Happy Thanksgiving!

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.  ~A.W. Tozer

Today of all days in the year is considered a day when we reflect on how much we have to be thankful for; however, I strongly believe that everyday should be a reflection of how lucky we are to be alive in this world. As I sit here in my childhood room, amid my peacefully sleeping cats and enjoying the warmth of my abode, I can't help but know how good I have it. Now more than ever I am made aware of what it is to be loved and how that feeling comes about. Such a strange and wonderful event that happens in your life. I commend you to take notice when it comes into your life - I promise it will forever change you. This isn't just in the people we know and admire, friends and family, or people we chance to meet that left an imprint on our hearts. No, love and thankfulness are much more than that. I would be nothing and would be void of all happiness if I were without a wonderful Father, who continually shows me how much He loves me. Because of this unending and beautiful love I am able to take this and give it to those that mean the most to me.That old song says,"How Great the Father's Love for us/How vast beyond all measure". How true this is for those of us who have experienced this love and who try to give others this same love and happiness. We love because He first loved us, and beyond that we should be forever grateful.

Happy Happy Thanksgiving, and may His blessings and love surround you today and everyday.

"...But still, amid all her happiness, one face came oftenest to her heart, and with it tender memories and sweet thoughts." Chap. XV

Beauty in Christ

I am often reminded of how good life is to me. Sometimes more than others. The other day, I had a very nice customer (also a minister) come over to me and show just how awesome God is to me. Perhaps what made this so special was knowing that I am doing what I hope is my fulfillment or purpose. Sometimes hoping or assuming is not enough. He told me that he could see the glow of Christ in me and that God had shown him that I would do well and go far in life. The human in me asked 'can you trust this man'? However, the child of God in me felt that this was God's way of telling me that I am never alone and that He sees beautiful things in me. Something that I hope shows in leaps and bounds.

 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future." Proverbs 31:25

Now more than ever I think about the person I want to be. It's not enough to be a so-called 'sweet' girl. No, rather I want to be the girl that everyone can feel that happiness abounds from. I want them to feel that there is hope and love in the ordinary and to see the beautiful in things. I want to be a shining light, a sense of feeling safe and grounded in something. That is how I feel with God and to know that He holds me in the palm of His hand, molding me into the woman I choose to be for Him, is in itself - priceless. One of my favorite verses comes from Proverbs 31. This chapter captures the very essence of the woman I want to be, not only for my future husband, but also for all those I come into contact with in life. I want all who see me to see Christ in me. How can I show that, and will they know? I truly hope so.

In essence, I strive to smile at the future just as this sweet man told me. He let it be known to me that I had made his day. Little me. Before he left, he asked to pray for me and all I could do was smile and feel joy wash over me. Maybe what he doesn't know is that he also made mine. There is so much beauty in Christ and to know Him is to see him. I have so much to be grateful for.

Butter, flour, sugar, eggs...

"Non-cooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet."
Julia Child

~Freshly bakes pizzelles from yours truly~

 And Julia was right! It seems to be that many have forgotten this amazing art form - the art of cooking. For me there is no greater time spent than in the kitchen. I could cook and bake all day if allowed a whole day to making dinners, breads, pies, pastries, and the like. It makes me smile. My petition to you, my devoted reader, is to remember the love of making food, and for goodness sake, take out that mixing bowl and whisk and get going! It will be rewarding if you do, and your family and friends will love you for it.

North meets South

"See Mr. Thorton, I am learning Milton ways" - Margaret Hale

I before E, except after C

 You're probably wondering why I have dug out the age old 'I before E except after C' rule. I decided to write about a recent experience I had while tutoring this past week at the Writing Center on campus. It made me realize that no matter how many bazillions of papers I've written or how many books I've read, there is still so much learning about English and writing in general that I have yet to uncover. This excites me, not only because of all the digging that I will do as long as I do read and write, but also in how much I can learn by teaching others what I have learned in turn.

One of the students I tutored this past week was a foreign speaking student who was fluent in speaking English, but who still had issues writing English fluently. Perhaps I found tutoring him such an exciting experience because I had to approach writing from the most simplest form. This student had never heard of the above rule that you and I have heard a thousand times throughout school. This made me think how much I have taken these things for granted. Likewise, it made me want to share with him the joy of writing. He may not have understood proper word choice or sentence structure, but his words were still just as meaningful. I think about how important writing things are to us, and think back when stories and words were remembered by telling them orally, hoping that somehow they would remain intact in our culture. Look how far we have come with the invention of the alphabet and the formation of sounds and eventually - words.

Some people may question why I chose to major in English and what I can do with it since my goal isn't really to teach. Yes, I will teach my children and if so led, someplace tutoring for small amounts at a time. However, teaching in a high school or college level has never interested me much. I can't exactly say why either. Perhaps I didn't want to become a professor like everyone else I knew who had majored in it. Nevertheless, I admire those who do choose that route, to further educate children the importance and techniques of writing. My only hope is that this never dies in our lifetime. I want to inspire those with the gift I have been given. The gift of writing and expressing through words. There are so many things I could do, I just hope that whatever it is that it's the right thing.

