Dreams, Chipmunks, and Holidays

Jacki asked, “So have you had nightmares yet about unfinished homework?? I went through withdrawal symptoms, and would wake up thinking I had to finish homework.”

Nope, not at all.  I had a two different dreams last night about taking a pair of church kids with me on a trip without their parents’ permission (they were begging me to go, I wasn’t kidnapping them!), but no dreams whatsoever about school or homework.

Brenda said, “Speaking of Enchanted…that is one of our favorites around here too. However, my oldest brother was appalled when the chipmunk pooped! He said Walt would roll over in his grave! I laughed so hard!”

I think it worked fine, but I appreciate more the humor in the dialogue.

Elizabeth, born and raised in NC, said, “Be careful! People in North Carolina generally drive crazy on a day when the sun is out and the road is dry much less cloudy with snow!”

Very good point.

Jennifer commented on my Valentine’s Day post, “This was wonderful. What I hate about Valentine’s Day is what I hate about all holidays – the commercialism (how very Charlie Brown of me). Even for the not so single girl it has become a day of obligation for husbands and boyfriends and a day to “prove” something.

I like your take on the holiday so much more. A focus on Christ enriches EVERYTHING. Makes it what it should be.”

And finally, Khadra is like me: “I used to play the same way as a kid. I would love to do taxes as a career. I have told my husband this before and he thinks I am insane lol!!”

I prefer the term “special.”

Have a great weekend, everyone!  It’s gorgeous here today…I’m about to go on a walk without a coat or jacket!

Titles Don’t Come Easy at This Hour

I’m back.  After time in Chicago, IL, Wichita, KS, and Denison, TX, I’m back in good ole Raleigh, NC.  I love to travel, but really enjoy coming home, too.  Now if everything would just unpack itself…

The return trip was rather uneventful.  Neither of my flights were particularly full.  In fact, I had no one sitting next to me either way.  I have a knack for sitting next to no one, even on a almost-full flight, but it has been a while since I’ve been on a flight that was less than full.  As I was waiting to leave Wichita, I realized that it was incredibly quiet in the terminal, even though there were other people around.  Even the gate agents were whispering to each other.  It was so much different in Chicago!

I could go into the details about everything that I did over the last 10 days, but I don’t want to bore you.  My time at my parents’ primarily consisted of putting together puzzles, sleeping, eating, and watching movies.  My time in Texas consisted of playing with a little girl and getting some good time talking with Dana.  I sure do miss living with her, even though we haven’t in over 3 years.  We would regularly stay up until 2 in the morning talking in our beds.  As much as I did enjoy that time, I don’t think I would ever want to go back to a dorm setting.  I enjoy the quiet of my own bedroom with only one other person in the apartment!

If I continued this post, it would just get rambly.  Actually, it’s already gotten rambly, so I’m going to end it here.  Don’t forget to enter the $50 Target gift card giveaway if you haven’t done so already!

Maybe I Could Celebrate Christmas in 19th Century England

Thanks for your help with bloggy block. Here’s the answers that you’ve been dying to know:

Irish Coffeehouse asks:

What is your favorite Christmas memory? When did you truly, truly understand what Christmas was all about, and how did you that impact your Christmas that year?

Favorite Christmas memory? Wow, that’s a hard one. The thing with traditions is that you do them each year, so they kinda blend together in my mind. I think some of my favorite Christmas memories are the little things: fighting with my dad over which cookies get the sprinkles (he doesn’t like them, and I think I’ve already made my sprinkle stance clear), laughing at my aunt’s story of there being sparkly-things in the air, my grandma asking each year whether we open stockings or presents first, my brother wanting to wake up super-early Christmas morning to open presents but getting stalled by sleepy parents and sister as well as a breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls.

I’ve always been told about the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus being born in a manger. Each Christmas Eve my family reads both the Night Before Christmas and the Christmas story in Luke. But I guess I hadn’t really thought through the meaning behind the well-told Christmas story. It’s not just that some baby was born who would save the world, it’s that God became a man. The miracle of incarnation is what we celebrate at Christmas, and I think only last year was that awesome truth sinking in to my Christmas celebration. To me, it makes Christmas as well-packed with spiritual significance as Easter. I simply can’t get over it.

