The element of surprise has taken on a new meaning for me. What I have realized is that the “element” is actually God's love for me.
So get this. After the Owner's Box at Fenway surprise event, I was really thinking through all of these random surprises that seem to happen very consistently in my life. For as long as I can remember, I have always had this kind of "luck." There was a period of life that I would find money on the ground about once/month. Once upon a time in college, with all my best friends, I randomly got to see two of my favorite bands for FREE at an intimate concert in the mountains, right after skiing all day and a hole-in-the-wall pizza place, complete with a full moon and fireworks (I mean...are you kiddin me?). Another time, in New York, my friends and I got to lead the whole studio audience of "The View" in singing the Oklahoma state song. Then there were the dolphins on a jet ski tour. Or when I arrived at the Grand Canyon just in time for sunset. Time and time again, I have had these completely random blessings. And these aren't even the tip of the iceburg.
Every single time something like this has happened, I can't help but laugh because these blessings are so outta control, but each time I have been somewhat perplexed. I have always known that every blessing comes from God, but I could only wonder why? Why am I so lucky? Why did He bless me with front row seats? Why did He let me win Bingo? I didn’t need the money. I didn’t need the front row view. I don’t get it. I didn’t get it. But now I get it.
These blessings from God are simply because He loves me. He knows that I don’t need these things. But He also knows how much I LOVE surprises. And how much I LOVE adventures. God is just such a loving God that has an intimate, unique, personal relationship with his daughter. This lesson was obviously huge for me to learn and very perspective-giving. I am so breathtakingly thankful for God and how much He loves me. Sheesh.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Travel Bug
It's summer time, which means that camp is in full swing! We are almost done with week 4, which is just crazy! It's FLYING by.
My summertime life: working. laying out at the pool. repeat.
Since I don't have weekends during the summer, I am in Tyler until at least mid-August. With that said, I have the travel bug...and I have it bad!!
Good news is I am going to a friend's lake house with a group of girls on Tuesday, where we are going to ride jet skis, have girl talk and just lay out all day! Best. I LOVE the lake.
Then next Saturday, I am meeting the rents in Dallas for the day. It's been about 3 months since I have seen them! Hopefully, I will get to see sister too for a split second before I head back to Tyler.
Right after summer, I think a Tyler group is going to go on a float trip/Schlitterbahn/Austin/San Marcos outlets. Duh I am pumped for that.
After that, wedding season commences BIG TIME. YAY! I love people in love! :)
Then in the midst of that, hopefully I can swing a big trip. Disneyworld? Hawaii? We shall see!
My summertime life: working. laying out at the pool. repeat.
Since I don't have weekends during the summer, I am in Tyler until at least mid-August. With that said, I have the travel bug...and I have it bad!!
Good news is I am going to a friend's lake house with a group of girls on Tuesday, where we are going to ride jet skis, have girl talk and just lay out all day! Best. I LOVE the lake.
Then next Saturday, I am meeting the rents in Dallas for the day. It's been about 3 months since I have seen them! Hopefully, I will get to see sister too for a split second before I head back to Tyler.
Right after summer, I think a Tyler group is going to go on a float trip/Schlitterbahn/Austin/San Marcos outlets. Duh I am pumped for that.
After that, wedding season commences BIG TIME. YAY! I love people in love! :)
Then in the midst of that, hopefully I can swing a big trip. Disneyworld? Hawaii? We shall see!
Friday, May 13, 2011
From Bingo to Baseball
A few months ago, I was lucky enough to win the blackout round of Bingo at our local Bingo hall. Needless to say, it was one of the most shocking things ever! I mean, who really wins Bingo, and especially the most prized round? Due to the rarity of this event, I decided I needed to use my cash winnings on something worthwhile…and what always seems the most worthwhile in this traveler’s brain? A trip, duh! So with that said, I purchased a plane ticket to Boston and a Red Sox baseball ticket.
Beantown bound!
I traveled with 4 of my best friends to visit my sister in Boston! The city itself was so AWESOME. If you think of a “cute downtown” area for whatever city you live in, imagine that on every street and building. And on top of that, there were historical and/or famous sites around every turn. In addition to just loving the city, it was so great seeing my sister! I miss her so much! It was cool to see her life there—her house, the 3 year old that she nannys for, her bank (hahaha), etc!
Just to name a few of the adventures: We walked around the Hahvahd Yahd. We ate real clam chowdah at the oldest restaurant in America. We drank a beer in the oldest pub in America. We climbed aboard the U.S.S. Constitution—an undefeated battleship. I drove a DUK across the Charles River. We ate crepes and cannolis. (to see pics, check out my facebook album that will be posted soon)
I loved the whole trip, but hands down my favorite part was when we went to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. Just in general, this experience was cool because Fenway is legendary. We only had standing room seats, which wasn’t a big deal, but it just meant that we leaned against a railing and stood on our tippy toes to try and see over the crowd to the field. At least, that’s how we started the game...
