My mom randomly sends me these funny little choir things. I guess this is what choir teachers do all day instead of teaching. She sent me one earlier this year of a guys' group from Miami University singing a song about Facebook. Today is what a really random and messed up version of the 12 Days of Christmas...well kind of. Just watch. It's pretty funny.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Introducing...
What an introduction! Only the King of Kings deserves this kind of introduction. I can only hope that the whole world will join in celebration like this crowd does one day.
Baby Gone Bad
This kid's parents should be beaten and then thrown in jail and then beaten some more. And this kid knows exactly what he's doing. It's so sad.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
My Heart Is In Africa
I'm so glad that God led me to Birmingham. I really think that God has designed my path through Birmingham for me to really get a grasp of what I'm here on Earth for and what my life is all about. I attend an amazing church led my an amazing young preacher with a heart for the nations.
I've definitely had a heart for missions since I was a teenager but I never have had the direction to do what I'm called to do, which is make his glory known in Birmingham and throughout the world by making disciples and sharing the gospel with as many people as I can.
For a while now, I have wanted to go to Africa. Last summer, I wasn't able to go to Africa but I did go to Honduras and got a glimpse of the needs that are out there. This summer I'm hoping to go to Africa. There are several avenues through which I can go, so right now I'm just trying figure out which avenue is best for me.
Anyway, I say all that to say this. Today at church, we had the most amazing service. We had a presentation from World Help, an organization that exists to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment through partnering, training, helping and serving, especially in the unreached areas of the world. They also have a foundation called Children of Hope where you can sponsor a child. World Help works mostly with areas in sub-Saharan Africa, trying to raise awareness and garner support for the HIV/AIDS epidemic that has taken its toll on Africa and affected on more than 15 million children.
Here are some facts about the World Help and the way that AIDS is affecting Africa:
- 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS, a number that is expected to increase to 40 million by 2010. Every 14 seconds, a child is orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
- A monthly sponsorship gift of $30 provides food, clothing, education, and most importantly, a Christ-centered focus in a child's life.
- $25,000 provides one home to impact 12 orphans.
- $50,000 provides two homes to impact 24 orphans.
- $100,000 provides an entire Village of Hope to impact 48 orphans.
- Evangelical Christians are the least likely to aid efforts like these and only 3% said they would give to an organization like World Help.
Our worship today was led by the Children of the World choir, who not only were precious, but the choir was made up of about 15 orphans from several different countries. One young boy was from Uganda. His family had to leave Uganda and live in a refugee camp. Every child knows Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and that says a lot about this organization considering where thy come from. That shows that World Help is not just about helping these countries. It's about first and foremost winning people over for the sake of Christ and his desire for the world.
I encourage everyone to go check out the website. Get involved with this organization in some way. Get involved in any organization like this. Here a list of others:
- Invisible Children
- Blood:Water Mission
- Mocha Club
- Save Darfur
I know there are so many more out there. Get involved. Do something. If we don't, who will?
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
I've definitely had a heart for missions since I was a teenager but I never have had the direction to do what I'm called to do, which is make his glory known in Birmingham and throughout the world by making disciples and sharing the gospel with as many people as I can.
For a while now, I have wanted to go to Africa. Last summer, I wasn't able to go to Africa but I did go to Honduras and got a glimpse of the needs that are out there. This summer I'm hoping to go to Africa. There are several avenues through which I can go, so right now I'm just trying figure out which avenue is best for me.
Anyway, I say all that to say this. Today at church, we had the most amazing service. We had a presentation from World Help, an organization that exists to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment through partnering, training, helping and serving, especially in the unreached areas of the world. They also have a foundation called Children of Hope where you can sponsor a child. World Help works mostly with areas in sub-Saharan Africa, trying to raise awareness and garner support for the HIV/AIDS epidemic that has taken its toll on Africa and affected on more than 15 million children.
Here are some facts about the World Help and the way that AIDS is affecting Africa:
- 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS, a number that is expected to increase to 40 million by 2010. Every 14 seconds, a child is orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
- A monthly sponsorship gift of $30 provides food, clothing, education, and most importantly, a Christ-centered focus in a child's life.
- $25,000 provides one home to impact 12 orphans.
- $50,000 provides two homes to impact 24 orphans.
- $100,000 provides an entire Village of Hope to impact 48 orphans.
- Evangelical Christians are the least likely to aid efforts like these and only 3% said they would give to an organization like World Help.
Our worship today was led by the Children of the World choir, who not only were precious, but the choir was made up of about 15 orphans from several different countries. One young boy was from Uganda. His family had to leave Uganda and live in a refugee camp. Every child knows Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and that says a lot about this organization considering where thy come from. That shows that World Help is not just about helping these countries. It's about first and foremost winning people over for the sake of Christ and his desire for the world.
I encourage everyone to go check out the website. Get involved with this organization in some way. Get involved in any organization like this. Here a list of others:
- Invisible Children
- Blood:Water Mission
- Mocha Club
- Save Darfur
I know there are so many more out there. Get involved. Do something. If we don't, who will?
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
Like Aunt, Like Nephew
My Thanksgiving was somewhat surreal. It was our first Thanksgiving with our little William, Mississippi State pulled a huge fourth quarter comeback out of their hineys, and LSU lost to Arkansas (of all teams) in three overtimes. Oh, and thank goodness Auburn beat Alabama. Now the only bowl the Tide and the Rebels will be going to is the toilet bowl. Au Revoir, Coach O!
I was so excited to be there for the Egg Bowl. Thanks to my friend Tony, my mom and I got our hands on some fantastic tickets on the 45, about 30 rows up. As we sat there in the stadium, we couldn't believe what was unfolding in front of our eyes. What was going on? Who was this team out of the field? Well, finally at about the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs decided to start playing and put together some amazing plays on both sides of the ball to comeback and get the Golden Egg back in Starkville.
On the way home, my mom and I listened to the LSU/Arkansas game and couldn't believe what we were hearing. I have to say that that if I wasn't a Mississippi State fan, I'd be an LSU fan. And I guess I am anytime the two teams aren't playing each other.
Anyway, but I was so excited to get to spend a few days with my new nephew. I'm quite a bit obsessed with him and I think I'll probably start becoming like Heather and LT are with Henry.
My nephew will be a month old on Saturday and it's hard to believe it. With all the time I got to spend with my little William, I've noticed many things that he does just like I did when I was little, that neither his mom nor his dad did. Here is a small list of things that we have in common:
- He sleeps with his butt in the air.
- He's jaudiced just like I was so he's quite yellow and will inherit his aunt's dark complexion.
- He also sleeps with his hands either up by his face or covering them.
- And he sleeps unlike any other baby I have ever seen. He goes to sleep easy and is hard to wake up.
Anyway, I had a fantastic weekend and I hope yours was the same. Can't wait for my 10 day vacation at Christmas.
I was so excited to be there for the Egg Bowl. Thanks to my friend Tony, my mom and I got our hands on some fantastic tickets on the 45, about 30 rows up. As we sat there in the stadium, we couldn't believe what was unfolding in front of our eyes. What was going on? Who was this team out of the field? Well, finally at about the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs decided to start playing and put together some amazing plays on both sides of the ball to comeback and get the Golden Egg back in Starkville.On the way home, my mom and I listened to the LSU/Arkansas game and couldn't believe what we were hearing. I have to say that that if I wasn't a Mississippi State fan, I'd be an LSU fan. And I guess I am anytime the two teams aren't playing each other.
Anyway, but I was so excited to get to spend a few days with my new nephew. I'm quite a bit obsessed with him and I think I'll probably start becoming like Heather and LT are with Henry.
My nephew will be a month old on Saturday and it's hard to believe it. With all the time I got to spend with my little William, I've noticed many things that he does just like I did when I was little, that neither his mom nor his dad did. Here is a small list of things that we have in common:
- He sleeps with his butt in the air.
- He's jaudiced just like I was so he's quite yellow and will inherit his aunt's dark complexion.
- He also sleeps with his hands either up by his face or covering them.
- And he sleeps unlike any other baby I have ever seen. He goes to sleep easy and is hard to wake up.
Anyway, I had a fantastic weekend and I hope yours was the same. Can't wait for my 10 day vacation at Christmas.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thank God for Autozone
(Posted without pictures because Googling on Samford's wireless takes an act of Congress.)
So I slept in Sunday because it had been a long week and I knew I could go to the 6 p.m. service at church, which at my church is the same as the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., just with about 200 people instead of 2,000.
Well, after I had gotten up and got going, I decided that I should go to the grocery store while I could and while I was in the mood. So I get in my car, put the key into the ignition, turn and....nothing. I press the gas and try again...nothing. Are you kidding me? My battery is dead. This has never happened to me at a time when my dad is not more than 5 miles away. Actually, it's never happened to me...ever. Plus, my roommate isn't home, the guys next door are gone, who do I get to jump me off. So, I call Dad to get his opinion. Here's how the convo went:
Dad: "Yello."
Me: "Um...I think my battery is dead."
Dad: "What makes you think that?"
Me: "Well, my car won't start and I have plenty of gas and oil and when I turn the key, nothing happens."
Dad: "Well, yeah, that usually means your battery is dead. So what do you want me to do about it?"
Me: "I don't know."
Dad: "Get someone to jump you off."
Me: "No one is home."
Dad: "No one is that Mayberry neighborhood of yours is home? Nobody?"
Me: "Well, maybe the people across the street are."
Dad: "Ok."
So thanks to making friends with the three families across the street through babysitting, I was lucky enough to find a neighbor husband at home with jumper cables.
So, he hooked his car up to mine and my car started right up. I, then, proceeded to Autozone to get a new battery and received very good help.
With that said, I'd like to say that I'm very thankful for Autozone. Actually, I'm very thankful for lots of things. So, in light of the holiday season, I'm going to take my cue from LT and list some things that I'm very thankful for.
The most obvious:
- Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior King, Creator, Redeemer, everything
- My incredible parents who have never failed me and would do anything to give me what I need.
- An amazing, talented sister who is so inspiring it's ridiculous
- The best brother-in-law in the world; he's the brother I never had
- My beautiful nephew who I get to see in less than 24 hours.
