One. More. Semester.

Last night, at approximately 5:23, I had dwindled my college career down to one semester left. And I can tell you, it's a dang good feeling. This semester has been testing. Seriously. Hated a lot of it. Mostly the class part. I figured since this is half-time of my senior year in college I would do another one of my infamous end-of-the-year lists. I think it will help me when I'm hating everything come spring. So here we go.

GERMAN

• Wake up on time.
• Two vowels go walking, the second one does the talking. (In German at least)
• Oktoberfest is actually in September.
• Umlauts make me want to jump out the window.

PAINTING . . . something

• Canvases are expensive as crap.
• My professor's a douche.
• I love James Ensor and Paul Cezanne.
• I didn't learn anything about oil paint.

ILLUSTRATION

• I should have been working with ink the whole time.
• Black and white is my forte.
• Adobe Illustrator blows.
• Skulls should be done with stippling.

SHAKESPEARE

• Becoming an English minor was the worst decision of my life.
• The Lion King was based on Hamlet. I think that's why I enjoyed this play best.
• You can get through an English class without reading any of the plays. Just show up and watch the movies.
• Don't try to follow Purdon's bunny trails. It isn't worth the headache.
• It's all a construct.

Well, next semester, I'm bringing the same distress to myself -- more German, Printmaking, World Literature, and another Painting class. I know it's not a lot of credits, but it will suck on top of track meets/practice and working at the dirty bird.  My one saving thought is the idea of spending all of January talking about baseball . . . for a class. Whaterrr.  I'm just pumped about being this close to graduation.

Continental Stereotypes.

I am stuck on the N of republicans. Also known as southeast Nebraska. Perhaps not the most chic of glorious Amurrrrican locations, but alas, it is home.  I could be hanging out with only cowboys and livestock. Or sweating balls in the Amurrican southwest. Or drowning in fried chicken. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't mind that one bit. I sometimes dream about how different my life would be if I were living somewhere more glamorous. Like with the fabulously unhappy people. Not only am I perpetually pissed, but I'm an avid anti-socialite. I can definitely do angry and rude, but I can't deal with the huge number of other angry, rude people that have flocked in that direction. Or imagine me living with the obnoxious, life-of-the-party people. I mean, seriously, California, calm down. You keep it up, and the rest of the great states are kicking you out via earthquake. And speaking of intolerable douchebags, rainy hipsters: shut up. We get it, you're rad. And if there is indeed a question about whether or not you are a hipster, chances are it's a yes - a caffeinated, beanie-wearing hipster (I wish I was cool). Somewhere I really want to be is in the middle of that glorious cheese steak. Stuck in a Philadelphia (lol, Mairin), no, but physically in the beautiful city. Basically I just want to see me OCMDSP '10 buddies. Or I could live anywhere there are sailors. I love me some salty men.

Honestly, I think stereotypes like this, albeit hilarious, are inaccurate (so don't get pissy with me).  I mean, look at me: I'm a communist in Nebraska who is also a fan of Sooner football. Lawl, right? I love people that go against the social norm. They're fabulous.

Reflections on baseball and things of that sort.

I feel like it goes without saying, but sometimes I really suck. Like, really suck. Yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm undoubtedly the most socially awkward person I know. And emotionally inept. And sometimes just too blunt for my own good (and I'm well aware that I sound like Dr. House, thank you).  Perhaps what bothers me the most about myself ('cause let's face it: I love being the girl who cannot and will not sugar coat anything) is the fact that I tend to overlook things that aren't bearing down on me, such as homework and other deadlines. For example: tonight before the Cru meeting, for which, of course, I was scrambling to finish slides, I was crushing it with the multitasking and watching the Texas-Detroit game and Aretha Franklin's weirdo pants. Somewhere between typing Came to my Rescue and the opening pitch, it hit me. I do not appreciate things I used to. I get so wrapped up in my monotonous, every-day life, that I have just gotten to the point where I coast through a day, rather than fully enjoy what God has given me. Even this summer, I would have made time to watch a baseball game with my dad, albeit, I worked during a lot of the games, but I would have made time to hang out with Papa Goodner afterwards. Sadly, it's as if the things I once appreciated have enhanced the monotony. If I keep repeating them, nothing stands out, so I stop for a while, neglect them, and ask myself why I even stopped in the first place. It is, indeed, a vicious cycle. Perhaps I need to do some reevaluating of my life. (Want you all to know I just heard someone hack the gnarliest lugie known to man. It was awesome.) Anyway, moral of the story, so none of y'all follow my example, don't forget what makes your life enjoyable. The drudgery interwoven into college is tough to get around, but do not, for the love of all things decent, allow it to confine your life. Yes, it's menial, and no, you'll never use that again, even though your professor specifically told you that you will, don't let it weigh you down. I think most of all what I'm trying to say is that I've really missed watching baseball with my dad. And stop sucking. All of y'all. I'm serious.

and i know this has little to do with anything,

but i just wanted to share it.

i laughed for a solid 5 minutes.

