Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I'm A Belieber

Hello. My name is Katie, I'm 27 years old, and I am officially a Justin Bieber fan.

A few months I ago, I knew nothing more of Justin Bieber than the fact that he was the newest teeny bopper out there and that he was the new protege of Usher Raymond.
I'd heard his songs, hummed along in my car, but never really thought twice about it.

Then the kid's career BLEW UP.

A couple of years ago, this kid was singing covers on YouTube. Now, he's selling out Madison Square Garden. And not just that, he did it quicker than anyone probably ever has. He set his sights on performing at MSG a year ago and just a few months ago, he did it. In 22 minutes.

How do I know all of this? I saw the movie yesterday. In 3-D. (Who knew my first 3-D movie would feature the Biebs?)


Now I'm not like one of those preteen fans crying at the mere sight of the kid, but after seeing this film, I have mad respect for the guy. This kid is ultra-talented. No, seriously. He was given a drum when he was three and just started banging on it with impeccable rhythm. Impeccable. He sings, he dances, he plays four instruments (maybe more). The guy is good at everything he does - basketball, yo-yo, music.

He's got GOD-given talent and he knows Who gave it to him.

His work ethic is something I wish every 15-year old could have. If that were the case, this world would be unrecognizable.

But not only that, he's genuine. He's humble. He's just a kid doing what he was born to do. Sitting there watching that movie last night, the passion that Justin Bieber has for what he's doing and who he is doing it for, radiated from the screen.

When you are born to do something, no one can stop you from doing it. It's all you want to do and you're not happy if you aren't do it.

Justin Beiber embodies that very sentence.

Call me a bandwagon fan. I don't care. All board. I'm taking that wagon straight to Happy Town.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Today calls for a repost of a video from three years ago. His body is like Disneyland and he'll make barbeque when you want him to. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you....Dave Barnes.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

I was just about to start a post of funny/random web gems and use it as an excuse for a blog post because I've been struggling with some emotions and some thoughts and some things for the past couple of days and I wasn't really sure how to formulate meaningful sentences with all the words that are tumbling around in my head right now.

(And I thought the Apostle Paul was good at run-on sentences. Look at me.)

But then I just started writing and I couldn't stop. My cup overfloweth right now.

Yesterday was a pretty tough day for me. It was tough from the moment I stepped into my office until the minute I left at the end of the day. And it was tough for a number of reasons.

Work stress just kept beating me over the head, I felt horrible and to top it off my past came back to haunt me and you know that's never good.

Over the last year, I've watched someone from my past get everything I ever wanted and it has just gotten under my skin. I don't know why I let it get under my skin because truly that part of my life is over and done with, and has been for a while, but I guess when someone is that big a part of your life, and then it ends abruptly, and not very cordially, things tend to ruffle your feathers.

What I'd been forgetting, though, was that what I see that person getting, is not the life that God has planned out for me. At least not yet. And that if I was getting that life, then I would be miserable because I would be completely outside of God's will.

Then I think about all the great things God has given me since that part of my life has ended. And y'all it's a proverbial bucket-full of some incredible goodness. Amazing friends at work and at church. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that I wouldn't have had if I had been tied down to this or that. And most importantly, my growth and maturity in my relationship with Jesus Christ due to some powerful teaching and understanding of God's word. I've learned more about the character of God, His grace and his sovereignty in the last five years than I could have even imagined I could in a lifetime. I hate to think what I would've missed out on if God had not brought me to this town and these people.

Funny story: I got in my car to go to work this morning and thought I'd kick it with some old school John Mayer. So I opened a CD case and pulled out a mixed CD of JM's early tunes and when I put that sucker into the CD player, the first song that played was not John Mayer. It was Julie Andrews singing, "My Favorite Things". I literally laughed out loud. I reached to skip to the next song and caught myself. I stopped and pulled my hand away from the button. Nothing like some Sound of Music to get you going in the morning.

But what's really funny is it got me thinking. Ol' Jules is singing about how she thinks of her favorite things when she's sad or scared or frustrated. And it makes her feel better. I have certain songs or artists that I listen to that make me feel better when I'm down or scared. But I never thought about how thinking about my favorite things could completely change my viewpoint.

So I started thinking. Family. Old friends. New friends. Sweet memories. What God has done in my life. Those are my favorite things. That is what I should be dwelling on. Not the bad, icky stuff that happened in my past that satan tries to throw in my face to steal my joy. I should think about all the good stuff the Lord has given me, the intangible stuff, the non-material stuff. The eternity stuff.

And then I won't feel so bad.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Praying For...

