40 bags in 40 days

So I use to participate in lent, even though I wasn't Catholic. I don't feel like you have to be Catholic to do so.. it's a form of discipline and obedience... Anyone can do it. However, I never did it for the right reasons. I think it was just for the sake of giving something up to see if I can do it. It's been a few years since I have done it though.. Well, I realized I haven't been on my blog or kept up to date with anyone's or browsed or what have you, but I did so today. I love going to my friend Ashley's blog because she always finds the best blogs. After I caught up with her, I browsed through them and stumbled upon this which after following through all the blogs, led to where it started. Here's the gist:

1. There are 40 days in the "season" of Lent from Ash Wednesday to Easter (I know, I'm a week behind). So you make a list of 40 areas in your life/home that you want to go through/simplify/purge.

2. Each item on the list counts for a day. You go through that item on that day and figure out what you want to get rid of or donate.

3. The point: you're making more room in your house and getting rid of all the junk and frustrations that come from it. This includes all sorts of areas.. closets, rooms, drawers, wallet, purse, car, desk..etc.

Reading this lady's blog, just made me think: What's the point of "giving up something" like a food or whatever for lent? I need to be doing something.. so like she also said in her post, I'm going to "clear the house and make room for God." I need to be remembering what the whole purpose of Lent is and that sacrifice that was made.

In this "remembrance" is also a celebration.. And I want to be celebrating my life, the good and the bad. So I am also going to make a list each day of the things I'm thankful for and why. I'm not going to commit to blogging about it because.. well... look at the 30 Day photo thing and see how that turned out! (I'll finish it eventually..) My mood and attitude wasn't in the right place at the time and that was the last thing I wanted to do.

So yeah.. there ya have it. I just need to get on the ball with this now because I'm already a week late!

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." -william morris.

(taken from another blog)

hiatus.

the photo a day game thing is on hiatus. If TV shows can do it, why can't I?

Posting every day just gets old.

10.

Any Photo You Like for Any Reason

Look at it! ..what's not to like? It's just a fun picture and probably my favorite of me and Anna!

Day Nine

A Photo of Yourself when You were a Baby

Don't have many of these on hand, but I have this one! :]


Don't really have much to say today though.. The picture is all I got for Thursday.

One Week Straight!

First off, can we just take the time right now to see that I have blogged for ONE WEEK STRAIGHT! heck yeah.

Okay.. Day Eight: A Photo of Something You Enjoy Doing

This was easy.. I went to THREE in the past FIVE days!

SHOWS. CONCERTS. Whatever you want to call them.. Here are a few recent ones and a few of my all time favorites.


Last night was The Civil Wars. AMAZING show. We went an HOUR early and they were already sold out. We were second in line and had high hopes of getting in. It was getting close to us waiting for an hour and a half when some entertainment came around (long story) and I was about ready to call it quits. The people in front of us were let in so it was looking pretty good.. we were the first ones and I wasn't ready to leave after that. Some jerk of a cop pulled up and said we all (the entire line of people waiting) had to either leave or step against the wall because we were blocking the sidewalk. Some guy started mouthing off and the cop got out and said because of him, everyone had to go. Well, since Eric and I were at the front of the line and the mouthy guy was a few behind, the cop was behind us. Eric wasn't budging, except to go closer into the doorway to hide. The guy at the door kind of rolled his eyes at the cop and said, Come on.. ten bucks.. and HE LET US IN! They were way over capacity and it was crowded but we got in and enjoyed every single minute of it. All I had to say to Eric was, "you're welcome" (for introducing him to such great music).

Last Friday was Erick Baker and Andrew Ripp. I hadn't seen Erick Baker before, but I am definitely a fan now. Bought his cds the next day.

Now for my TOP Favorite Concerts. Here are at least the top six, in no particular order.

Ten Out of Tenn Tour. Dec 2008.
Obviously, we didn't perform. I don't have any other pictures of this concert except this one (which is my favorite of us!). We had heard Andy Davis was playing on this "Ten out of Tenn" tour. Hadn't heard of it, but it was ten artists from Tennessee touring together. Oh.My.Goodness. It was a Christmas tour, but it by far deserved to be at least on the TOP FIVE best concerts. I think this is when my love for independent artists started.

David Cook (with NeedtoBreathe) July 2009.
I go to a LOT of concerts and I have never been "star struck" before. When David Cook walked out on stage, I about had a freak-out. Oooh goodness. Look at him? Need I say more? And that voice! Whew!

