Thursday, September 28, 2006

09.28.2006

I won Biggest Loser this week. I lost 2.8 pounds, and have lost 33 to date. It's exciting, but I have no clothes that fit... except for a really pretty dress 3 sizes below what I started this summer. Yay!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

09.26.2006

I got a phone call today about signing up for company long term care another life insurance policy. Someone on the other end of the phone talking about my "possible" demises is creepy and weird.

Belly Dancing

Just wanted to update everyone and say that last night was my first class. She started class by saying, "I just want to shatter the misconception and let you all know that Belly dancing is hard. And,... we don't give refunds, so I hope you are prepared to stick it out." I'm not going to lie, it is difficult, and my thighs were BURNING last night. I thought my legs had Parkinsons' they were shakin' so bad! Although I was "all shook up", I definitely enjoyed last night. There are no men allowed in class... sorry guys... and everybody doesn't look like toothpicks, and we all look stupid together, so it was not bad at all. I didn't buy a skirt; I'm going to try to find one this weekend while I'm visiting JM. Surely NY has something I will like, ... hopefully.

I did find out that UTC offers Salsa classes, but I have to have a dance partner. Boo.

That's really about all... nothing incredibly exciting! Peace out!

Monday, September 25, 2006

Privacy

What is the deal with privacy? Today, I received an email from an old classmate asking me and a few others to exclude her from emails or bcc her, because she wants to keep it private. I received another email from a friend saying that she is making her blog private. What's going on? I totally understand that everyone doesn't need to read everything -- don't mistake what I'm trying to say, but why the influx today? I have several friends who have their myspace accounts set to private, and I get exasperated sometimes thinking that, if you don't want people to see your life, don't put it out there. I had a friend in the past that kept alot of stuff private becuase she didn't want her children's faces to wind up where they didn't belong, and I get that, but this is getting excessive. I'm not one to send out alot of forwards and the like, and when I do, I almost always, like 99% of the time, delete all that formatting junk that clutters an email. I did apologize (sort of) to the classmate, but did also let her know that no one asked about her. (She didn't come to the reunion because she was pouting, and frankly I just think she needs to grow up and get over stuff. But anyway.) Just seemed like a lot of Privacy talk for one day.

I'm exhausted from this weekend -- I tutored most of Saturday and cleaned yesterday, but am still not feeling 100% from last week's sickness. But I start belly dancing tonight, so I've got to find some energy. :) And... I'm going to have to completely reteach myself a few subjects, like Calculus, and I'm not terribly excited about that either.

In other news:
1. Cannot find pictures of me and C. dancing.
2. People are still making catty remarks about the reunion.
3. Obviously some people did not grow up.
4. I really want to confront someone who said something NOT NICE about my date and I, but when I do, I know I will attack her, and I don't want to be responsible for that. God please forgive my humanity for wanting to deal with her/revenge.
5. Got two compliments today -- made me feel so good!
6. None of my clothes fit. Its getting out of hand.
7. Will be in NY on Friday night. Yay!!
8. My friend A. is coming down this weekend and I will totally miss her.
9. Found a picture of a friend and I that I really like.
10. Updated my myspace profile last night. :)
11. Really need to start reading more aggressively and follow up on my 7 habits coursework.
12. Finally got my praxis book in the mail -- totally gonna kick my butt.

Gotta run!

My Favorite Story

The only survivor of a ship wreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger."God, how could you do this to me? he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they said.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in out lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

09.25.2006

Sometimes God turns our world upside down just so we can see Him better.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Weight update

Just wanted to give an update. Yesterday after weigh-in, I am proud to say that I have officially lost 30 pounds. I have 26 pounds to my target weight, and 55 pounds to my recommended weight for my height. I would just be happy with my target weight! Also, I reclaimed Ronnie and the girls to win the week weigh-in.

:)

Thursday, September 21, 2006

09.21.2006

Yesterday was fun! It's a secret and I can't tell you, but just know that I had a lot of fun!!!

I was asked yesterday, "If everytime you walked into a room, a song was playing, what song would be playing?". So... do you have a theme song?

I am emo with songs. I get attached, and attach memories to them. To this day that is why I cannot listen to any song the DC Talk Jesus Freak album without thinking about the Christmas after my high school graduation, Macy Gray's "I Try To Say Goodbye", because I really do choke thinking of memories from my first year at Lee. My ALLTIME favorite is "Iris" by the Goo-Goo Dolls, but I also love "Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizons (Yes, I bought that CD). My current theme song is "Stumble" thanks to Natasha Bedingfield. You like me... yes, I know it!!

