holiday weekend

I finally got to Madison yesterday, and Travis and I are spending a lazy day around the house until we go to a friend's wedding tonight in Jackson.

There isn't much to tell, but that is a good thing. It's nice to spend a few days relaxing. So for all of you spending the holiday weekend in Nashville for the bowl game, have fun and be safe. We will be watching the game tonight during the reception.

Happy Maroon Friday!

Catching Up

Finally  home for a few days and let me tell you, it feels wonderful.

   Travis and I have been busy doing nothing, and it's a welcome change from the hectic nature of the semester. Yesterday, we made the trek back to Ripley for my dentist appointment and a lunch date with my grandmother and aunt. Then we came back for a little afternoon ice-skating adventure. And while neither of us are pros, we didn't fall down this year! After last year's escapade I had bruises on my knees and ankles for weeks.

How about an image to capture our skill:

(yeah right)

   Last night was a special treat- Girls' Christmas! Somehow we have managed to get together at Christmas every year since before I can even remember. I look forward to it every year, as it is probably the only time all eight of us can manage to be in the same state, town, room at the same time. It has been especially difficult the past few years since we have all been in college, and we have discovered it will not be getting easier. This year, two of us had to miss out. Caley is married and living in a different state, and Tiffany is in London. Not an easy trip home! We even made a special effort to Skype Tiffany during our meal, but somehow couldn't get through. But in some small way, she was there with us. I so enjoy the time we get to spend reminiscing and catching up. And I hope we are able to do this for many more years.

Here's a few pictures of us over the years. I love these girls so very much. 

2011

2010

2009

2008

2005

2001

200?

1998

Prom 2007

Sara's Bachelorette 2011

...

Reunited

Travis is coming today! yayy!!
   In fact, he's on his way now. I can't describe how happy I am to see him- I have butterflies! Eight days is just too long to be apart, and it was made worse by the fact that life was so quiet and still in Starkville. If Lara Beth and Rae hadn't been here I don't know what I would've done. Gotta have some human contact!
   We will be headed to Tupelo today, and I'm looking forward to a few days at home with all of the people I love. Three short hours from now this tightness in my chest will disappear.
   Reunited and it feels so good! (or, it will).

Called

    Just thought I would share a little mini-lesson today. Lately, I've noticed a lot of people posting scripture on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. This could be a great thing, except that sometimes I suspect that some people post things so that they will be viewed in a certain way, or to declare their own self-righteousness.  

    I am reminded that no matter what we may try to make others believe, our righteousness is nothing. We could say "look at me" and work forever but we would never become righteous. However, as Christians, we are righteous in God's sight, because we have been saved and washed by his blood. We are made acceptable only through what Christ has done for us, not by anything that we do.

   We must walk in the salvation we have received from God. In  the book of Titus, Paul is writing to Titus to keep reminding his people to be working until Christ returns. And this means really working, not sitting online trying to make it look like we are. We aren't saved so that we can sit back and relax until we are called to Heaven. We are renewed with a heart of Christ so that we may expand His Kingdom.

Titus 3:1-11

 ¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

 ³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
 ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

...

Famous

   Ok so no one is really famous, but my picture was published.
   Thanks to our friend Madeline, who was working for a local magazine Travis and I, along with several friends, appeared in a picture article about Bulldog Bash.
   For those who don't know, Bulldog Bash is Mississippi's largest free outdoor concert, put on every year by MSU's student association. This year's headliner was The Avent Brothers. If you don't know who they are, look them up!
   We were at Travis's apartment before the concert and Madeline snapped a few shots of the fun. The magazine came out today and my mom showed me the picture. Just thought it was a fun surprise.
   No autographs please...

...

more to love

   I think this may be why people gain weight during the holidays-it isn't just because there is more food, but because there is more time. With no homework to do or errands to run to keep me busy, I can get pretty bored. Plus, there are only so many TV shows worth watching and I refuse to watch E! (I can't stomach it). Sp tonight I have a date with Modern Family, Psych, and my book. Hopefully I will be able to refrain from multiple trips to the kitchen for my mom's apple nut bread. If not, there may be more of me to love when Travis comes back.

Miss you

I miss Travis.

   Not in the "oh I wish I could see him" sort of way, but the "what am I supposed to do without him" way. Yesterday, when he left to go home for the week, I literally wandered around my apartment for about ten minutes not knowing what to do. Then I spent the next couple of hours on the couch in a catatonic state until I finally decided to get up and get some food.

