Bedlum

An amendum for those of you who also read Miss Brenda's blog on Bedlum.
while doing some further research on the word and it's origin and meaning. I found that bedlum is also a term or name used to describe a cross dressing DJ. Since my name was associated with the post saying that bedlum is a wondering hoodlum, I wanted those of you who are in search of truth to have a resource where you can find the answers.

My Favorite Havener

So yesterday Alex and I went minigolfing (there should be hyphen there huh?) It was a ton of fun. Last summer we spent so much time together but this summer I have missed not seeing him as much, what with me being at work and him being with the sitter. I realized how hard it's going to be to leave home to go back to school. (not that the thought could disuade me from going) I'll miss him... no offence to the other wonderful Haveners but I believe Alex has won the spot of "My Favorite Havener" of the week...

Showers of Blessings indeed

So the summer is nearing its end. It's been full of suprises both expected and unexpected, good and bad. But there's nothing really to complain about. Jimmy was here this past weekend. He went to the family reunion. It wasn't the most sucessful showing I'm sure, but we left with out being run out or cursed at. (I guess the family has more class than that) Really it wasn't bad. I liked being able to see him! A lot. We had some great talks and some time together before I go back to school and we only have limited time to see eachother.
Lately God has been doing some awesome things in the way of showing me great things that I should have known for a long time but have conveniently forgotten... Like that he loves me and that I need to recognize that in my everyday life. That He wants to be a big part of my everyday life, not just Sunday mornings and select days throughout the week when I feel spiritual. It's been encouraging. Thank the Lord for parents, writer, pastors and church family who in their own ways reflect the love that the Lord desires to shower upon me!

All Creatures of Our God and King

This morning as you can see, I awoke at an earlier time than usual. I made some coffee and then sat outside for a bit (just a couple min but still). The mornings are beautiful, unmarked, they remind me that every day is new with no mistakes in it yet. If you are anything like me, your day is full of mistakes by the end. But in the morning you don't have to think about that. You can just focus on the wonderful creation of God. (and the frew brewed coffee isn't bad either)

Ho Humm

Life's been pretty ho-humm lately. Just chillin with the Fam. Alex and I spent some quality time together after P.D. had surgery on his neck/back on Fri. That was good cause I miss that little guy. Last summer I spent SOO much time with him... like every waking moment. but this summer miss brenda saw fit to hire a sitter 3 or so days a week, cutting into my time with the little guy! We are going to go minigolfing soon, prolly next week. We'll see. Other than that I realized today that this summer I've been kinda a recluse. Not that I don't have the opportunity to hang out with my friends (what few are in the area this summer) Just that lately I haven't been in the mood to be with anyone, friend or foe. It's strange... I'm missing them though.. I need to make an effort to see them all b-4 they go back. HO-HUMM

Presb.

So this summer I am working at a presb USA church. They really aren't I guess if you think about it hard. Presb. I mean. really they spend more time offending others in their presbetary and making fun of them that they really aren't part of it... at least not in spirit. Which makes me think about why they are in it at all.. but that's not for me to debate.
Tonight they had the Beaver/Butler Presb. mtg here. It was quite an ordeal, and the air conditioning broke and it was sooo disgusting in the worship center.. gross, I got sick just from walking in the room... But that's all over now.
They have a book of order which is a book of rules and proceedures... that was strange, you learn something new everyday!
I liked it though it bought me an extra day off this week... or half day depending on when I take it. :)

Vacation

Vacation, vacation, lovely vacation... I did a tour of the East coast. Starting with Nyack and ending who knows where. I got to Nyack, had coffee and a thunderstorm with Jimmy and then went to bed. Had lunch the next morning with Jenny (who's working up there this summer) and then left for Delta! (with directions that sounded like: get on the thruway, go for two hours then get off, find 26, there are roads in between there but we don't really know them, then you'll pass dollar general and eckard and then the Salvation Army camp on the right we are about 2 min past that...) (Thanks to Anders and Mandi who's directions actually did get me there)
OMG if I could live up there I would. I got there and attended the Haven Talent Show... which this year features many talents including but not limited to; juggling, karate, many dance solos, cowboy and indians (in which a camper 'shot' counselors with his finger and they all fell down), a dramatization of Bible stories (one in which Daniel saved Joseph from the lions den) and my favorite Joyce who 'acted like a tree'! (one arm up and the other out to the side, it was delightful)
I spent two nights there with Mandi... in the most adorable little cabin imaginable. it had these shutters... wow, I want shutters like those in my dream home, they were soooo neat.
Haven was an experiance that I'll not forget for many moons to come, from being told to 'be good' to the many high fives and ending with the whistles from Esteban's campers... I had soo much fun...
Plus the best part of all I got to see my Mandi.

Oh to be on vacation forever!

Mandi made me fall in love with this song: plus it's called "Bannana Pancakes"... could you not love it? I don't think so:

You hardly even notice When i try to show you
thisSong is meant to keep you From doin what your supposed to
Wakin up too early Maybe we could sleep in
Makin banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now
We could pretend that all the time
Cant you see that its just rainin
There aint no need to go outside
Lady lady love me
Cuz i love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like theres no work outside
We could pretend that all the time
Cant you see that its just rainin
There aint no need to go outside

Blessings and Adventures

Hey all, since I have had requests for an update.. let's see, what is there to say?
Boys: I was hanging out with Jeremy this summer however we had it out and we are no longer talking, (other than one random text the other day). I am talking to Jimmy again (just friends, save the speaches). I am still talking to Dustin (again just friends). So I have a lot of friends, who people would like to make out to be more but they aren't. So if you have any guys that you'd like to throw my way... (my Gram is on the look-out, it makes me feel a bit of a loser) :(
School: I am nearing the end and can see the light (I'm running toward it full speed!) Just one more semester of classes and then student teaching.. and I'm done! thanks goodness since I'm fed up with the school at the moment. (Isn't it a federal offence to hold someones mail for 3 months and then say you sent it?) If you could make my mail (including two paychecks) appear that would be fabulous! O and I finally have a room to sleep in (another miracle worked by Nyack after 4 phone calls to 3 different people) Oye
Family: Alex went to sleep away camp this summer (I missed him like crazy!) Ami is working a TON and is getting along fine with me. Thank goodness she goes away soon, cause maybe we'll make it the whole summer. Dad's having surgery and Mom is losing weight like a mad woman. We went to the drive in last night and we say half of Pirates II. Yes I said half, we wittnessed the transformer at the drive-in blow up.. it was pretty neat, except I don't know how the movie ends... :(
Friends: well I don't hear much from them lately (boo hiss) but I think they are all doing fine. I'm headed to Nyack this coming week. and then up to Rome to see Mandi! YEAH DELTA! (I'm gonna meet everyone, even Judy)
Work: I'm not really working (I won't brag so you won't hate me) My job is GREAT!

so there you have it folks, when you put it all on paper, it looks so miniscule... really my life is full of blessings and adventures...

One liners

So Rob is here (ami's 'boyfriend') well I guess he is her boyfriend (sin quotation marks) He's fun. She decided to keep him around.
We flew kites yesterday.. tons of fun! a seagull and a falcon.. what an unlikely pair.
I am not prepared for teaching preschool today.
I come to NY in about a week! YEAH!



"I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen"

Triumphant!

Kidzcamp has come to a triumphant close (that's my new 'magic' word for the day) (Mrs O would be sooo proud)! It was fabulous... all the kids and the great and the leaders were wonderful and the experiance, as always was one of a kind. This made it all worth the 16 hr/day work week, the 'too-many-to-count' trips to Starbucks, the gruelling headaches, uncooperative projectors, 'too-many-to-count' jobs to be done (all at once), and the rain that threatened to banish me inside all week (I was leading games). Kids came to know Christ in a deeper way and the leaders (including myself) were reinforced with the simple truths that Jesus is our Helper, Leader, Friend, Savior and Life. Sometimes we make Jesus too complicated in 'Big people church' that we forget that really he's just our friend and Savior. Well Dixi is calling my name so I best go.... Love ya all (today is a GREAT DAY!!) the first in a long time.

Dance on!

This morning at 4am I woke up fully clothed and I was surrounded by sponges cut into the shape of fish... this was not a dream... My life is weird but "I like to move it, move it"!! dance on my friends

A Tribute To Matt

I would like to send big hugs to Matt who is the only person who actually reads this thing! I am so lucky to have you as a friend. Your qwarks keep me guessing what's next but you are solid as a rock and dependable as a friend... so thanks for being there for me all this time! and thanks for reading my mundane thoughts.

How Many Sombreros can you Fit in a Box?

I love my job! I have the same job this summer that I raved about last summer... I still love it. I get to solve puzzles like "How many Sombreros can you fit in a box?" and "What color are Chipmunks lips?" as well as "How do you think the elders will feel about a hole in the ceiling?" and "How does a credit card get $20 over the limit? (who knew that could happen?)" If you think you have solved any of these puzzles let me know... I do in fact have the answer to how many sombreros you can fit into a box as well as how much it will cost you to send said box to Navada!

Father's Day

To all the fathers out there... Happy Father's day! My own father couldn't make it to his own celebration which was fine with Ami and I because we didn't have a celebration planned anyway. We just got back from buying his card... unfortunatly if you buy your father's day card at 6pm ON Father's day there is no discount... maybe on the day after, we have yet to check that one out. The card is cute but we found also that Walmart doesn't carry any truely sentimental cards (the ones that make 'grown men' cry). maybe that's just cause they were all bought up??
So we are making a cake for my dad (he wanted an ipod but we figured cake was just as good) and the box (of course it's a box) calls for unsalted butter... check you fridge.. you don't have any. So ami just got home and I must go and make this cake..... again Happy Father's day.