My medication is making me loopy. My eyes are all glassy and my head is spinning. At least I am not sick now. Oh yes, I had strep, but went to the doctor and got medicine to help ease things!

This is a picture of my best friend Laura and I. We met 20 years ago (holy moly), and have been friends ever since. I can't put into words how cool she is. And I love that we can be silly!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Reunion - Follow-up

Here’s a recap of the last several days:

Thursday – had to have everything packed and ready because I was not going back to TN. I’m not always the most organized person, so I definitely left a few essentials, but I don’t think anyone noticed. :) Had dinner with a great friend of mine and drove to W.P. I got about 4 hours of sleep. I was so excited, that I wasn’t ready to go to bed!

Friday – got up at 7:40, and my day started then! I had to take Amanda to show me where to tailgate and pick up money from Chancey. Then, I met Holly for breakfast at 9:00, and we were on the go from then until 2:30 p.m. First to breakfast, then to get pedicures (we gotta look HOT!), then to meet Todd to get stuff, then to SunTrust, then to THS for stuff, next Wal-Mart, then to get ice, then to setup… BUSY BUSY BUSY! At 2:30, we were so tired, (and disgusting) that Holly suggested we go home. Holly is a genius. :) I stopped by to see my Aunt (this weekend was also my family reunion), and I wanted to see her before I couldn’t. I went home and had A MOMENT. I sat in the floor and cried and had a little anxiety attack pre-reunion. I was just so nervous! When that passed, I got dressed and headed off to meet everybody. What a good time we had!!! It was good and weird to see everybody! After the football game, several of us went into downtown. For the record, I don’t drink, but we went to the Lazy Peach (a bar) and just hung out. Seeing people you haven’t seen in ten years, and seeing them extremely inebriated… definitely interesting! But… it was good to catch up with people without pretense. People are who they are (some of them need Jesus, but that’s not my point), and it was good to see them. One in particular, I drove her home, and she’d had way too much to drink and kept apologizing. It was quite funny!

Saturday morning, I was running late (of course), but got to the school early enough to get some stuff set up. Everything seemed to fall into place. The jump house arrived, two committee members got the sandwiches, and people started showing up. Although it was hot outside (like 92), we still had fun! I’ve found out since that some people weren’t so nice at the picnic, but there’s nothing I can do and pray that God will deal with them!

Saturday afternoon – now here’s the adventure. Surprisingly, we finished and were cleaned up when we anticipated being done at 2:00. We headed over to LGI to get set up, and the room was just beautiful. I really didn’t have good expectations for that, but it was really wonderful! Nikki and I went to get our hair done (yes at the same place that Holly was going – but that was Nikki not me!) Fortunately, H. was able to get her hair done quickly, and I hated mine (I didn’t cry though!). After dropping N. off, I headed home to take a shower, and got a phone call. My Chase was coming to be my date! I would have had a good time if he had not come, but I had a MUCH BETTER time because he was there. Considering the fact that I did not attend either prom, getting to attend this reunion that was so important to me with someone I care about so much, truly meant the world to me! He even danced with me for a while! :) I had a blast… more fun Saturday night than any other time! Other than being initially timid, I really wasn’t too bashful! I just had a good time. After all was said and done, we did actually make a little money, so that the committee can be reimbursed! Also, several of us stayed and talked until 5:00 a.m. I am ready for the 15-year!

Sunday on my way home, I received about ten phone calls from different people talking about what a good time they had. We had people who cried this weekend, thankful that they came. Lots of laughs, lots of drinks, lots of memories!

All in all… I am so thankful that I did this. I would love to redo high school (b/c I was a geek), but having this opportunity proved to me that high school wasn’t a total waste of time!

Highlights of the weekend:
Friday afternoon anxiety attack
Pedicures with Holly
Did I act like Superwoman moving those ice coolers?
Go THS! Beat Northside.
Still being able to do the hand motions to the fight song. :D
Not sleeping too much!
Catching up at the Lazy Peach.
Chad Johnson’s lap dance.
Convos in the courtyard.
My date : )
Photographs (since I have NONE from high school!)

Okay... I will upload photos later!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Reunion - Part 1

So... it's long after the football game and tailgate party of the night. It's actually 1:34 in the morning, and I'm wide awake only enough to write this email. Life is so interesting.

Today... I've had little sleep, and yet I am not really tired.

Today... I saw people I haven't seen in ten years.

Today... I broke down and cried (and had a slight anxiety attack).

Today... I realized how grateful I am for God's ever-present totally undeserving mercy and grace.

Tonight was fun. I am so thankful that I am a part of this.

Today... :)

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

09.12.2006

Yesterday... I did not write about, because there is so much to say. I will pay tribute in a few days.

