BOOMER SOONER

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

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

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

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?

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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?

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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??

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”

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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!

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.

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!!