When I was in college, my roommates and I referred to the boys we had crushes on as "small treasures." I'm not really sure how this got started (I think Yes Fo or Terry started using it first) but somehow it stuck through the years.
Last night as I was crawling into bed, I wanted to take another look at a couple of the passages the speaker at the conference I was at this weekend referenced. However, I had a small problem. The bulb in my bedside lamp went out a few weeks ago, and since I never use it any other time, I don't think about it until I need it...and by then I am far too cold and lazy to get out of bed, run downstairs, grab another light bulb, and then change it. (I would also like to add that even though I am thinking about it now, I'm still not going to do it...and also that I think it requires a special bulb, so it might actually require me buying one, not just running downstairs.)
So I pulled out my pink travel maglite I bought before I left for Africa that I keep by my bed. If you haven't read Scripture by flashlight recently, I highly recommend it. I felt secretive. I felt sneaky. I felt like I was searching for small treasures, and I loved it.
If there is one thing I regret about college, it is that the majority of my time, with the exception of some of my senior year, was spent focusing on the other small treasures in life. Now I don't mean just boys, I mean everything else wonderful about life that distracts me, mainly, from my personal relationship with my Creator. It wasn't that I was seeking other things, I just wasn't seeking Him. I regret that. Can I change that? No. Can I change now? Yes.
I will always be a seeker of truth and of small treasures that are greater than I can imagine.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Explanation Required.
Since I'm going to have a little free time on my hands after these next couple of weeks, I thought I would give my blog a facelift since I might be blogging more often. I took the time to change all the colors, check out different layouts, and in the end...cancelled all the changes. You see, my blog has a pretty boring look, but I don't like change, no matter how big or small. Maybe, just maybe, I can work up to it in these next few weeks.
Another thing regarding my blog is I'm not quite sure I've ever explained the title. If I have, feel free to stop reading, but I just realized that it probably looks pretty dumb if you don't know what it means. So, I will tell you.
A couple years ago, Christian and Brittany kept talking about this movie called "Young Frankenstein." They kept quoting it and quoting it and since I was a good little Christian girl, I had never seen the movie and it was driving me nuts. So we watched it one day, and it is pretty funny. But there is this one part in the lab when Igor grabs a brain labeled "Abnormal" to put in Frankenstein. When the monster wakes up from surgery and starts actin' all crazy, the conversation goes like this:
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [to Igor] Now that brain that you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck's?
Igor: [pause, then] No.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?
Igor: Then you won't be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry.
Igor: Abby Someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby Someone. Abby who?
Igor: Abby Normal.
I named my blog this for two reasons: 1. I think we are all a little abnormal at times (dare I even say weird?) and 2. my blog is composed of thoughts that come (mainly) from my brain. Therefore, it only seemed appropriate, don't you think?
Another thing regarding my blog is I'm not quite sure I've ever explained the title. If I have, feel free to stop reading, but I just realized that it probably looks pretty dumb if you don't know what it means. So, I will tell you.
A couple years ago, Christian and Brittany kept talking about this movie called "Young Frankenstein." They kept quoting it and quoting it and since I was a good little Christian girl, I had never seen the movie and it was driving me nuts. So we watched it one day, and it is pretty funny. But there is this one part in the lab when Igor grabs a brain labeled "Abnormal" to put in Frankenstein. When the monster wakes up from surgery and starts actin' all crazy, the conversation goes like this:
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [to Igor] Now that brain that you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck's?
Igor: [pause, then] No.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?
Igor: Then you won't be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry.
Igor: Abby Someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby Someone. Abby who?
Igor: Abby Normal.
I named my blog this for two reasons: 1. I think we are all a little abnormal at times (dare I even say weird?) and 2. my blog is composed of thoughts that come (mainly) from my brain. Therefore, it only seemed appropriate, don't you think?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Dear Oprah,
So today I'm going to talk about my kind of bad day. When a day starts by waking up late, having to turn around twice (yes, twice) because I forgot things, clouds, and a cold cup of coffee, I think it's a pretty good sign you are going to have a kind of bad day.