She asks further:

What are you reading right now? What’s next after that?

I always am reading several books. Right now I’m reading Ender’s Game and am really loving it. I hate to put it down. Thanks, What a Card, for recommending it! I’m also reading David Copperfield which I’m sure will take me a while. I love Dickens in part for his wordiness, but at 800 pages, his books certainly are quick reads. Finally, I’m reading They Were Single Too, a book drawing lessons from 8 single people in the Bible.

Next, uh, I suppose I should know what comes next, but I just started these books. Probably Queen of the Big Time, Atlas Shrugged (hey, this book make David Copperfield look short!), and Night.

Vicki says:
Hmm, Now that I’m being put on the spot to figure out writing topics my mind is blank… Maybe try a limerick or a haiku.

Now, to write a rhyme or two,
Can be something quite silly to do,
Now just for you Vicki,
Not something sticky,
Just a limerick so you won’t sue!

Just as the leaves change
So is my life changing now
I hope I’m ready

Vicki also suggests:

Maybe write about Kansas vs. Carolina… I don’t know.

Kansas vs. North Carolina
  • If this is a basketball match up, Kansas wins. Kansas Jayhawks, 2o08 national champions!
  • If it’s a question of topography, Kansas is an inclined plane while North Carolina is an arm broken out in hives, no flat surfaces anywhere.
  • If it’s a matter of vegetation, Kansas is a prairie while North Carolina is a forest and a beach.
  • If it’s a matter of people, they’re both friendly, but native Carolinians will be friendly with an accent.
  • If it’s a matter of economy, cost of living is much higher in North Carolina.
  • If it’s a matter of BBQ, Kansas does it better: beef brisket vs. vinegar-cured pork.
  • If it’s a matter of the sun’s preference, Kansas is more loved.
  • If it’s a matter of weather, North Carolina’s is simply more mild, with the minor exception of tropical storms and hurricanes.
  • If it’s a matter of me, I call them both home.

Denyse asks:
Sorta pulling from Irish Coffeehouse’s question, but who’s your favorite author? fiction or non?Did you read the Twilight books?

ane Austen is my favorite, but Charles Dickens is close. I’m basically in love with 19th century literature.

I read both fiction and nonfiction, but I find reading fiction more fun.

I did not read the Twilight books and I’m pretty sure I won’t. I don’t particularly enjoy popular books as I love reading classics, and nothing about Twilight is appealing to me (vampires? what? and I don’t care particularly for love stories). None of my RL friends are reading them, so I’m not getting any pressure to, either.

Brenda asks:
If you could celebrate only one holiday which would it be?

Definitely Christmas. It’s my favorite. I think Easter is loaded with meaning and highly important to the Christian faith, but there would be no Easter without Christmas.

Plus, I love giving gifts.

Iva asks:

Do you like chocolate? If so, what is Ronnica’s Chocolate of Choice?

I’ve been remiss! I’m sure you’ve read plenty about my love of Diet Dr Pepper, but chocolate is right up there, too. I eat it way too often. My favorite chocolate is probably Reese’s peanut butter cups, but I enjoy any milk chocolate sans mint. Who wants their chocolate to taste like their toothpaste?

Rhea asks:
What’s your favorite fairy tale and why?

I’m a sucker for fairy tales. I know that some Christians shy away from fairy tales because they often have a magical element in them, but I think they are far less dangerous than many stories told today, because they still retain a clear distinction between good and evil.

Which is my favorite? The Princess and the Pea makes me laugh, because I think that the girl who was so particular that even a small pea under many blankets was unpleasant would be high-maintenance. I’ve always enjoyed Rapunzel, because I like the idea of having extraordinary long hair. But I guess I would have to say that Cinderella is my favorite, because I love the idea of being pulled up out of poverty and cruelty and made a princess. It’s exactly what my God has done for me, except He didn’t need the help of a fairy godmother.

And:
If you had to jump into a book, which one would you choose?

Good question! I’ve already mentioned my obsession with the 19th century, so that’s where I would head, but there’s so many good books in that time period. It’d be good to go to England, because at least I’d know their language, mostly. I think I would have to choose one of Jane Austen’s books because nothing truly terrible befalls any of her characters, and though they are often in want of money, they are all of the upperclass. I think Emma would be a good one since it takes place in the country and I’d be less overwhelmed than if I went to London or Bath.

