Kicking Out 2009 and Welcoming In 2010

Happy New Years Eve!

Hope you are looking forward to 2010 as much as I am :)

Favorite Song Friday...A Day Late

I meant to do a favorite song Friday yesterday but forgot, and I really didn't have one to be honest; when I turned on my ipod for the first time last night in several weeks the first song I listened to seemed so fresh and new, despite the fact that it has been on there for a while:

"Come Save" Sarah Reeves

Sarah Reeves - Come Save

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We did ours a little bit different this year as we usually go to our relatives in NJ but this was mom's turn to work on Christmas day so we did Christmas at home; it was the very first one we've had in this particular house. We opened presents on Christmas Eve and then Dad came down early this morning and we cooked breakfast and did presents and hung out with him. I rant and rave at my mom because she spoils us on Christmas but she is such a good shopper and gift giver! She always seems to know what we need and want; my favorite gift would have to be the slippers she found me that are all wool and when you wear them, together they make a daschund ( I want one really bad at some point in my life)-they are just adorable!

2009 is coming to a close (that was fast) so 2010 here we come; looking forward to the New Year and all that God has planned for me :)

This is What Happens....

When there is nobody shopping in Duck!  Here by myself for the day at the Culinary Duck and so far no one has showed up to shop, sooo that means I pull out photo booth and have some fun :)

Oh, and I will admit I'm pretty sad that a week after I leave Greensboro, they get dumped on with snow, and my old hometown in MD is getting over a foot (possible closer to 2 feet); sighhh, oh well I guess if we got snowed in here on the OBX, I wouldn't be able to go to work-God knows what he's doing!  

It's Up...

I just want to state that Megan, Brandy, and I went to pick this tree out ourselves and I think it looks pretty good.... pretty darn good.... what do you think?

Home

Home!

I successfully moved out of my dorm yesterday, putting stuff in storage and taking the rest home.  It is so strange not having anything to do!  I'm just so used to be going going all the time that things like watching TV (P.S. Eloise at Christmastime, It's a Wonderful Like, and Criminal Minds are all amazing), working out, taking extended naps on the couch, and sleeping in are almost foreign..... but great at the same time.  

I'm looking forward to helping mom decorate for Christmas on Monday and Tuesday, and then nest Monday I start working at the Culinary Duck for about 2 weeks (thank you God for the hours).  

Australia update:  Not a whole lot of new info., waiting on my housing stuff to go through, and starting to get  few things for my trip like my luggage.  Still hasn't quite hit me that that is where I will be next semester. 

Here's a Christmas song that I love to wrap things up:

When love came down by Point of Grace

Favorite Song Friday

Alive Again

This song by Matt Maher has been out for several months but it has been my favorite song this week.

"You called and you shouted, broke through my deafness, I'm breathing in, I'm breathing out, I'm alive again,You shattered my darkness, broke through my blindness, now I'm breathing in, I'm breathing out, I'm alive again"

Praise Report:  I got my plane ticket for Australia on Tuesday!

Home Sweet Home

I love love love being home, especially around the holidays.  We did Thanksgiving at home this year, just the 4 of us which was really relaxing and laid back.  However, that didn't stop us from cooking enough food to last a week!  I've never been into cooking all that much but I've realized that it's probably a skill I should acquire so I stepped up to the plate and learned to cook/bake a few food items including biscuits (made from scratch), twice-baked potatoes, a carrot casserole (it's amazing), and a chocolate cake (made from scratch AND the icing was made from scratch too).  I had alot of fun being in the kitchen and learning from mom.  