   After a long shower and an episode of Fear Factor, I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. At 9:30. I wasn't just bored, I was lonely. And there is such a difference between the two! It isn't that Travis and I usually do exciting things- we don't- but curling up on the couch just isn't the same when you're alone. There were no conversations, no jokes, no smiles or hugs. It was just me and my blanket. I finally found a book and spent an hour or so reading before I went to sleep. That's the only thing that saved me from the silence inside my head.

   Just to be clear, I am not throwing myself a pity party. I am not one of those girls that can't be alone or that has no sense of independence. I am just so spoiled with his company. In a day or so I will find productive things to pass the time- my closet needs cleaning out and my bookshelf needs sorting- but right now it's weird.

   I never stay here alone. If he goes home, I either go with him or go home myself. It's a strange feeling knowing he isn't next door. And the whole thing is made worse by the fact that almost everyone else I know has gone home for the break, too.

   So, needless to say, I will be very glad to see him next Tuesday when we go to Tupelo for Christmas. I am counting down the hours.

Take care

via The Freedom Experience 

55 gentle ways to take care of yourself when you’re busy busy busy

We all have times in our lives when we just have too much stuff going on, right? If so, this is my gift for you. Enjoy!

feinbloom

   Travis and I are going home today as soon as I get off work. It's my mom's birthday!
But before we can celebrate, I have an eye appointment. Every time I go it makes me think of my sister. Not only because she worked with my optometrist, but she will be graduating optometry school soon. Aahh!! Exciting for her, and exciting for me in lieu of possibly free exams. OR maybe she'll help me out with lasik eye surgery. No, I cannot see the big E.

   So that's what I'll be doing today, plus a little shopping if Travis doesn't mind tagging along. I know I lead such an eventful life, hold in your excitement, please.

Just sip..

   I like to sip my coffee. Slowly. If I drink it too fast I get a caffeine rush and start typing 300 words per minute consisting of mostly mistakes. Trouble is, drinking it at my desired pace results in half a cup of too-cold-to-drink coffee that requires a trip back to the kitchen. Quite the conundrum. If I want to enjoy my coffee, I sip it slowly. But if I want to drink it at all, I must drink quickly. Sacrifices must be made.

   I may be reaching a bit far, but this sort of reminds me of how most of us live. We would rather things run slowly and smoothly, but in order to meet expectations we must rush this way and that. To be alive is to be busy. It can be so hard to find a balance.

   Such a hurried pace can be tiring and even discouraging. Just the simple day-to-day tasks can be overwhelming. But contrary to what our culture may believe, busyness is not a virtue, nor does it have a direct relationship with our own importance. Instead, I believe God calls us to rest. In Genesis, God rested at the end of each day and looked back at what He had created and decided it was good, very good. I think this was a foundation, an establishment of the rhythm we should follow. In fact, He calls us to rest on the Sabbath. It is a commandment!! He must think it is important.

    God does not only call us to rest in the physical sense, but to rest in Him. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2-3). Our salvation is being at rest with God. It is a peace that cannot be fully understood- a feeling of total contentment. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

    Many of the expectations we so hurriedly aim to meet are not those set by the world, but by ourselves. Instead, I challenge you to find an opportunity to be still, to do nothing and rest. Do not be a product of this world that survives on the second-hand of a clock. Take time out of your hectic day to simply be at peace with God.

I want one

   I want a puppy. I don't care what it is. It could be a purebred show dog or a rescue from the humane society. I just want someone to show up on my doorstep with a fuzzy bundle of cuteness and say here, your apartment allows dogs now and you have time to raise one.
   Somehow I don't believe this is going to happen. I won't be able to have one until I leave my current apartment, and even then, who's to say my new place will be pet friendly? I suppose I will have to wait for a while. In the mean time I will be satisfied with seeing Travis come to the door when I get home at lunch- he is pretty cute after all (no tail wagging, though).
   Every time I go home I love seeing my dog and I wish I could see him everyday.  There's really nothing like it. So I will gawk at pictures I find on pinterest and aplacetolovedogs.

See???? Don't you want one?

FINALS

   Welcome to the dreaded week of final exams! Luckily I only have one this semester, but I feel for all of you slaving over mounds of papers trying to figure out how to study for five at once. I've been there many times. Don't get too overwhelmed, because at the end of the week it will be over! And you can handle anything for a week. So even if you spend a couple of sleepless nights hunched over a book, you will soon be able to rest. Take a few deep breaths and do your best. If you've made it to the end of the semester, you can make it through one more exam.
   Good Luck!