Dave Barnes. Sundown in the City. July 2009
I have been to my fair share of Dave concerts (believe me.. the number is ridiculous). But this was BY FAR my favorite show. During the set it started raining.. and not just sprinkling raining.. but POURING BUCKETS OF WATER raining. So there we stood, singing my favorite song Until You, and dancing in the rain with Dave. AND that night his status said that it was definitely in his TOP FIVE concert moments. I'd say so. SIMPLY AWESOME.

Ten Out of Tenn: Tour 2. September 2009.
Ten out of Tenn had another tour (nonChristmas) with a round of new artists plus a few originals. It was GREAT.

Kelly Freaking Clarkson. October 2009
Best birthday present EVER. Rilee and I celebrated our birthdays seeing Kelly Clarkson. I may have been a little star-struck here too. She came out and I was just an awe of her AMAZING and BIG voice. I've been a fan since her audition on American Idol ten years ago. I'm pretty sure that won't change.

The Civil Wars. January 2010
This wasn't the first time I saw Joy Williams, but this was the first time I saw her with John Pail White as The Civil Wars. They have SUCH great chemistry up there together when they sing! Their voices blend SO incredibly well... I could listen to them for days. In fact, recently, I have. They had their first TV debut recently on Leno.. I don't think they realized how big their fan base would grow after that. I went to a SOLD OUT concert of them last night! I mean.. come on! I love them, they're a favorite, but that would not have happened before that. I hope their future "stardom" doesn't effect who they are. They are good people with an amazing thing they have going.

yeah... going to concerts is definitely something I enjoy doing. Could you tell?

A photo of Something you Stand for (Day seven)

Not that I needed any reminders of how against abortion I am, but I was recently reminded how.. I don't really know how to word it.. I guess ANGRY I get when the subject of abortion comes up. People are always so worried about the rights they have and the rights of others, yet when it comes to a child in the womb, they have no rights except on what the mother wants to do. If you aren't responsible enough to take control of the consequences you got yourself into, then don't make those decisions or put yourself in situations where you're going to have to choose. If you choose YOUR life over YOUR unborn child's life, then no, you're definitely not ready to become a parent, but there are THOUSANDS of people out there that are ready and yet aren't able to and are WAITING for a that child to come into their lives. I am reminded of that frequently with families I know who have adopted or families I know that are waiting for their precious children, whether it be that they're already born and on the other side of the world or in the states waiting for their child to be born because something awful happened to a young girl but she chooses her child's life and a better life than what she can provide. Oooh I just get so mad thinking about it all and so sick to my stomach knowing that this happens every second and that it is somehow okay for it to continue.

That's really all I have to say. You can share your opinions with me if you please, however, my thoughts won't change. This is one thing that I KNOW I will always stand for.

Someone(s) you Love: Day six

Well.. I was thinking about which direction I wanted to go with this photo because there are many someones whom I love dearly. So let's discuss the runners up:


This girl holds quite the special place in my heart. My cousin, Skyler Anne, is most definitely a someone I love and adore for many different reasons. Even though I wasn't there and didn't meet her until she was a few weeks old, that day she was born I have felt attached. I'm her "nina!"

The Ryan boys.. another two that mean so much to me. Parker stole my heart that day he was born.. I cannot believe he'll be 8 next month. That's just not right. And then there's Ben who came along a few years after and you just can't not love him. He's something else. I wish these boys (and parents and Olivia!) weren't so far away.


However, here's the someone(s) I chose for this "special place" on the blog/photo game...
Drum roll please...


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My students.

These kids.. each and every single one of them.. I love so dearly. They're my FIRST class! No one will ever be able to take that place. I love each of their personalities.. whether their personalities consist of creativeness, wild, crazy, helpful, imaginative, humorous, confused, shy, compassion, thoughtfulness, innocence, stubbornness, dramatic... They will always be my first class and I will always remember them and their crazy, sweet, selves.

