1. I’m no longer a student. This is an obvious change to pick. When I graduated in December of 2008, I thought I was going to really miss being a student. I love to learn, and up into that point, I always found a lot of identity in being a good student. Turns out, I don’t really miss it. I do get a little bit of jealous when someone talks about syllabi and reading assignments, but I’m really glad I can make up my reading schedule for myself.

2. I now think of myself as a grown up. I’m only 28, so when I started blogging I was 23, a year out of college. Still, I felt like a kid, perhaps because I was still a student or perhaps because I was still in the in-between place between being in my parents’ home and being on my own. Some point between then and now, I realized I was an adult (said with the emphasis on the first syllable). Perhaps it was when children stopped mistaking me for a teenager…

3. I’ve gained a sister. I love that when my brother married Amanda last year, he brought her into our family forever. She’s become one of my closest friends, and my only regret is that we don’t live closer. Seventeen and a half hours (just Googled it) is a little too long to drive for lunch.

4. I’ve quit my (Diet) Dr Pepper habit. Okay, so I still drink it. Just not as much, and not as often. I only drink one a couple of times a week and only usually finish half of my drink. Actually, when I started blogging 5 years ago, I was still drink regular, even. I never thought this was something I’d want to give up, but I’m glad I have. This may seem trivial to put on this list, but it’s one of those things that everyone knows about me.

5. I’ve gone from seminary housing to living in a townhouse. I’m still renting, but I’ve made 2 big steps up, first to a nicer apartment with a larger bedroom and my own bathroom, and now to the townhouse where I basically have my own floor.

So, if I was Oprah and able to give each of you one of each of my favorite things, I’d give you:

A party pack of LipSmackers

I wouldn’t like to say that I need anything beyond God, His Bible, and the basics like food and water, but this may be the closest a want gets to a need in my life. Petty, I know, but if I don’t have a LipSmacker on me, it distracts me until I can get my hands on one.

A Pair of My Mom-made Flannel Pajama Bottoms

Mom, you better get sewing! Sorry for the awful picture, but I took it just now. Seriously though, they’re my favorites, which is obvious as I spend half my life in them.

A 5-Color Pack of Uniball Vision Pens

I don’t have reason to write much any more, but when I do, it’s with one of these pens (or occasionally with a black one). They’re 100% faithful…in the dozens that I’ve used and used up, the only time they ever stop working even one bit is when they’re out of ink. And you can’t fault them that one…I use and use and use them!

A Big Box of Kix

It could be any of half a dozen cereals, but this week I’ve been craving Kix, so that’s what it’d be if I had to choose today. I eat a bowl of cereal with milk every evening as my late night snack. A little bit sweet and calms my acid reflex when it is most likely to act up.

A Barnes and Noble Nook Preloaded with Radical by David Platt

Love my Nook! And if I could only give you one book on it, it’s be Radical. Seriously, if you haven’t read it, you should. And I do realize the irony of mentioning that in this post.

A Gilmore Girls complete set

My all-time favorite show. I’ve seen each episode at least twice…or is it three times?

And last but not least…

A Case of Diet Dr Pepper

Yes, of course it’d make the list!

So, would you go home happy?

Disclosure: I received no product or compensation of any kind for this post. Everything on this list was added because I truly enjoy it.

a.) I did want to take the 8:30-5:30 shift (working 1/2 hour earlier) that was offered me over a month ago.

b.) I am ready to commit to getting healthy instead of just thinking/talking/putting it off.

For me, these two decisions go hand-in-hand.  In the 4 years I’ve been working the same hours (and to think before that my shifts changed DAILY), I’ve gotten lazy, taking more time than needed in the morning.  This just wasn’t cutting it.  I’m all for relaxing, but dragging out what should take 30-60 minutes into an 1 1/2 hours, sometimes even more, is ridiculous.  I just simply wasn’t starting off the day on the right foot.

So as I was thinking about building better habits into my life, I realized that if I changed my schedule, I could have a new start at better starts to my day.  So far I’ve done this twice, and I’m enjoying it.  Working earlier does mean a little more traffic, but getting home earlier (and to bed earlier!) helps me be a happier and–along with the other changes in my life–healthier person.

The big commitment I made Monday was to join SparkPeople.  I’ve been contemplating it for ages and have heard good things about it, but I just took the plunge.  I love that it allows me to easily track my meals (most foods’ nutritional information is pre-loaded into the system already), track my exercise, and track my water consumption.  There are plenty of encouraging/informative articles and things too (some are a little too just-love-yourself-more for my taste).

