Sunday Songs #5: L-O-V-E

I guess you could call me a hopeless romantic. I try to deny it. I try to run from it. I try to pretend that I don't fit into that category. But when I hear a love song, I will secretly download and play it over and over again. Yes. It is true. I am OBSESSED with love songs. All day. Everyday. I figured the theme of LUUUVVV songs would be appropriate for this week's Sunday Songs with Valentine's Day just a few short weeks away.

In case you are a little unfamiliar with "Sunday Songs", check out the first sunday song! Basically, I talk about my favorite songs based around a common theme.

So back to this week's theme: L-O-V-E. I enjoy the songs about love conquering all. Ones with the fairy-tale love. Ones talking about love going the distance. Ones that talk about no boundaries. Ones that can make you enjoy what you have or remind you of what is to come. Ones that lifts your spirit. Ones that tell a story of passion.

I realized the other day that the majority of the music on my mp3, is about love. My music selection is continuously growing in all genres, but the sappy songs get downloaded more frequently versus everything else.

Like always, it is hard for me to narrow down my favorite songs.  So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorite love songs:

1. Adele - Make You Feel My Love - A good slow dance song. It's one of those songs that takes you away from the craziness of the world and cause you to focus on you and that person. It's just you and him. Favorite verse in the song: "Though winds of change are throwing wild and free, You ain't seen nothing like me yet."
2. Jon McLaughlin - So Close - Do you not feel like you are in a fairytale when you hear this song?? Well, it makes sense it was in the movie Enchanted. Anyways, great song. A great dancing song as well.
3. Keith Urban - Making Memories of Us -
4. Michael Buble - Crazy Love -
5. UB40 - Can't Help Falling in Love -
6. Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up - So I am not going to bombard this post with Josh Groban even though I love his music. This is definitely a favorite of mine, but I can't say its my most favorite, because it's all wonderful. I know some people aren't a particular fan of his, but I enjoy it :)
7. Savage Garden - Truly, Madly, Deeply
8. Goo Goo Dolls - Iris - AWESOME music video.
9. Edwin McCain - I'll Be
10. N'SYNC - This I Promise You
11. Alison Kraus - When You Say Nothing At All - "Old Mr. Webster could never define what is being said between your heart and mine..."
12. Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not the One - I got a little teary-eyed listening to it just now

This is just a small taste of what I enjoy listening to.  So there it is. My little secret has been revealed about my obsession to love songs. If you have ever gotten ahold of my music collection, you probably already knew this. I thought it was a phase of my music taste, but I think it is here to stay :)

Until next time,
K

Wonderful Wednesdays #1

A new idea for my blog. I came across the title in one of my teacher books. The concept for Wonderful Wednesdays in the book has nothing to do with what I intend on doing with it :)


I want Wonderful Wednesdays to be a reflection on the past week of something that happened. Something that was said. Something  that was given to me that stood out to me. It will be a chance for me to focus on the good things that happen in the last week and help me remember that even though I have a crazy-busy week, there is something good from it.


The topic for this WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY is: My red bike.

Well, I should say Adam's bike. He let me borrow it for the semester since he is back home.


I love having it down in Charleston with me. First off, I love riding bikes. Second, the bike is red, which is super cute! Third, I love riding bikes.


It is nice to be able to take a quick trip (in comparison to walking) to the battery to read or to do homework or to relax.


It is also nice to have my bike to run an errand somewhere downtown instead of using my car.


On Saturday, I finally got to put my bike to use because the weather was perfect. Beyond perfect. I got done with the Praxis II test, grabbed a sandwich, and headed to the Battery. There weren't alot of people out and the weather almost just right.  I relaxed and enjoyed myself. After a little while, I decided to take a cruise around the peninsula.


I wasn't on a time frame to get back and do something else. I didn't have school stuff weighing on my mind. I was away from the chaos of campus. It was nice to just be "free" and to roam around.


