Hope Ever

If I were a Disney Princess...

2012-01-12T11:11:00.001-05:00

I'm 12 years old and enjoy taking quizzes about which Disney Princess I would be. You can imagine my glee when my results said that I'd be Ariel if I were a princess and Prince Eric if I were a prince. Yes, I took the dude one, too. haha. I love The Little Mermaid!!

Ariel:
You're Ariel from 'The Little Mermaid'! You're adventurous, romantic, and just a bit headstrong. Curiosity often lands you in some sticky predicaments. You set out to discover your own way of doing things. Even though your independence is great, there are still times when you would rather enjoy childlike comforts than exert your assertiveness. You're true to yourself and determined to follow your heart wherever that may lead you.

Prince Eric:
You're Prince Eric from 'The Little Mermaid'! You love the arts, and you especially have a fondness for music. When it comes to romance, you have a tendency to focus more on the person's inside traits than outward appearances. You can be a bit of a slow mover in your relationships, but you're always worth the wait!

Dang straight!!

Go take them, too. Have fun : )

Disney Princess Quiz

Disney Prince Quiz

2011: A Year In Review

2011-12-30T18:39:00.000-05:00

Aaaand here we are again. Another year gone by, so many new memories made. Let's look back on 2011, shall we?

- Welcomed 2011 at Universal Studios again, only this time The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was open and Tori was with us. KP & I sang some Jay Sean "Down" at Rising Star Karaoke complete with back-up band & singers. I also got an ET doll & drank butter beer. So great!!!!

- Had a roller skating birthday party (of course). My homies also surprise attacked me with silly string & took me to Harpers for dinner where a group of my friends waited to surprise me AGAIN. They may or may not have made T-shirts with my face on the front. Ha! The best <3

- My fam went to the beach for a long weekend to celebrate our April birthdays, too.

- Jackie Bradley Jr. sent me a birthday tweet & made my day : )

- Was asked to be a bridesmaid in 3 of my dear friends' weddings...good thing I love going to weddings! So fun.

- Went to a screening of the full length feature I had a role in with my fam in NC. Later in the year I went to the red carpet premiere of it in Charlotte with 3 of my besties. Did I mention I made the blooper reel? But really, who's surprised? lol.

After the premiere, Jordan, Lisa & I went to Winston-Salem and ended up on a "strenuous" hike. How are we alive right now? ha.

- KP & I dressed up as "classy" show girls for Midtown Fellowship Church's VAN (Volunteer Appreciation Night). Always a party at my church. In case you're unfamiliar or have forgotten....let me remind you:

- I started taking a weekly hip hop dance class with 2 of my favorites (Foshee & Jessi)

- A huge group of people tried to set a Zumba world record for Guinness Book- don't know if we did, but it sure was fun.

- Hit up Chuck E Cheese twice this year...going for 3 times in 2012- at least.

- My best friend & I had our annual Captain D's Valentines Day dinner. You ain't ready.
CAPTAIN D'S PLEASE

- Saw my favorite band Jimmy Eat World again & met Jim the lead singer after : )

- Went to an Oscar's party & acted a fool per usual.

- Lost one of my homeless friends, Willie to murder : ( RIP. We miss you, but know you're having an unimaginable time in heaven <3

- Saw Taking Back Sunday (another favorite band). This was the best time I've ever seen them. Played all their best songs AND had a confetti blast during "Cute Without the E"

They did a duet with Thursday to "Set Phasers to Stun" and covered "Existentialism on Prom Night" by Straylight Run. Best show ever.

- My Gamecocks won the baseball Nat'l Championship for the 2nd year in a row. Back 2 Back. BATTLE.

- Had a Harry Potterthon with awesome people and watched one of the movies every Monday night up until the last one came out in the theater. So goooood.

- Went to the Miss South Carolina pageant and sat at a VIP table with comp. champagne with Tori because her store Unforgettable was the crown sponsor. Loved that Bree won- she lost 112lbs!!

- Floated down the river 24/7 over the summer : )

- Celebrated Suz & Mandy's birthdays at the lake (Moosuzapalooza)

- Performed "My Boo" with Devin for benefit rap show. Hi-larious.

-Enjoyed Taco Tuesdays at The Whig

-Worked a casting call for The Hunger Games...so many people!! It's gonna be a great movie!

-One of the girls in my LifeGroup had her first baby. He fist pumped for the pic!

- Went to JAMAICA! Yes there were mirrors on the ceilings & Red Stripe every time you turned around. SuperFun. Literally.

- Rode the double ferris wheel at the ghetto Garner's Ferry carnival down the street from my house. LOVE!

- Was a chaperone for a special needs class at Ridgeview High School's prom. So awesome!!

- Saw Usher, Akon, Chris Brown, T-Pain, Tyga in concert

- Went to the Big Mo Drive-in Theater for the very 1st time

- Volunteered at the Babcock Center's Block Party dance & Mardi Gras dance again this year. Obsessed.

- Went to DISNEY WORLD with my fam. Favorite place ever.

- Tori & I conquered the Intimidator at Carowinds.

- Threw down at the SC State Fair as always.

- Participated in a Zombie Thriller flash mob in the Vista. Ballin.

- Visited New York City to see cousin Katie. Got to see other friends while I was there, too : )

- Went to see Needtobreathe open for Taylor Swift. Great show!

- The POP ROCKS performed at Midtown's Family Vacation. Oh, buddy was it fun.
POP ROCKS

- Went Christmas Caroling for the 1st time in years <3

- Resigned from my job! Super tough decision, but know it was the right one. I'm going to miss everyone terribly, though!

- Spelled out words with my curly fries on lunch breaks.

- Went to a Christmas Soiree with some really fun people. There may have been a rubbermaid cooler in a fancy restaurant, but I can't be sure. Dougie!

- Went to my 1st NBA game and loved it. Charlotte Bobcats won : ) Pentatonix performed some crappy songs, but I still love them. They should have done...

2012, bring it. Can't wait to see what you hold for me. Thank you God for my many blessings!!

Nothing Compares

2011-08-15T22:33:00.000-04:00

"Somehow we have developed the notion that Earth is where all the excitement takes place and that, when we get to Heaven, we'll lapse into an eternity of passivity where we sit on a cloud, playing a harp in a ghost-like Nirvana. The Scriptural contrast between Psalm 23:2 and Revelation 7:17 suggests that, in comparison, life on Planet Earth is like quiet waters compared to the springs of living water we have waiting for us in eternity. Child, you haven't even BEGUN to live." Beth Moore

2010- A Year In Review

2011-01-03T18:12:00.011-05:00

Here we are again- another year gone, a million memories made. Let's take a look back at this final year of the decade, shall we?

2010...

- rang in 2010 with an annual trip to universal studios & islands of adventure. spiderman took a prom picture with me <3

- bought my first house!!! i got to be my own realtor so my commission check went right into the down payment- pretty sweet deal : )

- went to copeland's farewell tour & fake cried with some good friends as we said goodbye to a band we've grown up loving.

- saw the musical "wicked" for the 1st time & loved it.

- filmed my scene in the full length indie faith-based film "pendulum swings." met some great people. still working on getting to one of the red carpet premieres...if not, i'm making adam walk around & take pictures with my face on a stick : )

- learned a lot about idols in my life & started letting God crush some of those bad boys

- fell in love with valley maker to the 100th power

- randomly met scott wingo at sonic and marcus lattimore at grilled teriyaki- probably the 2 nicest gamecock athletes out there : )

- gamecocks had an incredible year in sports- from winning the freaking baseball nat'l championship to beating the #1 team in baseball, basketball, & football. so great!!! got to go with my grandmother to her 1st football game & made her wear a face tat <3

- tubed down the river for the 1st time- so much fun!!!!!!!

- saw jimmy eat world (favorite band) again in atlanta- amazing show as always, played allllll of my absolute faves.

for me this is heaven from kathleen on Vimeo.

- continued leading & loving my lifegroup. saw one get married, one get engaged, & one is expecting her 1st baby : )

- saw my big dumb head walk across the screen in the movie dear john. haha.

- had another freakin surgery. booooooo. please let 2011 come & go with no hospital visits. please! at least i have a picture of me high as a kite after surgery...

- ate at ruth's chris for the 1st time...thanks nan!! : )

- threw a successful surprise party for my best friend who has never been thrown one that's actually been a legit surprise. hooray! also got my sister to her surprise party without letting the cat out of the bag either. yessss.

- watched "i shouldn't be alive" religiously & freaked out at every single episode

- experienced the 50th boozer family reunion. no other words necessary. ha.

- saw anberlin, something corporate, etc.

- judged a talent competition at ridgeview high school with my buddy jimmy- so fun.

- bought a new car!! yes, i'm insane- i bought a house & a car in the same year. good thing i'm decent at saving money. i miss my scort, but boy do i love my new ride.

new baby shark! ha.

- went to the so you think you can dance tour & saw all the greatest dances from this season AND met my favorite dancers. so coooool.
allison & me and the group with kent!

- my friends in needtobreathe got hand picked by taylor swift to open for her tour this spring- crazy!

- tore up the sc state fair per usual, but this time saw boyz ii men, caught a dang rose during i'll make love to you, & MET THOSE MUGS!!!! best night ever <3 <3 <3

- experienced the okra strut for the 1st time

- got to be the lead female in the private life of david reed's music video. i've always wanted to be in a music video- like it's been on my bucket list for real, so hooray!! check that off- thanks, guys!! : ) here's a clip of the band:

The Private Life of David Reed: Live in Columbia, SC from HYCO on Vimeo.

- dressed up as a zombie disney princess for halloween- ariel i love you!!

- sang a song with my singer/songwriter friend christina cone (who is amazing) when she played a show here at the white mule : )

- watched fireworks on the beach for the 4th of july with some bffs. fun as heck.

- did a photoshoot with my bff cousin from NYC & lovie court from L.A.

- saw lots of snow in columbia, sc!

- acted a fool with my family in hilton head- way too much fun

- experienced my 1st steeplechase & enjoyed it

- saw disney on ice for my birthday- thanks, tori : )

- met tonic at the crawfish festival- ha.

- went to be an extra in isopod & met a.j. the make a wish child we helped <3

- almost had a few nervous breakdowns from stress (kill me now, paperwork & deadlines & health issues), but for the most part, God has blessed me again with another year of Himself, laughter, family, friends, & fun.

alright 2011, let's do this.

laugh.out.loud

2010-07-11T08:36:00.003-04:00

My throat hurts so bad & I've practically lost my voice from all the laughing I've done this weekend....

- I went to see Annie at Town Theatre (cute show) and Annie was singing her big number Tomorrow. She is the cutest & had a great little voice, but during the song she's supposed to be holding & petting Sandy the dog. Well they definitely had a live dog and that mug was large and in charge. During the number he kept trying to play bite her & finally fell on the floor and started licking his junk. Poor Annie. She stayed in character so well, but I was crying laughing & disrupting the audience.

- My friend J-Sten and I had a conversation about how we were back in High School and he proceeded to tell me about his colorguard days. He would go in the colorguard room during his study hall period because he had a crush on one of the girls. Long story short, he became friends with all of them & they convinced him to try out. He made it & became the lead soloist. That's funny in itself, but what got me is what he told me he had to wear: a long sleeved metallic silver unitard with cuts down the sides of his legs. I was CRYING laughing in Harpers. I told him I have to see pictures immediately.

- And of course I laughed at Mexican Dance Party. Just going buck wild & screaming out laughing at everyone. Total blast.

What a funny weekend!!!!

this weekend has rocked because...

2010-06-06T01:28:00.002-04:00

1) got to hang out with one of my bffs & do "belated birthday dinners" at ale house. i was a groomsgirl in his wedding and i always get dude advice from him. we sang show tunes at the top of our lungs while running in the rain (good morning baltimore, no one mourns the wicked, etc.). we also acted out copeland songs out of the sunroof & lost our voices to r. kelly "the world's greatest," moulin rouge "your song," and kelly clarkson "since you been gone." that mug is my dawg.

2) saw someone i met at CONNECT at ale house. said hello, relearned each other's names & said "see you at church sunday!"

3) saw valley maker at new brookland. i'm IN LOVE with austin crane music. in freaking love. it was an extra special night because tom sang amy's female vocals at full volume into my left ear. amazing. haha. got to talk to 2 good midtown friends about interesting parts of my past. oh man, funny stuff. also, i'm trying to get them to go to carowinds and ride this:

watching the first drop makes me want to throw up & cry all at the same time.

4) ate at red lobster with some fam. cheese biscuitssssssssss. ghetto deliciousness.

5) an "I Shouldn't Be Alive" marathon was on tv

6) 3 aunts & my 2 grandmothers got to come see the house for the 1st time. it was great to see them and we had a blast.

7) went to see Anberlin!!! they played all my fave songs and i was super excited. like screaming jumping up & down hands in the air excited.

8) one of the opening bands (Terrible Things) included a guy from hot rod circuit, taking back sunday & coheed. pretty dang cool

9) i got publicly made fun of for loving jesus. : ) pretty excited about that actually. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, "A servant is not greater than his master." If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me." (John 15:18-21)

10) ate a corndog & cheese tots at sonic with some homies. best sonic radio night ever- matchbox 20 to justin bieber to michael jackson to jay sean etc. and light up spooooons!

11) went over with callie to talk to a family wearing garnet about the baseball game & found out one of the guys was freakin scott wingo!!!!! had a mini freak out sesh but we stayed over there for 10 minutes with his family. love them!

depending on weather & water levels, i may go tubing tomorrow. def going to church. hopefully going to the baseball game... and i'll be cheering extra loud for mr. wingo for sure!!! thanks, God, for such a fun weekend.

20 Bits & Pieces

2010-06-04T08:35:00.003-04:00

1) The SC state fair will always have my corndog, carnie, zipper- loving heart. I also have a lifetime get in free pass to the fair. Dad gave it to me for Christmas one year. True story.

2) I went by Brooke for the 1st 10 years of my life. Then it was the double name of southern awesomeness, Mellie-Brooke & finally Mellie. One grandmother still calls me Brooke and the other still calls me Mellie Brooke. And I’ve got nicknames for days, y’all.

3) I pretty much have the worst memory ever…especially with names, unfortunately. Chances are, if you ask me how we met, I’ll have a problem remembering. It doesn’t mean I don’t adore you as a friend, it just means my mind is wack. I’m so sorry about that!! Definitely working on it. This is also why I can’t audition for big parts in live theater. I’d literally ruin the show forgetting lines. Haha.

4) Traveling is one of my verrrry favorite things to do ever. I still want to go to Australia, Italy, & New Zealand so bad. Places I’ve loved visiting include Hawaii, Belize, Colombia, South America, Florida Keys, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, NYC, Vegas, & LA. I can’t forget Disney World. I’m kind of obsessed with Disney World. Arielllll!

5) I hate playing sports. I’m just not sporty spice. I love what most people call “non sports” like dance, gymnastics, working out, roller- skating & even swimming, but the bus stops there, friends. Though I’m not a prissy girly girl, either. I’m just a performing arts geek at heart. I will say I love to watch sports, though.

6) While working on Leatherheads as a flapper dancer, I literally saved George Clooney’s crotch from imminent doom. If you haven’t heard the story, ask me sometime & I’ll tell you the details.

7) I recently got carded at a rated R movie. You have to be 17 for those. Then again, I did play a high schooler in a musical last summer. Yep.

8) After taking a few years of piano lessons when I was young, the only song I really remember how to play is the chorus of Richard Marx “Right Here Waiting” and I’m completely ok with that.

9) Mr Pibb/Pibb Extra is better than Dr. Pepper…and I like Dr. Pepper a lot.

10) I’d rather be single forever than date someone I know I’m not supposed to be with just because I’m “lonely.” I will never date somebody simply because I want to be in a relationship. Never. It’s God’s timing or nothing. I’m not trying to pick up more unnecessary baggage.

11) I hate regular milk, but I love chocolate milk.

12) I’m pretty terrible at art/drawing- My best friends in college used to play a game where they’d ask me to draw certain things as well as I could and then we’d all scream out laughing at the finished product. I still play it sometimes with myself. Hotdog bus.

13) I’ve always had a thing for rockstars & class clowns. Mostly class clowns, though. If we have the same sense of humor & you make me laugh a lot, you’re probably gold.

14) When I was in 1st grade, I got stabbed in the leg with a pencil by a kid on accident who was playing around in line and the lead is still in there. And check this out…my mom has pencil lead in her same leg, same exact spot from her childhood. CRAZY!

15) For several years I drove around with an airbrushed beach scene license plate on the Scort with my name on it. (Thanks J-La and Rahry) I wish I could find it, I’d put it back on.