Besides cooking and eating alot of food, we got to play scrabble as a family which created laughter galore and we also went to see "A Christmas Carol" on Wed.  I loved it, but I talked to a couple people who really disliked it.  I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it was due to the fact that I grew up watching "A Muppet Christmas Carol" at least a thousand times, plus I love Jim Carrey (his role as the Grinch is def. my favorite).  Today, Meg, Dad, and I went to see "The Blind Side", and I will give this one an A++.  I absolutely loved it!  Sandra Bullock did an amazing job and the movie wasn't just about football; it was really funny, and it was touching at the same time, plus you can't beat it being based on a true story.  I also enjoyed being able to shop and hang out with Cathy and Chris on Friday, and hang out with Cathy tonight.  I'm going to miss everyone when I leave next semester!

Back to the grind on Monday (it will be the week and a half of NO sleep) and then home for break on the 11th!

AND here are some pics from the week :)

The Cake!

The cake baker

Mom's apple pie

This was another challenge I took on

The fact that it was an I Spy didn't make it easier....

Mom has found the one plant she can't kill-Christmas Cactus

 

The Thanksgiving spread

I can see the light!

Where in the world has the semester gone? Hard to believe this is the last full week before Thanksgiving break; after we return, we only have classes for one week before it's time for exams. Then I will be on a jet plane to Australia in February!  Crazy, crazy, crazy...

The weather is another item that has been crazy, crazy, crazy, particularly at home and in VA.  I've been looking at some video and pics and it looks like both the OBX and tidewater areas of VA got hit pretty hard with heavy rain and lots of flooding and over-wash. In Greensboro, it rained for about 3 days straight and we did have some flooding but nothing too major.  Now it's sunny and 70 degrees! (Sadie and I both agreed that Mr. Weather is forgetting to take his meds). 

Christmas will be here before we know it at the rate Thanksgiving is getting ready to sneak up on me; if you are looking for something to do that is going to reach out to others, do Operation Christmas Child!  This week is the last week for shoebox collection so you would need to jump on this quickly, but it is worth it and doesn't take alot of time.  If you want more info about OCC, here's the link to the website for Samaritan's Purse:  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

It's a great project to do with kids as well.  

Words

"Three in the morning, 

And I'm still awake, 

So I picked up a pen and a page,

And I started writing,

Just what I'd say,

If we were face to face,

I'd tell you just what you mean to me,

I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going do great things,

I already know,

God's got his hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,

You said you were hurting,

And I felt your pain in my heart,

I want to tell you,

That I keep on praying,

Love will find you where you are,

I know cause I've already been there,

So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going do great things,

I already know,

God's got his hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,

I will say,

Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going do great things,

I already know,

God's got his hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

Thank God for each day,

His love will find a way,

These are the words I would say."

-"The Words I Would Say"  Sidewalk Prophets

Randomness

Let me just make 2 movie recommendations for you:  "P.S. I love you" and "Australia".  I watched both over the weekend (I've seen "P.S I love you" before) and they are both worth the viewing time; "P.S. I love you" is on the very top of my favorite movies list, and it makes me really really want to buy a plane ticket to Ireland!

Halloween weekend entailed nothing super exciting other than hanging out in the dorm; not really into going out and partying it up, particularly on a holiday (people are crazy).  

Sadie and I both got the swine flu vaccine this past week, so that is one less illness we have to worry about contracting; my roomie does have a cold though so hopefully she won't pass that along to me since I do seem to attract sickness.  

Study Abroad Update:  I received an offer letter from JCU last week so I am in the process of completing a few things so I can send that back to them.  

Can't believe it's November 1st already, but I DID enjoy getting to turn the clocks back last night :)

He has my best interest at heart!

Ever opened up your devotional or Bible and been like "Wow, God knew exactly what I needed today!"?  That happened to me this morning, and I just thought I'd share a couple of cool things God showed me.

The key verse was Exodus 20:17 where God is giving the commandment not to covet, and the writer proceeded to explain how dangerous covetousness really is in our society today because we are so material centered.  But the last paragraph was what really got me:  'We don't have to compete for what other people have.  What God has for us, faith says, He will make sure we get.  And if we don't get it, then we don't need it." And so you might ask well what exactly is faith?  Hebrews 11:1- "What is faith?  Is is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see."  (so crazy because this is our memory verse this week for my small group!)  God has my best interest at heart!  How cool is that :)  I can know that if it's His will, then it's going to happen, but if it doesn't happen, then it can't be in my best interest (He loves me (and you) that much).  