When I arrived at school this morning (ten minutes late due to the turn arounds), I was handed a letter that was passed out to the rest of the staff. It wasn't like I didn't know it was coming, because not for profit organizations can only keep their head above water for so long in this economy, I guess I just never really believed it.
As of March 13, the school will close temporarily for six weeks in order to raise the funds needed to hopefully re-open for the rest of the spring term and for summer term. However, we also need about $10,000 to even complete payroll up until March 13. When I was hired in last April, I (as well as the rest of the staff) took the job knowing that sometimes the funds might not be there for payroll but also knowing full well that God would provide (if not through payroll, through other means). In the past 3 years, the school has not missed a single payroll. Only once was it even late.
So of course, we have questions. Did God fail us? Of course not. Are we actively seeking His will? Is there something else He has for us to do? We have a lot of questions and there is a lot of uncertainty, but one thing we do know is this: "Faithful is He who has promised."
Probably the worst part was telling all the students today. However, we also told them that if they have any ideas on how to raise money, to let us know. So as I was sitting at coffee break today, a student leaned over to my friend Terry and said, "You need to call Howie." Terry was confused. "What did you say?" The Korean student repeated in her thick accent, "You need to call Howie! You know...Deal or No Deal! You and other teachers get on show and win money for school." I laughed. Hard. And then I said, "Okay, we'll call Howie, and you write letters to Oprah and President Obama, and then we'll have all the money we need to keep the school open!"
When I arrived at school this morning (ten minutes late due to the turn arounds), I was handed a letter that was passed out to the rest of the staff. It wasn't like I didn't know it was coming, because not for profit organizations can only keep their head above water for so long in this economy, I guess I just never really believed it.
As of March 13, the school will close temporarily for six weeks in order to raise the funds needed to hopefully re-open for the rest of the spring term and for summer term. However, we also need about $10,000 to even complete payroll up until March 13. When I was hired in last April, I (as well as the rest of the staff) took the job knowing that sometimes the funds might not be there for payroll but also knowing full well that God would provide (if not through payroll, through other means). In the past 3 years, the school has not missed a single payroll. Only once was it even late.
So of course, we have questions. Did God fail us? Of course not. Are we actively seeking His will? Is there something else He has for us to do? We have a lot of questions and there is a lot of uncertainty, but one thing we do know is this: "Faithful is He who has promised."
Probably the worst part was telling all the students today. However, we also told them that if they have any ideas on how to raise money, to let us know. So as I was sitting at coffee break today, a student leaned over to my friend Terry and said, "You need to call Howie." Terry was confused. "What did you say?" The Korean student repeated in her thick accent, "You need to call Howie! You know...Deal or No Deal! You and other teachers get on show and win money for school." I laughed. Hard. And then I said, "Okay, we'll call Howie, and you write letters to Oprah and President Obama, and then we'll have all the money we need to keep the school open!"
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Little Surprises.
Today was kind of a bad day. Not for any one reason, just kind of a bad day. But don't worry, I'm not going to talk about my kind of bad day.
So yesterday my friend Annie (who happens to be Indian) and I were talking about the Oscars. She mentioned Smile Pinki, and I said I wanted to see it. She told me she saw it, and I asked where because I didn't know if it was out or where I could rent it from. She said, "Actually, I have it...my sister-in-law bought it from an Indian store in Cincinnati. I have it until she comes this weekend, so I will try to remember to bring it tomorrow so you can watch it." I thought, 'perfect!' Tonight was really the only free night I had that I might even have time to watch it. She then mentioned the way India is portrayed in a negative light and something about how it took a British guy to make the film in order to give it so much publicity. I was confused for a minute because I thought a woman produced it...but I thought maybe she was confused too, so I didn't say anything.
