Valentine’s Banquet

Every year my church decides to have a Valentine’s get-together for the married couples. They are usually organized by several married individuals, and there are absolutely no children allowed. Well, this year someone decided it would be a good idea to have a formal dinner where the kids serve the adults. I am not sure who came up with this idea, but it was definitely a success. I think from now on, a formal dinner is in order.

The evening was a great experience all around. The adults were provided with an extremely cheap night out where they could eat good food, socialize, and be entertained and served. The kids got the opportunity to experience serving, working as a team, and exhaust themselves to help  others. There were SO many people who helped out in various capacities such as providing decor, loaning china sets, cooking food, cleaning dishes, etc. All I can say is that after last night I am overwhelmed by how much God has blessed our church. He has given so many people creative minds, hard working spirits, and serving hearts. And for all of that, I am very grateful.

I have just a few pictures that barely cover what all went into the event last night. I wish I had a picture of every person that contributed so much of their time and energy. I wish I had a picture of the beautiful place settings and food. I wish I had pictures of all the lovely couples in attendance. I wish I had pictures of more decorations and details. We really needed a designated photographer, but I managed to steal a few shots between all of the craziness of preparing and the kitchen duties last night.  Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy the photos! They certainly do not do justice to the real experience.

1. & 2. Sam and Mark practicing the day before the big event. Not pictured are multiple people setting up the hall and decorating.

3. Laura found these adorable mini flowers to decorate the place cards. Are they not precious?                                                                                    4. My parent’s place cards. These are a sampling of mine and Laura’s efforts at the art of place card making.

5. The map of the Server’s Hall.                                                                      6. The schedule.

7. Anna Kate Minyard. This is the lovely lady who orchestrated last night. God has certainly blessed this young lady with multiple talents (organizing, managing, and singing to name a few), and everyone who she comes in contact with is in turn blessed. I am so thankful God put her in my life!                                                                                                         8. Myself, Anna Kate, and Laura. The “Kitchen Queens”.

9. The servers. I am not sure that this is everyone, but I cannot express how much they helped and did so with serving and willing hearts. They were definitely another one of God’s blessings last night.                           10. The Drop Bears: Mark, Anna Kate, and Sam were the entertainers for last night.

11. Decor.                                                                                                         12. The hall.

13. & 14. The Drop Bears giving a wonderful performance. Sam and Mark started off the evening by playing various selections from Jack Johnson to Elvis. However, Anna Kate surprised everyone half-way through and joined the boys. These guys did a FANTASTIC job. I wish everyone could have heard them. I honestly think they did just as good or better than the originals.

Here are a few of my favorites that they performed. If these are not in your music library, you need to remedy this infraction asap! I promise, if you are anything like me, you will not be able to stop listening to the catchy lyrics and beautiful music.

“The Girl” by City and Colour

“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

“Forget Me Not” by The Civil Wars

Again, I am so thankful to everyone who helped make last night a success. It was a wonderful experience, and I am ready to do it again next year.

What I’m Loving Wednesday

So, yesterday was Valentine’s, and I must admit that I absolutely love this holiday. I remember as a child being incensed at the fact that the public school system did not recognize this as a holiday that validated a day off. This holiday also promoted my favorite color red and hearts. I also think that I loved this holiday so much because my dad in many ways took over the card and gift. I mean, let’s be honest. Usually, every other holiday mom would do the shopping, but for some unknown reason my dad would decide to get involved. He always picked out the best cards and wrote some of the sweetest notes. He would also choose gifts that showed me he really understood my personality and put a great deal of thought into the gift. I think as a young girl and teenager I enjoyed the reminder that my daddy was forever my biggest fan and a guy who would never stop loving me. And, now as a young woman, I realize this fact without the reminder of Valentine’s day. All that said, I have some very fond memories of this holiday, and I have some fun pictures to share that describe my Valentine’s experience this year and why I’m loving it.

 

1. & 2. Remember these? Well, Sunday night I decided to make cookies that said “Happy Valentines” and “Lots of Love”.