This was just really encouraging to me today, and hopefully it offers a little encouragement to you as well; have faith.  Be content.  God has your best interest at heart.

 I've been taking a couple pics throughout the week because we've been having some pretty colorful sunsets.

Yeah, I'm still here

What a busy week and a half it has been!

Didn't get much of  a breather this weekend as I had a pretty lengthy study abroad orientation from 9-5 on Sat.; very informative but alot of info. (actually ended up with a headache at the end of the day).  Today, I got my actual JCU offer letter, which brings me one step closer to being in Australia next semester.  I have to return my offer letter saying that I accept their offer of admission, pay their overseas student health coverage, receive a firm offer of acceptance, and then apply and get my student visa.  Alot of work but well worth it!

I cannot believe how fast the fall semester has flown; I believe we only have about 4-5 weeks left, not including exams so we are trucking right along.  Fall has definitely been showing its colors around here in Greensboro, and it has been a bit chillier as of late.  

Party Time

Made it back to Greensboro from fall break on Wednesday and am really missing momma right now to be honest :( I've been in a funky mood for the second half of the day or so...

Something that should put everyone in a good mood:  Sadie is getting baptized tomorrow!! :) So very excited for her and proud of her.  

I got the opportunity to use my camera over fall break as we celebrated Megan's b-day; it's not till the 22nd but since she will be at school we went ahead and celebrated early (I'm not turning down a good dinner and ice cream cake-no way!).  

It's SUPPOSED to say "Meg" but Megan said it looks more like a swamp monster vomited on the cake (that's a direct quote)

Just a preview....I'll post more eventually.

Home

Feels like I have been gone from home for more than a month....more like 3 months.  Grateful for the sleep-in time, the dog-sleeping-with-me time, the drinking-coffee-and-watching-tv time, and the hanging-out-with-friends time.

I went out to dinner with best friend Cathy tonight and we went back to her house to play Super Nintendo; the last time I touched a video game console was proooooobably at least 5 years ago; we played Mario Brothers (made it to level 3?) and then I attempted (key word: attempted) to play Starfox which was a very popular game for me and Steve back in the days of the Nintendo 64.  Good stuff, good stuff.

Since I am going to Australia next semester, I was kind of contemplating buying a new camera.  However, I don't know if I can really afford to shell out $3oo when I have a $2,000 plane ticket to pay for. So, I took a closer look at the camera I have currently (Sony Cybershot) and realized that there is a ton of stuff on it that I didn't know about; partially because I lost the owner's manual several years ago.  I think if I mess with it a little, I can actually improve the quality of my shots.  Along with knitting, photography has been one of those hobbies I have always wanted to pick up, so I wouldn't mind taking a photography course online or at a community college somewhere in the distant future.  Part of the reason I fell in love with National Geographic is the photography (the articles were always super long anyway); I could spend hours sitting around, looking at the pictures in their magazines.  Photos carry so much weight, and many times, they speak louder than words.

I'll leave you with a few pics of my own that I have taken in the past. (The one I put at the top of my blog was taken a couple years ago when I lived in Kitty Hawk)  

Packing my Bags and Heading to....?

Queensland, Australia!

That's right folks, I will be heading to James Cook University in Queensland, Australia next semester to study abroad.

JCU was my first choice so I am very excited to say the least.  The process of even more paperwork begins, and I have a couple of orientations and workshops to attend that will get me all prepped to leave.  The good thing is I already have a passport (the process of getting one can be kind of a pain), so that is a def. plus.

Here are two pics of the beautiful place I will be visiting for 5-6 months (maybe more....)

