For the Love...

...of quality time with friends: I spent some time with my friend Morgan yesterday night. The evening plans: go tanning...yes I went in a cancer booth. But for only five minutes and I didn't get burned anywhere, thank the good Lord. Then she re-colored my hair, my roots were really showing. What's nice about coloring my hair is that it is subtle and it's really noticable under bright in-door light or the suns rays bounce off of it. Then we went to one of my favorite eateries: the A-bizzle fo'shizzle is my affectionate namesake but most people know it as Applebee's. I then came back home to the apartment and enjoyed some quietness. Both the roommates came back and were hanging around when our friend Karen stopped by. We talked about how we all use facebook too much...it's so addicting! Another for the love this week was that I heard from one of my closest friends. The cheesy grin was on my face the entire time I talked with her!

For the love of homework and tests. I had two tests this week: Philosophy and Western Classics II. My two gen ed's this semester. I also had a lit review due in my LPA (Learn Performance Assessment) Class. I got what I term as an unusual comment this week as well. I had to have a conference with one of my profs about a part of my lesson that I had to teach to a group of my classmates. It was a bit bizzare being up there pretending they were 9th graders and that I was in an actual classroom. But apparently I did really well teaching. I personally thought it could have been better...I had to watch a tape of myself. It's just weird watching yourself on tape. I speak with a lot of hand gestures which I never really noticed before. But apparently, I'm a natural in front of people...quite exciting considering that I will be spending my life speaking in front of people!

For the love of having to grow up earlier than I'd like to. I'm learning the ropes of financial aid and reading invoices. It's been quite the trip and I'm learning to have more patience with the fin aid and student accounts people. And I'm incredibly grateful for those who have patiently dealt with me and encouraged me along they way.

For the love of godsends. I have been incredibly blessed this semester. One person in particular is one of those people that tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear it. I must say I have a lot of respect for those kind of people. Because to me it shows my that they really care about you when they tell you the truth. Not that there is anything wrong with those of us who struggle with being that up front and honest. I have huge respect for the realness factor.

For the love of tuna. I have been on a tuna kick lately. That white Albacore stuff mixed with some Helmann's, put on wheat bread, with some provalone cheese, toasted in our incredible toaster oven, with a touch of oregano...makes for a fantastic lunch!

For of the love of Gilmore Girls. Only one of the best shows. Ever. I have been avidly watching the sixth season (on DVD) like I'm trying to drop a bad habit or eat only one pringle. I can't just watch one episode.

Question of the day: Do you prefer to underline or highlight important things when reading?

Me: I used to be a highlighter user and have now been converted over to underlining. However, the urge to highlight occationally overcomes me :)

When the Toast is Burning...

...the milk is turning and Captain Crunch is waving farewell...

Yes, kids they don't serve breakfast in hell in case you were wondering. And above you are seeing what I ate for breakfast on Saturday. I realize my breakfast resembles something a rabbit or rodent would eat. But no it is actual food that is safe for human beings to consume.

Anyway...I've had an interesting couple of weekends. I've been spending pretty much all of my weekends watching movies thus far in the semester. So far I've seen Little Miss Sunshine, Invinceable, and this weekend was The Illusionist. I'm the cornball who gets so into the story I'm sitting on the edge of my seat and making little gasping, awwing, and oh no sounds. I highly recommend the The Illusionist by the way. But movies is not what has made the past few weekends interesting. It was been really different this year. Two people that I love and know my quite well are no longer here in the Asbury World...or anywhere near it for that fact. Trust me, I am so excited for what God is doing in their lives and how they're following his plan for each of their lives. But I miss them so much...they were close friends. I could share things with them that I'm not comfortable sharing with others...there was this bond that just seemed to click with these two incredible women of God. So I'm in this mourning stage b/c I'm here and they're not. I know they're not dead but it's a different type of friendship now...and I'm curious if distance and these friendships can work. I miss being able to freely tell each of them what God has been speaking into my life and the direction I'm feeling more clearly led too.