16) One time I rode on an elephant in front of a large crowd. It was kind-of awesome.

17) My first concerts besides sick nasty awesome Carman, were Alanis Morissette and The Wall Flowers. Randomcity. I’ve now recently seen NKOTB, Boyz II Men. Lady Ga Ga (actually opening for new kids), & R. Kelly. I also once skipped class for a Clipse concert at the MTV homecoming special they filmed at USC. Haha. For serious, my favorite band is probably Jimmy Eat World, though.

18) When I was growing up I got asked for my autograph at least twice because people thought I was Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years. Once at Carowinds I almost signed, but at the last minute I had to crush his dreams & tell him I was only her twin sister. Everyone at my mom’s work called me Winnie.

19) When I was super young I didn’t have 1 imaginary friend... I had 2, twins. Bee & Bay. They were dudes & they were awesome. Maybe they are the reason I’ve always had a lot of guys friends?

20) I was so bad when I was little. Mom said once we were in the grocery store & I ran off. When she found me I was throwing eggs on the floor and when she told me to stop I said “No, dammit.” Haaaaaaaa. I know my butt got tore up that night. Wow.

It’s fun to reminisce.

sneaky sneaky

2010-06-02T08:05:00.003-04:00

Idolatry is a worship disorder.

And ANYTHING in our lives, good or bad, can become an idol.

I used to think idols were golden statues that people bow down to instead of God. Heck no, I don't struggle with idolatry- that's just crazy.

Well guess what: idols can be people, ministry, entertainment, sports, & even pets. The list goes on & on... and yes, on.

Huh? I thought idols were bad things. Ministry is awesome. People are awesome. My pets are like family! I'm so confused. Idols are so sneaky!!

Idols:
- when you value something more than God
- anything that absorbs your heart/thoughts more than God
- anything so central and essential to your life that should you lose it, your life would feel almost meaningless

A spouse, a child, parents, friends.
Music, a job, a dream, escapism.
A homeless ministry, an adoption, leading worship, being a Bible study leader.
The Gamecocks, Clemson.
Food, a cat/dog, what people think about us.

I don't know about you, but I struggle hardcore with this.

If our thoughts are consumed around anything above Jesus Christ, it's an idol.
If we get all of our joy and satisfaction from something in the place of Jesus Christ, it's an idol. Good or bad.

So what do we do if we realize that our ministry, our platform, has consumed our thoughts & hearts above Jesus? If our spouse has become the one we turn to rather than Jesus? When we would rather watch our DVR than have quiet time?

1) Recognize that our hearts are prone to wander to idols.
2) Name our idols, identify and confess.
3) Repent daily & turn to Jesus for a heart change.
4) Replace the idol worship with worship of Jesus.

Deut. 4:23-24
Ezekial 14:6
1 Cor. 10:14
1 John 5:21
Gal. 5:1
1 Thes. 1:9

Here are some questions to help reveal our idols:

(Elevating Good Things to God Things)
1- What do you long for the most passionately?
2- What makes you the happiest? What do you complain about the most? What annoys you?
3- How do you explain yourself to others? What do you brag boast about?
4- What do we sacrifice most for?
5- Whose approval are you seeking?
6- What do you want to control or master?

(Coping Mechanisms)
1- Where do you go for comfort? If all was gone, who/what would you want to keep?
2- What are you most afraid of? Your greatest fear?
3- What triggers your most painful emotions (fear, despair, guilt, anger, bitterness)? What angers you the most?
4- What would be your living hell (If____ happened it would be like living in hell)
5- What functional saviors have you run to for avoiding this hell?

This will be a daily process for me. I hope you'll join me.

in the eyes of the world...

2010-04-02T13:43:00.002-04:00

"When because of your faith, your life too becomes perceptibly different; when your reactions are quite opposite to what the situation seems to call for and your activities can no longer be explained in terms of your personality; that is when your neighborhood will sit up and take notice. In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to Him."

Be Christ-like to everyone that crosses your path.

giveitaway giveitaway giveitaway now

2010-03-15T22:19:00.002-04:00

three years ago when i filed my taxes i was in the "poverty" category. literally, my tax guy told me that. but guess what i did three years ago? and 5 years ago? and last week? used the money & resources i had to tithe, bless people & help family/friends/strangers in need, sponsor a child, buy friends medicine & meals & concert tickets, contribute where i could. it's called giving freely, and it's what God calls us to do. what we have is His anyway.

and do you want to know the funny thing? the more i give away, the more He gives back. it's ridiculous, really.

i don't tell you this to

1) brag on how awesome i am for giving -i'm a total piece of selfish dookey but God loves me anyway & teaches me about being SELFLESS a little bit each day, though i'm still reluctant to listen a lot of the time

i don't tell you this to

2)let you know that giving your money & resources away will make you super wealthy in worldly goods. (it may make you wealthy in joy bc giving is of God)

i don't tell you this to

3) inform you of how rich i am now (um, early intervention specialists aren't exactly rollin in the dough)

BUT i tell you this to let you know that we serve Jehovah Jireh- our PROVIDER. when we do what God tell us to with our money, give to those who need it, tithe, etc. etc., He ALWAYS provides for us. He's done it for me time & time again. I challenge you to tithe, no matter what your income is. I challenge you to meet a need somewhere, no matter what your income is. Just do it.

my cheatin heart

2010-03-15T21:40:00.004-04:00

last weekend i shot my scene in the indie feature i tried out for back in the fall. and first of all, can i just say that it went really well? i didn't know anyone (but dad agreed to drive me so i could study my lines in the car = D ). so dad & i rolled up 2hrs 45mins away to a restaurant in NC. i was nervous (i have a horrible memory so memorizing lines is rough AND i sometimes freak out about ruining a writer's script by not doing it justice), but i prayed about it & everyone there put me right at ease.

the super nice & encouraging crew absolutely rocked. after doing our scene a couple times with a wide shot, we did the close-ups of adam "dale" and then me "cindy." of course i messed up a few times when the camera was right up in my face, but everyone laughed so it was fine. at one point i had to put my hands on top of adam's & tell him things would be ok & i awkwardly almost shot a fork off of the table with my elbow. haaaa. why am i so smooth? i love it.

anyway, the director had nice things to say & i felt good about the scene. apparently so did he. i look forward to seeing the premiere in late summer/early fall.

why the title of this blog, though? well, this was a restaurant scene so there were extras at all the tables and it felt SO WEIRD not being one. i heard the AD in charge of extras pump them up, give them direction, etc. etc. & i sat at the "cast" table & felt like a cheater. it was crazy to have an "audience" besides just the crew during the scene, too. don't get me wrong, i loved having a part, but i will never turn my back on the world of extras. i'll never be too cool to be in the background!! ever.

ps. if you were wondering what dad did the whole day....he got asked to be an extra!! so he got to watch the scene & make faces at me between takes. he was awesome. and he got to go to the secret cast room with me & get fed lunch instead of going to pay for his own fast food during the lunch break. holla! go dad.

quick reminder

2010-03-15T07:54:00.002-04:00

i have a few things to write about, but no time this morning. soon though.

just for now...

remember-

heartbreak sucks. disappointments suck. not getting our way all the time sucks. BUT the only reason we're on this earth is for HIS glory. we're here for a snap of the fingers in light of eternity. do His work, what you were put here to do & stop obsessing over what you don't have. give yourself away. love. show Jesus to all. grow where you're planted, where He's put you. it's what you were made to do.

cue cheesy, but true line: "Only one life that soon shall pass, only things done for Christ will last."

we've got to get out of this selfish "life is all about me" mindset. God is good enough to shower blessings on us along the way, but we HAVE to remember why we're on this earth.

breaking stereotypes

2010-02-18T18:08:00.002-05:00

today i saw a pickup truck with the following stickers on the back:

"my other car is a broom"
"magic happens"
a picture of flip-flops
a picture of kitty paws

the driver was an elderly african american man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. cool.

meanwhile, back at the ranch, i loved 1990.

Valentine Video Profiles

2010-02-09T23:22:00.002-05:00

So three of my single friends really need dates this Valentines Day!! If you know anyone who would be interested, please let me know & I can hook you up. They've each made video dating profiles about themselves. Here's hoping for the best for these ladies!

[yes this is the dumbest thing ever, but when you're unpacking boxes in your new house & you find one full of Halloween wigs, you just have to do something stupid like this : P ]

***disclaimer- these are all stereotypical characters (the hick, the weirdo cat lady, & the ghetto white girl). in no way were any of these meant for offense or for serious acting (um, obviously). just for random valentines day fun*** choo choo

it's just life so keep dancing

2010-02-08T08:30:00.003-05:00

i've been in such a musical theater mood lately. i saw rent a few months ago at Trustus & it was amazing. i saw wicked this weekend & it was INSANE. it's time for something awesome to come to Town or Workshop that i can try out for- Hairspray? Chicago? HSM3? i'm ready for you.

WICKED DEFYING GRAVITY

mix tape

2010-01-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

"...and I know that you're a sucker
for anything acoustic
but when I say let's keep in touch
I really mean I wish that you'd grow up.
This is the first song for your mix tape
and it's short just like your temper
somewhat golden like the afternoons
we used to spend before you got too cool."

cents sense

2010-01-16T23:55:00.003-05:00

Thank you, God, for blessing me with incredible parents. Not only are they loving, giving, praying, selfless, wonderful examples, but they're smart & raised me with sense.

I can't begin to tell you about all I've learned from them, but for now I want to thank them for teaching me the importance of hard work & being smart with money. We weren't rollin in the riches growing up, but we had enough for what we needed. For as long as I can remember, I watched my parents tithe. I also watched them be generous with anyone who needed it even when we didn't have much. Why? Because they took their cues from Jesus. They worked as unto Him and gave generously.

My dad was severly poor as a child. With 5 brothers & sisters, he would sometimes steal apples from the grocery store for them to be able to eat. He graduated and took a job at DHEC at the bottom of the barrel, taking water samples around the state. With his hard work & determination he progressed & moved up all the way to the Chief of Water for the state.

Mom & Dad taught me to work my hardest at whatever I've been called by the Lord to do. They also taught me to save, use a credit card wisely, tithe, give/bless, and be frugal.

Because of what I've learned from them & more importantly from God, I was able to buy my first home. It is BEAUTIFUL and I'm beyond blessed.

Thank you Jesus for parents who taught me what I needed to know about money & savings. I can now go into a marriage with no secret crazy debt. I have equity in a house. I have savings. My credit cards are paid off each month, etc., etc. When my future husband asks me about finances & debt, I look forward to answering him.

2009 Review

2010-01-09T22:32:00.010-05:00

It's been a year y'all, straight up. Let's reminisce...

-rang in 2009 at universal studios, literally the best new years i've ever had!! (fireworks, happy people everywhere, ZERO drama, zero drunk people falling & spilling drinks on me, zero sketchy dudes trying to make out with my face, rides & food galore, spiderman & his hot behind, incredible movie montage presentation, etc.etc.

-fell in love with the game apples to apples.

-pop rocks debuted at family vacation & i got called out for "loving" zac efron in front of everyone...JORDAN!

-i learned a LOT about identity/pride/humility (and i needed it bad)

-repented to 3 people that i never thought i would

-fell in love with the shows psych, criminal minds, glee

-karaoke'd & roller skated like it was my job, also participated in 2 murder mystery games

-spent valentines day with amazing people on a ski trip (country roads shout out)

-joined Gold's gym & fell in <3 with the hip hop class

-volunteered with the Babcock Center dances & absolutely adored every minute of them

-saw Boyz II Men (TWICE) as well as Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, The Dream, Bobby Valentino, TBS, Blink 182 (vip?!), Brand New, Backstreet Boys, Needtobreathe, & more

-went to L.A.! (Santa Monica ferris wheel, Malibu beach house bday party, got a tour of james' new house & got to hang with him, hiked runyon canyon, rode the mechanical bull at saddleranch, registered with central casting, went to the Jay Leno show & shook his hand at the front, saw the Hilton sisters shopping & laughed, went to the wolverine premiere & hugged hugh jackman and drooled on ryan reynolds)

-continued my relationship with Josue, my sponsored child from Guatemala

-auditioned for HSM2 at Workshop Theatre & got the part of Blossom- had the absolute time of my life doing that show & working with those amazing people.

-met my fake long lost twin

-had my first major surgery- and a bajillion complications which let me also experience my first CAT scan, abdomen ultrasound, leg ultrasound doppler study, IV, & blood drawing

-sang my first acapella song in front of people (Who's Loving You- Michael Jackson) & yes it was pitchy and kinda janked, but heck if it wasn't fun

-auditioned for Matt Aughtry's film All The Missing Pieces and got the role of Megan. We shot in Greer & then had 2 premieres...my first, so awesome.

All The Missing Pieces-Teaser Trailer from William Aughtry on Vimeo.

-got my 1st screen credit working in the accounting department on the film Gospel Hill

-went to my high school reunion & had the best time!

-went on a cruise to the Bahamas

cruise video

-celebrated a year at my new job

-lived it up at the SC state fair, per usual

-was a Smurfette for Halloween

-called 911 for the first time & never want to do it again. ever.

-had a Michael Jackson roller skating party

-my cousin & childhood best friend had their first babies

-Midtown added its Earlewood location & I committed to serving over there

-got approved to buy a house

Of course lots of other stuff,too, but that's the majority of '09. Happy new decade to you. Let's pray for a great one- especially in the health department for friends, families, & ourselves. God, do work in twenty ten & always!!!!

close your ears, pebbles

2009-11-27T10:50:00.005-05:00

i was driving around in my ride the other day, surfing the radio stations when this song came on... really catchy beat, but dirty (per usual). i wish they'd let me write their r&b & hip hop lyrics. some of the music is so fun, but the words- oh man. booooo.

anyway, somehow i always end up liking the worst songs. tori makes fun of me. "if it's terrible & about sex, mell probably loves it." ha. i promise i don't mean to. maybe i'm just a freak, but it happens. sometimes i sing my own lyrics & that just gets hilarious.

well this song came on & i was bouncin yet saying "whyyyyy?" about the dumb as heck lyrics UNTIL a line in the chorus played and i screamed out laughing.

please let me tell you that mug said "call me mr. flintstone, i can make your bedrock." haaaaaaa. i'm sorry, that's dumb, yet hilariously clever.

I Love My Job Because....

2009-11-18T20:50:00.002-05:00

- I get to hang out with children under age 3. (I encourage speech, gross motor, fine motor, social, adaptive, & cognitive skills through play).

- I get to develop relationships with some of the families, esp. the moms. Sometimes they need someone to talk to and I listen. We've actually become friends. They invite me to birthday parties, baby showers, Easter egg hunts, etc. It's awesome.

- I wear whatever I want- usually sweatpants, scrubs, t-shirts, etc. It rocks my world.

- God reminds me of the beauty of his creation as I do a good bit of driving to the home visits. I see children in all parts of Richland & Lexington counties and I've always got my eyes wide open to everything around me. I see deer, butterflies, sunsets, ponds, changing leaves, fields, farms... beautiful.

- The driving time also lets me talk to God a lot.

- And listen to music. I have dance parties & sing-a-thons in my car all the time.

- I see the work pay off in the end. Children get help & families are grateful.

- I see both ends of the spectrum. I serve families in giant houses in Blythewood and then projects & trailer parks in sketchy areas of town. It gives me perspective & keeps me humble.

- Every day is different.

- I make my own schedule.

- There are great benefits, holidays, days off, bonuses, etc.

- I actually get paid for this.

Now like every job, there are parts that are hard, stressful, tedious, time consuming, etc., but overall what a blessing to even have a job right now, much less one that's so amazing.

Holy Moly

2009-11-14T17:56:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry I always wait forever for my updates, but here we go...

The fair was beyond fun, as always. My lifetime get in free pass is still one of my favorite Christmas presents of all time. Thanks, Dad!

Went to a last minute decision audition for a small role in a feature independent film being shot in NC next month- had to wait 4 hours to audition bc so many friggin people were there, but did make a cool new friend who I'm totally keeping in touch with.

Enjoyed Halloween as a Smurfette- not THE Smurfette, just A Smurfette. I went the less blonde, less slutty outift route. It was awesome! No blue face, just blue hair. Hit up several parties & of course looked/laughed at all the costumes downtown for a bit. So entertaining.

Also went to the Grave Diggers Ball in Charlotte for a huge Halloween party. Please let me tell you who was there.... oh, just the BACKSTREET BOYS. It was plain hilarious & awesome. I'm not gonna lie, I like one of their new songs. It's just so catchy! Check it...

