TRULY lived there.
So, that Monday, July 10th, I didn't do much... ran some errands... went to see some peeps on Summer Project (always a nice surprise).
Then Tuesday, July 11th, one year from today... I unpacked both cars... put all the crap in my room (which was storage for Ross's and his roommates stuff), and then repacked my car. For when I arrived here in Durham, I actually lived in a hotel for about a week and half... until I found my wonderful roomie and my apartment.
I will never forget having to drive off that day from my house... it was so hard. I don't know if my mom and dad know, but I cried the whole way from our house, down Shore Drive and Northampton... I don't think I regained my composure until I reached 64. The drive wasn't bad... and once I got here, I think I said goodbye to emotion. At that point, it was go time... get settled into the hotel... unpack... and get ready for the first day of work tomorrow. YIKES!
Tomorrow, I will recap that first day, and maybe talk about the red flags I ignored.
But anyway... my point of ponder now... Last night Laurie and I had a roomie dinner (we have had them at various points over the past year... last night was Taco Night). But anyway... Laurie asked me if I felt that I changed over the last year... what I had learned. You know... i couldn't answer. I am sure that I have... I hope that I have... but I don't know if I can put into words how I have changed... I guess I will have to get back to you on that one. But, yea... so expect some thoughts on that as we go...
But yea... one year ago... wow, how time can fly and crawl at the same time.
A year ago Monday (July 9th) I left Ann Arbor. It was quite possibly one of the hardest days of my life. I woke up (after spending all day Saturday packing up my car and my parents' car) and went to church at Oakpointe. Miss Sarah Maynard, Jenn, Josh, Melissa and Keli all came, too. They are some of my favorites. Well, anyway... we went to brunch afterwards at Denny's (oh, Denny's has some good memories)... because really, I didn't want to go. It was fun times.
But, then the impossible came... Jenn and Josh were heading back to their apartment and the rest of us back to the house. I didn't think I was going to, but, as I turned to say good bye to Jenn, I couldn't. I teared up. My best friend... how was I to say good bye (well, at this point, even a see ya later seemed impossible). It pretty much SUCKED! I have to say, I still don't think anyone knows me quite as well as she does.
The drive home, I pulled it together, but when I got to 727, my parents were there... ready to go. Oh man... the tears came again. This time I had to say good bye to those lovely women... and the memories. Ann Arbor was home for four years... it was the place that I became myself... I had never felt so comfortable in my life, never so comfortable in my skin. I didn't want to start over again... Ann Arbor was home, and those people my family. But, I had to... it was really awesome though, Keli and Sarah and Melissa prayed for me before I left. What amazing women of the Lord.... they pretty much are amazing :-).
It was sweet... as I was getting in my car to start the 12 hour drive home... my Dad gave me a hug... a man of few words sure can be profound. He said to me, "I remember when you left, you didn't want to come... you cried that morning you left Va Beach... and now you are crying about leaving this place." How true... how awesome. If in only place I have to leave, I am that attached. It means that i TRULY lived there.
So, that Monday, July 10th, I didn't do much... ran some errands... went to see some peeps on Summer Project (always a nice surprise).
Then Tuesday, July 11th, one year from today... I unpacked both cars... put all the crap in my room (which was storage for Ross's and his roommates stuff), and then repacked my car. For when I arrived here in Durham, I actually lived in a hotel for about a week and half... until I found my wonderful roomie and my apartment.
I will never forget having to drive off that day from my house... it was so hard. I don't know if my mom and dad know, but I cried the whole way from our house, down Shore Drive and Northampton... I don't think I regained my composure until I reached 64. The drive wasn't bad... and once I got here, I think I said goodbye to emotion. At that point, it was go time... get settled into the hotel... unpack... and get ready for the first day of work tomorrow. YIKES!
Tomorrow, I will recap that first day, and maybe talk about the red flags I ignored.
But anyway... my point of ponder now... Last night Laurie and I had a roomie dinner (we have had them at various points over the past year... last night was Taco Night). But anyway... Laurie asked me if I felt that I changed over the last year... what I had learned. You know... i couldn't answer. I am sure that I have... I hope that I have... but I don't know if I can put into words how I have changed... I guess I will have to get back to you on that one. But, yea... so expect some thoughts on that as we go...
But yea... one year ago... wow, how time can fly and crawl at the same time.
7.10.2007
Free Slurpee's?
No Free Slurpee for me...
so tomorrow is 7/11. And on 7/11, 7-11's give out FREE slurpees... however, there are no 7-11's in NC... or well, at least in my area.
How sad is that. That is like realizing you missed Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's.
so tomorrow is 7/11. And on 7/11, 7-11's give out FREE slurpees... however, there are no 7-11's in NC... or well, at least in my area.
How sad is that. That is like realizing you missed Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's.
7.06.2007
Moooving
Sorry I haven't said hi in a while. Things have been kind of crazy in recent weeks. I am getting ready to move apartments again... so most of my spare time has gone to that.
I am excited for the move though.
Is it sad that one of the things I get excited about is actually going through my junk and trying to get rid of some it. I know it sounds crazy, but that to me is a GREAT thing. Not that after a good Spring (ie, I am moving again) cleaning I don't have a lot of junk... because I have a feeling I will always have a lot of junk. That is just me... as much as i don't want to admit it... I am a pack rat.
But, anyway... I have started the cleaning process. I have an ever growing "give away pile." As well as, I have also been able to throw some stuff away, too.
Next, I might go through the clothes... and figure out where the closest second hand store is to get rid of some of the stuff.
But onto more exciting news... tomorrow I am going to Kings Dominion. I haven't been there in FOREVER!!! So, that will be fun. Plus another good chance to continue to get to know the people at church.
Ok, well... that is all for now. I am off to search for some caffeine... i may just fall asleep at my desk RIGHT now.
I am excited for the move though.
Is it sad that one of the things I get excited about is actually going through my junk and trying to get rid of some it. I know it sounds crazy, but that to me is a GREAT thing. Not that after a good Spring (ie, I am moving again) cleaning I don't have a lot of junk... because I have a feeling I will always have a lot of junk. That is just me... as much as i don't want to admit it... I am a pack rat.
But, anyway... I have started the cleaning process. I have an ever growing "give away pile." As well as, I have also been able to throw some stuff away, too.
Next, I might go through the clothes... and figure out where the closest second hand store is to get rid of some of the stuff.
But onto more exciting news... tomorrow I am going to Kings Dominion. I haven't been there in FOREVER!!! So, that will be fun. Plus another good chance to continue to get to know the people at church.
Ok, well... that is all for now. I am off to search for some caffeine... i may just fall asleep at my desk RIGHT now.
6.27.2007
Prison vs Work
My friend send this to me today. Thought anyone in the working world could appreciate it.
Just in case you ever get these two environments mixed up, this should make things a little bit clearer.
At Prison, you spend the majority of your time in a 10X10 cell. At work you spend the majority of your time in an 8X8 cubicle.
At Prison, you get three meals a day fully paid for. At work, you get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.
At Prison, you get time off for good behavior. At work, you get more work for good behavior.
At Prison, the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. At work, you must often carry a security card and open all the doors for yourself.
At Prison, you can watch TV and play games. At work, you could get fired for watching TV and playing games.
At Prison, you get your own toilet. At work, you have to share the toilet with some people who pee on the seat.
At Prison, they allow your family and friends to visit. At work, you aren't even supposed to speak to your family.
At Prison, all expenses are paid by the taxpayers with no work required. At work, you get to pay all your expenses to go to work, and they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.
At Prison, you spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out. At work, you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.
At Prison, you must deal with sadistic wardens. At work, they are called managers.
There is something seriously wrong with this picture!!! Now get back to work. You're not getting paid to check emails (or in my case, type this into a Blog).
HeeHee... thought it was funny. Sometimes, things like this can be sooo true.
Just in case you ever get these two environments mixed up, this should make things a little bit clearer.
At Prison, you spend the majority of your time in a 10X10 cell. At work you spend the majority of your time in an 8X8 cubicle.
At Prison, you get three meals a day fully paid for. At work, you get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.
At Prison, you get time off for good behavior. At work, you get more work for good behavior.
At Prison, the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. At work, you must often carry a security card and open all the doors for yourself.
At Prison, you can watch TV and play games. At work, you could get fired for watching TV and playing games.
At Prison, you get your own toilet. At work, you have to share the toilet with some people who pee on the seat.
At Prison, they allow your family and friends to visit. At work, you aren't even supposed to speak to your family.
At Prison, all expenses are paid by the taxpayers with no work required. At work, you get to pay all your expenses to go to work, and they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.
At Prison, you spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out. At work, you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.
At Prison, you must deal with sadistic wardens. At work, they are called managers.
There is something seriously wrong with this picture!!! Now get back to work. You're not getting paid to check emails (or in my case, type this into a Blog).
HeeHee... thought it was funny. Sometimes, things like this can be sooo true.
6.26.2007
Weddings
This past weekend was fun. I went to Joel and Ann Marie's wedding in Ohio. It was so great.
I love being at weddings where I know the couple really well. It is even cooler to have known the relationship from the beginning. So cool!
Ann Marie looked gorgeous... and Joel (as well as Ann Marie) couldn't stop smiling.
also cool... I got to see lots of fun people who I don't get to see very often... like peeps from Project. LOVE IT!
So yea...
also a note... I made my longest drive by myself. 7 and 1/2 house all by myself. I really like driving. It isn't too bad at all. Well, maybe because I have my iPod and Harry Potter on CD. But either way the drive wasn't bad. That was a nice surprise.
Can't wait to see the newly married couple in a couple of weeks when they move to VaBeach.
Down to one more wedding for the summer. Ross and Paula get married in August!
I love being at weddings where I know the couple really well. It is even cooler to have known the relationship from the beginning. So cool!
Ann Marie looked gorgeous... and Joel (as well as Ann Marie) couldn't stop smiling.
also cool... I got to see lots of fun people who I don't get to see very often... like peeps from Project. LOVE IT!
So yea...
also a note... I made my longest drive by myself. 7 and 1/2 house all by myself. I really like driving. It isn't too bad at all. Well, maybe because I have my iPod and Harry Potter on CD. But either way the drive wasn't bad. That was a nice surprise.
Can't wait to see the newly married couple in a couple of weeks when they move to VaBeach.
Down to one more wedding for the summer. Ross and Paula get married in August!
6.22.2007
No Respect for Marriage
So, this morning, as I do every morning, I was reading MSN. And there was this article entitled, "7 Ways to Know if Your Spouse is Cheating." Well... it was something along those lines.
Do you now how absurd that is? It is like people get married today expecting their spouse to cheat... and that we should be prepared enough to be looking for those signs. WHAT!?!! Can't we assume that you know the person you are marrying well enough and trust them that much that they aren't cheating on you.
It is kind of like how a couple of years ago know I went to my cousin's wedding where the priest basically implied that they were going to get divorced.
Is that what everyone thinks is going to happen?
What about commitment. This is why I go back to my belief that people just don't understand what true love is. They think it is all about the love in fairy tales... that once you get married all problems stop and you live happily ever after. Let me go ahead and say... that isn't true. And I don't have to be married to know that. Love is a commitment above all else. That is my feelings. You have to not only love the person you are marrying but you have to LIKE them (I mean the person they are... you won't be able to change them). But also you have to be committed enough to LOVE them even when you may not like their actions. Because at some point you may not get along... you may fight... you may want to even leave. But you shouldn't. In my mind marriage is forever... not until there is someone else. There shouldn't be someone else who captures you. It is a commitment to love that one person for life.
So, those are my random thoughts after seeing that stupid article.
Do you now how absurd that is? It is like people get married today expecting their spouse to cheat... and that we should be prepared enough to be looking for those signs. WHAT!?!! Can't we assume that you know the person you are marrying well enough and trust them that much that they aren't cheating on you.
It is kind of like how a couple of years ago know I went to my cousin's wedding where the priest basically implied that they were going to get divorced.
Is that what everyone thinks is going to happen?