- The bestest best friends ever, LB (Lauren), Casey, Bethany, Kyle just to name a few
- Awesome family including grandparents (living and dead) that would give literally everything they had to spoil their grandchildren
- A job I live even though it takes up every minute of my life
- The most amazing church, which I'm thankful that God has used to show me what I'm here on this earth for -- to declare God's glory by making disciples of all nations.
The little things:
- The breath of life
- ICEEs
- home cooked meals
- peanut butter M&Ms
- rainy days when you can just lay in bed
- having use of all my senses
- new friendships
- cookie cake
- mexican food
- shrimp fettuccini
- Mississippi State
- my talents
- TV
- wireless internet
- cellphones
- my car
- my iPod
- dates with my Dad
- spending the day with my sister
- going to Mississippi State games with my mom
- education
There's more where that came from but the game is starting now so I have to go.
So I slept in Sunday because it had been a long week and I knew I could go to the 6 p.m. service at church, which at my church is the same as the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., just with about 200 people instead of 2,000.
Well, after I had gotten up and got going, I decided that I should go to the grocery store while I could and while I was in the mood. So I get in my car, put the key into the ignition, turn and....nothing. I press the gas and try again...nothing. Are you kidding me? My battery is dead. This has never happened to me at a time when my dad is not more than 5 miles away. Actually, it's never happened to me...ever. Plus, my roommate isn't home, the guys next door are gone, who do I get to jump me off. So, I call Dad to get his opinion. Here's how the convo went:
Dad: "Yello."
Me: "Um...I think my battery is dead."
Dad: "What makes you think that?"
Me: "Well, my car won't start and I have plenty of gas and oil and when I turn the key, nothing happens."
Dad: "Well, yeah, that usually means your battery is dead. So what do you want me to do about it?"
Me: "I don't know."
Dad: "Get someone to jump you off."
Me: "No one is home."
Dad: "No one is that Mayberry neighborhood of yours is home? Nobody?"
Me: "Well, maybe the people across the street are."
Dad: "Ok."
So thanks to making friends with the three families across the street through babysitting, I was lucky enough to find a neighbor husband at home with jumper cables.
So, he hooked his car up to mine and my car started right up. I, then, proceeded to Autozone to get a new battery and received very good help.
With that said, I'd like to say that I'm very thankful for Autozone. Actually, I'm very thankful for lots of things. So, in light of the holiday season, I'm going to take my cue from LT and list some things that I'm very thankful for.
The most obvious:
- Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior King, Creator, Redeemer, everything
- My incredible parents who have never failed me and would do anything to give me what I need.
- An amazing, talented sister who is so inspiring it's ridiculous
- The best brother-in-law in the world; he's the brother I never had
- My beautiful nephew who I get to see in less than 24 hours.
- The bestest best friends ever, LB (Lauren), Casey, Bethany, Kyle just to name a few
- Awesome family including grandparents (living and dead) that would give literally everything they had to spoil their grandchildren
- A job I live even though it takes up every minute of my life
- The most amazing church, which I'm thankful that God has used to show me what I'm here on this earth for -- to declare God's glory by making disciples of all nations.
The little things:
- The breath of life
- ICEEs
- home cooked meals
- peanut butter M&Ms
- rainy days when you can just lay in bed
- having use of all my senses
- new friendships
- cookie cake
- mexican food
- shrimp fettuccini
- Mississippi State
- my talents
- TV
- wireless internet
- cellphones
- my car
- my iPod
- dates with my Dad
- spending the day with my sister
- going to Mississippi State games with my mom
- education
There's more where that came from but the game is starting now so I have to go.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Heidi...The Nun
“I like to read a couple books at once. I was reading the Princess Diana book. I’m reading a book about Chicago and the mob. Right now I’m also reading the Bible, beginning to end. I’m very religious. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am.”Very religious, huh. Engaged to your live-in boyfriend (who by the way treats you like crap and doesn't respect that you actually WANT to work for a living) and backstabbing friends. Sounds like the Godly thing to do to me.
But hey, props to the girl for being interested. Maybe something really is changing in that little heart of hers. Just get rid of Spencer. Or at least take him to church.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
HE'S HERE!
My prince has finally come! My nephew, that is. He was due on Nov. 9 but he made his appearance a little after 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. He was 8 lbs., 2 oz. and is 21 inches long. He's ALL legs! He's already been declared a basketball player by his father. He's precious and I'm so thankful for the little bit of time I had to spend with him Wednesday and today before I had to get back to Birmingham for work. Thanks to all the people that were there to help out -- Uncle JoJo who helped deliver, Mrs. Tamara who helped out with the nursing staff today, sweet Rosanne Nichols (and fellow Kappa Delta) who was my sister's student nurse, and Tammy from church who helped yesterday with getting settled in the room. My sister is in the hospital until probably Saturday because they had to do a C-section. Please prayer that she'll continue to have a smooth recovery and that getting into the groove of things (such as feeding and lack of sleep) will also go smooth.
I'll leave you all with some pictures. I can't wait to go back at Thanksgiving!
He's so beautiful!
Dad (Boompa), Mom (LiLi) and Me (Auntie Katie or KK) and William
Presh!
He's posing!
I'll leave you all with some pictures. I can't wait to go back at Thanksgiving!
He's so beautiful!
Dad (Boompa), Mom (LiLi) and Me (Auntie Katie or KK) and William
Presh!
He's posing!Monday, October 29, 2007
A fantastic week
I had a fantastic week and an even more fantastic weekend. However, my week didn't start out fantastic at all. I'd been quite stressed and overwhelmed with having to plan to host the conference cross country championships. Tuesday had not been a good day because of uncooperative and noncommunicating cross country coaches but the day soon turned around when my volleyball team beat the number one team in the conference as a blogged about in the last post. Well, after the match, the team had been signing miniature volleyballs for their campers that had come to see them play. I told my coach that I would like one signed by the players to commemorate the big win because it had been a great end to a pretty much long and sucky day. Well when I got to the office the next day, I found a regular sized ball with everyone signature and a note that said, "Thanks for all you do. We hope today is better." How sweet! I love those girls. I hope I'll be around next year to continue to get to know them. Here are a few pics of my ball.
So then my week got better as the Red Sox kept winning and the my MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS beat #14 Kentucky! That made my Saturday. Also on Saturday, my roommate and I hosted a Pumpkin Carving Contest at our house. We had lots of yummy goodies and fun friends over and we had the most creative pumpkin (the pumpkin throwing up its guts) but our friends Emily and Gina won with the tree pumpkin.
Then to cap off the great weekend, the Red Sox won the World Series, with Papelbon (the Bulldog) striking out Seth Smith (the Rebel and the mean boy from the pool when I was little) to get the win. It was great! I also was able to check something of my List of Things To Do In My Life as my best friend Bethany came down from Knoxville to go to the Ben Harper concert with me. This guy is so incredibly talented and just has the best voice ever. It was in the Alabama Theatre which is beautiful and has the best acoustics. I'll leave you with a little collage.
So then my week got better as the Red Sox kept winning and the my MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS beat #14 Kentucky! That made my Saturday. Also on Saturday, my roommate and I hosted a Pumpkin Carving Contest at our house. We had lots of yummy goodies and fun friends over and we had the most creative pumpkin (the pumpkin throwing up its guts) but our friends Emily and Gina won with the tree pumpkin.
Then to cap off the great weekend, the Red Sox won the World Series, with Papelbon (the Bulldog) striking out Seth Smith (the Rebel and the mean boy from the pool when I was little) to get the win. It was great! I also was able to check something of my List of Things To Do In My Life as my best friend Bethany came down from Knoxville to go to the Ben Harper concert with me. This guy is so incredibly talented and just has the best voice ever. It was in the Alabama Theatre which is beautiful and has the best acoustics. I'll leave you with a little collage.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sextuplets? Mm...no thank you.
My new favorite show is John and Katie Plus 8. It documents a couple who has had two sets of multiples -- first twins and three years later, sextuplets. Although, I love kids, especially cute babies, and hope to have some of my own one day, I am not, nor will I ever be, interested in having six at one time. (Unless the good Lord above sees it fit that I can handle it. I mean, He is in control here, but I digress.)My cousin had twins a little over a year ago (after going through much of the same processes that the Gosselins went through) and she's got her hands full with just two! I can't imagine have two and then having six! Eight children all under the age of seven. No way Hose! Talk about stress!
Anyway, I do have to say that I admire them, as well as all parents of multiples. God definitely has handpicked you guys to be the parents of these children because it has to take a special person to raise multiples. So mad props to all of you multiples parents out there (including the ones that I know, cousin Angie, Jenny Manning Holloway). You are my heroes!
Onto another one of my new favs -- Colbie Caillat. I love love love this girl's music. Yesterday it was so yucky outside and I thought to myself, this would be a great day to just lay around the house and listen to some Colbie Caillat. However, with my job, I don't get the luxury of laying around the house very often. Maybe twice a season. Maybe. Anyway, Ms. Caillat has been compared to the likes of Jack Johnson, some saying she is the female version of Mr. Johnson; with which I would have to strongly concur. She's just got a fantastical soothing voice and great lyrics. Go check her out and I guarantee you will fall in love.
Finally, just some things that have really made my week. My beloved Red Sox have made it to the world series. I'm counting on them to make my year with another world championship this year.
Also my volleyball had probably the biggest win in our coach's career last night as they defeated our conference's No. 1 team, Jacksonville State, in three games. Three games! That's unheard of. It's best three out of five and our team has been known to blow some very important two-game leads. We have also been known as the team to sweep. Plus, Jacksonville State is our in-state rival and conference rival and the team that we have the biggest love-hate relationship with. Off the court, we like them. On the court, not so much. However, and I hope I don't jinx them by saying this, my team has somehow become a group of rock-star athletes and have had a fire lit under their butts and have played the best volleyball of their lives so far. So yay for my girls. It really turn a really bad, long day yesterday into one of the best days I've had here at Samford. Yay!
