I have this taped up in my room and at the office where I can see it every single day. For me, it is comforting to be reminded of the plain and simple truths. In the complicated lives we lead, through all of the ups and downs, twists and turns, sometimes it helps just to get back to the basics. Sometimes... the basics are all we need.
Every so often, push the chaos to the side, even if just for a moment, and just remember:
My dear child,
I love you (John 15:9). I have called you by name; you are mine (Isaiah 43:1). Before I formed you, I knew you. And before you were born, I consecrated you (Jeremiah 1:5). You did not choose me, I chose you (John 15:16). Because you are precious to me, and honored, I love you (Isaiah 43:4). I have loved you with an everlasting love and I will continue my constant love (Jeremiah 31:3). How can I abandon you? My love for you is too strong (Hosea 11:8). I love you so much that I hung on the cross at Calvary. I died for you, and if you believe in Me, you will have everlasting life (John 3:16). Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Yet even should she forget, I will never forget you. I cannot forget you. I formed you in the palm of my hands (Isaiah 49:15-16). I am with you always until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Do not let you heart be troubled, trust in me (John 14:1). I will help you (Isaiah 41:13) When you pass through the deep waters, I will be with you. Your troubles will not overwhelm you (Isaiah 43:2). When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, do not be afraid because I am with you. My rod and my staff will comfort you. I will lead you in the path of righteousness (Psalm 23). I will give you peace in the midst of a storm. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). The peace I give surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). My eyes are upon you and I will give you hope, for I am merciful (Psalm 33:18). You will have access to my grace and rejoice in hope while sharing in the glory of my Father (Romans 5:2). You may have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice and no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22). Do not worry (Luke 12:9). Even the hairs on your head have all been counted, so there is no need to be afraid of anything (Matthew 10:30). The mountains may depart and the hills will be shaken but my steadfast love for you will never end (Isaiah 54:10). Come unto me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). I will be true and faithful. I will show you constant love and make you mine forever. I will keep my promise, and you will really know me then as never before. I am the Lord your God (Hosea 13:4).
Your Faithful Friend,
Jesus
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, October 8, 2010
Out of my hands
I recently had my hardwood floors refinished. My house was built in the early 50's and judging from the various colors of shag when I moved in, I believe it is safe to say that it had been carpeted since at least the mid 70's. Needless to say... it was time. I was super excited about it, but the process (and when I use the word "process" I mean it in the completely loaded sense of the word) was a LOT more than the roomies and I bargained for. I know, I know, it had to be that way, but... sheesh. My casa was in complete and total disarray, and when my house is in that kind of shape, you can only imagine what my life is like. I had my OCD, there is a place for everything little world rocked. Before the project had even begun, I felt a learning experience looming.
So you can understand... every piece of furniture my roommates and I own was in either my bedroom, one of the three bathrooms, the kitchen, or my side den. (Pictures to follow). They were ripping up floor boards, sanding, tarping, and hammering, yada, yada. After about fifteen minutes of this on that Saturday morning, I decided it was best for me to just go outside and read and blog for the time being. They are professionals, yes, this I know, but when I could not find my keys and my roommate informed me they were hanging from the tarped chandelier in my den, I just had to laugh. The Tuck man and I tried to stay out of the way, but while he was loving the company, I was just simply trying not to think about the disaster that was my house.
This was one of the few times throughout the "flipping of my house" process where the project had to be completely and totally out of my hands. Deep breath. It is hard for me to sit back and watch, to have no control. Like I said earlier, I was banking on it being a learning experience. Patience, trust, faith... I guess we all have to have our world turned upside down once and a while. It keeps things interesting, and usually, for me, it is a much needed reminder that I am not in control. Another deep breath.
While on the subject of things that are out of my control...
Since my last blog I found out that I did not pass my test. Bummer? Yes. Disappointing? Definitely. Pretty hard to stomach? At first. The funny thing is that I have actually surprised myself by how I have handled it. Track record: I do not accept failure very well. Okay, truth? I do not accept it at all. It is not really an option for me... until now or I guess I should say, for now. About half way through I remember telling a friend that this may be the first mountain I can not climb, no matter how hard I study, try, want it. With this hard to swallow realization I decided to take on a mantra for my test and the events surrounding it.