3. This was one of my best cookies. It is actually legible. I decided it should go to my professor/coworker, Mike Smith, because he always complains about how no one considers him on Valentine’s. Well, by-golly, I was considerate and gave him the best.                                                       4. This picture depicts what the majority of my cookies looked like: a hot, unreadable mess. They definitely do not look like the cookies on the box cover, and I will most definitely have to do some internet research before I attempt another batch. Needless to say, everyone else received failed attempts at cute Valentine’s cookies. Myself and the recipients all got some pretty good laughs at my pitiful cookies.

5. & 6. This was a craft I found on Pinterest. I used paint samples and a heart punch to make this threaded garland. I sent this little Valentine’s happy to one of my best friends, Sydney, who is working her tail off at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. I could not think of another person who better deserved a happy.

7. This was my Valentine’s present from my parents. They know how much I love trees and got me this cute pendant!                                          8. This was a Valentine’s gift from Amber. She was so thoughtful, and like a good English major she gave me a card with a cheesy pun: “Look it is Cupig”. You know it is funny.

9. Dr. Ford brought Dove milk chocolates to all of the Writing Center workers at today’s meeting. When I opened the first one, all I saw was “Exercise today”. I was taken aback. Then I read further and it told me to “Exercise your heart today”. We all got a good laugh out of it, and Amber decided to make some minor adjustments to the message. Jerk.                 10. Here was some of the other sayings that my coworkers gave me to make me feel better. One told me that “The best things in life are chocolate” and the other told me to “Believe in those you love”. They were definitely better than the chocolate telling me to go exercise.

I hope your Wednesday and Valentine’s Day was wonderful!

My Week, Instagram Style #4

What a whirlwind kind week it has been. I feel like I have been all over the great state of Mississippi (maybe because I have), but it was a wonderful week that I would not change. I hope your week was fabulous, and I hope you enjoy my week in pictures.

1. Psalm 27:8                                                                                                   2. We had homemade flan in Conversations class on Tuesday. Yum!

3. Group shot of the Confidante winners at Tuesday’s winner’s reading. On the front row to the left is my suitemate Katie, and next to her is my beautiful bestie Amber. I am so proud of all of these brilliant people that I am privileged to rub shoulders with every week at Delta State.    

4. On Wednesday, one of my regular customers, Flavio, came in the Writing Center for help. He is from Colombia, and he is so appreciative of people who take time to help him. He asked if I liked coffee, and preceded to give me a handful of these delicious Colombian coffee candies. How thoughtful!

5. I went with the Dean’s Scholars to Hattiesburg to present at the MAMLE conference. Our presentation was on how to get an AT&T grant to use iPod touches in the classroom. We spent hours in the hotel downloading apps and preparing.                                                                   6. It was rainy, but you can faintly see a pond and a white bridge. Supposedly, if you cross that bridge with someone, that is the person you are going to marry. The bridge was on the Southern Miss campus, and it was absolutely gorgeous there! Honestly, I think it could rival Ole Miss…maybe.

 

7. Nicole and I waiting on a session.                                                              8. Friday’s schedule…with our names on it…weird.

9. Official.                                                                                                        10. The group: Kyla, myself, Ms. Mandy, Nicole, and Brittany. I have traveled all over with these ladies, and we have the best time!

11. Pete and Squidbilly watching Parks and Recreation at Friday night movie night. Isn’t that  kitten precious?                                                      12. I decided to take a picture of my multi-colored TOMS while waiting on mom to get gas.

13. Saturday night was the monthly movie night at Sam and Dan’s all the way out in Eudora. I got the privilege of listening to Sam and Mark practice for the Valentine’s banquet. Let me tell ya, those boys can sing.                                                                                                                14. This is a Christmas present that finally came in this week. I am so excited to start experimenting!

I Confess…

I missed the link for “Confessional Fridays,” but Saturday seems like a good enough day for honesty and confession. So, here we go.

