Wits and Grins

BOOMER SOONER

2009-11-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

Today I was reminded of my time at OU. For those of you that don't know, I spent a year and a half at OU. I went as a freshmen and then left after the first semester of my sophmore year. I don't talk about that time in my life or really think about it all that much either. I had awesome roommates my first year and second so that always helped, but something wasn't right. I struggled that entire year and half to find my place. Most of my friends were in sororities and I tried that and it didn't work out. I tried several organizations, but nothing felt right. I was in an education program, but I hated it because it just wasn't the level of education that I desired. For a year and half I straight up struggled. I had a great church with a great college minister, but nothing felt like it fit right. About October of my sophmore year, on a whim, I applied to Texas A&M. I got in and head to A&M to complete my sohmore year. After a semester I applied to work at the church I was attending, and as I began my junior year working at the church I realized that I had finally found my spot.

I don't revisit my memories of OU much because it was really difficult, however, it is always a sweet reminder that trials come to an end. They have their purpose, they teach us, they mold us, and then they move on. Being amoung new trial it is always a good idea to look back at the lessons learned from the old trials. It's funny how my "trial" at OU now brings me peace amoungst current trials. A peace that no other experience could bring.

So while it was hard, I will always be part SOONER! BOOMER SOONER!

Toolbox

2009-10-18T19:48:00.001-07:00

I plan to stand by this next statement: I am a stable person. Yep, believe it or not folks, it's true. However, I am speaking from years of experience as a dramatic, emotional person. As a child I freaked out when my parents moved a book shelf to another side of the room. OR one time I ran into a busy street because I didn't like my hair cut. I actually went to the hospital that day, but not because of a car.

The point of me saying this, is that I have always had to work hard to "stay in the middle". NOT that I believe that I should be a robot, but maintaining a balanced mental life is the definitely the goal here.

I am so content with my life. I love the Lord, have a good family, amazing friends, and a great job that I learn from on a daily basis. But, I still have hard days. Sometimes it is after a long day of work or maybe a lonely Sunday afternoon. SO I have discovered a toolbox of "the little things" that I use during those tough moments. So I wanted to share what's in my toolbox in hopes that you will share what's in yours.

1. Starbucks and a pedi
2. Walking through Target...with a Starbucks
3. Wine and a bath.
4. Carinos, wine, Desperate Housewives
5. Coffee and my Bible
6. Retail therapy

All this to say, I know we all struggle with big things. There are things in this world that I want that I have to give up to the Lord's timing, and while I am strong in His truth and His will, my toolbox is for those little emotional mole hills along the way.

So what's in your toolbox of "the little things"?

PACT

2009-08-29T14:26:00.001-07:00

So I found the blog of an old friend today and I got to reminiscing. How precious time and life are. I once, and really always will have, these three best friends. They were in large part, the reason why I miss high school every now and then. (okay I get it, who MISSES high school) They didn't actually go to my high school, but they made that time in my life...well they just made it.

We are so so different. I haven't really heard from one of them in a while, but the other two I try to keep up with as best as possible. Brooke and Sarah. They have always been so much more adventuresome than me, but thankfully they have let me tag along every now and then. You might be thinking, you are adventuresome Rebecca you went to Costa Rica alone for six weeks. If you think that, just take a second to talk to these ladies. They one time ran down the streets of Manhattan while taking off their shirts just for the fun of it, because nobody was around. I am telling you it really happened, and I just stood there in awe.

From afar they still motivate me to always push my limits and go beyond my comfort zone. If you guys read this...I love you.

Theme of the Week

2009-08-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

So lately I have encountered three situations involving early morning smoking...

1. It was about 10 am, I was headed out to the Woodlands when I encountered an odd situation. There were about 3 cop cars surrounding an older red car. There were two teenagers cuffed and sitting on the ground. Really guys, high at 10am...and driving?

***

2. I was driving to church Sunday morning, about 10:15...fine 10:25 (I was late) when I saw a guy smoking a pipe. No big deal, right? But it wasn't just any guy, it was a young guy driving with the windows down in his mid size pick up truck. A pipe? At 10:25 in the am.? While driving?

***

3. I was just completing a 3 mile run, it was about 7:45 am and I ran past a guy in sweat pants and a wife beater smoking outside of his house. He had that I just woke up and here you are running like you are something special look on his face. I made sure to cough loudly as I ran past him to indicate to him that he was contaminating my running air. Really the first thing you have to do in the morning is wake up and smoke a cigarette?

My thoughts on the matter are this, if...IFFFF you are going to smoke, lets wait till at least noon and for the teenagers that were arrested, might I just say this. Permanent Record.

Phrases…or Euphemisms…sort of??

2009-08-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

You know those phrases that frankly we all use to “soften the blow”??? I would love to meet the brilliant mind that introduced those to our cultural. For example, “Bless her/his heart”. I picked this phrase up after I started hanging out with my country friends in college. They would mention a friend, smile, shake their head, say “Bless their heart” and then same something down right ugly. Example:

“Bless her heart, she just can’t sing for her life. When I here her sing I want to go and jump into a pit of venomous snakes…but bless her heart.”

