Temporarily Unavailable

So as you've probably figured out, I won't be posting for a few days. I'm in Arlington going to Six Flags with my cousins. And visiting friends from high school. Hope everybody had a great Christmas and is ready for the New Year. Pictures to come soon, I promise.

To tide you over: Me, Karenna, Zac, and Nic (our cousins)

Eight 8 Eight

Laura tagged me. (I secretly loved getting tagged!) So here goes.

8 things I did today:
1. Woke up at 1 pm
2. Went Christmas shopping for my sister and two best friends
3. Made Christmas cards
4. Chased a flock (gaggle?) of geese
5. Went to Starbucks
6. Ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich
7. Tie-dyed a shirt with bleach
8. Put gas in my car

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Johnny Carino's (all-time favorite!)
2. Babe's
3. Boston Market
4. Panera
5. Jason's Deli
6. Sumo
7. Dot Wo
8. Applebee's

8 shows I watch:
(Is this assuming I have time to watch TV?? We'll pretend that I do.)
1. Friends
2. The Office
3. America's Next Top Model
4. Biggest Loser
5. We'll just stick with 4
6. Truthfully, I can't remember the last time I watched 2-4
7. I'm just not a big TV person
8. But I could watch Friends all the time. Yay for roommates with all 10 seasons

8 things I wish for:
1. To go to Europe
2. To never have to take Ear Training again
3. To become diligent about practicing
4. That I could be completely content about where and who I am
5. That I could be as good a parent as my parents (not even trying to suck up!)
6. To be able to go to Arlington over break
7. Passionate piano students
8. A less stressful semester in the spring

8 things I look forward to:
1. When my sister's old enough to be my friend
2. Getting married
3. Becoming a choir director
4. Moving out of Oklahoma (haha, I really do love it here, I think I'm just aching to see other places)
5. Being a full-blown, independent adult
6. Being able to be a leader (in appropriate ways) in a church
7. Teaching high school students
8. The Valentine Cabaret
9. (I had too many!) Giving my friends their Christmas presents

Ok. I tag... Juli Beth? Have you been tagged yet? If so, just ignore this. Haha. Merry Christmas everyone!! (In case I don't post until then.)

Rest, Relaxation, and Insanity

The dog is barking. The house phone is ringing. The cell phone is remaining frustratingly silent. The laptop is broken. Harry is running through the woods trying to save Sirius. I am slowly going crazy. Christmas break is officially here.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the time off from school. I've already managed to read books 2 and 3 of Harry Potter. And while this might be impressive in a book club sort of way, it makes for a not very interesting social life. I can't update you on any of the amazing stories from my semester because the Mac side (of course the side with all the pictures) of my laptop is broken. AND I accidentally left my camera in the dorm which they very conveniently lock over break.

I think I'm going to go take a nice long bubble bath and think about all the ways J.K. Rowling foreshadows Harry and Ginny's relationship. Oooooooooohhhhh my.

Finals and Thanks

Ok. I'm done with finals. Now for the 3 projects I have due today. Why am I blogging when I have 3 projects due?? No idea. Just keeping you updated. I'll be back shortly with fun updates once today is over.

AND THANK YOU LAURA!! Laura is amazing and, as you can see, re-did my blog yet again for me. Go look at her site (I think it's on the right hand side of the screen now?).

Ok. That's all for now. I'm off to write chorales, analyze choral music, and practice ear training! Woo-hoo.

You're Welcome

I LOVE Karissa! And you shouldn't just hand over your sign-in info like that! Look what happens.

Eleven Years Already

I was an only child for 8.5 years. Looking back there were parts I absolutely loved about it. But the distinct thing I remember was wishing for a sibling the majority of the time. I had this doll that I carried around everywhere who I conveniently named Brother. I actually remember wishing on a star one night that he would be real so I could have a sibling. Pathetic? Maybe just desperate.

