1.25.2013

Happy Happens Happenings....

Isn't that quite the mouth-full?

I know I haven't written much on here. But, it's been kind of a dry writing spell for me. I've started to write a lot of blogs, but I guess I've been extra picky and hated everything I've written. So, no posts. But, in case you are interested in any part of my life, here are some random snapshots of my life recently.

I was blessed enough to get a new camera for Christmas. You could say I'm a little obsessed. I was taking pictures of everything, just trying to get a mediocre understanding of how to work the dang thing.

Models of choice? Dogs and my sister.



We visited my Stepdad's side of the family after Christmas. Again, I was a little camera happy when it came to watching my cousin and brother playing in the snow.


But, of course, the highlight of my last few months was Passion 2013. God really broke me down and built me back up.


And, in case you are still reading and really are that interested, here are some random 'Grams from the last few months.

    Books and Bible.Broken glasses and temper tantrums. Warm cuddles and Cheesecake. Misfit mugs and sister visits. Matching jammies and Striped Gold group.













12.11.2012

La Musica.

Do you know what I love? Music. 

I may not be the next Mozart of composing. The next Zeppelin of guitar. Or the next Bieber of fangirl obsession. But, that doesn't mean I can experience the whirlwind that is good music.

And, as much as I can be a fangirl myself, there is nothing more fun than seeing one of your favorite artists sing live.

Thanks to one of closest friends and sorority sisters, I had the chance to see Tyler Ward live. I discovered him about four years ago, when he was just doing minuscule covers on Youtube in his parent's basement with only a few hundred subscribers. Now, he has his own recording studio, hundreds of thousands of subscribers, several original albums, and has been on tour several times. I only loved him even more when I realized he is Christian, and loves to use his music as way to tell people about Christ.

There were two parts of the entire night that I enjoyed. The fact that I was literally three feet away from him during the entire concert, and the fact that he sang happy birthday to me.

Now, I can't get his music out my head. I keep playing his songs over and over and over and over again. But, hey, it could be worse. It actually kind of helps with this whole finals-week-stress thing going on.

11.10.2012

Thank you.

Although it's probably the most disgusting picture ever, I'd say it sums up my night pretty well: IVs, tears, and a very broken elbow. And surprisingly some smiles here and there.

Dear Kirsten and Hannah,

I wanted to personally thank you for everything you did for me this weekend. For a girl who has never broken a bone, been punctured with an IV, or even spent more than a couple hours in an Emergency room, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't extremely scared the whole night. As if seeing my elbow protrude sideways wasn't enough of a shock, being told I needed metal put in my arm was the icing on the cake. But knowing I had you two there--to stalk down the nurse for pain meds, constantly check to see if my fingers had feeling, or calm me down every time I freaked out--made a bad experience into a semi-manageable one. Plus, if wasn't for you two, there wouldn't be a list on record of embarrassing things I said while under extreme pain meds. And, Hannah, I'm sorry if loud screams as they reset my bone scarred you for life. That was unintentional.  My mom gets teary eyed when she starts talking about how thankful she is for you two.

Dear Roomies,

Thank you for sacrificing your time and perfect driving record to get me prepared for the hospital. Love more than my ukulele!


Dear SAO,

Even though you all couldn't come to UVA, your endless love and excessive picture taking kept me in a good mood and very calm. Humor and peace were something I desperately needed.


Dear Andy,

I can't thank you enough for donating your apartment to 2 exhausted girls and 1 pathetically incompetent girl for the night. Sacrificing your self to the floor to let me sleep in a bed was incredibly kind and humble.

11.07.2012

I Don't Like it.

It makes me sad to see how mean some people have gotten over the election results!

I'll be blatantly honest here: I didn't vote. And it was not because I don't have an opinion. I do. But it was because I am highly uneducated when it comes to politics. I've tried. I watched the debates and have read the fact-checkers. And, come on: I'm a journalism major. Half of the stuff I've been required to do this semester involved political journalism, political opinion columns, and researching political issues. But, the problem is--although I know whether each candidate is pro or con on a certain situation--I don't understand the situation they are talking about. Public policies, laws, health care, and international relations? It all sounds like jargon to me. And no matter how much I read, I haven't gotten to the point where I truly understand the nitty-gritty of what they're talking about. I get the big picture of most things, but I can't validate my knowledge enough to say that I'm educated voter.