What about commitment. This is why I go back to my belief that people just don't understand what true love is. They think it is all about the love in fairy tales... that once you get married all problems stop and you live happily ever after. Let me go ahead and say... that isn't true. And I don't have to be married to know that. Love is a commitment above all else. That is my feelings. You have to not only love the person you are marrying but you have to LIKE them (I mean the person they are... you won't be able to change them). But also you have to be committed enough to LOVE them even when you may not like their actions. Because at some point you may not get along... you may fight... you may want to even leave. But you shouldn't. In my mind marriage is forever... not until there is someone else. There shouldn't be someone else who captures you. It is a commitment to love that one person for life.
So, those are my random thoughts after seeing that stupid article.
6.20.2007
30 Days!!!
Umm... in case you didn't know.
There are only 30 more days until Book 7 of the Harry Potter Series comes out. I am pretty much STOKED!!!!
I love these books. I am very, very sad that this will be the last book (and I do believe JK Rowling when she says this). BUT, I am excited to just read how it all ends. And, these are the books that I can read over and over again... not to mention that I love also listening to the on CD. Normally I am not so keen on that... but with these books, I can. They are just that phenomenal!
For this last book, I just really hope that JK Rowling doesn't kill of Harry. That would make me cry... lots and lots... and almost never want to read the books again. It would be my dream come true if Harry marries Ginny... and Ron and Hermione end up together... because that is how it is supposed to be. Just like Joey and Pacey ended up together in Dawson's Creek... and Ross and Rachel on Friends... and how Meredith should be with McDreamy. These characters are supposed to be together people! Now, hopefully JK Rowling gets that message. We can only keep our fingers crossed right now.
Oh, and for who will die... I don't know. It has been mentioned that JK Rowling has said she kills of two characters. I think one HAS to be Voldermort. You have the evil character live. Even Darth Vader died... even after he redeemed himself. The evil one always dies. So... Voldermort is the first. And as for the second, I do believe it will be a beloved character (Dumbledore was loved and we all know what happened to him). I don't think it will be one of the trio or Ginny. Too many people want to see them survive. I think it could Hagrid... or Lupin. They are beloved, and close to Harry. Or McGongall... maybe. What do you think?
Anyway...I can't wait. Maybe I should reread the sixth book really quickly before the last one comes out. I read it around Christmas time... but I love it that much I would be willing to do it again. I have just finished listening to book 4 last week... and am in about chapter 6 in book 5. So.. yea... maybe I need to read book 6. Oh... how I love this series. You all must read it.. ok!?!?!
Well, I need to get back to work. Later! And read Harry Potter!
There are only 30 more days until Book 7 of the Harry Potter Series comes out. I am pretty much STOKED!!!!
I love these books. I am very, very sad that this will be the last book (and I do believe JK Rowling when she says this). BUT, I am excited to just read how it all ends. And, these are the books that I can read over and over again... not to mention that I love also listening to the on CD. Normally I am not so keen on that... but with these books, I can. They are just that phenomenal!
For this last book, I just really hope that JK Rowling doesn't kill of Harry. That would make me cry... lots and lots... and almost never want to read the books again. It would be my dream come true if Harry marries Ginny... and Ron and Hermione end up together... because that is how it is supposed to be. Just like Joey and Pacey ended up together in Dawson's Creek... and Ross and Rachel on Friends... and how Meredith should be with McDreamy. These characters are supposed to be together people! Now, hopefully JK Rowling gets that message. We can only keep our fingers crossed right now.
Oh, and for who will die... I don't know. It has been mentioned that JK Rowling has said she kills of two characters. I think one HAS to be Voldermort. You have the evil character live. Even Darth Vader died... even after he redeemed himself. The evil one always dies. So... Voldermort is the first. And as for the second, I do believe it will be a beloved character (Dumbledore was loved and we all know what happened to him). I don't think it will be one of the trio or Ginny. Too many people want to see them survive. I think it could Hagrid... or Lupin. They are beloved, and close to Harry. Or McGongall... maybe. What do you think?
Anyway...I can't wait. Maybe I should reread the sixth book really quickly before the last one comes out. I read it around Christmas time... but I love it that much I would be willing to do it again. I have just finished listening to book 4 last week... and am in about chapter 6 in book 5. So.. yea... maybe I need to read book 6. Oh... how I love this series. You all must read it.. ok!?!?!
Well, I need to get back to work. Later! And read Harry Potter!
Loving It
So... I love my life. We went out with Kristen and Jenn today. Pretty much it was awesome. I love those ladies, and we had so much fun. It is nice to know how awesome my friends are.
What else...
Oh, if you are every needing a place to go to eat and you run across a Jason's Deli. I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorite places to go. The food is AMAZING. I don't think I have ever gotten something I don't like there.
They have these MASSIVE potatoes... yummy... Oh, and GREAT wraps. It is all good. And they are very environmentally friendly. They try to always buy local... and organic... they offer lots of vegan things, too. Basically, it is awesome.
Those are my thoughts for now.
What else...
Oh, if you are every needing a place to go to eat and you run across a Jason's Deli. I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorite places to go. The food is AMAZING. I don't think I have ever gotten something I don't like there.
They have these MASSIVE potatoes... yummy... Oh, and GREAT wraps. It is all good. And they are very environmentally friendly. They try to always buy local... and organic... they offer lots of vegan things, too. Basically, it is awesome.
Those are my thoughts for now.
6.18.2007
Whoa
Sorry. Trying to be somewhat regular in my updates, but life is just not letting that happen too often. But, sometimes is better than never, right?
Well, lets see... last week was a little crazy. Trying to catch up with work after being gone a couple of days is always an adventure. But, i think I am somewhat caught up. Now, just have to work on clearing the desk off. I am doing the best I can. I actually have been fairly busy recently, which I may complain about, but overall I prefer it that way. Why? Because it means that I am not bored. Trust me when I say it is very hard to look busy for 8 hours a day if you have nothing to do. In fact, trying to look busy is actually more tiring than working those 8 hours... or at least I think it is.
My friend, Beth, she had her baby last Sunday, June 10th. Isn't that wild? One of my friends had a baby!!! His name is Caleb, and I am so excited for her. She sent us a pic of him, and I have to say he looks super cute to me!
Other than that... I have lots of adult things going on. Finding an apartment (yikes!)... getting the title of my car in my name and registering it here in North Carolina... getting the auto insurance in my name (before i was just paying mom and dad)... getting a retainer to replace my old ones... you know, adult things. Being an adult can not be fun sometimes. To cover all these expenses (and all my travel expenses), I am thinking about trying to find a second part-time job. You know, like work at Barnes and Nobles or Borders a couple of nights a week. Do you think that would fly? I think it might be nice to have some extra cash flow... at least until I can pay off some of this stuff. But, I don't know... I am praying about it. I think it will probably happen. Yikes!
Well, that really is it. Sorry this post is kind of boring. But, these are the thoughts in my mind right now. I am now going to go and QA some grids (that is what I do at work. Pretty much as boring as it sounds)... and then if I have time, I will try catching up on some email. I have lots of people to write to. And, I need to plan out the trip to Ohio this weekend... love the idea of seeing fun people at Joel and Ann Marie's wedding. YEA!
Well, lets see... last week was a little crazy. Trying to catch up with work after being gone a couple of days is always an adventure. But, i think I am somewhat caught up. Now, just have to work on clearing the desk off. I am doing the best I can. I actually have been fairly busy recently, which I may complain about, but overall I prefer it that way. Why? Because it means that I am not bored. Trust me when I say it is very hard to look busy for 8 hours a day if you have nothing to do. In fact, trying to look busy is actually more tiring than working those 8 hours... or at least I think it is.
My friend, Beth, she had her baby last Sunday, June 10th. Isn't that wild? One of my friends had a baby!!! His name is Caleb, and I am so excited for her. She sent us a pic of him, and I have to say he looks super cute to me!
Other than that... I have lots of adult things going on. Finding an apartment (yikes!)... getting the title of my car in my name and registering it here in North Carolina... getting the auto insurance in my name (before i was just paying mom and dad)... getting a retainer to replace my old ones... you know, adult things. Being an adult can not be fun sometimes. To cover all these expenses (and all my travel expenses), I am thinking about trying to find a second part-time job. You know, like work at Barnes and Nobles or Borders a couple of nights a week. Do you think that would fly? I think it might be nice to have some extra cash flow... at least until I can pay off some of this stuff. But, I don't know... I am praying about it. I think it will probably happen. Yikes!
Well, that really is it. Sorry this post is kind of boring. But, these are the thoughts in my mind right now. I am now going to go and QA some grids (that is what I do at work. Pretty much as boring as it sounds)... and then if I have time, I will try catching up on some email. I have lots of people to write to. And, I need to plan out the trip to Ohio this weekend... love the idea of seeing fun people at Joel and Ann Marie's wedding. YEA!
6.13.2007
Florida!!!
I got back last night from Florida. Peeps, it was awesome. Just thought I would say that. I had such a great time!
Friday, the drive down was really easy We even stopped at South of the Border... fun times being goof balls. Then we hit Orlando. We sat in traffic for about two hours. Oh well... Teal did an awesome job driving the whole time. What a studette.
We got to the hotel around 7:30 in the evening. Just enough time to get settled and then get ready for a night out with Jenn and the bridal party. But, just a quick note about the hotel. We stayed at the Floridays Resort and it was AWESOME!!! I mean... great. There were two bedrooms (a master and a smaller room), two bathrooms, a FULL kitchen. It was like a mini fully furnished apartment. Whoa is all I have to say.
Then was the Bachelorette Party at City Walk (Universal's party/shopping area). We went to Margaritaville and then a Dueling Pianos Bar. Fun times... drunk boys aren't too fun. But, we can deal. You just have to be extremely straight with them. They don't pick up on subtle hints. Oh, and there was the issue of some old man thinking it was cool to touch Kristen's butt. Me=rolling my eyes.
On Saturday, we went to the pool. I layed out all afternoon... great times. There was this DJ though... and he thought it was fun to soak the people sitting at the pool's edge but not going in. And that would be me because Florida in the summer is HOT. I basically just sat at the pool's edge the whole time... but it was great and relaxing. What a nice time.
In the evening, we hit up House of Blues with Cherie and Ron for dinner... followed by the evening at Pleasure Island. Great times! We went to a hilarious comedy improv show and danced a bit at Motion.
Sunday was another fairly relaxing day. We went shopping at the Outlets next to our hotel. Then we got ready for Jenn and Jeff's wedding. We were a bit late because MapQuest failed us here... but that is ok. We got to see most of the ceremony... and the reception was great. The wedding was just beautiful and I loved it!!! Jenn looked stunning, of course... and they were surrounded by love... just great times.
Monday was out day at Magic Kingdom. I love Disney World. I really want to go again, and stay on the grounds. It would be so nice. I just love how the place makes you feel. Like a little kid... you never stop smiling... ever... It was a hot day of course... but the lines weren't too bad. So, it was great.
Of course, now I am back. The drive home yesterday was more subdued. We were tired... and not looking forward to being back at work. Alas, the real world has to arrive at some point... and here it is. Well, I will blog more tomorrow. For now, I am here and trying to concentrate at work.
PS, if you want to see my pictures... check out my picasa page (the web address is on my Facebook profile).
Friday, the drive down was really easy We even stopped at South of the Border... fun times being goof balls. Then we hit Orlando. We sat in traffic for about two hours. Oh well... Teal did an awesome job driving the whole time. What a studette.
We got to the hotel around 7:30 in the evening. Just enough time to get settled and then get ready for a night out with Jenn and the bridal party. But, just a quick note about the hotel. We stayed at the Floridays Resort and it was AWESOME!!! I mean... great. There were two bedrooms (a master and a smaller room), two bathrooms, a FULL kitchen. It was like a mini fully furnished apartment. Whoa is all I have to say.
Then was the Bachelorette Party at City Walk (Universal's party/shopping area). We went to Margaritaville and then a Dueling Pianos Bar. Fun times... drunk boys aren't too fun. But, we can deal. You just have to be extremely straight with them. They don't pick up on subtle hints. Oh, and there was the issue of some old man thinking it was cool to touch Kristen's butt. Me=rolling my eyes.
On Saturday, we went to the pool. I layed out all afternoon... great times. There was this DJ though... and he thought it was fun to soak the people sitting at the pool's edge but not going in. And that would be me because Florida in the summer is HOT. I basically just sat at the pool's edge the whole time... but it was great and relaxing. What a nice time.