Grand Day

In true workaholic style I have not updated in FOREVER... and I'm updating from work. But I am having fun too. on Wed. I went down to connellsville and hung out with Jeremy Keefer (2 F's?? oh well) Not to be confused with Johnathan Keefer who I hung out with a couple weeks ago. I know I know, how DO I keep them all straight? I'm not sure. But really I am haveing a blast I spent last night chillin wiht Anne's boys. They are a riot.. yeah for huge penis' on the driveway when the mother comes home!! :) don't ask. Life is interesting but good. Thanks for all the prayers (if you have ever prayed for me)!! have a Grand day

workaholic

I am a workaholic.... I am admitting it... noone will see this so it doesn't matter... have a great day... i'm off to work... (really)

What a Game!

So we went to the Pirate game yesterday, and today I guess you could say. I know that the longest game in Pirate history was long ago but the one last night sure felt like it was the longest ever. Starting at 7pm and ending at about 1am, 18 innings were played. That's a LOT of baseball. Alex was complaining in the 2 inning that the game was too long. (he fell sound asleep about the top of the tenth, and only woke up when Bautista hit a hommer to tie it up at 7-7) What a game, and I'm not even a huge baseball fan. I followed the Mets when I was dating Jimmy and I kinda know when the Astros play because of Dustin but really, I'm not a baseball girl, I can get into it. Jen and I sang 'take me out to the ballgame' just as loud as the guy across the isle during the 14th inning streach. What a game!

Ha Ha That Never Happens

So last night I went out with Matt Harrington and Jonathan Keefer... he he he.. what a mix huh? well it went well, after the initial shock of Matt in a kilt, Jonathan handled himself well. We went bowling and.. I won! Ha Ha.. that never happens.. then I got treated to icecream for winning.. Ha Ha.. that never happens either.. then I went to sleep at a decent hour, I think... I kinda don't remember... Which does happen often. So over all last night was a sucess.. so today I work for the Bossies... I'm glad I remembered.. cause I almost forgot!!

quicky

So I'm home... I think I said that already. I'll give you the quick update, it's Dad's day off work, and his 'music' has invaded all the corners of the house making it VERY hard to think about anything... so I will give you the recap of the last little bit.
I started on Mon at Fountain Park, It's tons of fun there all the time, Nadine (my 'boss') is lots of fun, she's new too so we are working through things together. No staff mtg this week YEAH!!
I am also babysitting for a family in the community, that starts Fri. Should be interesting... more on that later (when there is more)
I am home!! I love spending time with my sisters and brother and dog and mother and father...
I'm going out tonight with a devout Christian and Matt Harrington my budhist! this will be fun, hopefully we can bond over bowling and some appitizers at Applebees... we'll see..

My Update

apparently I don't update enough so... here goes

I have recently been contacted by Jimmy, and guess what? he doesn't hate me.. that was GREAT news and I am overjoyed to even have had that one conversation with him. (it may have been our last, but such is life right?)
I am home now and I really have done nothing, my official job doesn't start till the 22nd which gives me time to pack up my sister Stasi, 'I thought she already left' you may say and I would reply 'why yes, she has, but all of her stuff has stayed and thrown a HUGE party, made apparent by the disarray it is in.'
All of my stuff needs unpacked as it baked for another day in the driveway, still packed in my car, which is undrivable because of all the stuff packed into it. My life seems to be a mess, but really I'm happy with the mess that it is..
This is exactly how I hoped to spend my summer... NOT! (remember that?)

So really I'm just hopeing to have fun this summer and I need to make some people aware that I am home and then the fun shall comence..
Also pray for Alex, there's this thing going on and I'm not at liberty to say, but please pray, he's ok... for now.

So there it is.. my update

MANDI

My Mandi is home!!! I've been on the phone with her for an hour and a half-an-hour... It's so good to hear her voice... I've missed her so much.. but now she's home!! YEAH!!

I hate finals!

A Feminist? HUH?

I just got an email asking me if I wanted to buy a book titled: "Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism?"
If this is what I am interested in now I am suprised... This is a whole new take on myself... I'm cool with that.

So I just finished my Romans final... WOW, you know how people always say 'my head hurts' Well I've always thought that was an expression, ITS NOT! who knew? my head is hurting literally from that final... ouch.
Two more today.. wish me luck.. buen suerte!

Sinful

I know this can be hard but right now you must be your strongest and remember that the remainder is taken care of. When he died on the cross of calvary your weakness was atoned for. When you are weak, he is your strength, even when you are strong, he is stronger still. So rely on Him now! Turn you eyes to the hills where you help comes from, run to the Father whoes outstreached arms will hold you safely. Run to the protector who would and has died to save you. Until you can do this, you are only half living. you are living a finite life with a soul that was ment for infinity. you are a princess of the king, not just any king but the king of kings. So why tamper with the sins of those who have fallen? Do you think you, in your finite strength can resist the Prince of Darkness, you are not the same. You will fail on your own accord so turn to the only one who can sustain you, who can protect you, who can love you with a love that saved the world, who can see deep into your heart and judge you there and not on your outward appearance. Turn to the words he's sent you, to the people who are his, to him directly. He will be there, maybe silently at first but wait, he will comfort and heal for his is the greatest healer and comforter you will ever encounter in all you few years. He is waiting. What wil you choose, will you allow him to be enough or will you live in the lies of the Prince of Darkness? It's your choice, he gave it to you.

Amazing At Something

So I went to my mailbox today (where all good news comes from) and I found this pink slip that was obviously campus mail and I was about to throw it away when I realized that it was personalized and that it was about awards chapel. Now this semester I do not have to go to chapel, I am work exempt so I have only been to one chapel this semester and that was the one that Rachel spoke at cause I promised that I would go.
ANYWAY
I am being recognized for ... something... who knows what.. like I said I don't go to chapel and my grades this semester are sure as heck not up to any academic awards. I am receiving an award at the Education banquet but it wouldn't be the same award that I would receive in chapel because we do all of our awards in house in the Education department. So I'm being recognized for more than one great annonomous thing that I have done this semester...But I don't know what it could possibly be for either of them. ... I'll let you know when I find out what they are so I can tell you! but know that I am amazing at something!!

Easter

I was home and now I'm back home. It's strange having two homes. Both with people you love living there, and churches that you want to attend for Easter. Over all Easter was GREAT! I participated in 4 services and I got to do the sunrise service with my dad (although he forgot to mention that it was going to outside in the 40 degree weather. That's what blankets are for I guess) I love Easter at my house b/c although we do all the Easter bunny and Egg hunt stuff, we also focus on the good stuff like the resurrection and celebrating Christ's victory! That's what really takes the foreground in my house and I really appriciate that my parents strive to remind us of that each year. (not that I don't like the basket hunts) So yeah.....
now I'm back at school and really feeling pretty laid back for the amout of stuff I have to get done for this comming week. 2 research papers and 2 case studies and mountains of other stuff. but in 3 weeks I will be done.. and I'll be on my way to being a Sr! it's kinda scary ya know, cause I don't know what is in my future. All I know is that Jesus is there and I'm trusting him to work wonders in my life each day!

blessings

God does answer to prayers....

I don't care who is reading this

So this past week has been difficult and this may seem like a blast from the past to some of you who have been reading for a while and to those of you who stumble upon this well... this will all be new and exciting news!
So the reason this week has been difficult is because of my ex boyfriend. last week I couldn't go a day (literally) without someone asking me "How's Jimmy doing?" or "What's Jimmy up to?" or my favorite "So where's Jimmy I haven't seen him in a long time?" Well my reply to the last one is I haven't seen him in a long time either.
**History Lesson**
so Jimmy and I began dating this time last year. All was good and I really liked him, even though he was different than the other guys I usually dated, it was a great different! So all was going swimminly, he came to Pittsburgh and we did the city thing and then I came back to NY and we did a met game, which was really fun. But then I came back to school and he was commuting. We both had crazy schedules and didn't see each other much, which caused tention. So then because of the tention I began to see other problems in the relationship. Such as me being the sole support for him and my being really needy because he was so nurturing. We relyed too heavily on eachother and it was a destructive relationship, being destroyed slowly. I didn't want to break up with him. But it wasn't fair to either of us to stay in the realtionship. Because we didn't have less feeling for eachother after the break-up, it was difficult and he left school and I kinda closed myself off. we haven't talked since that horrible day (ok that's a bit dramatic but true in fact)
**back to the future**
So I couldn't get away from people who wanted to know about Jimmy this past week, which brought up a lot of the stuff that I never dealt with. I kinda just burried all my feelings when we broke up and now they are resurfacing and demanding to be dealt with. So on Tues. Heather tells me that she saw Jimmy in the Cafe. "When, Why, For What?" all raced through my mind. I know the when and probably the for what.. but the why? well that will probably always be a mystery. Because I emailed him to appoligize for some of the crap that I put him through and he hasn't emailed me back... and really it's sick because I check my email now twice a day and like a pathetic little girl I hope to see an email from him saying that he forgives me. But none are there, and I really deep down know that none will ever be there. It just makes it hard. Really hard.
So this difficult week is of my own making, but I'm having Ben-N-Jerry night with Ami tomorrow so hopefully that will make things all better.. (don't I wish)

