Global Warming? Say what!

I don't know about your normal family conversations over the dinner table - assuming you have such events...but I will tell you that we have had some impressive ones. If you have ever eaten at our place you probably remember some such strange conversations, ranging from the creative naming of potential spouses, to the thermodynamics of a fart (eww - SFL we seriously do not need a demonstration!). The past several days have however, considered more serious intrigues. It began when SFL informed us that by next year all car companies will be mandated to only produce vehicles who get at least 35mpg. Now the reason given to the enforcement of this law was that it would help lower carbon emissions which influence global warming. This topic is a very interesting "ball" to toss around in a discussion, and before long the question became what global warming (assuming it exists) is caused by? How much CO2 is truly produced by cars, and in which countries? Is increased mpg the BEST way to control CO2 emission? How much CO2 is normally required on earth for living things (especially plants)? I must note here that I did suggest that we just put a limit to the number of times people can breath per minute, because after all we produce CO2 every time we exhale...however, that suggestion was not really viewed as possible (shame). Nor was my other alternative observation that CO2 might be decreased if we only wipe out the entire earths population.....once again shot down...



Now all these questions are quite interesting, and after one evenings' conversation much reading and research was done, and by the second night several answers had emerged. It always amazes me how creative the human mind is! It also amazes me how often in this age where information is so easy to access choose to remain ignorant. Granted, many topics do not appeal, and yet what a better place to discuss topics that you may be ignorant of than the dinner table? Haha, I feel like a commercial for on ABC for the "family table". Truly though! I suppose that another good point is that you should never believe what you hear ;-) after all CO2 only composes 12% of greenhouse gases (I think thats right...WOT care to verify?), so perhaps there are other gases which would be better decreased. There are so many components to almost any issue you care to talk about, which is the very foundation of debates! No, no I am not saying that this vehicle law should not be put into place, however I am saying that it behooves us to think and talk about those issues which concern our world.

Well, I guess you will never get bored with the number of completely random and separate blog topics that show up....hmm...aren't you glad you don't live in my mind ;-).

Moving on Down, moving on down tooo the south side...

Well it is official! Whether I like it or not I am now a Tennessee resident, and will be moving to my very first job by the beginning of August. I will by working in a Pediatric ICU, I think that working will kids will be both challenging and fun. WOT and I did have to take an unexpected trip down this past week to get my licence, car title, etc to prove my residency so that I could take my nursing exam....yuck! It was a pain!! I loved getting to see DOT and hang out with her for a couple days, but both mom and I were not as excited to sit in the car for a nice 12 hour trip one way. I think that I've put around 3000 miles on my car since the end of April - if my butt never sits in another car it will be too soon!

Well, now that my fate is sealed I have begun packing, and hopefully sorting out what to take now and what to just pack for a later move. *Sigh* I hate packing, but I am excited. Mostly I have realized how fast this summer is going to fly! Also, if any of you are ever coming down my way you will have to stop by for a visit, and see my apartment - which I hope to have decorated cutely ;-). Alright - more later!

Flying By

Isn't that just the story of life hmm? How easy it is to fill our lives with so many things some good, some not, and some just in the wrong order on a list of priorities. I suppose that the difficultly in complexity is when I lose focus of the Lord. Busyness in itself is not bad, too often however are the nights when I roll over to turn off the light on my nightstand, and see my Bible resting there untouched. How tragic would it be if I ignored the prick of the Holy Spirit on my heart? There are so many things in this world that I have just adjusted to - that every now-and-again I wonder if I shouldn't feel something when I see them. For example; just this week I pulled up MSN home page and a story headline caught my eye. At first I laughed at the irony of it, but it has nagged my thoughts this week. It said something like: From the devastating civil war in the Sudan comes good news (at this point I'm thinking oh cool the war ended!)...(read on)...National Geographic shows new aerial footage showing knob antelope are thriving there.

I struck me how misplaced our priorities often are. After all how many times have you seen news on the thousands of people dying in Africa and around the world each day from war, disease, and famine? I know that being stewards of earth is definitely a responsibility given to us by the Lord, but how greater then is our responsibility to the hurting and lost people surrounding us? Granted, we are not all called to fly to the Sudan :-P, but we are all called to be lights in the darkness, to stand humbled in the presence of our God, and to glorify the Lord in EVERY thing that we do. Oh that I might not live my life including God in it - but that I would include my life in the Lord - even the busy parts. Weird thought isn't it.

