A shot in the arse...

Who knew it could be so painful? I didn't even feel it yesterday. Today I can barely walk without cursing under my breath.

24 going on 85

Today I had a doctors appointment to get some allergy medicine because I have been having some headaches and thought maybe it was because of my sinus. A shot in the butt, 2 pills a day of antibiotics, 1 pill for decongestiant, 2 tsp of some syrup which I haven't quit figured out, and a nasal spray later I return from the doctors office...turns out I have a sinus infection and a bad case of post nasal...I didn't even really feel sick, I was more going as a "precaution" for future headaches. How in the world? As I sit with my pills in front me trying to figure out what I take next I am baffled how this all happened after a 2 hour visit. How looking up my nose, in my ear, and listening to me breath for a 3 seconds has left me with a big old bag of medication, I am not sure I can comprehend. I also have to put some topical cream on a funky spot on my hand and may have to have a biopsy. Figure that out?

I have done it, I have defeated the Price Fairy. I told you I bought my tickets on Saturday for my trip to Cincinnati this weekend, well I checked today, the day I was going to wait until to buy my tickets b/c of the weekly special I see all the time...450 dollars! I went on a gut instinct and bought them on Saturday, I don't know why, I had every intention of waiting until today. It is a good day..well besides the shot in the butt...that wasn't that great.

A Dream:

I am ashamed to say it but I had a makeout dream last night. Not that there is anything wrong with makeout dreams. Problem is that I was using my feminine charm to get a T-shirt. I will admit I feel a little cheap. Second problem...it was the worst kind of makeout dream. One with someone I know. I hate to drop names about me having makeout dreams on the internet of all places, you never know who reads these things after all. I will say he went to Milligan and was in my Christ and Culture group...and out of the group, probably the one I would most likely make out with in real life. I'm just glad I don't have to see him, for some reason it makes for an awkward moment even if it is only in my head.

Congratulations are in order!

My dad, who turned 50 in February, finished the Shamrock Shuffle 8k today in 44 minutes. Placing 3702 out of the men and 4590 out of 20,000ish overall. If you ask me that is pretty darn good. It was his first race ever and to do an 8K to start with was impressive. So congratulations Dad, on a job very well done.

The Ghetto, The Newsboys, and The See Thru Chinese Restaurant

Last night we headed to the South Sides UIV Paivilon to catch the Adoration Worship Tour which consisted of The Newsboys, Rebecca St. James, Don Moen, Jeremy Camp, and Sarah Groves. However, before we went to the concert we stopped to get some dinner. Due to lack of time, we decided to grab something quick, we spotted a Subway not to far from the concert. Once we got closer we noticed that there was a Chinese restraint next door so we decided we would do Chinese instead. So we headed inside the 'See Thru Chinese restaurant,' you heard me correctly. Where they got the name we could not comprehend. The menu was one like we had never seen...Including BBQ ribs and crab toast...we didn't understand much about the Chinese restaurant but we don't know anywhere else in Chicago where you can get 6lbs of sesame Chicken for 7 dollars. So if you ever are in the hood, and want some Chinese...just look for the flashing neon of the See Thru.

The concert was great. Everyone did less original songs and more worship songs which was awesome. The Newsboys were very real and even though they have done this concert for months, they put their heart into it like it was their first performance. I think that best song for me last night was Blessed Be Your Name...'You give and take away, you give and take away, my heart will choose to say Blessed be your name.' The words hit home and the Spirit was moving. I will admit, I was hoping they would do a little 'Shine' for old times sake and they didn't. Still, good stuff.

Plane Tickets and Price Fairies...

FYI...I did order my plane tickets to Cincinnati, finally! After all I am leaving a week from today. I probably would have held out until Monday or Tuesday but I didn't receive a price update this morning and it seems like I always get one on Saturdays so I got a little nervous. I am fighting with American because their prices are ridiculous and they are who I have my frequent flier miles with. 260 on American, and I was able to get them for 126 through United although the times of both flights suck...(7:40 am on Saturday and 6:40 flying out on Tuesday). Someone at American isn't doing their job...Their competitor kicked @$$.

A Dream:

For some reason I had this awesome idea to put my 2 male bettas in the same bowl. For those who know nothing about Bettas you are wondering why this is such a big deal. Male bettas are very aggressive towards one another and will fight. Well they did indeed fight and killed each other. I was very sad, miraculously they both came back to life...Whew.
Then it was on to the ski slopes. I watched for a while and decided that I wanted to go sledding down this big hill. Climbed my butt up to the top where it looked more like a water slide then a sled hill. A guy waved me on towards him which required me getting in this pool up to my chest. Problem was I was fully clothed and my winter coat acted as a life vest. I was required to take a swimming test before going down the hill...I believe the purpose was just in case you happened to go to far and ended up in the Lake at the bottom of the hill. I almost failed the 'swimming' test for not catching a football the guy threw at me...luckily I talked him into letting me go. After all that it wasn't even that fun, half the hill didn't even have snow...beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...

