I am a multi-tasker. Mostly because I find I run out of hours in the day. Monday I knew I wouldn't have much time at home, but I had quite a bit to get done. I try to cook one night a week and then I have those "leftovers" for lunch at work. I also love hardboiled eggs. So Monday I decided I could just throw some chicken on the stove and some eggs on to boil before I jumped in the shower. No problem there. I checked everything when I got out of the shower and all was good. So I decided while the cooking finished up I'd do some work on the computer. That's where I multi-tasked too long. Did you know eggs could explode?
Thanks to my Yoke team (yea for UT students!!) , I'm learning my way around the UT campus. I was at the BCM today making posters with a yokefolk. I was thinking how good it felt to be on a college campus, sitting outside, listening to the band practice, getting to know a new friend. And then I realized I was sitting in gum.
I don't get to watch a lot of tv. Usually the tv is on FoxNews, but I really like America's Got Talent. My favorite this year, hands down, is "Nothin' but Stringz," the violin guys. Amazing! I have decided, though, that I would like to see synchronized swimming next season. Seriously. Why not?
Thanks for sharing in my randomness!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
surprise!
There's something I've thought about blogging about for a while. I haven't because it's kind of personal and I really don't know who all reads this. But I guess I'll go ahead and do it. . .
This will surprise you (cough, cough) but I'm single. Not just 'unmarried-single,' but 'haven't-been-on-a-date-in-um-ever-single.' (Let me go ahead and answer the questions you have at this point: Yes, I have been asked out. No, they were not guys I needed to be dating. Yes, you can politely turn down a date--otherwise guys wouldn't ask for your answer.) I'm not looking for a date here. I'm just going to point out some of the good and bad of being single.
The Good. . .
*I can make decisions by myself. *I decide how to spend my money. *I can sit in a quiet home and read or cook or whatever I want to do. *I use my time how I think is best for me.
The Bad. . .
*I have to make decisions by myself. (Well, I do have a friend or two that I bug, I mean, consult.) *I have to figure out how to use my money by myself. *Asking questions about insurance or retirement options at work usually gets the same response: 'I can't help you. My husband takes care of that.' *I spend a lot of time by myself. *I don't have cute pictures of myself with someone at the beach . . . or at a 600 year old palace in Korea (that's a hypothetical point. :) *Some sales just don't apply: entertainment or dining bogo? Let's be practical. . . why do I need 2 tickets or 2 dinners? *And, the big one, no long walks on the beach. Ha!
Actually, the first night we were on vacation was my mom's birthday and all she really wanted to do was walk on the beach with my dad. (They're so cute.) So they walked the beach and a few other couples walked the beach and I . . . I sat with my brother. He said out loud what I was thinking. "Maybe next year." And so it begins. "Maybe next year. . . maybe next Christmas or New Year's or Valentine's . . .maybe at the next friend's wedding (in 29 days by the way) . . . maybe my next birthday (in 77 days!).
My life is not empty in the least, and I absolutely don't think I need a relationship just to have a relationship. It's just that there's a time when you assume you will have someone to share things with and it's not a guarantee.
This will surprise you (cough, cough) but I'm single. Not just 'unmarried-single,' but 'haven't-been-on-a-date-in-um-ever-single.' (Let me go ahead and answer the questions you have at this point: Yes, I have been asked out. No, they were not guys I needed to be dating. Yes, you can politely turn down a date--otherwise guys wouldn't ask for your answer.) I'm not looking for a date here. I'm just going to point out some of the good and bad of being single.
The Good. . .
*I can make decisions by myself. *I decide how to spend my money. *I can sit in a quiet home and read or cook or whatever I want to do. *I use my time how I think is best for me.
The Bad. . .
*I have to make decisions by myself. (Well, I do have a friend or two that I bug, I mean, consult.) *I have to figure out how to use my money by myself. *Asking questions about insurance or retirement options at work usually gets the same response: 'I can't help you. My husband takes care of that.' *I spend a lot of time by myself. *I don't have cute pictures of myself with someone at the beach . . . or at a 600 year old palace in Korea (that's a hypothetical point. :) *Some sales just don't apply: entertainment or dining bogo? Let's be practical. . . why do I need 2 tickets or 2 dinners? *And, the big one, no long walks on the beach. Ha!
Actually, the first night we were on vacation was my mom's birthday and all she really wanted to do was walk on the beach with my dad. (They're so cute.) So they walked the beach and a few other couples walked the beach and I . . . I sat with my brother. He said out loud what I was thinking. "Maybe next year." And so it begins. "Maybe next year. . . maybe next Christmas or New Year's or Valentine's . . .maybe at the next friend's wedding (in 29 days by the way) . . . maybe my next birthday (in 77 days!).
My life is not empty in the least, and I absolutely don't think I need a relationship just to have a relationship. It's just that there's a time when you assume you will have someone to share things with and it's not a guarantee.
Winds and Waves
Written about an hour ago. . .
