Undefeated football team and Water bottles

My parent's are an hour behind me in traveling to my vacation, so I stopped by the coffee shop to say, "Hi!" It's so funny what you observe...I heard a shopper holding up our university's football shirt and say, "We don't have a football team! This says our f-ball team is undefeated!" His friend, whom I'm assuming is his girlfriend, smiled back to exclaim, "That's why we've been undefeated since 1987..."
AND, while waiting in line for my frap I realized I was missing my water bottle...again...EVERY time I come this school I lose my water bottles, in the bathroom, in the coffee shop, wherever...but this time I caught it before I completely lost it. HA! I defeated the habit at this univeristy... ;)

Sing with me!

I start school, I START SCHOOL, I start school, YAH, YAH, YAH YAHHHH!!!

Yes, after years of almost getting back in school, then deciding, "no, maybe not..." then almost getting back in school...blah, blah, blah ... I'm finally on my way today--for real. It's hard to believe. And, only a year-and-a-half 'til I'm done. (God rocks!!) After all this hard preparation, tho, I'll get my stuff to the university today and then head to Ore. and stuff for a week. So, it's my last morning at home for awhile *weird*. I will not have been away this long since Virginia... *weird again* So, I would appreciate prayers that I adjust easily, have plenty of free time, don't get homesick, find an additional job (preferable tutoring) and make great friends fast. Oh, and I'm TRYING OUT FOR THE CHEER SQUAD!! How fun would that be?!

Anyway, it is the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I know it will be a great one (even tho I have to study! 3 of my 5 classes are lit!) ... Life is grand...and I'm almost packed. :)

Have fun for the next week while I'll be away from my friend the computer ... Live well, succumb to randomness, know I'm praying for ya. *hugs* :)

Proverbs 3:5-6

80 mph

I had no idea that even taking time off from work that I'd still be running around at 80 mph to get everything ready for school. But, with just one day to go, it's get to the finish line or have annoying left-overs. But, God has been gracious with me. I've had some time for ever-important rest AND for random acts:

du du DUUUUUUU!!! This week's random act is:
Driving a big 'ol, diesl engined U-haul! Freaked out at first, I quickly learned how to manuever...and didn't even run anything over! And, I also learned that, can you believe it?!, not every gas station sells diesl fuel! (so I had to back up in this thing!! ahhh!! Thank God He provided someone to help navigate.

So, like I said, God has given me time for rest ... and that's what I'm about to go do... Nighty, night...

"Are You Watching??!"

I think it's so funny when you're listening to two separate phone conversations in your house, both people watching the Olympics and both all-of-a-sudden exclaiming things to the persons on the other side like: "Did you just see that?!" or "Are you watching the Olympics?? What did you just think about that DQ?!" And, the funny part is that both parties are watching and both conversations can be focused on it, cuz it's in front of them all. Because everybody is watching. Because no matter what sport they are usually dedicated doesn't matter because it's now the Olympics and they are interested in everything. 41 million viewers.

I think it's so cool that when I now look at the TV Guide I know the person on the cover (Natalie Coughlin, Concord, CA, US Gold Medal Swimmer, a dominant force in swimming). It definitely makes the Olympics even a million times more spirited and makes the enthusiasm sore to greater heights when you actually know people there (esp. when they medal!), anywhere from coaches, to athletes to their family and friends. Between my 5 fam members and I, we have had the priveledge to have gotten to see and or/gotten to know quite of few of the synchronize (whole US team) and regular swimmers (including coaches). In fact, the bio shot that I'm about to use for my site (I love it! It was taken at Stanford Univ. at a Cal-Stanford swim meet... [Btw, I have become a major Cal fan. Go Bears!]) was taken by Coughlin's uncle, an incredibly nice guy. These athletes are great inspirational, and humble, people and I'm so glad they represent us and have this opportunity. To see they're family support is inspirational in itself ... It just all makes you proud to be American. GO USA!!!!!

I Wore My PJ's to ...

My random act for last week (8/13/04):
I wore my PJ's to Safeway... Hey, I was going to a sleepover Friday night and had to pick up a salad... (had my denim jacket on, tho!) Why change back into clothes for such a short jaunt only to change again?? :)

"You Dropped Your Smile..."

"Excuse me, miss, you dropped your smile..." said a good-looking chap sitting on a bench outside of Target. So, I flashed him a big laughing smile as I passed by. And, as I continued strolling toward the store to exchange my jeans I had the same thought as I have had too many times before when similair comments have been made, "I really need to smile more!" My ready excuse has always been, "That's just the way my face falls, [in a frown], so I can't help it..." HOWever, I have realized that my sometimes negative spirit, which makes my face appear sorrowful at times, needs to shift. And, that's what I wanted to share with you all, my new mission: focus on the positive in life, the blessings God has bestowed. If you do that (fully relying on God at the same time to help), and you struggle with stress and negative thoughts like me, you just may be able to catch your smile! And others will catch it, too. *smiles* :) (no pun intended...hehe)

Starving Students

I had my first sighting just a few weeks ago, but every time now that I see one, my face breaks into a smile. The company name "Starving Students" with a big read heart in the middle is stretched out across all their moving trucks. I think it's a great idea, but another reason to smile is that I don't need the use of one when I move up to the university... all of my stuff is safely stored away (and, I've got the 3-a-day meal plan, so Lord willingly I won't starve!).

