Bonus Post

Despite the fact that I have about 13 things I need to be doing rather than doing a SECOND post in one day, I said I would blog this, so I need to keep my word.

My best friend married a wonderful guy named Brian, who I'm lucky enough to have as a friend. Despite many attempts to be funny, Brian is only genuinely funny about 37% of the time. This works to his advantage because when he really is funny, I feel compelled to blog about it.

The following is a paraphrase of a story Brian told us tonight:

"So the past few nights I've been having these dreams where I'm choking people. And I keep squeezing but they just won't die."

Insert raised eyebrows and lots of laughter.

"I mean, they're always bad guys, but, I don't know, it was all in outer space and stuff and man, Justin Bieber just wouldn't die...and he was causing trouble on my space ship."

How I Met Your Mother

30 Day Challenge (Day 3): Post a picture of the cast of your favorite TV show

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love TV and that there are many shows that I love in a lot of different ways for a lot of different reasons. I could very easily cop out and post several pictures from different shows, but in the interest of being a challenge purist, I shall narrow it down to one.

So, to complete today's challenge, after much thought and discernment, I am officially making How I Met Your Mother my favorite TV show. In thinking about all of the shows that I watch pretty regularly (and enjoy regularly), I have never seen an episode of HIMYM that I haven't loved. I've had a love/hate relationship with Glee this season, I get too emotionally involved with Parenthood, The Office can be hit or miss, Modern Family is close, but ultimately How I Met Your Mother is where it's at. It's consistently hilarious and there isn't an unlikeable character on the show. And I may or may not have a crush on Marshall, who is fantastic.

Long Lasting Love (30 Day Challenge: Day 2)

So here I am, day 2 of my thirty day blog challenge. I only have an hour left to meet my deadline and my brain is quickly losing power.

Today's challenge: A picture of you with someone you've been close with for awhile.

I chose this picture for a very strategic purpose--it fulfills the challenge, not once, but twice.

This is Jordan and I this past summer at the Hanson concert. We have been best pals for almost 10 years now! We met when we were 15 at Camp Rockfish, and became BFFs while knocking a tree down on the Great Adventure. We both wanted to lead the group, but not alone, so we opted to do it together and that's just been the story ever since. We have had a lot of random adventures since then and I thank Jesus for her.

As for the second fulfillment of the challenge, I have loved those boys on that t-shirt for about 15 years now. And you just don't forget your first love. I will shamelessly listen to Hanson until I die and will go to blows with anyone who wants to give me crap for it :)

Challenge Accepted

My friends know me so well. My dear friend Katie B. posted on her blog about a 30 Day Blog Challenge that she knew I couldn't resist. Several years ago, a similar challenge resulted in the "100 Things You May or May Not Know About Me " post (which I should revisit, because I think it's probably somewhat outdated), which was lots of fun, and I'm excited because I am always looking for ways to increase my blog output. So here it goes, for the next 30 days I shall be completing some form of challenge and posting it on my blog. I have no idea what that will consist of, since I just found out about this like 15 minutes ago.

30 Day Challenge--Day 1: A picture of yourself with 15 facts

1. My favorite color is green.
2. My bookshelf is slowing collecting more and more children's books.
3. I am terrible at making decisions.
4. I play as a major component of my job.
5. My favorite song on Just Dance 2 is "Hey Ya" unless I'm playing with Meredith, in which case it's "Girlfriend."
6. I mentor a hilarious and adorable 7 year old girl, who makes my heart happy.
7. I have a poinsettia from Christmas still in my living room and I just don't know what to do with it...feels wrong to throw it away.
8. I hate feet.
9. I LOVE living by myself.
10. I have known my best friend since I was 15 and I love that she just lives one mile down the road.
11. I haven't been home to Myrtle Beach in over a year (I have seen my family though).
12. Over the past few years I have started collecting owl things, but I'm kind of particular about it, so don't go getting me owl stuff and make me the girl with the weird owl collection.
13. I LOVE kettle corn, especially from the state fair.
14. My favorite character on "How I Met Your Mother" is Marshall. He's amazing.
15. Sunshine and Diet Coke always make me happy.

