Movies

I LOVE movies, I always have and always will. I went to see The Secret Life of Bees last night. After reading the book and hearing there was going to be a movie made from it, I had to see it. I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed. I thought the movie was very true to the book, and stayed with the story line and most of the time the book is better than the movie but in this case I think the movie was just as good. Other than Alicia Key's bad acting I enjoyed it a lot. Here's a sneak peek....




There was a preview for the move called 'Boy in the Striped Pajamas' it's during the time of the Holocaust. It's about a boy in a concentration camp and a boy that discovers him that is the same age, who's father is a German soldier. I've always been fascinated with this time in history, not because I think it was 'cool' but there's SO much for us to learn as human beings from this time. There are so many amazing stories that have come from this time about struggle, faith, the fight to get through everyday. I can't wait to see this movie.

iCare

'For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.' Galatians 5:13

Yesterday at church, we started a new series called 'iCare'. Challenging the church to go from the person who says, I ought to do something to I'm going to do something. It was a sermon that truly challenged me and made me want to go out and do something for someone in need. At the end of the service, there were baskets passed out to the congregation and they either had a $5, 10 or 20 dollar bill in them. This money had been set aside by the church for missions and they divided it up and handed it out to challenge us to go out and blitz our community with service and love.

I couldn't wait to get my envelope open, I kept saying that I hoped it would be a 20, so I could do more. I've decided to double it and add money of my own so I really can do something for someone.

Yesterday we went out to lunch after church as usual. At the end of our meal, our waitress put down our check and then walked over next to me and put another check down. I looked at it and it was for $17 I looked around to see who's ticket it was and finally discovered it was the couple's who were sitting behind me. I turned around and gave it to them and then stopped and thought, maybe I was supposed to pay for their lunch and told God I was sorry for missing the opportunity. Then as we were pulling out of the parking lot, there was a man with a sign that said 'Homeless, anything would help' So I told Tracy we couldn't just pass him up. We just heard a sermon about doing something when we see a person in need. We both grabbed our wallets and pulled out some money by the time we did so, he was so far gone and the light was green. Hopefully God saw our willingness.

Anyways...I have this $20 sitting on my desk in an envelope waiting to be used. The hardest part is deciding how to use it. I've been thinking of making a nice meal and taking it over to a local fire station. Or buying a family groceries who is in need. I just don't know but I can't wait. I suppose prayer and listening would be a good way to start.

I challenge you to show people around you that you care even if it's a note telling them that they are appreciated or buying your friend or coworker lunch.

Do you ever...

Feel like everyone around you is living a valuable, eventful, exciting, remarkable, memorable life, and in your case, you're merely existing.

Everyone around you is moving a million miles a minute. Life is moving forward for everyone else, and you're there standing still watching the world pass you by.

That may sound incredibly depressing but that thought crossed my mind today. Often I feel like I'm just 'here'. Am I making an impact on anyone's life. Is my simple existence in my everyday, non eventful life significant? There are numerous days where I go to work, come home and that's what my day looks like. I'm sad to say that I don't have many friends here, which can really make life lonely, and difficult.

I question my decision to move here frequently. Am I happy, was it the right choice? Without a doubt I was brought here for a reason, but what IS that reason? What is my purpose here, am I fulfilling it? These are questions I ask myself on a daily basis. Am I supposed to be in a time of self reflection and growth? Is this a time in my life where I'm meant simply to just 'be'?

What am I doing with my life. I suppose rather than just going to work and coming home I have a lot of reflection time. Maybe I'm supposed to be spending time with God figuring out who I am, what my heart is like, where I'm headed career wise. I honestly don't know. And after feeling like I've been in this 'season' for 2 years. Frankly I'm ready for it to pass.

I'm tired of feeling like I merely exist. I want a meaningful, remarkable, valuable, exciting life. So, now I suppose I must ask...what do I need to do to get myself there.