Today is my one year anniversary at work.

I haven’t blogged in a while. Life is busy these days. The reunion is just days away, and my emotions are really all over the place. Silly, huh? The worst part about any of this, is that I haven’t been able to sleep the last three days or so. I don’t like waking up every forty minutes, and then having to force myself to go back to sleep.

Pregnancy is in the air – I have a whopping 14 friends who are pregnant or ready to pop. And these are no acquaintances, these are people I see regularly! Looks as though one friend may be having twins too!

Because of stress, my fuse has been a little short lately. I have a lot to do before Thursday – shopping mainly, but still a lot to do. My goal for this Monday is to tune out as much of the world as possible and recuperate! :)

Okay… that’s all I have time for. Just wanted to post an update.

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

09.06.2006

It’s 11:00, and I totally can’t concentrate this morning. I have so much on my mind, and no desire to do very necessary and very time-constrained work. Part of me wants to go to lunch, but I’m not hungry, so I realize it would only be to get out of the building. Part of me wants to leave early… well I want to leave early most of the time.

Yesterday was just bad. Last night after I got off of work, I called my mom, partly to vent, and partly just to talk. I had planned on going to a new bible study around 7:00, so I was trying to kill time until it started. To my frustration, she was in a foul mood, and was not very nice. I practically hung up on her, and headed home. As I was driving, I realized that in that very moment, a new bible study was where I needed to be. So with that said, I started going to FBC (No, I’m not switching denoms, because I just don’t agree with the Baptist doctrine – gotta have the Holy Spirit!). They started the Beth Moore bible study on Daniel. Can I just tell you how much it rocked??? It was awesome, and I am so glad that I went. There are about 20 women (only one of whom I know). I did make them laugh; we went around the room and introduced ourselves, and they all shared how long they had been members at First Baptist. I decided to share that I was born and raised Pentecostal. Quite a treat! :) And this is not your average puny bible study, where you get together once a week and share. The video last night lasted an hour, and it’s a meaty message, not some bottle junk. I love it. And I am both encouraged and challenged by it. I don’t want to be mediocre, assimilated, or irrelevant. I agree with Beth,… that is not what God intended us to be. So… if you get a chance, let me tell you that it will be well worth any investment.

I think my bad attitude yesterday is a combination of not enough sleep, and just running myself emotionally and physically ragged these last few weeks. So, I still have lots of room for improvement and growth, and… it’s not about me anyway. In spite of the fact that I get my feelings hurt at little things, I don’t want to fail to show God’s love. Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” And… my days are long from being free! After the reunion, life will not slow down, in fact I believe it will speed up, but that’s okay! And I am really excited. I’m excited for all the new adventures that are coming my way. There is the strong possibility of a new career on the horizon, so if anyone thinks to pray for me… thank you in advance for your prayers! I need them!

I did get asked to give a recommended book list:

If Men Are Like Buses, Then How Do I Catch One? Michelle McKinney Hammond
I love this book for so many reasons, but mostly because of the incredible prayers at the end of each chapter. They are raw, honest, revealing, and empowering for a single woman… any woman who needs encouragement.













Ruthless Trust Brennan Manning
Trust is just that … Ruthless. It’s not easy, and takes work, but the more we trust God, the greater capacity we are to be used by God. I recommend this book be read slowly, almost like a study guide. There’s a lot to absorb, and think about and pray on. It’s awesome.














For Women Only Shaunti Feldhahn
This book was written for married women, but truly opened my eyes to a few things about men, and the way that God hardwired them. I am a conversational convert! It challenges us to remember that life and relationships are not about US.

The Day I Was Crucified Gene Edwards
I can’t remember how I found this book, but it is a first person account from Jesus Christ about his time from the Garden of Gethsemane until after the Resurrection. It is so vivid and really gives you a chance to deeply speculate about what was going on in Jesus’ mind. If I could give out a book to every new person I meet, this would be the book. I am so thankful that Jesus took the Cup of Iniquity for me.

Fasting Jentezen Franklin
Other than the bible, I have never digested a book so quickly and deeply. It costs around $18.00, and is approximately 120 pages long. It put sacrifice into a whole new perspective for me. This book truly changed my life.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

09.05.2006

My favorite Backstreet Boys song is on the radio. Yes, I want it THAT way too.

Today has been oh so interesting.
1) Guy next to me will start teaching. I wanted to scream this morning. UUGGHH!
2) I ran around like a chicken at lunch trying to get a few errands finished up. Five stores in sixty minutes. I was proud.
3) Gotten emails from a few people who are coming to the reunion and have a heinously bad attitude. I want to yell at them, but that is not nice.