About halfway through the game, 4 of the 7 of us went to get Fenway Franks. The other 3 of us stayed to guard our spots on the railing. Lots of time went by before I received a text from the other group telling us they had found some seats and they would switch out with us after a few innings. After a little while, we found our own seats that were pretty decent—they weren’t great and weren’t bad, but they were fine so we “couldn’t imagine that the other group had better seats.”
More time passes, more texts from us go unanswered, until finally we hear Mike shouting our names from atop our section. We are full of questions—where have you been? Why didn’t you respond to all our texts? Where are your seats? Tell everyone to sit here; there are plenty of seats! But all these questions fell on deaf ears. They were all smiling and just motioning us to come up there. It was then I knew…I knew that something great had happened. You see, there is something inexplicable that takes place when our group takes trips together—the most amazingly lucky things happen. Something big, shocking, and surprising always happens. And I. LOVE. IT.
This trip was no exception as we get to the top of our section for our friends to hand us the tickets. The tickets read “Row 1.” And where on Row 1? THE OWNER’S BOX. Apparently an usher had randomly asked them if they wanted free tickets. They said, “sure!” He hands the tickets over and says, “don’t tell anyone I gave these to you and don’t embarrass me. Have fun!”
Time for us to freak out—aas;ldkjfa;slkdfj;aslkdjfa;lskdjf;aslkdjfa;ksdfj--only for our friends to yell, “Go! Hurry! We’ve been trying to text you for so long so we could switch, just get down there!”
So off we ran. Past all the other sections. Down the stairs. Through a security guard ticket check. Lifted a chain to the Owner's Box. And down we sat. On row 1. Seat 4. To our right: the Red Sox dugout. And the Red Sox owner. To our left: a sport’s photographer. To our front: a door that opened to the field. The on-deck circle. And the best view I’ve ever had at a sporting event. EVER.
It was one of those moments when you are acutely aware that this will never happen again. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. This goes down in the books as easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do. So, that’s the story of how we sat front row in the owner’s box at Fenway Park.
From Bingo to Baseball. Another epic trip. I couldn’t be more thankful for random blessings!!!
 |
| I won! I won! |
 |
| At the Bingo Hall with our lucky trinkets |
Beantown bound!
I traveled with 4 of my best friends to visit my sister in Boston! The city itself was so AWESOME. If you think of a “cute downtown” area for whatever city you live in, imagine that on every street and building. And on top of that, there were historical and/or famous sites around every turn. In addition to just loving the city, it was so great seeing my sister! I miss her so much! It was cool to see her life there—her house, the 3 year old that she nannys for, her bank (hahaha), etc!
Just to name a few of the adventures: We walked around the Hahvahd Yahd. We ate real clam chowdah at the oldest restaurant in America. We drank a beer in the oldest pub in America. We climbed aboard the U.S.S. Constitution—an undefeated battleship. I drove a DUK across the Charles River. We ate crepes and cannolis. (to see pics, check out my facebook album that will be posted soon)
I loved the whole trip, but hands down my favorite part was when we went to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. Just in general, this experience was cool because Fenway is legendary. We only had standing room seats, which wasn’t a big deal, but it just meant that we leaned against a railing and stood on our tippy toes to try and see over the crowd to the field. At least, that’s how we started the game...
About halfway through the game, 4 of the 7 of us went to get Fenway Franks. The other 3 of us stayed to guard our spots on the railing. Lots of time went by before I received a text from the other group telling us they had found some seats and they would switch out with us after a few innings. After a little while, we found our own seats that were pretty decent—they weren’t great and weren’t bad, but they were fine so we “couldn’t imagine that the other group had better seats.”
More time passes, more texts from us go unanswered, until finally we hear Mike shouting our names from atop our section. We are full of questions—where have you been? Why didn’t you respond to all our texts? Where are your seats? Tell everyone to sit here; there are plenty of seats! But all these questions fell on deaf ears. They were all smiling and just motioning us to come up there. It was then I knew…I knew that something great had happened. You see, there is something inexplicable that takes place when our group takes trips together—the most amazingly lucky things happen. Something big, shocking, and surprising always happens. And I. LOVE. IT.
