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I'm Feeling: relaxed and smiley
Background Noise: Real Good Thing by Newsboys
I had my semi-annual dentist visit this morning... I always get a little nervous when I go, because I HATE having work done on my teeth. Cleanings don't bother me, but I'm afraid they'll find some big honking cavity, and if I never get another novacaine shot for the rest of my life, it'll be too soon. But everything checked out just fine - my hygienist (Val) was super nice and I really like my dentist. We agreed that to make my next visit more interesting, I should give up brushing altogether. I chuckled along with him, but will probably wind up brushing again before the day is out.
Today I start (along with Jane and Jennifer - colleagues of mine) an 8-week Pilates class MSU is offering... and it's free! So we'll spend part of our lunch hour toning our powerhouses, or more accurately, getting our butts kicked. But I like that. A few appointments this afternoon, and a relatively relaxed evening - sounds perfect!
The tree outside my office window has leaves that turn a gorgeous golden color. The sky is bright blue with puffy little white clouds... praise God for creating beauty!!
I'm Feeling: like going home (darn, it's only 3:30!)
Background Noise: Jukebox in my Mind by Alabama
That's me and Meg (my sister)'s cat, Bomber, when I visited her a couple weeks ago. He's a funny kitty!!
I had a great weekend - we had a WyldLife event on Saturday that rocked my socks off - we had about 40 kids, all the leaders - lots of food and fun and yelling and playing and the high school leaders did awesome! Then Katie & Aaron came back to our house and hung out til almost midnight - which was totally fun and a great quality-time for our team. Sunday was church and a soccer game and then a meeting for Together (the couple's ministry at our church). Meeting new people, making new friends - it's all good!
I applied for a grant today - MSU sends 2 advisers every year to a study abroad program for a week - to learn, to come back and help promote, etc. I'm trying to go to France next May for a week (or more!) to get some new experience and all that jazz - I'm pumped... I really want to go!
More WyldLife tonight - Mark is leading the music on his gee-tar, which is awesome. Gotta get back to the grind now - have a b-e-a-yootiful Monday!!
I'm Feeling: busy!
Background Noise: Danny Boy by Eva Cassidy
Well, I'm turning into a lazy blogger... mostly because work has been so hectic this week! Lots of appointments, the class I am teaching ended yesterday, and it's degree certification time at MSU. Whoopee!
I'm trying to decide what to be for Halloween. We have a party for YoungLife and WyldLife... it has to be original (tasteful, of course)... and funny would be good too. Any ideas?
I'm Feeling: like a post-lunch nap would be nice
Background Noise: gentle hum of my vents - which are thankfully, now blowing warm air
I had a lovely weekend (aside from the monstrous amounts of driving - which allowed me to catch up on a lot of phone calls). Friday, I drove to my parents' house in Bolingbrook and had lunch, hung out for a few hours. Then I drove down to Peoria to visit my little sister (she's 22 and working on her master's degree). We ate sushi (I ate salmon, tuna, eel, shrimp, crab - all dipped in sauces I can't pronounce and eaten with chopsticks I can barely maneuver). We also went to an apple orchard (with her cat Bomber, on a leash, which was super funny), ate cider donuts, went shopping at the outdoor mall, laughed a lot, ate a lot... it was really nice to hang out. And fun to see her living in her own space, too.
We have WyldLife tonight - last week we had record numbers - I'm leading this week, so I'm a little nervous. I just hope that things run smoothly and that the kids have fun. We're talking about God's promises tonight - I'm excited to teach about that.
Bonus - it's 56 degrees right now, which means it actually feels like fall!! I'm not crazy about winter being right around the corner, but I love sweaters and cider and red leaves and chilly breezes!
I'm Feeling: motivated
Background Noise: It's Your Love by Tim McGraw
First off - Happy Birthday Kelsey! I don't even know if you read this, but that's okay.
Second - what in the world is going on with the weather? Yesterday was 85 degrees - I wore a tank top and had the AC on. Weird. I'm not anxious for winter (AT ALL), but I really love fall and I'm looking forward to days when I'm not sweating when I walk around outside! :)
Third - I get to visit my sister this weekend! I'm totally pumped about that - she's funny and smart and makes me laugh... plus she's excited for me to visit, and it's always fun to visit people who really want you to be there.
I'm Feeling: tired & energetic (is that possible?)
Background Noise: Seasons of Love from the RENT soundtrack
This is me and Kelsey - smiling! Today is Smile Day, and I thought the picture was appropriate. I found some yucky pictures of rotten-tooth-smiles, but I could hardly look at those pictures myself without yacking, so I thought I'd spare you all.
Big weekend - breakfast at the Depot (yes, there is a lot of train memorabilia in there), lots of yardwork, we spent some time with Mark's family on Saturday, watched the football game (snif!), got groceries, worked in the nursery at church, had a WyldLife team meeting, went to a bonfire at church, made pumpkin muffins... it was fun to be able to be at home and do things - I'm tired, but I feel good about the weekend.
Busy at work today too, but I like that - got a lot to get organized and updated, and a few appointments thrown in as well. Gotta love the way life keeps on moving!
I'm Feeling: relaxed
Background Noise: To Be With You by Mr. Bigg
Yesterday afternoon I had the distinct pleasure of attending Mason Middle School's 7th grade girls' basketball game. Christy, Huntar, and Nat are all on the team (although Huntar was sick yesterday, so she wasn't there) and it was really fun to see them. They're beautiful, sweet girls that I am really blessed to call my friends.
Our (Mark's) friend Dave is in town on business and staying with us for a few days, which I always enjoy as well. I really like Dave - I've known him almost as long as I've known Mark, and Mark loves having Dave around, which makes me happy too. They crack each other up - I like watching other people with their really close friends almost as much as I like being with my own really close friends. Speaking of which, I got to see Kelsey again yesterday - she stopped by the house on her way through town. Although short, the visit was a bright spot in my evening. Thanks Kels!
As an update (requested by AJ) - I managed to memorize the first 19 verses of Galatians 5 (there are 26 total). Not what I wanted - mostly because I could have done it, I just slacked off at the end. But by October 11, I'm gonna have Gal. 5:1-6:10 memorized. Cheer me on!
I'm Feeling: full (Qdoba for lunch!)
Background Noise: All Star by Smash Mouth
First off - congrats to Scott and Heather! God blessed them with another beautiful daughter, Maggie Kaylin, on Friday. It's so cool to watch our friends' families grow!
