Kelly: Great quote by a great individual. Starting tomorrow is 2013. WOW!!! It is amazing to me how fast this year has gone by! So many wonderful blessings have been achieved by this year that I can't even begin to comprehend. Moving into our own place, falling in love with 2 of the greatest kitty cats in the world (just a bit biased), getting introduced to Sherlock and LOTR, and for me, being one more semester closer to graduating with a BSN degree!!!!! May 5 is the day! Almost four months to go.
Now normally, next would follow a list of cookie-cutter resolutions, such as I want to lose weight, get closer to God, save my money, etc. I'm not doing that for 2013. I have resolved to not make any resolutions. Instead of resolving, I am going to ENJOY. Enjoy what God has given to me, how He has blessed me and I am going to enjoy growing in Him more as a follower instead of merely a fan. I'm going to enjoy being healthier, because I am healthier, but I'm going to enjoy a treat every now and then and not feel guilty about it. I'm going to enjoy my last semester as an undergraduate and not just seek the end result which is to walk across a stage for 10 seconds, shake Dr. Roelof's hand and have him give me my degree. No. I'm going to do my best to enjoy my last semester and take advantage of every opportunity to be joyful and to thank God for His joy that comes through knowing Him.
I'm ready. I'm ready for what 2013 has in store for me. Though I'm not entirely sure what it will bring, I am prepared for whatever may come my way, good or bad. If the good comes, I will do my best to give credit where it is due. If bad comes my way, I will do my best to not run from the situation but instead face it and rely on God and my own strength to get through it. I refuse to be stagnant, go through the motions and blame others for my own wrong doings. I will be responsible for my words and my actions. But most importantly I will continue to grow as the daughter in Christ I am destined to be. How will I do that? I don't know yet, but He knows. And I have resolved to give everything to Him. Ready or not 2013, here I come!
Holly: We have come to the end of another year. I think this one has gone faster than any I can remember in a long time. When I started out the year I was still in school. Since then I've graduated, gotten my degree, bid "see you later" to some pretty amazing people, moved out on my own, had a couple "real" jobs.
I did note some resolutions at the beginning of the year. I honestly don't remember them (all except 1...ask me about it, it will give you a good laugh! lol). I could do that now, but like Kelly, I'm not going to. Instead, like her, I'm going to enjoy LIFE!!! I'm going to smile, laugh, cry, be enthralled, swept away, mesmerized, scared, worried. I'm going to make time for my friends, both near and far. Saying "please", "thank you", and "I love you" go SO far! There are people in my life who have inspired me, challenged me, in numerous ways...I want to tell them! I'm going to read an ACTUAL book! Or several, Lord willing. I'm going to thank God every day for what I have and ask for His mercy to shower those who are not as fortunate as I am. I'm going to wait with bated breath for the return of Sherlock and our first glimpse at Smaug. I have several potential job opportunities awaiting me even as I type this; I'm going to get my bearings, investigate, and move forward, always seeking God's will. I don't know if that includes Old Navy. We will just see. Most importantly, I'm going to do my absolute best to live like Christ.
I honestly don't know what awaits me in 2013. Maybe I'll get a job I could have never imagined...or there's one waiting for me right now and I just don't know it yet. Maybe I'll meet my future husband. Who knows? But I'm 22, I'm still young and eager for life! 2012 was such a great year for me; 2013 can only get better! :)
I hope that all of you who read this are able to look back at 2012 with smiles, laughter, and even perhaps a few tears. In 2013 I hope that if you are weak, you will look to those you love for strength. I hope that if you are weary, tired, that you will get rest. I hope that if you have been in the despairing shadow of unemployment, opportunity will come. I hope that if you have been faced with some difficult circumstances, that you will summon your inner strength to accept them with grace and move on.
Be safe, everyone. Thank you for an amazing year. See you all when the ball drops. :)
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Question this! Yeah, we're pretty BORED!!!
Holly: A bajillion people have done this little questionnaire that we're about to do. Figured we'd give it a whirl...heck, you might learn a thing or two about this dynamic duo. :)
When were you happiest? I'm generally a happy person. I suppose one instance is when I learned that the D+ on my transcript wasn't going to ruin my chances of graduating from college.
What is your greatest fear? Stagnancy (i.e. not changing, growing, progressing in life, etc). And disappointing the ones I'm closest to.
What is your earliest memory? Watching my brother ride his gigantic black plastic bike down our driveway. I was maybe 3 or 4.
Which living person do you admire most and why? It's always the answer given, but my folks, because not only are they incredibly hard-working, but amazingly supportive and caring. They believe in even my craziest dreams. And my academic adviser I had in college, because he dealt with a lot of stuff and still managed to inspire me and challenge me in ways I could have never imagined.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm not as confident as I let on.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty and close-mindedness.
What was your most embarrassing moment? I peed my pants in front of my gym class when I was in second grade. I had to interrupt my mom's class so she could get me some clothes to change into.
What makes you unhappy? The fact that people are just downright nasty to one another.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? I break out like nobody's business. Thank God for Mary Kay!
What is your guiltiest pleasure? Oh geez...."crap telly", any sweets, Sherlock/Hobbit/LoTR tumblr pages
What is your most unappealing habit? Speaking before thinking
What's the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? I'm pretty sure someone (they will remain unnamed) called me a "slut" once in high school.
Which words or phrases do you overuse? "I know, right?"
What has been your biggest disappointment? Not being able to find a job that I can use my degree with. I suppose that's more of a frustration than a disappointment.
If you could edit your past, what would you change? I would say "I love you" more. And listen to my parents.
What is the closest you've come to death? Not necessarily death, by any means, but I passed out when I was 12 and was out for over 30 seconds. It just felt like sleeping. As scary as the aftermath was, it was quite peaceful.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Seeking God. Always and everywhere.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My degree from Berea hanging up in my living room.
What keeps you awake at night? My neighbors and their fireworks, job-related stuff, Yoda meowing at the door, friends of mine going through rough times, those I love back in Ohio...
What song would you like played at your funeral? "Into the West"
How would you like to be remembered? That I made someone's life better just by me being in it, and that I did my best to live like Christ.
Tell us a secret. I once dreamt that Martin Freeman showed up at my apartment. We had tea, and amazingly I didn't manage to scare him off. It was lovely. Also, I want a corgi.
Kelly: Ok, now it's my turn. I'm an open freaking book people. Seriously.
When were you happiest? Stepping off the plane after landing in Glasgow. I was on a red-eye flight and horribly jet lagged, but that day was officially the farthest I've been away from home by myself. I will never forget that moment.
What is your greatest fear? Getting stuck in a job that I will grow to hate but will start out loving.
What is your earliest memory? I have the same memory as Holly, but another one I have was when I was in kindergarten. I stuck one of those plastic wiggly eyes up my nose.
Which living person do you admire most and why? I have a few, but the one on my mind now is a friend who is going through hell right now, yet he still manages to keep the faith. If I were in his shoes I don't know if I would be as strong as he is. Praying for you, friend.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm kind of loud sometimes.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Close-mindedness
What was your most embarrassing moment? I was on a Med/Surg floor for clinicals. I had opened a patient's medications out of the packets and put them in the medicine cup. Reached to scratch my nose without even thinking and the meds went everywhere. My instructor made me call the pharmacy to order more. Learned a good lesson that day.
What makes you unhappy? The fact that our country is so admirable to many others, yet we have one of the worst violence and death rates among newborns. It's disgusting.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? My smile, to be honest. It's a long story.
What is your guiltiest pleasure? The dreams I have. Nothing PG-13 or R, just wild and stupid but they make me happy.
What is your most unappealing habit? Belching. Usually happens after I drink a lot of Coke or Dr. Pepper
What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? There was this one girl in high school. Said some horrible things about me. She knows who she is, but I've forgiven her.
Which words or phrases do you overuse? Turd
What has been your biggest disappointment? That after almost 3 years my ankle is still bothering me and that I've been to half a dozen specialists who claim to "know it all."
If you could edit your past, what would you change? I'd go back to Feb. 2010 and NOT WEAR HEELS TO CHURCH.
What is the closest you've come to death? Passed out from heatstroke in 7th grade. I turned a not nice shade of blue around my mouth. Bit of not good.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? To quote The Good Book: Peace that surpasses all understanding
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Coming so close to completing a college degree, considering when I was younger there were so many who thought I couldn't.
What keeps you awake at night? Things people tell me, my friends and what they're going through, my parents and what they're doing
What song would you like played at your funeral? See Holly's answer, and a few others.
How would you like to be remembered? I'd like to be remembered as not being perfect but a positive energy with a contagious personality.
Tell us a secret I don't eat milk in my cereal. The very thought of wet cereal makes me sick to my stomach. Haven't eaten it that way since I was a kid.
When were you happiest? I'm generally a happy person. I suppose one instance is when I learned that the D+ on my transcript wasn't going to ruin my chances of graduating from college.
What is your greatest fear? Stagnancy (i.e. not changing, growing, progressing in life, etc). And disappointing the ones I'm closest to.
What is your earliest memory? Watching my brother ride his gigantic black plastic bike down our driveway. I was maybe 3 or 4.
Which living person do you admire most and why? It's always the answer given, but my folks, because not only are they incredibly hard-working, but amazingly supportive and caring. They believe in even my craziest dreams. And my academic adviser I had in college, because he dealt with a lot of stuff and still managed to inspire me and challenge me in ways I could have never imagined.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm not as confident as I let on.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty and close-mindedness.
What was your most embarrassing moment? I peed my pants in front of my gym class when I was in second grade. I had to interrupt my mom's class so she could get me some clothes to change into.
What makes you unhappy? The fact that people are just downright nasty to one another.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? I break out like nobody's business. Thank God for Mary Kay!
What is your guiltiest pleasure? Oh geez...."crap telly", any sweets, Sherlock/Hobbit/LoTR tumblr pages
What is your most unappealing habit? Speaking before thinking
What's the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? I'm pretty sure someone (they will remain unnamed) called me a "slut" once in high school.
Which words or phrases do you overuse? "I know, right?"
What has been your biggest disappointment? Not being able to find a job that I can use my degree with. I suppose that's more of a frustration than a disappointment.
If you could edit your past, what would you change? I would say "I love you" more. And listen to my parents.
What is the closest you've come to death? Not necessarily death, by any means, but I passed out when I was 12 and was out for over 30 seconds. It just felt like sleeping. As scary as the aftermath was, it was quite peaceful.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Seeking God. Always and everywhere.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My degree from Berea hanging up in my living room.
What keeps you awake at night? My neighbors and their fireworks, job-related stuff, Yoda meowing at the door, friends of mine going through rough times, those I love back in Ohio...
What song would you like played at your funeral? "Into the West"
How would you like to be remembered? That I made someone's life better just by me being in it, and that I did my best to live like Christ.
Tell us a secret. I once dreamt that Martin Freeman showed up at my apartment. We had tea, and amazingly I didn't manage to scare him off. It was lovely. Also, I want a corgi.
Kelly: Ok, now it's my turn. I'm an open freaking book people. Seriously.
When were you happiest? Stepping off the plane after landing in Glasgow. I was on a red-eye flight and horribly jet lagged, but that day was officially the farthest I've been away from home by myself. I will never forget that moment.
What is your greatest fear? Getting stuck in a job that I will grow to hate but will start out loving.
What is your earliest memory? I have the same memory as Holly, but another one I have was when I was in kindergarten. I stuck one of those plastic wiggly eyes up my nose.
Which living person do you admire most and why? I have a few, but the one on my mind now is a friend who is going through hell right now, yet he still manages to keep the faith. If I were in his shoes I don't know if I would be as strong as he is. Praying for you, friend.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm kind of loud sometimes.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Close-mindedness
What was your most embarrassing moment? I was on a Med/Surg floor for clinicals. I had opened a patient's medications out of the packets and put them in the medicine cup. Reached to scratch my nose without even thinking and the meds went everywhere. My instructor made me call the pharmacy to order more. Learned a good lesson that day.
What makes you unhappy? The fact that our country is so admirable to many others, yet we have one of the worst violence and death rates among newborns. It's disgusting.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? My smile, to be honest. It's a long story.
What is your guiltiest pleasure? The dreams I have. Nothing PG-13 or R, just wild and stupid but they make me happy.
What is your most unappealing habit? Belching. Usually happens after I drink a lot of Coke or Dr. Pepper
What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? There was this one girl in high school. Said some horrible things about me. She knows who she is, but I've forgiven her.
Which words or phrases do you overuse? Turd
What has been your biggest disappointment? That after almost 3 years my ankle is still bothering me and that I've been to half a dozen specialists who claim to "know it all."
If you could edit your past, what would you change? I'd go back to Feb. 2010 and NOT WEAR HEELS TO CHURCH.
What is the closest you've come to death? Passed out from heatstroke in 7th grade. I turned a not nice shade of blue around my mouth. Bit of not good.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? To quote The Good Book: Peace that surpasses all understanding
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Coming so close to completing a college degree, considering when I was younger there were so many who thought I couldn't.
What keeps you awake at night? Things people tell me, my friends and what they're going through, my parents and what they're doing
What song would you like played at your funeral? See Holly's answer, and a few others.
How would you like to be remembered? I'd like to be remembered as not being perfect but a positive energy with a contagious personality.
Tell us a secret I don't eat milk in my cereal. The very thought of wet cereal makes me sick to my stomach. Haven't eaten it that way since I was a kid.
The Band Years
Kelly: Maybe it's because it's Christmas. Or maybe it's the fact that I'm graduating college in almost four months. I'm not entirely sure why, but Holly and I have been thinking a lot about our marching band years. We strapped on ridiculously hideous and hot uniforms, piled onto a small school bus and traveled all across the state to football games and/or competitions. And we did this willingly. Every Friday and/or Saturday from the end of August until the beginning of November for 6 years. And we LOVED it.