Alone

So I never understood what that guy ment when he said he 'was lonely even in a room full of people'. But this month, this semester I do. Mandi isn't here but really, there must be more. That can't be the sole reason I feel so meloncaully. There are days when I sit in my room alone, and feeling sad for myself b/c I have noone to hang out with then, someone will call and invite me out and what does sad little me do?... I politely decline and make up an excuse why I can't go. Then I continue to feel sad for my lonely self. How pathetic is that. I rationalize in my head that they dont want to really hang out with me and that I wouldn't have fun or that they wouldn't have fun if I went. Really I know those are all lies. I have wonderful friends who love me and I always have fun with them, even when you would think fun is impossiable.
But what can cause this? this ... I don't wanna call it depression but... this meloncaully feeling? The feeling that none of your friends want to be bothered with you, or the feeling that you are fat and ugly and the feeling that you will be single and strange for the rest of your human life and that you might just might be reencarnated as a toad. This makes me sadder to be writing about my pathetic life. So please don't comment just read and join me in my feeling of being alone even in the sea of friendly faces that surround me.

random

My life has exploded.. if you could see my bedroom you would understand. it's nice not having a roommate to share all this space with but I love my Mandi and wish she was here to kick my butt into gear (she was always good at that). But she's in Fiji and haveing a grand time, swimming like a fish and fishing with a spear, really all I hear about are fish so... anyway yesterday I was having a crappy busy day and I went to my mailbox and I had a pink slip! (which means there is a package for you!) so I went and picked it up and it was my b-day gift from Mandi! that sly fox had her sister send me a package for my birthday! That's why I love her. God is so GOOD!
Plus my Daddy is comming to see me this next week (well not me specifically but still...)
Maybe this week isn't as crazy as I thought it was .. but .. its almost over.. how time flies

Celebrate

So I'm 21 now.. wooooppy-do! (that's real excitement not sarcastic excitement) I didn't do anything exciting this year.. or the year before, or any of my birthday's that I can remember, well there was maybe one. My family sees birthdays as something that is expected, why celebrate? you survived another year. we expected you to do that. I guess it's not until you don't survive another year that you wish you had celebrated all those years before. My family feels the same way about high school graduation and college graduations, I'm not sure yet but I don't think weddings are out of the ordinary either. And for me it double sucks cause I have amazing sisters who are both genuises, and so if anyone gets a celebration it's them and I stand no chance.
I'm really not just depressed or having a bad day it's just the facts of life. For my 21st birthday I had to hound my father to come out to dinner with my sister and I, I received no cards and only one gift (a bunny-bop-n-toss) from Micah, my sister's boyfriend.
I'm also not telling you this so you feel bad for me, like I said this is just the facts of life. I enjoy my family because I know that they have high expectations for me, they push me, in a healthy way. But just sometimes I wish SOMETHING was good enough for a celebration. we are a family full of joy, each of us on our own and when we are together, I guess we celebrate every moment so when one moment has a great life event, our celebration just goes on.
For once I want to feel celebrated.

A Strange Grange

So this week I'm home from school for Spring Break and we are just hanging out (Stasi and Ami and I) becasue Stasi is leaving for Slovakia in the next two weeks. So I came home Fri night and Sat I got up early to sing on the WT and then we went shopping for an outfit for me to wear on my outing that night... we were going square danceing!!! it was sooo much fun! (we didn't dress funny in the end).. it was kinda a blind outing for me because I didn't have a guy to take so I was going with Judah's friend Gerry... That was fun, he was kinda akward (well not him) The situation (well not that either) OK so lets just say it was a little off (I'm not sure how to express how I feel in words sometimes) So we went square dancing..
First we got lost.. so I know a LOT about Gerry cause all we could do was talk, we talked about Broasting (Do you even know what that is?) and I now know what a grange is! So we got there and the square dance, first of all you do dance in a square.. it's crazy, who knew (I never did this in HS gym) Alright so also I learned how to *alaman left* which I can't explain but I can show you if you ask... and well now I can say that I can square dance... (do you think you can put that on your resume?)

Dear God

Dear God- I can't escape work for a moment.. now they are sending me emails!!! AHHHH

Life Sucks

Life seems to suck lately... everyone I know has had a crappy week, well they wouldn't say that.. all my friends are terriably upbeat about life but; some of them are expelled, some are suspended, some are severing relationships they have had and treasured for a long time, some are saying a hard goodbye, and still others are just overwhelmed with life in general. I am having a fine week, and I feel bad. I wish I knew how to be there for each one..
**Ami needs Mango snapple if anyone is in PA**
**Lauren could use a hug if you're in the neighborhood**
**Stasi could use a personal assistant if anyone is looking for something to do**
**I could use a term paper or two**
**Everyone could use a couple more hours in their day**
It's hard for me to see friends in need and not be able to help. I can buy presents, I can give hugs, I can be the sholder to cry on, I can even be the one to tuck them in at night after a long day but all of that just seems so empty, like I'm only scratching the surface of the problem.. I wish I could just get rid of it, but I can't. Life sucks that way.

The most interesting thing

So I thought to myself, 'I should update this so if on the off chance that someone will come accross my little parcel of cyber space they will have something to read, and won't think that this is an abandoned site.' But then the delema came to me that nothing interesting has happened in the past month or so for me to write about.. I could write about Justin and how he's on strike three with Nyack and still swinging strong, or how Rachel needs prayer cause everyone is dying in her family in the past month. I could even write about my sister who is mad at me for telling her to marry the man of her dreams, or how I am ready to punch my boss in the face and walk out of the job. But none of that really strikes me as interesting... but then I did some reading for my Multicultural Classroom class and BAM there it was.. the topic for this blog...
**side note**
that's how sad my life is, the most interesting thing I have to write about came from a reading for one of my classes.. how pathetic am I
**back to the most interesting thing ever**
We are talking about being white.. something that I can identify with. They are talking about how whites have privilages that they don't even think about and as I read this list I realized that this is so true.. I take all of these things for granted.. so read them and if you are white.. which do you think is the most interesting one to think about. .and if you are not white.. just read them..some apply to you.. some don't but really I think everyone can learn from this list....:
1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
2. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchassing houseing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.
3. I can be pretty sure that my neighborhood on such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me
4. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed
5. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented
6. When I am told about our national heritage or about 'civilizaton' I am shown that pople of my color made it what it is
7. I can be sure the my children will be given curricular materials tha testify to the existance of thier race.
8. If I want to, I can be pretty sure of finding a publisher for this peice on white privilage.
9. I can go inot a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into the hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
10. Whether I use cheeks, credit cards, or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability
11. I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them
12. I can swear or dress in second hand clothing or not answer letters without having people attribute these choices t the bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.
13. I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial
14. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
15. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group
16. I can remain oblivious of the language and customs of persons of color who constitute the world's majority without feeling in my culture any penalty for such oblivion
17. I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.
18. I can be pretty sure the if I ask to talk to 'the person in charge' I will be facing a person of my race.
19. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
20. I can easily buy posters, postcars, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children's magazines featureig people of my own race.
21. I can go home form most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, out numbered, unheard, held at a distance or feared
22. I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having coworkers on the job suspect that I got it because of my race.
23. I can choose public accomidation witout fearing that people of my race can not get in or will be mistreated in the places I have chossen.
24. I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help my race will not work against me
25. If my day, week, or year have gone badly I need not ask of each episode or situation whether it has racial overtones.
26. I can choose blemish-cover or bandages in 'fleshl color and have them more or less match my skin.


List taken from:
McIntosh, P. (n.d.). White privilege: unpacking the incisible knapsack. Fondations for living, 128-132.

My 'Best Friend'

So have you ever had that one friend who is always going to be your friend, no matter where you are or what you do? Well Meg is that to me and I was thinking of her today and decieded to write a bit of a tribute to her.. I guess you could call it that. I just wanted to encourage you all to tell your 'best friend' just what makes them your 'best friend'. when you were young you prolly had about 5 'best friends' then college hit and your had maybe 3 'best friends', now where do you find yourself, with more or less 2 or not even? Hold on to those who you have. call them, appriciate them, spend time growing closer to them (if that's possiable). But most of all just be that friend to someone else. The world will be a better place.
**
I must stop before I am compelled to enter the Miss America pagent and wish for 'world peace' in front of the entire nation.
**
suffice to say, thanks Meg for all the prayers and tears and crap that you've put up with, I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for you!

School is Taking Over My Brain

School is taking over my brain.. today I was sitting in church and I was listening and all of the sudden I was thinking.. "ya know, faith is very context reduced" whoa, now I'm using educational jargon in my everyday life, this is crazy.. I guess that is a good thing, not like dreaming of work... (which means you should quit the job by the way) So for those of you who aren't TESOL majors or in the education field or just know these random things, context reduced means that you dont have anything tangable or visiable to tie your actions to or to help you to understand something.. for example, talking on the telephone is a context reduced activity, you can not see the person on the other end of the phone to interpret thier facial expressions or body language. School is taking over my brain.. now I must go prep a lesson for my methods, my work is never done.

I'm Sorry... sort of

I am sorry to those of you who were offended by my last post about the 'holding year' after college. I did not mean to offend anyone... I can only say that I am sorry ... sort of because I did mean what I wrote.. not that those people who take a year off after college are failures or somehow stupid or unworthy of life but I ment that it wasn't for me, that I didn't want to have to wait to get into life.. so to those of you who misunderstood what I wrote, I'm sorry.. sort of.

Tid-bits

The Missing Bottle
Mandi Bottle missed dearly by her friends, is in Fiji this semester. Communication to her grass hut is limited to written letters dropped by air mail. If you would like to write to Mandi, please give your letters to me at any time. A mailing goes out every Monday. Please do not send lumpy things or packages as they will not get to her. If you would like to send some contraban you may send one stick of gum in your letter because that will not be detected.