• When I was little I thought at the beginning of Disney movies the word Disney was Quisney, and sometimes I still think it says that.
• I could eat Mexican food all day, everyday.
• I wanted to look like Catherine Zeta-Jones or Faith Hill when I was younger.
• I find the taste of rosemary barely tolerable.
• I cried and never wanted to watch Lady and the Tramp again because of the scene where the dog is lead off to be put down. I found it incredibly sad that the dog was so happy and had no idea what was coming. I guess that is life.
• I did not play outside as a kid, because I believed my 70 year old neighbor when he told me that if I played outside I would be eaten by coyotes, bobcats, and bears.
• I have had reoccurring dreams about bears trying to come in my house and eat me since I was little. (Probably a result of the above fact).
• I can rap Snoop Dogg’s  part in Justin Bieber’s “Baby” perfectly, and I am extremely proud of that.
• I go through life assuming that people do not like me or think the worst of me until otherwise informed. I am trying to adjust that mindset.
• I am one of those people who is blissfully unaware of things. If you want me to do something, ask. If you are upset about something I did, tell me. Otherwise, I will probably never know.
• I am very territorial. I have spots that I like, and I resent people who steal them. If you take my seat in a class, we are forever sworn enemies. (Just ask my bff Amber; she stole my seat in British Lit II).
• I love the kids shows Dragon Ball Z, Victorious, Phineas and Ferb and iCarly.
• My dad always use to sing and play “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Norwegian Wood” when I was little, and I thought he wrote them.
• I have irrational fears of being struck by lightning and falling down stairs.
• One of the best feelings is sliding onto a bed with fresh sheets.
• I did not wear makeup on a daily basis until the second semester of my freshman year at college.
• My dream job is to travel the world like Rick Steves.
• I love spontaneous moments.
• Surprises are some of my favorites.
• I was in Dublin on St. Patrick’s day last year, and I slept through that once in a life time opportunity, because I was so tired from taking Dramamine.
• For me, a person can fix almost any offense with a hug.
• I take Disney Scene-It way too seriously.
• I am easily embarrassed, and I get easily embarrassed for other people. Actually, sometimes I can hardly watch The Office because I am so embarrassed for the characters. Again, I am trying to loosen up.
• I have convinced both of my nieces that I am Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

My Week, Instagram Style #3

Well, I am a little late on linking up with Jenni at Story of My Life for the “Best of Instagram”. However, Super Bowl festivities took precedence over important matters such as homework and blogging. But, might I assert, that “Better late, than never” applies to this situation. So, have a fabulous Monday on this sunny sixth of February!

1. We played Spanish Bingo in my Conversations class. Money was involved, and I managed to lose $3. However,  a well-deserving single mom won about $21, and she planned on buying a new toy for her precious daughter.                                                                                          2. I saw this advertisement in a Clipper Magazine. Another reason to love Valentine’s Day…cheesy, but cute puns on my name.

3. Shelby and I had a wonderful time catching up at TCBY on Thursday. It was SO colorful in there, and it was slightly ridiculous how many options there were for yogurt. I recommend going!                                    4. Shelby’s yogurt was much prettier than mine.

5. My wonderful daddy and me.                                                                   6. Typical of us trying to get a group picture.

7. My new Lenny and Eva bracelet!                                                              8. The fun charm holder at Paisley Pineapple (where I bought my bracelet). I could get lost in stores like these.

9 & 10. I had some seriously big hair this weekend, and I felt like other people should witness my hair looking somewhat decent for once.

11. A new summer dress that I got for cheap at Janie Rose while Mom and I had a Hernando date day.                                                                  12. You cannot tell from looking at the picture, but that is about a nine foot tall Eli Manning. I went over to the Lies house for the Super Bowl, and they completely rearranged their living room so that they could project the game on their biggest wall. I have a theory that they wanted to project the game on the wall, not only to have a close up view of everything, but also, so they could throw objects when things weren’t going their way. My hypothesis is that they did not want to worry about damaging a t.v.

Have a blessed week!