Watched the Michael Jackson movie This Is It & loved it. That was one funny, yet genius dude. He knew exactly what he wanted & wouldn't stop til he got it (or til he got enough- ha). One of my favorite parts was when he was on the crane thing going out over the audience talkin bout "hi, hello, God bless you" in his little michael voice. You have to see it to know what I'm talking about, but it made me laugh aloud. "Guys, we gotta just let is simmer. Let it sizzle." Ha, so good. The Thriller video/performance was SICKKKK, too. I want the DVD.

On a scary note, I went over to my parents house out of the blue one night to say hey and boy was it God telling me to be over there. It was later than I had planned on going so I almost went on home, but I just felt like I needed to go on over for a few minutes. My dad had just gotten home from running errands & my mom was taking a nap in their room. I talked to dad & then went to say hey to mom. It took her a while to wake up which isn't normal, but she did & we talked for about 5 minutes then I went in the other room.

I heard a loud noise & went back in & mom had fallen down. I thought she'd gotten her foot caught in the bed sheets or something, but she got up & started walking again & went to grab the doorknob & fell out. I'm talking eyes rolled back, entire body limp, unconscious. I screamed for dad & we slapped her face & yelled her name & tried to pry her mouth open bc she wasn't breathing. I ran & got the phone & called 911. I wish I could hear a recording of that call- I bet I sounded insane. My whole body was shaking like crazy & I could hardly stand up. Mom came to for about 30 seconds & took a big gasp of air. We tried to help her get to the couch, but she fell out unconscious again. At this point Dad stayed on the floor with her & I went outside to wave the ambulance down.

It finally got there & they all raced in. Mom came to again and they did all their tests, etc. & got her in the ambulance and I followed it to the emergency room. Worst drive of my life. Long story short, mom had had bronchitis & was severly dehydrated from that, but the major thing was that the medications she had taken that day screwed her blood pressure & dropped it dangerously low. The meds for her bronchitis reacted with her blood pressure meds & the muscle relaxer she had been given for a pulled muscle in her neck and they said if she hadn't gotten to the hospital, she could have gone into cardiac arrest & possibly died. IT WAS HORRIBLE. But praise the Lord she's fine, we got help in time, I was there, etc. They said she's super healthy after running all their tests so that's great news- that it was only the dehydration & medication rx that caused it. Most scared I've ever been in my life by far. I can now say I've called 911. I'd love to never have to do it again.

Homeless for the Homeless was great. I got to be a tour guide in the walk-thru & Charlie was in one of my groups. I asked him to tell his story to the other people in my group while we were waiting to go in & I think it really touched them all, so that was super cool. They were asking him questions & all this stuff. Awesome time.

I can finally say I've been to my first movie premiere. There were 2 actually- in Greer & in Columbia. I can't tell you how nervous I was. I'm usually a relatively independent & confident person, but that junk was scary. I was just hoping I hadn't ruined the big scene in my friend's movie. haha. It's a lot of pressure to want to do well not only for yourself, but for the good of the movie as a whole. It was my 1st time with lines opposite someone, too. I've done monologues or silent indie films or background work, but never an actual scene, so it was a learning experience. But, even though I can be self critical & think about what I should or shouldn't have done, I think I tried my best & did the role justice for the most part. Everyone has said they enjoyed the movie, so that's great news.

It's being submitted to a bunch of film festivals & it's even going to be playing in it's entirety in front of some major films including Fantastic Mr. Fox, Lovely Bones, Blindside, etc. at Cinebarre locations around the U.S. Now that's crazytown.

And speaking of films, remember that audition I told you about earlier? Well, I got the call and I got the part! Holy moly. Pretty cool. I'm waiting for more details so when I get them, I'll blog some more.

Went to see Brand New in Myrtle Beach & freaking loved it. Had seafood at my favorite seafood restaurant beforehand with some great friends (bailey, kp, mikey) and then enjoyed a photoshoot at the Alabama Theater. bahah. It was awesome. I'm heading back to HOB to see Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin, & All American Rejects next weekend. Can't WAAAAAAAAAAAAAIT.

My cousin and I may or may not have thrown a Michael Jackson Roller Skating Party...MAY!! Good night it was amazing. We had over 60 people show up & literally just enjoyed mj music & each other's company. I really wanted to plan something where Christians & non Christians could come together, hang out, meet, etc. I wanted people to see the brotherly love we have for each other & want to be a part & know why. It was a great opportunity & a great time.

It's been a roller coaster of a month, but I've made it & will continue to sing praises to Jesus and thank God for his incredible favor.

i love my job

2009-11-06T15:19:00.002-05:00

i got this email from a mom today:

*name has been changed for hipaa laws*

Mellie- We have seen such improvements in "Elliot'"s language skills and cannot thank you enough for all your work with him and the recommendations you have made to us to support his growth.

I have been meaning to email you to tell you a sweet story about Elliot. He always asks me on the days that he goes to preschool if "Miss Mellie is coming to see" him. One Wed. night when we were getting ready to say our prayers, Elliot asked me if you were coming to see him the next day at school. I reminded him that you had just seen him that day at school and that you'd see him the next week. When we thanked God for our teachers, Elliot started naming his teachers at preschool and then said, "Miss Mellie!" I said afterward, "You really like Miss Mellie, don't you," and Elliot said, "She's my friend!" You have truly been a special person in Elliot's life.

AWWWWWWWWWWW. made my day <3 <3 <3
Whatever job you have, do it for the glory of God.

now let's catch up

2009-10-17T11:16:00.009-04:00

- I did get approved to buy a house so sometime before my lease runs out in January I'll hopefully be a home owner.

- Got my 1st screen credit from working in the accounting department of the movie Gospel Hill : )

- Went to my Dreher High School reunion & had a blaaast seeing people & catching up. Everyone looked so great & seemed to be doing well. Looking forward to the next one already!

- I'm finally feeling better from the surgery/complications stuff from the summer. Still have a little ways to go before I'm back to 100%, but I'm praying for a full recovery. Things were crazy there for a while- I had 9 tubes of blood drawn to check for coagular disorders, appts. with vascular surgeons, more ultrasounds of my legs done, etc. Blah.

- Went on a cruise to the Bahamas & had the best time ever...so relaxing yet fun & exciting (ate like nobody's business, drank tropical drinks listening to steel drum bands, snorkeled with sting rays, fishies, & jellyfish (um, yikes- imagine me screaming thru my snorkel tube & kicking my fins like a mad woman), karaoke'd (what's new), had dance parties, hung out with pirates, made new friends, won 3rd place in a "scavenger hunt" out of 28 teams, saw comedians, jugglers, & a vegas style show, etc.)

- Work is going awesome. I had a good performance review and went home with a raise.

- Volunteered at the Babcock Center Fall Dance & loved every second of it.

- My LifeGroup is awesome. Period.

- Got free random VIP to the Blink 182 show in Charlotte. Got in the Verizon Wireless for free thru the VIP entrance & then escorted through all the security to the pit. Had an absolute blast.

- Hung out with one of my BFFs Patrick & Needtobreathe in Charlotte.

- Saw giant dinosaurs & lovedddd it at the Colonial Center's Walking With Dinosaurs.

- Made it to a few USC football games

- Celebrated my grandmother's 85th birthday and thanked God for the most incredible family on planet Earth!

Next up:
Hitting up the fair Monday night for craziness
All The Missing Pieces movie premieres in Greer & Columbia
MJ skating party (details coming soon, so get excited)
New headshots delivered to my agent
Watching my girl Katie from HSM2 in Sleepy Hollow
Michael Jackson movie This Is It
Homeless for the Homeless
Brand New
Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin

Life is amazing. Thanks for all of it, God- the good, the bad, the tough, the exciting. You're everything.

All For One

2009-10-17T10:32:00.010-04:00

I also said I'd blog about HSM2 with some pictures, so, again, here we go:

Being a part of the show this summer was truly an experience I'll never forget. I made so many new friends, gained confidence in being on stage (I mean it'd been yeeears), grew as a performer, & had the time of my life.

I want to thank everyone who came out to support me, the show, & local theater. We sold out almost every show & got held over for an extra week. It was wonderful to see my lifegroup, some of my church family, & my blood family out in the audience. It truly meant so much, so thanks : )

Here are some photos from our journey:

Such fun!! I was asked to audition for Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and I said "What you tryin to say!?" haha. I passed on that one, but I would definitely like to do more community theater in the future. HSM3 or Hairspray would be amazing. We'll see what's next...

Pride

2009-10-17T10:22:00.002-04:00

I said I'd blog some of the notes from the Pride study and I'm a woman of my word, so even though it's months later, here it is:

CULTIVATING HUMILITY

PRIDE is: contending with God for supremacy. With pride, there’s no room for God to be everything.

Pride is
1) Satanic (it’s the root of every sin & flaw that we have)
2) Competitive (at its core, it’s rivalry because it wants ME to be central & have the attention, not you)
3) Atheistic (you act like there’s not a God infinitely superior to you)

God’s view of pride: Job 25:2-6
Proverbs 6:16-17
Proverbs 16:5
1 Peter 5:5-6
Daniel 4:28-33, 37

****************** EXAMPLES OF PRIDE******************

1. If you’re caught up in a secret sin & concerned with how people would view you

2. Marriage conflicts (thinking “there’s no way my spouse is right in this”)

3. Unresolved conflict (you don’t want to humble yourself to whom the conflict is with)

4. Can you deeply rejoice when God provides & blesses someone when your needs are far greater?

5. Do you have to bring conversation back to you all the time? Have a story for everything? One up everyone?

6. Your 1st reaction to being corrected is to defend yourself or correct the person speaking/ Can you take correction with no resentment in your heart?

7. Complaining (you’re saying “that’s not good enough for me”)

8. At work do more of your thoughts go to how frustrating or stressful your job is or how blessed you are to have it?

9. If you’re prayerless (you believe you’re self-sufficient)

10. If you’re bitter (you’ve put your pain ahead of God’s command to forgive)

11. If you have low self-esteem (you’ve squeezed out God’s voice & you’re listening to YOUR opinion over GOD’S opinion)

12. You have an anger/temper problem (how dare you do that to ME? mentality)

13. Are you easily annoyed? (I’m better than this)

14. You’re angry at God (Who are you, God, to have arranged my life like this?)

15. You’re a quick crier (you like sympathy, hugs, attention- very needy- me me me)

16. If you need help & won’t admit it

17. Pride wearing “humility camo” (saying “I hate my hair” just so someone will say “No, it’s beautiful” – seeking complements)

18. Comparison pride (you think you’re prettier, smarter, etc.

19. Spiritual pride (holier than thou attitude)

HOW JESUS DEALT WITH PRIDE:

Mark 9:33-35
Mark 10:35-27, 41-45

INTENTIONAL PURSUIT OF HUMILITY

Phil 2:1-10
Humility: emptying myself so that God may be all/ Having a high view of who Jesus is so that it puts you in your place.

“The truth is this, Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you…” Andrew Murray, Humility

The Daily Battle of Purposefully Applying Truth (Morning Practices)

1)Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ
“How can anyone be arrogant when he stands beside the cross?” C.J. Mahaney
Col. 1:13-22
Col. 2:13-14
2 Cor. 5:21
1 John 4:9-10

2)Begin the day by acknowledging your need for God
Rom. 14:23
Rom. 8:5-13
Gal. 2:20

3)Express gratitude to God
James 1:17
1 Cor. 10:10

4)Practice Spiritual Disciplines
(ex. serving, fasting, worship, reading Bible, prayer)
1 Tim. 4:7

5)Cast your cares upon Him
Matt. 6:25-33
Phil 4:6
1 Peter 5:5-7

PRIDE IS THE ROOT OF ANXIETY:
Pride is self-sufficiency and self-reliance (Deut. 8:11-17)
Pride takes credit for what God alone does (Daniel 4:28-35)
Pride refuses to trust in God or is just anxious about the future (Prov. 28:25)

Times of Special Focus:
1)Study the attributes of God (Isaiah 40:9-33)

2)Study the gospel (Eph. 2:1-10, 1 Cor. 1:29)

3)Study the doctrine of sin…sin kills, steals, & destroys…
(Heb. 3:13, John 10:10, 1 Peter 2:11)

The Ladd's

2009-09-28T21:14:00.003-04:00

Some of my very best friends, Gray & Leigh Ladd are adopting a precious baby girl from Africa. Be a part of bringing her home by participating in their giveaway.

THE LADD'S GIVEAWAY

preach

2009-08-15T10:01:00.002-04:00

"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." John 19:11

Nothing that is part of God's will is allowed to come into the life of someone who trusts & obeys Him. This truth should be enough to make our life one of ceaseless thanksgiving & joy, because God's will is the most hopeful, pleasant, and glorious thing in the world. It is the continuous working of His omnipotent power for our benefit, with nothing to prevent it, if we remain surrenered and believing.

Someone who was passing through the deep water of affliction wrote a friend:
Isn't it glorious to know that no matter how unjust something may be, even when it seems to have come from satan himself, by the time it reaches us it is God's will for us and will ultimately work to our good?

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Rom. 8:28). Think of what Christ said even as He was betrayed: "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11).

We live fascinating lives if we are living in the center of God's will. All the attacks that satan hurls at us through the sins of others are not only powerless to harm us, but are transformed into blessings along the way.

-Hannah Whitall Smith

I'm such a racist...and randommmm

2009-08-14T11:44:00.007-04:00

1. How could I dislike white milk so much, but love me some chocolate milk like nobody's business?
Am I a racist? ha.

2. I think I'm getting approved this weeked to buy a house. Um, that's crazy talk!

3. Does anyone else laugh when you hear Drake's song "Best I Ever Had" because all you can think about is him being the wheelchair kid on Degrassi? lol.

4. I love the show Criminal Minds so much!

5. I learned beaucoups about pride & humility last weekend & I can't wait to write a blog about it soon!

OK, that's all the randomness I have time for right now because I'm off to lunch with the Sharpettes!!

Don't worry I'm still gonna blog about HSM2 and stuff soon. Til then...Happy Friday! Be blessed today! Much love <3

just for now...

2009-08-06T09:08:00.004-04:00

i have so much to reminisce about, but only time to post a few videos now...

Wrap party talent show videos:

"Crank Dat Bobby Craft"
Bobby Craft was our awesome bedazzling dew rag wearing stage manager for HSM2 who loved to attack us for using cell phones, not getting the set changes right, being late, not prepping our costume changes, etc. He was really a softie at heart, though. The guys created a song for good ole Bobby & boy was it a hit.

"MJ Tribute"
Some random girl named Mellie Boozer decided to sing a tribute to Michael Jackson. This pitchy struggle of a song was rough, but after 21 shows in a row of singing as loud as possible for 2 hours a night, I'm ok with that.

"Fabulous...Like You've Never Seen it Before"
Some of the guys decided it would be fun to put on our Sharpay & Sharpette outfits & do Fabulous. Holy Moley is all I have to say about that. Raime & I were peeing our pants.

Getcha Head In The GAme
The girls decided to learn the dance from last year's HSM1. I learned this junk in 2 hours. I think we pulled it off for the most part. Go girls!

GETCHA HEAD IN THE GAME _______________________________________________________________________________

Not from the wrap party, but yet another video-
"All The Missing Pieces Teaser Trailer"
Matt Aughtry's latest short film looks SOOOOOOO good <3

All The Missing Pieces-Teaser Trailer from William Aughtry on Vimeo.

after the show...

2009-07-20T18:06:00.003-04:00

6 year old little boy: can i have your autograph?

me: sure!! did you like the show?

him: yeah, it was great.

[runs off. 5 minutes later...]

same 6 year old little boy: can i have your autograph?

me: i think i already signed your program? yep, there's my name.

him: will you sign another page?

me: oh sure, show me where.

[runs off. 3 minutes later...]

same 6 year old little boy: can i get your autograph?

me: again?? i already signed it 2 times, but ok.

his older sister "jess": YOU WERE HIS FAVORITE, BLOSSOM!

him: JESSSS!!!!! i'm gonna kill you!!!!

[growls at his sister & chases her off. don't see him again]

me: bahahahaha

castmate: you cougar

one less

2009-07-13T21:36:00.002-04:00

My dear friends Gray & Leigh Ladd were married a little over a year ago. God has put it on their hearts to adopt a baby girl from Ethiopia & I've been praying for them in this process. Every day they get a little closer & I couldn't be more thrilled to see them living out the Word.

Here is a video Leigh posted on her blog today- I know seeing this family bring their baby home got them so excited about what's to come. Check it out:

the music in me

2009-07-08T23:19:00.003-04:00

tonight a precious little girl with cancer came to watch our dress rehearsal of high school musical 2. she has a tumor pressing on her optic nerve so she can't see well and sat in the very front row. wearing a pink shirt & sporting only a few hairs on her little head she literally had the time of her life. i tried to look down & watch her when i could and saw her singing along with every song, taking pictures with her hot pink camera every 2 seconds, and laughing & bopping in her seat throughout the night.

