This 4-day weekend started out not so great (hint: the not so great-ness was due to my seemingly never ending car frustrations.) I'll explain.
It all started Wednesday night. As I was driving home from church I noticed that in addition to my check-engine light being on as usual, my emergency break and battery lights were also on. At first I thought that maybe I was driving with the e-break on, but quickly discovered that that wasn't the case. Thankfully, I made it home safely, and drove my car the next day just fine as well, although the lights stayed on. So, when I got home from work on Thursday night I told the padres about the light, and one of them (who shall remain unnamed) was quite worried and wanted me to stop driving it until it could be checked out.
I didn't have to work on Friday, so my mom and I drove it to Jiffylube to see if the guys there could check the lights the same way they do a check-engine light test (something my Thursday night Bible study leader suggested.) The man there quickly hooked a little machine to something under the hood (I'm not even going to attempt to act like I know a thing about cars here, so bear with me) and told me that my battery was not charging and that I needed a new alternater. He recommended that I take it to a mechanic just a couple blocks away, and he gave me the business card for the mechanic which had a discount coupon on the back.
We drove right over there and explained what the man from Jiffylube had said, and the mechanic immediately got on the phone to see if he could get the part he needed. He was able to find the part right away, and he told us that not only would they repair my car the same day (Friday afternoon of Labor Day weekend!), but that it would only take about an hour. The whole thing ended up costing me more than I wanted to spend (aka more than $0), but with the coupon from the business card, I ended up saving $50.
Ok, confession time: I most certainly would not have been this calm and matter of fact in re-telling the story had I been asked about all of this as it was happening. In fact, I was rather angry and grumpy about it all (I mean, I did just have my tires slashed 3 weeks ago, and my dad graciously paid for new tires after that, and I did just have the whole rubbermaid tub on the freeway incident a couple months ago, not to mention the sliding onto the curb because of black ice ordeal a few months before that, or the whole gas pedal not working when the a/c runs dealio from a couple summers ago...) But regardless of all of those incidents, I shouldn't have gotten so frustrated and irritated that God would allow this to happen (hey, you'd think I'd be used to car troubles by now) but I'm ashamed to say I most certainly did.
However, God is good and can use times like those to teach us a lesson or two. My lessons were in mercy, humility, and trust--mercy, as I was reminded that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)...what an amazing thing!!; humility, as I realized how wrong it was for me to be so grumpy and mad; and trust, as I saw that, even in the midst of my car troubles and pity parties, God was working the whole thing out for good. He got me safely to a mechanic that was able to fix my car, one that worked quickly on a holiday weekend, and even gave me a discount.
I can't say that I'll never have another pity party or get frustrated when God's not doing what I think He should do, because I am still a sinful human. But I can say that I'm thankful for His forgiveness and compassion towards me when I do make mistakes. I will certainly be working on trusting Him with everything. I want to trust Him when things are going well and when things aren't going the way I'd like them to. But that's what's hard, isn't it? It's not difficult to trust Him when everything is just peachy and life's a breeze. It's when your car needs to go to a mechanic for the 3rd time in 8 months that you start to think, Hey, God, I thought we had an understanding here? I trust You, and You allow "all things to work together for good." This certainly isn't good! What's going on? But I'm learning that going through hard times is a good thing when they remind us that God is in control (not us!), and that He's a merciful, trustworthy God.
And, since I still have my car, I'm guessing that God is going to give me another chance at trusting him in tough times in the near future! But next time I'm gonna remember the lessons learned this time.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
This weekend has been my first weekend at home in a long time! Last weekend, I went to Beaverton for Naomi's 2nd birthday party; the weekend before that, I was in California with my mom spending time at Spirit West Coast; the weekend before that, I was a counselor for my church's 4th and 5th grade camp. But just because I was home didn't mean I wasn't busy! Yesterday we celebrated Makiah's 2nd birthday at our house, which was fun. Today did start out interesting, though...
My dad had to go to church early this morning because he was on doorkeeping duty, so my mom and I were going to go in her car. Well, we were going to take her car, until she realized that her keys had been misplaced somehow during Makiah's party last night, so we decided to take mine instead. So we got into my car, I started it up, drove about five feet, and realized that it wasn't driving right; something was very wrong. I tried to drive some more, then told my mom something wasn't right. She knew right away that it must have been one of my tires, so I parked the car and we got out to have a look. Sure enough, both tires that on the right side of the vehicle were completely flat. We ended up going back into the house to search for the keys, and eventually made it to church in her car.
The bummer is that someone didn't just let the air out of them, but actually slashed the tires. Of course today is Sunday and Les Schwab is apparently closed on Sundays, so it will have to be dealt with later. Meanwhile I'm borrowing my mom's car.
Even so, I'm very thankful that we discovered it when we did. I believe that although this is not a good thing to happen, God was in control of it all. If my mom hadn't lost her keys, I probably wouldn't have discovered it until later and wouldn't have my mom's car to use right now. I'm so glad that I am loved by a God who protects and provides, even in the midst of bad situations. I trust that He will continue to work in this situation, and I'm thankful for the reminder that He's in control of all things. He is good!
Call me crazy, but I'm also starting to wonder if God is telling me to get a different car or something too. I imagined driving this car until it woudn't go anymore, hopefully after I'd saved enough for another. But it has been just one thing after another this year with this car. First, in January, I had that whole sliding on black ice and crashing onto the curb thing. Then, someone (I think one of my neighbors) made a HUGE dent on the side, then another on the driver door. Then, in June, I had an incident in which a large plastic container flew off the bed of a truck that was in front of me on the freeway, and I couldn't avoid running it over. Then about three weeks ago, my radio antenna stopped working; about two weeks ago, the remaining working speakers stopped working (I think there's some kind of loose connection, because the only speaker that worked for the longest time was the left one, and now that just went out. It only works when I use a cassette adapter and play my ipod through it.) Now this. I realize that through all of this, my car is still working and everything...I just think that this is starting to get ridiculous, and I'm wondering what the deal is. But again, I trust that God knows everything, and I pray He'll lead me to do whatever I need to, if I need to do anything at all. It's good not having to know all the answers all the time!
My dad had to go to church early this morning because he was on doorkeeping duty, so my mom and I were going to go in her car. Well, we were going to take her car, until she realized that her keys had been misplaced somehow during Makiah's party last night, so we decided to take mine instead. So we got into my car, I started it up, drove about five feet, and realized that it wasn't driving right; something was very wrong. I tried to drive some more, then told my mom something wasn't right. She knew right away that it must have been one of my tires, so I parked the car and we got out to have a look. Sure enough, both tires that on the right side of the vehicle were completely flat. We ended up going back into the house to search for the keys, and eventually made it to church in her car.
The bummer is that someone didn't just let the air out of them, but actually slashed the tires. Of course today is Sunday and Les Schwab is apparently closed on Sundays, so it will have to be dealt with later. Meanwhile I'm borrowing my mom's car.
Even so, I'm very thankful that we discovered it when we did. I believe that although this is not a good thing to happen, God was in control of it all. If my mom hadn't lost her keys, I probably wouldn't have discovered it until later and wouldn't have my mom's car to use right now. I'm so glad that I am loved by a God who protects and provides, even in the midst of bad situations. I trust that He will continue to work in this situation, and I'm thankful for the reminder that He's in control of all things. He is good!
Call me crazy, but I'm also starting to wonder if God is telling me to get a different car or something too. I imagined driving this car until it woudn't go anymore, hopefully after I'd saved enough for another. But it has been just one thing after another this year with this car. First, in January, I had that whole sliding on black ice and crashing onto the curb thing. Then, someone (I think one of my neighbors) made a HUGE dent on the side, then another on the driver door. Then, in June, I had an incident in which a large plastic container flew off the bed of a truck that was in front of me on the freeway, and I couldn't avoid running it over. Then about three weeks ago, my radio antenna stopped working; about two weeks ago, the remaining working speakers stopped working (I think there's some kind of loose connection, because the only speaker that worked for the longest time was the left one, and now that just went out. It only works when I use a cassette adapter and play my ipod through it.) Now this. I realize that through all of this, my car is still working and everything...I just think that this is starting to get ridiculous, and I'm wondering what the deal is. But again, I trust that God knows everything, and I pray He'll lead me to do whatever I need to, if I need to do anything at all. It's good not having to know all the answers all the time!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The most incredible day EVER.