I'm sitting on the beach and it's amazing. The water is not so close in now, but the wind has really picked up. The sand is flying at me like little darts. It's slightly painful to be on the beach today, but no one is leaving. The waves are still incredibly powerful; so much that I'm watching something I had not seen before yesterday. The waves are "angry," as one employee said, and are bringing in a foam to the beach. When the tide goes out, the foam stays on the beach and the wind throws it down the beach until the sun dries it up. It looks like chunks of dirty snow racing each other down the beach. I know we are out of Ike's way, but I keep thinking "Man! This wind! These waves!" It's such a reminder--"Even the wind and waves obey Him."
Last night's sunset, too, was incredible. The waves were beating, but the sky above was calm and colorful. The God who creataed is also in control.
I'm sitting on the beach and it's amazing. The water is not so close in now, but the wind has really picked up. The sand is flying at me like little darts. It's slightly painful to be on the beach today, but no one is leaving. The waves are still incredibly powerful; so much that I'm watching something I had not seen before yesterday. The waves are "angry," as one employee said, and are bringing in a foam to the beach. When the tide goes out, the foam stays on the beach and the wind throws it down the beach until the sun dries it up. It looks like chunks of dirty snow racing each other down the beach. I know we are out of Ike's way, but I keep thinking "Man! This wind! These waves!" It's such a reminder--"Even the wind and waves obey Him."
Last night's sunset, too, was incredible. The waves were beating, but the sky above was calm and colorful. The God who creataed is also in control.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Ike
I don't really know how to describe last night. We went to the beach late. The double red flags were up--no swimming, whatsoever. I saw people walking on the beach and wondered why they weren't walking closer to the ocean. And then I realized that they were walking in the ocean. The ocean was just that much closer, the waves that much higher, the wind that much faster. I decided to walk out to the water's edge, but it was surreal. I walked out to where the water had been and the water wasn't coming to me. I thought about walking out a little further, but something felt a bit dangerous. I think it was because there was no distinction between beach and ocean, no drop off into the ocean, just a flat shore with water. I stood there thinking maybe I needed to walk in a little further. And then, where there had been shore in front of me, there was water all around me, twenty feet behind me. Eric said it was like standing in the middle of the ocean. It was so quick it was scary. There was nothing and then there was water all around. It was amazing, awesome and awful all at the same time. If you went to PCB with West Lonsdale, imagine our canopy on the beach being in the surf. It was amazing, but really made you realize the power of the ocean--and its Creator.
This morning I turned on the weather channel before going to the beach. Looking at the "picture" of Ike, we may be getting his fingernail, that's all. We have a wind advisory and warnings for coastal flooding and surf. When I got to the beach this morning, it was roped off. Now you only had to stand on the bottom step of the bridge to beach to put your feet in the tide. It's amazing. People are just standing on the bridge watching the water. I wondered if the people who are here year-round think we're crazy. . .then we noticed resort employees watching the water with us. It's just amazing. It's like someone told the ocean it no longer needs to stay in it's boundary. I have some great pictures that I'll post when we get home. (I've got to start traveling with my laptop!!) For now, we're going to go drive to other beaches and take more pictures.
This morning I turned on the weather channel before going to the beach. Looking at the "picture" of Ike, we may be getting his fingernail, that's all. We have a wind advisory and warnings for coastal flooding and surf. When I got to the beach this morning, it was roped off. Now you only had to stand on the bottom step of the bridge to beach to put your feet in the tide. It's amazing. People are just standing on the bridge watching the water. I wondered if the people who are here year-round think we're crazy. . .then we noticed resort employees watching the water with us. It's just amazing. It's like someone told the ocean it no longer needs to stay in it's boundary. I have some great pictures that I'll post when we get home. (I've got to start traveling with my laptop!!) For now, we're going to go drive to other beaches and take more pictures.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I'm on vacation!!
Since the Korea trip, when I'm out of town and don't blog about it I feel like I'm forgetting to do something. So here's a little vacation blogging...
My parents, brother and me drove down here Saturday. We made it a quicker trip than in the past--maybe because my dad didn't think we really needed to stop for lunch. So we got here, checked in, and headed straight to . . . Applebee's. (Mom's meal was free; not for her birthday, but because her well done steak came to the table bleeding. . . twice.) After Applebee's, we went to the beach. It was after sunset, so the only light was the moon and the party at the beachside pool. It was pretty neat to walk down to the ocean because it was so dark, but you could still hear the slow-dancing music in the background, like the ocean had a soundtrack.
Sunday we did our grocery shopping and cooking for the week, hung out at the pool and again went to the beach at night.
Monday me, mom and dad walked to the beach before breakfast. We hung out by the pool and went back to the beach that night.
Yesterday morning mom and dad went walking and I went to the pool. I loved it! I was the only person there, so I swam laps until I thought I might pass out. I just didn't want to give up "the-pool-is-all-mine" time! :) After second-breakfast (I eat when I get up and with the family when we get back from morning walking/swimming) me, mom and dad went to the beach for the afternoon. We didn't swim in the ocean though. Last year I accidentally swam with a ray and I've been a little cautious since. Yesterday walking on the beach you could just stop and watch the jellyfish float in and the crabs walking under the tide. (Dad: "How big are the crabs?" Me: "Dinner size.") It was a great walk, but didn't do much to make me want to jump in.