Mmm, sorry for my rambling. :-) See I'm attempting to actually keep up on here! More to come later - as I get inspired again.

Life Changes Once Again

By now I am sure that most anyone who read my blog in past editions, as since given up hope that I would ever update. However, I am here to say that this record of my doings and where-abouts is far from complete.

I have finally graduated college with my BSN in Nursing, and am proud to say that it was with Honors. My parents and sister came down for the event, and we all had a wonderful, yet exausting time. Leaving was horrid I'll admit. I think I cried enough tears to flood my apartment again; as I drove down the street with the T's standing in their driveway. Mrs. T has called several times and says that Kate still asks when I'm coming home...I miss them tons!!

However, I have stayed fully busy in the few weeks I've been home. I am studing for my Nursing Boards to get my licence (it is so wrong that you have to study AFTER school), and trying to figure out where I'll be working. Right now I am actually leaning towards working in Tennessee as a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse in a childrens hospital. Along with all the paper work I need to complete, I am also apartment hunting, and trying to get my adult life situated. Mom, dad, and I also just got back home from a wonderful trip to Maine so the parents could go to a rock digging class all week. They had a blast, and I enjoyed Maine! I was hopping ever so much to see a moose...but no - it wasn't to be. Now I can cross off my list of states to see, three more.

It is good to be back home though, and I am back in the swing of reenactments for the summer. We already had our first event, which happened to be four days instead of the usual three because we did an extra school education day that over 400 kids came to from over 4 schools!! As fun as it was, you have NO idea how badly I wanted a shower......

Well, that is about all for now - I will try to be much more faithful in my accounts, and keep you up dated on my work situation. Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts!

The Final Count Down...

My four years at school has finally funnelled into these last two weeks before I walk proudly across the stage (hopefully not to fall) and receive my diploma. As I look back it flew by, and yet when I truely think about it, I can remember soo many things that have happened. Although I have no idea yet where I am going, what I am doing, or when it will be; I do know that I will miss school for all its challenges and opportunities alike. I am hoping to have a nice graduation photo to post here or send to you guys ;-) I'll post more later, as I'm sure you will want to hear all my graduatory news.

Birthday #22!!

Happy Birthday to me I live in a tree I may look like a monkey, but thats because I'm hairy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


lol, ok ok...Well I am officially 22, I know crazy! Things have been busy, as a brief summary -


- I passed my one class (hip hip hooray) - even got a B!
- Spring Break was awesome - my sis is the best and we had so much fun!!! Lots of food, fun, REALLY loud music, bad mom jokes, and laughing.
-Mrs. T is back home (YEA!!) from visiting her sister for 12 days (poor Mr. T) who recently found out she has cancer, so please be in prayer for their family, and for her sister who is not a Christian.
- Once again, we had to plung my bathroom tube which was full of crap....which had backed up from the upstairs bathroom...yuck....it was sooooo gross....
- I went to the most REDNECK Civil War Reenactment ever....I hate to say it, but it was REALLY redneck. I did feel bad though one of the guys actually shot himself in the leg (although it was a blank) and the force of the powder actually put a hole in his leg. He'll need some stitches, so they took him in the ambulance, poor guy.
- I had a fabulous birthday!!!
- I meant to have this really awesome theological post...but I knew it would be exausting...so, you'll have to wait for another time.

Ok, thats about all :-) I'll write more soon!!!

Theres Always a First Time For Hate Mail...

Haha, have you ever wondered what it would be like to get hate mail?


Ah, yes, my fine commenters - I'm sure you never thought (except SFL) that I of ALL people would ever recieve hate mail...sigh...However, there is a time in every persons life that they must make a desision to stand up for something.

Now - granted, I hope that my timing was alright, but I wrote this letter to our undergraduate coordnator to ask for her opinion on how I should handle a situation with a professor; which I felt that the class agreed on..............................well - I guess not the whole class agreed... Although, I got plenty of very sweet e-mails thanking me for standing up to say something, I also got a couple pieces of hate mail...

