10 Things That Are Always Funny

So, it was recently suggested to me to get back into my list-making posts and try to conquer 10 Things That Are Always Funny. To be honest, this has been a real challenge, but here is what I have come up with (in no particular order):

1. Chubby kids with Southern Accents (please click here).
2. Mullets, rat tails, and other such hair phenomena...enough said.
3. Phineas and Ferb. I didn't think Disney could top Dave the Barbarian, but alas, they have and this show makes me laugh every time.
4. When the whiny or annoying kid gets hurt, not seriously hurt, but just a little hurt.
5. High school boys trying to lift too much weight at the gym.
6. Horrible wedding night stories.
7. Poorly thought out and cheaply made reality television (i.e. Conveyor Belt of Love and Hell Date)
8. Catching someone picking their nose in their car (extra funny if you see them eat it).
9.People running with backpacks.
10. Son-in-Law starring Pauly Shore (although, this choice could be influenced by the fact I am watching this movie right now for at least the 50th time)

It's Nice to Know Somethings Never Change

Like sitting around a campfire. It will always bring about laughter, good conversation, and strolls down memory lane that will stir up something nostalgic deep within me. Stories you have heard at least a hundred times will be told, but no one cares. The night will grow later and later, but no one wants to get up and leave, so you just let the fire burn down. So many of my fondest and most special memories were created around campfires.

I made a trip back to Rockfish today and for the first time in the past year it felt like home again. I had the opportunity to visit with some people I haven't seen in years, and it's such a blessing to know that some people will always be important in my life and that the time I've spent with them is so unique and impactful, that it doesn't matter if years go by between visits. Man, I love that place and all the people that have been brought into my life through it.

"He stole my hole..."

I walked onto the playground this morning to take up my role covering track out, and a child runs up to me and says "He stole my hole. I worked really hard on it." How do you respond to statement like that?

I also had the cutest kid ever, Freddie, help me lead 100 kids in doing The Freddie at assembly this morning. It was HILARIOUS.

I win.

Throw Back

Man, Dispatch just came on my Pandora station and I had a major throw back to my freshman year of college. I have such vivid memories of those first few weeks at Winthrop: sitting at my desk in the Nance looking out on campus, hiding out in the Christian bookstore just to get away but not having anywhere to go or anyone to go with, ending every meal in the cafe with an ice cream cone, using citrus scented Noxzema face wash...

What a weird time in life. It's hard to believe that was almost 6 years ago.

Jesus, You Know How to Color

As I was walking around Michael's today, looking for something to do because I was bored out of my mind, I had a funny memory of a song, or rather a rap, that a group of my kids at Rockfish made up one summer. It goes like this:

Red, the color of my favorite rose
Green, the color of the grass that grows
Yellow, the color of the sun that shines
Way up high in the blue, blue sky

Jesus, you know how to color
Jesus, you know how to color
Jesus, you know how to color
Jesus, you color my life with love

Not too shabby for a bunch of first graders :) I miss those days.

Making Good Use of a Sleepless Night

I'm actually quite tired right now, but I'm not asleep. I think it has to do with the fact I have been going non-stop (literally) for 11+ hours every day for the past week and a half that my body is just taking a really long time to shut down. So, I figured rather than wasting even more time farting around on Facebook or OldNavy.com, I should use this time to update the ol' blog.

I keep telling myself that life will eventually slow down, but I think I might need to get that out of my head.

The past few months have been busy, exhausting, challenging, long, and cold (with a few glimmers of fun and relaxation in there somewhere). And through these past few months I have really been wrestling with trying to figure out what my gifts are, spiritual gifts to be exact, and how I can serve within those gifts to find more fulfillment and a closer relationship with the Lord. However, as I have been wrestling with this, I find out more and more that I'm really not sure what my gifts are and how I could be used.

Introspection and self-evaluation are often very frustrating for me. For one, I suck at emotions and vulnerability and I'm super over-analytical, so I never get very far. I am also incredibly self-critical and have a hard time seeing myself from outside myself, leading to focusing much more time on weaknesses than strengths. Over the past years I have taken several personality tests or strengths profiles and I always read results feeling somewhat irritated with the fact that I never have any one trait or strength that really sticks out above the rest. Maybe I am dissatisfied with being equally average, or maybe I just want someone to tell me what I am good at and what I should do and cut out the introspection all together :) Either way, the process has been frustrating.