I remember when I was a little girl, getting dragged to high school football games. I would only go to see the band play. "Mom, I want to be in the band!" I remember seeing the local college at their homecoming parade. "Mom, I want to be in the 110 someday." In 7th grade, Holly and I both had a choice to make. Prior to 7th grade, we had both done gymnastics for a few years. The choice was ours; either continue with gymnastics or quit and pursue marching band. When I look back on it now, I realize that the choice was obvious...since I didn't think I was that good at gymnastics. I was not meant to be a gymnast; I was meant to be a band geek! So many fond and wonderful memories of high school were usually associated with the time I did marching band. The places we traveled to, the conversations we had, the sometimes drama that occurred, the friends I made and the experiences I gathered. Nothing can even hold a candle to what I experienced for those number of years. It's sad to say though, now that I'm in college I don't think about band as often as I used to; I haven't picked up my clarinet in almost four years. I'm not even sure I'd remember how to play it. As I look it's still sitting in its case behind my bed. It's not that I've forgotten about band, but I'm sad to say that that part of my life is over and has been for quite some time now. But I have not nor will not forget all that I did and the wonderful fun times I had. When I graduate in May, I'm writing something very special on my hat that I have carried with me.
"DO IT!"
Holly: We managed to summarize six years of insanity into a navy blue three-inch binder, packed with programs from competitions, our show music, pictures, random fliers, etc. We call it our band book. It's in our pile of stuff that's going back with us to Berea.
We endured horrendously hot uniforms, unflattering polos that were at least two sizes too large, uncomfortable shoes that were at least a size too small; shoes that felt every crack, crevice, stone, and grass. We waited on "the band guy" whenever there was a ding, scratch, or missing key in our instruments (I particularly relied on him after I literally fell on my flute.....THAT'S another story! lol). We heard the Mountain Dew story about 15 times. The crazy weeks at band camp, staying up way too late and doing stuff that need not leave the walls of the dorms. Blistering sun, pouring rain, snow, hail, freezing cold...sometimes all in the same day (Riverview, anybody???). A concession was deemed good if it had something other than hot dogs and burgers (Cowtails, large dill pickles, and Sour Skittles were our favorites). If your throat wasn't sore and raw by the end of a competition night, be it from screaming or laughing, you weren't doing it right. We bagged on Waterford all the time. Our leadership meeting senior year wasn't much of a meeting...it was comprehending how in the world we were going to carry on our Fed Hock band legacy without our "Big Papa" and his tent. It was at a football game in Belpre my junior year when I found out that one of my best guy friends liked me back. We met our best friend through band; almost 10 years later, we're still friends. The small door of the RCA Dome in Indianapolis opened for the first time as we stepped onto the field for our pre-show at Bands of America Grand Nationals, and all of us wondered how we ended up there. That dang dog whistle will forever be the bane of my existence.
I don't really know how to close all of this, other than the fact that the stories we could tell would go on for years on end, and the memories will last even longer.
I remember when I was a little girl, getting dragged to high school football games. I would only go to see the band play. "Mom, I want to be in the band!" I remember seeing the local college at their homecoming parade. "Mom, I want to be in the 110 someday." In 7th grade, Holly and I both had a choice to make. Prior to 7th grade, we had both done gymnastics for a few years. The choice was ours; either continue with gymnastics or quit and pursue marching band. When I look back on it now, I realize that the choice was obvious...since I didn't think I was that good at gymnastics. I was not meant to be a gymnast; I was meant to be a band geek! So many fond and wonderful memories of high school were usually associated with the time I did marching band. The places we traveled to, the conversations we had, the sometimes drama that occurred, the friends I made and the experiences I gathered. Nothing can even hold a candle to what I experienced for those number of years. It's sad to say though, now that I'm in college I don't think about band as often as I used to; I haven't picked up my clarinet in almost four years. I'm not even sure I'd remember how to play it. As I look it's still sitting in its case behind my bed. It's not that I've forgotten about band, but I'm sad to say that that part of my life is over and has been for quite some time now. But I have not nor will not forget all that I did and the wonderful fun times I had. When I graduate in May, I'm writing something very special on my hat that I have carried with me.
"DO IT!"
Holly: We managed to summarize six years of insanity into a navy blue three-inch binder, packed with programs from competitions, our show music, pictures, random fliers, etc. We call it our band book. It's in our pile of stuff that's going back with us to Berea.
We endured horrendously hot uniforms, unflattering polos that were at least two sizes too large, uncomfortable shoes that were at least a size too small; shoes that felt every crack, crevice, stone, and grass. We waited on "the band guy" whenever there was a ding, scratch, or missing key in our instruments (I particularly relied on him after I literally fell on my flute.....THAT'S another story! lol). We heard the Mountain Dew story about 15 times. The crazy weeks at band camp, staying up way too late and doing stuff that need not leave the walls of the dorms. Blistering sun, pouring rain, snow, hail, freezing cold...sometimes all in the same day (Riverview, anybody???). A concession was deemed good if it had something other than hot dogs and burgers (Cowtails, large dill pickles, and Sour Skittles were our favorites). If your throat wasn't sore and raw by the end of a competition night, be it from screaming or laughing, you weren't doing it right. We bagged on Waterford all the time. Our leadership meeting senior year wasn't much of a meeting...it was comprehending how in the world we were going to carry on our Fed Hock band legacy without our "Big Papa" and his tent. It was at a football game in Belpre my junior year when I found out that one of my best guy friends liked me back. We met our best friend through band; almost 10 years later, we're still friends. The small door of the RCA Dome in Indianapolis opened for the first time as we stepped onto the field for our pre-show at Bands of America Grand Nationals, and all of us wondered how we ended up there. That dang dog whistle will forever be the bane of my existence.
I don't really know how to close all of this, other than the fact that the stories we could tell would go on for years on end, and the memories will last even longer.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Newly beloved Ringers review The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Holly: DISCLAIMER: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE YET, PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS. WE DO NOT WANT TO RUIN THE MOVIE FOR YOU! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Sorry...typing this in between segments and commercials of Return of the King. Bear with me.
Like Kelly mentioned, we viewed The Hobbit for the second time today. The old cliche really is true: stuff is better the second time around. In its second week I was still surprised to see a decent amount of people in the theater. Then again, perhaps not. In an earlier post of ours we mentioned that we completely missed the LoTR theater fandemonium, so we didn't really know what to expect. I will say that I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, moreso the second time. So...
WHAT I LIKED/LOVED:
*The pace/overall feel. Yes, it is long (almost 3 hours), but for me it goes quickly but doesn't feel rushed. It's much lighter than LoTR; I laughed so much in this movie! I'm still exhilarated and excited, thrilled, given chills, the entire time. It's absolutely beautiful. The scenery/imagery is breathtaking as well; literally there are moments where I hold my breath. It's just beautifully shot. I don't know how they do it.
*The "Princess Bride"-esque bookend of older Bilbo and Frodo telling the story in the beginning. I LOVE that. LOVE it. I think I loved it more than the average person. When I read that Elijah Wood and Ian Holm were reprising their roles for the movie I was hoping they would be woven in like that.
*The casting of Martin Freeman as Bilbo. OH MY GOD. OH. MY. GOD. Seriously!!!! You know how everyone fell in love with Elijah Wood as Frodo?! Yeah...I foresee these movies going a lot like that. Now, perhaps I am a bit biased because I have seen the majority of his works and find him a really good actor, but I think that he makes the PERFECT Bilbo! I mean, Peter Jackson halted production for HIM just so he could have him as Bilbo; that's how bad he wanted him. I honestly think it's one of the best decisions Peter Jackson made for this movie. Martin's performance is spectacular; it delights me to no end. It's wonderful...truly wonderful. I hope to meet him someday and tell him myself.
*The individuality of the dwarves. MAJOR, MAJOR kudos to the production team. I've seen a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and they did not have an easy task: creating 13 individual, unique dwarves. But each one is portrayed perfectly. Bofur and Balin are my favorites. :)
MEH/DIDN'T FLY WITH ME TOO WELL (but still not enough to ruin the movie for me):
*The introduction is a bit long-winded. But I do love the story.
*The storyline of Azog the pale orc versus Thorin thing. I don't think Azog needs to be in the film; I think he's in it just so there's a "bad guy". But oh well. Bilbo does kick some serious tail in the end there.
*There was mention of Beorn/the barrel scene in the trailers but not in the movie. That kind of frustrated me! Guess we'll just have to wait until Smaug, I reckon.
Bottom line: If you are a die-hard Tolkiener that takes the books as gospel, proceed with caution. Otherwise, it really does live up to the hype. I simply cannot recommend it enough. Fans of the LoTR movies and Peter Jackson will not be disappointed. Go see it. As soon as possible! :)
Kelly: Hey, Return of the King is on! Pippin is about to sing his beloved song.
This afternoon, Holly and I watched the first installment of The Hobbit movies for a second time. We first laid our eyes on it last week in Lexington for the midnight premiere. We were seated in front of our theater for over an hour waiting for it to open, but not before enjoying some Denny's and feasting on some milkshakes from The Hobbit menu. The theater was PACKED!!! Such a wonderful experience though and one I will surely not forget anytime soon. Today's experience was much different. We were in a smaller theater and it was just the two of us who went and saw it; post-coffee and chatting came afterwards as we met up with a good friend we have known since high school. Twas a lovely afternoon. I will now get onto the good and the bad, in my opinion:
THE GOOD:
* Martin Freeman's breakthrough role. Seriously. I have seen a lot of his work and his role as Bilbo Baggins is on the top of my list! These performances in the next three installments are going to make his career HUGE!!!!
* The Christian themes that are intertwined into the film. Love, grace, discipleship and compassion are a few that I observed many times. Especially loving your enemies; Bilbo spares Gollum's life as he is over run with compassion for the pitiful creature. It is a lovely reminder of how we should treat those who wrong us, and again, Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis both perform so well!
* Unlikely friends joining together for a common theme. A rag-tag of 13 dwarves, a wizard and a hobbit, all on a quest to seek the lost kingdom of Erebor. Not a likely company by any means, but it works well. Quite well actually; though there is doubt and uncertainty in the beginning, it disappears as many of the characters deem themselves worthy companions for the company.
* The humor. Though it is a very action-filled movie for the most part, the humor that is involved really lightens the rather gruesome fights that are involved in different parts of the movie. In the Lord of the Rings franchise, the humor comes from Merry and Pippin. In The Hobbit, it's a bit of everyone.
*There are many more good qualities that I enjoy and I overall enjoyed the movie quite well. I cannot wait to see it again!
THE BAD:
* The beginning sequence seemed a bit dragged on to me. Part of me enjoyed it, but part of me was wondering "ok....just get on with it." Ian Holm's soliloquy explaining it though was good, just a bit long in my opinion.
* I hate to play annoying Tolkien lover, but man I really wish the elements in the movie were somewhat linear with the book. Riddles in the Dark is the 5th chapter in the book but doesn't appear till near the end of the movie. Hey, I'm not a director by any means but it works out. I just wonder what it would have been like if it was like that. More linear with the book. Ok I'm done now. There you have it; my novice review of the movie. My opinion now? Go see it!!!
Sorry...typing this in between segments and commercials of Return of the King. Bear with me.
Like Kelly mentioned, we viewed The Hobbit for the second time today. The old cliche really is true: stuff is better the second time around. In its second week I was still surprised to see a decent amount of people in the theater. Then again, perhaps not. In an earlier post of ours we mentioned that we completely missed the LoTR theater fandemonium, so we didn't really know what to expect. I will say that I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, moreso the second time. So...
WHAT I LIKED/LOVED:
*The pace/overall feel. Yes, it is long (almost 3 hours), but for me it goes quickly but doesn't feel rushed. It's much lighter than LoTR; I laughed so much in this movie! I'm still exhilarated and excited, thrilled, given chills, the entire time. It's absolutely beautiful. The scenery/imagery is breathtaking as well; literally there are moments where I hold my breath. It's just beautifully shot. I don't know how they do it.
*The "Princess Bride"-esque bookend of older Bilbo and Frodo telling the story in the beginning. I LOVE that. LOVE it. I think I loved it more than the average person. When I read that Elijah Wood and Ian Holm were reprising their roles for the movie I was hoping they would be woven in like that.
*The casting of Martin Freeman as Bilbo. OH MY GOD. OH. MY. GOD. Seriously!!!! You know how everyone fell in love with Elijah Wood as Frodo?! Yeah...I foresee these movies going a lot like that. Now, perhaps I am a bit biased because I have seen the majority of his works and find him a really good actor, but I think that he makes the PERFECT Bilbo! I mean, Peter Jackson halted production for HIM just so he could have him as Bilbo; that's how bad he wanted him. I honestly think it's one of the best decisions Peter Jackson made for this movie. Martin's performance is spectacular; it delights me to no end. It's wonderful...truly wonderful. I hope to meet him someday and tell him myself.
*The individuality of the dwarves. MAJOR, MAJOR kudos to the production team. I've seen a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and they did not have an easy task: creating 13 individual, unique dwarves. But each one is portrayed perfectly. Bofur and Balin are my favorites. :)
MEH/DIDN'T FLY WITH ME TOO WELL (but still not enough to ruin the movie for me):
*The introduction is a bit long-winded. But I do love the story.
*The storyline of Azog the pale orc versus Thorin thing. I don't think Azog needs to be in the film; I think he's in it just so there's a "bad guy". But oh well. Bilbo does kick some serious tail in the end there.
*There was mention of Beorn/the barrel scene in the trailers but not in the movie. That kind of frustrated me! Guess we'll just have to wait until Smaug, I reckon.
