it's a celebration

And with the ending of 2005, I'll be ringing in the New Year in good ol' Times Square.

I'll refrain from making a sappy post about the best of times and the worst of times in 2005. Why? Because we don't necessarily need closure on one year when each of its parts contribute to the whole of our lives. 2006 will be a new year that will come with more of the best of times and more of the worst of times. But we can hope and pray that it is filled with the best.

I'm so excited to spend a few days in the Big Apple with these girls:
...the other two single BCG's, Becka and Faith.










-Christmas was great this year, but of course it isn't the day that makes me happy. It's the season. It makes me slightly mad that the radio stations stop playing Christmas music IMMEDIATELY on the 26th. Jeez, they're quick. I will not stop. Nor will I take down my trees until I return from NY in the New Year. It saddens me to see trees already near the road ready to go out to the trash.

-I'm getting my hair cut today. It's about freaking time. It's my fault I haven't had my hair cut since the end of July. I'm an idiot. I should never let it go that long. I'm just not good at making appointments!

-Well, I wish you all a very Happy New Year! And be safe! Watch for me on TV!

Relevant Podcast / Bono

If you're interested, check out www.relevantmagazine.com and scroll down to the recent Podcast about Tara Leigh Cobble's article on "How to Dismantle an Idolized Bono." I read the article in 850 Words of Relevant a couple days ago and responded by sending my feedback (along w/ hundreds of others) to Relevant, and I guess they read part of my response on the podcast. My friend Laura Ashely and her husband Randall heard it on there and called me.

I just thought I'd let you know. It was quite the article.

3 more days?

It makes me sad that there's only 3 more days of this season, b/c you know that as soon as the 25th is over, the sales on the 26th hit, and everyone is mentally finished w/ Christmas. This season flies by way too fast, and it's not even the day that I care about...more the season! At least this year I get to look forward to NYC on the 29th!!! (hopefully the strike will be over by then, might I add!)

I miss that little advent calendar that my parents used to hang in December to replace the regular calendar. It was a hideous green thing with mice on it and the little pockets counting from 1-25. Each morning before school I'd move that little mouse one more day. But I could never decide if it was better to count forward or backward to let me know how many days till Christmas.

And just so you know, I'm sure I'll continue to listen to Christmas music as I please after the 25th.

I watched White Christmas last night and have officially decided it's an all-time favorite of mine. It's really not that Christmas-y, but it's the dancing and singing that I love. I secretly wish I was Vera Ellen or Rosemary Clooney. And I also secretly wish to have a surprise White Christmas like on the movie. OK, so it's not secret anymore. oh well.

just fillin' you in.

For some reason, random posts is all I can muster up these days. I have no time to sit and write a short story.

-So I really want to hang out w/ the Raymer's. One of these days I will make it up to Plano to see you guys! Also, Rach, I can't wait to see you too! Let's road trip to Plano when you're home!

-I have had the worst case of hiccups today. I only get the hiccups like once every month, and usually when I do, I'll get them multiple times that day or over a span of a couple days. It's very strange.

-I got my tickets to NYC for New Years! I leave the 29th and get back on Jan. 3. And randomly, my friend Becka (who now lives in CA), decided to go too. We're compiling lists of things to do while there...here's mine so far:

• ice skate in Central Park
• see the tree in Rockefeller while it's still up
• see the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir maybe?
• maybe wait in line for standby tickets (that's all you can get by now) for Conan or Letterman
• go to the bakery w/ those famous cupcakes (can't remember the name of it...)
• go to Serendipity and get a Frozen Hot Chocolate (thanks to Rachel Ray for the tip)

-We haven't yet decided on NYE plans...any ideas? Times Square will be CRAZY but maybe we'll go for it...if i'm in the mood to freeze around a bunch of drunk tourists. I'd also like input from Dustin or anyone else w/ lots of NYC experience on what to do while there...especially on little $$.

-LCC has a b-ball game tonight. My poms girls are dancing.

-I can't even explain how much I love Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. No show has ever, to my knowledge, made more positive, meaningful impact than this.

-So if I splurge after Christmas and buy myself an iPod...what should I engrave on the back or side of it? any ideas?

-Go see Walk the Line. It's incredible. I might just buy the soundtrack w/ Reese & Joaquin's voices instead of the real June & Johnny! The story of how June stuck by his side is amazing. It's a true portrayal of grace and love. No offense, but I'd rather see that than Narnia. I'm just not into fantasy stuff. Maybe someday I'll see that.

what to do on a friday night

why am i at the office at 5:43 p.m. on a friday night? because I just booked my flight to NYC from Dec. 29-Jan. 3. Yay!

And I'm trying to make some plans for tonight...wanted to see Rent, but b/c I don't want to drive 3 separate times this weekend a half-hour away (i know, it's so far) I don't think I'm going to. I now HAVE to go to Bloomington tomorrow to pick up my tickets from the airport that are on hold and I'll be driving Sunday for church as well. I'm lazy. And I have no money to keep spending on gas. And the roads are scary.

So Heidi and I will be staying in the big L-town for the night...maybe we'll walk down to the Lincoln Cinema and see Walk the Line. Tomorrow night is my big Poms sleepover...should be fun to have the girls over to watch Christmas movies! I just don't want to veg 2 nights in a row. Then I feel like a big loser.

Alright I'm off to have a wild and crazy friday night! yeah right.
maybe i'll play in the snow. i'm dying to do that!

after a night of watching tv, here are my questions:

-Why, oh why, can't the OC just have happy times for awhile. It ended happy, but then on the preview for next week there's a kid about to kill himself b/c he's in love w/ Marissa. Come on!

-I love Everwood. That's not a question, I realize that. And I love that Ephram and Amy kissed and that Bright is really sweet w/ hannah and forced her to see her own beauty. We need more boys like that in this world.

-How does one get a job dancing for one of the Target commercials with a giant Wheat Thin on one's head? Or, perhaps, an old Gap commercial. What happened to those anyway? And I'd really love to dance in a fun commercial.

-How do I always get sucked into Friends at 9:00 when it's on? I think I secretly wish I were there with them.

-During the news coverage of the tragic airplane incident, I couldn't help but notice that they just kept on showing the tip of the plane that said "Southwest" and that's all that would show. Why is this? Is it not obviously a media bias? And is this Southwest's fault or is it Midway's fault? Either way, it makes me fearful of flying to NY for New Year's...especially following this text from my friend Becka recently: "dude. just had a dream that you were killed in a plane crash. freaky." awesome.