I'm sure you've noticed the blog makeover. I hope one day I'll be able to afford a complete makeover that makes it cute and me, but for now it's just this.

I've also added a "Praying For" section over to the side bar because I've been very convicted of my prayer life lately. It's not a secret here on this blog that my faith is the most important thing to me. However, my prayer life has left much to be desired recently, and that's not a good thing when prayer (my main communication with God) becomes less than a priority.

So, I've created this section as a reminder for me (and you) of what I should be dwelling on each day. Not money, not being tired, not how much I want to not be working. But I should be thnking about those around me and in this world who need me to be storming God's throne on their behalf.

So, I've started a running list and I'm going to keep those requests on the list until they are answered. If you have something or someone you'd like me to add to the list, please leave me a comment.

God has called us to come to him on each other's behalf (Acts 2:42), so why wouldn't we be adamany about that?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

This Makes Me Happy

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors have to be my new favorite music group. I've got to say, I had really never heard of them until the Dave Barnes Christmas Tour, and from the moment Ellie Holcomb (she reminds me of Brooke White) opened her mouth to sing, I knew they would be on heavy rotation on my iPod. These two are mega talented and their music is so good. Here's the music video for their new single, "Fire and Dynamite". Their new record comes out next week, and I can. not. wait.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I Give Up. These Are Dumb.

I'm pretty sure this is going to be my last one of these. The questions just get dumber and dumber.

1201. Have you ever owned a record?
As in a world record? No. As in a vinyl record? I can't say I ever OWNED a record, considering it wasn't purchased by me but when I was little, I wore out the Jungle Book soundtrack vinyl record. Yes I did. Bear Necessities, folks.

1202. In some states people want to make it a requirement that creationism (god made the world) be taught alongside evolution in high school sciences classes. What do you think of this?
It's never really affected me. I don't believe in evolution as a whole as in we came from monkeys, but I do believe in evolution within a species. It's a fact of nature. I don't really have an opinion as far as public school goes but if it is a private school founded on Christian principles, then I don't think you should have a choice.

1203. Should evolution also be taught in religious establishments like church or temple?
No. Evolution is not a biblical principle so there should be no discussion about it.

1204. Can a person believe in creationism and in evolution at the same time?
Not both as a whole. Like I said, evolution with a species is a scientific fact. The planets did not appear after a big bang and we did not evolve from monkeys.

1205. You obviously like surveys since you are filling out a 5,000 question one. Do any of the following surveys sound interesting:
The Doors/Jim Morrison Survey: no
The David Bowie Survey: no
The Beatles Survey: no
The Rocky Horror Survey: no
The Labyrinth Survey: no
The SLC Punk Survey: no
The birthday survey: no
So this is love, the survey: no
The heartache/break up survey: no
Creationism vs. Evolutionism Survey: no
Opinion Survey: no
World Trade Center Survey: no
Halloween Survey: no
Survey of Sin: no
How evil are you? Survey: no
The Roaring 20's Survey: no

Well, once, long ago, I created all those surveys. Now they are floating around in people’s diaries because the diary I had them in (Simply Surveys) was deleted due to disuse.
Well, good for you. Or sad for you. Whatever.

1206. Who did you get this survey from?
My good friend the internet.

Say one nice thing about the person you got this survey from:
It helps me in the hard times.

1207. Here is a list of priorities...
Love/sex
Family
Close friends
School/learning
Job/career
Being true to yourself/self respect
Honesty
Aesthetics (beauty in the world)
Creativity
Patriotism
Knowledge
Wisdom
Leading an exciting life
Making a contribution to humanity
Being rich
Being famous
Having power
Justice/fairness
World peace
Accepting and understanding others
Finding yourself
Spirituality/religion
Health
Happiness

What are your top three priorities from this list?
Spirituality/religion, making a contribution to humanity, family (not necessarily in that order)

1208. Out of that same list what are your BOTTOM 3 priorities?
Having power, being famous, being rich

1209. How many hours of TV do you watch in an average day?
Not counting the fact that the TV in my office is on all day, I'd say about 4 or 5.

1210. Do you want to have a car, a house and 2.5 kids?
I have a car. A house would be great. And I'd go for two or three kids. Half a kid might get a little messy.

1211. What song, CD, or band is a 'guilty pleasure' for you (meaning you know it sucks but you like it anyway)?
NKOTB. No question.

1212. If you were going to vote for a candidate for president and then you found out that the person you were going to vote for is HIV positive would that effect your vote and why?
No.

1213. Have you ever had an HIV test?
No.

1214. What time do you:
Get up in the morning: between 7 and 8. Depending on the day. Weekends are different.
Eat lunch: 12ish
Do something active during the day: depends
Go to bed: between 10:30 and 12:30, again it just depends.

