Very Little Detail...

Today has been one of the most stressful days I have had since getting to school. For some reason EVERYTHING just didn't go right. It was incredibly frustrating. It put me in a really bad mood. So, here I am...ready to go to bed.

My Ethnography box is due on Friday. I have to have ten sources, 50 entries, 25 tabs, etc...IT is not hard work, just incredibly time consumming. I have 35 entries. I have 15 more to go. Then, once I turn it in I have two weeks to duplicate it. AHHH!!! It just never ends.

GOOD NEWS: I am going to NEw York CIty (which I have never been to) in the spring with the choir. And, while I am there I get to see a broadway show. YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT IS ON SO I WILL TELL YOU: LES MISERABLES!!!!!!! I have wanted to see it for YEARS! Ever since I went to London and saw the Lion King instead. I cannot wait to see it! I am so excited. I cannot wait. BUt, I will have to wait for a couple months.

In Other good news: I just got internet access for the first time this semester...I AM LOVING IT!

This weekend is my dad's birthday so I am going home! That will be refreshing!

I did a man's job last night. I am used to my daddy unclogging my shower drain for me. Last night I had to do it. It was nasty! haha. And, it made me want my daddy!

Anyways..I think that is pretty much it. I put together my Potato Head pumpkin last night. He is SO CUTE! Meredith is reading about PIrates right now and since he is a pirate she gave him the pirate name of "Stubs". haha. He is sitting on our front porch!

Amber and Sam are gone to Minnesota this week. I have to say..I miss them.

Last night PJ and Kim wanted to teach me how to make Hmong food. Every night when they cook some Hmong food they allow me to try it. It is really hot and spicy. I have to get used to it. Me and PJ planned a night next week for her to teach me some Hmong recipes. I am excited about it. They invited me and Meredith to watch and Indian movie with them last night. It made me laugh a LOT! It was funny. I am becoming pretty cultured :) ha. I haVe a long way to go. But PJ is having to teach me some Hmong for my Sociolinguistics class.
THat's it for now!

HEre are some pictures of Stubs:

When The World is a Good Place

This week was really stressful for me. There is lots of work I have to do. I got through the week thanks to the help of friends and family. I didn't go insane. ha.

On wednesday night hte girls in my trailer had a pizza party and we watched Gilmore Girls. It was a lot of fun. I left out the pictures of it down below because I ran out of room.

On Thursday I was having a really rough day and my parents called just in time and asked me to go to Buford and meet them for dinner. So, I just called Jessie up and took her to Buford with me. We met my parents at Ted's Montana Grill. It is a place with Bison burgers, regular burgers, chicken, steaks, etc...It was AMAZING! I had my first Bison burger..YUM! They give the kids there these things called Wikki Stiks. Since Jessie is an artist she wanted some. So, me, her and molly played around with them. We made a little cowboy/cowgirl family and Jessie made some glasses. haha. It was great to see my family.

On Friday I went back up to spend the day with Sara and Molly. We hung out and ate pizza and watched tv. Oh, and we went shopping. lol. Sara has a new little puppy named Cooper so we hung out and played with him.

On Saturday Me, Sam, Amber and Meredith went to a Brave's game. They were playing the Milkwaukee Brewers. Sam broke her foot so we had an interesting time climbing the stans. We had some of their AMAZING waffle fries. And we basically goofed off mroe than we watched the game. We think they won. hha. We left an inning early. And when we got back to Amber's car they had put a boot on it. So, we couldn't go anywhere. We had paid to park in the lot but Amber forgot to put the ticket in the window. So, we called the people and sat around waiting on them to come. When they did the guy made us pay 50 dollars. Luckily, Chad paid it for us and talked to the guy for us. So, we were off to Sam's house for the weekend.

On saturday night we spent the night at Sam's house in Woodstock. Her dad was preaching at church the next morning. So, we stayed up and watched episodes of The Office and laughed about mostly nothing. We ate dinner at Ted's Montant Grill (haha). And then we played with her dogs. She has two HUGE dogs that live in her house. Meredith wanted Sheba to sleep with us but I said "NO!" haha.

The next day we went to Sam's church and ate tons of food and listened to her dad. then we went to Amber's Gramommy's house in Athens for the afternoon/evening.

It was a good weekend! I put some pictures of it below. They are all out of order and I can't make them get into order...so, I guess I will have to just narrate randomly...SORRY!
























This is what they put on Amber's care so we wouldn't drive away with the boot on it! HAHA!






























Jessie in her Wikki Sitk glasses. lol














































Mollly with cooper
































Amber, Same, Me and Meredith at the Brave's game.


















Us again....IS IT OVER YET????

Amber eating one of those AMAZINg fries..

The Boot on Amber's cute little VW Bug.