Today when she handed it to me, I looked at it, and saw it was a burned DVD. (For the record...I'm not sure I've ever watched a pirated movie in my life.) I didn't think anything of it except it had the initials. "S.M." on it. I thought, hmmm....I thought the movie was called Smile Pinki, but...oh well! (Does anyone see where I am going with this?)
So I told Libbie that I was going to watch it, and she should come over after speaking at a college class not too far from my house. She called and said she was exhausted and probably couldn't stay awake through a documentary. I said, no problem, fixed my dinner, and sat down to watch it. I put it in and guess what came up? "Slumdog Millionaire". Ha! I called Libbie, and she probably almost considered turning around since we both had wanted to see it, but I told her if I liked it enough, we could go see it this weekend haha. I said to her, "It's like thinking you were going to watch a gallery rental, and you got a new release for free!" It's true, that's how I felt. Because as much as I wanted to see Smile Pinki, I wanted to see Slumdog more.
And so I did. And now my day doesn't seem all that bad.
So yesterday my friend Annie (who happens to be Indian) and I were talking about the Oscars. She mentioned Smile Pinki, and I said I wanted to see it. She told me she saw it, and I asked where because I didn't know if it was out or where I could rent it from. She said, "Actually, I have it...my sister-in-law bought it from an Indian store in Cincinnati. I have it until she comes this weekend, so I will try to remember to bring it tomorrow so you can watch it." I thought, 'perfect!' Tonight was really the only free night I had that I might even have time to watch it. She then mentioned the way India is portrayed in a negative light and something about how it took a British guy to make the film in order to give it so much publicity. I was confused for a minute because I thought a woman produced it...but I thought maybe she was confused too, so I didn't say anything.
Today when she handed it to me, I looked at it, and saw it was a burned DVD. (For the record...I'm not sure I've ever watched a pirated movie in my life.) I didn't think anything of it except it had the initials. "S.M." on it. I thought, hmmm....I thought the movie was called Smile Pinki, but...oh well! (Does anyone see where I am going with this?)
So I told Libbie that I was going to watch it, and she should come over after speaking at a college class not too far from my house. She called and said she was exhausted and probably couldn't stay awake through a documentary. I said, no problem, fixed my dinner, and sat down to watch it. I put it in and guess what came up? "Slumdog Millionaire". Ha! I called Libbie, and she probably almost considered turning around since we both had wanted to see it, but I told her if I liked it enough, we could go see it this weekend haha. I said to her, "It's like thinking you were going to watch a gallery rental, and you got a new release for free!" It's true, that's how I felt. Because as much as I wanted to see Smile Pinki, I wanted to see Slumdog more.
And so I did. And now my day doesn't seem all that bad.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Is it true?
"Facebook is for old people." - direct quote from my father
Recently, a larger number of old"er" people are joining Facebook for social networking purposes.
Allow me to make a few observations about the older generation:
1. They don't quite get it. Admittedly, Facebook has a learning curve. Unfortunately for them, knowledge doesn't come as quickly as it does our tech-savvy generation, so even though they've had Facebook for a year, they still accidentally write on their own wall sometimes and still don't know how to upload pictures. (I almost peed my pants last week when my dad was telling me he had to enter his telephone number every time he accepted a friend request. And then he said Facebook sent him a text message with a code that he had to enter so he wouldn't have to type his phone number again. I think I finally figured out it must be the new way of verifying your account, but I really just thought he was being scammed.)
2. They still feel the need to sign their wall posts. "Dear Abby Jane, hope you're having a good day! Gina" as if I didn't see that "Gina Smith" had written on my wall. I understand it's probably difficult to go from signing telegrams, letters, e-mails, and now wall posts all in one lifetime.
3. They feel the need to add every single application someone tells them they should because they will feel bad if they don't. (They still think the person sent it to them personally...I've had a hard time explaining this one.)
4. They fall for the ads on the margins of the page or for the occasional viruses that post something like "I found your picture here! ndksladhsjkladna" on their wall.