Hate mail is a funny thing, it bites, it also is intimidating, but at the same time it makes you want to stand up and say - WELL THEN WHY DO I HEAR SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ON THE BUS!!!! lol....sorry. On one hand I was thinking "well maybe I had bad timing", but on the other hand if I did it after our final people would say that it was only written because the final was hard, and that is not true. Needless to say, I kinda feel like the women who was going to be stoned....hum...of course not for the same thing....bla bla bla

Well, I'm back off to study and sleep, I've been working SUPPER hard for this final :-) I hope it pays off! I'll write more soon.


P.S. I really just don't do good with hate mail, lol :-P

Rambling Thoughts...

I will put a quick disclaimer on this post. These alone are my thoughts, and as such have the potential to be erred. If you might offended by my comments you may want to forget you know me =P. Happy reading.


Amid a recent conversation with a friend, the topic of movies was brought up. My friend stated that movies today were designed to create an emotional response within you; which under a real-life circumstance would lend itself to a retaliatory response from the viewer. Generally however, due to the nature of films, no response to these evoked emotions are required or possible. The point of my friend was that we should be wary of putting ourselves in situations where we are likely to have our conscience numbed leading to a desensitization towards emotionally charged situations. I had not been prepared to answer this opinion at the time, but tonight I came upon a thought that has caused me to disagree. Were we not created by the Lord to respond to situations in which we were emotionally drawn? Of course! However, it is not only a movie that has this effect. Have you ever listened to a piece of music that touched your very soul? It could have been the rhythm, the harmony, the picture it placed in your mind, the words, or perhaps just the very notes themselves that stirred within you the cry for response. On the other hand a magnificent sunrise, a snow capped mountain, a surging wave, or a breathtakingly beautiful vista call to the heart of the viewer as well. Within every life experience lies an opportunity for our emotional response to drive us to action. I am not just talking about an emotional expression such as tears; I am speaking of joy, anger, fear, indignation, boldness, sorrow, compassion, and courage; such responses as have been experienced by both men and women since God created them. What then prevents us from taking action in response to these feelings, is it desensitization such as my friend suggested? Why then may I ask do those who have never been exposed to such movies fail to respond in action to music, nature, genocides, natural disasters, or death; while on the other hand there are people who are fully immersed in the film industry who seem to display more response to said stimuli. Could it not be that pure sinful human nature causes our hearts to become callused towards the emotions that rise within us? Although it is not impossible to become desensitized and unresponsive through constant emotional stimulation, I wonder if the lack of action is the result of our lack of a relationship to the Lord. Are there not many more non Christians who cry out for action in the face of injustice? Perhaps my lack of an action following an emotion is not solely a result of desensitization from films, but rather a generalized state of apathy. Why should all films, natural beauty, or piece of music require me to idly sit by, convinced that no action could result? My thought is that every time an emotion is raised within me whether by a piece of art, or a stirring story should I not turn to the Lord and ask Him how I might alter my life according. At the very least I can stand aside for a moment to allow the emotion to ring true in my heart, and really think about my response. I do not want to find myself at the end of my life looking back to see a hundred things I wish would have been changed. So often I hear individuals complaining about this, that, and the other thing, but never do they do something about what they believe. How sad it is to think that I could go through life and never allow myself to truly feel the weight of a passionate burden. Granted, action can be draining, and each person has a different call, but let us not forget we are children of the Lord called to live by a higher standard, and called to have the heart, thoughts, and emotions of the Lord. Why was I put on this earth if I never show a single soul the heart of the Creator who placed me here? Hum, I apologize if this seems quite rambling, but perhaps it will make you think, or at least debate these crazy thoughts of mine. Aren't you glad that I usually don't say what is really going in my head? Trying to articulate all this stuff makes me exhausted....lol....

P.S. If my thoughts do not exactly flow so that they are understandable I am sorry, it is late...

Cup of Tea

I have determined that at any point in my day sitting down with a hot cup of something helps to put the world in perspective. I really should suggest it to the greater population :-). Nah - we'll just keep it our little secret. Well, as for life the weeks are flying by which can be a good thing, but it is also a little bitter sweet. After all, come May I no longer get the title of college student. Sure there are plenty of things to look forward to - decorating my own apartment, not having to move every year, work, money, humm. However, there is plenty I will miss which is why I think that I'm sort of in denial; Mrs. T and I both. That is the funny part of life though, it goes on, it is never the same.