Isn't my water bottle cute? Bonus: it's better for the environment than those dumb styrofoam cups!

I’ve been doing this for a couple of days now, and though it’s a bit premature, I think it’s going to work for me.  It appeals both to my competitive nature (you can earn points and it keeps track of “streaks”–how many days in a row you’ve done your self-selected goals) and my visual, analytical side (it makes graphs for you).  I also like how it’s not pushing me…my beginning goals are each day to go for a walk, write in my journal, eat 2 fruits/veggies, sleep 8 hours/night, and drink half my weight in ounces (which is umm, a lot!).  These were pretty much my goals before, I just am now getting visual accountability for them.

While I need to lose weight, my real goal is to be healthy.  I’ve been overindulgent, and when I am overindulgent in one area of my life, I am in all areas of my life.

As an out-of-the blue bonus of these changes?  Don’t tell anyone, but I didn’t “need” a Diet Dr Pepper in the afternoon the last 2 days (though I still drank one on Tuesday, anyway)!  That’s a habit I’ve had for almost half my life…

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago: In my freshman year of high school and just learning how to drive.

Five things on my to-do list today:
Watch basketball (a big priority)
Watch KU win (again, a priority)
Get some work work done
Post a blog post
Read for Old Testament and New Testament.

Snacks I enjoy:
Diet Dr. Pepper (you might not think of it as a snack, but those commercials are true)
Easter candy (Snickers eggs and Reese’s eggs have the exact correct proportion of filling to chocolate)
Anything else chocolate
Peanut butter and crackers (at least it’s better for me than chocolate)
Cheez-its

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Visit friends throughout the world and see lots of other places
Set up some sort of charitable foundation (this would be super exciting to me…I love giving things away!)
Build a modest-sized house that had a library, a large kitchen, a jacuzi tub, and the perfect place to read a good book
Forget about work, and instead opt for volunteering my time

Three of my bad habits:
Drinking too much caffeine
Drooling while I sleep (but how can I stop it? is it really a habit or just gross?)
Sitting on my legs (I’ve always done this, but it makes them fall asleep)

Five places I have lived:
Wichita, KS
Norman, OK
Raleigh, NC
To get to 5 I have to include:
Phoenix, AZ (for a summer)
Turkey (for a summer)

Five jobs I’ve had:
Cashier at Walmart
Secretary
Babysitter
Tutor
Fundraiser for OU by phone

Five people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!):
(I’m tagging new bloggy friends or one who is new to blogging so I can get to know you better, so don’t feel pushed to particpate)
Eve
Morgan
Brenda
Jen (my new bloggy friend)
Jen (my old real-life friend)

I hope that you enjoyed the posts by my roommates April (the Longfellow quoting girl) and Dori (the North Carolina girl) the last two days. You should leave them a comment so that they’ll feel loved (and maybe even consider getting a blog of their own!). I love that my roommates were willing to venture out into the blogosphere on my behalf and didn’t post what they had threatened. That said, I should probably only say nice things about them (which is easy), since they now know how to post on my blog!

Here’s an overview of what happened (based on the list of what I said would happen):

1. We ate Mexican food (and BBQ!).

2. I drank 2 vanilla Diet Dr. Peppers from Sonic. Heaven in a straw.

3. We laughed a lot. At ourselves and others.

4. Dana did several things that made me think that she’s crazy. I’m sure she came to that same realization about me, too. That’s just part of why I love her.

5. Actually, except for last night we got a good amount of sleep. I slept 10 HOURS on Friday night in a comfy bed. Simply wonderful.

6. We did have some good discussions.

7. Characters were met. I felt like I was right at home meeting her friends, since I had heard so much about them. Makes me wonder what they had heard about me before I came…

8. Our friendship was renewed.

It was just the perfect break weekend that helped energize me for the weeks of studying ahead. Thanks, Dana!

1. Mexican food will get eaten. I’m not even sure I have the grammar right on that sentence, but you know that I have to have Tex-Mex while I’m there. The Mexican around here leaves something to be desired. As does the BBQ, but I don’t know if we’ll be going for that or not.

2. Dr. Pepper (and diet) will be drank. It’s a passion of ours. I plan on stopping by Sonic and getting a refreshing vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper. Ah.