This trip was no exception as we get to the top of our section for our friends to hand us the tickets. The tickets read “Row 1.” And where on Row 1? THE OWNER’S BOX. Apparently an usher had randomly asked them if they wanted free tickets. They said, “sure!” He hands the tickets over and says, “don’t tell anyone I gave these to you and don’t embarrass me. Have fun!”
Time for us to freak out—aas;ldkjfa;slkdfj;aslkdjfa;lskdjf;aslkdjfa;ksdfj--only for our friends to yell, “Go! Hurry! We’ve been trying to text you for so long so we could switch, just get down there!”
So off we ran. Past all the other sections. Down the stairs. Through a security guard ticket check. Lifted a chain to the Owner's Box. And down we sat. On row 1. Seat 4. To our right: the Red Sox dugout. And the Red Sox owner. To our left: a sport’s photographer. To our front: a door that opened to the field. The on-deck circle. And the best view I’ve ever had at a sporting event. EVER.
It was one of those moments when you are acutely aware that this will never happen again. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. This goes down in the books as easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do. So, that’s the story of how we sat front row in the owner’s box at Fenway Park.
From Bingo to Baseball. Another epic trip. I couldn’t be more thankful for random blessings!!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Unspoken Realities
Just a little Thursday humor. I got this email and thought it was 1) hilarious and 2) hilarious because it's true. Enjoy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How, pray tell, are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection... again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this. Ever.
15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Chardonnay than Kay.
20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent some idiot from cutting in at the front.
27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?
29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my behind everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How, pray tell, are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection... again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this. Ever.
15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Chardonnay than Kay.
20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent some idiot from cutting in at the front.
27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?
29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my behind everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Flip Flop Season
It’s that time of year again—I am living in flip flops! Yes.
I went to Arian and Tommy’s wedding this past weekend. It was such a perfect wedding for them: the music, the weather, the longboarding exit. It was all perfect. And Tommy’s smile could not have been wider or brighter when his STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS bride walked down the aisle. I couldn’t be happier for these two adventure seekers! Always so cool to see God bringing together two people, who are so perfectly suited for each other! I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again--I love people in love! J
Well, thanks to some friends, I have crossed off some more list items. Yippee! A few girls from my department kidnapped me one Saturday to take me to the Tyler zoo, where a couple more coworkers were waiting! It was awesome! As we all know by now, surprises are the way to my heart, so needless to say, I was puuuuumped. The Caldwell Zoo was very clean and had a great display of animals—I was impressed. I don’t remember the last time I was at a zoo, so here’s to random Saturday adventures!
I was also given the privilege to attend a crawfish boil. It was so fun because there were SO many people there! The taste of the crawfish was pretty good, but at times, I just couldn’t get past the fact that I was eating something that had a face and legs. I hated when I had to pull the legs off…haha. But, all in all, it was a great experience and I will go to another one, if given the chance.
Lastly, I mailed 5 postcards…the recipients probably haven’t received them yet, so I’ll keep that part a secret.
Take that #48, #20, and #76! Holla.
A more sobering thought for today: it was on this day, 16 years ago, that the Oklahoma City bombing took place. 168 lives lost. Tragedy in the heartland. I still remember.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
As of Late…
Neon Dynamite softball is in full swing (no pun intended) and our record is 3-1! Our team is not only skilled, but also hilarious and fun! At one point this week while on the field, we encountered a “pickle,” to which multiple Neon Dynamitans yelled “pickle!!” while it was happening. Case and point. And for the record, we did get the out. J I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my Monday nights!
I was asked to help a radio station with a music research event. My coworker and I did the check-in for the event and it was all so mysterious. The participants did not know who asked them to join the research, nor did we. The room was filled with 59 women and they were asked to listen to around 400 song clips and rate them. We were all paid in cash at the end. Because I knew nothing of the purposes or who put on the event, my imagination ran wild into thinking that we were all part of some elaborate human experiment. I still don’t know the whats or the whos of the event, but for 3 hours that night, I wished I had majored in psychology.
I am loving reading through the book of John again. I am recalling old lessons learned as well as learning new ones. I am also loving reading “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
I went to two weddings on the same day. Both weddings were perfectly designed for the bride and groom, but couldn’t have been more different. I truly felt like my life was a movie when I jumped in the car after wedding #1 with my 3 besties and then 3.5 hours later we were in a different state at a different wedding in a different dress. Here’s to wedding season! I love people in love!
Elizabeth helped me to cross off #41 on my list!
I wore a gold sparkly headband and got called the following nicknames: Cleopatra, glitter head, princess, hippie, fairy, Wonder Woman, dancing queen, and was told that “if Pocahontas was still alive, she would be jealous of my headband.”