Day Five: A Photo that Makes you Laugh

Hahaha, this picture just makes me laugh every time I see it. This was a picture I stole from Dave Barnes that he put together. On the picture to the right, that's my head poking out behind him, looking like a creeper. Now here's the story behind it: Chad and I drove to Nashville to go to a SOLD OUT show that Dave Barnes was doing. Why? Because Dave Barnes is my favorite, Chad is my best friend, and that's just what friends do :) Attempt. (BTW, because of this, I was told that that'd be the "test" for future guys I date.. if they'd drive to Nashville for a concert with me because that's just what they do :] (Chad, I think that's the perfect test. good thinking).) So we drive three hours to Nashville to go to the Writers Round at the Bluebird Cafe where Dave, Steve Moakler, Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and Tim Schurrer were playing. I had called ahead of time and they said even if it's sold out, they'd still let some people in. So we waited in line forever, with no tickets, and finally made it to the front and we were the LAST people they let in! I think they may have ended up making room and letting maybe two more people eventually in.. Anyway. The only seats left were directly behind him. Granted, it was an awesome show, but it still kind of sucked sitting behind him. However, it was also great because I think I may have had to teach the next day and I know we had to quickly leave after the show because Chad was going to have to work at 4am and we needed to get back in time for him to go (I'm telling ya, true friendship right there!), so we were able to stand up and talk to him first before we left.
ahh. Great music. Great friend. Great road trip.

Day 4

Day four: a photo of a place you'd like to visit.

Ireland.. ahhh. This just may be my dream visit. Ever since I saw P.S I Love You I have longed to go. It just looks absolutely gorgeous! One day.. I WILL go! Ohh and meet an Irish man to take back with me. Or just stay there. If it could be Gerard Butler like in that movie, that'd be fine with me too.

If I had to go somewhere in the states.. man.. that list could go on. I thought about posting pictures, but there's too many. NYC... Grand Canyon.. Niagara Falls... San Diego... LA... seeing the Redwoods.. Really, I just want to go to the west coast.

Day 3

Day 3: A Photo that Makes You Happy


This picture is from Best 8 Days from May 2009. It brings an overwhelming sense of peace to me.. I have it in a frame on my wall as well. Maybe it's because of what that week meant to me. Maybe it was the accomplishment of finally reaching the top of the freakin' sand dunes. Maybe it is just the sense of calming that looking out at God's creation gives me. The feeling when you take a deep breathe and just exhale... the, "ahhhh."

That's all I have for this evening. I just got home from an AMAZING concert put on by Knoxville's own Erick Baker with the talented Andrew Ripp opening. I'm pooped and tomorrow holds a day of work and another great show at Patrick Sullivan's of The HotShot Freight Train! Gotta go out and support them.

Have a good night all.

Day 2 / Decisions / Choices / Opportunities

Let's just start with Day 2's photo: A picture of yourself from at least a year ago.



I cannot believe that at this time last year, I was getting ready to go live in Puerto Rico for 8 weeks. It doesn't seem like that long ago. I loved just about every minute of it and would love to go vacation there and see people. I couldn't pick just one picture to post though.. actually, I had a hard time only choosing two! I also have a Groupon coupon for a photo book that will expire soon that I plan on using PR photos for. I need to get on that. There's just entirely too many to choose from.

On to another subject. Decisions. Choices.

Bottom line: MAKING THEM SUCKS.

Yes, it's a part of life.. but sometimes it sucks to have to make them. However, there's always some validity for the ones you make whether it be right and wrong, a belief, something that if you continue will change who you are (for good or for bad), etc. For instance, I had to make one tonight that I was getting so anxious about (I mean, sick to my stomach, red face and hives anxious) but I had the reason behind the decision and it ended up turning out from what I believe to be a pretty good resolution and the future for it will be for the best and could be exciting.

Another choice I made today was to do something about what I may want to do with my life. In the last post I said I had some ideas, but that was it. After the post I was out with some friends and I was telling them about it and one said, "So, what are you going to do about this new passion? It sounds like it could become a passion of yours. What are you going to do about it? If you don't do something, you'll never know and you'll always be wondering." Well, today I did something about it. I've been looking into the area of becoming a Child Life Specialist. I looked at it before but the process is kind of rough. $400 exam. 480 Clinical hours. My first thought was, When in the world will I have time to do this? And I kind of just blew it off. I also wasn't going to take a $400 exam without knowing that's what I want to do with my life. But then when I was asked that last night, i thought I'd look into it again. I saw that they had a Summer Internship you could do and I looked at the application and I missed the deadline. It was January 5. So I called my mom, disappointed, to tell her about it and we started talking about the opportunities at other hospitals.. even if that meant I moved home for the Summer and just moved back to Knoxville in the fall [talk about saving money!]. I made some phone calls, emailed a few people, looked at other hospitals and these were my answers:

• more deadlines of January 5
• All filled up
• Only for students
• No Summer Internships (only Fall/Spring)

BUMMER. I'm glad I looked into it and found some answers.. but I'm really disappointed that I can't do that this summer. I emailed someone else as well asking if there's something in that field that doesn't involve the CLS certification.. however, I haven't heard back from them. May make some phone calls tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong.. I love my ECLC kids, I just know it's not something I am going to be doing the rest of my life and I feel like this could be that something for whenever that may begin.