So, long story short, I would feel like a hypocrite if I voted on things that I didn't fully understand, and didn't have much of an opinion on the election to begin with.

Honestly, I only have one thought about the whole thing. 

1 Peter 2:13-17 "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

Guys, the truth is, that whether you wanted Obama or Romney to win, it really doesn't matter. Relatively, yes, your opinion is important to America's democracy. But, relatively, your opinion is a dust-mite to God's. He has a plan ya'll! Whether you agree with it or not, Obama is in office and there isn't much else that you can do about it. 

Obama supporters are rubbing it in Romney supporters faces. I've seen some people call Romney supporters UnAmerican, ignorant, Bible-thumping pricks, prejudice, and judgmental. 

Meanwhile, Romney supporters are deeming this as the end of the world. Calling Obama supporters as failures to this country, lazy, or only voting due to the color of Obama's skin. And, half of Romney supports claim they are leaving the country?

(Disclaimer: I realize this isn't true for every Obama or Romney supporter! A lot people have been really nice and respectful!)

And then you have all these people suddenly expressing "I'm using my First Amendment Freedom" claims when they post something that they know will spark an argument. Helllllooooo: The First Amendment was designed to protect our Freedoms, prevent oppression, and allow room for change. It was not designed to be a tool to use to cover up our butts when we want to start an argument. 

It really doesn't matter who I support, the fact of the matter is that it's sad. Honestly, I have lost respect for some of the people I care most about. They've turned so mean! Seriously: I've read some of the biggest low-blows I have ever seen in my life. 

I'm sure some of you seasoned voters are reading this and thinking that "Oh, she just doesn't know how to handle the voter split. It's her first election and her first time really experiencing this." And, yes, that may be true.

But, I still don't like it. 

Let's not forget: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor 13:13). 

Love comes first. I hate seeing my friends judge each other and, essentially, tear each other apart. I hate watching people calling each other incompetent. And I hate seeing people doubt God's ability to lead us.

I, just.....am really bummed about this whole situation. Not the results, but the reaction.

Let's think about this:


I know this post probably is no different from half of the rants you have read, but I still felt the need to write it out. Writing makes me feel better.

Alright.... end rant.

***I would like to add another comment on to the original blog post in response to some of the comments I've received or have seen. Judge or criticize my walk with Christ how ever you want. I would like to offer a comment in my defense: I do not support a lot of things that Obama stands for. And I don't support a lot of things that Romney stands for either. And, regardless of who won office, I told myself early on that I would roll with it and respond respectively; and that is done through praying for our leader and living daily for Christ as an individual. I plan on working from the bottom up and touching people in my own life with Christ's love. That, in my opinion, is the only way this country will change positively  Change will not happen by placing the blame on one singular person or leader. Change happens by placing the blame on ourselves. If we start small with the areas within our direct influence, the effect will be great.

All I have to say is this: I honestly don't care who the president is because I only will ever submit to one Authority.

11.06.2012

Help Me Out?

Hey ya'll! Help a sister out and visit http://hburgstaycations.blogspot.com

It's for a class! It's still developing a little bit, so expect some changes...but in the meantime.....

Go! Read, comment, take the poll, etc etc.

Even if you aren't in the HBurg area, still read.

Thank you!

Stuck in My Head.


11.03.2012

J. M. U Wish You Were A Duke Dog.

As mentioned a previous post, we had quite the eventful Homecoming weekend. So, here are some pictures! All of them are from the lovely Hannah :)

For our alumni event, I organized a Minute-to-Win-It Competition. I didn't participate because I was leading it but that doesn't compensate for the fact that I was crying from laughter. I got some pretty fantastic pictures.

Round One: Transferring a can with a piece of spagetti from one table to another, using only your mouth.


Round Two: Sticking a cookie on your forehead head, and trying to slide it into your mouth without your hands. 


Round Three: Using two pencils "walrus style" to stack three marshmallows.


Final Round: The last two contestants standing had to get 8 balls out of a tissue box by only shaking their butt. Yes, you read that right.


In case you were curious, Stephanie reigned victorious!

And here are some more lovely and random shots of the Homecoming game.

There was a lot of screaming and overall weirdness.

Aren't our candidates just plain stinkin' adorable?

There were a lot of cowboy boots.

There was quite a lot of land-sharking.

And of course, a lot of photo-bombing.

If there is one thing I have learned in college, it is this: awkwardness ain't always a bad thing.