Friday I drove to Grosse Pointe to visit Kelsey - we went to play practice, visited her friend Anissa and Anissa's son Samuel (soo cute!), went out to dinner at Fish Bones w/Jess, ate a lot of TCBY, and saw the new Reese Witherspoon movie. Saturday we got up early, ate pumpkin pancakes at the original Pancake House, went back to play practice where I discovered the joys of costuming for high school plays, visited an art fair in the village, made out like bandits at an estate sale, and finished up with lunch at Panera. I met a lot of new people, and it was really fun to see Kelsey's world. Saturday night I was kinda tuckered out when I got home, so I basically crashed. Sunday was church (always good), and I spent most of the afternoon working on the tshirt quilt I'm making for Mark. Then at 6:00 some YoungLife girls came over for ice cream (my house was the neutral staging area for the high schoolers) and I got to meet new girls, eat ice cream and laugh a lot. And Mark arrived back home safely from San Fran! All in all, a really fun and eventful weekend.
Did you do anything fun this weekend?
I'm Feeling: grateful
Background Noise: Prince Ali (from the Aladdin soundtrack)
Today is Gratitude Day - I like this picture (it made me chuckle)... but seriously - when I sit down to think about the things I am grateful for, I'm humbled. Not just by the amazing number of blessings that really do exist in my life (even when I'm having a crappy day), but that I so rarely sit down to acknowledge them. Here are a few things that I overlook far too often:
1. My family - we don't always get along perfectly, but there is genuine love there.
2. My job - it gets in the way of my otherwise phenomenally productive plans for the day, but I get a regular paycheck, work with people that make me laugh, and I get to talk to new people every day. It's great!
3. My friends - old and new, near and far... I have a lot of people out there that would help if I asked.
4. My husband - at the risk of sounding mushy - it can be easy to complain when you live with someone, but the reality is that I'm married to a man who is strong, upright, funny, generous and in love with me. How can you ask for more?
I'm grateful for these things and more - the good things in my life far outweigh the stressful things... perhaps my attitude should better reflect that. I'll quote Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Jerry Maquire, "I love EVERYBODY!"
I'm Feeling: a little claustrophobic - I didn't leave my office at lunch today
Background Noise: clunky hum of my air conditioner, and music from iTunes that is so quiet it's indecipherable
On September 20, 1975, David Bowie scored his first number 1 hit - "Fame" from his album Young Americans. This doesn't mean much to me, since I wasn't alive in 1975, and since the extent of my David Bowie exposure is Labyrinth and The Wedding Singer. But, it's kinda interesting, so there you go.
Galatians update: through verse 19 now - got 7 more to do by 9:00 tonight. I'm fairly confident, even though I didn't work as hard as I should have (or really at all) on it last night. Once I got home from WyldLife I was just exhausted, and wanted to sit and think without really having to think about anything specific. Interactions can leave me worn out sometimes, and it's good to have some solace time to just be. It was nice to be able to get a little of that last night.
I'm taking Friday off work this week, I think (at least the afternoon). I'm going to visit my good friend Kelsey this weekend, and I could really use a little time away from the office to relax and think about other things. It's easy to lose perspective and get stressed out (for me, at least)... but I'm guaranteed to spend a lot of time laughing, talking, listening, loving and being loved this weekend - I'm so looking forward to it.
I'm Feeling: incapable of doing all the things I want to do/have to do
Background Noise: Something in the Way She Moves by James Taylor
And I don't mean that in an overly negative way.... just thinking that there are all kinds of things in my job that I'd like to start doing, but I simply don't have the time/resources to do it at this point. Or that there are all kinds of levels I'd take my involvement in YoungLife to - but I have to work full-time, and that limits me. I know God will give me enough time to do the things He wants me to do... it's just tricky to sort them out sometimes.
It's definitely Monday, though... time's been flying - I got a lot done today (yay!) but I feel like I've barely stopped to breathe. Tonight will be fun, to be sure (yay WyldLife!) but still not much time to breathe. I guess lung-function is overrated. :) Had a nice weekend - not a lot of monumentally impactful happenings, but the house is relatively clean and I got to hang out with some people that made me laugh.
I'm working on memorizing Galatians 5 (the whole chapter) right now - I'm up through verse 14... got to have it all done tomorrow night. Think I can do it?
I'm Feeling: just ducky!
Background Noise: The Mob Song (Kill the Beast) from the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack, and cars driving in the rainy streets outside
It's finally raining! The grass everywhere has been looking so sad and brown lately (except Dale's lawn - he's our next door neighbor, and his yard is freakishly green). Hopefully this makes the horticultural world of Mid-Michigan a little healthier and happier. The bad thing about rainy days is that it usually makes students want to skip their appointments and not tell me about it... so I may spend a good part of today sitting and waiting for visitors that will never come...
Last night I got to eat at Mitchell's Fish Market for the first time - Brooks and I went together (Mark doesn't like fish/seafood, so Brooks thought it would be a fun idea for us to go on a "date"). The food was excellent, although not discount-priced, and I had fun with Brooks - he keeps conversation going really well. I haven't gone out to dinner alone with a guy other than Mark in AGES, so that was a little surreal - but I think both Brooks and I understand that sadly, there just isn't much of a future for our dating relationship. We'll have to stick to being friends. He said that "someday" he wanted to go out to dinner with a married woman, so it's funny that we got to make that happen. :)
I get to have lunch with a new friend today - Chelsie and I are going to Qdoba for some tasty quasi-Mexican food. I'm excited! I notice I'm usually in a distinctly happier-than-average mood on Fridays - I adore weekends! Got a busy one coming up, but hopefully our "commitments" will turn out to be really fun times with good people, full of food and laughing (two of my favorite things!)
I'm Feeling: hungry! Background Noise: Happy Girl by Martina McBride
Mark and I have a lot of friends who have moved on to new places - our friends Nick and Molly moved to Florida in December of 2000. We've managed to see them a few times since, and visited their ocean-view home (amazing!). Their daughter, Ineka (pronounced like Erica, but with "in" instead of "er"), turned 1 earlier this month, and I thought this picture was too cute not to post.
Funny how I feel so busy, yet I can't come up with anything new and exciting to post - how is it that we spend all our days and hours doing things that we can't remember 24 hours later? Yesterday I met with 8 students, visited with Brooks and Katie for a little while, went to Barnes and Noble, ate lunch at Georgio's, cleaned the house a little after work, went to Meet the Team Night at Mason Middle School, watched the season premiere of Gilmore Girls, talked to my parents on the phone, and consumed some chocolate-peanut butter milkshake. Nothing earth-shattering, but certainly enough to keep me running all day!
Just a heads-up for all you procrastinators out there - tomorrow is officially "Someday." So if you have a bunch of things you said would be finished/accomplished someday - your time is almost up!! Better get cracking! :)
I'm Feeling: pleasantly content
Background Noise: professors chatting in the hall and cars driving by outside
I had a good weekend - we went up to Timber Wolf Lake (a YoungLife camp) for a retreat weekend for all the leaders in Michigan and Northern Indiana. It was good to get away, and TWL is always a fun place to be. I got to hang out with some gals that I don't see enough of normally, and I got a chance to talk to some people I've never really talked to before. I like that too. Yesterday afternoon, I got home and crashed - I don't ever get enough sleep at camp. Partly because of the beds (not superduper comfy) and partly because 20 girls in one room have a hard time being quiet (me included). Mark wasn't home (he and James went to Traverse City straight from camp - for 36 holes of golf) so I just napped on the couch for a couple hours. I'm not usually a good napper, I have to be REALLY tired - so I always appreciate naps when they happen. Means I really needed it.
