Well, it's been about oh, I don't know, THREE months since my last post?! :) Oh, yikes. And of course I began this endeavor during EXAM WEEK. Surprise, surprise! Maybe the renewal of spring and fresh perspective it brings will revamp my desire to record some of the fun things going on in my life right now. I will give a brief (SUPER brief, remember- I don't have kids!!) and will (hopefully) return to elaborate on each. :) So, here it goes:
1. I have finally completed the application and interview process to be a counselor at a children's summer camp in Colorado Springs, CO, that I know NOTHING about. Talk about a blind adventure! :) (If plan A doesn't work out, I will either stay here in Auburn AGAIN to take summer classes or take off with Campus Crusade for a 6-week mission trip to China.) Crossing my fingers to have plans at all!
2. Spring Break is- drumroll- TOMORROW! Eight of my closest friends and I are leaving early Saturday morning for Seagrove, FL to stay in a cute little beach house!
3. This all for now. I promise I have more going on, but it's impossible to focus on anything else when you're approaching Spring Break eve!! Yay!
All for now! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Antique Freak
Webster's Dictionary defines nostalgia as this: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition.
I am strongly convinced I was born into the wrong era, for every time I walk into an antique store, I am overcome with just that, a sentimental yearning for return to some past period. Carefully and slowly pacing the aisles filled with what other people see as junk, my heart leaps in anticipation of rounding the corner to to stumble upon yet another 100-year-old piece of furniture. But for me, it's being able to catch a small glimpse of what life used to be like, as if our world has evolved into something so foreign and twisted that life seventy or eighty years ago, is now only something of a fairytale.
While I do appreciate my shiny, black MacBook and (HOW could I forget?) my oh-so-smart BlackBerry, I have to wonder if life wasn't just a little- or a lot- simpler without them. How much harder would I study without my phone buzzing every two minutes? How much more would I appreciate lunch face-to-face, instead of lunch-via-Skype? And how much more would I be outside, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, instead of "Facebooking" or checking email? I believe the answer lies in the simplicity of a weathered, wooden table that once brought a young family together for dinnertime, an old dial telephone (what do you call those things?), and a tethered 1940's issue of Ladies' Home Journal whose headlines don't exploit women in a single glance.
A couple of months ago, I brought my parents to a flea market in Opelika, AL called Angel's Antiques.
(If you haven't been, I strongly recommend a day trip to Angel's for EVERYONE. Not once have I ever made a trip to this store without spending at least a half hour in complete amusement. It is a huge warehouse (formerly an old grocery store) with hundreds of booths, each filled to the brim with unique items obviously once cherished.)
With the recent purchase of a lake cabin, my folks were looking for an inexpensive store from which they could furnish some of our new project, and I knew Angel's would be just the place. As we walked up and down the aisles, I noticed Mom and Dad's overwhelmed expressions, though of the two, my father was the more entertained, stopping occasionally to observe an old Coke sign, comic books, and a few other "toys" from his childhood. Before we had begun our adventure, I had half expected them to go crazy, absolutely fall in love with the place as I had, and buy out more than my Dad could afford. But this wasn't the case. Neither of them saw hardly anything that suited their taste, and I was left disappointed and questioning my new love for what my mother calls "junk."
So if I didn't get inherit this passion from my mother, who (no offense, Mom!) can't seem to appreciate antiques the same way that I do, where did I get it from? Well, heck if I know! But one thing is true, I have always loved a good story, and there is no doubt that almost every item in Angel's has one. For me, antiques are more than decor; they are an escape to another time and place, and the fulfillment of my "sentimental yearning to return to an irrecoverable condition..."
I am strongly convinced I was born into the wrong era, for every time I walk into an antique store, I am overcome with just that, a sentimental yearning for return to some past period. Carefully and slowly pacing the aisles filled with what other people see as junk, my heart leaps in anticipation of rounding the corner to to stumble upon yet another 100-year-old piece of furniture. But for me, it's being able to catch a small glimpse of what life used to be like, as if our world has evolved into something so foreign and twisted that life seventy or eighty years ago, is now only something of a fairytale.