The soundtrack to my life is fueled by sleep deprivation.

This post is lovingly ripped off of my freshman roommate's facebook profile (holla atcha, Mandy) and formatted to fit my musical taste.  


THE RULES:

1. Imagine a movie is made from your life. Now: tell us the story through music, through the soundtrack of your life.
2. Don't talk about Fight Club.

And action.

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's the pop song that would be played in the trailer?

Feel the Pain by Dinosaur Jr

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the opening credits?

Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty by Nature

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing on the radio as you wake up or as your alarm?

I Wish I Was a Hipster by Bassnectar

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as you rush off, late to work?

New Wave by Against Me!

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as you stay-in on a rainy Saturday?

Intermission by Senator & The New Republic

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing on the radio while you're stuck in traffic?

Where to Start by Tommy & The High Pilots

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the montage of your daily tedium, ie. work, school, family?

Truth by Alexander

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your heroic theme?

Force of Nature by Pearl Jam

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your comedy theme?

Take it Slow by Vibenhai

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your party theme(s)?

Luxury by The Randies

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your "down on your luck" theme?

Fine for Now by Grizzly Bear

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your scary/suspenseful theme?

Viktor's Misery by Bobot Adrenaline

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your heartbreak/death theme?

Berkeley Pier by Tilt

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your action/badass theme?

Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your elementary school flashbacks?

Two Way Monologue by Sondre Lerche

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your high school flashbacks?

Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your first kiss scene?

Angel, Won't You Call Me? by The Decemberists

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your first break-up scene?

Santa Monica by Everclear

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your high school prom scene?

Tiny Dancer by Elton John

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your college years?

Mouthful of Diamonds by Phantogram

Windstorm by School of Seven Bells

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during you training/endurance montage? (a la Rocky)

Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar 

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your love theme?

If My Heart was a House by Owl City 

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your wedding scene?

Waiting on an Angel by Ben Harper

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your honeymoon/sex scene?

You and I by Lady Gaga

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your through-the-years montage? (a la UP)

The Girl by City and Colour

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing when you're old?

I Don't Mind by The Decemberists

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your funeral scene?

Steal Your Words by Sundowner

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the end credits?

Goal/Wide by Javelin

Just Like Heaven by Dinosaur Jr

Crash and Burn by Buckra

Oh, what up?

Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead. Nor am I incarcerated. Just lazy. And in the process of settling into my apartment. I love my apartment, and I love my roomies. I do not, however, love the construction and constant fleet of lawnmowers. Oh well, it will be over with time. Setting up this apartment, I've noticed common things that I always, ALWAYS incorporate into my life. Over the summer, I got severely obsessed with some killer things.

1. Fedoras. Not, like, all the time, but I LOVE me some jaunty straw hats.
2. Swamp People. Yes, it is in English. Yes, it requires subtitles. Magical television. (And I LOVE croc print. LOVE IT.)
3. Jenna Marbles. YouTube her right now. I suggest you start with What Girls Do on the Internet. 
4. Dubstep. All day, errrr day. Not really, that would be overwhelming.
5. Whisker Wars. You all KNOW how much I love facial hair. I think I'm genetically hardwired to love it. Seriously. All of the men in my family have moustaches or beards. Even my purse has a moustache. It's a privileged life.

     6.  Cowboy movies. Clint Eastwood, Duke, ah, classic.
     7.  Tunisian Crochet. It is so great. It does, however, take a year and a half to finish and makes you      exaggerate severely.

Toss in some vodka sauce and that is my life in a nutshell. Sorry about my lack of blogging this summer. I know you all were dying to know what I was doing pause not.

I suppose this could be the home stretch.