I want to leave you with a little dancy jig from Jonathan Papelbon. I guess if you just about lead your team to the World Series, you can do whatever you want on television. The fans love it so, whatever works.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Birthdays, Baseball and Big Thanks
First I want to wish a Happy Birthday to three of my best guy friends in the world.
Happy Birthday Kyle! His birthday was Friday and is lovingly called "Kyle Gras." Kyle is obsessed with everything New Orleans and insist on having king cake for his birthday cake every year. I can always count on Kyle for a free trip to the Cheesecake Factory when he's in town and he's really the only person in the world that understands my complaints about work. Oh, and he loves the Bears and Mississippi State and hates Ole Miss and Alabama as much as I do.
This a very old school pic of me and my oldest best guy friend Drew. It's from when we were the leads in Bye Bye Birdie in high school. Drew is the best friend a girl could ask for. Such a gentleman and he took me to prom my junior year after I reluctantly dumped the jerk I was dating. He's way sensitive and he understands girls a whole lot more than any other guy I know...even though he doesn't think he does. We've been through a whole lot together. Some major ups and downs and inbetweens. We are pretty much so alike that we could be twins. And we've made a deal that we will marry at 35 if we aren't already by then. Drew's birthday was Thursday and I really miss celebrating with him. His birthday always fell on Mississippi State's Homecoming for some reason so we always had a blast celebrating with my four other guy friends that he lived with.
And last but certainly not least...
Sweet Chris! His birthday was also Thursday. He doesn't look very excited in this pick but that's probably because it's probably the last game of an eight game day at the SEC Basketball Tournament. We've experienced just about every SEC event together and suffered through grad school together...although he's still suffering. We also worked together in ITS or The Center for Teaching and Learning (as it is now known) at MSU as GAs. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and he loves Mississippi State sports just about as much as I do.
Yay for birthdays!
Next I just want to say Go Red Sox! And yay for sweet Jonathan Papelbon. As I type, I'm watching Paps, try to close out game two of the ALCS for the Red Sox. I have to say, I loved the Sox way before they called Paps up but my love grew even stronger when they did. I would love to see my BoSox get to the World Series again, so Let's Go Sox!
Happy Birthday Kyle! His birthday was Friday and is lovingly called "Kyle Gras." Kyle is obsessed with everything New Orleans and insist on having king cake for his birthday cake every year. I can always count on Kyle for a free trip to the Cheesecake Factory when he's in town and he's really the only person in the world that understands my complaints about work. Oh, and he loves the Bears and Mississippi State and hates Ole Miss and Alabama as much as I do.
This a very old school pic of me and my oldest best guy friend Drew. It's from when we were the leads in Bye Bye Birdie in high school. Drew is the best friend a girl could ask for. Such a gentleman and he took me to prom my junior year after I reluctantly dumped the jerk I was dating. He's way sensitive and he understands girls a whole lot more than any other guy I know...even though he doesn't think he does. We've been through a whole lot together. Some major ups and downs and inbetweens. We are pretty much so alike that we could be twins. And we've made a deal that we will marry at 35 if we aren't already by then. Drew's birthday was Thursday and I really miss celebrating with him. His birthday always fell on Mississippi State's Homecoming for some reason so we always had a blast celebrating with my four other guy friends that he lived with.And last but certainly not least...
Sweet Chris! His birthday was also Thursday. He doesn't look very excited in this pick but that's probably because it's probably the last game of an eight game day at the SEC Basketball Tournament. We've experienced just about every SEC event together and suffered through grad school together...although he's still suffering. We also worked together in ITS or The Center for Teaching and Learning (as it is now known) at MSU as GAs. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and he loves Mississippi State sports just about as much as I do.
Yay for birthdays!
Next I just want to say Go Red Sox! And yay for sweet Jonathan Papelbon. As I type, I'm watching Paps, try to close out game two of the ALCS for the Red Sox. I have to say, I loved the Sox way before they called Paps up but my love grew even stronger when they did. I would love to see my BoSox get to the World Series again, so Let's Go Sox!
And lastly, I just got home from viewing the movie "The Kingdom." You know, the one with Jennifer Garner and Jamie Foxx about the FBI agents
that go into Saudi Arabia to take down a gang of terrorists. All I have to say is "wow". I went with my roommate Kelly who works with injured soldiers all the time at her workplace, Lakeshore Foundation. She's heard story after story from many soldiers and said that it was a great depiction of the things that they say. I would have to agree. It really was a great representation of what our soldiers go through and it makes you want to hug and thank every soldier you come in contact with. So I just want to say a big "thank you" to every soldier out there that has fought for our country, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in the Gulf War, Vietnam and all other wars. I also want to thank their families. That couldn't be an easy thing to do to see your loved ones going off to risk their life for yours. It takes an amazing person to do that and God bless each and every one.
that go into Saudi Arabia to take down a gang of terrorists. All I have to say is "wow". I went with my roommate Kelly who works with injured soldiers all the time at her workplace, Lakeshore Foundation. She's heard story after story from many soldiers and said that it was a great depiction of the things that they say. I would have to agree. It really was a great representation of what our soldiers go through and it makes you want to hug and thank every soldier you come in contact with. So I just want to say a big "thank you" to every soldier out there that has fought for our country, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in the Gulf War, Vietnam and all other wars. I also want to thank their families. That couldn't be an easy thing to do to see your loved ones going off to risk their life for yours. It takes an amazing person to do that and God bless each and every one. Thursday, October 4, 2007
What do you use you super power for?
I felt compelled to share this for some reason. I hope you are blessed by it.
by Jon Walker
"For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. "(2 Corinthians 10:8)
My son came home from middle school the other day and told me there'd been a reward-day-type assembly, where some neat stuff was given away. Then a teacher put all the student's names into a bucket for a drawing to determine who would win the biggest prize of all!
"I know you're only supposed to use special powers for good," my son said, "But if I had special powers, I would have been tempted today to stop time just before the teacher called out the winner. And I would have slipped up and put my own name in her hand."
My first thought was, "Wow, that really would be cool!" - but then, out loud, I agreed that special powers should only be used for the good of others. As the great theologian, Spiderman, says: "With great power comes great responsibility."
But then my A.D.D. brain start pinging like a pin ball wizard running wild in the arcade. (OK, I'm showing my age.) It occurred to me that, as Christians, we do have special powers. In fact, we have the most special power of all planted deep within us: the Holy Ghost, spirit power of Jesus Christ.
Paul, the Blind Man of Damascus Road, refers to this special power when he's speaking of his role as an apostle. He said the power and authority that emerged from Christ's spirit within him was given to him to build others up, and that it should never be used to tear others down.It's possible you could render the Greek: "With great power comes great responsibility!"
The Spirit of Christ lives within us and, as faithful stewards, we're to use the special power that flows from him to build up rather than pull down. In a sense, Oswald Chambers speaks to this when he teaches that, when God shows us the faults of others, we're to use that knowledge to intercede for them and not to criticize them.
That's a pretty hefty truth to carry, and I think the weight of it is one reason many of us struggle to keep it balanced on our shoulders. When we see other people's clay feet, our first response should be to go to our knees. Too often, however, we shrug off the weight of truth in order to free our hands for finger-pointing.
What's the difference between building up and tearing down? Consider these contrasts:
· Greet people with the positive vs. Open with the negative
· Point out what is right vs. Magnify what is wrong
· Expect excellence vs. Expect perfection
· Listen intently vs. Don't listen at all
· See the individual vs. See the stereotype
· Applaud positive changes vs. Say, "You'll never change!"
· Acceptance vs. Rejection
· Respect vs. Ridicule
· Apology vs. Blame
· Forgive vs. Shame
· "You can do it" vs. "You're hopeless"
· Promises kept vs. Promises broken
· Unconditional love vs. "Strings attached" love
· God interprets circumstances vs. Fear interprets circumstances
· Point toward things above vs. Point toward problems
· "He's a child of God" vs. "He's a problem to be dealt with"You have great power
How will you handle the responsibility? Your heart speaks through your mouth - [Jesus] went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" (Mark 7:20-23 NIV)
Meditate on what comes out of your mouth on a regular basis. Talk to God about what that reveals about your heart. Praise the Father and encourage his creations with your tongue - "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10 NIV) Encourage vs. discourage - Go through the list of contrasts above and rate yourself on each item.
What does your rating reveal? What'cha gonna do about it?
by Jon Walker
"For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. "(2 Corinthians 10:8)
My son came home from middle school the other day and told me there'd been a reward-day-type assembly, where some neat stuff was given away. Then a teacher put all the student's names into a bucket for a drawing to determine who would win the biggest prize of all!
"I know you're only supposed to use special powers for good," my son said, "But if I had special powers, I would have been tempted today to stop time just before the teacher called out the winner. And I would have slipped up and put my own name in her hand."
My first thought was, "Wow, that really would be cool!" - but then, out loud, I agreed that special powers should only be used for the good of others. As the great theologian, Spiderman, says: "With great power comes great responsibility."
But then my A.D.D. brain start pinging like a pin ball wizard running wild in the arcade. (OK, I'm showing my age.) It occurred to me that, as Christians, we do have special powers. In fact, we have the most special power of all planted deep within us: the Holy Ghost, spirit power of Jesus Christ.
Paul, the Blind Man of Damascus Road, refers to this special power when he's speaking of his role as an apostle. He said the power and authority that emerged from Christ's spirit within him was given to him to build others up, and that it should never be used to tear others down.It's possible you could render the Greek: "With great power comes great responsibility!"
The Spirit of Christ lives within us and, as faithful stewards, we're to use the special power that flows from him to build up rather than pull down. In a sense, Oswald Chambers speaks to this when he teaches that, when God shows us the faults of others, we're to use that knowledge to intercede for them and not to criticize them.
That's a pretty hefty truth to carry, and I think the weight of it is one reason many of us struggle to keep it balanced on our shoulders. When we see other people's clay feet, our first response should be to go to our knees. Too often, however, we shrug off the weight of truth in order to free our hands for finger-pointing.
What's the difference between building up and tearing down? Consider these contrasts:
· Greet people with the positive vs. Open with the negative
· Point out what is right vs. Magnify what is wrong
· Expect excellence vs. Expect perfection
· Listen intently vs. Don't listen at all
· See the individual vs. See the stereotype
· Applaud positive changes vs. Say, "You'll never change!"