While I do appreciate my shiny, black MacBook and (HOW could I forget?) my oh-so-smart BlackBerry, I have to wonder if life wasn't just a little- or a lot- simpler without them. How much harder would I study without my phone buzzing every two minutes? How much more would I appreciate lunch face-to-face, instead of lunch-via-Skype? And how much more would I be outside, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, instead of "Facebooking" or checking email? I believe the answer lies in the simplicity of a weathered, wooden table that once brought a young family together for dinnertime, an old dial telephone (what do you call those things?), and a tethered 1940's issue of Ladies' Home Journal whose headlines don't exploit women in a single glance.
A couple of months ago, I brought my parents to a flea market in Opelika, AL called Angel's Antiques.
(If you haven't been, I strongly recommend a day trip to Angel's for EVERYONE. Not once have I ever made a trip to this store without spending at least a half hour in complete amusement. It is a huge warehouse (formerly an old grocery store) with hundreds of booths, each filled to the brim with unique items obviously once cherished.)
With the recent purchase of a lake cabin, my folks were looking for an inexpensive store from which they could furnish some of our new project, and I knew Angel's would be just the place. As we walked up and down the aisles, I noticed Mom and Dad's overwhelmed expressions, though of the two, my father was the more entertained, stopping occasionally to observe an old Coke sign, comic books, and a few other "toys" from his childhood. Before we had begun our adventure, I had half expected them to go crazy, absolutely fall in love with the place as I had, and buy out more than my Dad could afford. But this wasn't the case. Neither of them saw hardly anything that suited their taste, and I was left disappointed and questioning my new love for what my mother calls "junk."
So if I didn't get inherit this passion from my mother, who (no offense, Mom!) can't seem to appreciate antiques the same way that I do, where did I get it from? Well, heck if I know! But one thing is true, I have always loved a good story, and there is no doubt that almost every item in Angel's has one. For me, antiques are more than decor; they are an escape to another time and place, and the fulfillment of my "sentimental yearning to return to an irrecoverable condition..."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Smile!
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by!
If you smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you.
Light up your face with gladness!
Hide every trace of sadness,
Although a tear may be ever so near.
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile! What's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worth-while
If you just smile.
How truly useful it is to learn to just be happy sometimes, no matter what. :) I'm beginning to realize that an unkind word or discouraging comment from someone else is best left simply overlooked and painted over with a smile. It may be cheesy, but it's true when they say that every 60 seconds spent in bitterness or regret is a minute of life that you can never get back! So ignore those who try to tear down others, smile, and hold on to your joy! Life is just too short!
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by!
If you smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you.
Light up your face with gladness!
Hide every trace of sadness,
Although a tear may be ever so near.
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile! What's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worth-while
If you just smile.
How truly useful it is to learn to just be happy sometimes, no matter what. :) I'm beginning to realize that an unkind word or discouraging comment from someone else is best left simply overlooked and painted over with a smile. It may be cheesy, but it's true when they say that every 60 seconds spent in bitterness or regret is a minute of life that you can never get back! So ignore those who try to tear down others, smile, and hold on to your joy! Life is just too short!
Just a Few Pictures!
The first couple of pictures are from an Alpha Gam Tacky Christmas party this past weekend. It was thrown at the Ross St. house. Jordan Easter, one of my best friends, decided she'd be a reindeer- Vixon, to be specific- and creatively tied tree branches around a headband to create antlers. Innovative, huh? ;) The last two pictures are from Alpha Gam's Christmas Cocktail party. My roommates and I (with the exception of Katie, who took her boyfriend, Mark) all took KA's, and we ended up having a BLAST!! Who knew blind dates could be so fun?! :) My date, Charlie Smith, is an old friend from high school, so I wasn't actually "blind," but I never got too comfortable because he's probably the most fun dance partner you could ever ask for! Excuse the minimal amount of pictures, I'm just getting used to this thing! More to come for sure!
