Mel dyes her hair...and likes it.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart...

2011-02-23T21:56:00.010-06:00

Not much makes me happier than a good list. In the interest of making me happy and to provide you with something to read, I have compiled a list of some of my FAVORITE break up songs of all time. I had intended on dedicating each song to a past boyfriend or ex-friend, but fortunately there are more songs than failed relationships in my life so I went ahead a made a few playlists. So click on over to the videos and dedicate one to someone from your past today.

Top 5 Angry Break Up Songs
This one goes out to Matthew Johnson who broke up with me in an email Sophomore year and got engaged three months later.

5.These Boots were Made for Walking//Nancy Sinatra
"You keep lying when you ought to be truthin'/ you keep losing when you ought to not bet/ You keep samein' when you ought to be changin'/ Now what's right is right/ but you ain't been right yet"
Listen Here

4.You Oughta Know//Alanis Morissette
"It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced/ Are you thinking of me when your (with) her?"
Listen Here

3.No Children //The Mountain Goats
"I hope that our few remaining friends/ Give up on trying to save us/ I hope we come out with a fail-safe plot/ To piss off the dumb few that forgave us"
Listen Here

2.Song for the Dumped//Ben Folds Five
"Give me my money back, you b---ch/ I want my money back/ And don't forget to give me back my black T-shirt."
Listen Here

1.Call Tyrone//Erykah Badu
"I think you'd better call Tyrone/ And tell him come on help you get your sh--/ You need to call Tyrone Hold on/ But you can't use my phone."
Listen Here

5 Songs for When You Just Know It's Over
This one goes out to Andrew Duffle who I dumped between classes in the cafeteria b/c I heard he made out with this girl on a band trip. He later told me that was the worst day of his life.

5.It’s Not Right,But It’s Okay//Whitney Houston
"Pack your bags up and leave/ Don't you dare come running back to me/ It's not right but it's okay/ I'm gonna make it anyway/ Close the door behind you/ Leave your key/ I'd rather be alone than unhappy"
Listen Here

4.It's Too Late//Carol King
"And it's too late, baby, now it's too late/ Though we really did try to make it/ Something inside has died/ And I can't hide and I just can't fake it"
Listen Here

3.Don't Speak//No Doubt
"It's all ending/ I gotta stop pretending who we are.../You and me I can see us dying...are we?"
Listen Here

2.I will Always Love You//Dolly Parton
"Good-bye, oh, please don't cry/ Cause we both know that Im not/ What you need"
Listen Here

1.Don't Think Twice//Bob Dylan
"I ain't sayin' you treated me unkind/ You could have done better but I don't mind/ You just kinda wasted my precious time."
Listen Here

5 Songs to Help You Navigate the Post Break-Up Emotional Roller Coaster
This one goes out to R.J. Atchley who I dated twice, loved never, but who had me convinced my life was over after we broke up for the last time over the high school pay phone before firt period.

5.Ex Factor//Lauryn Hill
"It could all be so simple/ but you'd rather make it hard/ loving you is like a battle/ and we both end up with scars/ tell me, who i have to be/ to get some reciprocity/ no one loves you more than me/ and no one ever will"
Listen Here

4.Everybody Knows//John Legend
"I still can’t believe you found somebody new/ But I wish you the best, I guess./ ‘Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows/ How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt"
Listen Here

3.The Winner Takes It All//ABBA
"I don't wanna talk/ About the things we've gone through/ Though it's hurting me/ Now it's history/ I've played all my cards/ And that's what you've done too/ Nothing more to say/ No more ace to play"
Listen Here

2.Not 'gon Cry//Mary J. Blige
"Eleven years out of my life/ Besides the kids I have nothing to show/ Wasted my years - a fool of a wife/ I should have left your ass long time ago."
Listen Here

1.She’s Got You//Patsy Cline
"I've got your picture that you gave to me/ And it's signed "with love," just like it used to be/ The only thing different, the only thing new/ I've got your picture, she's got you"
Listen Here

INTERACT: I could go all day, but I would LOVE to hear YOUR favorite break-up songs. Leave 'em in the comments!

a bed for the night

2011-02-11T01:51:00.005-06:00

I ran across this on another blog today and I thought it for me: "This here is a relaxed, slow-moving weblog. It ain't one o' them hyperactive updated-all-the-time weblogs. Slow down a little."

Speaking of slowing down. I am leading a local Service: Spring Break "trip" to Fort Worth focusing on the issue of Homelessness. The idea is that these days off from classes are PRIME TIME to really dig deep into an issue in our city. We plan on doing a full imersion experience with some service and meetings with the city and LOTS of hang out time in the Homeless District. I've a got a faculty member on board and a GREAT student leader, so I think it will be pretty great and one of those life changing kinda things.

In compiling some readings for the participant curricullum- I re-ran across the following poem and I thought you might be interested to ponder on its words as well:

A BED FOR THE NIGHT

I hear that in New York
At the corner of 26th Street and Broadway
A man stands every evening during the winter months
And gets beds for the homeless there
By appealing to passers-by.

It won't change the world
It won't improve relations among men
It will not shorten the age of explotation
But a few men have a bed for the night
For a night the wind is kept from them
The snow meant for them falls on the roadway.

Don`t put down the book on reading this, man.

A few people have a bed for the night
For a night the wind is kept from them
The snow meant for them falls on the roadway
But it won't change the world
It won't improve relations among men
It will not shorten the age of exploitation.

- Bertold Brecht

INTERACT: Are giving and serving related to social change?
How can we become better givers?
Should we try to identify with the people we want to serve?
What does mercy have to do with justice? How should they be related?
What prevents us from being compassionate?

sometimes they all run together

2011-01-27T00:14:00.002-06:00

In case you missed the State of the Union or zoned out during the speech, I have created a Word Cloud JUST for you using the transcript of the speech:

Or you can read it yourself HERE.

I always like hearing about individual stories of real people -like Kathy Proctor seeking to inspire her children by going back to college. (If you follow me on twitter, you've already seen what I think are the hoghlights). But in the interest of full disclosure, I also zone out from time to time in long speeches.

But then again, moments like these THESE in this clip make curling up with a cup of hot tea and a blanket and listening to our President really exciting. Perhaps next year I will write/record my OWN "State of the Melon" and post it on the blog for all to tweet about, discuss, tear apart, etc. Who's gonna volunteer to post a response?

a handmade holiday...

2011-01-08T00:14:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year, friends! I hope December treated you well. Since one of my new year's resolutions is ALWAYS to spend the time to MAKE more things, I thought I would remind myself (and you at home) of some of the handmade gifts I gave this past holiday. You know, to like...remind me that I have fun when I'm making.

This year it snowed on Christmas so I thought it was fitting that most of my handmade gifts were accessories that help with the cold:

a knitted infinity scarf for M.K. It's a long circle scarf that you can wear tons of different ways (just google it)...

this scarf for my boss. You know how I LOVE color...

another infinity scarf for my cousin, Sandra. (Daniel offered to model for me...)

and for the boyfriend- I made what we are affectionately calling: the "infinity" hat.
It turns out that a HUGE hat can be worn A LOT of ways!

look number 1: (there were SO MANY, but I will only bore you with a few...

look number 2: we're calling this pope meets cat in the hat...

look number 3: JT trying to look like Sway...

look number 4: He likes this one..

You know I had to try it out myself...

paper coffee cups are red again & my mom is buying presents

2010-11-28T20:19:00.007-06:00

It is tradition in our extended family that we "turn our Christmas lists in" by the evening of Thanksgiving or we don't get any presents. For me, (since I haven't been home for Thanksgiving since 2005 -until this year!!) that usually means I rack my brain ALL day and send my mom and/or aunts sporadic texts and emails requesting whatever combination of items I need and/or want that will fit into my luggage for the return trip. I like surprises so I try to make my list longer than it has to be. Since I'm too big and too creeped out to sit on the mall Santa's lap, I thought I would post my list here of my reasonable//usual//impossible Christmas wants for the 2010 Season (for my mom's reference and your enjoyment of course).

DISCLAIMER: Now before you go about judging us on our consumerism and touting on in your head about the "reason for the season," etc, :) there are some things you should know about our family: 1.My grandfather LOVED presents and watching us open them, and I think in our own ways we still perform for him each Christmas- getting and giving gifts and posing for photos with all our spoils. 2.We have an elaborate system of gift giving that includes high levels of communication between cousins, aunts & uncles, and the matriarch, grandma- all with aunt jeni keeping the records in her pocket book! I really like when I get to see my family in action, thinking about each other regularly and sharing shopping days and wish lists, learning how individual interests have grown and changed over the year. It's a hyped up version of how close we all are already. 3.There is so much about our Christmas that truly points to the love that exudes from the "reason for the season" and while we are cutting back a little on gifts this year (to adopt an angel family) and I am trying give handmade (mostly) this season- I still really like presents. :)

NOW- on to a few highlights from the list:

The old Stand by calendar
Source

This book (get on amazon, Mom, & save some money)

Some boots to keep me warm AND professional

Source

Pretty accessories for my head
Source

This ENTIRE outfit-

Source

Gift Cards (Lane Bryant//Old Navy//Joann Fabrics//Subway//Starbucks//Hobby Lobby//Books-a-million) you can't go wrong.
Source

THIS-
Source

Movies & Shows!! Oh my!

Tights and leggings in bright colors!!

Flip UltraHD
Source

Snow...

And something a little simpler...

Just a few things that I'm interested in this Holiday Season.

INTERACT: What's on YOUR Christmas list this year?

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”-Albert Einstein

2010-11-23T17:49:00.008-06:00

I love moving. Not the actual physical act of moving- I hate that. Watching people move your stuff//realizing that I have too. much. crap.//tapping into my control freak tendencies//"oh no, don't..drop..that thing that to you is nothing, but to me is...EVERYTHING" No I do NOT love that.

But I love the way moving make me FEEL things. Sentimental about leaving behind a place and the memories that it contains...Hopeful about the new empty place just waiting to store all. that. crap. and new stories laughs and experiences. Everyday is a great day for a fresh start and moving is a helpful reminder of the ability to make a fresh start and the importance of a clean slate.

The past few weeks I've been moving my office from one side of our suite to the complete opposite side. The office is a bit bigger, and in a more strategic location for purposeful student interaction, so I couldn't turn down the possibility. It's my good friend, CR's old office and I have to admit, it feels a little weird to be moving into her space- but it reminds me of all the laughs we had in there. (miss her!) My friend, Tiff, told me once that "all changes carry with them a grieving process," and even though I'm merely shifting my items a few feet away, I am leaving A LOT behind...like the temporary feeling you get when you're a VISTA, being able to holler out to students, "come on back!" and my very. first. 40/wk. nameplate bearing. office. That's a lot.

my old office

I was meeting with one of my students last week and when I told her that I was moving she asked if I was excited. I told her that I thought it was a good decision, but that I didn't really like change sometimes. She laughed and said, "that's ironic, because your whole job is about change."

I'm glad to have moments that forced me to physically interact with my things and my work and to really reflect on the going ons in my space and the positive change that took place. I'm hopeful and eager to see what stories my new space will live to tell.

my new space just waiting for you to come in and help me put all. my. crap. away.

INTERACT: How do you feel about moving?

We cannot make good news out of bad practice. -Edward R. Murrow

2010-11-03T20:18:00.002-05:00

You may be aware that my VISTA placement at TCU was completed on August 28th. I have officially completed my term "serving our country." (You can thank me later) :) IT was a really great year professionally and personally, but while living below the poverty line is educational and spiritually enlightening, it is really difficult. It was a hard year making less than $800/month at an institution where some students spend my monthly pay on a pair of boots or a purse. I also struggled with the feeling that I am behind my peers as I read emails/facebook filled with wonderful life and work related updates. But I was geared up to complete a second VISTA year at TCU, because I absolutely LOVE my students and the work that I do.

In June, we got word that we would not be receiving any VISTA positions for the 2010-2011 year. I was devastated...again. I felt like...why is this happening to me? How am I going to support myself through another year long job search? Why does this happen to me?

After a long, long, loooooooooong waiting process, we got word that our department was receiving a permanent position, Community Engagement Coordinator, working with both academic and co-curricular Service-Learning programs/classes. After an interview process that beat me up more than anything, I was hired on as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Community Involvement & Service-Learning at Texas Christian University on September 27, 2010.

I still LOVE the work I do and the students/faculty that I work with and am again remembering what a busy season this is for service-learning at TCU. I am looking forward to working more closely with faculty to assist them in developing/maintaining s-l courses and partnerships.

I hate to say that sometimes I feel like my value is wrapped up in what I DO, but I do feel that sometimes. It's really good to see that others value my work enough to give me this opportunity and that people appreciate the work that I do. In general, I just really enjoy doing good work.

It does feel slightly strange that for the FIRST time since 2001 (senior year of high school) I have a little extra to buy a little something that I want/need and to treat others as well. (granted, you ALL know my live simply stance, so life won't look TOO different). Anyway, its been a long time coming.

Thank you for your thoughts, laughs, prayers, concerns and support (both emotionally and sometimes financially) along the way.

A letter to Indiana

2010-08-02T16:35:00.004-05:00

Dear Indiana,

Soon you will receive a gift. A gift named Jere(o)my Thurman. I'm not sure if you know what you are in for, Indiana. He's going to change your whole world. He changed mine, and I will never be the same. I know the winters can be cold there, but I hope you have some great people there to warm his heart. Take care of him. And Indiana, I'm trusting you. But that doesn't mean I won't be by to borrow him from time to time.