(I'm still no good at adding pictures to this blog!! So, here are all the pictures first, and at the bottom is what I wrote about yesterday.)
BarlowGirl on the small stage at the VIP reception area, with only about 100 people in the audience.
Hawk Nelson.
Nick on the stage in the VIP reception area.
Nick and I.
Mom, Nick, and I.
Me with Nick, holding up the letter he wrote for me.
Mom and I backstage.
Me backstage with the stage behind me.
Me backstage holding up my VIP pass.
This is the picture of Family Force 5 that I snuck. They are at their autograph signing table.
BarlowGirl on the small stage at the VIP reception area, with only about 100 people in the audience.
Hawk Nelson.
Nick on the stage in the VIP reception area.
Nick and I.
Mom, Nick, and I.
Me with Nick, holding up the letter he wrote for me.
Mom and I backstage.
Me backstage with the stage behind me.
Me backstage holding up my VIP pass.
This is the picture of Family Force 5 that I snuck. They are at their autograph signing table.Yesterday was incredible! My mom and I went to SWC in the early afternoon to watch the bands, shop, and eat some lunch before I was supposed to meet one-on-one with Nick Vujicic (if you don't know who he is, go to his website, http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/) Anyway, I was expecting to maybe go in with other VIP "circle 100" people (who pay over $1000 for their membership, by the way) to a meet-and-greet or something, but what actually happened is that Patrick, the assistant director of SWC, took us back with the VIPs and told us we got to sit through the reception in a little room with Barlow Girl, Hawk Nelson, MercyMe, and Nick Vujicic, for a little up close and personal question & answer time!! Then, my mom and I got to go backstage and sit at a little table with Nick and his caretaker, Brian, and chat with him. He spoke some things right to my heart that were exactly what I needed to hear, and he prayed over me. Then he asked for paper and a marker, and he wrote me a note! I can't even describe to you what it meant to me to have the converstation with him; it's something I'll always remember. And to think he actually thanked me for taking the time to talk to him!? Incredible. He really inspired me and encouraged me to have big dreams. The one thing that he said that I think touched me the most (especially since I was already thinking that whatever I do with my life will be small in comparison with the huge impact he has made on millions of people) was that God will use me to touch people that he can't touch. Wow.
Anyway, it doesn't stop there. Patrick asked us if we wanted to go backstage during Nick's message later in the evening and stay back there while another band, Family Force 5, played! So we got special VIP passes and were backstage (well, actually on the side of the stage, with a good, close view of all that was going on!) for the whole thing. Then, when it was all over and we had to turn in our VIP passes, I asked if it would be possible to get a picture with the band, to which Patrick replied, "well, would you want to get their autograph if I could get you to the front of the line?" Of course I said yes, although I felt a little guilty for cutting hundreds of people (but at least most of them didn't even know I did, since they were behind a tent thing) So I got them to autograph their CD which we bought there, and I even snuck a picture before they said we weren't supposed to take them.
This whole thing has been such of an incredible time. I have been blessed and blessed and blessed again throughout this whole thing. God is good!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I have the world's greatest dad!
Since my dad already made a post here about why my mom and I are staying in a motel in California tonight, I don't feel the need to recap everything. But I would like to share some photos of our journey thus far!
Here I am at the rest stop, just about to open the envelope.
Me reading the enclosed letter, which, among other things, told me that my dad had arranged for me to personally meet Nick Vujicic while at Spirit West Coast this weekend!! Needless to say, I was incredibly excited. Especially after thinking that the letter was going to give me some directions to a restaurant or someplace like that...what the letter actually said was much better than that!
My mom and I squinting into the sunlight while at a rest stop.
(I'm sorry that this photo and the next are sideways, but I'm new to adding pictures to my blog, so I don't know how to rotate it now that I've uploaded it, or if I even can. But I can't upload it again, because it's already given me trouble. So, for now you can turn your head to look at them and next time I'll try to remember to edit them before uploading them.)
Before my mom and I left for California, my dad spent a lot of time making a binder filled with maps and detailed directions to the motel, to the festival from the motel and back, and home again (because my mom has the good-at-getting-lost gene, and passed it on to me.) It was very thoughtful of him, and proved helpful in helping us navigate our way.
Here I am at the rest stop, just about to open the envelope.
Me reading the enclosed letter, which, among other things, told me that my dad had arranged for me to personally meet Nick Vujicic while at Spirit West Coast this weekend!! Needless to say, I was incredibly excited. Especially after thinking that the letter was going to give me some directions to a restaurant or someplace like that...what the letter actually said was much better than that!
My mom and I squinting into the sunlight while at a rest stop.
(I'm sorry that this photo and the next are sideways, but I'm new to adding pictures to my blog, so I don't know how to rotate it now that I've uploaded it, or if I even can. But I can't upload it again, because it's already given me trouble. So, for now you can turn your head to look at them and next time I'll try to remember to edit them before uploading them.)One thing my mom and I forgot about California: you have to pump your own gas! We asked a lady who worked in the fast food place we stopped at for lunch (which was located right next to a gas station) for help, and she got a lady to show us how to pump the gas. The problem was, she did it, but just told us what to do, so we thought we understood....but it turns out we really didn't. (I know, I know, how hard can it be to learn to pump gas? I say it's pretty darn hard if it's not properly explained. So there.) We had quite a bit of trouble at the next gas station we stopped at, even with a woman from the am/pm store trying to help. Eventually we figured it out, and I took some pictures to commemorate the memorable event.
Thanks again, dad, for making this trip so special!!
I'll try to post more updates and pictures in the next few days.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Just a quickie post
Whew. What a day! Today we spent 6 hours at the waterslides with the kiddos at my work. It was a lot of fun (probably my favorite field trip of the summer), but I am exhausted now. Something about being outside alternating between being hot (while waiting in line for the slide) and then freezing (when you first get out of the water and it's windy) that just wears you out. But it was totally worth it. I also got to take a lunch break there (I didn't think I was going to get one at all), so I had time to lay in the shade by the lake and read for an hour...it was so nice!
Speaking of books, I've been re-reading the Diary of a Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson the past week. I LOVE those books! So good. Although they are fictional novels, they have this way of challenging me and motivating me to examine my own heart and actions and change some things.
Well, that's it for tonight. More to come later, I'm sure.
Speaking of books, I've been re-reading the Diary of a Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson the past week. I LOVE those books! So good. Although they are fictional novels, they have this way of challenging me and motivating me to examine my own heart and actions and change some things.
Well, that's it for tonight. More to come later, I'm sure.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wacky Wednesday
Ok, I know I said that Monday was nuts--but that was before today happened! Today at work we stayed at the center alllll day. Two people from a paint-your-own-pottery place came for a couple hours, so the kids did get to have fun with that. Then in the afternoon, I made blue and red jello with a group of kids, and they layered the jello with whipped cream to make patriotic parfaits. They turned out great! Another teacher also had them frost sugar cookies with red & blue frosting, so they were super sugared up (that's how we do it--sugar 'em up in the afternoon, take them outside to run and play [and sweat!], then return 'em to their parents a few hours later.) Speaking of being outside--I managed to get a lovely red & purple mark on my leg today. I was pitching for a boys' baseball game, and the first kid up to bat smacked the wiffle ball into my leg (it was an accident though.) You wouldn't think that a little puny plastic ball that has holes in it would hurt that made if it hit you, but let me be the one to say it most certainly DOES. And I have a red mark to prove it!
After work I helped out in the 3 and 4 year-old class at church. I am going to be teaching in a couple weeks, so I went to observe and get a feel for the way the class is run (I help out one Sunday per month in the kindergarten class, but Wednesday's service is different.) Tonight was CRAZY! There were probably 25 kids and 7 helpers, but the kids were really hyper and excited tonight. It was fun nonetheless, but I've gotta say that I'm exhausted now. What a long day!