Mid-College Crisis
I'm halfway through, three semesters left and really only two cause of student teaching. I have no clue what I want to do with my life, I am at a crisis moment and struggling to find my place in this crazy world, well not my place right now, but the place that I will occupy once I'm out of here. I look at some of my friends and family that have gone through the college thing and I don't want to end up like some of them did. Just living in a holding pattern for a year after college. I want to get out and start doing what I'm going to do for the rest of my life... or the rest of that period in my life. I know that I should be trusting God to provide for my future but, that's really hard. toss up a prayer for me if you would and let Him know that I'm waiting on his answer and if He could please hurry it up, I'd appriciate that.

Homesick
I am more homesick now than I have ever been. I remember thinking Freshman year about how I really just wanted to get out. That I was done with the 'home' part of my life, and wanted to go and see that world and live on my own and make my own mistakes. But now that I've lived on my own, outside the 'home' and made plenty of mistakes, I miss home. While it's most of the time crazy busy with everyone going different directions at different times with different people, it's still home. I don't know what brought this all on, last week I talked to someone at home everyday! Will this pass? Have you ever heard of such a thing? Have you yourself ever felt this way? if so call 1800-Abigail for tickets to a free showing of this talk show. ... (don't ask)

I Love It!

You know those songs that affect you sooo much when they come on.. you know the ones that make you dance like an impossiable white child and sing at the top of your lungs. The one you can't sit still through and must turn the volume up the ENTIRE way till your neighbors knock on your door and yell... or dance with you.. I love songs like that! there should be more in this world, then everyone would be 'dancing' and singing and driving with the windows down, and less people would get shot.. I'm a firm believer that music is the answer.. at least for me. what it your song?

Beni-friends

I'm feeling better now.. thank you for all the prayers!
I was thinking tonight, after the girls left, about benifriends... how many girl and guys have them in this world? a TON I'm not one for that right now.. before yes but right now not so much. But I was just thinking about the concept and about what my friend said.. She said that when she and this guy were making out without an attachment, she missed her ex more and felt more empty after an encounter with her benifriend than she did before the time spent in total 'make-me-feel-good" bliss. So, what's the point? really?

I went to the nurse! and she speaks English!

So yesterday my mom almost talked me into going to the ER for my 'illness'; she did really well, I actually drove the entire way there and then chickened out and never went in... I figured my 'illness' wasn't an emergency and could wait until tomorrow to see the nurse. Our nurse here at Nyack isn't really a nurse, just a nurses assistant. and she doesn't really have the best English. So I went anyway.. when I got to the office door I was met with the sight of what appeared to me to be a fort... a whole bunch of boxes stacked up on top of oneanother to form a wall around the door. So I got through the little opening and realized why the 'fort' was built. The nurses office is flooded! and since they weren't open yesterday for MLK day the room smelled of mildew! gross... now i can add nauseous to my symptom list. So we 'talked' I understood about 48% of what she said.. (which is good). So she was going to refer me to a clinic so I could see a doctor. So she takes my blood pressure, which is low as always, health professionals never believe you about that sort of thing, it's like if you went to the mechanic and they asked you if your car is red and then had to go and look to make sure you know what red is.... (bad example I know but I'm on these great meds that make it ALL ok!) So then she took my temp. which I thought would be fine, but I guess I was working from comparison and i did have a fever, mild but there, of 100 degrees. So I went to the clinic.. my first time, kinda made me feel, I don't know how it made me feel, just strange.... and the nice doctor just gave me my perscription in samples from these kitchen cabnets they had in the back... don't worry I checked them out and they are what they say they are and they do what they say they do. So now I'm on the mend finally I hope... I should be better in a week or so... well off to try to eat something for the day.. I'm so sick of soup!

Is it cold in here?

So here's a quick update on my life so if fancy pants or my dad are reading they can be updated on what it going on...
**PS**
Fancy pants.. sorry I called you a girl, I guess I was mistaken...it was nice to meet you
**back**
So I am at school now.. working my tail end off.. I left at 4am to drive back here on Mon, that was nice, no traffic and I didn't feel like I had been traveling all day.. it took me about 61/2 hours to get here (it usually takes 7 or 8). Classes started yesterday, I am the only student in one of my classes, that's strange. and I found out that I'm going to be the only student in one of my other classes as well. Sooo.. I'm just getting TONS of one on one time with my profs. (yeah and all amounts of joy)
I am working at the Picture People still, about 28-30 hrs a week this semester. I also am working at this after school program JCCY (don't ask me what it stands for, one of the J's stands for Jewish I know that but that's where my knowledge stops) I love both jobs and suprisingly they don't take up all my time this semester... I have a GREAT schedule! I am also teaching again in Tappan my students are sooo sweet.. we moved class to Thurs. nights though so now I'm busy from 6:30-about 9pm on Thurs.
I am not dating anyone right now, I have a couple friends that give me my guy fix when I need some testasterone (totally spelled wrong). It's nice to have them around.
UMMMM... dad I think there was something else, another topic I was sopposed to update you on.. but I can't remember.. I'm on these great drugs for this sickness I have (please pray)

Things I Already Know

So I am updateing for the sake of killing some time. I have given up on the thought that anyone actually reads this.
Christmas..
for Christmas I got my digital camara, as soon as I figure how to get the pictures off the card and onto the computer and then onto the internet you will be able to see illustrations for this lovely blog!
The Day After...
For the day after Christmas we went to my gram Havener's to celebrate Christmas with that side of the family. In true Havener style we ate at Ponderosa. We are a party of 27 and we fit in the tinyest room ever we had to bring in chairs and roll our own silverware, it was an experiance. Then we went back to my Aunt Cindy's for presents and deserts. (I don't know why we don't just have deserts, then the whole thing would take less time) The presents are also kinda a practice in futility, No one gets anything they like, next year we should just exchange 5 dollars and have it over with. Really it was fun though, they are getting more normal as time goes on, there were only a few mishaps.
The Week After...
My Gram and Pap celebrated 50 years of blissful marriage on the 30th. We threw them a suprise party at the Cottage. We didn't know if we would be able to get them there because we couldn't tell them and they weren't making things easy. We told soo many lies, that my aunt from CA wasn't coming and then that my Aunt Danielle's family was haveing a party at the Cottage and they had to come (they declined that invite) and then that my aunt from CA was in and would she please get her butt to dinner with their family.. So they got there.
The Next Day..
At the suprise party we suprised my gram and pap by telling them that we were all coming to thier house the next day for my Lane family christmas. The lane family christmas is pretty good. The food is good. We get closepin cookies, and bean caserole, plus the people can be more normal (at times.) This year my Uncle Ronnie made swords for all the little kids, that was a stroke of genius. He also brought Fancy Pants (who is black and also who he believes to be a boy) (the black is right, the boy is not).

My sisters and I decided that we should at least get something out of this whole thing, we do both families each year. So we are going to publish the oddity of our families. It will be a reverse book, (one that you flip over and read something totally diff, kinda like the direction books that come in English and Chineese) The Havener document will be titiled, "WE'RE DRIVING REALLY SLOW" which comes from my father saying that to us when we got lost. (driving slow would not help, we were going in the opposite direction and were in the SalVal parking lot). The Lane Family's title is "WOULD ANYONE LIKE WATERMELLON:so would I" Which is my Pap's favorite thing to say when there is no watermellon but he offers anyway and puts you in the mood for it.

I really need to post more often so my posts aren't this long... oh well, like I said no one reads this.

I hate the MTA

So yesterday I was sopposed to go to see Chitti-Chitty-Bang-Bang with my buddy Dustin. But... I'll tell you the end, We never saw the musical, we drove to the city and never got out of the car, in fact we didn't do anything that we planned to do. So why may you ask did this all happen, and why do I hate the MTA in New York? well let me enlighten you. (I'm not bitter... you should just know that coming into this) :P so... the MTA is on strike, because of some benifits of somthing stupid like that, basically from what I gather, they are getting benifits that were needed 40 yrs ago but are irrelevent now and so the Gov. is cutting them out of the new workers pkgs. So they are on strike. now about the musical (The MTA will tie in here in a bit) so we left a little later than we had planned because we decieded to do lunch at his place instead of in the city... hey we are both poor, and the food was prolly better. So we left with about 2 hrs to play with, and those two hours didn't include the 45 min that we planned on being in the theater before the musical started. So really we had 2 hrs and 45 min to drive into Manhattan on a Tues night and park and walk the 4 city blocks to the theater. Not a problem. Except for the MTA strike. See when they went on strike they stopped everything that runs into the city, buses, trains, and even some roads. So basically to get in you have to drive, traffic was heavier than a reg. tues night but not bad... we got in in about 45 min. So then we were trying to find this parking garage, because again we are poor and can't afford to park in downtown Manhattan without a cupon (which we had for this particular garage)
*Sillyness engulfs me*
I'm at Dustin's right now and Pablo (his roomie) is singing at the top of his lungs, I don't think he knows I am here... he's not bad but really funny (especially when he wails to the music)
*back to the rant*
So the garage is on 5th and 43rd, we got there and they have closed down 5th ave!! who does that!! (because they were picketing in Grand Central) so finally we talked to this one nice cop and he let us "illegally" go down 5th to get to where we needed to go... this is now about 30 min before the show is sopposed to start... we were both frustrated from driving around for about an hour and a half. .. so we get to the garage that we think it is.. and its the wrong one, the one we wanted was a little up 5th the other direction... so we finaly just left the city.. :( but don't worry our night was not totally ruined until he told me that his disorganized facade was just that and that he really had reservations at some really nice resturant for after the show and that we were going to see the tree and all this stuff... and I was soo upset.. so we went to the mall for dinner and go cheesecake from the cheesecake factory and a musical on DVD (My Fair Lady) and we went back to his place and just chilled.. basically it was a good night.. I mean it wasn't anything that we expected it to be. but... it's all relative... I did get to see a heck of a lot of the city when we were driving around and I got to see a musical, even if is was just on his screen while I sat on the couch. but really I cant complain.. a great time was had by all..... I hate the MTA... if you work for them, you ruined my wonderful evening and the best christmas present I would have gotten this year... so there!!!