THAT is why i did this musical...for her & for all the kids that get so much joy out of something that seems so cheesy to us. in the last number a bunch of us run out into the crowd & sing & dance for a minute. of course i went right over to her & she jumped out of her seat so fast to dance with us it wasn't even funny. i literally almost started crying- i had to stop singing & just mouth the words bc i couldn't handle it. what a great gift for me.

here's to doing anything & everything possible to bring joy to all we meet <3 thanks, Jesus, for the gift of love.

bat for lashes

2009-07-05T17:03:00.001-04:00

favorite cover of the moment...

longing

2009-06-27T12:55:00.002-04:00

tears, physical pain, emotional pain, loss, let-downs, death, greed, adulturery, suffering, heartbreak, SIN. i don't know about you, but i'm not a fan of any of those.

thank God this place is not our permanent home! this has been a tough week for me. there has been a lot of physical pain from surgery complications, emotional pain with the calendar reminder of the loss of my grandfather as well as friends' sicknesses, not to mention the talk of death everytime i turned around. yes, i'm aware that people die every single day, but when every tv station & everyone i know is talking about death at the same time, somehow it's tough to not think about.

how exciting is it that as christians, this isn't where it ends for us. we have such a hope & i truly long for the day to be with my Savior in a place where there are no tears, suffering, death, etc etc. i’m so excited to be in heaven one day where i won’t experience any of that ever again- what hope!

until then, though, we have to remember just how fleeting this life is and get to work reaching who we can. no, it's not the end of the world because michael jackson died or my grandfather died or a child in Africa who I will never hear of died, but boy does it make me want to reach who i can and long for the day of no more tears. thank you Jesus for that wonderful promise. so when is the rapture? i don't know, but i'm sure excited.

rockin that thang

2009-06-05T14:32:00.003-04:00

i only have a minute, but i just wanted to say life is soooo busy, but soooo good!!

hsm2 is going well- we open july 10th. i've met so many new friends & just love the cast! my character, blossom, is totally rediculous...all 3 of the sharpettes are. here's an example of a direction for us: "as fulton exits, the sharpettes (3 debutantes of Lava Springs/Sharpay's pals) rush over screaming their gushy greetings & air-kissing their leader." haha. can you imagine me doing that? that's why they call it acting. all we do is prance & sass around the stage & be annoying. it's awesome.

i went to see The Dream, Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, & Bobby Valentino the other nite-um, so good & fun. they were all really great live. i went buck wild of course. honestly i'm not sure what my real ethnicity is for serious. i want to be a back-up dancer for The Dream. they made me laugh. i also kinda wanna be keri hilson when i grow up.

here are a few vid clips from the concert- bad quality, but you can get the drift. loved it!

The Dream- Rockin That Thang

Keyshia Cole- Last Night

and while i was uploading the videos i found one of brandt & i singing at the video cafe. the sound quality is the worst thing i've ever heard (i'm talkin horrid), but oh well. it gets a TAD better 1/2way thru to the end. well not really, but i miss it!

God is doing work- just keep praising! much love, y'all.

cherrycase

2009-05-09T16:47:00.004-04:00

1st of all, the read thru today was amazing. everyone is SO nice & hilarious & this truly is going to be the time of my life. i can't wait to work with everyone, learn it all & do work on stage with these talented folks. love them already!!! oh & just for laughs, my name is BLOSSOM. what the heck? haaaaaa!

2nd, can i tell you how excited i am that the guy playing troy bolton likes good music and is in a band that is actually pretty sick? it's good to have a troy who isn't cheeseball disney lame. (no offense zac, i love you). can't wait to go see them sometime. go troy aka jake. do your thing. check them out CHERRYCASE my favorite=Lethal Lies.

i just bawled over this letter

2009-05-06T20:34:00.002-04:00

i got a letter from my sponsored child in Guatemala today and it made my heart so happy. he's too young to write a lot by himself, so his teacher asked him questions & wrote down what he said:

Dear Mellie:
Josue hopes you are trusting in God and that you & your family are enjoying blessings. Josue thanks you for the Christmas present- he got some trousers, a t-shirt, hair gel and a comb. He says God bless you. His favorite sport is soccer and he likes playing it with his brothers & friends. He has a dog called Peluso and he says he would like to chop firewood one day. He thanks you for the letter and photo, he really liked them. He wants you to pray for his father that he can accept Jesus in his heart. What is your favorite food? He says that mangos are his. He says goodbye and he sends you a tight hug and lots of kisses.

Oh my gosh, I love him. Give me a kleenex.

boys & theater

2009-05-05T11:38:00.002-04:00

* i was thinking again about the man that fell down yesterday and the guys that stood around watching, doing nothing & it actually made me really thankful for all the gentlemen at midtown. i know without a doubt that any of them would have practically pulled muscles running over to him as fast as they could. it's good to have guys in my life that i can call on if i need to. thanks, midtown men.

* we have our 1st read through of the HSM2 musical saturday with the whole cast. i can't wait to meet everyone & get all excited about it. i wrote that i'm a sharpette & that i thought there would be 10-12 of us behind sharpay during her songs, but apparently there are only THREE!! looks like no hiding behind the group for me. we're actually her 3 best friends so it's a bigger deal than i even realized. i'm so proud of myself!!!!!!!

* there are going to literally be 13 performances & if it gets heldover, 24. GOOD GRIEF!!! July 10th-beginning of Aug. get excited- it's gonna be hilarious & awesome! i truly can't wait.

i need to vent

2009-05-04T17:28:00.002-04:00

one of my kids canceled today because of a doctor's appt. so i thought- sweet, i'm doing my grocery shopping early! i head over to the store and la di da i'm walking towards the door & i see an elderly man with a cane lose his balance & literally fall pretty bad off the curb.

i immediately run over to him and look around to see if anyone else is coming to help. there are several people all around looking, but NO ONE comes over. not a single person. what the hell are you doing that's too important to take a minute to help an old man off the ground? my gosh. i tried to help him up & walk him to his car & literally almost fell down 3 times bc all of his weight was on me. he was all disoriented & stuff. FINALLY another WOMAN comes over & helps me with him on the other side. we get him to his car & i go in to buy him a water. i'm thinking surely when i come back out other people will be over there making sure he's ok. um, nope. he's all alone. people disappoint me. the males in that parking lot dissapoint me. i can't believe what i witnessed today. makes me want to pray even more for people to know Christ and learn to love their neighbors as themselves.

good reminder

2009-05-04T09:03:00.002-04:00

"Today I accept my calling,
not to perfection or performance
My calling is to faith.
I have been chosen for this generation.
What Your Word says is mine.
I will believe and therefore speak,
For You, my God, are huge.
Nothing is too hard for you.
Our world needs Your wonders.
Rise up, oh Lord.
Renew Your works in our day.
I confess the unbelief of my generation
And ask You to begin Your revival of faith
in my own heart.
For you are who You say You are.
You can do what You say You can do.
I am who You say I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
Your Word is alive and active in me.
I'm believing God."

faith

2009-05-03T01:23:00.002-04:00

Faith does not say, "I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it." Instead, faith declares, "God sent it; therefore it must be good for me."

let's play in L.A.

2009-05-01T14:18:00.008-04:00

Just so I’ll remember my trip to Cali…

* smooth & on-time flights

* greeted at LAX by Emily!

* lunch at the Blue Plate with Tricia

* freaked out when I found out Trish was a stand-in for 17 Again, a dancer in the new Fame, worked on Greek, etc. go girl!

* Santa Monica Beach/ Pier, ferris wheel

* 3rd Street Promenade- shopping, street performers, Justin Bobby look-a-like

* Cabo Cantina for margaritas & food (Em works here & hooked us up)

* Derek’s bday party in Malibu- incredible beach house, food, fun people

* Halle Berry's house was a few down- never saw her, but def. sang this all day:

* Laughed at the guys leaving early to go to Heidi & Spencer’s wedding in Pasadena. They went to high school with Spencer & said, “Yes, he really is that big of a douche. He slashed his ex-girlfriend’s tires & everything.” Wow. Sad.

* Hung out in the hot tub with the guy from The Cutting Edge 2 (ha!!) he’s about to be in Dance Flick as the Channing Tatum character. Ross Thomas- check him out!-prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. Also met Jack, a grip on Extreme Home Makeover & asked how the heck they get those houses up in a mere few days. haha.

* Got a tour of James’ house in the hills- beautiful!!! I want him to decorate mine one day. His dog is the cutest.

* Dinner at Mandarette Chinese Restaurant- delicious

* Hiked Runyon Canyon

* Mimosas, brunch & rode the freaking bull at SaddleRanch – screamed like a fool the entire time

* Drove up to the Hollywood sign to take some pics

* Explored the Sunset Strip including The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Laugh Factory, etc.

* Appetizers at The Rainbow (a classic Rock’n’Roll bar)

* Watched a friend get a tattoo at Shamrock by the same artist that did Megan Fox’s

* Visited Tony at Central Casting- saw his desk & got a tour. Registered & got a photo done for my next visit so I can work on a show!

* Lunch at The Grove

* Went to the Jay Leno show- got there late & ended up with the best seats. How does that work? Sat on the floor & got to run up & shake Jay’s hand at the beginning of the show- mom & dad taped it & said they saw us on TV. Too funny! Eric Bana is charming.

* Drove by Ghosts of Girlfriends Past premiere on Hollywood & saw Lacy Chabert’s backside on the red carpet. Jeff wasn’t complaining.

* Ate with James, Jeff, Dana, & James’ friend Kristin from Australia at the Stinking Rose- garlic yumminess. SO good.

* Lunch at Tricia’s work, Babalu – desserts to flip for

* Walked around Rodeo Drive & laughed at all the price tags

* Drove down Robertson, saw a paparazzi frenzy at Kitson & parked to go see who all the fuss was about.

* Oh just Paris & Nikki Hilton doing some shopping. Those paparazzi dudes are dicks & talk so much trash- no wonder everyone hates them. Nikki is really pretty up close. I was a nice paparazzo : ) haha.

* Tried to find a spot to see the red carpet for the Wolverine premiere, succeeded, & freaked my butt off at Ryan Reynolds (um, I did say Just Friends was one of my favorite movies). “I grabbed his bicep & it felt awesome.” Tori laughed for 10 minutes when I said that after he walked off.

* Then who did I see but HUGH MOTHER FREAKING JACKMAN, sexiest man alive 09. He really is great looking in person & just oozes confidence & friendliness. WOLVERINE!!!!! Love him! Just wow.

* Others at the premiere I remember: Fergie & the Black Eyed Peas (hate all their music except Glamorous- ha), Amanda Peet, Daniel Henney, Taylor Kitsch, Dominique Monaghan, etc.

* After calming down & taking some pics of the Chinese Theater, Kodak Theater & our complimentary Wolverine claws, we headed to Cabo for taco Tuesday!

That was pretty much it in a nutshell. I couldn’t have asked for a better, more exciting and at the same time relaxing trip. Probably heading back in the fall for round 2. So glad to have met some amazing new friends & shared a small piece of life with them. Can’t wait to do it again. Thanks God for so many opportunities to live & love & share.

4/18

2009-04-19T10:10:00.002-04:00

i have the most incredible friends ever. yesterday was my birthday & my best friend offered to throw me a bday cook-out at her house. not only did she take the time to make the invitation & invite friends, but she opened her house to us, spent time cleaning, decorating beautifully, entertaining, etc. she's the best!

the party consisted of some of my close friends from all areas of my life- high school, college, masters program, real estate, movie sets, life group, concert buddies, etc. it was so cool to see my bffs all come together & celebrate & enjoy each other's company.

i made kristie have everyone go around & introduce themselves & tell how they met me. i love that patrick said "i met mellie at an r. kelly concert." ha! then we all told funny stories & embarrassing moments and literally laughed & bonded under the beautiful night sky for hours. it was the best birthday ever! we grilled & laughed & did sparklers & had cupcakes.

thanks to all the friends that took time to come out & celebrate. it means the world to me. God has blessed me more than i can even grasp or understand. He's surrounded me with people that love me & He loves me most of all. thanks for my life, God- i pray i use it to love & glorify you, love others & do Your will at all times. <3

Annnnd, Curtain!

2009-04-10T17:19:00.004-04:00

I grew up enjoying the stage.

I made up shows at my grandparents’ house on every visit, even if we were only there for 5 minutes. I’d grab my sister & we’d run upstairs to rehearse.

I did plays, musicals, piano recitals, choir, dance performances, etc.- absolutely loved it. In elementary school I was a “royal child” in Workshop Theatre’s “The King & I” and had the time of my life.

These days I still love the arts, but haven’t been on a stage in quite some time.

Over the last few years, musicals have gotten to be huge again- Hairspray, High School Musical 1, 2 & 3, Rent, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Sweeny Todd, Enchanted, etc. They’ve really made me miss musical theater and made me want to go see some & kinda be in them, too.

A couple of weeks ago on a whim I decided to audition to be in the chorus in High School Musical 2 at Workshop Theatre. I knew I didn’t have the time to learn a bunch of lines, but I could at least try to learn some moves and a song and shoot, you know I love HSM!

The audition was scerrry! I had to walk in the theater, give my music to the pianist & walk up on the stage by myself. The director, choreographer, producer, & a few other people were staring at me and had me say my name into the camera & perform my song. Then they gave me a monologue & had me do a cold read. Finally, all 50 of us there got numbers pinned on our clothes & came in together for a dance audition. They had 2 nights of auditions, so I’m not sure how many people ended up trying out, but everyone was soooo talented. Great day!

Fast forward to today. Well, guess who got the phone call? Who got a part as a “Sharpette?” MEEEEEEEE. What does that even mean? I have no idea. I think we’ll probably do something behind Sharpay, which is exactly what I wanted!!! I am seriously so stinkin excited about this. It’s going to be amazing to be back on stage. I don’t know if we’ll have to dance, sing, both, or neither, but the fact that I was chosen & get to be a part of this fun musical makes me SO happy.

You’re only as young as you feel (and look- ha), but it’s good to know I still got it! I’ll keep you posted on things & dates it’ll be running, etc. I know it’s this summer. AHHHHHHH. HSM2, here I come. Thanks, God, for fun opportunities : ) You’ll have to come out & support local theater (Workshop), giggle at me, & bring flowers! jk. I’m sure it’ll be super cute. I saw HSM1 when they did it last summer & really enjoyed it. Bet on it.

great friday

2009-04-10T14:09:00.002-04:00

Thanks for what you did today, Jesus. I can't wait to tell you face to face.

i will wrap you in my arms

2009-04-08T09:22:00.002-04:00

one of my favorite stress relievers? dancing.

i enjoy most types of dance, but my favorites are hip-hop/jazz and contemporary. throwing my body around to passionate music is the most freeing, incredible feeling. you should try it sometime.

dance song of choice right now:

ps. when is rob pattinson coming out with an album? i'm obsessed with his stuff.

AI- a-yo!

2009-03-11T19:40:00.002-04:00

Dude, I'm loving American Idol more than ever. Why?? It's been on for a bajillion seasons & I've watched every one. How am I not sick of it yet? I don't know, either, but I'm hooked once again. Am I lame? Maybe, but I don't curr.

Last night was Michael Jackson night. I loooove MJ and no one can do it like he can, but there were some enjoyable performances.

Favorite this season? My crushy crush, Matt Giraud. He is the friggin jam. I hope you all heard his "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson. I have a distinct memory of riding in my parents' car listening to the Thriller tape (yeah, I said tape) and singing along to every song. Human Nature was one of my faves, so Matt did me right & took me back. Absolutely loved it. I'll try to find it on youtube for you- they make take it off for copyright reasons, but let's see...
kinda ghetto version, but whatev, you get the picture

He better not go home!

it's more than our optimism

2009-03-04T22:58:00.003-05:00

Thank you God for HOPE and HEALING in Your name. Hear our prayers.

the gambler...er...rambler

2009-03-02T21:25:00.005-05:00

things are so good right now.