3. We will laugh. A lot. This should go without saying.

4. Dana will do something that will make me realize that she’s crazier than I thought. I’m bound to do something as well that’ll betray my low level of sanity; I just don’t plan on bragging about that. Last year I (almost) walked into the door at Walmart because I wasn’t following the “Do Not Enter” sign.

5. Sleep will be scarce. We used to stay up until 2AM talking. I don’t know if we’ll stay up as late now, but there’s a good chance of it.

6. Serious discussions about faith and life will be had. That’s what I love most about Dana: her pursuit of truth in every aspect of her life is so convicting. While we do have a ton of fun together, we also talk through all the things that are going on in our lives.

7. Characters will be meet. I don’t know if it’s fair to call people that I haven’t met yet characters, but I’ll be a character they are meeting, so I guess we’re even. The only person who is (apparently) not a character is Dana herself.

8. A friendship will be continued and the friends renewed!

I’m heading out to Texas for the weekend and won’t be posting again until Monday. I’ve arranged for my roommates, the lovely April and Dori to fill in for me. I gave them very few restrictions, so I have NO IDEA what they’ll post. I’m sure it will be a good laugh by all!

1. I was born in good ole Wichita, Kansas.

2. Recently I was asked what there is to see in Kansas. I couldn’t think of even one thing.

3. Regardless, I think there is nothing prettier than a Kansas wheat field at harvest time as the sun is setting.

4. I went to college at the University of Oklahoma (Boomer! Sooner!).

5. My brother’s dog is named Boomer. It was the name that he had when he picked him up from the Humane Society. I attribute the fact that he didn’t change his name to his love of his sister and her school.

6. I got a degree in history with a minor in Spanish.

7. I would have been fluent in Spanish if only I opened my mouth and used it more.

8. I still know a lot of Spanish, but it is sadly fading. Something to work on, to be sure.

9. While at OU, I lived in the dorms all 4 years. This is where many of my favorite memories happened.

10. I also have many memories related to the Baptist Student Union, which was a big part of my life.

11. My college roommate, Dana, and I still meet up about 3 times a year though I live in NC and she lives in Texas.

12. I’ve lived in North Carolina for over 2 1/2 years.

13. The hardest things to get used to were the hills and the trees. North Carolina makes up for what Kansas lacks in these areas.

14. My relationship with Jesus Christ is the main focus of my life, or at least I work at making it that.

15. I started following Christ when I was 10.

16. I had a renewed interest in pursuing the things of the Lord and really grew in my walk with the Lord in college.

17. When I was a junior in college, I started considering pursuing further Christian training by going to seminary.

18. What sealed the deal for me was hearing someone say at a conference that if you are single and able, you should consider a seminary education.

19. I work at a company that does financial education and credit counseling.

20. I started out as a secretary, but now am a “development associate.”

21. I basically do whatever no one else wants to do.

22. Right now that means doing a lot of tax returns

23. I attend seminary, where I’m getting a masters in Christian Ministry.

24. I will not be a preacher.

25. I graduate in December.

26. I’m taking a hard load of classes this semester: Old Testament, New Testament, Baptist history, and philosophy.

27. I enjoy philosophy the most, because it makes me think.

28. I don’t know what I’ll be doing when I graduate, but right now I plan on staying in the Raleigh area, working to pay off school debt.

29. I attend an awesome church which is the main reason I’m not in a hurry to leave this area.

30. Working with the older girls in Awana is the highlight of my week.

31. Each week is exciting and different, but I enjoy the challenges and the triumphs.

32. I also love the adults at church and have enjoyed getting to know many of the ladies.

33. I want to be like several of them when I grow up.

34. My parents were very young when they had me (22), so they are still young.

35. My brother is only a year and a half younger than me, so of course he’s young too.

36. He got his first job before me (by only a few weeks) and has gotten his first real job before me, too.

37. My favorite colors are blue and brown, though I also like purple and green.

38. My room is decorated in hot pink, but not for much longer.

39. I love to read.

40. Nineteenth century Russian literature is my favorite sub-genre.

41. I also like British works such as Tom Jones and anything by Charles Dickens or Jane Austen.

42. I’ve yet to find an American author I can enjoy in the same way, though Edith Wharton comes close.

43. I’m also not as much a fan of more recent writing.

44. I also enjoy a good movie.

45. I love romantic comedies (especially those with Hugh Grant).

46. My favorite movies are the Pirates trilogy, the Ocean’s trilogy, and Mansfield Park.

47. Thanks to my new schedule, my best hours for getting work/studying done are between 7 and 10 in the morning and 7 and 10 in the evening.