It's been a while

So, back to blogging. I just took an unintended hiatus from blogging. I'm back now and hopefully will have reason to blog. Life has been rather uneventful the past few months. I'm living in a new place, with a new job, apartment and so on. I've been able to spend time with my family which is always enjoyable. Work is going well, crazy but good for the most part. Granted I work with 3 and 4 year olds so sometimes I feel like running in the opposite direction. My co-teacher's husband had open heart surgery last week so I'm not even sure if she's coming back. Work is extremely tiring right now but I'm hoping it will only improve. I've been living in a pretty sweet apartment since the end of July, it's in a good location and is a pretty quiet place to live even though there are about 15 buildings. I found a church...FINALLY. After two years of living here and sometimes feeling like giving up on a search, I've found one. The best part is, my sister in law and nieces are coming with me. It's the best to be able to have them there with me and see my nieces enjoying going to church (even though sometimes the like to pretend that they don't). Well...hopefully I'll be able to update this sooner than later. I'm headed to another race this weekend, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm off for now.

My first goodbye in Raleigh

There's a sweet, sweet girl that I babysit every other weekend. Her name is Kensleigh, and tonight was my last time babysitting her. It was sad driving away from their home knowing I wouldn't see them again in two weeks. I realize that there are people here that I've become attached to and the Layne family are some of them. Such sweet, funny people with the most darling little girl. It's nice to know that I have people to visit here and that look forward to seeing me again. I think it's finally hit me that yes I'm excited about this change but I will miss people here and I am a bit sad. I'll miss my little Kenie girl.

Short hair rocks my life!

I got my hair cut last Saturday and I LOVE it! Finally an awesome haircut! I'm sure you all remember how traumatized I was after my last haircut. Thankfully Kayla's friend rocked it out and I have a sweet short do. I already made an appt for June...that's right folks I'm coming back to Raleigh to get my hair cut lol! Anyways...I made an attempt @ taking pictures of the back and sides of my head the other day...so here's an idea of what it looks like! :)

Target and the amazing glitter ball!

Jill and I went to Target this evening. I needed some laundry detergent and batteries so we waited until the evening because I didn't want to go out in the heat. It only got up to about 84 today but it feels WAY hotter than that to me. This is why I hate summer, the humidity just makes it unbearable! Anyways...Jill and I are not a good combination when it comes to shopping trips @ Target. We like everything and don't discourage the other from buying frivolous things. We found all the new summer stuff for picnics and what not and just went buck wild! We both got these really cool watter bottle/keg things and I had my camera along so I snapped a shot of all the fun colors!



Then we went to the next isle and Jill found the most amazing glitter bouncy ball. I think when I return my shirt I'm going to buy one! It's clear and has glitter inside and when you bounce it, the glitter spreads throughout the ball and its really fun. So there we were bouncing these balls all over the place and this is the fun shot I got of the glitter ball!




Oh...and I got my hair cut today, I LOVE it, I'll put a pic up soon yay!

Random Acts of Kindness rock!

I stopped by my local Starbucks this morning to pick my roomate and I up some caffinated goodness before I got to work. I pulled up to the drive thru and ordered and then proceeded to the window where you pay. Well I sat there for a couple minutes while the car in front of me got their order. They finish and I pull up...the lady opens the window and says 'your frappicinnos have been payed for' and I said what, why, by who??? She responds...I don't know but I'd be excited, I was blown away and so thankful for someone's kind heart and giving spirit. It really made my day and I intend on doing the same for someone else the next time I go to Starbucks or some fast food joint.

It's awesome how such a small gesture can mean so much to someone. So I challenge you (whoever might actually read this) to do the same for someone else soon. They'll appreciate you even though they have no idea who you are! What a great way to start off a day :)

Colbie...

So...we went to see Colbie Caillat perform tonight. I'll give her this, she definently can sing, but is not a performer in the slightest and her skirt was so short she could barely move on stage. We got to Campbell early and sat in the car, then discovered the long line forming. We got in line and it started to rain so they started covering the stage. Well we waited in line for a good hour and then they finally let us in. We sat down on our blanket and finally after much waiting the show started. But it continued to rain so I tried to use the umbrella without blocking the people behind me. Colbie came out and did a set we weren't impressed. She needs to stick to much smaller venues and wear longer skirts. It's refreshing that she actually sounds like she does on her album but she needs to work on the performance aspect. My favorite part was when Jason Reeves came out and sang 'Droplets' with her. I took a video but it's insanely shakey so I'm not putting it up. Anyways...here are some pictures I took.