"In His hands. For His plans."
I was praying out loud in my car one day and it just kind of popped out. I liked it. It fit. There were times while studying when I literally had to say it out loud repeatidly to myself as a reminder.
When I found out I did not pass, I could feel myself turning inward, mounting disappointment in myself, embarrassment, anger, resentment, but then I remembered my mantra.
"In His hands. For His plans."
I had been using it all along, so why stop at the most important time to put it into action? It was easy to say and believe when I had not taken the test, but now that I knew I failed it was a lot harder. I had to remind myself... this was when I needed to believe it the most. And, I did. I do. Needless to say, I believe the meaning behind what that phrase means to me has helped me navigate through these past few weeks since my results arrived. Even better, it has become my mantra for life. It is applicable across the board. Go on, test it out...
See what I mean?
After I found out my results, I sent out a text to some friends and family who helped me during the process (there is that word again, "process". I feel like when I write it, it seems to denote a much heavier meaning than what it was designed to. Anyone else? Just me? Sweet.). Anyways, it was nice to see how people responded. Here are just a few...
My mom said, "God humbles us real fast." (Thanks, mom. haha)
My dad said, "Relax, regroup, rejuvenate. Let's do it again." (Dad, always the go getter. Lick your wounds, get over it, and take action. I am sooo much like him it is scary.)
My sister, Erin, said, "Keep trying... it WILL happen. Persistance pays off. Now you can do even better the second go around." (She knows a lot about this. She is chasing her dream and not letting anything or anyone stop her. Her persistance is truly impressive and an inspiration for me.)
My sister, Whitney, said, "Grrr. Well you will be reaaaally prepared next time!!!" (Baby Whit. The comic relief in tough situations. She always makes things more bearable.)
I love people. I love their reactions. I love how you get a glimpse of yourself and how they see you with the things they say. Slowly, very slowly, I am realizing and learning how to deal and cope with the things in life that are completely out of my control... like, ummm, EVERYTHING. Scary thought, I know. There is a grand plan in the chaos of life. There is a plan: this is a very necessary daily reminder to myself that makes the uncontrollable more bearable and increases my ability to sit back and smile, sometimes laugh, at life's little twists and turns. Life is a ride, so why not enjoy it?
Remember: "In His hands. For His plans."
Live. Laugh. Love.
-L
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." -James 1:2-5
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." -Proverbs 19:21
So you can understand... every piece of furniture my roommates and I own was in either my bedroom, one of the three bathrooms, the kitchen, or my side den. (Pictures to follow). They were ripping up floor boards, sanding, tarping, and hammering, yada, yada. After about fifteen minutes of this on that Saturday morning, I decided it was best for me to just go outside and read and blog for the time being. They are professionals, yes, this I know, but when I could not find my keys and my roommate informed me they were hanging from the tarped chandelier in my den, I just had to laugh. The Tuck man and I tried to stay out of the way, but while he was loving the company, I was just simply trying not to think about the disaster that was my house.
This was one of the few times throughout the "flipping of my house" process where the project had to be completely and totally out of my hands. Deep breath. It is hard for me to sit back and watch, to have no control. Like I said earlier, I was banking on it being a learning experience. Patience, trust, faith... I guess we all have to have our world turned upside down once and a while. It keeps things interesting, and usually, for me, it is a much needed reminder that I am not in control. Another deep breath.
This, sadly, was my bedroom for three days.
And this is, wait for it... my kitchen.
What a mess! Let's just say that there was hovering and pacing... lots of pacing.
While on the subject of things that are out of my control...
Since my last blog I found out that I did not pass my test. Bummer? Yes. Disappointing? Definitely. Pretty hard to stomach? At first. The funny thing is that I have actually surprised myself by how I have handled it. Track record: I do not accept failure very well. Okay, truth? I do not accept it at all. It is not really an option for me... until now or I guess I should say, for now. About half way through I remember telling a friend that this may be the first mountain I can not climb, no matter how hard I study, try, want it. With this hard to swallow realization I decided to take on a mantra for my test and the events surrounding it.