Bottom line: If you are a die-hard Tolkiener that takes the books as gospel, proceed with caution. Otherwise, it really does live up to the hype. I simply cannot recommend it enough. Fans of the LoTR movies and Peter Jackson will not be disappointed. Go see it. As soon as possible! :)
Kelly: Hey, Return of the King is on! Pippin is about to sing his beloved song.
This afternoon, Holly and I watched the first installment of The Hobbit movies for a second time. We first laid our eyes on it last week in Lexington for the midnight premiere. We were seated in front of our theater for over an hour waiting for it to open, but not before enjoying some Denny's and feasting on some milkshakes from The Hobbit menu. The theater was PACKED!!! Such a wonderful experience though and one I will surely not forget anytime soon. Today's experience was much different. We were in a smaller theater and it was just the two of us who went and saw it; post-coffee and chatting came afterwards as we met up with a good friend we have known since high school. Twas a lovely afternoon. I will now get onto the good and the bad, in my opinion:
THE GOOD:
* Martin Freeman's breakthrough role. Seriously. I have seen a lot of his work and his role as Bilbo Baggins is on the top of my list! These performances in the next three installments are going to make his career HUGE!!!!
* The Christian themes that are intertwined into the film. Love, grace, discipleship and compassion are a few that I observed many times. Especially loving your enemies; Bilbo spares Gollum's life as he is over run with compassion for the pitiful creature. It is a lovely reminder of how we should treat those who wrong us, and again, Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis both perform so well!
* Unlikely friends joining together for a common theme. A rag-tag of 13 dwarves, a wizard and a hobbit, all on a quest to seek the lost kingdom of Erebor. Not a likely company by any means, but it works well. Quite well actually; though there is doubt and uncertainty in the beginning, it disappears as many of the characters deem themselves worthy companions for the company.
* The humor. Though it is a very action-filled movie for the most part, the humor that is involved really lightens the rather gruesome fights that are involved in different parts of the movie. In the Lord of the Rings franchise, the humor comes from Merry and Pippin. In The Hobbit, it's a bit of everyone.
*There are many more good qualities that I enjoy and I overall enjoyed the movie quite well. I cannot wait to see it again!
THE BAD:
* The beginning sequence seemed a bit dragged on to me. Part of me enjoyed it, but part of me was wondering "ok....just get on with it." Ian Holm's soliloquy explaining it though was good, just a bit long in my opinion.
* I hate to play annoying Tolkien lover, but man I really wish the elements in the movie were somewhat linear with the book. Riddles in the Dark is the 5th chapter in the book but doesn't appear till near the end of the movie. Hey, I'm not a director by any means but it works out. I just wonder what it would have been like if it was like that. More linear with the book. Ok I'm done now. There you have it; my novice review of the movie. My opinion now? Go see it!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Potpurri post #6
Kelly: To start this post, I would like to point out that it is 11:30 and I am still in my PJ's! Goodness I love Christmas break already. Also, I would like to mention that today is my parents 31st Anniversary!!! :] <3 I hope that one day I can find somebody who can put up with me for that long. But yeah; even after 31 years it is so evident that my parents are still crazy about each other. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I got my final grades on Tuesday; not bad...didn't fail anything but still got one C. The rest were A's and B's. At first I was rather upset because I always think I can do better, but hey, I actually did try. I utilized excellent work/study habits and for my nursing classes it paid off! I scored the highest on my two nursing finals than I ever had before! Must have done something right! So yay me. Ok now I'm done bragging about myself.
The world didn't end yesterday as it was said to. Obviously. If we all went back to the simple truths from Scripture, then there wouldn't be this problem in the first place (for reference please refer to Matthew 24:36). It just irritates me that so many people bought into this whole world ending thing. I mean really? Ok, suit yourself; I'm going to stick with the truth and what I actually know is true, which is God's word. Enough about that. I find it hard to believe that 2012 is almost over!!!!! Is it just me or did this year go by really fast? Like...REALLY fast! If this is any indication on how fast 2013 is going to go then shoot! Graduation will be here in no time! I have so many goals for this upcoming year that I want to accomplish; something sis and I are going to do is keep a jar and write down good things that happen throughout the year. When the year is over we're going to re-visit it and see what happened! :] That's enough for me now; time to shower and actually become a decent individual in the world again. Cheers! Hope everyone has a good Christmas!
Holly: It's now 11:36. Still in my pj's. lol.
I really don't have much to say. I know that may come as a surprise to many of you. haha. But no, really. Like Kelly I too am surprised that 2012 is coming to an end so quickly. It's been kind of a big year for me. It's hard to believe that when this year started I was still in school. In that same span of a year I've been in school, graduated from school, been done with school, moved out on my own, and am now on my second "real" job. And gotten hopelessly hooked on several entertainment franchises that now consume the majority of my free time. lol.
I am eager to see what 2013 awaits for me. For many people that I'm close to it's going to be a big year for them. But for me, it's kind of a question mark. All I know is I don't want to fold clothes at Old Navy for the rest of my life (NO. OFFENSE!) My dream is to work for my alma mater. It gave so much to me and I would love to give just a little bit of myself back to it. That's all. Maybe 2013 will open a door for me there. I pray it does. But other than that....question mark.
Tomorrow we meet up with an old and dear friend and return to Middle Earth again. Christmas is three days away. And we're with family. Life is good. I hope all of you have a magic-filled, wondrous Christmas. Hold close those who are closest to you, and ALWAYS count your blessings, because you have more than you could possibly realize.
Hugs from Ohio. <3
The world didn't end yesterday as it was said to. Obviously. If we all went back to the simple truths from Scripture, then there wouldn't be this problem in the first place (for reference please refer to Matthew 24:36). It just irritates me that so many people bought into this whole world ending thing. I mean really? Ok, suit yourself; I'm going to stick with the truth and what I actually know is true, which is God's word. Enough about that. I find it hard to believe that 2012 is almost over!!!!! Is it just me or did this year go by really fast? Like...REALLY fast! If this is any indication on how fast 2013 is going to go then shoot! Graduation will be here in no time! I have so many goals for this upcoming year that I want to accomplish; something sis and I are going to do is keep a jar and write down good things that happen throughout the year. When the year is over we're going to re-visit it and see what happened! :] That's enough for me now; time to shower and actually become a decent individual in the world again. Cheers! Hope everyone has a good Christmas!
Holly: It's now 11:36. Still in my pj's. lol.
I really don't have much to say. I know that may come as a surprise to many of you. haha. But no, really. Like Kelly I too am surprised that 2012 is coming to an end so quickly. It's been kind of a big year for me. It's hard to believe that when this year started I was still in school. In that same span of a year I've been in school, graduated from school, been done with school, moved out on my own, and am now on my second "real" job. And gotten hopelessly hooked on several entertainment franchises that now consume the majority of my free time. lol.
I am eager to see what 2013 awaits for me. For many people that I'm close to it's going to be a big year for them. But for me, it's kind of a question mark. All I know is I don't want to fold clothes at Old Navy for the rest of my life (NO. OFFENSE!) My dream is to work for my alma mater. It gave so much to me and I would love to give just a little bit of myself back to it. That's all. Maybe 2013 will open a door for me there. I pray it does. But other than that....question mark.
Tomorrow we meet up with an old and dear friend and return to Middle Earth again. Christmas is three days away. And we're with family. Life is good. I hope all of you have a magic-filled, wondrous Christmas. Hold close those who are closest to you, and ALWAYS count your blessings, because you have more than you could possibly realize.
Hugs from Ohio. <3
Friday, December 14, 2012
In the wake of The Hobbit: Remembering Connecticut
Holly and Kelly: Our hearts are heavy this afternoon. Despite the amazing motion picture event we witnessed last night/early this morning, we were hoping to be blogging about The Hobbit and providing a bit of a review. But that is not the case.
We got home today and were shocked, saddened, by the news of yet another school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. 26 people are dead, and at least 18 of them are children, all between the ages of 5-10. There really are no words to describe this type of tragic loss. It's simply deplorable and unimaginable. Besides the words that we are typing today, we are simply speechless.
We're just saddened by this. Literally, our hearts are hurting. Why would somebody do something like this?
The President just finished speaking. Today, I didn't see our country's leader. I saw someone just like us: wondering how in the world someone can do this. He spoke as a father.
In the midst of all of this, it is imperative that we speak messages of love over hate, compassion over ignorance, tolerance over intolerance. We need to pray for those who are hurting, those who are lost. We need to be lights in this world that is growing increasingly dark.
If any of you reading this have children, hug them tonight, and hug them often. Tell them you love them, and tell them often. Be a friend. Be a shoulder. Be a light. Our country simply cannot go on like this. It just can't.
To speak lightly of The Hobbit, Bilbo sacrifices everything to join a company of dwarves. Towards the end of the movie, Thorin asks Bilbo why he returned. Bilbo notes that yes, they do doubt him, but he has a home. He has a life that he often thinks of. The dwarves don't have any of that. But, in probably one of the most beautifully written scenes, Bilbo swears that he will help the dwarves reclaim their home.
Today, many people have lost everything. We should all have a little bit of Bilbo in us; reaching out and helping to those in need. We will be praying for those affected and we pray that any who read this will do the same. <3
We got home today and were shocked, saddened, by the news of yet another school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. 26 people are dead, and at least 18 of them are children, all between the ages of 5-10. There really are no words to describe this type of tragic loss. It's simply deplorable and unimaginable. Besides the words that we are typing today, we are simply speechless.
We're just saddened by this. Literally, our hearts are hurting. Why would somebody do something like this?
The President just finished speaking. Today, I didn't see our country's leader. I saw someone just like us: wondering how in the world someone can do this. He spoke as a father.
In the midst of all of this, it is imperative that we speak messages of love over hate, compassion over ignorance, tolerance over intolerance. We need to pray for those who are hurting, those who are lost. We need to be lights in this world that is growing increasingly dark.
If any of you reading this have children, hug them tonight, and hug them often. Tell them you love them, and tell them often. Be a friend. Be a shoulder. Be a light. Our country simply cannot go on like this. It just can't.
To speak lightly of The Hobbit, Bilbo sacrifices everything to join a company of dwarves. Towards the end of the movie, Thorin asks Bilbo why he returned. Bilbo notes that yes, they do doubt him, but he has a home. He has a life that he often thinks of. The dwarves don't have any of that. But, in probably one of the most beautifully written scenes, Bilbo swears that he will help the dwarves reclaim their home.
Today, many people have lost everything. We should all have a little bit of Bilbo in us; reaching out and helping to those in need. We will be praying for those affected and we pray that any who read this will do the same. <3
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Why we are so excited about The Hobbit (AKA Tomorrow night!!)
Kelly: As you all know, Holly and I entered the Tolkien fandom rather late in life...as in this summer to be exact. This time tomorrow, we will be in Lexington awaiting to see The Hobbit movie at midnight!!! We are SO EXCITED! Now, here's a bit of news as to why we are excited.
*I am in love with the story line. If you haven't yet, PLEASE read the book! I've read it twice! P.S. If you want to borrow it from us let us know as we have a copy. It is such a terrific tail of an unlikely hero who gathers with unlikely friends and goes on an unlikely journey in his life. He doesn't know it at the time, but this journey is pivotal in the life of Bilbo Baggins. I cannot wait to see this pivotal journey on the bigscreen.
* Martin Freeman!!!!!!! Need I say more? I have really enjoyed learning about him more as an actor and from reading interviews he got into the storyline late too, just like us. I encourage you, all of you, to see some of his other work. We particularly like his work in Sherlock, but there are others of his we like too :] (Um...that's a lie. We pretty much like everything he's in. Hi Martin, we're not psycho, we swear. Let's have tea sometime. ~Holly)
* Since we started into the Middle Earth journey so late, we missed out on seeing LOTR on the big screens. In fact, we saw the extended edition DVD's before we even read the books! Never saw them in theaters; we were 13 when Return of the King came out into the theaters. So yeah. This is our first Tolkien trilogy we are seeing on the big screen! And yes we are going to go all out!!! Better late than never, eh?
* If you really pay attention to some common themes, there are some Christian themes. I know!! It's not just about kicking butt, killing orcs and being invaded by dwarves. There's love, friendship, compassion and grace intertwined into the souls of the pages and the lives of the characters! To me it reflects Tolkien's character as well. So yes. This is why I'm excited about it. I hope you all get to enjoy it as much as we will! :]
Holly: FAR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVER, THE MISTY MOUNTAINS COOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLDDDD!!!!!
Sorry. I'm a bit slap-happy. I'm sure you can figure out why. :D
And I completely agree with all of what Kelly said. Mostly I'm excited because of the experience of Middle Earth in the form of theatrical premieres. We entered this fandom recently and later in life. We weren't the fans who grew up with the books and movies, or had parents who did the same. We didn't even watch the movies and read the books until a few months ago. And we completely missed the Lord of the Rings trilogy and all the hype surrounding it. Now we're going to be getting a little taste of what that's about, and it's pretty exciting. And we get to enjoy it with two of our rockin' awesome friends. And Martin Freeman, of course. He's lovely.
We watched the live stream of the London premiere this afternoon, and during an interview the guy asked Martin Freeman to give a message to all the fans who were watching from all over the world. He said "I dare you to be disappointed." I know I won't be. So many people have waited months, even years, heck, some probably even their whole lives, to see Bilbo Baggins on his grand adventure with the baker's dozen of dwarves come to life on the big screen. For me, the anticipation has been unreal. I'm looking forward to a return trip to Middle Earth. The anticipation is insane, the fandom is going crazy. I'm so ready!
Below are a few pictures I've collected over the last few months. Enjoy.
*I am in love with the story line. If you haven't yet, PLEASE read the book! I've read it twice! P.S. If you want to borrow it from us let us know as we have a copy. It is such a terrific tail of an unlikely hero who gathers with unlikely friends and goes on an unlikely journey in his life. He doesn't know it at the time, but this journey is pivotal in the life of Bilbo Baggins. I cannot wait to see this pivotal journey on the bigscreen.