A Perfectly Fulfilling Saturday

I woke up this morning at 4:00am. Then again at 5:00am. Then again, and for good, at 8:00. So NOT the plan for my first Saturday to sleep in in about a month. But nonetheless, that was what happened. Distraught by my inability to fall back asleep, I decided not to waste a perfectly good breakfast hour and to make chocolate chip pancakes. This isn't exactly abnormal on a Saturday for me, just usually it's more like lunch time before I get any sort of ambition :)

That was just the beginning of what would turn out to be an amazing and random collection of entertainment on this beautiful, sunshiney Saturday. Jordan and I had big plans for the rest of the day since both the Wake County Library Booksale AND Roller Derby were going on at the State Fairgrounds. But when we pulled up, we discovered that the flea market was also open. BONUS. There is really nothing like putting yourself smackdab in the middle of three niche populations all in one day. Good people watching was not lacking.

The day was full of successes as I found this awesome treasure (see below) for my friend Neela at the flea market:

I added several great works of literature to my book collection for a whopping 12 bucks:

And I discovered that I enjoyed roller derby as much as I thought I would and may or may not have spent some time pricing skates:


I'd put my Saturday's awesomeness up against yours anytime.

In Case You Didn't Know...

Justin Bieber was present at the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I apparently have been out of the know on this subject in all my years, but today at mentoring S set me straight.

As our reading tonight, we started a story about the March on Washington that took place in 1963. Let's just say tonight was not our best night and we used the ENTIRE hour to read the story and do our questions. As the final part of our response questions, S was supposed to draw a picture of what she thought it would have been like to be at the march back then.

Her picture began with a tall sky-scraper with lots of windows that she insisted was the Lincoln Memorial. She then drew a person, which apparently was me, labeled with a B for Ms. Brooke. Right next to me she drew another person. Upon trying to label this person with the appropriate letter, she looks at me and says, "Do you have a boyfriend?" I told her I did not and with a look of disappointment she says "Well if you did have a boyfriend, what would his name be?" I told her I that I couldn't possibly know the name of someone I didn't know. She then proceeds to put a big J on top of the second person. I asked her what his name was and she says, oh so matter of factly, "Justin Bieber. And you're holding his hand." Then she broke out with "Baby, baby, baby, OH!"

Needless to say, I don't think she really understood the assignment.

Just a Monday Night

I spend my Monday evenings with one of the most hilarious 7 year old girls in the world. Despite the fact that I have to say the world "focus" about 20 times in our hour together, she makes me laugh. Here are some fun thoughts from my girl today:

-When asked to use the word "construction" in a sentence:

"Let's ask the construction boys (looks at me and smiles), I mean men, to build us a refrigerator, and Ms. Brooke...as a robot."

-When listing the contractions "she's" and "he's"

"She's goes first because girls always go first" Then breaks out singing "We are sisters, we stand together" in a 7 year old gospel singer voice.

This Can't Not Make You Happy

Somethings just make my heart happy...and help explain my childhood :)

11 Things I'd Like To Do In Twenty-Eleven

Some people call them resolutions, some people call them goals, but I shall call them items on my to-do list for 2011. I am not above being a little cheesy and cliche and pretending like a new year means I'll suddenly have the commitment and motivation to accomplish the things on my list :)

In the year 2011 I would like to:

1. Take advantage of what Raleigh has to offer. I'm half way through my 3rd year living here and I feel like there are a lot of things I have yet to see and do (parks, events, etc).

2. Take a class just for fun (I'm thinking ballroom dancing).

3. Get involved volunteering with something that has nothing to do with the Y.

4. Run a 5k.

5. Go to the Outer Banks. Preferably camp there, but I'm not dead set on that. It's been over 10 years since I've been and I've been talking about it for at least 3 years.

6. Put a dent in my stationary collection and support one of my favorite government agencies, the US Postal Service, by writing more letters (send addresses if you want one!).

7. Read the entire Narnia series.

8. Go to the midnight showing of the very last Harry Potter movie.

9. Read the bible in 90 days (it can be done, I know people who've done it)

10. Cook and share meals with people more frequently (let me know if you want dinner).

11. Give more.


Company is welcome on any of these items, so let me know...applications can be sent via e-mail :)

Here's to 2011!