"In His hands. For His plans."
I was praying out loud in my car one day and it just kind of popped out. I liked it. It fit. There were times while studying when I literally had to say it out loud repeatidly to myself as a reminder.
When I found out I did not pass, I could feel myself turning inward, mounting disappointment in myself, embarrassment, anger, resentment, but then I remembered my mantra.
"In His hands. For His plans."
I had been using it all along, so why stop at the most important time to put it into action? It was easy to say and believe when I had not taken the test, but now that I knew I failed it was a lot harder. I had to remind myself... this was when I needed to believe it the most. And, I did. I do. Needless to say, I believe the meaning behind what that phrase means to me has helped me navigate through these past few weeks since my results arrived. Even better, it has become my mantra for life. It is applicable across the board. Go on, test it out...
See what I mean?
After I found out my results, I sent out a text to some friends and family who helped me during the process (there is that word again, "process". I feel like when I write it, it seems to denote a much heavier meaning than what it was designed to. Anyone else? Just me? Sweet.). Anyways, it was nice to see how people responded. Here are just a few...
My mom said, "God humbles us real fast." (Thanks, mom. haha)
My dad said, "Relax, regroup, rejuvenate. Let's do it again." (Dad, always the go getter. Lick your wounds, get over it, and take action. I am sooo much like him it is scary.)
My sister, Erin, said, "Keep trying... it WILL happen. Persistance pays off. Now you can do even better the second go around." (She knows a lot about this. She is chasing her dream and not letting anything or anyone stop her. Her persistance is truly impressive and an inspiration for me.)
My sister, Whitney, said, "Grrr. Well you will be reaaaally prepared next time!!!" (Baby Whit. The comic relief in tough situations. She always makes things more bearable.)
I love people. I love their reactions. I love how you get a glimpse of yourself and how they see you with the things they say. Slowly, very slowly, I am realizing and learning how to deal and cope with the things in life that are completely out of my control... like, ummm, EVERYTHING. Scary thought, I know. There is a grand plan in the chaos of life. There is a plan: this is a very necessary daily reminder to myself that makes the uncontrollable more bearable and increases my ability to sit back and smile, sometimes laugh, at life's little twists and turns. Life is a ride, so why not enjoy it?
Remember: "In His hands. For His plans."
Live. Laugh. Love.
-L
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." -James 1:2-5
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." -Proverbs 19:21
Sunday, August 8, 2010
I'm baaaack...
Four highligters, fifteen pens, eight mechanical pencils, five notepads, more than 1,100 hours of my life, and a butt load of mula have been laid to rest which can mean only one thing... I'm finished! Well, hopefully I'm finished. I'm finished for at least the next six to eight weeks until I get my results.
After an excruciatingly long social hiatus full of studying, studying, and well, studying, I am proud to announce that I am finished (for now). For those of you who don’t know, I recently took the test in order to obtain my CFP® designation and prior to those two hellashous days of testing, when I wasn't working I was studying. All day, every day. No joke. I even studied while at the lake for a bachelorette weekend. Talk about miserable. But, it is over, for now. I find out mid-September how I did. If I did not pass (VERY good chance of that) then I will retake it in November. I may have met my match with this one...
Have you ever committed to something, anything, in your life and while smack dab in the middle of it you REALLY want to back out only to realize that you can't? Yeah, that happened to me about fifteen times during my nine month stretch. Panic attacks, nightmares, sleep deprevation, moments of self-doubt, and neck, back, and hand cramps were all a part of the gig. My social life took a major hit since I was only able to attend SOME of the "major" events while the smaller (and just as important) things I was begrudgingly forced to kick to the curb. I became BFF with the local coffee brewery workers seeing as I pretty much kept Starbucks and Poplar Perk'n is business.