* Martin Freeman!!!!!!! Need I say more? I have really enjoyed learning about him more as an actor and from reading interviews he got into the storyline late too, just like us. I encourage you, all of you, to see some of his other work. We particularly like his work in Sherlock, but there are others of his we like too :] (Um...that's a lie. We pretty much like everything he's in. Hi Martin, we're not psycho, we swear. Let's have tea sometime. ~Holly)
* Since we started into the Middle Earth journey so late, we missed out on seeing LOTR on the big screens. In fact, we saw the extended edition DVD's before we even read the books! Never saw them in theaters; we were 13 when Return of the King came out into the theaters. So yeah. This is our first Tolkien trilogy we are seeing on the big screen! And yes we are going to go all out!!! Better late than never, eh?
* If you really pay attention to some common themes, there are some Christian themes. I know!! It's not just about kicking butt, killing orcs and being invaded by dwarves. There's love, friendship, compassion and grace intertwined into the souls of the pages and the lives of the characters! To me it reflects Tolkien's character as well. So yes. This is why I'm excited about it. I hope you all get to enjoy it as much as we will! :]
Holly: FAR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVER, THE MISTY MOUNTAINS COOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLDDDD!!!!!
Sorry. I'm a bit slap-happy. I'm sure you can figure out why. :D
And I completely agree with all of what Kelly said. Mostly I'm excited because of the experience of Middle Earth in the form of theatrical premieres. We entered this fandom recently and later in life. We weren't the fans who grew up with the books and movies, or had parents who did the same. We didn't even watch the movies and read the books until a few months ago. And we completely missed the Lord of the Rings trilogy and all the hype surrounding it. Now we're going to be getting a little taste of what that's about, and it's pretty exciting. And we get to enjoy it with two of our rockin' awesome friends. And Martin Freeman, of course. He's lovely.
We watched the live stream of the London premiere this afternoon, and during an interview the guy asked Martin Freeman to give a message to all the fans who were watching from all over the world. He said "I dare you to be disappointed." I know I won't be. So many people have waited months, even years, heck, some probably even their whole lives, to see Bilbo Baggins on his grand adventure with the baker's dozen of dwarves come to life on the big screen. For me, the anticipation has been unreal. I'm looking forward to a return trip to Middle Earth. The anticipation is insane, the fandom is going crazy. I'm so ready!
Below are a few pictures I've collected over the last few months. Enjoy.
Monday, December 10, 2012
AND...in the spirit of all things Christmas, our favorite Christmas flick is...............
Holly: This one!
So the IMDB is a little weak in terms of a plot, description, what have you, but the basic gist of it is a Scroogy failed-actor-turned-primary-school-teacher, Mr. Maddens, who gets suckered in to directing the school's nativity play. In the midst of all of that he gets bombarded by his childish, highly immature (but hilarious) teaching assistant, Mr. Poppy. It's basically doomed to fail on all accounts, especially when Mr. Maddens begins this intricate web of lies (in order to impress his fellow teacher rival, Gordon Shakespeare, who's absurdly full of himself) circling around his ex-girlfriend Hollywood producer flying herself and her crew out to watch their nativity play. The blowing up of the lies begetting lies and lies growing and growing and Mr. Maddens getting himself into deeper and deeper hot water is what makes most of the humor.
So you're reading this and probably thinking, Gee, Holly, well that sounds all fine and dandy, but why is it your FAVORITE Christmas movie? I mean, there's so many other good ones out there!!!!
Yes. That is true. But I....well, we....have a couple reasons. The main one for me is because in the beginning of the movie, Mr. Maddens has absolutely no hope: in Christmas, in his students, in himself for doing a good job of directing, in Mr. Poppy. As the movie progresses we learn he's still in love with his ex-girlfriend, even traveling great lengths to put his heart and the hearts of his students on the line. As the movie progresses the students go from not believing in themselves, not thinking they can do anything, to "sparkling and shining" and redeeming the lost cause that their school once was. And wishing the absolute BEST for their teacher that they love so dearly and admire. My recommendation is this: watch the movie. It will make you cry. And it will definitely make you laugh and warm your heart.
Kelly: On top of what was already said, I have nothing really to add. What I get from this movie is quite simple. There's one part where Mr. Maddens has just spoken to an unsure student about wanting to participate in the play because she didn't want to wear "a stupid costume." After he sends her off to lunch, he stumbles upon "Christmas post" in which the students write letters to Santa asking what they want for Christmas. A few of them are traditional things like this and that. As he continues to read them, more and more of them say along the lines of "I just want Mr. Maddens to be happy." He gets quite emotional by the end and once he walks back into the auditorium the passion just lights up. These same students that he called "useless" in the beginning of the movie still want nothing but the absolute best for him. And that's just awesome. I feel we should always feel that same way towards all people, even those who have wronged us any way or have said we're useless. Even if that person is ourselves.
Then there's Mr. Poppy. Despite receiving constant criticism for his over-the-top behavior and enthusiasm, he continues to do that and then some. I consider myself to be like Mr. Poppy at times. Here's what I mean; today I received a comment from one of my clinical instructors that said "I wish that everyone was as cheerful and enthusiastic as you are." It just goes to show you that when you carry that sort of attitude, like me, like Mr. Poppy, though it doesn't seem like it at times people do notice. And they appreciate it. Lastly, what else I get from this movie is of course the fact that Martin Freeman is in it! He has easily become one of my favorite actors and to me is more than just Tim from the Office or soon-to-be none other than Bilbo Baggins himself. I think we so often forget that actors, despite their various roles, are regular people too and live regular lives just like you and I. Since Martin has become one of my faves, I've brought it upon myself to see him in more of his work. I really do appreciate him more as an actor and as a person! So yes, I will close by saying, definitely watch this movie. It really is gold as far as Christmas movies go!
***Holly adds her actor/actress worship pet peeve/rant: Because I've read interviews, etc, and they don't like that. For example, Kelly and I like Martin Freeman, and we've seen a lot of his work, and I've read interviews with him and he said at one point he got really tired of hearing "Tim!!" being shouted in the streets. While I love the character Tim from The Office, that's not who they are. Actors and actresses aren't defined by their characters; they're defined by THEIR character. They're ordinary people, just like you and me, who just happen to be spectacularly good at their jobs and also...they love what they do. I challenge you: if you have a favorite actor/actress, watch their other works (besides the one work that made you fall in love with him/her). Your opinion will change. //end rant***
So the IMDB is a little weak in terms of a plot, description, what have you, but the basic gist of it is a Scroogy failed-actor-turned-primary-school-teacher, Mr. Maddens, who gets suckered in to directing the school's nativity play. In the midst of all of that he gets bombarded by his childish, highly immature (but hilarious) teaching assistant, Mr. Poppy. It's basically doomed to fail on all accounts, especially when Mr. Maddens begins this intricate web of lies (in order to impress his fellow teacher rival, Gordon Shakespeare, who's absurdly full of himself) circling around his ex-girlfriend Hollywood producer flying herself and her crew out to watch their nativity play. The blowing up of the lies begetting lies and lies growing and growing and Mr. Maddens getting himself into deeper and deeper hot water is what makes most of the humor.
So you're reading this and probably thinking, Gee, Holly, well that sounds all fine and dandy, but why is it your FAVORITE Christmas movie? I mean, there's so many other good ones out there!!!!
Yes. That is true. But I....well, we....have a couple reasons. The main one for me is because in the beginning of the movie, Mr. Maddens has absolutely no hope: in Christmas, in his students, in himself for doing a good job of directing, in Mr. Poppy. As the movie progresses we learn he's still in love with his ex-girlfriend, even traveling great lengths to put his heart and the hearts of his students on the line. As the movie progresses the students go from not believing in themselves, not thinking they can do anything, to "sparkling and shining" and redeeming the lost cause that their school once was. And wishing the absolute BEST for their teacher that they love so dearly and admire. My recommendation is this: watch the movie. It will make you cry. And it will definitely make you laugh and warm your heart.
Kelly: On top of what was already said, I have nothing really to add. What I get from this movie is quite simple. There's one part where Mr. Maddens has just spoken to an unsure student about wanting to participate in the play because she didn't want to wear "a stupid costume." After he sends her off to lunch, he stumbles upon "Christmas post" in which the students write letters to Santa asking what they want for Christmas. A few of them are traditional things like this and that. As he continues to read them, more and more of them say along the lines of "I just want Mr. Maddens to be happy." He gets quite emotional by the end and once he walks back into the auditorium the passion just lights up. These same students that he called "useless" in the beginning of the movie still want nothing but the absolute best for him. And that's just awesome. I feel we should always feel that same way towards all people, even those who have wronged us any way or have said we're useless. Even if that person is ourselves.
Then there's Mr. Poppy. Despite receiving constant criticism for his over-the-top behavior and enthusiasm, he continues to do that and then some. I consider myself to be like Mr. Poppy at times. Here's what I mean; today I received a comment from one of my clinical instructors that said "I wish that everyone was as cheerful and enthusiastic as you are." It just goes to show you that when you carry that sort of attitude, like me, like Mr. Poppy, though it doesn't seem like it at times people do notice. And they appreciate it. Lastly, what else I get from this movie is of course the fact that Martin Freeman is in it! He has easily become one of my favorite actors and to me is more than just Tim from the Office or soon-to-be none other than Bilbo Baggins himself. I think we so often forget that actors, despite their various roles, are regular people too and live regular lives just like you and I. Since Martin has become one of my faves, I've brought it upon myself to see him in more of his work. I really do appreciate him more as an actor and as a person! So yes, I will close by saying, definitely watch this movie. It really is gold as far as Christmas movies go!
***Holly adds her actor/actress worship pet peeve/rant: Because I've read interviews, etc, and they don't like that. For example, Kelly and I like Martin Freeman, and we've seen a lot of his work, and I've read interviews with him and he said at one point he got really tired of hearing "Tim!!" being shouted in the streets. While I love the character Tim from The Office, that's not who they are. Actors and actresses aren't defined by their characters; they're defined by THEIR character. They're ordinary people, just like you and me, who just happen to be spectacularly good at their jobs and also...they love what they do. I challenge you: if you have a favorite actor/actress, watch their other works (besides the one work that made you fall in love with him/her). Your opinion will change. //end rant***
Sunday, December 2, 2012
You see, but you do not observe
Kelly: This phrase has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now between Holly and I. I first heard this phrase for the first time in an episode of Sherlock in which many question how he reaches his many conclusions based on his deductions. His reply: "I observe. You see but you do not observe." The more I think about this phrase the more I try to go throughout my day observing rather than just seeing.
Now what do I mean by that? Today in church the topic of discussion was focused on seeing God's plan as a big picture. We may not see the whole picture rather maybe just a piece of the puzzle. We cry out for God to change one small part of our life but completely disregard what else is going on in our lives. Then we miss it. We've missed the bigger picture right there. We focused on one part (seeing) but like I said just forgot what else He has in store for us (observing). So my mini challenge for a while is this; observe. Observe what goes on around us. Yes, we have eyes that see wonders anew. But it's not our role as Christians to simply watch the world go by and be passive. It's not our role to assume that others will "pick up the slack" so to speak while once again we stand on the sidelines and "pray for the will to be done." Observing takes time, effort and patience. It's not a light switch; it won't happen overnight. But in order to observe what is going on around us one has to make a conscious effort to do so. I like what I see on a daily basis; imagine where God could take us if we LET Him open our eyes wider for observations!
Holly: I narrow down "seeing and observing" into two simple words: pay attention! I think seeing is just a conceptual thing...something you do with your eyes. "I see you" is a classic example. Observations go beyond what our eyes see: making a note to do something and then actually following through with it, remembering tasks that go on in your daily lives, being outside and taking in not just the sights but the sounds, smells, textures. If you just "see" one thing, then I think you completely miss the big picture. You miss it.
An example from my life: My last semester of college (and I'm certain many of you up-and-coming grads can also attest to this), my mantra was "I cannot WAIT to graduate! I cannot WAIT to be done!!!" Yes, college was challenging. But it was my last semester, and I greatly treasured my memories of my time at Berea and I vowed to do my best to make every moment count. I did more, saw more, laughed more, made more memories, all because I chose to go beyond the scope of the small of it all. **I would also like to point out that now that I'm almost 7 months out from graduation, I terribly miss Berea. All of it. So be careful what you wish for.**
Observe. Take in everything, not just what you can immediately see.
Now what do I mean by that? Today in church the topic of discussion was focused on seeing God's plan as a big picture. We may not see the whole picture rather maybe just a piece of the puzzle. We cry out for God to change one small part of our life but completely disregard what else is going on in our lives. Then we miss it. We've missed the bigger picture right there. We focused on one part (seeing) but like I said just forgot what else He has in store for us (observing). So my mini challenge for a while is this; observe. Observe what goes on around us. Yes, we have eyes that see wonders anew. But it's not our role as Christians to simply watch the world go by and be passive. It's not our role to assume that others will "pick up the slack" so to speak while once again we stand on the sidelines and "pray for the will to be done." Observing takes time, effort and patience. It's not a light switch; it won't happen overnight. But in order to observe what is going on around us one has to make a conscious effort to do so. I like what I see on a daily basis; imagine where God could take us if we LET Him open our eyes wider for observations!
Holly: I narrow down "seeing and observing" into two simple words: pay attention! I think seeing is just a conceptual thing...something you do with your eyes. "I see you" is a classic example. Observations go beyond what our eyes see: making a note to do something and then actually following through with it, remembering tasks that go on in your daily lives, being outside and taking in not just the sights but the sounds, smells, textures. If you just "see" one thing, then I think you completely miss the big picture. You miss it.