Just an update

Procrastination to Hit All Time High
With finals around the corner and upon me, I can use all the prayer that you can give. My toughest final is tonight at 6pm, it's my Methods final so wish me luck and toss up a prayer.. other than that, finals are going swimmingly.

Hispanic Community Outraged
For my Spanish final today I had to know the parts of a car. I am a firm believer that if I am in a foreign country AND if I have a car AND if that car breaks and needs fixed; I am not below pointing and making noises to get my point accross. I am a believer that not even most hispanic women know some of these car parts.. I don't know most of them in English.. It's an outrage.

Country Girl to Return to Mars
Not by space travel but I will be going home in about a week and a half. (I will get home on the 22nd late). I can't wait to get home and see everyone, whom I miss (a little).

Postal Service on Strike
I hope they are and that explains the disappearance of my homemade study pack (including two randomly added, non packaged tea bags) It's no where to be found and Roberto can't find it or make it appear although he is amazing!

Amazing Grace

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear...the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be...as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise...then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

Amazing Grace

I was sitting in Chapel on Mon. and I had a 'moment' an ephany if you may. So I thought I'd share it here:
You can't fully understand the impact of that line in 'Amazing Grace' untill you have felt the fear that the grace of your salvation can bring upon your heart. But being a believer I know that the grace of my salvation can releive that fear- fear of what I'm not sure maybe it's fear of being discovered in your sins, maybe a fear of seperation form Christ. Whatever that fear is it is real and it is strong and it is lousy
Your grace is amazing! amazing that you would still love see me, a sinner. That you would still love me, even though I am a sinner. God-it is unthinkable that you would forgive me of the unforgivable- you deserve all the glory and honor that a sinner such as I can give. God pleas remember me ... as the sinner on the cross pled with you.. remember me in the face of your Father. Remember me and don't let me stray too far from your throne. Father bring me back... love on me. mend me as only you can.

Just don't ask

Just thought I should make it public knowledge that Jimmy and I are no longer seeing eachother or even talking, per his request. SO incase you see me and want to ask about how he's doing or anything like that ... don't, cause I don't know, I don't have his phone number, I don't know his email (that's a lie) I don't talk to him, his sister, his mother, his grandmother or Joe for that matter. So don't ask, and if you want to, don't. and don't start your sentence like "I know you two broke up but..." or "I know you prolly don't know, but how it Jimmy doing?" you would be right with the last one, I wouldn't know. So don't ask, and if you meet someone who should know this, pass it along, in fact pass it along to everyone you know, cause I don't know how Jimmy is doing and I'm sick of having to tell people that. Just don't ask.

Just cause I should

This post is just cause I should
-just cause I should be studying
-just cause I should write in this blog every once in a while
-just cause I should be studying (did I mention that already I really should be)
-just cause I should write in here so my mom can know what's going on with me
-just cause I should no be eating junk food while I am doing this
-just cause I should be going to the gym tomorrow
-just cause I should be packing my stuff to move out
-just cause I should be thinking about how my GPA is going to drop due to this semester
-just cause I should be wondering how I am going to go 2 more weeks without seeing my Alex
-just cause I should be studying (did I mention that already?)
This is a post just cause I should post and get back to life as I know it, just cause I should

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

I just got the sweetest letter from a dear friend, well I don't know if I could call her a friend. She was by 6th and 7th grade English teacher.
I was thinking about her the other day and how much she had impacted me. How I wouldn't be studying what I am here at Nyack if it weren't for her. So I dropped her a line, nothing fancy just a quick update on where I was and what I was studying and a thank you for her dedication to the profession. So I sent it and didn't think another thing about it till today when I went to my mailbox and there was a LETTER!! (hint: by the excitement I get over letters you can see that I love getting them and I don't get them often, Drop me a line whenever!) The letter was from Mrs. Pringle! She was so grateful for the letter, that she wrote one of her own, although it was nothing spectacular, it was mail and the gesture was much appriciated! She is so sweet. Yeah for old friends from forgotten places... I miss you Forest Hills!

I Passed

I PASSED!! 256 on my ATSW!! I can still be a teacher in New York if I want to be!

The eX factor

I love ex-boyfriends. Today seems to be the day for them. I was thinking about Jimmy the other day and just wondering what he was up to and all that jazz... not pineing over him or wondering because there are any strong feelings there.. (There aren't) But just cause he's my friend and I haven't talked to him in a long time. So I was thinking about IMing him so that if he wanted to continue not talking, he could just ignore it. But if, on an off chance, he decieded that he wanted to talk, he could respond. So I got online this morning and he was away.. so I sat there checking every so often (more often than I'll admit) to see if he was back. Then I finally gave up and started picking up my room (which is a disaster!) and I heard the little noise that says someone loves me and is talking to me.. and guess who it was... Jimmy... really strange huh.. well then we talked and it wasn't like the other times we talked, he wasn't pushing an agenda, he wasn't trying to 'win me back'. It was just two friends catching up on what they had missed in the last month and a half.
**SIDE NOTE**
I realized how boring of a life I lead.. first of all I haven't had anything new to write in here in a loong time. I keep thinking, 'I should update that but I dont have anything to write.' I didn't have anything new to tell Jimmy when he asked what I had been up to.. how lame is my life
**Coming back to me**
So Jimmy and I talked, then tonight I was playing scrabble with Dustin, and his brother Jeremy and Mandi. It was fun, Mandi was really tired and Jeremy was a little on the way to being drunk but other than that, scrabble was fun. So the was ex number 2 and now I'm talking to Jason. ex number 3, and really I dont know if I can count him as an ex. we were so young.. and stupid. So anyway.. it just seems like I am destined to keep in touch with the guys I date. I dont't have a problem with that, but mostly they do.. at first then they realize that we had a great friendship and that it's worth it to try to keep that going..
so there you have it.. don't jump down my throat for talking to Jimmy, I know you want to but.. well it's my life and really I'm glad to be back in contact with him. he's a great friend.

Mandi's 21st Birthday

Most people spend their 21st at a bar or at least out having fun. Well mandi and I decided that since we didn't get to go thrift shopping together before, we would go on her birthday (Wed.) sound like fun huh? So we set out with our (what we thought then) good directions and our full tank of gas. We were going to two different thrift shops. One in Pearl River and one in White Plains... a little far we knew but for a 21st anything right? Well we got lost when our directions turned out to be wrong (but only at the last part), so we got directions from this church and when we got there it was kinda a bust except that we got these really cool classics. They had a GREAT book selection (we'll have to go when you come up sisters)! So then we were going to go to the one in White Plains. And again our directions weren't the best (but only at the end) and so we were lost and Mandi got out to ask directions and we found out that North Broadway was the other way so we turned around ( with some difficulty). And then we were looking for 39 N. Broadway and we saw signs for 12 N. Broadway and then 13 N. Broadway and so on till about 20 N. Broadway then the next one was 44 N. Broadway, don't ask me how but it was. So finally after asking directions from a very unhelpful traffic cop we found the place and Mandi couldn't find her wallet it must have fallen out when we stopped to ask directions so we went back and it was there, with all her money only her Subway card was missing (not really but we thought it would have been funny) So we go back to the Thrift Store and we find out that its only open on Tues from 10-4! AGHHH .. so we get back in the car and try to go home, after some more bad direction (these coming from the Birthday Girl) we were on our way home... laughing all the way.. Mandi and I are adventured out for now I think, but tomorrow is a new weekend, we were thinking maybe this time we'll tackle the city! it could be fun :)

The Events That Followed

So as afore mentioned I went to my roommates house this weekend for "Fall Break". We did a TON of stuff, like 'doing wood'. It rained a lot so we didn't do much wood but I got to fill the cart once and help unload it into the basement, it was an experiance to say the least and I decieded I will never heat my house with wood. We also played this game, Pit. It was totally fun and loud and I decieded I am going to have to get it so we can play sometime up here at school. it wasn't quite as loud untill Kelly came home and Kyle stopped by... they add to the fun! We also played scrabble with TJ and Megan. it was possiably the best game of scrabble that I have ever played (not that I play often) even though we own the game now. Megan's famous word that is still stuck in my head. IDODOLO- the cousin to the DODO bird. (no we didn't let her play it) We also ate dougnuts off a sting, there are pictures which you will never see cause I look totally stupid! Then on the way home we had sooo much fun. Well at first it wasn't. The plan was to go to a thrift shop on the way home so we left in plenty of time and got there but as we are walking toward the store Mandi realizes she still has her dad's keys in her pocket and we scrapped that and had to go home to take the keys back. So we decided with the little time we had extra we would stop at any random point on the road trip to take a crazy picture. (if my web-master would show me how to publish pic you could see them *Stasi*) We took ones with pigs and a campaign sign that says I LIKE MIKE FLANAGAN! (if you live in Greene vote for Mike for me, I love his signs!) and we took ones next to a rhinosarus and did I mention the real live pigs and the bicikle tied to a sign and Mandi climbing the tree in her bare feet (or trying to at least).. we had so much fun.. I'm sure I am forgetting something but such is life... and now I must return to it so I can study for this exam in Spanish! YEAH!