Or they say “Now I would say this to their face, if they were here…” That is absolutely not true, would you really say that to the person if they were standing right there? Okay, maybe you would, but would you say it to the person if they were standing right there with their grandma…probably not. Those country folks are tricky with their phrases, because I would leave an evening with them thinking that country people are just the sweetest people I have ever met. THEN I would recount all of the Bless her hearts, I know they mean wells or I would say it to their faces and realize maybe they aren’t so nice after all.

There are also phrases, which I mostly picked up from my northern influence that are more direct like:
• “I don’t mean to be rude but if you don’t step up off my lawn I might just…”
• “Don’t take it personally but your breath stinks”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also recall a phrase that I use to be direct, but appear that I am actually being indirect. This is the “I feel” phrase. I feel like eating at Cheddars tonight, I feel like we should go to the lake, I feel like I want a chocolate chip cookie. These are all things that I want directly, but have acquired the tendency to use as a cushion to the truth or a filler as I actually decide what I want “I feel like (pause) pizza for diner”. Really I don’t feel like a piece of pizza, I just want to eat pizza.

As I studied Spanish the summer in Costa Rica, these are the cultural things I slowly began to notice. For example “lo que”. I would began all of my sentences with “lo que” which means “its that”. This way I could think about what I was going to say next. So I wonder what other phrasal crutches Spanish speakers use to soften the blow, or what new phrasal crutches we might develop in the future.

Honk If You Love Jesus!

2009-07-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

If you want to go to Costa Rica and study something besides Spanish you should probably study honking!

I have currently memorized the honks of all vehicle in the entire world. That's right, I could tell you what any honk in the world sounds like, because it is daily routine here in Costa Rica to honk. Honk at walkers, honk at other drivers, honk at your friends, or honk at your enemies. Honk and bark. Honk and whistle. Honk at a mariposa gliding through the air.

Here are some of my a favorite honks:

A Mercedes truck sounds like an elephant that stubbed its toe. A short quick elephant honk. Mac trucks sound the exact same, and yes if you pull your arm up and down to signal for a honk from a Mac truck, they will honk (apparently it is a universal symbol). You also have your clown nose honks. These honks typically come from the smaller older vehicles. That's really all I can think of right now, BUT you are interested in any other honks please let me know. I will gladly research it for you, as Costa Rica is the number honk research facility in the world.

Burps in Spanish Sound the Same.

2009-06-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Of all the profound situations I have encountered in my time in Costa Rica (By the way, I am in Costa Rica and have been for the last 2.5 weeks) I have learned first and foremost that burps in Spanish sound the same. NAHHH just kidding.

I have learned...that monkeys are evil. I spent one night in a villa in Manuel Antonio fearing for my life as I heard repeated banging on my door. It had been raining and I was in a hut/villa right off the beach. My friend and I spent the entire night praying to God for rescue. Nobody at the front desk was answering the phone and we had no way out. We woke the next morning to tons of monkey's jumping, playing, and LAUGHING around our villa. We asked the hotel manager and she nodded as if it was common knowledge. Maybe they don't have fine print in Spanish. *Note: may be kept up all night by patronizing monkeys.

Next, I have learned that the best soccer games are played in the backwoods of Costa Rica. I spent one Sunday in the back hills of Guanacaste watching a small CR football league. It was great. All of the locals gathered to watch soccer, drink beer, and sing karaoke. Yep karaoke is a fad here in CR. I haven't jumped in quite yet, I want to brush up on my Spanish a bit more. I also took a quick shot of a dominoes game in Quepos.

I have spent the last 2.5 weeks in my own version of "Fast and the Furious" The cars here drive like crazies. The rule of the road in Costa Rica is to over correct or exaggerate any movement that might be necessary while driving. Oh and if you are ever driving in CR remember to honk, bark, yelp, whistle, or any other creative gesture at any person walking or running in the street. The good news is that there are tons of awesome cars here.

The people here are amazing, so sweet and patient. My Tico family is fun and they help me with my homework every night. I love my school more than anything. I have pretty much had one-on-one classes the entire time that I have been here. Everyday there is an endless amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. I have also grown much accustomed to drinking my coffee black because it is just so good.

Finally the best word/phrase I have learned since I have been here is: tranquila "Calm Down"

(I took these pics in Manuel Antonio a beautiful beach in Puntarenas)

Pura Vida from CR!!

Hello...

2009-05-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

Hello...

Yep I am here, I have just been hiding in a dark corner for the last month. I was scared the TAKS man was going to get me.

So here are all of the things that have happened...

PAST

January:
Denver. I love Denver and Denver loves me. I shall return.

February:
Tyler. Saw a friend in "Moving Out". I was almost sucked up by a tornado, and I called a sheriff a jerk. Then I called the jerk sheriff's boss and told his boss about the jerk being a jerk.