I think now that I have my bike, I will be able to explore and take advantage of this beautiful city I live in. I know I take it for granted by napping or staying inside when it's beautiful outside. It's time to fix that!


PS - If you are ever looking for a bike buddy, come find me!! ;)


What's something wonderful that happened to you this past week?


Until next time,
K

The First Semester of Senior Year is a Go.

Wow. I am a SENIOR! It didn't really hit me that I was senior, until I received an email from College of Charleston with the message only being sent to SENIORS! Crazy, but exciting stuff.

This week is the start of the second week of classes. It was nice having yesterday (Monday) off to get refocused and to rest.

My class schedule is as follows:
MW (12 - 1:14) - Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners (Education)
MW (5 - 6:15) - Introduction to Problem Solving (Mathematics)
W (1:15 - 4:00) - Creating Learning Environments (Education)
W (7:00 - 10:00) - Physics 101 Lab (Science)
TR (3:05 - 4:20) - Public Speaking (Gen. Ed)
TR (5:30 - 6:45) - Physics (Science)
R (8:00 - 10:45) - Field Experience (Education

What is special about that schedule? Look closely! Yes...that's right...NO FRIDAY CLASSES!!! :)  The only downside to that is my Wednesdays are a little more chaotic. So far I like everything, EXCEPT physics. I can't understand what my teacher is saying so this class might require a little more of my time. I am loving my education classes because it is making teaching even more real. This semester will be a little different from previous semesters because for most days I don't start classes before 12, which means I have to schedule my work out in the mornings. I am still adjusting to the new schedule, but I finally getting used to it.

So, what else is new with me??

1. I have been exercising "more"!! More in the sense of training to run the Cooper River Bridge Run in April. I have good days with it and other days are just so-so. I mean, I was able to jog four miles in a hour on Sunday. If you do the math, it's like a 15 minute mile. Not super great, but the first time I have been able to really push my self to keep going for that long.
2. Almost finished with a sewing project that I have been working on every so often since October. I will post pictures as soon as I am done!
3. During my Quiet Times, I have been reading through Genesis, and I am almost done with it. Sort of. Haha. I always think I am close to finishing a book in the Bible and then I end up spending more time on it. God revealing alot to me about trust and faith in Him through Genesis. Its exciting stuff to see how God is at work even way back when in Genesis.
4. I am also reading throught a book called Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild by Mary A. Kassian. This book has been AWESOME! I'll be honest, usually with devotional books I get bored and never end up finishing them. This one is different. It is so applicable. It's a challenge to my self to look at how I live and think and to really make sure I am living God-centered in every aspect.
5. RA Fun. I had a cupcake war/decorating program yesterday. It was a lot of fun decorating and of course eating ;) On Saturday there was an incident with a bathtub nob that fell off and water was pouring out. Let's just say I spent a good 1 1/2 hours dumping water off the balcony of College Lodge. That will be going on the list of the many adventures of being a RA and being in College.6.
6. I am constantly being reminded of how fast life flies by. I am trying to make the most of it every day. It is hard sometimes being in school and having this mindset especially when there is a paper due or a test the next day. I wake up every morning and just have to give the new day over to God and let Him do what He wants with it. Only He has the capabilities of making it beautiful.

I hope you guys have an amazing week. I don't know who actually reads this and who actually makes it to the end of each of my posts, but just know that I love you ohhh so much!

Until next time,
K

Random fact about me: I love hot-air balloons. And bicycles.

How do YOU measure a year?

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets

In midnights, in cups of coffee

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure, a year in the life?

I hope everyone had an amazing New Year's Eve. I "rang" in the New Year by praying with 1,000 other college students at Encounter with Campus Crusade. What a wonderful way to start the New Year especially since one of my resolution for 2011 is to make prayer a more active part of my life. Definitely an amazing experience, and I'm thankful I had the opportunity.

Sadly, while I was at Encounter (it was a five-day conference), a resident of College Lodge was killed in a car accident. It was pretty hard, well it still is. It is different with the residents being back and she is not one of those faces I see. She had an amazing personality and a loving heart. One of the most easiest people to talk to and was always smiling. But now, she no longer has to suffer or experience the pains of the world. She is with Our Father in Heaven.