Love,

Mel

Today we celebrate our independence day!

2010-07-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

Since today is the Fourth of July, I plan to take some time to reflect on the great moments of our nation's history. I can't help but remember that 14 years ago, with humankind inches from annihilation, our president Thomas J. Whitmore delivered one of the most inspirational speeches in the history of our great nation:

"Good morning. Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind, (and we could replace this with humankind) that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences any more. We will be united in our common interest. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist and should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, 'We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on, we're going to survive. Today we celebrate our independence day!"

President Thomas J. Whitmore
July 4, 1996

i'm that desperate...or am i?

2010-06-22T19:19:00.004-05:00

Today I shall wash my clothes in the bathtub. I'm a little excited about it. I'll let you know how it goes.

UPDATE: just hung the last of my clothes up to dry and what an easy breezy task it is to wash clothes in the tub. This may have sparked a complete lifestyle change.

UPDATE 2: you can do a final soak with liquid fabric softener, but I just like to rub the dry clothes together to make them soft.

INTERACT: What do you do (to be green, save money, etc) that most people would think wack-a-doodle-weird? My list could go on and on...

Tommorrow

2010-05-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

I will be here and I'm stoked:

Teeny Cheesy Cremini Pizza Recipe

2010-04-10T12:01:00.003-05:00

Today I needed to use up some items in my fridge before they went bad, and as I was brainstorming, my belly started to crave some pizza. I threw some things together, and I was skeptical that it would be any good. BUT it was delicious (and vegetarian)!

Teeny Cheesy Cremini Pizza
Melissa Gruver

2 Whole Wheat Tortillas*
few spoonfuls of leftover spaghetti sauce*
grated Parmesan cheese
shredded Italian cheese mix*
handful of cremini mushrooms* (or any other type)
fresh basil*
pepper
red pepper flakes
*indicates that these were the items I was NEEDING to use

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with non stick spray. Sprinkle Parmesan on tortillas and spread spaghetti sauce over top leaving a small edge. Layer the following: shredded cheese, chopped basil, mushrooms, a little more shredded cheese. Top with a pinch of freshly ground pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Enjoy!

Crafty Conversations: fabric flower fun

2010-04-09T01:11:00.001-05:00

This banquet that I am going to on Friday has a Roaring Twenties theme so, one of my favorite friends, Natasha, came over earlier in the week and we made fabric flowers to complement our outfits. It was a really great time and I remembered two things:

1. How much I LOVE just hanging out with people.
2. How good I feel after crafty something AWESOME.

We live near each other, so we both decided that we should get together and craft more often and maybe even walk the trails around our apartments in the morning together. How wonderful new friendships can be!

Halfway through my project:

Natasha showing off her work. Silly girl!

My finished product. Anyone want to buy one?

INTERACT: What should you be doing more often?

A productive weekend...for a change

2010-04-07T22:07:00.000-05:00

Now don't get me wrong. I did plenty of sleeping in over the long Easter weekend, but I also got a chance to some things I've been wanting to do. Gotta love a productive weekend! Here are some of the highlights:

I went shopping for some recipes that I have been DYING to try, and made THREE of them!!! I took JT took the Water Gardens in Ft Worth, but for some reason they had drained the water and turned off all the fountains! I was bummed, but then JT climbed "the mountain" and we did few cart wheels and back bends in the grass, so it turned out to be a good time.

We watched "God on Trial" with Natasha which was excellent and so thought provoking. I would definitely recommend it. Now here's the BIG news. IF you know me well, you know that I can't keep things alive- plants, fish, love (kidding about the love). I mean really, the only time I remember to water the bamboo (a hand me down) in my office is when a student just happens to be drinking water right next to it. "Hey Andrea, wanna pour a little of that into Mr Bambi?"

Well, over Easter weekend I thought it would be fun to celebrate by planting something, so I started a little herb garden. SO I poured some water over some soil pellets, spent a LONG time breaking them apart, planted Basil, Rosemary, and Tyme.
This is how it looked on my back porch:

And here is how it looked today!!! I mean, I planted those babies from seeds and dirt! Fascinating.

The second day, I went out to water and the pots had tipped over and half the soil came out, so we will have to see if the seeds got mix up in the process by the time the plants get bigger. I had some extra seeds, so I covered a tomato can with scrapbook paper, hammered some holes in the bottom, and planted a little more thyme.

Today I went and bought a cheap pot and some bright lights chard seeds and some sunflower seeds for guerrilla gardening in outside around my apartment. I guess I have found a new hobby...

INTERACT: What should I cook with my new herbs, once they grow?

post 100: A month in review

2010-03-23T21:22:00.007-05:00

I know it has been a while since we spoke last, so in honor of my ONE HUNDREDTH blog post I'm going to do things a little different today. Here's a review of the things I've been up to since my last post. You let me know if there is anything you want to know more about and I will dedicate an upcoming post to that topic. ENJOY!

My friend Marianne came and we discussed how this would be an AWFUL bridesmaid dress:

I decided I need a pair of boots.

I served a few meals to some older adults:

I got some ashes on my forehead at a service before work.

I stopped by Religious & Spiritual Life to ask them to redo my ashes so people would try to wipe the "dirt" off my face all day.

I contemplated my Lenten promise and felt guilty about not having one, so I avoided the blog.

I saw this:

I laughed.

I help build a house:

I worked late...A LOT (but with a friend).

I had a couple of scheduled coffee breaks when working late.

I participated in leading a webinar with my office.

I taught a class on gender & leadership and had students try on corsets.

I saw my boyfriend.

I hosted 135 high school students on campus and managed 135 college volunteers for Minority High School Conference/College Student for a Day

I thought about going to Chicago.

A week later I WENT to Chicago and saw my best friend.

I saw a college friend's band play at a bar and stayed up WAY too late.

I interviewed.

I blended in with a booth.

I missed my boyfriend.

I ate this:

I accidentally abstained from television.

I added the Grand stop on the L to the list of public places where I have changed clothes.

I rode the L to have dinner with some college friends-and had a great time.

I rode the L the next day to the same stop to see this guy and had an even greater time:

I said hello and goodbye to some good friends.

I did a Sic 'em.

I hung out with my Dean of students from college, made some new friends, and learned some things.

I said goodbye to my best friend..and to Chicago.

I got excited about Aldi opening up down the street.

I took some students on a spring break trip---to Ft. Worth!

I slept on a YMCA floor- or tried to at least.

I walked into a giant fountain and didn't get wet.

I hung out with refugee children, role played with social workers, served food at a shelter, played catch phrase with some great homeless guys, helped with a field day for adults with development delays, served some meals on wheels, ate some meals on wheels, talked about "the issues," reflected, learned, laughed...

And I bought this:

I got a new computer at work and moved my desk out from against the wall so I can be more creative.

I sat on a giant horned frog with my boss.

I snuck into work late and I snuck out early.

I stopped to smell the flowers.

Then I blogged about it.

INTERACT: Wanna know more about any of the above? Let me know in the comments.

Do you make a stop at Hemphill and Berry?

2010-02-14T22:46:00.005-06:00

As part of my job I teach along with my boss a seminar (READ: class for leadership credit)called Community Action each semester. The purpose of the class is get students talking about service & leadership. This semester we have restructured the 8 week class with the first 4 weeks being exposure weeks and the last four being action weeks. Here's how the first 4 weeks break down:
1. Personal Definition of Service
2. Strengths & Community- this is a favorite of mine because we talk about not only our strengths and how they play out in community, BUT how those we serve have strengths as well---GOOD DISCUSSION HERE.
3. What about YOUR community? We brought in some folks from the United Way that do community assessment and talked about the SPECIFIC needs of Tarrant County that can be categorized as INCOME, EDUCATION, & HEALTH.
4. Exposure Day and then there is week four, a two hour class.

For this class, we told students that we would be doing an agency visit and tour, but what we DIDN'T tell them was that we would be taking the city bus! Transportation is one of the issues the United Way discussed, so we gave them some route sheets (right and wrong) and gave them some time to figure out how to get there, transfers and all.

The students made some great observations about the experience of regular bus riders and the difficulties in navigating that system. We even learned some things from some fellow passengers. The visit at Catholic Charities was great because the group learned A LOT about refugee services and some global issues. Friends, THIS is why I do what I do. Man, I love seeing people think and learn. What a great day!

I am looking forward to the second half of the semester as we discuss ways to take action and who is already taking action. We are also requiring 3 hours of service with a local agency. I'm hoping students volunteer at Catholic Charities and maybe take the bus a little more and burst that TCU bubble.

SNOW DAY!!!

2010-02-11T12:57:00.004-06:00

This is the view from my living room window:

I got an email telling me the university was closed today due to ice this morning. It wasn't until I got up and about that I realized it was SNOWING! I love that I got the day off b/c today was my BUSIEST week for meetings and things. Hmm..I may go out and make some snow cream... I live for days like today.

MEL'S SNOW CREAM RECIPE
Grab some freshly fallen CLEAN snow (I usually get the top half of the layers on a car).
Put the snow in a bowl and add vanilla, milk, and sugar (brown or white) to taste.

OPTION: stir in some flavored coffee creamer, or powdered instant latte mix for and added delight.
ENJOY!

Note: ALWAYS - ALWAYS make sure the snow is clean. It takes at least one
to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air, then use
only snow that
has fallen after that first cleansing snow. It also goes without saying
(but I will anyway), to make sure you do not collect the snow where
animals and birds eat (or do
other things).source

Now I'm off to collect some snow...

Tires, magazines, & rebates

2010-02-09T22:52:00.002-06:00

Do you ever have those moments when you are in a waiting room reading a magazine and you are like, so into it and then the guy is like, "Ms. Gruver, Grey Escape" and you're like, "man I want to finish this article," but that would be awkward... I have those moments often. I had that moment today.

Today I bought new tires for my car. I was pretty pumped to buy them b/c I have been putting money aside for this day, so I really like to see that I have money for things that I need. However this weekend I got an forgotten rebate card in the mail for around the exact price for the tires. CHECK

So I went in today and they didn't have the tires that I wanted, b/c they were on sale. BUMMER. But THEN the guy offered me and upgrade for the same price and ultimately I saved $50. CHECK

I'm pretty pumped about the tires. Today took a turn for the better.

For the record, I didn't finish the magazine. I'm still wondering about that cupcake recipe on page 208.

Skype has changed a few of my relationships...

2010-02-08T23:59:00.004-06:00

It's really great to be able to see those you love while you are talking to them. Ideally this would be across the table at a coffee shop, but these days its usually through my computer. In these kind of moments and in weeks like this one, I LOVE technology. Thanks, world for finding a way for me to remember (in a concrete way) how interdependent we actually are on one another.

Thanks, Stefi and JT for letting me "hang out with you" on the interwebs...

Secret Ingredient Series: holiday sauce

2009-12-18T22:19:00.000-06:00

A while back I tried this AMAZING carrot cake by friend Marianne made. I absolutely adored it, but she wouldn't tell me the secret recipe. My jealousy and frustration with her inability to spill the beans led me to one conclusion: I want ALL my cooking to be secret ingredient cooking. I concluded then and there that I would start to modify recipes to add a hint of secret, b/c everyone always likes a secret. From time to time I will post a recipe (minus the secret ingredient) on the blog and challenge you to add your own "secret ingredient."

Enter my first opportunity to deliver: The Euc Thanksgiving. I signed up to bring cranberry sauce, b/c frankly it annoys me that when people purchase it from the can and slice the "sauce" onto a plate. I thought I would either make it from scratch or at worst,plop the can into a bowl and stir. Novel, I know. I made it from scratch and doesn't it look delicious.

I called my grandmother in hopes to hear some secret family recipe, but she said she just makes it from the directions on the bag. Lots of sugar and water, lots of stirring, and lots of fun poping cranberries!!!

I didn't have oranges or oj (don't some people put this in cranberries) so did a test batch with my secret ingredient (CLUE: something I had on hand that I bought a Fiesta on a whim) and it was AWESOME! Attempt 1: SUCCESS

INTERACT: What could your secret ingredient be in cranberry sauce (canned or not)this holiday season?

INTERACT 2: How does your family eat/serve cranberry sauce?

What a day to take a picture...

2009-12-16T22:01:00.003-06:00

I never have my camera at the right time... I'm always jealous reading friends' blogs that seem to have photo documentation of everyday activity. It's as if God posts photos of fun times online and they have the special password to access it. Even so, this is a photo from a day last month when I happened to have my camera around at the right moment. SO I got to capture this:

That is a picture of the man I love putting himself out there. JT is applying for PhD programs around the country. He has never lived outside of Texas, and I am SO proud of him for making the decision to apply and make it happen. As I type this, I get really excited about his future and the fact that in a few years he will have this photo to look back on as a documentation of the beginning.

I don't like to risk sounding cheesy on the blog, but I really think JT is the most brilliant guy I know and I think he will serve the field well whereever he lands.

Now, I won't tell you my pick for where he winds up next, but I will tell you that I am trying hard to let him make his own decision.

an invitation...

2009-12-14T23:57:00.000-06:00

Shoe lovers, eat your heart out.

2009-12-04T18:23:00.003-06:00

I had this friend in college who counted her shoes one day and found that she had 85 pairs! I bet this shoe was not amongst the crowd...