It's a pretty normal Monday - lots of appointments, and tonight we have WyldLife - I'm leading tonight, so that should be fun. It's also Chocolate Milkshake Day, so I'll have to see if I can't squeeze that in somewhere.
What was the best part of your weekend?
I'm Feeling: on top of things
Background Noise: Jesus, Lover of My Soul by ZOEgirl
I just got back from lunch at Panera with Dana - I had a salad (not the one pictured - that one has onions on it - YUCK!). The salad was delicious and my company extremely entertaining. It's been awhile since Dana and I have hung out together, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think I was talking too much to eat all of my salad, but that's an OK problem to have in my book.
On a completely unrelated note - have you ever noticed that there are some people it is easy to have tough conversations with, and some people where it's not? I think it depends on lots of things - how close you are, your personality, his/her personality, the issue at hand... but there are certain tough conversations that I'd rather stick something sharp in my eye than have. Maybe I'm just a wimp. Maybe I don't like confrontation (at least not with certain people). Any tips on having tough conversations?
I'm Feeling: a little tired
Background Noise: big truck of some kind idling outside our building
Did you know that our brains can't feel pain? All the other things brains can do, and there are no pain receptor-majiggies in them. Maybe it's because they are so busy doing other things all the time - can't be bothered with miniscule things like pain. Plus, they're busing registering pain from all other parts of our body - it would get pretty annoying, I'd think. I looked this up this morning, as I have had a headache since Sunday night. Not a horrible one, but noticeable and certainly distracting. I was trying to figure out what could be causing it. No dice. Hopefully it just goes away on its own.
I teach again today - although this week, I use that word loosely - I have 2 guest speakers coming in, so I won't actually have much of anything to do in class. Just get to sit back and listen - which will be really fun, I think.
I miss school - I knew it would happen, and I figured it would take about a year. I was right (I'm so stinking smart sometimes!) :) I want to take a class again - trouble is, I don't know what to take, and I don't have the time to take it. Maybe it's just not meant to be at this point in time. I'll just have to try to teach myself something. Any suggestions?
I'm Feeling: a little overwhelmed
Background Noise: You by Switchfoot
The leaves are starting to turn, which is funny, because it really hasn't been chilly at all lately. It seems like the trees just know that Labor Day is over, so now it's time to put on their fall colors. I don't mind - I adore fall. It turns all too quickly into winter, but the few weeks of crisp air, sunshine, pumpkins and bright leaves are some of my favorite times of the year.
My weekend was good, albeit tiring. We got to meet a number of distant and not-so-distant relatives at Jay's wedding, and it was good to see Martha, Chad, Mike, Steph and Dad. The trip to Chicago was smooth - we ate great food, opened presents, played Dominos until our eyes were burning, and enjoyed each other's company. We got back yesterday around 3:45 - Mark and I walked into our house, and we fell asleep almost immediately. It was a big weekend.
Things seem to be picking up pace in all aspects of my life - work (school is back in session, students descending en masse), home (I can barely keep our dishwasher empty, our clothes clean and our plants watered), YoungLife (DIG starts up every week next Monday, we go to Timberwolf for the weekend on Friday, Mission Community meeting tomorrow). But the really good news is that it's already Tuesday (gotta love those long weekends)!
I'm Feeling: GREAT!
Background Noise: The World's Greatest by R. Kelly
That's my big brother Adam, and his wife Melissa. Aren't they cute? We'll get to see them this weekend - I'm looking forward to it... it's been a while since I've seen my whole family. Although, I've never been too excited about the drive - it's only 3.5-4 hours, but I've done it many times in the last 7 years. Also, it will now cost us about 60 bucks to take my car roundtrip to Chicago, with gas at $3.39 a galloon. Sheesh!!
I'm Feeling: a little worn out, but good
Background Noise: I'll Fly Away by Jars of Clay
I cannot believe it's already September. What in the world? When I was driving home from work the other day, I saw my first tree of the season with red leaves. I love fall, but the sight made me a tiny bit sad - I felt like things were going too fast. I love my life, but sometimes I feel that there are so many things going on that I don't have the time to stop and appreciate any of them. I know that's not really completely true, but it feels that way sometimes.
I taught my first solo college class yesterday - my freshman seminar on going to law school. It's mildly terrifying to have these students looking to you to provide them insight and knowledge - but I think it'll be really fun. I had 18 students, I was able to remember everyone's name by the end of the class, and I had a few people say that they were really looking forward to the rest of the course. All seem like good things - and next week, I have 2 guest speakers, so I barely have to talk at all! :) Even better.
Mark is sick, which is sad - he almost never gets sick. He was in bed when I came home from work, and stayed there until 7:00. Poor guy - pray that his body heals quickly!!
I'm Feeling: relieved
Background Noise: Isn't It Love by Andrew Peterson
Mark made cinnamon rolls this morning, and although I was not able to eat them while they were still warm, it was a nice treat to sit at my desk and chew on sweet, sticky, cinnamon-y goodness.
Well, yesterday was insane, but good. It seemed like a lot got done, and I was still relatively human at the end of the day. DIG was fun - I love how some days, when I'm not necessarily feeling up to hanging out with 20 some middle-schoolers... I get there, and I'm just reminded of how funny they are, and how much they make me laugh, and how easy it really is to love them. So that was a blessing in my Monday night. Today - only 9 appointments (a breeze compared to yesterday's 22!) and then I have tanna'im tonight (kind of an in-depth bible study for a smaller group of YoungLife leaders for the area). I always like tanna'im... I just need to psych myself up to stay awake for it. :)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
I'm Feeling: useful
Background Noise: Stand by Your Man by Tammy Wynette
That's me at my job today - minus the cool beanie, pants, and fun colored rings. It's the first day of classes at MSU, and campus is insanely alive! Students everywhere, lots of commotion - it's really fun, but a little overwhelming from where I sit. Mostly because no one is coming to see me for any fun reasons today - it's all scheduling/graduation/financial aid emergencies. I'm hanging in there - but I feel like I've earned my entire salary today alone! :)
This weekend was totally fun - really busy, lots of people, and even a tiny bit of time to relax last night. I'm grateful for those moments - got to take what I can get!
I'm Feeling: well-fedBackground Noise: Down in the River to Pray by Alison Krauss
Last night both Brooks and Kelsey stayed the night at our house (Brooks has been living with us for about 2 weeks, and Kelsey was just visiting for the night). We got to bed a little late - but totally worth it to stay up and laugh with such good friends. This morning we were all in our living room at 5:56am - we had a breakfast date at the Mason Depot (pictured above - 1889 and now). It's this fun little diner in town, totally mom and pop place with random stuff on the walls and those plastic picnic tablecloths. It's awesome. We laughed, ate good things like peanut butter banana pancakes and oatmeal, laughed some more, heard from Psalms and Acts (thanks Kels!)... such a good way to start the day.