In the evening, we hit up House of Blues with Cherie and Ron for dinner... followed by the evening at Pleasure Island. Great times! We went to a hilarious comedy improv show and danced a bit at Motion.
Sunday was another fairly relaxing day. We went shopping at the Outlets next to our hotel. Then we got ready for Jenn and Jeff's wedding. We were a bit late because MapQuest failed us here... but that is ok. We got to see most of the ceremony... and the reception was great. The wedding was just beautiful and I loved it!!! Jenn looked stunning, of course... and they were surrounded by love... just great times.
Monday was out day at Magic Kingdom. I love Disney World. I really want to go again, and stay on the grounds. It would be so nice. I just love how the place makes you feel. Like a little kid... you never stop smiling... ever... It was a hot day of course... but the lines weren't too bad. So, it was great.
Of course, now I am back. The drive home yesterday was more subdued. We were tired... and not looking forward to being back at work. Alas, the real world has to arrive at some point... and here it is. Well, I will blog more tomorrow. For now, I am here and trying to concentrate at work.
PS, if you want to see my pictures... check out my picasa page (the web address is on my Facebook profile).
6.05.2007
Productivity
Why is it the more I have to do the better I am at actually doing anything. It seems like when I am busy, I am more productive in all areas. But, when I have no time, I just waste and don't do anything, including things that I want to do (like catch up on my scrapbooking, or reading, or emailing people back)?
I guess it is a paradox that is true of most people. I won't say all people, because some people are just better at being productive than others.
For example, take one of my best friends, Sarah. I don't think I know anyone more disciplined than her. SERIOUSLY! She has everything read for class in a month. Paper due at the end of the term, done way before it is due... at the latest a week before hand. She is just so good at it.
I envy her for that. I wish I was that way. But no... the pressure of the deadline makes me work harder I guess. Or I am just lazy. Don't know which.
Well, this week is no different, I guess. Florida is looming (well, not looming in a bad way... I can't wait!!!), and all of the sudden I have a ton to do at work... so I have been pretty good all day. And I actually ran the errands I was supposed to yesterday, plus actually picked up my room. Hopefully that will happen again tonight. And probably will... i don't really have time to work on it tomorrow.
Back to work, I go. Enjoy the summer that seems to have arrived! Is it as beautiful where you are as it is here? I LOVE IT!!!
I guess it is a paradox that is true of most people. I won't say all people, because some people are just better at being productive than others.
For example, take one of my best friends, Sarah. I don't think I know anyone more disciplined than her. SERIOUSLY! She has everything read for class in a month. Paper due at the end of the term, done way before it is due... at the latest a week before hand. She is just so good at it.
I envy her for that. I wish I was that way. But no... the pressure of the deadline makes me work harder I guess. Or I am just lazy. Don't know which.
Well, this week is no different, I guess. Florida is looming (well, not looming in a bad way... I can't wait!!!), and all of the sudden I have a ton to do at work... so I have been pretty good all day. And I actually ran the errands I was supposed to yesterday, plus actually picked up my room. Hopefully that will happen again tonight. And probably will... i don't really have time to work on it tomorrow.
Back to work, I go. Enjoy the summer that seems to have arrived! Is it as beautiful where you are as it is here? I LOVE IT!!!
6.04.2007
Oops
I haven't talked to you in forever!!!
Oh well, welcome to how I function. I am good about blogging daily (or close to it) for about a month, and then, BOOM... I just don't. Story of my life. I am that way about lots of things. Emailing, journaling, etc.
But, I will attempt to get back on track here.
The retreat was really good. I am glad I went. I am not going to say AWESOME... but more because I just don't know people, so it took some time getting used to having to initiate convos, etc. Plus, sometimes I just felt like an outsider looking in. BUT, I am still glad I went. I got to meet people (the only way I will begin not to feel like an outsider), and there was an awesome dance party... plus I just really feel like God taught me a lot.
Most convicting thing... I need to live in the here and now. Not keep looking for what is next. Even though I have claimed to love being here this past year (and I have), I have kept trying to find a way out. But God brought me to Durham/Raleigh for a reason. It is time that I LIVED here until I feel God calling me out. Leon Tucker called this abiding in the land. I need to be Christ to those I work with, build real relationships here, etc. So, I am trying to do that. Not that it has been easy, but I am trying to do that.
Other than that... right now, even though I am attempting to live in the here and now, and enjoy each day for what it is, I do have lots of fun things to count down to:
Florida! Four more days
Joel and Ann Marie's wedding! 20 more days
Harry Potter movie! 36 more days
Harry Potter book! 46 more days
Las Vegas w/ the Fam! 52 more days
And, I am sure there will be other fun things coming up! Yea for summer! I love it.
Oh well, welcome to how I function. I am good about blogging daily (or close to it) for about a month, and then, BOOM... I just don't. Story of my life. I am that way about lots of things. Emailing, journaling, etc.
But, I will attempt to get back on track here.
The retreat was really good. I am glad I went. I am not going to say AWESOME... but more because I just don't know people, so it took some time getting used to having to initiate convos, etc. Plus, sometimes I just felt like an outsider looking in. BUT, I am still glad I went. I got to meet people (the only way I will begin not to feel like an outsider), and there was an awesome dance party... plus I just really feel like God taught me a lot.
Most convicting thing... I need to live in the here and now. Not keep looking for what is next. Even though I have claimed to love being here this past year (and I have), I have kept trying to find a way out. But God brought me to Durham/Raleigh for a reason. It is time that I LIVED here until I feel God calling me out. Leon Tucker called this abiding in the land. I need to be Christ to those I work with, build real relationships here, etc. So, I am trying to do that. Not that it has been easy, but I am trying to do that.
Other than that... right now, even though I am attempting to live in the here and now, and enjoy each day for what it is, I do have lots of fun things to count down to:
Florida! Four more days
Joel and Ann Marie's wedding! 20 more days
Harry Potter movie! 36 more days
Harry Potter book! 46 more days
Las Vegas w/ the Fam! 52 more days
And, I am sure there will be other fun things coming up! Yea for summer! I love it.
5.25.2007
I'm so Excited!
Tomorrow I am going to the Fort Caswell Retreat with the Singles Group at Providence!
I am soooo excited! I think it will be really, really fun. It will be a good way to meet people... and good way to just feel more like I belong.
But, that has been happening anyway. The other day I went to their Flock Group which is a Bible Study. And I really enjoyed it. I met some really nice girls, Katie and Jill, and I am excited to continue to hang out with them.
Yea for finding people that I feel like could be family!
I am also excited because it has been so long since I have been on a retreat. I am excited to be challenged by God.
Be praying that I am challenged by God, as well as that I would step out of my comfort zone and meet people.
I am soooo excited! I think it will be really, really fun. It will be a good way to meet people... and good way to just feel more like I belong.
But, that has been happening anyway. The other day I went to their Flock Group which is a Bible Study. And I really enjoyed it. I met some really nice girls, Katie and Jill, and I am excited to continue to hang out with them.
Yea for finding people that I feel like could be family!
I am also excited because it has been so long since I have been on a retreat. I am excited to be challenged by God.
Be praying that I am challenged by God, as well as that I would step out of my comfort zone and meet people.
5.22.2007
As Promised
Yesterday I said that I would talk about my trip to Busch Gardens on Saturday. So, here it goes...
I had a GREAT time! I went with my brother, his roommate from school, and their friend. We had a lot of fun.
I did learn alot about three twentysomething guys. They were all cracking me up... a ton. They basically have to "discuss" everything and can never agree on anything. And even if they are all saying the same thing, they still have to "discuss" it.
Also, there is a lot of comparing girl... well, not comparing... but at least checking them out.
But, what about the rides? It was all fun... the new roller coaster, the Griffon was great. It goes super fast and there is definitely a 90 degree drop. I loved it! Apollo's was, as always, fun and great. I love the feeling that I am flying. All in all, it was a great time.
Hopefully I will go back soon!
I had a GREAT time! I went with my brother, his roommate from school, and their friend. We had a lot of fun.
I did learn alot about three twentysomething guys. They were all cracking me up... a ton. They basically have to "discuss" everything and can never agree on anything. And even if they are all saying the same thing, they still have to "discuss" it.
Also, there is a lot of comparing girl... well, not comparing... but at least checking them out.
But, what about the rides? It was all fun... the new roller coaster, the Griffon was great. It goes super fast and there is definitely a 90 degree drop. I loved it! Apollo's was, as always, fun and great. I love the feeling that I am flying. All in all, it was a great time.
Hopefully I will go back soon!
5.21.2007
one thing, now another
So, I was going to talk about Busch Gardens today... but that will have to wait.
Why, because sometimes I need to complain. And today would be one of these days. Oh yes, it is.
So, I like being an adult. FREEDOM is all I have to say about it. I can support myself... most of the time.
But then days like today happen.
I got a call from my dentist. Evidently, my insurance won't cover anything but the cleaning (so, the x-rays, the filling to fix the old one) until after I have been on it for a year or something. So, yea... I get to pay $400 out of my own pocket. Why didn't anyone tell me this!?!?! This sucks!!!
and, do I have $400 just lying around. Pretty much... no. Yippee...
ok, enough complaining. Tomorrow we will discuss Busch Gardens.
Why, because sometimes I need to complain. And today would be one of these days. Oh yes, it is.
So, I like being an adult. FREEDOM is all I have to say about it. I can support myself... most of the time.
But then days like today happen.
I got a call from my dentist. Evidently, my insurance won't cover anything but the cleaning (so, the x-rays, the filling to fix the old one) until after I have been on it for a year or something. So, yea... I get to pay $400 out of my own pocket. Why didn't anyone tell me this!?!?! This sucks!!!
and, do I have $400 just lying around. Pretty much... no. Yippee...
ok, enough complaining. Tomorrow we will discuss Busch Gardens.
5.18.2007
About Me! Jaye P as if 5/18
Time for another survey. Enjoy learning about me!
1. What time did you get up this morning? 10am... but that is because I took the day off today. Normally, it is around 6:45 for work
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Pearls... the only diamond I want is from some special boy I haven't met
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Spiderman 3 w/ Katy. Anyone want to go see Shrek the Third this weekend?
4. What is your favorite TV show? I have to choose one? Alias... Friends... American Idol... October Road...
5. What did you have for breakfast? Cheerios with a little sugar
6. What is your middle name? Patricia
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian... all those yummy carbs!
8. What foods do you dislike? Most veggies... anything mushy... really anything with a weird texture... Oatmeal
9. Your favorite Potato chip? Salt and Vinegar OR Cheddar and Sour Cream... or Masterpiece BBQ (PS, I don't do favorites really well, in case you can't tell)
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? More like songs... but, maybe Bryan Greenberg's Waiting for Now... really it is this mix I made the other day
11. What kind of car do you drive? 99 Dodge Stratus
12. Favorite sandwich? Umm... don't have one... I like a good deli sandwich
13. What characteristics do you despise? being hypocritical... being judgemental... too much DRAMA... i don't do drama
14. What are your favorite clothes? Used to be jeans... now though, I really appreciate a good comfy skirt
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you NOT go? Virginia Beach... but only because I grew up there
16.Favorite brand of clothing? Used to be Old Navy... but recently its been a miss for me there... so J.Crew, Banana, Gap, especially when they are the outlet versions
17. Where would you want to retire? If it didn't get so cold in the winter... Little Sable Point, MI. Somewhere with a Beach. Maybe Southern Cal?
18. Favorite time of day? when I get to leave work!
19. Where were you born? Virginia Beach, VA... born and bred a beach bum
20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Big Ten Football... specifically Michigan Football... but anything competitive!
21. Pepsi or Coke? Duh, Coke.
22. Beavers or Ducks? Are they some teams we are supposed to choose? Ducks? They are cute, I guess
23. Are you a morning person or night owl? Either... but I like to stay up late (even though now that I am old and work it doesn't seem like it), so if I had my choice, a night owl. stupid job
24. Pedicure or Manicure? Pedicure... they rock the foot rubs!
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I signed up for the church retreat on Memorial Day weekend!