I feel like my weekend has in a way already started, or will tomorrow after work. I have a nice long one since Labor Day is here. It's nice to have a little break from all school and such even though the majority of my weekend will be writing and reading for class. I also plan to perhaps bake and do other enjoyable things, so not all the weekend is lost to essays and manuscripts. In a way In enjoy all the bustle and busyness, while other times I wish I could hurry up and graduate already. Soon!

Goodnight all :D

This light, make it glow

I love this!

Pure gemmy by the way

What can I say, a lot has been going on the past few weeks. Not only do I work every weekday morning from 6am until noon, but I also am doing a writing internship and am a full time student! Times are exciting. Times are busy. Times need to be longer! Needless to say, while I am busy, I have still been able to capture those special and wonderful moments from day to day.

Today for example, was a day in which I spoke to a few of my international friends. One of which I speak to pretty regularly, but some moments render themselves as ones that stick more than others. It was a nice chat, embracing the usual teasing banter with a side of serious compliments that would make you smile. Some friends are worth keeping, and this one is worth all of it. Also, got to chat to a member of the church I attended while doing study abroad in England. He recently had a short vacation here in the States and was telling me about the great fun he and the family had while here. Hence, the meaning behind my title for this post. Means something 'good' when talking among friends. I like it! And the third conversation was with a girlfriend of mine whom I keep in touch with from Scotland. She has such a contagious bubbly personality and I am grateful for every chance that I get to hear her say 'heeeeey how are you??'. Oh the little things that make us laugh or smile. I hope we never lose that.

I have started an internship with the Writing Center at my university. Not much to report in the beginning stages. Things are slow since the beginning of term, but I am excited at the opportunity to help students with their writing once it picks up a little. The people who work there are nice, and for now it's been great to chat and get to know them better. The beginning of this term has been a busy one certainly, but I am that much closer to graduation next year! In fact, I am really excited to be almost done. About 9 months now I think.. yeah! May couldn't come any sooner. Here's to the journey and that in all the busy scheduling that I won't forget what is 'pure gemmy'.

Auditions - the good, the bad, and the ugly

I had the opportunity last night to sit in on auditions for my university theatre's 2010/2011 schedule, as one of my written plays will be performed this October. It made me realize how much I miss the whole theatre 'life'. I miss tech weeks, endless rehearsals, work calls, lots of memorizing, getting that entrance and exit just right, and listening to what all the others have to offer. Thus last night it was like I had a VIP seat even if I was the playwright. It's always a learning experience not only for the people auditioning but also for the ones giving the audition. This particular one had people trying out for the musical as well, so I got to hear many snippets of monologues as well as a few bars of song. Some were inspiring, a few not quite there, and some... well I give them brownie points for at least trying.

Truth is an audition takes a lot of guts. I was once the typical nervous and shy theatre major who had to go up there and give them the stuff. Funny thing is I didn't freeze up in actual performances, rather they excited me and I loved performing. For some reason an audition was so much more nerve-racking than an actual performance.Sometimes I nailed it, and other times the nerves got to me. However, I learned a lot from the process. Of course you can't do anything without at least putting the effort out there and giving it a try. I can't say that I loved doing monologues but the experience gave me more confidence as an individual. (And it's a great exercise for memory.) Constant practice made me better and now I can say I feel more confident if I had to audition for something.

I enjoyed watching everyone and catching a glimpse of how people react and the persona they portray. Some work well under pressure, while others seem to crumble at the thought of a room full of people and themselves alone on an empty stage. It was in its own right a performance in its own. A jumble of people all put together to portray the flaws, the perfections, and everything in between. Funny how you look at things like this and see it as a way to identify with people. :)

Getting settled..

The past few months (or years really) I've done a lot of thinking as to where I'm going after the whole university thing is over and done with. Now that I officially reached the Senior year mark after a study abroad for a semester in England, a semester off after I came back home, and transferring to another much larger school, I am ready to take on the next best thing - life. While many of my professors and peers have already mentioned the dreaded 'grad school', that is the last thing I want to do after spending nearly 5 years trying to just get my Bachelors Degree. I need a break, a chance to spread my wings and try something new. Something exciting, and something downright different. Grad school will always be there if I so choose to take that route. 

That being said, I have a lot going for me in the way of what to do after all this is over. Internships.. a chance to visit my friends abroad.. maybe even living abroad? It excites me.. maybe a little too much. But you have to have something to look forward to in the midst of papers, finals and stressful homework related assignments, right? 

In short, I created this blog as a chance to share my love of writing in thoughts, whims, and just general things that I think worthy to share with others. That and I miss blogging from my studies in England. As I take on my last year of university this will be my source of writing and sharing all the joy, frustration, hope, and meaning that come my way. I promise more developments shall come soon. In the meantime, thanks for taking the ride with me. :)