My (two) week(s) in ten!

1. Home for Easter Weekend! What a blessing. I spent great time with my family and friends. Highlights of the weekend: Gus dressing up as an Easter Bunny, catching up with good friends, Princess Diaries II, wonderful service and breakfast with my family!

2. Crazy storms driving back to OU from Tyler. I haven't seen rolling lightning like that since a drive home from Kansas many years ago. I love me a good storm!

3. Job interview at Pottery Cafe! I should hear back in a couple days if I got the job. Pray that I do! It would be such a fun place to work at!

4. My favorite fruit snacks on CLEARANCE at Target. Scooby Doo snacks are the bomb.com, in case you didn't know. You might wanna hit up your nearest Target and snatch up a couple one, two, or nineteen.

5. Finding out my roommate has mono. Her 12-hour sleeping patterns have now turned into 16. It's a crazy life.

6. Baking tie-dye cakes with Magzores! Slight blunder: we accidentally bought little gel icings instead of gel food coloring. But was the cake still good? Stinkin' delicious. Just a little, eh, pastel?

7. I think I am turning into an edamame pod. Let's be real here. I can't get enough. Borderline obsession. Yes, I steal little salt packets from the cafeteria. And yes, I do have bags of it sitting in my mini fridge waiting to be cooked. De-lish.

8. Norman Music Festival with my friends. Apparently my gingham, Chaco's, and headbands aren't quite the scene. Next time I will remember to die my hair red, wear a tie and vest, and some really, really, skinny jeans. But really, it's such a fun place to be down on Main Street. And they had a rockin' Arts Festival this morning. Too bad I am b-roke.

9. Finding a WHOLE squirrel tail on the ground outside my dorm. Tail only. Literally. It's the whole thing. What ze heck? And then finding this gem of a restaraunt. If I opened one in Tyler, would you all be my loyal patrons? You better be!

10. Stopping in at Gray Owl after the festival for coffee (not for me), some chess, good conversations, and people watching. 

Here's the bonus! 11. Mom and dad ten miles from their Lindsey exit as I type! A fun night of carbs, family, and sleep! I can't wait for tomorrow!

I hope you all had a fabulous week! Have you done anything awesome this week?

In 4 days I am running my half marathon in Oklahoma City! Yeehaw! I am really excited, especially because I am running the OKC Memorial Marathon. It is apparently an incredibly moving experience, because before they start the races they have 168 seconds of silence for those killed in the Murrah Building bombing. I think if I need any inspiration to run that day, that silence and remembrance of all the innocent lives lost will be it. They also line the course with banners of the names of every person killed. What a great way to remember them.

As for me personally, I am just running this to complete my first half marathon. I am not concentrating on my time (because I definitely haven't trained well enough to be expecting a great time) but rather the fact that I can run 13.1 miles and feel good about it! Obviously, I am going to keep running and challenging myself and begin focusing on my times once I finish this first one. See my post about the four seasons challenge to see about my future plans for my running. I know a half isn't something that is super incredible or anything, but the fact that I stuck with it makes me proud.

My daddy also bought me a brand new pair of running shoes this weekend while I was home. The shoes I was running in were many years old and were giving me gnarly blisters, so I decided to upgrade now, even though I haven't had a lot of time to break them in. However, no blisters can be worse (hopefully) than the ones I was getting before, so I think it'll be great. My dad is an avid runner. I think he runs every day, which is amazing to me. He swears by the Asics brand, and knowing Mr. Fitness endorses them, that's what I went with as well. I definitely feel a lot better in my new Asics. They are super cushy and fit the width of my foot a lot better! Thanks, Daddy-O!

My new kicks.... holla!

I am super excited. Keep me in your prayers Saturday night that I get enough carbs to sustain my run, and if you happen to be awake at 5:30AM on Sunday, pray that I am physically/mentally prepared! I am hoping the adrenaline will get me through this!

Here's a look at some of my Easter baking. I decided to run with a design I have seen on I Am Baker, using her recipe for the best chocolate cake. I thought it was kind of dry, but my parents seemed to like it. I might have cooked it just a few minutes too long.

