New Ideas

I've had a few ideas over the past few days, just some new thoughts and what not. I've also been meaning to post, but haven't gotten around to it. The first thing is that the other day I was studying for an anthropology test and was seeing what certain people groups left behind as artifacts that are now being used to identify these people. So I thought to myself, "What would I leave behind and what does that say about me?" Is it better to leave a lot of material things or a lasting impression of the good that you brought when you were alive? Just something to think about when the latest clothes come off the runway or the newest technology hits the stores. The next thing I have planned to do is once a month I will try out a recipe that I have "stumbled upon" or found on a fellow blog. There are so many good things that I'm dying to give a shot, but I'll use some self-control and limit myself to once a month. I'll get back to you on what the first recipe will be!

These are No-Bake Cookies-n-Cream Bars and they are in the run for first place thing to try out!

And then the last thing. I registered for classes this morning and am pleased with my schedule. No, I'm not happy about 8am's every day, but that's the real world isn't it? I'm really more excited about the actual classes I'm taking. Vertebrate biology, Physics II, Genetics, and Public speaking. I'm finally past chemistries and all those other basically weed out classes (other than Physics). I'm getting into what I enjoy, and I think that will make going to class all the more better. Maybe this optimism comes from the fact I don't have any tests for a couple of weeks, but I'm excited about the plans the Lord has for me!

Time Just Flies

I just realized it's been a while since I've posted. No reason really, nothing has been going on other than class and tests. However, Lauren got good news from home today. Mrs. Tammy's cancer has not spread and chemo will begin on April 8. God is so good! He gives us everything we need, including a break from bad news. But with school winding down, I know He will also provide everything I need to be prepared for the summer. There are so many things on my list, and it always seems to get longer, but somehow I've managed to make it this far and I owe it all to God. He reminds me of this every day with my own struggles. Even though it's been a pretty uneventful week for the most part, I'm thankful for that because there is always someone else in the world that has it worse than you do.

"The Lord is my strength and my song;he has given me victory.This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him!" Exodus 15:2

Back to Reality

Spring break was great! So many good things packed into one week! Birmingham is always a nice trip to my old stomping grounds and to see familiar faces. Camping was so much fun! We did outdoorsy things like four-wheelers and fishing, and because of bad weather we only stayed in the tent one night. That one night though was like three nights because of how cold it was! It was honestly the first time I haven't been able to control shivers. Something to remember in December (no rhyme intended) when you have a roof over your head and others are out bearing the cold because of homelessness. Overall though, I would go back right now if I could. And then to Valdosta to visit family was also a good trip. Sally and I went to the Calico Arts and Crafts Fair (I think that's what it was called) a Christmas Village of sorts, but maybe not quite that large of a scale. I got a couple of things for some friends, but could have spent a lot more! We're going back in November, so if that's up your alley you should check it out! It gives me a little summeritis, but I'll put that in the back of my mind for now. I have a lot to do on the list before school gets out, and while it's only like six weeks away I know that time will fly! Here's to buckling down!

Mayberry

This is just going to be a quick thought because it's getting late, we're going to spring forward somewhere in the middle of the night and church is in the morning. This is just a note to my future self mostly. Riding in the car tonight with the radio on, a Darius Rucker song was playing, and I realized my kids will never know him as Hootie and the only thing called a blowfish lives in the sea. So there are a couple of things I want my kids to learn from my childhood and adolescent years. I want them to listen to the music that I enjoy now. Nicole and I discussed how when we were little our parents listened to what is now considered classic rock, but I love it and think it's great music because I grew up listening to it. What will my kids think of my taste in music? How will it have changed by the time I have kids? I want my children to appreciate other music that is not their own generation's. I also don't want to buy my kids video games (I know you're thinking I'm crazy). We never had video games growing up, not because we didn't want them but because we weren't allowed. We had to play outside and use our imaginations to have fun. Whenever we did want to play video games we could go to the neighbor's and play theirs, but that was it. I want to keep to the basics as much as possible to appreciate the little things that life has to offer, because in looking back, what seemed like little things turn out to be pretty big.

Give Me a Break

I'm so glad today is mostly over. I'm now only a couple of classes away from spring break, which is a much needed one! The hard stuff is behind me and now it's time to relax for a bit. There are a few things on my list for this break. I'm road tripping to Birmingham with the roomie for the weekend, then we're going to join some other friends for a few days of camping, and the last half of the week I'm going to visit my pregnant sister Sally, her husband Jody, and their lovable goof of a dog Cutter. Seems like more travelling than resting, but I know it will be a good time! I love getting to go to Birmingham because I always feel like I'm going home, even if it's not "technically" home anymore and I love my new homes just as much. But that's getting into a much longer story for another time. I'm originally from Bham, so that's the main reason why it still feels like home, and so many people are still there that I love and cherish. God has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life, I can't begin to imagine what life would have been like if even one of them wasn't in it. So I'm excited about getting to go back and the week and completely ready for my break!

