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"