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A Marine Biologist... they got to play in the water and work with Dolphins... or so I thought
27. What is your best childhood memory? any of the long car trips with the fam!!
28. Piercing? Just my ears
29. Ever been to Africa? Nope, but would love to go
30. Ever been toilet papering? heck yes... and it was fun every time
31. Been in a car accident? Once, they rear ended me
32. Favorite restaurant? This is hard one.. Chick fil a, does that count?
33. Favorite flower? I don't really have one... I need to work on that.
34. Favorite Fast Food? So, Chick fil a doesn't count as a restaurant? but it is my favorite fast food place! Jason's Deli is creeping up on it though
35. How many times did you fail your drivers test? Zero.
36. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Christy.... just a short one asking when they next time I would be in VaBeach
37. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? umm, currently there are lots of electronic toys I want, so probably Best Buy
38. Bedtime? I rock the 10:30
39. Last person you went to dinner with? i went to lunch today with the bro
40.What are you listening to right now? the iPod is on random... currently a song from Newsies... "Once and for All"
41. What is your favorite color? BLUE
42. How many tattoos do you have? none... part of me has always wanted one, though. But they are permanent... that scares me. What if I regret it?
43. Favorite magazine? Time for true confessions here people... People Magazine. The famous are just so interesting!
44. What's your goal in life? I would like to see the world... to make a difference in someones life... to be happy... to have a family... to stay in touch with important people like my friends
1. What time did you get up this morning? 10am... but that is because I took the day off today. Normally, it is around 6:45 for work
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Pearls... the only diamond I want is from some special boy I haven't met
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Spiderman 3 w/ Katy. Anyone want to go see Shrek the Third this weekend?
4. What is your favorite TV show? I have to choose one? Alias... Friends... American Idol... October Road...
5. What did you have for breakfast? Cheerios with a little sugar
6. What is your middle name? Patricia
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian... all those yummy carbs!
8. What foods do you dislike? Most veggies... anything mushy... really anything with a weird texture... Oatmeal
9. Your favorite Potato chip? Salt and Vinegar OR Cheddar and Sour Cream... or Masterpiece BBQ (PS, I don't do favorites really well, in case you can't tell)
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? More like songs... but, maybe Bryan Greenberg's Waiting for Now... really it is this mix I made the other day
11. What kind of car do you drive? 99 Dodge Stratus
12. Favorite sandwich? Umm... don't have one... I like a good deli sandwich
13. What characteristics do you despise? being hypocritical... being judgemental... too much DRAMA... i don't do drama
14. What are your favorite clothes? Used to be jeans... now though, I really appreciate a good comfy skirt
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you NOT go? Virginia Beach... but only because I grew up there
16.Favorite brand of clothing? Used to be Old Navy... but recently its been a miss for me there... so J.Crew, Banana, Gap, especially when they are the outlet versions
17. Where would you want to retire? If it didn't get so cold in the winter... Little Sable Point, MI. Somewhere with a Beach. Maybe Southern Cal?
18. Favorite time of day? when I get to leave work!
19. Where were you born? Virginia Beach, VA... born and bred a beach bum
20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Big Ten Football... specifically Michigan Football... but anything competitive!
21. Pepsi or Coke? Duh, Coke.
22. Beavers or Ducks? Are they some teams we are supposed to choose? Ducks? They are cute, I guess
23. Are you a morning person or night owl? Either... but I like to stay up late (even though now that I am old and work it doesn't seem like it), so if I had my choice, a night owl. stupid job
24. Pedicure or Manicure? Pedicure... they rock the foot rubs!
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I signed up for the church retreat on Memorial Day weekend!
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A Marine Biologist... they got to play in the water and work with Dolphins... or so I thought
27. What is your best childhood memory? any of the long car trips with the fam!!
28. Piercing? Just my ears
29. Ever been to Africa? Nope, but would love to go
30. Ever been toilet papering? heck yes... and it was fun every time
31. Been in a car accident? Once, they rear ended me
32. Favorite restaurant? This is hard one.. Chick fil a, does that count?
33. Favorite flower? I don't really have one... I need to work on that.
34. Favorite Fast Food? So, Chick fil a doesn't count as a restaurant? but it is my favorite fast food place! Jason's Deli is creeping up on it though
35. How many times did you fail your drivers test? Zero.
36. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Christy.... just a short one asking when they next time I would be in VaBeach
37. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? umm, currently there are lots of electronic toys I want, so probably Best Buy
38. Bedtime? I rock the 10:30
39. Last person you went to dinner with? i went to lunch today with the bro
40.What are you listening to right now? the iPod is on random... currently a song from Newsies... "Once and for All"
41. What is your favorite color? BLUE
42. How many tattoos do you have? none... part of me has always wanted one, though. But they are permanent... that scares me. What if I regret it?
43. Favorite magazine? Time for true confessions here people... People Magazine. The famous are just so interesting!
44. What's your goal in life? I would like to see the world... to make a difference in someones life... to be happy... to have a family... to stay in touch with important people like my friends
Friday in VaBeach
I came home this weekend.
Originally it was for a family portrait to be taken tonight. However, it has been cancelled. It is a little bit ugly outside... think cold and gray and windy. Not exactly good for a family portrait on the beach, huh?
But it has still been nice to have the day off. I relaxed (think lazy). I went to lunch with the bro. And that has been about it. I am considering a nap in a bit... why not?
I do like being at home. It is nice to be around the family. I miss them lots... but at the same time... it isn't the same at home anymore. And not just because I don't have a room...
It is home... but at the same time it isn't. I don't know where everything is... and it just changes. I don't know.... guess it is just part of growing up. We all have to do it... my time is now.
Well, tomorrow is trip to Busch Gardens... yea! Hopefully it is a little but nicer than today.
Later!
Originally it was for a family portrait to be taken tonight. However, it has been cancelled. It is a little bit ugly outside... think cold and gray and windy. Not exactly good for a family portrait on the beach, huh?
But it has still been nice to have the day off. I relaxed (think lazy). I went to lunch with the bro. And that has been about it. I am considering a nap in a bit... why not?
I do like being at home. It is nice to be around the family. I miss them lots... but at the same time... it isn't the same at home anymore. And not just because I don't have a room...
It is home... but at the same time it isn't. I don't know where everything is... and it just changes. I don't know.... guess it is just part of growing up. We all have to do it... my time is now.
Well, tomorrow is trip to Busch Gardens... yea! Hopefully it is a little but nicer than today.
Later!
5.15.2007
Hot and Cold
I love my roommate. I don't know if everyone knows that... but Laurie, she is pretty awesome.
In the ten months we have lived together, there are lots of things that we have learned about each other.
One important thing... we are the complete OPPOSITES when it comes to temperatures. Basically, Laurie is always cold... and I am almost always hot. Well, not always hot, but I at least thinks it is hot before she every does.
For example, she is cold at like 70 degrees out... I think it is gorgeous. At 80, I think it is HOT... she thinks it is perfect.
This morning... leaving the apartment was the perfect example of it. I was wearing a shirt, t shirt and a sweater set. She was wearing pants, a long sleeve shirt (almost a sweater), and brought her coat. Just different internal temperatures, I think.
Oh well... at least we have fun. She is awesome.
In the ten months we have lived together, there are lots of things that we have learned about each other.
One important thing... we are the complete OPPOSITES when it comes to temperatures. Basically, Laurie is always cold... and I am almost always hot. Well, not always hot, but I at least thinks it is hot before she every does.
For example, she is cold at like 70 degrees out... I think it is gorgeous. At 80, I think it is HOT... she thinks it is perfect.
This morning... leaving the apartment was the perfect example of it. I was wearing a shirt, t shirt and a sweater set. She was wearing pants, a long sleeve shirt (almost a sweater), and brought her coat. Just different internal temperatures, I think.
Oh well... at least we have fun. She is awesome.
5.14.2007
Its a Small World After All...
Yesterday after Sunday School Class, I went to eat lunch with some people.
The girl that drove me to class introduced me to two other girls in our class.
You know what... they also went to Michigan and graduated last April. Umm... sing it with me now...
Its a Small World After All!
What a nice surprise. I am looking forward to getting to know them. Well, getting to know all the people in my class, but it is nice to have people who share my love for UM. :-)
The girl that drove me to class introduced me to two other girls in our class.
You know what... they also went to Michigan and graduated last April. Umm... sing it with me now...
Its a Small World After All!
What a nice surprise. I am looking forward to getting to know them. Well, getting to know all the people in my class, but it is nice to have people who share my love for UM. :-)
5.11.2007
What to do next?
"Beginnings are scary, Endings are normally sad, But its the middle that counts." -Hope Floats
As anyone who knew me in Michigan could tell you, I didn't want to move here to Durham. And trust me when I tell you that I have never been more scared as when I had to drive off from home and get to Durham all by myself and start living in some hotel the night before i started at Duke.
I have to say I have probably never been so scared in my life.
At the end of my first week here, I was watching TNT or something and Hope Floats came on. At the end of the movie, Sandra Bullock gives her monologue and this is her last quote. At that moment it just hit me how true it is.
Beginnings are always scary... I was scared to start college, but look how much I loved every moment. The end was pretty much the saddest thing ever. I have never cried when leaving people before. And even though I am not at the end of Durham (but hopefully going to soon leave Duke...), my middle here has certainly been worth the fear. I love my friends, and it has been all good.
But, I think it is my fear of new beginnings that is keeping me from actually doing anything at all. I want a new job, so why then am I not actually looking?
Because, as I have learned this year, when I get scared I become paralyzed. When I don't want to have to make a decision, I avoid it. I just don't do it. That is what I am doing here. Yes, I want to leave my job, but I am scared that may mean moving. I don't want to have to start over again. Besides, starting a new job may mean trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Rather than look, I am just paralyzed.
But, I need to remember this... although the beginning may be scary, and the ending of this job/ time in Durham may be sad... it is the time I have been here that counts. I have awesome friends, learned a ton about myself, and really realized that I need to feel like I am making a difference in the world.
I don't know what is next, but I am excited to learn.
May I just not be paralyzed, and instead motivated to find out.
As anyone who knew me in Michigan could tell you, I didn't want to move here to Durham. And trust me when I tell you that I have never been more scared as when I had to drive off from home and get to Durham all by myself and start living in some hotel the night before i started at Duke.
I have to say I have probably never been so scared in my life.
At the end of my first week here, I was watching TNT or something and Hope Floats came on. At the end of the movie, Sandra Bullock gives her monologue and this is her last quote. At that moment it just hit me how true it is.
Beginnings are always scary... I was scared to start college, but look how much I loved every moment. The end was pretty much the saddest thing ever. I have never cried when leaving people before. And even though I am not at the end of Durham (but hopefully going to soon leave Duke...), my middle here has certainly been worth the fear. I love my friends, and it has been all good.
But, I think it is my fear of new beginnings that is keeping me from actually doing anything at all. I want a new job, so why then am I not actually looking?
Because, as I have learned this year, when I get scared I become paralyzed. When I don't want to have to make a decision, I avoid it. I just don't do it. That is what I am doing here. Yes, I want to leave my job, but I am scared that may mean moving. I don't want to have to start over again. Besides, starting a new job may mean trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Rather than look, I am just paralyzed.
But, I need to remember this... although the beginning may be scary, and the ending of this job/ time in Durham may be sad... it is the time I have been here that counts. I have awesome friends, learned a ton about myself, and really realized that I need to feel like I am making a difference in the world.
I don't know what is next, but I am excited to learn.
May I just not be paralyzed, and instead motivated to find out.
5.10.2007
Counting to 10
And taking VERY deep breaths...
our staff meeting today was a little disappointing.
Our new boss took away casual Fridays. pretty much bummed about that.
Not too happy with the fact that damage control was trying to be done. Not that he shouldn't... just with all that we have had to deal with over the last couple of months, we just have no trust for anyone of power... does that make sense?
Probably not.
Just counting to 10 and calming down. Tomorrow will not be casual Friday... so see you all dressed up tomorrow.
our staff meeting today was a little disappointing.
Our new boss took away casual Fridays. pretty much bummed about that.
Not too happy with the fact that damage control was trying to be done. Not that he shouldn't... just with all that we have had to deal with over the last couple of months, we just have no trust for anyone of power... does that make sense?