-and the question that is also the cause for me staying inside all night to watch tv is this-- did the people in lincoln forget how to clean the streets off? i'm just curious. they're still not good. and does anyone want to give me their garage?

It sure is comin' down out there isn't it?

these days

Let's just come right out and say it. I'm in love w/ Michael Buble. Or maybe just his voice. "so why don't you marry it?" you ask. "OK." I'm ticked b/c I missed most of his PBS concert last night.

It takes a lot less to make me cry than it used to. Not necessarily sad-crying, that is, but I feel like I got choked up multiple times in the past week over TV shows (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition mostly), the Invisible Children movie, Christmas in the Chapel, etc. I've just noticed.

In a different way, it takes a lot more to make me laugh, too. I've realized I'm not as easily amused at some things like I used to be. That's neither good nor bad.

I keep going to bed in Illinois and waking up in Alaska. Or maybe Antarctica. Same thing. It was freaking 4 degrees this morning! What's the deal w/ that?

I'm all about telling everyone about this: Invisible Children. If you've never heard of it, go check it out. This is about a crisis that's been ignored for wayyyy too long in Uganda. Children are being abducted every day to become sex victims or are being forced to join the army that's killing good people and trying to overthrow their government. PLEASE check out Invisible Children, order the DVD and pass it along. If you want to watch mine that I just bought, I'll gladly lend it to you!

In the past two weeks I've gone from having zero engaged friends to having TWO engaged friends: Kate (King) and Kristy (Kerestes). SOOO happy for both of them! They couldn't be more deserving!

I'm still wondering when it's my turn to at least be on the road in that direction. Not unhappy or even discontent. Just wondering. And waiting.

I'm drawn into the Chanel No. 5 perfume commercial that, at first, appears to be a Nicole Kidman movie...but nope! Just an extravagantly long commercial for an expensive fragrance! that's all!

I'm thinking about buying a black faux fur hat to match my pull-through scarf...or maybe a red hat to match my red gloves. we'll see. it's not important.

This season is busy! But I love it.

I think I'm burning alive in my office right now. It's a freakin sauna in here!

Christmas in the Chapel last night was a-mazing. Not necessarily my favorite one ever, but still great, as always. It never fails that I will cry while watching for three reasons:
1) I am moved.
2) I miss being up there.
3) I love Christmas.
And this time? The dancing looked like such fun that it made me cry that I didn't get to do it with them! There are a TON of new people in Chorale this year, and I think we're getting a new wave of talent. For the past two years or so it seemed a little different without the Ben Brownings and the Lauren Liggetts and the Benji Maurers and Sarah Formeas. It's the new generation of them, I'm telling you. (And I'm sure that every generation at LCC has their "group" of people who were that generation's talent...those were just some of ours.)

And I would like to call out Christmas in the Chapel as probably the best Christmas performance around. Not just because I'm biased and used to be a part of it. It just is. And to all of you "Living Christmas Tree" programs? Yes, that's you, sister Bible colleges and churches... color me unimpressed. This is different. But I'm not biased or anything... ;-)

If you don't have anything going on this weekend, TRY to get some tickets for this sucker. It's good stuff.

no schnitzel with noodles here

i can't even tell you how much i love this time of year.
These are a few of my favorite things:

• Radio stations entirely dedicated to my favorite seasonal tunes.
• Smells of pine and cinnamon everywhere you go.
• Sparkling lights and trees (amongst the ugly yard ornaments people have so unfortunately put on display)
• Busy shoppers making their lists, checking them much more than twice, and finding the best deals they can to make everyone happy.
• My cozy living room in just candlelight.
• The hopefulness the season brings and the hope that baby Jesus brought that started it all.
• The feeling that the world gets that brings them to worship the King once again and reminds them of why they're here...even if only for the season.
• Christmas in the Chapel at LCC. It's not Christmas without it anymore.
• Memories of making Christmas cookies (of which there are only one good kind--my mom's) and green marshmallow-y Corn Flakes wreaths with my mom and sister while listening to Kenny Rogers Christmas albums among some other Christmas compilation records we used to have. I especially miss the scratchy sound of the records playing...
• decorating the tree
• Christmas parties and events and gift exchanges
• the coming of a New Year (and the very likelihood of me spending its Eve in NYC this year w/ my good friend Faith. YAY!!!)
• warm greetings and hearts
• the excitement of something that's coming...something to look forward to and hope for
• Christmas classics like Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Home Alone, etc.
• Classic songs like good ol' Kenny Rogers Christmas stuff, all Amy Grant Christmas music (although the best songs are Sleigh Ride--Gloria and I have a long history w/ that one--and Tennessee Christmas), and lots more...

There's something so unique about this time of year that I just love.

I wish I could experience what the people of Israel went through 2000 years ago waiting on the birth of baby Jesus. I'm sure it didn't involve credit cards and special songs and pine tree smells. But, I know the excitement must be similar...

There's a stirring.

the first snow

have you seen it?
no, really, have you seen it?

little flakes of white...
fluttering
floating
flying
freezing

oh, the snow
and fireplaces aglow
makes you not want to go
anywhere

it's like magic dust
for a little while
until it piles up
and we sled
and we slide
and we ski
and we slip
and we build snowmen
but until then

it's just the first snow
have you seen it?
have you felt it?
the freezing
frozen
flying
falling
fleeing
flakes
are like little pieces of grace


i love the first snow.

Hotlanta!!!

Along with Toadie, I too am off to the National Missionary Convention. Hotlanta, here we come! It's actually not that hot there this time of year, which pretty much sucks. I won't lie. I was looking forward to getting out of this cold.

