Songs on Repeat

When I get obsessed with something, I can't stop.  Just ask my roommates.  My  mom has gotten me hooked on NCIS.  I don't think I would want to even know how many of the marathons I have DVR'd in the last month or so.  And I am sure my roommates would forbid me from hitting the record button if they knew the number, too.

Or when I get hooked on a type food, then that is all I want.  For example?  Right now I can't get enough of egg salad or Grilled Cheese.  I make egg salad at least 2-3 times a week for lunch... and grilled cheese at least twice a week for dinner and at least two times each weekend.  I am sad and I know it... but it is how I roll, k?

That being said, this post made me think... what songs could I listen to over and over again?  Here is what I came up with:

1. Glory to God by Fee
2. Amazing Grace, the Josh Wilson version
3. Let There Be Light by Andrew Peterson
4. One Song, Glory from Rent
5. Only a Man by Jonny Lang

I am sure there are even more than that -- but that is what I could come up with off the top of my head. Maybe I should look at my Top 25 Most Played on my iPod.

Do you have songs you could listen to over and over again?

Spring has Sprung!

not my picture.  found it on google images.

I am loving the weather lately.  I am pretty sure that spring has arrived here in North Carolina.  Not every day has been sunny with blue skies, but even on the cloudy days, we are still getting up to the 60s.  And I am loving every minute of it!!!

There are lots of reasons to love spring, but here are a couple of mine:

1. skirts.  I break them out this time of year and I love to wear them.  I know that sounds strange coming from the girl who didn't wear them. EVER. in high school and college.  But they have grown on me.  Better than shorts!
2. sunshine.  I swear that the winter makes me Vitamin D deficient and now I am soaking it all in.
3. driving with the windows down.  Need I say more?  Especially if a good song is on the radio.
4. sleeping with the windows open.  I also love doing this in the fall.
5. longer days! I really like it being sunny until 7ish.  It makes me so happy.  I will say I hate the "spring forward" part, though.  It makes getting out of bed a bear!
6. Beach Music nights at North Hills.  They start up again soon and it means I'll be shagging on a regular basis again (and for those of you who don't live in NC, shagging here is a type of dance, see this video.)
7. being outside.  All of the sudden my friends and I start hiking again, spending Sunday afternoons just enjoying the weather by playing frisbee, volleyball, etc.
8. beach time is just around the corner!  As a beach bum, I am counting down the days until I can sit on the beach for hours on end with a good book! :-)

So much to love about the Spring.  What are some of your favorite things?

What's that Smell?

I love lists.  And this blog has lots of great lists.  You may get bored of them.  Sorry! But think of it this way, you are getting to know me better! :-)

1. The beach, salt water air.  It is a distinct smell and it is my all time favorite.
2. Mom's cooking.  Her cookies, any meal she makes.  My mom is talented in the kitchen and I love sitting at home and suddenly getting the first smell of dinner.  Wish I had her talent.
3. Books.  They smell so good.  Have I ever mentioned I could get lost in a book store?
4. New cars, especially if they are leather.
5. Almond. 

And your's?

U2

What kind of music did you listen to growing up? Me, really whatever my parents listened to. However, I used to try to get them to listen to the Oldies station. Why? Well, because "I couldn't get the beat to the other stuff." (or at least that is what my mom tells me I said). And I can believe it... growing up in the early 90s... all grunge... what kid would be able to get the beat to that stuff?

But I also remember how much my parents loved Bruce Springsteen, UB40, and, of course, U2. Because of that, I have a love for all three, but especially U2... you can't go wrong with U2.

Do you know what I just learned... U2... new album... March 3rd. I am so there!

And, if/when they go on tour, will some one go with me? I have to see them... seriously... it would be awesome!!

What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

RENT!

One of my favorite musicals is Rent. I love it... end of story. The tour is coming to Durham in January with two of the original stars, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Guess who just bought tickets to go with a couple of her co-workers? That would be me! I am so super excited... that will be added to my countdowns. There are many right now! So many exciting things happening. :-).

