I'm All Shook Up...

Just after 4:30 this morning, I was rudely awoken by a pounding and a shaking. In my groggy haze, it seemed as though someone was in the attic above my apartment jumping up and down, causing my entire apartment to shake. I was quite irritated and on the verge of yelling out to this phantom that people were trying to sleep. But before I could muster the alertness to put together a comprehensible sentence, it stopped. So, I rolled over and went back to sleep, mumbling about the rudeness of some people.

Fast forward about 2 hours. I'm in the bathroom getting ready for work, earlier events almost forgotten and passed off as a probable dream. I have my tv on to the morning news as I always do, when they start talking about all the emails and phone calls they had been receiving about the earthquake. I walked out to my living room, confused as to what they were actually talking about. Then they laid out all the details of this 5.4 earthquake that hit Southern Illinois just after 4:30 this morning. Suddenly, the light bulb above my head bursts into brightness and the dots connect. There wasn't a rude person that somehow made it into the attic above my apartment and was jumping up and down... it was an earthquake.

I can now say that I have been in an earthquake. Something I would have been totally fine with never being able to say...

A Conversation Among Friends...

We (several friends and I) had a beautiful day yesterday. The weather was perfect as we visited Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (perhaps I'll post some pics later), viewing and smelling spring flowers and enjoying the company. Afterwards, we picked up some smoothies and went to a nearby park. During the course of our afternoon, the following conversation occured:

(Please note, this memory is about 20 hours old, so quotes might not be exact.)

Me: While shopping in the mall yesterday, you will not believe what we saw!

Expectant looks around.

Me: In The Limited, they were selling stirrup pants!!!

From several others: No Way! You've got to be kidding! Ewww! etc...

Friend #1: (sarcastically) I'm just waiting for them to bring back body suits.

Friend #2: (this is a guy, of course) What's a body suit?

Friend #3: It's like a leotard.

Friend #1: It's a shirt with snaps... (long pause...) on the bottom...

Needless to say, we sat for a moment in questionable silence, then burst out laughing.

Midnight Rendezvous...

Everyone has heard of TP-ing. Most people have heard of Fork-ing. But have you ever heard of Peep-ing?

Tonight was a trip back to high school...

It all started innocently enough with my friend Christen's show. Way to go, Girl!


Afterwards, we all hung out at Philip's (thanks for the hospitality!) and laughed till our sides hurt. But what happens when people hang out until the wee hours of the morning? They tend to get crazy ideas...

We got the idea from a friend who's done it before. It's called Peep-ing. It is the Easter version of TP-ing or Fork-ing. And it truly was a trip back to high school, for when we stopped at a gas station to buy the plasticware, the guy behind the counter (who didn't look any older than us) said he remembered what it was like to be in high school. We all laughed. The youngest among us is 25!
(Due to the rain we are experiencing, we combined it with the plasticware tradition.)




But we had fun leaving a special message for our Executive Pastor and his wife:


Can you tell what it is?


PS: No names are listed to protect the (not so) innocent... ;-)

Class...

My adrenaline starts to pulse and my heart begins to pound harder and faster. And so far, all I've done is stretching. But the anticipation of what is to come energizes me. The exertion, the sweat, the pain. I feel electrified. Deep breaths; in through the nose out through the mouth. It's too early to be this worked up. We're only halfway through the warm up. Stay calm. He glances my way and my already animated heart gives an extra flutter. But no distractions are allowed. It is time to focus. Working our way down the floor, we pulverize the air with strong fluid movements. Yelling a rhythmic beat as we take the next pass. Droplets begin to chart their course down my face. I wipe them away, longing for a cool breeze or cold water to dampen the flame of heat that has washed over me. Now, the bag is in front of us, gleaming red. We move, stepping, sliding, turning until contact is made with all the force we possess. The stand tips precariously back. Then in seeming slow-motion it rights itself with a boom of thunder. On and on the storm rages. A strike of lightening, a yell of rage, the boom of thunder, the whispered breath of frustration. It moves on. To the corner I am sent, the mat squishing beneath my feet. Moving with grace and precision, the form takes shape. A turn to the left, then to the right; striking out at the imaginary foe. Very good, the master says, now close your eyes. The movements come again, this time in a swirl of darkness. As I return to the first, breathing deeply, a stripe is added to the growing rainbow of achievement. Line up! The command is barked and we rush to where it all began. We bow in reverence and gratitude. A sigh rushes across the room as we exit the small arena. Water quenches the scorching thirst that has grown over the last hour. A shrug relaxes the tense knot in my shoulders. He flashes me a smile with good tidings for the night. I suppress the giggle that wells within me as I return a shy smile. But shake my head at my own silliness as I gather my belongings and head towards my car.