Our Wikki cowboy!!! HAHA

Who Knew Camels Had Such Long Necks???

have been pretty busy lately. I wish I could say there was some end in the near future. But, instead, it is quite the opposite....it will only get more hectic from here on out! I think some days I want to break down and go crazy. I have to remind myself that this hard semester will be over shortly in the scheme of all of life. I honestly feel that I have so many classes that take a ton of time this semester that I can't give my 100% in any of them. I hate the feeling that I am being spread too thin. I realize that this is what is happening, yet I can't do much about it. I have to just get through the semester.

I got some good news today. I don't have one of my classes tomorrow! This makes more time for homework!!! I am so glad!!! I need more time for homework. yet, here I am updating you guys on my life. I need some non school related time.

This past weekend was pretty good for that. In fact, I went over to the Perk Up tonight so I could actually print pictures to my blog again (and so I could do some other work on the internet). On Saturday night Ashley and Heather Price asked me to go to a fair in Habersham with them! IT was so much fun!I haven't been to a fair in forever! It was a lot of fun. They also had a tent with all these animals in it. They made us laugh so hard. I included some pictures of it below so you could laugh too! We went on two rides (because it costs a lot of money). On the last one I got so sick that I had to put my head down on a table for a while! That wasn't fun! But, overall it was a hilarious night.


















This is Heather petting a baby cow...SO CUTE!














This is Heather on the Paratrooper (the ride that didn't make us sick)

















THis camel would put it's head through the holes in the fence. You would be walking by and he would just stick his head out right in your face. It was freaky. I didn't like it. But, Ashley was brave enough to take a picture with it! Ha!
















This llama friend reminds me of the Emeror's New Groove. haha.















Ashley and Heather right before we got on the ride of death.


So, that was my weekend. I mean, the part that wouldn't completely bore you for me to talk about! I did try and catch up on some sleep and stuff. It was good!

Tonight Meredith made Talopia, rice and green beans for dinner. It was REALLY good! I loved not eating in the cafeteria too!

Well, I am off to do more work.

Cute Asian Babies

GUESS WHAT???

I was accepted with the IMB to go to the Philippines this next summer for my internship. I will be working in an orphange there with the Nehemiah groups. I am slowly turning my focus over to The Philippines. I love Asia. I am trying not to be sad about Africa. I am looking forward to doing this and working with cute asian babies!!! I might bring one home :) haha. The dates of the trip are June 5-July 31. So, I will be around for a small part of the summer. You guys can go ahead and be praying with me about this trip. I know it will stretch me and it is going to be a growing experience for sure! I also need to find someone to recruit to go with me. I already asked one person. You can pray that God shows her what to do!

This weekend is pretty low key. Meredith invited all of her english major friends over last night to watch a German film called the Edukators. It was pretty entertaining. I think if it were in English though I wouldn't have liked it as much. Me and Steph did our outlines last night. I am so annoyed with Ethnography right now.

I am about to head to the library and get some Ethnography done. I hate doing school work on a saturday. I have pretty much never done that in my college experience. This semester it is necessary though. Tonight Meredith is making fish. Talopia or something like that. And Amber is getting us all to watch Carmen the Opera with her. I may or may not be going with Ashley to this festival of hers. lol. So, the day is up in the air!

The weekend is going to be over way too fast. I can already tell....

Now My Sorrow Seems too Far Away Until I'm Taken By These Bolts Of Pain

So, this week has been really busy. And, really tiring. I am pretty much doing work all the time. THis week has been kind of difficult in a lot of ways. However, God keeps providing when I need it most. I am thankful for that!

It has been the week of randomness. haha.

There have been a few couple funny quotes that I have heard people say in my presence lately.

The other day in my God and Redemptoin class Dr. Shelton was asking for people to give examples of comparisons they have heard people give for the Trinity. It made me laugh because everyone was giving the usual analogies : You can compare the trinity to water, an egg, etc... And randomly this one guy raises his hand and says,"You can compare the trinity to a siamese triplet". The thought of that in my mind made me laugh. I have honestly never heard that one before. It was a little bit strange. I don't think I want to think of the trinity as a siamese triplet.

Today one of my professors randomly states,"There is a difference in the words 'naked' and 'nude'. If you are nude you are without clothing. But if you are naked you are up to something. We wont' go into detail on what you might be up to". It had nothing to do with the class by the way. WEIRD.

I really wish I could type out Meredith's quote on here from last night too. However, I am afraid some people would get upset for my putting it on my blog. So, I will refrain. But, I witnessed one of the most AWKWARD/FUNNIEST moments Meredith Beck has ever had last night. It was really entertaining.

Yesterday was really busy for me. I went over to Jessie's house and woke her up so she could teach me how to do my Ehtnography. There is STILL confusion in that class. It is so annoying. But, she cleared it up. It is pretty simple now that someone has actually explained it. I think my professor expects us to figure out how to do it on our own and if we don't we will get points taken off of our grade. What a horrible way to go about it. Anyways...I have it now so I am not nearly as stressed as I was. I got some homework in yesterday. But, I also got to hang out with Ashley last night. She makes me smile. We went to the Java Station and talked for a while.