Christmas: 7 days, one week!
Rent: 38 more days!
Disney World: 71 days!

Hope everyone else has fun things to look forward to... it really helps when it is about the fifth foggy, gray, rainy day in a row. When will I see the sun again?

Top 10 Christmas Albums/Songs

Is everyone getting in the spirit? I am definitely getting more and more there. Christmas music has been on almost constantly this last week (an occasional break so not to go crazy). In honor of all the Christmas music I have been listening to, I thought I would share with you all my Top 10 Favorite Albums/Songs. I was going to do all albums, but I couldn't come up with 10, so the last three are songs that are just some of my favorites during the Christmas Season.

In no particular order they are:

1) Behold the Lamb of God: The TRUE tall tale of the Coming of Christ- Andrew Peterson

2) Candlelight Processional- Various Artists: This one is an Epcot production done every year; celebrities do the readings and choirs are singing all the songs. Last year, a teen I know was part of a High School choir who was brought down to sing for a week in November. I think their celebrity was Neil Patrick Harris. The CD version I have is with James Earl Jones doing the reading... that's right, it is Darth Vader/Mufasa doing the reading!

3) Glory in the Highest- Shane and Shane

4) Sing- Josh Wilson

5) Snowed In- Hanson: Come on! Who doesn't love this one? A classic Christmas album that promptly returns me to 8th grade.

6) Home for Christmas- 'N Sync You know you love this one, too!

7) Elf Soundtrack

Here start the songs...

8) Jewel: Christmas Medley from Joy: A Holiday Collection

9) Jars of Clay: Little Drummer Boy

10) Barenaked Ladies w/ Sarah McLachlan: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

What about you? What are your favorites? Any new ones that you are listening to right now? I am very curious about the Casting Crown's Christmas CD as well as Third Days' Christmas CD.

Have a wonderful day!

On the Web

Ok, so I just found these two websites, and I really, really like!

This first one is Cost to Drive. How cool!?!?! Want to know if it is more economical to drive or fly, this will tell you! Want directions, gives you a link for that, too. All I have to say, this is my new best friend. I always wonder how much it costs me to drive different places.

And the second, you frequent flyers may already know about... but I didn't. It is Kayak.com, a search engine to use when looking for flights. But what I like is I feel like the prices are actually affordable. Or maybe that is just the costs of flights slightly decreasing? (a girl can dream, but it it has been forever since I saw a flight to Detroit listed at $150 from here).

Enjoy these finds!

Josh Wilson

Merry Christmas season!!! This is my favorite time of the year... the anticipation, the cheer, I love it! Now, if it would only snow in North Carolina...

Today, I want to introduce you to one of my new favorite artists, Josh Wilson. I was originally introduced to his music when he played at our Spring Singles Retreat at Fort Caswell. He led worship there and from the moment he began I knew he was an artist to remember! He led worship in a way that showed humbleness and true desire to have God be the center. Not to mention, he just rocked the guitar and piano. I bought his EP and CD at the retreat and they have been on almost constantly since then.

His song "3 minute song" has been played on KLove, if you listen either in your hometown or online. As well, I think they recently began playing his song "Beautiful Like This." I would also go to youtube and watch this video of his version of "Amazing Grace."

All I have to say about him is that Josh Wilson is an awesome musician who takes Christian music out of the cheesy and puts it into the realm of good music. His music is amazing and paired with lyrics that are thoughtful, encouraging, convicting and God-glorifying. And there are times where you can hear some of his tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, too. I encourage you all to check him out!

Seriously... check out his myspace page, as well as joshwilsononline.com. The website has an Advent Calendar and he promises lots of fun things, including free things for those who visit! I am not going to miss this Advent Calendar, that is for sure!

So, what are you waiting for? Buy his music on iTunes... request him on KLove... go! now! ;-).

Comic Strips

Who was like me when they were a kid? I LOVED the comics, or the "funnies" as we used to call them. I would get up in the morning and go straight for them to read over breakfast. Who needs the news when you can just read the funnies.