And Rhea’s last question:
If you could be super talented in one area, what art would you choose? (Singing, painting, writing, playing an instrument, etc)

Definitely writing. I want to be a great writer, as I enjoy it so much. Blogging has definitely improved my writing skills as has all those papers I’ve written for school, but I hope to work on my creative writing now that I’m finishing up school. If I could do any profession for a living, it would be to be a writer.

hi-d asks:

Did your mom have you make crafts or ornaments for Christmas when you were a kid? IF so, what are your memories of that time together making them? And did you ever believe in Santa or were you raised without that?

Yes! I specifically remember 3 crafts. One year we made candy canes out of pipe cleaners and beads; I think they still go on the tree. Every year for about 8 or 10 years we painted little clear bulbs, writing on them and dating them. I still have mine in my Christmas decorations. Lastly, my brother and I each made Christmas paper chains that we added onto each year. It’s hilarious to see the differences over the years in our skill in making such a chain. I used to make fun of my brother for how bad his chain looked early on. We still put these chains on the tree.

I was raised with Santa, but I don’t think my parents really emphasized him. I know that I never believed in him and got in trouble in my preschool class for telling others that he didn’t exist. Santa’s probably my least favorite part about Christmas now, particular for the line “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…” Uh, no he doesn’t, but GOD does!

Mrs. Mouthy asks,
How about your most embarrassing moment ever? Or if you could choose a moment in life that really defines you, what would it be?

Most embarrassing moment? Fortunately I haven’t had too many. Maybe I don’t embarrass easily, I don’t know. I think I probably was most embarrassed when I didn’t know what to do on stage at my high school graduation when I was called as the salutatorian. We had like 5 or something at our school, and for whatever reason, my name was called first even though it wasn’t first alphabetically. The reason why I didn’t know what to do was that I had missed rehearsal for a science competition. I would have figured out what to do if they had only called someone else first so I could mimic them, but they didn’t. So it was rather embarrassing to be meander around stage in front of 360 fellow graduates and their family and friends.

A moment that defines me? Ooh, good question. Fortunately, it’s not the moment above! I think that a moment that defines me is not only my initial step of faith when I was 10, but the step towards obedience when I was 18. It was at that moment (whenever it was, not exactly sure), that I made the comment to follow my Savior all my days.

Fellow Sooner, Angela asks:
Am I crazy to think Bob Stoops is good looking? and Do you think OU will pass Texas and make it to the Big XII championship game?

Oh no, you’re not crazy. Bob Stoops is good looking. Not movie-star good looking, but nonetheless not bad to look at.

I do think that a win over OSU this week will put us past Texas in the BCS. I’m hoping that A&M will beat Texas on Thanksgiving to relieve the pressure. Of course I want us to go to the Big XII Championship game (and to the national championship game), but the real reason I want us to go to a BCS game is that I mistakenly scheduled my flight back to North Carolina during the Cotton Bowl. Oops.

Bama-obsessed JenEfer (that’s how I say in my head; I don’t know why) wants to know my:
Favorite childhood snack that you STILL have to have today… even if it is just at “comfort food” times.

Cheez-its. Totally fits that description. I don’t eat them very often, but I love to get them every once in awhile. Something else that isn’t a snack food per se is mashed potatoes. I’ll be getting some of those this weekend!

She also asks:
Do you ever find it hard to be a Christian?

Yes. There was one point my senior year of college I thought about walking away. I think more than anything, it scared me that I could even think this thought. At other times, I’ve found it hard to be a Christian because I’d just want to be selfish and just live for me.

I praise God that He’s not allowed me to walk away, and even when I’ve strayed, He’s kept me on a short leash and lead me home.

And:
If you could have one thing under the Christmas tree (and I mean material thing here… not world Peace wrapped up with a big bow) what would it be?

No, I just want world peace. =) Okay, that’s not true. I’d love a laptop sitting right under that tree (or in my lap for birthday or graduation since they come first). It would be integral for me since I want to work on my writing.

