Finals Week!

So I'm sure you can tell by the title that this was finals weeks and compared to other finals week this one was mildly stressful. Out of six classes I only ended up having to take four finals. It was so hard trying to balance work, church, the holidays and studying.....I guess you could say LIFE! The final that I was spazing out the most about was my vocal final. Only because I'm super self-conscious about my singing, I had to sing two songs. One song I had to pick and the other the Jury (four teachers from the music department) would pick the other one once I got there. I had four songs to choose from so I had to know all of them equally as well. I had two Italian songs and two English songs. I picked one of the Italian songs "Caro Mio Ben" and they chose for me to sing "American Lullaby". One thing my private voice lesson teacher consistently kept telling me was to sing with confidence, that I don't trust myself. So I was afraid that my lack of confidence would shine through again, so during the week I sang in front of Kim (which went horribly) I also sang in front of this guy from work, and again for Kim along with Joy and Jayme.

So the day of the final I'm freaking out, nervous as nervous can get. I felt like I was going to loose my breakfast at any moment. I had tons of people praying for me and before I went in I prayed "God I am not asking for you to Supernaturally make me sound amazing, all I am asking is that you provide me confidence, that your peace would come over me." Holy Cow, I can't even tell you how great my final went. I was so pleasantly surprise, it was such a great feeling. God was definitely with me (like I knew he would be) it was so clear. I wasn't nervous at all, I wasn't jittery, my voice didn't quiver nothing, it was amazing!

This is what I wore to my final, I had a purple headband as well (not pictured) I also had purple eye shadow.

Tree Shopping

Wow, so I can't believe that it is already Thanksgiving break. Break is almost over and I can't say that I have really been enjoying it, since I'm having to do homework, but I guess it comes with the territory. I was able to spend Thanksgiving day with Jay and Kim and their families. I have to say I'm definitely not a custom to eating two meals back to back, but some how I rose to the occasion. The food was great and it was just good to get out of the house. 

Today Jay, Kim, Fawna (their dog) and I went to go pick out a tree. This was my first time picking out a real tree from an actual tree farm, it was a little overwhelming. They had a petting zoo, well kind of, you weren't actually able to touch the animals. There was a sign above one of the animals that read "I bite".  Doesn't that just make you want to pet it? There was a bonfire where you could cook hot dogs and a "hay ride" that drops you off when you are ready to find that perfect tree. The funny thing about the whole thing was I walked out of my room and to my surprise, Jay Kim, and I were all wearing green, as you can see in the picture. It was a good day with great memories that I will cherish. 

This is the tree I wanted but Jay and Kim wouldn't go for it, isn't so cute!

Shuttle Launch

Tonight I went was some friends to see a Space Shuttle Launch from Kennedy Space Center. I have lived here for 2 1/2 yrs and have never seen a launch, so I was excited to go. I went with the Miller family, Nathan and Jeanie, who I had met when I was in Master's Commission. They moved away but were back in town visiting. It was so super crowded, we were not to terribly close, we didn't feel the ground shake or anything but it was a very cool experience. If it wasn't dark outside it was just look like the sun.

Another Year Older

Happy Birthday to me, yesterday was my 26th birthday and also a very important election day. I knew that this year wasn't going to entail anything super exciting, seeing how I had to go to school and work yesterday. So my day started at 5 am and I ending up staying up all night. I usually come home from school and go straight to bed, to take a little nap before work, but I didn't want to go to sleep because that would have made for a lame birthday. Instead Kim and I made cards, which was super fun, we made some pretty nice cards too. My mind was all over the place in class yesterday, all I could think about was getting home and partaking in some sort of birthday celebration. This was a picture that I drew during my Theology class. My stick people friends threw me a surprise birthday party, cake, balloons (not pictured) and everything, I didn't suspect a thing.

I didn't do much for my birthday but it was a great day, thank you for all the birthday wishes and presents!

Once again

Well it looks like that time...again! The time I was trying to avoid with everything inside of me, moving to Lakeland. I thought that I would be able to handle being a commuter student, but it doesn't look that way. It is only two days a week but it is so draining and not to mention the strain it is putting on my new car. It's amazing how quickly the miles add up. I will be moving in January, the location is still to be determined. I thought about moving into the dorms but I have messed emotions about that, since I've already been down that route. We will just have to see what happens. I am, however, extremely sad about living the place I've called home for the past five months. Kim and Jay have been awesome and there have been tons of memories, good and (bad--Jay!) to take with me. If all goes according to plan I will be done with school in three more semesters and that would be grand it that room was still available.