A Language Barrior/Prayer Request

I was ministering to a little girl from Taiwan (who's here in the U.S. for a month) today when, after explaining the Good News she decided to ask Jesus into her heart. However, before she said the prayer she asked me a question. I answered it and we talked a little and when I asked if she now wanted to say the prayer she said, "no." And with a smile on her face she proclaimed, "I never want to do that!" Totally confused, I wondered if, since there is a language barrior, she took wrong something I said. So, I would appreciate prayer that she be saved. Thanks so much! (She's adorable!)

Handful of People

Something my pastor brought up at church a few months ago inspired my thinking: we should be focusing on just a few people in our lives: ministering to them, forming tighter relationships with them and really spurring them on in Christ. It seems to me Jesus focused on His disciples, but yet He was still able to minister to the masses. But, again, the majority of the time He spent with people, it looks like to me, was with the twelve.
After this principle ripped wildly through my mind I thought, "Hey, this topic would make a rad article!" But, as happens, the plan got pushed aside and I kinda forgot about it. Then, recently, I felt like I was supposed to show up at a Bebo Norman concert...even tho I was tired, it was late, and the concert was already more than half over. After sitting down in the dark auditorium, I wondered why in the world I was there and kept asking God, "I love Bebo and everything, but I'm by myself and I'm tired, so why am I here?" Shortly after the question, under a marriage of colors, Bebo brought one of his passions: the same "handful of people" principle my pastor inspired me with! Immediately I was pretty sure God was reminding me to write the article ... and now to get quotes from Bebo. So at concerts end, I found out he wasn't appearing to sign autographs, but that just the VIPs could aquire a chat with the Beeb. HOWEVER, a contact I had made earlier that evening kinda snuck me in to talk with him. hehe And, after shaking hands and sharing with Bebo my idea, he agreed to give me the quotes to put in my article. (I have to admit this is a fun field I am in ... And, just earlier that day I told God I missed being involved in the Christian music world... I gave the desire to Him essentially and... boy, did I get a quick answer! God rocks!)
So, I am left with this thot, who are my handful of people? And, who are your's? God can really use us to rock their worlds!

Play Like A Child

Last week (for the record this is for my Randomness Archive :) ) I found myself at the park. Now, normally I wouldn't play on the structure, but, as I sat on the grass, I caught myself thinking, "Why not play on the structure...Just cuz I'm not under 10 doesn't mean it's somehow stopped being fun!!" Then, glancing at the tunnel slide I decided I would most indubidibly fit through there... So, bounding across the sand I went to join the kids...I even had to say the special password to gain entrance to the "BIG slide"! :) And, I must have really looked like I was enjoying myself, because after a few minutes it really got fun due to the fact that my friend Anna came and joined me! However, my friend Shalana was too nervous because we reported to her that, yes, even after all these years slides still shock you! So, of course Anna and I began chasing her around trying to shock her. hehe I played on the swing (even jumped off!), ran around in circles with a bunch of kids and a fun parachute, then found myself chatting in a carefree circle of kids, watched Disney movies and let a six-year-old "hair fashioner" named Kamra fix my hair in a "1/2 up, 1/2 down" due. ;) I guess I looked really cool. :) And, through all of this letting my hair down (no pun intended) that day I realized that revisiting my childhood was a release. It relieved TONS of stress and brought back to remembrance just how INCREDIBLY FUN IT WAS TO BE A KID... and still is ... hehe!

Similar Lives, Years Apart

Lately I've been running 80 mph trying to get prepare for university life and catch up with my regular one, as well (I live such a complex one, you know). :) Anyway, while wading through a flood of papers near lunch today I picked up the phone to one of my sister's friend's. Holly wasn't home, so her friend and I began chatting...a chat that lasted an hour! She needed to talk, and I like the girl, so talk we did ... I came to find out that she, like me, will be a junior at a university this fall. In addition, I discovered we are pretty much at the same spot in life in relation to guys, outlooks, goals and much more. I chuckled to myself when I thought back to when she was more of a little sister to me (she's about 21) and realizing that now we are pretty much at a relating basis. Sure, I might be turning 26 next week and only finally advancing to my junior year, but I've had a lot of adventures in my years away. And, I've made a lot of special friends along the way ... But, now I'm especially relishing the "re-discovery" of my "little sisters" who are ... a bit more relatable now. :)