March:
Destin. I went on a spring break trip with 12 awesome people. We had a blast. I learned that Louisiana needs a new highway and never to wear cheap swimsuits.

Mexia. Was hit on in a McDonald's.

April:
Dallas. I hung out with a long time friend. It was great!
Los Angeles. Saw my brother along with Jessica Alba, Zach Braff, and Barron Davis.

PRESENT

May:
College Station. Wrapping up school, packing up my room and trying to prepare kids for another TAKS test.

FUTURE

June:
Costa Rica...

July:
Costa Rica...
Bastrop...

More to come later! I miss blogging.

Fake Foning (or Phoning)

2009-03-09T03:24:00.001-07:00

A couple of years ago I was meeting a group of friends at Wings n More. I pulled into the parking a bit early so I knew I would be the first there. Well I quickly noticed that another one of the guys was pulling into the parking lot at the same time. Call me a jerk, but I didn't really want to talk to him. I knew it would be an awkward conversation and I didn't want to go there. Thanks to my quick witted nature, I devised a plan. I decided to pick up my phone and pretend to talk on it. That way I would just smile and wave from my car...I could even pretend that I was annoyed that the "person" on the other end wouldn't stop talking. I thought I was golden. Until. The guy walks up to my car window and taps on the glass and says "I can hear your music from 10 feet away." Ahh! Rebecca! Stupid! Turn the music off before you fake fone. My cover was blown.

So I told this story to my bible study girls and we really got to talking. Apparently I am not the only fake foner. Some of the girls fake fone while walking in the mall, waiting for somebody, or to look when walking or driving.

So do you fake fone? If so, when and why????

The line FORMS here.

2009-02-19T18:46:00.000-08:00

We have officially entered into “form” season and until that faithful Mid-April day when the Bryan Post office shuts down part of William J. Bryan to alleviate the post office traffic, America will be bogged down in thousands of endless tax FORMS.

(That’s just my intro)

So really this FORM business all started when I asked about getting snack passes for my kids. My boss responded “You will need a form for that” What is with all these forms anyway? So I started brainstorming some other form happenings…

a. I am dying! I need to see a doctor…”Oh just fill out this form”
b. I would like to order a … “Oh just fill out this form”
c. I would like to join this church. “Oh just fill out this form”
d. I would like to breathe the air in this building. “Oh just fill out this form”

So here’s to all the form requesters of the world. I am now requesting forms for all of the following reasons:

a. If you want me to take out the trash.
b. If you want to email me.
c. If you want me to pay my bills.
d. If you want me to let you out to use the restroom (that’s for you Dean…you have to fill out forms too)

If you have any concerns about any of these matters…please fill out this form ;)

This blog is dedicated to all teachers that work tirelessly to educate the youth of America.

A watched pot never boils

2009-02-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

I can long remember my mother and even her mother using various "old sayings" on me. Yes, using them on me like laser beams to shoot down all of my child hood wanderings.

"It ain't over till the fat lady sings"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it"
“Six to one, half dozen to another”

…and so on.

I would always ask them "Why are you saying that?!?" They would simply respond, "It's an old saying" as if that qualified as the justification of the statement.

Well as usual I was contemplating life, and the old saying "A watched pot never boils" crept into my mind. And I really do me CREEPY crept, because when ever my mother’s (or grandmother’s) voice comes into my head it is laced with a screeching Brooklyn accent. You guys that know my mom have all heard it. Now picture her mother...10 times worse! So why this old saying now, why was it in my head?

Here is my thought: We all catch ourselves wondering from time to time about the “next step”. When will it happen? What will it be? Will I be snowboarding in Canada next weekend or sitting on the beach in Florida? This week I caught myself staring at a pot of water waiting for it to boil (not literally). I realized that nothing good comes from pot staring.

1. You get fat, because you are just looking at a pot of water and not working out.
2. You get bored, and stir crazy.
3. You forget about the importance of all else that is going on.

SO in conclusion no pot staring! Just living life, loving my friends, family and everyday as it comes. Such a simple bit of life knowledge yet I still needed the friendly reminder. I guess I appreciate my mother’s voice terrorizing me to this day.

Please share the "Old Sayings” that you heard as a child. You can even add in the anecdotal accents that made you crazy or pictorial representations like below.

**************************************************************************************

Some others have decided to share their pot watching stories with us...

dun da da dahhhhh!!!

2009-02-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

A couple people have gotten on to me for not introducing my Dean to the blogger world, but like any parent I wanted to wait until the time was right. So here he is, my precious pup Dean.

His first day home!!

His first walk!!

Hanging in front of the house!!

First time in the snow!!!

After his first haircut!!

To-Do List

2009-01-25T16:43:00.000-08:00

Most of us use "to-do" lists.

Some to-do lists are short term: Go to the post office, swing by HEB after the gym, feed dog...you get the picture.
Other to-do lists are life long : Spend a year learning Spanish in South America, have family, get Doctorate...