I had a nice weekend. Eventful, but nice. I’ve been reading another book, this one is by Joshua Harris and no, it is not I Kissed Dating Goodbye. I did not like that book, but I have enjoyed a few others by him, including the present one.

Upon personal evaluation, I believe the following to be true:
Men and Women cannot be “Just Friends”. I don’t stand firm on much, but I believe that this is black and white. Period. No room for discussion. We live in a society that is rapidly decaying morally, and this is what I believe. Somebody always gets their hopes up and/or hurt. If you don’t become something, then you must become acquaintances. Maybe I am archaic to believe otherwise, but life tells me I am right. God said “Leave and cleave”, not “leave and hang out”. Also, please don’t misconstrued being nice to one another. I simply mean this – we are to be cordial to one another, but to engage as real friends involves a deeper commitment, and I believe that should be reserved for only husband and wife. Should you believe that God has called you to abstain totally, then you need to remove yourself from friendships that either appear otherwise or predispose you to those feelings. Part of this comes from personal experience. I had to veritably give up one of my closest friends because his life changed. For a brief moment, I was very sad and angry, but I realized how incredibly selfish I was being. Distance cannot take away memories, nor does it change the compassion and love you can have for a person. But being an active part in someone’s life who is involved, is dangerous and only causes trouble.

Enough of my soapbox.

The reunion is less than ten fingers away, and I am excited. I would vent about that too, but honestly nothing good would come of it.

My brother OFFICIALLY has a Manhattan one-bedroom apartment. I am excited!!! Now, I can cook when I visit him and save quite a bit of money!!! Thanksgiving – NYC, Here I come again!!!

R.I.P. Steve Irwin. You will be missed.

Beginning Thursday, I will be able to start accumulating $$ in my Bank of America Keep the Change program. Yay!

Oh yeah... GO DAWGS!!!

Friday, September 1, 2006

09.01.2006

Happy September...

Here’s my life for the last few days:

Sunday: Drove home from GA, bought groceries, was accused of shoplifting WATER at Wal-Mart, walk with Kristen & Riley.
Monday: Work, walk with K & R.
Tuesday: Work, walk with K & R early because K. is subbing and babysitter does not give R. a nap. (Babysitter has only had 9 days off in ten years. That is not enough.)
Wednesday: Work, Birthday dinner for friend in bible study, Church, Walk with K., R., and D.
Thursday: Work half day, Second place in Biggest Loser at work (consolation prize of $150.00), also won weekly contest and reclaimed possession of Ronald, home to move roomie’s stuff to my storage, walk with K. & R. in mid-afternoon (man it was hot!), dinner with Hot friend C., and back to house, chat briefly with girls at GG, and then to tap night reception.
Tonight: NOTHING

I know that I have lots to do when I get home, but it’s nice to know that there is nothing pressing.

Had dinner with my friend, and he gave me a card. It made my day. He’s very special.

Brother got an apartment on 25th and 3rd Ave. He is so excited. Me too… because he will have a bigger apartment and a kitchen. Am 90% sure that I will be going up for Thanksgiving with or without my Mom and SD.

Haven’t read in almost two weeks. I can really tell a big difference in my thoughts/actions when I don’t read regularly. I must read a book this weekend. I mentioned the reading because I don’t read junk, I definitely take time to invest in what I’m reading, whether it’s the Bible or some book that is spiritually encouraging. When I read, it helps me keep crap out, so to speak. I’m not nearly as cluttered worrying about things that I know not to worry about when I take time to fill my mind. I have been spending my reading time each night on the phone with a friend of mine. I really care so deeply for this friend. End of story. Must beginning regime again tonight.

I’m getting very excited for the reunion. The countdown is now 14 days. I don’t know what to do with myself. Strange as this sounds, I have somehow acquiesced to a point that I never thought I would, in that I have been invited to “hang out” with a few girls from high school. Isn’t that ridiculous? My self-esteem is not hanging on their acceptance, but I just find it interesting that it took ten years. I’m very excited to see them too. We were friends in HS, but I never did anything socially with them.

Beginning in a few weeks this will be my normal schedule:
Monday: Belly Dancing – Yes, I finally paid the money and I am serious about this.
Tuesday: Beth Moore Bible study on Daniel: A life of Integrity
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Girls’ Group Bible study at my house
The weekends will take care of themselves (hopefully), but I’m planning on a friend coming down from Ohio the last weekend in September, a birthday celebration for my friend in ATL, a visit to NC before the end of the year, and Thanksgiving in NYC. I may also go visit Mt. Cheaha. I haven’t there since I was 8.