Thursday, May 26, 2011

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.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

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.

 

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 :)

Friday, May 13, 2011

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."

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"

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

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"?

Friday, May 6, 2011

Go, May. Go, May.


I just sat through my very. last. class. ever.  Other than 2 take-home exams, I'm done!!!! I can't wait for 5:00 to be 5:00.  For the weekends to be weekends.  To be able to do something without feeling guilty for not doing school work instead.  To have some true free time again.  To be making money for what I'm doing instead of counting hours.  To help more people communicate more effectively.  To get my CCC's so I can travel.
What hobby should I pick up??

Coincidentally, May is Better Hearing and Speech Month


This annual event provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing.

They've dedicated a whole MONTH to people who help people communicate!  How neat is that?!  It validates my perspective of how important the profession I'm about to enter really is, and excites me even more to get goin!!!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Lady in Red

If I could be anyone today, it would be Gisele Bundchen.  She looked absolutely amazing at the 2011 Met Gala in a number from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2005 (yes, 2005) collection.  The dress is beautiful, & the arm candy isn't too bad either:




She wasn't the only one wearing a piece from his Fall 2005 collection this year.  SJP did, too:



#throwback?

Monday, May 2, 2011

No matter how long it takes...

What my ensemble would be today:



Thank you to our troops & their families.
Thank you to the firemen & police officers who risked their lives on 9/11.
I hope that those who were personally affected by 9/11 feel a sense of closure today.
Justice will be done.
And justice has been served.



I think Toby Keith needs to sing this for America live ASAP. National broadcast. Makes me feel proud :)