God is teaching me tons.

my lifegroup is crazy awesome- i love that they're all so committed & no one ever calls to cancel or say they can't come because they have to study or have to stay late at work or anything. they show up, they're ALL open & honest, OK with being brought out in love even though it's hard, OK with bringing others out in love even though it's hard, OK with being goofy & laughing hysterically at stupid stuff, OK with crying with each other over things, etc etc. this list could go on forever. thanks, God, for my group. and happy birthday to calliebug.

i'm so excited about the Babcock Center "awards ceremony" at their meeting in a few weeks. what an honor for Midtown. i think my LG is gonna try to do some more serving with them soon. can't wait.

my cousin jessica turned 40 this week & we had a huge family bday party for her that included lasagna & a talent show (my mom's idea of course). if i told you my mom, sis, & i wore flamingo hats & do-wop danced behind my dad lipsyncing to "my girl" by the temptations would you belive me? well you better because that happened. i'm sorry there aren't pictures of this amazingness.

the 1st murder mystery dinner was pretty darn fun even though i couldn't really stay "in character." i mean, if it was something dead serious that i absolutely needed to do it for i would, but i just wanted to chat with people as mellie & not as flirtastic cindy. maybe next time i'll take it more seriously. we'll see. my best friend was the murderer & my boyfriend got killed!

work is still awesome- every day i'm wondering how i actually get a paycheck for what i get to do. so great.

i can't believe it's already march! what the heck!?

american idol is strange this season & the guy i really wanted to get in the top 12 didn't make it. maybe he'll get in on the wild card. he sang "georgia" & played his keyboard during hollywood week & omg he was the bomb. i voted for him a bajillion times. reminds me of my friend josh hoge- just super soulful & sick. here's a clip of matt, my own personal idol winner:

speaking of soulful, i'm really enjoying this song as of late...

i'm getting excited about L.A. i'm hoping i can hit up a church out there & maybe even invite some friends to try it out with me.

i joined gold's gym & my friend ray has been training me for free. my favorite is the bodyjam class. it's like a hip hop class with choreography & fun music. i freakin love it. you should see the dance we learned saturday. oh my freaky in da club wonderfulness. that woman told us to make it rain & shake it like a salt shaker. that's what i'm talkin about.

last thing: i was kinda talking for a second on the way home from the ski trip about this, but have you ever noticed that you can think someone is super attractive and once you get to know them they become incredibly not? ex. i was at a friends house & she watches some show on MTV about whitney from the hills so i was watching with her and there was some girl on there named olivia who i thought was so pretty. dude, at the end of the show i could hardly look at her face anymore without cringing because she was such a bitch. ugly!

and i'm not just talking about outward appearances. i can think someone is physically attractive, he can say all the "right things/answers" for how he wants to be perceived & how he wants me to see him & i can think- wow, this guy is really something. but over time the person he really is on the inside begins to creep out & he becomes more & more unattractive in every way. this has happened to me on more than 1 occasion. am i just a horrible judge of character? do people ever think this about me? i mean, i know everyone is human & a horrible sinner & Christ in us is our only redeeming quality, but for the love, at least try to be humble, treat people with respect, put others above yourself, stop using each other, etc. this goes for girls, too. and if you ever see ugliness inside of me, please tell me & help me before it gets out of hand. thanks.

overwhelmed

2009-02-24T22:02:00.003-05:00

i literally can't get over how supernatural & amazing God is- like it's blowing my mind tonight. how He can change the hardest heart. how He can have the Holy Spirit whisper an idea in your ear that if you listen & act, someone's life could potentially be miraculously changed for the better. how He is beyond good to me & able to do immeasurably more than i ask or imagine. in awe.

diabetes & krispy kreme

2009-02-23T21:20:00.003-05:00

caleb weathersby is one of my dear friends from a few years back. his phone conversations are crazy good. he is the best. he will be a "bridesman" in my wedding. i wish you all had caleb weathersby in your lives.

well i mean every word i say

2009-02-22T16:07:00.005-05:00

i wish you had known about mewithoutyou when i did. you could have been at that show with me and 30 of our closest friends watching aaron thrash flowers around on stage, leaving with petals in our hair.

oh, the possibilities

2009-02-22T10:49:00.004-05:00

"Nothing will be impossible for you" Matthew 17:20

It is possible for believers who are completely willing to trust the power of the Lord for their safekeeping and victory to lead a life of readily taking His promises exactly as they are and finding them to be true.

It is possible to daily "cast all your anxiety on him" (1 Peter 5:7) and experience deep peace in the process.

It is possible to have our thoughts and the desires of our hearts purified in the deepest sense of the word.

It is possible to see God's will in every circumstance and to accept it with singing instead of complaining.

It is possible to become strong by completely taking refuge in the power of God and by realizing that our greatest weakness and the things that upset our determination to be patient, pure, or humble provide an opportunity to make sin powerless over us.

We are able to have as much of God as we want.
H.C.M.

here we go again.

2009-02-19T12:17:00.003-05:00

i always wait til so much has happened that i have to write a novel blog. sorry about that.

lately:

* bought my ticket for LA in april- right around $200ish : ). free place to stay. can't wait to visit a bunch of friends & maybe try to do extra work on a cool show. we'll see. my friend tony works at central casting- i'm hoping he'll hook a sista up. i really want to hang out with james w. and i promise i won't stalk any celebs while i'm there. well... no, i promise.

* my real estate company just merged with russell & jeffcoat which is kind-of a big deal. i enjoy being in a small company, but R&J is going to let us be "a company within a company" so that's rad. and they're the #1 company around here, so cool. i just got a referral check for a client i gave to my broker since i was too busy with my full-time job to help him. must be nice to get a check for doing jack crap. yes, yes it is. i think i've got another client looking for a house soon. i'm going to try to help him myself if i can work it out.

* skiing was mega fun. great group- all very laid back, easy to be around, fun people with no drama. you know sometimes there's that 1 person that needs all the attention & says things to get a rise out of everyone or talks really loud to make a scene? reminds me of my youth group ski trips. yeah, none of that with my 2009 valentines. enjoyed being with all of them. and on the slopes i never fell down once!! michael encouraged me to do a blue & i did it. i know that sounds dumb- it wasn't a double black diamond or whatever the heck that mug does, but i was proud of my blue. really great trip & valentines day. i wanted to find a captain d's to make it 2 years in a row, but we settled for the wildcats store and lauren's chilli was worth it : ) aaaand so was the birfday cake.

* over 80 freaking people signed up for the day mission trip tomorrow which is a valentines dance for the mentally disabled people from the babcock center. crazy awesome. in fact, i had to cut off sign-ups because they aren't sure they have the space for everyone. good problem to have, i guess. i can't wait to serve & get my dance on with these beautiful people who have my heart. i found a cool pink & black dress for the valentine theme, too. fun stuff.

* i don't know how to "flirt" and i need some lessons before next weekend. nathan made me the class flirt in the murder mystery & i don't know what i'm doing. when i think of flirty i think of slutty. not good. i'm not going to have dustin kick me out of the church for "trying to get into character." haha. no, i'll be alright. but if you're there, just remember i'm just acting...for the most part. i gotta pull out the old 80s prom dress from a year ago, too. i may should try to find something new, but i just don't want to. nothing will be as good as that dress. oh how i love that thing.

* my dad called & surprised me with tickets to the USC baseball game at the new stadium saturday. i'm so stoked. are we still having trash the dress?? if so i'll have to come late i guess : * (

* my lifegroup is beyond awesome. we had a repentance night this week & boy was it amazing. God is doing the coolest stuff in & through all of us & i can't wait to see what else He does.

* now off to lunch with my dear friend!

everybody clap yo hands

2009-02-12T12:42:00.005-05:00

if you know me well, you know i have a bad habit of laughing at the worst times possible. my friend once gave me a sticker that said "it's only funny until someone gets hurt, then it's hilarious."

i've been kicked out of a church service with my girl scout troup (yes for 1 year i was a girl scout)for laughing, i've crawled on the floor out of the back row of a class at USC to escape notice due to a laugh attack at my teacher, i've gotten detention for laughing on a school trip after we'd crossed "the silent bridge," i laugh everytime i see someone fall or get hurt. it's bad, y'all.

well today i had to do a therapy visit for a child at the Ft. Jackson daycare. Ft. Jackson is all scary & serious - you have to show your id, insurance card, registration, etc. & sign in 500 times to get where the kids are. so i have to be all professional & stuff- and it's the times i'm supposed to be serious that i have the hardest problem not laughing at incidents.

well i'd run by bojangles to grab a sweet tea bc i was falling asleep already so in the car i accidentally spilled some on my crotch. awesome. i was already giggling about that. well, please let me tell you that when i got to the classroom all the 2 year olds were sitting in a circle & the teacher was trying to get them to clap their hands in a pattern by singing the following song:

"we got it, we got it, we all got the clap.
we got it, we got it, we all got the clap."

and i straight up lost it. i choked on my tea, spit some out on the floor & had to walk back out of the room. I'M 5 YEARS OLD. ahahhahahahhaha.

after composing myself i walked back in to get the child i was going to work with & started laughing again. i had to keep apologizing to the teacher lady. it was terrible. i don't think she even had a clue. story of my life.

hurry boy, she's waiting there for you

2009-02-11T13:26:00.003-05:00

why do i sing this song at the top of my lungs every single time it comes on in my car? gah, i love it! haha. so great.

the blink of an eye

2009-02-10T22:14:00.003-05:00

"...What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14b

Isn't it crazy to think that in heaven our time on earth will be just the tiniest speck of a speck of time? Blows my mind. We don't have long- let's get to work.

no air

2009-02-09T19:29:00.000-05:00

chris brown...i mean really.

ain't too proud to beg

2009-02-09T09:40:00.002-05:00

ok first let me just tell you that i wrote "ain't too proud to bed" in the title line first accidentally. thank the Lord i caught that- ha! alright sorry.

i love music of all kinds... from classical to gangsta rap to musical numbers to hardcore. i love freaky r&b (adam gibson!), boyband pop, grunge rock, disney classics, adult alternative, and even some country here & there. but the type of music that has my heart is my motown & beach music.

my parents raised me on that amazing goodness & although i've got a good bit of it on my iPod, it makes me sad that the "oldies" stations around here suck total @$$ and rarely play anything decent.

that's why i have to give a shout-out I LOVE YOU to pandora. i've been pandoraing for a few years now & it's the best. put you in a little motown number & you're good to go dancing around your room with the hairbrush microphone for hours. at least i am.

Psych

2009-02-08T12:27:00.002-05:00

So does anyone else out there watch the tv show Psych on USA? It comes on Friday nights at 10pm so I DVR it each week. Dude, it is HILARIOUS. It takes a lot to make me actually laugh out loud when watching tv or movies and I laugh a zillion times watching it. The chemistry between the 2 main characters Gus & Sean is the best. The jokes & wit in that show are right on with my sense of humor. You should check it out. So great.

crikey!

2009-02-05T08:48:00.002-05:00

i had the scariest dreams last nite. mostly that i was riding some float in murky waters and these crocodiles kept chasing & attacking me. when i looked it up in the dream dictionary, here's what is said:

"To dream that you are chased or bitten by a crocodile denotes disappointments in love."

well there you go. hilarious.

pretty much

2009-02-02T16:50:00.002-05:00

"This is My doing" 1 Kings 12:24

The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love.

Your weakness needs My strength and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

You did not come to this place by accident- you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

Have you not asked Me to make you humble?

Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will.

Learn to see Me in all things.

these are my confessions, holler back usher

2009-01-30T12:39:00.003-05:00

it's been another hot minute since i've blogged. i actually got a sweet journal for christmas so i've been writing in that more & on here less. sorry friends! i've got a little break before my next appt. though, so i thought i'd hit this up.
lately...

- i am seriously obsessed with the game apples to apples. it makes me laugh so hard & when you have a good group playing, it don't get much better than that.

- i worked Fight Night for Kids again this year. it's a charity event at the Charlotte Convention Center put on by the Charlotte Bobcats & boy was it fun. they have a nice dinner, silent auction, live entertainment, raffle for some sick benz, and a few boxing matches. all the proceeds go to children's charities & i got to be a hostess. that pretty much means i was assigned a table to take care of all night & i had to wear a formal gown (whatever that is). i was right next to the bobcats' table. pretty cool. also, i really like watching boxing live. good times.

- we went on Midtown's Family Vacation last weekend. great day, it was the bomb. i learned so much, God really worked on me with some stuff & i got to know some amazing people in the family. it was neat to see people's hidden talents & participate in the "open mic/talent show," too.

the pop rocks debuted with a little dancey dance to some old favorites. i was kinda nervous bc i didn't know how "tame" to keep it (not like i was about to jump on a pole or something, but it IS a church retreat). well, let me just say that after watching flynnstone on the video, i probably could've taken it up a notch or 10. next time it's balls to the walls because my church likes to DANCE, thank God. my favorite part was eric's perfect timing on the pop rocks throw. amazing.

the pop rocks will be back in the not too distant future with some new material, so be ready.

- work is going really well, too. i still love it & i'm getting confirmation that it's where i'm supposed to be right now, so that's wonderful.

- my lifegroup is incredible. period.

- also God is doing some tough shaping & molding of me right now & i couldn't welcome it more. this identity series at midtown has been better than great for me. i've learned so much about myself & about Him. He's really been working on me as far as sin issues go.

i've never thought i had a problem with pride- for some reason when i heard the word i automatically thought of outward appearances. not sure why, but i did. so since i'm very rarely like "dang, i'm hot. i've got a bangin body, ha" i've never thought i struggled with pride for the most part.

well recently i've realized i'm prideful about soooo many things. i'm prideful about thinking i'm "different from a lot of girls" - "i'm so awesome because i'm laid back & cool & not boy-crazy, clingy & bitchy." how dumb.

i'm prideful in being "good"- that's the LAMEST. i pride myself in being a virgin & not being promiscuous, i pride myself in not having a super dirty mouth, not having a problem with alcohol, whatever the heck else. meanwhile i compare/compete, get jealous, judge, struggle with patience, PRIDE, insecurity, gossip & a bazillion other sins that are just as bad as the ones i don't do. thank you Jesus for dying on the cross to wash away the sins of dummies like me.

in my realization of pride issues & God working me down, i repented to 2 different people. in both situations i was playing victim & had the mindset that "i didn't do anything wrong here" when in reality that wasn't true. it was tough, but God helped me do it & i'm now completely cool with both of them. one of them was especially hard- i hadn't talked to her in seriously years. the tears just flowed when i prayed about what God wanted me to say. i was going to be ok when she didn't receieve it well, but what do you know, she apologized to me & we mended something i thought was gone forever. God is literally supernatural and can change any & everyone's heart, even mine. total breakthru. incredible things are happening & i'm ready for what' next.

- finally, "never have i ever been in love with zac efron".....MELLIE!!!!!!!! umm, awesome. did that really happen in front of 150 people? that's great.

He is coming back again

2009-01-22T08:03:00.000-05:00

quick quote

2009-01-11T23:39:00.001-05:00

"God comforts us not to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters."
-John Henry Jowett

...and whether you turn to the right or the left

2009-01-11T00:30:00.002-05:00

"Beloved, whenever you are in doubt as to which way to turn, submit your judgement absolutely to the Spirit of God, asking Him to shut every door but the right one. Say to Him "Blessed Spirit, I give to You the entire responsibility of closing every road and stopping every step that is not of God. Let me hear Your voice behind me whenever I turn to the right or the left."