JCU has two main campus locations, one in Cairns and the other in Townsville; both these pics are of Townsville since that is the location I will most likely be at.

Where I'll be.

I Know

Such an uplifting song for a Monday! 

Salvation Is Here (with lyrics)

It Has Arrived

Open windows

A care package from mom with fall related items

Fall Break= 6 days away

Leaves on the ground

Apples in the caf (that are actually crunchy).......

Can only mean one thing.....

OCTOBER!

I would strongly encourage you to visit two hilarious creatures: Hoops & YoYo because they have a very funny take on September....I know I just said it was October BUT still.....

http://www.hoopsandyoyo.com

He is Enough

Heard this song for the first time today, and I love it.  This past Wednesday was our first real Tap gathering at Daystar and Alan is taking us through the book of John; he led us through the first 14 verses last night, and wanted us to really grasp the fact that Jesus is enough; he can fill us and satisfy our thirst completely no matter where we are in life. That is SUCH a struggle for me sometimes!  But he IS enough.

Mikeschair - Let The Waters Rise

NCIS Season Premiere! Plus, LA is being added to the scene.....

NCIS SEASON PREMIERE IS TONIGHT!!! :) It competes with 24 for my favorite show....AND CBS has added NCIS LA-we'll see if it can meet the high standards I have for the current show.

Lead me to the Cross

I've been listening to this song numerous times over the past several weeks; it's been an awesome prayer.

Lead Me to the Cross-Chris and Conrad 

Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun

Rain rain go away, come again another day....that pretty much sums up the week; today the sun really came out for the first time since Monday or Tuesday, and it felt so good.  You don't know how fortunate you are to have some things until they are gone!

As far as schoolwork is concerned, this week won't be too bad, but next week is gonna be a monster, simply because fall break will be closing in.  

My study abroad interview is on Thursday, so I am really looking forward to that; hopefully I will be getting a pretty good idea of what school in Australia I will be going to.  

I am really excited about Baptist Campus Ministries small groups starting up; the group I am helping to lead met for the first time on Monday night and we had alot of fun playing some icebreakers.  This week will be our first week of looking at our book, and Amy is going to start it off.  Can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

FALL

They were talking about favorite traditions associated with FALL on K-Love this afternoon and I got to thinking about what I enjoy about the season:

- Football 

- That nice temperature medium, not too hot, not too cold

- Less humidity

- Leaves changing color

- Daylight seems to look different and the air smells different

- Thanksgiving

- Mom's crock-pot meals (pot roast and homemade biscuits...making my mouth water as we speak)

- Mom always decorates the house and pulls out her Fall Yankee Candles (pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon)

- The prospect that Christmas is on the way :)

** Fall would probably have to be my favorite season **

Amazed

It's amazing how not having classes just one day out of the week makes the days go by faster.  Labor Day weekend consisted of not alot other than schoolwork and watching the NCIS marathon that was on Monday.  I proceeded to get a cold on Tues. (NOT swine flu, I promise) but am actually feeling really good today other than the fact that I don't have a voice.  That is due in part to all the loud singing I got to do last night at the Tap (Daystar's midweek college service) where Jared Anderson of Desperation Band came to lead us in worship; He did an amazing job, and I didn't realize how many songs we sing on Sunday morning are actually those that Jared wrote; he would probably be most well known for writing the popular song performed by The Newsboys "I am Free".  So, Jared did a great job and we had a huge turnout that we hope to continue seeing.  

I'm also excited about the prospect of getting to lead 2 small groups this semester.  One is through Daystar where Sadie will be helping me and the second is through Baptist Campus Ministries where me and another girl will be trading off weeks.  Our material for the Daystar group will be from the Sunday morning messages and the BCM material is going to come from a book Amy and I selected:  "All I Need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans".  I think it's going to be a challenge, since I've never lead a small group before, but like our NHC ad says:" So easy, a caveman could do it." :)

Study abroad update:  All application materials have been submitted with the exception of one reference form which a professor forgot to sign...and then I have an interview on September 24th where I should get a pretty good idea of the school I will be attending.  I will know for sure by Oct. 15th.  