Anyway, eleven years ago tomorrow (well today if you're reading this on the 16th) my sister was born. I remember when my parents told me they were pregnant with her. I remember them picking out a name. I remember the day she was born. I remember holding her for the first time. She is absolutely amazing and is turning into a thoughtful, beautiful woman. Woman! Ack. That is beyond scary. But here are a couple pictures from the birthday dinner we had for her tonight.

The women of the house. Mom, me, Karenna, Pepper.

Like I said, beautiful.

The pink tree she wanted for her birthday for her room.

The gift we wrapped for her. Haha. She thought we got her the wrong pink tree. She was less than thrilled.

I love her so incredibly much!!!

Finals Fatigue

It's officially finals week. Everyone's on high stress. Just a few pictures of what's happening in our room. 

My cabinet. The bread, cheez-its, nuts, oatmeal, and ok, really all of it are from the BEGINNING of the semester. I don't eat them. Just the corn chex. Which I'm surviving on at the moment.

The gift I won at Pi's Christmas Party. Clementines!! My other source of sustenance for the week.

My roommate. Eating cereal trying to make it through.

                                                       Studying away and stressing out.

Cords and lists and pens and chaos everywhere.

 

My suitemate. Also running on high stress (she's the only one with finals tomorrow.)

I'M BACK!!

Ok readers (haha, who am I kidding? I've been gone for 2 months!),

I'm back! It's been an absolutely crazy semester full of homework, friends, stress, concerts, music, trips, and so much more. Although it's been really stressful at times (most times), it's actually been really good, too. I've strengthened some amazing friendships. I've grown closer to my Lord. I've changed my mind about a lot of things. And looking back on it, it's been really great. 

I'm going to try and catch you up on everything you've missed. And boy oh boy there's a lot. Club stuff, friend stuff, family stuff. So get ready. Tell all your reader friends that they don't have to skip my name on friend lists anymore. 

Also, I've decided that I'm going to be a lot more real on here. I think that can really be a problem in our world today. Especially in our churches sometimes. I know that sometimes I'm so concerned with what everybody else thinks that I don't actually say what I want to or do what I want to just to please other people. This semester I've really been convicted of how scary being "real" can be, but also how rewarding. So bear with me as I try this on here. 

You all are great! See you soon. 

What????

Sometimes, actually many times, when I put my blog address in my address spot, this picture along with an online Bible College comes up. There is no typo. For some reason, it just sends me there instead of here. I am not a Bible College. So weird!! 

I can't feel my toes

And no it's not because it happens to be FREEZING today. It's because I wore really cute shoes. I was today's recital attendant (so I moved stands and pianos and such) and I sang in master class which meant that I had to look nice all day long. Looking nice apparently requires extremely uncomfortable feet. Here are the culprits: 

Now all I need is a tub full of hot water. 

We Do Too Much Homework

This is what happens when you study for five straight hours. 

GARAGE SALE!!!!

Everyone should come out to the Pi garage sale today. In Forest Oaks between 33rd and 15th on Bryant. Tons of really cheap great stuff. (Especially for kids)

One More Thing

I forgot! Tomorrow night from 8-11 at Starbucks on Memorial and Bryant is Open Mic night. If you're looking for a really really cheap date (just the cost of drinks!), this is a perfect idea. My best friend is playing so if nothing else, go to hear her.

Wednesdays

I've been a horrible blogger lately. But, never fear, I now have a camera (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and more free time so I am back.

Wednesdays are usually very long days for me. I have numerous classes and very little free time. But they always end so well. I teach the 6th grade girls Bible Class at church and I absolutely love it. These girls are SO amazing and so so so much fun. I have no idea where they get their energy. Wish I could steal some of it. Last night we made up skits about encouragement (which is what we've been talking about the past few weeks) and then performed them for everyone. Hahaha. They were great! I'll leave you with some pictures and a promise to update much more often.

I'm finally a person again

And today (well I guess technically tonight at midnight) Greek Week is finally over. And I thought open rush week took up a lot of time. Well, lemme tell ya,  it ain't nothin compared to Greek Week. 