Just for the record this will be the fourth place I have lived since I moved to Fl two and a half years ago. *Sigh*

Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Fay, remember how I told you she ruined my drive the first day of school, well she darn near flooded parts of Florida. As you can tell by the picture we received plenty of rain. This is a picture of palm trees in the Lake Jesup River. Yes that is how much it rained that the water reached all the way to the top of the trees. This was just one area affected, there were plenty of other places that look just as bad if not worse. But I have to say a Tropical Storm is a lot better than a hurricane, so I guess I should count my blessing and just buy a boat. 

The Day of Obstacles

Alright so yesterday was my first day of school and boy was it a dozy! The night before I went to bed around 9:30, which was so hard for me seeing how I usually stay up much later. But I found that my body did not like this idea of an early night, so I lied awake for a while. I did finally reach the wonderful stage of R.E.M (rapid eye movement) and then it was snatched from me. I had to wake up around 4:45am but for some reason my body thought it would be cool to get a head start, so I ended up waking up at 3:30. So I just play around on the Internet. Once I got ready and on my way to make that hour and fifteen minute drive, nothing but rain in my sight. I have Tropical Storm Fay to thank for that. So it was just a miserable drive down there on top of being tired. Things were going great until I got to chapel and my body started to settle down, and I started to fall asleep. Did I mention how incredible tired I was. Later that day I had my voice audition to find out whether or not I'd be accepted into the music program. Well I was accepted YAY!!!!!!

As I was walking to my car I noticed a little pink piece of paper on my windshield. I looked around to see if any other car was decorated with this lovely accent paper. Sure enough I took it off and was welcomed with a ticket. Are you kidding me, the first day of class, no warning or anything. They said that I was blocking the walking way....whatever, I was parked in front of it but it wasn't blocked and besides it was a grass parking lot how was I supposed to know where to park. And on my way home I got lost and it was pouring once again. So what should have taken me an hour and fifteen minutes took me almost two and a half hours to get home. Once I got home I ate dinner and went to bed, because I was exhausted. I was in bed by 8am and I didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning. If my math is correct that is 11 1/2hrs, Holy Hannah! (And all I want to do today is take a nap, as if I didn't get enough sleep or something.) I am going to be crazy busy this semester, I have five classes, and have to get 14 books, and a private voice lesson . In a couple of the classes I have to journal on the books I read. There are a few classes that I am concerned about but there are a couple classes that I am completely excited about. I am also looking to get involved with the worship team on campus which should be tons of fun.

That was my first day of classes in a nut shell, hopefully this was not a preview for what is to come.

It's Finally Here

Alright so tomorrow is the big day....the first day of classes. I'm excited but also very nervous, I seriously can't believe that I am going through this process again. I felt like a little kid as I was packing my lunch for tomorrow. My day will start very early, the school is a little over an hour away and my first class starts at 7:35am. I know early, right, but that time was the only one left (I wonder why). 

During orientation I found out that I will have to do my audition in to the music program to. AAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I still don't have a song, He said that all I need to sing is one hymn...easy right? Not exactly. I need to sing a hymn, not only that I know but that will also show case my talent. I was thinking Amazing Grace, but seriously how many people do you think that hear do that song. So then my back up songs are As The Deer and Oh Lord You're Beautiful. Have no clue which one I'm going to do, but I'm just praying that whichever one I do I don't let my nerves get the best of me.

Well have to get to bed early if I'm ever going to wake up in the morning! 

I Don't Wanna Leave

Well I just finished going through my orientation for school. Orientation started on Saturday and went all the way until today, I have never heard of an orientation last so long. Well actually I left Monday night because that campus was closed Tuesday because of the Tropical Storm Fay. One thing that I really enjoyed was Chapel on Sunday. The President of the University does the majority of the preaching, but Sunday he didn't really preach much from the bible, it was more of a talk to the parents and students. Comforting parents that their child are going to be ok and that its not easy to let go but its a step that needs to be taken. And encouraging, us, students to take advantage of the resources available and not to be afraid to ask for help.