And finally:
If you were ever coming to Alabama, would you look me up (lie if you have to)?

Well, you’re obviously wanting a certain answer here, so I guess I’ll give it to you. Of course I’d look you up. I’m about 98% certain that’s not a lie. Sadly, I’m also about 98% certain that I won’t be in Alabama anytime soon.

Thanks, all! Those were some good questions!

————————————————————————–

I’m thankful that this is the last workday of the week and first thing tomorrow morning I’ll be on my way to Kansas!

My Favorite Comments from My Day in the Sun

Instead of rambling on like normal, I’m going to let you do the talking around here. Here’s what you said…

Gramma 2 Many:
“If you saw what the boiled them (peanuts) in, you would NEVER eat them!”
Umm. No thanks!

Joyfulsister:
“I have never seen that name before,”
Yep, my parents pretty much made it up.

Brenda Jean:
“Thanks for the tour Kansas, I’m mean Oklahoma, no North Carolina girl. BAHAHAHA The acorn party favor was fabs, I’ll add it to my collection:)”
Thanks for mentioning the party favors that I labored hours on…

Rachel (a former NC resident):
“What do you mean the mountains are merely okay? “
Umm, they’re merely okay, they don’t stand up to the Rockies, who would want to go to the mountains when they can go to the beach…(okay, I know that some people would!)

Caution Flag:
“I’m going to have to read about boiled peanuts. Thought they sounded good when we were down there a while back, but didn’t try them. “
Close brush, but you made it through!

Jen (a bloggy friend):
“You REALLY won’t believe this…The other night, I found the Blog Around the World site. Then last night, I noticed that you had their icon on your blog. I wanted to visit them again this morning and look what I find!”
That’s cool! Join the club!

Lynda (another bloggy friend:
“As you know, I already “haunt” your place regularly, but it’s nice to read about NC. You forgot Andy and Barney ;-)”
Yes, this blog is haunted. And I don’t like to flaunt my ignorance of classic television.

Lizzy (another North Carolinian):
“Alight missy… I’m gonna have to disagree a smidge with the “Mountain are just okay”… I think they’re gorgeous!!!!! I love living in them…”
See previous comments. Maybe they’re not “just okay” but “just okay” for mountains? Can I get off the hook then?

The Hultman’s:
“I’ve never been to North Carolina but I have been to South Carolina. Are you guys friends? “
More like siblings, with all the rivalry but similarities.

Elizabeth (ANOTHER North Carolinian, and a native one at that):
“Hey! You should give the NC mountains more of a chance! They are beautiful in the fall and there are some beautiful waterfalls hidden away. It’s a hefty hike to get to them, but it’s totally worth it. And the smell is awesome!”
Seems like many disagree with me! That smell is the smell of my allergies. And hiking? Forget it. I’d rather lay around on a beach.

Lula:
“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Ronnica in the house! OK, I’m lame when it comes to the slang. But I can rhyme at times. I’ll stop now.”
Nothing like a funny comment to mix things up a bit!

Staci:
“So…dare I ask where you went to school in Oklahoma??? OU???? I do love my Sooners :)”
Me too! This is the first time I’ve found a Sooner in the blogosphere I didn’t already know.

“The Nice One” (must be in quotes, you’ll see why in a sec):
“Uh oh…a SOONER? That’s where we may be in trouble. H**k ‘em H*rns ;)”
Sorry for the censoring. But there may be young children around. We can’t have them hearing such burnt orange nonsense!

Erin (a RL friend):
“wow – you are so blogmous… that was my attempt to combine blog and famous. =)”
That’s my Erin…always making up words! I like it.

Joy in the Burbs:
“Ok, Ya’ll are not giving boiled peanuts a fair shake. I LOOOVVVEE Them. Come on BATW girls open your taste buds to a new experience. You’ll be glad you did.”
Hey, I tried them with an open mind, and I still thought they were gross.

Aubrey (a bloggy friend):
“From one Husker gal to another…Oh Wait. That’s right…”
Yeah, I AM right.

Sooz:
“I am now really glad I am allergic to peanuts :).”
Haha!

Mrs. X (a bloggy friend):
“I love, love, love reading your blog. You have the greatest stories and you always chose the best words to tell them with. Enjoy your day in the spotlight, you deserve it. :)”
Thanks!