Oh - I almost forgot! Everyone give SFL a huge hug, presents, and a song for his BIRTHMONTH!! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Now granted he was physically born on a single day, but no one knows the day exactly (he's lied about it for years), soooo we celebrate the month instead. This should go right along with my friend Matt who hides his birthday.....humm you strange people....


Oh and wish me luck this week! I am off to the great state of Texas where the sky truely is bigger (although neither my sister nor I have been able to scientifically prove it) for a job interview. We will see, I'll keep you all posted. More soon!!

First Snow Day of 2007!

Well, we usually have one snow day each year, and when it finally does come normal life is put on hold. Snow days are holidays, there's no school and no work, instead families spend time with eachother - each family having their own Snow Day traditions. On our snow day, I spent nearly all day playing out side with the Ts. Let me tell you the next morning my legs were killing me! In the afternoon though, we went to one of the good hills in the area to go sledding, and we found a giant snow squirrel someone had created. Now, in case you have not heard, we have had quite the year for squirrels. Mrs. T had seen several mysteriously dead squirrels - not on the road...and so the story was born of the Squirrel Plague. Not long after Mrs. T's find our pastor's son got this rash over his entire body (which was later determined to be results of a virus), but of course was seen as the human reaction to Squirrel Plague. Thus, when on our snow day we found the snow squirrel we had to recognize it as a monument to all our fellow squirrels lost in the plague of 2007.

Chilly

I can decide if my complete sense of disorganization comes from by desire to graduate, my busy schedule, or a lack of motivation. Perhapes all three to some degree, although I really want to be organized. Mainly, our classes have all these projects that are overlapping, along with the fact that my weekend (when I usually get organized) was kinda shot. Oh well! Lol...I think that tonight when I get home I will sort through all my stuff...

Oh I will share with you a rather hillarious moment brought to you by my slackish self :-). Sunday night around 10pm...yes after I should be asleep...I was up hanging out with some friends watching Back to the Future (such a good movie), when a quote caught my attention. I cannot remember who said it, I'm sure SFL will enlighten me, but I think that Loraine said it. She said "he's my dreamboat". I about choked when it hit me that this is a common reference between my parents...Oh the 80's...I will also admitt that we had way to much fun thinking about how Doc goes 30 years to the future which would be 2015, and what is says about it. My philosophy is that if Doc is correct we might as well stop paying for road and highway maintainence, because we'll be using flying vehicles. Haha, oh what fun.

Alright, I'm off to study a bit, or something.

P.S. You know I thought about doing something very theological...but then decided that I really didn't have the brain power this morning.

P.P.S. So my title makes some sense - it was a balmy 18 degrees this morning.

Really Fast

For the sake of trying to keep up with my blog, this will be a very short post because I have to go set up for church in 5 minutes....Come to think of it I feel like at times my life runs in 5 minute intervals. Enough of that...So my new story - last night -


I was upstairs hanging with the T's, who if you recall are my fabtabulous landlords, and friends. After dinner and plenty of chocolate chip cookies :-) we went to work on their bathroom sink and tub, which ran into some trouble with having random objects dropped down it's drain - thus leading to a massive blockage. We had 6 foot pipe snake, but that was not long enough to reach, so at 9 o'clock at night we called next door to borrow his 25 foot snake...This then led us to a hillarious discussion of snakes...but lets not go there.

Needless to say when all was said and done the sink drained, the tub drained, and the three of us were covered in brown - crap...and smelled like bleach, vinagar, and REALLY nasty crap.

I took a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG shower.....


More later :-)

Update!

Hey all! I'm sure that you had all thought that I must have dropped into some eternal vortex unable of escape - thus explaining my complete and total lack of blogging. Well...I am afraid that you are mistaken. To tell you the truth I am trying to get back into the swing of school, as it is I have been avoiding going grocery shopping like the plague. Things are good though, I do like my classes much better than last semester. Yesterday however, I think that the entire class' jaws dropped when we saw the 19 page syllabus that our instructor handed out...19 pages!!! Talk about assignments!!!