On a final note, I want to share one of my favorite songs from last night that we sang with Jared.  It fits perfectly with the verse, Zephaniah 3:17, that I shared 2 posts ago.

Amazed 

Owl City

I really enjoy music (I listen to it alot more when I'm at school for some reason) and I found a band (actually just one guy) I really liked about a month ago.  Adam Young heads up "Owl City" and his music is different from alot of stuff I listen to, but it's an awesome different :)  It's got an electronica theme to most of it, and me Linsey, and Hailey cannot get the single "Fireflies" out of our head!  Just though I'd share a video or two of his music.  May have to buy a whole CD in the near future....

Owl City - Fireflies

Vanilla Twilight -Owl City

And if you get the chance, google the lyrics to these songs; one of the things I really like about his music is how poetic and creative it is.

Are you living for an audience of One?

I feel like I learned something so profound in my quiet time this morning that I just have to blog about it!

If you go to my facebook profile, in that little box on the left hand side, there's a Bible verse from Zephaniah 3:17:  "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."  I had just visited my facebook profile right before doing my quiet time and had read the verse, but I didn't really read it...know what I mean?  And then I opened up my devotional and was hit by the real meaning of this incredible verse.  

The first sentence of the writing states: "Somebody once said that half the people in this world go around worrying about what the other half thinks of them." "Instead of living for an audience of one, we live for an audience of many.  Instead of seeking God's approval, we seek man's." (Willey, Our Journey)  The passage goes onto to talk about how if we are constantly replacing God's approval with man's, we are actually committing idolatry; we are putting man before God.  Yet, God is the one who wants to give us so much more approval than we could ever hope for, than we could ever get from any person.  He wants to rejoice over us with gladness, quiet us with is love, and sing over us like Zephaniah says.  I just think that is so cool.  I tend to be a people pleaser, so this devotional hit me right where it needed to, and that verse means so much more to me now than it did before.  

I want to be living for an audience of one, how 'bout u?

1st Week Complete

1st week of classes complete!  All of them I think are going to go pretty well even though it will most likely get a little crazy at some points.  Let me give you a brief rundown:

1. Earth and Environmental Science= Lecture class, 4 tests are 25% apiece which is 100% of my grade-plain and simple.

2.  Institutions of Education=The professor is awesome (plus his accent is pretty sweet because he is from Bermuda), this class will require alot of critical thinking but I think I will get alot out of it.

3.  Teaching as a Profession=The class is 3 hours long two days a week; on Tuesdays we will be interning at a local school and Thursdays is our lecture day (starting at 8AM.....).  I think it will be a good class overall.

4.  Judaism= The professor is very chill and other people who have taken him said he's really easy; I am taking the class with a good friend, Hailey, who is Jewish so she is here to help :)

5. The Reel World: Contemporary History on Screen=My last honors class; kinda annoyed because despite the fact this class does not carry a writing intensive marker, there are MUCHO amounts of writing involved. The other downer: it's a 3 hour class. BUT that being said, the topic is very interesting.

6.  Sophomore Teaching Fellows Class=piece of cake, hardly any work.

There's the rundown :)

Check out the Crib!

FINALLY,after what I feel like was a very long move-in, Sadie and I are pretty much settled and started classes today.  And dorm room '09 is lookin pretty sweet; it's bigger than last year, we each have a closet, we have a nice little lounge area, and we have AC (one of only two rooms on the floor, and 6 in the whole dorm, so God blessed us for real).  

Above my bed

Sadie's Side (She's going to be getting some sweeet posters soon)

My Side

My Closet (Sadie and I love 'em)

Our very nice lounge area (notice the giraffe print rug)

The view from my bedside window (tennis courts, soccer field, and softball field)

View of my desk area

Sadie's desk area