In the past week, I have: taken my car in to get the window fixed, gotten a haircut, gotten my bridesmaid dress altered, gotten an oil change, gotten my teeth cleaned, and dusted my room. I literally had to do maintenance on my life. Phew, boring errands officially over for now.
The two biggest surprises: my cupcakes have been made 5 times since their debut appearance earlier this month and I am currently 1st and 2nd place in my two bracket pools! All too shocking!
Coming up, I am: working Pine Cove’s Free Family Day in Columbus, TX this weekend. Attending my first crawfish boil (take that, #76!). Being a bridesmaid in Arian’s wedding. Visiting my sister in Boston.
Life is great and rich and fun.
"From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another."
-John 1:16
Friday, March 18, 2011
100 Things to Do in 2011
I am not usually one for lists because I don’t really like to take the time to make one, and then if I do, I usually end up losing it. Anyway, this year, after reading a list my cousin Tyler made, I decided to make a list of 100 THINGS TO DO IN 2011. Some are practical, some are adventurous, and some are just fun. I have already done some of the things, so yay! I hope you enjoy my list and I would love it if there are any items that you would like to partake in with me! Also, as you will notice, the list is naturally still incomplete, so all suggestions are welcome!! I need some more ideas!!
Now, without further ado…
100 THINGS TO DO IN 2011:
1) Learn to play guitar
2) Visit sister in Boston
3) Send someone an anonymous package in the mail
4) Take a vitamin every day for a month
5) Go skiing (it’s been 2 years…ughgh this just isn’t right!)
7) Get a curling iron
8) Read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and 10 other classics
9) Go sailing
10) Surprise visit someone
11) Attend an OU football game (at least 1!!!!)
13) Paint a canvas
14) Buy a stranger’s coffee
16) Attend a Rangers baseball game
17) Learn to tie a tie
18) Bake Red Velvet cupcakes
20) Mail 5 postcards
21) Buy a new pair of heels
23) Play a kickball game
24) Apply to do something totally random
26) Climb a tree
27) Go to a drive-in movie
28) Star gazing
29) Drink a bottle of wine on a boat dock with friends
30) Ride rides at a roadside carnival
31) Visit Mike at Disneyworld
32) Host a dinner party
33) Kayak in the Tyler State Park
34) Longboard! (Seriously…anyone in Tyler have one that can come with me??)
35) Go on a midnight adventure
36) Finish “Our Trip Across America” scrapbook
37) Go to Schlitterbahn and/or ride water slides
38) Go to a concert
41) Write a message on a balloon and let it float away
42) Lay out on a beach
43) Write a letter to siblings
44) Juggle a soccer ball for 50 hits
45) Hang out with someone I wouldn’t normally
46) Volunteer for something
47) Do something crazy on 11-11-11 at 11:11
48) Go to a zoo
49) Buy fresh flowers for someone
50) Learn how to French braid
51) Go to a regatta
52) Visit Lindsay in Lubbock
53) Find a new Bible study to go to
54) Successfully find a geo casche
55) Get a gym membership for 1 month
56) Go to a play/musical
57) Go fishing
58) Buy a
59) Adopt a pet
60) Go rock climbing
61) Find a grilled chicken recipe that I really like
62) Make the living room picture wall
63) Make a San Francisco photo book from our trip
64) Run in some sort of race
65) Floss every day for a month
66) For each complete thing, put $5 in savings
67) For each incomplete thing, donate $5
68) Give blood for the first time
69) Plant a flower garden
70) Successfully use a planner
71) Spring clean my room
72) Write 3 articles/stories
73) Pay off a credit card
74) Take a cake decorating class
75) Float a river
76) Go to a crawfish broil
78) Be someone’s pen pal
80) See a whale in the wild…or at least go on a whale watch
81) Get my car detailed
82) Raise money for a cause
83) Learn a choreographed dance
84) Play in a sand volleyball tournament
85) Compete in some sort of random contest
86) Eat at Unk's shrimp shack
87) sky dive...still need to be talked into this one...
88) Shreveparty!
89) Make a t.v. appearance
90) Start a fashion trend
91) Feed a baby animal
92) Buy roadside produce
93) Crash a wedding
94) Drive a tractor
95) Sit front row on a rollercoaster
96) Drive 200+ miles just to try out a famous restaurant
86) Eat at Unk's shrimp shack
87) sky dive...still need to be talked into this one...
88) Shreveparty!
89) Make a t.v. appearance
90) Start a fashion trend
91) Feed a baby animal
92) Buy roadside produce
93) Crash a wedding
94) Drive a tractor
95) Sit front row on a rollercoaster
96) Drive 200+ miles just to try out a famous restaurant
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