Maybe she would have been even more embarrassed if it was part of her collection. However today I am the embarrassed one. You, this is the new designer shoe I shall be wearing for the next 3 weeks. The downside: Having a fractured (READ: Broken) toe does NOT go with my wardrobe. The upside: It cuts down on packing when I go out of town, since I only have to bring single shoes along....

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

2009-12-03T21:28:00.002-06:00

Today was a VERY big day. Today is the day I got internet and cable at my apartment! This means that my house is a lot less quiet and lonely seeming. It also means that I can remember what it feels to be more connected to the rest of the world and have the ability to do some work from home.

Finally, this means that you will be hearing from me....again.

2009-10-21T08:55:00.000-05:00

So, I really can't believe that these two people have been together for 3 years:

This past weekend was our anniversary, so JT and I got on the train from Ft. Worth to Dallas, hopped on the DART and headed to the State Fair to see Mary Poppins. The trip was not without its challenges since it was last weekend of the fair and it was also the weekend of the OU vs Texas game. (READ: the trains were PACKED and slow, and people were a little mean). Anyway, we got the show just in time and it was totally worth the trouble. Mary Poppins actually flies out into the audience, which is really cool.

Then we headed to see BIG TEX at the State Fair:

We decided that our anniversary dinner would include a tour of state fair fried foods including a corn dog, friend latte, fried peaches and cream (fave), and fried pecan pie. we didn't try the fried butter, but we had a great time walking around, eating, and laughing. We even caught the parade and a couple of fireworks.

Its rained here a lot lately.

2009-10-19T22:59:00.002-05:00

Cristina says my umbrella is so large she can't hear her voice echo when she holds it. I just say the Cristina is one of my favorite new co-workers. Thanks for welcoming me into the TCU community, Coordinator for Inlcusiveness and Intercultural Services. Your laugh is infectious and your zeal is admirable.

INTERACT: How are you welcoming someone new into YOUR life?

TCU in Waco?!?

2009-10-15T08:03:00.002-05:00

The other day I was walking with Katie through one of the administration buildings to get my check for my rent and this is what I found hanging on the wall:

Turns out, TCU used to be in Waco YEARS ago before the campus burned down. Student rumor claims that Baylor students set the campus on fire, so its always a little funny when people find out I'm from Baylor. Find this flag made me realize a few things:

1. I really like pendants...and I always have.

2. I really miss Waco, and I have a feeling TCU doesn't. :)

A Day in the District

2009-10-12T23:41:00.003-05:00

So, since I don't have internet at home, I have been neglecting you- no more since my new friend Katie has both internet and giving spirit, which in her words- "knocks my socks off." Which brings me to the subject of this entry- my new friend Katie.

Katie is a Hall Director at TCU and we are on the Sophomore Transitions team here. One day as we were walking back to our offices after a meeting, she turned to me and said, "We are going to be girlfriends. I know that sounds creepy, but I need friends here." You know, I didn't think it was creepy, I thought it was AWESOME! So that weekend, we went to see FAME! at the Movie Tavern and then spent the next Saturday at Day in the District, a day when all the Fort Worth museums are free and ready to entertain.

It was a really fun day and it was really good to get to know a new friend and run into this guy (who wears a watch on his ankle, mind you) a couple of times. We went to all the museums, from the Cowgirl Museum to the Modern and saw some things we liked and some things that were kinda weird. Towards the end of the day, I convinced Katie to take some "senior pictures" by the Kimball Museum:

I remember when I took my "original" senior pictures, my moom had creased my jeans and I about DIED when I saw them and my aunt rescued me at the last monute by whipping out the iron and getting those creases out.

Glad to have a friend and a fun day taking advantage of some VISTA friendly activities!

INTERACT: Tell me about your senior pictures experience.

Crafty Conversations: roadside desk

2009-09-20T00:38:00.007-05:00

So the day I left for Waco, KB told me that she found this metal desk on the side of the road. There was just a little rust on the inside and the drawers worked well. It was the PERFECT size for a craft station in my new apartment.

She knew I needed a desk so she came with me and after a few tries, we got it in the back of my car. We jokes that my goal for my first week in Fort Worth was that I had to make some friends so someone could help me get it out.

I was in luck, because when Matt came up my first week, he followed me ALL THE WAY OUT to my apartment to help my get this heavy thing in my apartment. I promised myself that I would keep it in the living room (i.e. in the way) until I cleaned it up and got it ready for crafting. So, when JT came to visit that first weekend I told him that we had a project....da da duuuuuh...

SO we went to Lowes and bought a few things: kilz spray primer, some red spray paint, a tarp to cover the workspace, & a reusable sander scrubber (looks like a sponge). All together we spent $35. Now I should tell you that the desk that I had been planning to save up for would cost me a couple hundred dollars, so if this 35 dollar thing works out- AWESOME.

So I sanded off the rust, JT removed the drawer pulls, we dragged the desk and the tarp outside and got to spraying:

A few days and paint coats later, I have a desk and crafting station. What a difference a coat of paint makes. (I know that is a cliche, but we just kept saying it because it was such a shocking transformation! You should probably scroll up to see the before, so that you can be as shocked as I am.

I really felt accomplished after a weekend project and I quickly got my sewing machine out to make Marianne a pillow for her couch. The following weekend I unpacked all but two of my bedroom boxes. I almost live here it seems.

INTERACT: Well, what do you think?

Reflections on my first week on the job..

2009-09-06T08:24:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, I have officially started work at TCU and I've good the faculty/staff car decal to prove it. What a whirlwind week! Even though it has been kind of crazy, it has been SO GREAT to get back in the higher ed working groove. My first day was Tuesday and I already had meetings to go to which was really energizing and great to meet some people. My supervisor couldn't be more kind and welcoming. I have printed out a TCU map and hung it in my office and I am highlighting buildings as I learn what they are and how to get there. This, my friends, is called motivation. :)

I have been eating nothing but oatmeal and vegetarian chili until I get some money for groceries and I was getting a little lonely without usual friends and cable, so when my friend, Matt, popped into town on Wednesday for a meeting- I was THRILLED that he decided to stay and take me to dinner. As I drove there, I discovered how close work REALLY is to downtown and it blew my mind that I could just GO to these places on a whim. Thanks Matt, for the beers, food, and good conversation. How cool when friends pop in just when you need them.

This week, I met some student leaders, decided that I am really going to like working with KAte (the other VISTA), had lunch in the caf every day, taught my first Community Action class, got to bounced ideas off my supervisor, learned some website things, and "may" have worked out a negotion with a colleague to trade my solid purple chairs for his polka dot chairs. In addition to the work I will be doing in my office, I will also get to work with the sophomore transistions team, women's programing, and be a staff partner for a connections class (first year experience). How great!

Oh, and I met a couple of people to hang out with that I have some things in common with. So pretty much a good week.

Hanging in ABQ with the mountains and some like minded folks.

2009-09-03T19:53:00.005-05:00

Why are there mountains behind me? Well that is because last week I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a Public Service Orientation. As an Americorps*VISTA, it is a requirement to go to this regional training to discuss poverty, capacity building, and how we fit into the mission of VISTA. It was truly a great time and so refreshing to be surrounded by people about to embark on similar journeys as myself. I made some dear friends with whom I'd love to keep in touch.

We stayed at the Hilton and aqttended seminars during the day that looked a little like this:

The weather was wonderful and the conversations were phenomenal. I of course took on a role in the evening as entertainment coordinator..I am a born planner. It was really neat to see all the connections that people were making with one another; we all remarked on how it felt like freshman orientation all over again. I was pleased to have the best roomie of the bunch, Lindsey. It was so fun to stay up chatting with her about her experiences and expectations for the year.

As VISTAs we took an oath of service (the same as military) at the end of the training, which was really interesting to me as someone who isn't really known for my patriotism. But let's be honest: what a great time in history to serve my country in terms of fighting the war on poverty. We are all so interdependent on one another and I am always glad to make relationships that remind me of that.

INTERACT: check out the photos from my trip and leave some comments. Check out the photos by clicking this link!

Crafty Conversations: esc rehab

2009-08-23T20:25:00.009-05:00

This weekend is my last "official" weekend in Waco and it was also work day for the ESC (where I have been living since January). It was pretty amazing to get to be a part of work day and literally leave a place better than when I came. We had about seven people working on a LONG list and making transformations happen in a way that you wish you had before pictures. We cleaned, bleached, built bookcases, pulled up carpet, put down flooring, etc, etc. Oh, and I even made a runner rug! If you are in the Waco area, you show stop by Tuesday @5pm for our kick off cookout.
JT changed my whole world by pulling up the carpet in the bathroom and putting down new flooring..my goodness, he IS amazing.

Cutting the flooring for the hard to reach places.

This one shows a little of what the old floor looked like after pulling up the carpet.

Here's a little of what I did while he was working so hard. We needed a curtain to cover the window of out back door. I couldn't find one at the store that fit our needs in our price range.

This fabric will provide privacy, but still let the sun in and it was cheap. Just a neutral muslin.

Some coordinating thread and little time at the machine (with some folding help from A.Q), and...

The finished product!

Want to sew up your own curtain for patio door or a window? I posted a tutorial here.

INTERACT: What is your stance on carpet in the bathroom and/or kitchen? I'm sure you could guess that I'm against it.

Cow Town: Moo-ve In Edition

2009-08-14T17:47:00.002-05:00

Last Thursday and Friday, I headed up to Ft. Worth for a training at TCU with my future supervisors. It was a really great time and I had an opportunity to see what may day to day might look like and to get to know the campus itself a bit better. I stayed Friday night in Denton with my college friend, B. Which meant that I was not able to be present in Waco to load up the U-Haul. (This is a good things for the help, b/c I am not a fun person to move with.)

Anyway, I have never felt so loved as I did on Saturday. Marianne, Kristen, C Mack, and Jonathan met JT at 7am at my house and then at the storage unit to load up a 17 ft U-Haul. (Anndrea & James tried to come but the load up was so fast they got left behind). JT was on the road (along with C Mack by 8:30).

B and I drove down from Denton to meet them, David (JT's bestie), and David (B's friend) at my apartment. We waited around for a while, got the keys and unloaded in 25 minutes!!! Matt was coming in from Frisco and he came in as soon as we finished unloading. Here is what that looked like before we went to lunch.

We went to lunch at a Mongolian restaurant and then B loaded me up with cleaning supplies at Target. We unpacked the kitchen and living room.

On Sunday, JT and I went to IKEA and got a bed, dresser, night stand, etc. Put it together until 1am. We also had a chance to go to this Episcopal Church where I met someone my own age and got her number for coffee. We cleaned up and came back to Waco on Monday.

Check out pics of the apartment by clicking here.

I'm really pumped about living here. It's a great place and I so far love those at my work. I'll keep you updated.

INTERACT: What do you think about my new place?

Cow Town Is Coming: Prepare for Branding

2009-07-31T23:19:00.004-05:00

alternate title for this post: "This one's for you, Candice."

So, upon hugging me goodbye (for what may be the last time for a while), my friend requested that I put more personal updates on my blog. While I think we definitely have a difference of opinion about what is personal, i know what she means. She wants me to update more on the goings on in my life..which is understandable. SO, since I do not have pictures of my unborn children to post, I shall tell you the update on my upcoming move to Ft. Worth. So without further adieu, Candice, this one's for you:

Habitat:I have found an AWESOME 1 bedroom 625 sq ft apartment 10 minutes from campus for a phenomenal price of $399 a month (300 of which will be paid by TCU). This apartment find is a RELIEF and while I always like myself better when I have a roomie (I like the idea of being forced to be considerate of another), I have decided to live alone. I think its a good choice for the current season and I really look forward to quiet contemplative times of being, as well as Pizza Nite 3.0!

Up Next:I will be headed up to Fort Worth on the 6th and 7th of August for an Orientation to my position type of experience. I'm really looking forward to this b/c I have the opportunity to meet Kate, my new Americorps colleague and recent TCU graduate. It will also be really enlightening to speak with Amy (the current VISTA) about the day joys and challenges of the position.

The Big Move:JT and friends will be loading up a UHaul with many of my personal belongings that I have not seen in a year and bringing those things to my apartment for move in. I look forward to spending that weekend unpacking, reuniting with my matching dishes that Hannah bought me, writing lists, visiting a church I have been cyber-stalking, and settling in, before I go back to Waco to crash before my work officially starts.

The Oath:August 25th, I head to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend Americorps* Public Service Orientation, to learn some things, make some friends, and take my oath of service. Following my oath, my year of service will officially have begun..da da duuuuuum...what do you think about them apples?...mmm I love apples...

COMING UP IN THE BLOG: Tales from a Birthday Scavenger Hunt...
here's a teaser photo taken towards the end of my birthday evening...

This is what a 26 year old looks like....

2009-07-24T14:28:00.000-05:00

Today I turned 26 year old and it feels so good. When I was a child I remember that I always wanted to be in my twenties and I have been loving every minute of it all. As I think back on birthday after birthday, I am drawn to my birthday 10 years ago...

My sixteenth birthday was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. My parents threw me a luau complete with a limbo stick, grass skirts, and coconut bras. (I wore a Hawaiian shirt.) I was so scared that no one would come to my party, that I passed out flyers to everyone I saw and met. People came and it was a great time. My grandfather cried when he gave me my first car, a White Ford Escort (1980's) with grey interior. I LOVED that car. and I loved my grandfather.