1215. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?
Yes. My dad's.

1216. When you hear the word ‘biker’ what kind of person do you think of?
Paul Tuttle Sr.

1217. Did your parents ever talk to you about sex?
Yes.

1218. If your pet dies, you can now have it cloned for $50,000. How do you feel about this?
That's just weird.

1219. Are you or would you be embarrassed about buying condoms?
I would be.

1220. Do any of your clocks make an odd noise or play a song when the hour strikes?
No.

1221. What are the things that make you go 'Hmmmm....' (remember that song?)?
I don't know.

1222. Are you a sinner?
Yes, but I've been saved by grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

1223. Are you naughty or nice?
Nice.

1224. Is belly-dancing sexy?
I don't think so.

1225. What celebrity would you love to be able to dance with?
Channing Tatum, oh and Maksim from Dancing With The Stars

1226. What is your favorite comic book movie?
Spiderman I guess.

1227. What movie would you recomend for couples to watch on Valentine's day?
I don't know.

1228. Besides when you were little, how many people have seen you completely naked and who?
I don't think anyone has.

1229. Is sex something that should be treated casually?
Absolutely not.

1230. Have you ever participate in an orgy?
Um, ew.

If no, would you ever consider it?
No.

1231. What song is in your head right now?
That Wendy's commercial, "My, my, my 99"

1232. What was the best day of your life like?
I've had a few of those so I don't really know.

1233. What are you all about?
A lot of stuff

1234. You have won a contest where you get all these great prizes but you can only keep one for yourself and must give the others away to friends, family or whoever. Which one do you keep and who do you give the rest to:
A $5,000 gift certificate to radio shack: My brother-in-law
A brand new yellow jeep: I'll keep
An all expense paid vacation for 2 to Italy: Mom and Dad
Lunch with N'Sync: Austin Lee
A lifetime supply of herbal essences shampoo: Lauren
A $1,000 check: Hollie
A palm pilot: They still make these?
An autographed picture of Shakira: who would want this?
Breakfast with kid rock: Or this?
A shirt once worn by Jonathan Davis: Who is this?
One round of mini-golf with Sharon Osbourne: Dane
A phone call from Robert Smith: Who is this?
A brand new washer/dryer: Casey
Free medical insurance for 1 year: Julie

1235. Who do you think you might have known in a past life?
This is a dumb question.

1236. Do you take vitamins?
No.

1237. Do you prefer fake or real flowers around the house?
Real

1238. Sometimes roses are pink, yellow, white or red. If you give someone a rose, does its color change the meaning behind it as a gift?
Not for me.

1239. What's the most deadly thing you can think of?
Anaconda

1240. To-MAY-toes or to-MA-toes?
To-MAY-toes

1241. Out of all your friends, family and the people you know who is the most:
Intelligent: These
Happy: Are
Miserable: Dumb
Easily influenced: Questions
Cranky: Will
Bitchy: Not
Evil: Answer
Nice: Them

1242. What's the best live musical performance you ever saw?
Band? Toss up between Third Day/Toby Mac and Dave Matthews Band
Broadway? Wicked

1243. Have you ever had a 'pregnancy scare'?
No.

1244. Kelly Osbourne or Madonna's version of “Pappa Don't Preach”?
Kelly Osbourne

1245. Can you change a tire?
Yes.

1246. Have you ever put your fist through a wall?
No.

1247. When do you feel the most relaxed and able to be yourself?
Around my family.

1248. Do you have a place that is your own where you won't show anyone else?
No.

1249. Are you a part of any teams or clubs?

Not these days.

1250. Is cheerleading a sport?

Absolutely, yes.

1251. Do you believe that people should be able to choose death for themselves if they want to end their lives?
Sure, but they shouldn't ask someone to help them end their lives.

1252. Is there anything you morally object to?
Homosexuality, drugs, casual sex. The usual.

1253. What would you never do for money?
Pose naked. Kill. Take drugs. The usual.

1254. Applebees, the Outback, or TGI Friday's?
Outback.

1255. Which do you drink the most: juice, soda, milk, or water?
Soda. Should be water.

1256. What sport do you like to watch the most?
Reality TV. Mostly, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother type shows.

1257. What sport do you like to play the most?
I don't "olay" sports. I'm not really good at it considering I was cut from the 7th grade basketball team because I couldn't make a layup. The easiest thing to do in basketball. So, clearly, I'm better at watching. However, I love to throw a football around and if someone is willing to bear with me, I think I may a pretty good wide receiver.