There were a couple songs done at the beginning done by a student lead band "The Josh Heirs Band" (which I hope to one day be apart of) and they were truly amazing. They did a lot of original songs which was awesome, and just being able to witness their passion and love for who they  serve and what they do. To see them dancing around on stage was great. But what really touched me was after service, once the majority of the people scurried off to eat lunch, the band did some more songs and it was awesome to just worship. I felt almost like I was at camp, it was just so intense. The last song they did absolutely just blew me away, I don't remember the title but the lyrics were: "I am satisfied in your presence... I don't wanna leave, one day I won't have to." Holy cow that's powerful, it's such a true statement, how amazing will that day be when we won't have to leave/stop worshiping and praising our God!

 

Art Gallery

My Church, Orlando North Community Church, held it's first Art Gallery last night and it was truly Amazing. I was simply blown away by the art that was displayed. There were two theme of the night one was Creation and the other was the Parables of Jesus (Parables=Stories/Lessons). I did two creation pieces; first I did photography-seven different pictures that represent something created that day. And the second thing was a globe of the world that I made out of creation. For instance such Continent was made of something different, like South America was made out of sticks, North America was made out of shells, Europe was leaves and you get the idea. I'm trying to get picture up of the things I did and some of the other art but I'm having problems getting the pictures up here. Our church a year and a half old, so we are still working to build up our congregation. We had  120 people walk through our doors last night and that is the highest our numbers have been to date, so that was exciting for us as a church. It was a cool experience and I can not wait to for the next one.

Make Time

Wow I really have lost site with keeping up with this thing. It seems like forever and so much has happened. At the beginning of this month Rob (My pastor) challenged the church to devoted an hour a day for our quiet time (reading the bible and praying) for the month of July. It was really hard to make yourself allot for that time, but once I did it I felt good. That was something that I had been struggling with for the longest time and now I feel that I have a better handle on it. Every morning that is how I start my day, I find that if I don't do it first thing in the morning it tends to slip away from me, because then my day as started and things that 'I have to do' keep popping up. If you don't currently have a time set aside to reading the Bible and praying I encourage you to start one and just see how God works in you life. You don't have to start off doing an hour a day, try doing 30 mins at first. I don't really think that it is the amount of time that matters, but the fact that you are doing it. When it starts to become a habit the time will increase on its own. Make time for God in your life!

Letting Go Of An Old Friend

Today I went to the dealership to get my 'much need' car fix. The check engine light has been on since last September, so wow almost a year. I took in to get it fix in March and after $400+ I walked away with the check engine light still on. They gave me some bull crap story and I left. So here I am 4months later and I'm thinking that my car is going to blow up any minute. God has truly blessed me, in regards to my safety in the car. I get there is morning and the initial quote was $208.90 just to see what the problem was. Well after an hour the guy comes in the waiting room and tells me that there is something wrong with my 3rd cylinder whatever that means, and that it was very serious and needed to be worked on right away. The only problem was they had to take it apart to figure out what was wrong with it and that was going to cost like $450, just to figure out what is wrong with it, not to fix it. It was just adding up and not making any sense, so after talking to my parents we decided that it was just time to let it go. So I went through the longer horrible process and got a new car today. Brand new 2008 Hyundai Elantra, I love it the dash board lights are blue and it looks so cool at night. I was able to get an AWESOME deal but it was very stressful, trying to buy a car for the first time with no family here to help. Jay, was very kind as to fill in the gap when my family was not here and I am so grateful for that.

It was kind of sad though, saying good bye to the Red Beast (at least that is what my dad called it) that was my last piece of New Mexico I had, that car and I had been through so much. That car got me here to Fl, man that car was a trooper, and I sure will miss it.

My Room

O my gosh I can't BELIEVE IT, the impossible has been done. I moved in with some friends last week and was overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I had, I could hardly move. I knew it was something that had to be done, but I just didn't really know where to start. Well one week and many long hours later I finished it and it looks wonderful if I say so myself. I actually just put all the stuff in the garage (shhhhhh, don't tell Jay). Anyway take a look at the before and afters. 

One Step Closer

YEAH!!!!! I am officially a student of Southeastern University. I will also be receiving a $1.500 scholarship. I am so excited to start in the fall but also dreading it at the same time, the thought of doing papers again makes me what to vomit.