Tomorrow we are going to a fair Habersham county is throwing. Just because it will be a horrible fair and will make us laugh. There is nothing else to do on saturdays. However, I do need to go to the library and force myself to do ethnography.

My devotion was pretty refreshing for me this morning. I guess I just needed to hear what it had to say. And I guess I am in need of SOMETHING right now. I am not sure what in some ways, and then in others I know EXACTLY what.

I am through forcing something into a square box that was meant to go into a rectangle container. That sounds funny. But, I know what I mean. lol.

I stole this song from Meredith's collection of music. But, I really like it. And, it kind of sums things up for me.

AZURE RAY
November Lyrics

So i'm waiting for this test to end
So these lighter days can soon begin
I'll be alone but maybe more carefree
Like a kite that floats so effortlessly
I was afraid to be alone
Now im scared thats how id like to be
All the faces none the same
How can there be so many personalities
So many lifeless empty hands
So many hearts in great demand
And now my sorrow seems to far away
Until i'm taken by these bolts of pain
But i turn them off and tuck them away till these rainy days that make them stay
And then i'll cry so hard to these sad songs
And the words still ring, once here now gone
And they echo through my head everyday
And i dont think they'll ever go away
Just like thinking of your childhood home
But we cant go back were on our own
Oh,
But i'm about to give this one more shot
And find it in myself
Ill find it in myself
So were speeding towards that time of year
To the day that marks your not here
And i think i'll want to be alone
So please understand that i dont answer the phone
I'll just sit and stare at my deep blue walls
Untill i can see nothing at all
Only particles some fast some slow
All i can see is all i know
Ohh..
But i'm about to give this one more shot
And find it in myself
I'll find it in myself

THANK GOODNESS IT IS FRIDAY!!!

NEVER SAY NEVER

Limited internet access is seeming more and more annoying these days. So is not having Microsoft Word on my computer. It is such a hassle to only be able to use a computer at certain allotted times of the day. And I don't just mean because I want to blog. lol. With Ethnography you basically spend all of your time on a computer or in a library. And I might as well not even have a lap top at the rate they are taking to fix the internet. Too bad it is the semester I most need one. haha. GO FIGURE! God sure does have a sense of humor.

I am learning in my life to NEVER say NEVER to God. It should be off limits. Also, don't make your own plans. It doesnt work out. God goes against them just to show you it isn't about you AT ALL. It is simply about Him. I don't mean this in the way it is probably coming across either. I have had this dream for a LONG time to go to Africa. I don't remember how long it has been there because I don't remember a time when I walked around without it. And, when I entered college I envisioned myself going there on my internship. It was MY plan. I had it all figured out. I was going to Africa!!! Nothing could stop me. But, the fact is: it just isn't going to happen. And I am used to my dreams being broken by Christ in order to show me it isn't about my plans. Anyways...It looks like if I get accepted with the IMB I will be on my way to Thailand or the Philippines. Either to work with college students in Bagkok (which is the best place on earth I have ever been by the way) or to work in an orphanage in the Philippines. I like these ideas. They sound nice. They just aren't Africa. But I know God has things in mind. And he just didn't work it out at this time for me to go to Africa to work with the aids crisis or anything else that I had envisioned for FOREVER now. I am still excited. I just have to shift my focus from those beautiful black people I wanted to work with!

I will update and let everyone know the final word. I should hear back from the IMB within this week.

THis weekend was good. It was a weekened of painting our trailer, going to church and NOT thinking about homework. I was so stressed out by the end of friday I just decided to take two full days off. Me and Sam went to see The Nanny Diaries. It was really cute! And, our trailer is a lot more pleasing to the eye nowadays.

Friday was a rough day for me. But, Jessie promised to help me figure Ethnography out. I am going to her house on Thursday when she gets back from Texas to have her coach me on the course. I alread dropped and broke my first Ethnography box (full of 50 files). That was annoying. TEN DOLLARS down the drain. lol.

I'm really having a good time. It really doesn't sound like it. But, God is good. My friends are great. I am having the best year at college yet!!! So, that is an answer to prayer as most of you know.

I Hate Confusin Syllabi

So, it is the middle of the week. The day that is the second longest day of the week (the first of course being mondays).

I have to say: There will be no more five classes in one day in my future EVER again unless it means I will graduate on time. I HATE five classes in one day. It is way too much for me. It makes me feel like I go go go (which is what I do) so when I finally get to Tuesdays and THursdays I have to force myself to focus and do homework when I really just feel like doing nothing.