An example from my life: My last semester of college (and I'm certain many of you up-and-coming grads can also attest to this), my mantra was "I cannot WAIT to graduate! I cannot WAIT to be done!!!" Yes, college was challenging. But it was my last semester, and I greatly treasured my memories of my time at Berea and I vowed to do my best to make every moment count. I did more, saw more, laughed more, made more memories, all because I chose to go beyond the scope of the small of it all. **I would also like to point out that now that I'm almost 7 months out from graduation, I terribly miss Berea. All of it. So be careful what you wish for.**
Observe. Take in everything, not just what you can immediately see.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Memoirs from an MRI scanner and a recently unemployed young aaaahdult
Kelly: The Christmas music has started, the cats are hyper and I've been awake since 6AM. Just another day of livin-la-vida-loca! The reason I've been awake so long is that I had another MRI today; hopefully the last for a long while. This one was done because last week, one awesome doctor FINALLY has a name for all my ankle problems!!!! After 2 and a half years of groveling, knocking on doors, pain and frustration, YES. There is a name! Anyway, this MRI was done to see the extent of the problem and what is the next step treatment wise for me; casting first or surgery. She said (the good doctor) that surgery is very unlikely, so keep your eyes open as I will be posting updates. I don't go back to see her until the 10th, so again another waiting game continues.
Anyway, during the scan today the tech asked what radio station I liked to listen to, and I said I'm very fond of K-LOVE; they played music for me since MRI's tend to be rather noisy...if you've never had one, take my word for it. I've had 3. So anyway, I was laying on my back, drifting in and out of sleep and then the radio DJ's who do the morning show were talking about something they read about this guy who was his own "minister of happy." What this guy did was just that...he was just happy. But what he did was change his mindset. The radio DJ's kept talking and mentioned the encouraging word which was from 1 Corinthians 15:58. The premise of this verse is that everything we do is not useless and that we're to work in all things for Christ. One of the DJ's said that with that kind of mindset, daily, it can provide the same eternal gratitude as leading someone to Christ. What a concept. Just something for us to take home; instead of "going through the motions" and going through the daily grind, how's about we take our mundane every dayness and use any and every moment possible for God? Thoughts and actions like that could change us...even the world.
Holly: This especially struck me today. Last Tuesday was my last day at my job. Which means yes...I am now unemployed once again. With the exception of my Mary Kay. To say I'm anxious, uneasy, worried, all are understatements. Most of the time I try to keep the faith but sometimes it's hard to not get discouraged. But when I heard about being our own ministers of happy, it was like a light switch. Yes, times are scary and uncertain for me right now. God is taking me through a season that is uncomfortable, boring, scary...I feel sometimes as if I'm on pins and needles, waiting for an email, phone call, ANYTHING. But that isn't how it has to be.
So how does someone like me be a minister of happy even in the dark times? I know for me that I have to undergo a serious change of perspective. I know that I need to use this abundant spare time for God, for rest, for prayer, and being serious in my faith to the point that I solely rely on God for my utmost needs and desires. Which at this point is work. I need to work! I need to stay busy! But what I keep praying is that regardless of where I end up I want to be used by God. For now, I wait. And do things. Like tonight: I auditioned for a dance ensemble at Berea. I have absolutely no idea if I'll even get into a piece, but it was the most fun hour and forty five minutes I've had in a LONG time. I'll plan my party. I'll sleep. And pray. And keep faith. Because we do what we have to do.
Anyway, during the scan today the tech asked what radio station I liked to listen to, and I said I'm very fond of K-LOVE; they played music for me since MRI's tend to be rather noisy...if you've never had one, take my word for it. I've had 3. So anyway, I was laying on my back, drifting in and out of sleep and then the radio DJ's who do the morning show were talking about something they read about this guy who was his own "minister of happy." What this guy did was just that...he was just happy. But what he did was change his mindset. The radio DJ's kept talking and mentioned the encouraging word which was from 1 Corinthians 15:58. The premise of this verse is that everything we do is not useless and that we're to work in all things for Christ. One of the DJ's said that with that kind of mindset, daily, it can provide the same eternal gratitude as leading someone to Christ. What a concept. Just something for us to take home; instead of "going through the motions" and going through the daily grind, how's about we take our mundane every dayness and use any and every moment possible for God? Thoughts and actions like that could change us...even the world.
Holly: This especially struck me today. Last Tuesday was my last day at my job. Which means yes...I am now unemployed once again. With the exception of my Mary Kay. To say I'm anxious, uneasy, worried, all are understatements. Most of the time I try to keep the faith but sometimes it's hard to not get discouraged. But when I heard about being our own ministers of happy, it was like a light switch. Yes, times are scary and uncertain for me right now. God is taking me through a season that is uncomfortable, boring, scary...I feel sometimes as if I'm on pins and needles, waiting for an email, phone call, ANYTHING. But that isn't how it has to be.
So how does someone like me be a minister of happy even in the dark times? I know for me that I have to undergo a serious change of perspective. I know that I need to use this abundant spare time for God, for rest, for prayer, and being serious in my faith to the point that I solely rely on God for my utmost needs and desires. Which at this point is work. I need to work! I need to stay busy! But what I keep praying is that regardless of where I end up I want to be used by God. For now, I wait. And do things. Like tonight: I auditioned for a dance ensemble at Berea. I have absolutely no idea if I'll even get into a piece, but it was the most fun hour and forty five minutes I've had in a LONG time. I'll plan my party. I'll sleep. And pray. And keep faith. Because we do what we have to do.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Crisis Mode!!!!!
Kelly: This morning sis and I had somewhat of an interesting conversation. We were talking about really really stressful situations and what we did to get over them. Our responses were typical; we did the usual "short term" relief efforts to combat our stress. Here's what I mean.
Last year when I was in the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) after watching a patient go through a seemingly routine surgery, her BP shot through the roof. This was related to several factors, but anyway it escalated pretty quickly. I noticed that the nurse kept IV pushing two medications that I had never heard of. I later learned that they were anti-hypertensives but were very short acting. So every few minutes the nurse would have to give just a little bit more. While this was going on, I was thinking "well shouldn't somebody be trying to figure out what the problem is or look for a more long term solution?" Eventually they did and the patient was transported to intensive care.
"Wow! Great story Kelly! Now what in the heck are you talking about?" Well I'm getting there. In a crisis situation, when you feel like there's no way out, often times we turn to short term solutions just to temporarily take the edge off. People do this in many ways; post about it on Facebook browse a few recipes on Pinterest, or turn to more harmful measures such as drinking or smoking. And sure, those measures make us feel good and block out the world for a bit, but the minute you turn off the web browser, or put that bottle down or put that butt out, what you were trying to avoid is still right where you left it. It didn't go away, so we keep going back to those temporary measures. But like the patient I saw, until a long-term solution was reached, the nurse was going to have to keep pushing those medications. So here's a challenge for you all (and for me as well), instead of seeking temporary relief when stressful times hit, look into the root of the problem and come up with a long-term solution. That way, you won't have to be standing over yourself self-administering that temporary fix.
Holly: Ugh....now that I'm older I am so over these "quick fixes" to life situations. My philosophy is if it ain't a permanent solution then I'm not even going to waste my time! I used to be a horrible procrastinator. Still am, I suppose. But while I was busy all aboard the procrastination express, I had the mindset of "Oh, well, God will provide this and that, etc." Which is VERY true. I'm not mean to be sacrilegious. But yesterday Kelly and I were doing our LoTR devotional and a topic similar to this one came up, and it dawned on me: Yes, God DOES provide, and He is faithful, but sometimes He might want us to change something about our lifestyle, a nasty habit we have, etc.
Think about it this way: Say you have a monster deadline/paper/project/major life stressor due in a short amount of time. You've known about it for a while now, but now it's getting down to the wire and you realize you've barely put a dent in it. As that time you thought you had so much of comes to a halt, you remember your thinking something along the lines of "Oh, I've got time, it'll get done, I'll finish it..." (Sounding a little familiar yet??????)
When you say you want to stop procrastinating, or stressing yourself out, or whatever you need to fix, say the words and PUT ACTIONS behind them. With me, I combated my procrastination by doing my work, REALLY DOING my work, DISCIPLINING myself to do my work, and I set a goal. If I reached that goal, I would spend 15 minutes or so indulging in mindless internet culture. After my 15 minutes (I timed myself...seriously!!!!), it was back to work. Ask Kelly what she does. Seriously. She is ON TOP of her game this semester, y'all!
One more piece of advice: if you KNOW of something coming up that you have to do, take the necessary steps to prepare it. If you're a slow reader, start your reading earlier. If you have a paper due in two weeks, write a little bit every day, even if it's just a paragraph or two. Be diligent with your time and LIMIT yourself if you have to (Which, let's face it....YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!). If you just do a little bit of planning, preparation, and extra work and initiative, then you will avoid crisis modes for a long time to come.
Last year when I was in the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) after watching a patient go through a seemingly routine surgery, her BP shot through the roof. This was related to several factors, but anyway it escalated pretty quickly. I noticed that the nurse kept IV pushing two medications that I had never heard of. I later learned that they were anti-hypertensives but were very short acting. So every few minutes the nurse would have to give just a little bit more. While this was going on, I was thinking "well shouldn't somebody be trying to figure out what the problem is or look for a more long term solution?" Eventually they did and the patient was transported to intensive care.
"Wow! Great story Kelly! Now what in the heck are you talking about?" Well I'm getting there. In a crisis situation, when you feel like there's no way out, often times we turn to short term solutions just to temporarily take the edge off. People do this in many ways; post about it on Facebook browse a few recipes on Pinterest, or turn to more harmful measures such as drinking or smoking. And sure, those measures make us feel good and block out the world for a bit, but the minute you turn off the web browser, or put that bottle down or put that butt out, what you were trying to avoid is still right where you left it. It didn't go away, so we keep going back to those temporary measures. But like the patient I saw, until a long-term solution was reached, the nurse was going to have to keep pushing those medications. So here's a challenge for you all (and for me as well), instead of seeking temporary relief when stressful times hit, look into the root of the problem and come up with a long-term solution. That way, you won't have to be standing over yourself self-administering that temporary fix.
Holly: Ugh....now that I'm older I am so over these "quick fixes" to life situations. My philosophy is if it ain't a permanent solution then I'm not even going to waste my time! I used to be a horrible procrastinator. Still am, I suppose. But while I was busy all aboard the procrastination express, I had the mindset of "Oh, well, God will provide this and that, etc." Which is VERY true. I'm not mean to be sacrilegious. But yesterday Kelly and I were doing our LoTR devotional and a topic similar to this one came up, and it dawned on me: Yes, God DOES provide, and He is faithful, but sometimes He might want us to change something about our lifestyle, a nasty habit we have, etc.
Think about it this way: Say you have a monster deadline/paper/project/major life stressor due in a short amount of time. You've known about it for a while now, but now it's getting down to the wire and you realize you've barely put a dent in it. As that time you thought you had so much of comes to a halt, you remember your thinking something along the lines of "Oh, I've got time, it'll get done, I'll finish it..." (Sounding a little familiar yet??????)
When you say you want to stop procrastinating, or stressing yourself out, or whatever you need to fix, say the words and PUT ACTIONS behind them. With me, I combated my procrastination by doing my work, REALLY DOING my work, DISCIPLINING myself to do my work, and I set a goal. If I reached that goal, I would spend 15 minutes or so indulging in mindless internet culture. After my 15 minutes (I timed myself...seriously!!!!), it was back to work. Ask Kelly what she does. Seriously. She is ON TOP of her game this semester, y'all!
One more piece of advice: if you KNOW of something coming up that you have to do, take the necessary steps to prepare it. If you're a slow reader, start your reading earlier. If you have a paper due in two weeks, write a little bit every day, even if it's just a paragraph or two. Be diligent with your time and LIMIT yourself if you have to (Which, let's face it....YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!). If you just do a little bit of planning, preparation, and extra work and initiative, then you will avoid crisis modes for a long time to come.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Potpurri Post #5
Kelly: We have nothing concrete to talk about, so we're just going to blah on and on. It's going to be a busy week for me. Doc's appt tomorrow, test tomorrow, test on Friday and a Women's choir concert on Sunday that you all should come to cuz it's going to be awwwwwwwwwwwwesome!!!!!!!!!
I'm really excited about the Hobbit too. I had seen the trailers and whatnot on TV but seeing it on the big screen was super cool! And to think, the next time we see it on the big screen it'll be for real! I also have my tentative clinical placement for next semester; anybody ever been to a surgical ICU? I was pretty mad at first that I didn't get a placement at Berea, but life goes on. And now we're watching Gangam style. Life is pretty good. Nothing really to report for me. I'm boring :P
Holly: So we really don't have a specific topic...so we're just going to catch y'all up on our lives and babble endlessly until we feel like stopping! :}
To start, almost ONE. MONTH. Until The Hobbit appears on the big screen!!!!!!! To say that Kelly and I are excited is a gross understatement. We saw Wreck-it Ralph with some friends last night and we saw a preview and I think we scared our friends and everyone else in the theater! lol. But yeah. We have our tickets and everything. It's going to be amazing!
A bit of sad (ish) news: I have just about a week and a half of my job left, and then I'm back out into the world of unknowns. I can't believe it's already been six months. When I got hired on and they told me everything would wrap up in November, it seemed a million miles away, but now it's here. It's been so awesome, and I've been really blessed with awesome co-workers. And of course, the sweetest (and smelliest, and greasiest) dogs anyone can even imagine. I will miss it terribly. So I'm going to do my best to make the most of these last few days. I've sent out some applications; I'm looking for something a little closer to home. Because I do love my job, SO. MUCH, but the commutes are kind of crazy. So there's that. Please send good vibes/pray/whatever you do for me in these next couple of weeks.