   

one of those days

   This is so me today. This morning when I got up to turn off my alarm I banged my knee (hard) on the corner of the desk while trying to climb back in bed. Now I have a nice knot to show for it.
   Then I got to the office and apparently some time-sensitive paperwork didn't make it out of the office with a signature a couple of days ago so now someone isn't getting paid on time. I mean we only have a few files a day this time of year, how did this happen?
   Last night Travis and I ate Mexican and I didn't have time to shower this morning so I'm trying to decide If I'm exuding the smell of chips or if I just keep getting a whiff of my hair. Either way it smells oh so lovely with the perfume and hairspray I used to try to mask the smell.
   And I would be exclaiming how glad I am that it's Friday if it weren't for the fact that I have a long day of class tomorrow.
   It's just one of those days. 

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

boo school

Oh my how I have been so hard at work! I have so much to do I just can't keep up with it all. I am so stressed out.

NOT.

As much as I would like to say I've been working hard and getting stuff done, this more closely describes how I've been spending my time:

 

   But that's okay, considering I really don't have much to do. I have class Saturday and am finishing up my exam for that, but next week all I have is a regular class on Monday night and a precal exam on Wednesday. That's it. Possibly the easiest exam week of my entire college career. Hallelujah for the College of Education. This is one time when I don't miss McCool.

   Travis, on the other hand, has basically been indisposed for two weeks now. He's been working on several group projects, for which he has been doing most of the work himself. And as much as I'd love to help him run regressions, calculate correlation coefficients, and find intrinsic values, my brain has conveniently blocked that out. So really all I'm good for is bringing him lunch when he is stuck at the library.

   I am looking forward to next week when all of this is over and we can hang out with our TV shows and brownies. This whole "schoolwork" thing is cutting into our vegging out time. Eloquently speaking, boo school.

growing up is an option...

   At this very moment, I have 8 friends who are engaged (if I counted correctly). Either the love bug has gone epidemic, or I am finally at that age where everyone I know starts getting married. I think the latter is true.
   This past summer, the first two of my high school friends tied the knot. It seemed surreal sitting in the audience as they vowed their lives to their husbands. I felt like I should instead be watching them receive pins at Honors Day and walk back to sit by their parents.But that didn't happen. They kissed, went off on honeymoons, and now they are married. They have left their parents and have become their own families. We really have grown up.
   It may seem as if I talk about growing up too frequently, but at this point in my life, it is a shocking realization that I am not growing up anymore, I'm grown. From here on out it will just be growing older. When I was little,  I was saddened to think that I might actually grow up, and I wanted no part of it. I wanted to keep getting mounds of presents from Santa- not just pieces of jewelry in a tiny box and some clothes. Boring! After all, it was all about quantity, not quality. I wanted to continue to go to school and see my friends everyday, go to sleepovers, dance class, and church choir. Grown-ups don't get to do all those fun things. And I vowed that if I ever did grow up, I would become a princess and live in my parents' backyard forever.
    I have since neglected some of those dreams and embraced the time that has passed. In fact, I really look forward to doing some of those boring grown-up things now. I am, however, very aware of the reality that I am living through the end of an era. Things are changing, drastically. This may be the first Christmas where my 7 best friends and I don't have our annual Christmas get-together like we have since elementary school- at least not all of us. This part of growing up is a little sad. Our old lives don't fit us anymore, and we are trying on new ones.
   BUT I will focus on the positive, happy parts of getting older. There are so many! After all, just because things aren't the same, doesn't mean they won't be wonderful. Plus, it's kind of nice not knowing what's next. I am really looking forward to figuring it all out. I know God has a plan and I am just waiting for it to unfold.
   And as far as the end of this era is concerned, growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is an option.

safe

icanrelate.info

It really is a great feeling.

last bit

   Today is a curl up and be lazy kind of day. I've got my laptop on my knees and my fuzzy socks on, watching Miss Congeniality, Pretty Woman, and anything else TBS decides I need to watch this afternoon. I've done some preliminary work on my presentation due tomorrow night and might even finish without a rush to the end. I've got plenty on my plate for the week but nothing that can't wait. Right now I'd much rather continue burning my smell of Christmas candle and go reheat some sweet potato casserole or apple nut bread from home.
    I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of the holiday weekend. Back to reality in the morning. But not right now.

golden holiday

   So Thanksgiving was pretty successful, and I enjoyed spending some time with my family. I especially enjoyed seeing my sister. She is in optometry school in Birmingham and I don't get to see her as much as I'd like. 