This to-do list falls in the 6 month to 1 year range...

1. Organize my ipod. When I was a freshmen in college I downloaded a lot of weird songs to my ipod (yes I stole songs). After that year I was convicted and promised to never steal music again. Now I still have all those songs on my ipod and I hate them all. Time to delete.

2. Organize sock drawer. I want to have all of the same socks so if I mismatch it doesn't matter. I will create two categories work/boot socks and athletic socks. Specialty socks like my snowboarding socks will be stored with my snowboarding gear. No problem.

3. Match all of my plastic cups and coffee mugs. I can't stand having a mishmash of plastic cups from old football games and candy filled Christmas gifts from work friends. (Sorry guys, but really what did you expect?) Note to self...send apology note-strike that- EMAIL to work friends.

4. Categorize and order all of my pictures on IPhoto. I love digital photo albums because I don't like having to store photo albums in my house.
.
.
.
.
5. Go see my doctor about my OCD.

Poetry AND Motion

2009-01-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Working for a school is rarely dull.
The school year always seems to roll
The cyclical school calendar keeps me on my toes.
And this is how it goes:

• The excitement of the new school year begins the first day of school. You meet your students and have a thousand things on your mind to save you from the mundane.

• This excitement wears off about late September and just before you have the chance to get bored, football season and all its festivities kick in to play.

• When football season is winding down you take a look at the calendar and begin the wonderful countdown to thanksgiving break. Avoiding all thoughts of Halloween. (it is the death of every teacher)

• Then the stretch from thanksgiving to Christmas. No words.

• After the break you begrudgingly return to school, but are always thankful for Martin Luther King’s birthday.

• Then this weird thing happens. All of a sudden you realize all the classroom elements have come together and finally they know the procedures of the classroom. (Great it only took 5 months)

• Soon comes the realization that Spring Break is around the corner. Trip planning is on the mind!

• Then (cheesy dramatic voice) THE TAKS CRAZE. That’s it…I have taught them all they need to know. It’s review time before the big, don’t call me at home because I am dazed from watching kids take a test that could determine my employment for the next year, day.

• After TAKS comes the oh-so-grand free fall to summer and then…

• FREEDOM. And the day I get my PTO happy summer birthday cookie on a stick!

So while it may seem long
Like the never-ending song.
I will always say,
Teaching is the only way!

Lipstick Jungle

2009-01-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

Today at Golds I saw a women working hot pink lipstick. She was pulling it off and I was amazed. I have always wanted to wear lipstick, but especially now more than ever since it is working its way back into the limelight.

So here are my problems:

1. I have dark hair with golden highlights and freckly pale skin. Will somebody please tell me what will work with that!
2. I have skinnyish lips and a small mouth. My bottom lip blends into my chin so I never know when to stop.
3. Do I use lip liner because of my lip to chin blending issues? Or is lip liner totally off limits?
2. Also when/if I do find the right color, introducing lipstick to your face takes a "breaking in" phase. I don't suggest anybody break anything in when they teach junior high kids. "Miss Edwards, what is wrong with your face?" "Miss Edwards you need to clean your mouth" (I've actually had a kid tell me that one).

Basically I need a lipstick intervention, at least I want to know that I gave it a fair chance. So I am taking any suggestions on color!

Am I?

2009-01-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

Am I a jerk? Ever since I have started working full time (four years). I have come to expect a lot from people. I think to myself…If I let my guard down for just one minute at work, my students will be in full fledge revolt mode. As in, the second I turn my back I either have a mutiny of classroom rules, or a stack of paper work a mile high on my desk. All that to say: I, like many of my friends, work hard, so I expect others to work hard too. So this new expectation really shows is true colors when I am going to place of service. I get so frustrated when I walk to a checkout counter to pay and the workers decide to finish their conversation before they look at me to ring up my items.

Well the other day I had it. I have been trying to get a hold of this place forever to make an appointment. I finally get a hold of them and the women answering the phone sounded like she just woke up from a 10-hour nap. I then asked her when I should call so I can make appointments. She said, “We are always busy”. I asked for the manager, and she informed that she was the manager. Well my everybody should work as hard as I do chip on the shoulder attitude spoke up and said, “I though I might offer you some professional advice, if somebody is explaining that it is difficult to contact your business, you might benefit from apologizing and promising (though it might be empty) to try harder in the future” She hung up on me. Oh well, changing lives one day at a time.

I do want to say I appreciate the effort when it is made. I went snowboarding a couple of weeks ago and at the end of the day everybody was trying to catch the gondola down the mountain. The line was really long, which just meant traffic would be even worse. BUT the Breckenridge staff was there, passing out cookies to everybody waiting in line. Really they can’t help that the line is long, but the simple acknowledgement of frustration and peace offering really went a long way. Well done Breckenridge. Well done!

