Nov 29, 2008

Ok, I lied... Sue Me

I promised a substantial entry a few days ago and haven't gotten to it. I could blame it on Thanksgiving. I could blame it on being out shopping all day Friday. I could blame it on finishing my notebook for students teaching. But, the fact is, I can't 'cause I didn't do any of those things (except maybe the Thanksgiving dinner thing). The reason I haven't written is simple.

Twilight.

Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. It's sucked (haha... get it?) me into its clutches. I've finished the first book and am about 2/3 of the way finished with the second. Very well written, even if the 2nd one bored me till now.

Anyway, there isn't a whole lot to report on the front of my life. I applied for two teaching positions which I don't think I'll get, but I gotta start somewhere, right?? I've also started working at the local Christian bookstore. I'm enjoying it, surprisingly. I say surprisingly because A) I've worked retail one other time and I quit after two weeks and B) It's the CHristmas shopping season. But it's a great team. And today I caught up with two people I hadn't seen in a few years!

I'm excited for everything I'm counting down to in my last post. I'm also a little worred about the townhouse issue because I don't have a steady income right now, and while Jerome CAN afford to pay the rent on his own util I'm on my feet, that makes money REAL tight, so I need to find something -- soon!

A good friend of mine is pregnant! She and her husband have been trying for a while and had been having bad luck, so please keep her in your prayers!

It's Advent, which is one of my two favorite times of the year at church (along w/ Lent) because the church is BEAUTIFUL! I will post a picture tomorrow of what our genius worship arts director and decorator came up with. Breathtaking. Makes me jealous of the wedding that was there today -- too bad it couldn't have been mine!

J and I went to Kansas City last weekend to see if this job opportunity with Primerica was something he wanted to pursue. It wasn't, but I did get to see three really good friends of mine (one at the conference and 2 becaus they live and go to school in KC). That was real nice. One friend was a girl from high school whom I hadn't hung out with really since June 2004. I know, very sad. Anyway, she's recently engaged and I had met her fiance (then boyfriend) at her mom's funeral about a year ago and he seemed like a nice guy. He and J hit it off real well. But what cracks me up is how he has changed Katie. not in a bad way, necessarily. Let me put it into perspective. She always said she ould never get married. Their wedding date is May 2010. ha. AND she is a staunch liberal. Like, major Democrat. He's a Republican. It cracks me up, really. But they're good for each other and I can't wait to have more married friends.

I guess that is all for now. Bella, Jacob, and Edward are calling back to their world. See ya later!!

Nov 26, 2008

T-Minus

Just in case any of you were wondering...

5 school days left until I'm finished student teaching
17 days till I officially graduate from college
22 days until moving day
3 months, 18 days until the wedding

It's all very exciting!

I promise a substantial entry tomorrow.

Nov 19, 2008

And My IQ is...

OK, I take internet IQ tests with a grain of salt. Especially ones which makes me declines 20 pages worht of "free" offers. But this one told me I'm real smart, so I'm going to be an attention whore, LOL.



The URL is free-iqtest.net if you wanted to know. But, like I said, there's about 20 pagesof free offers which you can usually say no to, but there are a few which you have to say yes to at least one; then the next page you can change your answer to no and it's all good.

Nov 16, 2008

I'm movin' out!

Jerome and I found a place today. We're moving in on December 18. Woo hoo! If you can believe it, it's in West Pointe, which is the same complex he lived with his cousin David (the one who took his life in March). We scored a 2 bedroom, 1100sq. ft. townhome for $642/mo. yes, you read that right. I'm stoked. I can't wait to live with him. And very shortly after that, I'll be his WIFE!! yay!

Address will be given out to those who need it. (What, you really think I'm dumb enough to put it on the internet??)

Nov 8, 2008

What do I Know of Holy?

I know that those of you who read my blog read it for a variety of reasons. Maybe you're my friends/family who like to keep up w/ what's going in my life (and in my head, LOL). Maybe you're an STLWed friend who likes to read just 'cause you have nothing to do. Maybe you like my reflections on my faith, maybe not. If you're in the latter, you might want to just browse away from this post.