The Starting Line-up

This past weekend was our fall break, if you can call it that. (we had Mon off until 6pm! o goody) So I went upstate to Mandi's. She lives in the middle of nowhere and they have a barn and a pond and they tap trees to make syrup and they heat their house with wood, that they chop and store themselves! they are really amazing people to me. I got to see her dad again, he is wonderful! like a little Larry Poston. and Emily, her sister who is such a doll, we stayed in her room even though she was sick... she's such a doll (agian) And I got to meet a whole slew of people from her other family. TJ her brother who is getting married and good thing otherwise I would try to steal him (still might) Really I'm just kidding cause I got to meet his fiance and she is soooo sweet and soooo pretty and has such a gentle spirit. they are so cute together! I hope I am that cute with my fiance when I get afianced! I went with Megan (TJ's fiance) to get her dress fitted and that was fun, it is gorgeous and Mandi and Emily got their bridesmaids dresses which looked wonderful on them. Also this past weekend I got to meed Mandi's step-mom, Donna, she's such a homemaker and loves haveing company which is evident by her hospitality toward me. She recently broke her ankle by falling down some stairs at work, so she was just getting up and about. I also got to meet Kelly, Mandi's stepsister who was so pretty and... I guess strong-willed would describe her best. And her brother Kyle, who looks a lot younger than he is I guess (I never really got an age on him) He is ... loud and has a great sence of humor. OH and unexpectedly I got to meet her cousins, or second cousins or something like that. Rebecca and Elis. They used to live in Colorado but then they decided they were having a mid-life-crisis together so they quit their jobs and roadtripped across the states to NY and are now bunking with Mandi's parents till they decide where they want to be. (a little crazy I think but to each his own). So that's it as far as family. I also got to meet Jenny and Tom who are good friends of Mandi's, they are sweet, Jenny is just like mandi (almost) and tom is a sweetheart, and good at small talk which we made a lot of as Mandi and Jenny caught up with eachother. I met Platta who is her swim coach from HS and loved him from the start! So that's it for the new people I met this weekend the next thing will be to tell you what we did now that you know the characters.

Just some news

To Take HUGE Test in Near Future
I will be taking my ATS-W the second of three certification tests this weekend (Sat at 1pm to be exact if you wanna pray for me) Much prayer is needed. I need to pass this to stay on track with the plans I am making regarding my student teaching and such. I will be taking my CST in the Spring. (updates: scores to follow in a few months)

Small Time Girl to Becomes Heavy Lifter
Rachel and Mandi and I have been going to the gym for the last two weeks (and loving it). We are going to begin lifting on Wed. mornings... if you would like to join us ever we leave Christie around 6:20am, give us a call.

Homesickness Epidemic has Reached Epic Proportions
I am beginning to feel homesick (something I've been fighting for the last few days) I am looking forward to coming home in Nov. for a while for Thanksgiving. (key words there: *A While*)

Trip to Green Is On
Hoping to have my picture taken in the beautiful town of Green by their tree and their founders statue (again I would like to post some pics of it all for you but my web coordinator hasn't set that up yet) (*staz*). But there will be verbal descriptions to follow. I love that I'm from Mars and Mandi is from Green. We make quite a pair.

Seperation Anxiety to be Felt Throughout the US
My roomate is leaving me to go live in seclusion as a monk for a semester in Mexico. Ok that's a little dramatic but it couldn't be worse. I am already missing her. Please pray that we both accept this new venture with great ease.

Who knew?

WHO KNEW:
1 that really out of shape people can run 2 miles three days in a row under 20 min. (Yeah for out of shape me!)
2 The craving for chocolate can become so bad that it goes in the opposite direction and you detest the sight or smell of the stuff (I hate boys)
3 Talking to your ex boyfriend(s) can be theropudic on a bad day
4 Who knows how to spell theropudic
5 Roommates can gett annoyed by you and not even tell you till life really sucks then all the sudden they get chatty
6 I love my roomate because she's beautiful
7 That I can only think of 7 who knews on this horrablly awful day

The New Me

I'm taking up coffee and early morning running, I'm becoming a new person! (the exclamation is not an expression of joy, even though that's what it always means when you see one, but grammatically it doesn't have to be about joy, it could just be about astonishment or revelation, that's what this one is about) I am becoming a new person, one who runs at 7am, and drinks coffee afterwards and one who is married to her work (not my school work though so it's really not as good a thing as you think it might be) and I'm becoming one of those people who updates their blog everyday (or close to it) becaue they have noone else to talk to except themselves, I dont think that's my problem, I just have words stuck inside of me that can't get out no matter how hard I try to get rid of them they only just change languages or grow bigger! (again astonishment) I don't know what to do except blow them onto this screen and out into the world, hopeing against all hope that they will eventually find a place to be and they will stay there and stop tomenting me.... I'm becoming a new person

random

I'm taking up coffee

On the right track (an update)

I've been reflecting on life lately and this is not a reflection but an update...
I am doing well here at Nyack, I am loving my work, my new manager is tons of fun, well my Sr at least, Wendy I'm not sure of yet cause we never work together EVER, she only works with Miguel and some of us think there may be something going on.. but noone can prove anything so we are just thinking they are really good family friends. I have gotten to hang out with Nathalie (or other Asst. Mngr) she is amazing, she's a Hatian immigrant who has been here a little over a year. She has done amazing things with her life. She studied law in Haiti and then worked as an English teacher (now you know why we get along so well) and interpreter Then she moved to the US and sold shoes (what a step back huh?) but she didn't see it as a step back, her enthusiasm for life is the most amazing thing. She lives in one bedroom apt. with her Aunt and her kids and her mother. How crowded, no wonder she likes coming to work. So that has been rewarding.. pray for her, her view on Chrisitanity is very bleak because of past experiance.
My classes are going ok. They are classes what is there to say, I have my first Bib. Doct. Exam... everyone is freaking out about it but it's really not gonna be that hard (I don't think) ANYWAY.. I should go study for it in the last 15 min I have so have a great day, I'm on track for one...

Life

It doesn't suck, its just blah. Do you ever have days like that.. when you really wish you could call your exboyfriend because he was such a good listener, and you just want to talk to your mom but you aren't getting along right now for some reason that noone can figure out and your Spanish pronunciation is going to the pigs. None of it is life shattering however none of it makes for the best day... So that's where I'm at, just life, not that it sucks or that it's wonderful but just that it is.
Like I said, I don't know why I don't feel like talking to my mom, we have a great relationship and I can always tell her everything (even when it gets me in trouble for telling her). It's just that lately I just want to talk to her not as a mom but as a friend, who understands what I'm going through and I know she wouldn't agree with how my life is being run right now but really it's my life and while I appriciate her input, I think it's time I make some mistakes. That doesn't make much sense since if I know they are mistakes why would I choose to do them? well that's a good question... maybe because I can and maybe because I just want to do something for once that they don't approve of or have a say over...
*aren't you sopposed to rebel against your parents when you are living with them?*
I don't know what I'm doing with my life. This morning I was thinking about goals and what my goals are for this year and sadly I don't have any... just finish out one more year and maybe bring up my GPA a little and not fight everytime I see my parents. Those are the lamest goals I have ever seen and the really sad thing is... they are mine.. this is my life, not good, not bad, not quite ugly but just LIFE.

Wet tshirt contest

This isn't funny God... today it wasn't sopposed to rain, it was a good day and still is but I just didn't want to have it rain on me in my thin little white tshirt... yuck.. and then I had to walk back across the entire campus in my see-through shirt to my dorm to change and now I'm typing to you.. I guess it could have been worse.. but who knows... Anyway.. today is a great day.. everyone I have talked to agrees... even my sister Stasi.. I think, I talked to her before she worked all day watching someone elses children and I haven't been to work but hopefully things will go well.. I had yesterday off and that was nice.. I took a 3 hr nap (no more than that Mandi). it was delightful! and than Steph called and we decided to do something which turned into a hunt for the New York Times for Justin so we could borrow one of his DVD's ... good times.. well I'm gonna change and go to dinner.. maybe the food will be good.. now I'm being way to opptomistic.

life sucks

life isn't easy, a lot of time you have to make decisions that you don't want to make. Life isn't fair, you rarely ever get your way. Life isn't always fun, sometimes you have to be an adult. Life sucks.

here's to the single life

I've never been so misirably blissful, I just burst into tears for no reason, well there usually is a reason but it's not that real reason cause I don't know what the real reason is. I'm an emotional train wreck and I can't take it. Jimmy and I brok up (my choice).. and that doesn't mean that I don't care about him or that I never want to see him again but I feel like me keeping in touch is killing him slowly and he's too pridful to say anything. I know sometimes when we get off the phone I cry, I can't put a finger on why or what caused it but I just feel like a part of me is missing. I hear that normal when you give peices of yourself to someone and then that someone dies, that's what's sopposed to happen, not that you arne't together anymore, they are sopposed to die, not that I would ever want Jimmy to die! I would NOT be able to handle that if he did. So I'm glad that he's not dead (beyond glad) but really I guess you are sopposed to get a commitment and have a commitment to someone before you give your heart away.
*note to self*
remember to look ahead before jumping in with both feet
*back to the ramble*
I just don't know what to do and he thinks I have all these people who are supporting me and lifting me up when I cry and all these people who I can call anytime I want to and I prolly do have a number of people like that. but I'm to 'hold it together' to call them. (most of them) I just had an episode and I picked up my phone and I needed to talk to someone and I couodn't think of one person, so I called my sister, who didn't answer her phone (when I needed her the most *guilt trip*) and so than I had no one. I tried my other sister who also has a life and wouldn't take my call... so that's it, two people who I'm related to so they have to love me and accept me and they can't even help and I guess I could call someone else but I don't want to get into it with anyone here, they are all concerned with how I feel and they will keep asking me when really I just need someone to talk me down off this ledge and get me sane and then never mention it again... and in all this stupid me thought I could reconnect with my ex... whoa Abi, where was my support then, nowhere apparently, I'm not ready for that. I can't handle getting over Jimmy and getting over him at the same time, not that I'm not over him, I am but really it's like reliving everything all over again and I don't want to have to deal with that, maybe that's what God is trying to tell me that I need to just get over things all at once, like a crash course. who knows. I need to do some school work, maybe I'll catch you up later, just to clarify, Jimmy and I are over as are Dustin and I. I have no desire to date anyone for a very long time, even if the new guy is really nice, I'm honestly thinking of just being single for the rest of my life, but part of me still wants to go on dates and be treated like a princess and be able to do it on my own time and all that jazz which is never gonna happen cause that's not the way the world works. so here's to the single life. (I know this is confussing but if I didn't put it out there I wouldn't ever and it's really just thoughts as they run through my head they aren't concrete and no decisions, mine or yours should be made based on them they'll prolly change tomorrow, so here I am.. AGH