Now when I was 16, if you wanted to drive a car you had to have your permit for at least 3 months or you could go to drivers ed on Saturdays for a price and get your license after a mere 9 hours of driving time with an instructor. We are procrastinators so drivers ed it was. I went every Saturday for a month- ALL day. I made some weird friends and had an even weirder teacher. She gave lots of hints while we were taking the written test, I passed and mom took me down to the DMV to take my picture. It was a terrible picture(I mean like, the worst), but out of fear of having a worse one, I didn't change it until last year.

So, that next Sunday morning I woke up, got dressed, got in that White Ford Escort, drove it down the driveway and headed to church- alone. I can still remember that feeling. You know the one I'm talking about, that freedom feeling. You know when you are doing something that you are ALLOWED to do, but for some reason you don't think you should be allowed. (I'm sure some people feel this way on their wedding night.) I drove that car SO fast down those country roads and played my music so loud. It was the greatest moment of my life. My life had begun.

I stayed out all day and into the night. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to turn on the windshield wipers as it started to rain, and a few weeks even to figure out how to light up my speedometer at night. But that car was beautiful and that life was beautiful and nothing could compare to the doors that being 16 opened. I could get a job, a boyfriend, start thinking about college, stay out later, babysit, and God knows what else.

As I get ready for my 26th year, I find it out fitting to reflect on how so many things have changed, but also on how many things stay the same. I'm still a little worried that no one will be at my party, and my now car -a Ford Escape was a gift given in my Grandfather's death. I love that car...and I still love my grandfather. In a few weeks, I will load up that car with all my belongings and hit the road alone on my way to a new job, a new city, a new life. After a YEAR of anticipation, my life has begun. Nothing could compare to the doors that being 26 will open.

INTERACT: What do you remember from your 16th birthday?

birthday week thoughts

2009-07-21T17:23:00.003-05:00

This is my birthday week... and I am pumped. I will be a year older on Friday, there is a party on Saturday, and I will wear my party dress.

In honor of my upcoming celebration, I wanted to give a quick run through of some great moments of year 25:

1. Clue-themed birthday party
2. Made a GREAT new friend in Marianne Magjuka
3. Got a chance to live with Sarah Martin, a roommate of all roommates
4. Served as a bridesmaid in two of my besties' weddings, Alice and Jenny
5. Reconnected with an old friend over "Christmas break"
6. Voted for the FIRST time in a presidential election...and picked the winner
7. Watched my big brother graduate college!!!!
8. Watched the love of my life graduate with a Masters Degree
9. Had the opportunity to continue to serve students at the Episcopal Student Center
10. Got offered a job that wanted and will definitely love
11. Found a faith community in Waco where I am loved

I'm sure 26 will bring many more wonderful moments... (oh and Alice says, "Hello.")

INTERACT: What are YOUR favorite moments of my 25th year?

working working working....

2009-07-17T12:48:00.002-05:00

I am writing a proposal to present at this:

See you on the flip side of that. I miss you, and I have lots to tell you, so check back soon!

What? I got somethin to say...

2009-06-29T22:12:00.003-05:00

I have received some news that I think I should tell you. I am moving to Fort Worth, Texas in August, because I-HAVE-A-FREAKING-JOB!

After a year and a half of interviews, four different living situations, a couple of turned down jobs, and MANY MANY tears- I will be the Community Involvement Liaison at Texas Christian University in the department of Community Involvement & Service Learning.

I had a few offers on the table, and after some reflection, I chose a great position at TCU. I am VERY excited about this position as it utilizes both my strengths and interests. I will be embarking on intentional poverty living as an Americorps VISTA. My monthly salary will be equal to that of the average Forth Worth resident living in poverty.

TCU will also pay a little of my housing, provide me with a meal plan, health coverage, an office, and access to the library and rec center. After my year of service I will get a little under 5,000 dollars to go towards my student loans.

This is really great b/c I have always wanted to experience living in poverty as part of my discipleship. I know that I have lived under the poverty line since 2005, however this time I will be working 40 hour weeks and getting GREAT experience for my resume.

With this experience and the work that I have been doing at the Waco Episcopal Student Center the past year, I will be able to be competitive in future employment pursuits.

If you have been thinking about me and encouraging me in this LONG process, words cannot express how thankful I am to you. I hope that you will follow along with me as I make this transition and start some new things.

Sweet Potato Cakes...

2009-06-23T01:57:00.004-05:00

No, it's not the the new pet name for my boyfriend...it's what I made for dinner tonight!!!

Tonight, my friend Anneka came over and we made these super yummy sweet potato and black bean cakes for dinner. I was really surprised at how well they came out. I found the recipe on this blog and we all know how much I love trying out new vegetarian wares. I didn't have scallions or jalapeños, so I just threw in some onions and called it a day.

The only issue I ran into came when we were trying to decide what to serve it with. I threw some fresh spinach on the plate and warmed up some leftover stuffed mushrooms from a recent wedding.

It seems like my guests enjoyed themselves. This recipe is only 165 calories for two cakes, which works since I am having to count calories these days. This recipe is adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe. I love Martha these days; she has much more street cred since getting out of the slammer. However, I don't like how she constantly interrupts guests on her show (oops...I guess I just ruined my chances to be one of those guests).

INTERACT: What would you serve with my sweet potato and black bean cakes?

oh the anticipation....

2009-06-16T03:42:00.004-05:00

It is almost 4am and I cannot sleep because I get to see these people tomorrow:

....and these three will be reunited again later this week!

I am SUPER pumped for old friends to be in town. My former roomie, Sarah is getting married this weekend. Not only is that exciting individually, it is also just fun to see how weddings bring people together. What a great cultural pastime. How wonderful that we value relationships so much that we will travel far and wide to attend the uniting of a new family!

Crafty Conversations: fabulous finds

2009-06-11T23:26:00.003-05:00

Let's just be honest with ourselves... I love books. I tend to gravitate towards old books, mainly because I really like the reading other people's notes in the margins and thinking what the previous owners were like. My favorite books are those of the craft-related nature. So if I can find an old craft book, I get REALLY pumped.

This week I stopped by our new Goodwill and found three books for $5.00 total! Along with a feminist reader that you probably don't care much about, I got this one:

source

and a book called Bright Ideas for your Home by Dalsgaard and Erichsenth. Both books were published in the 70's, and the Bright Ideas book was equipped with photos and intructions to make everything from couches to vest-like back packs. Here are a few projects from the book:

These are definitely FABULOUS FINDS. I wish you luck the next time you go a-thrifting! Now, I'm off to purchase some foam to make a "slumper" (and by that- I mean I'm going to bed.)

INTERACT: What is your favorite thrift store find?

Weight Loss: beginning again

2009-06-10T22:12:00.004-05:00

my brother (Keith) and cousins from Germany (Jonathan and Leoni) and me at my grandparents house in Hopkinsville, KY

So, today I started working out again for a research study that I am participating in for the next two months. This is really great b/c I haven't had the opportunity to strength train since I graduated (no free gym access). The workouts will include strength training 3 times a week (in beginning twice a week) and a bit of walking out side to that. It kicked my butt today, BUT I am super excited about it all.

My goal is to lose at least 10 pounds by the end of August, and I will definitely keep you all updated. Let's call the photo above a "BEFORE" picture.

Well, I'm off to walk to the post office! We'll talk later.

INTERACT: What are YOUR summer goals?

Crafty Conversations: an introduction

2009-06-09T20:30:00.002-05:00

These days, I have been inspired.
Last week I made a scrapbook of JT's graduation (pictures to come). He seemed to like it a bit. This was my first OFFICIAL scrapbook with pictures and all. I made a scrapbook as a (very late) wedding present for some close friends of mine (see slideshow) last year, but this graduation album is a definite first.

I have resolved to blog at least once a week about my craft habit, so look forward to some pictures and "crafty conversations" in the future. Next up: I have some news about my up and coming Etsy shop. But for now, enjoy the slideshow.

INTERACT: Leave a comment and tell me what crafty things are you doing this summer?

We need to talk....

2009-06-07T21:20:00.002-05:00

So, I took a hiatus from the blog for a while so I could FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS on my job search. (more on that later) I apoligize to those of you who have been dropping by to see how things are going. I am back to blog with a vengence.

I have spent quite a bit of time in Tennesse recently (for my brother's college graduation and some family visits from Germany) and that has been great and rejuvenating. My brother graduated college with a degree in chemistry after 10 years! I was so proud. My boyfriend graduated with his Masters after three years of heard work studying (while working full time). Again, I was proud. I have had a lot of interviews lately and some clarifying moments with myself (amidst some really confusing moments with others).

I think I finally understand what it means to be "centered."... but more on all that later.

I just wanted to stop by to tell you I'm sorry. It wasn't you- it was me. I want you back, readers. So, if you change your mind- I'll be around.

Here's those two special guys in my life-

So, what's new with you?

2009-03-17T03:50:00.003-05:00

It has been a whirlwind month, but I have been doing A LOT of thinking and I thought I should clue you in to what's new in my life these days. I will limit my list today to 3 of the things that I am really trying to focus on right now.

1. PRACTICAL- I am still job searching, so I am applying and praying. I am also trying to take advantage of my free days to encourage others, spend time with my boyfriend, and to really reflect on that "next steps" of my life beyond just "getting a job." I have really beend blessed with a few little hundred dollar jobs at just the right times to get the minimum bills paid and to keep my spirits up. Free housing is also a definite plus.

2. CREATIVE- Along the lines of future and money, I have decided that I really want to start selling my crafts online. This is something that I have wanted to do for a while, and I have already secured an online shop for this purpose, but it is really hard for me to justify buying materials if I don't have comitted buyers. Then a few weeks ago- I was inspired by my friend, Cheryl. I noticed that she has some of the CUTEST accessories and I asked her if she wanted to have a consultation to design her some personalized accessories. She agreed and we are meeting this week! That will be so fun and hopefully she will like some of my ideas and be a model for my online shop for some of her inspired items.

3. SACRIFICIAL- I am heading up a weekly service project to make these things called ugly quilts for the homeless. These are essentially sleeping bags made by no cost materials that are hand sewn. We have met twice and have already had a lot of fabric donated...so we are on our way as you can see in the picture below. If you want to donate, we are looking for fabric, t shirts, blankets, linens, curtains, table cloths, jeans, etc. This is such a fun project because it combines my ideals of community involvement and crafting. For more on this nation wide trend click here.

Lenton Disciplines and New Haircut Photo Shoot

2009-02-24T15:29:00.004-06:00

So, for those that are not in the know, Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. I am going to spend today deciding what I will put off for the season of Lent. You may remember this post last year where I gave up disposable cups. Check out the post for some Lenton inspiration. Even though I have not yet decided what I will put off, I have decided a few disciplines that I will put on. First off, I got a new haircut to remind me daily of the change in the season and the introduction of some of these disciplines.

I plan to take some time to spend in a Lenton devotional daily and debrief with an accountability group of 5 over breakfast each week. The devotional is provided free of charge by the Episcopal church and I can send the pdf to you if you would like, just let me know. I will be posting my reflections each Wednesday on the blog as well.

I also plan to take every opportunity offered to participate in corporate prayer. I usually don't have the patience to participate in group prayer, so I am really going to commit and try to really get to know Christ in a different way through this medium. The Episcopal Student Center (where I live) will be havin morning prayer twice a week and some women in my church will be getting together once a week to pray as well.

Finally, I plan to really focus on my diet and activity during the Lenton season, because discipline should be focused on mind, spirit, AND body.

So, get out tomorrow and get some ashes! What are your Lenton disciplines?

Crafty Conversations: craft night w/ KB!

2009-02-15T14:24:00.007-06:00

So, KB (you've seen her before here. came over and we had a...wait for it...craft night. Man oh man, I love craft nights. When I craft I am in the zone. KB worked on her first ever apron and it was AWESOME! I made a Valentine for the boyfriend that wasd like the puzzle purses that people used to give each other in the 1700s. Martha taught me how here.

KB sewing away. Doesn't she look like a pro already?

I am looking for inspiration from children encyclopedia that I picked up at the thrift store.

KB modeling her first ever home sewn apron!

Valentine for the boyfriend. I put an ee cummings poem on it.

This is what the Valentine looks like when you open the puzzle a bit.

Here's the puzzle all the way open.

Aren't we cute?

is love alive...

2009-02-10T23:45:00.005-06:00

Have I mentioned that I am obsessing over this song as of late? I know that it's not sweater weather in Waco these days (I had the AC on today), but it is still Winter in my heart and that means I get to listen to a Winter Song.

Go ahead and play it. Watch the video or open a new tab and search the internet for last minute things to make for your Valentine. I can assure you that it is worth the click. Oh and hey, if you have an extra second, leave me some feed back about your current musical obsession.

I've never climped a mountain or held a praying mantis...

2009-02-08T14:40:00.004-06:00

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog (or leave me a comment with the numbers of the things you've done)!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (*I have been to Disneyworld!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (*only the Canada side)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain -
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies...I was the top seller of my troupe
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check...so many times in college
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person...I lived there
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating see world hunger farm blog entry
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Leave me a comment with your blog so I can read your answers, or comment below with your lucky numbers....

INTERACT: Did any of my bold items above peak your interest? Which things would you like to know more about?