Greater Lansing Young Life officially kicks off today with its welcome back picnic - then we're off to Okemos High School to watch the Mason-Okemos football game (it's a big rivalry, it should be a really fun game). A long day, for sure, but I think it will be really fun. Oh, and I get to have lunch with Kelsey, which basically guarantees a spectacularly fun time. Hooray!
My busy week update - well, it's Friday - I'm still alive and kicking, and I've had a great time. There were one or two moments when I had to convince myself I was having a great time, but it feels really good to get to the end of the week and look back with a smile.
I'm Feeling: super duper, thanks for asking
Background Noise: some loud squawking down the hall about who knows what
Quick post, today is busy! I had fun fun fun yesterday with Kristen and the boys - it was good for me to have familiar faces - people I love!
Gave some presentations today on being a lawyer (I still think it's super funny that in the last year I've become "wise" about this - everyone is asking me what to do - since when do I know anything about law school?? :)) I'm off to some more meetings, a couple hours of calm at home (I think) and then a visit with Kelsey - yahoo! Thursday of my busy week is almost over, and so far - so good! Praise God for small miracles!
Thought for the day: Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened unto you.
I'm Feeling: great!
Background Noise: Higher Ground by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Today is freshman move-in day here at State - always a crazy day. Many more cars on the roads this morning, loaded up with pillows and TVs and crates and computers - it's exciting - sometimes it makes me nostalgic for Residence Life. But mostly I'm really glad to be safe in my office, dealing with the academic side of life at MSU.
Today I get to see some fabulous friends who moved away a little over a year ago (yikes! has it been that long?) Kristen, Timothy and Joshua will be visiting this afternoon/evening, and I couldn't be more excited. Kristen is a very dear friend, and I love her sons as much as you possibly can without being their parent.
Last night was fun - late, but good. So: two days of my super-busy week down... successes for both! It's kinda humbling to see how much less stressful I can make things simply by deciding to enjoy them - makes you feel like a bum for all those times you didn't rise to the occasion. But life is today - and I'm having fun today! :)
I'm Feeling: a good balance between pressure and motivation
Background Noise: God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
Some people are really good at reading situations, being a people - barometer - noticing others' body language, sensing stress and things like that. I don't know if I'm good at it, but I certainly like to try. Most of the time, it's really fun, and you learn a ton from sitting back and watching. However - sometimes, it can get me into "trouble." I'll read too much into a certain encounter or notice the body language of someone who doesn't communicate physically. I'm not going to stop doing it, but I do need to learn that I'm not always right. :) I guess I'm not quite the expert I'd like to think I am.
An update on my Monday - although I was a little stressed out around lunchtime, and really tired at the end of the day - I did enjoy myself. I met six new students yesterday afternoon and had a good time with them, and after work went to a picnic for YoungLife and WYLdLife in Mason and got to see lots of awesome families - faces I knew, faces I didn't. It was really fun to sit and talk to the girls, too. I'm awed by how much things have changed in a year. I truly am blessed to have the friendships of these middle school ladies. So... day one of my busy week - I would say I was pretty stinking successful at having a good time.
I'm Feeling: a little anxious, but ready to go
Background Noise: Let It Rain by Newsboys
Today is not just Monday, August 22, 2005. It's also Be an Angel Day. Not really sure what that is supposed to mean, except - hey, be real nice. It could mean that I'm supposed to affix wings to my sweater and stick a halo on my head... but I think I'll just stick with my original interpretation.
I'm in for a big week - both at work and in the evenings. Mostly, it should be really fun, although the time leading up to each event may be somewhat stressful. I'm trying to practice staying laid back and relaxed - I have a tendency to predict stress (which of course, usually winds up being a self-fulfilling prophecy). So this week, I predict that I will soar through my commitments with ease, enjoy myself, and be given all that I need from day to day. Take that! :)
Thought for the day: What are some things you wish you could do every day?
I'm Feeling: sooo happy for FRIDAY! :)
Background Noise: My Baby Loves Me by Martina McBride
So today is Friday, and yesterday was my big brother's birthday (yay!) and tomorrow is my little sister's birthday (yay!)... so that makes a Friday sandwich on birthdays! Weird, I know - but it makes me laugh. Happy Birthday to Adam and to Meg - I love you!! It's also Adam and Melissa's 4th anniversary today - yay again!!!
I'm reading this book right now called "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller (the guy who wrote "Blue Like Jazz," which I also read this summer). I really like it - he has a funky writing style that sounds a lot like someone just kinda rambling at you - but he's rambling really impactful stuff. Reading books like that makes me want to write one myself, but also makes me think "I could never write a book like that..." I just really enjoy it when authors are able to make me think about something in a new way, shed some insight, make me think (as if I need any encouragement!). Here's an excerpt:
"If man was wired so that something outside himself told him who he was, and if God's presence was giving him a feeling of fulfillment, then when that relationship was broken, man would be pining for other people to tell him that he was good, right, okay with the world, and eternally secure. As I wrote earlier, we all compare ourselves to others, and none of our emotions - like jealousy and envy and lust - could exist unless man was wired so that somebody else told him who he was, and that somebody else was gone."
I don't think I ever was able to put those words to the thought before - but for me, it really does help explain the "gap" in our lives. It also convicts me about original sin - the idea that we are all born distorted - we are designed to get our identity from someone outside us (God), but that relationship was severed thousands of years ago. No one born on this earth is free from that.
Any thoughts?
I'm Feeling: inquisitive
Background Noise: Forrest Gump Suite by Alan Silvestri
Today in History, in 1590, John White came back to the Roanoke Island colony in what is now North Carolina, to find the 100 colonists he left behind missing. To this day, no one knows what happened.
Stuff like that amazes me. How is it that we can figure out how to send people to the moon, or create tiny little devices that when you push buttons - allow you to talk to someone miles and miles and miles away as though they're in the room with you... but we can't figure out what happened to 100 people in 1590? Weird. Not that I know anything about any of these things, so I really am not one to talk, but still.
I'm Feeling: like I couldn't turn my brain off if I tried
Background Noise: Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler
Jamie asked for a clarification on my profound thoughts from Monday... the confusion factor of the question I asked is probably directly correlated to the number of responses. :) Without going into too many hairy details, here's the basic concept.