Closing Thoughts on 2010

It only seems appropriate that I should attempt to make some sort of final post, recapping the year and thinking about all of the ways I have grown and changed over the past year, so I will give it a shot. Here are some things I did in 2010 (in no particular order):

• I read a lot. Mostly children's literature, but some grown up stuff too. I also learned that I regret not ever reading Little Women or Anne of Green Gables as a little girl, but thankful that I got around to it.
• I saw LOTS of my friends get married. 6 weddings in fact (Jenn & JD, Brooke & Matt, Wes & Sarah, Stephen & Erica, Jordan & Brian, and Mandy & Jeremy). One being my best friend's, at which I was more or less an emotional nut-job for most of it :)
• I found a new small group that I love, officially joined my church, moved to the new campus of The Summit, and took up post holding babies in the nursery.
• I was on the most losing-est (but most fun) teams ever on the Finley Director's Retreat.
• I rekindled relationships with some family members I hadn't seen in too long and said goodbye to others.
  
• I helped raise half a million dollars.
• I went on a cruise and have decided it is the best way to vacation if you really just want to get away from normal life.
• I moved into a very cute apartment and decided to live by myself...and LOVE it. I just recently committed to hanging things on the wall finally.
  
• I ran a camp for children with special needs and learned a lot about what love looks like.
• I spent some sweet summer time in NYC with one of my favorite people ever, Brittany Brock and was encouraged by how far she's come since I've known her.
  
• I celebrated Memorial Day with Mags in DC and re-realized I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the military.
• I dealt with my first semi-major car issues.
• I spent one hour a week with one of the funniest children on the face of the earth and saw her go from barely knowing her alphabet to reading books!
• I made peach cobbler for the first time.
• I celebrated the 4th of July in true American fashion: at a baseball game eating a hot dog.
  
• I was continually reminded about how I am lucky to have so many great people in my life.
• I saw one of my friends grieve a serious loss and prayed a lot for her.
• I saw Hanson in concert with my BFF and fell in love with them all over again.
• I rolled a giant hamster ball down a hill, as part of my job.
• I had several spontaneous life chats with girls at work.
• I watched Teen Witch at least 6 times.
• I set up my first Christmas tree on my own.
• I thought a lot about what I should be doing with my life.
• I blogged 30 times...this post will make 31.

Other things happened and I'm sure I'm a slightly different person now then I was at this time last year, but that's what I've got for now. So 2010, you've been swell, I raise my glass to you.

Everyday Suspense

I love that there are some things, no matter how expected and normal they may be, that can still evoke a sense of suspense in me. Like birthdays or the ending of a favorite movie or book. It's the same thing time after time, but still there is a sense of excitement as it approaches.

Today I experienced some everyday suspense by way of a sunset. The sun sets everyday, and on the days I take the time to notice, I almost always stop to soak it in and think about how good God is. Today, the sunset's sense of suspense was heightened by the fact that while I was driving west on 440, it was mostly hidden from me by trees. All I needed to do was get around the curve and what was currently a hint of pink clouds would be revealed as a full, orange, setting sun that would take up the whole horizon. That curve, however, just didn't seem to end. I kept driving, speeding up unintentionally trying to get a better look. Eventually, I rounded the bend and I was not disappointed. Beautiful. I'm thankful for moments like that.

I also hear the sun rises every morning and the experience can be equally as exciting, but we all know mornings just aren't my thing :)

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Sometimes (ok, most of the time) I just need to think about this and forget about the other stuff. Some songs just cut deep...in a good way.

Glimpses of Hope

Despite my best intentions, I'm just not always very domestic. I don't feel any compulsion to keep my house spotless, I willingly let laundry pile up, and I often don't really have the motivation or energy to cook anything that resembles a real, complete meal. Sometimes I wonder how I could ever survive as a wife and/or mother and often just have to hope that if that day comes, some magical switch inside me will flip.

However, tonight I had my after school staff over for a Christmas dinner (they're awesome by the way), and in a matter of an hour and a half, I was able to clean up my apartment and cook a complete and delicious meal. I was able to get all the dishes done before they got here, set up not only appetizer plates for the chips and salsa, but have the drinks, dinner plates, side dishes and even dessert prepared and ready to go before dinner was served. To be honest, I actually quite enjoyed getting it all together and preparing a meal that I knew (ok, hoped) would be enjoyed by the people I was serving. Moments like these give me a glimpse of hope that I'm not a totally lost cause :)

And in case you were wondering, I made enchiladas, and they were awesome. The recipe is below:

Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 package of creamed cheese
1 can enchilada sauce
flour tortillas
grated cheddar cheese


Instructions:
Brown the ground chicken and add taco seasoning as designated on the package
Melt cream cheese in microwave and add about 1/2 can of enchilada sauce to melted cheese
Mix together browned,seasoned meat and cream cheese mixture
Fill tortilla shells with meat and roll up
Place enchiladas in a baking dish
cover with remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top
cook at 325 for 20 minutes

On Christmas...