Probably not.
Just counting to 10 and calming down. Tomorrow will not be casual Friday... so see you all dressed up tomorrow.
5.09.2007
Prayer
I pretty much love my church here in Raleigh.
On Sunday, our pastor talked about prayer. He talked out of Psalm 27:4-8 (well, that is where he began, but he also mentioned other great texts in the Bible, too).
"Prayer is the language of desire; it is the offering of our desires to God." Gardiner Spring
The pastor talked about how a lot of our prayer is out of duty. And that isn't good because every single time, something you are passionate about will win out over duty. What would it look like if we were passionate and truly desired to pray?
Well, it would be easy to do everyday. It wouldn't be like the pulling of teeth to get someone to just bless the food at a meal. No one would rush to put their finger on their nose in hopes that they didn't have to pray in front of everyone. In fact, it would be the opposite. People would rush to say "Me! I will talk to the creator of the universe. Me! I will talk to my Saviour!"
Think of that. What a great treat we have to be able to talk to God.
I also thought another interesting thing the pastor mentioned was when he said to look at our prayers. What is dominant in your prayers? That is what has taken ahold of your heart.
whoa.
what is dominant in my prayers? It is something I am looking at and examining. I want to know because I know what they my heart to be fully devoted to God... but I am not sure that my prayer life reflects that.
Well, those are my ramblings in response to an awesome sermon on Sunday. I really am looking forward to Part II this week. Maybe you will get my response to that next week sometime!
On Sunday, our pastor talked about prayer. He talked out of Psalm 27:4-8 (well, that is where he began, but he also mentioned other great texts in the Bible, too).
"Prayer is the language of desire; it is the offering of our desires to God." Gardiner Spring
The pastor talked about how a lot of our prayer is out of duty. And that isn't good because every single time, something you are passionate about will win out over duty. What would it look like if we were passionate and truly desired to pray?
Well, it would be easy to do everyday. It wouldn't be like the pulling of teeth to get someone to just bless the food at a meal. No one would rush to put their finger on their nose in hopes that they didn't have to pray in front of everyone. In fact, it would be the opposite. People would rush to say "Me! I will talk to the creator of the universe. Me! I will talk to my Saviour!"
Think of that. What a great treat we have to be able to talk to God.
I also thought another interesting thing the pastor mentioned was when he said to look at our prayers. What is dominant in your prayers? That is what has taken ahold of your heart.
whoa.
what is dominant in my prayers? It is something I am looking at and examining. I want to know because I know what they my heart to be fully devoted to God... but I am not sure that my prayer life reflects that.
Well, those are my ramblings in response to an awesome sermon on Sunday. I really am looking forward to Part II this week. Maybe you will get my response to that next week sometime!
5.08.2007
Pure Torture
So, I pretty much hate the dentist. Like... HATE the dentist. I know... I am not the only one... but I am just saying.
Yesterday I went to the dentist for the biannual exam and teeth cleaning. This one was well over due. I should have gone in February... but, like I said, I hate the dentist and was in no hurry what so ever.
Well, the teeth cleaning part was no problem. However, my filling has cracked and so now I must get it refilled. Not so good. I am terrified. I don't want to have to get a new filling. I will probably have to have my mouth numbed... and I don't do so well with them giving me shots. Oh man... I hate the dentist.
That's ok. I am a big girl. I can do this. I don't need my Dad to hold my hand. Do you think he would? Come down and miss a day for me? I will do this... I am an adult. I pay my bills. I am surviving and thriving... so I can do this.
Will someone just tell that to me on next week? Thursday to be exact. Ok, thanks... I appreciate it.
Yesterday I went to the dentist for the biannual exam and teeth cleaning. This one was well over due. I should have gone in February... but, like I said, I hate the dentist and was in no hurry what so ever.
Well, the teeth cleaning part was no problem. However, my filling has cracked and so now I must get it refilled. Not so good. I am terrified. I don't want to have to get a new filling. I will probably have to have my mouth numbed... and I don't do so well with them giving me shots. Oh man... I hate the dentist.
That's ok. I am a big girl. I can do this. I don't need my Dad to hold my hand. Do you think he would? Come down and miss a day for me? I will do this... I am an adult. I pay my bills. I am surviving and thriving... so I can do this.
Will someone just tell that to me on next week? Thursday to be exact. Ok, thanks... I appreciate it.
5.03.2007
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
So, I LOVE Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. It is quite possibly one of my favorite shows. Now, I know what you are thinking. "But Jaye P, you already watch a million shows and claim you love all of them."
True, my friend, true.
I love October Road. I love Grey's Anatomy. I LOOOOVE American Idol. I pretty much don't miss any of those shows... tape them every week and make sure to watch them. But, Extreme Makeover ROCKS MY WORLD!
I think this is because they actually do something good. They are helping people... it can be sappy. I admit it. And really, I basically cry every other show. But, I can't help it. I LOVE the show.
Another reason I love the show is because this year, they built a house for family in Raleigh, NC. Umm... Raleigh is next door. So, obviously a bunch of us all went to check it out. And it was amazing... saw Ed in passing... Tracy ran by. But, coolest of all... got my picture with Paulie (see above).
It was awesome. It just made my day... maybe because that is also the day that i found out I didn't get the job at Google... so seeing it all up close and personal, as well as meeting Paul, just made me remember my life... not so bad. Put a smile on my face. LOVE IT!
So, just thought I would ramble on how much I love the show, and such...
However... my one pet peeve was realized this week. Can you believe that Ty used POP top instead of the proper Soda Top. He says POP. Inexcusable. Ty, we will have to work that, my friend. We will have to work on that. ;-).
Ok, kidding aside. I love the show... here is me with Paul!
5.02.2007
Since 2007 started...
SINCE 2007 STARTED . . .
1. Have you had a gf/bf? no
2. Have you had your birthday? no, its not til November
3. Been to church? oh, yes
4. Cried yet? yes. but not going to tell you why
5. Had someone close to you pass away? thankfully, no
6. Pulled an all nighter? HA! I have only ever pulled 2 all nighters, and they are always for hanging out with people
7. Drank Starbucks? yes, yes
8. Gone to the movies? if "Because I said So" came out in 2007, then, yes. But, I don't remember for sure
9. Been to the beach? not yet... but I spent Sunday at the pool!
10. Bought something for over $200? sadly, yes
11. Met someone new? if you count the people at Sunday School who the next week I don't remember their names...
12. Been out of your home state? yes
IN THE PAST MONTH . . . For this one we will say April 1st til today... because May 2nd doesn't give me much time to have done much... now does it?
1. Kissed someone? not unless you count my mom when I said good by
2. Slept in a friend's bed? no...
3. Snuck someone over? i live on my own... why would anyone need to be snuck over?
4. Snuck out of your own house? again, I live one my own... so need to sneak out
5. Been in a bar? actually, i don't think so... wait, their was the sketchy sports bar w/ people from Michigan... and B-dubs in Ann Arbor, does B-Dubs count?
6. Lied? yes
7. Gotten a car? HA! you gonna buy it for me? if not, the Stratus will do
8. Gone over your cell phone bill? yes... sometimes I wonder why I have so many minutes... I never use them all
9. Been called a whore? no... at least not to my face
10. Driven somewhere? oh, yes. and i love driving!
11. Done something you regret? probably
LAST . . .
1. Things you bought lately? smoothie this morning for breakfast... yummy
2. Person you hugged? Mom? I don't think I have hugged anyone else she I left home last weekend... also, my cat. Does she count?
3. Last person to call you? Mel-Belle!
4. Last time you took a bubble bath? LONG time ago... I am allergic
5. When was the last time you felt stupid? um, almost all the time... yesterday at the Softball game when I couldn't remember what my point was
6. When was the last time you walked/ran over a mile? walk... um, yesterday. Run... i don't run anywhere
7. Who was the last person who saw you cry? no idea
8. Who was the last person who made you cry? not telling... but it was a boy
9. Who was the last person you watched a movie with? my brother and Laurie... School of Rock
10. Who was the last person you danced with? Laurie... in the car
11. Who did you last yell at? probably a CRC... but not really yelling because that would get me fired... but there was probably frustration on both sides of the convo
12. Who was the last person that told you they loved you? Mel-Belle when we talked last night
13. Who makes you smile most? umm... lots of people... but I laugh a ton w/ Teal... well, with anyone from work
14. What are you listening to right now? JC Chasez, "Right Here"
15. What did you do yesterday? got up, work, Jenn and Jeff's softball game, Pei Wei's, American Idol, bed
16. Have you ever been in a mosh-pit? yes, aren't you surprised?
1. Have you had a gf/bf? no
2. Have you had your birthday? no, its not til November
3. Been to church? oh, yes
4. Cried yet? yes. but not going to tell you why
5. Had someone close to you pass away? thankfully, no
6. Pulled an all nighter? HA! I have only ever pulled 2 all nighters, and they are always for hanging out with people
7. Drank Starbucks? yes, yes
8. Gone to the movies? if "Because I said So" came out in 2007, then, yes. But, I don't remember for sure
9. Been to the beach? not yet... but I spent Sunday at the pool!
10. Bought something for over $200? sadly, yes
11. Met someone new? if you count the people at Sunday School who the next week I don't remember their names...
12. Been out of your home state? yes
IN THE PAST MONTH . . . For this one we will say April 1st til today... because May 2nd doesn't give me much time to have done much... now does it?
1. Kissed someone? not unless you count my mom when I said good by
2. Slept in a friend's bed? no...
3. Snuck someone over? i live on my own... why would anyone need to be snuck over?
4. Snuck out of your own house? again, I live one my own... so need to sneak out
5. Been in a bar? actually, i don't think so... wait, their was the sketchy sports bar w/ people from Michigan... and B-dubs in Ann Arbor, does B-Dubs count?
6. Lied? yes
7. Gotten a car? HA! you gonna buy it for me? if not, the Stratus will do
8. Gone over your cell phone bill? yes... sometimes I wonder why I have so many minutes... I never use them all
9. Been called a whore? no... at least not to my face
10. Driven somewhere? oh, yes. and i love driving!
11. Done something you regret? probably
LAST . . .
1. Things you bought lately? smoothie this morning for breakfast... yummy
2. Person you hugged? Mom? I don't think I have hugged anyone else she I left home last weekend... also, my cat. Does she count?
3. Last person to call you? Mel-Belle!
4. Last time you took a bubble bath? LONG time ago... I am allergic
5. When was the last time you felt stupid? um, almost all the time... yesterday at the Softball game when I couldn't remember what my point was
6. When was the last time you walked/ran over a mile? walk... um, yesterday. Run... i don't run anywhere
7. Who was the last person who saw you cry? no idea
8. Who was the last person who made you cry? not telling... but it was a boy
9. Who was the last person you watched a movie with? my brother and Laurie... School of Rock
10. Who was the last person you danced with? Laurie... in the car
11. Who did you last yell at? probably a CRC... but not really yelling because that would get me fired... but there was probably frustration on both sides of the convo
12. Who was the last person that told you they loved you? Mel-Belle when we talked last night
13. Who makes you smile most? umm... lots of people... but I laugh a ton w/ Teal... well, with anyone from work
14. What are you listening to right now? JC Chasez, "Right Here"
15. What did you do yesterday? got up, work, Jenn and Jeff's softball game, Pei Wei's, American Idol, bed
16. Have you ever been in a mosh-pit? yes, aren't you surprised?
5.01.2007
It's all bills...
Laurie and I carpool to and from work. It is great. We save on gas and on our parking pass. So, all in all a good deal.
Everyday, when we get home, we stop by the mailboxes. Whoever is in the passenger seat gets out and gets the mail. Not too bad of a deal, I have to say.
Well, yesterday it was mine turn to get the mail. I run out and open up our mailbox. One bill for me. One letter for Laurie. Some junk mail for Current Resident. FIVE CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR ME!
WHAT!?!?! First of all, how did they get my name. Second of all, why do you insist on sending me the same offer EVERY WEEK, mister credit card company. Third of all, if I haven't signed up yet, do you really think I am going to now?
AHHH!!! Not only is it annoying... but they are wasting paper. Just leave me alone!!!