I've been personally struggling with a few issues in my life for awhile now. They are not going away, or getting easier. In my experience, when you have an extended "dry spell" of some sort in your life, God is trying to show you something about Himself or His plan for you. This is what my head knows. And I've been trying to keep that in mind, and seek Him in these areas - trying to respond in a Christ-like manner, be proactive about the areas in which He is stretching me, and so on. One of the lessons I can tell He is teaching me is to rely on Him and not on people (however close or important they are to me). People will always fail when they try to love us as Christ does. Always. However, my attempts to learn this lesson and actually rely on Him, lean on Him, get my satisfaction and encouragement from Him - frankly, are not working. I think I'm doing it wrong. Maybe my head knows it, but my heart's not in it. Maybe there is something I can do aside from praying and reading the Word. Maybe I'm totally off-base about what He is trying to teach me (although it's a valuable lesson, and one I'm sure I need to get a better handle on, so I don't think that's it). I just don't know what it looks like (in a more concrete, practical sense) to truly lean on Him - especially during times when you really feel like you need an actual, flesh and blood person to be there for you. Am I not allowing Him to fill that? Is there a trick to letting Him?
I feel like I know all these "Sunday School" answers to life problems - read the Bible, pray, rely on the Lord... but I recently realized that I'm not sure I know what that really looks like - am I doing it right?
I am also well aware that the Lord makes everything beautiful in its time, and that His timing is perfect - so that could very well be part of my frustration - I'm not altogether a patient person (especially when there are situations at hand making me unhappy/frustrated).
I hope this long-winded explanation helps clear up my question from the other day. Last night I was talking with Mark, and I paused after a moment and said, "I think I think too much." His response: "Ya think?!?" I just thought that was funny. Because it's true. Oh, and the Magic Eye picture is because I was never any good at those things - I think I thought too hard about them, and then got impatient when I couldn't see the tigers playing hopscotch, or whatever the picture was. Nice allegory, huh? :)
I'm Feeling: reflective
Background Noise: Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel
One year ago today, I began working as the Undergraduate Academic Adviser for the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University. I was basically terrified - new jobs always freak me out - mostly because I want to do well and I don't want to look stupid (and it's pretty much inevitable that you will screw up something and look stupid at some point at a new job). I'm certain that I've screwed up and looked stupid, but I also think that overall - I've done well. Working full-time (while less fun than hanging out in college and sleeping in and all that) has it's own really cool rewards and perks. I feel competent knowing that I can provide for myself and my husband (who doesn't need me to provide for him at all, but I could if I needed to).
It always amazes me how much changes, and how much stays the same in one year. I know some people who hate change... other people that would much rather have things be different every day. I'm not sure where I fall really - change can sap my energy sometimes, but it's exhilirating and I do really like challenges. Who knows what the next year will bring?
Thought for the day: I'm bummed no one posted a response to yesterday's thought.
I'm Feeling: Like I don't want to be stressed out, but there is a lot going on...
Background Noise: On My Cross by FFH
Mark and I actually spent the weekend at home, which is rare. It was good to just kinda relax and sit around - we got to talk to our neighbors, watch a couple movies, make lunch for friends, and play "Name that random 80s TV show just by hearing a few bars of the theme song" with Hammer. Not bad at all.
My funny calendar says today is Relaxation Day... so I picked a picture of a waterfall, because those nature sounds CDs with running water always relax me - now I'm trying to get that feeling by looking at a picture, imagining the noise, and then thinking "if I was really hearing that, it would be soo relaxing." It's almost as effective. However, I'm just not thinking that today is going to be all that relaxing. Partly because it's Monday (Mondays are never relaxing, unless you have Mondays off from work, in which case they can be wonderfully relaxing... like Labor Day!) Also - we are starting up DIG (Deeper In God) for WYLdlife tonight - which is totally fun and exciting, but hanging out with 20+ middle schoolers is the opposite of relaxing. Hopefully it's enthusiastic, noisy, fun, and comfortable - but I don't usually walk away having more energy than when I started. Finally - school is getting dangerously close - means the students come back, want appointments, need overrides, don't have classes scheduled... AND I have to teach a class!
Here's my profound, thought-provoking question for today (something I've been wrestling with in my head for awhile now): What does it really look like to put your trust in God, specifically when you are struggling with needs that generally appear to require people to meet them? I understand praying, finding hope in His word... but what does it look like to actually lean on the Lord when you really need someone to lean on? For example, if I'm feeling lonely, and praying/reading the Bible don't seem to ease that feeling, is it because I'm doing it wrong (I don't really mean it/I'm missing some immutable point God is trying to make)? I guess I'm actually just looking for some insight on your experiences with this... when you need a hand to hold, and there are no people around... how do you really reach out and grab God's hand?
I'm Feeling: superBackground Noise: Chances Are by Bob Seger and Martina McBrideI walked in my front door last night, just after 9:00pm, after spending five days at TimberWolf Lake (a Young Life camp in Lake City, MI) with about 400 middle schoolers. It was awesome! From Mason, we brought 16 middle school girls, and I got to spend the week with them -playing games, singing, dancing, eating, talking, praying, laughing, climbing the wall, completing the high ropes course, tubing, making jewelry, and just generally having an awesome time. Girls heard and understood the gospel of Christ for the first time - light bulbs went off in their heads, ideas were challenged, and questions were raised and answered. I love these girls - middle schoolers are an entirely overlooked and underestimated demographic. It was just what I needed to spend a week totally concerned about sixteen other people and not given much time to let my thoughts wander selfishly back to my own needs. Rock on!
With no trips on our immediate horizon, one would think our lives were slowing down, but we are about to jump into the swing of the academic year (I think my life will forever be ruled by the school calendar). WYLdlife meetings will be starting, Mark will hit the road for HOSA, all the students will pour back onto campus and demand my attention, my class will start... it's exciting and overwhelming to me all at the same time. I just pray that God gives me the energy and strength I need to complete all my work with grace and patience and a good spirit.
Thought for the day: Government officials from around the world have gathered, and decided to add an eighth day of the week (after decades of moaning and whining about not having enough time...) You can do ANYTHING you want with that day - what would it be?
I'm Feeling: a little lightheaded from the paint fumes in our hallway
Background Noise: New York State of Mind by Billy Joel
My family (mom, dad and sister) are coming to visit this weekend, which makes me excited because they haven't been up to MI since March. (Meg has, but she comes way more often than the parents). The trip will be a quick one - arriving on Saturday just before lunch and leaving on Sunday after breakfast... but it will be good to see them. I think we might head to the movies to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... I'm not sure how I feel about the previews I've seen - Johnny Depp seriously freaks me out a little, but it looks bright and fun. Hopefully it's a good time.
Sunday, Mark and I leave for Timberwolf Lake for WYLdlife camp - that should be a blast. I'm excited about it - get to see some kids I haven't really seen since May, have fun playing around, and watching them learn about Jesus. Sounds like a good week to me. And I'll get to see my friend Kelsey who moved to Grosse Pointe this summer - that will make me real happy too. Lots of good things going on - but I will be happy to have my life calm down a little - this summer involved a lot of traveling, a lot of busy-ness - and I love that, but I think my brain/heart/body need some downtime to rejuvenate and refresh. Then I'll come out swinging again. :)
Thought for the day: Everyone has a personality with things they'd like to change (or things others might like them to change). To what extent do you say "this is the way God made me, and He makes things exactly the way He wants them" and when is it appropriate to say "I'm called to be like Jesus, so that means working my entire life to grow and change and reach for that goal"? I love challenging myself to change, but it gets tiring sometimes... I sometimes struggle with giving myself a break v. not letting myself off the hook. Any thoughts?