After work I helped out in the 3 and 4 year-old class at church. I am going to be teaching in a couple weeks, so I went to observe and get a feel for the way the class is run (I help out one Sunday per month in the kindergarten class, but Wednesday's service is different.) Tonight was CRAZY! There were probably 25 kids and 7 helpers, but the kids were really hyper and excited tonight. It was fun nonetheless, but I've gotta say that I'm exhausted now. What a long day!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Is it Friday Yet?
Nope, it's only Monday, but I sure wish it were Friday! I get Friday off work on account of the 4th of July (even though Friday is the 3rd...but they still decided to close the center on Friday, and I'm not complaining!)
Today was nuts! We took the kids to an alpaca farm. It was a bit of a pain, because it took about 40 minutes to drive there and I heard lots of "are we almost there?" and "what time is it?" on the way, and then we only stayed about an hour (because really, what more can you do at an alpaca farm besides look at them, acknowledge their cuteness, and try to pet them, all of which can really be done in about 20 minutes? After that all the kids start wandering around and freaking out about the poop that's all over the ground.) But it was pretty fun all in all. I even got to pet a baby alpaca that had just been born yesterday! I was amazed at how soft they were. After the alpaca farm, we had lunch at a park, only the bathrooms were closed to we didn't get to wash our hands (I know, GROSS, but we did have hand sanitizer) and I had a few kids looking like they were going to wet their pants by the end of the trip. Luckily, none of them did and we made it back to the center early!
Besides that, I felt like I was constantly having to tell some of the kids to stop arguing with me. It was kind of an all-day thing, where by the end of the day I ended up saying, "I am NOT going to argue with you. Just do what I said!" It's difficult dealing with these kinds of things with kids who aren't my own, and who (I'm sure) are allowed to argue and disobey their parents at home. It wears me out.
There were good parts of the day too. One thing is that I think I finally made a connection today with this one 1st grade boy, who is new, seems to lag behind a little developmentally, and is kind of a trouble-maker. He gets in trouble mostly because he just doesn't listen. A lot of times he doesn't respond when you call his name or ask him to do something, and I noticed that he rarely would make eye contact with me when I talked with him. Today he was my "buddy" at the alpaca farm, because one of the teachers decided to pair up some of the more difficult kids with teachers so we could keep an eye on them. By the end of the day, he actually came up to me and asked me questions, and I noticed that he looked me right in the eyes the whole time. I hope that he continues to be willing to communicate with me.
Today was nuts! We took the kids to an alpaca farm. It was a bit of a pain, because it took about 40 minutes to drive there and I heard lots of "are we almost there?" and "what time is it?" on the way, and then we only stayed about an hour (because really, what more can you do at an alpaca farm besides look at them, acknowledge their cuteness, and try to pet them, all of which can really be done in about 20 minutes? After that all the kids start wandering around and freaking out about the poop that's all over the ground.) But it was pretty fun all in all. I even got to pet a baby alpaca that had just been born yesterday! I was amazed at how soft they were. After the alpaca farm, we had lunch at a park, only the bathrooms were closed to we didn't get to wash our hands (I know, GROSS, but we did have hand sanitizer) and I had a few kids looking like they were going to wet their pants by the end of the trip. Luckily, none of them did and we made it back to the center early!
Besides that, I felt like I was constantly having to tell some of the kids to stop arguing with me. It was kind of an all-day thing, where by the end of the day I ended up saying, "I am NOT going to argue with you. Just do what I said!" It's difficult dealing with these kinds of things with kids who aren't my own, and who (I'm sure) are allowed to argue and disobey their parents at home. It wears me out.
There were good parts of the day too. One thing is that I think I finally made a connection today with this one 1st grade boy, who is new, seems to lag behind a little developmentally, and is kind of a trouble-maker. He gets in trouble mostly because he just doesn't listen. A lot of times he doesn't respond when you call his name or ask him to do something, and I noticed that he rarely would make eye contact with me when I talked with him. Today he was my "buddy" at the alpaca farm, because one of the teachers decided to pair up some of the more difficult kids with teachers so we could keep an eye on them. By the end of the day, he actually came up to me and asked me questions, and I noticed that he looked me right in the eyes the whole time. I hope that he continues to be willing to communicate with me.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Summer is Here!
Summer is finally here (and it is so stinking HOT today!) With summer comes an end to college classes and the beginning of working with K-6th graders full-time. I am so glad! By the end of spring term, I was struggling to keep the motivation to study and get to bed at a reasonable hour. I procrastinated and I crammed like crazy those last few weeks. Part of the reason was the weather (who wants to study when it's sunny and warm outside?), and the other part was that I had friends from other schools who were already done and wanting to visit. Despite those reasons, I somehow managed to get everything done (on time!) and did well on my finals...and now it's over!
Now I am back at the Child Development Center where I worked for a couple years before I started school last fall. It's been super busy and crazy, but lots of fun so far. My friend and co-worker, Chelsea, and I came up with the idea of having "themed weeks" as part of the program, which has been both good and bad. Good, because it has been easier to plan some fun crafts and activities that are centered around a theme, and I think it's been fun. Bad, because the other staff members have not taken any initiative to help and plan things themselves, so bascically Chelsea and I are expected to plan and carry out all of the crafts and activities. This week is "Jungle/Safari Week" and I had the kids do a sponge-painting jungle craft on Monday (that turned out so cute!) and today they made snakes out of construction paper and use balloons to paint them. :)
Another thing that we do at my work is to go on a field trip nearly every day, which I love because it breaks up the day and keeps the kids busy. Every Tuesday and Thursday we go swimming at a public pool and every Friday we go to a park. Mondays and Wednesdays we go to various different places. This Monday we went ice skating, which was fun for everyone except the 6-year old who fell and chipped his front tooth completely in half (although he went to the dentist the same day and they fixed it, and now he has a cool story to tell, so I'm not so sure it was such of a bad thing.) Today we went roller skating, and luckily no one fell and chipped or broke anything (but we did have one little girl get sick a few times, in a few places. Poor girl.)
Anyway, so that's my update. (My step-sister, Bethany, has been asking me to continue blogging, and since I have more time this summer and because Bethany makes up roughly 33% of the people who read this, I figured I might as well write another post.) I'll try to write again soon, so I hope you are excited at the prospect of reading another long, uninteresting, and rambling post about my life again soon! :)
Now I am back at the Child Development Center where I worked for a couple years before I started school last fall. It's been super busy and crazy, but lots of fun so far. My friend and co-worker, Chelsea, and I came up with the idea of having "themed weeks" as part of the program, which has been both good and bad. Good, because it has been easier to plan some fun crafts and activities that are centered around a theme, and I think it's been fun. Bad, because the other staff members have not taken any initiative to help and plan things themselves, so bascically Chelsea and I are expected to plan and carry out all of the crafts and activities. This week is "Jungle/Safari Week" and I had the kids do a sponge-painting jungle craft on Monday (that turned out so cute!) and today they made snakes out of construction paper and use balloons to paint them. :)
Another thing that we do at my work is to go on a field trip nearly every day, which I love because it breaks up the day and keeps the kids busy. Every Tuesday and Thursday we go swimming at a public pool and every Friday we go to a park. Mondays and Wednesdays we go to various different places. This Monday we went ice skating, which was fun for everyone except the 6-year old who fell and chipped his front tooth completely in half (although he went to the dentist the same day and they fixed it, and now he has a cool story to tell, so I'm not so sure it was such of a bad thing.) Today we went roller skating, and luckily no one fell and chipped or broke anything (but we did have one little girl get sick a few times, in a few places. Poor girl.)
Anyway, so that's my update. (My step-sister, Bethany, has been asking me to continue blogging, and since I have more time this summer and because Bethany makes up roughly 33% of the people who read this, I figured I might as well write another post.) I'll try to write again soon, so I hope you are excited at the prospect of reading another long, uninteresting, and rambling post about my life again soon! :)
Monday, March 23, 2009
12:00 a.m.
Yes, it is 12:00 a.m., and I'm on the internet writing on my blog. I'm usually asleep by now, but I'm not because it's SPRING BREAK and I have been staying up later because I can.
So far it's been lovely. I painted my nails, watched movies with a friend, and went shopping (more like window shopping...or whatever you call it when you have no money and just go to look at stuff.) The only thing that would make it better would be if the weather would cooperate and start acting like spring instead of being cloudy and rainy.