I used a tweaked cream cheese recipe for the icing. I had to add some crisco to make it hold it's shape. One of my favorite icings is cream cheese, especially paired with a chocolate cake. This would have turned out better with a) buttercream... which I hate, or b) a larger star tip. I used the largest one I own, but I think I will be needing to invest in a 1M one soon.

I'm a sucker for the whipped cream icings, called Bettercreme, that are used on a lot of cheap bakery cakes. A lot of people hate it, but if I could cover every cake in that, I would. Unfortunately, you can't make this kind of icing homemade. You either have to buy a bucket or a mix for it. Next purchase: economy size bucket of Bettercreme.

I'm home! I'm home! I'm home!

I love Easter Weekend. And I was bold enough to skip all four of my Friday classes in order to drive home with Maggie last night. It feels so good to be here! I can't wait until 3 or so more weeks when I will be here all summer! I am hopefully making a couple tasty treats this weekend... I don't think I will get away without making a giant batch of Oreo Truffles for the boys' house in CS. But hopefully a cake or two as well!

Until then, please go look at my super cute sister's flickr account. Specifically the one's of the ice cream social. She's stylin'. And so cute. And she has a super talented friend who takes ridiculously amazing pictures.

And then look at our super fun Skype date. I am, er, not so much.

Here's to my week (plus a few) in ten!

1) Hours of ultimate frisbee in my Chacs, finished by dinner at my favorite restaurant, BJ's. Holla atcha alfredo pizza!

2) Starting a "tone-it-up" nightly routine with my roommate. You better watch out, we are gonna be lookers come summer!

3) Sitting, studying, and basking in the sun on the South Oval. Getting rid of the pastiness and getting my tan on!

4)  A roommate date to Olive Garden. Thanks Mrs. Conner for the gift card! One huge alfredo pizza (yes, I am obsessed). Leftovers= a welcome substitute to Caf food, a college student's heaven.

5) Eating Special K Original cereal multiple times a day. Why didn't I start eating this 5 years ago? Love.

6) Starting dissections in bio lab. A starfish for our invertebrate, a pigeon for our vertebrate. Pounding headaches once I leave Richards Hall... thanks preservatives!

7) Making that phat cash at my job... too bad I don't get commission. Why yes, I did make more than $1000 for the University in less than 4 hours. That's what's up.

8) Ordering my first item off of Steep and Cheap! Check that off my list.

9) Crazy weather in Norman with winds that literally knock me off my bike. Please look at the range for next week. All I have to say: whutttttt?!

10) Free Eisley concert at the Union. This concert was amazing, Christie DuPree has an incredible voice for suresies. And Eisley rocked it... I thought this concert was much better than the one I went to a couple of years ago. Definitely a good end to a not so great week!

Can't have a ten without an 11) Seeing my parents for about 10 minutes as they drive through to Nebraska for my cousin's confirmation. Seeing them again on Monday as they drive back down to Texas, and then HOME Thursday night for Easter!

I hope you have a great weekend! Mine will be filled with work, running, and no studying! I suppose I can handle it. What was the highlight of your past week?

Little did I know, about two weeks ago was this little blog's 1st birthday! I haven't yet reached 100 posts (it's a shame..) but I am almost there!

What a year it has been.

Finishing high school- I feel like this was so long ago. But now, no more AP tests, dress code, tardy sweeps, drill team, busy work. It was great to be finished with high school, but I miss it sometimes. Just the familiarity of everyone and everything. But goodness knows I don't want to step back into that dungeon again, unless for maybe a visit or two.

Summer mini-vacations- Going to Gruene and Fredericksburg, Texas with my parents to float the river was a big highlight of my summer. We hadn't ever done it before, so it was a new experience. We decided to not go on a big vacation but take a shorter, closer one in hopes that we could do something fun this coming summer. But it was so neat to be in the Hill Country and just be surrounded by God's beauty.