I'm Feeling: efficient!
Background Noise: Blessed by Martina McBride
The good old food pyramid that I've known since kindergarten (or somewhere in there) has changed... check out www.mypyramid.gov. Not only does it involve vertical slices of the pyramid, but there is no straight up number of servings for each - now it depends on your age and gender - yikes! I'm not sure they'll be teaching this to 5-year-olds anymore. (although I'm sure it's much healthier this way)
I'm feeling efficient today because things that need to be done are getting done - I love that feeling! I emailed a bunch of folks yesterday (some I knew, some I didn't) to try to get some guest speakers for my PreLaw class this fall. I've already got 2 "for-sure" speakers - we're trying to nail down the dates still, but that's huge!! It makes me feel so much better already - I can handle the little details of the curriculum, but there are other people out there much better qualified to talk about law school - it's cool that they want to help out! I also made a bajillion new folders for new students yesterday, and am working on filing ridiculous amounts of inconsequential paperwork into these files - I know that doesn't sound too grand, but it's removing stacks of papers from my desk - and that makes me grin!
It's a little gloomy outside today - but I like rain, and I like the fact that it's currently 71 degrees outside instead of 91. Much better, in my opinion. Plus, my flowers are getting watered as we speak, so I don't have to do that when I get home tonight.
I'm Feeling: ruminative
Background Noise: the beeping, creaking elevators - I haven't turned on iTunes yet
Today is Friendship Day... and I thought this picture was appropriate on multiple levels. First, and most obvious, it's a picture of the cast of Friends. Second - it looks like they are on a ship... friend-ship! Gosh I can really crack myself up.
I haven't really met anyone who didn't like having friends. I also haven't really met anyone who has perfected having/being a friend. Some people are great at attracting people to them, but are lacking when it comes to creating real, intimate relationships. Some people take wonderful care of the friends they have, but stink at making new ones. Some people have one or two close friends with awesome relationships, but then they get jealous/possessive of those friends. Some people have a ton of friends, a large network of people to be with, but don't have the time to keep in touch with all of them, and spread themselves too thin. Some people have a huge desire to be with others but their busy lives seem to keep them away. Others won't reach out and jump in, thinking they are more comfortable at home, but really have no idea of the fun they are missing out on.
I think pretty much all time, our perceptions regarding this area of our lives are skewed. Either we think our friend situation is fantastic, but really, there are people we love who are feeling ignored/neglected in some way... or we think we have no friends but really have no idea how many people out there are loving us. Both are destructive, I think. And everyone can slip either way, depending on the situation.
Thought for the day: What is your personal tendency in friendships? What are you good at/not so good at? How can we get better at these things, and help encourage those around us?
I'm Feeling: sleepy and sneezy... but happy! (3 of 7 dwarfs!)
Background Noise: Sanctuary by Jaci Velasquez
So that, apparently, is a picture of the virus that is inhabiting my sinuses and chest cavity right now. I have a tendency to get sick after really intense periods of activity and/or stress - like bible camp. I had a great time, but my body tends to poop out on me after spending so much mental, physical, and emotional energy for a week straight. However, I have to heal quickly - Mark and I leave for WYLdlife camp on Sunday!! Not much time to kick this one in the butt...
Upon recommendation by my friend Kristen, I recently read Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. That book basically knocked me over - I have to read it again. It was so densely packed with information, challenges, thoughts and perspective - that I know I missed so much of it. There's a companion book, a devotional, that Mark and I started last night - he hasn't read the original book, but seemed to like the first chapter of this one. It's really challenging - the idea that our actions should always come from a spiritual motivation - that we are called to holiness out of reverence for God. And since God is always worthy of reverence, we are always called to be holy, and therefore always called to love one another. "Any other motivation (other than holiness) is less than Christian." Yikes - that's what I call convicting. Do I love people for no other reason than because our Father is holy and worthy and that I am called to follow Him? Gee, let me think - no! I try, but I'm pretty sure that most times, I fail spectacularly. But what an awesome standard!!
On a separate note, I have a full schedule of appointments today - hopefully they all show up. It makes my day go so much faster, plus, it's way more fun. Maybe I'll get to practice loving people for the right reasons.
Thought for the day: What characteristics/personality traits (in yourself or others) make it hard for you to love other people? How can we overcome that in the name of Jesus?
I'm Feeling: slighted enough to blog for the second time today
Background Noise: You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog by Elvis Presley
In the academic advising world, no-shows happen a lot. Students schedule appointments, then forget, or don't feel like coming in, or are hungover, or what have you. I've either been a college student or worked with them for the past seven years - I know they are not the most reliable demographic on the planet. But seriously... every SINGLE one of my appointments today did not show up. That's ridiculous. Plus, I could have gotten SO much more done had I know that I had all day to myself. *sigh* The day is almost over... I can go home and relax a little soon.
Thought for the Day: What do your actions (or inactions) say about your character? Are you portraying the message you want people to see?
I'm Feeling: like I'm in the eye of a storm (a fun one)
Background Noise: It Is Well by By The Tree
(ps. I love that when I'm feeling like life is crazy, songs like that pop up on my iTunes and let me know God is in control!)
Yikes! Life's been busy the last few weeks! Last Friday, I went to Dana's bachelorette party - yay Tigers! I've never been to Comerica Park before - it's lovely, and I got to eat hot dogs and peanuts - what more could you ask for? Then Saturday morning Mark and I got up at 5am to head to the lovely Upper Peninsula for Bible Camp - we both counseled for a week, with campers that were 15-20 years old. Mark's been to this camp 6 times now, in various roles, and this was my first time. It was hard, fun, challenging, rewarding, lonely, and full of blessings all at the same time! Experiences like that are so rich - I usually have a deeper appreciation for things that you have to work for - and I definitely had to work at this camp! Everyone I met was wonderfully kind - you can really see the Lord in the workers there. My campers were really fun (although trying at times - I'm not used to high schoolers - I hang out with college students and middle schoolers a lot!) but I kinda miss them already! Camp ran from Saturday to Saturday, and Mark and I left at 7am to get back to Ann Arbor in time for Dave and Dana's wedding! It was really fun - they seemed to have a great time, which is exactly how your wedding is supposed to go. Everything was beautiful, and I got to see some people I love that I haven't seen in a long time.
Now I'm back at work - AOP is over, which is great, but it's suddenly August - and all those things that seemed so far away a week or two ago are looming!! It's good to be back in the swing - I'm a little nervous about the amount of work I'm facing, but I'm sure it will all go smoothly. Here's to jumping in with both feet!!