Still with me? Great.

A few months ago, my friend Lauren sang a song as our prayer of confession. We rarely do this. I think in the 6 years I've been involved in this church we've had a song as our prayer of confession. but sometimes it works and it's exactly the right avenue to speak with God.

Addison Road wrote this song and included it on their self-titled CD. "What do I Know of Holy?" is a song about how we try to make God fit into our image of what He should be, how we pray and pray but never take the time to listen. It's a song wondering if we'll know Him if He touches our face or looks right at us, would we know Him?

The second verse is poignant to myself, about how so many people learn to talk about His mercy and grace, but do we really believe it, or are they just words ona page? SOmetimes I have to take a step back and ask why I sing int he church band. Sometimes I take a week off simply because often my focus changes from Him to me. He isn't the reason I'm up there some Sunday mornings, sometimes it's me and wanting people to see my talents.

And I often think that that makes me a bad person, like I"m less than a Christian for allowing that to get in the way. but it just makes me human. I desperately want HIM to be my focus. In everything I do and say and think. There is a lot I need to work on, because I'm not perfect.

Here are the lyrics to the song that prompted this post:

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Nov 5, 2008

PRESIDENT Obama

I'm never one to raise a stink. I don't bring up politics or who I'm voting for/not voting for unless someone brings it up first because, frankly, it's not really anyone's business. But today I cant ell you that I am proud to admit that I voted for Barack Obama.

I didn't vote for him because he's black. I voted for him because he hass promised the change that this country so desperately needs. I voted for him because he will strive to keep those who can't afford health insurance (like my best friend and her 2 year old) able to go to the doctor. He will cut taxes on those who are already penny pinched and tax those who can afford it. He will work on a plan to get us out of Iraq and out of Afghanistan.

Will he be perfect? No. Nobody is, but I have faith that he has the best interest of the country at heart. He loves America and he will strive to make our country better than it ever has been.

To those who voted for McCain, I give my condolences. I'm sure he would have done a fantastic job. But this country has had enough of Bush and his Republican doctrine. McCain would have been more of the same. I hope we can all band together as Americans -- not Republicans and Democrats -- and support our country.

Nov 3, 2008

Rehire Packets... Sigh

Every year I look forward to getting my rehire packet from Girl Scouts. And every year it seems to take longer. And longer. And l-o-n-g-e-r.

Not this year.

It was in my mailbox today. Normally I'd be squealing for joy. But what am I doing? Crying. Well, in my head, but still...

For those not in the loop. I'm getting married next year. In four months. And 11 days. (Not tht anyone's counting...)

Getting married usually = growing up, letting go of childhood. FOr me, that meant letting go of camp. But it's rough. Fourth session closing and post camp this year were emotional. I was saying good bye to my second home, and a family of people I probably never would have even ever spoken to in the real world. But I was okay with my decision. I mean, I'm marrying the greatest guy in the world, that should be enough, right?

Well, recently it started hitting me that I'm not going back. And I'm still okay with it. Or, at least half of me is. There's still that other half that says don't give it up. You're not ready. Meanwhile, the other half says, yes you are. It's like the angel and the devil on my shoulder.

Anyway, I'm not going back. Don't you camp people go getting your hopes up. I will be back -- but as a visitor. Not as an employee. And, really, as sad as I am tossing that rehire packet in the recycle bin, and to say goodbye to Speckles, I'm even more excited to become Mrs. Jerome Hall. New name, new life, new person... Just like at camp.

Nov 1, 2008

I'm a 'Porn' Addict

A Wedding Porn addict, that is. It's a term coined by Ariel of Offbeat Bride to describe the obsession that comes with planning a wedding: you jsut want to look at all weddings, all the time!

And it's true!! I stalk local photographer's blogs to find inspiration. I'm addicted to projectwedding.com. I love the forum at STLWed and all the girls (hi ladies!).

So, all you other wedding porn addicts, maybe we should start a 12-step program? Or does it fade once the wedding is over??