Despite the frustration, I have felt very compelled to continue on the journey. The topic of spiritual gifts has surfaced and resurfaced several times over the past few months, so I figured it's something God really wanted to challenge me with.

So this is where I am at. I've been reading a book called S.H.A.P.E. which I heard about from my pal Blair and it's been a good tool to start looking specifically at the topic of gifts.

Through scripture 20 different spiritual gifts are mentioned: administration, apostleship, discernment, encouragement, evangelism, faith, giving, healing, helping, hospitality, interpretation, knowledge, leadership, mercy, miracles, pastoring, prophecy, teaching, tongues, and wisdom.

Of these 20 gifts, there are 10 that I think I have or maybe have, those being: administration(m), discernment(m), encouragement(m), helping(y), hospitality(m), leadership(m), mercy(m), pastoring/shepherding(y), teaching(m), and wisdom(y).

The next step is to do some praying and reflecting on where I have felt most used and fulfilled in life and look for evidence of these gifts (not talents and learned skills) AND to try to serve in areas using these gifts. We'll see what I find out. Any feedback would be welcome but I am not fishing for compliments (I'm bad at taking them anyways), so be legit.

Things Kids Say

Shane: "The Brookester, are you ok? You look a little sad today."
Me: "No Shaneanator, I'm not sad. I'm just really busy, so I guess I'm a little grumpy today."
Shane: "Oh, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?"
Me: "Yeah, I guess I did."
Shane: "I hate when that happens."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sarah: "Brooke"
Me: "Yes, Sarah?"
Sarah: "Somedays I just feel like I want to do nothing but dance!"
Me: "You know what, sometimes I have days like that too:)"

i could be getting in over my head...

i have a new personal project swirling around in my head and i think i will launch it soon.

stay tuned!

I wish they had accelerated reader for adults...

...because I would be ALL OVER that.

I love to read, and always have. When I was a kid, book fairs and book orders were like crack. I would want to spend tons of money on books, and that's not a bad thing I suppose. As I got older, life unfortunately got in the way of reading for pleasure with summer reading, and AP English, and college textbooks and what not. But, now that I am free of assigned reading, papers, and homework, I have been able to rekindle my old love.

This past August I decided that I wanted to read (or in some cases re-read) all the "classic" children's books. I haven't found a comprehensive list to start checking off, but I've done some research and thus far, the quest has been absolutely glorious. There is just nothing like getting lost in a story and I have found many of the books to be full of wisdom and insight that I never could have grasped as a child but that I will undoubtedly share with my children...

Here's what I have read thus far:

1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
2. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
3. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
4. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
5. Boy by Roald Dahl

and I have just started getting aquainted with Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. And a few of the next books on my list are Cheaper by the Dozen, The Witches, Matilda, Harriet the Spy, The Borrowers, A Wrinkle in Time, the whole Narnia series, and The Hobbit. I'll gladly take recommendations.

Sometimes I Just Have To Laugh At Myself

Much like my ipod, I sometimes wonder what people's first impression of me would be if they just saw my Netflix queue. Here's what's in there right now:

1. Encino Man
2. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
3. The Gnome-mobile
4. Willow
5. The Little Prince
6. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
7.Gummi Bears: Seasons 1-3
8. Road to Avonlea: Volume 1
9. Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog

...and this is why I love the biggest loser

"i'm gonna sneak up like a ninja on their asses."
-a big girl dressed in bright pink.

pardon my french, but that's funny, i don't care who you are.

In the spirit of Christmas...

...well sort of.

Since we are right smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season, and gift giving is on the mind, I am taking a suggestion from my pal Meredith and doing a Top 10 Gifts list. It is important to note that these will not be ranked in any particular order and I have been fortunate to receive many thoughtful and special gifts from many thoughtful and special people in my lifetime.

Top 10 Gifts:

1. A box full of Ritter Sport Mint Chocolate Bars (my favorite ever and very hard to locate), special ordered from some European good store by Jordan.
2. My "Beau Coeur" (that's French for Beautiful Heart) ring from Mags. It's beautiful and I love it!
3. My pearl earrings and necklace from my grandparents, given on my 16th and 21st birthdays.
4. My (now) ratty and holey Winthrop Eagles t-shirt that Katie stuck in my suitcase before leaving Winthrop for the summer.
5. A copy of The Giving Tree with a note in the front cover from Jordan Cauley.
6. Ceramic hanging picture frames from my brother Ryan. They were a great choice and suit my taste perfectly.
7. My whole set of dishes, but most specifically my teapot, from my mom :)
8. My ipod. Let's face it I would be lost without it and it is probably one of the most used things I own.
9. A "room warming" picture/collage from Stephen Crotts. It has a picture of me, Rockfish and the Prayer of St. Francis on it.
   
