2011

Well, its finally come. 2011. The year I am done with my academic career (for the most part). A year that I expect to be full of new things, new people, and growth. So in honor of the New Year and growth... a top five list of new found loves:

1. Playlist.com

Basically, its an awesome website where you have access to a LOT of music and you can build your own playlists and share

them with the world. Such the one I made below -- a little taste

of what I listened to during Snowpocalypse 2011.

2. Sea Salt

Its amazing. It adds so much flavor! And you don't need very much of it when cooking! And it was not too much more

expensive than regular salt. So I highly recommend it.

3. Scripture Memorization

Confession: I do not do this. Its one of those things where you

know it is important and a vital part of spiritual growth --

but you do not participate it. Well I am drawing the line on laziness. I am going to put real effort into this. One way I decided to do this was copy down some scripture verses that I have been given over the years. Whether through church, camp notes, letters...etc.

4. The Circle Scarf

I only have one so far, and in all honesty in needs to stay that way because I have way too many scarfs! But I got a black, knit one from Gap and I adore it. Very easy to wrap around in layers. You never have to worry about bending over and your scarf falling into something. And it just looks fantastic.

5. Boots

I have never been much of a boots gal, but I relented and asked for a pair for Christmas. And now I am in love. I love that they keep my legs warm and dry. I dont have to worry about stepping on my jeans. You can dress them up, or play them down. Very versatile.

What are some of your new found loves?

*peace

Snowpocalypse

As many of you know, and have experienced, Baby its cold

outside. Leading to snow covering all of the United States, except Florida. Many have lovingly termed this adventure as Snowpocalypse 2011.

Snowpocalypse 2011 was especially enjoyable for my friends

and I. One of my dear friends and I got snowed in a house that six girls share. Which was such a blessing. I could not and probably did not fully express my

gratitude for the love and hospitality. Bless you Anna, McCall, Katie, Meg, Ashley, and Arielle. This adventure included bowls

of soup, Gossip Girl, laughter, stories, and blankets. haha!

Upon being able to leave this fun (we were going stir crazy) I headed home and figured we back at school in no time. But much to my and the rest of UGA's student population's surprise we would not! I attended very few classes and then had a long weekend. So, as you may guess I have had a lot of time of my hands. In which I did nothing with, so I am actually craving school.

But I did, like so many friends, have found myself wanting to blog. So here are a few post I have been working on (mentally) throughout Snowpocalypse 2011:

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting
to improve the world."

-Anne Frank

Okay

I bought a book a few months that was indirectly recommended to me. Meaning, I just kept hearing about it, from a wide host of people. The book is Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist Let me just say this book is amazing! Its about "celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life." Shauna is a gifted writer and her comedic tales of adventure really grab a hold of your heart; revealing truth. One chapter that especially made me think is called 'good causes.' I can't really explain it well, but the gist is about us as a race claiming to always be "okay!" And that this is just not true, heres a passage that really got me:


"Being with Julie and Doug today made me think about the idea that everything is okay. That idea is nothing but cruel in its untruth. Okayness is a thin scab that rips off every once in a while and exposes a river of blood and infection, an inroad to the whole body. We live in reasonable peace, accomplishing things and doing what we're told, and expecting that if we behave, we will be rewarded; that for living quietly and industriously , for donating to Easter Seals and letting people merge in front of us on the highway, we will be given good things, good lives. And then something happens to us; we get that phone call or that feeling or that doctor's report, and everything changes."


I highly recommend this purchase.



*peace

The Switch

Last night some dear friends of mine accompanied me to the 5 star establishment known as Georgia Square Value Cinema 5. And by value they mean, you only paid $2 so we haven't mopped the floor since 1996. So after purchasing our tickets, evading th e creepy man buying M&Ms, and finding our way through the endless rows of seats (NOT!) we sat down to one of my favorite parts of going to the theater-- PREVIEWS! But this blog is not about how much I love previews, its about what we saw!

We saw the not so new movie with Jason Bateman and Jennifer Anniston: "The Switch." Quick plot recap (as explained to creepy M&M man): Jason and Jenn are BFF. Jenn decides she wants to enter the world of motherhood via sperm donation. Jason gets drunk and ends up "high-jacking her pregnancy" with his own "donation." The product is the cutest child possible, Sebastian. Hes a neurotic, paranoid, hypochondriac. The film consists of constant comedic situations and a heart warming ending! This is definitely a go-see! Or, if you aren't lucky enough to have your own Value Cinema... a go-rent!

"Life is in session!" - Jenn


"Did you just use my name as a verb?" --Jason

"I'm going to take the dead lice to watch TV!" -- Sebastian

"I've had my battles with hypochondria."

"What's that?"
"Its when you think you have diseases you don't really have."
"Oh my God, I have that!"




you really should see it

*peace

Application Fever

I have dipped my toe in the rivers of job searching. As of now, October the 18th in the year of our Lord 2010 at 9:46 PM I have applied for four jobs. Ones for which I can not even begin to start until May the 14th in the year of our Lord 2011. This. Is. Insane. I can not believe that I am about to graduate from college. I will have a degree. I will have a regular salary, well hopefully! I will pay taxes. I do not even know what to do with myself, but earnestly seek God's plan and hope that eventually an employer contacts me back.

I am entering a new stage in my life. It is exhilarating. Yet it is also scary. I am currently praying for clarity on this matter. Its so exciting to see all the possibilities. Each job description I read causes me to imagine the new life that would come with it. Where I would have to move, the people I would get to meet and build relationships. This I believe is a refreshing view on the future that I am relieved to finally be feeling.

* peace

Future Fears

I'll begin this with a confession. I am a motor mouth. I have a PhD in chatting. Small talk. Serious talk. You name it, I excel at it. But as many gifts, it comes with great responsibility. You see as being a bigger talker, I am also required (and enjoy) to be a listener. I love to hear about my loved ones' joys, burdens, and everything in between.

With that said, I have noticed there is a growing pandemic among my friend base. That is the fear of what is to come. You see at the age in life where I am about to make my debut in the REAL WORLD. No, not the trashy - yet addicting reality T.V. show. But THE real world. Full of things like insurance, a 9-5 job, bills (that aren't relayed to me by my roommates via Post-It Note), and budgets. As I and my friends near our great debut, I am discovering that everyone is terrified. As amazing as it feels to be graduating from college - its equally if not more terrifying.

After hearing that this was not only a fear of mine, but common amongst my gal pals as well. Most are finding ourselves lacking clarity as to what we should do after graduation day and even more what we should do with our lives. Although we try to balance this fear with silly but mostly whimsical business ideas. We are at a loss for words, or actions really.

So with the knowledge of this plague, I was talking to a very wise friend this morning. I was relaying to him of my worry of just not having anything to do. Or that I will make a mistake and wind up in a place where God has not planned for me to be. Thus rendering me "out of God's will" and completely useless. Where all my efforts would be in vain and all for not.

Then he spoke great truth into my life: God will be in the situation I am in. Just as He is present where I am now. That He can and even more promising WILL use me in any situation I find myself. This does not mean we should not pray for the Lord's guidance and seek His desires for what He has for me. But that I can make no mistake in which ever path my life takes -- as long as I am serving in that situation.

Now, this is something I of course knew but had completely lost sight of. In the words of another very wise man "Where ever you are, thats where you are." Whats important is that you are serving where you are. In whatever way you can.

So people of my generation, fearing your futures, take heart. God is steadfast in His love for us. He will never leave or forsake us. And He has designed a life of purpose and greatness for us.
Please be encouraged in that.

*peace