5. They are genuinely concerned when teenagers write things like "life sucks" as their status and respond accordingly. "What's wrong sweetie? Having a bad day?" "What happened?" "Are you okay?" As if teenagers haven't always felt this way at one point or another, they just now have a more immediate and public way of expressing it. And they realllllly don't understand it when they post song lyrics. ("What does that even mean??")
I try to provide insight to some of these questions I get asked in real life by my father, co-workers, and bosses, but there are only so many questions I can answer in a day before I start wondering if Facebook is really for old"er" people...
Recently, a larger number of old"er" people are joining Facebook for social networking purposes.
Allow me to make a few observations about the older generation:
1. They don't quite get it. Admittedly, Facebook has a learning curve. Unfortunately for them, knowledge doesn't come as quickly as it does our tech-savvy generation, so even though they've had Facebook for a year, they still accidentally write on their own wall sometimes and still don't know how to upload pictures. (I almost peed my pants last week when my dad was telling me he had to enter his telephone number every time he accepted a friend request. And then he said Facebook sent him a text message with a code that he had to enter so he wouldn't have to type his phone number again. I think I finally figured out it must be the new way of verifying your account, but I really just thought he was being scammed.)
2. They still feel the need to sign their wall posts. "Dear Abby Jane, hope you're having a good day! Gina" as if I didn't see that "Gina Smith" had written on my wall. I understand it's probably difficult to go from signing telegrams, letters, e-mails, and now wall posts all in one lifetime.
3. They feel the need to add every single application someone tells them they should because they will feel bad if they don't. (They still think the person sent it to them personally...I've had a hard time explaining this one.)
4. They fall for the ads on the margins of the page or for the occasional viruses that post something like "I found your picture here! ndksladhsjkladna" on their wall.
5. They are genuinely concerned when teenagers write things like "life sucks" as their status and respond accordingly. "What's wrong sweetie? Having a bad day?" "What happened?" "Are you okay?" As if teenagers haven't always felt this way at one point or another, they just now have a more immediate and public way of expressing it. And they realllllly don't understand it when they post song lyrics. ("What does that even mean??")
I try to provide insight to some of these questions I get asked in real life by my father, co-workers, and bosses, but there are only so many questions I can answer in a day before I start wondering if Facebook is really for old"er" people...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Confessions of an E-mail Saver
It's true, I save e-mails. The summer after I graduated from Taylor, I painstakingly forwarded a ton (let's not get ridiculous...it was under 100) e-mails to my Gmail account before they so lovingly deleted my Taylor account. (Really, I paid over $100,000 and you can't let me keep my e-mail address? I'm not bitter or anything though...)
Tonight I was looking for a specific e-mail on the subject of the Good Samaritan in which a professor and I discussed at length. In the training I'm involved in this weekend, we once again discussed the parable so I wanted to compare notes.
All of that to say...while searching for the e-mail, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed and entertained by all the e-mails I opened. Sometimes I forget how much fun I had. I will share a couple, which will really probably only be funny to me, but I sure do miss it. Can you guess who they were from??
"So, I got to thinkin' the other day and realized we (you, me, and Sofo) need to get a pic of us rockin' one leg. For real though...before we graduate we need to get a pic. And you need to meet my parents...wink!"
"We will not meet tonight due to some birthdays, conflicts, open houses, and lack of agenda items. Since we are not meeting I would encourage you to attend. Also, I have the Christmas party information below. Please keep reading."
"Why are you re-applying for SAC?
To pick up chicks. And to keep Nathan and Brian in line. And to give the Taylor student body the kind of events they deserve.
What gifts/talents do you have that you believe help to strengthen the cabinet next year?
I don't have enough room to answer this, but I'd say my humility is my best feature. And I don't know if dashing good looks are needed for next year, but I've got that covered as well. In actuality, I will work hard and do what I'm told, so that's good when I'm being ordered around by a bunch of women. I am also somewhat creative.