When I was young, I used tell my parents, "I wish I got mail like you." And they would always reply, "No you don't. It's all bills." Well, they were almost right. Not that I love to get bills... but it isn't all bills. It is all credit card offers. And, I certainly don't want that!
How do I get off their lists... anyone?
Everyday, when we get home, we stop by the mailboxes. Whoever is in the passenger seat gets out and gets the mail. Not too bad of a deal, I have to say.
Well, yesterday it was mine turn to get the mail. I run out and open up our mailbox. One bill for me. One letter for Laurie. Some junk mail for Current Resident. FIVE CREDIT CARD OFFERS FOR ME!
WHAT!?!?! First of all, how did they get my name. Second of all, why do you insist on sending me the same offer EVERY WEEK, mister credit card company. Third of all, if I haven't signed up yet, do you really think I am going to now?
AHHH!!! Not only is it annoying... but they are wasting paper. Just leave me alone!!!
When I was young, I used tell my parents, "I wish I got mail like you." And they would always reply, "No you don't. It's all bills." Well, they were almost right. Not that I love to get bills... but it isn't all bills. It is all credit card offers. And, I certainly don't want that!
How do I get off their lists... anyone?
4.30.2007
25 Things
Don't have much to say... no, that is a lie. Just don't feel like thinking too much ;-)
1. When was the last time you shaved your legs? this morning!
2. What were you doing this morning at 8am? driving to work w/ Laurie
3. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? reading msn.com
4. Do you have any famous ancestors? Uncle Bill Tunner (he is really like a great, great, great...)... he helped with the Berlin Airlift
5. Are you mad at anyone right now? Nope
6. Do you know the words to the song on your MySpace profile? I don't have a myspace profile, but I do know the words to the song currently playing on my iPod... "I'll Stand by You," as sung by Carrie Underwood
7. Last thing received in mail? Time Magazine
8. How many different drinks have you had today? water and a Capri sun
9. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines? Normally...
10. Any plans for tonight? errands to Target, a walk, watch Brothers and Sisters
11. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? no.
12. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had? where do I begin? I hate the dentist, so it is all painful to me... probably wisdom teeth or braces
13. What's outside your front door? the stairs down
14. Do you have plans on Friday night? Joy Prom!
15. Do you like the ocean? YES! I am such a beach bum!
16. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorn? Not personally, but i love the cheddar flavor
17. Have you ever been to a planetarium? I think when I was in Kindergarten, but I don't remember it all that well
18. Something you are excited about? Joy Prom, Durham Bulls Game, Busch Gardens, Florida
19. Who around you has the most problems? don't we all have problems?
20. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive? Nope, but Grandma Pate was alive up until Christmas of 03
21. Describe your love life? HA! it is a desert, that's all I have to say
22. Do you like anyone right now? there are guys I would consider dating, but would they consider dating me?
23. What was the weather like on your birthday? here in NC, it was gorgeous... we were even able to go Putt-Putting!
24. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? Partially opened... have to let the cat get in if she wants to!
25. What is the next vacation you will go on? To Florida for Jenn and Jeff's wedding!
1. When was the last time you shaved your legs? this morning!
2. What were you doing this morning at 8am? driving to work w/ Laurie
3. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? reading msn.com
4. Do you have any famous ancestors? Uncle Bill Tunner (he is really like a great, great, great...)... he helped with the Berlin Airlift
5. Are you mad at anyone right now? Nope
6. Do you know the words to the song on your MySpace profile? I don't have a myspace profile, but I do know the words to the song currently playing on my iPod... "I'll Stand by You," as sung by Carrie Underwood
7. Last thing received in mail? Time Magazine
8. How many different drinks have you had today? water and a Capri sun
9. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines? Normally...
10. Any plans for tonight? errands to Target, a walk, watch Brothers and Sisters
11. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? no.
12. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had? where do I begin? I hate the dentist, so it is all painful to me... probably wisdom teeth or braces
13. What's outside your front door? the stairs down
14. Do you have plans on Friday night? Joy Prom!
15. Do you like the ocean? YES! I am such a beach bum!
16. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorn? Not personally, but i love the cheddar flavor
17. Have you ever been to a planetarium? I think when I was in Kindergarten, but I don't remember it all that well
18. Something you are excited about? Joy Prom, Durham Bulls Game, Busch Gardens, Florida
19. Who around you has the most problems? don't we all have problems?
20. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive? Nope, but Grandma Pate was alive up until Christmas of 03
21. Describe your love life? HA! it is a desert, that's all I have to say
22. Do you like anyone right now? there are guys I would consider dating, but would they consider dating me?
23. What was the weather like on your birthday? here in NC, it was gorgeous... we were even able to go Putt-Putting!
24. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? Partially opened... have to let the cat get in if she wants to!
25. What is the next vacation you will go on? To Florida for Jenn and Jeff's wedding!
4.29.2007
Sunshine and Happiness!
One of the best things about living in the South again is the fact that I just spent 2 hours at the poolside!
I LOVE IT!
It made me happy just to listen to my music and to read a magazine. Anyone who can should try it!
:-) :-) :-)
I LOVE IT!
It made me happy just to listen to my music and to read a magazine. Anyone who can should try it!
:-) :-) :-)
4.27.2007
Passion
Last night I watched our DVR'd American Idol: Idol Gives Back Episode from Wednesday night. I have to say, it surprisingly (well, maybe not) was WAY impressive.
But more than that, it made me start thinking about how I can make a difference. How can I? My current job just drains me and all I feel about is that instead of helping, I just make people VERY mad. I want a job where people don't yell at me. I don't care if I get recognition... but no more yelling at me because of some new policy, please. Also, I would like to wake up and be EXCITED and PASSIONATE about what I do. That is certainly not true here. So, how does this desire of mine fit into Idol Gives Back?
Well, I am administratively gifted (or so I think those are my strengths), so why not try to pursue a job in non-profits and charities? Ok, ok, so it is actually quite a competitive field, but I really feel like this may be what is for me. I am excited to actually go home and write my cover letters and redirect my resume to reflect my fit for these jobs.
So, I am just praying that God will put me in a job in a non-profit, because I think it is something I would enjoy.
When I told someone at work today, they asked me a very good questions. One of them was, What kind of non-profit? And while I am not 100% sure... something that benefits and helps kids in some way. I also think one that not only offers food for the hungry, but also meets education needs, etc. We can give them food and other necessities, but we should also equip them with skills and other such things. As for whether it benefits those here in the USA or internationally, I am indifferent. There is need everywhere, and I just want to put my skills, knowledge, and experience to use for good.
There you have it. My new plan... one that I am really serious about. But still, sometimes I have a way of being lazy. Will someone please ask me how it is going so that I will really be proactive? Thanks... sometimes, as I like to say, I get paralyzed by the unknown and by fear. This is one time where that could easily happen.
But more than that, it made me start thinking about how I can make a difference. How can I? My current job just drains me and all I feel about is that instead of helping, I just make people VERY mad. I want a job where people don't yell at me. I don't care if I get recognition... but no more yelling at me because of some new policy, please. Also, I would like to wake up and be EXCITED and PASSIONATE about what I do. That is certainly not true here. So, how does this desire of mine fit into Idol Gives Back?
Well, I am administratively gifted (or so I think those are my strengths), so why not try to pursue a job in non-profits and charities? Ok, ok, so it is actually quite a competitive field, but I really feel like this may be what is for me. I am excited to actually go home and write my cover letters and redirect my resume to reflect my fit for these jobs.
So, I am just praying that God will put me in a job in a non-profit, because I think it is something I would enjoy.
When I told someone at work today, they asked me a very good questions. One of them was, What kind of non-profit? And while I am not 100% sure... something that benefits and helps kids in some way. I also think one that not only offers food for the hungry, but also meets education needs, etc. We can give them food and other necessities, but we should also equip them with skills and other such things. As for whether it benefits those here in the USA or internationally, I am indifferent. There is need everywhere, and I just want to put my skills, knowledge, and experience to use for good.
There you have it. My new plan... one that I am really serious about. But still, sometimes I have a way of being lazy. Will someone please ask me how it is going so that I will really be proactive? Thanks... sometimes, as I like to say, I get paralyzed by the unknown and by fear. This is one time where that could easily happen.
4.26.2007
Charlie's Angels
Today at lunch (we went out for Billy's Birthday to Ruby Tuesday's!), we were talking about work. I mean, what else is there to talk about?
Anyway, we were chatting about our boss. We were talking about how we NEVER see her. People, I am not kidding you! We NEVER see her. About every other month or so we actually have one of our "weekly" staff meetings and she breezes in only to breeze back out again in no more than 45 minutes or so.
More than never seeing her, we also have limited to no phone or email contact with her. Since January, I have received one phone call (approx 5 minutes), and very few emails. Now, I am not working on the heavy duty important projects, but supposedly the policies and procedures I am writing are important. Well, could have fooled me... I never get feedback.
ANYWAY, in the middle of this, someone said sometimes she feels like we are working for Charlie in Charlie's Angels. HOW TRUE!!! Boswell (isn't that his name???) would the a manager (whether our current interim, or one of the previous 5, or the new one starting in May). And, the manager delievers our various missions all while "Charlie" looks on.
Ok, so if I ever post about my boss, she will be Charlie. And the new manager will be Boswell... because lets be honest... I am one of Charlie's Angels ;-).
Back to work! Later!
Anyway, we were chatting about our boss. We were talking about how we NEVER see her. People, I am not kidding you! We NEVER see her. About every other month or so we actually have one of our "weekly" staff meetings and she breezes in only to breeze back out again in no more than 45 minutes or so.
More than never seeing her, we also have limited to no phone or email contact with her. Since January, I have received one phone call (approx 5 minutes), and very few emails. Now, I am not working on the heavy duty important projects, but supposedly the policies and procedures I am writing are important. Well, could have fooled me... I never get feedback.
ANYWAY, in the middle of this, someone said sometimes she feels like we are working for Charlie in Charlie's Angels. HOW TRUE!!! Boswell (isn't that his name???) would the a manager (whether our current interim, or one of the previous 5, or the new one starting in May). And, the manager delievers our various missions all while "Charlie" looks on.
Ok, so if I ever post about my boss, she will be Charlie. And the new manager will be Boswell... because lets be honest... I am one of Charlie's Angels ;-).
Back to work! Later!
4.25.2007
Things to know about me...
When I get bored, I will do surveys! Yea for surveys!
Here are 57 things to know about me:
1. Middle name? Patricia
2. How big is your bed?Twin- I'm too cheap for a full sized bed
3. What are you listening to right now? my iPod on random... some song from the Alias Mix Rob Dood made me Sophomore Year
4. What are the last 4 digits in your cellphone number? 2173 (is it sad I had to say the whole number in order to remember them?)