And like Toadie's most recent blog, I too have some great National Missionary Convention memories...like these:

--the time when Aubs and I about freaked out on Marc Gorsch riding in the van 10 hours to Tulsa. there had just been some previoius drama w/ Marc, so his extensive talking was a lot to handle. And I think for some reason by the end of the trip we all weren't getting along...i guess that's a 10-hour ride in a van for ya. (especially when you add a flat tire and being stuck in Joplin for an extra hour or two on the way back)

--Cincinnati 2 years ago--when Faith vulnerably gave $20 to this guy on the street who needed to get to work at Bar Cincinnati, had no money to get back to his apt where his roommate and girlfriend were fighting, proceeded to tell us how he would be downtown the next morning (to pay her back) b/c he went to Catholic mass w/ his mom since his brother, a doctor, was beheaded in an elevator accident previously that year. After some mind-boggling skepticism and internet research we found this story to be true, tried to call the cell # he gave us, it wasn't his voice, we drove around trying to find his work and surprisingly found him walking in that area, he assured us it was his dad's cell # and that he'd show up the next morning, and we never saw or heard from him again. To this day I am still confused. I assume you are too.

--lots of connections from old camp team friends and of course, the beloved BCG's.

--wishing I could receive a Restoration Award at the LCC Reception...JUST KIDDING! Haha.


Ahhh...and this year I will be driving down a minivan of 6 awesome students and staying at a camp w/ them, hopefully will get to hang out w my buddy Drew from Ozark, and hopefully see some more friends from the olden days. (when were those? i don't know. i'm just sayin'.)

Hotlanta, here I come. I'm going home to pack.

the world is so complex

That's what I decided today. The world is complex. I know, nothing new. But it's too complex. What happened to the old days?

This conversation came up b/c we were talking about those special saddle shoes some of us used to have to wear. I remember having them when I was really little because my feet both wanted to curve inward when I walked. My mom would take me to some special shoes store in downtown Streator to get them. I didn't like them, I know that much. And I think I remember them being expensive, so neither did my parents I'm sure. I remembered that said "special shoes store" was just where you went to get those. Today I wondered where people go to get those, because most likely those stores don't exist anymore. Now you probably have to search online to find the nearest shoestore that carries saddle shoes. I miss the small-town-feeling of just "knowing where to go."

And then last night, while watching the very disappointing episode of Gilmore Girls that my great roommate taped for me, I saw a commercial for some made-for-TV American Girl movie called Felicity. My initial reaction was "Is that like a reunion show for the old TV show Felicity?" Nope. It's about the American Girl character Felicity. And then I remembered how when I was little I loved those books, because they had just come out when I was in grade school. They were special. The pages had this scent of new paper that no other brand new books carried. I was so excited when they came in from my weekly Scholastic order or from a Christmas present. And now? complexity. There are like 100 American Girl characters. (Actually, 8 to be exact...I looked it up online out of curiosity.) But there were only a few when I used to get those books. Man, I miss the smell of those pages.

And I've always wondered when we went into all different lengths of clothing...a decade ago no one ever wore capris (in style, anyways...) and 3/4 length sleeved shirts. Or maybe I'm crazy. But I feel like even clothing is so complex now. What length of pants or sleeves do I want to wear today? How many layers will I wear? (because, you know, layers are the way to go...) or maybe I'm just making this all too complex.

We could carry on about options with kinds of toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, candy bars (even look at all the different types of M&M's now!!!), etc. It just seems like decisions we have to make are more complex today, even those of the simplest kind. Don't get me wrong, I like my options. I like choosing my flavor of coffee and from several lengths of shirt sleeves and kinds of toothpaste. But, still...

I miss the old days.
I miss simple.

what career suits me?

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent.Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic DesignerIllustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's" Your Ideal Career?

I'd totally love to hear what other people think I should do w/ my life. I have many ideas, but it feels like very few. I'm considering starting a journal of them...

Here's what I'd include so far...:
-wedding planner
-assistant to a photographer
-open a coffeeshop
-open a fun kitchen store (mostly b/c i just went to a cool one in downtown napes...loved it.)
-take Rachael Ray's job at $40 a Day on the Food Network and eat at cool places in different cities
-be the girl on the Travel Channel who visits all the best hotels
-marry a guy who can sing and play guitar and just sing harmony w/ him
-open a fun little gift shop like Pour La Maison in downtown Naperville (can you tell I enjoyed some time to chill in napes on thursday and friday?)

that's what i've got off the top of my head.
don't think i'm seeking affirmation here, i'm just wanting ideas.

feedback?

step into Christmas

I know that Halloween has just passed, but I've already christened the next season by beginning to listen to my holiday collection of music.

It's Christmas time, my friends. It may still be warm outside, but the feeling is in the air.
I'm making my holiday CD's and I'm considering making a compilation of what I consider to be the Christmas Classics. If anyone's interested, let me know.

I'm in between high schools right now...went to my alma mater of Streator High School this morning. It's a whole new place! They've torn down half of it, rebuilt some new stuff, and it makes me sad that people there don't remember me at first. Or at all. I'm on my way to Woodland High School in about 5 minutes.

And by the way, since no one showed up at SHS this morning to talk to me I had like tons of extra time this morning, so I made my way to this little cafe we have in Streator called The Downtowner. Talk about a freaking cool place! I felt like I was in the city and not in Streator. But the poor owners--Streator isn't ready for such a place, so hopefully they can make it! If you're ever in Streator check it out. It's a pretty cute little place! I got to read quite a bit this morning out of my current read: Flashbang by Mark Steele. If you haven't read it, check it out. It's quite hilarious. Since the Downtowner was empty I was literally holding my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud.

Well, good day. I'm off to the school of the children of the corn. Sorry Amanda. Sorry mom. Sorry other friends who may have gone there.

no tricks, just treats.

OK so I've posted a lot in orange lately, but I've got to today!

While all of this reminiscing is happening about Halloween days of old, I too have many fond memories of costumes and tricks and treats.

First and foremost, the all-time best costume ever was my shiny silver Hershey's Kiss costume that my Grandma Shirlye and my mom made together. I think I wore this in second grade. And then again in third grade. I loved it that much. This was not your typical store-bought Hershey's Kiss costume. No, no, my friends, it was much better than that. It was made of shiny silver material and gave my little 7 year old body quite the Hershey's Kiss shape. And to top it all off, I had the matching headpiece, like a mini-kiss with the paper tassel to boot. I still cry tears of sadness for the fact that my mom sold it to some lady in Streator for her granddaughter to wear. I was deeply saddened, despite the fact that I couldn't fit into it any longer, but I couldn't keep it for my child to wear someday. I guess I'll have to break out the old pattern and sewing machine someday. (as if I'd know how to use it!)

