Fort Fever

I wanna build a fort.  A fort with sheets and blankets.  And an abundance of string lights, oh how I love string lights.  And lots and lots of pillows.  And I want it to storm.  Preferably at night.  Maybe a weekend night, so I can stay up late and sleep in in the morning.

 

 

 

I love the outdoor forts, too!

blessed.

I thought about making a post with bulleted "things I'm thankful for" points, but this late at night, my brain can really only focus on one.  So here goes.

This Thanksgiving I'm [still] thankful for my family.  One thing I learned when I went off to college was how blessed I was am to have my parents.  Six years later, I'm still speechless and in awe at the blessings God has given me:

He's given me parents who not only love each other, who not only love me, but who love God above all else.  I'm so thankful for the example they've set for my sister and me.

He's given me healthy parents.  My heart is heavy for those who are dealing with sick parents; I think you've got to be extremely strong to handle that!

He's given me parents who disciplined me and taught me right from wrong... of course I'm still learning a lot of that for myself!  Nevertheless, I eventually learned that disobedience wouldn't be tolerated.

He's given me parents who try to let me learn about life on my own, but who are a phone call away if when I have absolutely no idea what to do, where to go, or how to cook [hey, we all have our struggles!!].

They are smart, funny, kind, caring, compassionate, stern, loving, giving, secure, faithful, loyal, honest, weird [yea], witty, creative, stern yet flexible, and beautiful both inside and out.  Not to mention they let me have my very own dog when I was 11.  That was pretty cool :).  I'm not saying that you're less fortunate than I am if you were brought up in a home different from mine.  I'm not saying that at all.  What I'm saying is that I'm muy muy grateful for what God has put in my cup.

I hope this Thanksgiving that you can look at your life and really dig deep into what you're thankful for!  Count your blessings, for they're new every morning!

What's new?

Ohhh me gooosh!!!

I can't believe I let so much time pass before updating this thing!  Last I checked, I was supposed to do a follow-up on my job interview in Nashville, TN [as an Arkansan, I feel the need to specify the state].  After a few weeks of anticipation, the job was offered to someone who has more experience than I do.  Which was okay!  During that "waiting period," I was offered a job here in Little Rock, and I had some thinking to do!  Fortunately for me, God answers prayers and He showed me where He wanted me to be, at least for now.  Who knows where I will be in 3, 5, 10 years...  Anyway, about 3 months ago, I started working at ACCESS Schools.  ACCESS is a non-profit organization that serves infants, toddlers, children and youth with special needs.  I provide speech and language therapy to children ages 3 to 5.  After feeling confident in my graduate clinicals, I thought I was well prepared to enter Big Girl World (BGW)!!  Boy, was I wrong.  The responsibilities of a graduate student clinician versus an actual CFY-SLP stretch far beyond what I had imagined and expected.  I wanted a challenge, and I've got one.  Perhaps one of the biggest challenges I'm constantly facing is behavior management.  I love all of my kids, but sometimes I find myself feeling so clueless in the "being the boss" department.  As a young professional, figuring out how to be both the friend and the B-O-S-S is hard to do.  I might be ready to crash as soon as the clock hits 4, but the work is totally worth it!  Luckily, I have an amazing "support system" at work.  There are plenty of SLP's at ACCESS who are more than willing to help me with whatever it is I need: therapy materials, language activities, reinforcement that will hopefully help cease what we like to call "bad choices" and reward the good ones, paperwork, you name it!!  To say I'm lucky would be a vast understatement!  I'm faithful that God will use me there & I'm excited to grow as a speechie4life!!

Another plus, BGW comes with a paycheck!  And a steady one at that!  None of that $2.65+tips waitress salary or a very low-paying graduate assistantship.  It's pretty awesome to be able to still have fun in BGW [something I think people tend to forget!!].  Here's a little bit of what I've been doing, er, where I've been going:

Dallas, TX, for A.Do A.Swad's wedding, where we:

...had a fabulous brunch at Sfuzzi's and then enjoyed the view from SOB's balcony.