I'll try to think back on my week so I can document stories and such. But for right now, I'm just going to sit and know that I don't have anywhere to be (ok, ok, except for my voice lesson at 6) or anything to do or any weird clothing item to put on. What a concept! 

PI ZETA PHI WOOP WOOP WOOP PI!!!

Finally over and ALL worth it!!!

RUSH IS FINALLY OVER!!!! 

Hallelujah! I am done done done with Rush and I am so excited!! I made it into Pi Zeta Phi and it is absolutely wonderful. Now begins the fun. This coming week is Greek Week so we each get a Big (which is an upperclassmen in Pi) that makes us do crazy stuff all week long. I have THE BEST BIG EVER!  (Look down below at the picture of Veruca Salt (the one in the red dress) and that's her!!) She's actually a huge part of the reason I'm in Pi and I cannot wait for this week. Ah!!! I'm so excited!!! 

What a Week!

And that pretty much describes it. I think this is the busiest I have ever been in my entire life. No exaggeration. Just for example: Today I'm in class from 8 - 1:30 with no break whatsoever. Then I have choir at 3:30, a lesson at 4:30, Master Class at 5:30, 6th grade girls class at 7, run as fast as I can to the college class to be a small group leader, and then a rush thing at 9. Whew. Needless to say, I'm a bit exhausted. But rush will be over next week and things should calm down after that. Right? 

I'll leave you with a picture. The only one of me from last night. It was 50's night and I went as a housewife. Thanks, Mom, for your pearls and apron! You're wonderful! 

(Please ignore the expression on my face. I was not quite aware the picture was being taken.) 

Blimey!

Last night was my first rush event!! It was a Pi - Alpha England Party. So everyone dressed "British" or like someone famous form England. We played croquet and spoke in English accents all night. It was SO fun!! 

My roommate and I. I was very uncreative and just dressed British. She was in one of two sets of Spice girls. (She was Sporty Spice.)

My friend Stephney from another set of Spice Girls. (Scary Spice)

Brittany, Beth, Me, and Terra. British person, Veruca Salt (from Willy Wonka), and a Jester from a Royal Court. Haha. What a night!! 

Two Weeks Notice

Disclaimer for Kari (Is that how you spell your name???): I really wanted to tell you in person first, but hadn't told Jenny last night when I saw you. Hopefully I'll see you before you read this so I can tell you myself. But if not, I love you!!! 

I told my manager last night that I'm only working for two more weeks. This was such a hard decision because I absolutely LOVE my job and would probably do it even if I didn't get paid. I adore all the people I work with and they're some of my best friends. But I've just become completely overwhelmed. I'm taking 17 hours, and teaching piano lessons, and rushing, and teaching a Bible class, and I'm going to be a small group leader. And the list goes on and on. Starbucks was the easiest thing to drop. Ah. And I'm going to miss it so much!!! Last night as I was working and my regulars kept coming in, I kept getting more and more sad. But I know this is a good decision and the Lord has given me such peace about it. I'm probably going to have to get over my caffeine addiction now that it won't be at my disposal 24/7. 

All is Well

So I met attractive boy's parents tonight when he took me to his house. Just keeping you all updated on my embarrassing fall and the results. 

Just Keeps Getting Worse

So just to add to the whole "fall on my face in front of many people" story, a very attractive young man who I'm "not really interested in" was in that Bible class. I texted him after his class would be over to see if he had been able to witness the event. His response: No, but everyone else did. And they all laughed. 

Wonderful. I am now the laughing stock of attractive boy's class. Haha. It's like a movie.  

THANK YOU LAURA

And a huge thanks to Laura for my new look!!! She's amazing!! 