Speak

2009-01-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Long time no speak. Sorry for the hiatus. My mom always taught me “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It’s not that I have been a bitter shrew for the past month and a half; my thoughts have been unclear and relatively negative. However, it’s a bit of a lie to actually say my thoughts have been unclear, when all along they have been clear. I truthfully have just chosen to ignore the blinding clarity. So what’s the blinding clarity? I need and quench for the word of God.

I can’t explain the immediate rush of peace and clarity that came when I spent time in the word today. When I am thirsty it affects my joy, peace, patience, and the way I love people among other things. Because of sin this world is destined for death. Just like a plant with no water. So I know, as long as I continue to drink from the water of truth I will continually produce fruit; the evidence of life. What a supernatural gift the Lord has given us to be able to produce fruit in a dying world.

"How will they know if we don't even walk, even talk, even speak?"

The Fog

2008-11-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

Some mornings here in beautiful College Station, TX are filled with the densest fog you have ever seen…or at least I have ever seen. Well yesterday was one of those days and as I was driving to work the lights were visible at about 50 feet and all other structures, cars, buildings at about 25 feet. AND it got me to thinking…

After checking my speedometer, I realized I wasn’t slowing down and I wasn’t even the slightest bit timid, like I am when I am driving in the rain. Why not? Because even though I couldn’t see 100 feet in front of me, I knew that the lights would be visible in time. I knew I would see taillights, headlights or traffic lights that would indicate the need to stop or slow down. I knew what traffic light came next, and I knew I would have enough time to stop if it was red. So while I am in a complete fog in life, I have to remember that every other foggy period I have walked through has been made clear in time. I am a true believer in reflecting and learning from trials so I know that in trials past, God has always opened the doors and revealed His next step in His time. I also remember that there were days or weeks when all I saw was fog with no lights. So right now, all I see is fog, but I have been in the fog before and I know that in God’s time there will be lights, and things will be made clear. Is 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in You.

************************************************************************************

Comfort Food

2008-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year. The cozy cool air pushes in, department stores mark up the “pumpkin, cinnamon, cider, latte, hazelnut, pine needle, harvest” candles, and we as human beings enjoy being inside cuddled up on our couches. With cozy cuddling comes comfort food. My most recent comfort food craze is Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but some classics include…Ramon Noodles, pizza, and Macaroni and Cheese.

SO

I want to know, what are your comfort foods???

* I must say this blog comes at a most inopportune time being that I am running in a race this Sunday. Maybe I should start comfort food eating on Monday. CRUNCH. Oh I’m sorry I just couldn’t resist…race shmace.

First facial...and last facial.

2008-10-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

INTRO:

So if any of you guys know my most recent hobby, it is my soccer team. (Enter shameless plug: BCSSL and our team is the Macropods). Anyway, this new hobby isn’t really all that new, I have been playing soccer since I could walk. I never joined a club league because my parents wanted me to have a more balanced life. But I play in a league with some random people now, and I love it!

ACTUAL STORY:

In two separate soccer games my poor big toes were trampled. Both big toes, in separate games, turned purple. I am a huge pedicure girl, so you know this is a shot to the heart…or the toe. Both of them were damaged enough that they started to grow out…yes this is getting nasty. I have been walking around just wondering when they would totally fall off.

WELL, today I went to get a facial, which a friend gave me as a gift, so it was my first time to go to this place. My facialist begins to lean me back in the facial chair (Those of you that haven’t had a facial, they tuck your arms in real tight under a blanket) and as she is leaning me back, my left foot just barely taps my right toe and two seconds later I hear what you can imagine, my toe nail falling onto the floor. THERE I WAS, tucked into the facial bed completely immobilized and my big toe nail was lying on the floor. I immediately gasp and my facialist (whom I just met) asked what was wrong. In utter embarrassment I told her what had happened. So the poor lady had to retrieve the toenail!!! It was a little hard to relax after that. The facialist probably thought that the facial creams were burning my face, but really it was just the embarrassment.

My dad can beat up your dad!

2008-09-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

To: Big Bear

I've been reading in Matthew lately, it is my favorite gospel. I came across a passage that reminded me of my dad. It’s Matthew 7:7-11. The basic idea of the passage is, “Ask. And it will be given”. As I was reading I immediately thought of the way that my dad has always loved me.

It was about 6 years ago, I had just finished my freshmen year of college and I worked that summer at a camp (Insert my shout out to Texoma Lutheran Camp, RIP). At camp I played around with some of my friend’s guitars and I wanted to learn how to play. So that semester, being that my parents wouldn’t let me work, I asked my dad if I, they, could buy me a guitar. I didn’t really know how to play yet, so my dad said no. I was so upset because my thought was, if I don’t have a guitar, I will never learn how to play to prove myself, therefore I would never be able to get a guitar…oh the tragedy. A little upset about it, I went along my way. However, I think that my dad knows me better than I do. Bound and determined that spring, I suckered somebody into loaning me her guitar for 2 months. It was one of those old Ovation guitars, with a round back and strings as hard as diamonds and as rough as sandpaper. My fingers did not love that thing.