Here's to future choices/decisions, future opportunities, and maybe a Summer 2012 Internship.

30 days

So I saw this done on Facebook by a lot of my friends and I thought, Well, maybe if I do it on my blog, that will help me keep it up to date more.. because we all know I'm not the best at that.. so why not! This is the 30 Day Photo Game. Every day will be a different photo, hopefully followed by a short blog to follow after.

Day 1: Photo of Yourself



Taken approximately 5 minutes ago, just for you. Not the best, but the most current :]

I figured with each photo, I'd explain reasons, stories, etc.. Um.. but for this one, it's me.. so there really isn't a better reason! So I'll just share some things about me that you may or may not know.

Let's see..

• I started Weightwatchers about a month ago. I've lost 7lbs! I'm kind of at that rut though and need to find motivation again. I'm kind of over it, but it's obviously working, so I need to continue. I can tell a difference with some things I wear.. I just need to keep my chin up about it.
• I'm kind of over this whole "adult" thing.. and yet, I have the rest of my life to look forward to it.
  
• I have a problem with worry, but I've been working on it.
• I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I "grow up."
• Sometimes I dream about moving across the country and starting something new with my life.
• I have an addiction with buying: movies, music, shoes, bags, and books.
• With buying books, I have a problem with reading a few chapters and putting it on the shelf.
• I don't get embarrassed easily, although I use to because I was pretty shy (hard to believe, I know).
• I absolutely love my small group girls and some days don't know what I'd do without their friendships, support, prayers, and love.
• I love this new relationship that's formed with my sister :]
• I wear my heart on my sleeve.
• I hate being vulnerable but can't help it sometimes.
• I love looking through these creative/inspiring blogs people have and get a little jealous with their craftiness.
• I have these ideas for what I want to do with my life, but change kind of scares me.
  

and that's me, currently.

i hate this world.

I hate this world we live in consumed up of all of our time and stress and worries that don't even matter in the long run.

After talking to my mom yesterday, I just felt like my relationship with God has just been staggering. It's like it was put on hold so I can deal with everything else going on in my life (there's been a lot these past four months! Sorry I suck at blogging). Obviously, that needs to change. I don't like it one bit. Sometimes I feel like I don't even know who I really am.. like what defines ME. What happened?

My mom told me she was reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan for a Bible Study at church. I decided I would pick it up again and start reading (for those that don't know me, I read a chapter or two of a book and never pick it up again.. usually). I heard how powerful and "slap you in the face" type of book it was, so I thought, "Well.. I need to do something.. so I'm going to start and end my day reading this and talking to God and go from there." What else can I do?

Last night at small group, my prayer request was for all this stress and worry I have in my life over EVERYTHING. The thought of literally everything that is going on in my life is stressing me out.. my job, house, relationships, money, loans.. etc. Well... whaddya know that the first thing I read about this morning and start my day off with is none other but 'stress' and 'worry.' Let me share..

"Do not be anxious in anything." Phil 4:4
"When I am consumed by my problems- stressed out about my life, my family, my job- I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a "right" to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control. ....Why are we so quick to forget God?"

Hm.. What is God trying to tell me here? I wonder..
Maybe my life is the way that it is because I forget to lay my worries down where they should be and give them up to Him. Just maybe..

That was my reading this morning. Tonight I read a portion entitled, "Thank God We Are Weak." HA. Here's what that said..

"..acknowledge our lack of control and reach out for God's help. If life were stable, I'd never need God's help. Since it's not, I reach out for Him regularly. I am thankful for the unknowns and that I don't have control, because it makes me run to God."

After I read that, all I could think of is, "Am I??" Really.. am I really thankful for the unknowns that I don't have control over?? hahaha. NO. I am not. Again, I was talking to my mom about that tonight.. about control and having control.. and giving up control.. and look what I read tonight.

The rest of the chapter went on about being ready for God and living a life that shows that. Yes, we all know how short and how precious life is.. but what are we doing about that? Anything? He wrote, "We have to believe it enough that it changes how we live."

I think I need to start believing that more and make some changes. That scares me like no other.. but I know where to go with my worries.



I'm going to try to keep up with this more. Maybe use it as a way to share what I'm reading... I don't know. (But Rilee, I will TRY to stay on top of it more!)