Another thing I've done is read 2 books and 2 magazines that I actually wanted to read, not ones I had to read for a class. One of the books was Rachel's Tears, a book about the life of one of the girls killed at Columbine. It was such of a sad book, one of those books where the story stays in your mind for days after you read it. But it was also very inspirational. It was a book that touched my heart and deeply challenged me to examine my life and to make some changes.
**
I am thankful for all that God has been teaching me.
So far it's been lovely. I painted my nails, watched movies with a friend, and went shopping (more like window shopping...or whatever you call it when you have no money and just go to look at stuff.) The only thing that would make it better would be if the weather would cooperate and start acting like spring instead of being cloudy and rainy.
Another thing I've done is read 2 books and 2 magazines that I actually wanted to read, not ones I had to read for a class. One of the books was Rachel's Tears, a book about the life of one of the girls killed at Columbine. It was such of a sad book, one of those books where the story stays in your mind for days after you read it. But it was also very inspirational. It was a book that touched my heart and deeply challenged me to examine my life and to make some changes.
**
I am thankful for all that God has been teaching me.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Dancing
EDIT:
Yeah, so I'm really sad that the picture below isn't showing up all of the way, and I don't know how to fix it. But I promise that it's funny, so you should just click on the link thing and check it out in it's entirety.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Yep, that's pretty much how I feel today.
Why, you ask?
Well, let me enlighten you!
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #1:
I only can find jeans that fit me at Old Navy for some reason, and lately I've discovered that they also have "tall" sized shirts and sweatshirts and everything, which is great because a lot of the time when I buy normal clothes they end up shrinking and having sleeves that are too short. ANYWAY, so I'm super excited and want to dance today because of my purchases on OldNavy.com yesterday. I bought:
2 pairs of jeans
Regular price: $29.99 each
Sale price: $19 each
Price with coupon: $ 13.30 each
Total for 2 pairs: $26.60, less than the price of one would regularly cost
2 sweatshirts
Regular price: $15 each
Sale price: $10 each
Price with coupon: $7 each
Total for 2: $14, less than the normal price for 1
1 other sweatshirt
Regular Price: $19.50
Sale price: $12.99
Price with coupon: $9.10
2 shirts
Regular Price: $12.50
Sale Prices: one of them was on sale for $5 and the other was $10
Prices with coupon: $3.50 and $7
Total Spent: $60.20
Total Saved: $74.28
I saved more than I spent!!
AND, my mom bought some items too, so our total was over $75, so we got free shipping!! Is that a deal or what?
BTW-The reason I bought multiples of stuff was because they were so cheap, normally I wouldn't spend so much on clothes. But, I needed them, the prices were right, and I'm getting a tax refund. Yeah!
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #2:
It's Friday, but not just any Friday, it's also the Friday of the LAST WEEK OF CLASSES! That means all of my homework is turned in, my projects are done, my speeches are over with, and all I have to do is study for 3 tests. I'm not too worried about the finals, either. I have pretty strong grades right now, I'm just hoping the finals will bump one up just a bit. :)
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #3:
It's sunny outside. Need I say more?
Yeah, so I'm really sad that the picture below isn't showing up all of the way, and I don't know how to fix it. But I promise that it's funny, so you should just click on the link thing and check it out in it's entirety.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Yep, that's pretty much how I feel today.
Why, you ask?
Well, let me enlighten you!
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #1:
I only can find jeans that fit me at Old Navy for some reason, and lately I've discovered that they also have "tall" sized shirts and sweatshirts and everything, which is great because a lot of the time when I buy normal clothes they end up shrinking and having sleeves that are too short. ANYWAY, so I'm super excited and want to dance today because of my purchases on OldNavy.com yesterday. I bought:
2 pairs of jeans
Regular price: $29.99 each
Sale price: $19 each
Price with coupon: $ 13.30 each
Total for 2 pairs: $26.60, less than the price of one would regularly cost
2 sweatshirts
Regular price: $15 each
Sale price: $10 each
Price with coupon: $7 each
Total for 2: $14, less than the normal price for 1
1 other sweatshirt
Regular Price: $19.50
Sale price: $12.99
Price with coupon: $9.10
2 shirts
Regular Price: $12.50
Sale Prices: one of them was on sale for $5 and the other was $10
Prices with coupon: $3.50 and $7
Total Spent: $60.20
Total Saved: $74.28
I saved more than I spent!!
AND, my mom bought some items too, so our total was over $75, so we got free shipping!! Is that a deal or what?
BTW-The reason I bought multiples of stuff was because they were so cheap, normally I wouldn't spend so much on clothes. But, I needed them, the prices were right, and I'm getting a tax refund. Yeah!
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #2:
It's Friday, but not just any Friday, it's also the Friday of the LAST WEEK OF CLASSES! That means all of my homework is turned in, my projects are done, my speeches are over with, and all I have to do is study for 3 tests. I'm not too worried about the finals, either. I have pretty strong grades right now, I'm just hoping the finals will bump one up just a bit. :)
Reason I Feel Like Dancing #3:
It's sunny outside. Need I say more?
Friday, March 6, 2009
ONE MORE WEEK!!
(Ok, ok, two weeks, but one more week of classes, and then finals.)
I'm so excited. Not that you could tell or anything, I'm sure.
Next week is dead week, which the school in it's desire to be more PC has deemed quiet week. Quiet week? That makes it sound like we're all going to be relaxing and taking naps all week. Ha! Why not call it like it is? Dead week is much more fitting.
Also...so, I want to continue with the Days of Grace thing, but I can't keep listing 5 things I am thankful for. I know, it sounds like I am trying to get out of being thankful. But I assure you, I am not. It's just that it's difficult to think of 5 things to share with you every day, because so much of what I'm thankful for are the little things that wouldn't seem significant to anyone else, they're just things I thank God for in prayer. So, I am going to try to post 1 thing I am thankful for with every entry, rather than 5.
I am thankful that God always listens.
I'm so excited. Not that you could tell or anything, I'm sure.
Next week is dead week, which the school in it's desire to be more PC has deemed quiet week. Quiet week? That makes it sound like we're all going to be relaxing and taking naps all week. Ha! Why not call it like it is? Dead week is much more fitting.
Also...so, I want to continue with the Days of Grace thing, but I can't keep listing 5 things I am thankful for. I know, it sounds like I am trying to get out of being thankful. But I assure you, I am not. It's just that it's difficult to think of 5 things to share with you every day, because so much of what I'm thankful for are the little things that wouldn't seem significant to anyone else, they're just things I thank God for in prayer. So, I am going to try to post 1 thing I am thankful for with every entry, rather than 5.
I am thankful that God always listens.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Guy's Bible Study...and Me
Every Thursday night I have been going to this Bible study a guy from my church leads at a coffee shop here in town. It is aimed toward people who are 18-29 years old or so, and most of the people are usually about college-age or just finished with college fairly recently. Usually there are 10 or so people, with maybe 4-5 girls including me. Well...that wasn't the case tonight. 10 people did in fact show up, but 9 of them were guys, and 1 of them (me) was a girl. It was still a good study, it just bordered on the slightly awkward side as the guys were all talking with each other about guy stuff. That's not to say they didn't talk with me also, just you know, I was feelin' a bit like a girl in a guy's Bible study :)
Today, I am thankful:
1. That I did well on my math midterm that I took last week--I got a 106% on it! All that studying paid off :)
2. For snow covered mountains. I was driving home from school yesterday and noticed that they looked incredibly beautiful and majestic.
3. There are only 2 more weeks of winter term!! (2 days of Spanish and 2 days of art history left!)
4. I had a good time in practicum today (as always). I helped 3 groups of kids with practing their spelling words, like I do every week. It challenging...especially because the kids I work with are the kids who are at the lowest reading level. Most of them are reading well below grade level, actually. It's hard to get them to focus, and when they do, it's hard to watch as they can't read simple words like "her" or "river" when they are in first grade. But at the same time, I enjoy helping them and find it really rewarding when they start to catch on.
5. I can sleep in tomorrow! Well, compared to this morning, anyway. I can get up tomorrow morning the same time I was already at the elementary school this morning.