And now there are THREE

So for the last week or so I have been moving into my new place and let me tell you I do not want to move again until 1) I get married or 2) Jay and Kim kick me out. I never realized what a pain moving really is, although I should because this is the third residence I have lived in since I more to Fl in less than two years. Anyway, Jay and Kim, the couple I am living with are awesome people. They were 2 of the 10 that I went with to Ireland last October. I get along great with Kim, I'm still trying to figure out Jay. All in all I think it is a good fit. But today was the day I got to hand over the apartment keys once and for all. I'm not gonna lie it was kind of sad leaving for the last time. It was a great apartment in a great location it was just way to expensive. 

It was really tough trying to fit a one bedroom apartment into a single room. So instead my stuff is scatter all around the house. There are now 4 couches in the living, a table along with a bunch of boxes in the garage, a dresser and coffee table in the spare bedroom and lets not even get started with my room (O and the crap full of stuff still in my car because I didn't even want to deal with it). It makes me want to throw up just looking at it. I just spent 2 hrs working on it and it doesn't look like I did anything. I will have to show pictures of before and after later. I should go to bed but I think I'm gonna work a little more on this room.

Update!

He has been caught and released back into the wild and now I'm going to bed. Not sure if it is worth it or if it is just going to make me more tired in the morning. If I go now I can get 3 good hrs, tomorrow is going to BLOW.

***Read blog below to understand what it is I am talking about***

My Eyes Are Wide Open

Today started out as a good day, I woke up at 10:30 this morning (something that I never do). Got up ate some breakfast, watch a little TV, then decided that I wanted to go back to bed. So around 12:30 or 1, I went back to sleep and didn't wake up until 3:30. Ooooo it was so amazing! I then did some laundry took a shower and than headed over to a friends house for girls night. We went out to eat and where we encountered the rudest server ever and we over indulged. With full aching bellies we headed over to the grocery store to pick up snacks for our chick flick. We watched 27 dresses, it was cute but very predictable. Our bellies hurt to much from dinner that our snacks just sat there. But of course I had to try an cram crap in my already not well tummy and made things worse. I know I'm a genius!

I left Michele's house around 1am, I have to be at work at 8 in the morning so I figured I needed to get some sleep. As I arrive at my door who or what was there to greet me??? Oh just Mr. Frog hanging out on the wall right next to my door. After I shooed him away I came in and got ready for bed. I had gone in my room several times but hadn't turned on the light, well because there was really no need I guess. So I'm sitting on my bed ready to lay down my tired little head, when I remembered that early in the day I noticed a sliver fish on my ceiling but I was to lazy to kill it at the time, so I wanted to see if it was still there. When I turned on my light to my surprise I didn't not see the sliver fish instead I saw a lizard on my ceiling. ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME!!!!! So now I'm thinking crap I can't just leave it there, what if if crawls on me while I'm sleeping. But I didn't want to kill it 1) it was a baby 2) that just seemed to cruel. So I sat there and looked at it for awhile then I attempted to catch it using a shoe box. I scared it and it jumped off the wall, I screamed and it went behind my dresser. Any normal person probably would have left it alone but there is no way that I would be able to sleep knowing there was a lizard in my room. So I tore my room apart as you can see from the pictures. It was great that he happens to be the same color as my carpet.....Perfect just STINKIN PERFECT!! I came across him one more time and then lost him, I think he is somewhere under my bed or in my closet I don't even know. It is now 3:30am and there is nowhere I'm going to sleep in this house tonight. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tomorrow night either because I won't know if it is still here. So I guess I am pulling an all-nighter tonight, I have to be at work in 4 and a 1/2 hours. Tomorrow's going to be a fun day?!?! 

Dairy Free....I Think Not!