Presidential hip check...or butt bump if you will

2009-01-22T15:50:00.004-06:00

I knew our President was a super fun guy, but this video clip DEFINITELY confirms it. While watching the Inauguration Balls, I thought I saw President Obama hip check a citizen while dancing. Those in the room with me swore that it was his wife. However, I was correct and here's the video to prove it.

On another positive note, an Executive Order against torture was made today. Read it by clicking here This pleases me because I feel that my faith implores me to be against any act of torture. It is the government's ethical responsibilty to protect human dignity of friend or foe. I am interested to see how this order and the pending Gitmo closing play out.

Executive Orders can however be overturned by future Presidents, so I am hopeful that laws will be passed according to these ideals and steps be taken to ensure that we treat those in our custody in ways that we would expect others to treat our own citizens while in their custody.

LEARN MORE: Visit the following websites to learn more about the fight to ban torture:
Campaign to Ban Torture

National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Evangelicals for Human Rights

INTERACT: What are your thoughts on these things- from the Hip Check to the Executive Order?

Welcome, Mr. President

2009-01-20T14:36:00.005-06:00

I woke up earlier than usual today to make sure I could caught the inauguration of our President, Barack Obama. What a significant day in the history of the free world. I will mot bore you with my thoughts and musings about the inauguration ceremony and speeches, but I will tell you this: the benediction was my favorite part. I also really liked watching Malia take pictures with her digital camera.

Celebrate the inauguration by making your own Obamicon like the one I made today above! Do it here.

Lyndon B. Johnson claimed, "A president's hardest task is not to do what's right, but to know what's right." May you, along with our President, know what's right and do it.

INTERACT: Did you watch the inauguration? What were your thoughts? Were you as unimpressed as I was with CNN's "long anticipated" synth photo of the "moment?" Leave comments below.

Remembering... in his own words

2009-01-19T23:45:00.000-06:00

"Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated."
-Stride Toward Freedom : the Montgomery Story (1958)

"You know my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression ... If we are wrong, the Supreme Court of this nation is wrong. If we are wrong, the Constitution of the United States is wrong. And if we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong. If we are wrong, Jesus of Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer that never came down to Earth. If we are wrong, justice is a lie, love has no meaning. And we are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
-Address to the first Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) Mass Meeting, at Holt Street Baptist Church (5 December 1955)

Current Guilty Pleasure: West Wing

2009-01-18T01:58:00.003-06:00

I have been spending much of my free time watching episodes of the West Wing. I have fallen in love with this show, like ten years too late. ha! I'd like to make some thoughtful connection to this obession with my life, but alas I am tired. So, I shall leave you with this. I love watching people who want to do the right thing, know when it is wise to make fun of themselves, and have a healthy disenchantment with the country and its politics.

INTERACT: Leave a comment telling me of your current guilty pleasure.

Also, I am sick of people accusing me of being too hopeful, while others accuse me of being too hopeless. World- will you please just LET me enjoy my good days and also experience the bad ones as well.

Okay, so here's the dealio, yo-

2009-01-11T00:26:00.006-06:00

Friends- and enemies alike,

I have not forgotten you. Since I have been home (in Tennessee) for the holidays for over a month, I have not had consistent access to the internet. Or to you, for that matter.

Speaking of Christmas, let me tell you a little about the people in the photo above. Those are my cousins, Ashley, Shelby, Johnna, and Joey. Also is my brother Keith, Ashley's son- Jackson, and my Grandma. Oh yeah, and me- I'm the one with the dark hair.

This year, I had 5 Christmases and I am going to tell you about them:

December 23rd: Christmas Dinner at the Norfleet's. Larry is my mom's boyfriend and the Norfleets are his parents. We had steak AND they had stockings hung up with care- with OUR names on them! I really enjoyed meeting this family and had a wonderful time. How sweet of them to include us in their celeration.

December 24th part one: Christmas at Grandmas.IT is tradition for my LARGE extended family to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house. When she wasa child, her Christmases were very small, so she aims at being the center spoke for celebrations.
December 24th part two: Christmas at Oma's and Grandpa'sMy brother and I then joined my Dad and his family at his parent's house in Kentucky where I am THE girl to hand out the presents. This is always fun because my dad and brother are SO good at guessing gifts. Oma tricked them this year by wrapping up $100 worth of quarters in a tight fitting box. Surprise!

December 25th part one: Family Christmas.MY dad came over in the morning, so the four of us exchanged gifts. Some highlights: I got a rockin serger and a cool clutch made out of coke tabs, my brother guessed a lot of his presents, and my mom and I watched Mama Mia- well I watched AND danced.
December 25th part two: Movie Date with COusins.It is tradition for the cousins to go to a movie on Christmas Day. This year we saw Marley and Me- which was actually pretty good. We loaded up the purses with snacks and drinks and I did a little knitting during the previews (Much to my cousins shock).

So what were your favorite holiday traditions that played out for you this season? Comment and let me know, yo.

Sweet dreams of...well, not you.

2008-12-22T02:16:00.002-06:00

So, I've been gone a while. But let's be honest, you left first. Anyway, I've been stuck -still without a job- thinking about Christmas sneaking up on me and the New Year fast approaching, and dreaming.

It an effort to remember some of my dreams, here are a few things that I want to do in my life-

1. Own a coffee shop
2. Get Christmas cards from people, so I can finally recycle them in crafts that blogs and Martha Stewart always cite
3. Move to a city with a subway
4. Lose 100 pounds
5. Earn my PhD
6. Refused to be called, 'Dr' -in most cases-
7. Be married and live with another married couple
8. Learn to play all the string instruments
9. Make art
10. Dream for a living
11. Sell my crafts and be legit
12. Integrate the word 'jive' into my vocabulary

I really want to be part of something bigger than me, which isn't so hard these days since I feel so small. I really need a job.

Election Day: highs & lows

2008-11-12T17:57:00.005-06:00

Election Day brought with it many celebratory moments and many sad moments for me. I have been debating whether of not I should hash any of these things out in this forum. I have decided to list a few of my highs and lows- so that you can be let in to this semi-private part of my life.

This was the first time I have voted in a presidential election(high). I never cared before, because I am a fairly cynical person. However, the last few years of my life, I have become even more civically engaged and I have been very involved in being informed about this year's election. Since I was not anticipating being in Texas at the time of the election, I voted absentee. Since my ballot came a little late, I had to attempt to overnight it. The post office said it would cost $18 and they could not assure me that it would get there in time to be counted (low). I cried in my car, and I sent it in anyway.

I had the choice of tracking it and after a lot of consideration I looked it up online and...

MY VOTE COUNTED!!!!!!! (high)

This was very important to me because I really thought hard about my choices.

I was/am a major Obama supporter. There, I said it. I am a Christian who voted for Obama...and I didn't vote for him despite my Christianity. I voted for him BECAUSE of my beliefs.

It was a great night when we found out he won. Tears of joy and relief were shed as we realized that we were experiencing history. I was so happy to be in a safe space while watching the election returns, so that I could soak in a great moment (high).

I am very excited about our new president and I hope that iindiviual citizens continue to stay as involved in democracy as they have been in the elections.

I will say this: I was very hurt on Tuesday by many of my "friends" implying that I was not a good Christian (or a Christian at all) because I voted for Obama (low). It really disturbs me when "Christians" feel obligated to attack someone's character based on the choices they make that differ from their own. I was embarrassed last week by many dear friends that I know and I regret that there is no time or opportunity to sit down with them individually to discuss how they have wounded me and to hear them out as well.

Let me say this though: As long as you are comfortable with me being me, I am comfortable with you being you. I am not going to let our differences spur me to lash out at you and I will try to keep the ad hominem arguments to a minimum.

"pretty" smart books

2008-11-06T22:05:00.006-06:00

I cannot wait to have a library FILLED with hardcover books that make me look smart....er uh...I mean motivate me to read. If you know me well, you know that it is very hard for me to justify reading fiction, even though I feel like it is important for me to diversify my experience with books. Lately I have decided to try to read classic fiction, so I have been indulging myself with my roommate's copy of Pride and Prejudice.

Then I found out about the new pattern inspired book covers of penguin classics. Maybe when I get a job, I will buy one of these books and as I finish them I will reward myself with another -you know, motivation.

Question for my readers:What's your favorite fiction book?

Dad says, "Voting is groovy."

2008-11-04T17:04:00.004-06:00

Well, since I voted absentee I was a little bummed that I wouldn't get to feel like I was part of something bigger than me by standing in the lines at the voter's booth. (And there wasn't even a line at the post office to mail out my ballot.)

Fortunately, my friend Kathryn was still registered in Waco, so she came up last night (from Houston), spent the night with me and we stood in line at 7:00 am so she could vote. Kathryn swiped me a sticker so I could represent. We then headed to Starbucks to get free "I voted" coffee. Delicious. I was VERY glad to see her and I felt like a true American today...even if I am a socialist.

I had lunch with my old priest, (from the Episcopal Student Center) Alex and his wife. I was very encouraged by this time with them because it reminded me how special people in my life think I am and I was encouraged in some decisions I have made for my life. Alex is one of the most influential people of my adult life and I am blessed to have passed through his life and to have been a recipient of his ministerial spirit.

Tonight it is wine and cheese and the calling of the states. I am very excited and I am hoping for the best.

Please vote- and get the free coffee so you can stay awake for the results.

Thoughts on Poverty

2008-10-15T21:49:00.008-05:00

I live in the 16th poorest city in the United States. 1 in 3 Wacoans live in poverty. I see many of these Wacoans on a regular basis as a go to the store, to church, to coffee, and just about everywhere my life takes me. If you read my blog regularly, you have heard me talk about local and global poverty before, as this is an issue that is constantly on my mind. I am often reminded of the three basic rights I learned in class growing up: food, clothing, and shelter. (This was probably the first required memorized piece of information I can remember.)

Around 923 million people in the world go hungry.

In the U.S., one in ten housholds are living with hunger or are at risk of being hungry. Children are forced to skip meals in order for their families to get through the week.

We have the means to end hunger. Americans spend more on pet food each year than the cost it would take to end world hunger. We just need a change in priorities.

My friend Erin (in Nashville) and I were talking one day about "the issues" and she told me something that stuck with me. She said something like, "Things can be done to make things right, but WE need to be willing to make the sacrifices needed in order for that to happen."

This is so true and eloquently put, so I decided that I would dedicate this post to 5 sacrifces WE can make in order to make a difference (as individuals and collectively) in the area of poverty. **NOTE: One thing that I am sacrificing that is not my my list is convienience. I do making banking with strictly credit unions (see below why I do not enjoy banks) which don't have national locations, but the sacrifice is meaningful to me and worth it.**

1. Sacrifice your time by educating yourself about the issues of local, national, and international poverty. Being aware is great, but being EDUCATED is even more important. This is the fodder for making better decisions. You are now a grown up. You need to start making your own INFORMED decisions. Remember when you found out that you don't like your steaks medium well, (even though your parents do) but rather medium? Well, its the same with things that actually MATTER.

How?
Start by watching "The Story of Stuff" video by clicking here.
Check out Bread for the World for loads of information by clicking here.
If you are in Waco, attend Baylor's Poverty Summit in November. (click to learn more)

2. Sacrifice your reputation by talking to those around you and informing others. Did you know that pay day loan places (you know the ones that prey on the poor and charge RIDICULOUS unregulated interest) are owned by many national bank branches as a way to circumvent government restrcitions and make more money? Now you do...because I told you. Don't you want your friends to make more informed decisions? If you won't talk to them about your newfound enlightenment, who will?

How?
Use your facebook, myspace, blog, telephone, or just yell over the fence at your neighbor. I mean, do I really need to tell you how to talk to people?

3. Sacrifice your money by donating and microfinancing. There are many organizations that would welcome your money and put it to great use towards the cause. Don't have much money to give? Think about microfinancing - small loans given to entrepreneurs in developing areas to help them life themselves and their communities out of poverty. You will get back your small loan and be able to turn it around to change another life.

How?
Microfinance someone's small business with Kiva by clicking here.
Support the World Hunger Farm by clicking here.

4. Sacrifice your skills by getting your hands dirty and working FOR the poor. This can be done on so many levels, so be creative. Think about voluntering with local and national agencies fighting against poverty. It is also important to think about how you can be a change agent for the cause. Think creatively about how you can involve your business in pro poor work.

How?
Find local and national agencies online or in the phone book and network FOR the poor not just for yourself.

5. Sacrifice your comfort zone by continually being in relationships with people that are different than you. This should definitely include both the rich AND the poor. This is probably the most important sacrifce because if you are in relationship with those that are effected by your work, you will consistently be motivated to continue the fight to end poverty.

How?
Easy. Be where people are and meet them.

I appreciate any additional items you would like to add in the comments and.or your thoughts on poverty and our role in complicating ourselves in order to eliminate the deprivation of a basic human right.

Squint your eyes and look closer.

2008-09-23T20:42:00.003-05:00

Last Friday night, I traveled up to Denton, TX to meet B. (in the pic above). We went to Dallas for a rockin Ani Difranco concert. It was a good night. Ani is a favorite of mine and it was my first time to see her live. If you are familiar with Ani, you know that she is VERY liberal and FAR FAR left. As a result she has a large lesbian following, so you can imagine how different an Ani Difranco concert is from a John McCain political rally.