1985 Chicago Bears...don't remember the game but remember the Shuffle

Heck I don't even know if I watched the game. But I could Super Bowl Shuffle with the best of them. For those not from Chicago, you may not even know what it is...let me enlighten you. Its a little diddy the Chicago Bears put together on their way to the Super Bowl. Its full of 'white mans overbite', lack of rhythm, and really bad fake instrument playing with an 80's flare. Its awesome. Here's a brief example:

I'm Samurai Mike. I stop 'em cold.
Part of the defense, big and bold.
I've been jammin' for quite a while,
Doin' what's right and settin' the style.
Give me a chance , I'll rock you good,
Nobody messin' in my neighborhood.
I didn't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just came to do the Superbowl Shuffle.

We're the Bears Shufflin' Crew.
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

I'm mama's boy Otis, one of a kind.
The ladies all love me
For my body and my mind.
I'm slick on the floor as I can be.
But ain't no sucker gonna get past me.
Some guys are jealous
Of my style and class.
That's why some end up on their (bleep).
I didn't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just get down to the Superbowl Shuffle.

The words don't do the Video justice...and if you want to see it I own a copy that I stole from my dad.

Why do I bring this up you ask? Its not even football season. One reason. The legendary, Mike Singletary (Samurai Mike), spoke at my church on Sunday. I was impressed by his humbleness and his realness. He spoke about how, as Christians, we should face hard times and contrasted that against unbelievers. He is legendary, yet he is relateable. He listens for God to speak and is obedient even when its against his will. A great speaker and seems like a great man. We had a untiy service for this event so I would say 2000-3000 + in one service with an awesome time of worship by PW Gopal (great worship leader...kinda Third Day...U2ish sound), made for a great Sunday. If only I had brought my VHS for an autograph...

A Dream:

Nick Lachey left Jessica for me. Don't worry, she cheated on him. Its not like he just up and left her. I didn't mean for it to happen in fact I didn't know I even found him attractive. Karen drove past us while we were in his pickup truck driving out of the subdivision I grew up in. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. I waved. We headed to Burger King for breakfast but I can't remember what we ordered..but I'm pretty sure I had coffee...beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...

Standing Still In The Fast Lane...

If 3 times a bridesmaid never a bride...what about 5 times? In May I will be 5 times a Bridesmaid. I've been to so many weddings the past 2 years people often ask me if I have any single friends. The funny thing is that I don't know if it is actually sunk in that most of my best friends in the world have moved on to the married phase of their life. I participate in these weddings, stand next to these girls I'm so close to, read scripture (quiet well might I add) for couples that have grown dear to me, buy shower presents, give toasts...and none of it seems real. I go through the motions..play dress up, smile at the right time, cry (to put it lightly if you would have seen me at my best friend Mandy's wedding) and yet it seems as if I'm in just saying my lines in a big production. I can not process the thought that all of this is happening. I still find myself sitting on the 'L' on the way to work thinking..I CAN NOT BELIEVE SO AND SO IS MARRIED. Married! I am not jealous of these people...I don't even think I'm ready to get married. I still feel like I'm in the awkward teenage years. I want to run around and yell at everyone...what are you doing?!?! Do you realize that this is not pretend. We SURELY can't be old enough to be getting married...and yet I see the scales tipping. Its like being naked in a dream and realizing everyone else is wearing clothes...WHY IS EVERYONE ELSE WEARING CLOTHES?!?!
It is times like this I am very thankful to be living in a place where being single is the 'norm' and even the more socially accepted. I am comfortable here. I know that my girlfriends won't be getting married tomorrow and that I could meet a single guy on the way to work. And perhaps that is the reason for the nakedlike feeling when I go to these weddings...