...reunited with Delta sisters and had the time of our lives!

...caught the bouquet!!!

Las Vegas!!!! for LindsMcG's bachelorette party, where we:

...stayed at the PH West Towers & implemented the use of a self-timer before our first night out.

...did touristy things on the strip sans $100 fine.  And lost $$.
Garden Party.

...got strangers to take group pictures of us because we could:
Cha, me, Ash, Rachelle, Linds (B2B!), & Mon

...took lessons at the Stripper Bar in PH
(hah, not really).

...met the tallest man on Earth at Tao.

...danced our booties off at Marquee Day Club & met some really fun people!

...stayed out long enough on our last night to take an hour nap before our flights home.

Yeah that's about all for now!!  I hope you all have a fabulous next 3 months because I'm sure it'll take about that long for me to blog again.

Oh, & I'm officially allergic to cats.  And everything outside.

Viva

In precisely 3 hours, I will be boarding a plane flying non-stop to the City of Lights.

The Entertainment Capital of the World.

Sin City.

Las Vegas.

4 years sewed into one blanket

I'll update you more on my life (since it HAS been a month and a half since I've blogged) tomorrow, but I had to share this now :)

I was hardly ever wearing my college t-shirts anymore, especially the bright Starburst-colored ones from freshman and sophomore year, but they were taking up precious and much-needed space in my dresser drawers!  So what did I do?  I got a t-shirt quilt made!!  I actually picked it up yesterday, and with it being UofA Rush Recruitment Week (go Tri-Delt!), it made me a little nostalgic.

There's something sexy about the rain.

Does anyone else find romance in a rainstorm???  I don't mean lovey-dovey kiss-kiss romance.  I mean the "finding beauty in nature" kind of romance.  I love how rain is simple, pure, exciting, refreshing... not to mention I love the smell of it!  ...No?  Just me?

I woke up early and was planning on going for a run jog walk at Big Dam Bridge while it was still cool outside.  That was until I saw it was supposed to rain today.  I'm talking looking-like-it's-nighttime colored skies, lightening, thunder in the far distance rolling in, marble-sized raindrops kind of rain.  Also known as "stay-in-bed rain."

So that's exactly what I did.  I got back in bed, turned on my TV, and am loving this Tuesday storm!  I justify my laziness today with the idea that I should take advantage of this lazy-day weather while I can.

My to-do list for today isn't going to get itself done, which is why I'm going to regret this later and tomorrow during the big move... Oh, well.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

Title: "There's Something Sexy About the Rain" by Kenny Chesney.  For real.

Today I don't feel like doin' anything

Tomorrow starts the beginning of my last free week as an unemployed new graduate!!  Lucky for me, I'm moving mid-week, so my free time will be spent packing boxes and breaking sweats... but hopefully not breaking backs.

This is what I'd rather spend my day doing:

This is where I'd rather do it:

or here:

But probably not here:

Have a great week, everyone :)

Title: Lyrics from "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars

There's a fire starting in my heart

Photo courtesy of 365Promises

After seeing this picture on 365Promises, I knew God was speaking directly to me.  It hit my heart like a ton of bricks.  I hear you, Lord.  I hear you loud and clear, and it's exactly what I've been needing to hear!!

Editing done on Picnik

Title: "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele.  I'm hoping this isn't a surprise, though...

A Week in Pictures

My girlfriends & I had our first official summer pool party!!  We sat around on noodles, rafts and blow-up seals {okay... so the blow-up seal didn't work out so well for us big girls} and enjoyed some drinks, chips, push-pops and gossip.  Not to mention pool-side magazines that I like to pretend to read but never really do...