Shell:
“I read the post on why you a virgin. Thought it was wonderful and brave of you to share your deepest part of yourself in your blog. Hugs to you.”
Hugs always accepted!

Carabee:
“I have a real problem with UNC though, namely that traitor Roy. Grrr.”
So does my family! I always liked him at KU, and was so happy when he didn’t go to UNC the first time his dream job was offered to him. But the second time? He’d have been a fool to turn it down! Who turns down their dream job TWICE???

Welcome to North Carolina!

Welcome to North Carolina, all you BATWers!
(click the button if you don’t know what I’m talking about.)

I’m excited to be able to welcome you all to North Carolina. Now, you may be confused about why I, the Kansas Girl, am welcoming you to North Carolina. The simplest explanation is that this is where I am! I moved here 3 years ago, and now it looks like I’m here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. I originally came up with this blog title when I started blogging (back then I used xanga) right before leaving college in Oklahoma. Confusing, no?

Okay, okay, now I’m boring you and wasting my opportunity to show you around the lovely state of North Carolina (true natives would say “Noth Care-line-a,” light on the “r”). I’ve thought about what to say about North Carolina. It’s the South, you know, and I’m not a Southerner, so I’ve had a few things to say. Like why boiled peanuts should not be consumed. And funny things that Southerners say. Oh, and I can’t forgot the time that I found a confederate flag license plate at the DMV. Good times, good times. But really, I’m not painting it in as pretty colors as it deserves.

Here are a few random things it’s good to know about North Carolina:

  • We love our basketball. Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, or North Carolina State, it doesn’t matter. It’s all good here. Definitely a quality that a Kansas girl can appreciate (though I root for a different team, *ahem* the National Champion Jayhawks *ahem*).
  • North Carolina has both mountains and beach. The mountains are merely okay, but the Outer Banks are wonderful. It’s like a whole new world out there. (Cue music now.)

  • I live in Raleigh, the state capital. It’s known as the “City of Oaks.” We have a lot of trees. Something I wasn’t used to. On New Year’s they drop a giant acorn instead of a ball.

Enough about North Carolina. I feel like I’m not doing it justice. Let’s talk about me! I’m a single gal, so there’ll be no tripping over toys in my living room. I’m in my last semester of grad school, so you might be tripping over books instead. Speaking of books, I love to read. Too much, probably. I also love to write (hence the blog), laugh, and talk to others about my faith.

Feel free to take a look around. Thanks for stopping by, and please take an acorn party favor on your way out!

Landing in Enemy Territory

I never get the paper, but last Sunday I did, to get some coupons that were in it. I didn’t take the time to read the paper (except for the Comics, can’t skip those!), but something caught my eye:

Aerial Delivery Goes Awry

It seems that UNC wanted to kick off the season by having parachute jumpers land in the stadium with the game ball. Due to bad weather, miscommunication, and poor judgment, the parachute jumpers were dropped off at the wrong stadium.

The stadium of UNC’s big rival, Duke. I’ve been trying to make a spiritual analogy out of this, but really, this is just a funny story in and of itself.

I laugh because the story says that the jumpers knew “only when they landed in [Duke's stadium] that they were in the wrong place.” Their slow descent into the stadium, where they could see the fans decked in the team colors, apparently didn’t give it away because there were few/no fans there an hour before their game. The ACC just doesn’t do football like other, Bigger (ahem) conferences.

Have a wonderful, restful, worshipful, and re-energizing Sunday!

Where Should the Confederate Flag Fly?

I have several serious, thought provoking things to write here, but here’s a question for you…is it a bad idea to write about such a subject on a Friday? Is it a rule for Friday posts to be casual like the attire and attitudes? Will anyone read it if I post my cure for the common cold or my recipe to end world hunger?

Well, I think I’m going to go for it. The last time I wrote a serious post was for Earth Day. I’ve let another whole holiday (May Day) pass since then without causing my readers to think. I think you all deserve better, so here goes.