In April when I gave up meat for a month I started noticing that I was having issues with my stomach. I just thought it was from the increase of fiber and the fact that my body was getting used to the changes. Well almost 2 months later the problems are still here, I even added meat back into the picture. When nothing changed it got me thinking about what it is I'm eating, the only thing that stayed consistent was dairy products. I am a yogurt fanatic. I was eating probably like six servings of dairy a day, I don't know what the recommended servings are but I had dairy covered. (three of those serving were yogurt....man I love yogurt)

Which is weird because when I was little I was eating Trix yogurt, you know the one with the Rabbit and it had all sorts of different colored swirls and stuff....yum! Well I noticed that it was lumpier than normal but it didn't phase me until I was almost finished and felt something strange in my mouth. To my surprise I pulled a grasshopper leg out of my mouth. Let me tell you how traumatizing that was for a little kid. It took me awhile before I would ever go near yogurt again.

That was a huge side note, back to what I was saying. So Friday morning I had cereal and yogurt for breakfast and I felt pretty ok. For lunch I had PB & J, salad and yogurt and my stomach was starting to act a little funny. Well that day at work they had ice cream for all the employees and of course I had some of that. And that's when I noticed a problem, it wasn't long after I ate the ice cream I was experiencing some stomach rumbling and gas. (I can't believe I am telling everyone this) And that's when I put two and two together......hello it's the dairy. So after talking to my mom we came to the conclusion that I'm Lactose intolerant. I wasn't aware that you could acquire it, I thought it was something you were born with. So I did a little test this morning and sure enough that's what it is. I bought some Lactaid pills and now I fine. These pills are going to be my best friend because there is no way I can give up dairy. I just thought that was strange.

Food+Friends+Music=A Stinkin Good Time!

So I had a little get together with the band members from my church. (well most of them) I prepared tacos, with refried beans and spanish rice and brownies for dessert. I have to admit I was a little nervous at first, about the meal, and not have anything to talk about and that it was just going to be a train wreck. But to my surprise it turned out great it was fun hosting again, I really miss doing that. We've decided that this is something we want to keep doing, rotating between band members houses. It was just really great getting to know the people that you serve with every week.

That's What I'm Talking About

Heck Ya, the April challenge is over and I completed it successfully and I lost some weight in the process. I think I'm going to continue not eating meat for a little while longer, it's kind of grown on me. I have been craving chocolate and cake like crazy on the other hand, I haven't given in yet, I think that would be a bad idea right now. Anyway I was just super excited that I followed through with it.

My future unfolding...

God is stinkin AWESOME!!!! (even that sentence is an under statement) He has just been showing Himself to me lately. Not only did I get the job grading the other tests, but He has been showing me things that my future holds. And by showing, I don't mean a literal picture, it's really hard to explain but for once in my life I have clarity. I know exactly what I want to do with my life, I am a little nervous about some things that will be happening, but I trust that God is going to prepare me and equip me with the tools and knowledge I need to succeed. Some of you know that I am looking to go back to school in the fall, to a very amazing school, Southeastern University in Lakeland FL (about an 1 hr away). It's a Christian University and I will be going to get a degree in Church Music, so that I can become a worship leader. I also will be working very closely with the youth in my church. I am excited on so many levels and I can't wait to begin this new journey with God. Trusting God has not always been easy for me but He seems to be working with me in this area, pray that this trust is not only in the good times but in the valleys as well. I hope your week is as good as mine has started out to be.

Man God is Awesome, just wanted to make that clear!

SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP....I Want

I know it has only been a couple days since my last post but it is amazing how things changed since then. I walk into work this morning drained, I had no energy and I was very quite (which was rare for my co-workers to see) it just wasn't a good situation. Let me tell you it was like the last day of high school, having to say good-bye to the people you had gotten so close to, knowing that you will probably never see them again. So now I'm kinda just waiting in the wings to hear back from the temp agency to see if I can continuing working. The best things about all of this is I finally get to SLEEP!!! So bring on tomorrow, I can sleep in wake up eat and then go back to sleep if I want.....AWESOME!!!!

Busy Busy......

My goodness April has been a busy month and I can't believe it's almost over already. Well at the beginning of April I started manage to get a temp, and I absolutely love it. I don't think I have been able to say that about any job I have ever had. The people I work with are pretty cool too. There is a possiblity that I could be keep this job for the month of May as well, I am praying to get to keep it, hopefully I will found out sometime next week. I still have my Target job so I'm staying pretty busy and really don't have time for much, my only days off are Saturday and Sunday and some how I have managed to get talked into working the last two Saturdays and then Sundays are hectic because I have to fit seven days worth of stuff into one day. Which hardly never works out because I have worship practice and church set up at 3pm. (So forget about ever sleeping in) But I honestly have to say I like being busy, I would like it even better if I were sleeping at night, this double job thing really started to kick my butt this last week. My favorite thing about all of this is the double income thing....I love money and it has been so long since I actually had some. Anyway that is what I have been up to lately.