Some days I spent roughly sixteen hours at the office working and studying. My butt made permanent imprints in the conference room chairs where I would study at night and on the weekends. Yuck. Our kitchen table found new residents in all my study materials. It was easier to leave them out for the six or so hours I was not using them than to pack and unpack each time. I would study before, during, and after work, on the weekends, in the car (audio flashcards... if I pass, they would be the reason why), and on airplanes. Anyways, you get the picture... my life revolved around studying. I can not imagine what it was like to be in my life or around me during this time. For those of you who were, ya'll are angels.
I find it a little amusing that I had this new found hatred for my life for reasons that I brought on myself. Pretty comical if you think about. I was miserable beyond comprehension and I alone caused it. Funny, right? Okay, maybe not laugh out loud funny, but kind of a smirk, shrug your shoulders funny? Riiight... moving on...
It is a strange thing finishing something that has been the central focus of my life for so many months. It was everything. It had to be. That was the only way I had a shot at it. People called me disciplined. Maybe, but I really think it was derived more from a fear of failure than anything else. (Issues, I know.) I gave it everything I had, mentally, physically, socially, emotionally. I turned off so much of the world around me and sacrificed so many things all in an effort to pass a test that statistically, on a good day, has about a 50% pass ratio. Sheesh. Come on for Pete's sake. Cross your fingers, jump up and down on one foot, turn in a circle while holding a lucky rabbits foot, and say a prayer all at the same time... because I need all the luck I can round up.
I began this uphill battle in late September by making my way through an online course which took five and a half months. Then, I studied on my own for three months which was followed by a cram course in Dallas where for four days, 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. sometimes 6:00 p.m., I was in class… oh yeah, we did get a fifty minute lunch break (woo!). Then, July 16-17, aka D-day, a day which will live in infamy, I took my test. And, ever since then I have been trying to unwind. Side note: it helped that I had bottle of champagne pretty much waiting for me from my co-worker/teammate when I finished my third and final session on Saturday. I think my friends and family are more excited to have this test behind me than I am… cough, cough, Stephanie. I know it was so annoying. Every third word out of my mouth those last three or so months was "study" or some form of it.
Friend: "Lyndsey, what are you doing tonight?
Me: "Studying."
Different Friend: "What are you doing this weekend?"
Me: "What? Outside of studying…? Not sure."
Sister: "Where have you been? In a hole? I haven't talked to you in forever! I hate this test."
Me: "I know. I'm sorry. I will be finished soon. Okay, I love you. I gotta get back to studying."
Sister: "Uh. Terrible."
I could go on forever. From sunrise (literally) to well into the evenings I lived, breathed, ate, and drank the material. Rather bland if you ask me.
Right after the test I didn't know what to do with myself. I had so much free time (in comparison to my pretest life). It was unbelievable. There were moments when I would forget I was finished and think I needed to study. It was so habitual for so long that my body went into a sort of makeshift autopilot, but NO MORE! WOO!
What shall I do with myself now??? Well, for the next month or so until I get my results I am going to partake in nothing but the good stuff! Life as I know it may once again be over when I get those results and realize I have to retake the darn thing, but until then I am going to live it up! What that entails? Weddings, travel, travel, and more travel, reading for pleasure (yay for being back in book club!), laying by the pool, hanging with my family, yada, yada, yada. The sky is the limit.
More to come on all of that...
Until then.
"Committment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than words. It is making time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Committment is the thing character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism."
(My sister sent me that when my test was just a few weeks away. I really liked it. Encouraging words that apply across the board. A "daily triumph of integrity". I just love that.)
After an excruciatingly long social hiatus full of studying, studying, and well, studying, I am proud to announce that I am finished (for now). For those of you who don’t know, I recently took the test in order to obtain my CFP® designation and prior to those two hellashous days of testing, when I wasn't working I was studying. All day, every day. No joke. I even studied while at the lake for a bachelorette weekend. Talk about miserable. But, it is over, for now. I find out mid-September how I did. If I did not pass (VERY good chance of that) then I will retake it in November. I may have met my match with this one...
