Mem Day

this whole Memorial Day, no work, no school thing is throwing me off. I'm having a hard time believing that tomorrow's Tuesday and this is my schedule:

8:15-12:15 Camp Sunshine at Canterbury Nursery School

12:15-3:30ish Office

6:30-7:15 Hip Hop

7:15-9:30 1822

I just want to soak up the sun, hang out with friends, and have a cookout again! Oh bother.

Daddy

I love hanging out with my dad. Like seriously, its one of my favorite things to do. He treats me to lunch and we just chat about life, and he gives me great (sometimes confusing) advice about money, jobs, cars, etc.. man stuff, but I love it. And I love him.

He finally had a day off because of Fred's funeral, so we went to lunch, and also made two spontaneous trips to the Verizon store and to the Animal Control Center where my sister works. Within those 5 hours, he ordered me a Droid for my birthday, and we played with a Beagle puppy and some kittens. It was the best day I've had in a while.

He has had a few rough couple of days. Fred Spivey was pretty much his only friend. (that he's had recently)- the only one he kept a true, genuine, Godly relationship with. Please pray for not only my dad's comfort, but also the comfort of Fred's friends and family.

Facebook

I find a lot of people are getting mad at Facebook lately and deciding to delete their accounts. I just had an annoying Facebook encounter. No worries, I won't delete my account, but its basically like living in a fishtank. Friends, be smart about what you post on there.

Speaking

I have only spoken publicly a few times. I had given a few talks at Wyldlife and Younglife, and I just gave my first WEAG "sermon (ish)" at the grad banquet on Sunday. Speaking is definitely not something I feel strong in. It makes me nervous, and I never feel like I can do it. Speaking about Jesus Christ is something different. Although I have only spoken a few times, it has always been an incredible feeling. It is a totally real feeling of God working through me. He gives me the words to speak and allows me to do things I never thought I could. It's just amazing, like exhilarating! I would just encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try things you never thought you could. Its incredible how God may work :)

Summer Legs

It's summer time and I know my legs are a hot mess. As I was doing a little Stumble Upon, I came across and beauty site, and they had some great tips on how to shape up your legs for summer. I totally researched because my legs are my little problem area, so I thought I'd share what I learned!

Body Wash: Cream based, good for dry legs!

Exfoliating cream for in the shower

Good plain ole lotion to use when you get out of the shower while your body is still damp

They found this to be the more proficient razor after testing 4 others

Two words: Firming Lotion... great way to hide that cellulite!

Both of these products help form a natural looking sun-kissed look over time. Apply after the shower, and you will see gradual effects!

Happy Summer, happy tanning, happy shaving, and happy moisturizing!

After the Rain

Last night was the performance of "After The Rain." A dance production on the story of Noah. Everyone did an awesome job! So proud you guys have kept with it and worked so hard! Here are a few photo favs (The few that didn't turn out blurry or grainy)...

Lines of glory

Love love love that one

Noah

Totes candid

I miss...

Dancing and long hair. This is what made me miss them.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=641808569002

I love choreographing, but I miss learning and performing...

Woop woop!

All I have to say is I'm so excited for my new job. I had my first "work day" in the office, and I didn't wanna leave!

Trichotillomania

I have not been diagnosed, because well, they don't really have up front diagnoses and it really isn't a harmful disorder, but I'm pretty certain I have Trichotillomania: a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull out one's own hair.

Ever since my Junior year of High School I have been pulling out my eyelashes and eyebrows. Within the past year, I have been researching it to see the prevalence and try to find ways to stop. They do not have medicine for it, and doctors have not discovered much research on it mainly because of its rarity and it's not really a life-threatening problem. Most doctors have theorized that it is a compulsive behavior.

For me, it is linked with OCD. It has become almost ritualistic and is very repetitive. It's really hard for people to understand. They don't get that I really do want to stop, its just soo hard! Poor John, bless his heart. He just wants the best for me and tries to get me to stop, but it just frustrates me whenever he slaps my hand or yells at me to stop. It just doesn't really help!