Anyway, to the sacrifice of my roommates at the time, I learned to play the guitar in that two-month period. I practiced all summer and for my birthday, my dad bought me a guitar. It took me almost a year to get that guitar, but I wonder, if my dad had just bought me the guitar when I first asked, would I have actually learned how to play?

My dad always encourages me when I play, even though I’m not that great. But I truly don’t think he sees/hears any fault in my playing. This is the very way that the Lord looks at all of us that are covered by our Savior’s blood. Faultless. What a true reflection of our relationship with God, and the way that He loves us. Thanks Dad!

From: Running Deer

Losing Face

2008-09-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you do all of the stupid things that you do in front of the same people. Like at school, when I trip it always seems to be in front of the same colleague. Or how about this…the other day I went to open a door and walk in and I PULLED. Who does that? And of course it was in front of that same colleague. Maybe subconsciously I have decided that it is better to really “lose face” in front of one person and get all of my stupidity out, and then for everybody else, they can just continue to think that I am a completely normal, high functioning member of society.

The Day We Chanted

2008-09-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

For some reason I come up with a great deal of my blog topics in church, The Work Laugh, came straight from Sunday morning. I know it’s bad but I always write the topic down and go straight back to paying attention.

Anyway, this whole thought came out of something that we don’t normally do at my church, but last Sunday was a different story. It could be referred to as chanting, repeating, or reading as a whole. Whatever you call it, it involves speaking out loud as a group. This makes my skin crawl. One of the reasons I go to my church is because we don’t chant or repeat as a congregation. (Not really, I chose my church because God called me there and if they want me to chant I will chant).

So why does this bother me so much? I mean I am the annoying girl sitting by herself, singing at the top of her lungs, because I love to sing. But when it comes to repeating as a whole I just can’t do it. BUT STOP! I make my students chant!!! I am a chanting hypocrite!!! I make them say things like. “Of means MULTIPLY” and we don’t line up decimals when we multiply because, and they say, “Math teachers are lazy!”

In conclusion, I promise to stop making my kids chant and if you see me at church during a chant I am probably putting on lip gloss or pretending like I am looking for a friend…and by the way, thanks to the family a couple of weeks ago that asked me if I wanted to sit with them, maybe they are non chanters, and we can start a whole non chanting row, and let it spread. Then one day when they want us to chant nobody will chant!! It’s the overthrow of the chant!!!

The Work Laugh

2008-08-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

A dedication before I begin: To all my beloved colleagues, you know I love you guys and really think you are all funny, I just had to parallel my thoughts with a Friends episode. The work laugh can be used in many situations. And you know you have done it too!

I don’t know if anybody remembers the Friends episode where Monica discovers that Chandler has a horribly annoying work laugh and she tries to convince him that he doesn’t need it. But after a terribly awkward situation Monica realizes that it is just better to have a fake work laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agb8h0fGlVw

In the essence of drawing parallels, my current life situation complements this Friends episode quite nicely. See the problem is, that people make jokes and I don’t think they are funny. When people say something that is not funny, doesn’t make sense, or isn’t relevant I just don’t laugh. It’s not funny, and it doesn’t need my laugh. My thought was that hopefully the absence of laughter would help mold their humor. * I am not saying that my opinion on funny/not funny is the end all. We all know I have told me fair share of bad stories, jokes, and one-liners.

However, my plan has backfired. It turns out that this is a rather pompous attitude and I am just coming off as a stick in the mud; with no sense of humor…go figure. Either that or nobody that I work with is funny. So I talked to a good friend that told me I might just need to get a work laugh. She said her work laugh was…”ha, that’s funny”. So I have been practicing work laughs and I think I have a good one. Here’s how it goes…I do a quick closed mouthed “ha ha” and then calmly move my head back then to the side and then point my finger at the person, and give them the YOU RASCAL look. So my new plan is to test it out and let you guys know how it goes. Let me know if you have a good work laugh that I could try.

Man/Women crushes

2008-08-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Before I get started I must state that this is a joke and nobody in this story actually has a crush on anybody.

So a couple of years ago I was dating a guy that was really into wakeboarding. He had a nice wakeboarding boat and we would go to the lake a lot. One time we met a guy on the dock that had a wakeboard, but no boat and he asked my boyfriend if he could have a quick ride. So we took the guy for a ride. It turns out he was a professional wakeboarded and my boyfriend was completely ecstatic the he was driving him. After the ride was over my boyfriend had forgotten, in my opinion, that I even existed. He must have asked the poor guy about a hundred questions. After the whole event I told my boyfriend that he had a man crush on the guy. My boyfriend didn’t like that, but I couldn’t resist. (Note to self: you probably don’t currently have a boyfriend because of reasons as such).