B. and I were remarking about how the people around us would react if they knew that we loved Jesus and B. seemed to be the only one in the room that did not applaud when Ani asserted that she would be voting for Obama (I did clap, because I will- in fact- be vboting for Obama). We had the best time and were very comfortable being around so many respectful and kind women. Usually at concerts, it is important to be very cautious of some of the creepy men around and utilize the buddy system.

As I looked around during Ani's song, 32 Flavors, this neat feeling of thankfulness passed over me. Regardless of my personal decisions and stances on sexual orientation, I am greatful for places like this concert for making ME the minority and giving these women a safe space where they can just BE. Our world (and sometimes especially the evangelical world) seems to be intent on dehumanizing these very women while they are beautiful and worth being loved by the same Creator with whom I am in relationship.

Before we can speak to anyone on ANY level about their decisions, we have to learn how to love them. MAy I find myself in many more situations where I am indeed the other, and may I have the oportunity to find space to just be while making that space available to others through relationships.

my own two feet have their own blog

2008-08-22T03:35:00.005-05:00

I have created an additional blog to chronicle my life through photographs of my feet. I hope to also have guest posts of my readers' feet as well. Take a moment and visit my own two feet and comment. Check back often for photo snippets of my journey through this life of mine.

my own two feet blog

I will definitely continue to post on this blog, however I strongly suggest that you check out the new own as well for a fun supplement.

Blog Action Day is October 15

2008-08-21T21:10:00.000-05:00

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion. The 2008 issue is poverty. I will be participating and posting. Will you?

Learn more Here

Familiar stranger

2008-08-14T15:17:00.001-05:00

Since I don't have a job I get to sit in a coffee shop and listen to Patty Griffin as I edit and reedit my cover letter for potential employment opportunities. I watch you each day, wandering around the burnt colored couches and java-inhaling students on their laptops, looking for a place to sit yourself and your fanny pack. You never approach the register, yet you usually have a beverage.

I wonder, what goes on in that head of yours placed so neatly under that baseball cap with the John Deere insignia. We have shared a couch often, so I know you are a people watcher like myself, though you only talk to those who call you by name first. I do not know your name so you don't talk to me. You just sit and listen to music on a portable CD player- a throwback to times of old.

I like to think that you are listening to the ocean- sort of a battery operated sea shell, revealing to you the sounds of places afar- and then you close your eyes and you are in a child's drawing of the beach, walking in the yellow sand as the bright blue waves crash against the crayon blue shore. A little water splashes on your acid washed jeans, so you bend down to roll them up. I imagine you are very particular.

You point at the purple birds as they fly by and maybe you laugh so joyfully that some passersbys can't help but to stare. You look down and some turquoise and tangerine fish catch your eye as they slide from the water to the sand. As you grasp felt covered fish, rear your arm behind your head and release them into the waves you think, "This must be heaven."

You pick up a seashell placing it to your ear and you hear the sounds of an espresso machine, cash registers ringing, and people typing.

I am now a quarter.....

2008-07-26T01:03:00.000-05:00

This week was my birthday week!! I have been very busy celebrating.

The birthday week schedule is below:

Monday: Margarita Monday & Ritzy Dessert at Diamondbacks.
Tuesday: Craft Night w/ Boyfriend (postponed due to boyfriend needing hair redone.
Wednesday: So You Think You Can Dance viewing party & The Dark Knight (so good!)
Thursday: Date Night With Boyfriend
Friday: Clue Themed Birthday Party
Weekend: We shall see...probably taking it easy

I plan on posting this weekend about my fun week, so stay tuned!

Hospitality and house guests.

2008-06-20T00:33:00.001-05:00

This is Mallory.

She and I have been sharing a room for a few weeks now. "What?" you ask. Yes, I said it....we are sharing a room. thirty Things Thursday paid off and with a little help from a friend (thanks, KB) I have rid myself of half of my life and I'm loving it!!!! Mal's air mattress fits snugly under my loft bed and she will be living with me for the month of June so she can take classes and I can get a little money towards rent.

A week before Mallory moved in I transformed my room (and my life) to fit around her needs and what a cool way to consider the implications of hospitality. I made her space in my closet, cleared off the bathroom counter, gave her some shelf space for books and a fan in case she gets cold on the floor.

You see, I have a LOT of free time on my hands these days and I am really enjoying getting to know who I am OUTSIDE of my identity as a student. God is really helping me to understand that even though I admire great things in other people, sometimes its important to figure out how to do things on my terms.

My friend Sarah told me that when she lives with someone, it reminds her that she has to be intentional about not being selfish and forces her to not only help people in her "free time."

I am enjoying having Mallory invade my space. My room has never been cleaner, and I really enjoy talking about our days and decorating cupcakes. Its fun to come home and see 4 people I don't know sitting in my living room with their bikes propped up against the wall. (That couch sits empty all day when I am gone.) Most of all, I am really enjoying finding creative ways to serve my new roommate in my own way, because hospitality should be personal. Now if only I could figure out how to plug my cell phone in after she's fallen asleep without hitting her in the head with the cord.

Another Kitchen Aid Mixer Contest!!!!

2008-06-16T17:25:00.000-05:00

Can you tell that I want one?
That is why I entered this OTHER Kitchen aid stand mixer contest on mywoodenspoon.com.
Head over there to try out your own entry and if you win one, you get to pick your own color mixer. And you would pick green and you would give it to me for my birthday on July 24th, 2008. yes? no? what?

Go here to enter: Mixer Giveaway goodness.

Do you wanna win a KitchenAid mixer?

2008-06-09T23:40:00.000-05:00

I want one so bad!
That's why I entered this contest on the Ribbon Rock Star blog.
Visit the blog and comment so that you can have a chance to win as well!
Click here to read and enter!!!!!!

I broke up with a job today...

2008-06-06T22:36:00.000-05:00

Today I turned my first and only job offer down. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. I've been praying about it for about two weeks and I have no peace about the position, the location, the money or really my future in general.

This is a sad place to be. I am thankful that my family (along with my boyfriend) is not disappointed in my decision to say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

I'm still waiting to hear about another job. If not, then it's back to square one on the job prospects which is CRAZY. I've been at this since March and I'm so tired. I can't wait until I get to just...rest. To all my other friends out there looking and waiting...I pray that the peace of God which passeth all understanding would keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

oh and one more thing.....ROLE CALL!!!!!

If you read this blog...ever - show yourself! Comment with your name and your location, b/c I'm begginning to think Tiffani is the only one.

Keep praying for my future.

I'm a Master...

2008-05-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

I have Graduated from Baylor University with my Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration! (Click below for photo albums of my hooding and graduation.)

I have yet to secure a job, although I have a few strong leads. This has been an amazing journey and I appreciate all of your support throughout. I look forward to blogging about my future. It's so bright you know, -I gotta wear shades.

Any and all graduation gifts are gladly accepted. Ha!

Hooding Ceremony Photo Albums:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five

Graduation Ceremony Photo Albums:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Barn Yard Ice Cream Sandwiches

2008-05-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

So, JT bought me this ice cream sandwich maker. It's pretty amazing and it makes barnyard shapes!!!

Here's how they turned out:
We used butter pecan ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.

Don't they look delicious?

Oozey. They were a lot better after we stuck them in the freezer a bit.

If you wanna see the step by step photos Click here.

I'm graduating!!!!

2008-05-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

SO, now that the papers and exams are FINALLY complete- I can breathe AND blog.
I am about to be a MASTER. My plan- get a job and buy myself a pipe to celebrate. (You just SEEM like a Master when you're smoking a pipe.)

Here's the skinny- I graduate May 17th from Baylor University with a MSed in Student Affairs Administration. I passed my comprehensive case study on the first go round (My cohort was the first in Baylor history to all pass on the first round.)

Job search:
I have been on two on campus interviews. One of those decisions is still pending while the other gave me the boot.
I have a phone interview scheduled for next week and another on campus interview scheduled for the week after graduation. Plus I am applying-applying-applying!!!

Prayer:
Please pray that I finish my assistantship with integrity (I have 7 hours left).
Please pray that I find a part time job in the interim, because I have bills to pay AND my student loans start again.
Please pray that God allows me to find a position that utilizes my strengths and allows me to be financially secure and helps me to be developed as a professional.

Let me know if there is any praying I can do for you.

2008-04-17T08:21:00.000-05:00

I do realize that it has been a while since my last post. I truly am sorry, but I truly am busy.

My capstone case study presentation is due on Wednesday April 23rd, 2008. This is the culminating experience for my graduate program that determines whether I pass or fail. I will pass of course, however there is all this added pressure to make it the best presentation I have ever given. I met with my advisor yesterday and my power point template got the big thumbs down but my content did not. Hey, you win some and you lose some.

I have had two on-campus interviews for various job opportunities and I have turned down one interview offer due to my lack of funds. I have a few leads and I will have a job. I just don't know where and when.

Oh, and I'm absolutely in love with my boyfriend and this video.

Readymade Magazine Subscription Giveaway

2008-03-31T17:09:00.001-05:00

I have fresh new giveaway for all of you!!! (If you won the last one, your bag is the mail).

This giveaway is for a free year's subscription of readymade Magazine! That is 6 full issues of the bimonthly magazine for people who like to make stuff for nothing but leaving a sweet comment!!

Readymade is my most favorite magazine and I have issues 3-34. (If only I can get my hands on #1 and #2- my life would be complete.) You definitely NEED to have this magazine in your life, and here's your chance.

DETAILS: * The contest ends Monday April 7th at 5:30pm.
* Winners will be posted on Tuesday.
*To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post, and include your name. (Check back to see if you won, so you can email me your address.)
*PLEASE NOTE: your post must be "approved" by me before it shows on the website, so don't be alarmed if you do not see it right away.
*Keep checking the blog for the logo above for future giveaways!!!

Brad Pitt Sighting

2008-03-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

I promised that I would mention the Brad Pitt sighting soon, however- I am tired of typing so I'll give you the next best thing (probably a better thing) and post my friend tiffani's post about the incident. Her excellent blog can be found here.

Tif says:

It would be weird to start a post with "Brad Pitt" except we saw him today at the Texas State Capital!

My cohort had a field trip today to Austin, to visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (in the AM) and the Director of Research for the Speaker of the House (in the PM). In between we had lunch at a great place near the Capital called "Serranos."

Anyway, when our van got to the capital we walked over and while we were trying to figure out how to get in, some guy with a walkie talkie asked us to walk away a bit, about 20 feet from the entrance. We weren't sure what was going on, but soon a couple people and some sheriff's deputies were walking into the building. Katie T. said she thought one of them looked like a movie star, but I poo-pooed her. Well, I was wrong. We found out immediately after that, that it was Brad Pitt.

Brad (as I call him, though I don't know him...) is in Austin right now filming a movie called, "Tree of Life" and apparently part of it takes place at the state capital. When we got inside we got to stand around (because we had to - they wouldn't let us walk through until they were done with their shots, but overall the crew was polite) and watch them shoot the scenes which mostly looked like Brad walking - we couldn't see them filming any dialogue.

It will be interesting to see what those shots look like when the film comes out.

Later we got into our meeting and Al asked me to round up the girls (who were using the rest room) and Carrie and I got stuck as they were filming in the hallway right outside our meeting. That was fun because we got to see him even closer. But alas, no photos (well, we are working on one, but it remains to be seen if we can get it to look good) and no interactions other than watching. Interesting, though! What a fun day!

p.s. They were also filming in Smithville, TX, which was also the location for Hope Floats (I just found that out yesterday)

Posted by Tiffani R at 11:42 PM 0 comments

Video Chatting

2008-03-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

I talked to my best friend (Stefi) all day today as we tried to use Skype to video chat. Due to her older computer, Sype kept kicking us off when we tried to upload her video. Then we found some other methods, but MY camera wouldn't work.

Here's what we decided on:
We spoke on our cellphones on speaker phone andd turned off the sound on the computers;
I logged onto to Skype and called Stefi so she could see me;
and She logged onto imo.im and messaged me so I could see her.

Here's what it looked like from my end when we finally got it all working:

We're not really good at look at each other. We get stuck on looking at ourselves and fixing our hair for the camera.

How fun to talk to your best friend about NOTHING at all for hours on a Sunday! It was almost like we were ACTUALLY hanging out.

I can't wait til we get to hang out in person in April.

Still to come:
*Brad Pitt
*Job Search
*30 Things

I've been tagged by Lyndsay...

2008-03-29T18:17:00.000-05:00

Lyndsay tagged me so here's my details:

10 years ago: I was 14 and ridiculously awkward. trying to navigate through multiple cliques in the cafeteria- goths, athletes, Christians, and skaters. (Those were my main friends). I was becoming the first girl on my high school wrestling team, among three other girls. Funny- I would change out of my platform boots into my tights and attempt to live two lives.

Things on my to do list today: take the recycling to the center, write a five page paper on something, send out a few resumes, watch Juno, email some people, write more blogs, research for case study, gid rid of things in my rooom...

What would I do if I was suddenly became a Billionaire? Pay off my student loans and open a coffee shop that changes people's lives, give to the World Hunger Farm, invest for family

Three of my bad habits: I am a compulsive hoarder, I don't shave my legs as often as I should, I'm addicted to VH1

Five jobs I have had:
Camp Counselor at Camp Discovery
Special Olympics Coordinator
Grocery Store Cashier in the grand Canyon
Coffee Shop Barista at a bookstore
Teacher's assistant iin Pre-K Special ed

Five things people don't know about me:
I still sleep with a stuffed animal named Ducki
I don't like looking at the ocean because I can't see it all at once.
I was more comfortable with my body BEFORE I lost thirty pounds.
I have my own roller skates (four wheeler Sketchers).
I feel cool when I have my windows rolled down and my music turned up.