In the meantime, continue along the path you have already been traveling. Persist in your calling until you are clearly told to do something else. Be careful to obey even His smallest nudging or warning. Then after you have prayed the prayer of faith and there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with a confident heart. Don't be suprised if your answer comes in doors closing before you. But when doors are shut to the right and left, an open road is sure to lead you on."

she got her own thing, that's why i love her

2009-01-10T23:39:00.002-05:00

my whole life i've always strived to be different. of course different than the "world," but just different in general. i never like to be grouped into a category (except like Jesus-freak or something, I'm OK with that).

i remember in one of my high school yearbooks a girl i didn't know super well signed it & wrote something about how she respected me because i wasn't like everyone else- not like i was a total freak-o anti-conformity type, but i was my own person & OK with it. she wrote that i was genuine and true. she wrote that she loved the fact that i was friends with all the different "groups" but never compromised myself or changed for anyone. that meant so much to me, i've never forgotten it. i treasure that comment possibly more than any others i received- even the "cool guy" in school writing that he wanted to hang out that summer & giving me his number- ha.

i've never owned a pair of rainbows or ugg boots. i've never had croakies or booty shorts with "cocks" written on the ass. i don't own vera bradley or really anything name brand. i don't say "fail" or "epic fail" or whatever popular phrase everyone is saying at the time. i don't like bands because everyone else does. you get my drift.

and honestly, if you have all of that & say epic fail all the time, i freaking love you. i don't think you're lame or dumb, i swear. i'm just trying to make a point. there are things i like that a bajillion people like, but it's not because a bajllion people like them. i like twilight & so does everyone and her mother, but it's not because it's the popular thing to like right now...

please only buy things & like things & say things because YOU like them, not because it's the cool thing to do. don't be afraid to be the only one that says you don't like a band that everyone loves. i don't like bright eyes at all, just so you know. wear your k-mart brand ghetto shoes with pride & don't worry about what people will think. be you & be proud of it. think of how boring the world would be if everyone liked the same stuff just because it was the cool thing to do. yuck.

i hope that when i meet the right guy he'll find this quality attractive in me. and i hope he'll be the same. one of the most attractive things to me is cool confidence & knowing who you are. pimp juice, if you will. for now i'll go on being miss independent- not the kelly clarkson/destiny's child 3 snaps in z formation miss independent- just my own person miss independent. and you should, too. thank you & goodnight.

yo, that block is red like the color of an apple, what

2009-01-07T23:24:00.004-05:00

i went to my last home visit of the day (this one was actually at a daycare) and saw one of my favorite little boys. i know you aren't supposed to have favorites, but whatev. well this little boo is my boy! he's adorable & thuggy & makes the funniest faces. he's delayed in speech & doesn't make hardly a sound and he's almost 2 and 1/2 years old. so we're playing & i'm trying to encourage him to make sounds and imitate me any way i can. i pull out my toy microphone & literally make up a rap about the blocks we're playing with, of course dancing to it, too. how bout that mug starts dancing with me & trying to sing/rap along. it was hilarious & so awesome. we had the best time & when my hour was up i told him bye & his face squinched up & huge tears welled up in his eyes. i told him i'd be back next week to play again and gave him a hug & he started crying so hard. it broke my heart! to know that he didn't want me to go, that he made huge progress today actually making sounds/words, & that i'm doing a job that i not only enjoy, but is totally beneficial to others (esp. kids) makes me so happy. i can't wait to see him again next week!

hope ever

2009-01-05T08:01:00.004-05:00

The Lord stands between the years. The Light of His Presence is flung across the year to come. Backward, over the past year, is His Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.

Bury every fear of the future, of poverty, suffering, loss. Bury all thoughts of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointment in others & yourself, your gloom, your despondency, and leave them all to go forward to a new and risen life.

Remember that you must not see as the world sees. He holds the year in His hands- in trust for us. He shall guide us one day at a time. Leave the rest with Him- don't anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead. Each day He will supply the wisdom and the strength so go forward unafraid, praising the One who loves you more than you'll ever know. The sunlight of His presence is on your path, so go. His grace is sufficient for all your needs. Hope on, Hope gladly, Hope with certainty, Hope ever, All is well.

<3

2008-12-28T21:10:00.001-05:00

so fine oh nine begins with a bang

2008-12-22T21:19:00.002-05:00

my friend allie invited me over for dinner tonite- baked spaghetti yumminess. we're eating & chatting & having fun and then we start talking about new years. i tell her about how kp & i are going to florida bc we have a free place to stay & we want to go to disney or universal for new years. then she literally runs out of the room & comes back a minute later with her wallet. that mug pulls out 2 FREE 6-day passes to universal studios including islands of adventure & citywalk. then she's straight talkin bout- here, you can have these. um WHAT!?!? i tried to make her take some money from me, but she wouldn't. welp, here we come universal... for free. new years & 2009 are gonna be SO bomb. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

2008

2008-12-20T11:32:00.003-05:00

i know there is still a little time until so fine oh nine begins, but i wanted to go ahead while i had a second of free time to review my year. 2008, a year in review- the good, the bad, the unbelievable...

2008:

* incredible mission trip to Colombia, South America

* ate at Captain D’s on Valentines Day- amazing

* road tripped to Nashville to hang with old & new friends -heard Diana DeGarmo from the Fantasia season of American Idol sing It’s Raining Men in a random Karaoke bar & almost fell out of my seat it was so good- no one knew it was her, but me. typical.

* scored free tickets to the private sound check jimmy eat world show in charlotte, front row, baby

* saw myself on the big screen for the 1st time in leatherheads

* went to see Lydia for my birthday

* went to an 80s prom

* became a member of midtown!

* went on a mission trip to rebuild homes & share jesus in pearlington, mississippi

* started leading a lifegroup

* sang tv theme songs including Scooby Doo with THE tracy morgan

* talked about Christianity & ate crab legs with pee wee herman

* made so many new incredible friends

* had a martini with james marsden aka Cyclops

* saw new kids on the block, a group I’ve waited 20 years to see

* another seemingly cool guy turned weird & shaded out on me- add him to the list

* i was a groomsgirl in one of my best friend's weddings

* got the most amazing new job that I wasn’t even looking for AND I get to wear sweatshirts & jeans to work each day

* our family dog Buster had a bajillion surgeries, almost died in front of me, but pulled through & is doing a-ok

* made my neighbor cookies & then found out he was emmanuel cook

* saw amazing things happen on midtown’s mission trip to mexico

* saw underoath a few times & even crowd surfed pretty much unscathed

* my Grandfather passed away : * (

* did a sick photoshoot with a very talented photographer

* was a flight attendant on one tree hill & got to see CMM in the flesh

* shook hands in a scene with the little boy that played Elliot in ET (Henry)

* gary ray & mrs. leigh got married

* tried to get a shot at the health dept & was told to go to the children’s immunization wing until I showed my ID

* rode the drop ride at the fair & survived

* got to be on a freakin billboard

* sponsored a child

* helped out with homeless for the homeless

* saw James Taylor

* saw taking back sunday!!

there's a lot more that happened- good & bad, but those are the highlights i've got right now. i grew a lot closer to Jesus this year through some things and God granted me opportunities to share His love & name with all kinds of people. in the end that's all that really matters about this year, but because God loves us so much, He gives us fun & joy & our hearts' desires, too. how good is He?? God's favor was crazy amazing this year & i thank Him for it. i think 2009 is going to blow 2008 out of the water, though. let's see what God does in so fine oh nine. i can't wait!!!

i posted this last year, but it doesn't get old so...

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

2008 is gone, finished, past. We can't reclaim it or undo it. We can't rest on the things it brought us or dwell on the things it didn't. 2009 is a new start, a new opportunity, so let's grab hold & do something with it. Let's boldly run forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide for us.

Lord God, please help me learn from my mistakes, but not dwell on them. Please help me not rest on my accomplishments from this past year, but use them to further your work in and through me. Please wash off the past & lead me in your paths, helping me see your mighty works this next year. Show me your glory. I deserve nothing, yet you give me everything. Thank you for my many blessings & your unconditional love. I can't wait for this year. In Jesus' holy name, Amen.

there's nothing left to say

2008-12-16T15:54:00.001-05:00

who wants to get down with me?

h<3pe

2008-12-14T10:45:00.001-05:00

against all hope, abraham in hope believed

like a thief in the night

2008-12-12T09:14:00.001-05:00

signs

2008-12-11T09:01:00.001-05:00

boots with the fuuuur

2008-12-09T21:41:00.003-05:00

at my church (Midtown Fellowship- www.midtowncolumbia.com ) we've been having a series on giving.

sunday night we talked about just how rich & blessed we are. check this out...

*if you make $10,000 a year you are considered to be living in poverty in th US, but you are actually richer than 87% of the world population.

*If you make $40,000 a year, you are richer than 97% of the world population.

*Do you know that in the US we spend $450 BILLION on Christmas each year? That's about $1500 per person.

*Well 76% of the world makes less than $1500 a YEAR.

*It would take $10 billion to provide clean water to the entire world.

* Howard D Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks makes almost $99 MILLION a year. I wonder what he does with his money? I sure hope something worthwhile.

God blesses us with money & material possessions because He loves us, but He wants us to turn around & bless others, too.

1 Tim. 6:10 says "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil..."

It doesn't say MONEY is the root of evil, it says the LOVE OF money. Anyone that says God doesn't want us to have money is an idiot. How can we build wells in Africa without money? How can we feed & clothe the hungry & homeless without money? we can't! but loving money & making it an idol/status symbol and not turning around & doing something with the money we've earned is wrong.

Let's live below our means so we can give more away. It's not about the amount of money you give, it's about the sacrifice.

Sunday night Dustin told us we were teaming up with Cooperative Ministries here in Columbia this week so I started to pull out my checkbook when Dustin said "Don't start picking up your wallets just yet." He told us that what they need more than anything are shoes, so if we felt like God wanted us to, to take off the shoes on our feet & walk down to the front to lay them down.

Did I have knee high boots on? Yes. Is someone out there gonna be straight stylin on the streets of Columbia? Heck Yes. Over 600 pairs of shoes were collected last night!!! From Ugg boots to Pumas, it was absolutely incredible to see people walking out in their socks & bare feet knowing they'd done something worthwhile.

TOMS is an organization that sells shoes and for each pair purchased, a pair is given to a child in need. Go buy some new shoes & buy some for christmas presents and think about the cute little kiddo that's now going to have shoes on his/her feet because of you! http://www.tomsshoes.com/

check out their video:

For other ideas, go to www.midtowncolumbia.com and check out the different links to organizations that need our help. pay it forward, people.

if you want to come to church with me ANYtime, shoot me a message & let's go.
Sundays 5:30, 7:15, 9:00
SC State Museum

sittin on the dock of the bay

2008-12-07T11:32:00.006-05:00

i was about to clean my room, but decided to put it off by blogging. good call, right?

i can't remember if i ever wrote about how good the copeland/lydia/lovedrug/lights concert was at new brookland. i went by myself, but ended up seeing lots of people i know. a lot of my friends think i'm weird for going to dinner or a movie or a concert by myself. i like it sometimes, though. that's not weird, is it? i don't care if it is. anyway, i saw friends & watched all the bands- great great show & super fun nite.

homeless for the homeless also finally went down after months of prep. it was amazing. matt crawford & i worked on the fear & darkness station and it turned out so sick. the whole walkthru was rad. i sat behind the big screen in the dark, freezing by myself, but loving it. i had 4 hours back there to talk to God, imagine the faces of the people watching the screen, dance around to untitled #8 five bajillion times hoping no one would walk in & see, etc. matt was at formal with sara so i had to take on the scary task of pushing the play button each time by myself. if you know me, lots of times i make things go wrong with technical stuff -even when just pushing a button- (ha) so the fact that there was only 1 mishap was a miracle.

i couldn't see or hear anything in the room behind the screen so my cues for the play button were 1)seeing the lights of the candles make the screen turn orange & then all go out & 2)hearing the guide say "please blow out your candles." well, i'd done the first 2 groups a-ok & was waiting for my next group/cues....still waiting. so michael bailey comes back & asks if things are going alright & i'm like "yeah, going great. just waiting on the next group" and that man talkin bout "oh they're out there waiting for it to start." i was like "what!? where??" haha. i found out later that the guide had them blow out their candles before they came in the room so i never saw the lights or heard anything. i told michael to make sure all the guides knew what to do & after that i never missed another one. phew.

the next day we had free haircuts, foot care, health screenings, job training, donations, etc. for the homeless who were bussed into the fairgrounds. it was awesome! there was some music playing & mr. willie & an older volunteer woman dancing and the next thing i knew, my dancing shoes had taken me up there with them & the rest is history. a bunch of people came up & started dancing with us & we literally had a dance party with the homeless. best time ever. cupid shuffle = <3

thanksgiving was the bomb. food, family, laughter, great times. favorite! we enjoyed the day with my dad's mom & those aunts/uncles/cousins on thursday and then went to my mom's mom's on sunday night. it was our 1st thanksgiving without my grandfather, which was tough, but we talked & laughed about funny memories & stories and really enjoyed our time together. i'm so so thankful for all of the blessings in my life. i get choked up thinking about how great God is to me. when i complain because i don't have a boyfriend or a better car or what the heck ever, i want to punch myself in the eye. seriously, look around & be amazed.

the Unforgettable Jewelry billboard went up on the 25th & will be up until christmas day. total hilarious cheesy awesomeness. so excited about my 1st billboard! next on my to-do list is to be in a music video. it'd be so fun to be one of the "cool girls" in a good band's video like jimmy eat world or something. i'd def. settle for shakin somethin in a TI video, too, though. true.

my apartment complex is the jam & has parties every now & then so the other nite i went with jon & suz to get free massages & wine & snacks at the clubhouse. wonderful.

also rolled to charleston for the nite friday to see needtobreathe & stay with my cuz. way fun. saw me some kim j & lauren s- love those mugs! lauren had asked me to introduce her little sister to the guys in the band so i did & i could tell she was super excited : )

finally, last nite one of my friends had a 30th birthday party & had asked me, josh ridings, & andrew to sing for her & her guests at the rutledge chapel after food & drinks at senate plaza. 1st of all, oh my yum to the food & drinks part (fried okra, bbq sandwiches, diprato's pimento cheese dip, fresh fruit, sweet potato fries, beer- so good). we did some songs she had requested including some james taylor, otis redding, tim mcgraw, & also some hymns & after practicing for literally no exaggeration 3 minutes in the parking lot right beforehand, i think we did good!

sorry it's so dark!

if you went to USC and esp. went to SNA (sunday night alive) a few years back you would remember scattered hotdog. ha. that's josh & andrew's SNA band. it consisted of the 2 of them singing & jeff vitters & robbie woodard sitting in the background playing cards & throwing hotdogs into the crowd. let me just tell you that one nite they played R. Kelly's ignition remix & dedicated it to my dad when he was at SNA with me. best nite of my life. i laughed for hours literally. i really really miss singing with josh. homeboy is crazy & so fun to sing with. i can remember sitting up in the compound house practicing for FCA & just laughing & playing guitar & singing forever. love it. if anyone ever just wants to get together & play & sing please let me know bc i really enjoy doing that just for fun.

now mr. blog, you're updated & we're moving along fast as lightening through december. i haven't done 1 second of christmas shopping, but i did send the little boo i sponsor in Guatemala a little something. <3
til next time, i'm out!

open your eyes

2008-12-02T22:32:00.001-05:00

everyone knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up

sting

2008-12-01T22:32:00.002-05:00

i've blogged this before, but a friend gave me this one time & i need the reminder...

Dying to Self

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence. That is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured. That is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God. That is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown. That is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances. That is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart. That is dying to self.

Are you dead yet?

jt please

2008-11-29T11:10:00.001-05:00

justinnnnnnn. gah. when i head to LA this spring i'ma hunt you down, playa.

this is love

2008-11-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

wow is all i can say

BEAUTIFUL

these are a few of my favorite things (for callie)

2008-11-17T22:08:00.003-05:00

*JESU CHRISTO
*sunsets/sunrises
*meteor showers/stars
*the little mermaid & other disney classics
*flintstones vitamins
*boys with tattoos and a little hair in the eyes
*music & the memories it can make
*my church & everything about it
*concerts (alllll kinds)
*the feeling of God's arms around me
*hands raised/eyes closed in praise
*being on water
*snorkeling/colorful fish swimming everywhere
*talking to myself aloud in public
*the fact that the "e" fell off my car so now i drive a "scort"
*cherry dr. pepper
*my LifeGroup
*eye liner
*maggianos/pf changs
*birds
*chocolate macadamia nuts
*skateboarders/surfers
*laughing/people that make me laugh!
*crazy karaoke with my friends
*roller skating
*watching old home videos & dying laughing with the fam
*mom's potato soup
*dancing (mostly hip-hop, freak (ha), & lyrical)
*not being a "normal girl"
*singing harmony
*musicians
*opening my Bible randomly to the most perfect word from Him
*college football/gamecocks
*carolina panthers
*mission trips
*special needs kids
*leggings
*wearing dresses with pants
*slow dancing
*disney world
*massages
*horror movies
*roller coasters
*cosmos
*good old cold beer & steak
*movies
*blackberries (the fruit)
*vegas
*holding hands
*steve carrell
*high school musical
*broadway
*acting/tv/film
*selling real estate
*working out
*making people feel welcome & loved
*listening to music in the car with friends for hours
*comfort food
*trying new things
*being myself with no worries of what others will think
*hot chocolate with whipped cream
*listening to scary/intense/crazy stories at night (particularly around a fire)
*the holidays & the excitment in the air
*modeling
*travel
*my iPod
*inside jokes
*a little bit of sarcasm but not TOO much- fine line bt funny & a-hole
*guys rocking vests (but only if they can actually rock it)
*tight squeeze hugs
*paying for people in line behind me in fast food drive-thrus & then racing off
*checking things off my to-do list
*beach music & motown on the beach

it's in your blood

2008-11-15T01:55:00.005-05:00

dear blog,
just a few random things to tell you:
* i don't think you understand how excited i am/how crazy i'm going to go at the lydia show. like i'm seriously going to freak out. 5 daysssssss. will i make it til then?? only time will tell. if you're planning on heading to that show, get your ticket early! i'm not a fortune teller, but i feel like this would def. be one that could potentially sell out. also get there on time- all the bands are amazing. i'm going early.