· Acceptance vs. Rejection
· Respect vs. Ridicule
· Apology vs. Blame
· Forgive vs. Shame
· "You can do it" vs. "You're hopeless"
· Promises kept vs. Promises broken
· Unconditional love vs. "Strings attached" love
· God interprets circumstances vs. Fear interprets circumstances
· Point toward things above vs. Point toward problems
· "He's a child of God" vs. "He's a problem to be dealt with"You have great power
How will you handle the responsibility? Your heart speaks through your mouth - [Jesus] went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" (Mark 7:20-23 NIV)
Meditate on what comes out of your mouth on a regular basis. Talk to God about what that reveals about your heart. Praise the Father and encourage his creations with your tongue - "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10 NIV) Encourage vs. discourage - Go through the list of contrasts above and rate yourself on each item.
What does your rating reveal? What'cha gonna do about it?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
So Katie...what annoys you?
I'm taking my cue from Marty's list of "dislikes" and am making my own list of "annoyances". I've been quite annoyed this week so I've decided to vent with a list.
Here goes...in no particular order:
- When people don't clean dishes or take out the trash or turn off lights.
- Ben and Gavin throwing the football over my head while I'm in the zone writing a story.
- People who park in spaces that aren't legal spaces.
- People who talk on their cell phone while driving when it obviously inhibits their ability to pay attention and drive responsibly.
- Obnoxious Alabama fans.
- Weedeaters at 7 a.m. in my backyard.
- Long Walmart lines at 11 p.m.
- Self-checkout close at 11 p.m.
- Alarm clocks...hate them.
- Those stupid little Democrat stickers that have a blue dot on a red backgroud that say "I'm a little blue dot in a big red state." Get over it. Move north.
- Sazuki Man commercials
- Sazuki Man himself
- The MTV show NEXT (Puh-please! What a waste of air time!)
- Crickets
- Paris...Hilton
- Britney Spears news...lock her up in a rehab facility and don't let her out until she's singing praise songs
- Coaches who have no personality and don't know how to communicate
Ok...that's all I have for now. I'm sure I'll have an addendum later.
Here goes...in no particular order:
- When people don't clean dishes or take out the trash or turn off lights.
- Ben and Gavin throwing the football over my head while I'm in the zone writing a story.
- People who park in spaces that aren't legal spaces.
- People who talk on their cell phone while driving when it obviously inhibits their ability to pay attention and drive responsibly.
- Obnoxious Alabama fans.
- Weedeaters at 7 a.m. in my backyard.
- Long Walmart lines at 11 p.m.
- Self-checkout close at 11 p.m.
- Alarm clocks...hate them.
- Those stupid little Democrat stickers that have a blue dot on a red backgroud that say "I'm a little blue dot in a big red state." Get over it. Move north.
- Sazuki Man commercials
- Sazuki Man himself
- The MTV show NEXT (Puh-please! What a waste of air time!)
- Crickets
- Paris...Hilton
- Britney Spears news...lock her up in a rehab facility and don't let her out until she's singing praise songs
- Coaches who have no personality and don't know how to communicate
Ok...that's all I have for now. I'm sure I'll have an addendum later.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Muscle spasms, sports, baby showers, skinny dads, dinner with cerebral palsy, season premieres
Much to discuss, not a lot of time. As Heather says, I'll outline for easy reading.
1. Strange as it is, I've had muscle spasms in my back since Thursday night. After a sleepless night and a rough start to the day on Friday, I knew that I had to do something if I was going to have to be at work until 11 p.m. while my back is knotting and pulsating uncontrollable and might I add, very painfully. I took my dad's advice and decided to go to the doctor. So I headed down the street to the "Doc In A Box" that my roommate swears by. He determined that I was having spasms, told me that I should find someone to give me a massage (Ok...awkward since I work with mostly men), go buy a moist heating pad and prescribed me three medicines -- a pain killer, a muscle relaxer, and a mild narcotic. Six days later. Spasms still exist. I've run out of painkillers and am now finishing off muscle relaxers and mild narcotics. What can I say? I have a high tolerance of pain and an even higher tolerance of medicine. However, today it seems like it took me an extra 15-20 seconds for me to process things and get my brain around things than it usually does.
2. How about my three favorite college sports teams being off to great winning starts? The MSU Bulldogs are 3-1 for the first time since 2000, the Samford Bulldogs are off to a great 3-1 start as well, and the Samford volleyball team has its best start ever of 8-5, 3-1 OVC. The team is nationally ranked in digs per game (66th), our Libero Courtney Gay is ranked 14th in the country is digs per game, and one of our middle blockers, Sheriden Stangohr, is ranked 48th in the country in blocks per game. It's pretty much the best team we've ever had and we've already won more game this season than we did last season (we went 6-21, 1-15 OVC last season).
3. I got to go home this Sunday to be at my sister's first baby shower given by her church. They got TONS of presents and they had some really, really good cake. Really good. I had to write down all the gifts and who gave them. I hadn't done that since her wedding shower so I was a little overwhelmed. Anyway, it was good time and I got to see my family, and my brother-in-law's family, which is like family to me. It was so good to see my daddy, who has lost over 120 pounds. It's incredible! I'm so proud of him.
4. Last night my Tuesday night bible study group got together and cooked an easy to eat mexican lasanga for some Lakeshore members (my roommate Kelly works there) who have CP (cerebral palsy) and don't get a good meal often. We had a picnic in the park close to their apartment building and it was lots of fun. They are so funny and love to make fun of themselves and each other. I wish I had pictures of the whole event. It was too much fun. I think we are going to try to make this a monthly thing.
5. Last, but not least, it's season premiere time. I can't be more excited about tomorrow night. Grey's Anatomy and The Office both premiere and at the same time. I'm going to have to tape Grey's and watch The Office because The Office is just funnier and take priority. Heroes premiere Monday and was as good as I thought it would be. I missed the whole Grey's spin-off with Kate Walsh tonight because I was at church at choir practice but I'm sure I can watch it online.
Ok, that's it. I've spent way more time on this than I should've.
1. Strange as it is, I've had muscle spasms in my back since Thursday night. After a sleepless night and a rough start to the day on Friday, I knew that I had to do something if I was going to have to be at work until 11 p.m. while my back is knotting and pulsating uncontrollable and might I add, very painfully. I took my dad's advice and decided to go to the doctor. So I headed down the street to the "Doc In A Box" that my roommate swears by. He determined that I was having spasms, told me that I should find someone to give me a massage (Ok...awkward since I work with mostly men), go buy a moist heating pad and prescribed me three medicines -- a pain killer, a muscle relaxer, and a mild narcotic. Six days later. Spasms still exist. I've run out of painkillers and am now finishing off muscle relaxers and mild narcotics. What can I say? I have a high tolerance of pain and an even higher tolerance of medicine. However, today it seems like it took me an extra 15-20 seconds for me to process things and get my brain around things than it usually does.2. How about my three favorite college sports teams being off to great winning starts? The MSU Bulldogs are 3-1 for the first time since 2000, the Samford Bulldogs are off to a great 3-1 start as well, and the Samford volleyball team has its best start ever of 8-5, 3-1 OVC. The team is nationally ranked in digs per game (66th), our Libero Courtney Gay is ranked 14th in the country is digs per game, and one of our middle blockers, Sheriden Stangohr, is ranked 48th in the country in blocks per game. It's pretty much the best team we've ever had and we've already won more game this season than we did last season (we went 6-21, 1-15 OVC last season).
3. I got to go home this Sunday to be at my sister's first baby shower given by her church. They got TONS of presents and they had some really, really good cake. Really good. I had to write down all the gifts and who gave them. I hadn't done that since her wedding shower so I was a little overwhelmed. Anyway, it was good time and I got to see my family, and my brother-in-law's family, which is like family to me. It was so good to see my daddy, who has lost over 120 pounds. It's incredible! I'm so proud of him.
4. Last night my Tuesday night bible study group got together and cooked an easy to eat mexican lasanga for some Lakeshore members (my roommate Kelly works there) who have CP (cerebral palsy) and don't get a good meal often. We had a picnic in the park close to their apartment building and it was lots of fun. They are so funny and love to make fun of themselves and each other. I wish I had pictures of the whole event. It was too much fun. I think we are going to try to make this a monthly thing.
5. Last, but not least, it's season premiere time. I can't be more excited about tomorrow night. Grey's Anatomy and The Office both premiere and at the same time. I'm going to have to tape Grey's and watch The Office because The Office is just funnier and take priority. Heroes premiere Monday and was as good as I thought it would be. I missed the whole Grey's spin-off with Kate Walsh tonight because I was at church at choir practice but I'm sure I can watch it online.
Ok, that's it. I've spent way more time on this than I should've.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
For once, someone interviews me!
So Amanda Boo Cantrell's friend interviewed her last week on her blog and she opened up the invitation to interview others. I, of course, said, "Pick me! Pick me!", because I'm so diligent at work that I often run out of things to do by late afternoon. So here goes:
1. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? (And I am talking the 200 Crayola pack)
Wow...I'm going to have to research this. I think I'd want to be a cool color. One that has a neat name and makes people excited to use it because it's fun and interesting. I don't want to be one that is used all the time because I wouldn't want to be taken for granted. So...I'm thinking sunset orange. The traits for this hue are warm, sociable, good-natured, jovial, and glowing. Sounds like me. I think.
2. If you could change your name, what would it be?
Hmm...I really like my name so I don't know. I've always liked double names so I could deal with "Katie Jane" (which some people call me) or something like that. I also like the name Sophie.
3. What was the last really good book you read?
Oh wow! I'm in the middle of a book called "To Live Is Christ." It's about the life of Paul and it's really good. But I think maybe Blue Like Jazz was the last book that I just couldn't put down.
4. What is your favorite "technology" that has been invented in the last 10 years?
I was about to say the internet but it's been around for longer than ten years if we are speaking technically. I guess I would say the iPod. It's just great to have something so small that you can store so much information on. I hate Macintosh computers but I love so Apple technology.