Then this past weekend I went to Georgia for a Vineyard Church Conference for Small Group Leaders. It was a GREAT conference, and it was so fun to get away from Clemson a little. Church is going so well, and the whole leadership team is so excited for implementing more of what we learned over the weekend.

I also have been kept busy fighting the Squirrel Plague which has been taking over the neighborhood. Yes, my friends - the squirrels strike back!! All we know, is that squirrel plague has a strange effect on human children. It causes them to breakout in a red rash all over there body. Humm...................Well at least that is what my friend Matt and I have determined by our very scientific method. You should have heard my pastor - he was like "REALLY! I heard something about that yesterday!!". I about died laughing....trust me it was hillarious.


Alright, I have to leave for Clinical in 5 minutes, so I'd better sign off. I will be back to post more later!!!

The Very Last Christmas Break...

I am back - tired after a week of finals, but now I am up visiting the parents, and enjoying it completely. As for life...Well, I haven't had a life for 4 months (:-P), but hey! I know that this is a short post, but I'm tired, and I want to go torment SFL and WOT some...hehe...I think I'll make them play a game with me, muhahahaha.

Turkey Genocide

To all my fair Turkey lovers out there...still eating reminants of Turkey from two days ago, I beg you to turn your hardened hearts to the woeful calls of the million plus Turkeys killed within the past month. Here is what the newscast should read:

Thursday, November 24, 2006
Over one million turkeys were found slain this year. Their moist, buttered, and brown skin was roasted, fried, and baked across the country today. The people in the spirit of tradition turned a deaf ear to their cries; instead gracefully carved tender meat onto garnished trays beside cranberry sauce. Spokesman R.D. Quill from the Federation for the Liberation of Turkeys stated Wednesday morning. "The slaugher this year is unprecedented, and we call for Freedom to Turkeys across the world!" Unfortunately, the illustrious Mr. Quill was one of the many who fell during Thursday's events. A memorial to the fallen hero will take place next week sometime. And now, please stay tuned for an update on the "hunt for the Grinch".

*********
As for me, I am enjoying my break from classes and early morning very much! It is hard to believe that in another three or so weeks Christmas break will be here!! Yea!!!! Alright, well I am off to do whatever I want to :-). Till next time...

Hay Rides and Square Dances

Yea, so I know that you will all be overwhelmed by two blog postings within one day, but I can't help it; try to stablize yourselves please.

I had to post and tell you about my very fun night last night. I got an invite by a friend to go hang out with a Christian group of college kids, because they were putting on this big square dance and hayride. It was a blast, we hung out with about 80 kids and danced till we were exausted, and then we braved the cold to take a hayride. It was awesome because the sky was so clear that you could see every star, it was so beautiful. However, it was freezing and I think that my fingers were ice cubes by the time I got back (hehe). I seriously realized that I needed to get out a little, because this semester has been busy I really haven't hung out with anyone so I think that I needed it. Well, anyway that is my little summary of my night, it was so much fun! :-)

Debates With the T's....

Good afternoon my faithful commentors! How goes it in your unique, individual, worlds?

Well this week, I was reminded that I have failed for far to long to introduce you to some friends of mine - pardon a' me (my French is atrocious). Without adu meet the T's; Mr. and Mrs. and their four little ones. Yes, they are my favorite Landlords, and my family away from home. The T's have been absent from my humble internet abode, however my fabulous blog topic this time around would not be complete without the recognition that the T's spawned (hehe - SFL, its your favorite word) this topic. Thus, everyone say hello to the T's!


As for the topic which you have all been so patiently waiting for, I expect some excellent dialoge.


Mr. T informed me the other night that it is very unAmerican to not have a Christmas Tree at Christmas. Now, my question to him was why the Christmas Tree? And why is the Christmas Tree "American"? Why not Stockings, Eggnog, or Snow? After all, is Christmas another cultural holiday or does it mean something else? I am sure that there are plenty of stories about the history of Christmas, and to me they may or may not be true. However, if Christmas truely is a "pagan" holiday like Halloween should we treat it the same way? Should we not celebrate it, and celebrate Hanika instead? Hummm, any ideas commentors, or shall Mr. T remain uncontested?