What are two areas that you are not as strong in?
1. I'm not very good at being serious. This could be positive though seeing as I lighten the mood and keep people laughing during meetings.
2. Rugby."
"op, there goes gravity,snap back to reality...lose yourself in the music,the moment you want it,you better never let it go,you only get one shot,do not miss your chance somethin somethin somethin.
little diddy to liven up your evening...word on the street is that it's that time of the semester when the academic shit is hitting the fan. just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
i hope you trick or treated like it was 1999...i love you like peanut butter loves jelly, like biggie loved pac, like alvin loves theodore, like gruendyke loves chapel."
Tonight I was looking for a specific e-mail on the subject of the Good Samaritan in which a professor and I discussed at length. In the training I'm involved in this weekend, we once again discussed the parable so I wanted to compare notes.
All of that to say...while searching for the e-mail, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed and entertained by all the e-mails I opened. Sometimes I forget how much fun I had. I will share a couple, which will really probably only be funny to me, but I sure do miss it. Can you guess who they were from??
"So, I got to thinkin' the other day and realized we (you, me, and Sofo) need to get a pic of us rockin' one leg. For real though...before we graduate we need to get a pic. And you need to meet my parents...wink!"
"We will not meet tonight due to some birthdays, conflicts, open houses, and lack of agenda items. Since we are not meeting I would encourage you to attend. Also, I have the Christmas party information below. Please keep reading."
"Why are you re-applying for SAC?
To pick up chicks. And to keep Nathan and Brian in line. And to give the Taylor student body the kind of events they deserve.
What gifts/talents do you have that you believe help to strengthen the cabinet next year?
I don't have enough room to answer this, but I'd say my humility is my best feature. And I don't know if dashing good looks are needed for next year, but I've got that covered as well. In actuality, I will work hard and do what I'm told, so that's good when I'm being ordered around by a bunch of women. I am also somewhat creative.
What are two areas that you are not as strong in?
1. I'm not very good at being serious. This could be positive though seeing as I lighten the mood and keep people laughing during meetings.
2. Rugby."
"op, there goes gravity,snap back to reality...lose yourself in the music,the moment you want it,you better never let it go,you only get one shot,do not miss your chance somethin somethin somethin.
little diddy to liven up your evening...word on the street is that it's that time of the semester when the academic shit is hitting the fan. just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
i hope you trick or treated like it was 1999...i love you like peanut butter loves jelly, like biggie loved pac, like alvin loves theodore, like gruendyke loves chapel."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Olfactory Obstacle.
Sometimes I'm a little more than jealous of people who have no sense of smell. Trust me, most days I am grateful for my God-given ability to smell, but some days I just wish I didn't have it. Like, for example, this weekend when I changed two of the smelliest diapers I have ever smelled in my entire life.
However, I enjoyed studying the senses in college (even if they were through horrible videos Dr. B. put in and then quizzed us on things like "what was the actress' name?") One thing I learned was that women often connect certain smells with certain emotions, feelings or memories and that a certain smell can bring those things to the surface more often than anything visual, as is normally the case for guys. I believe it...for two reasons:
1. When I was around 14, almost a decade ago now, I was in love. And this boy who I loved wore this cologne that I swear only guys over 60 are allowed to buy. Even to this day, I can pick that smell out in a crowd of 60 year-olds, and I all of the sudden turn 14 and get all these butterflies in my stomach and am waiting for him to come over all over again.
2. When I was working at the coffee shop, I always smelled horrible. I smelled like food, old coffee, and dirty dish water all at the same time. It was disgusting. So, I carried a bottle of Magnolia Blossom (or as Jess likes to call it..."Mongolia Blossom") body splash in my purse so everyday before and after work I would drench myself in it. Now, I can't even put on the lotion without getting this awful thought in my head that I'm headed to go make lattes for rich doctors.