Her death was such a reality check for me. It made me realize that life can be cut short so easily. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow so we must make the most of every opportunity. Today. Now. This Moment.

There are two songs that come to mind whenever I think of living in the moment. Both of them are from RENT and are reminders to me that I need to be making the most out of the life God has blessed me with. Life is too short to be mad at someone. Life is too short to live with regrets. Life is too short to not tell the people you love how much they really mean to you. 2011 is going to be different from 2010. Not that 2010 was a bad year, but this year, I feel like I'm more bold with love and have re-centered my life with God being more active.

I don't really know how I am going to measure this year. It would sound soo cheesy to say I'm going to measure it with "love" but its a little true. I just hope to make the most of everyday and go to sleep being thankful that I am loved in so many ways and by so many people.

So I want to ask you, how are you going to measure 2011? Are you going to make the most of it and remember the good things? Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes sound like a lot, but they fly by. It's going to be a good year no matter what. It might not go exactly how we want it, but God's Glory and Love are going to show through every situation.


Until next time,
K

The New Year...2011

The new year is upon us. It's weird to think that another year has come and gone. I realize I probably will say this about every year, because each year will seem to go by faster and faster.

As it is common for many people to make New Year resolutions, I usually try to come up with some as well.  I try to keep them as realistic as possible. I tried to remember what I would resolve for 2010, but I can't remember, which probably isn't a good thing.  Fortunately, I was able to find my list in one of my old journals:

New Year's Resolutions for 2010

1. Less time on Facebook.....this one varied with the weeks and what I had going on. I realize that Facebook can be sooo destructive for myself. I have those days where I will allow myself too become trapped into the lives of others and wishing for things that I didn't have. But then I have other days that I use it solely for communicating with others.
2. More time in prayer and worship....like resolution number 1, this varied with the weeks. I know I needed to make prayer and worship more of a habit, but I would rely more on my own acts instead of relying on God.
3. Get a 3.5 for this semester.....Yes! I got this one for both semesters.
4. Exercise at least two times a week.....Eghhhh. Not sooo much. Laziness found its home with me too often.
5. Work on relationships with friends....I hope I did. I think on top of working on relationships that I already have, I was able to build some new ones.

So for the year 2011, I want to keep it as simple as possible. And keep it realistic. But still challenging myself at the same time.

1. Love. Love. Love. I want to really be bold in my love. Showing love not only to my Savior, but to everyone. This will mean putting my selfish "needs" aside and focusing on God and His people.
2. Prayer. I want to continue making prayer an active part in my life. I want to challenge myself to prayer throughout the day more regularly.
3. Relationship with God. I really feel like I have grown alot since last year with Him. Someone told me that I had changed in the last year, and it really made me feel like I had changed for the worst. I don't feel that way and I certainly hope God doesn't think I have changed for the worst. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am really letting Him take control of my life and leading me on the path that He wants me to go.
4. School. As I am finishing up with school at the end of next year, I would like to have some idea of what I will be doing for the following semester. I am not worrying about right now because I know God has control over that situation.
5. Exercise. I KNOW everyone always puts this on their lists but it really does make a difference being more active. I feel happier and more lively. I am not going to state a number of how much I want to exercise; I want to just do it.

So there it is. My list of resolutions for 2011. Nothing too out of the ordinary I don't think.

I have realized that I have to take this life one day at a time. One moment at a time. One breath at a time. I don't know where tomorrow's moments will take me, but I do know that God guide me wherever I go.

Until next time,
K

Sunday Songs #4: The Christmas Edition

I love Christmas. I feel like that statement is such an obvious one for most people. I love the decorations. The lights. The Christmas trees. Shopping for presents. Wrapping presents. Spending time with family. Baking and cooking. Tacky Christmas sweaters. The birth of my Savior.