I found out I will have five classes on Wednesdays too. I have voice lessons from 4:00-5:00 on Wednesday afternoons. I have Mrs.Little as a teacher. I am nervous about it. I am nervous about taking lessons and doing recitals. I haven't been criticued in a LONG time. I haven't actually sung in public in a LONG time. Should be good though.

My Ethnography class is going to be the death of me if my love for mayonaisse doesn't kill me first. The syllabus is completely confusing. I stink at doing anything in a library. And, group projects make me want to hurl. haha. But, it really is a good class to take. Despite the library and the confusion. If I can get down what I need to do I think I will be better off for it. It is good to know how to file and research and have techinques for learning about people groups. I love the concept. I just hate how I have to get there!! I think I settled on the Shona of Zimbabwe (that's in Africa) for my people group. I can only hope I will get placed somewhere near there next summer.

Which, by the way...I find out in a week or so if I am accepted to the IMB for next summer and where they are placing me to work. I am excited about it. The idea of it makes me smile. It makes me nervous a little bit too. But, by then I think I will be ready. Toccoa is preparing me a lot.

Last night my cottage (I refuse to call it a trailer) had a "girls night in". I tried out my mom's pizza dip recipe. The girls ate ALL OF IT! And they loved it. That was good for me because I get nervouse cooking for people. haha. I think I have used the word "nervous" too many times in this entry. I need to stop being such a nervous person. lol. We watched the movie A Night's Tale and ate some snacks. It was fun hanging out with everyone. I did some painting. And I realized it is a good realease when you are stressed. I also realized how much I miss art from when I used to do it all the time growing up.

I helped Sam pick out some things at Wal-Mart. She got us a fish. He is a Shubunkin. haha. His name is Elroy. CUTE!

Tonight I am eating dinner with Lanie.

Tomorrow I am driving Jessie to the air port and we are stopping on the way for dinner.

I like friends! And, I also like good food!

Oh For A Heart THat Does Not Ache

I realized something today: It is great to live life with God. Sounds so cheesy, i know. I am one of those people that would like to have control of things. I used to think it would be great to have control of my own life in every aspect. But the more I live the more I realize this is a horrible idea. I need someone to have control for me. If it were all up to me it wouldn't turn out for the best. If I were God, I would most likely make decisions only for the good of myself, therefore causing harm to everything and everyone else on the planet. I realized today as I was praying that I need someone other than myself to depend on. Not just a human. But someone DEPENDABLE. Someone you can always count on to actually listen. Someone you can ALWAYS count on to take notice of the things in your life that you need when no one else will take notice of them. Someone who will ALWAYS fulfill us to the utmost if we would allow. I need this. I need more than just myself or other flawed humans to rely on. I need Christ. There are so many times when I feel all alone. When I feel like no one understands completely. When I want to give up. When I feel so overjoyed by something yet feel like no one gets why. When I laugh at something that no one else gets. When I just need to know someone GETS me. BEcause someone created me the way I am for a reason.

Sometimes I get so frustrated with the way God created me. When I look at my future and what it will probably hold and realize that I was made with a personality that I don't think can handle it I get upset. I want to be more of a leader. I want to be more bold, outgoing and risk taking. But, instead sometimes I feel so inadequate. It in this moment where I feel like God makes me realize,"I made you like this for my purposes. I will work through you, even through the attributes you view as flaws. I made you like you are so you will remember to rely on me". If I had a different personality I think I would be more likely to just depend on myself. Which is already a struggle. And I think God reminds me through my weaknesses everyday that I need His strength!!!

Anyways...Just something I realized today. I am glad I have reliable arms to fall back on. I am glad that I can pray and it be heard. I am glad I don't have to always be with everyone I love at one time making sure nothing happens to them. I can trust that someone else will do what needs to be done. Thank goodness there is always someone who is dependable when no one else is!!!

THis weekend has been good. I have spent it with my sisters. I finally got some things in the mail (so to speak). I am glad to have those things. Molly is growing up so much. It is strange to see. Today we got to go to a place in Atlanta with Go Carts, bumper boats, putt putt and an arcade and we played all those things. WE had a good time laughing. And, then me and molly and sara went to this spa and got a pedicure. But not just any pedicure. THis pedicure included a 30 minute massage, a leg wrap, a massage with hot stones (THAT WAS SO AMAZING) and our nails got painted. I never wanted to walk on my feet again. I could've sat there foreever! It was the best massage I have had since Thailand. May even have been better. CAuse it felt more sanitary! HAHA. AFter that we went and ate dinner at On The Border. YUM! And came back and swam for an hour and a half. That is molly's fav. thing to do! haha. We played baseball, had swimming contests and threw things at each other. haha. ANyways...

Tomorrow I am headed to the multi-ethnic church with my church planting class. ANd then I am going to meet up with my family at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. MY FAVORITE place ever!!! I can't wait!

Then...it is back to school. We don't get Labor Day off like most normal people do.