Today, I am thankful:
1. That I did well on my math midterm that I took last week--I got a 106% on it! All that studying paid off :)
2. For snow covered mountains. I was driving home from school yesterday and noticed that they looked incredibly beautiful and majestic.
3. There are only 2 more weeks of winter term!! (2 days of Spanish and 2 days of art history left!)
4. I had a good time in practicum today (as always). I helped 3 groups of kids with practing their spelling words, like I do every week. It challenging...especially because the kids I work with are the kids who are at the lowest reading level. Most of them are reading well below grade level, actually. It's hard to get them to focus, and when they do, it's hard to watch as they can't read simple words like "her" or "river" when they are in first grade. But at the same time, I enjoy helping them and find it really rewarding when they start to catch on.
5. I can sleep in tomorrow! Well, compared to this morning, anyway. I can get up tomorrow morning the same time I was already at the elementary school this morning.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Weekend Stuff and Days of Grace #8
Well, it's the end of another weekend. How is it that the weekends always go by so fast? Yesterday I worked pretty much all day and then I went to the mall to be in the 3rd(?) annual Valentine's Day (a little late this year) family photo with my mom, sister, nieces, and my sister's mother-in-law. While the people with the money (the adults minus me) were deciding which pictures they wanted to buy afterwards, us girls (including two of my nieces, Baylee, 8, and Rylie, 6) spent our time smelling the Yankee candles that were on display outside of the photo place at JC Penny. I know, who spends their time smelling candles? But it was that or take them to look at stuff in other stores, so I opted for staying close and checking out the candles.
After that was all done, my friend Chelsea and I went to church. It's pretty exciting that Chelsea has been coming to church with me, because she hadn't been going to church regularly for months now. Then I invited her to come with me a couple weeks ago, and the message really spoke to her heart, so she's been coming with me lately. We're even both going on the college retreat that my church is going to have in a few weeks! I can't wait.
Then last night after church we watched A Walk to Remember. I know it's not the most realistic movie and Jamie does the whole missionary dating thing...but I still love the movie. I'm pretty sure I cried my way through the whole second half though. But I want to watch it again!
Today was pretty much like last Sunday. I spent pretty much all day on homework. I will be SO HAPPY when this term is over! There's just this week, then "dead" week (how fun), and then finals week, then spring break! So I basically just have to get through the next couple of weeks. I don't really mind finals week. I actually kind of like it. There's no homework or essays or anything, just studying and tests. I can handle that! Unfortunately, my final project for Spanish (which I have been dreading all term) is due on Wednesday (the first draft anyway), along with a test on subjunctive (which I completely don't understand), and then the Wednesday after is when I have to give a horrid 10 minutes presentation about my final project. I'm still trying to stretch out my 4 page paper into a 6 page one, so I haven't started making a powerpoint yet. Sigh.
Ok, now time for being thankful :)
1. The girl at Kinkos today scanned a copy of my transcript onto a flash drive for me and didn't charge me for it. I think she was supposed to, but we got to talking while she was working and then she told me that it was free and to have a nice day.
2. I only have to go to Spanish class 4 more times!!
3. I guess all of the studying I did paid off, because the math midterm that I took on Friday was super easy! I hope I did as well as I'm thinking I did!
4. Ok so this didn't happen today, but I guess my mom was talking with my niece, Baylee, a few days ago about American Girl dolls or something, and Baylee said that if she could pick any of their names to have for herself, she'd pick Ashley. I just thought that was cute. :)
5. I had dinner tonight with a friend for free, because she had gift certificates! I'm always thankful for free food.
After that was all done, my friend Chelsea and I went to church. It's pretty exciting that Chelsea has been coming to church with me, because she hadn't been going to church regularly for months now. Then I invited her to come with me a couple weeks ago, and the message really spoke to her heart, so she's been coming with me lately. We're even both going on the college retreat that my church is going to have in a few weeks! I can't wait.
Then last night after church we watched A Walk to Remember. I know it's not the most realistic movie and Jamie does the whole missionary dating thing...but I still love the movie. I'm pretty sure I cried my way through the whole second half though. But I want to watch it again!
Today was pretty much like last Sunday. I spent pretty much all day on homework. I will be SO HAPPY when this term is over! There's just this week, then "dead" week (how fun), and then finals week, then spring break! So I basically just have to get through the next couple of weeks. I don't really mind finals week. I actually kind of like it. There's no homework or essays or anything, just studying and tests. I can handle that! Unfortunately, my final project for Spanish (which I have been dreading all term) is due on Wednesday (the first draft anyway), along with a test on subjunctive (which I completely don't understand), and then the Wednesday after is when I have to give a horrid 10 minutes presentation about my final project. I'm still trying to stretch out my 4 page paper into a 6 page one, so I haven't started making a powerpoint yet. Sigh.
Ok, now time for being thankful :)
1. The girl at Kinkos today scanned a copy of my transcript onto a flash drive for me and didn't charge me for it. I think she was supposed to, but we got to talking while she was working and then she told me that it was free and to have a nice day.
2. I only have to go to Spanish class 4 more times!!
3. I guess all of the studying I did paid off, because the math midterm that I took on Friday was super easy! I hope I did as well as I'm thinking I did!
4. Ok so this didn't happen today, but I guess my mom was talking with my niece, Baylee, a few days ago about American Girl dolls or something, and Baylee said that if she could pick any of their names to have for herself, she'd pick Ashley. I just thought that was cute. :)
5. I had dinner tonight with a friend for free, because she had gift certificates! I'm always thankful for free food.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Days of Grace #...7?
1. My band prof didn't say a word to me about how I skipped class. Yeah!
2. The Kutless concert was awesome! Although I ended up leaving before Kutless was done because they didn't start playing until about 9:30 (the concert started at 7:00 but there were 3 bands before them.) There weren't any chairs or anything, so after 3 hours standing in a hot, crowded room full of crazy people, we ended up leaving. But the part of Kutless' performance that I saw was GREAT. Seriously, it was really, really good.
3. My speech for Spanish is DONE! (Of course, my final paper and project aren't, but eh...)
4. We had DVR installed over the weekend. It's so cool.
5. Mounds bars. (Notice how nearly every time I share what I'm thankful for, at least one of the things is food/chocolate? I love food.)
Actually, scratch that.
Real #5. My wondeful mom, who gave me the Mounds bar.
2. The Kutless concert was awesome! Although I ended up leaving before Kutless was done because they didn't start playing until about 9:30 (the concert started at 7:00 but there were 3 bands before them.) There weren't any chairs or anything, so after 3 hours standing in a hot, crowded room full of crazy people, we ended up leaving. But the part of Kutless' performance that I saw was GREAT. Seriously, it was really, really good.
3. My speech for Spanish is DONE! (Of course, my final paper and project aren't, but eh...)
4. We had DVR installed over the weekend. It's so cool.
5. Mounds bars. (Notice how nearly every time I share what I'm thankful for, at least one of the things is food/chocolate? I love food.)
Actually, scratch that.
Real #5. My wondeful mom, who gave me the Mounds bar.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ashley the REBEL!
I am such of a rebel today--I am skipping my first class (ever, I think)! You see, I was going to go to each of my classes today, and then sprint out of my last class (band) so that I could make it to the Kutless concert tonight which I am super excited for, I just figured I might miss dinner but no biggie. But then I found out that my 2:00 class was canceled today because the teacher is sick (coincidentally, this is my Spanish class, the one I spent about 5 HOURS doing homework for yesterday, and the class that I was supposed to have a speech in). So, I had a dilemma. I could either hang out for another 2 hours (I had already been hanging out for 2 hours, since my last class ended at 11:50. But I went to SOMA, it was good. Anyway.) and then go to my band class, which was supposed to end early today if it went as planned, and then race to the concert. OR...I could come home, relax, write a blog, do some homework, and actually make it to the conert on time.
Guess which one I chose?
You're right! I chose the latter. But I have to admit that even as I write this, I'm feeling a bit guilty. I'm not a class skipper! I'm not really a rebel! The closest I've come to skipping a class was that time in high school when some friends and I left a band class to go to Wendy's and have a frosty and fries and then we went back to class (but, in my defense, it wasn't really class that day. we were supposed to sit in the auditorium for 1 1/2 hours and watch some play rehearsal or something.) (side note: What is it with band? I never skip anything else.)
So, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I am going to go enjoy the next couple of hours before I leave for the concert. While trying not to feel bad about being a skipper.
Here are my 5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. The lovely sun and wind that was in Ashland today
2. Not having to give my speech in Spanish today. Whew!
3. My math midterm being postponed until Friday.
4. The Kutless concert!!
5. That I think I have my schedule figured out for next term finally. And that, in an email, my advisor said that I am "thoughtful and make good decisions!" Ha. :)
Guess which one I chose?
You're right! I chose the latter. But I have to admit that even as I write this, I'm feeling a bit guilty. I'm not a class skipper! I'm not really a rebel! The closest I've come to skipping a class was that time in high school when some friends and I left a band class to go to Wendy's and have a frosty and fries and then we went back to class (but, in my defense, it wasn't really class that day. we were supposed to sit in the auditorium for 1 1/2 hours and watch some play rehearsal or something.) (side note: What is it with band? I never skip anything else.)
So, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I am going to go enjoy the next couple of hours before I leave for the concert. While trying not to feel bad about being a skipper.
Here are my 5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. The lovely sun and wind that was in Ashland today
2. Not having to give my speech in Spanish today. Whew!
3. My math midterm being postponed until Friday.
4. The Kutless concert!!
5. That I think I have my schedule figured out for next term finally. And that, in an email, my advisor said that I am "thoughtful and make good decisions!" Ha. :)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Days of Grace #5
1. Paychecks!!
2. Clean sheets.
3. Italian sodas...so good.
4. That time of the evening when the sky is light blue and the clouds are all dark and mysterious looking.
5. The book Personality Plus (I bought it yesterday, and have read most of it already).
2. Clean sheets.
3. Italian sodas...so good.
4. That time of the evening when the sky is light blue and the clouds are all dark and mysterious looking.
5. The book Personality Plus (I bought it yesterday, and have read most of it already).
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Days of Grace #4
1. The teaching tonight at Bible study. It was one of those things where I pretty much felt like the pastor was speaking directly to me. Basically about everything I wrote about yesterday.
2. 1st graders! They are so cute. Today, I was:
-told my face looks like this little girl's sister's face (told to me while I was leading a reading group...quite random)
-asked if I had new shoes (nope, exact same shoes I've worn the last 4 times I've gone [they're cute, ok?]) then told about his shoes
-asked about 3 times if I'd still be there when they got back from recess and lunch
-given a hug for no reason
I love it.
3. The Office.
4. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/
5. The auto-save feature on this. My internet explorer has frozen and restarted twice now, but this was saved.
2. 1st graders! They are so cute. Today, I was:
-told my face looks like this little girl's sister's face (told to me while I was leading a reading group...quite random)
-asked if I had new shoes (nope, exact same shoes I've worn the last 4 times I've gone [they're cute, ok?]) then told about his shoes
-asked about 3 times if I'd still be there when they got back from recess and lunch
-given a hug for no reason
I love it.
3. The Office.
4. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/
5. The auto-save feature on this. My internet explorer has frozen and restarted twice now, but this was saved.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
SOU and Days of Grace #3
Here's the deal: if the professor for the education class that I was hoping to get into doesn't email me back soon (I wrote to him on Monday!) then I may take a martial arts PE class instead. Basically just because 1) this ed. class is the only one my advisor advised me to take instead of spanish, 2) I don't know what other class I can take instead because every other class I need is "upper division" and I'll be finishing up my "lower division" classes this term, 3) I would actually like to take one class just for fun, and 4) I've been wanting to start working out anyway, and a beginning martial arts/self-defense class would be a good way to make me do that. I actually LOVE to take the swimming PE class, but it's only offered when during the only time my astronomy class is offered. Maybe next year I'll take it.
Anyway. So I've been thinking a lot today. The past couple of weeks, actually. One thing we talk about in SOMA (it's a Bible study on campus) each week is our role as Christians on campus and reaching out to those on campus who aren't saved and just need some hope and truth in the midst of a dark school. What I've been really thinking about this week is how I want to do that--to reach out to others, to point them to Christ--but how I often I fail at that. Time to get honest and personal...basically, I am a fearful person. I inwardly fear what others think of me, worrying that I'll say or do the wrong thing. It frankly is something that holds me back, and I know it, but I don't know how to change it. It's not like I can simply say to myself, "self, stop worrying about what others will think. just do it. just say what you're thinking. raise your hand in class, participate in the prayer at Bible study, stop your heart from pounding and your hands from sweating." (well, I can say that to myself, I do in fact, but it doesn't help much.) It's something I've been praying about lately, because I realize that there's no way I can overcome any of it on my own.
Anyway, I didn't mean for this to be all about me--what I meant to say is that I've been feeling a bit disheartened this week because of the lack of hope--the lack of God--at SOU. There is one person in particular who has been in my mind over the last couple of weeks, ever since I overheard a conversation in which one person said her parents were worried that SOU was "turning her wiccan", and the other person responded with, "well, this school has turned me atheist!" I know that people make their own decisions, but I also believe that the school can have a strong influence on students. Hearing that person say that he considered the school responsible for his believing God doesn't exist...wow. I don't even know what to say.
So, I am praying that God will do both a work in me--taking away my hesitations and doubts, and replacing them with strength and courage--and in my school. I know that there are some positive things going on at SOU (various Bible studies that are encouraging the believers, discussions about God [in classes and in the newspaper...I just read an article today. it was actually pretty full of "we are all just looking for happiness, it doesn't matter what you believe", but at least it was a discussion and asking for opinions. i thought about writing in. i still may, if i can find the paper again because i didn't keep it] and such).
I just pray that God will do a work in the school, in the students, and in the people of Ashland. If you think about it this week, maybe you can pray also.
So I don't have to post another entry, here are the 5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. God's love, mercy, and strength.
2. Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting.
3. Mornings that are warm enough that my the windshield of my car is not frozen.
4. Exams that are super easy.
5. Wind.
Anyway. So I've been thinking a lot today. The past couple of weeks, actually. One thing we talk about in SOMA (it's a Bible study on campus) each week is our role as Christians on campus and reaching out to those on campus who aren't saved and just need some hope and truth in the midst of a dark school. What I've been really thinking about this week is how I want to do that--to reach out to others, to point them to Christ--but how I often I fail at that. Time to get honest and personal...basically, I am a fearful person. I inwardly fear what others think of me, worrying that I'll say or do the wrong thing. It frankly is something that holds me back, and I know it, but I don't know how to change it. It's not like I can simply say to myself, "self, stop worrying about what others will think. just do it. just say what you're thinking. raise your hand in class, participate in the prayer at Bible study, stop your heart from pounding and your hands from sweating." (well, I can say that to myself, I do in fact, but it doesn't help much.) It's something I've been praying about lately, because I realize that there's no way I can overcome any of it on my own.
Anyway, I didn't mean for this to be all about me--what I meant to say is that I've been feeling a bit disheartened this week because of the lack of hope--the lack of God--at SOU. There is one person in particular who has been in my mind over the last couple of weeks, ever since I overheard a conversation in which one person said her parents were worried that SOU was "turning her wiccan", and the other person responded with, "well, this school has turned me atheist!" I know that people make their own decisions, but I also believe that the school can have a strong influence on students. Hearing that person say that he considered the school responsible for his believing God doesn't exist...wow. I don't even know what to say.
So, I am praying that God will do both a work in me--taking away my hesitations and doubts, and replacing them with strength and courage--and in my school. I know that there are some positive things going on at SOU (various Bible studies that are encouraging the believers, discussions about God [in classes and in the newspaper...I just read an article today. it was actually pretty full of "we are all just looking for happiness, it doesn't matter what you believe", but at least it was a discussion and asking for opinions. i thought about writing in. i still may, if i can find the paper again because i didn't keep it] and such).
I just pray that God will do a work in the school, in the students, and in the people of Ashland. If you think about it this week, maybe you can pray also.
So I don't have to post another entry, here are the 5 things I'm thankful for today:
1. God's love, mercy, and strength.
2. Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting.