Second, there was always this lady who lived on Elm Street, near our old house on Shabbona in Streator, who never failed to decorate her house and yard beyond even the craziest imagination. There was a wire fence all around the yard, and you had to enter through the main gate. Following your entrance many real people dressed in costume would play their role of Freddy, a witch, a person being hanged, etc. Once there was even a man on the roof pushing dirt off the side and a Freddy scratching his long nails against the siding. I was tormented by this yard, but it was my goal to make it to the front door where Kay, the mastermind of all of this, would nicely give me a small white bag of candy. Was it really worth it? I think I made it to the door maybe twice. Maybe. I know we had a few drive-by's where I thought I'd get out of the car, but one of the yard actors ended up chasing us down the sidewalk so we drove off.

Thirdly, of course there were a million good treats. There were always those ladies who made the popcorn balls every year. You knew exactly which house to go to for a popcorn ball, and sometimes which house to go to for the good candy. Does anyone make popcorn balls for anything other than Halloween? Just wondering.

And on that note, I must say that my niece, dressed as Blue from Blue's Clues, was quite cute last night. I wish I had a picture of her to post, but I forgot to take one!

And I'm off to visit high schools for the rest of the week...have a lovely first week of November!

oh, Christian radio. you silly people.

I can't get enough of talking about how funny it can be to listen to Christian radio sometimes. Heidi and Alli and I talked about it for quite some time the other night.

I can't listen to it for more than 30 seconds without bursting into laughter for hearing an on-air prayer, the "newest hits" like Steven Curtis Chapman's "The Great Adventure", or hearing some cheesy advertisement or commercial "drama" between two girls debating about whether or not to go to a party. I haven't even gotten into the whole ApologetiX scene of covering "Love Shack" with "Shad-rach, baby Meshach"!

And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the other day I heard the lady on Shine 89.7 FM (which is a SOMEWHAT decent station out of Olivet Nazarene Univ. in Kankakee) talking about Mr. Tomlin (Chris). She began to introduce his involvement with the Passion network and partnership with Louis Giglio. However, her pronunciation of Giglio sounded somewhat French--like the failure of a movie, Gigli, starring Bennifer? Yeah, just like that. Gigli-o. Are you kidding me?

These people have no idea what's going on in the world.

i'm still alive!

OK so it's been awhile since I've blogged. How do I know? I've officially been moved down on Lindy's link list. That's when you know you haven't updated enough!

It has been a wild past few weeks...college fairs every night this week, a concert, more college fairs, some more travel, etc. But I have to be honest: I love it. I love being busy and I love traveling. I can't say that enough. Even if it is just around Illinois. I think there's a bit of explorer in me that likes to figure out the maps and know which way it is to wherever.

Lately a little bit of me has been wanting to move to Chicago. Why? Maybe because there's lots there to explore? I'm not sure.

I'd like to welcome my long-time friend Amanda Cole to the blogger world. I'm so happy she's jumped on the bandwagon!

As for my own blog, I have sucked at it lately. I apologize. I realize you taking the time to read this has actually been a large waste of time...and that's why I promise to write a post of substance soon.

I promise.

I just don't have time right now.

I do have the time to inform you of my exciting plans for the evening, however:
Because my roommate and I have not had a DVD player (yeah, I know, we're ghetto) until last week when she bought one, we've been unable to rent anything other than VHS. Well, in Movie Gallery a few weeks ago we found my favorite TV movie ever made called Lucky 7. It's from ABC Family and it's starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Patrick Dempsey. It might be on my fave movie list, but shhhh..... anyway they have it on DVD, which highly inspired us to buy a DVD player finally. So, tonight's events involve ordering pizza, making popcorn, and watching Lucky 7. If anyone wants to join us, come on over! I know, it's a tempting Friday night, huh? We live the crazy life. La Vida Loca.

okay. you're bored out of your minds. i'm done.

later.

vnjuiweykqvw

So, about this whole word verification thing.


Anyone else have trouble reading what the heck they are sometimes?

I find it hilarious that it's called "word" verification, considering that they're far...very far... from being real words.

That's all.

it's a cold one

This font matches my shirt today. But if you knew me, you'd know that I always do that (match my fonts to something I'm wearing or a mood I'm in).

so let's play ketchup:

• I get around. (not like that ya'll!) I've been in several cities and states in the past week. Yes, states. Went to California (Sacramento) for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. I did some airport time in LAX and in Phoenix, and I spent a couple of days in Chi-town and the burbs for college fairs and high schools as well.
• It's really cold outside now. And last night I chose to embrace it by wearing my comfy clothes, burning 3 fall-ish/winter-ish candles, and drinking hot chocolate.
• NICK WON!!!!! Woo-hoo! If you never watched So You Think You Can Dance, you missed out big time. I had to catch up last night on the recorded versions of the past two weeks, so now I know the ending! I knew it was going to happen, and I would've been ticked if Nick didn't take the cake! He is amazing. I think I could watch him do hip-hop every day for the rest of my life. Could someone arrange that?
• I'm listening to Tyler James right now, trying to prep for the concert w/ Denison in a couple weeks. I really like him. Very fall-ish feeling, again.
• Does anyone want to have a bonfire soon? I do.
• I might want to go to Columbia in Chicago someday...decision based solely on their amazingly brilliant marketing & publicity tactics. they have the coolest viewbook i've ever seen in my life.
• Best comment I received from driving the Scion this past week (other than the many stares I get while driving down the highway and while waiting in traffic): (note: this comment coming from 2 admissions counselor guys from 2 secular schools) "It looks like you're selling beer out of the back of that thing!" Yep. That's exactly what we, LCC, are going for. Great.
• I'm really looking forward to seeing In Her Shoes this weekend, hopefully w/ my sister.
• I'm thinking it may be a movie and popcorn night tonight. It's definitely a stay-inside night and I'm definitely meant to live somewhere south of here. It's way too cold already.

Denison Witmer @ LCC - 10/17

Alright ya'll. I'm back and I'm puttin' in a plug for this:

Denison Witmer in concert @ Lincoln Christian College

Monday, October 17th

Concert starts @ 8:30,
doors open @ 7:30

Tyler James is opening

$8 for non-LCC students

so check check check it out yo.

on the road again

"On the road again" should probably be the title of my life, since i tend to be on the road a lot. But I don't mind. In fact, I love it. I think it's because I feel like I'm making progress. I'm getting somewhere. That's always a good thing to know in life.