5. What was the last thing you ate? Blonde Brownie
6. Last person you hugged? my mom on Sunday... or my cat this morning if you count her
7. How is the weather right now? BEAUTIFUL!!! makes me want to lay out when I get home from work
8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Mom
9. What is the first thing u notice in the opposite sex? Body
10. Favorite type of Food? Seafood, Shrimp :-)
11. Do you want children?Yes, right now I say 5!
12. Ever been so drunk you don't remember the entire night? No
13. Hair color?Brown
14. Eye color?Blue/Green/Gray depending on mood/ clothing
15. Do you wear contacts/glasses? contacts
16. Favorite holiday? Christmas
17. Have you ever cried over a boy/girl? heck yes
18. Last Movie you Watched? The Departed
19. What books are you reading? Girl Meets God and some mystery recommened to me, but I can't remember the name.
20. Piercings? I have my ears pierced, and that is enough, thanks!
21. Favorite movie? Probably Sound of Music or Crash
22. Favorite college football Team?It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
23. What were you doing before filling this out? trying to convinence myself to work on grids
24. Any pets? Yep, Belle. I have had her for almost two months now!
25. Favorite Flower? umm... roses? i don't know. I'll have to get back to you
26. Have you ever loved someone? as friends, yes. lots of them. romantically, probably not
27. Who would you like to see right now? lots of people, but probably Jenn
28. Have you ever fired a gun? besides a paint ball gun, no... and don't intend to
29. Do you like to travel by plane? yes! still get excited about it every time, too!
30. Right-handed or Left-handed? Right
31. If you could go to any place right now where would you go? somewhere fun, like Florida, a cruise, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Southern Cal
32. Do you have a tattoo? No, part of me has always wanted one, but I doubt I ever get one
33. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings? no... not even when I was a kid
34. Are you hiding something from someone? Yea, but nothing serious... more that I don't want my opinion to hurt them
35. Are you 18? Not for about five years now
36. What is the wallpaper on your cell? my kitty Belle
37. Did you get enough sleep last night? No, because I decided to clean the apartment instead
38. First thing you thought about this morning? Oh good, Laurie got up to make the cake for work (I heard the blender)
39. What do you have handy at your bedside? my TV remote, a magazine or book, and that is about it
40. What makes you unique? my height? I always hate this question. What are you supposed to say?
41. Are you afraid of the dark?No
42. Favorite hangout spot? umm... anywhere where my friends are?
43. 3 things you can't live without? my planner, my computer, candy
44. Favorite song? it changes all the time... right now? that new Tim McGraw song, but I can't think of the title
45. What are you afraid of? Spiders and not being liked/loved
46. Are you a giver or taker? I would like to say giver, but I am sure there are times when I am just a taker. We all have out moments
47. What are your nicknames? umm... JP? people the shorten it to my real name, Jaye. When I was young it was something along the lines of Jolly Green Giant or Jurassic Park. My dad calls Ms P.
48. What is your dad's middle name? John
49. What's your mother's middle name? Domaska (her maiden name)
50. Stuck on a deserted island and could take one thing? sunscreen
51. Favorite t.v. commercial? the ones that make me laugh? Geico commercails w/ the cavemen... I hate car commercials, they suck!
52. First thing you'll save in a fire? my photos and my scrapbooks
53. What did you wanna be when you were little? a marine biologist
54. What do you usually do when the clock turns 11:11? am: think, only 49 more minutes til lunch... pm: hopefully asleep!
55. The color of your bedsheet? right now, yellow... sometimes it switches to the blue ones
56. What do you think about before you go to bed? depends... normally about what happened that day
57. Who was the last person to tell you they loved you? My mom and dad and brother
Here are 57 things to know about me:
1. Middle name? Patricia
2. How big is your bed?Twin- I'm too cheap for a full sized bed
3. What are you listening to right now? my iPod on random... some song from the Alias Mix Rob Dood made me Sophomore Year
4. What are the last 4 digits in your cellphone number? 2173 (is it sad I had to say the whole number in order to remember them?)
5. What was the last thing you ate? Blonde Brownie
6. Last person you hugged? my mom on Sunday... or my cat this morning if you count her
7. How is the weather right now? BEAUTIFUL!!! makes me want to lay out when I get home from work
8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Mom
9. What is the first thing u notice in the opposite sex? Body
10. Favorite type of Food? Seafood, Shrimp :-)
11. Do you want children?Yes, right now I say 5!
12. Ever been so drunk you don't remember the entire night? No
13. Hair color?Brown
14. Eye color?Blue/Green/Gray depending on mood/ clothing
15. Do you wear contacts/glasses? contacts
16. Favorite holiday? Christmas
17. Have you ever cried over a boy/girl? heck yes
18. Last Movie you Watched? The Departed
19. What books are you reading? Girl Meets God and some mystery recommened to me, but I can't remember the name.
20. Piercings? I have my ears pierced, and that is enough, thanks!
21. Favorite movie? Probably Sound of Music or Crash
22. Favorite college football Team?It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
23. What were you doing before filling this out? trying to convinence myself to work on grids
24. Any pets? Yep, Belle. I have had her for almost two months now!
25. Favorite Flower? umm... roses? i don't know. I'll have to get back to you
26. Have you ever loved someone? as friends, yes. lots of them. romantically, probably not
27. Who would you like to see right now? lots of people, but probably Jenn
28. Have you ever fired a gun? besides a paint ball gun, no... and don't intend to
29. Do you like to travel by plane? yes! still get excited about it every time, too!
30. Right-handed or Left-handed? Right
31. If you could go to any place right now where would you go? somewhere fun, like Florida, a cruise, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Southern Cal
32. Do you have a tattoo? No, part of me has always wanted one, but I doubt I ever get one
33. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings? no... not even when I was a kid
34. Are you hiding something from someone? Yea, but nothing serious... more that I don't want my opinion to hurt them
35. Are you 18? Not for about five years now
36. What is the wallpaper on your cell? my kitty Belle
37. Did you get enough sleep last night? No, because I decided to clean the apartment instead
38. First thing you thought about this morning? Oh good, Laurie got up to make the cake for work (I heard the blender)
39. What do you have handy at your bedside? my TV remote, a magazine or book, and that is about it
40. What makes you unique? my height? I always hate this question. What are you supposed to say?
41. Are you afraid of the dark?No
42. Favorite hangout spot? umm... anywhere where my friends are?
43. 3 things you can't live without? my planner, my computer, candy
44. Favorite song? it changes all the time... right now? that new Tim McGraw song, but I can't think of the title
45. What are you afraid of? Spiders and not being liked/loved
46. Are you a giver or taker? I would like to say giver, but I am sure there are times when I am just a taker. We all have out moments
47. What are your nicknames? umm... JP? people the shorten it to my real name, Jaye. When I was young it was something along the lines of Jolly Green Giant or Jurassic Park. My dad calls Ms P.
48. What is your dad's middle name? John
49. What's your mother's middle name? Domaska (her maiden name)
50. Stuck on a deserted island and could take one thing? sunscreen
51. Favorite t.v. commercial? the ones that make me laugh? Geico commercails w/ the cavemen... I hate car commercials, they suck!
52. First thing you'll save in a fire? my photos and my scrapbooks
53. What did you wanna be when you were little? a marine biologist
54. What do you usually do when the clock turns 11:11? am: think, only 49 more minutes til lunch... pm: hopefully asleep!
55. The color of your bedsheet? right now, yellow... sometimes it switches to the blue ones
56. What do you think about before you go to bed? depends... normally about what happened that day
57. Who was the last person to tell you they loved you? My mom and dad and brother
4.24.2007
Soda
First of all, to all of you northerners... it is SODA. not Pop. I don't care what you say. I lived in Michigan for 4 years. I still say Soda. That is what it is.
Now, my thoughts of soda (yes, I realize this is a silly post... but go with me here).
I love Coke. If you know me at all... you know that. I don't do Pepsi or other imitation Cola products. I love Coke. My other favorite soda? Barq's Root Beer. Those are my soda's of choice. And most of the time, I have NO self control when it comes to drinking them. Put it in front of me, I suck it down. Get a free refill? You bet I stand in line to fill up my cup on the way out. It is so bad.
But, maybe... just maybe yesterday I have learned my lesson.
You see, I gave up soda for Lent. I have done it before, but I decided it was time to do it again. So, I did. And now I can have it again. Except I have noticed how sick I get after I drink the stuff. Seriously! Ok, ok... I mean, not sick like I am throwing up. But sick like I feel queasy and like my stomach is ten times its normal size.
Yesterday I had a leftover Coke from my parents house in my car. I brought in to drink in the morning. Then we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. Obviously, had a Coke with lunch and then filled it up on the way out.
I felt soooo sick for the rest of the afternoon. No kidding!! I had a headache because of the sugar overload... plus my stomach was bloated... i just felt gross. So, I think I am going to permanently cut down on my soda intake. Because I didn't like how I felt yesterday. It was no fun.
There ya go... welcome to my random thoughts!
Now, my thoughts of soda (yes, I realize this is a silly post... but go with me here).
I love Coke. If you know me at all... you know that. I don't do Pepsi or other imitation Cola products. I love Coke. My other favorite soda? Barq's Root Beer. Those are my soda's of choice. And most of the time, I have NO self control when it comes to drinking them. Put it in front of me, I suck it down. Get a free refill? You bet I stand in line to fill up my cup on the way out. It is so bad.
But, maybe... just maybe yesterday I have learned my lesson.
You see, I gave up soda for Lent. I have done it before, but I decided it was time to do it again. So, I did. And now I can have it again. Except I have noticed how sick I get after I drink the stuff. Seriously! Ok, ok... I mean, not sick like I am throwing up. But sick like I feel queasy and like my stomach is ten times its normal size.
Yesterday I had a leftover Coke from my parents house in my car. I brought in to drink in the morning. Then we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. Obviously, had a Coke with lunch and then filled it up on the way out.
I felt soooo sick for the rest of the afternoon. No kidding!! I had a headache because of the sugar overload... plus my stomach was bloated... i just felt gross. So, I think I am going to permanently cut down on my soda intake. Because I didn't like how I felt yesterday. It was no fun.
There ya go... welcome to my random thoughts!
4.23.2007
Home and Stuff
Hey! So, I went home this weekend. It was really nice. I like going home. I don't always have much to do, but I just enjoy being around my mom and dad. And around our animals. Going home is just so nice sometimes.
This trip was good. Mom and I went shopping. I found this GREAT new jacket for work... originally $150. I got it for $44! Love it! Also got a great new pair of shorts. Sometimes I really hate shopping. I hate trying on the clothes, realizing nothing fits, etc. But, this time it wasn't too bad. The shorts were really encouraging to try on, if I am to be honest. I normally hate how i look in shorts, but these looked pretty nice. So, that was good.
What else... oh, the dog is in trouble. My parents have this dog... named Pansey... who I love. She is cute, and a sweetheart. But, she is also one of the worst behaved dogs I have ever met. This time was no different. This time around... she hate my retainer. No, I am not kidding. She ate my retainer. It was in its container... in my bag... and she decided to eat it! AHHH!! Stupid mutt. She's luck she is cute... that is all I have to say.
Other than that... the weekend was really low key. Nothing too thought provoking. I do have a LOT of stuff though. I am so ruled by all my crap. I have so many clothes... so many things that I just don't need. I wouldn't consider myself materialistic... but why do I keep all this crap? And why do I feel the need to buy more crap? I am too tied to my belongings. I also have this thing... I am a pack rat. Now, I am not too bad. I can throw things away... however, compared to the rest of my family.. i am a pack rat. And well, if I deem something important, even if it is a scrap of paper, then I can't get rid of it. I have to keep it... man... I need to stop that. I brought home so much stuff! I have no room for it. Sounds like I am ready for a spring cleaning. That will begin tonight. Someone ask me how it is going... otherwise I may not actually do it. I am just tired of being ruled by my stuff. So... spring cleaning here I come!
This trip was good. Mom and I went shopping. I found this GREAT new jacket for work... originally $150. I got it for $44! Love it! Also got a great new pair of shorts. Sometimes I really hate shopping. I hate trying on the clothes, realizing nothing fits, etc. But, this time it wasn't too bad. The shorts were really encouraging to try on, if I am to be honest. I normally hate how i look in shorts, but these looked pretty nice. So, that was good.
What else... oh, the dog is in trouble. My parents have this dog... named Pansey... who I love. She is cute, and a sweetheart. But, she is also one of the worst behaved dogs I have ever met. This time was no different. This time around... she hate my retainer. No, I am not kidding. She ate my retainer. It was in its container... in my bag... and she decided to eat it! AHHH!! Stupid mutt. She's luck she is cute... that is all I have to say.
Other than that... the weekend was really low key. Nothing too thought provoking. I do have a LOT of stuff though. I am so ruled by all my crap. I have so many clothes... so many things that I just don't need. I wouldn't consider myself materialistic... but why do I keep all this crap? And why do I feel the need to buy more crap? I am too tied to my belongings. I also have this thing... I am a pack rat. Now, I am not too bad. I can throw things away... however, compared to the rest of my family.. i am a pack rat. And well, if I deem something important, even if it is a scrap of paper, then I can't get rid of it. I have to keep it... man... I need to stop that. I brought home so much stuff! I have no room for it. Sounds like I am ready for a spring cleaning. That will begin tonight. Someone ask me how it is going... otherwise I may not actually do it. I am just tired of being ruled by my stuff. So... spring cleaning here I come!
4.20.2007
Wishing Away Time
I know this in not the first time anyone has ever said this... but, hey, it is on my mind
Why do we wish away time so much?