On a more current note, due to a similar situation, the idea of man crushes came up in a group discussion, and the question was thrown to the girls, “Do any of ya’ll have women crushes?” I immediately informed the group….“phhh NO”. BUT Later that night I was headed to bed and all of a sudden I realized that I have a women crush and I was surprising okay with it!!! Even to the point, where I told my women crush that I had a women crush on her. Oddly enough it was, whoI refer to as, “my math boss”. (Note to self: don’t tell my boss I have a crush on her). It’s a wonder I make it through life…

Funks with a Purpose

2008-07-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

I think God has set aside certain days to be funk days. A funk day is a day where you just can’t figure out what’s going on…you are in a funk. If you are at work, you seem to be more of a sideline player. If you are in a social setting you seem to be a wallflower. In a funk day there might be a point of break down or tears looming, and many times you feel just socially awkward.

So what is the purpose of these days? Just recently I had a funk day. It was the first day of a conference for work at a beautiful resort near Austin. I woke up, had my coffee, read my bible and went on what I thought was my merry way. About 30 minutes into the conference I started to realize that I was entering funk mode. The funk went with me through the day. That night two friends/co-workers of mine and I took a float on the lazy river and out it came…”So what was up with my funk today” I said. It was like, I was finally ready to verbalize the funk. We got to talking about it and realized that maybe this funk gave me the opportunity to listen to my colleagues, gain perspective, and develop thoughts. By the end of the river ride my funk had pretty much dissipated and I was able to chalk up my weird day to just being in a funk. BUT my funk had a purpose.

So what’s the purpose of your most recent funk?

Caution: I must warn against on-going funks. Sometimes you might have a two-week period of mild funkness or maybe even as long as a month. If your funk lasts for longer than a month, I might suggest talking it out with someone you trust.

Contentment

2008-07-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

I was reading in Philippians the other day and Paul said,

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.”

I have read this verse for years and never fully understood how that was supposed to look in my life, or why it wasn’t at work in my life. However, I can tell you to the month (November 2007) when this verse really took up residency in my heart. Over the course of about 2 weeks I just became so content with my life. I hadn’t “acquired” the great things I desired to achieve. I was just glad to be where I was. So I wonder how this great understanding came about. I had been reading that verse for years…why now? I think the Lord works in a very specific time. That specific time has purpose in meaning that reveals itself in, yes, its own time as well. So I can only eagerly wait for my next revealed truth, but if I were to have an agenda of such truth it would be from 2 Corinthians 10:5.

80’s Hair Bands

2008-07-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was always the little sister that wanted to be just like her brother. If my brother knew how to do something, I needed to know how to do that very same thing. The upside: my brother taught me how to climb out of my crib, so I got the “big girl” bed early. The unfortunate side: WWF wrestling and 80’s hair bands. I loved all the hair bands that my brother loved; Guns n’ Roses, Aerosmith, Warrant, Firehouse…to name a few. For wrestling, we had all the gear; wrestling buddies, wrestling action figures, a mini wrestling rink, and of course a state of the art foam championship belt. We even went as far as going to an actual WWF wrestling match at, then, Reunion Arena. Now you might think…wrestling…hair bands, I don’t remember the Edwards’ family being redneck?!? Well we’re not; we just appreciate the finer things in life.

I had the recent opportunity to relive this phase of my life on my latest adventure. It was a fun girls trip to the Woodlands for a Brian Adams concert. Little did we know that we would be listening to the wonderful music of the opening band, Foreigner, an entertaining 80’s hair band. As I walked into the venue, I quickly noticed…Toto we’re not in Kansas anymore…or maybe we were in Kansas and that’s why we were overrun by rockers of all ages, rocking it out. I mean we're talking slashed jeans, hard-core head banging, mullets as far as the eye can see, and SEVERAL middle aged women rocking like they have never rocked before. I just want to say that I appreciate the little opportunities I receive along the way to remind me of the way life was when 80’s hair bands filled the airwaves.

It's Worth It

2008-07-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

I think, as of late, I haven’t let the softness in my heart show. I keep these things inside for some reason, and I want to convey my overwhelming feelings of joy. I know where that joy comes from and that is why I am ready to blog about it. So here goes…

I have walked with the Lord since the seventh grade. It just made total since at that point, I knew all I wanted was to please the Lord. As I reflect on this short walk with the Lord, I can remember times that I have been a little rough around the edges and times where I seem to walk in harmony. It seems that I have made things more difficult than necessary, but with love I have learned countless lessons.

Back to the walk…as a junior higher and into high school, I had a strong group of 4 girlfriends. During these years the only things that mattered to me were these 3 girls and the Lord. While it seems a bit selfish, I can only assert that at this point in life selfishness is inevitable, so why not spend it with a group of girls that didn’t require I make a choice I would utterly regret. I also credit that blessing to the consistent wise choices of my parents.

Into college, things were a bit tough for about a year and a half. I am not going to go into OU now, maybe in another blog. I will just say it was hard. At the end of that huge trial, I saw and understood for the first time, God moving in my life. He opened a way to my next phase. He also blessed me with many great years to finish out college. While I would probably say I went through several different trials in college, they have all yielded, in their time, fruit.