I'm about to be gone for the next week, so don't expect any blogs from me. I'll fill you in when I get back.

I'm SOOOO sad that I'm going to miss tonight's So You Think You Can Dance as well as next Wednesday's. I'm not sure which is the last week, but I have college fairs. Don't tell me who wins cuz my roommate is going to tape it for me!

Speaking of TV, it has been such a whirlwind of season finales and season premieres! With tears I have said goodbye to Wildfire, Beautiful People, and soon SYTYCD. I have welcomed back, however, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, The O.C., Grey's Anatomy, and probably more to come.

And in other news, as my sister has posted in her recent blog...Fall is here. Much to my dismay, the summer is gone. I have reluctantly welcomed my hoodies, my colored pants (though still with flip flops), and caramel apple cider from Starbucks back into my heart. I will miss the summer, but I suppose I will enjoy the crispness of fall...but only for a short while. I just don't like what it leads into. And it's so much harder to find SHOES! ugh.

I have lots to do, so I am on my way. Have a lovely day! Grab yourself some caramel apple cider, wear some flip flops, go outside and play, and enjoy the in-between of seasons!

i'm intrigued

post #2 already this morning? you betcha.

I'm intrigued right now and completely blown away at the wisdom of meteorologists and other weather people who can study the paths of hurricanes and such. This Hurricane Rita thing is blowing my mind, and I'm scared already for the people of the Houston and Galveston area...along w/ all of the Katrina refugees who were sent there! Wow. I don't even know what to think other than the fact that it is scary to think it could destroy one more city and so many more lives. I really want to go help.

and on a completely different note, I'm also intrigued at how my cough medicine that I took this morning has made me feel dizzy, yet great, all morning. I think it's fun. at least i know it's working!

and also (i had to edit this post and add this comment in), if you haven't listened to Laurianne Cates yet, you should. I recommend these songs that I can't stop listening to: "The Kiss," "Back in June," and "The Only Hand I'll Ever Hold." they're just soothing. I love it. I'm addicted to those songs right now.

the birthday blogger

So yesterday was a GREAT birthday! And the celebration isn't even over yet, b/c I get to hang out w/ my fam this weekend too!

I was trying to think of what I've learned most in 23 years yesterday, and the thing I kept coming up with is just this: I'm so blessed. I've always been blessed, even when I might not have recognized it. There is so much to be thankful for, and I definitely recognize that. Yesterday was just a good day. Even if I did have a cold and a horrible headache and had to come to work.

As for today, I will soon be sending Joolz & Jamie my weekly e-mail comments on So You Think You Can Dance. If any of you would like to join that list, I'll be glad to send those your way as well. However, I'll refrain from my posted comments other than saying Nick & Ashle need to win. That's all I'll say.

And I'm off to get my Caramel Macchiato for the day.

the great music divide

I have a hard time with people who think they know everything. I have a hard time when people think their opinion is the actual truth. And I have a harder time when I am one of those people. I'll admit it. Sometimes I am. But I don't like that part of me.

But in this case, I'm noticing how differing opinions about music can cause such a great divide. It happens when we discuss our favorite bands, whether a concert was good or not, what style of "worship" music we like best, how we should sing in church, whether we should sing in church, etc. I even notice how people seem to be classified by the music they listen to. It happens all the time.

Do you see it? It's just something I've seen recently... I've seen it in those who I tried to talk into coming to see Matt Wertz Thursday night, and I'm not saying he's the best ever (though he may be in my opinion), but so many people would not give him or his music the time of day. And that's fine. I'll allow room for opinion, even though I wish everyone loved Matt. And I saw it in Chapel this morning. Dinelle Frankland led in the college chapel through a medley of older hymns, modern choruses, etc. in a very simple, piano-led way. There were no drums, no guitars, no bass, etc. Some loved it, others were bored, and I couldn't decide. I hate that these things cause such a great divide.

We've seen it tear apart the church in the past, with instrumental or non-instrumental. Traditional or contemporary. Contemporary or emergent, for that matter. Boring or exciting. Meaningful or pointless.

i'm not sure, even, what my point is in posting this, b/c I'm trying to flesh out my thoughts on this topic. but I do know that music tends to be a subject of great divide, and I wish it weren't. But then again, without differing opinions on stuff like that, where would the creativity be in the body? As scripture says (in my own translation), the eye cannot say to the hand "I don't need you!" Maybe this is a stretch, but I'd like to say to Britney Spears that I don't need her crappy singing. I would like to say to Third Day and Jeremy Camp, "I don't need your re-done versions of worship songs that a million other people have done." I'd like to tell hard metal bands that I don't need their screaming. But nevertheless, I will suck it up and accept that their creativity (or lack thereof) may somehow benefit another. Perhaps it's just not me.

And without some creative, well thought-out conclusion, this is the end of my post about music. It's just a few of the frustrating thoughts about music that were running through my head today. I'd love to hear what your thoughts are. Maybe you'll help me figure out what it is I'm trying to say!

birthday week!

Well it's officially birthday week. I'm ready to be 23 already. 22 is boring. (i know, 23 is still young, but 22 is just a boring number.)

This weekend, I...

~got a cold. :-(

~cooked out @ Miller Park w/ Heidi, Missy, & Jake

~took some pics @ Miller Park (soon to be posted if they turn out okay)

~listened to this girl, Laurianne Cates, who Matt Wertz & Rob Blackledge talked about at dinner the other night. go to the link, scroll down, and listen to the song "The Kiss." absolutely beautiful. It was inspired by the painting "The Kiss." I can't stop listening to it. the link isn't to her official site, but it's the only place i could find that song.

~just realized Missy Higgins is on tour w/ Jason Mraz, and they're in St. Louis and Chicago soon...i really wanna go now.

~played Dr. Mario @ Missy & Jake's. GREAT game.

~played w/ my niece a whole lot and ate a yummy meal and chocolate cake that my sis made.

we'll be fine just like the last time baby

ahh...yes.

though yesterday's post was a valid post written out of my stress level at that moment, it was well worth it last night.

Ya'll know I talk about Matt Wertz all the time on here, and that's b/c he's great. Or at least I, and a lot of other people, think so. He played last night at LCC along w/ Rob Blackledge. Both of these guys are extremely talented...and quite hilarious I might add.