Another endeavor that I've recently joined is Mary Kay. Yes! After several months of friends dragging me to events and yanking my rope, I signed up about a month ago. It's been a little slow-going, and it gets pretty frustrating, but overall I am enjoying it, and things are slowly picking up and I'm making progress. I have goals and I know what I need to do to reach them, and I'm confident that I will do so. The women are so amazing and encouraging, and of course the products sell themselves! I'm excited to see where this whole thing goes; I'm looking forward to it. :)
That's about all I have to report on my front. Keep on keeping on. Be blessed!
I'm really excited about the Hobbit too. I had seen the trailers and whatnot on TV but seeing it on the big screen was super cool! And to think, the next time we see it on the big screen it'll be for real! I also have my tentative clinical placement for next semester; anybody ever been to a surgical ICU? I was pretty mad at first that I didn't get a placement at Berea, but life goes on. And now we're watching Gangam style. Life is pretty good. Nothing really to report for me. I'm boring :P
Holly: So we really don't have a specific topic...so we're just going to catch y'all up on our lives and babble endlessly until we feel like stopping! :}
To start, almost ONE. MONTH. Until The Hobbit appears on the big screen!!!!!!! To say that Kelly and I are excited is a gross understatement. We saw Wreck-it Ralph with some friends last night and we saw a preview and I think we scared our friends and everyone else in the theater! lol. But yeah. We have our tickets and everything. It's going to be amazing!
A bit of sad (ish) news: I have just about a week and a half of my job left, and then I'm back out into the world of unknowns. I can't believe it's already been six months. When I got hired on and they told me everything would wrap up in November, it seemed a million miles away, but now it's here. It's been so awesome, and I've been really blessed with awesome co-workers. And of course, the sweetest (and smelliest, and greasiest) dogs anyone can even imagine. I will miss it terribly. So I'm going to do my best to make the most of these last few days. I've sent out some applications; I'm looking for something a little closer to home. Because I do love my job, SO. MUCH, but the commutes are kind of crazy. So there's that. Please send good vibes/pray/whatever you do for me in these next couple of weeks.
Another endeavor that I've recently joined is Mary Kay. Yes! After several months of friends dragging me to events and yanking my rope, I signed up about a month ago. It's been a little slow-going, and it gets pretty frustrating, but overall I am enjoying it, and things are slowly picking up and I'm making progress. I have goals and I know what I need to do to reach them, and I'm confident that I will do so. The women are so amazing and encouraging, and of course the products sell themselves! I'm excited to see where this whole thing goes; I'm looking forward to it. :)
That's about all I have to report on my front. Keep on keeping on. Be blessed!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Top Ten Tunage
Holly: So Kelly and I were inspired by this:
http://twopaddocks.com/team-tunes.shtml#BenedictCumberbatch
Yes, it's Mr. C. Sue us. But we were browsing through the rest of the lists and we just kept thinking, what would be OUR top ten songs?? So here they are (these are in no particular order):
1. Who You Are- Unspoken
I first heard this song on a radio station I don't normally listen to, and the words just really spoke to me. It just resonated with me that no matter how far gone you go, God is still there.
2. Holland Road- Mumford and Sons
Ok, essentially ANYTHING by them is good, just very recently got into them and love their music, their instrumentation, etc. But the rhythms and driving melody is just...aah! My ears are happy. And the words are really powerful.
3. Can't Stop Loving You- Phil Collins
Like Mumford, I'm a huge Phil Collins fan. HUGE. It's very hard to find a song by him that I don't like. But this is just one of the most beautiful love songs in existence, in my opinion. If I ever get married I will play this song.
4. Solsbury Hill- Peter Gabriel
Just makes me think about life, memories, good times.
5. River- Enya
I listen to this if I can't think of anything to listen to. Beautiful music.
6. No Not One- Brandon Heath
Probably one of my favorite songs ever. Great reminder of God and His love and power.
7. Tonight is the Night- Outasight
Don't judge. Makes me want to dance.
8. Ticket to Ride- The Beatles
Catchy.
9. Hide- Scott Grimes
Yes, Dr. Morris on ER can sing. And he does it well.
10. Into the West- Annie Lennox
Still gives me chills to this day. Hauntingly beautiful.
Kelly: (my list changes daily. I love all kinds of music)
1. Caledonia-Celtic Woman.
I first heard this song when I was in the Highlands last summer in Scotland. It's a beautiful song about making a return journey home. There are many versions of this song; I just like Celtic Woman's the best :]
2. Broken Crown-Mumford & Sons
There are a few explicit words in this song, but a friend of mine pointed out how much passion there is in it. There really is. Just listen to the words. And the music is terrific too
3. The Memory of Trees-Enya
This song...is so beautiful. I love a lot of Enya's work, but after a long day this song is so relaxing.
4. One Thing Remains-Kristian Stanfill
Just a reminder that God's love is always with us. It never fails, never gives up, and it never runs out. Power! What power! Currently playing on repeat
5. All This Time-Britt Nicole
I call this my theme song. For real. Sometimes I forget that God has been there walking beside me through the hard times. And He still is!
6. Voice in the Wilderness-David Nevue
Found this song through Pandora. It's gorgeous! I love calm piano music, mostly hymns.
7. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)-The Proclaimers
I just always want to get up and start dancing when I hear this song. I play it after I get something done and want to celebrate. Plus, they're twins...from Scotland! :D
8. Joy to the World-Hillsong
Yes, yes. I know it's a Christmas song. But it's my favorite arrangement of said song. Take a listen.
9. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da: The Beatles
Because it's awesome. That's why!
10. Free-Dara Maclean.
Another whoop whoop song! Just got introduced to this not too long ago. Such true words! Great for walking early in the morning. :]
Let us know what you like or what you like on this list! Cheers!
http://twopaddocks.com/team-tunes.shtml#BenedictCumberbatch
Yes, it's Mr. C. Sue us. But we were browsing through the rest of the lists and we just kept thinking, what would be OUR top ten songs?? So here they are (these are in no particular order):
1. Who You Are- Unspoken
I first heard this song on a radio station I don't normally listen to, and the words just really spoke to me. It just resonated with me that no matter how far gone you go, God is still there.
2. Holland Road- Mumford and Sons
Ok, essentially ANYTHING by them is good, just very recently got into them and love their music, their instrumentation, etc. But the rhythms and driving melody is just...aah! My ears are happy. And the words are really powerful.
3. Can't Stop Loving You- Phil Collins
Like Mumford, I'm a huge Phil Collins fan. HUGE. It's very hard to find a song by him that I don't like. But this is just one of the most beautiful love songs in existence, in my opinion. If I ever get married I will play this song.
4. Solsbury Hill- Peter Gabriel
Just makes me think about life, memories, good times.
5. River- Enya
I listen to this if I can't think of anything to listen to. Beautiful music.
6. No Not One- Brandon Heath
Probably one of my favorite songs ever. Great reminder of God and His love and power.
7. Tonight is the Night- Outasight
Don't judge. Makes me want to dance.
8. Ticket to Ride- The Beatles
Catchy.
9. Hide- Scott Grimes
Yes, Dr. Morris on ER can sing. And he does it well.
10. Into the West- Annie Lennox
Still gives me chills to this day. Hauntingly beautiful.
Kelly: (my list changes daily. I love all kinds of music)
1. Caledonia-Celtic Woman.
I first heard this song when I was in the Highlands last summer in Scotland. It's a beautiful song about making a return journey home. There are many versions of this song; I just like Celtic Woman's the best :]
2. Broken Crown-Mumford & Sons
There are a few explicit words in this song, but a friend of mine pointed out how much passion there is in it. There really is. Just listen to the words. And the music is terrific too
3. The Memory of Trees-Enya
This song...is so beautiful. I love a lot of Enya's work, but after a long day this song is so relaxing.
4. One Thing Remains-Kristian Stanfill
Just a reminder that God's love is always with us. It never fails, never gives up, and it never runs out. Power! What power! Currently playing on repeat
5. All This Time-Britt Nicole
I call this my theme song. For real. Sometimes I forget that God has been there walking beside me through the hard times. And He still is!
6. Voice in the Wilderness-David Nevue
Found this song through Pandora. It's gorgeous! I love calm piano music, mostly hymns.
7. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)-The Proclaimers
I just always want to get up and start dancing when I hear this song. I play it after I get something done and want to celebrate. Plus, they're twins...from Scotland! :D
8. Joy to the World-Hillsong
Yes, yes. I know it's a Christmas song. But it's my favorite arrangement of said song. Take a listen.
9. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da: The Beatles
Because it's awesome. That's why!
10. Free-Dara Maclean.
Another whoop whoop song! Just got introduced to this not too long ago. Such true words! Great for walking early in the morning. :]
Let us know what you like or what you like on this list! Cheers!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
What's your appleseed?
Kelly: There is a reason for the crazy title that will be explained in a little bit. Anyway, the topic for this blog today is regarding fear. What in the world are we so afraid of? I could rattle off a few things, such as snakes, falling off really high places, and stinging bugs. Yeah. But if there was something that REALLY got me bone-chilling afraid...it'd be this.
Pain. Never knowing again what not having pain feels like. Yes, I am talking about my ankle...again. Now before you automatically disregard this, please don't. I've been thinking about how to describe what I'm so afraid of for a while, but after today at church I finally understand. I am afraid that I will never be pain-free again. It's not a phobia, but yeah. It does scare me. I have felt on numerous occasions that I will be the way I am for the rest of my life. And I haven't accepted that yet...because I'm afraid to. See where all the fear is coming from? But today, I've thought of something different. Something in a way that I haven't heard before.
Hope.
There is. There always is. And God...my God...is so much bigger than your fears. Than my fears. Than all my pain and worry about never knowing no pain. And that gives me hope. That is what has fueled me in all the areas in my life; that hope that God is so much bigger than all my junk that He has erased and freed me from! It is not His will for us to live in fear; to live in bondage of this and that and then some. But...it's a choice. I am trusting Him, or at least learning to trust Him more. It hasn't been easy. Some days it's easy to trust God; some days, most days, it's really hard. But I make a choice. Daily. So now I ask this; what are you afraid of? What are you doing about it? Are you ok with living in fear or is today the day you're going to decide that you don't have to? That it's not your will to do so? Yes. I'm still in pain. But God is bigger than pain.
Holly: The title comes from the sermon today: our pastor mistaking a bed bug in his 2-year-old daughter's bedroom for a mere appleseed (the story is much more humorous than I'm letting on). But what I'm getting at is this: why do we WORRY???????????? All. The. Time? qwvgbsegbf (attack of the Yoda...sorry)
We get so bent out of shape with worry and fear that it distorts reality...we see things that simply are not there. We get crazy ideas planted in our head, we have visions of crazy things that could, should, might happen. And then what happens, 9 times out of 10, is that we worry over absolutely NOTHING. Kelly used to get herself physically sick over worrying; kid you not.
The challenge from today was what if Christians, PEOPLE, lived in simple faith and not fear? That doesn't mean that us as Christians are going to have hard times and struggle. But the difference is that we can choose to trust in the One who knows all, sees all, created all, and dealt with it all whenever we have a hard time. Whenever we feel that age-old fear creeping up again. It's a choice, like Kelly said. We can either choose to continue to let fear cripple us to the point of distorting reality, or we can do something about it. If you know that something in your life is causing you worry, pray about it. TRUST that God will see you through it, and REFLECT on all the things that God has already carried you through, and then IMAGINE all the things that God is going to carry you through in the future!!!!
How's that for making an appleseed into an apple tree?
Pain. Never knowing again what not having pain feels like. Yes, I am talking about my ankle...again. Now before you automatically disregard this, please don't. I've been thinking about how to describe what I'm so afraid of for a while, but after today at church I finally understand. I am afraid that I will never be pain-free again. It's not a phobia, but yeah. It does scare me. I have felt on numerous occasions that I will be the way I am for the rest of my life. And I haven't accepted that yet...because I'm afraid to. See where all the fear is coming from? But today, I've thought of something different. Something in a way that I haven't heard before.
Hope.
There is. There always is. And God...my God...is so much bigger than your fears. Than my fears. Than all my pain and worry about never knowing no pain. And that gives me hope. That is what has fueled me in all the areas in my life; that hope that God is so much bigger than all my junk that He has erased and freed me from! It is not His will for us to live in fear; to live in bondage of this and that and then some. But...it's a choice. I am trusting Him, or at least learning to trust Him more. It hasn't been easy. Some days it's easy to trust God; some days, most days, it's really hard. But I make a choice. Daily. So now I ask this; what are you afraid of? What are you doing about it? Are you ok with living in fear or is today the day you're going to decide that you don't have to? That it's not your will to do so? Yes. I'm still in pain. But God is bigger than pain.
Holly: The title comes from the sermon today: our pastor mistaking a bed bug in his 2-year-old daughter's bedroom for a mere appleseed (the story is much more humorous than I'm letting on). But what I'm getting at is this: why do we WORRY???????????? All. The. Time? qwvgbsegbf (attack of the Yoda...sorry)
We get so bent out of shape with worry and fear that it distorts reality...we see things that simply are not there. We get crazy ideas planted in our head, we have visions of crazy things that could, should, might happen. And then what happens, 9 times out of 10, is that we worry over absolutely NOTHING. Kelly used to get herself physically sick over worrying; kid you not.
The challenge from today was what if Christians, PEOPLE, lived in simple faith and not fear? That doesn't mean that us as Christians are going to have hard times and struggle. But the difference is that we can choose to trust in the One who knows all, sees all, created all, and dealt with it all whenever we have a hard time. Whenever we feel that age-old fear creeping up again. It's a choice, like Kelly said. We can either choose to continue to let fear cripple us to the point of distorting reality, or we can do something about it. If you know that something in your life is causing you worry, pray about it. TRUST that God will see you through it, and REFLECT on all the things that God has already carried you through, and then IMAGINE all the things that God is going to carry you through in the future!!!!