There is so much to love about this season. One of my most favorite parts, usually starts at the beginning of November on the radio. CHRISTMAS SONGS. Yes, it is slightly obnoxious that Christmas music is playing before Thanksgiving, but if you think about it, there are not Thanksgiving songs, so the radio has to do something ;)

Today was the Christmas Cantata at my church.  Basically the choir sings and people play instruments and it is just a glorious time. I wasn't able to go because I am still at school, but it is another representation of why I love Christmas music.

There are a handful of songs that I could listen to over and over again and not get tired of it. The following are a few of my favorites:

1. Josh Groban - "Oh Holy Night"

This is by far my favorite version of "Oh Holy Night". It is beautiful. And sung by a beautiful man ;) But seriously, it is the best version of the song. "And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord!" We sang it at church today and it reminded me of how amazing our Savior is and how grateful I am of his birth.

2. Trans Siberian Orchestra - "Christmas Canon"

This song reminds me of car rides with the siblings. We all love this song and always sing along to it. I already enjoy Canon in D so adding the Christmas touch to it make it beautiful!

3.  Relient K - "I Celebrate the Day"

This song popped up on my Pandora this season. It really represents the change of heart I have had for the season and really showing an appreciation to the Lord for the greatest gift of all: His Son. Some of the lyrics: "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. And I, I celebrate the day That You were born to die So I could one day pray for You to save my life."

4. Mariah Carey - "All I Want for Christmas"

 

This is such a typical Christmas to like especially for girls. I feel like it is a top choice for ALOT of people. It is a perfect "dance around your room" song. (We all know those are my favorite. hehe)

5. Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas"



This is another radio song for me. I enjoy it every time it comes on. For some reason, I only really like it when I am in the car with a group of people singing along with it.

 

This is just the beginning of the Christmas song list...there are tons that I enjoy listening to. I hope to get another post up next Sunday with some more songs.

 

Until next time,

K

You Must Be November

Where did the month of November go?? It went by wayy too quickly.

Not too much happened in November expect for my birthday (yayy!), Thanksgiving and some sewing projects.

For all you craft lovers out there, I will start with this topic first ;)

One of my residents had a semi-formal, and wanted a cute headpiece to go with her outfit. She was wearing a silver, strapless dress with hot pink heels.  I decided to make her a hot pink flower to match the shoes. I pulled a couple of ideas off the internet and got some silk and mesh fabric from the store.  I think it turned out really cute!!

My next project was an EXTREMELY large t-shirt. 

IT IS TOO BIG FOR ME. I had originally bought it for my ninja turtle costume, but got something else instead. Once again, I found a re-fashion shirt idea and decided to try it out:

It is a little small, but I really like how it turned out. I love buttons and had some to add to the shirt.

At Thanksgiving, I couldn't resist making/decorating some cupcakes. I did my usual buttercream icing.

My 21st birthday was at the beginning of the month. I had a blast all weekend and celebrated "safely". On thursday night, I went out with some friends, got dessert, and had a few drinks.  On Friday (my birthday), Adam and I drove to Clemson. We went out for a bit, but I called it an early night because the football game was at twelve.  I went to the football game with Benjamin. We stood on the hill! It was cool to be that close to the football players as they were coming down the hill. After the game, Benjamin made me fajitas (my favorite!). On Sunday morning, Adam and I drove to Fort Mill to see the family. We relaxed and ate some delicious (and pretty) bakery cake! It was a WONDERFUL birthday weekend and I am thankful for everyone that was part of it.

I went to a hockey game with Adam and Garen one weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am starting to get into hockey...It is a fun sport to watch.

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Savannah this year (third year in a row!). I ate wayyy too much food, but it was all delicious. On Friday, the ladies went shopping. Got lots of goodies! I enjoyed getting away from school for awhile and spending time with family. On of the best parts was meeting baby Griffin. He is such a sweet little boy.

Well that is a semi-short version of my November. I kept putting off uploading my photos. O well, better late than never.

Until next time,

K