10. Sunrise in Tupperware, a song written by my friend Natasha for me our senior of high school that she debuted to me at our Academy graduation party.

I'm one blessed girl, and a bound to be sleepy one if I don't go to bed!

I think this sums up my musical taste fairly well...

As I have not gotten any suggestions for Top 10 lists, I have decided that this post will be of...

My Top 10 Most Played Songs (according to my ipod):

10. Say It Right by Nelly Furtado: 64 times
9. Material Girl by Madonna: 64 times
8. Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid: 64 times
7. Carrying the Banner from Newsies: 67 times
6. Video by India.Arie: 69 times
5. Marry Me by Ed Cash: 71 times
4. King of New York from Newsies: 72 times
3. Seize the Day from Newsies: 76 times
2. Everlong by The Foo Fighters: 79 times

and the number one, most played song according to my ipod is.....

1. Take My Hand by Shawn McDonald: 97 times

The Countdown

I have realized two very important things lately. One, I blog much better (and significantly more consistently) if I give myself a task; and two, I really like countdowns, top 10's and other entertaining lists. Thus the inspiration for my newest blogging venture, Brooke in 10s. And, per Jordan's suggestion, my first Top 10 list is going to be my Top 10 YouTube Videos (ranked in no particular order). So here is goes:

1. Shirley Q. Liquor--Church Slave: Not a day since my junior year of college has gone by without me quoting something from this. It's absolutely hilarious.

2. Rob Paravonian--Pachebel Rant: This guy is brilliant, hilarious, and he plays guitar. And, after you hear it, you hear Pachebel everywhere!

3. Blood: Whenever a kid gets a bloody nose, lip, or anything else, I always have a weird impulse to go "Bloo-da, not fun-nee." This kid is genuinely concerned, but you can't help but laugh.

4. David Hasselhoff on the Berlin Wall: Ok, so this isn't an authenic youtube video, per say, but his jacket is amazing and, let's face it, he is "The Hoff."

5. David After the Dentist: And while I am on the subject of Davids, I have to select this classic piece of greatness. Kids+drugs=funny, I don't care who you are.

6. Kittens Inspired By Kittens: I have to thank my friend Petra for introducting me to this video. Also, I really hope I have a child just like this some day.

7. Evil Strawberry: I almost pee my pants every time. "I'm not stupid anymore!!!!"

8. Ms. Peachez-Fry That Chicken: "I gotta pan, I gotta plan..."

9. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog: Act 1, Part 1: The writer's strike sucked, but it did produce this gem. Oh, Sean Patrick Harris....(Parts 2 and 3 are pretty sweet too)

10. The End of the World: Yes, it's a throwback, but a classic.

So, there you have it. Obviously, this list doesn't include all of the greatness YouTube has to offer, but all guarenteed to produce a hearty laugh, so enjoy.

I'm not sure how long this list-making kick will go on, so if you have things you want itemized...I'm your girl, so bring on the suggestions!

a lot has been going on in my life lately...and i'm really tired on just about every level...and in need of some real time with Jesus.

What the good life is made of...

hobos on the fire. cuddling with some of my favorite children. catching up with friends you haven't seen in awhile. lots of sweet tea. playing at rest stops. painting toe nails. finding at least 40 out of 50 license plates while driving. lots of laughing. trying to fit into little girl dress up clothes. being invisible. good conversation. sharing stories. lots of hugs. girl time. laughing at boys. knowing that some things just don't change that much.

and i got all of this from almost 20 hours in a car and a trip to Alabama :)

At the table

We have had a dining room table and chairs in our apartment for as long as I have lived here (with the exception of the month or so between Alison taking hers and my acquiring my grandparents' old set) and for a great part of that time the table has been used to collect junk and deposit mail. Occasionally we would clean it off to serve food when we had folks over, but more or less it served all the purposes of a junk drawer without the semblance of organization.

Tonight however, Jordan and I both got home about the same time and therefore were cooking dinner about the same time. Upon realizing that our cable had in fact been disconnected in our living room, thus ruining the plans to watch Two and a Half Men while eating at the coffee table, I suggested that we bust out the ol' boombox and have a family dinner, at the table.