Wipeout

Today I had one of those awkward in-between class times where you can't really go back to your dorm to do anything but you can't do anything on the other side of campus either, so I decided to take a nap in the forum. It was a beautiful day and I was exhausted so this was perfect. I laid down and set my alarm so I could get up in time for my lesson. The next thing I remember is a freshman from choir abruptly waking me up. I opened my eyes to see an entire Bible class walking towards me. Apparently they decided to have class where I was sleeping. But the professor told them to not bother me so I could get back to sleep. Well now it's awkward. They're all sitting around me and having class while I'm trying to fall asleep. But it has past the point where I can make a graceful exit. So now I'm trying to figure out what to do when I see my friend sitting in the middle of the forum. Perfect. I get up and start fake-running to her. I jump down into the middle of the forum to make it as dramatic as possible. And then I completely wipe out. I lost my balance at the end of my jump and end up on my back. Oh my goodness. So the entire Bible class that I was trying to inconspicuously get away from saw me make a fool of myself. Oh wow. What a day. 

I Have Decided

It is now 11:33 PM. I should be doing some of the loads of algebra homework I have. Or the conducting homework. Or even practicing voice or piano. I could be washing my face or my clothes or my body. I could be cleaning. Or doing another one of the thousand things I should be doing. However, I'm blogging. Welcome to my life.

I had already decided (even before my rant and rave about club night) which club I was going to rush. The Lord led me directly to this club and I was somewhat excited. But tonight, I'm ecstatic! I can't wait to be a part of it!!! Tonight was their first big rush event, Pi Paradise. Of course, their night for an event was my night to work! (This week each club gets a night and they're the only one allowed to have an event.) I was SO upset that I had to miss it. But at about 9:00, my best friend (who's also rushing the same club) walks in with a lei to give me from Pi Paradise. And she says "I have another surprise coming soon." Then in walks the officers!!! she got them all to come see me because I couldn't come. I don't even know them!!! Oh my gosh, I was so excited. I'm so proud that this is the club I'm going to be in (hopefully) and I can't wait to finally be a part of it! Yay Pi Zeta Phi. 

For Laura

Laura,

You are amazing. I've always, always looked up to you, but even more so today. Your blog today brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for giving credit to God. Thanks for putting yourself out there. Thanks for making me want to be uncomfortable for my Jesus. I love you and miss you so much!!! 

Gamma Iota Theta Pi Alpha Chi... Oh My

Last night officially began rush week. Wow. It was club night which is basically where all the clubs have a booth and you sign up to get invited to rush events. I absolutely hated it. Now, I am SOOO excited about rushing. I can't wait for all the events and even more so to actually be in club (because I go to a Christian university, it's called club and not sorority). But last night was awful. First of all, it was just everybody competing with everyone else. Secondly, everyone was so fake. Ok, definitely not everyone, but a vast majority of the girls. There were SEVERAL girls who I know if I passed them in the hallway wouldn't give me a second look but last night they were SO excited to see me and would shout my name across the pavilion. I'm not saying club is bad. I kinda like the idea and, like I said, am so excited about rushing. At the moment, however, I'm a tad disenchanted with the whole process. 

Listen!!

One of my best friends is an absolutely AMAZING singer/songwriter. Go listen to her stuff!!! (You can pull up another tab and listen to it while you blog-stalk. Come on, you all do it.) 

www.myspace.com/briannagaithermusic

(And apparently I don't know how to make it a link so just copy and paste it into the address bar or leave me a comment so I know how to make a link.)

Music Makes Me Lose Control!

 

I'm finally back in classes! And this is what I'll be looking at for the next 3 months.

Sidenote: I absolutely love my Mac.

College 101

I got to see my roommates finally!! Adrienne (my actual roommate in the middle) and Audrey (suitemate on the far right). Looking at pictures of last year.
Our Family Album.
Audrey, Xingyi, Me, and Adrienne.
This is what you do in college. Dress up and make music videos. We're cool.

Finally

After 4 months, I'm finally back.