The first week of pre-college: rush week- This was the first of many big decisions I have had to make in the past year. So I came to college a week early for sorority rush. It was definitely the strangest experience I have ever been through. At this point I actually began renewing my relationship with the Lord. I think it was because I knew in my heart the whole time that being in a sorority was not what was planned for me, and I needed some guidance. I went through the process, pledged a sorority that I wanted, but decided that being in a sorority was not where God wanted me to be. Leading up to and the short time I went 'Greek' I felt a constant need to keep up in terms of material possessions. And I quickly realized that this was not the life I wanted to live. An endless race for who has what. I much prefer trying to live simply (but by no means am I free from desire) and focusing less on what I want. Of course, I am not saying this as a stereotype, but just as something I knew I would be consumed in, had I stayed in. Nothing against Greek, it's just not for everyone--- not for me. This probably was the best move I have made in college. I do not see myself enjoying staying in with my sorority, even though I met some great people. I have learned I am more comfortable with who I am now.

First semester of college coming to a close- First semester of college was a whirlwind for me. From Ben Kweller concerts to OU football games, it was definitely a semester that flew by. But this was not without quite some heartache. I dealt with some of the greatest times of confusion in my life thus far, from deciding to (hopefully) transfer from OU, finding out I was not hired for the job I thought was in my plans, and just missing my family and friends tremendously. I can't say that my first semester was all that I ever dreamed of, because honestly, it wasn't. But I learned a lot in those four months, and figured out how to stay true to myself. No, they weren't the best of times, but I wouldn't trade these disappointments and upsets for anything. Those were the things that showed me that I can't continue this cycle of planning out my life as I want it to be. God's plan is so much more important, far more incredible than what I have thought out. But I have to be willing to trust in Him and let my hope rest in Him. Consider that a constant work in progress.

And the present: the end of second semester- So we arrive at the here-and-now. I went through Young Life leader training, but didn't get placed because I cannot make a two year commitment to Norman YL (since I might be moving). However, getting plugged into that great, hilarious, stinkin' awesome group of people was a blessing this semester. I don't think I will ever forget leader clubs at the Burgets, broom ball, or the leader retreat. Or the awesome people I have met on the way. I'm still going full force with French, struggling to pull out an A in that class. It baffles me that in about four weeks I will be home for the summer. And it could literally come no sooner. Work plans for the summer are still up in the air, but I am hopeful for the Pottery Cafe job I have applied for. A creative outlet, a welcome relief. I might not be doing what I was expecting to be doing this summer, but I know it's for the better. 

So that's my blog-year in review. It's been a trying year, a fun year, a hard year, a full-of-change year. But I couldn't be more blessed by the people around me who lift me up when I need it most. I can't wait to see where I will be in the next year, no matter where I am. I am continually discovering who God is leading me to be, and how He works in every part of my life every day. Thanks to all my faithful little readers! You guys are the bomb!

A happy picture to brighten up your week. This picture just makes me smile.

[Found here]

I hope you are all having a great week! It's a busy week for me, but the fact that I am going home soon is getting me through it!

One time I wrote a poem and it got published in a book. This... isn't it.

Butterflies in your buttonholes
The crust of a french-man
So much noobiness abounds
In you, Goofy Dan.

You jerk, but aren't a jerk
Munch your Scooby snacks galore
Sneaky signatures by Higgins
No letter is a bore

The Chacs- you wear 'em.
You rock the headband with much ease,
You're makin' everyone ask you
"Can I be granola like you, please?"

You are fooled by my freezes
Although you'll never admit
You're initials=wizard and
You're charming like Flitwick.

Favorite concert I've been to? It's a tie. Today I will say Rocky Votolato, because that's the mood I am in.

Lil' Mols and I went in high school to the House of Blues to see him. Minus the death metal busting our eardrums and the drunk bearded guy singing before, it was possibly one of the greatest shows ever. I even caught his pick when he threw it out into the audience. Lucky, lucky, lucky. And we were so close and I just wanted to jump on the stage and dance with Mr. Votolato. Might've been frowned upon.