Me and the bride

My sister & cousins

MaJohn {my grandma} got married!!  We enjoyed some good QT with the extended family during dinner and afterwards at the hotel.  The wedding was simple & elegant, just the way the bride requested.  I feared the reception, however, was going to turn into an auction as my father gave his speech: "I've got two beautiful, [pause for emphasis] single [cue the laughter] twenty-four year old daughters."  Oh, great, we're about to be auctioned off! Going once... "I never thought the first woman I'd walk down the aisle would be my own mother." Cue more oohs and ahhs and awws and laughter.  The night consisted of telling stories, catching up, & reminiscing with my extended family.  God truly has blessed me with them... I never really realized how lucky I was to be related to such wonderful people until my eyes were opened in college.  So for that, Lord, I thank you.  You have given me a family far better than I deserve!

 I'm taking care of this sweet JCPenny record player and some vinyls that belonged to my Granddad Fred.  I found Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow," I'm in lurve with it, and there's nothing more special than genuinely enjoying something that belonged to a grandparent!

 And I thought O.P.I. had the best "Name the New Product" committee, with names like "Do You Lilac It" for a delightful hue of purple.  Until I saw this new product at Bath & Body Works.  Well played, B&BW's "Name the New Product" committee.  Well played.  Maybe O.P.I. will gain some inspiration from this hand cream.  I'm thinking a seductive nude color titled "Look Ma, Nude Hands." Yay?
If you have no idea why this is funny to me, or to the people of Generation X, maybe Y, click here and go to 1:40.

The sunset was amazing!! I enjoyed a 2-day vacay to Lake Hamilton earlier this week.  It was full of rest, relaxation, sunscreen & cold brews.  Oh, and a good sunburn.  Did I mention this vacay occurred on Monday & Tuesday?! Who's to say I can't have a little bit of a summer break before entering Big Girl World??

Look at this adorable little birdhouse that was handmade by this adorable little old man!! I bought it at First Thursday in Hillcrest.  The best part?!  It only cost me a mere five bucks!!  It gives my balcony some much-needed character! Not that I sit out there, anyway... too hot!

You got a dream of a degree.

This is about 20 days late, but here it is!!!  I'm not sure it says "Speech Language Pathology" anywhere on there, though.  That's [somewhat] disappointing.  But hey, a degree's a degree!

Since graduation, I've been able to have a little bit of a summer vacay plus time for using my new degree to make some money on the side.  Now we're talkin' bidness!!

Title: from Sugarland's "Want To"

The only 10 I see

It's offishiyal!!

I've got my Master of Science degree, and the commencement didn't last near as long as I thought it would.  Pointing out the hypernasality of the man calling the graduates' names was a highlight, that's for sure.  Perhaps the best part of the day, other than holding my diploma in my hands, was finding out that my close friend got engaged right before graduation!!! What a win/win situation!  Huge rock on friend's finger from man of her dreams + huge M.S. degree + being surrounded by close friends & lovely family = lots and lots of celebrating!!!  And getting iced... Thanks girls. Very clever!

Sunday afternoon after graduation (and a few Ibuprofens) I hit the road & headed east to make my personal debut in Nashville, TN.  First-timer, here, folks!!  The city skyline gave me chills and butterflies.  After delicious deep-fried sushi dipped in spicy mayo & sriracha -- "American Sushi," as I like to call it -- Amy & I drove around for a bit to look at the sights.  I also did a little bit of driving around on my own on Monday & Tuesday.  The city is beautiful.  I think I've developed a little crush!! Nashville seemed so open compared to Little Rock!  And a lot louder.  Anyone ever heard of cicadas??  I hadn't.  They make Nashville sound like someone is constantly shaking maracas right by your ears.  All that was missing was a mariachi band and some queso.

The reason for planning a Sunday-Tuesday road trip to Music City is that I had a job interview Monday morning, & to say my nerves were flying high is an understatement.  I can recall at some point telling myself not to pass out.  I don't know if it was the nerves or the stuffiness of the hallway that made me feel a little faint.  Thanks, God, for holding me up, because I was 98% positive that I was about to fall right over!  Whether or not I get the job, being called in for an interview in itself felt like quite an accomplishment!!