Like I said, things haven’t always been easy, but if I hadn’t done these last 13 years with the Lord...I have no words to finish that statement. I just must say it’s worth it. I am so in love with God and the peace, patience, joy, love, self-control, goodness, kindness, and gentleness that are His, are my fruit for life.

When I think about the blessings I have in this life, I just stop in amazement. So here they are, my Lord loves me, my mother, father and brother love me, and countless friends love me. Some people only wish for one friend that is as amazing as the people I have met and continue to meet in my life. I have learned everyday of the last 13 years what it means to walk with the Lord, and it’s worth it.

One day at a time, with You loving me. I am blessed.

“It’s worth it brothers, it’s worth it friends, to know your Maker, to lose your sin. Do you know that you are dearly loved?” -JN

Push-pops

2008-07-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

Today, on my way home from work, I pulled up next to two men in a truck. I would say they were about 30 and they were just going to town on 2 bright orange, old school, Flinstone push-pops! I tried to get their attention and present them with two thumbs up for coolness, but they just did not care. So to the the push-pop men...just go on in all of your ice cream glory. You deserve it!!

Just Smile and Nod

2008-07-19T21:53:00.001-07:00

I feel compelled to let you guys in on a secret.

So I have wanted to blog for a long time, but there has always been one thing standing in my way. I CAN'T SPELL. There I said it...I can't spell. Maybe now that I have said it, I am committing myself to further inadequacies, but I also think it necessary to discuss the elephant in the room. I do not want to be that person that isn't aware...so know that I am aware!

Along with many other things (the fro I sported, to name one), this problem has plagued me even in my childhood. My parents made me come home after school and write my words 3 times each every day before the test. That's 10 words a list, 3 times each, times 4 days a week!! 120 words and I still, at best, brought home B's (and I don't mean spelling bee's). Not to mention the dreaded spelling bee day! Most of the kids prayed for an easy word on that day, but I prayed for a hard word. At least I might go down in a BLAZE of glory.

In all my frustration I have resorted to making up my own words. Exhibit A: Congraduation, the mixing of the words congratulations and graduation.

I'm just kidding, I don't really say that. But really, in conclusion if you catch a mispelled word here and there, just smile and nod.

I dedicate this blog to word processing and the wonder of spell check!

One Sweet Day At A Time

2008-07-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

I actually had this huge discovery last March, and sometimes when I have an epiphany like this I wonder if that is just what everybody else has been doing along and I am just now cluing in. Let's hope not!

It was over spring break. I think I slept for about 3 days straight. I woke up and realized that in my slumbering state I had discovered a new way to process life. So let's start with the "used to". I used to view life 4 years and a day at a time. I would think about the past 2 years and I would imagine the next 2 years, and if I had time I would actually think about the day I was living in. That is a lot of baggage for one person to carry in a day. So I started to think, we all know I can't change the past, and the future is unpredictable.

So I stopped.

I decided to actually think about one day at a time. For example, today I am waking up, going to work, going to the gym, having dinner with a friend and going to bed. I couldn't ask for a better day. I love my job, I love my friends, and I love going to bed. Some days I might not even know that much, but I know at the end of the day I will have trusted God through that one day that He gave me. And that is all that matters.

From 1-10

2008-07-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

A girlfriend of mine went on a first date the other day. When she came home, we sat around drinking wine and asking her about every detail of the evening. We asked on a scale from 1 to 10 how was the conversation, on a scale from 1 to 10 how was the food, on a scale from 1 to 10 how was the fabric on the chairs at the restaurant next to the one that you guys had ice cream at...ridiculous really! The final "1 to 10" was on a scale from 1 to 1o, did it meet your expectations? THIS one stuck in my head.

EXPECTATIONS: Have I, a member of the emotional gender, discovered a way to control my feelings? Think about it, if I wake up in the morning and think...the man of my dreams will call me today, what kind of control do I have? ZERO! But if I wake up and think, today I will finish my research proposal for grad school. Can I control that? Absolutely!!

So maybe everyday I need to be more intentional on setting expectations. And maybe in my relationships I need to be better at first listening to other's expectations and second communicating my own expectations.

Test Blog: Running Old Men

2008-07-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

So there I was in my new 3 ½ inch heels and my new extremely flowy dress on my way to church one windy Sunday morning. When about 3 cars ahead of me I saw a Jeep broken down, one girl in the car steering and one girl pushing the Jeep to safety out of the intersection. The girls are not having much luck so I know that somebody needs to help them! Really was that feasible for ME??? All of a sudden two old men come flying out of their trucks and racing to the aide of the two girls. Little did those two running old men know that at that moment they didn’t just save those two girls, they saved me and every other helpless driver and passenger trapped in that intersection on that windy Sunday morning. So I applaud you running old men, job well done, job well done!