Yesterday I went to get my North Carolina tag, which was a relatively smooth, painless process. I love when our government works like it should. There was just one thing that rubbed me the wrong way about the whole process. Inside the office, there were vanity plates on all the walls for sale. I was already a little on edge, as I don’t think the government should be in the business of selling things, but then I spot a plate that offended me.

They, the state government of North Carolina, were selling a plate with the Confederate flag on it.

I don’t like the Confederate flag. While I support someone’s right to use it to express free speech, I don’t agree with what it stands for. I’ve never received what I would consider a good answer from anyone as to why they find pride in it. When I look at a Confederate flag, I think about someone who takes pride in rebelling against their country and oppressing and enslaving minorities. That’s nothing to be proud of. While a Confederate flag could also express Southern pride (or “hubris” as my Civil War professor would say) and states’ rights, these are overarched with the bigotry and rebellion associated with the flag in the past. While the person flying the Confederate flag may think they are representing these better aspects of Southernism, they are really proclaiming to the world their endorsement of the bad with the good.

I don’t care if a store sells Confederate memorabilia. If people buy it, why wouldn’t they sell it? While it bugs me every time I see it, it also bugs me to see T-shirts with profanity on them. It’s just that the government has no right selling Confederate memorabilia. Period. I would question their role in selling anything whatsoever, but that’s another post.

I hope I’ve made myself very clear in this post. I’m not trying to suppress free speech. I don’t think that Confederate vanity plates should be banned. I just don’t like the idea of my state government selling them. That’s not something I want my tax dollars supporting.

So, what do you think? Am I totally off-base here? Is this just something I’ll have to live with now that I live in the South? Is there another way of looking at this that I simply don’t see? I would love to hear your honest, civil opinions on this issue, regardless of whether you agree with me or not!

A Tale of North Carolina Girl

Hello all! This is the Kansas Girl’s roommate. I have the responsibility of blogging while she is gone for the weekend. As I contemplated what in the world to say, I thought of the above title: “A Tale of a North Carolina Girl.”So here it goes…
While I say that I am a “North Carolina Girl,” that is only partially true. I was born in Gainsville FL, moved to Rock Hill SC when I was 5, moved to Reidsville NC when I was 11, moved to Greensboro NC when I was 16, traveled a bit, moved to the Raleigh area when I was 26 and will move to a different part of the Raleigh area when I am 28. You might ask (or you might not) why I’ve moved so much. The short answer is that my dad has been a pastor for most of my life and is currently a Messianic Congregation leader…
Which brings me to why I am here, studying at seminary and rooming with the “Kansas Girl.” I was raised in a traditional Christian family and for the most part, simply accepted the theology and the traditions that went along with it. When God began to work in my dad’s heart, giving him a love for Israel and for the Jewish people, I began to question: What do I believe? Why do I believe what I believe? Are the beliefs and traditions I hold Biblical? Where, God, do you want me? So here I am and it’s a good place to be. I’m grateful… grateful for a patient God, grateful for being single and having the time to study, grateful for my parents who challenge me, grateful for the many people and books God has put in my life, and yes, grateful for my two wonderful roommates! :)
So that, my friends, is where I’ve been and where I am now… thanks for reading! :)
Until tomorrow,
The North Carolina Girl

100 Things for the 200th Post

I never wrote a 100 things post for my 100th post so I thought that I’d do so now as a part of my 200th post! It also goes conveniently with NaBloPoMo Lists.

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!

No Longer a Kansas Girl

Today I heard for the last time, “So which one of these is your first name?” Yes, I traded in my Kansas driver’s license with it’s last-name-first-without-comma for a North Carolina driver’s license.
Honestly, I was kinda nervous about all this. It was difficult coming up with all the documents required to verify that, yes, I do have insurance, and yes, I am a resident of North Carolina. I also knew that I might be required to taking a driving test, something I’ve never done before.
They liked all my documents just fine (except for the Kansas license that always gives trouble), and no driving test was required. I’m very thankful!
The only questions I missed was the sign for “do not pass” (conveniently did not contain the words…and no, I don’t see that sign regularly in my city driving) and the questions about the state’s DWI policies. I don’t drink, so I didn’t bother reading the section of my driver’s booklet dealing with it.
So, I’ve learned that North Carolina doesn’t like people who pass illegally or drive drunk. Got it.