Colbie Caillat

Going to see Colbie with Melissa and Jill this evening. I actually saw her last summer with Michelle. She opened for Lifehouse and we had NO idea who she was and then a couple of months later she blew up. This is my favorite song that she does, that's Jason Reeves with her and I think they are in Malibu. The song is called Droplets...enjoy!

Darlington & Denny!!!

I got the best suprise today! I logged into my email on my lunch break. My sister in law Tracy sent me a gchat message and said she'd be going to the race in Darlington and asked if I wanted to go. My brother will get us passes and that means I'll get to be in the pits! So guess what that means folks...there are two drivers I have my eyes on and am going to try and meet/get a picture with. Denny Hamlin as mentioned in a previous post and the scrumptions Kasey Kahne(LOL!!!!)I am so excited and can't wait to spend the day at the track and take some sweet pictures! That was a nice little suprise after my horendus day yesterday!

Still no word on my car...boo on that. Daniel the mechanic said he was the only one in the shop today so he probably just got swamped and I will hopefully hear back from him tomorrow. Pray it up folks that it's not a serious problem!

On a side note, I introduced my roomate Jill to Andy Milonakis. I had her watch a couple videos on you tube and I don't think I've ever seen anyone laugh that hard, it was AWESOME!!! Takes me back to the days when I used to quote it with Mely, ah memories! Anyways I hope these videos make you laugh, they're dumb but they sure are hilarious.



Good night for now!

Today was one for the books

Without fail, it seems as though my car cant ever just work. Granted I have an older car but it's been fine. I had to replace the battery but it's been fine! I mean I know I drive it quite a bit back and forth to my brothers but it's been great so far.

Anyways...today on my lunch I was driving down to Chick fil A and I was oh half a mile away when I realize that my car has out of nowhere just flat out shut off. Thankfully I had enough momentum to pull into a parking lot where I wasn't on the road. Of course I just ran out of minutes on my phone so that leaves me without communication. So I've pulled into the parking lot of Fonville Morisey or something of that nature and I walk in to ask if they have a phone I can use. Thankfully they ablige and I call my boss. She sends someone out to give me a jump and so I wait...

Crissy pulls up in Sandy's van and we try to get my car jumped. Nothing...I mean nothing, you can hear it struggling but it won't turn over. I know a little bit about cars but this is just beyond me. So I hop in the van and back to work we go...didn't even get my Chick fil A.

Thanks to Susanne who let me use her AAA so my car could get towed. Now, it's up to Monica's cousin to see if he can figure out what's wrong with it. Hopefully it isn't something astronomical and I can get it fixed. I'm moving in about 3 weeks and need my car. So pray people, pray! This is really stressing me out and I'm trying so hard not to let it defeat me. I'm so blessed to have so many people in my life who were willing to help me out today. I don't know what I'd do or where I'd be today! Anyways...that was my day...boo on that.

But Crissy gave me a cupcake so that made me smile :)

A whole lot of nothing.

What a great title for a first post. But, I'll have to say that after living in the state of NC for a year and a half. I think I've finally figured out how to enjoy doing a whole lot of nothing. Seeing as how options are limited here in Raleigh. I had a really low key, mellow do nothing weekend. I watched the race yesterday and my driver, Denny Hamlin got 3rd place. I've finally commited to a driver, he's tickled my fancy and now I'll have to say that he's going to be the one that I pull for on race day.


Anyways...I also watched Rendition with my roomate. It was a really good movie! You should watch it!

On another note, the days are quickly counting down until I move...I officially only have 20 days left at my job and then off I go to pursue my next adventure in life. It will be so nice to live closer to my family, I can't wait.

It's entirely too late and I need to go to bed! I'm going to be despising life in the morning...but oh well, such is life.