5. If you could live in any time period other than now, which would you pick?
This is a very interesting question. I've thought about this many times and I change my answer every time. But right now I would have to say probably the 50's. It just looks fun on television.
If you want me to interview you, just let me know.
1. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? (And I am talking the 200 Crayola pack)
Wow...I'm going to have to research this. I think I'd want to be a cool color. One that has a neat name and makes people excited to use it because it's fun and interesting. I don't want to be one that is used all the time because I wouldn't want to be taken for granted. So...I'm thinking sunset orange. The traits for this hue are warm, sociable, good-natured, jovial, and glowing. Sounds like me. I think.
2. If you could change your name, what would it be?
Hmm...I really like my name so I don't know. I've always liked double names so I could deal with "Katie Jane" (which some people call me) or something like that. I also like the name Sophie.
3. What was the last really good book you read?
Oh wow! I'm in the middle of a book called "To Live Is Christ." It's about the life of Paul and it's really good. But I think maybe Blue Like Jazz was the last book that I just couldn't put down.
4. What is your favorite "technology" that has been invented in the last 10 years?
I was about to say the internet but it's been around for longer than ten years if we are speaking technically. I guess I would say the iPod. It's just great to have something so small that you can store so much information on. I hate Macintosh computers but I love so Apple technology.
5. If you could live in any time period other than now, which would you pick?
This is a very interesting question. I've thought about this many times and I change my answer every time. But right now I would have to say probably the 50's. It just looks fun on television.
If you want me to interview you, just let me know.
Monday, September 17, 2007
What a weekend!
Well...all I can say is GO DAWGS!!! It was a weekend full of Bulldog wins for me, both Mississippi State and Samford.
Onto Friday, I was only at work for three hours, which was fabulous in itself because I can only log 40 hours a week on my time sheet (Heaven know I wait for the day that I won't have to fill out a time sheet anymore). So after two tornado warning sirens and two hours of Facebooking, I decided to head to the house. Friday evening, I get a call from my cross country coach saying that our best runner has one the meet at Alabama and both our men's and women's teams placed fifth, which was good considering the teams we were up against, including the fantastic and nationally ranked Mississippi State teams. Then an hour later, my volleyball team won it's first conference game of the season. The first one played, the first one won. We had a player set three new career highs for herself. It was great to see. Considering they haven't had a good season since they've been in this conference and they won only two conference matches last season.
Saturday, I was able to sleep in. I set my alarm for 11:30 so I could just wake up and turn on the TV to the MSU-Auburn game. Going into the game, I wasn't really feeling good about it but when I woke up on Saturday, I just had a feeling that it was going to be a good day. Needless to say, almost a flawless four quarters (at least on the Mississippi State side) later, Mississippi State has won it's first SEC road opener in like seven years I think. I was so proud of how the team played and very impressed by the way that all of our QBs stepped up their game. I fell so sorry for Mike Henig though. He just can't seem to play a game without getting hurt. I can't believe he made it through LSU and then hits his hand on someone's helmet against
Auburn and breaks a finger. It's so sad. And that kid has a huge heart. He wants to be in the game, but his bones are just a little too fragile I guess. Someone needs to just pump that kid full of calcium supplements for the next couple of week. Got Milk? Gives some to Henig.
So let's start with Thursday. That's where my great weekend started. The Samford Bulldog football won their second game of the season over Presbyterian College (a pretty good team if I say so myself. Their QB transferred from the University of South Carolina and loves to use the shovel pass. He used it at least once a drive.) And even though it rained the whole time, sometimes little drops, sometimes big, sometimes sideways, sometimes straight down, the Bulldogs were able to pull out a win. Yay for Samford!
Onto Friday, I was only at work for three hours, which was fabulous in itself because I can only log 40 hours a week on my time sheet (Heaven know I wait for the day that I won't have to fill out a time sheet anymore). So after two tornado warning sirens and two hours of Facebooking, I decided to head to the house. Friday evening, I get a call from my cross country coach saying that our best runner has one the meet at Alabama and both our men's and women's teams placed fifth, which was good considering the teams we were up against, including the fantastic and nationally ranked Mississippi State teams. Then an hour later, my volleyball team won it's first conference game of the season. The first one played, the first one won. We had a player set three new career highs for herself. It was great to see. Considering they haven't had a good season since they've been in this conference and they won only two conference matches last season.
Saturday, I was able to sleep in. I set my alarm for 11:30 so I could just wake up and turn on the TV to the MSU-Auburn game. Going into the game, I wasn't really feeling good about it but when I woke up on Saturday, I just had a feeling that it was going to be a good day. Needless to say, almost a flawless four quarters (at least on the Mississippi State side) later, Mississippi State has won it's first SEC road opener in like seven years I think. I was so proud of how the team played and very impressed by the way that all of our QBs stepped up their game. I fell so sorry for Mike Henig though. He just can't seem to play a game without getting hurt. I can't believe he made it through LSU and then hits his hand on someone's helmet against
Auburn and breaks a finger. It's so sad. And that kid has a huge heart. He wants to be in the game, but his bones are just a little too fragile I guess. Someone needs to just pump that kid full of calcium supplements for the next couple of week. Got Milk? Gives some to Henig.I ended up watching football all day and all night. After the State game I had to go run some errands but I got back in time to see the second half of the FLA-UT game. I started painting a humongo canvas for my nephew's room and then ended up watching the Alabama-Arkansas game. I made it through the third quarter and I couldn't take it anymore. I got tired of seeing Alabama win and after the helmet throw into the face I couldn't take it anymore. So I turned it to Oxygen and watch back-to-back showings of the Olsen Twin's hit movie New York Minute. Needless to say, my attention was focused more on the painting after the channel switch.
To cap off the weekend, my volleyball team won its second conference match Saturday night over the team that was keeping them from being at the top of the conference and now Samford volleyball is off to its best start since coming into the Ohio Valley Conference in 2003, is 7-4 (2-0 OVC) and number one in the conference for the first time ever. Go Bulldogs!!!!
P.S. The Bears and Broncos won. Yay! Sweet Payton pulled out a victory. Yay! And Eli played hurt and still got beat. Yay! Ha!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Remembering...
Six years ago, today, the unthinkable happened. Hi-jackers flew planes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and thanks to a group of brave people on the last plane, a field somewhere in Pennsylvania. I remember exactly where I was when this happened. I was a freshman at State, studying broadcasting and I had big designs on becoming the next Katie Couric. I woke up for class and turned the TV on like I did every other Thursday but never would I have imagined what I saw on the TV. I remember noticing that something was on fire in NY, the World Trade Center, but didn't think anything of it since Matt and Katie on the Today Show we not alarmed...yet. I trucked down to the bathroom to take my shower, and I think I mentioned to someone on the way down the hall what I had seen on TV. When I returned to my room after my shower, I looked back at the TV just in time hear the news that the first tower was hit. As I began to get ready, I looked back at the TV in time to see the second plane fly into the second tower and the madness began.All I wanted to do was stay in my room and watch the Today Show but I knew I had to get to class. I savored every moment I had to watch the news until I had to leave for class. Funny thing, the class I had was U.S. Government so I knew this would be a topic. My teacher was a pretty passionate guy about government and such so I knew that this would have a huge effect on class that day.
When I got to class, I sat down and it was just a really weird atmosphere. It was sort of quiet but you could hear the murmur rise as people came in and started talking about what was going on, some who already knew about it and some just finding out for the first time. When our professor came in, he addressed the issue briefly and then quickly moved on. I was very surprised, seeing
that I figured he would linger on that subject for a while but we just moved on. He began teaching and I could tell he was a bit bothered. Not ten minutes into the lesson, he stopped and said that he was sorry but he couldn't manage to teach class while our country was going through what it was going through at that time. He dismissed class and told us to go home and what the news.And that I did. I was glued to the TV. Of course I was interested in what was going on. I was confused and I remember my dad calling to check on me and just talking about how confused I was. But even more, I was just in awe at how the news personnel handled the whole situation. I remember discussing in class the next day how it all went down. Realizing that Matt Lauer and Katie Couric changed to darker clothes from their bright threads during a commercial break because it was more appropriate to set a mood. I think that was the day I realized I really wanted to be a news anchor. I wanted to change the world. I wanted to inspire people just like I had been inspired.
Needless to say, that lasted for only three years before I decided that I didn't want to be an on-camera personality. Oh well. But I digress.
Now we know today as Patriot Day. My roommate (Kelly) and I got kind pumped for this. Kel heard somewhere that they (the government, I guess) wanted everyone to fly the American flag, so she went out and bought a flag to put on our house yesterday. So last night when I got home from teaching a swim lesson and scouring the Birmingham area for The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir I'm Amazed...Live CD (of course, no luck, not even at Lifeway, but that's another story for another blog), we found a place on our old brick house, the only place on our house that is not brick -- the side -- and mounted our flag holder and then inserted the flag. I wish I had a picture but of course, the camera is still broken and the new one I ordered will hopefully be here Friday. (Why not just get the other one fixed you ask? It would have cost more to fix it that just by a new one.)Anyway, I hope everyone has had a great day. Let's all remember what this day is about. Of course it's a day of remembrance and mourning for some, but it should be a day of celebration as well. We need to celebrate how our country has slowly bounced back from this horrible thing. We should thank the terrorists for giving our country a reason to come together like we have, even if it is for one day. And for helping us remember and helping us show the world that we have a military that is so dedicated to its country, men and women who love their country and family and friends so much that they are willing to put their lives on the line to fight for the freedom that we have. Not to mention, that God has been more evident and more apparent that ever before because we have leaders who aren't afraid to stand up in front of the country and on national television and quote scripture and pray to the only one who can save us and has saved us. Praise God for his presence and for using people to declare his glory throughout the nation! May it never stop.
Weekend Recap and VMA Review
Ok...I think I'm going to have to do my review of the MTV VMAs first because it's the most annoying to me and I need to get it out of my head. I wasn't planning on watching the VMAs this year because really, MTV award shows...well MTV period...is just getting a little ridiculous. I think the only show I really watch on MTV now is "The Hills" and that is even laughable at times. But I was working on a golf story and turned my TV on and the VMAs just happened to be starting. Let's just start from the beginning.