I'm Feeling: a little sleepy, but excited
Background Noise: Isn't It Love by Andrew Peterson
So many reasons to party and be excited today.
Number 1: Dana's bachelorette party is tonight, and not only do I get to help her celebrate her upcoming wedding, but I get to go to a Tigers game (first time ever) and hang out with a bunch of really fabulous women who love Jesus. Awesome.
Number 2: Yesterday was the last freshman AOP of the summer, and this afternoon is the last transfer orientation (at least for a month)!!! Can't explain the relief of that - not that it wasn't fun, but I really need to do my other work, and it was starting to get hard to find classes for everyone. Just nice to have a break.
Number 3: Mark comes home today!! I won't see him until after Dana's party, but I'm still totally geeked to have my best friend back. I missed him hard while he was gone.
Number 4: We leave tomorrow for Upper Peninsula Bible Camp, to be counselors! I'm excited/nervous... don't really know what to expect. Mark loves this camp though, and all the stories I've heard are fabulous. The only not exciting part is our ETD... 6am. OUCH!
On that note, I leave you with what may well be my last blog post for awhile... we won't be back from camp up North til Saturday, when we head straight for Dana and Dave's wedding... I honestly have no idea how many people actually read this, but I'll miss you all! :)
Thought for the day: Is there anything you have a habit of doing that you'd like to stop? Not necessarily a bad habit, but one that can sometimes get you into tricky places? Me - I like to share with people - things that are going on, experiences, conversations, emotions... sometimes I think my mouth is too stinking big. I need to learn how to close it - "Don't let anyone look down upon you because you are young, but set an example for believers in SPEECH, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1Timothy 4:12 Awesome verse.
I'm Feeling: air conditioned
Background Noise: Fever by Eva Cassidy
Yesterday afternoon I was not in the office because our new best friend, Andy from Ultimate Comfort was at our house, installing our very own 2.5 ton, 10 seer American Standard air conditioner (don't ask me what any of that means, but isn't it awfully impressive that I know it at all??) It took a ridiculously long time (they came at 8:45am and weren't completely done until almost 4pm) but I feel like we just got a whole new house. It's cool, which is great, but our front door has to stay shut now, which is a little sad. Mark and I like to leave that wide open most days (and we still will when it's cool enough to turn off the AC). It just feels friendlier that way. One more step toward adulthood (or one more way we are posing as adults, however you want to view it).
I also had the most fun evening last night. My friend Dana is getting married a week from Saturday, and I had no dress/outift to wear - so Emily, Dana and I had dinner and hit the mall. Sounds pretty average - but wait! We played "movie star" at NY & Company, found some attractive bustiers at Charlotte Russe, started planning the formal New Year's Eve party Mark and I are apparently having at our house, and tried on a total of 15 or 20 dresses at Marshall Field's between the 3 of us (including 10-20 dollar ball gowns - literally princess dresses on clearance). We also nearly got locked in the store, because we were still in the dressing rooms when the lights went out. Emily and I got to sit in the massage chairs on the way out of the mall, and we raced pennies. It might be hard for others to appreciate the magic of the evening - but it was an excellent rainy Wednesday evening in my books. Thanks for making last night totally fun, ladies!!
Thought for the Day: If you could pick any one thing to happen to you today, what it would be?
I'm Feeling: like eating an ice cream sundae
Background Noise: To Make You Feel My Love by Trisha Yearwood
Today is Cow Appreciation Day!! I haven't decided yet what to do to celebrate cows - although the 4-H fair is going on at the MSU Pavilion this week, so I could stop in and visit cows if I had the time. I really don't have much going on after work today. Cows always remind me of my friend Stephanie - we went to middle school and high school together. She was a crack-up... we were awfully silly together. And Steph loved cows. She had cow slippers and cow statues and cow pajamas and cow pencils and cards and notebooks...
Mark left for the UP today - he's going camping with his HOSA officers in Houghton (way the heck up near Canada, for those unfamiliar with MI geography). He'll get back on Friday afternoon, just in time for us to leave 6 am Saturday morning for Little Lake (also in the UP). Crazy, I know, but there's no way around it. So I'm a single gal this week - gonna go shopping, catch up with some friends, and attend a bachelorette party - should be a fun week.
Thought for the day: If you could start up an "appreciation day" what would you choose to appreciate?
I'm Feeling: accomplished
Background Noise: I'll Be by Edwin McCain
See how big Kermit is smiling? That's what my heart (and let's face it, my pride) was doing this weekend, now that I can officially call myself a waterskiier. I've gotten up on skis before, but never long enough to say that I actually "skied." Although I'm proud of myself, I'm also minorly embarrassed, because I've never heard of another soul who had to try for SOOO long to get up on skis. Most people aren't that impressed when they hear about my accomplishment, because they either think "No biggie, I've been skiing since I was like 10," or simply because they don't understand the devastating process I've had to go through to get here. I could give you all kinds of reasons why it was so stinking hard for me to do (no upper body strength, I have a really high center of gravity, dancing since I was 3 has taught me to balance in my toes - which makes you fall over when trying to ski...) but I will spare you my excuses. Let's just say - after a couple hundred fruitless attempts - I have skied multiple times on Wixom Lake, am learning to navigate jumping the wake (totally fun, I just have a 50/50 chance of falling over when I do that), and that I like actually skiing significantly better than trying to ski. So much more fun it's not even funny.
I'm working on putting together my class for the fall today - I get to teach a freshman seminar called "So You Want to Go to Law School" and I'm pumped. But August is sneaking up on me faster than I was intending, so I have some catching up to do. This week is also the last week of AOP, which is fantastic! Life at work will hopefully start to return to normal soon - whatever that means.
I'm Feeling: a little like Eeyore
Background Noise: Still Not Ready by Eva Cassidy
Just having one of those days where I feel a little gloomy. No good reason at all - I got beautiful flowers from my husband last night, had a homemade blueberry and raspberry smoothie while playing Dominos, had fun at AOP this morning, helped a dad and daughter figure out her schedule (those situations can go either way - it's always a plus to have a pleasant parental interaction), and got to talk to my little sis for a while. Despite all of this... I feel blue.
Luckily - the people around me don't seem to be picking up on it. That's a good thing - the only thing worse than feeling bad is when your bad feelings make other people feel bad. Follow? It's almost the weekend, I'm sure I'll snap out of it soon. Here's hoping you're feeling cheerful and energetic this fine July day.
I'm Feeling: mellow
Background Noise: All Blues by Kenny Burrell
Today, July 13th is French Fries Day... I don't really eat french fries much, but I thought it good to acknowledge that they have a "day." Yesterday was Barn Day, which I totally missed (bummer!) and our friends Mike and Kristen's 8th anniversary!! Congrats - we love you both so much!!