I'm blogging about this now because usually its not as bad during the summer, so I'm hoping to eternally turn a new leaf. Its normally the worst when I'm stressing out about school, sitting doing homework for long periods of time. In my research, I've realized that the majority of people dealing with this do the same. It also goes hand in hand with my perfectionist problems. They say the best way to try and stop is to try to manipulate the behavior that leads to the pulling. Its just kinda hard to try to not sit and do homework for hours. I mean come on!

Anyways, I'm just hoping that it will get better during the summer. It really affects my self-esteem, and I get embarrassed that my eyebrows are always a hot mess and my eyelashes are non-existent! Just be praying, I guess?

Change

School is finally over, and I am soooo happy/relieved! Now I just have this new job to be thinking about. In case some of you haven't heard, I just got a job as Middle School Director at church. I have huge shoes to fill coming after Cara, but I have a certain, odd peace about the whole thing. Although I am terrified and feel completely inadequate, I am almost 100% sure that this is where the Lord wants me, and am confident that He will give me the strength and courage to fulfill all the tasks I will be expected to complete. Although I should be completely anxious right now, I'm surprisingly not freaking out (yet). I'm just taking it one step at a time.

So, for now, I am going to start by taking a nap while I can! Good afternoon bloggers!

z z z z z z z z.....

I am so happy for all the opportunities the Lord has given me to minister to teenagers. It's not only fun, but rewarding as well. I can't thank Him enough.

Sorry the lay out is all messed up.. I still to this day can't figure it out...

Today

Today I have massive cramps

Today I have to study a vat of Romantic Literature

Today I have lots of rehearsals

Today I will go out for my friends birthday even though I should come home, study, and go to bed at a decent hour. Oh well, I deserve a fun break, right?

Upstairs

Last night I didn't have any extra curriculars. One may think, "Oh great, time to get studying and things done!" Neehhh. After my 2.5 hr exam filled with writing, I was not up for more studying. So, Jessica and I ran some errands, got dinner at Chick-fil-a, and came home and did our nails. Now, my dad and some guys are unloading guitars into our basement, so I am currently exiled upstairs. I slept in our guestroom because I didn't want to wake up early, but I ended up getting woken up at like 7:15am by who knows what. So I guess now its time to get some studying done before I'm out for the night. Goodbye Blog world!

Peace Dawg!

I'm feeling an overwhelming peace and joy from God, and it's awesome.

I've been reading a book about how to be more Christ-like (and yes, it is a teenage book... but had lots of practical applications to offer), and the last one I read was about being joyful. It said that joy is different from happiness, it comes straight from God. That's what I'm feeling today despite my 4 exams and 4 recital pieces I have to get cleaned up.

I just typed joy into Bible Gateway, and there were 333 results. Pretty impressive... Here's one I particularly enjoy.

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence." -Acts 2:28

My Night

After a crazy game with lots of friends of Putt Putt Mini Golf at the one and only Putt-A-way off of Patterson Ave, which consisted of 2 Hole-in-One's and two victories in the Front 9 and Back 9 with John as my partner, I decided to be good and go home. (And yes, that was a run-on sentence, and no, I don't care). I hung out with my step mom for a while, checked e-mails, got my life straight for the next month, read a bit of my 275 pg novel I have to finish by Tuesday, and then went out for some Italian with Dad. When I returned home, I was very satisfied that I actually had time in my life to do some dishes and clean up around my make-shift basement apartment.

Oh the joys of leisure time/slight procrastination.

This is the amazing part. I'm in bed, I'm blogging, and it's 9:43PM. WHAT?! After I finish rambling, I'm going to read until I get tired, and then go to sleep... Bed time could quite possibly be 10:30PM, and I will love every second of it.

PS- Before I go, I must say. I think there is a large bug banging against my window or something because I hear a sound much like the aforementioned one , and I don't like it one bit.