   Even though I seriously considered it, I decided not to partake in Black Friday shopping. I really would have if I had any clue what I need to buy. It takes me a while to figure out what I'm getting everyone. 

So instead of getting into the mad dash, I got to help put up the Christmas tree. I found a perfect Christmas station on Pandora we brought out the ladder to reach the top. I think it turned out pretty well.

  

   Tomorrow I'll be heading back to Starkville to see the Battle for the Golden Egg (The Egg Bowl). I'm hoping the Bulldogs can pull out a win to send us to a bowl game again [fingers crossed]. Travis and I will have to decide if we want to watch the game online or tough it out in the rainy weather for a few hours. We would watch it on TV if wonderful  Metrocast would carry ESPNU. Either way I'm looking forward to getting back. Only one week left to wrap everything up before exams... then Christmas!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the holiday weekend. Go Dawgs!

stretchy pants

Finally home!! It feels so nice to be sitting on the couch with my dog. Even though I know there is a presentation I should be working on.
   However, I feel like there are more productive things for me to be doing right now. I went to get measured for my bridesmaid dress for Lara Beth's wedding, and let me tell you, I am not happy.

   The top half of my body is one size, and the bottom half is the next size up. This is why I absolutely hate shopping for dresses. I always have to go with the bigger of the two sizes and either get the top taken in or have it fit not quite right. It is frustrating to say the least.
   So unless my rib cage plans to expand anytime soon, I have to do something about the bottom half. As much as I hate leg lifts and lunges, today inspired me to get to it!
   Bring on the stretchy pants!!

They don't have to stay as long.

    Ok so if you know me at all you know I have a soft spot for animals. I can't stand to see sad, lonely, or abandoned animals, and if I could I would take the entire shelter into my apartment. If the remote isn't near me, I will run out of the room during ACPCA commercials- I can't take it. I've even embarrassed myself a few times in the Hollow trying to coax stray cats out of a tree or out from underneath a car. I know, if it weren't for Travis I'd be destined to be a cat lady.
    I found this online and sat blubbering at my desk for a solid five minutes after I read it. I thought I might post it for all the animal lovers out there, especially those who have ever lost a special friend.

And here's a picture of my (funny-looking) 8 and 1/2 yr-old brother whom I love very much and am excited to see later tonight.

Thanksgiving "Break"

   While I'm sure most of you were still asleep, or at least still at your house, I was so excited about fifteen minutes this morning. A few extra minutes I knew I could sleep, a few minutes longer under the hot shower, and the time to drive to campus at a reasonable speed.
  Today begins Thanksgiving Break for students, and just as I expected, I was able to turn into the parking lot at exactly 7:56 and pull directly into a first-row parking spot in commuter west (this is unheard of for a Monday). 
   My excitement faded as quickly as the flavor in fruit stripes gum as I walked toward the building that would hold me captive for the next four hours. No bikers to dodge, no one to hold the door open for behind me, no students bustling to make it to their first class of the week. When I entered the hallway I immediately wished I was with those missing students- wherever they are this morning. The only appeasement I have for the next two days is the fact that I do not have class tonight or tomorrow. Of course, whether or not I will take these days to work on what is due for next week is still questionable.
   I am so looking forward to heading home in a couple of days. I need some family time without that nagging feeling sitting on my shoulders that there are things that need to be done. It will be our first Thanksgiving in the new house, and most of the family will be there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   My challenge for this week stems from the old adage, "out of sight, out of mind". I will try to hide my junk food and put the healthy stuff at the front of the fridge. Maybe if I don't see it, I won't eat it. Right.
I'm not sure how this will work out on Thursday.


Looking forward to this:

Feels good

   Oh it really does.
   Yesterday I completed a practice guide and studied for my test this morning and I got some work done on a presentation. I also called and made/confirmed all of my doctor appointments. I schedule all of my appointments (dentist, optometrist, etc.) for December so I can get them out of the way while I'm home.
   I also... prepare yourself... worked out. I think about doing it every day, but somehow napping and watching Friends always seems like a more satisfying use of my time. Yesterday, however, was a particularly blah day, you know, when you look in the mirror and think, "ugh". So I decided to continue my productive streak and take a stab at it. It only lasted about 30 minutes and I was out of breath for about 28 of them.But I did it. Now if only I could trust myself to keep doing it.
We'll see.