If you've seen my facebook page, you'll see that I write notes of things I've learned over the school year. Good and bad. This year won't be any different, except that it's on my blog and not fb. Finishing my third year here at Doane is just really surreal. I don't really know if that was the best word for it, but, as I learned from Ralph Waldo Emerson (in my 19th century American lit &&& Environmental lit classes), language is just a perversion of nature. And I might have stuck that in an essay during my environmental lit final yesterday. But I digress. . .
So without further ado, here's my list for 2010-2011. Junior year, yo.

1. God doesn't need us, but we need Him more than anything else in the world. I know for myself, my priorities get messed up sometimes, but God will always love and be there for me, no matter what.
2. Humility is always a struggle.
3. Deadlines suck no matter what.
4. PBR is like George Washington peeing down your throat. Okay, not really. That's disgusting. But it is about as American as a person can get.
5. Oprah Winfrey is a goddess. . . I guess. And in all actuality, OWN sucks.
6. Don't take your friends and family for granted.
7. Quality time is my love language.
8. Great-Grandma Payne kept the coolest stuff. Like newspaper clippings of my roommates'/cousins' restaurant.
9. Juicers are THE BEST. $2.50 at Walmart. Get on it.
10. Operation "Git Huge" is still fun.
11. Stuff is just stuff. I got robbed twice this year.
12. Nice weather makes the crazies come out.
13. If your doctor talks about elbow surgery, take him seriously.
14. 8 o'clock classes are the worst. Especially when they're anti-communist and the teacher is a slave driver (JARVIS).
15. Irish Cream Lattes. Balls, yes.
16. Lion King on SNES is easily the coolest game out there.
17. Right after Dutch Blitz.
18. And connections (not really, that game blows.)
19. God has a funny way of doing things, that just beg you to say aloud, "Touche God, well played."
20. English classes are pretty neat. As are art classes. And history classes when they aren't with Kim Jarvis.
21. Moustaches mean business.
22. I love my 305 boys. (Jason, Josh, Vince, Kyle, Micah and Brad. And Chase and Red by association)
23. Amigos apparently doesn't take walk-through orders. Rude.
24. Get to the vans on time, because Dunny will leave your butt behind.
25. Djembes are too cool.
26. I now know how to fill my power steering fluid and how to jump start a car. I'm considering opening my own shop. lol.
27. East Coast is the best.
28. I actually really love lists. About as much as I love my roomies Mairin, Sarah, Emily, Rachel, Molly & Courtney. And sometimes Mikayla. (:
29. I can't wait to get out of this dorm.
30. Sometimes you don't get what you want. There's a reason for that.

My communist dialect brings all the Christian boys to the yard.

I wish (ACTS 2, just sayin').  It's been a while since I've blogged. I suppose I should update you on how awesome I've been (again, I wish). Not much has been going on with me personally, but I'm just asking all of you to pray for my Grandma if you get the time. Anything is appreciated. And GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS. (:

So, my first track meet is on Saturday. Can't say that I'm completely prepared for it. Not that I'm unprepared, but just not as ready as I should be. Like the fact that I don't have a jersey. Or real javelin shoes. Or my mark. Not like any of those things would really help me. Whatev. It'll just be an experiment this weekend, I guess.

Hope you have a glorious day.

Thoughts on a Perfectly Dreary Day

Today smells like ozone, cows, and remorse. That's what I get for living in Nebraska. I'm hoping the rain comes soon to wash away the stupid I've been clinging to for so long. Okay, I'm not exactly clinging; I'm just not pushing it away. I just woke up with a bad feeling in my stomach, like the feeling you get when you realize half of your exes are engaged. Okay, not really, but it's one of those punched-in-the-gut feelings which can be very similar to a lot of people. And by all accounts, it has been a good day. I got 3 papers back, and of all of them I'm very comfortable with my grade. I just feel some impending doom lurking overhead, which, of course, makes me a nervous wretch that nobody wants to be around. And honestly, I've hit the point where I just don't want to hurt anymore. I've put up with this for nearly 2 years, and you'd think that I'd have it under control. Oh, the joys of poor health and the literal achy heart. The arrival of the rain has been so prolonged. I just need this symbolic baptism, washing away the old, clearing the way for the new. I'm sick of feeling this way. I just want God to disencumber this area of my life. It's all in His will, though, so I'll continue being patient.

A Compilation of Unfortunate Ideas That Seemed to Make Sense at the Time.