1256. Do you write poetry?

Not really. I can rhyme though.

1257. Are you aggressive?
Not usually. I'm more aggressive when I'm after something I really want but usually I'm pretty passive.

1258. Have you ever fallen from grace?
All the time.

1259. Does it bother you when a band you like gets really popular?
No. I think it's great.

1260. Has anyone ever won you a stuffed animal? If yes, did you name it after the person who won it for you?
I won something resembling a stuff animal at the fair one year. It was basically the shape of a bear sewn together with cotton inside of it. And it sucked. I immediately wanted my money back and no, I did not name it after myself.

1261. Can you go one week without cursing at all?
Sure.

1262. What's the best candy?
Harbo Gummi Bears. Hands down.

1263. Can you lick your own nose?
Don't think so.

1264. What song would you like to hear spontaneously in a public place (like a store)?
No preferences.

1265. Do you ever make others feel unwanted?
I think I have.

1266. Do you think you have ever made others feel unwanted without realizing you were doing it?
I never make someone feel unwanted intentionally.

1267. Are you very sensitive to what other people are feeling and how they will react to certain things?
Yes.

1268. Have you ever climbed a tree?
Yes.

1269. Do you feel somehow different when the moon is full?
Not that I know of.

1270. Who do you know that talks a lot but never really says anything?
Ha. I work with a few of those.

1271. Is world peace possible?
Not until Jesus comes back.

1272. Who do you know that is making a huge life mistake yet you can't stop them? What’s the mistake?
I don't know of anyone right now.

1273. Do you plan to own a home or rent an apartment for most of your life?
Own a home

1274. Would you enjoy going to a strip bar to see strippers (of whatever sex you find appealing)? Absolutely not. Full-on nakedness makes me uncomfortable.

1275. Would you ever consider stripping in a sexual way for money?
No.

1276. Would you ever consider being a nude model for an artistic life drawing class for money?
Nope.

1277. What are 2 goals that you have?
1) To read the Harry Potter series before the end of this year.
2) Find a job that allows me time to make an impact on the people around me in the way I know I can.

1278. What are 2 negative traits that you have?
1) Procrastination
2) Tardiness

1279. Will these negative traits stop you from achieving your goals?
They could.

1280. Everyone knows that you are nice, fun, creative, and good but what are 4 other positive traits that you have?
1) Encouraging
2) Good listener
3) Thoughtful
4) Smart

1281. How often do you daydream about your wedding day?
These days? Probably a little too much considering I don't have any prospects.

1282. If you were hiring someone for a job but could only ask him or her 3 questions in the interview what would you ask?
1. What would you change about yourself?
2. What would you change about this company?
3. How do you plan to impact the world around you?

1283. If you were interviewing someone for the position of your new friend but could only ask 3 questions, what would they be?
Probably the same questions from above but instead of company in number two, insert me.


1285. Wholesome - Conducive to sound health or well being; salutary: simple, examples: wholesome food; a wholesome climate, Promoting mental, moral, or social health: example: wholesome entertainment.

Do you enjoy wholesome activities (sports, cooking, beach, family time, zoo, museums, etc.)? If yes what wholesome activity do you enjoy the most?
Yes, I love sports, the beach and family time most of all.
Are you a wholesome person?
Yes

1286. When was your first kiss and what was it like?
My first kiss was in 10th grade with the kicker of the football team. It was in the upstairs family room of our old house. And it was horrible.

1287. Are you quiet and shy?
I can be.

1288. Are you bitchy, cranky, whiny, miserable, depressed, needy, mean, flakey, shallow, obnoxious, inconsiderate, nervous, and/or stuck up?
I'm sure all of the above at some point or another.

1289. Do you come off any of these ways even if you aren't really like that?
See 1288.

1290. Are you loud and unfriendly?
Loud, yes. Unfriendly, not usually.

1291. Can a positive attitude/good personality make up for someone being less than beautiful?
Absolutely.

1292. Can being totally beautiful and hot make up for a negative attitude/bad personality?
No.

1293.What are you seeking?
Christ.

1294. Could you see yourself as a future nun/monk?
Nope.

1295. Would you rather have a baby or get a pet?
Right now? Get a pet.

1296. What mistake do you repeat over and over?
Lots of them.

1297. What do you think of the restaurant Hooters?
I hate it. And the food is bad.

1298. What are 5 traits that make someone ugly?
Smoking, bad attitude, negativity, continuous cursing and over-confidence

1299. Do you hate when people tell you to smile?
No.

1300. Do you like the writing of Douglas Adams?
Never heard of him.