48. I’m not overly creative, but I like to think that I have an “eye” for things.

49. I’m actually not a horrible drawer like I used to think I was, but I do have to look at a picture/drawing of something in order to draw it.

50. Unless it’s a person, and then you can forget it.

51. Growing up, I played piano for 4 years, clarinet for 8 years, marimba for 4 years, and tenor sax for 2.

52. I haven’t forgotten how to read music, but when I’m working with the boys I babysit, I forget the names for the various things. I just remember what they mean.

53. Though I’ve focused my studies on history and theology, I actually have more natural talent for math and science.

54. I quit pursuing math when I was taking linear algebra and realized that I would totally be okay without taking another math class again.

55. As much as I loved math, I never thought I’d reach that point.

56. Then I realized that I could be just as passionate about history as I was about math.

57. But not just as good.

58. I tended to get B’s in history in college, and that trend has continued in seminary.

59. My favorite history classes were South American colonial history, colonial (U.S.) America, and the Civil War.

60. I especially loved the fact that we never studied the goings-on of the battles in Civil War history. That would have been boring.

61. My favorite seminary classes were my church history classes (makes sense, doesn’t it?) and biblical counseling.

62. The biblical counseling has totally changed my walk with God as well as how I approach problems in my life and the lives of those around me.

63. I have a melancholy choleric temperament, if you know what that means.

64. I’m an INTJ on the Myers-Briggs.

65. I like to say that I could live as a hermit, just me, my books, and a pen and paper, but after about a day like that I get kinda lonely.

66. One of my greatest desires right now is to have a reading chair with ottoman in my room.

67. This will require me to have a larger room, which I’m working on.

68. Via apartment hunting, not construction.

69. I also have a strong aversion to overhead lights.

70. Especially florescent lights.

71. I’ve been called a vampire because of my preference for low light.

72. To me, it’s just more homey.

73. I’m a compolsive email checker.

74. I also am very faithful to checking the snail mail (though only once a day).

75. I cry easily and at any emotion.

76. Most often I cry from laughing too hard.

77. When I’m upset, I have a hard time expressing myself because of the tears.

78. Occassionally I cry for no reason at all.

79. Other times, I want to cry but can’t.

80. I struggle with pride in my own accomplishments and abilities, as if I somehow earned them.
81. “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:4, NASU

82. I love to laugh and play games, especially Mafia, Apples to Apples, ImagineIff, and this Pictionary/telephone game that I learned in Turkey.

83. I don’t like games like King Elephant, Calling All Vegtables, and Hide ‘n’ Seek.

84. I love to write and receive letters, but tend to not make time for it as much as I should.

85. I don’t like surprises and prefer to open a gift when the giver isn’t watching…I don’t do a good job of expressing my appreciation on my face.

86. I don’t like cut flowers, but do enjoy them in the garden.

87. Fresh cut grass makes me sneeze.

88. I was crazy afraid of all non-human faces as a child: toys that moved, animals, and people in costumes or masks.

89. I still don’t like any of those much.

90. Because I was so scared of animals as a child, I never realized until about a year ago that I’m allergic to cats.

91. Which is sad, because cats are about the only animals I can tolerate.

92. I prefer summer to winter.

93. I prefer Diet Dr. Pepper to any other drink.

94. I love Coldstone, particularly cake batter ice cream with chocolate chips.

95. I used to be militant in calling soft drinks “pop,” but anymore you’ll more likely hear “soda” come out of my mouth.

96. I’m trying to learn that my way is not always the best one.

97. I have more interests than I have time.

98. I prefer my room to be neat and orderly, but don’t care much if it’s clean.

99. I’m not sure I’ve dusted more than once since moving in in September.

100. I make my bed everyday as the first thing I do.

Whoa, that was way harder than it looked! I hope that gave you some insight into who I am!

7. I forget to listen to those with whom I’m talking.

6. I somehow still remember not to end a sentence with a preposition, though it’s not a grammar rule I’m particularly fond of. =)

5. My body feels like it is falling apart while exercising (and very well may be).

4. I can’t think of more than 8 ways being low on sleep affects me.

3. I drop words speech and writing.

2. The professors talk too fast for me to take notes.

1. Diet Dr. Pepper tastes like water.