1. Britney Spears - Poor Britney Spears. I really felt sorry for her. I was embarassed for her. It was just sad. First of all, she wasn't singing, but really, who does anymore? Aside from her tan, that seemed to be applied the day before to hide the flab, she looked horrible. Ok, Brit, you've popped out two kids in the past three years. Granted you do look like you have tried to work off some of the baby fat but seriously, you're a mom. You are someone's mother. There is no reason you should be on stage in a bra and panties. What a role model! You're definitely teaching your sons what they should look for in a girl. Class. Yeah.
Moving onto the performance, it was just sad. She looked like she had choreographed the routine 2 hours before, which it wouldn't surprise me if she did. She staggered around on the stage, looking very confused. And the song...it just doesn't make sense. I'm saddened by the road Brit Brit has taken and I really hope she finds her way back home.
But to defend Brit a little bit, I did read somewhere that the reason she looked so confused and uninterested was because during rehearsal she heard Sarah Silverman's monologue and how she called her children "adorable mistakes". I think that I would be a little thrown off by that comment as well but I think it would have fueled the fire even more to show everyone that I mean business. But oh well.
P.S. Did you see the looks on everyone's faces during the performance. It's got to take a lot to put a look of shock and awe on 50 Cent's face.
2. While we're on the subject, Sarah Silverman should fall off the face of the earth. Ok, maybe that was a little harsh, but she really annoys me. Her bit at the VMAs was not funny at all and all she really did was just trash talk. I don't get it. Can someone please get on stage and do a comedy bit that is funny without taking cheap shots at people. It really shows how classy you are when you have to stoop to such a level to get some laughs.
3. Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys and Chris Brown killed it. Those were some of the best performances I've ever seen. I randomly watched the JT Madison Square Garden concert on HBO last Thursday and I have to say, he's truly an incredible talent. Aside from being a great singer, he really knows how to put a show together and perform. Not to mention, that he played the piano and/or guitar on at least half the songs. Plus, he can dance. Really. (I wish I could find some good pictures of these guys but I've searched for 15 minutes and no luck. I quit.)
Now onto the next subject, my weekend. I had a pretty good weekend. I had to go to Atlanta Saturday for the Samford/GA Tech game. The department rented me a car so I wouldn't have to drive my own and I ended up with a yellow Exterra. It was one of the newer ones and they really drive great.
Anyway, to make a long story short. We lost. We lost bad. 69-14. And the third string was in for most of the game. They score four touchdowns in the first quarter. The FIRST QUARTER. It was worse that the MSU-LSU game last year. Oh, it was bad. However, there were a few positives we were able to take away but I won't go into that right now. Instead, I'll comment on how incredible the atmosphere at GA Tech is. They have a great game day atmosphere that made me want to go back to college and become an engineer. As most know, the mascot of GA Tech is a Yellowjacket. However, they are more commonly knows as the Wramblin' Wreck. So they have this car, the Wramblin' Wreck, that they drive across the field in every pregame. It made me miss the Mississippi State Bone Car but I digress. Here's a pic:
Anyway, to make a long story short. We lost. We lost bad. 69-14. And the third string was in for most of the game. They score four touchdowns in the first quarter. The FIRST QUARTER. It was worse that the MSU-LSU game last year. Oh, it was bad. However, there were a few positives we were able to take away but I won't go into that right now. Instead, I'll comment on how incredible the atmosphere at GA Tech is. They have a great game day atmosphere that made me want to go back to college and become an engineer. As most know, the mascot of GA Tech is a Yellowjacket. However, they are more commonly knows as the Wramblin' Wreck. So they have this car, the Wramblin' Wreck, that they drive across the field in every pregame. It made me miss the Mississippi State Bone Car but I digress. Here's a pic:
Anyway, their fight song is also a lot of fun. It's not very classy but it's really fun to sing. Here's the story about it from the program along with the lyrics:
It is doubtful that anything has ever meant as much to an
American college as has this Georgia Tech fight song, a curious mixture
of words and music that grew out of an old
folk ballad, "The Sons of the Gamboliers." Since the early 1900's,
it has been one of the most important vehicles in making
Georgia Tech's name known around the world and in the development
of the school as one of the most cosmopolitan institutions
of higher learning in America...In 1910, Michael A. Greenblatt,
Tech's first bandmaster, discovered the band playing "Ramblin' Wreck"
to the tune of "Sons of the Gamboliers," and made his first arrangement
of the song in the form of a handwritten manuscript.
When Frank Roman succeeded Greenblatt as bandmaster in 1911,
he wrote a new adaptation of "Ramblin' Wreck," accompanied by many
trumpet flourishes, that was played by every name band in the country
and became nationally known on radio.
His is the version that continues to be popular today.
I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer,
A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer,
Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear,
I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer.
Oh, if I had a daughter, sir, I'd dress her in White and Gold,
And put her on the campus, to cheer the brave and bold.
But if I had a son, sir, I'll tell you what he'd do.
He would yell, "To Hell with Georgia," like his daddy used to do.
Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds,
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it around.
I'd drink to all good fellows who come from far and near.
I'm a ramblin', gamblin', hell of an engineer.
So that's that. I heard it so much that I found myself singing it when I woke up the next moring. It's kind of like "Rocky Top". It gets stuck in your head and it's hard to get out. However, it's a little less annoying than RT.
That's about it for my share time. We got home just in time for me to catch the second half of the MSU-Tulane game. I was glad to see that we were able to pull out a win, but we should have beat them my much more than that. But you know what they say, "A win is a win however you can get it." I don't know who says it but I've heard it many times before. Anyway, GO BULLDOGS!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Man vs. Wild -- A FAKE!
About nine months ago, I found a new favorite show and was inspired. Man vs. Wild. I knew after watching several episodes of this show that if ever I get lost in the woods, or the desert, or in the middle of Antarctica, I would surely survive due to the knowledge I have receive from Bear, "the Man vs. Wild guy". It made me want to watch the show even more when I found out that Bear was a devoted Christian and family man.So it's no surprise that I was shocked and appalled to find out that Man vs. Wild was fake! A fake I tell you. I was shown this article by Gavin, one of our student workers, and another avid MVW fan. Needless to say, a moment of silence was observed in the office.
It seems as though, Bear Grylls, the star of the show, has had a little help going up against "the Wild". As the article states, the Discovery Channel has issued a statement saying that "isolated elements of the 'Man vs. Wild' show in some episodes were not natural to the environment, and that for health and safety concerns the crew and host recieved some survival assistance while in the field."
Survival assistance. I love that term.
It seems as though Grylls had spend the night in a hotel/motel at least twice when the show led viewers to believe that he was actually sleeping outdoors. Also in the episode supposedly set on a deserted island, was actually Hawaii, which is not deserted, it shows him building a raft which was actually made by professionals and then disassembled so that he could easily put it together.
But wait...that's not all. The article also says that although Bear claims to be a horse wrangler (Is this where the name for the jeans came from?), that the wild horses that he happened upon in the Sierra Nevade were not wild. They were from a trekking station.
Now it seems, to keep viewers from ditching the show, the Discovery Channel says that the show will be "tweaked". "Moving forward, the program will be 100 percent transparent, and all elements of the filming will be explained upfront to our viewers," Discovery said in its statement. "In addition, shows that are to be repeated will be edited appropriately. Bear Grylls is a world-class adventurer and a terrific talent."
I do have to agree. Bear is a world-class guy and a terrific talent. He's easy on the eyes too, and his accent is great to listen to. His wife is a lucky woman.
I love the last paragraph in this article from ABC:
"No word on what 'transparent' means or how fans of the series will react, but perhaps Discovery should add a disclaimer to the show: Survival made possible by hotel stay and dramatization of events. "
Classic.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
40 things you probably didn't know about me and don't want to know...but too bad...I'm bored
1. What is your best friend’s grandma’s name?
Well Lauren's is Dorothy and Jason's is Ruby, but those are the only two I know.
2. Where is the weirdest place you have a mole?
I don't really know. I have one on my belly.
3. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?
I'd say Coach A, but if he ever heard it his head would explode with arrogance.
4. Have you ever made out in a movie theater?
Sadly, yes, and to think I'm anti-PDA. It was dark and there were probably two other people in there with us.
5. What body part do you wash first?
I don't really know.
6. Do you hover over the toilet in public bathrooms?
It depends on where I am. In Honduras, I definitely did.
7. What’s the strangest talent you have?
I can make weird shapes with my tongue.
8. Do you have an innie or an outtie?
Innie.
9. What’s your favorite flavored Pringle?
Cheez-ums!
10. Have you ever been tied up? Do you want to be?
Yes and not at this moment.
11. What was the last thing you ever got grounded for?
Probably not getting up when i was told.
12. Do you parallel park or drive around the block?
Parallel park.
13. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
Nope.
14. In one word, describe your butt.
Round.
15. Have you ever been to a gay bar?
Nope.
16. Girls: Out of Madonna, Aunt Bee, Oprah Winfrey, and Paris Hilton, who are you most like?
Besides the color thing I guess Oprah because I'm definitely not like Paris or Madonna and I'm really not old like Aunt Bee.
17. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?
They were all boys.
18. Did you French kiss before you were 21?
Yes.
19. Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
Snipe-hunting, yes. We used to do it all the time in my youth group at church.
20. Who is the last person you usually think about before you fall asleep?
Who knows. Last night it was my daddy. I really hope he doesn't have West Nile.
21. You’re in a public bathroom and there’s no toilet paper. What do you do?
Drip-dry. Ha. No really...probably ask for some or if no one's in there I'll high-tail it to the next stall.
22. What was your childhood nickname?
KateMo
23. When is the last time you played the air guitar?
I don't know.
24. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done while driving?
Read lyrics from a CD book.
25. Have you ever bitten your toenails?
Um...ew...no.
26. How do you eat your cookies?
Fast.
27. When working out at the gym, do you wear a belt?
Um no.
28. Name something you do when you’re alone that you wouldn’t do in front of anyone.
Walk around naked.
