This is Jeremy's Fault

Rules:
Once you've read this, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. And finding 16 random facts is surprisingly harder than I thought it would be.

Here goes:
1. I love ingredients--meaning I love most kinds of dough/batter - cookie, biscuit, brownie, pancake...you name it, I'll probably eat it--and also tons of things in their "natural state."

2. I've had stitches 6 times, and all but 1 of those times was in my face.

3. In MS, I have 2 cats: a boy named Chelsey, and a girl named Gus. We were 'misinformed' about their genders and by the time we realized they'd been switched, we were already used to their names, so we left them.

4. I LOVE to travel - and I don't really care where as long as I get to do something I've never done before. In fact, by the end of the year I'll officially be a certified travel agent - not because I want to be a travel agent, just because I love travel, and also b/c I LOVE missions and assume knowing all the in's and out's of travel couldn't hurt.

5. A friend and I are currently in the process of starting a non-profit organization, which will essentially involve missions education, mobilization, and consultation. So if anyone wants to donate... :)

6. My favorite color is green-not lime, but bright green.

7. I'm not a fan of little animals, except for baby animals that are going to eventually be really big.

8. One of my "OCD's" is that I used to look at things in 5's - hard to explain...you'll just have to ask.

9. My 2-pg. life list includes ridiculous things, like spending the night in a tree, riding and ostrich, and giving away a car--not sure why. These are just things I want to do.

10. I tend to look at the clock at exactly 1:11 or 11:11 A LOT of the time - not quite sure how that works out, it just does.

11. I'm currently relearning Spanish. I knew Spanish in high school but didn't use it, so I lost it. Yet I can understand a good deal of what is being said and sometimes say things in Spanish without knowing where it's coming from, so hopefully it's still 'in there' somewhere.

12. Right now I'm listening to mostly easygoing, Jason Mraz-type music or all-out rock, which are nothing alike but somehow are filling my playlists right now. Go figure.

13. I turned 26 today! And as Matt says, "it's good to be equally divisible by 2 again."

14. I love trying new things and try to do at least 1 new thing a week, although I'm not always successful. However, other weeks I get to do lots of new things, so I like to think it balances out.

15. Speaking of balance, I'm obsessed with things being even, which is why I like odd numbers - it always leaves 1 in the middle :) Yet, if you asked me which I liked better (odd or even), I'd initially say even, because I like balance. Hmmm, never thought of that until just now. :)

16. I have the cutest, funniest, smartest nephews in the world. And yet somehow I have learned to remain completed unbiased, which is apparent by my previous remark. haha

P.S. Sorry I've been M.I.A. for the past few weeks, but it was worth it. Hope you all had a great break. :)

Santa Suspended?

What do you think? Guilty or Innocent?

Don't Interrupt...Rude!

So, I can honestly say that I've had this experience in several New Orleans fast food restaurants. Ok, may not this EXACT situation, but some are pretty close. Actually, a few are even funnier...if you can imagine :)

Come join the fun! :)

Bon Qui Qui at King Burger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZkdcYlOn5M

SNO-LA

So, it's finally snowing in NOLA (aka New Orleans)! yay! Despite the fact that it was in the 70s last week and we were wearing shorts and it's supposed to be in the upper 60s in a few days, the snow decided to make an appearance anyway. It's sad but it really is an historic day for NOLA. It NEVER snows here, much less this early in the year. And it's the BIGGEST flakes we've ever seen. It really is pretty w/ the campus and all the landscaping. It didn't start until I got to work, but I told my roommates they should take our Christmas tree outside and take pics w/ the snow on it, which is funnier when you realize it's a decorated, prelit palm tree. haha

Also, NOLA is now buzzing w/ the sound that maybe the Saints have a chance after all! haha

UPDATE: Here are a few pics of the campus and city...

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Why do some people feel the need to be competitive ALL the time, especially when they are competing for absolutely nothing?! I tend to be competitive in certain situations, but I'm also the type of person that genuinely doesn't care if I don't win. Very few things in life are really worth getting all "bent out of shape" for, as my grandmother would say.