However, I enjoyed studying the senses in college (even if they were through horrible videos Dr. B. put in and then quizzed us on things like "what was the actress' name?") One thing I learned was that women often connect certain smells with certain emotions, feelings or memories and that a certain smell can bring those things to the surface more often than anything visual, as is normally the case for guys. I believe it...for two reasons:
1. When I was around 14, almost a decade ago now, I was in love. And this boy who I loved wore this cologne that I swear only guys over 60 are allowed to buy. Even to this day, I can pick that smell out in a crowd of 60 year-olds, and I all of the sudden turn 14 and get all these butterflies in my stomach and am waiting for him to come over all over again.
2. When I was working at the coffee shop, I always smelled horrible. I smelled like food, old coffee, and dirty dish water all at the same time. It was disgusting. So, I carried a bottle of Magnolia Blossom (or as Jess likes to call it..."Mongolia Blossom") body splash in my purse so everyday before and after work I would drench myself in it. Now, I can't even put on the lotion without getting this awful thought in my head that I'm headed to go make lattes for rich doctors.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Pet Peeves
1. When close friends choose not to share/talk about/disclose a certain aspect of their life with me. Omissions are lies in my book. They are dishonest and not appreciated.
2. Apologies that sound more like guilt trips.
3. People who make selfish, life-altering decisions based on their "needs" and think nothing of the other people whose lives are daily affected by their selfishness.
2. Apologies that sound more like guilt trips.
3. People who make selfish, life-altering decisions based on their "needs" and think nothing of the other people whose lives are daily affected by their selfishness.
Friday, February 13, 2009
I'm still a champ!
Just for the record...tonight I plugged in Pacman for probably the second time, post-Taylor career. My first game? 40,980 points. Yep, I still got it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Daily Grind.
1. I like lists. If you don't...so sorry!
2. I made it to the gym again today...too bad the tanning bed thing happened again. Tomorrow morning the treadmills are calling my name though...
3. If you haven't seen this, you need to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83JDXXKzOXg
4. I hate funerals. They are a little more bearable when my nephew sitting in front of me keeps looking back and making cute faces at me though.
5. I hate it when I charge something on my credit card and completely forget about it until the statement comes. What I really hate though is when said thing is $170. Oops, didn't see that one coming.
2. I made it to the gym again today...too bad the tanning bed thing happened again. Tomorrow morning the treadmills are calling my name though...
3. If you haven't seen this, you need to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83JDXXKzOXg
4. I hate funerals. They are a little more bearable when my nephew sitting in front of me keeps looking back and making cute faces at me though.
5. I hate it when I charge something on my credit card and completely forget about it until the statement comes. What I really hate though is when said thing is $170. Oops, didn't see that one coming.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February: What a boring month.
1. I can't decide what form of precipitation I hate more: rain or snow. Today I think I decided rain. It is just so awful!
2. Here is my monthly check-up on my "Good Ideas for the New Year":
a. Be healthy- well, I'm doing okay. Last week I purchased my gym membership and then went to the gym once. The problem was there were no open treadmills, but there was an open tanning bed...so I thought it would be good not to waste the time I took to go there and seized the opportunity. I also went in yesterday to a different location to get the tour and class schedule. I'm workin' on it...
b. Be happy- I ask Jesus everyday to give me joy in my work. And almost everyday, that prayer is answered. Some days it's a struggle, but extra sleep and patience go a long way.
c. Read some books- so far I have read 4 books and am in 3 currently. I'd say I'm doing well.
3. I am way excited for Saturday and probably not for the reason 95% of people are!
2. Here is my monthly check-up on my "Good Ideas for the New Year":
a. Be healthy- well, I'm doing okay. Last week I purchased my gym membership and then went to the gym once. The problem was there were no open treadmills, but there was an open tanning bed...so I thought it would be good not to waste the time I took to go there and seized the opportunity. I also went in yesterday to a different location to get the tour and class schedule. I'm workin' on it...
b. Be happy- I ask Jesus everyday to give me joy in my work. And almost everyday, that prayer is answered. Some days it's a struggle, but extra sleep and patience go a long way.
c. Read some books- so far I have read 4 books and am in 3 currently. I'd say I'm doing well.