It was nice. She ate her steak, I ate my chicken, and we listened to Delilah solve the world's problems via requests and dedications while we talked. God blesses friendships in the simplest things sometimes.

One thing I really value about the way I was raised, especially when we were young and before we all started working, we always ate dinner together as a family--at the dinner table with the television off. There is so much value to that and if the Lord blesses me with a family some day, I have every intention of carrying on the tradition.

I'm not entirely sure what to make out of this?!

Guessing my age is always a fun game to play with kids, mostly because they are horrible judges of age and have zero sense of my age in relation to theirs, so I get some pretty hilarious answers. Although, this one might take the cake:

Me: How old do you think I am?

various guesses from various children

Jamont: You're 50!

Me: Really? Do I look 50 to you?

Jamont: Well, you kind of look like Michael Jackson (who was 50 for those of you who somehow missed that)

Me: Well I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.

Jamont: Mmmm...compliment!

Me: Well, ok.

That's funny, I don't care who you are; although, I am not entirely sure how I feel about being compared to the MJ.

I laughed at this

I have been helping coach a t-ball team at the Y this spring and this is just a glimpse of why I love kindergartners:

While on first base during practice:

ME: "Eugene, are you ready for the ball?"

EUGENE: "I'm ready for my butt."

ME: (laughing hysterically) "I don't know what that means but let's not say that"

EUGENE: "OK"

"I'm on Birthday Crack"

...and that is a direct quote from me about 20 minutes ago.

I love birthdays, and not just my birthday, but birthdays in general. I think it is fun to be able to celebrate your friends for a whole day and it's just fun for folks to get their time to be the center of attention for a bit. But don't get me wrong, I do love my birthday too (mostly because I have wonderful people in my life who always make it special).

Over the years I have had a wide variety of birthday experiences.

As a young child I remember making my own birthday cakes (chocolate cake with chocolate icing and M&Ms on top, of course!).

On my 11th birthday I remember being pulled out of school early because my dad was getting his liver transplant, so we spent the day at Duke hospital. I also remember my mom taking me to the mall and getting this awesome pair of blue shoes with daisies all over them (I still have them at home).

On my 13th birthday I had my first "blow out" boy/girl party which was pretty fun, except the fact that I found out my "boyfriend" had been "cheating" on me. I would be lying if I said it didn't tear me up. I was also finally allowed to start wearing makeup.

On my 14th birthday I was in Washington, DC on my 8th grade graduation trip.

On my 16th birthday I got the first of 7 annual trips into the Rockfish lake. I also remember having one of the few bouts of homesickness I've had in my life. I got two of the BEST handmade birthday cards from some of my very first campers at Rockfish and my pearl earrings.

On my 18th birthday I was annoyed that graduation was the same day and that meant having to go back to Myrtle Beach High School (because who cared about my birthday when graduation was taking place!?) BUT I totally got TWO cakes....then I got thrown into the lake a few days later.

On my 19th birthday I spent my last few hours of being a teenager in the kitchen at Rockfish, making parflesnarf cake, listening to Stephen tell a totally BS story that made Jordan pee her pants, and riding down the ramp at the dining hall on a kitchen cart banging pots and pans...then quickly aborting the mission when I realized there was a group in the Bergland :)...and I got thrown in the lake.

On my 21st birthday Anissa had a surprise girls spa night for me during staff training. I got my pearl necklace from my grandparents and a diamond necklace from my mom...and I got thrown in the lake.

On my 22nd birthday I remember laying in my bed, all jacked up from exhaustion, and going on and on about this lightning bug that was in our room wishing me a happy birthday only to have my dear friend Petra point out the fact it was the light on the smoke detector...and we laughed for a l-o-n-g time....and I got thrown in the lake (for the last time).

And today, on my 23rd birthday I had my first non-camp birthday in awhile...but it was full of lots of smiles and cards and "Happy Birthdays" and funny phone calls. I got to eat lunch with friends from the Y, the afternoon off, and Jordan took me to the Melting Pot for dinner so I go to bed with an extremely full belly and a happy heart.

5 Things I am thankful for today:

1. The message from Charlotte that reminded me that today is the celebration of the day I came into the world and was no longer a fetus :)
2. Being on facebook and watching the little red notification flag pop up.
3. Getting to share birthday cake with so many people today.
4. That Katie S., Erica, and Brittany Brock are as funny as, if not funnier than, Hoops and YoYo
5. That it is finally warm enough to be outside when it rains! Nothing like walking through a light summer rain.