A Night Of Fun

I had the pleasure of watching the Duford kids tonight. It was a night full of fun, first we started off with planting tomatoes and flowers and then we danced and sang along to High School Musical, well me and Haley did Caeden said that was girl stuff. He likes the boy basketball song, but if you have never seen or heard High School Musical you have no clue what I am talking about. After that we played outside in the front yard. It was such a great day outside that later we ate dinner outside. For dinner I was just going to cook one of those pre-made pot pies. Well I didn't look at the cook time until they were ready to eat and it took like an hour to cook in the oven. Well the kids wouldn't going to be able to wait that long and the boxes were already open. So it had microwave directions on it, it was like 10 mins per pie. The microwave wasn't big enough to put both in so like 35 mins later we were outside ready to eat. Later found out that one of the pies came out alright and the other one was a bit on the crispy side. I guess you could say that was a learning experience. So for all of you out there who are planning on taking the "easy way" out and cooking your pot pie in the microwave, don't do it. I grantee it might take longer but it'll taste a whole lot better if you do it in the oven. After dinner we created some artwork outside, I had one more project I wanted to do with them but just ran out of time. They ended off the night with a slumber party in mom and dad's bed. There is definitely never a dull moment when I watch those kids, some of the things that say are just hilarious! 

It's Back!

It's BACK....my camera that is!!!! It's not the same one, it's a new one compliments of my Mother. Thanks Mom! This is a picture I took at a local state park, Wekvia Springs. It was amazing that I even spotting this resting critter. Well I think he/she was just resting but I watched it for a while and it never moved, blinked or anything. So I hope it wasn't dead because that would make this a picture of a dead squirrel and I think that would be a little morbid. WOW, that was a rabbit trail. Anyway just wanted to let you know that I have a camera, so I will be posting originals again.

In other news it has be a week since I started the April Challenge, and I have to say I'm not really phased by it. I thought it would be tough not eating meat, or sweets (candy/desserts) on top of giving up soda for a year. Somehow I'm managing and can't believe how easy it has been. I've even lost a couple pounds. I need to learn how to modify my bread intake, however. I LOVE ME SOME BREAD!!!!!

The Results Are In....

Some of you may know that I took the Elementary Ed test, working towards my Florida teaching certification. I got the results today and turns out I didn't pass. I missed passing by 4pts, which is kind of ironic because 4 is my favorite number. 4 measly pts, this stinks! 

The April Challenge!

Well it's that time again....I'm not going to eat meat starting tomorrow and lasting for the whole month of April. I did this once before in February but only did it for 13 days because I had gone home and didn't want to miss out on all that good home cookin. In addition to not eating meat I will not be eating desserts/sweets as well. I know, it's going to be a lot to handle all at once  and will probably be pretty cranky for the first week or so. But I'm hoping that this will help me 1) find ways to eat healthier and 2) learn how not to over indulge in sweets. When I did it in February I actually enjoyed it and have been looking forward to doing it again. I don't think I would ever become a vegetarian, though, because I LOVE meat way to much. But you never know!  

Trust Is EVERYTHING!

I don't know how many of you knew about the whole ordeal with my voice last year....long story very short. I had a polyp (a growth) on my right vocal chord and it was obstructing my ability to sing. I was experiencing shortness of breath, raspy voice, voice cracking, dizziness, and the list goes on. I wasn't able to sing for 9 or 10 months. It was a miracle but God healed me. Well sadly the polyp has return, not full force because I am still able to sing. I just get dizzy, I notice my voice cracking a lot and I'm losing my vocal range. I am not going to let this get me down this time. God has really been helping me through this and my attitude about it has really surprised me. I believe that He is trying to teach/show me something and until I get it I think this is going to be a re-occurring thing. So trusting in Him is all I can do.