How's that for making an appleseed into an apple tree?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Honesty without the hurt
Holly: Earlier today Kelly and I got into an argument. A pretty heated one. It eventually culminated into a battle of "well now I'M going to be honest about this and that", and we both said some things. I was really hurt by what she said. Really hurt. We've since made up and all that, but it just got me to thinking about honesty and being honest. Now, I'm all for it, personally. HOWEVER, I think that sometimes there is a line between being honest and being hurtful. We have good intentions, but sometimes what we say just comes out really really wrong, and people interpret things differently. I also think there's some degree of a need-to-know basis when it comes to being honest.
Let me give you an example: I love the tv show Sherlock. I also love the two starring actors in said show (Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch, for those back home and/or living under a rock). If I were ever blessed enough to get the opportunity to meet them (hey, a girl can dream, right?), of course I would tell them things like "Hi, I love your work on Sherlock, and I love your passion and humility for your job, it's really inspiring, you have an extraordinary amount of talent, etc" (Which is all very true, by the way). Would I go on to say that I find them both incredibly attractive and secretly hope that they would retire to the States and live in my kitchen and play with my cats? Um...no, probably not. Like I said: need. to. know. basis.
I apologize for my silly and fangirl struck example, but what I'm getting at is this: I appreciate people and their insatiable need to be honest, but a rule of thumb for me is to ask this: is what I am about to tell this person going to build them up, help them become better, or is it going to bring them down? Because if you know you're going to hurt someone with your words, it's probably better to just not say anything at all. Another thing: if you absolutely MUST get the truth out, try to find a way to word it in a way that won't come across as hurtful. And sometimes, if people WANT a brush with honesty......they'll ask for it. Bottom line: think before we speak.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. ~James 1:19
Kelly: The beauty of being a twin is that we have differing opinions on soooo many aspects of life and we respect each other's opinion. This is one of those aspects in which our opinions differ. (and 3 DAYS LATER I pick back up on this....wow.) For me, I feel that when someone asks you to be honest with them, you are always taking a risk. Taking that risk because what you say may make them mad. Or hurt their feelings. Or awaken them.
But what happens if they DON'T ask and the truth just comes out? How do you deal with the blow that may come after it? Well...speaking from experience the truth comes out when the timing just wasn't good. In fact it was quite crappy. You have to realize that when you're speaking the truth you shouldn't be intending to hurt someone on purpose. I've been asked "well why don't you just not say it?" How am I supposed to know what I say will hurt someone? Again, goes back to taking a risk. I feel that if the timing is right the truth should come out, regardless. Once again, speaking from experience, I know that sometimes I need somebody to be brutally honest with me but I don't necessarily ask for it. I feel that sometimes honesty shouldn't be prompted, harsh truth I apologize. But I also feel that it is ok to ask for that brutal honesty. I'm so indecisive on this issue...truth is it's all arbitrary.
Here's another take on the issue that we did not discuss; being honest with yourself. Having a conscious. Making a promise to complete something then not going forth with it. That can hurt sometimes too. I know when I do that I feel disappointed. Like I let myself down. I think that's almost worse than letting someone else down. The saying is true...you are your own worst critique. It's easy to look in the mirror and feel good about yourself when you look good, but man....I think it's even easier to tear yourself down. Folks, that is just not healthy. At all. And what's also sad is that I do not know how we can stop that. I have no shred of advice of how we can stop tearing ourselves down. That's a sad truth for me to admit. But for now, I think that something we can all do is think. Think about others in our lives. Take that risk if they ask for honesty; be wary if they don't. But for goodness sake let's be honest with ourselves too! Hold onto what we say we're going to do or want to do and do it! If we don't or if we screw up, think, pray, reflect and try again. :]
Let me give you an example: I love the tv show Sherlock. I also love the two starring actors in said show (Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch, for those back home and/or living under a rock). If I were ever blessed enough to get the opportunity to meet them (hey, a girl can dream, right?), of course I would tell them things like "Hi, I love your work on Sherlock, and I love your passion and humility for your job, it's really inspiring, you have an extraordinary amount of talent, etc" (Which is all very true, by the way). Would I go on to say that I find them both incredibly attractive and secretly hope that they would retire to the States and live in my kitchen and play with my cats? Um...no, probably not. Like I said: need. to. know. basis.
I apologize for my silly and fangirl struck example, but what I'm getting at is this: I appreciate people and their insatiable need to be honest, but a rule of thumb for me is to ask this: is what I am about to tell this person going to build them up, help them become better, or is it going to bring them down? Because if you know you're going to hurt someone with your words, it's probably better to just not say anything at all. Another thing: if you absolutely MUST get the truth out, try to find a way to word it in a way that won't come across as hurtful. And sometimes, if people WANT a brush with honesty......they'll ask for it. Bottom line: think before we speak.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. ~James 1:19
Kelly: The beauty of being a twin is that we have differing opinions on soooo many aspects of life and we respect each other's opinion. This is one of those aspects in which our opinions differ. (and 3 DAYS LATER I pick back up on this....wow.) For me, I feel that when someone asks you to be honest with them, you are always taking a risk. Taking that risk because what you say may make them mad. Or hurt their feelings. Or awaken them.
But what happens if they DON'T ask and the truth just comes out? How do you deal with the blow that may come after it? Well...speaking from experience the truth comes out when the timing just wasn't good. In fact it was quite crappy. You have to realize that when you're speaking the truth you shouldn't be intending to hurt someone on purpose. I've been asked "well why don't you just not say it?" How am I supposed to know what I say will hurt someone? Again, goes back to taking a risk. I feel that if the timing is right the truth should come out, regardless. Once again, speaking from experience, I know that sometimes I need somebody to be brutally honest with me but I don't necessarily ask for it. I feel that sometimes honesty shouldn't be prompted, harsh truth I apologize. But I also feel that it is ok to ask for that brutal honesty. I'm so indecisive on this issue...truth is it's all arbitrary.
Here's another take on the issue that we did not discuss; being honest with yourself. Having a conscious. Making a promise to complete something then not going forth with it. That can hurt sometimes too. I know when I do that I feel disappointed. Like I let myself down. I think that's almost worse than letting someone else down. The saying is true...you are your own worst critique. It's easy to look in the mirror and feel good about yourself when you look good, but man....I think it's even easier to tear yourself down. Folks, that is just not healthy. At all. And what's also sad is that I do not know how we can stop that. I have no shred of advice of how we can stop tearing ourselves down. That's a sad truth for me to admit. But for now, I think that something we can all do is think. Think about others in our lives. Take that risk if they ask for honesty; be wary if they don't. But for goodness sake let's be honest with ourselves too! Hold onto what we say we're going to do or want to do and do it! If we don't or if we screw up, think, pray, reflect and try again. :]
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tips for being happy, healthy and wholesome!
Holly and Kelly: It never fails that over and over again we get asked how we maintain a positive attitude. If you know us, you notice that we are usually have very bubbly personalities. Sure we get angry, sad and stressed and we don't automatically dismiss them when those emotions come along. Our personalities have often been described as "contagious." The secret to how? We have compiled a list of "how Holly and Kelly carry their contagious positive attitudes" on a seemingly daily basis. Now we are not robots. Some of these things are harder/easier than some, and we fall constantly in one or more of these things. But we're really trying to make an effort.
Take intiative. Take a chance. Sometimes that means you have to pick up the slack. I struggle with this a lot, especially at my job. There's a pile, no...a MOUNTAIN of dirty dishes in the sink. Nobody is assigned to clean the kitchen at my job; we have an honor system...that usually works. Sometimes it crashes and burns. But what do you do? Leave someone else to do it? Assume someone else will take care of it? Yeah I do that sometimes. But other times I just do it myself. Then you always feel better when it's done.
ASK for help when you need it. Face to face! This simple truth took me 9 semesters of college to reach. It's a pride thing, for sure. Since I've taken this 100 level Biology class, I've learned more by going outside of class and talking things over that I don't understand. It makes me more confident. And confidence=happiness.
Make a plan and stick with it. Seriously. What I've been doing in regards of school work is writing weekly to-do lists and crossing things off as I finish. I wish I would have done this last year during my hardest year of school. But better late than never. Also, Holly and I are planning on returning to Europe in 2015 (our 25th birthday European hullabaloo). We've ALREADY started planning....like little stupid things. But hey. Little stupid things turn into great big things if you keep building on them!
Pray. Constantly. Not just for the bad things but praise for the good. And be honest with God. You ain't going to hurt His feelings! If you're happy, tell Him. If you're pissed off, tell Him. If you're unsure about what He's doing in your life, tell Him. I feel like God was real with us when He sent His son Jesus to die for us; I feel it's the least we can do.
Pace yourself. This is the one who tries to do 666634513049852341452345819574 things on a daily basis. It's so easy to get caught up in this, that the other and XYZ and heeeey macarena that you're on the floor at the end of the day collapsed with exhaustion. This holds true for me with my ankle problems; i INSIST that I can do all the things! I have to remind myself that sometimes I have to take a step back, slow down and just take a break. I relate this also to academia; I'm slow. Not a slow reader, but slow as in the MASTER PROCRASTINATOR. So like my weekly to-do lists, I also write to start something earlier than its due. Saves me a lot of cramming and disappointment when I get that paper back that I worked on the night before and see how crappy it really is. Been there, done that. Not doing it anymore.
Say "no" sometimes. And this is hard. This is really hard because I am such a people person and I love hanging out with others and having fun. My friends mean the world to me and I love spending time with them. But if you know you have something due or if you're just too busy, you may not get to do those fun things. Or if you don't have the MONEY to do those fun things because you've got those bills due that aren't going to go away. Ever. This has been especially hard for us this year since we're on our own now, but it gets easier. It does.
Don't settle for anything less than your best in ALL areas of your life. Yes, this means I've had to be ok with "D's" sometimes because I walked out of there knowing I did my best. I always tell people "yeah I'm not a straight A student and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But you bet your bottom dollar I will work SO HARD and will never give you anything less than 110%." Easier said than done, but the outcomes definitely outweigh all the tears and blood spilled to get to those outcomes.
Be open minded. I really don't think I need to go into any more detail.
TRY!!!!! When we were younger, our mom would always make us trying food before we decided we didn't like it. And we have kept that same mentality now that we are in our 20's. You never know unless you try. Sure your photograph didn't win the contest. Doesn't mean you should stop photographing. Giving up and quitting has never done any good for me. If I had given up my dream of going to Berea, I'd be probably still living at home going to a local college. And I'd be miserable. If I hadn't listened to my friend when she gave me the GlobaLinks catalog, I NEVER would have discovered Scotland. What's the worst that can happen? Or be like me (Holly) and take that crazy risk and be a Mary Kay consultant!!! I've only been going at it a week and I have SO MANY ideas and so much support and I can't wait to see what God is going to do with this thing that I have now.
See people. I like faces. I have fostered some of the best relationships here at Berea simply by putting myself out there. Going to a new church with a new denomination. Going abroad. Being AT Berea exposes you to so many different people, and I hid most of my freshmen year because I wasn't used to well...everyone being all up in your business. Then I realized that not all people want to be all up in your business; they just want to love you and they want you to do the same.
Act and don't just speak. We have based this largely on our new healthy habits plan. For years we would tell ourselves "we should eat healthier" or "let's try this exercising thing" or whatever. We would try those new habits and new exercises for a while, then slowly slip back into our old routines. Finally, this May, we made it simpler and made goals more attainable. The results have spoken VOLUME. We feel better, we're not as tired during the day, we have more energy, our clothes are fitting looser, and we hold each other accountable and keep each other on track. And we don't get bent out of shape if we slip; we get back up and start trying.
Fake it. This is similar to just trying. Some of the times when you see me and I'm happy and bubbly that does not mean I woke up that way. I used to be miss crabby face when I would get up in the morning, but I faked being happy and cheerful. And eventually me faking be happy and cheerful turned me into a happy cheerful person. This happened in BME a lot when our fearless leader would say if we didn't feel like singing or worshipping, fake it. Eventually you just would get lost in the music and let God open up your mind and heart that you would really feel it and let Him in. If I wake up in the morning and I'm tired or grumpy for some reason, I just tell myself: "I do not have to feel this way. It is not going to do me any good to be a Debby downer for the rest of the day. I am going to at least TRY to smile and be happy." Then I pray. It is amazing that when I try this how I change from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. Friends, this isn't always easy. In fact, it's never easy. But it is worth it.
Get up and MOVE every once in a while. Kelly and I do something that EVERY SINGLE PERSON should know how to do (unless you're a baby): walk. We walk. Every day. Not for long, but still, it's something, it's exercise, it's our time to talk and catch up and just connect with the outside world and nature and God. If you're on a track to lose weight it is absolutely imperative that you exercise!!! Changing your diet alone does not work! (Trust me, we've tried). And Kelly and I don't even need to lose weight, we're just simply trying to be healthier. If you're physically healthy, then all the other "healths" will be strengthened too.
Take a break. I made a New Year's Resolution back when I was still in school that when times got stressful, break out into bad dancing. Obnoxious pop music optional. Sometimes while I'm cooking, or at work standing in the hallway with a dog, or just sitting in the living room I blast loud music and just start dancing and acting stupid. It's a great release! (Kind of goes hand in hand with getting up and moving.....). Sometimes you just have to break down your barriers and walls and just act stupid with no regards. We shouldn't take ourselves too seriously!
Well there you have it. Secret's out! It ain't rocket science.