29. Girls: Do you shave your toes? Guys: Do you shave your chest?
Yes...I shave my toes.
30. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?
I don't know.
31. How often do you clean out your ears?
Every morning.
32. Do you scrunch or fold your toilet paper?
Scrunch.
33. About how many times a day do you pick a wedgie?
Depends on what kind of underwear I'm wearing.
34. Do you have any strange phobias?
Not so much. Just the usual fear of snakes.
35. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
Nope.
36. What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done at a bar or a party?
Said something I didn't mean.
37. Have you ever been dared to do something you totally regretted?
Nah.
38. Have you ever called your love interest by an ex’s name?
Don't think so.
39. Have you ever gotten caught farting while on a date?
Nope.
40. Do you want to bring sexy back?
Negotiations are in progress. I'll receive a contract in a few days. Keep your eye out. I will be bringing sexy back.
Well Lauren's is Dorothy and Jason's is Ruby, but those are the only two I know.
2. Where is the weirdest place you have a mole?
I don't really know. I have one on my belly.
3. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?
I'd say Coach A, but if he ever heard it his head would explode with arrogance.
4. Have you ever made out in a movie theater?
Sadly, yes, and to think I'm anti-PDA. It was dark and there were probably two other people in there with us.
5. What body part do you wash first?
I don't really know.
6. Do you hover over the toilet in public bathrooms?
It depends on where I am. In Honduras, I definitely did.
7. What’s the strangest talent you have?
I can make weird shapes with my tongue.
8. Do you have an innie or an outtie?
Innie.
9. What’s your favorite flavored Pringle?
Cheez-ums!
10. Have you ever been tied up? Do you want to be?
Yes and not at this moment.
11. What was the last thing you ever got grounded for?
Probably not getting up when i was told.
12. Do you parallel park or drive around the block?
Parallel park.
13. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
Nope.
14. In one word, describe your butt.
Round.
15. Have you ever been to a gay bar?
Nope.
16. Girls: Out of Madonna, Aunt Bee, Oprah Winfrey, and Paris Hilton, who are you most like?
Besides the color thing I guess Oprah because I'm definitely not like Paris or Madonna and I'm really not old like Aunt Bee.
17. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?
They were all boys.
18. Did you French kiss before you were 21?
Yes.
19. Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
Snipe-hunting, yes. We used to do it all the time in my youth group at church.
20. Who is the last person you usually think about before you fall asleep?
Who knows. Last night it was my daddy. I really hope he doesn't have West Nile.
21. You’re in a public bathroom and there’s no toilet paper. What do you do?
Drip-dry. Ha. No really...probably ask for some or if no one's in there I'll high-tail it to the next stall.
22. What was your childhood nickname?
KateMo
23. When is the last time you played the air guitar?
I don't know.
24. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done while driving?
Read lyrics from a CD book.
25. Have you ever bitten your toenails?
Um...ew...no.
26. How do you eat your cookies?
Fast.
27. When working out at the gym, do you wear a belt?
Um no.
28. Name something you do when you’re alone that you wouldn’t do in front of anyone.
Walk around naked.
29. Girls: Do you shave your toes? Guys: Do you shave your chest?
Yes...I shave my toes.
30. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?
I don't know.
31. How often do you clean out your ears?
Every morning.
32. Do you scrunch or fold your toilet paper?
Scrunch.
33. About how many times a day do you pick a wedgie?
Depends on what kind of underwear I'm wearing.
34. Do you have any strange phobias?
Not so much. Just the usual fear of snakes.
35. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
Nope.
36. What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done at a bar or a party?
Said something I didn't mean.
37. Have you ever been dared to do something you totally regretted?
Nah.
38. Have you ever called your love interest by an ex’s name?
Don't think so.
39. Have you ever gotten caught farting while on a date?
Nope.
40. Do you want to bring sexy back?
Negotiations are in progress. I'll receive a contract in a few days. Keep your eye out. I will be bringing sexy back.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day and West Nile
So while most Americans have the day off because it's Labor Day, and supposedly you're not supposed to have to work on Labor Day, I'm celebrating by working. Yep, that's right. I worked all weekend, coordinating a volleyball tournament, worked until 8 p.m. last night and now I'm back at work again because sports don't stop for holidays, seasons, or Jesus. (Well, I'm sure if he came back during a sporting event, all play would be halted but I've missed many a church service and choir practice because of my work that has to do entirely with sports. Anyway, so will all of you people who get Labor Day off are enjoying your day off, eat a grilled piece of food and lots of chips and dip, and have a Coke and smile just for me. (Don't feel too bad. I did come in a 11:30 this morning.)
On to the next subject of my blog, send up some prayers for my dad. He's had this rash for a few days that they thought was the measles or something but then they found out it was a rash that is possibly a symptom of the West Nile virus. He went to MEA the other day to get it treated and found out it was in fact a viral infection but that he would have to wait until the test results came back to find out if he had been infected with West Nile. I've heard how many people have died from West Nile and I really don't want my daddy to be the next victim. I know that's a horrible thing to think about but when it comes to a girl's daddy, I tend to think the worst. So say some prayers for my daddy and hope that he gets better.
Happy Labor Day! Don't labor to hard!
On to the next subject of my blog, send up some prayers for my dad. He's had this rash for a few days that they thought was the measles or something but then they found out it was a rash that is possibly a symptom of the West Nile virus. He went to MEA the other day to get it treated and found out it was in fact a viral infection but that he would have to wait until the test results came back to find out if he had been infected with West Nile. I've heard how many people have died from West Nile and I really don't want my daddy to be the next victim. I know that's a horrible thing to think about but when it comes to a girl's daddy, I tend to think the worst. So say some prayers for my daddy and hope that he gets better.
Happy Labor Day! Don't labor to hard!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Bored? Really?
It really happened. I'm bored on a game day. This is ludicrous! So I got this from my friend Tracie's blog. She's crazy. Not crazy insane. Crazy funny.
The rules are self explanatory. Elaborate on the word(s) in bold lettering below.
Accent – I like to think that I really don't have a very Southern accent. Since I've been in Alabama, I'm starting to think I really don't. I have a somewhat muddled Southern accent I think because I've been around so many different people. I definitely don't say light and bright and night with the long "i" sound but I have been known to use "ain't" and "cain't" and "y'all". It's just nature. I have started using "you guys" a lot though. My volleyball team is really rubbing off on me. I've started saying a lot of things in a very Yankee way. It's somewhat troubling. Ok...my fav accents... definitely the Australian accent. There's nothing hotter. Except maybe a Boston accent.
I Don't Drink - Wine. I really grosses me out. My dad gave me my first taste of wine and champagne at a distant cousin's wedding when I was sixteen just so I could get the trying out of my system and I wouldn't want to do it again. I think it worked. I'm not a fan. At all.
Chore I Hate – Hmmm...I don't really know if there is a chore that I absolutely hate. I just have to be in the mood to do it. I really hate washing dishes in my house since our house was built in the 1800s (ok...I exaggerate a bit but it's old) and has no dishwasher or disposal. But I really hte when I washed everyone's dishes and then they pile up and I have to wash them again because no one else washes them.
Pets – I've had five dogs in my life. First was Sandy, a basset hound/yellow lab mix. She was great but did when I was in third grade. We had a stray for about three weeks that I found in the gutter so I obviously named him "Gutter". We had to take him to the pound though because every night he would dig his way out of the backyard, knock over the garbage cans, and sleep by them. Then we got Cleo, a full-blooded basset, from the pet store in the mall. (That was back when they still sold dogs and cats a pet stores.) Then my friend Mark's sheep dog jumped our fence and got Cleo preggers and we ended up keeping Speck, the Sped dog. Yes, folks, that's Sped as in Special Ed. He really was. Well Cleo died at the end of my sophomore year of college from old age and then Speck died in like April or May of 2006. He was blind and had very bad hips. He had been a trooper through my parents' moving process and the year-long stay at the "condo from hell" in which he had to climb stairs to get to the common part of the house. My parents' room was on the bottom floor and that was also where the door to the backyard was. It was hell. Sweet Speck learned how to feel his blind way up and down the steps and then one spring morning my parents woke up and he was alive but he just couldn't manange to move. So they had to put him to sleep. Then once my parents got in the new house they got Randi, the most adorable blonde cocker spaniel you've ever seen. He's a mess but we love him. He's a year now I guess.
Essential Electronic – WOW. That's hard. I'd say TV because I'm pretty addicted to it. But I really would have to say my cell phone. I love texting. And I think that if I couldn't text I would die. Or at least have a pretty tough time. Actually, when we went to Honduras that was the first thing I though about. I couldn't text. I went through withdrawls. It was like I was in rehab for texting. It was too much.
Gold or silver – Silver. Most definitely. Gold doesn't look good against my skin.
Insomnia – Uh oh. I have these spurts of insomnia sometimes. My mind starts racing, thinking of random things, or problems, and it keeps me from going to sleep. Sometimes I have lists of things that I have to name off before I can go to sleep. But the best cure for insomnia for me is either to pray or turn on the light and read my bible or a book.
Job Title – Sports Informations Intern at Samford University. Hopefully, soon-to-be Sports Information Assistant Director #2.
My Most Admired Trait – Hmmm...I don't know. You'd have to ask other people. If I had to answer this question then I'd say my ability to encourage or to make a funny at just the right time or my beloved sarcasm.
Kids – I want whatever God wants to give me. Healthy or not. Boy or girl. One or 10. Because I know it's all for his glory. Whether it's easy or hard, God's not going to give me more than I can handle with his help. But I've always said I want three kids. Boy, boy, girl. Or boy, girl, girl. I want my little girl to have the big brother I never had.
Religion – I'm a Christian. Baptist if you want to be specific. I've gotten a whole new grasp on Christianity and baptistism and make disciples of all nations in the past year because of my church here in Birmingham. See we have this pastor; his name is David Platt. He's 28 and already has a college degree, a masters, and a doctorate, not to mention the many countries he's visited along the way, and him teaching at New Orleans Theological Seminary in his 20's. Something that rarely happens. This is his first church to pastor and it's a megachurch. We're talking over 4000 members and we are going to take over the world for God's glory. He has such a passion for showing God's glory in all nations, including our own and he's got a plan to accomplish it. He speaks the truth from the pulpit. He doesn't get up there and read a verse and then list a bunch of bullet points. He doesn't preach AT his congregation. He teaches the Word. If you ever want to hear a sermon, they are all on the website (in audio and video) along with the guide to fill out. Clich here to go to the website.
