Holla!

This week is really flying by! I have started my second class, which is exciting and challenging. This course is suppose to bring together all that I have learned from the courses I took for my concentration. A lot of individual and team projects, reading, and writing. So far the first week has been fun.

Western Civilization is still going. Yes, I study in my robe. Heck, ya!!

The Lord has been showing me to trust him. It is amazing how I never 'learn' that, it is a day to day commitment. I know 2009 is going to bring a lot of new experiences, and I will not be able to face them without Christ.

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I liked this quote from the Patriot Post:

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." --Thomas Paine

Sometimes I wish I had been born right before the American Revolution, so I could have experienced it. But I guess I am living through some pretty awesome times right now...

I have an itching to go traveling....

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I got this bodywash called "Tahitian Renewal". Pretty good stuff.

Also, got a Vitamin C and Honey face-mask. My face loves me.

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I started reading Jane Eyre again. I think every girl wants to be a heroine of a novel like Jane Eyre.
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LOST Premiere starts......in 1 and half hours.

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I almost can't contain my excitement about this coming year.

God is so good!

L.s.R

Fun Diversion

Mom and I went up to Tulsa today.
I had to pick up product for work and Mom went with me to keep me company.
We had to leave at 5:30 am to get to the plant in time, but it was fun.

Now I am sitting at my desk, on my hard chair, with cold hands trying to study.

Obviously it is not working.

L.s.R

It Has Been Awhile

"There is no pleasure in life like the joy of achievement."

Jane of Lantern Hill ~L.M. Montgomery

I am watching the third installment of North and South right now. One of the only movies as wonderful as the book. They don't make them like Mr. Thornton anymore!

With the new year brought new goals, challenges and beginnings.

I have officially started training for the Marathon coming up this April. I will be walking and running 26.2 miles. I am very excited because I will be able to mark it off my list of "Things to do before I die."


My world right now is full of Mesopotamia, Byzantine, Rome, England, emperors and sultans, kings and queens, Visigoths, Gauls, Constantinople, Pope Gregory III, and ect..ect...ect...yes, if you have not guessed by now, I am in the middle of my Western Civilization course. I love it, and I know if I had had all the money and time in the world (and God's consent) I would have majored in history and would have become a famous archaeologist. Alas........
I am taking 12 credit hours for my last semester, and am in the middle of writing my autobio which has to be approved before I can graduate. Writing is not one of my strong points. Needless to say, it will be boring.


I started not feeling well on Saturday afternoon. I was busy studying away at my little desk on the above-said-subject, when I felt my calves start hurting and nausea and cold chills hit me. My neck, arms, calves, and stomach all hurt. The odd thing about it is that I am soooooo ravenous! I have these weird, pregnancy-like cravings! Cupcakes, brownies and ice-cream, hamburgers, cheese-fries (yes, you are all laughing now!), chicken soup, and french toast was my diet for this weekend. Now, before you think I am making up this illness, the rest of my family has already gone through it. Hannah has eaten faster than I have ever seen her since her Russia days (ha!) and it is hilarious to see her scarfing down her food! Boy, will she hate me!

Note: those that know Hannah, know that she eats SUPER slow, and is SUPER tiny! She can afford it!


Personally, I feel like a fat, chubby, big blob right now!
Did I mention that I was training for a marathon? Dang it!


Monday will be a new day!

L.s.R

New Years 2008.

I rang in 2009 with dinner downtown.
Good Food.
Good Conversation.
Great Ambiance.

"Felice Anno Nuavo!"

L.s.R

What I have....in 2008

What I have learned in 2008:

*God may not answer quickly, but He does answer

* You must live your life how God is showing you, no matter what others think

* Discipline takes discipline to learn (ha!)

*I have to be '...in this world, but not of...'

*Dream big, but think logically

*God does work miracles, big and small

*"What are men to rocks and mountains." Pride and Prejudice vol. II chap. IV

*Trusting God is a moment by moment commitment

*Plans and dreams don't always happen, but keep planning and dreaming

*A job is for today, but a career is for tomorrow

*Running relieves stress

*Time flies

What I have experienced in 2008:

*Driving a standard

*Speech Class

*Growing pains (figuratively :)

*Michael Buble

*Miracles

*Waiting

*Voting in my first Presidential Election

*20 years of life

*Anticipation

What I have loved about 2008:

*Going to SoCal for Papa's 80th

*Seeing Phantom of the Opera

*Going back to Blond

*Going to Colorado twice

*High School Musical 3 and Dark Knight

*Work and my co-workers

*My family

*My last year of college

*Sarah Palin (I still think she rocks!)

Happy New Year!

L.s.R

Christmas 2008

Last week

I was able to go see one of my favorite groups in concert with Hannah and Amy.

It got me into the Christmas spirit, and they all had amazing voices.

We all had a great time together!

I got up at the unholy hour of 4:30 this morning, to get to work by 5:45. It was crazy, but I really enjoyed the drive into work. I was able to think back on all the Christmas memories I have had over the years. I owe them all to my parents. Without their willingness to be adventuress and follow the Lord's leading, I would be a different person.

So, follow me down memory lane.

* I was 3 years old when we moved to Hawaii. It was an odd Christmas since it was so warm and completely unChristmas-like.

Me, the one with the short bobbed hair, singing in the kids choir at church for Christmas.

*We owned our 'Christmas Cabin' in EP, CO when I was four and five years old. I remember Dad would leave us in the car to get the heat and fire started in the cabin, and then he would carry Hannah and I in blankets into the living room to keep warm while he and Mom unpacked the car.

Christmas Eve was spent at my Papa's church caroling and eating popcorn balls.

Me and Hannah out front the shed at our cabin

*My favorite Christmas memory of all time was the year that my family lived in Naples, Italy when I was 13 years old. My uncle and cousins visited us over Christmas and we took them throughout all of northern Italy, Austria and Germany. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent in Oberammergau, Germany. We went to a German, Lutheran church for their candle-light Christmas Eve service. That is something I will never forget. Christmas Day was spent cross-country skiing and then eating at a big hotel in town for dinner. It was an amazing trip.

This Christmas, as past Christmases, I am looking forward to celebrating Christ birth, knowing and believing the true meaning of Christmas. I also want to cherish this Christmas with my family. I have no idea what 2009 holds, and where I or we all will be next Christmas.
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"I heard the bells on Christmas day.

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas!
L.s.R