Kate, Chels, and I took them out for dinner @ Guzzardo's and pretty much laughed a majority of the time, but we had some really good conversation. It was so refreshing to hang out w/ them just as normal guys, just as much as it was nice for them probably to just hang out w/ us as normal people instead of like some crazy psycho fans or something. It was fun to pack up in my Ford Focus and show 'em a bit of Lincoln. and the coolest thing about them is that they're pretty much the most humble people ever. they just love to play music.

Anyways, I'm just sayin'...last night was so worth everything put into it. I love those guys, and I hope you will too. If you haven't heard them before, check them out. and wish you could've been here last night if you weren't, b/c you missed out on good times!

waiting

i have recently come to the conclusion that i might have run out of patience. forever. so maybe pray for me to have some. i'd definitely like some.

the littlest things keep making me mad, and it puts me in a bad mood. plus i think i have chronic fatigue syndrome. i'm so tired always. plus it's cold out.

but on a different note, it's matt wertz day! now as long as we can find a freaking amp and get everything ready, we'll be good to go.

ugh.

jesus, give me patience. i feel like i'm waiting on a million things right now. and all of those things take my attention away from you, and i'm sorry. turn my face back toward yours. i just want to live like i'm waiting for you and you only.

that's my prayer for the moment.

you can't catch this train

my train of thought, that is. why? it's too dang fast for ya. here's what's on my mind:

• I already feel like I'm failing in helping somehow w/ this whole Katrina thing. It just hit me as I was typing the Title for this blog and as I was thinking about what I should write about. I realized I don't want to lose the fervor and the passion and the compassion I have for the people who've lost practically their entire lives. I need to watch the news some more, but even that is starting to slow down. 1 week ago that's all you'd find on CNN, and now it's back to other stuff. As I noted on a comment on Jamie's blog the other day, MTV has had the best coverage I've seen on it yet. They did a "Diary" show the other night where each of their newspeople went out to different places and gathered stories, and basically each of them followed one victim's story. It truly showed the impact on individual lives and made it more real to me, and I appreciated MTV for finally capturing the REALness of it for me.
• Matt Wertz is coming in 2 days, and I'm really excited about it. However, I hope everything goes smoothly w/ the whole day...there are a lot of things going on and lots of stuff to be taken care of. I just don't wanna have to be responsible if something goes wrong or if he leaves and hates us and never wants to come back to Lincoln...maybe i'm just taking my dream from a few weeks ago too seriously. ya think?
• I really love Rolos. (can you see the digression of this blog? from severe importance to "i have nothing better to write about"...and i continue to digress) But seriously. I really do love Rolos. Here's my method for eating them: put in mouth, slowly let the chocolate melt off of the caramel, then slowly let the caramel dissolve in your mouth last. It makes them last a whole lot longer! Try it! SAVOR the FLAVOR! ok that was stupid, i know.
• I have my photography class tonight, and I thought you might like to see some of this past week's assignment photos. They were supposed to be on things in motion and shallow depth of field. Here are some of the ones I liked:
• 

• I am waiting for a phone call. Actually two of them.
• I'm wondering if my sis and brother-in-law had a good time in Vegas. I think I'll call later and find out.
• I've had lots of thoughts recently about communion and how amazing it is that it just symbolizes so much. If you'd like, I'll call it "the sacraments." Every time I try to "prepare myself" for it, I realize that there really is no way to "prepare" for it as we often say, other than by being willing to accept it. I love the reminder that no matter where you are, no matter where your heart is, no matter what you just did the night before, no matter what you were thinking about someone you don't like 5 minutes ago, no matter what, Christ meets us where we're at. He comes to us. I know this revelation of mine is nothing new, but it has been renewed and revealed to me again lately. I just love when that happens.

this is pretty funny

I have a friend, whom some of you may know--Amanda Cole, who is interning/working @ Southeast Christian Church in Louisville right now. If you don't know, Southeast is this huge, ginormous church in Kentucky. Anyways, below is an email Amanda sent me this morning:


Mandy,
So I thought you would enjoy this story. The guys in my office just told me that this weekend a woman at the welcome center gave a tour of the building to this black guy and his big black friend, he wanted to see the church, the soundboard, the whole place you know. He kept asking her if she was into rap music and what she liked to listen to as far as music goes. She said she didn’t really care for rap. So at the end of the tour they shook hands and he told her his name was NELLY! She had no idea who he was……until she got home and told her husband about it. Hilarious! Nelly was here at Southeast and no one even knew!!!
Just a little fun to brighten your day,
Manda

I'm wondering if he wanted to do a special music or something? Maybe he could do "It's Gettin' Hot in Here" as some kind of representation of hell? asd;lkjweproij

i lied.

oops!

i lied in the previous post when i said i had nothing to say.

i just remembered this: my birthday is coming up! yay!

12 more days. yes, do the math. september 21st, my friends.

if you'd like to see a wishlist, i could probably put one together.

just kidding!!! have a lovely weekend all!

new blogger!!!

Friends, it's getting exciting around here in the blogworld.

Missy, aka Melissa Raymer, my old LCC roommate of D102 for 3 years, now has a blog!

This is good news!

In other news as for this Friday:
-I have little to say, believe it or not!

anyone have any good ideas of stuff to do this weekend? i'm already bored and i still have an hour left of work! no weekend plans whatsoever are in place for me...

re:

Matt Wertz: I can't get #1 (Like the Last Time) out of my head from this new release of his. It's only $7.00 b/c it only has 5 songs on it...just different versions mostly of ones he's done before. Also, had a bad dream about the upcoming concert @ LCC not turning out so well, but I know it isn't a prophecy, b/c I have a feeling our concert will be packed.



















being domestic: that's what I've been lately! I've been cooking up a storm! I have my freshman orientation group coming over tonight for dinner, so I made Lasagna, we're making cheese/garlic biscuits, salad, and homemade strawberry shortcakes. Yum. good meal or what?

Marc Broussard: I want his older CD. If you don't have either of his, you need to get them. Check it out here.