I'm glad it's Wednesday, for a number of reasons. The week is about half over (great!). I got free lunch today in Case Hall after AOP (okay, it's dorm food, but the salad bar is decent, and there's always fresh fruit!). I get to have a date with my husband tonight. We've set aside Wednesdays as date nights... we always thought we'd be that couple that could get away without needing "date night" - that we'd be able to spend enough quality time together of our own volition... but we were wrong. Our lives are ridiculously busy throughout the year - with stuff and people we love... and Wednesday nights have become a refuge for me in the middle of the week. I really look forward to a night alone with Mark - I think we are gonna play tennis tonight, get some dinner on our Applebee's gift card (thanks, Amy!) and watch a movie. Just sounds nice to me - except the part where I get my ego handed to me after playing Mark in tennis... but I think I'm tough enough to take a beating.
Thought for the day: What part of your week (or regular routine) do you look forward to?
I'm Feeling: a little stressed out
Background Noise: Cold Cold Heart by Norah Jones
I had transfer orientation yesterday, which is always a joy (said sarcastically) - especially at this point in the summer because so many courses have been filled. It took almost 3 hours to enroll 10 students, which is not normal. Everyone seemed to be in a bit of a funk yesterday too - that happens sometimes where an entire group of people with no real connection seem to be having the same emotions running through them. Grumpy. However, everyone left reasonably satisfied and enrolled in courses that would count for their major. And yet I receieve a phone call this morning informing me that the mother of one student was yelling at other orientation staff, demanding that her daughter see an advisor individually, and telling people that I had refused to talk to her daughter one-on-one. Granted, this young lady was very confused about which major she should declare, and it turns out that PoliSci is almost definitely NOT the one for her... none of Angry Mom's accusations or stories were true. In fact, her daughter left the lab after speaking with me rather extensively about her requirements and major options, and she left with a smile on her face! It's amazing how quickly things get twisted around. At any rate - that's a really deflating way to start the day, even where there is little to no truth in what someone else says about you.
I'm trying to refocus and readjust my perspective - but I really just feel like napping. Why does mental/emotional upkeep always seem to sap my energy? Ah well... just a few more hours. I got to work early today, so I'm heading out early - I like days like that!!
I'm Feeling: well rested and peaceful
Background Noise: If You're Gonna Play in Texas by Alabama
Who can call their summer complete without seeing at least part of a parade created around the near-worship of a fruit? Mark and I took our annual anniversary trip to Traverse City this weekend, and as usual, caught the end of the National Cherry Festival - which is always fun/funny to witness. The parade is full of local organizations, including children dressed as Disney characters, adult men dressed as Miss Piggy and playing the trumpet, and every pageant winner from around the state that one could imagine - the Apple Queen, the Bavarian Queen... I think there was even a Queen of Asparagus... and of course, the National Cherry Queen.
It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend - Mark and I slept in, worked out hard, ate at Don's Drive In, bought some delicious cherry-flavored goodies, bought Mark a new shirt, went to the beach, ate at the Peninsula Grill, went to a movie, and slept in some more. I've found that my heart has a large soft spot for Traverse City - after six HOSA State conferences and three anniversary trips... there are lots of memories and smiles and fun times that took place in TC. Praise God for weekends like this one - I think we both needed to wind down and relax with each other.
On an altogether separate, but equally exciting (at least in the Burley household) note... only 5 more days til Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince comes out!!
I'm Feeling: warm - I just hiked all over campus and Grand River Ave.
Background Noise: Over the Rainbow by Melvin Amina
I wanted to clarify yesterday's post - in no way was I trying to communicate that I am not a happy person. I thought about that as I was writing it, but was hoping it wouldn't come across that way. I think it did, despite my efforts. I meant to say that I'm not sure that one of the first things people notice about me is that I'm happy. I want it to be. Seems like an excellent thing for someone to notice. Correction noted!
On that note, I had a really good night last night. I got some much needed cleaning (perhaps purging is a better word) done in our bedroom, I had a long chat with Dana and Hammer, I got to drive Brooks and Backus to Mason High School (all the Greater Lansing Young Life groups are going to camp at Rockbridge this week in Virginia, so we saw them all off), and I got to talk to Katie, Chelsea, Shannon, Meredith, Joe, Drew and Tony while I was there - it was good to see them and even more great to talk to them. I think sometimes I forget how much I like interacting with people, learning about them and caring about them. Maybe it's because sometimes it seems like such hard work, and other times I think I feel like I barely have a grip on myself, so I'm in no position to offer anything to someone else. Ridiculous, and straight from Satan's mouth to my ears, I know... Hopefully the prodigious feeling I had last night will linger to remind me that those self-defeating thoughts are lies from the Enemy. I ended the night a little cranky, which is a grossly unfortunate and inappropriate cap to my evening - sorry, Mark. I'm all better now! :)
Thought for the day: My favorite restaurant in Traverse City is the Peninsula Grill - we go there almost every time we're up North, and we get to eat there this weekend - yahoo!! Where's your favorite place to eat on vacation?
I'm Feeling: like being happy
Background Noise: Piano Medley III by Scott Rider
Don't Scott, Heather and Ashley look happy? This may seem like a stupid, thank you Captain Obvious kind of statement, but I like happy people. They're much more pleasant to deal with than cranky folks, and they tend to rub off on those around them.
I got to thinking about this last night (Mark and I were at Red Lobster for our anniversary dinner), and we were talking about first impressions of each other. One of his first impressions of me was that I was really happy. I wondered if that was something he (or anyone else) would still say about me... at least in a first impression. Made me feel kinda silly - why would I not want to put the happiest foot forward, and have people walking away from me, and whatever else they may be thinking about me - also think "That Kate Burley is a happy gal." Hm. My food for thought today. Phillipians 2:14 says to do everything without complaining or arguing, which is hard enough - but is that all I really want to strive for? Proverbs has 4 different verses specifically about being cheerful - not just "not whiny." It's easy to not think about the impact of your feelings on others... "I'M the one who's sad," right? I guess I'm saying I'd like to get back to where I was six years ago in this area - and be someone that others will see as cheerful and happy from their very first impression.
Thought for the day: If you could, in retrospect, thank one person for what they taught you, who would it be, and what would you thank them for?
I'm Feeling: can't pin it down Background Noise: Lucky 4 You by SheDaisy
We were in Venice, CA all weekend (Friday til Tuesday), Becker and Bibi (Becker and Mark were both Marketing majors at MSU, and both cheered together at State). It was really fun, although I am really tired. I want to stay at home, quietly, and get some things done. That's not really in the cards though... we're up to Traverse City on Friday for the weekend to celebrate our 3rd anniversary - which is today! I can't believe it's been three years already - sheesh. I know it sounds so cliche, but time really does fly by sometimes.
AOPed it again today - and tomorrow and Friday as well... I'll be happy when it's over, although I am having fun. I just feel like there is a lot of other stuff to get done that isn't happening because of AOP.