What's in a name?
Hello! Being somewhat new to a blog- besides those of several who I regularly stalk (in a non-creepy way)- I found it difficult to decide on a title. If you think about it, a title is pretty important! It's kind of like a first impression (at least for people I don't already know), but except through the internet. So after much careful thought and consideration, I decided on "Every Season." It's been on my mind. First of all, I won't have to bother changing it when I feel all wishy-washy or start to get annoyed when I see it pop up every time I post. I tend to do that. "Every Season" just about covers all the bases for every time of the year. Just sort of generic. :) But here's the second reason why I chose this title. It's also the name of a song by Nichole Nordeman (a Christian artist who I definitely recommend) about God's sovereignty and faithful presence in life's changes. I think that impatience with the Lord is something that everyone deals with. But as a college (and Southern) woman, I am convinced, though older women will tell me it's no better :), that impatience is undoubtedly something I deal with on a regular basis. Where is my career going? When will I have a boyfriend? Where am I going to live next year? Must I really park my car half a mile away from my dorm? I may be right that college seems to throw just a couple extra curve balls (some of them, quite hilarious), but the principle is still the same for all stages of life. Resting in God's plan and trusting His timing seems to be the only way to beat a wondering mind, and sometimes, a wandering heart. Ecclesiastes 3:11 perfectly captures the idea behind waiting on God and enduring "every season." As His children, we can be confident that He will make EVERYTHING beautiful in its time, no matter how crazy and out-of-whack life is now. :)
But hold on for a second! I probably sound like Debbie Downer, so let's get one thing straight- I. LOVE. COLLEGE. And my life, for that matter. I really do. And that's part of the reason why I wanted to create a blog in the first place: to capture thoughts, moments, situations in my life- happy, sad, funny, terrible, weird, etc...- so that I can look back months or years down the road and smile, cringe, laugh, cry, or just remember the way I felt. Why should you care? Will anyone even read this? Doubtful. But if there's anything to be gained from taking time to read my words, I hope that the Lord would use my life experiences to serve you the same way. Need a good laugh? Need to waste time? Come on!
As I mentioned earlier, there are several people who I "blog-stalk," in a good way of course, because for most of them I find their entries a source of strength and encouragement. I've also come to realize through them that transparency is a beautiful thing, that is, wearing your heart on your sleeve. Sometimes I tend to clam up when it comes to sharing my own thoughts and opinions, but I think this will be a good way to get rid of my tendency to close myself off.
Well, for a first post, I'd say this is long enough. And besides, after practically being mutilated by my 8AM History 1010 final this morning, I've mysteriously found the motivation to delve into my Spanish material. ;) Half-way there! I will be in the library if you need me!
Have a wonderful day!
But hold on for a second! I probably sound like Debbie Downer, so let's get one thing straight- I. LOVE. COLLEGE. And my life, for that matter. I really do. And that's part of the reason why I wanted to create a blog in the first place: to capture thoughts, moments, situations in my life- happy, sad, funny, terrible, weird, etc...- so that I can look back months or years down the road and smile, cringe, laugh, cry, or just remember the way I felt. Why should you care? Will anyone even read this? Doubtful. But if there's anything to be gained from taking time to read my words, I hope that the Lord would use my life experiences to serve you the same way. Need a good laugh? Need to waste time? Come on!
As I mentioned earlier, there are several people who I "blog-stalk," in a good way of course, because for most of them I find their entries a source of strength and encouragement. I've also come to realize through them that transparency is a beautiful thing, that is, wearing your heart on your sleeve. Sometimes I tend to clam up when it comes to sharing my own thoughts and opinions, but I think this will be a good way to get rid of my tendency to close myself off.
Well, for a first post, I'd say this is long enough. And besides, after practically being mutilated by my 8AM History 1010 final this morning, I've mysteriously found the motivation to delve into my Spanish material. ;) Half-way there! I will be in the library if you need me!
Have a wonderful day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