My Future

That sounds like such a large monumental concept does it not? "THE FUTURE". After all, think about your future; the hopes, dreams, and possibilities that at times seem so unclear, and at other times seem to lead us in a straight line. I know that this sounds appears to be quiet theoretical, but as I am gaining more life experience I am beginning to understand the absolute trust we must have in the Lord. Little 'ol me has all these plans, where, when, and how my life is going to work...when in reality I cannot make one thing happen on my own, without the Lord. This leads me to think how ironic it is that for all the plans I make and could never put into action; I get so offended at the Lord when he changes those plans. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with plans, goals, and great ideas; instead I think that for me I just need the reminder to always trust that the Lord knows those good plans that He has for me, and if I follow Him, and keep a heart tender to His leading I will live in a way that pleases the Lord, and ultimately will satisfy my heart.

Ahh, I love a good contemplative moment...:-)...As for life, I am actually in the midst of deciding where I might go upon graduation. I tell ya' there are so many choices! My friends at school are determined to keep me here, my family and friends at home (ie. Jess #1, parental guidences, and Heather) will kill me if I don't move back home ;-), and I have job offers and opportunities from across the country. I hate choices...lol...Well, this is true, whatever decision I make doesn't have to be perminant, and will only open other doors for me. Anyway, I got to go to a very fun conference on Saturday, and see my MUMMY!!!!!! Yeah!!!!! We had a blast, and got to listen to hours of info relating to nursing and jobs, etc. I find it quite entertaining to see a couple hundred nurses and nursing students interacting. I think that my favorite part of the conference was when this one nurse was answering a question about why there is not some way to make IV ports unique to the tubing so that nurses can't make mistakes and put something like Ensure into an IV line instead of a gastric tube where it should be...because this has happened. The nurse replied with, "actually the two different tubes don't fit on the IV port...however nurses are known for their creativity and if something doesn't work they WILL find a way." Nurses are so use to having to work with things that don't work, having to be creative, and having to think out side the box, that sometimes its to our death...er...to the death of whoever we put Ensure in their veins...cough! Anyway, it was funny to think of how creativity can sometimes be a negative, and the nurse reminded us, "if something doesn't work or fit right, before you MAKE it work you should first check to make sure that it SHOULD work". Ah, such a simple idea, and yet at times how we forget...lol.

Well, I apologize for the delay of a recent posting, and for the length of this one. Enjoy, and comment well! :-)

Ode to Mom...

Just so you, my faithful commentors do not think that I spend all my time on UTube, I preface this blog with the explaination that the song I am about to share with you was actually showed to me by a friend, which I there by loved for reasons you will understand after listening to it.

Also, before my Ode I'll give you a little update. I have actually been sick for what feels like a month. At first I had a nasty cold two weeks ago, and then on monday I came down with Strep. Monday was also the day that I got a chunk of my leg out, and six stitches put in (it looks cool). The leg was due to a mole that the Dr. found and thought that it may lead to Melanoma cancer, thus he wanted to take my flesh...You know I am seriously contemplating starting a body scar collection, after all I get a new one about every year. Hey I could even get tatoos to go along with them describing the weird cirrcumstances surrounding the scar. Hummm......Well anyway, please excuse my lack of writing I will hopefully be up to speed soon.

Enjoy!

Ode to Mom - The EBAY song...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5L6XsGV7kRg

Ode to Mom...

Just so you, my faithful commentors do not think that I spend all my time on UTube, I preface this blog with the explaination that the song I am about to share with you was actually showed to me by a friend, which I there by loved for reasons you will understand after listening to it.

Also, before my Ode I'll give you a little update. I have actually been sick for what feels like a month. At first I had a nasty cold two weeks ago, and then on monday I came down with Strep. Monday was also the day that I got a chunk of my leg out, and six stitches put in (it looks cool). The leg was due to a mole that the Dr. found and thought that it may lead to Melanoma cancer, thus he wanted to take my flesh...You know I am seriously contemplating starting a body scar collection, after all I get a new one about every year. Hey I could even get tatoos to go along with them describing the weird cirrcumstances surrounding the scar. Hummm......Well anyway, please excuse my lack of writing I will hopefully be up to speed soon.

Enjoy!

Ode to Mom - The EBAY song...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5L6XsGV7kRg