amily and other random rambles

so here goes, I went to see Jimmy this weekend, we were going to go to his church on Sun so he came out and got me Sat. night so we didn't have to get up crazy early on Sun.
lets start with church, his church was relatively normal, a little more contemporary than Mars Alliance but not soo out there you want to run for the hills, he told me that it was very likely that there would be congrigational speaking in tounges, which I don't agree with and I told him so, but it turns out we misunderstood eachother. I thought he ment that the pastor would announce it like "now we will speak in tounges to the Lord". That I don't agree with but what he did mean was that some people in his congrigation speak in tounges when they worship. so you see conflict avoided, YEAH. But not really, see he had talked to his pastor and told him God knows what about me and my spiritual background so his pastor pulls me aside before the service and starts to tell me all about how prayer is improtant and how we need to be praying about national matters and some other things, and it came off as very condicending and I just wanted to stop him and say "Really I do believe in Jesus". So I just listened and nodded my way through it believeing it had something to do with what Jimmy had told him about me but all the same resenting it kind of. So then I told Jimmy or rather asked him what he had told him and explained how things had come off to me and so Jimmy and I are talking outside the church and Jimmy's pastor comes out and asks if everything is ok and Jimmy chimes right in and tells him how I feel offended and all this stuff, which I understand why, because I didn't communicate my thoughts very well and the fact that I know the pastor didn't mean to come off that way and that his heart was in the right place but I didn't get to that, so now it's akward between the pastor and me before the service, he appologized (which wasn't necessary). other than that the church thing went off without a hitch
The next event was meeting his family, which I was nervious about, he is Italian and has strong roots there so family is huge to him and not so much to me so I was going ot meet some people before the BIG family *reunion* which we are calling a party cause it's not as scary to me. so I met Sam at church he really helped me not feel so akward *that's Sam* and Marian his fiance or girlfriend or something like that and I already knew Rachel and Jen and Joey, I also met his aunt Lisa and his Uncle Mike, they are all sweet, a little overwhelming but all in all I think it went well. There are some things there that I don't exactly want in my family but we will see, first impressions can be misplaced.
THEN the final event was a walk on the beach and Trivial Persuit with Sam and Marian, Rachel and Jen and Jimmy and me. Well between the walk on the beach and the game my allergies caught up with me from his aunt's dog. so I took this benadryl which knocked me out, like can't-see-straight-to walk-in-a-straight-line-without-faltering loopy. I ended us spending the night (n what a night it was) so all in all my Labor day weekend was great... a new adventure everyday. and now on actual labor day I must get to class....

life is funny

so today is ok, I am doing fine and dandy. lately it's been rough what with my boyfriend and all, adjusting to being in the same state is more difficult than I thought it would be. so I'm just dealing. Yesterday we decided to go to his house in Queens for dinner (at around 7pm mind you) So we get there and eat and then they turn out the lights and bring in this cake with candles and stuff and Im totally clueless and as I looked around the table everyone else did too. Then we started singing 'Happy Birthday' (I still don't think anyone knew whoes birthday we were celebrating) turns out they were singing for his mother whoes birthday was a month ago.. go figure. Then we hung out and didn't come back to Nyack till around 2am, (sorry honey no more late nights like that). I was ok though cause my morning class was canceled and my first one wasn't till around 11am but Rachel, I love her. Came and got me up for our 9am class (that was canceled!) Oh my... so Im tired and missing home and all that jazz. So drop me a line up here at school if you want the addy is
One South Blvd Nyack NY 10960 I love to get mail!
So that' s pretty much it... reconnecting and all that junk, life is good and crazy already and I haven't started work yet (start on Tues) Let ya know how that goes....

I QUIT!

I don't want to go back, not because I don't want to see everyone. I just have so much anxiety about going back and I don't know what it is all about. I know that I just don't want to go back. pure and simple, but I promised God I would do everything to the best of my ability so here I am packing up my life again and moving to NY for a couple months, I am just done with school, I guess, I don't know how people do it for 7 yrs and more.. I couldn't already I feel like dropping out and just doing what I'm soposed to be doing working for the Lord teaching English to others so they can function in not only their small communities but also on a global scale.
today I am doing paperwork so if you have a min and want to call feel free, I would enjoy the distraction.. I have a ton of stuff that I haven't done cause I've been everyones mother for the summer (in fact right now I'm buying my younger sister's books for college cause she can't figure out how to do it herself) AGGGHHHHhh I'm so unhappy with what my life has become. I'm moving to Hondoras and living in a grass hut, you can't talk me out of it *but I would enjoy the call.....

I am finally UNpacked

so I'm almost entirely unpacked from college... I know it's time to go back and all but I never unpacked, and my dad covered my stuff in sawdust.. so laundry it is. This is pathetic but such is life... I go back on Sun! yeah I don't want to go back to school but I do... such is the life of a college student but I will get there and it will be good to be back..

Is it all about me?

Am I self absorbed? sometimes I step back and I look at the way I treat people and I start to obsess over being nicer to them and I start to think to myself 'self' I say 'am I self-centered' and I can't respond any other way than 'yes' because I have begun relying on myself for reassurance that I'm not toally self centered.. what do you think?

Hey Burrito!

Hey burrito, hey hey hey burrito, umm yeah burrito yeah, taco bell taco bell, guakamole cinnimon twist! *random spiriting*
I told you I was going to be a cheerleader this week! and that's my first chant. isn't it great, I am going to kill Anna who is the cheerleading coach for teaching them that chant and getting it stuck in my head! AHHhh..
I am having fun though, I have a group of 8 girls all of whom are 6yr. except one who is 4yr. They are a riot and I don't know many of them so I'm getting to know new kids which is always fun!
CJ and Rich whoes names I couldn't remember before are so fun, they are just quarky. CJ is the soccer coach and Rich is the head coach, watch out for the game of pilots and gunners they will play on Thursday, it's violent and sometimes deadly to small children.
Matt and Heather are the other two and they are fun, I still havent figured Heather out yet but I guess I will eventually, maybe there's nothing to figure out there. and Matt is a sweetheart, so helpful all the time. He's a real blessing. So overall this week is going well, keep praying for no rain! it passed us yesterday and I hope it does the same today!
I am now doing Ami's graduation announcments and planning her party, I'm not the one graduating so I think I should get a cut of the profit, what do you think? (totally kidding)

Whoa was an understatement

KidZCamp was wonderful and over finally.. not that I didn't enjoy it; just that it wasn't the smoothest thing I've ever done. Today we took over the worship service with our 'little orange selves' (as Jill calls us). We had to wear these orange shirts all week, there was much laundry. So it wasn't the most evangelistic event I've ever been a part of and I'm not sure yet how I feel about that. They seemed to worry more about looking good and haveing fun than they did about the kids learning about God and growing closer to him which is not what I think Children's ministry should be.
This week we are starting a Sportz Camp at the church. same place, some of the same kids, and a ton of new things to add to my 'to do list'. We also get to wear these really strange yellow shirts, (we went from orange to yellow I feel like I am working construction). And don't worry we have to wear them everyday! at least it cuts down on the amount of time I have take getting ready in the morning. We met the people we are running the camp (they are called uncharted waters and they have a really fun ministry) They are great fun, sarcastic just like we are, which makes things easy. And they are exciting and cute too. They seem to have the whole package. So this week I get to go from Serengeti Trek to Cheerleading coach. Wish me luck!

Whoa!

Today started KidZCamp (otherwise known as "VBS") at Fountain Park Church. We have it at the community center because there isn't enough room in our Office Building(otherwise known as "Church). It was fun. Anne and I left ALOT till the last min. I could have been up till about 4am this morning trying to get ready for just Monday. But instead I went to bed; which was good cause I got good sleep and was ready to deal with the kids. I just finished the Bible Books which we needed for today but never got printed.. yuck, so much to do and so little time. I guess that's what I learned. "Don't let things go till the last min." But then again I have 'learned' that eight-thousand times.
In other news. Jummy came and we had a great weekend... did I write about this already.. well if I did oh well. We had a marvolus time! and I didn't want to see him go.. neither did the airline and I got to keep him one extra day! YAY! He decided that Pittsburgh wasn't a dirty run-down place after all and that it was quite pretty and livabe.
I have fallen in love you should just all know that. I am totally in love with the kids at KidZCamp. I can't wait to go back tomorrow. It's like getting to be a glorified kid all over again except you have to worry about audio cables, crew bags, bleeding children, unprinted Bible Books, dirty fingers at snack time, running out of string for nametags so the kids have to wear them as chokers and band members with big heads. I love it!

just a random update on me!