A Little Dose of Realism

Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce

For the past few weeks in my American Literature II class we have been studying the literary movement in America known as Realism. Among the first Realist writers were such literary giants as Mark Twain, Henry James, William Dean Howells, Ambrose Bierce, Stephen Crane, etc. Realism took a sharp turn away from the Romantic movement where people focused on the ideal of nature, people, and ideas, to portrayals of how life really is for the everyday person.

I must admit that for the majority of my life, I have identified and seen my life through a Romantic’s lenses. I would write about and see my world through the same eyes as Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, and Whitman. I could have sat and wrote a ridiculously long poem about the manifold virtues of nature and “Tintern Abbey”. I could have planted myself under a tree for an hour or so and written an “Ode to a Nightingale” as I silently listened to its song. I could have written about a “Bright Star” where men were captivated with a woman’s love and planned on remaining forever faithful. I could have written an “Ode to the West Wind,” because I believed all men had the potential to be inspired and inspire. I could have written a “Song of Myself” where I celebrate the commonality of man and the American spirit. Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not even pretend to give myself the false illusion that I could have penned any of those great works mentioned above. I am merely stating that I had the same idealistic mindset that could have made me produce an amateur version extolling life’s perfections.

However, everything that I have been reading for classes encourage me to think that life is one big disappointment. I guess after studying British literature for two years, I was easily caught up in Romantic thinking. What I see on the news and events happening all around me also preclude that there are few positive points. Lately the ugliness of life, the part that many Romantics did not discuss, and if they did, they found some way to miraculously overlook it with a positive note, has been highlighted for me in my studies. 

I was not aware of this fact until about two weeks ago, but writers such as Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce became misanthropes in their later years. If you were like me, you probably do not know what a misanthrope is (I personally think that it was to my credit that this word was not in my vocabulary and before now I have never had a need for it). A misanthrope is someone who becomes so disgusted with the world around them that they grow to hate all of humanity. These authors could not find any redeemable quality in man, the world, or themselves. They hated life and had no faith in people, and their later works reflect this contempt.

I can see how such writers became this way when they focused on the reality of the human condition. Lately, I found that many of life’s maxims that I thought were not necessarily true, really are. What I have read for classes, others have experienced, and my own experiences have confirmed that life is not perfect and will never be. I have learned that even when you think you know someone, you really don't. I have found out that people are completely selfish and will do anything to please themselves. I have discovered that such statements as “There is nothing like a break up or marriage to reveal someone’s true colors” and the fact that you cannot recover the “word after its said, the moment after its missed, and the time after its gone” are completely sad and true. I now know that it is naive to think that at the center of people’s motives is other people’s good. I recognize people who really do live “unlived lives” like a Henry James’ character. I realize that people do not want to listen to wisdom and are willing to sacrifice “what they want most for what they want now”. I understand now that people do not always have the courage to get what they want, and for that reason will never have it. I have seen how people become versions of themselves that a younger (perhaps wiser) version or a version even six months ago would have been ashamed of. I have witnessed people lose faith and become miserable for it.

There have been some dark moments where I have entertained misanthropic thoughts because I have become disgusted by what I read and see around me. However, I do not for one second exclude myself from the above list of common and extremely hurtful human tendencies.  I know I have deeply hurt others because I committed some of the above infractions.

Again, I understand how Mr. Twain and Mr. Bierce hated humanity because that is all they put their hope in. I too would probably become a misanthrope if all I had to look to was my fellow fallen man and myself. However, I have a greater hope. God has been teaching me lately that when we build our hope around others and ourselves, we are sure to be disappointed. Throughout all of this dose of realism, I cannot describe the immense joy that God has given me, because He has showed me that no matter what, He will never leave me and His love and mercy are unfathomable. I have to look at God in man, and love them despite of what I see, because I need God just as much as they do. I think that these quotes by Mother Teresa are appropriate for what I am failing to express here. Even though she did not really believe God had much grace for her, she did understand that she was to show grace to others.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