We went "home" for a late lunch and went back to the beach for sunset. Then we went to the pool when it was dark. It was amazing. If you floated on your back and tilted your head back, you could see lights reflecting in the water, the palm trees, the moon and the stars all at the same time. Or you could just look up and watch the stars. Mom said it was like being inside a snow globe. (Mom, by the way, had on regular clothes, not a swimsuit, but Dad talked her in anyway. Oh, and the pool was closed. :)
This morning (Wednesday) I had been swimming laps and Mom came and joined me. A man complimented us on our swimming. He said he liked watching us swim because we made it look easy. What a compliment. Granted, he had been on the other side of the pool teaching a middle-aged woman in arm floaties how to swim. But still, I'll take that compliment. :)
So that's our vacation so far. Add in my dad walking 5 miles or so before everyone gets up, the tv left on FoxNews, my brother's gameboy, and the three books my mom is trying to read at the same time, and you've got a picture of our vacation. (Side note: I am a nerd. I always read a lot on this trip. But my current book makes my nerdiness official: "Infamous Scribblers: The Founding Fathers and the Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism." Ha!)
More later. . .
My parents, brother and me drove down here Saturday. We made it a quicker trip than in the past--maybe because my dad didn't think we really needed to stop for lunch. So we got here, checked in, and headed straight to . . . Applebee's. (Mom's meal was free; not for her birthday, but because her well done steak came to the table bleeding. . . twice.) After Applebee's, we went to the beach. It was after sunset, so the only light was the moon and the party at the beachside pool. It was pretty neat to walk down to the ocean because it was so dark, but you could still hear the slow-dancing music in the background, like the ocean had a soundtrack.
Sunday we did our grocery shopping and cooking for the week, hung out at the pool and again went to the beach at night.
Monday me, mom and dad walked to the beach before breakfast. We hung out by the pool and went back to the beach that night.
Yesterday morning mom and dad went walking and I went to the pool. I loved it! I was the only person there, so I swam laps until I thought I might pass out. I just didn't want to give up "the-pool-is-all-mine" time! :) After second-breakfast (I eat when I get up and with the family when we get back from morning walking/swimming) me, mom and dad went to the beach for the afternoon. We didn't swim in the ocean though. Last year I accidentally swam with a ray and I've been a little cautious since. Yesterday walking on the beach you could just stop and watch the jellyfish float in and the crabs walking under the tide. (Dad: "How big are the crabs?" Me: "Dinner size.") It was a great walk, but didn't do much to make me want to jump in.
We went "home" for a late lunch and went back to the beach for sunset. Then we went to the pool when it was dark. It was amazing. If you floated on your back and tilted your head back, you could see lights reflecting in the water, the palm trees, the moon and the stars all at the same time. Or you could just look up and watch the stars. Mom said it was like being inside a snow globe. (Mom, by the way, had on regular clothes, not a swimsuit, but Dad talked her in anyway. Oh, and the pool was closed. :)
This morning (Wednesday) I had been swimming laps and Mom came and joined me. A man complimented us on our swimming. He said he liked watching us swim because we made it look easy. What a compliment. Granted, he had been on the other side of the pool teaching a middle-aged woman in arm floaties how to swim. But still, I'll take that compliment. :)
So that's our vacation so far. Add in my dad walking 5 miles or so before everyone gets up, the tv left on FoxNews, my brother's gameboy, and the three books my mom is trying to read at the same time, and you've got a picture of our vacation. (Side note: I am a nerd. I always read a lot on this trip. But my current book makes my nerdiness official: "Infamous Scribblers: The Founding Fathers and the Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism." Ha!)
More later. . .
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Time to Stand
WARNING: This blog requires audience participation.
Step 1: Read the Blog
Step 2: Watch the Videos
Step 3: Take a Stand
1. My Blog. . .
Mike Huckabee may have said it best when he said that America's presidency is not meant to be a symbolic position. My fear, too, is that we do not realize the significance of this election. It's not about making history, but about being a part of a decision that will shape our country. Every election is significant; this one will determine the course of our country.
I was recently asked by a co-worker to be careful when talking about the election because there are people who don't agree with me. If you know me at all, you know I'm not picking political fights or shouting my views. The thought behind this request seemed to be that, as a Christian, I should not outwardly show support for something others don't agree with or show disapproval for something others do agree with--that I should try to not set myself apart. And that just goes against everything I know about being a Christian. We have the responsibility to take a stand; if that sets us apart, so be it.
"If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the
prayers offered in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
"It doesn't matter who is elected in November if the people of God are content to not speak up and not step up. It's not enough to elect a leader; God's people need to pray and take a stand. It's time to live out loud." (Summary of notes, Sunday morning)
2. Their videos. .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Kh-xzerjE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9izhjnaLa3M&feature=related
3. Your turn. . .
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