Fall Revival was this week at school. Our guest speaker was Dr. Charles Lake and he shared a lot of good stuff. I'm still processing but one night he talked about marriage. I have a tendency to be turned off by that topic but this time I was tuned in to what he had to say. For those of you that know me well, you know that my dream man is hispanic, minus the mullet, who is deeply in love with God, and romantically speaks to me in Spanish. If that isn't possible the close second dream/pretty man is a Johnny Depp look-a-like. :) Anyway...back to marriage. The main topic was about not being un-equally yoked in your relationships...as in don't marry an unbeliever. Dr. Lake told a story about a girl in a church that he pastored. The girl was a wonderful person yet...Mr. Right wasn't coming around. She was distressed and talked to the good doctor about her problem. He asked her to consider saying this prayer which I've decided to say myself:

God, if I am to be married, bring a godly man into my life. If I am not to be married, I will still honor and obey you. While I am waiting though, please transform me into the godly woman you created me to be.

PS. I'm disappointed by the lack of response to the question of the day on the last post...I thought that was a great question

Question of the day: What is your favorite movie and why?

Me: It's always hard for me to pinpoint a favorite. I like a lot of movies for different reasons. I'll have to say Braveheart. William Wallace was a great example of following through with what you believe in no matter the cost. Plus Willy gets cool points for the awesome face paint he sports. ;)

Ready, Aim, Battle?

Check out the phenominal length of this guy's ear hair! Gross I know...but I love the look on his face.

Well, it was an interesting weekend. On Friday I skipped both of my classes...not good, yeah I know. But it was so worth it! I had an amazing conversation with one of my friends Mary. We had a lot of catching up to do. I ran some errands and had a low-key night. I had to wake up early on Saturday to attend a Black Achievers program for my Practicum for one of my education classes. I didn't end up doing too much and was a little dissapointed by that. Afterwards, my friend Morgan and I went shopping at the only mall in Lexington. The mall has improved since I've been here in Kentucky...but it's not all that and chocolate shake. Anyway...I saved a little over $50 at Lane Bryant...I was a happy camper! And I scored a cute new pair of shoes.

Sunday was church. The service had a deffinate battle theme to it. The interesting part being that I am currently reading the updated Aggressive Christianity by Catherine Booth/Cory Harrison. I think I've heard him speak before. Anyway, it's been a slow read b/c I'm supposed to be reading all these other books for class. I've liked the little that I've read so far. Catherine talks about the real battle out there with Satan. She says, "I believe that his strategy has awalys been, and continues to be, to DECEIVE GOD'S OWN PEOPLE. He is always giveing a counterfeit of God's real thing, and the more he can get his thing to look like God's thing the better." She goes on to talk about two ways Satan has succeeded in this:

1.) In regards to the standards of their own relationship with Jesus.

The "it's all about me" religion is quite prevalent.

2.) In regards to their responsibility to the world.

Catherine gave me something to toss around and think about this weekend.

I've also been reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. The devotions over the weekend have been very fitting too.

I'm not sure what this theme this weekend has to do with me specifically. I have a notion that my vocation is involved in this. Or maybe God is trying to get something completely different across to me. Time will tell!

Question of the day: What's something you've always wanted to try/do but never have?

Me: For me it's the fact that I've always wanted to go Sky Diving. One day I hope to get the chance to do it!

My Utmost

Going to school is beginning to feel normal to me again. My schedule isn't too crazy this year but it will get a little tight once my practicum starts. I've had a couple chances to talk about India and have throughly enjoyed those moments. I'm excited that there are people who want to see pictures and hear about my experience. This week I got to talk to three different women about my trip. Each experience was different. And each was a blessing. I spoke to an amazing woman that has seen me grow over my time at Asbury. This woman is so busy so, when I get a chance to meet with her, I consider it an honor because I'm worth that little bit of time in her day.

Interestingly enough, my apartmentmates and I are reading the same devo book: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. We didn't plan on all reading it. It just happened. Also my "little" sis is reading the book too!

My one complaint in life is that I had to buy polo shirts to work in the cafeteria. This is my fourth year working there and the first tim they've made us buy shirts. I shouldn't complain b/c I get paid $6.75 an hour to work there. I guess my problem is that only one of my shifts is where people would actually see me and pay attention to what I'm wearing. The others are either between meals or take place in the actual kitchen.

Yesterday night, roommate, nicole, trantham, and I went out to the movies. Little Miss Sunshine was reccommended so we saw that. It is funny and bizzare. There is a lot of the "f" word but that's the only drawback.

Roommate purchased a blender and I had my first banana milk shake today. Very enjoyable.

Question of the day: What is your favorite drink to make in a blender?

Me: I have to say a berry smoothie is my #1 choice.