Yet there are those people who cannot handle not being the best, the funniest, the most popular, the winner. What's the point? Yes, it is nice to win sometimes or to be the best at something. But when it comes to friends, is there ANY reason to be competitive? Does it really matter who has more friends? Can't we all just get along? :)

So in response to those people who cannot accept that some people like to have more than one friend and that they do not always have to be the center of attention...GET OVER IT!

**End of pointless rant for the day** :)

Shout Out to Lottie Moon

Shout Out to Lottie Moon (and especially in honor of Leah, who is living proof of the Lottie Moon offering money in action) :)

Hit our home girl up through her annual Christmas offering to help fund international missions. I've seen the money in action, and believe me...you wanna get a piece of this.

I know finances are tighter this year with everything that's going on, but when it comes to someone whose eternity is at stake, it really seems like a small price to pay. So in the words of Nike, "Just do it!"

p.s. WWLMD? (What Would Lottie Moon Do?) :)
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Ok, that was as ghetto as we could get and still emphasize the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. haha.

Dancing Ninja

So, I took a quiz to see what my dance style is, and it turns out I'm...Jive. This is what said quiz told me:

"Whoa, wild child! It takes a lot to slow you down. A lively and fun person, you're happiest when you're out, about, and on the go. We bet you're usually the first person on the dance floor...and probably one of the last ones off. You know how to boogie and have a good time — and that's what makes you just like the jive.You've got a bold streak in you and don't mind taking some risks to veer off the beaten path every once in a while. Admit it — you're a bit of a daredevil, and you love to push boundaries and make your own mark on the world. There's nothing jive about that. Keep it up!"

Also, I'm a ninja. So watch out, because apparantly I like to kick butt and take names. haha

Lost at Sea

I've never been allowed to see the long-term plans for my life. I just get to know what the next step is, and only when I take that step is the next phase revealed. Obviously, this is very aggrevating at times--especially in a world when every conversation starter has to do with wanting to know what my long-term plan is. But I know that God has a reason for all of it, and I probably would be overwhelmed by the seeing the whole plan anyway.

I've always used different analogies to explain my life - such as driving at night in a fog (meaning, I can only see what's right in front of me, and the only way to see beyond that is to move forward with what I can see). There's also the idea of God being a light unto my path, revealing in the dark where I should walk next. Recently, it's been the idea of being lost at sea, which is a little scarier than just walking in the dark (although that is also very scary sometimes). The main difference is that at sea, I have absolutely NO control, whereas when I'm walking I can still feel a little secure on my own. But that insecurity also is a good thing, because there's a peace in knowing that when I feel completely helpless is when I am able to trust God the most...in a way that I should trust at all times. That being the case, I guess I'm ok being lost at sea. And after all, I'm not really lost. God knows where I am and where I'm going, so I guess I should just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(sidenote: It's funny that my blog is "Hold on, It's a bumpy ride," because it becomes more of a reality everyday. haha)
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How could you see what you see and not totally
Want to discontinue me for all eternity and then some
It bothers me so that I could be so
Completely unaffected when connected to the holy one
And so I sit here and stare at this page and wonder
At what age it will become clear to me
So for now I am clueless to how you do this
And how you move this spirit in me

I'm going Your way
Even though I cannot see in front of me
I'm going Your way
Even though I feel lost at sea

How could your favor be the flavor I savor
When the fruits of my labor are so unfavorable
And old pages are setting the stages for something outrageous
A man who can save all our souls
And you know and you know

I'm going Your way
Even though I cannot see in front of me
I'm going Your way
Even though I feel lost at sea

Ride the wave, wave goodbye, by the way did I mention
Today that I don't know the way home
So could you take me by the hand
And lead me to the dryer land
So I can finally breathe again instead of sinking like a stone
And now I will diligently and not religiously but affectionately
Come before the throne of your grace in this place
And seek your face for all eternity and then some
-Jimmy Needham