Gotta myself a little threadbare gypse soul
Likes to dance and drink and go where ever the wind blows
Gotta a little a little threadbare gypse soul
Gotta a little a little threadbare gypse soul

Gotta little wild streak in my heart
I guess I have had it since I've heard the music start
Gotta little wild streak in my heart
Gotta a little threadbare gypse soul

I like to hear the highway sounds
I don't think that I'll ever settle down
I can't change and its a sin, hope Saint Peters gonna let me in
Come on Pete won't you let me in

I wear this Cowboy hat upon my head
You can take it off me sometime after I am dead
Got a cowboy hat upon my head
Gotta a little Threadbare Gypse Soul

I wear these crusty shoes down my feet,
I could write a book about the places that they've seen
I've got these crusty shoes down my feet
Gotta a little wild streak in my heart

I like to hear the highway sounds
I don't think that I'll ever settle down
I can't change and its a sin, hope Saint Peters gonna let me in
Come on Pete won't you let me in

I know this crazy living just ain't right
Most of the time I'm smokin, drinkin, looking for a fight
But I've been talkin to Jesus everyday
I've been talkin to Jesus everday
- Threadbare Gypse Soul, Pat Green & Willie Nelson

For those that are interested...I took a big step today. I deleted Colins name off my Instant Message List. It only took me a month to realize that he actually doesn't want to talk to me any more. Everyday I would open up my list and see his name staring back at me. I knew it was only a matter of time before he cracked...or not. I have come to grips with the fact that he indeed does not want to talk to me ever again and that its okay. I do not have to be friends with all of my ex boy friends...in fact its not really normal. So the deed is done. I no longer will subject myself to his name glowing bright green...Good bye Colin.

Happy St. Patties Day!

For a girl that supposedly looks good in green...I think I need to invest. I opened my closet today and couldn't find one thing to wear to work this morning that was green. Oddly enough I found plenty of pink which in a red heads world is socially unacceptable. Its the rebel in me :)

I was rethinking the number of states/countries I have been in the past 6 months. I think the number is larger then I originally thought:
Chicago, Illinois
Northwest Indiana
Cincinnati, Ohio
Wichita, Kansas
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Miami, Florida
Hati
Jamaica
Grand Caymen, Mexico
Cozomel, Mexico
Seattle, Washington
Kamloops, BC Canada
Portland, Oregon
Las Vegas, Nevada

So the tally is at 10 states (including IL) and 4 countries (Including the US). I've been a busy girl. I counted 19 different planes...34 hours in flight, 20 hours sitting in the airport, 19 bags of pretzels, and 1 stained shirt from the Merlot that a woman spilt on me on a really bad flight. If I liked flying this would be heaven...not so much though. I mean I don't hate it but its not something I look forward too.
Rumors are flying that I may be going to California for one full month and then 3 half months. I'm not sure how I feel about it but I kinda have my fingers crossed that I don't get this one. I guess we'll see.

Blast From The Past

Its always strange to me when the past comes and knocks on the door. The past couple of weeks I have heard from a lot of people from my past and I'm not sure why that is. I'm guessing a sign from God to help me get out of the 'funk' that I have been in lately. I actually haven't even thought about being in a 'funk' for about a week so maybe it worked. It started almost 2 weeks ago when I decided to call Kimbo...then I talked to Christy Paul online, a brief (unfortunate) e-mail from Piesly, followed by another IM conversation with Emily,which made me think that I needed to call Kelli, followed by another instant message from a friend of mine Teresa from high school...that was followed by a brief conversation with Nick Tule, which led me to read Julie Revees Blog, which in turn made me send her a quick e-mail to catch up, then a phone call from Houston on Thursday, a phone call from Jen on Sunday, and a random short e-mail from Neven Hooker on Monday. All of these people whom I really hadn't had contact with in a while. Man, just tell God you think you are friendless and they start coming out of the wood work. For any of those mentioned that are reading this...thanks!
The Price Fairy is playing with my emotions again today. This morning I got a e-mail from Yahoo! Best Fare notifier that my plane ticket had dropped in price to 99 dollars from 209! I was so pumped...went to the site, entered my info...only to find out that it is for the next 2 weekends and not the first weekend in April. I am going to continue to hold off...but so help me if they jack the prices up for that weekend.
I saw 'The Passion' on Saturday. Horribly amazing is about the only thing I can say. I do have a question for anyone who is reading this (and maybe I'm kidding myself thinking you are actually reading)...why did Mel Gibson not include the line of the centurion.."Truly this was the Son of God". I was waiting for that line...I needed to hear it. I felt a little robbed. I thought maybe it was because he based the movie on John (the only Gospel without the line). But after going back and reading through the different Gospels it seems that he took bits and pieces from them and not just one. Any ideas?

The Rules...