* a few nites ago my bff cousin called me & said she was in town from charleston doing PA work for a reality show on TLC about pagent kids (ha). i met her and 2 crew guys from L.A. at group therapy for a drink. we had a great time- just talking & enjoying the company, etc. at one point i was talking to one of the guys & i felt an extreme urgency to ask him his thoughts on God. like Luda was saying in our feed me class the other day, this can be awkward, but it actually wasn't.

he looked at me kind-of funny & proceeded to tell me that he believes in a "higher power of some kind & in spirituality & karma," but not organized religion or anything else. i listened to him talk for a few minutes & then explained to him what i believe and told him about my faith. when it was done he told me that he hadn't been asked about religion or talked about it with anyone in years. i was shocked- talking about my faith is something i absolutely love doing & the fact that no one had talked to him about that in literally years blew my mind. what the heck are christians doing??? we need to get off our lazy selfish asses and tell people about our changed lives & how amazing our salvation is. good grief.

he told me that i was quite possibly one of the only seemingly genuine christians he'd ever met. he told me horror stories about some (of course) but he let me know that he respected me & my beliefs & he even said "maybe one day i'll be able to be like you." i asked him what he was waiting for, but he couldn't give me a good answer. the conversation ended & the night continued. a few hours later we were at a different place & i was finally leaving the group. as i said my goodbyes, I gave him a hug & told him it was nice meeting him & he actually thanked me for having that conversation with him & told me how much he enjoyed it. i had almost forgotten we'd talked about that, but it seemed like he'd been thinking about it the whole night. it's so funny how seeds are planted by the regular everyday sowers. i'm not a preacher or an eloquent speaker by ANY means, but i really enjoy talking to new people & sharing my faith. i hope & pray that one day he'll not want to be like me, but he'll want to be like Christ. maybe i'll see him in heaven & i'll find out all the amazing things God did in his life.

* some friends & i went skating tonite & it was awesome, per usual. i went up & talked to some boys who had crazy black triangle make-up on their eyes- they were probably in middle school- just seemed awkward & lost. we talked for a few minutes & they told me their favorite bands were slipknot & marilyn manson. you could tell they want friends & people to talk to because throughout the rest of the nite they'd skate up to me & tell me stuff. i hope people love on them & they find their place.

* there was another girl in the women's bathroom who was crying. i asked her what was wrong & she said some boys were being mean & talking crap about her. i asked her if she wanted a hug & she said yeah so i gave her a giant one & asked if she wanted me to beat them up for her. i felt like the pychologist at the rink tonite. it was good though- i love doing stuff like that.

* rashad (my pretend skating rink ghetto crush who can jam skate like nobody's business) asked for my number tonite! hahahhaha. i was like "only if you teach me some skating tricks/moves." he asked if i was coming back for adult skate sunday nite, but i told him about midtown. i want him to come with me one week!! he was really cute & we totally couple skated. oh rashad.

* tomorrow i'm going to atlanta to screen my friend kat's movie. she did make-up on it & we're going to some old awesome movie theater to watch it. i'm excited!

* finally, i'm officially going to be on a billboard. i think i told you earlier, but it was turned in today. thank the good Lord it's my favorite picture from the group. it's me, mom, & dad- i'm the graduate in my gown, holding my cap & dad is putting my gift of a pearl necklace around my neck while mom looks on smiling. HILARIOUS. i'm gonna pee my pants when i see it. should be up the end of november. omg.

* last- i'm really digging this song. i'm not losing it, but i love the voice/beat/etc.

the right stuff

2008-11-06T07:30:00.003-05:00

goodness it's been a while. this job leaves me no time for carefree blogging, but i'm gonna take a minute & give an update on what's been going on with me lately...

-high school musical 3 is my jam. i don't care what you say, it's great. i've seen it twice & i wanna go again. and what?

-i went to a wedding & it officially won for best reception food ever: shrimp & grits, mashed potato bar, bbq, pork tenderloin, chocolate fountain, chicken strips, all the usual "wedding reception regulars," beer, etc. i think i gained 800lbs.

-i had jury duty & my supervisor wrote me a letter to try to get out of it for the week. i figured i'd walk in, give them my letter, & walk out in 5- 10 mins. well 3 hours later i was still sitting in the holding area going crazy. a police man walked in & asked us to watch some video made in the 70s about being a juror & i saw my dad's cousin acting in it & laughed aloud. i got in trouble with the police man- "maam, is something funny?" it was awesome. then he tells us how strict the judge is & that all men must tuck their shirts in & if the judge speaks to you or you speak to him, you must stand the entire time. yikes.

we all walk downstairs & go into the courtroom. i laughed aloud again on the way in because i saw the judge's name on the door was Lincoln Jenkins. well, each person's name was called out & we had to stand, state our current addresses & bring any issues we had before the court. i was so nervous & when they called my name i did what i was supposed to do & then i was all like "um, your honor? (i felt so lame saying that) i have a letter from my supervisor regarding my time here this week. may i bring it to you or do you want to come get it?" ha. he said "yes maam you may approach the bench" so i rolled up there. he asked me what it said & i told him pretty much that i'm a new employee & i work with special needs kids & it would be detrimental for the children if i miss a week of working with them. he tells me to go back to my bench and then all loud in front of the 30 jurors, "alright ms. boozer is going to be excused this week because her being here would be detrimental for her employer & to her as an employee because of financial hardship." i was like WHAT!? financial hardship!? i didn't say that!!! it was so embarrassing. that's what i get for laughing at his name.

-i had a cpr class & passed with flying colors. we had to learn infants, children, & adults. one girl dropped her baby dummy on the floor & i laughed again. i need to control that better- it's so hard, though.

-a group of friends & i went to see new kids on the block in atlanta. it was literally one of my favorite shows. we all sang & danced our hearts out. i almost teared up when they came out- haaaaa. not because i love them, but because dude, we've been waiting 20 years for that!!!! i never thought i'd get to see my favorite childhood group live & it finally happened. pretty cool. jenn said she teared up during "i'll be loving you forever" and i laughed so hard. the place was sold out & it was the best crowd ever- so into it. the guys did really well, too. they danced, sang, break-danced, etc. & rocked it out. i'm not gonna lie. they sang all their old songs & a bunch of new ones, too. some of the new ones are straight up good, too. seriously. a lot of them are scandalous as all get out, but i like several of them. "single," "dirty dancing," "2 in the morning"- all good. i don't know about "grown man," "sexify my love," and "full service," however. lol.

-i went to see columbia city ballet's Dracula: Ballet with a Bite. soooooooo good. again, scandalous, but i love that thing. i used to go in middle & high school every year the day before halloween. it's so sexy & pretty & fun. i love that ballet. i always wanted to be one of the vampire seductress dancers. typical.

-bon qui qui came out for halloween and oh my goodness. i had so much fun being her for a night. my nails were out of control & my hair curl gelled to the face was the nastiest thing i've ever seen. amazing.
Mellie as Bon Qui Qui

-i'll be missing baumer's last show which is kind-of a bummer because it IS their last show, but honestly, i was there for courage riley, i was there for their 1st show when it was a joke, i was there for 8 bajillion shows after that, so i've had my fair share of some baumer. i'll be filming a scene in the nicholas sparks novel turned to movie, Dear John in Edisto. can't wait!

-i'm excited about homeless for the homeless!

-my hair has me really bored these days. i used to change it up all the time in college, but having headshots that you are supposed to look like at all times has had me stuck with the same thing for a while. i may be doing something different- not too drastic, just spicing it up so i'm not so bored of it. we'll see.

-i'm ready for lydia/copeland on the 19th, manchester on dec. 14, & taking back sunday on dec. 17. hurry uppppp.

do you remember the time?

2008-10-24T10:41:00.005-04:00

- remember when i got dad to be an extra on leatherheads with me? well the movie bug bit him hard & now that man just called me talkin about he's going to be a featured extra on Dear John next week- he's going to Edisto Island to be a main character's dad at the engagement party. WHAT!?! hilarious alton boozer. mom's going, too! this'll be her 1st movie. i'm sure she'll get the bug bite next.

- remember when i loved the rascal flatts/taylor swift show because it was off the chain? i want to be taylor when i grow up- she's so cute & sweet & good! i didn't know she wrote every one of her songs- makes me like her even more. she gave away a bunch of her bracelets at the end of her set to little girls in the front, too. awww. i want a sparlking rhinestone guitar and long hair to swing around like her. remember that time my cousin gave me weave & it was funny? me, too.

remember that other time rascal flatts played "what hurts the most" & showed the saddest video ever on the big screen behind them & i cried because it was so sad/good? then remember when i cried during broken road, too because that song rules? mmhmm, that happened. oh, rascal flatts- you get me every time.

- remember when RF 1st came out with "prayin for daylight" & "these days?" so good. and then i had a fake crush on joe don the guitarist? what a horrible name.

- remember that time i was psyched about HSM3 and the halloween party tonite?

- finally, remember when i said i love wearing sweatshirts & jeans to work everyday? dreams really do come true.

content

2008-10-22T23:03:00.008-04:00

oh my gosh, life is good. like i can't even explain how incredible God is- how He works is mind blowing. i'm so fulfilled by Him & my contentment is like nothing i've felt in a long time. i have such peace about every part of my life. yes, i miss my grandfather, yes, there are situations i wish were different, yes, i struggle with a bajillion sin issues like trusting God, worry, gossip, complaining, comparing myself to others, pulling the "how is that fair?" card to God, patience, selfishness, judging, making enough time for Jesus, etc. etc. i suck, but God is constantly working on me & bettering me & making me more like Him. it's pretty great.

we just added another girl to our lifegroup & i'm super excited about it. she is a perfect addition & i thank God for her.

work is amazing- getting busier by the minute, but so perfect for me. i still can't believe how God lined that up. makes me just trust Him more. He's so faithful, geez. it's been great actually having a steady paycheck, too & being able to bless people in different ways- friends & strangers alike.

i had the best time at the fair this year (yes, i went 5 times).

a group of us went to see underoath in charlotte & it was the jam. i crowd surfed, got busted, & loved it. 2 knots on my head & bruises everywhere. worth it. for example...

another group went to see matt wertz monday nite. love love love him. i'veseen him a bunch of times, but it just never gets old. i went to college with his tour manager & he put me on the list to get in for free. rad. we all went to art bar & hung out afterwards- so fun chatting with everyone & making new friends. the back-up band guys were freakin hilarious. really enjoyed their company. check out some matt.

friday nite i'm going to see a movie i've been waiting on for ages. it may or may not be called high school musical 3. i know i'm lame, but i freakin love it. mostly because it's a musical & i'm in love with musicals (i tried to audition for something at workshop recently but the call was for 8-20 year olds. i know i could have pulled off 20, but eh, maybe next time around). not like i'd have time for that anyway, but i still love it. i think i cried when i saw high school musical 1- not because it was sad or a great movie (i mean it WAS a great movie) but because i wish i was in it. that can't be healthy. anyway, zac efron is gonna be killing me softly, too. i don't care how old that mug is- age ain't nothin but a number. i've gone out with guys 6 years older than me & 5 years younger than me. i don't care, it's about the person & the connection. and zac is some kind of person. let me stop lusting. add that to my sin list at the top. gah, i suck so bad.

moving on, one of my friends is going to let me come with him to see rascal flatts & taylor swift tomorrow nite for FREEEEE. i'm pumped. i've seen RF before (whaddya know- at the state fair, my home away from home) but i'm dying to see some taylor. i love her & i want to be her bff. yay. it's gonna be mad fun.

i've had lots of halloween party invites this year & i'm STILLLL trying to figure out my costume. i've actually got one friday nite so i better get to steppin.

trying to get out of jury duty for next week.

taking a cpr & 1st aid class soon.

puppy sitting for a family while they're in disney world for the week of halloween (LUCKY). i'm slightly obsessed with disney & would love to see it tricked out for halloween. sigh. maybe one day.

going to see new kids on the block one week from tonite. omgosh

going to see columbia city ballet's Dracula next week. it's so scandalous, but oh so good!

lydia is coming up soon & i've been getting to be myspace friends with the drummer. hopefully we can meet & chat at the show.

friggin taking back sunday is coming to w-salem in december & i'm crapping my pants with glee.

my 1st baptism service was awesome!!! kim & i "worked the street" as greeters. abi elrod told us to show some leg (joking, of course). hilarious.

i love all the friends in my life right now, too- God has blessed me with incredible people that i could call anytime & count on for whatever i need. it's the best!

finally, i can't stop listening to these 2 songs. we listened to them on the way home from UO.

(the incorrect spelling in this erks me, but whatev, just listen to the song)

if you're breaking, just remember...

2008-10-16T09:55:00.003-04:00

the other nite at our midtown family potluck meeting adam asked that people who were hurting in any way stand & everyone else gathered around & prayed for them. it was really awesome. people are hurting & breaking everywhere, and to you, i share this...

"Those people God uses much of the time to bring glory to Himself are those who are completely broken, for the sacrifice He accepts is a "broken and contrite heart" (Ps. 51:17).

It was not until the poor widow broke the seal on her only remaining jar of oil & began to pour it that God miraculously multiplied it to pay her debts & supplied her means of support (2 Kings 4:1-7)

It was once Jesus took the 5 loaves & BROKE them that the bread was mulitplied to feed the 5,000.

It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (Matt. 26:7), destroying its future usefulness & value, that the wonderful fragrance filled the house.

It wasn't until Jacob's natural strength was broken at Peniel (Gen. 32:25) that he came to the point where God could clothe him with spiritual power.

It wasn't until Jesus allowed his precious body to be broken by thorns, nails, & a spear that His inner life was poured out like an ocean of crystal-clear water for thirsty sinners to drink & then live.

It isn't until a kernel of corn is buried & broken in the earth by DEATH that its inner heart sprouts, producing hundreds of other seeds or kernels.

And so, it has always been, down through history of plants, people, & all of spiritual life- God uses BROKEN THINGS.

Those who have been gripped by the power of the Holy Spirit and are used for God's glory lots of times are those who have been broken in their finances, broken in their self-will, broken in their ambitions, broken in their lofty ideals, broken in their worldly reputation, broken in their desires, and often broken in their health.

But praise God, for He will use you, yet."

needles, & roaches, & drops, oh my

2008-10-14T13:03:00.003-04:00

if you know me, you know that i have a few fears- some bigger than others.

i hate needles with a passion. i've had panic attacks at the doctor before & i always have to lie down to get any kind of shot or i will straight pass out. i've never had blood drawn & i know the day is coming, but i'm gonna wait as long as i possibly can. hellllllp.

i hate roaches. i know they can't hurt or bite me, but they sure can jump out & scare me to death & that's almost worse. they always seem to know that i'm the one scared of them because they fly at my face, land in my hair when i'm sleeping (yes that happened when i was in high school), run over my bare feet, etc. gross gross gross.

i also hate the feeling of falling. jumping off cliffs isn't my idea of a good time. i never want to bungee or sky dive or any of that jazz. hang gliding i could do because it's not as much of a free fall. anyway, i hate all those drop rides- drop zone at carowinds, tower of terror at disney, etc. i vow never to ride them. well...

i tell you this to explain how big of a deal it was that i actually went on the drop of fear/death/whatever at the fair last nite. it was horrific, of course, but i did it. freakin jay made me. i'm pretty sure his arm fell off from loss of circulation due to my squeezing. good grief if they didn't keep us up at the top for like 500 hours before the drop. kill me now.

other than that, the fair was beyond fun. grubbs, matt, jay & i tore up the food (more them than me- i had a corn dog from Bailey's- the best & really only good corn dog place). we rode a few rides, saw some sweet hairstyles/short shorts/tight jeans, and helped will pick out the pefect designed t-shirt for taylor. it's probably the best shirt i've ever seen.

i'm going back to the fair thursday to buy the wristband & get my ride on for real this time and i can't wait. polar express, crazy mouse, zipper, here i come. drop of crap, you will not see me again. good riddance.

meet Geovany

2008-10-12T12:51:00.002-04:00

i've had a heart for Central & South America for a while. i've been on several mission trips to different parts of these areas & i knew i wanted to sponsor a child from there as well. so i did.

this is Geovany Ruiz- he lives in El Salvador with his mother & i'm going to visit them one day.

i already can't wait.