When I went off to college, it was the thing about the newspaper I missed the most. And as I still don't get the paper on a regular basis, I don't get caught up with my favorite ones. However, as with most things in this day and age, you can always find some online.


I read "For Better or For Worse," each morning when I get into work (it is bookmarked, people). It was sooo sad when she decided to end the strip, but at least she is revisitng each strip from the early years and 're-releasing' them if you will. Here is the last strip; it was a great wrap up to a family I come to love.

I also really like "Baby Blues." I am not even close to being a parent, but anyone who has ever been around children knows how accurate this comic strip is. I have been known to laugh out loud at it in my silent office.

Recently I have been introduced to comics.com. It doesn't have all of my old favorites, but it does have some good ones. Once you create an account you can choose to have some sent to your email every morning and the others show up on your comics.com homepage. I am sure I am going to love this site.

What were your favorite comic strips growing up? I'll have to look at the Daily Break next time I go home and see if I am able to find more of my old favorites online... because who doesn't like to keep up with their favorite characters?

Pandora.com

I have known about Pandora.com for a while. My friend, Jenn, told me about when we both started working full time about two years ago. I liked it, but never really used it. At my old job I had a more "mindless" job, if you will, and watched lots of movies while working.

Actually, I watched alot of things... try all 5 season of Alias, all 4 season of The OC, all 3 seasons of Roswell, many FRIENDS episodes and a handful of movies. The sad part? I actually still got all of my work done and did it well. Anyway... I digress.

When I started my job here, though, I had to concentrate much more. There are even times that, GASP, I cannot listen to music at all. WHOA!

Well, a couple of days ago, my friend Jessica had her husband blog about Pandora and its greatness here. After reading the review, I thought... let me give this another try.

And you know what? I really like it!

It really is a good compromise between the iPod and the radio. I am being exposed to new artists, which is great (but not for my pocket book... some of the songs I want to buy!)... however, my one complaint. Once you give a song a thumbs up, it plays that song almost every day. Just in case you were wondering.

OH... and my favorite feature. The "Quick Mix" feature. It takes all your playlists and gives you the best of all the worlds. AWESOME!

If you haven't tried, Pandora... do it! You'll love it!

Song of the Day- Only a Man by Jonny Lang

Do you all remember Jonny Lang? He was a child prodigy that came out around the same time as Hanson (so, if you are my age, late middle school). Jonny Lang is a all-star guitar player. He plays the Blues, so my mom always enjoyed him.

Anyway, Jonny recently became a Christian and has released an awesome album entitled, "Turn Around." Critics call is Gospel, I just call A-mazing!!! Every song is filled with truth and it has been on repeat for a while now.

My favorite song is "Only a Man" (Track 8 I believe). Here are the lyrics:

I used to live my life in fear
Was worried all the time
From waking up to laying down
I had no peace of mind
The world became a darkened place
A struggle without end
Although bitter times those were
The days that I had began to understand
I was only a man

I grew up singing songs in church
With questions in my mind
Then turned my back and ran away
From God who gave me life
Then one night his presence fell
I wept and shook and then
I fell down and cried, Dear Jesus, rescue me again
I understand I am only a man

And He said, What will it be now?
Will you choose me or keep swimming up stream now?
I've been inside your head hearing you scream out.
Well here I am, just take my hand and I'll take out
All of the pain and all of the fear
All of the fear

I'll give you my burdens (I'll give you peace)
All of my desires (I'll give you what you need)
Oh, what about these chains, Lord? (I'll set you free)
But they're so heavy (Lay them at my feet)
I'll lay them at your feet

Just promise you won't leave (I'll never leave)
So where do I go from here, Lord? (Just follow me)(Just follow me)
I'll follow you (Just follow me)
wherever you lead
Wherever you lead, wherever you lead

Lyrics are good, huh? Now go and listen to it on iTunes... and purchase it. ;-).

PS, the woman singing in the song, Jonny's wife.

Laughter

This one makes me laugh every time I see it...

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.