So I've been having the feeling lately that I need to de-clutterize my life, probably some mental or emotional problem that I'm trying to ignore...so what...don't look at me like that...jerk... DROP IT... kidding...anyway, I yanked everything out of my 2 closets and started going through boxes I hadn't opened since college. There were a lot of memories in those boxes...both good and bad. More good though, and lots of stuff that I wanted to look at more...old pictures, notes, cards, 'diaries'...my Christ and Culture note book, oh that was a good one, I could have sat around the rest of the night and read my groups comments on thoughts of the daily readings and class time...Andy Hull referring to Nascar...Dan Drage saying if an intruder was about to murder his wife and children and he had a gun in his hand he would not pull the trigger because he would be harming one of Gods creatures...cough cough bull @#$% cough cough...sorrry I digress...none of that's going to de-clutter my jammed packed closet now is it?? 5 hours and 45 minutes later everything is put away and as I look at my closets it looks just as packed as before only everything seems to be in a different place then it was 5 hours earlier...I do have a huge donation pile though so maybe I did get rid of more stuff then I thought...
There was one thing I did run across that I couldn't bring myself to put it back in the box or in the Goodwill pile...The Rules...I'm sure you have heard of them...they are the 'Time-tested Secrets for Capturing the Hearts of Mr. Right'. I'm not even really sure where I got the book in the first place. I think my sister and she is now married so maybe they really do work ;) Doubt it though. It is 11:53, I'm in bed and I can't help but remember how a close friend at good ole' Milligan College and I would read one rule a night before bed...so Julie, this one is for you..and if I remember correctly, one of the classics...

RULE NUMBER 6 ... Don't Call Him and Rarely Return His Phone Calls - 'If you are following "The Rules" religiously there is no reason to call him. He should be calling you, and calling you again and again until he pins you down for a date. To call men is to pursue them which is completely against "The Rules"...'

OMG, I could go on and on cause this chapter is HILARIOUS, but I won't because its 4 pages. Just remember girls..."One last thought on phone calls: some times we want to call a man we are dating not to speak to him but just to hear his voice. We feel we are simply going to die if we don't hear his sexy voice this minute. That's understandable. We suggest you call his answering machine while he's at work. Hang up before the beep. It really works!"

The Price Fairy...

I just heard Kenny Roger sing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' and I'm some what disturbed... Kenny, stick to 'The Gambler'.

I'm frustrated today! I'm trying to buy plane tickets but what I don't understand is why one weekend they charge you 103 dollars for a one hour flight but you want tickets for the next weekend it is 230. WHY?!?! Do I get more pretzels? More leg room? A better view? NO! It's not even a holiday...well besides being the home opener of the Reds playing the destine to win Cubs. So you wait to see if the price will drop, next thing you know its doubled...WHAT IS THE DEAL PEOPLE? Why should the guy sitting next to me pay less then I'm paying when we are going to the same place, at the same time?? Where is this Airline Fare Wizard and what makes him jack the prices up? If he's having a really bad day does everyone have to pay for it? If his mom is traveling a certain weekend he lowers the price down? The worst feeling is knowing that after you book and are locked in the price will drop 50 bucks. It is a cruel world we live in and if anyone finds the Airline Fare Wizard, tell him I'm looking for him and if he doesn't want to be hurtin to drop the ticket price to Cincinnati for the first weekend in April. Punk!

Quarter Life Crisis...

I'm in a funk...I can't tell what stage of 'funk' ..coming or going...but I'm pretty sure I have almost hit the bottom. The past 6 months have gone by so fast I have been in 9 states and 2 countries and although it sounds glamorous most of it was for work and I believe is to blame for my current state of funkiness, that and the end of what I thought was going to be a perfectly good relationship...which would have never happened if I wouldn't have started traveling in the first place. So now I'm disorganized, friendless, and broken hearted...now why would I be in a funk?
I know how to remove myself from the funk but the odd thing about being in a funk is that you really have no motivation to, which is a problem. So I will wait it out, I am sure I will wake up one day and forget that I was even in a funk the day before...
I like the words of 'Why Georgia'...I think that John Mayer was in a funk when he wrote those lyrics...driving 85 and passing up your exit to your apartment, stuck in side the gloom sounds like the actions of one in this state...if I owned a vehicle I would be half way to Tennessee by now. I love that he calls it a 'quarter life crisis,' and find it interesting that I just picked up on these lyrics a month and 34 days before my 25 birthday...perhaps another cause of the Funk?

Why Georgia?

I am driving 85 in the
kinda morning that last all afternoon
Just stuck inside the gloom
4 more exits till my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive
and leave it all behind

Cause I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
of a still verdictless life.

I rent a room and fill the spaces with
Wood in places to make it feel like home
But all i feel is alone
It might be a quarter life crisis
Or just the stiring of my soul

So what, so I've got a smile on
But its hiding the quiet superstitons in my head
Don't believe me when I say I've got it down.

Everybodys just a stranger but
Thats the danger in going my own
I guess its the price I've got to pay
Still everything happens for a reason
Is no reason not to ask myself.

If I am living it right?
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Why Georgia why?


- Why Georgia, John Mayer