A Piece of Ireland ...Here

Wow! What a week. This past week we (my church) had a team of six people from Ireland. They came across the pond to do ministry. The team was a group of musicians who played at a local Pub, Fiddler's Green a totally three times while they were here, they also played at a block party in our Pastor's neighborhood, and did two church services as well. Their band is stinkin AMAZING! The band consisted of a Sweet Drummer (Lily), it's a Celtic drum don't remember what it is called, an awesome Banjo/Vocal/Guitar playing (Joe), an Amazing Guitar/Panio/Kazoo/Vocal/Harmonic player (Ken), and a Talented Piano/Guitar/Tuba/Whistle/Celtic Fulte/Trumpet/Vocal and like five another instruments that I can't remember (Noel). Noel's wife, Heather (who can also sing and play piano) was on the trip along with Lyndsey the youth pastor. 

It was good getting to see them again. A team of ten went to Ireland in October 07 on a mission team and that is where we first encountered the Irish. God did so cool stuff around Orlando, in the Ireland team and also awakened some things in myself. I definitely will be going back to Ireland, it's an amazing country, wonderful people and a huge need. 

I Didn't Get It

Well I just received a phone call from the School for the Teacher's Aide job and I didn't get the job. No big deal I'm just happy that they called me. I do have something lined up for the next month, but come May I'm gonna have to do a search all over again.

When Will It End?

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all I have to say about this job situation (or lack of).  

Looking For A Change

Alright everyone I have been thinking lately about cutting my hair. I have been trying to grow it out, but I almost think I need to start all over again...less split ends and less damaged hair. So now I need your help, which one of these styles do you like better, I guess that they look similar but give me your opinions. Thanks a bunch!

Gotta love Interviews!

Today was such a crazy day, so I had my interviews today. My first one was at 9:30 am but I woke up super early so I had enough time and plus I had to got to the store as well. So it's around 8:30 and I'm like one exit away from arriving at the first interview..I know a whole hour early I over estimated rush hour traffic. So as I'm thinking this I get a phone call from the person I'm about to see and she says is the any way that you can come in this afternoon? Are you kidding me?!?! But what could I say I was like of course and I turned around and went back home. Once I got home I was really tired, my next interview wasn't until 2 pm, but I couldn't lay down or go back to sleep because my hair was done nice. So I just killed time watching TV and organizing old notes from high school (that's another story in itself)

I left around noon so that I could check out a camera shop that was near by my second interview spot. However the camera shop didn't impress my much or maybe I just wasn't in the mood to look at the time, I don't know. Anyway so I was in and out and on my way to my interview. It was an hour and a half before I needed to be there but whatever. Long story short mapquest failed me yet again and it took me 45 mins to find the place, that was literally about 15 mins from the camera place. So the interview went awesome, I have never be able to walk out of an interview and say that. I was interviewing for a Teacher's Aide at an alternative school for at-risk youths. I really hope I get this job, it's going to be a challenging job for awhile but it is going to be so rewarding in the long run. They are going to narrow it down to two people and I will know Thursday if I need to come back for a second interview or if I didn't get the job. So I super excited and I hope everything will work out.

So then I went to the other interview where I found out that it wasn't an interview at all it was a Temp Agency. ARGH! I will definitely keep you guys updated on the job situation.

Today Is Definitely Better!

Yay! for me. I am having a much better day then I was the other day. After having a dry spell as far as finding a job, I received two phone calls about positions I applied for. I was waiting to have lunch with a friend and was trying to kill time, so I was just walking around in Ross and I got the first call. And seriously not even a minute later I get another call and it was the second person. They both scheduled a interview with me tomorrow, so will see what happens. Hopefully I be writing and telling you about the job (FULL TIME job) I finally have. I'll let you know how it goes.

And The WAR begins...

Finally back in Florida, and it's very bitter sweet. It was absolute awesome begin home, but if you read a couple blogs ago I was looking forward to coming back because there are some changes that I needed to make. Anyway, so I got back to Florida and it appears that I don't have a job anymore (I said appears, have to go talk to them tomorrow), nor do I have a check because, long story, just mailed them out yesterday, which really doesn’t help my bank account.