3. Mornings that are warm enough that my the windshield of my car is not frozen.
4. Exams that are super easy.
5. Wind.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Decisions, Decisions.
Seriously, I wish I had a magic machine that would create the perfect school schedule for me each term, without me having to try to figure it out. It would make life so very much easier.
While we're at it, let's just have it plan out the next few years for me. There are simply too many options, decisions, and things to fit into place.
It doesn't help that I analyze each possible decision and worry over my decisions. It's funny, my friend and I often talk about how we over-analyze things and worry over the little details, and just today in my practicum class we learned more about different personality types. I completely saw myself in nearly every example of the personality traits for the "analytical" personality. It was actually a bit scary how much like me the descriptions are. I'm thinking about buying the book that the personality profile is based on (Personality Plus by Florence Littauer) because I find it all fascinating in a scary sort of way.
Now, where can I get that magic machine...
While we're at it, let's just have it plan out the next few years for me. There are simply too many options, decisions, and things to fit into place.
It doesn't help that I analyze each possible decision and worry over my decisions. It's funny, my friend and I often talk about how we over-analyze things and worry over the little details, and just today in my practicum class we learned more about different personality types. I completely saw myself in nearly every example of the personality traits for the "analytical" personality. It was actually a bit scary how much like me the descriptions are. I'm thinking about buying the book that the personality profile is based on (Personality Plus by Florence Littauer) because I find it all fascinating in a scary sort of way.
Now, where can I get that magic machine...
Days Of Grace #2
1. Finding $5 in my pocket yesterday that I thought I had lost.
2. SOMA Bible study on Mondays. It's so encouraging.
3. I have a test tonight in health class, which means that I will probably get home around 6:45 instead of around 8:30.
4. Yesterday my Spanish teacher told me that I'm a good student and she wished I'd continue taking Spanish classes, and then she proceeded to convince me by telling me what classes I could take to make it work. I'm writing this as something I'm thankful for, because I had no idea my professer thought I was any good at Spanish, and I was actually shocked that she told me that. All this term the class has been hard for me and I completely thought she didn't like me. Of course, she just made me even more confused and undecisive.
5. Friends.
2. SOMA Bible study on Mondays. It's so encouraging.
3. I have a test tonight in health class, which means that I will probably get home around 6:45 instead of around 8:30.
4. Yesterday my Spanish teacher told me that I'm a good student and she wished I'd continue taking Spanish classes, and then she proceeded to convince me by telling me what classes I could take to make it work. I'm writing this as something I'm thankful for, because I had no idea my professer thought I was any good at Spanish, and I was actually shocked that she told me that. All this term the class has been hard for me and I completely thought she didn't like me. Of course, she just made me even more confused and undecisive.
5. Friends.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
DOG #1
There is this thing called "365 Days of Grace", in which you post five things that you are thankful for/that are good/that make you happy each day, which I found via my friend Brooke's blog. I've decided to participate as well, but since I probably won't be posting each day, I'm sure it will take me way longer than 365 days. But I'm going to try anyway. So, here we go...
1. Sunny, windy mornings.
2. See's chocolate left over from Valentine's Day. Yummm.
3. A job. Even when it involves me getting over my telophonophobia (this is a real word, which means "the persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of telephones"...so, ok, I am not actually telophonophobic, but I don't feel all that comfortable talking to people I don't know about a subject that I really know nothing about [taxes] and occasionally having to do so in Spanish {on a side note, I did overhear a couple Mexican clients talking about me in Spanish, and they called me "the pretty girl", so I guess it's not so bad}, but I have to admit, it got much easier as the day progressed, and by the end of the day it wasn't so bad). (Another side note: does the period go inside or outside the parenthesis? It's opposite in English and Spanish, and now I can't remember which one is which. Maybe I'll do both until someone helps me out. That way I'm covered either way.). Back to the topic...I am thankful for my job.
4. Taking a friend to church who hasn't been going, and having her tell me after, "I feel like that sermon was just for me." Then her telling you that she wants to keep going to church!
5. Being able to register for classes waaay before everyone else (other than graduate students and others in the acc. bacc. program) so you are guarenteed to get into the classes you need (even if you not sure yet about a class...). And being able to do so at home while in your pajamas!
1. Sunny, windy mornings.
2. See's chocolate left over from Valentine's Day. Yummm.
3. A job. Even when it involves me getting over my telophonophobia (this is a real word, which means "the persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of telephones"...so, ok, I am not actually telophonophobic, but I don't feel all that comfortable talking to people I don't know about a subject that I really know nothing about [taxes] and occasionally having to do so in Spanish {on a side note, I did overhear a couple Mexican clients talking about me in Spanish, and they called me "the pretty girl", so I guess it's not so bad}, but I have to admit, it got much easier as the day progressed, and by the end of the day it wasn't so bad). (Another side note: does the period go inside or outside the parenthesis? It's opposite in English and Spanish, and now I can't remember which one is which. Maybe I'll do both until someone helps me out. That way I'm covered either way.). Back to the topic...I am thankful for my job.
4. Taking a friend to church who hasn't been going, and having her tell me after, "I feel like that sermon was just for me." Then her telling you that she wants to keep going to church!
5. Being able to register for classes waaay before everyone else (other than graduate students and others in the acc. bacc. program) so you are guarenteed to get into the classes you need (even if you not sure yet about a class...). And being able to do so at home while in your pajamas!
Friday, February 13, 2009
What a busy week!
This week has been so busy! I kept meaning to write another entry on here but I just didn't have enough time. Monday was a pretty normal day, I had classes all day and didn't get home until about 6:30. On Tuesday morning, I interviewed a lady who is an ESL teacher at an elementary school year as part of a big project I have to do for my Spanish class. Once I got home from that, I wrote five essays (yep, FIVE): two for a scholarship application, two for my practicum midterm, and one for my Spanish class. By the time I finished with all that, I had to get to my afternoon/evening classes, and I didn't get home until about 8:30. Wednesday was normal (busy), and Thursday's activites involved doing my practicum in the mornining, a lot of studying for my art history midterm, taking my midterm, and then going to SOU to play in a band concert that night. The concert was pretty fun...we played a combined concert with the high school and middle school, so there were a lot of musicians, audience members, and chaos. I can hardly believe that just a few years ago (well...about five) I was the same age as one of those middle schoolers who are just starting out with band. Time flies!
Last night when I went to bed all the weather reports said that it was supposed to snow a bunch overnight, so I was hoping that classes would be cancelled and I'd be able to sleep in and relax a bit. It turns out that it did snow quite a bit (it looked like there were about 3-5" in some spots), but they only cancelled classes that started before 10 am, and since my class started right at 10 am, it wasn't cancelled. There was a pretty nasty car crash on the freeway too, so I got stuck for about 20 minutes and ended up being slightly late to class. The snow was beautiful though, I love how it covers everything with it's pure whiteness and makes everything look so majestic and clean. I only wish it had stuck around longer.
I got a haircut today also! I love my friend Maggie's hair, so I took her with me to my appointment and said that I wanted my hair to be cut like hers. So now I have long bangs and a bunch of layers! I just hope I can keep myself from constantly playing with my bangs, because I'm sorta OCD about having my hair in my face (meaning I can't stand it, which is why I haven't had bangs before...but I think they look good, so I'm going to try to leave them alone!)
Sunday is early registration for spring term classes already. I thought I had it all figured out, but now I'm second-guessing my decisions. I just don't know if I want to take Spanish anymore. I really don't like the class this term, and I know next term will be different because I'll have a different professor and everything, but I just don't know if I want to do it. I don't have to take it at all. It's getting me elective credits that I don't even need. I have been taking it because I like the language, and I was considering having it be my minor for a while. But now...I'm unsure. I don't think I have room in my schedule to take enough classes to fulfill the requirements for the minor because I am in the accelerated baccalaureate program. So really, it's just added stress. I have been taking it in part because I think it will be good for me to know Spanish if I am going to be a teacher around here, but I just don't know if this class will really help me with that. Plus, when I get my master's degree, I can get an ESOL endorsement regardless of whether I took any Spanish classes in college. I'd like to take a Spanish grammer class, but there isn't one that will fit into my schedule. Decisions, decisions. I think I may need to email my advisor tonight.