3. I am way excited for Saturday and probably not for the reason 95% of people are!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
"Excuse me ma'am, could you help us?"
I shouldn't be allowed to give directions. Today as I was walking to my car after church, a nice, older couple stopped to ask me for directions. They were WAY lost, so it took me a while to decide which route they should take (they were looking for a place that was about 25 minutes away). After feeling pleased with the directions I gave them, them writing them down and saying thanks, they drove away and I continued walking to my car.
And then it happened.
That instant where all of the sudden I realized I gave them poor directions. It's not that I gave them wrong directions, but I gave them confusing ones...when there were really simply ones available. And the sad thing is...it's not the first time it's happened. In fact, I think it happens every time I give someone directions. The moment they pull away, I realize I could have told them this way easier route or I accidentally told them a left instead of a right or I told them 24N instead of 25N and I feel so bad. You see, I'm actually really good with directions, but I cannot for the life of me explain it to other people. I think that translates to other parts of my life too, but we won't go into that tonight.
So I have a new plan. Now, each time someone asks for directions, as long as they aren't shady and I know they are legitimately lost, I am going to trade cellphone numbers with them. So when I walk away and remember the road splits and they need to go left, I will call 'em up. Or further down the road when I forgot about the slight curve after the stop sign, they can call me and say, "hey, what's with this road? You didn't tell us about this!" I will graciously explain to them that I forgot about it, help them to the next step, and hopefully they won't lose any more time.
That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it.
And then it happened.
That instant where all of the sudden I realized I gave them poor directions. It's not that I gave them wrong directions, but I gave them confusing ones...when there were really simply ones available. And the sad thing is...it's not the first time it's happened. In fact, I think it happens every time I give someone directions. The moment they pull away, I realize I could have told them this way easier route or I accidentally told them a left instead of a right or I told them 24N instead of 25N and I feel so bad. You see, I'm actually really good with directions, but I cannot for the life of me explain it to other people. I think that translates to other parts of my life too, but we won't go into that tonight.
So I have a new plan. Now, each time someone asks for directions, as long as they aren't shady and I know they are legitimately lost, I am going to trade cellphone numbers with them. So when I walk away and remember the road splits and they need to go left, I will call 'em up. Or further down the road when I forgot about the slight curve after the stop sign, they can call me and say, "hey, what's with this road? You didn't tell us about this!" I will graciously explain to them that I forgot about it, help them to the next step, and hopefully they won't lose any more time.
That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it.
Friday, February 6, 2009
You've Got Mail
Two interesting pieces of mail I received this week:
1. "Dear Customer: Recently, Mastercard Fraud Management advised us of a security breach that has occurred at an unidentified merchant site. We have been notified that your debit card number may have been compromised. To our knowledge none of your personal information has been compromised in any way. "
Hmm...it was probably one of those gas stations that didn't ask me a bijillion questions.
2. "Dear Abby Jane: In an effort to reduce paper usage and support our green initiative, we will be sending you quarterly, instead of monthly, statements. Enclosed is your first quarterly statement with three payment coupons and envelopes that you can use if you are mailing your payments. Monthly statements are still available if you enroll to receive free, paperless statements. With this program, you'll be able to make payments and view your statements online, while helping the environment."
Well, now I might not ever make my car payment on time again, but at least I'm helping the environment!
1. "Dear Customer: Recently, Mastercard Fraud Management advised us of a security breach that has occurred at an unidentified merchant site. We have been notified that your debit card number may have been compromised. To our knowledge none of your personal information has been compromised in any way. "
Hmm...it was probably one of those gas stations that didn't ask me a bijillion questions.