On another note, Mrs. Tammy (Lauren's mom) did not get the news they were expecting yesterday after surgery. They found positive lymph nodes and will be putting off reconstruction to start radiation. Please keep them in your prayers as they embark on this hard time in their lives. Also the pink ribbon image on my profile is a link to the Susan G. Komen website, if you haven't noticed! Check it out to see what you can do for the cure! 

Ace of Cakes

Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes
(This was the best I could get with no flash photography)

Today was a great day! I felt so productive and the night ended on a great note. Auburn is so awesome, they brought chef Duff Goldman to speak to students. His show was one of my favorites when it was still on. It never ceased to amaze me what they could do and create. He was really cool and down to earth, which is what I love about him. He talked about working with Mark Summers and being in awe of the "Double Dare" guy. He also had some pretty funny stories about Betty White, Paula Deen, and Martha Stewart. But one thing that stuck out to me that he said was that in the beginning he only started baking so that he could be in a band and go on tour. He never set out to revolutionize cake making. He just did things people asked of him no matter how crazy or over the top to be able to pay his bills. And look where he is today! He may or may not have factored God into this equation or his story, but I think in a similar situation if we want to be more like Jesus, and we do what He asks us to, we will revolutionize our own lives with what God has planned for us. We can become successful in something that we never even thought twice about in the first place!

This cake won the decorating contest! Done by
The Gourmet Tiger

       

My piece of cake from the decorating
contest. It was so good!

                                                     

Early

This morning I did something that I've never accidentally done. I set my alarm for thirty minutes too early. So now that I have all this extra time and no morning talk shows to sit and watch (I really miss watching Ellen before going to class) I thought it would be a good time to do some blogging. Today is a hard day. My roommate and oldest friend that got the bad news a few posts ago is heading home today to be with her mom, who we found out has breast cancer, before surgery on Wednesday. This was shocking to all of us, but I know that Mrs. Tammy will have the strength of 10,000 angels behind her to fight this. Lauren's passion has always been breast cancer awareness and I think this will infinitely multiply that desire for supporting the cause. Please join me in praying for Mrs. Tammy, Lauren, and the whole family as they enter this storm, that they will see the power of God and take comfort under his wings of protection.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time." Psalm 34:18-19

BFFL's

You know you're best friends when a simple phone call can turn into an hour long conversation solving the world's problems. Sometimes a couple of days go by and we get busy, but we always pick up right where we left off. I'm so blessed by my friendships and thank God every day for every single one. They teach me new things about myself and about life that I will always be eternally grateful to them for. God gives us friends as teachers, mentors, shoulders to cry on, someone to share giggles and inside jokes with. I can only hope to aspire to be as much of an inspiration to them as they are to me. God knew what  He was doing when he brought us together.

"There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

Birthday Bash

Tonight was a night of many firsts, some I won't go into detail for the sake of friendship. But the most apparent first is that it's the first time in a long time that I've been up this late. My roommate's birthday has been quite a day and night! I'd say a fairly typical college birthday to put it in its simplest terms. Another sort of first is that I got to meet some new people and got to know others better with some hang time. As the night was coming to a close, we were sitting at Waffle House and I thought to myself that a year ago I only knew one of these people and him not even very well. It's weird to think about those you meet and become friends with that later you can't really remember life before you knew them, or you feel like even though you've only spent time together one night in your life, you've known each other for years.Tonight was also a reassurance from God that I'm doing the right thing with my life. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything because I don't drink and don't go out like others my age. I see it around me, but I just don't have any desire to take part in it. Yeah, it's fun to have people over and socialize, don't get me wrong! But I think tonight has further focused my vision into what God's will for me is. If I could take anything from this night, it would be not to second guess my own judgement if I know that what I'm doing is right. If this is the case, God will be behind me, and what can stand against?

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Something New

My roommate's birthday is this weekend, and she is one of the last of our close girl friends to not be a teenager anymore. (Woot!) Also my other roommate has received some distressing family news, and all of this has led to some thinking on my part about how we're all growing up. This is life, and baby we're living it! We're not sheltered anymore and this is reality. Over the past few years, I've learned not to take things for granted, but when circumstances get a little more comfortable, I slip back a little not truly appreciating all I have. So with this blog, my intent is to chronicle every moment of new experiences (good and bad) so later when looking back I'll be able to remember exactly how I thought and felt when life happened to me.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28