Siblings – One sister. Anna. There's not enough time to tell you all I would love to tell you. I'll just say she's the best sister ever. She's one of my heroes!
Time I wake up - I really have a specific time to wake up. I ususally wake up an hour before I have to be at work and that varies. I try to get to work by 8, 9 or 10 depending on what's going on that day and what happened the day before. So you do that math.
Unusual talent/skill – Hmmm...I can make my tongue into a bowl.
Vegetable I refuse to eat – Turnip Greens. I can't even stand the smell. Why would I want to eat something that I can't stand the smell of.
Worst habit – Popping my knuckles. My knuckles are going to be huge someday.
X-rays – Only dental x-rays. I've been very lucky.
My favorite meal – Boiled shrimp and crawship. Second favorite - Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes or potato casserole, crunchy romaine
The rules are self explanatory. Elaborate on the word(s) in bold lettering below.
Accent – I like to think that I really don't have a very Southern accent. Since I've been in Alabama, I'm starting to think I really don't. I have a somewhat muddled Southern accent I think because I've been around so many different people. I definitely don't say light and bright and night with the long "i" sound but I have been known to use "ain't" and "cain't" and "y'all". It's just nature. I have started using "you guys" a lot though. My volleyball team is really rubbing off on me. I've started saying a lot of things in a very Yankee way. It's somewhat troubling. Ok...my fav accents... definitely the Australian accent. There's nothing hotter. Except maybe a Boston accent.
I Don't Drink - Wine. I really grosses me out. My dad gave me my first taste of wine and champagne at a distant cousin's wedding when I was sixteen just so I could get the trying out of my system and I wouldn't want to do it again. I think it worked. I'm not a fan. At all.
Chore I Hate – Hmmm...I don't really know if there is a chore that I absolutely hate. I just have to be in the mood to do it. I really hate washing dishes in my house since our house was built in the 1800s (ok...I exaggerate a bit but it's old) and has no dishwasher or disposal. But I really hte when I washed everyone's dishes and then they pile up and I have to wash them again because no one else washes them.
Pets – I've had five dogs in my life. First was Sandy, a basset hound/yellow lab mix. She was great but did when I was in third grade. We had a stray for about three weeks that I found in the gutter so I obviously named him "Gutter". We had to take him to the pound though because every night he would dig his way out of the backyard, knock over the garbage cans, and sleep by them. Then we got Cleo, a full-blooded basset, from the pet store in the mall. (That was back when they still sold dogs and cats a pet stores.) Then my friend Mark's sheep dog jumped our fence and got Cleo preggers and we ended up keeping Speck, the Sped dog. Yes, folks, that's Sped as in Special Ed. He really was. Well Cleo died at the end of my sophomore year of college from old age and then Speck died in like April or May of 2006. He was blind and had very bad hips. He had been a trooper through my parents' moving process and the year-long stay at the "condo from hell" in which he had to climb stairs to get to the common part of the house. My parents' room was on the bottom floor and that was also where the door to the backyard was. It was hell. Sweet Speck learned how to feel his blind way up and down the steps and then one spring morning my parents woke up and he was alive but he just couldn't manange to move. So they had to put him to sleep. Then once my parents got in the new house they got Randi, the most adorable blonde cocker spaniel you've ever seen. He's a mess but we love him. He's a year now I guess.
Essential Electronic – WOW. That's hard. I'd say TV because I'm pretty addicted to it. But I really would have to say my cell phone. I love texting. And I think that if I couldn't text I would die. Or at least have a pretty tough time. Actually, when we went to Honduras that was the first thing I though about. I couldn't text. I went through withdrawls. It was like I was in rehab for texting. It was too much.
Gold or silver – Silver. Most definitely. Gold doesn't look good against my skin.
Insomnia – Uh oh. I have these spurts of insomnia sometimes. My mind starts racing, thinking of random things, or problems, and it keeps me from going to sleep. Sometimes I have lists of things that I have to name off before I can go to sleep. But the best cure for insomnia for me is either to pray or turn on the light and read my bible or a book.
Job Title – Sports Informations Intern at Samford University. Hopefully, soon-to-be Sports Information Assistant Director #2.
My Most Admired Trait – Hmmm...I don't know. You'd have to ask other people. If I had to answer this question then I'd say my ability to encourage or to make a funny at just the right time or my beloved sarcasm.
Kids – I want whatever God wants to give me. Healthy or not. Boy or girl. One or 10. Because I know it's all for his glory. Whether it's easy or hard, God's not going to give me more than I can handle with his help. But I've always said I want three kids. Boy, boy, girl. Or boy, girl, girl. I want my little girl to have the big brother I never had.
Religion – I'm a Christian. Baptist if you want to be specific. I've gotten a whole new grasp on Christianity and baptistism and make disciples of all nations in the past year because of my church here in Birmingham. See we have this pastor; his name is David Platt. He's 28 and already has a college degree, a masters, and a doctorate, not to mention the many countries he's visited along the way, and him teaching at New Orleans Theological Seminary in his 20's. Something that rarely happens. This is his first church to pastor and it's a megachurch. We're talking over 4000 members and we are going to take over the world for God's glory. He has such a passion for showing God's glory in all nations, including our own and he's got a plan to accomplish it. He speaks the truth from the pulpit. He doesn't get up there and read a verse and then list a bunch of bullet points. He doesn't preach AT his congregation. He teaches the Word. If you ever want to hear a sermon, they are all on the website (in audio and video) along with the guide to fill out. Clich here to go to the website.
Siblings – One sister. Anna. There's not enough time to tell you all I would love to tell you. I'll just say she's the best sister ever. She's one of my heroes!
Time I wake up - I really have a specific time to wake up. I ususally wake up an hour before I have to be at work and that varies. I try to get to work by 8, 9 or 10 depending on what's going on that day and what happened the day before. So you do that math.
Unusual talent/skill – Hmmm...I can make my tongue into a bowl.
Vegetable I refuse to eat – Turnip Greens. I can't even stand the smell. Why would I want to eat something that I can't stand the smell of.
Worst habit – Popping my knuckles. My knuckles are going to be huge someday.
X-rays – Only dental x-rays. I've been very lucky.
My favorite meal – Boiled shrimp and crawship. Second favorite - Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes or potato casserole, crunchy romaine
The day is finally here!
So today is the day...when my social life comes to a screeching halt as every moment of my life until December becomes consumed with sports (I get a little break in December before it starts again in January) and I begin dreaming about calling volleyball stats, whether or not the copier works in the pressbox and whatever else my crazy mind comes up with while I sleep.
But it's also the day that college football starts around the nation and I'm pretty excited about this season. I've always been the optimist of the group, and I showed my true colors last year and made myself look like a fool when I proclaimed that Mississippi State would win six games. Boy was I ever wrong. I've never been one to be very pessimistic and I'm not going to start now, but I have realized that I do need to be realistic.
Tonight is also Samford's first game of the season. It happens to be at the same time as the Mississippi State game but we hope that they've fixed the cable in the pressbox so that we can keep tabs on the Mississippi State game while the Samford game is in progress.
But it's also the day that college football starts around the nation and I'm pretty excited about this season. I've always been the optimist of the group, and I showed my true colors last year and made myself look like a fool when I proclaimed that Mississippi State would win six games. Boy was I ever wrong. I've never been one to be very pessimistic and I'm not going to start now, but I have realized that I do need to be realistic.I do believe that Mississippi State will be better this year. I hope that we will win more than three games. We are healthier, bigger, faster and stronger this year and we have a whole lot more talent than we've had in the past year, with the exception of sweet, talented, country boy Jarius Norwood. However, I will not EVER say that we will beat LSU tomorrow. There is no way that Mississippi State will be the #2/#3 (depending on what poll you look at) team in the nation. There is absolutely no way. LSU is much, much more of everything that I just said about their team. Sure they lost Jamarcus Russell and about three more top draft picks last year but that doesn't mean that they don't have more talented just store up and ready to be let loose. And believe me, they will let it loose tonight on us.
So what I'm saying is, I just pray for points. Mississippi State has lost five of its last six to LSU by 30 points or more and I'm just hoping that we can lower the margin this year. I'm being realistic and just hoping that we score once or twice.
I work with an LSU grad and we've both talked about this for several weeks now. We've figured out that MSU will score at least once because against very good teams, we often score first and then never score again, but I'm hoping that we can get it in the endzone two or three times this year.
Tonight is also Samford's first game of the season. It happens to be at the same time as the Mississippi State game but we hope that they've fixed the cable in the pressbox so that we can keep tabs on the Mississippi State game while the Samford game is in progress. Anyway, it's an exciting night for us because we have a new coach, Heisman winner Pat Sullivan, and he's done some great things with this football team in the nine months that he's been here. The morale on the team is better and I think these guys really believe in themselves now. He's unleashed a lot of talent in the younger guys that hadn't been used because the "seniority rules" code was in place before (or at least that's what I think). Now most of the starters tonight will be freshman or transfers. I'm really excited to see what they can do.
So, anyway, Go Bulldogs! (Mississippi State and Samford)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
This is a truly awesome story!
"My name is Nick Vujicic and I give God the Glory for how He has used my testimony to touch thousands of hearts around the world! I was born without limbs and doctors have no medical explanation for this birth 'defect'. As you can imagine, I was faced with many challenges and obstacles.'Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.'
" ....To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne( Australia), the last two words on the minds of my parents was 'Praise God!'. Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors we shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby.
"The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, 'If God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this bad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?' My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.
"'And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him.' That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these 'bad' things happen in our life.
"I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better.
"I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used. I am now twenty-threeyears old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector.
"I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.
"I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope , to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show'! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called 'No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!'
"I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's!May the Lord Bless you
In Christ,
Nick Vujicic
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