Contrary to what some may think, I'm not really a Christmas fanatic. Sure, I do enjoy participating in the holiday within the right time frame (after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day); I will watch the Christmas movies and occasionally leave the radio on 101.5 (although I quickly get annoyed with the slow, sappy Christmas songs--give me some Hanson or NSync); and I can bust out a tacky turtleneck or sweater for a Christmas party BUT walking through the Christmas aisle doesn't exactly get my heart racing and I contemplated not even putting up a tree this year. Personally, I like Easter the best, but that is a different topic.

All that to say, the one thing that I do really love about Christmas is that it always brings me back to the humanity of Jesus and sometimes that's just too much for me to wrap my head around. Yes, He was fully God, but He was also fully human and in those first moments of His life, was there anyway His newborn brain could even process the thought of what He would grow up to be? I don't know. Part of me doesn't think so because Jesus' humanity is what makes Him a savior I want to know. It's a lot to think about on a Monday night turned Tuesday morning, but something definitely worth thinking about.

With that, I will leave you with the lyrics and a video (ignore the actual video and just listen to the song)for a song that gets my heart every Christmas season.

I Celebrate The Day

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might [ really ]live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

I Celebrate the Day--Relient K

My Wednesdays Are Never Boring

On Wednesday afternoons, I mentor an amazing (and crazy!) 6 year old girl with an awesome program called Community Hope. We have pretty basic rules for our time together: focus, have a good attitude, obey, make good guesses; and together we read books and talk and play games. It's a pretty awesome way to spend my Wednesday afternoons. And although we go through a wide array of emotions together each time we meet and despite the fact she's wide open and can't sit still, I love her. All of that to say, she says some pretty funny things that keep me laughing. Here are some samplings from tonight:

While answering our response questions to the book, The Little Red Hen:

S: I just have a question. Are you a grown up?
Me: Yes.
S: Ok, because my other mentor isn't a grown up.

When asked to use the word "young" in a sentence:

S: I am 18 years young.
(I totally counted it!)

And my personal favorite, when asked to use "were" in a sentence:

S: Were you at the club last night because you know I hate it when you go to the club without me.


In other news, I'm not entirely sure when I reached the point where a bowl of cereal and cherry pie constitutes a dinner.

Some days are just good

Some days are just good, and today was one of them.

I got to sleep in, take a nice long shower and take my time getting ready. It was chilly today, so I wore one of my favorite fall outfits. I got to work and was informed that is was Boss's Day by the amazing track out staff who put the sign up on my door and left a note on my desk. Then I got a slice of probably the best apple pie I've put in my mouth to eat while I was checking e-mails. I had a fairly productive day, a relatively good day at after school, then spent the whole evening at the State Fair with some friends.

A perfectly pleasant day if you ask me :)

This will just make you smile :)

You know how sometimes you just stumble on a song and fall in love? Well I overheard this gem tonight, looked up the lyrics, found the video and it made my heart so happy :) enjoy.

Jesus...

He's good. I like spending time with him. I don't know why sometimes I pretend like I don't need to.

Good to talk to you tonight.

October Holds Many Great Things

Fall has finally decided to come to North Carolina. Praise the Lord.

As a summer baby through and through, I'm really never ready to bid sunshine, warm weather, flip flops and sundresses goodbye;but, after a truly brutally hot summer, the cooler temperatures are refreshing and very welcomed.

The air smells of fall. I saw my first fall leaf the other day drop onto my windshield and I just had to smile to myself. Flannel is now an acceptable fabric to wear. Life is good. It makes me want to put on a plaid shirt and go to a barn dance and stand around by a bonfire.

While I don't know if there is a a barn dance in my future, October does hold many great things: the Art Gala, the State Fair, plaid, sweaters, hoodies, hopefully a trip to either pick apples and/or Busch Gardens, and my CRUISE! I'm so excited.

Downgrade

I'm currently watching a Rolling Stones concert on PBS.

Surely, doing a concert for PBS has to knock you down a few notches from rockstar status.