Anyway, tomorrow I am going to work from 8-4 for the first time. Truthfully, I don't like answering phones and such. I remember when I was an assistant in the office at my high school last year and I had to answer phones, I tried to get out of it by keeping busy with other stuff so someone else would get the phone...it's just never been something I particulary enjoy. However, that is pretty much going to be what I'm doing tomorrow when I begin my receptionist job. So it's providing me with an opportunity to stretch myself a bit! I'm just praying that I will get more comfortable with it as the day progesses. But even if I don't enjoy it, I'm thankful to have the job!
Well, I'd better wrap this thing up so I can make some emails regarding my Spanish class.
Last night when I went to bed all the weather reports said that it was supposed to snow a bunch overnight, so I was hoping that classes would be cancelled and I'd be able to sleep in and relax a bit. It turns out that it did snow quite a bit (it looked like there were about 3-5" in some spots), but they only cancelled classes that started before 10 am, and since my class started right at 10 am, it wasn't cancelled. There was a pretty nasty car crash on the freeway too, so I got stuck for about 20 minutes and ended up being slightly late to class. The snow was beautiful though, I love how it covers everything with it's pure whiteness and makes everything look so majestic and clean. I only wish it had stuck around longer.
I got a haircut today also! I love my friend Maggie's hair, so I took her with me to my appointment and said that I wanted my hair to be cut like hers. So now I have long bangs and a bunch of layers! I just hope I can keep myself from constantly playing with my bangs, because I'm sorta OCD about having my hair in my face (meaning I can't stand it, which is why I haven't had bangs before...but I think they look good, so I'm going to try to leave them alone!)
Sunday is early registration for spring term classes already. I thought I had it all figured out, but now I'm second-guessing my decisions. I just don't know if I want to take Spanish anymore. I really don't like the class this term, and I know next term will be different because I'll have a different professor and everything, but I just don't know if I want to do it. I don't have to take it at all. It's getting me elective credits that I don't even need. I have been taking it because I like the language, and I was considering having it be my minor for a while. But now...I'm unsure. I don't think I have room in my schedule to take enough classes to fulfill the requirements for the minor because I am in the accelerated baccalaureate program. So really, it's just added stress. I have been taking it in part because I think it will be good for me to know Spanish if I am going to be a teacher around here, but I just don't know if this class will really help me with that. Plus, when I get my master's degree, I can get an ESOL endorsement regardless of whether I took any Spanish classes in college. I'd like to take a Spanish grammer class, but there isn't one that will fit into my schedule. Decisions, decisions. I think I may need to email my advisor tonight.
Anyway, tomorrow I am going to work from 8-4 for the first time. Truthfully, I don't like answering phones and such. I remember when I was an assistant in the office at my high school last year and I had to answer phones, I tried to get out of it by keeping busy with other stuff so someone else would get the phone...it's just never been something I particulary enjoy. However, that is pretty much going to be what I'm doing tomorrow when I begin my receptionist job. So it's providing me with an opportunity to stretch myself a bit! I'm just praying that I will get more comfortable with it as the day progesses. But even if I don't enjoy it, I'm thankful to have the job!
Well, I'd better wrap this thing up so I can make some emails regarding my Spanish class.
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Hello and Lots of Rambling
Hello there.
I finally decided tonight that I would make a blog. I'm not completely sure what prompted me to take the plunge, but I figured it would be nice to have a place to write (actually type--which is even better, because I can type way faster than I can write, especially in a journal that doesn't have a spirally part so it's difficult to write in it and even more so because I get frustrated with sloppy handwriting--but I digress) about what's going on. I've always found that writing out what's going on helps me to sort out my thoughts. Plus, I love being able to look back and read about all the crazy stuff that has happened that I might forget about otherwise. So there you go. My reasons for beginning this blog in one fairly long paragraph.
Let's see. I suppose I should introduce myself.
Now for real life. The whole reason I jumped on this blogging bandwagon was to write about stuff, after all. Today started off pretty good. I actually managed to get to bed by about 10:45 last night, so when I woke up this morning, I was pretty awake by the time I hit my snooze button the 3rd time. (I love sleeping. I know people (my dad, for example) who can sleep for 6 or 7 hours and be ok the next day, but I really need closer to 8 1/2 hours for me to feel truly awake and alert the next day.) Also, I just can't turn off my alarm clock and roll out of bed. I just can't do it. I always hit my snooze button a few times first. It kind of eases me awake, I suppose.
Anyway, so I had a good morning. Then I went to math class, learned about approaches to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing (it sounds basic...and, ok, it is...but it's pretty hard too. I didn't realize that learning how to teach math could be so hard. Luckily I have an amazing professor who makes it make sense), then went to Bible study, then Spanish. I got my midterm back today, and I got a B+ on it! I'm excited about it, because it was a difficult test and I wasn't expecting to do very well. Then I went to band, which had it's awkward moments, mostly because I didn't have the right music. Which wasn't my fault, I couldn't read the parts I was given because they were in base clef. So the guy who sits in front on me (and plays tenor sax, so not even my instrument) loaned me his music and he just had his memorized or something.
Also, something exciting happened tonight--an hour ago I didn't have a job (but I've wanted one), but now I have one! My friend's mom, who owns a business, called and offered me a job on Saturdays. Praise God!
Well, I think that's about it. Off to read and get to bed early again! :)
I finally decided tonight that I would make a blog. I'm not completely sure what prompted me to take the plunge, but I figured it would be nice to have a place to write (actually type--which is even better, because I can type way faster than I can write, especially in a journal that doesn't have a spirally part so it's difficult to write in it and even more so because I get frustrated with sloppy handwriting--but I digress) about what's going on. I've always found that writing out what's going on helps me to sort out my thoughts. Plus, I love being able to look back and read about all the crazy stuff that has happened that I might forget about otherwise. So there you go. My reasons for beginning this blog in one fairly long paragraph.
Let's see. I suppose I should introduce myself.
- My name is Ashley (if you haven't already figured that out from the title, although I guess if you don't understand Spanish you wouldn't realize what it says. By the way, I do acknowledge that it is a rather boring title, but it was all I could come up with. If you have a better suggestion, feel free to share.)
- I am a student at Southern Oregon University, majoring in elementary education. I thought about having a minor in Spanish, but I just don't think that's going to happen...too much work, too little time.
- I live at home with my padres still, which is nice, although I've gotta admit that I have days where I wish I had my own apartment--not because I have a problem living with my parents (because they are great parents, and I have no problem living under their roof)...I'd just like to have my own roof. Well, my own apartment, but you know what I mean. It would have a roof.
- I am a Christian. I probably should have started with that, because it more accurately reflects my identity than my being a poor student who lives at home does. But I don't want to take the time to switch things around, so it's going to stay like that.
Now for real life. The whole reason I jumped on this blogging bandwagon was to write about stuff, after all. Today started off pretty good. I actually managed to get to bed by about 10:45 last night, so when I woke up this morning, I was pretty awake by the time I hit my snooze button the 3rd time. (I love sleeping. I know people (my dad, for example) who can sleep for 6 or 7 hours and be ok the next day, but I really need closer to 8 1/2 hours for me to feel truly awake and alert the next day.) Also, I just can't turn off my alarm clock and roll out of bed. I just can't do it. I always hit my snooze button a few times first. It kind of eases me awake, I suppose.
Anyway, so I had a good morning. Then I went to math class, learned about approaches to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing (it sounds basic...and, ok, it is...but it's pretty hard too. I didn't realize that learning how to teach math could be so hard. Luckily I have an amazing professor who makes it make sense), then went to Bible study, then Spanish. I got my midterm back today, and I got a B+ on it! I'm excited about it, because it was a difficult test and I wasn't expecting to do very well. Then I went to band, which had it's awkward moments, mostly because I didn't have the right music. Which wasn't my fault, I couldn't read the parts I was given because they were in base clef. So the guy who sits in front on me (and plays tenor sax, so not even my instrument) loaned me his music and he just had his memorized or something.
Also, something exciting happened tonight--an hour ago I didn't have a job (but I've wanted one), but now I have one! My friend's mom, who owns a business, called and offered me a job on Saturdays. Praise God!
Well, I think that's about it. Off to read and get to bed early again! :)
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