C+?!? that's bonk

2008-10-12T11:44:00.005-04:00

work is going really well so far- i'm learning so so much & starting to understand everything i need to know. i've met 4 of my 6 kids - some are def. going to be challenging, but some are just going to be a hilarious blast. i'll end up with 15 to 20 in my full caseload in the next couple months. should be interesting. pretty sure i'm going to love it.

i really like the other girls in my Easter Seals Richland/Lexington County group- they are too much fun. one of them is 38 and used to be an actress in L.A. she had a recurring role on the original beverly hills 90210 & she's done a lifetime movie. too funny. they've all been so helpful to me- love the support : )

this weekend i was asked to puppy-sit for a CUUUUTIE named gizmo- he's the sweetest little baby. the house i'm staying in is so nice- the dad is a brain surgeon, so yeah. i've been playing the kids' Wii a lot- mario party 8 is my jam. i also plugged in the high school musical karaoke microphone & played that one. i'd just laugh aloud at the puppy looking at me in this huge house singing dead serious to HSM songs to get good "grades" so i could unlock new characters & songs. of course it was on 1 player & it had me singing zac efron's parts which i don't know. shoot, i'm a girl, i sing the girl harmonies, so i kept getting C's because i was singing gabriella's parts. ha. i finally figured out how to change it to the girl parts so i could start doing better. ha. i was just waiting for the family to come home early from the mountains & walk in to that scene.

friday nite i put the puppy in his crate for a few hours & headed to the fair with one of my best friends, mr. patrick crawford. he came in town from clemson to fair it up with me. i was so excited to meet his girlfriend for the 1st time, too. she rocks and we had so much fun. joe stillwell called to say he was coming through columbia & i told him to meet us there. i lost my voice screaming on the zipper, my favorite, & of course the crazy mouse, another favorite, and the starship 3000- not a favorite. they made me ride it, but i survived. joe said needtobreathe had recorded several new demos for their 3rd album & he was excited about them. sweeeet- i can't wait to hear them sometime.

in other news...
-bought underoath tickets for next weekend & i'm pumped about the show.
-the gamecocks beat kentucky but it was the stupidest game i've ever seen.
-i'm going to the fair probably 2 or 3 more times... at least
-can't decide what i want to cook for the potluck dinner tuesday nite.
-so excited about the baptism service coming up- this will be the 1st one i've ever been to at midtown.
-still trying to figure out halloween costumes
-went skating last weekend & actually made it around 3 or 4 times going backwards! also worked on my twirls & spins. boy do i love skating.
-went to a friend's yard sale & came out with 3 pairs of rad shoes & lots of tops, sweatshirts & a jacket for an amazing price.
-about to sponser my 1st child- finally!
-loving life, as always

PREACH

2008-10-09T18:57:00.000-04:00

BAD SEX

yes we can?

2008-10-08T21:59:00.002-04:00

Read this today & felt pretty similar...

Dear Friends:
>
> My name is Joe Porter. I live in
> Champaign, Illinois. I'm 46 years old, a born-again
> Christian, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a
> veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be
> either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person,
> not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are
> 'two Americas ' but that every person in this
> country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if
> they'll just work to get there and nowhere else on earth
> can they find such opportunities. I believe our government
> should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and
> should always put the interests of America first.
>
> The purpose of this message is that
> I'm concerned about the future of this great nation.
> I'm worried that the silent majority of honest,
> hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been
> passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to
> involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily
> lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing
> what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and
> consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their
> heads at the political pundits and so-called 'news',
> thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is
> reporting it. They can't understand how elected
> officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork
> barrel spending. They don't want government handouts.
> They want the government to protect them, not raise their
> taxes for more government programs.
>
> We are in the unique position in
> this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege
> to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election
> with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most
> of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100%
> of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always
> try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man
> or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a
> lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's
> what an election is - a hiring process. Who has the
> credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust
> to do the job right?
>
> I'm concerned that a growing
> number of voters in this country simply don't get it.
> They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and
> calling it 'change'.
>
> 'Change what?', I ask.
>
> 'Well, we're going to change
> America', they say.
>
> 'In what way?', I query.
>
> 'We want someone new and fresh
> in the White House', they exclaim.
>
> 'So, someone who's not a
> politician?', I say.
>
> 'Uh, well, no, we just want a
> lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama',
> they state.
>
> 'So the current system, the
> system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to
> grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise
> incredible amounts of money and dominate the news, and win
> his party's nomination for the White House that
> system's all wrong?'
>
> 'No, no, that part of the
> system's okay we just need a lot of change.'
>
> And so it goes. 'Change we can
> believe in.'
>
> Quite frankly, I don't believe
> that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me.
> In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I
> encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois, so
> most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But
> no one can really tell me why only that he's going to
> change a lot of stuff 'Change, change, change.' I
> have yet to find one single person who can tell me
> distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be
> President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation
> on earth other than the fact that he claims he's going
> to implement a lot of change.
>
> We've all seen the emails about
> Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim
> background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore
> this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself,
> 'What qualifies this man to be my president? That
> he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?'
>
> CHANGE WHAT?
>
> Friends, I'll be forthright with
> you I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack
> Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as
> evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them
> I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not
> even the most liberal media can explain why he should be
> elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign
> relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone
> who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his
> wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web.
> This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The
> only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping
> about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.
>
> For me, the choice is clear. I've
> looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job,
> and I've made my choice.
>
> Here's a question - 'Where
> were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002.
> You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son
> has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school
> graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time.
> About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6, 000 meals,
> give= or take.'
>
> John McCain spent that amount of
> time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese
> prisoner-of-war camp.
>
> When offered early release, he
> refused it. He considered this offer to be a public
> relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held
> longer than he should be released first. Did you get that
> part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A
> regimen of beatings and torture began.
>
> Do you possess such strength of
> character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country,
> would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow
> man? I submit that's a quality of character that is
> rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John
> McCain.
>
> Unlike several presidential
> candidates in recent years whose military service is
> questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to
> denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A
> graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received
> the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished
> Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine
> Corps in Iraq . Barack Obama is fond of saying 'We
> honor John McCain's service...BUT...', which to me
> is condescending and offensive - because what I hear is,
> 'Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his
> country, and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some
> more about change.'
>
> I don't agree with John McCain on
> everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified
> to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's
> right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of
> our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be
> President - he wants to lead America, and there's a huge
> difference. Factually, there is simply no comparison
> between the two candidates. A man of questionable
> background and motives who prattles on about change,
> can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in
> public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in1981
> and elected to the Senate in1982.
>
> Perhaps Obama's supporters are
> taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't
> care about McCain's service or his strength of
> character, or his unblemished qualifications to be
> President. Maybe 'likeability' is a higher priority
> for them than 'trust'. Being a prisoner of war is
> not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United
> States of America - but his demonstrated leadership
> certainly DOES.
>
> Dear friends, it is time for us to
> stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say,
> 'Enough.' It is time for people of all parties to
> stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who
> wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading
> their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and
> neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.
>
> There's a lot of evil in this world.
> That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And
> when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who
> knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I
> want a man who puts my family's interests before any
> foreign country.
>
> I want a President who's qualified
> to lead.
>
> I want my country back, and I'm
> voting for John McCain.

supernatural

2008-10-07T00:42:00.004-04:00

my friend jeff v. from college called me up tonite & said he was in town with work from charlotte & asked me to hang out. i said sure because i hadn't seen him in forever & we always give each other good girl/guy advice. ha. we rolled over to speakeasy to have a drink & see my good friend david a who works there. it was fun times, but let me tell you what i was told this evening from david & justin...

"mellie, you are probably the coolest girl i know. you're about 50% tomboy- like wearing a t-shirt & jeans playing in the mud throwing it at people, covered in it still looking cute and 50% "hottie" like wearing a pretty dress sitting at nonnah's eating dessert. yeah, girl, you're probably THE only female i know who isn't crazy. you're no drama, & that's awesome."

that made me feel really good. i hate that so many girls give us a bad name for being crazy bi-otches. i'm really glad that some people can see that we truly aren't all like that. i enjoy being zero drama & i've always been that way. my friend christian used to say "you're so cool because you're chill. you're not crazy like most girls i know." i'm really glad, but why is it still that the guys i like never like me back? do some guys actually get off on drama girls? do they want annoying girly frou frou girls? if so, move on along because that's not what you'll get if you get me. sorry for you.

in other news i'm super excited because some of my dear married friends became members at my church yesterday. i invited them a while back & they've been coming ever since & now they're members. how cool!?! also, jeff & i were talking tonite & he told me that the service i invited him to a while back was so what he needed to hear that he still hasn't stopped thinking about it. that night happened to be about "being a man of God" & he's been working on himself ever since. that is so awesome to me. i'm glad God is using my church to change some of my friends. love it!

work is going well, too- still a LOT of learning & trying to understand when i do what & how to do it, but i think that once i feel more comfortable about everything i have to know i'll really really enjoy it. i still can't believe God gave me this cool job. how can i be getting paid for this!?! it's so funny how everything in life has led up to this point. different situations that i thought were meaningless had a point in leading me where i am. hard things i faced help me relate to others that have/are facing similar situations. people that i wondered why the heck were they a part of my life have gotten me where i'm supposed to be & introduced me to people i'm supposed to know. God is literally supernatural & it BLOWS MY MIND. i get mad at myself for ever not trusting Him for a single second because i know where He's gotten me. I can't even imagine where He's going to continue taking me. It's amazing. thank you for being supernatural, God, & knowing what i need way better than i ever could think or imagine.

and you thought your playlist was random

2008-10-01T09:07:00.002-04:00

the playlist that i got ready to this morning made me smile:

Healer- Hillsong
Teen Angst- M83
Electric Feel- MGMT
Where I Stood- Missy Higgins
Did You Wrong- Pleasure P
Love Story- Taylor Swift
The Business- Yung Berg
Unravel- Bjork
Trust In Me Now- Cadia
Drive My Soul- Lights
Just Dance- Lady Gaga
Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon
Free Fallin- John Mayer
What You Got- Colby O'Donis
I'll Run- The Cab
The Dance- Charlotte Martin
Shout Unto God- Hillsong United

sweeeeeeet. haha

wow

2008-09-26T16:06:00.000-04:00

Poor Velma

2008-09-26T09:42:00.003-04:00

This week has been a tad overwhelming to say the least- Monday was Day 1 of "training" & let's just say I left with a headache. ha. My supervisor is awesome!!!! - really cool/chill/no stress/nice/easy to talk to, etc. so that rocks. The 500lb notebook with hundreds of papers inside, however, did not rock. I sat there feeling like I was listening to someone speak another language- all the abbreviations she used sounded like jibberish- the CDSS, the COSF, the DDSN, the blabbity blah is due then & once you've faxed that to so & so you need to do the AEPS assessment & enter info for the STS and the TECS.... You get the picture. I was like oh dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into?!

Thankfully she said she'd help me through everything & I'd learn everything I needed to know over time. I'm still kinda nervous, though. Geez. The fun part was shadowing my friend Jenn Wed & Thurs- I went on all her visits & got to meet some of the kids she works with. They were awesome!! You see alllll kinds of delayed children from Downs kids to autism to just simple speech delays to spina bifida and cerebral palsy. I think one of my kids has webbed fingers so we'll work on fine motor skills until she gets her surgery & then we'll work again afterwards. It's gonna be so fun! I just need to learn everything! I'm excited about it, though.

On one of the visits yesterday waaaay the heck out in chapin we met with a little boy (age 3) who was psychotically obsessed with scooby doo. He had gotten a new mystery machine with all the character dolls & his grandma told us he has a massive crush on daphne. haaaa. He called her "gir" for girl & carried her everywhere- he takes her to school & the other day walked into his classroom kissing her. lol. The teacher was like- well, that's good for his mouth muscles to promote better speech progress. haha. I told his grandma I dressed up as daphne for halloween 2 years ago & that I should roll over there in my costume & surprise him one day. OMG how hilarious.

His grandma was so nice. She had a dog named Rufus who came up to me & let me pet him for a while. She made a point to tell me that the dog never does that with anyone. The little boy also came up to me a lot & even grabbed my face & kissed me- thank God I turned my head in time so he only got the side of my mouth. Too funny. The grandma was like "My goodness, you must have an extremely amazing aura- Rufus came up to you, (child's name) came up to you- I haven't seen that before. Animals and children can sense things, you know. What a special young lady you must be." It made me feel really good- ha. I know auras & stuff are kinda weird, but I knew what she meant & it made my day.

I'm excited about heading to the beach with the wonderful women of Midtown, too. It's gonna be a blast! Oh, this is so random- I got an email from someone I don't know about being on the new Needtobreathe prayer team. She said she'd gotten my name from someone who said I'd be a great asset to the team of 12 & wanted to know if I was interested. I told her sure I would. Again, that made me feel good that someone considered me a prayerful person who they could trust to lift up this band. People keep saying things to make me feel good about myself- it's been nice, especially during this stressful training time where I feel like a total dummy, not understanding a thing. Thanks for encouragement from people I don't even know, God. You are too cool.

Last, I've been really digging this song-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUI5MC9tVM

weekend highlights & such

2008-09-21T21:11:00.008-04:00

my friends jamie & david got married friday nite & i couldn't be happier. honestly they are 2 of the most selfless, loving people i've ever known. don't tell david you like his shirt, he'll take it off on the spot & give it to you- he's done it on more than 1 occasion. i don't think either one has ever met a stranger- they are so great at loving any & everyone they meet, it's incredible. God did an amazing thing by putting these 2 together and i can't wait to see what He does with them as a couple. i think they're planning on going to china for a while to teach english & do some mission work- i'll miss them, but i'm so excited.

i wish you could have heard how everyone talked about them during the toasts at the rehearsal dinner. i pretty much cried the whole time. what an amazing couple they are. makes me wonder what people would say about me at mine one day- i just hope i find someone as amazing & perfect for me as david is for jamie. i'll wait on God til i do.

the ladies of vera circle threw a house warming luau saturday & omg, what fun. who remembers slip n slides hurting so bad? i'm bruised up like nobody's business. we grilled & slid & watched the football game (blah) & laughed & had a great time.

tonite a friend of mine had a going away party that i went to- he's moving to PA tomorrow! we grilled out again & i met a bunch of people from hill of the Lord church. it was fun. i wanted to make it to midtown in time for the 9, but of course it didn't work out & i was too late. boo. i had to miss last week bc of my grandfather's death so i'm so ready to be back. next weeeeeeeek.

i start my new job tomorrow- i think it's gonna be an easy week (3 hours at my supervisor's house mon, 3 hours tues, & then i'm shadowing a friend wed & thurs on her visits) friday is "set up your home office day" aka plug in my new fax machine & have the day off. sweeeet. i've signed up to go to the beach with the adult women of midtown this weekend, too, so i'm totally stoked about that!

i'm also stoked about this fall weather & the fair!!!!!!!!! only 17 days left. omg. i'm gonna freak out.

oh & i went ahead & bought my ticket for the lydia/copeland/lovedrug/lights show in nov. i wrote on lydia's myspace wall about how excited i was & those mugs wrote me back! i thought that was so nice- made my day : )

well that's my weekend wrap-up. it was great to get back to fun & friends after a sad week. Thank you God for your comfort & healing : )

your laugh for the day

2008-09-17T22:15:00.004-04:00

posted by my good friend josh:

"I lead worship every Wednesday morning at Upward, a sports ministry in town. This morning was fun....really worshipful. We sang I Will Lift My Eyes by Bebo and Mighty to Save by Hillsong. We ended acapella then I prayed and as I went to sit down in the back I realized my pants were unzipped. They had been unzipped the entire time."

what's my age again? what's my age again?

2008-09-17T22:15:00.003-04:00

i tried to get a shot at the rank health department the other day & the mean lady said "excuse me, how old are you?" and when i answered she said, "oh really? i almost sent you down to the children's immunization wing." WHAT!?! do i seriously look that young? what the heck?

i subbed for a kindergarten class today to help out a friend & one of the boys (token "bad boy" of the class, give him his adhd meds immediately type) says all big & loud "SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND" when the assistant introduced me. i was like, "actually, son, i'm your teacher" and then he goes "that's what you think." ARE YOU KIDDING ME? what is going on here seriously?

in other news the funeral was beautiful today. mac would have been so pleased. it's been great to have friends praying for me & my family, sending sweet notes, dropping by, coming to the funeral when they sure didn't have to, texting condolences, etc. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams with the support system around me. thank you, Lord.

i'll miss pa paw until i see him again one day, but now that the funeral is over i feel better about moving on & getting back to normal life. i've been invited to lots of things going on this week/weekend & i'm going to try to get around to most everything i can. i'm ready to be around my friends again & enjoy the time i have left on this earth. God is good.