After making my rounds in Middle Tennessee, I jump back on I-40W towards Memphis to visit a friend I hadn't seen in way too long.  After drinking a glass of wine on a rooftop overlooking Mud Island River Park & the Mississippi River, I've decided that my itch for living in a high-rise condo with a big-city or a water-front view is very much real.  Someday...

Here's the thing.  I've been praying about this for a long time.  You may recall my blog post from last April where I talked about moving (click here to see).  I've asked God to be my guide throughout this whole job/moving ordeal and to give me patience and to help me lean on Him when I'm in doubt.  And let me tell you, when you pray for guidance, patience and trust, God will give you a situation in which you have to be patient and continuously trust that He is guiding you.  I've stressed a ton about this whole job search thing, but God is with me every step of the way reminding me that He knows the plans He has for me.  He has plans to prosper me, and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.  I will call upon Him and pray to Him, and He will listen to me.  I will seek Him & find Him when I seek Him with all my heart.  And I'm not going to lie, there have been nights where I tell God that I'm just not understanding Him.  I find myself asking for physical words on a billboard sign or something.  But God is faithful... He is who He says He is and He can and will do what He says He will do.  God knows what He's doing.  When I can't trace His hand, I have to trust His heart.  Although I may struggle to understand what it is He wants me to do, He always sees the bigger picture, and His plan will prevail.

Pretty Pretty Princess

I'm sure I'm not the only girl who has Googled what nail polish Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day.

I'm sure I'm not the only girl who instantly went out & bought 2 bottles of it.  It was too good, I had to share it with someone!!

I'm sure I am the only girl who didn't watch the Royal Wedding.

 

"Allure" by Essie

with a mixture of "Rose Lounge" by Bourjois So Laque, which is similar to:

"Sheer Pink 006" and "Sheer Petal 909" by Revlon (respectively).

Now go get your princess on :)

I need You like a hurricane

"In a time when natural disasters are at an all time high and there are increasing wars and rumors of wars, we need to be convinced that God is who He says He is.  He is our ever present help in our time of trouble and He promises to be our refuge and the very strength of our life.  May the revelation of this promise bring a peace to all of us that passes our understanding."

365 Promises

Earthquakes.

Tsunamis.

Tornadoes.

Hurricanes.

Floods.

Fires.

Hatred.

Wars.

People facing troubled times and lots of lives lost.  Lots.

Could it be that we don't realize how much we need God until God is all we've got?

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Title: Jimmy Needham's "Hurricane"

This speech is my recital...

Excurrrze me, Mac Users:

 Do NOT download MACDefender, MacProtector, Mac Security, or anything of the sorts!  It is a fake anti-virus and a scam.  I freaked out when my computer all of a sudden started making noises & telling me it was infected (poor thing)!!  It just wants to take your dough... and to give you a heart attack.  Even worse, to add to the horror of your bullet-proof Mac having 67 viruses, it makes gay porn websites pop up in your web browser.  I thought I was going to die-- I was petrified!

Anyway, it looks all professional-like with those little round-edged pop-ups and a little red shield in the top menubar. These pop-ups tell you that you need to do a "cleanup," but that you have to register before it can be cleaned.  Don't do it.  That's where the scam is!  I just sat at my computer and about had a conniption fit.

So how do you get rid of it? Well, one would [rationally] think you just drag the little MacProtector icon to the trash.  ERRR.  Wrong.  "This program cannot be trashed because it is open."  Oh, okay then. I'll go close it.  And then you hit another wall: You have to go through a maze to finally figure out how to close the little sucker.  Then, you may trash it and all its minions.  

This scam is a tricky little thing!!

*It's trickaaayyy... tricky tricky tricky tricky.*

I found all of this information on this blog HERE!

Okay.  Done ranting about that.  Will blog a better blog sooner than later :).  Happy 17 minutes into Wednesday morning!

Momma's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!!  I was lucky enough to spend my day with my mother, but sometimes I tend to forget just how fortunate I am to be able to say that.

Does your mom love to go to "The Sonic" and "Victoria Secrets," and is she on "The Facebook"?