I tag these people: Janie Williams, Brian Denker, Nic Pfost, Andrea Wandell

My car got the boot.

2008-03-29T15:47:00.000-05:00

This is what I came out to my car to find stuck to the window. I was not not surprised, because as I approached my vehicle I noticed an orange accessory on my left back tire. Parkking services has given my car the boot!!! I guess those 11 tickets FINALLY caught up with me.

So now, a few days later I have a paring decal ($100) and 3 parking tickkets to pay ($100). I am ridiculous. I had a supspicion that the tickets were being put on my student bill. But alas, I did not investigate, however parking services did.

So yesterday was the first day of my graduate career (with less than 50 days left) that I legally parked on campus. Bummer, if only I could have held out.

Final thought: As I waited for Parking services to pick me up, I noticed that a student on a bike had stopped to take a photo of my boot. "Don't take a picture of my sorrow!" I thought as I channeled my best friend. (That is sooo something Stefi would say.)

More to come:
*Blog tag from Lyndsy
*Job search Update
*Brad Pitt Sighting
*Graduation announcement

Determine my future...or at least THINK you did...

2008-02-21T17:12:00.003-06:00

Don't forget to take the poll to the LEFT.

Chuck Norris wouldn't apply for a Student Affairs job....

2008-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

He would just take it- b/c everyone knows that Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.

So- As of this very moment I have officially applied for 9 jobs. It's a daunting tack but you just have to sit down and start applying. I recieved a sudden jolt of confidence after I was offered interviews from two different positions at the same school where my best friend will soon be working. So, I applied to a few more places and hopefully I will continue to have a quick turn around of interview offers/declines. We all know how much I love feed back.

As I sit on the computer typing my "hire me please; I'm the greatest ever and oh-so-qualified" coverletters, I noticed that the "recreational TV" (praying for your Lenten choices, Tif) in the background is showing an episode of CSI. I know nothing about the plot, but I found myself getting over-annoyed by the constant use use the word "dorms." I looked sternly at the television and stated, "Residence Halls- not Dorms." THIS is how I KNOW that it is time for bed.

Speaking of bed- "Dormatory" comes from the Latin- "dormere=to sleep." Here's the deal- residence halls should not only be a place where students sleep, but a place where they LIVE. (I'm such a higher education nerd.) BUT o-so-hireable.

Valentine's Gift Round-Up

2008-02-19T10:18:00.000-06:00

The UPS man must've thought that I was a two-timer this Valentine's day, because the packages just kept arriving! I never get mail so I was super pumped to receive all my Valentines. I thought that I'd share the love with those of you at home.

My mom sent me FOUR pairs of booties that I really like as well as the soundtrack for HAIRSPRAY! Love that movie!

My cousin, Johnna sent me sugar free candy, which was welcomed surprise. I really like that girl!

Last but not least- my boyfriend got me a REUSABLE shopping bag from Method designed by Danny Seo, one of my favorite green bloggers. HE also got me flowers, granola bars, and a PEDICURE. My green toes match the bag!

The best Valentine's day yet! What did you get from your special someone's?

Valentine's Day could change your life...

2008-02-13T15:02:00.000-06:00

Whether you hate Valentine's Day or long for the moments of digging through tin foil covered shoeboxes to see if Bobby Caudle (with a rat tail, mind you) wrote you a "Be Mine." card, ModMom has some GREAT Valentine giveaways on this blog here.

Enter before the big day (tomorrow) and you could win something amazing!

Impossible to ignore

2008-02-13T14:37:00.000-06:00

Above is a photo of Lovelace 1 (bottom floor) and Lovelace 2 (top floor- the setting for my best, and worse, college memories. With a perfect view of the Sugar Shack (a gathering place for students) we would trun out the lights and watch newly formed relationships blosson from our video as we giggled and tried to identify who it was the we were "stalking." Rachel would call downstairs to tell me my guitar playing and singing was "too loud" and I would scream out the window, "Herd of cattle!" at the neighbors as they noisily climbed the stairs. Stefi would call on Sunday to borrow the hair straightener or catch a ride to church or to figured out an excuse for not going. Alice and I would sit on the counter of the kitchen and exclaim that the reason we had no boyfriends was because we are too eccentric for the area. The windows read in my day, "It's all good in the hood!"

As you may know, my undergraduate institution, Union University was devastated by a tornado recently. Since the tornado, I am surprised about the effect this has had on me. Its reallhy hard to be here, when people I love are there. Its really hard to see the destruction of the physical without experiencing the embrace of the community and the spiritual.

If you would like, you may give to the disaster relief fund by clicking here.

The MOMENT you've ALL been waiting for......

2008-02-12T20:17:00.000-06:00

And the winners are......

So- Liz and Alice, please send me your mailing addresses (via facebook)and I will send you both FREE shopping bags- handmade by ME!!!! Yay!

Alice Said:
I miss you and I want a bag. That is a GREAT Idea.
I might pass it on to the Anna Mags so she can start your chain up here...You're already going global with this thing.

Liz Vailes Said:
Can I tell you this is quite possibly the coolest idea ever!? You are SO crafty! I love it! Hey, by the way, I am in need of a serious update with you. Baby Vailes (the second) is due ANYTIME now!!!

Feel free to use the comments section to congratulate the winners.

But to you losers- there will be more giveaways soon. (If you still want a bag, I have many more- at a cost...just let me know.)

We are starting a revolution!!!!

2008-02-10T21:56:00.000-06:00

This is eryn....

She is star wars fan from Anderson, IN who apparently LOVES broadway musicals. But that's not why her picture is posted on "the blog." Eryn, by way of random events, stumbled upon the 30 Things Thursday idea and is now embarking on a Fifteen Things Friday. Check out her blog in the inspiration section of the link to the left and hold her accountable.

I'm going to give Eryn one of the "coveted" upcycled t-shirt shopping bags as a "thank you card" for the compliment of immitation.

Don't worry!!! I will still be drawing TWO names for shoppers TOMMORROW!!! So check back to see if you've won. (Or enter by clicking
HERE!!!!!

30 Things Thursday x 2 +12

2008-02-08T09:04:00.000-06:00

Okay- so I have accomplished three more "Th/Th/Th"'s these past three weeks the goal has been to go through EVERY item of clothing I own and separate them into three piles- keep, sell, give. JT (my AWESOME boyfriend-best ever) sat on my bed as I held up item after item and he served as the studio audience yelling "KEEP IT!" "SELL IT!" and "TOSS IT!" This an an experience that we affectionately refer to as "the game." We hardly disagreed on what to toss, except on occassion- which only hurt me a little bit. :)

So here are the goals & results of three weeks of Thirty things Thursday:
Goal 1: Go through all my clothes
*I got rid of 95 items of clothing in the giveaway pile
*Clothing in this pile range from jeans to flip flops tp sweaters to clothes I've had since sixth grade
*I have a laundry basket of t-shirts (not counted in the above count) that I will be crating into shopping bags You can enter in my drawing to win one here-winners to be announced on Monday.)
*I have a box of about twenty things to take to the consignment shop (not counted until actually sold)

NOTE: All the clothes I kept are in a pile, so as I hang them up, I hope to edit out more articles of clothing.

Goal 2: Go through the boxes that are still in my bathroom floor from the flood last summer
*I came up with an entire laundry basket of ridiculous things and threw a lot of medicine away
*I can't even remember what was in this basket, but it was fairly full- I hope you won't like me less after seeing the pictures below.

Goal 3: Have KB (my AWESOME friend) come over and talk me out of keeping EVERY SINGLE BOOK I OWN
*This actually worked- we went through one of my book shelves (the small one) and I got rid of almost 10 books.
*I also identified 5 books to giveaway to some of my friends (watch out, it may be you)
*K handed me a trash bag (which I later realized was scented [Kristen, that's what we were smeeling]) and made me spend 2 minutes throwing trash away. You would be utterly surprised to see old bills, church bullitins, receipts, excess crafts scraps, etc. that just float around my room.

PLUS- I created a new rule:
NEW Rule: If I purchase items and bring them INTO my life, I must take that same number of items OUT of my life (on top of the usual 30)

So, I bought 12 exciting things for crafting at the antique store, so I dismissed 12 things out of my room. Included in these picture frames, old patterns (unopened), scarves, etc.

Heres the documentation to prove it:

KB with my stuff (I could BURY her under all this crap!)

More pictures of the "things:"

COMING SOON: Pictures of me ACTUALLY dumping this stuff at the goodwill & guest blogger KB writes about how hard it realy is to convince me to get rid of my crap.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Let's Give it up for... LENT!

2008-02-06T14:18:00.000-06:00

After reading my most recent post, you may be asking yourself, "Self, why hasn't Mel disclosed her own decision to give something up for lent."

And then you may have told yourself, "Self, you know how Mel is. She is so last minute- she probably hasn't even picked something."

And you know what- Yourself was right! HOWEVER- I just decided what I will be giving up for Lent: disposable coffee cups.

Now, the way I view Lent usually is I give up something that I want and then I set of some sort of spirtual response system that I experience when the desire for that "thing" hits. For example: If (I was crazy and) I gave up coffee, everytime the desire hit, I would meditate on scripture or prayer instead. Then, on Sunday's I would partake in the coffee as a reminder of God's glory and freedom.

However, disposable coffee cups are not something that I want to go out of my way to partake in, so I shall avoid them entirely over the Lenten season.

Here's what I will probably do: I will bring my own mug or ask for a "for here" mug (if available). If neither of these things are available, I will abstain from the coffee and reflect on our disposable society and thank God that she shows US more mercy than we show the rest of the world. (Hopefully the reuseable mugs will remind me to reflect on the above things OVER coffee as well.)

This is me RIGHT now at Common Grounds, a coffee spot right off campus:

Feel free to use the feedback link to post what you are planning to do during the Lenten season to become more disciplined and like Christ.

I am someone's ELSES inspiration!?!?

2008-02-06T10:15:00.002-06:00

Crazy. My former roommate, Lyndsy (pictured in the last blog entry) and a few of her friends have been inspired by "30 things Thursday." Here's an email that she sent me recently:

Lyndsy: I was talking with my two friends out here and we were contemplating what we wanted to do for lent this year. We came up with no retail purchases and taking part in 10 things Tuesdays. The overall goal is simplicity. You were our motivation. We are going to start a facebook group for it today and post every week what we are getting rid of as accountability. One is in Indiana and the other is in Colorado. All three of us are getting married and will be moving this spring so it comes at a good time.

This is great. Maybe we'll start a revolution.
Checkout Lyndsy's Ten Things Tuesday facebook group (and join!) by clicking here.

Please consider "Ten things Tuesday" as you examine your Lenten options.

The giveaway is still going on! Leave a comment in the blog below for your chance to win a shopper!

Crafting Reusable Shopping bags & Free Giveaway

2008-02-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

So since I've started "thirty things Thursday" I've had the opportunity to be stuck with the dilemma of what to do with all these t-shirts I have laying around. "To give away, or not to give away..." that is the question. And we all know what I do when I can't answer that question.... I CRAFT!!!!

So, I've solved a two fold delimma- I needed a reusable shopping bags for my groceries (for convienience, hipness, and comfort) and I needed to "keep" my t-shirts' memories alive. So I made shopping bags out of the t-shirts.

I brought one over to Lyndsy and Jonathan's super bowl Sunday as a gift for their new "greener" lifestyle. If you would like one of these bags for yourself, let me know. Great news!!! If you leave a comment to post, your name will go in a drawing for a FREE handmade "upcycled" t-shirt shopping bag!!! Just leave a comment (be sure to include your name) and you will be entered in the drawing for a free bag, made by me of course. Everyone loves free stuff.

Here's Lyndsy showing off her new bag. She's excited to save the environment from those pesky plastic bags. (possibly because this bag holds a lot of groceries, as you can see.)

Again the bag upclose:

Here's an upclose on the reinforced straps:

Suddenly I see, this is what I want to be...

2008-02-01T12:34:00.000-06:00

If only it was that easy. The job search has begun. I am nearly finished with my resume wrinting and I am completely overwhelmed by the job hunt process. It's like going to Walmart for groceries- so many options!!!

I have been looking at so many online postings that my eyes hurt. My computer is sick of seeing my face. Here's the view from my laptops end: (curtesy of my new computer's webcam)

Boo, job hunting is not good for my appearance.

Anyway, here are some options that I am considering.

I am looking into a New Student Programs job in Jackson, TN, a few Multicultural Affairs positions elsewhere in the country, and a Director of Student Ministries position with the International Justice Mission in washington, D.C.

I will be interviewing for positions (other than the ones above) in Boston in March so I need to get a few tailored resumes posted. Of course, honoring tradition- my resume will be posted on my door with a note, "Hire me, please!" until I am hired.

Please pray as I continue to try to to be faithful to my calling. I realy need to take the next week to limit my search nonnegotiables. Thus far my only requirements are the ability to live at a standard of living one notch above "graduate student" and still be able to agressively pay off my student loans. (Agressively=10 years, ha)

If you see any jobs that scream my name, quickly tell them to lower their voices, and pass them along to me.

Coming soon: Thirty Things Thursday times two.