ReAct Now Music & Relief Concert: looking forward to hopefully watching or taping this on Sat. night from 7-10 p.m. (Central time)

couples things: I'm tired of this. And by this, I mean, I'm kind of worn out w/ people hooking up and then all of a sudden it's like they're a part of this special club that does things in pairs. maybe i'll understand someday when i'm dating someone or when i'm married or something, but for right now, it gets kind of old. i love when my dating and/or married friends hang out w/ those of us who are still unattached without expecting someone else to come alongside. OK, that's enough of that soapbox. I promise I'm not some negative discontent single girl, but I'm sure that's what it sounds like on here.

the weather: is it beautiful outside or what? I wish I could move my cubicle outside. It's gorgeous! It makes me soooo happy!

So You Think You Can Dance: it's on. tonight. Snow--you better be leaving soon! I guess the only positive if you stay is that I'll still have something to laugh at regularly on Wed. nights! I might have to tape it w/ my group coming over tonight for din-din.

the OC: omg, i just remembered it starts tomorrow night!!!! ahhhhh!!! my TV time is increasing...

So you think you can dance? weekly memos

I cannot get on w/ this post w/out saying this:

Snow--what the crap was that last night? Do you really think you can dance? Words cannot even begin to express the laughter and hilarity my roommate Heidi and I experienced while watching the 45 seconds of you twirling your skirt, stomping your feet like a soldier, pointing your finger, pretending you're at a rave w/ a glow stick, or whatever the heck that was you did. All I can say is this: thanks for making me laugh harder than I had in a really long time. And thank you for allowing me to continually imitate you with ease each week.

and now, on with the rest of my memos:

Melissa--You should win. Ignore the crap they told you about being too jazzy last night. You're good.

Ashle--if Melissa doesn't win, you should win. You're a strong dancer.

Allen--I'm sorry buddy, but you can't go on any longer. I like your personality, but really most people who can dance can do what you do. You're not as versatile as you need to be to win this competition. (i know, i sound like a judge now, don't i?)

Nick--you're darn cute. I'm wondering curiously if you're gay. If not, the girls will be crazy about you. Even if you are, we probably still will be. You should be the guy winner.

Jamile--I really like you still too.

Dan Karaty--I missed you judging last night, but I'm so glad I got to see you on the screen for the few minutes they showed you choreographing the hip hop dance. You're half the reason I watch the show. Can you please come to Lincoln, IL and hang out w/ me? I can't get over your adorable-ness.

Live audience--you're so stinking annoying. You were a little better last night than you usually are, but you've gotta stop w/ the stupid "boo"-ing whenever the judges speak any truth. They know what they're talking about! (well most of the time)

that's all for this week.

oh, and America? here's your memo--if you don't vote Snow off the show this week, I'm going to be really pissed off at you. And also, please don't vote off Ryan. Keep him and, as much as I hate to say it, you've gotta get rid of Allan this week. PLEASE be smart.

on Katrina: “This is a nightmare,” Blanco added, “but one that will give us an opportunity for rebirth.”

I feel helpless.

I'm journaling about this on here, because I feel like I have to get it out in some way. I'm distraught about this hurricane, which before last night I didn't seem to care a bit about. I'm thankful that God opened my eyes to see the tragedy that is happening just so He can teach me a few things through it.

It's sad that it often takes a tragedy to teach us things we should've known before. And people question why "God allows this stuff to happen." I'm not saying I've never questioned that before, but I don't doubt that He's working in the midst of it, that's for sure. If He's teaching me here in IL where I'm physically unaffected by this storm, then I can't imagine how He's working where people are actually facing the effects of Katrina physically.

I've watched the news and slideshows of pictures from the storm, and I can't stop thinking about how it must feel to have no escape. How humbling. How reliant and dependent on others you'd have to be right now. No food. No electricity. No clean water. No transportation. No rules, really. And no escape. If I'm ever without food or clean water, it's not like I can't just drive somewhere or walk down the road and find it. These people have absolutely nowhere to go. And the funny thing is, this is daily life for some in other countries.

I read on an MSN article today about people swimming through water, having to push floating cars out of their way just to get through and swim along with the current. They're forced to ignore the dead bodies because there are survivors who need to be the main priority right now, so they swim right past floating carcasses. It sounds sick, but what other options do they have?

I can't figure out what you'd do w/ babies and little children...the elderly who need to be hooked up to oxygen tanks, diabetics who need their insulin shots, people in hospitals or at home who need prescriptions.

And all the while I can't figure out how people go through this life claiming to be faithless. They don't believe in anything, or they'd rather suggest that there are many different belief systems that one can choose from that will lead to the same place. I beg to differ. Isn't it obvious that people who claim to have no faith really do have faith? Isn't it obvious that there's something beyond this world and the temporal things we see?

It's a city in ruins. And it's not anything new or different. It happened thousands of years ago, and it is happening today. We have to realize we're not indestructible. We're not unbreakable. And in situations where it seems there is no escape, that is our only escape--to realize that we are not the center of it all.

What are you putting your hope in?

class

so...

i'm a student again?

i'm jumping into a Photography class that Scott Sarver is teaching here this semester. They started last Tuesday night but I found out about an opening and I have class tonight! I'm excited to learn a lot more about it. however, b/c my camera is not the coolest, and it doesn't have a manual setting, i may have to borrow for some assignments.

can't wait to sit w/ my fellow staff buddy sheri!


oh--and i just remembered this...serena requested in my comments section a review of Bethany Dillon's new CD...that will be soon to come.

new bloggers

I just want to bring your attention to some of the new bloggers now added to my "friends, family, and strangers" links. I've added several recently.

However, Rachel's is the newest, and no offense to everyone else, but it's the one I'm most excited to read daily! this girl is where i learned the skills of sarcasm from. she's freakin' hilarious. i love you rach! :-)

a smorgasboard of things

I love to use the word smorgasboard for some odd reason. I think it's funny.

Reminder: check this out. Matt Wertz @ LCC w/ Rob Blackledge. Time change: concert is now at 8:30 p.m., doors will open @ 7:30 p.m.

I have my first chiropractic appointment tomorrow morning at 10:20 a.m., thanks to my annoying lower back pain that seems to persist and haunt my existence.

Bethany Dillon concert on Friday night--amazing. As Courtney said during one of her songs, "I could hardly breathe during that song..." that's how much Bethany blows me away with her wisdom. I am amazed at her talent all the time, and I'm amazed even more at how God uses music to draw me closer to Him.

I have a giant bruise on my left leg..."from what?" you ask. Well, yes, it's from playing hide-and-seek in the dark w/ 20 people at the Hornbrooks' house this weekend for our Fuel Leadership Advance (not retreat...). It hurts real bad.