So I am here at work just biding my time till 4:00 rolls around so I can go home. I finished all of my work but this week I have to keep hours cause Dar isn't here. (it's not all that bad) so I'm writing in my blog and hopeing that when I'm done it will be 4:00.
So here is just an update on my life
FAMILY:
Life is good in the Havener house, we are all home except Stasi who is off this week doing more training for Slovakia.
Alex and Ami can't be left in a room together for more than 13min. which will be fun to see cause she's had him all day!
Matt (our marine) is home this week and next week which is fun. He came over to see Alex last night, they are so cute together.
Amanda is planing on spending the summer at my Grandparents in Ebensburg just for an adventure, I wish her all the luck in the world and hope she returns home sane.
Mom is losing weight like CRAZY! it's so good, Best of luck to her too.
Father isn't losing weight and he can't pull his hair back yet so we aren't cutting it, I sugessested yesterday that we pay for a 'father's day makeover' he didn't go for it.. we'll hatch another plan soon to get rid of the hair.
FRIENDS:
If you are reading this than you don't see me enough and you should give me a call.
Meg is in Pittsburgh this summer!! YEAH! it's good to be reunited with your matching soul even if it's just for a while!
It's good seeing my girls, Tosh and Jen and Amanda and Cara! yeah! We went to see 'The Taveling Pants' and we couldn 't decide who would be whom from the movie. If you have any thoughts let me know..well I'll go now it's way later than 4:00 and my sis is leaving me from talking on the phone!
love ya all! (drop me a comment I'm beginning to feel left unread and unloved!)

just a thought in song

So here I am.
open and broken
beaten and battered
by the waves that washed me to this dark shore

I don't know how I got here
or when I will leave
but one thing I know for sure

when I am alone
and when I am scared
I reach out to you
and you take my hand

and you say

I've got you baby
from the moment you were born
from the first breath to the last
know that I'm here
to hold you safe in my arms

to keep you from danger
to protect you from harm

know that I will be here
that I am here
in the midst of your storm

baby I've got you

Lord I am yours

Home again Home again

Home now from New York and seeing Jimmy! It was so good to see him! It was weird at first, is that bad? who knows, life is good now.
So I rode up with Sarah which as fun because we haven't talked in a while, and I don't really have many people who I can talk ESL with here in PGH so that was refreshing (for the first 2 hrs at least) we also talked about our men, she was going up to see Timone (sp?). She was apprihensive about seeing him cause she had some heavy stuff that she wanted to talk about
*SIDE NOTE*
I'm at work and I just answered the phone, on the other end is a lady who was calling to talk to Debi (our PL cordinator) and she wanted to know if a sentence that she was sending with her resume (to another company) "sounded funny"... is that totally random or what?
*BACK TO REALITY*
so Sarah had some stuff she needed to talk to Timone about and she was pretty sure (84%) that this would end the relationship, which sucks cause she really.. and I mean really likes this one. but anyway we talked about that and how dating older guys is kinda strange and brings other factors into the relationship.
I am a scale person in relationships, the scales have to be even for me. and right now it's like he's giving and I'm just taking. I suck at this whole affirmation thing which is no good cause he's really big on that. I don't know.. and this is long and I could ramble on forever! so I won't say much more in this entry except that I hate the fact that I have commitment and trust problems and I'm not going to run from this one.

I love my Job!

I am having a GREAT SUMMER! the weather isn't very summery but oh well. I am loving my job. I am working at Fountain Park Presb. Church (check us out at www.fountainpc.com ) I am working as the children's ministry intern and I LOVE IT! it's a really relaxed job which is nice, right now I'm not wearing shoes or socks, I'm in jeans and a t-shirt and tomorrow I might wear sweats if I feel like it. How wonderful! The things that I am 'required' to do aren't a huge deal, they are things that I always wished people would pay me to do. Like wearing a toga and a large straw hat, or coloring for hours on end, or designing flyers and bulletin inserts. and most of all playing with kids! I Love my job!

YEAH FOR JESUS

I'm so happy and here's the reason why Jesus took my burden all away Now I'm singing as the days go by Jesus took my burden all away Once my heart which heavy With A load of sin But Jesus took the load And gave ME peace within Now I'm happy and that's the reason why Jesus took my burden all away.

Star Gazing

So these last few nights have been a blur (mostly because I am sooo tired) today I am playing 'catch-up' cause I am so behind in a majority of my classes. And it's not helping to be out till all hours of the night, last night I was going to go to bed early then I had to pick some stuff up for Jimmy and then give it to him and that turned into star gazing and that turned into talking that turned into a 2am ordeal. That's really what I wanted to write about. The stargazing. See we were in the field directly below the gazebo, just laying there looking at the stars and talking. and then all of the sudden Jimmy sat up and says 'who is that' apparently he saw a whole bunch of kids come out of no where and run to the gazebo. Then in a stroke of total strangness we hear this recorder playing 'Mary had a little lamb' and other assorted strange and unattached songs and laughing and jumping coming from the gazebo. It was totally strange, beyond belief almost. So we sat there for a little bit more and then we left. but they were still there we think. I don't know who they were we have our hunches but they are not proven so I won't incriminate anyone. So watch out for strange 'jam sessions' at 2am when you are gazing at the beautiful night sky this week.

An Adventure for Sure

So these last few days I have gotten to know this guy Jimmy. He's pretty special and I'm really glad that we finally connected. Most of our conversations have been at night (after about 10:30) as we walk around Nyack. These walks have been amazing first because he is there but second because it's ALWAYS and adventre. Two nights ago for example we decided to walk into downtown Nyack and go to the pier over the Hudson. As we were walking back around 12:30 at night this guy on a bike was following us. Jimmy started to get paranoid, I thought he was overreacting but then in the end he prolly wasn't. So this guy on a bike is matching our pace and following us on the other side of the street. So we decide to go to this gas station instead of going up the deserted street that leads to the school. So the guy follows us to the gas station and parks his bike and gets off but never comes in and when we go out after about a min. he's gone. Like I said its always an adventure! Last night was no different. We were walking and then we decided to go over the bridge over the thruway and watch the cars going under us. (he says I'm a cheap date, prolly true) Then we crossed the bridge and walked down this road trying to get to the river but then we hit a dead end and decided to go back. So we made a wrong turn and eventually ended up at the Tappan Zee bridge! that's not so close to the school so we finally got on 9W and headed in the right direction toward the school. I thought the adventure was over but no. We ended up walking around the neighborhood around the school where we knew where we were and how to get back. There is this nice wall about oh 1/2 mile or more from the school and we went there to sit and chat. So then we decided that it was about 3 am so we should get back to school. So as we are walking back. this SUV comes towards us and passes us and stops and this huge black guy gets out and starts calling to us to 'slow up' and 'wait' and 'stop. AHHHH the thoughts that were going through my mind were not that great. Jimmy was telling me afterward that he was thinking 'what of value did he have on him' and 'what if he goes for Abi. I could die' so that's where we were at. and this guys girlfriend gets out and starts chasing after him so I thought he was drunk. Then he proceeds to come up close to Jimmy and sticks his hand out and he shakes Jimmy's hand and thanks him, (at this point I recognize his girlfriend from the school) he thanks Jimmy for encouraging him one day when he was playing catch with his buddy. It was totally bizzare! but an adventure non the less we both sighed a breath of relief when they got back in the car and drove away. What an adventure it has been and I can't wait to see what else happens!

By The Way

B&G got it together and we got a blind yesterday! YEAH B & G! We love you again. (I'm sorry that my underwear was everywhere it was a rough morning!)

On the Surface

Sometimes I worry about my family. I know deep down that there is nothing real to worry about but on the surface sometimes I get caught up in it all and it worries me. My parents are in love. (so... what's the problem? right?) well there's more to it than that. Sometimes to talk to them you wouldn't know that. When mom considers (only on the surface) leaving my dad. and when my dad slips into this 'other-world' state that hes been in for a while now (about a year), I can't help but worry and then there's us kids. Stasi just graduated and she's working at Eckard, not a huge deal; she's going to Denver in May to train to be a 'missionary-type-person'. But she worries me sometimes (only on the surface though) that she doesnt realize that she's made for GREAT things! I can't wait to see what God is going to do with her and through her and I love that I got to be a small part in it. (even if it's just picking out her prom date)! And Amanda, she's stuck in mediocrity too sometimes. She's an amazing person who is going to see amazing things happen in her lifetime and she'll have a part in making them happen. Alex is another story. I get mad sometimes because he's getting gypet. He has an amazing family but sometimes we can't get ourselves together enough to pass that on to him. We all have our own lives and forget that there's a little one who needs to get a life, who is moldable and watching every move we make. So I guess that leaves me, ministryless and depressed (at the moment). missing God and crying inside but too proud to let that penitrate to my surface. We all have the good inside, the amazing the spectacular but we build walls to keep it inside and then we wonder why we can't see the amazing and the spectacular and we blame God for it. Like he made us this way. but he didn't he made us to be amazing and spectacular and proactive! 'God-help me to be what is indwelled within me!'

What am I Waiting For?

So now that I'm old I have found that life is a series of changes. Things that you once thought were constant are not constant anymore. Friends you thought were forever are now friends you won't see till forever and friends you counted off your list have become forever friends with you. The other day I asked God to show me that my life was still exciting because I have felt lately that my life is just a waste of time waiting to end. So instead of doing the 'human thing' that I expected of giving me exciting events one after another or opening my eyes to what I have, he took it in a little bit different of a direction. I was talking on IM and he began to show me that my life isn't wasted in waiting. He showed me what some people I knew have become when they went looking for excitement or haven't waited. two of my friends came 'out of the closet' as homosexuals. This came as a shock. one of those things you just don't expect in a million years. Girls you have joked with and grown up with, girls who gave you dating advice when you came to them broken are now changed in your view forever. Not in a 'bad' way just in a different way. I was presented with a situation where a lovely couple didn't wait and now their marrage is wrecked and broken. Over all I know that God has a plan for all of these individuals but he showed me through them that he still has a plan for me! I can't wait to see what it is!