The Secret Life of Cell Phones

2008-01-26T18:57:00.000-06:00

Check out this video on the secret life of cell phones and give me some feedback of what you think about this. I know you have at least two cell phones lying around.

I found two during "Thirty Things Thursday" and I plan on recycling them or donating them to an organization that gives them to battered women. If you have an old cell phone (working or not) I'll recycle it for you- just get it to me somehow.

Here's the video:

How sad! We are dumping broken phones in underdeveloped countries. I just love America. *sense the sarcasm*

Please tell me what you think of the clip.

10 things Tuesday- scratch that Introducing Thirty Things Thursday!!!!

2008-01-21T20:52:00.001-06:00

I have decided that for this semester only I will take 30 things out of my life each Thursday. (You may have heard me refer to this as 10 things Tuesday, but I've decided to step it up a bit.)
Here are the rules:

* Items can be counted as long as they are given away to friends, goodwill, or are sold.
* I must set a goal to accomplish as part of thirty-things-Thursday (T Cubed) For example: at the first ever th-th-TH, (which happened on a Saturday, ha)I set a goal of going through all my desk things, two catch-all boxes, and two of my craft boxes.
* I must throw things away as I empty.
and finally
* I must log all the things I remove from my life on the blog each week so that you all can experience this "exfoiliated life" with me (or at least make fun of me for all the crap I have, thus avoiding future accumulation of junk.

I started the semester of with a bang, by getting rid of 45 items!!!!! My good friend Carrie (check out Carrie is crafty to the left) helped me out and she ruled with an iron fist. She took some awesome things with her too.

Here's a picture of my first 45 things weighing me down:

And now it's ALL in a box:

Here the list you've all been waiting for:

*Ms. Melissa Apple
*2 green desk file trays
*Volunteer orange new testament
*little Homie
*empty earring box
*assorted wristbands (5)
*Singer sewing machine needles
*mood ring and bracelet kit
*sugarlicious lipgloss key chain
*assorted mini ornaments
*mini magnadoodle
*strawberry shortcake ring
*wooden Melissa keychain
*cross witnessing bracelet
*turquoise watch
*worry doll pin
*breast cancer bracelet
*post it notes
*yeild to me picture frame
*2 staplers
*brush
*comb
*parody CD's (2, Muppets and Star Wars)
*Best Friends forever picture frame (3- ridiculous)
*pressed flower frame
*lady in waiting book
*hair wrap instruction book
*rainbow stocking cap
*motorola charger
*coasters
*green tempura paint
*tan candle
*life is good baseball caps (3)
and
* one red paper clip

And Carrie took away:
*a few notes from my old roomie- Beth
*10 floppy disks and holder
*college food diary
*broken picture frame
*Glenn and his quarters picture

Some of the above will be used to make me an idea journal for my crafty- this will eliminate all the extraneous pieces of paper that float around my room with ideas & help me to remember I keep certain things for crafting.

Please pray for my personal cleansing as I attempt to rid my life of all this crap and look forward to future postings concerning all the WEIRD things I have probably had since college.

Thanks Carrie!!! (shown below with her husband Marc)

Final's and Christmas prove to be difficult

2007-12-25T16:09:00.000-06:00

I have recently undergone finals and now I am spending Christmas in Tennessee with unreliable internet. Both of these things have proven to be problematic when it comes to updating posts.

Please be advised that this mini hiatus will not impair my ability to deliver quality blogs about "the issues" in the future. Keep checking back- I heart you.

P.S. I actually got a new laptop for Christmas, so blogs should be a little more frequent. yay!

A preview of things to come is above.

Mel is Getting Skinny

2007-11-30T13:43:00.000-06:00

So, I went for a research study follow up and I was going to put a chart on here with all of my numbers, but I lost the paper that I wrote it on. So here goes: I now weigh 227.4. That is a 29 pound weight loss in 4 months!! That is like five of the beg ones below and 4 of the little ones. These are models of what 5 and 1 pounds of fat look like:

Sick! Well, that is all off of my body and now I'm moving closer to my goal of one hundred pounds in a year!!

Please pray for me as I continue my cardio and weight training 3 times and week and I stick to a low GI diet.

In other News:
my students, JT, and I will be going on the overnight hunger simulation tonight (see previous post on World Hunger Farm) so please continue to pray that we will be changed through this process. I rely on food for comfort, while others can't even rely on it for sustenance. That's almost sicker than the fat model.

Grace and PEACE

The Daily Bite: It IS easy being green

2007-11-26T01:40:00.000-06:00

Every once in a while, my inbox is blessed with the presence of the Ideal Bite, short and sassy emails about green living. Ideal Bite offers small ideas for "light" green living, so if you aren't interested in selling your car and buying a moter scooter or switching to washable feminine hygiene products just yet, this may be the site for you.

I really love the small changes that I have been able to make through these emails. Recently, I took a personal oath to bring my own travel mug to the coffee shop or at least ask for a "for here" mug. I'm currently working on knitting my own coozie, so that as a last resort, I at least can forgo the paper sleeve. Let me know if you need a knitted coozie of your own.

Another big-small difference I have chosen to make is to swear off plastic bags. I made my own shopper purse out of an old t-shirt (photos coming soon) that I take to the store to transport my goods.

Calculate your ECO-FOOTPRINT using one of these websites (or google eco footprint):
Earth Day Eco-Footprint
Conservation International Eco-Footprint

and then check out the ideal bite website or blog (in my links section) and find out some practical things you can do to reduce this footprint on the world.

Coming Soon: My reflections on THanksgiving with JT's family.

Hip Hop and Worship

2007-11-15T13:10:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday and today I worshipped at Church Under the Bridge here in Waco. CUB is an interdenominational church that gathers outside under the I-35 bridge every Sunday, rain or shine. The congregation is truly multicultural and consists of homeless brothers and sisters, a local biker group, Baylor students and faculty, high school kids, etc. As I walked up under the bridge I watched as people from all walks of life greeted each other with the peace of Christ. How beautiful is the body of Christ!

As the band finsihed up, Pastor Jimmy Dorrell (director of Mission Waco and Truit Seminary proffessor) approached the microphone and spoke of the man posessed by demons that Jesus cast out into the pigs. Jimmy and I have worked together in the past and as I try to expose my students to people that are different than them he has been very instrumental in bridgeing the gap between "the us" and "the them." He took 15 of my students on an "other side of waco" exposure tour, where he drove us around town to the places that most Baylor students do not usually get to experience. As we came back to Mission Waco, Jimmy pointed out the youth building. Graffiti was purposefully sprayed on the side of the building (words like peace and joy) and Jimmy explained to us that he hopes to turn one of Mission Waco's buses into a HipHop Christian Party bus.

This week I have been thinking about an article that Jimmy wrote about HipHop church services. He feels that there is a great need for these types of services. In fact, CUB holds HipHop church services from time to time.

I was informed that in South Bronx, an Episcopal church that has a HipHop service and Father Alex at the Episcopal Student Center let me flip through his copy of the HipHop prayer book.

(excerpt) Psalm 23 as adapted by Ryan Kearse
The Lord is all that, I need for nothing.
He allows me to chill.
He keeps me from being heated
and allows me to breathe easy.
He guides my life so that
I can represent and give
shouts out in his Name.
And even though I walk through
the Hood of death,
I don't back down
for you have my back.
The fact that you have me covered
allows me to chill.
He provides me with back-up
in front of my player-haters
and I know that I am a baller
and life will be phat.
I fall back in the Lord's crib
for the rest of my life.

Some say that the HipHop church thing is weird and too strange, possibly too much. Some say that it is the embodiment of loving people, and that you have to be truly intentional about getting to know those that are different than you.

I think I'm going to take this week to reflect on what Paul means when he says to "be all things to all people."

(photos by Matt Lester)

How to Recycle

2007-11-06T15:56:00.002-06:00

Check out this local Waco Video put together by the UBC Green Team. (For those of you at home, that's David Crowder's Church.

A Visit to the World Hunger Farm

2007-11-03T16:17:00.000-05:00

On Thursday morning I got a chance to visit the World Hunger Farm right outside of Waco. I spent the some time touring the farm and then I was invited to stay and eat lunch with the interns. Some of my students and I are going to spend a night at the farm November 30 participating in a hunger simulation.
The World Hunger Farm is an intentional Christian community that is(taken from mission statement)committed to the alleviation of hunger around the world. God calls us to:

* Train individuals in holistic ministry that equips them to work with communities in developing sustainable farming techniques
* Educate those with an economic abundance on methods of conserving and sharing resources
* Participate in local and international sustainable development programs

Our philosophy . . .

is to live simply, helping those who struggle to meet their basic needs by sharing and investing in others what God has given to us

At the hunger simulation, 11 of my students and I will have the opportunity to sleep in a one room building with no plumbing or electricity, use a homemade composting toilet, farm and cook our own food, shower with collected rainwater, etc. The facilities we use are just like what you would find in impoverished Nicaragua.

That night the rest of my organization we be invited to the farm to participate in a Hunger Banquet, where each participant is given an identity of someone around the world. About three people will get to eat steak (upper class) at a table while some eat a nice meal of beans and rice, and then others will sit at the floor and share a small bowl of rice, etc. What a great way to bring it home.
Participate in your own virtual hunger banquet where you "choose your own adventure" at The Hunger Banquet Website

Exposing myself and students to the ways of the world is so important to me. It is so important to bear the burdens of the body of Christ, wherever they are in the world. It is also so important for us (the rich) to be at least a little more responsible with all the "extras" we have. I mean, really, it is so easy to recycle, for example.

I think as Christians, rather as people, we have the responsibility to complicate ourselves by exposing ourselves to critical issues and to think critically about how these things affect the way we live our everyday lives. The learning outcomes that I have established for my students go a little something like this:
To understand the interdependency of all people and establish a commitment to be a local, national, and global neighbor.
and
To be able to articulat critical issues facing leaders today and be able to identify practical ways in which we can address these issues now and in the future of our vocation/calling.

These are things that we cannot ignore as we live are normal lives in Waco, Jackson, Clarksville, Germany, Denver, New York, LA, Russia, Asia, Canada.

The more I know Christ and the way he interacts with me, the more responsibility I have to interact with his people in the same way of grace and compassion. Essentially we are called to die for our fellow man, just as Christ died. Even if we are not willing to do that, the least we can do is stop spitting in their faces by taking all our privilege for granted.

A friend once told me that America is poor, blind, and stupid. I agree. The only way we can truly see is if we rip away from ourselves all of the things we collect in order to hide ourselves from the true freedom we were meant to experience.

I'm not sure how I am supposed to do this, but I think spending the night on a cold concrete floor with 11 18-19 year olds is a start. I have a feeling that on November 30, the 12 of us will be fuller than we have ever been.

World Hunger Relief Website
World Hunger Farm Blog

Coming back with incense, bells and whistles

2007-10-28T21:46:00.000-05:00

Listen up. I'm going to try to do the blog thing again. I've realized my blog-phobia. I'm just afraid no one will read it. My friend Brian has the best blog
and I know mine cannot live up to his, BUT alas, this is no longer a fear for me. I will write my blog and maybe someone will read it. And maybe someone will like it.

I went to the Greek Orthodox Church today in Waco-alone. I was reminded of Julien's story about the icon painter calling for "lots and lots of varnish." As I sat, er, stood during the service trying to stiffle my coughs from the incense, I was strangely comfortable there. I couldn't find the liturgy in the book, so I just got to 'experience' those around me worshiping. It was really interesting. I felt like I was meeting brothers and sisters that I had never known and getting to share is something that they find so dear, but I find so different felt so at 'home.'

I was grieved to not get to take part in the Eucharistic ceremony, but I did take some Fellowship bread at the conclusion of the service (I chose not to kiss the priest's hand). Afterwards they had a time of food, where I got to eat good salad and soup. I sat next to a law student who spoke of examinations, not exams. He was giving a friend a recipie for hungarian goulash- a dish that I am very familiar with.

I forced myself to stay and allow everyone to meet me, b/c that is what the priest requested of the guests at the conclusion of the service.

I'm realizing that I am comfortable being me and I am comfortable with you being you.

What is this life that I lead?

2007-01-30T11:56:00.000-06:00

I am utterly sorry that I have not posted in years. My crazy life insists that I devote my time to other things. I will make no more promises, but I will try to attempt the blog thing again.
What's going on with me?
Well, I am running three times a week (2-3 miles each time), I am starting abs and weights next week, so I'm pumped (or soon will be).
At work I am now advising TWO student organizations, Freshman Leadership Organization, and Baylor Leadership Organization. I am very busy at work and my boss is always coming up for new things for me to do.
My classes this semester are not as enjoyable as last semester, but such is life.
I am finally feeling like there are 1-2 people that I can be myself around, some of the time. I have a few workout partners, so its nice to process class together.
I have not found a church yet, BUT the Episcapal Student Center is where I go for Eucharist, Bible Study, and Morning Prayers. I really like Alex, our priest, and everyone is cool w/ me being Protestant. (Ah, the inclusive episcapals. Love them.)
I don't know if I am spelling Episcapal correctly.

And She's Back!

2006-10-18T11:08:00.001-05:00

I didn't realize so many people periodically read this blog, so I am back in action.

I will try to update often, b/c I care.

For now, click the link below for a good time. Janie and Ben know what's up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e580fpxMQXk

I had a great time in Tennessee. Thank you all for existing.