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde


You may say that now, Mr. Wilde, but you don't know what I've just been through. Today's been one of those days, you know? Where nothing rolls in your favor and everyone and their dog is out to get you. Perhaps I'm being a little melodramatic and paranoid. Regardless of my paranoia, things haven't been working out too well for me these past 18 hours. Let me lay this all out for you:

1. Stayed up until 2 staring at my ceiling. Not sure why, maybe I was afraid it wouldn't be there when I woke up. I don't think my ceiling would just bail on me on a Sunday night.
2. Hit snooze, like, 20 times.
3. Once I finally woke up, as I was attempting to crawl out of my loft, I fell. And not just a slip, I fell and ate it hard. In the process, I'm pretty sure I pulled a hip flexor.
4. Took the longest shower I ever could. Resulted in me being late to class.
5. Didn't read the short story for Environmental Lit. gag.
6. [This one wasn't actually my doing] Brad Johnson ruined the end of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury for me. I might as well not finish it.
7. Didn't go to my drawing class. Whatev.
8. Got caught up one www.cutewithchris.com. I'm helpless against cute animals and witty captions.
9. According to pitchfork.com, Bassnectar sucks and I listened to him today. We all know that what pitchfork says is truth.
10. Admitted to being a Royals fan. . . wait a second.
11. Eating in the caf at dinner today. Not even worth it.
12. Accidentally hit on some poor, defenseless skinny-guy. That was probably terrifying for him. So, anonymous skinny-guy, I'm sorry.
13. Listened to Rebecca Black's song "Friday."
14. Was 15 minutes late to practice. Oops.
15. Listened to "Friday" again in hopes that it could be better. It wasn't.
16. Failed to follow through at all during practice.
17. Touched sweaty Brad's face while he was doing abs. Awful. AWFUL.
18. Mixed a protein shake in a mason jar. It looked like baby puke in that jar and it became even more less appealing than it normally is.

That's as far as I've made it. I'll keep you posted on the rest of my misfortunes. Through all of this, however, I have maintained a joyful attitude because this is a day the Lord has made, so I will rejoice and be glad in it! Hope you're having a quacktastic day.

Habakkuk 3:18

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Why does all of my favorite stuff break?

I don't know what the deal is, but everything I love is breaking. Like my red wayfarers, this last fall, I was sitting there at church, and one of my friends reaches over and takes a look at them. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but when I reached for them to put them on when I was leaving, one of the arms (?) fell off. Needless to say, I was devastated. You don't find red wayfarers every day.

And today. As I was leaving a meeting, I pull on my jacket and walk back to Hansen, and when I get back my watch fell off of my wrist. Not like I hadn't latched it up right, but it had broken at where the watch face connects to the strap. And this wasn't any old watch. It was the orange one I bought in Ocean City. I LOVE this watch. I hope I can pull it back together. Until then, I won't know the time.

                                               

Yikes.

Lately, I've been weighed down by uncertainties. Like, weighed down a lot. The future scares the heck out of me. I've compiled a list of terrifying realizations, related to the future or not, they're still terrifying. 

1. I could potentially be graduating next December.
2. If that's the case, I won't get to compete in outdoor track.
3. I have 3 biggish writing assignments due on Thursday and I have yet to start. (instead I'll blog about them)
4. Will I be eligible for off-campus housing? And if not, how will I find a loophole?
5. I only have one beer left in my fridge.
6. I'm super out of shape. Hello, crappy season.
7. The recycling is eating the room, but the bin outside is covered in snow.
8. There's a disgusting spider web on the ceiling and I want nothing more than to get rid of it, but I'm far too short.
9. Everyone I know is too short, for that matter. You'd have to be a solid 9 feet tall to get that bad boy.
10. My elbow isn't improving.
11. It's almost flippin' March. What happened to February?
12. Stop Day is too far away.
13. I'm missing a wine glass.
14. I'm still sick. I want this cold gonezo.
15. I have a Christmas tree in my SUV . . . still.
16. This room looks like a war zone.
17. I can't find my mittens.
18. There's impending crappy weather and I need to start throwing that javelin.
19. I need to do laundry.
20. I haven't seen my puppies since January. BIG problem.

Daisy and June-bug

Aren't they beautiful?

And I miss my girls.

Laugh at my misfortune, chumps.

Kitschy.