Seriously, i must wish away more that half my life... maybe even more like 75% of it, or 90% of it. Every week I start off saying, "Monday... only four more days until the weekend."
Each days is just one more day closer to... what? besides the weekend, what does it really bring me. I just waste so much time wishing for something else to come. Why not enjoy that day?
Or think about all the countdowns... til classes end... until that vacation you've been planning... until you see someone.
Why not just enjoy the present? So today is just another blah day? Why not see it as another gift? Another day to serve Christ? Why not make sure you do one thing (if not more...) of true worth everyday.
Ok, so what is true worth? How about defining it as making you feel like you day is complete, if you will. Making a day worthy of countdown. Serve someone... make someones day... do something you consider FUN everyday!
I am going to try to stop wishing away everyday... I will still countdown to fun things... such as 48 more days until I go to Florida... or four more weeks until Family Portriat Day... or 2 more weeks until Joy Prom. But today should be no less of a day!
Today I am going home. I get to see my dog and cats at home... not to mention my mom and dad. Yea! I get to spend time feeling loved by my family... it is a day worth living and enjoying (as every day should be, just so you know!)
Why do we wish away time so much?
Seriously, i must wish away more that half my life... maybe even more like 75% of it, or 90% of it. Every week I start off saying, "Monday... only four more days until the weekend."
Each days is just one more day closer to... what? besides the weekend, what does it really bring me. I just waste so much time wishing for something else to come. Why not enjoy that day?
Or think about all the countdowns... til classes end... until that vacation you've been planning... until you see someone.
Why not just enjoy the present? So today is just another blah day? Why not see it as another gift? Another day to serve Christ? Why not make sure you do one thing (if not more...) of true worth everyday.
Ok, so what is true worth? How about defining it as making you feel like you day is complete, if you will. Making a day worthy of countdown. Serve someone... make someones day... do something you consider FUN everyday!
I am going to try to stop wishing away everyday... I will still countdown to fun things... such as 48 more days until I go to Florida... or four more weeks until Family Portriat Day... or 2 more weeks until Joy Prom. But today should be no less of a day!
Today I am going home. I get to see my dog and cats at home... not to mention my mom and dad. Yea! I get to spend time feeling loved by my family... it is a day worth living and enjoying (as every day should be, just so you know!)
4.19.2007
Heaven without God?
So, every other Wednesday I go to the Gathering at Providience Baptist Church. It is their singles ministry. And I have to say, I really like it! Ok, so I'm like that annoying Freshman at CRU who sneaks in right as they start worship and leaves right after it is over (no talking to people, no making eye contact with people, etc). But, I ENJOY it! The speaker is great and, well, I think that God is totally working there.
Well... last night was no different. Currently the series is Sex and The Glory of Jesus Christ. Now, why is he giving a talk on sex to a bunch of singles who aren't have sex anyway? Well, because it is totally relevant to the world we live in and because the greater picture is how sin can rule our life and how we should be living for Christ.
Last night's topic was Dealing with the Guilt of Sin. And all he, the main speaker, said was really good. But the part that was most convicting to me, and just made me stop and think was when he posed the following question to us:
If I got to heaven and had all my friends and family, there was no pain, and everything was perfect, would I be satisfied if there was no Christ?
1 Peter 3:18 says:
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,"
Christ didn't die to bring us to heaven. He died to bring us to God! The difference between heaven and hell is that God is in heaven and absent from hell.
How many times do I miss that point? Yes, I will see loved ones when I get to heaven, and that is great... but I will be with God! That is the point. That is what is so great. And it is our sin that separates us from God and it is through Christ's death on the cross that I can have a relationship with Him.
So... maybe I need to start asking myself that more often... if I got to heaven and God wasn't there would I be satisfied. My answer should always be no. But is it always no? What am I living for?
Times like these that I am thankful that God reminds me and convicts me... brings me back to Him.
Well... last night was no different. Currently the series is Sex and The Glory of Jesus Christ. Now, why is he giving a talk on sex to a bunch of singles who aren't have sex anyway? Well, because it is totally relevant to the world we live in and because the greater picture is how sin can rule our life and how we should be living for Christ.
Last night's topic was Dealing with the Guilt of Sin. And all he, the main speaker, said was really good. But the part that was most convicting to me, and just made me stop and think was when he posed the following question to us:
If I got to heaven and had all my friends and family, there was no pain, and everything was perfect, would I be satisfied if there was no Christ?
1 Peter 3:18 says:
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,"
Christ didn't die to bring us to heaven. He died to bring us to God! The difference between heaven and hell is that God is in heaven and absent from hell.
How many times do I miss that point? Yes, I will see loved ones when I get to heaven, and that is great... but I will be with God! That is the point. That is what is so great. And it is our sin that separates us from God and it is through Christ's death on the cross that I can have a relationship with Him.
So... maybe I need to start asking myself that more often... if I got to heaven and God wasn't there would I be satisfied. My answer should always be no. But is it always no? What am I living for?
Times like these that I am thankful that God reminds me and convicts me... brings me back to Him.
4.18.2007
I should get a new job!
| Your Job Satisfaction Level: 23% |
 Your job is definitely a bummer, and you probably should get a new one. Make sure you know what's getting you down. Is it your co-workers? The work environment? Your boss? Getting a new job is important, but so is not repeating the same mistakes. |
distracted
I have the attention span of a five year old... I am not even kidding you! I canNOT concentrate when I try to sit down and do something.
I guess I noticed it a little bit in school. I would sit down and start a paper. Except about every five seconds I would check AIM, facebook, google something, clean something, anything but what I had to do.
And now at work, it is just worse. I can't sit and write an email without my mind wandering. Part of this is probably because I am just bored... but still... it is bad people.
I try to work out a reward situation for myself... but it doesn't always work. I will think, ok, get this far on the project and then you can write so and so an email. Or, do this for the training sessions, and then you get to surf the net for 5 minutes. Except that 5 minutes can certainly be dragged out for a VERY long time. This is something I will have to work on, I am sure. I need to honor God with what I am doing. And not being a good worker here is not honoring Him, that is for sure.
Oh well, lucky for you, a break means more reading my thoughts! Aren't you all so lucky?
I guess I noticed it a little bit in school. I would sit down and start a paper. Except about every five seconds I would check AIM, facebook, google something, clean something, anything but what I had to do.
And now at work, it is just worse. I can't sit and write an email without my mind wandering. Part of this is probably because I am just bored... but still... it is bad people.
I try to work out a reward situation for myself... but it doesn't always work. I will think, ok, get this far on the project and then you can write so and so an email. Or, do this for the training sessions, and then you get to surf the net for 5 minutes. Except that 5 minutes can certainly be dragged out for a VERY long time. This is something I will have to work on, I am sure. I need to honor God with what I am doing. And not being a good worker here is not honoring Him, that is for sure.
Oh well, lucky for you, a break means more reading my thoughts! Aren't you all so lucky?
4.17.2007
Things I've Done
Not much going through my mind today, so instead, you get another survey type thing. This one comes from my Aunt. She sent it out a while ago. Thought it could be interesting.
"Thing's You've Done"
Place an X by all the things you've done.
Smoked a cigarette (Nope NEVER, and don't plan on it either... GROSS)
Drank so much you threw up. (Nope, again)
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. X (Oh, definately!)
Been arrested.
Gone on a blind date
Skipped school X
Seen someone die
Been to Canada. X
Been to Florida X (and going in June!)
Been to Mexico
Been lost X
Gone to Washington, D.C X
Swam in the ocean. X
Played in a tree house X
Recently coloured with crayons X (i LOVE coloring!!!)
Sang karaoke X (BUT, only in a big group)
Paid for a meal with only coins X
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. X
Made prank phone calls. X (including one last week ;-))
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
...or wet my pants X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue. X
Danced in the rain. X (favorite time, on the way to dinner Freshman year with the hallmates)
Written a letter to Santa Claus X
Been kissed under the mistletoe.
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about. X
Made a bonfire on the beach. X
Gone roller-skating. X
Gone Ice-skating X
Been to Africa
Been on TV X (yep, because I'm a good driver, apparently)
Steal any traffic signs
Eaten cookies for dinner X
Been in a car accident that's your fault
1. Any Nicknames: so many... Dad Called me "Miss Pea, Miss Pea in the Cinnamon Tree", middle school was tortourous... Jolly Green Giant, Jurasic Park, Pajamas
2. Mothers Name: Debbie
3. What is your favorite drink? Coca Cola or Barq's Root Beer
4. How much do you love your job on a scale of 1-10? can I go with a negative 10?
5. Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
6. Favorite vacation spot? Little Point Sable, MI or Disney World... or Southern Cal
7. I'd prefer to drive? car? one that runs?
8. Salad Dressing? Ranch all the way
9. Favourite pie? Snickers... don't really like pie all that much
10. Favourite number? 2 or 5, so probably 25
11. Favourite movie? I'm not good at favorites.... BUT, I really enjoy Sound of Music, Newsies, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, ELF,
12. Favourite holiday? Christmas!
13. Favourite dessert? mom's sugar cookies w/ her homemade icing
14.Favourite food? Papa John's Cheese Pizza (but, depending on the day, it could change. like I said, I am not good at favorites)
15. Favourite day of the week? Friday. Means two days work free!
16. Favourite TV. show? Alias or Friends... but really like October Road, too
17. Toothpaste? Colgate Whitening Mint Flavored
18. Favourite smell? the air at the beach (so, saltwater air)
19. What do you do to unwind? watch TV, read, sleep,
20. How do you see yourself in 10 years? in a job I like!
21. What do you do when you are bored? Crosswords
"Thing's You've Done"
Place an X by all the things you've done.
Smoked a cigarette (Nope NEVER, and don't plan on it either... GROSS)
Drank so much you threw up. (Nope, again)
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. X (Oh, definately!)
Been arrested.
Gone on a blind date
Skipped school X
Seen someone die
Been to Canada. X
Been to Florida X (and going in June!)
Been to Mexico
Been lost X
Gone to Washington, D.C X
Swam in the ocean. X
Played in a tree house X
Recently coloured with crayons X (i LOVE coloring!!!)
Sang karaoke X (BUT, only in a big group)
Paid for a meal with only coins X
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. X
Made prank phone calls. X (including one last week ;-))
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
...or wet my pants X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue. X
Danced in the rain. X (favorite time, on the way to dinner Freshman year with the hallmates)
Written a letter to Santa Claus X
Been kissed under the mistletoe.
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about. X
Made a bonfire on the beach. X
Gone roller-skating. X
Gone Ice-skating X
Been to Africa
Been on TV X (yep, because I'm a good driver, apparently)
Steal any traffic signs
Eaten cookies for dinner X
Been in a car accident that's your fault
1. Any Nicknames: so many... Dad Called me "Miss Pea, Miss Pea in the Cinnamon Tree", middle school was tortourous... Jolly Green Giant, Jurasic Park, Pajamas
2. Mothers Name: Debbie
3. What is your favorite drink? Coca Cola or Barq's Root Beer
4. How much do you love your job on a scale of 1-10? can I go with a negative 10?
5. Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
6. Favorite vacation spot? Little Point Sable, MI or Disney World... or Southern Cal
7. I'd prefer to drive? car? one that runs?
8. Salad Dressing? Ranch all the way
9. Favourite pie? Snickers... don't really like pie all that much
10. Favourite number? 2 or 5, so probably 25
11. Favourite movie? I'm not good at favorites.... BUT, I really enjoy Sound of Music, Newsies, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, ELF,
12. Favourite holiday? Christmas!
13. Favourite dessert? mom's sugar cookies w/ her homemade icing
14.Favourite food? Papa John's Cheese Pizza (but, depending on the day, it could change. like I said, I am not good at favorites)
15. Favourite day of the week? Friday. Means two days work free!
16. Favourite TV. show? Alias or Friends... but really like October Road, too
17. Toothpaste? Colgate Whitening Mint Flavored
18. Favourite smell? the air at the beach (so, saltwater air)
19. What do you do to unwind? watch TV, read, sleep,
20. How do you see yourself in 10 years? in a job I like!
21. What do you do when you are bored? Crosswords
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