Then today was the big test day (K-6, for my teaching certification). I had been studying this stupid book that turns out didn't help me at all. I mean seriously this test was ridiculous; the type of questions weren't even similar to what was on the test. I should probably be as positive as possible but I don't feel condifient after walking out of there. Not only was it a waste of time and money taking the test but also
purchasing the stupidest, most ridiculous, piece of study material known to man. I'm pretty sure if I had that book to study for about 2 months it wouldn't have made a difference, a lot of the material that was asked on the test WASN'T EVEN IN THE BOOK! *This picture explains exactly how I felt after taking that test, and from reading that book!*

While I was in New Mexico, my last night there actually, I dropped my camera. No big deal right? People drop their cell phones, and probably cameras, all of the time. That's exactly what I was thinking because after I dropped it I was able to still take pictures. Well apparently it had a delayed reaction and is now broken. When you turn it on a picture of the logo shows up and then goes to a white screen. I can view previously taken pictures I just can't take any new ones. Yes it's just a camera but this is huge for me, especially because I had an up coming project I needed it for.

Once I got back from the test and had a little emotional melt down, I realized that all the things that have happened in the last 24 hrs were attacks from the devil. He knows the things that I came back here to and he doesn't like it and is trying everything he can to get me off course. I can't believe I almost fell for it; I'm not going to let him defeat, distract, or distress me. I have to stay focused. Thank you for letting my vent, I feel a lot better now.

Rate My Photo

I submitted one of my photos (Florida Sunrise) to Pictures.com awhile ago. Well now they are having a 'Rate my photo' contest. It's mainly just for fun but there is also a possibility of wining $50, if your photo gets the most votes. $50 could come in handy right now but whatever. If you go to the link below you can vote, there are also a lot of other really good pictures too.

Rate My Photo, Click Here

Lost Pieces...Found

Ok seriously I have no clue what is going on in my life right now! It's like my life is just flip flopping all over the place. In a good way don't get me wrong, in a amazing way actually. Coming home has been absolutely awesome, God has truly blessed me with amazing people in my life. Things are starting to make sense.. I don't, however, have all the answers. There are little pieces to the puzzle that are now appearing on the table. I believe these pieces are a very crucial part and I'm glad that they have finally arrived. There is definitely going to be major praying and fasting about these up coming decisions/areas in my life, but for once I feel like I have direction. It just has to be approved by the one who really matters, God. I am so excited and don't understand why I never thought of it before. These plans are going to remain under wraps until I can get absolute clarity. But definitely stay tune to the things that will be unfolding.

A Moment of Clarity

During these past couple of weeks, I've had time to think and reflect. There were some areas in my life that I was focuses on too much and others I've been neglecting. So when I get back to Florida there are going to be some changes. After talking to a friend, she opened my eyes to some things and encouraged me not to be idle, to pick up the ball and run with it. She said something to the affect of, It's better for someone else to drop the ball, than for the ball to drop in your court. Ok so that was a definite paraphrase, so if she reads this just keep that in mind. That is exactly what I have been doing in a certain area, I've been waiting around for someone else to make things happen, but if you really want something you've gotta go for it, ultimately God is going to guide my steps, open the doors I'm supposed to go through and close the ones that are not right for me. It's good to wait and rely on God but at the same time I think God wants us to help ourselves.

And on the flip side there are somethings that I feel I need to give up for the time being. So it's a good feeling to get a little clarity on things. Now I'm ready to go back to Fl and tackle life, to get through this job dry spell, to stop focuses on the negative and the things I don't have and to just rejoice in the things God has blessed me with. I know that God has something amazing for me, I just have to be patient and rely fully on Him.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite passages of scripture:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."
Isaiah 43:2-3

Dinner with friends

Tonight I had dinner with friends (old and new) at cute little place in Ruidoso called Dreamcatcher's. The served something called Gyro's that everyone was raving about. A Gyro, which is pronounced Euro (like the money), anyway it has lamb, tomato, and cucumber, with some kind of dill sauce, that had yogurt in it. I was leery at first but it actually turned out to pretty good. They also made a pretty yummy smoothie. So anyway it was just a great time to hang out and enjoy each other company.

Left picture: Britney and myself. Right picture (from left to right): Britney, Katie, Me, April, Bethany

Sweet Singing Candy!

So I was boycotting studying and really doing anything productive for that matter. So while watching tv an M&M commercial came on. So I did what any normal bored person would do and I went to the website. Well at the website you can make a an M&M character, so this is me as an M&M doing what I love.

*You can click on the picture to make it bigger*