World's Biggest Student Garage Sale

"And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." Acts 2:45

This summer we have been studying Acts in the college class. Jeff is so passionate about the poor and it is just contagious. As we've been studying, the Lord has really put on my heart the need to live this out. I really believe that the love of stuff is such a strong temptation put forth by the enemy. I see its fruits everywhere and it breaks my heart to know that those who proclaim love for the Lord (myself DEFINITELY included) are falling into this horribly dangerous pit. So, one Saturday this September, there is going to be a garage sale. Everything will be donated from college students, children, adults, basically just people who love God. Every penny made at this sale will be going to the City Rescue Mission. Every penny. Nothing will be spent on supplies or on college class funds. Everything will be going to the poor. The Lord has put this on my heart and I know that He is going to bless it and use it for His glory.

I'm asking for two things in this post. The most important is for your prayers. The Lord hears when His children pray and He has answered SO many of my prayers in the past year. I beg you to pray for this that God may use this sale to show our community our love for them and our God. And that God will use this to cleanse us and remind us that our love for Him should far out-weigh our love of stuff. I'm also asking for your property and possessions. If any of you has things to donate, that would be absolutely amazing. We're looking for everything. Old stuff, new stuff, used and battered stuff, and stuff in really great condition. Whatever the Lord puts on your heart to give would be wonderful.

I know this was kinda a long post. Sorry. It's just something I'm incredibly passionate about right now. The Lord is so amazing and deserves all the glory!!

For all of you sitting on the edge of your seats...

I know it has been FOREVER since I posted. 11 days. That's a long time. Part of the reason I haven't posted is because my camera broke so there are no pictures to speak of. But I'll just fill you in on everything sans pictures.

Last week:
Work, work, and more work. We've lost several baristas so my shifts are usually 8 1/2 hours long now. It's exhausting!!! But I still love it (most of the time). Nothing really exciting happened during the week last week except that I watched the Olympics non-stop. Oh man oh man. I LOVE the Olympics. My friends make fun of me because I'm so edgy during them but hey, that's life.

Last weekend:
My friends from Texas came to see me!! It was such a wonderful weekend! These girls (see post down the page with pictures) were some of my friends from high school. The weird thing is, they weren't friends in high school. In fact, Amanda and I weren't really even friends in high school. But the summer before college, we became really close. Well then Carlee and Amanda went to college together, became good friends, and are now going to be roommates! It's so weird. But anyway, last weekend was so amazing getting to catch up with them and see how much each of us has grown. I love them both SO much! (Pictures to come as soon as Carlee sends them to me.)

This week:
Work, work, and more work. Again, 8 1/2 hour shifts. Exhausting. This sounds familiar. On Tuesday night my mom cooked dinner for some of my friends. She is an AMAZING cook and an even better hostess. My friends loved it.

So I know this was such an exciting post that you are all dying to go share it with your friends. So share away.

To-Do List

In just 12 days I will be moving back into the dorms.

Things I need to do before then:
- Plan a birthday party
- Help cook for all my friends two different times
- Change my schedule to be a math minor
- Turn in checks and such for piano lessons
- Buy/make decorations for my living room
- Start writing lessons for my Wednesday night Bible class
- Learn and memorize 4 different piano pieces

Things I will be doing once the semester starts:
- 15 or so hours of classes
- Working at Starbucks
- Teaching piano lessons
- Organizing a garage sale (post on this to come)
- Teaching a Wednesday night Bible class
- Practicing 14 hours a week for voice and piano (ha! yeah right)
- Rushing a club
- Auditioning for the musical
- Being a chorale secretary

I'm sure there is more for each list. Mainly, this is for me to look back on but also to show you how insane I am sometimes in taking on too many things at once. Don't worry though, I definitely come by this honestly. Any of you who know my mom, ok, so all of you... know that she is the exact same way. (Mom, don't try to argue.)

ONE WEEK!!

In one week I will get to see both of these beautiful ladies (Amanda and Carlee) and I can't tell you how freaking excited I am.

I Will NEVER Take Math Again

I said those words many, many times as I ended high school. To anyone who would listen really. And I believed them with all of my heart. I had ended high school with 3 years of horrible math teachers and 2 years of INCREDIBLY hard physics (but with one of the most amazing teachers ever) and I was burnt out. I was going off to college to be a Music Education major who would never EVER take any type of mathematics ever again.