Have you ever committed to something, anything, in your life and while smack dab in the middle of it you REALLY want to back out only to realize that you can't? Yeah, that happened to me about fifteen times during my nine month stretch. Panic attacks, nightmares, sleep deprevation, moments of self-doubt, and neck, back, and hand cramps were all a part of the gig. My social life took a major hit since I was only able to attend SOME of the "major" events while the smaller (and just as important) things I was begrudgingly forced to kick to the curb. I became BFF with the local coffee brewery workers seeing as I pretty much kept Starbucks and Poplar Perk'n is business.
Some days I spent roughly sixteen hours at the office working and studying. My butt made permanent imprints in the conference room chairs where I would study at night and on the weekends. Yuck. Our kitchen table found new residents in all my study materials. It was easier to leave them out for the six or so hours I was not using them than to pack and unpack each time. I would study before, during, and after work, on the weekends, in the car (audio flashcards... if I pass, they would be the reason why), and on airplanes. Anyways, you get the picture... my life revolved around studying. I can not imagine what it was like to be in my life or around me during this time. For those of you who were, ya'll are angels.
I find it a little amusing that I had this new found hatred for my life for reasons that I brought on myself. Pretty comical if you think about. I was miserable beyond comprehension and I alone caused it. Funny, right? Okay, maybe not laugh out loud funny, but kind of a smirk, shrug your shoulders funny? Riiight... moving on...
It is a strange thing finishing something that has been the central focus of my life for so many months. It was everything. It had to be. That was the only way I had a shot at it. People called me disciplined. Maybe, but I really think it was derived more from a fear of failure than anything else. (Issues, I know.) I gave it everything I had, mentally, physically, socially, emotionally. I turned off so much of the world around me and sacrificed so many things all in an effort to pass a test that statistically, on a good day, has about a 50% pass ratio. Sheesh. Come on for Pete's sake. Cross your fingers, jump up and down on one foot, turn in a circle while holding a lucky rabbits foot, and say a prayer all at the same time... because I need all the luck I can round up.
I began this uphill battle in late September by making my way through an online course which took five and a half months. Then, I studied on my own for three months which was followed by a cram course in Dallas where for four days, 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. sometimes 6:00 p.m., I was in class… oh yeah, we did get a fifty minute lunch break (woo!). Then, July 16-17, aka D-day, a day which will live in infamy, I took my test. And, ever since then I have been trying to unwind. Side note: it helped that I had bottle of champagne pretty much waiting for me from my co-worker/teammate when I finished my third and final session on Saturday. I think my friends and family are more excited to have this test behind me than I am… cough, cough, Stephanie. I know it was so annoying. Every third word out of my mouth those last three or so months was "study" or some form of it.
Friend: "Lyndsey, what are you doing tonight?
Me: "Studying."
Different Friend: "What are you doing this weekend?"
Me: "What? Outside of studying…? Not sure."
Sister: "Where have you been? In a hole? I haven't talked to you in forever! I hate this test."
Me: "I know. I'm sorry. I will be finished soon. Okay, I love you. I gotta get back to studying."
Sister: "Uh. Terrible."
I could go on forever. From sunrise (literally) to well into the evenings I lived, breathed, ate, and drank the material. Rather bland if you ask me.
Right after the test I didn't know what to do with myself. I had so much free time (in comparison to my pretest life). It was unbelievable. There were moments when I would forget I was finished and think I needed to study. It was so habitual for so long that my body went into a sort of makeshift autopilot, but NO MORE! WOO!
What shall I do with myself now??? Well, for the next month or so until I get my results I am going to partake in nothing but the good stuff! Life as I know it may once again be over when I get those results and realize I have to retake the darn thing, but until then I am going to live it up! What that entails? Weddings, travel, travel, and more travel, reading for pleasure (yay for being back in book club!), laying by the pool, hanging with my family, yada, yada, yada. The sky is the limit.
More to come on all of that...
Until then.
"Committment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than words. It is making time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Committment is the thing character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism."