My heart...

My heart is heavy.
My sword too much to bear.
Will this fight ever end?

I look to the skies
for relief and reprieve.
But my cries are unanswered.

So, on I trudge.
One foot in front of the other.
How long must I go on?

I long for peace.
I long for joy.
My Love, please carry me.

Will You Marry Me...?

Happy Leap Year/Day Everyone!

In celebration of this auspicious Sadie Hawkins holiday: to all my single guy friends: Will you marry me?

Now I completely understand if you say no, but in return I expect you to pay at least one traditional "fine" for your refusal. These can include:
- a kiss
- a 1-pound note (English currency or American $ equivalent)
- a silk gown
- 12 pairs of gloves

I don't have much use for the silk gown or 12 pairs of gloves, but a kiss would do. Or if you're too embarrassed, I will gladly accept money.

However you choose, celebrate today with a little joie de vivre!

(Information source- Wikipedia)

Hunt of a Journey...

I recently passed the one-year anniversary of my move to Nashville and the one-year mark at my job. One year. Wow. It has gone quickly. What do I have to show for it? I guess that I survived. Survived a year of introductions, directions, unfamiliarity, loneliness, newness, etc. What have I gained? New friends, new "family", a community, more independence...

For anyone who may read this blog faithfully or talk to me on a regular basis, you will know that I have struggled with my job since I started. I have many times spoken of the daily harassment I endure from my unscrupulous boss. I have searched for jobs, somewhat half-heartedly, and even interviewed. But I just couldn't take the plunge. Call it a lack of courage or over-abundance of fear or plain old apathy; whatever the excuse, I wasn't going anywhere. Part of me thought that this was really where I was supposed to be. Perhaps this was a test I was to undergo to prove .... what?

But a new fervor has awoken inside me. I again have desire and passion to succeed. To thrive instead of just survive. I am job hunting again. In fact, I have already sent out my resume. It is time (well past time actually) that I stand up for me. That I continue my journey down the path that is laid before me and stop inhibiting the progress.

Pray for me, please.

La vraie pauvreté est celle de l'âme, une pauvreté dans laquelle le mental est toujours dans un tourbillon créé par les doutes, les soucis et les craintes.
Real poverty is that of the soul, a poverty in which the mental is forever a whirlwind, created by doubts, worries, and fears. --Swâmi Râmdâs (Quoted on French-Word-A-Day)

V-day to Remember...

Last night was the first time in several years that I went out for Valentine's day. Now don't get too excited- it wasn't a date. A friend, Philip, organized a group outing, Valentine's Sucks: Dinner & a Movie. But by the end of our joyful evening, not one of those in attendance was saying that Valentine's sucks. Even singles can have fun on the dreaded holiday.

We started the evening at Pie in the Sky, a swanky pizza place in Cool Springs. We had the party room all to ourselves with a wonderful server. We talked, we laughed, we ate great food. My friend, Bria, even had a game with a pound of Starbucks coffee beans as the prize- we had to share a memorable Valentine's story and then we all voted for the best story. I actually won with a story from college about a special rose I received from a friend. I'm looking forward to the coffee!

We had time to kill before heading to the theater, so a few of the girls went to Starbucks. Gotta love Starbucks!

Then off to the movie theater for a 945 showing of Step Up 2 the streets. The movie itself was a little cheesy, but the dancing in it was incredible. It blows my mind how they get their bodies to move like that. The soundtrack was also good- and I'm not much into hiphop. We had fun making fun of the movie and even danced in our seats at the end.

Though I didn't get home til after midnight and am thoroughly exhausted today, it was all worth it. I had a lot of fun. I even let loose the reins and was a bit crazy most of the night. But that's good- crazy times are needed now and again. And I can certainly say that I had a memorable Valentine's day...