We have some great food in our office today b/c of Jen & MK's birthdays. Yummy. I made some taco dip that is the easiest thing in the world. Want the recipe? Here it is: 8 oz. cream cheese, 16 oz. sour cream, 1 pkg. taco seasoning. that's it. If you want to decorate it like I do, you can cut up grape tomatoes and sprinkle some shredded cheese as a garnish for the top. :-)

I have the cutest niece in the entire world. Please see below.






I told you she was cute! I aint lyin'!

some of the things floating around in my head

--anxiously awaiting: seeing bethany dillon tomorrow night in indy, getting a massage at the spa in bloomington saturday, the matt wertz concert on the 15th here @ the warehouse

--nervous about: above stated massage @ the spa--thanks to my sister booking it w/ the guy masseuse. might be a little more awkward than relaxing.

--energized: by the new freshmen still...i love hanging out w/ them! they are so much fun!

--tired: somewhat ironically, b/c I was out so late (till 12--two hours past my bedtime!!!) hanging out w/ students @ the bonfire after Focus last night

--looking fwd to: sleeping in tomorrow, thanks to the 4 hours of vacation i'm taking and the afternoon Lynn gave us off!

--reminiscing: on all the memories from freshmen year still...man, i miss it! in an email to rach i just realized something...I think freshman year is so exciting because you can be whoever you want to be, because it's new, and it doesn't matter! Then later on we start to trick ourselves into thinking we have to have it all figured out, when we really don't have to. i'm going to be a freshman again...mentally. well, sometimes. not all the time.

--annoyed: w/ certain celebrities...Gwen Stefani--i know you're boycotting the VMA's b/c you weren't invited to perform. Well, get over it. It's probably because you ruined your chances by that hideous outfit you wore on the Teen Choice Awards, and because you pretty much yell in your songs now instead of singing. Snoop dogg--i know you think you're cool and still wanted b/c you're on some Chrysler commercial (or some make of car) w/ your -izzle lingo. I'm pretty sure that whole dizzle has fizzled. for shizzle.

--loving making fun of: Snow on So You Think You Can Dance? can you really call that dancing? I think it looks more like frolicking. I really wish I could videotape myself imitating her in my living room and attach it to this post, but no such luck. if you see me soon, ask me and i'll do it. she looks like a freak. and also, sidenote on the show, i'm super annoyed w/ the host Lauren and the idiot audience that hollers at every true statement the judges say. i hate it when people who don't know how to dance get mad at the judges (who DO) for making honest judgments. ugh.

--still crushing: on dan karaty, hot judge on above-stated show.

--currently: listening to rascal flatts, awaiting the next 28 minutes to go by quickly, and looking fwd to chilling out on a rainy gray day. i think i'll rent a movie. hm...what will i get?

orientation

This weekend has been a fresh, new start for so many. Not just for the freshmen and transfer students who have moved in to start what could be the best 4 years of their lives thus far, but also for me. This weekend, including move-in day and all of the madness of freshmen orientation, has been the culmination of an entire year's worth of work. It's why I'm here. It's the reward.

You can't imagine how exciting it is to see students move in here whom you've met along the way. I remember giving tours to some, sitting down and actually "counseling" some, eating lunches with some, hanging out with some at camps or CIY's, talking to some on the phone, writing or e-mailing with some, and so on... but it's an exhausting excitement. My spirit is energized by seeing everyone here, but physically and mentally I'm exhausted from all that's going on.

We've each led freshmen small groups during orientation, and in the past these have proved to be a failure. They've felt like church camp family groups or d-groups most of the time, and this year wasn't completely different. But we didn't just sit around and discuss. Instead we had "The Amazing Race" on Sat. night w/ our group and some other games (including 4-square, which I hadn't ever played until then) on Sunday afternoon, and service projects yesterday. Our group instantly bonded in The Amazing Race as we ran across campus to get our clues, were sweating all over each other in the cheesy-as-ever-but-still-good-team-building "Human Knot", and as we ran screaming "No man left behind!!!" to make sure we all stuck together. I love my group. These freshmen are awesome.

It just takes me back to when I was a freshman, which seems like soooo many years ago. Melissa and I moved into our room, Rachel was across the hall, and we were each nervous and excited the first day. We met Allison, who was sitting at her computer by herself in her room next door to us, and later we met Steph and her crazy roommate from upstairs. Steph, Alli, Rachel, Missy, and I started hanging out all the time on the tennis courts at night, looking up at the stars and laughing till it was curfew time. I remember how loud and obnoxious we must have been to everyone else. I remember taking the ol' Bible Knowledge Exam and freaking out. I remember getting an orientation "crush" on someone whom I still now know, and I can tell you exactly where we were sitting in the Chapel that night when we met (and probably even what he was wearing). I remember going to Dairy Queen later that night w/ the girls and that boy and another boy from the Hole, and that's the night Rachel named my car Snaggy Magoo. I remember meeting certain people who would just walk right up and introduce themselves, and it was overwhelming b/c I knew I'd forget their names! I remember finally getting the wishbook and looking through to memorize names and faces of all the upperclassmen and other freshmen. I remember Steph saying something to me about my clothing one time b/c I was wearing a spaghetti strap tank top and shorts, and apparently I didn't think that was immodest attire. (I realized later on that it wasn't really appropriate at LCC, but I had no idea.) I remember crazy Megan Snyder who was on our floor and who pretty much brought upon us endless unnecessary stress and chaos. I remember going dancing at Rocky's in Bloomington (yuck) and feeling like we were in trouble from our dorm mom b/c we weren't supposed to be going. I remember thinking I would never be friends w/ all the Lincoln girls who were prof's daughters, even though now I'm really good friends w/ Lindsay Clark (Jones) and Ashleigh Mauhar (Ray). I remember lots of good things, funny things, bad things, things I wish I hadn't done, things I wish could still be going on.

Oh, the memories of freshman year. I miss it, but I don't. I'm glad to be where I am now and to see these new faces come into the newness I once experienced here. It's a new start, and that's what I remember being most exciting about coming to LCC. It's a beginning. And I'm excited to see the end results...which isn't their graduation, but the ministry that happens while they're here and far beyond their days here. Sounds cheesy, I know. But really this whole place is just their orientation to life, isn't it?