(My sister sent me that when my test was just a few weeks away. I really liked it. Encouraging words that apply across the board. A "daily triumph of integrity". I just love that.)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Just because...
Here is something a little different for those of you who are sick of hearing from me. I just like this. It makes me smile. I hope it will do the same for you gals out there.
Random, I know, but there it is. That is all for now. Good day.
"I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."
-Ira F. Stanphill
"Yet, I want your will, not mine..." Matthew 26:39
Every Woman Should
by Pamela Redmond Satran
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
one friend who always makes her laugh.. and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect... but it's over.....
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table…or a charming Inn in the woods.... when her soul needs soothing...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table…or a charming Inn in the woods.... when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month... and a year...
Random, I know, but there it is. That is all for now. Good day.
"I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."
-Ira F. Stanphill
"Yet, I want your will, not mine..." Matthew 26:39
Monday, May 31, 2010
Remember
What they have done,
where they have been,
what they have seen... endured... experienced...
for us and this country.
Too many to say thank you to each, so I will simply say one big, heartfelt thank you to them all. To the past, present, and future choices of men and women across the country, strong and courageous only begins to describe who they are to all of us. Thank you for doing, acting, being. Just thank you.
Remember...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Ah, The Windy City. It blew me away!
I recently went to Chicago for a few days and I had the best time! I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the nicest hotels in the country. Literally. Look it up. It is called The Peninsula as you can see from the picture. Let me just tell you, my lousy attempt to capture the extravagance of this hotel with my 5GB cell phone camera just does not do it any justice. It is unbelievable. Seriously... unbelievable. You can see a little, but let your imagination go crazy because that is probably closer to how it is than what my pictures show.
I mean, come on. Do you see this bathroom? You could live in it. Surround sound radio and a
television. Lighting and temperature controls in every room (yes, there were rooms) and a huge
television with an iPod dock and all the fixins.
I came in from a meeting and this is what my luggage looked like. They folded my clothes and
organized all my stuff! Then, the next morning I called to get some coffee and this is what showed
up in the guy's arms with my paper of choice. Uh huh. Fancy shmancy... and I like it!
This was the view from my room as I looked out a window which covered one
ENTIRE side of my room. Kinda scary, but totally amazing.
This was the view from our meeting location a few blocks from the hotel.
Equally as impressive if I do say so myself.
The first night we went to the Sears Tower restaurant and lounge on the 95th floor.
This was the view from our table.
Uh huh, I know...
And, THIS was the view from the women's restroom.
There were women of every age and nationality lined up to take pictures with their
friends (and some by themselves) in front of this "royal flush" of a view.
Okay, bad joke...
Oh my heavens, the tulips. Everywhere I looked were the most B-E-A-utiful tulips I have ever seen! Literally! In full bloom, as if frozen in time. Every color in the rainbow. Ashley, a colleague and friend I was with on the trip, kept losing me because I would stop to take pictures (like the awkward and yet completely amazing tourist that I insist on being). She would turn around about a block and a half away and just laugh at me... and then proceed to watch me do the ridiculous half way jog in flip flops with my purse in tote to catch back up. You know the one where you swing your arms faster than you need to in order to look like you are trying harder than you are. This happened about... well, how many pictures do you see??? Exactly...
Pictures do NOT do these flowers justice. They truly were beautiful.
We had a dinner one night at Gibson's Steakhouse. These were the two types of pies that came out for dessert. Delicious does not describe this restaurant. Steak, twice stuffed potatoes, veggies, desserts, and, of course, vino... a must try location if you are in the area.
These dueling pianos and full backup band were the best ever. I requested "Walking In Memphis" and they played it for me... only after making fun of the Southern girl who requested a song about Memphis.
Still totally worth it.
The second picture is of this girl who ask to sing with the band. She got up there and sang a rendition of "New York" that gave Alicia Keys a run for her money. The entire bar was like.. get it white girl!