Hellllller there, sir. What's your favorite concert you've ever been to? I'll probably do another post tomorrrow with my other favorite? And if you listen to the god that is RV, what's your favorite song? I like Suicide Medicine and Tinfoil Hat. But really I could listen to the whole Makers album on repeat and be quite content.

"Life keeps on changing, you tell it stay still but it won't listen. I just want you near me like you are now for good!"

So, I keep a collection of pets in my head. These are all pets that I hope to have one day. I'm crazy, I know.

We shall start with this little guy, one lone basset hound. Actually, a flock of basset hounds running and tripping over their ears would be ideal.

Then we have a little German Shepherd puppy. Much like the Goose. His name would be Jude. [Good thing I thought it sounded German-like and it is completely not... where do I come up with these things?] My current dog Gus really fits his name. He's quite the doofus, but that's OK.

The next one I don't have a personal picture of, but I do have a funny memory. One of Emily's best friends in high school had a Great Dane, and he was the funniest thing alive, mainly because he was an inside dog who shared the house with a very small dachshund. We also almost got a deaf Great Dane from the humane society called Gandalf one time, but dad decided a dog that big not being able to hear might not be the best idea. His name would be Harold and he would be a big ol' goof.

And now, onto the most recent addition of my pet collection. An Airedale Terrier. He's not going to be one of those groomed, weird looking ones. But shaggy and funny. I went in to get my bike tuned up at a local shop in Norman, and as I walked in a was greeted by this sweet little guy galloping up to me. His owner wasn't very happy with him because Ripley (the dog) had just sneakily devoured his entire Jimmy John's sandwich. Um. Stinkin' perfect. There's no way you could be mad at this little face. I'm really liking the name Niles for this guy. Or Francis. Whichever one I don't choose will probably be a cat name.

So anyway. It's crazy. I know this. But you can't deny that having at least one of these fuzz balls around would make you infinitely happier, right?

What's a Saturday without a week in ten?

1. Playing with a baby liger surely has to take the #1 spot in my weekly (or two week) ten. Coolest experience ever!

Yes, this is a baby liger (Fergie) sitting in my lap!

2. Bouldering/climbing for Climb for a Cure and just for fun. And realizing I have no arm strength whatsoever. Working on it. Happening.

3. Campfires and s'mores at Beth's lake house. Boys eating roasted marsh mellows sandwiched between two brownies. That's a sugar overload if I've ever seen one.

Way to go, forest rangers!

4. Seeing campus being transformed with all the tulips being planted everywhere. The landscapers just planted all the other flower beds, so pretty soon the South Oval will be magnificent! And best part about it? Everything is not covered in yellow--- hooray for no allergies!

5. Learning I am a big sleep talker. Which is weird, since at the beginning of the year my roommate was the (incomprehendible) sleep talker. At least I form real words. 'ello somniloquism.

6. Mom and I taking our neighbor, who is like my third grandmother, out to a fancy lunch. She's had a  pretty tough year, so having her to lunch was our treat!

High fives for being a girl!

7. Making more headbands. Which are pretty awesome. Tutorial to come soon!

8. Laying in the hammock with my mom and entertaining the Goose. Despite the chigger/flea bites all over my legs... it was worth it.

That's the Jocelyn and myself.

9. Makin' that cash at the OU Alumni Outreach. I'm the best stinkin' OU telemarketer you will ever know. Holla.

10. Registering, paying, getting ready for my half marathon! May 1st crazies! OKC Memorial Marathon, here I come! (the Dallas marathon was out of the question... I had no way to get there and back without my parents having to drive a bazillion extra hours!) And I get to enjoy a weekend with both my parents in Norman! The first time they will both together be able to visit me!

Because you always need to have an 11) Worship at Lifestream breaking you down and bringing you to tears. Where would I be without the uncertainty in my life, but the certainty that God has it all in His plans? Trust can be difficult. Sweep me away, Lord.

I know many of these things happened over Spring Break, but my lapse in posting has made it necessary to backtrack! Don't worry, we are back on track now! What happened in your week in ten, crazies?