Recently, Mairin, Molly, Sarah and I have been working on some off-campus living stuff and it has just made me think a lot about my own house someday. I can't wait to have a home that I can decorate to my tastes, and everything isn't beige, maroon and green like my mother's. Not that there was anything wrong or upsetting about that, it just isn't me. It's too planned out. I know, right? Shocking that something is too organized for me. . . or not really. I just want a living space that is filled with stories. Where did I get that? Who gave it to me? Why is it important to me? I want to carefully create a sloppy vintage look in my house/apartment/van down by the river. Something mildly avant-garde or kitschy, if you will (even though the latter has kind of a negative connotation, but whatev). And of course, I have some ideas, because the interwebs has a lot of great ideas. Thanks for the ideas, dear, sweet interwebs.

I mean, really, how great is this clock?

Those are just a couple of ideas. Other things I want in my dream house:  a library or built-in bookcase, a breakfast nook, a back porch, enough room for big dogs, and a dungeon (lol). Are there any listings in the Lincoln area? Hope you're having a great Saturday.

Love and things of that nature.

Well, let's face it - I'm obsessed with love. All of it. True love, puppy love, brotherly love, it doesn't matter as long as it is love. And I can't wait to be in love for that matter. Sadly, it's starting to control my mind and actions. I've become a love junkie. Somehow, even though I know that God loves me and has a splendid plan for me, I've grown impatient with the idea of Mr. Right being out there. He's probably just jacking around until we bump paths while ordering coffee and accidentally mix up our drinks or something serendipitous like that. Or waiting in line for the doors to open at a concert. Or in the weight room. Or in traffic. I'm not picky about that. Just the idea that he could be out there is killing me. I just need to be faithful to God. Until the fateful day that we meet or realize that we're made for each other, I'll just hang out, being awesome or something. Marvel in these lovely pictures for a bit.

I've composed a list of things I'd truly enjoy for my future husband.

A fusband, if you will.

1. Must be a God-fearing and God-loving man, who will always love God more than he loves me. Even though he'll love me a whole lot.

The rest of these are just preferences, but it's whatever.

2. Preferably politically left-winged, but if he's not, we just won't talk politics. Easy as that.

3. Baseball fan, and will not make fun of me for being a Royals fan.

4. Loves his family. And mine.

5. Will not make fun of me for drinking PBR.

6. Must like big dogs because I plan on owning a couple.

7. Taller than me. And if you know me at all, you'll know that I appreciate the heavier guys.

Roll tide.

8. Will watch horror movies with me. And won't make fun of me for believing in ghosties.

9. Appreciates my eclectic music.

10. Loyalty is key.

I want something like this: wildly euphoric and vulnerable, but comfortable knowing that this person will never intentionally hurt you in any way. I think I can wait for that.

Slippahhs.

I've been a fool. CROCHETING FOOL, that is. Cowl: donezo. Afghan: blehhh. It's taking forever, but I love it. Slippers: I just keep going. I can't stop making slippers. They're so quick, easy, and above all else, CUTE. Just 12 (or 14) granny squares, some single crochets, and some chilly feet for them to cover -- that's seriously it. Once I drop out of college, or fail out, whichever comes first, I will make my living off of the manufacturing and retail of granny square slippers. Maybe if you play your cards right, you'll get a pair of them. Just shoot me an email or something and I'll get them to you.

These were made for my friend Kent.

Made these for my grandma while she's in the hospital.

All the nurses are peanut butter and jealous.

These are mine.

Made these for A-Rose. They'll be on their way soon!

But really, if you want a pair of these bad boys, let me know. I love making slippers. And I'm proud of my work. (: Well, that's all. Hope you have a stupendous Thursday. Stay frosty, kids.

2011

I look fly, I look good.

And I made that cowl.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. It's something special, though. Sometimes I forget that I don't talk to some of my friends every single day, let alone update them on my life. That's what I'm doing right now. That glorious picture of me is from a Cru event a couple weeks ago. We went bowling (yeah, I bowled a 59). The phrase, like a boss, comes to mind.

Anyway, God has been doing some pretty cool things. After a series of some stupidity, I was really humbled. Like, really, REALLY humbled. It kinda made me realize that I've been taking my faith for granted. This was probably one of the most challenging epiphanies I've ever experienced, but by His goodness, He has brought me back to a much better place.

School-wise, I'm really looking forward to this semester to be over. Let me lay this out for you: Drawing, Environmental Literature, French History, Medieval History, and History Seminar all on top of track practice. Yup, I regret it. Though, I do get to go to the Nebraska Archives on Thursday for my seminar. (: However, I'm done with my history after this semester and only need 6 more hours of art. And only need 21 more credits to graduate. SOOO CLOSE!