So, I cannot be a misanthrope. I have a God who is completely in control, who directs my steps, and has a perfect will that will bring incredible blessings to those who trust in Him. I guess what I am trying to say is, I am a Romantic after all. I have seen a few of life’s harsh realities, but I have a hope because I hope in the Everlasting God, Creator, and Author of romance. I am looking forward to what God has in store, because God has something wonderful planned and He isn’t finished with me yet.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword…For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus or Lord.” Romans 8: 31,35, 38-39.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

What I’m Loving Wednesday

Happy February everyone! I absolutely love February. I have no justified reason for loving this month. I just do. All that said, on this fabulous and unusually hot first day of February, I am loving the fact that God provides in so many unseen ways. One of those funny life occurrences happened to me on Monday night, and I wanted to share with all of you how God is good all the time, and continually provides for us without us even knowing.

The Story: A Damsel in Distress

After my first Zumba class on Monday, I had plans to meet my friend, Kayla, for dinner. I went and took a quick shower, and I had a moment of weakness when I thought that maybe, just maybe I could go in my pajamas. However, I decided I would be a little more classy and wear my oversized, grey “Fighting Okra” sweatpants and a t-shirt. Then I decided that I at least should attempt to somewhat fix my hair and put on mascara.

We decided to go to Subway, which in all honesty, I was not too thrilled about.  I had never really eaten at Subway, so when we got there and ordered, the guy making my Veggie Sub teased me because I did not know what I wanted on the sandwich. Kayla and I ate and had a great time catching up, but she had to leave around 6:45 because she did not want to miss Pretty Little Liars which came on at 7. We said our goodbyes and walked to the opposite ends of the parking lot to leave. I saw Kayla drive off, and while trying to start my car, absolutely nothing happened. There were no lights or sounds. My car was NOT starting up. I tried pulling the key out of the ignition, and my new car alarm started going off.  I tried making the alarm stop, but the alarm only got louder and all my lights started flashing. I felt like I was at a disco.

I made a few desperate calls to my friends Amber, Laura, and Pete. Amber was at work, but thankfully Laura came and brought every tool know to man because her dad wants her always prepared. Not long after, Pete and Chad arrived, and we all started making failed attempts to revive my car. After several fruitless efforts, we decided that the car was not going anywhere for the night. My dad made plans to come and fix the car the next day; so, I decided to go ask the employees if my car could stay overnight.

I went into Subway, and Chris (the same guy who gave me a hard time about my sandwich) asked if I was having car trouble. He told me he was a mechanic, and I thought he was kidding. But, it turns out that he is a real mechanic and offered to come and help. He informed me that the battery was very dead. Chris offered to take out the battery so that I could have the people at AutoZone run a test on it, and whatever the result, he offered to put the battery back. I quickly took him up on his offer, and Laura and I rushed to AutoZone before they closed at 9.

Turns out that the battery was VERY dead, and it was the original battery from 2000 when the car was made (If you are wondering how that is possible, it is because my grandmother rarely drove the vehicle and it has less than 70,000 miles on it). I bought a brand new battery, and true to his word, Chris installed the battery for free. The car finally started working, and at last I was able to head back to the dorm.

It was one of those situations where all I could do was keep calm, laugh, and trust that it was happening for a reason. It turns out that Kayla came back to Subway because she left something, and she heard a strange noise (my alarm which randomly kept going off) but did not see my car, so she thought I had already left. I am so glad that the one time I considered going in public in my pajamas, I let my better instincts take over. I am also, extremely glad that Kayla wanted to go to Subway, because any other time and place, I might have not had someone as helpful and generous as Chris. God looked out for me in so many ways, and it was just another one of those little life experiences where He shows me that He is in complete control.

Having said all of this, I am very thankful for friends who are there for me when I need them and can make me laugh even in not so ideal situations. Also, I am extremely thankful for people like Chris. If anyone is ever in Cleveland, you should stop by the subway. Chris can make a mean Veggie Sub. And, I am very thankful for a sovereign and gracious God that I can trust in regardless of the circumstance.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in You.”  -Isaiah 26:3