So on Thursday, I decided to add a minor in math. I think I just needed a year off to realize how much I actually love doing math and how much of my hatred for it grew out of my intense dislike of my classroom situations in high school. I still want to be a choir director and know that is where I'll eventually end up. But, it wouldn't hurt to be able to have something to "fall back on." I know musicians don't always make the best money, so when times get tough, I can tutor or something like that. Math tutors are always needed.

This Could Be a Problem

Last night I distinctly remember taking my hair down before bed. I got home around 1:30. My parents were asleep so I was trying to be as quiet as possible and turn on as little lights as possible. I took my bobby pins out and set them on my dresser. I took my hair tie out and put it on my wrist. I remember looking at my wrist and thinking it was weird that I was wearing two hair ties because I usually don't have any on my wrist and have to borrow some. I distinctly remember all these things. Hair down. Hair ties on wrist.

I woke up this morning with braided pigtails and no hair ties on my wrist. Um. What??? I had to think for about 5 minutes whether I had slept in pigtails or not. Answer: no. "Hair down. Hair ties on wrist." What happened??? Now, I have been known to sleep-walk. Actually, I sleep-walk a lot. When I was little it was a lot worse. I thought that I had all this down. I thought I woke myself up anytime I slept-walk now. Apparently not. Apparently I braid my hair into pigtails in the middle of the night in my sleep. And this scares me. There is no telling what else I do in my sleep.

Last night I laid on the sidewalk with one of my best friends at midnight as rain poured. We watched two of our guy friends dance around and do one-handed cartwheels in the rain while we laughed and laughed. I realized in that moment that God has blessed me so much. He has answered so many prayers and is so faithful.

Hold to Your Traditions

So blogger uploads images in a really stupid way, so these are all out of order. But that's ok. They're still here.


So every day the girls (and guys) have forum. Which is basically just discussion about things that we're dealing with. This year the 18 and 19 year old's leader was Marna Wewe. Probably one of my favorite people ever. I look up to her so much and always have. Words seriously cannot express my love for her.


Every year the oldest boys hang up the "alfalfa hay" sign and every year the oldest girls steal it. It's kinda a weird tradition but whatever. We didn't have it for long this year but we still had it.


This counselor didn't wear pants all week. It was kinda scandalous.

Me and Laura. I am so incredibly glad she got to come because this year would not have been the same without her.

Meredith and Anna. Some of my greatest friends from Arlington.

Meredith, Aaron, Anna, and Henry. They decided to drink the water in one gulp.

We love Twilight!!! Me, Jennalee, Mandy, Emily, and a counselor, Kim. Two gorgeous girls from my cabin. Miranda, the one right next to me, and I have gone to Sooner every year together. I love her so much!!!
Anna Barker!! One of my favorite people. And probably the funniest person I know.
A gorgeous sunset Thursday night at the lake.
Meredith and Anna again. All dressed up.

Laura, Meredith, Anna, and me on Monday night.

This kid, Alec, did the whole evolution of dance off of youtube. It was hilarious!!!

The beautiful Maddie Schweiss. I miss her so incredibly much!!!
So Anna drew this weird raccoon thing. I'm making the same face as it.
We take this picture every year. Anna, Me, Maddie, Dith, Laura.

Sooner was absolutely amazing this year. I loved almost every minute of it. (What would Sooner be without a little drama??) I still can't believe that my camping days are over. But I am so thankful for the wonderful, wonderful years I spent there. This camp changed my life. The relationships I made and strengthened there are ones that time really can't destroy. I know that I will never spend a week with most of those people again and that I probably won't see a lot of them until the day we meet again in Heaven. But that in no way means that I won't still think about them. I know that I can call almost anyone from Sooner anytime I need anything. No matter what time of day or night. I love that place and those people.

Phillipians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."