Oh pizza, my pizza. How do I put into words something that is so angelic on the eyes, so aromatic to the smell, and so mouth wateringly delicious to the taste? One word... Uno's. Founder of the one, the only, Chicago pizza. Holy mess. This pizza is so good, one smell made me feel like I had eaten it before I had even taken a bite. All the world's problems could be solved by just one single slice of this "personal pan pizza", if by personal pan they mean can easily feed three people, maybe four if you get a cup of the minestrone.
By the way, we did. Magically delicious as well.
To sum up, it was a great trip. I love Chicago. It never disappoints.
Until we meet again...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Springtime in M-town
Spring in the Mid-South is one of my favorite times. There is a small gap in the Memphis weather between the blistering cold winter and the scorching hot summer where for a few picturesque weeks the barometer stays in the high 70's to low 80's, a.k.a. perfection in a weather forecast.
Yards receive a makeover as the grass turns a glorious shade of Crayola green and flowers of every color suddenly burst out of their hiding places as if they had been waiting for an eternity. The perfect amount of rain falls which helps illuminate the array of colors already splashed over Memphis' canvas. The ever-present background breeze rustles the leaves in the trees with just enough force to make its presence known.
Bikes and roller blades are pulled from the shadows of dusty garages, the smell of freshly cut grass fills the air, and parents pushing their babies in strollers and dogs dragging their owners take to the sidewalks. Constant driveway car washing is a staple in my neighborhood as I am sure it is elsewhere. Invitations to crawfish boils and cookouts spread far and wide. People try to find things to do outside. We may be one of the unhealthiest cities in the United States, but you wouldn't know it right now.
This is one of my FAVORITES! It is like I told someone recently, you don't have to like crawfish to enjoy a crawfish boil. Like a lot of things in life, it is all about the atmosphere... friends, family, and a good time. And crawfish boils in the spring equal a good time. :)
This is my new toy. Me and my roommate each bought one! I am so excited to start riding!
Maybe it is the fact that we have all been cooped up for much of the winter season, more so this year than in the past seeing as it was unnaturally cold here, but one thing is for certain: everyone is nicer… friendlier… more joyful. Waking up is easier and smiling becomes more natural. More deep breaths are taken, more happy moments are created, and more fond memories are pondered. People wave from the windows of their cars and scream hello, arms flailing, from across the street. It is like a blanket of good mood has been draped across the city affecting everyone who is fortunate enough to be underneath it.
Do you think it is just the way we see things or all about how our surroundings make us feel that causes us to be so much more joyful and different? I think that is part of it, but I also think it is about the actual change. Spring is the refresher season, the clean slate season. It is the season of inspiration. Gorgeous weather makes people feel like they can start anew. I read in a blog somewhere about a "Spiritual Spring Cleaning" that takes place. Maybe that is one of the reasons God created the seasons. As the Earth experiences its different changes, so do we.
Nothing looks the same from one season to the next, and if you think about it, neither do we. A lot happens to us throughout the year. Think about the person you were last year at this time. Think about all that you have gone through, the people you have met, the places you have been, the things you have experienced. Are you the same as you were last spring? I know I'm not.
Nothing looks the same from one season to the next, and if you think about it, neither do we. A lot happens to us throughout the year. Think about the person you were last year at this time. Think about all that you have gone through, the people you have met, the places you have been, the things you have experienced. Are you the same as you were last spring? I know I'm not.
I would be willing to bet you have withered and bloomed, frozen and melted, and changed color quite a few times over the last year. Were there times when you felt like you had everything to offer and times when you felt too lacking or limited to give? Times when you wanted the whole world to know how you felt and times when you wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear? Times of glorious celebration and times of complete grief and mourning?
Yeah, we all have. Good and bad, they have one thing in common. They change us. These "things", i.e. events, people, moments, feelings, come into our lives, stay a while, some longer than we would like, and eventually go. Still, they all change us. It is funny how God works, isn't it? Everything is linked. Such opportunity to grow. Amazing…
Springtime is about change. What is not to love about that?
Go enjoy your season of change.
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly, you settle its furrows; you make it soft with showers, you bless its growth. You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.”
-Psalm 65:9-13
"For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along!"
-Song 2:11-13
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