Speaking of track, I just started actual javelin training this week. I'm sore and out of shape. I feel like I'm turning into Hulk Hogan or the Situation because I'm in the weight room so often. It's gross! I just wish that my doctor would just do the elbow surgery and get it over with instead of around for me to tear it out myself. I can't wait to have a Tommy John surgery. . .

I'm doing alright. So don't worry about me. (: I'm just asking for prayers for my Grandma. This January she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, so she needs our prayers. And my friend Mina. She's 25, Nepalese, and is in the process of recovering from years of slavery. She's in need of seeing that there are people out there that have never met her, but love her unconditionally.

Miss ya'll so much. <3 And I'm in the process of making something for ya'll, so be patient and something neat-o will be coming your way! Love you!

Ghost hunting?

I wonder if it requires a hunting license that can purchased from Cabela's. Okay, not really. This intertem, I'm taking a class called Ghosts in Fact & Fiction. And it is sick. We've been split into groups and have been told to go hunt these bad boys. Straight-up Ghostbusters style. I just want this assignment to be LEGIT. I've been trying to research the location in Lincoln that we'll be stomping tomorrow night. . . to no avail.  I think I've delved through all of what the internet has to offer on the location. Yup, it's by a church in Lincoln. That's the extent of what I've researched. But I've compiled some interview questions that I'm hoping to ask the occupant of the location. I'm looking forward to some stories of experiences from someone who has actually lived there. It'll be sweet. I've also bought a red-lensed flashlight, electrical tape, and a ghost hunting note book. I'm just pumped about it. Saturday evening, 10 pm, I'll be hunting ghosties. I wonder if TAPS is looking for someone to fill a position. . .

Crocheting Like a Champ

In honor of the season premier of Jersey Shore, I completely destroyed the sacred art of crocheting. Whatever. Worth it.

I love interterm. You get to come back to good ol' Doane after DCC, hang out with the suiteys, hunt ghosties for a class, go to track practice (wait. . . what?), and crochet like it's nobody's business. The past week I've been back, I've completed a pair of purple and grey slippers, which, by the way, I'm completely stoked about. I'm working on a popcorn-stitch cowl scarf (almost done). And that darn afghan is still incomplete. I just want you all to know that I have rekindled my love for yarn. And knots. And having crochet hooks in my hair. Yup, I'm living the dream in Crete. The pictures of my completed projects will come at a later date, but these are the colors I've been working with:

Afghan Colors. It's one big granny square.

Slipper Colors. Again, a bunch of granny squares.

Cowl Scarf color. It's so great.

I hope you're all excited to see them complete. May God bless you this glorious interterm day.

Oh, Me of Little Faith

Well, I'm at it again. This past semester/year/21 years/whatever, I've been spectacularly douche-tacular. I try to make things happen when it's OBVIOUSLY not time for it to happen. God has just really been stretching me in my patience and trust in Him, because I know that His plan for me is perfect and awesome, and if I accept Jesus, who sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay for my blatant stupidity, I can experience His plan in whole. But will I give up my crap? Oh, of course not because I'm stubborn and don't want to get hurt by having that immeasurable faith in the only One who deserves it. Do I want to? With every ounce of my being. Perhaps I will. By that I mean I want someone to hold me accountable. (So, if/when you see me being an idiot, call me out.)

God just wants what's best for me in order to grow closer to Him. Something that I learned over this Christmas break (@ DCC) was that a person's walk with the Lord isn't always a joyous walk. There isn't anywhere the Bible that says once you give your life over to Jesus everything will fall into place. Having faith isn't always easy, or pain-free, for that matter. As a Christian, you will experience heart break, physical ailments, let-downs, failed tests, disappointments, bad bosses, traffic tickets, and the most amazing joy in the history of everything: knowing and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. My negativity may not be the most effective way to evangelize, but it's true. Accepting Jesus doesn't turn you into Clark Kent. That's not how it works. Letting Jesus work through you by surrendering everything eventually makes the tough stuff easier to deal with. But it's all a part of His infinite plan. God is a sovereign and merciful King, and we must trust Him to provide the gift to be able to discern what He's trying to teach us through the hardships. Then, in turn, He will bless you, whether in this lifetime or in heaven. I'm just looking forward to seeing where He leads me next. . .