2. "Dear Abby Jane: In an effort to reduce paper usage and support our green initiative, we will be sending you quarterly, instead of monthly, statements. Enclosed is your first quarterly statement with three payment coupons and envelopes that you can use if you are mailing your payments. Monthly statements are still available if you enroll to receive free, paperless statements. With this program, you'll be able to make payments and view your statements online, while helping the environment."
Well, now I might not ever make my car payment on time again, but at least I'm helping the environment!
Confessions of a Former Competitive Athlete
I can hardly stand to go to sporting events these days. For some reason, I get overly emotional. I feel like I'm about to cry throughout the entire game! Especially at moments when they put that kid in who hasn't scored all season and keep trying to pass him the ball. And he keeps missing shots. Or when they lose in overtime. Or when a kid gets hacked and the ref doesn't call a foul. I don't know what it is (this is a new thing for me), but I can barely keep it together! I might have to tell my cousins (who are studs on the basketball court) that I can't go to their games anymore because I might lose it in front of everyone. How embarrassing.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
What.A.Day
I haven't had a day like this in a long time. I think I went through every emotion I could possibly express between the 18 hours I've been awake. I figured what better of a place than to write things down about today than in a blog, but now that I'm here, I'm just not sure what to say.
God is moving. Everyday at the school I am reminded of that. Today was no exception. I was reminded of the wonderment of the life of Christ through the eyes of a child. I was encouraged to pray when things are too difficult for me in my own human strength by a sister from Ethiopia. I was blessed by gifts from those who are a lot less fortunate than myself. Prayers were answered today in the most unconventional ways- through murals on a wall and Valentine's Day cookies.
God is moving. I was almost in tears putting together a promotional DVD for sports camp. I miss those faces so much. I miss inner-city ministry. Will they come back this summer? Will God continue to use me to lead little ones to Him? For they are precious in His sight, and they own a special corner in my heart too.
And yet I can't ignore the uncertainty, the questions, and the anger. Why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people. Why certain people are placed in our lives. Why we are burdened with questions we don't have answers to.
God is moving. Am I willing to join Him? Am I willing to sacrifice? Is He really all-sufficient for me? Am I willing to humble myself to be used to display His glory? These are all good questions.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Cor. 3:18-4:1
God is moving. Everyday at the school I am reminded of that. Today was no exception. I was reminded of the wonderment of the life of Christ through the eyes of a child. I was encouraged to pray when things are too difficult for me in my own human strength by a sister from Ethiopia. I was blessed by gifts from those who are a lot less fortunate than myself. Prayers were answered today in the most unconventional ways- through murals on a wall and Valentine's Day cookies.
God is moving. I was almost in tears putting together a promotional DVD for sports camp. I miss those faces so much. I miss inner-city ministry. Will they come back this summer? Will God continue to use me to lead little ones to Him? For they are precious in His sight, and they own a special corner in my heart too.
And yet I can't ignore the uncertainty, the questions, and the anger. Why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people. Why certain people are placed in our lives. Why we are burdened with questions we don't have answers to.
God is moving. Am I willing to join Him? Am I willing to sacrifice? Is He really all-sufficient for me? Am I willing to humble myself to be used to display His glory? These are all good questions.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Cor. 3:18-4:1
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Nashvegas: Where All Your Dreams Come True
Slow morning, traffic jams, ice tunnel, Burger King hater, 80%, 21st Ave, Social Graces 2 (the 419), the best corn dog of my life, Team BAMF, bottle of DayQuil, 900 tissues, ginormous potatoes, yummy sammich, mmm good salsa, GIRRRL IT'S WORRRRRSE, southern belles, 63 degrees, flipflops and tanktops, the Parthenon, goodbyes, mile long walk, Parthenon take 2, Cheesecake Factory, fudge cake, guitar-shaped pool, Snickers apple, broken knife, search for the vending machines, Maggie, Sonya, Belmont campus, crazy parking garage, Pancake Pantry, scary truck stop, BEYONCE!, 8 hour car ride, and the Bachelor and ice cream.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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