Take intiative. Take a chance. Sometimes that means you have to pick up the slack. I struggle with this a lot, especially at my job. There's a pile, no...a MOUNTAIN of dirty dishes in the sink. Nobody is assigned to clean the kitchen at my job; we have an honor system...that usually works. Sometimes it crashes and burns. But what do you do? Leave someone else to do it? Assume someone else will take care of it? Yeah I do that sometimes. But other times I just do it myself. Then you always feel better when it's done.
ASK for help when you need it. Face to face! This simple truth took me 9 semesters of college to reach. It's a pride thing, for sure. Since I've taken this 100 level Biology class, I've learned more by going outside of class and talking things over that I don't understand. It makes me more confident. And confidence=happiness.
Make a plan and stick with it. Seriously. What I've been doing in regards of school work is writing weekly to-do lists and crossing things off as I finish. I wish I would have done this last year during my hardest year of school. But better late than never. Also, Holly and I are planning on returning to Europe in 2015 (our 25th birthday European hullabaloo). We've ALREADY started planning....like little stupid things. But hey. Little stupid things turn into great big things if you keep building on them!
Pray. Constantly. Not just for the bad things but praise for the good. And be honest with God. You ain't going to hurt His feelings! If you're happy, tell Him. If you're pissed off, tell Him. If you're unsure about what He's doing in your life, tell Him. I feel like God was real with us when He sent His son Jesus to die for us; I feel it's the least we can do.
Pace yourself. This is the one who tries to do 666634513049852341452345819574 things on a daily basis. It's so easy to get caught up in this, that the other and XYZ and heeeey macarena that you're on the floor at the end of the day collapsed with exhaustion. This holds true for me with my ankle problems; i INSIST that I can do all the things! I have to remind myself that sometimes I have to take a step back, slow down and just take a break. I relate this also to academia; I'm slow. Not a slow reader, but slow as in the MASTER PROCRASTINATOR. So like my weekly to-do lists, I also write to start something earlier than its due. Saves me a lot of cramming and disappointment when I get that paper back that I worked on the night before and see how crappy it really is. Been there, done that. Not doing it anymore.
Say "no" sometimes. And this is hard. This is really hard because I am such a people person and I love hanging out with others and having fun. My friends mean the world to me and I love spending time with them. But if you know you have something due or if you're just too busy, you may not get to do those fun things. Or if you don't have the MONEY to do those fun things because you've got those bills due that aren't going to go away. Ever. This has been especially hard for us this year since we're on our own now, but it gets easier. It does.
Don't settle for anything less than your best in ALL areas of your life. Yes, this means I've had to be ok with "D's" sometimes because I walked out of there knowing I did my best. I always tell people "yeah I'm not a straight A student and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But you bet your bottom dollar I will work SO HARD and will never give you anything less than 110%." Easier said than done, but the outcomes definitely outweigh all the tears and blood spilled to get to those outcomes.
Be open minded. I really don't think I need to go into any more detail.
TRY!!!!! When we were younger, our mom would always make us trying food before we decided we didn't like it. And we have kept that same mentality now that we are in our 20's. You never know unless you try. Sure your photograph didn't win the contest. Doesn't mean you should stop photographing. Giving up and quitting has never done any good for me. If I had given up my dream of going to Berea, I'd be probably still living at home going to a local college. And I'd be miserable. If I hadn't listened to my friend when she gave me the GlobaLinks catalog, I NEVER would have discovered Scotland. What's the worst that can happen? Or be like me (Holly) and take that crazy risk and be a Mary Kay consultant!!! I've only been going at it a week and I have SO MANY ideas and so much support and I can't wait to see what God is going to do with this thing that I have now.
See people. I like faces. I have fostered some of the best relationships here at Berea simply by putting myself out there. Going to a new church with a new denomination. Going abroad. Being AT Berea exposes you to so many different people, and I hid most of my freshmen year because I wasn't used to well...everyone being all up in your business. Then I realized that not all people want to be all up in your business; they just want to love you and they want you to do the same.
Act and don't just speak. We have based this largely on our new healthy habits plan. For years we would tell ourselves "we should eat healthier" or "let's try this exercising thing" or whatever. We would try those new habits and new exercises for a while, then slowly slip back into our old routines. Finally, this May, we made it simpler and made goals more attainable. The results have spoken VOLUME. We feel better, we're not as tired during the day, we have more energy, our clothes are fitting looser, and we hold each other accountable and keep each other on track. And we don't get bent out of shape if we slip; we get back up and start trying.
Fake it. This is similar to just trying. Some of the times when you see me and I'm happy and bubbly that does not mean I woke up that way. I used to be miss crabby face when I would get up in the morning, but I faked being happy and cheerful. And eventually me faking be happy and cheerful turned me into a happy cheerful person. This happened in BME a lot when our fearless leader would say if we didn't feel like singing or worshipping, fake it. Eventually you just would get lost in the music and let God open up your mind and heart that you would really feel it and let Him in. If I wake up in the morning and I'm tired or grumpy for some reason, I just tell myself: "I do not have to feel this way. It is not going to do me any good to be a Debby downer for the rest of the day. I am going to at least TRY to smile and be happy." Then I pray. It is amazing that when I try this how I change from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. Friends, this isn't always easy. In fact, it's never easy. But it is worth it.
Get up and MOVE every once in a while. Kelly and I do something that EVERY SINGLE PERSON should know how to do (unless you're a baby): walk. We walk. Every day. Not for long, but still, it's something, it's exercise, it's our time to talk and catch up and just connect with the outside world and nature and God. If you're on a track to lose weight it is absolutely imperative that you exercise!!! Changing your diet alone does not work! (Trust me, we've tried). And Kelly and I don't even need to lose weight, we're just simply trying to be healthier. If you're physically healthy, then all the other "healths" will be strengthened too.
Take a break. I made a New Year's Resolution back when I was still in school that when times got stressful, break out into bad dancing. Obnoxious pop music optional. Sometimes while I'm cooking, or at work standing in the hallway with a dog, or just sitting in the living room I blast loud music and just start dancing and acting stupid. It's a great release! (Kind of goes hand in hand with getting up and moving.....). Sometimes you just have to break down your barriers and walls and just act stupid with no regards. We shouldn't take ourselves too seriously!
Well there you have it. Secret's out! It ain't rocket science.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Home
Holly: Throughout my life my perceptions of things have changed. Chalk it up to growing up, I suppose. One of these things that have changed is my concept of home. What is "home"? What does it mean to be "home"? Is it a place, people, or something even more than that?
As many of you know, Kelly and I moved to Berea in May of this year. We spent a lot of our time here, college-related time, and we felt like Berea was the place we were supposed to be. Considering the large amount of our time here Berea felt more like our home than our grassroots of southeastern Ohio. Now, PLEASE do not misunderstand me. I love my hometown. I love that I was able to grow up there, and I love my family and best friend more than anything. But when I would go home for holidays or breaks or whatnot, things just felt so....foreign. Different. I felt out of place, like I had missed so much from Athens and from my folks and best friend. It just wasn't the same place anymore. I wasn't the same person. Because I had grown so used to cozy Berea, my school, and my church, it was strange to be away from that, even though I had spent the first 18 years of my life in this place. Now, when I say I'm going home, it means I'm going to my 2-bedroom apartment in Berea.
But home for me is a lot more than just a place. When my parents come to visit, that's home. When I talk to my best friend on the phone, that's home. When my cats come downstairs when I come in the door from work, that's home. Home is watching an episode of Sherlock in the living room with Kelly and exclaiming in excitement how I picked something up that I had never noticed before. Home is a cup of the flavor of the day at BC&T. Home is opening your window and sensing that fall "smell" and feeling the breeze blow into your space. Home is singing as loud as you can to that song on the radio when you're stuck at a red light. Home is hugging that one friend you haven't seen in ages.
Take time to notice the "home" in your life, whether it's a place or not.
Kelly: On our daily walk tonight, I was talking to Holly that a lot of college students move back to where they came from after they graduate. Our brother did this. I have lots of friends who did this/are doing this. I was talking to Holly that this didn't even cross my mind after I graduated. Then she said to me: "I already moved back home. I moved here." Didn't really think about it that way. I remember being a first year student wondering how I would get used to this place called Berea, Kentucky. Now I can't imagine being apart from it. To be honest though, my perspective on home is a bit different than Holly's. Sometimes I sit and ask God how He picked here for me to be. How did He get me to fall in love with a place like Berea? Then it hit me.
To me, home in many cases is more the people than a place or a thing. I think people largely make a home a home. And for me, my Berea home and my attraction to it is largely where I go to church every Sunday. I see it as a home despite the division and sometimes negativity that has been seen/heard/read in a survey. Despite the fact that I read a comment that basically said college students can either just deal with the changes or shove off, it's still a home to me. Because in a home, you notice there are flaws, yet you don't define it by the few flaws. Positive memories and faces trump any negative comment in my book. When I think of a home, I think of family. A family. People who love one another, encourage one another, support one another and pray for one another. They don't hold grudges, or judge, belittle, or put down...not that anybody in my immediately family or my close friends do that. But families don't do that, or at least they shouldn't. That's why I love my church; it treats me like a family. Every Sunday (and Tuesday night) I am welcomed with open arms and loved by so many.
I'll close with this: on the way out of church today I got a comment from my pastor today saying how much he appreciated how Holly and I have openly loved his family. I was stricken mute by my overwhelming joy that I totally forgot to say I only give such love because I myself have been given the exact same love by not only his family but so many others at BBC. I am blessed to have that church as my family. And my home.
As many of you know, Kelly and I moved to Berea in May of this year. We spent a lot of our time here, college-related time, and we felt like Berea was the place we were supposed to be. Considering the large amount of our time here Berea felt more like our home than our grassroots of southeastern Ohio. Now, PLEASE do not misunderstand me. I love my hometown. I love that I was able to grow up there, and I love my family and best friend more than anything. But when I would go home for holidays or breaks or whatnot, things just felt so....foreign. Different. I felt out of place, like I had missed so much from Athens and from my folks and best friend. It just wasn't the same place anymore. I wasn't the same person. Because I had grown so used to cozy Berea, my school, and my church, it was strange to be away from that, even though I had spent the first 18 years of my life in this place. Now, when I say I'm going home, it means I'm going to my 2-bedroom apartment in Berea.
But home for me is a lot more than just a place. When my parents come to visit, that's home. When I talk to my best friend on the phone, that's home. When my cats come downstairs when I come in the door from work, that's home. Home is watching an episode of Sherlock in the living room with Kelly and exclaiming in excitement how I picked something up that I had never noticed before. Home is a cup of the flavor of the day at BC&T. Home is opening your window and sensing that fall "smell" and feeling the breeze blow into your space. Home is singing as loud as you can to that song on the radio when you're stuck at a red light. Home is hugging that one friend you haven't seen in ages.
Take time to notice the "home" in your life, whether it's a place or not.
Kelly: On our daily walk tonight, I was talking to Holly that a lot of college students move back to where they came from after they graduate. Our brother did this. I have lots of friends who did this/are doing this. I was talking to Holly that this didn't even cross my mind after I graduated. Then she said to me: "I already moved back home. I moved here." Didn't really think about it that way. I remember being a first year student wondering how I would get used to this place called Berea, Kentucky. Now I can't imagine being apart from it. To be honest though, my perspective on home is a bit different than Holly's. Sometimes I sit and ask God how He picked here for me to be. How did He get me to fall in love with a place like Berea? Then it hit me.
To me, home in many cases is more the people than a place or a thing. I think people largely make a home a home. And for me, my Berea home and my attraction to it is largely where I go to church every Sunday. I see it as a home despite the division and sometimes negativity that has been seen/heard/read in a survey. Despite the fact that I read a comment that basically said college students can either just deal with the changes or shove off, it's still a home to me. Because in a home, you notice there are flaws, yet you don't define it by the few flaws. Positive memories and faces trump any negative comment in my book. When I think of a home, I think of family. A family. People who love one another, encourage one another, support one another and pray for one another. They don't hold grudges, or judge, belittle, or put down...not that anybody in my immediately family or my close friends do that. But families don't do that, or at least they shouldn't. That's why I love my church; it treats me like a family. Every Sunday (and Tuesday night) I am welcomed with open arms and loved by so many.
I'll close with this: on the way out of church today I got a comment from my pastor today saying how much he appreciated how Holly and I have openly loved his family. I was stricken mute by my overwhelming joy that I totally forgot to say I only give such love because I myself have been given the exact same love by not only his family but so many others at BBC. I am blessed to have that church as my family. And my home.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
One Hundred
Kelly: Readers, avid readers, and strangers; I present to you with good news. This blog has reached its 100th POST!!!!! *cue wild cheering, confetti, party horns* We are so excited and honestly never thought that it would get this far. Hey, it's hard to keep up with something like this when our lives are taking such busy and definitely interesting turns. Oh...public service announcement: THE LOUD MUSTANG IS GONE!!!!! Turns out it wasn't a mustang that was across the street from us, it was a Pontiac something. Goes to show you how much I know about cars. Whatever. What I'm thinking about is how much new stuff we have gotten into in 100 posts. WOOT. Go us and our crazy fandoms! But what I'm most happy about is how I have felt my relationship with God grow and flourish! I am different. SO much different than what I used to be; even more different than the start of the summer. Gosh. What has happened in 100 posts?
We: met Colin and Brad, Holly graduated, moved into a new place, became mommies to two fuzzy children, got hooked on Lord of the Rings, Sherlock and the Hobbit, made new friends, lived, laughed and grew in our joy of the Lord. WOW! It blows me away how much as people we have grown! It's awesome and we couldn't have done it without God and your all's warm and wonderful comments! Thank you all! 100 down...100 more to go!
Holly: I have a purring Yoda on my lap. We just ate an amazing dinner (Seriously). We're wearing our new hobbit feet slippers (you can't make this stuff up). We're about to go spend time with our amazing church choir family. :) I am so different of a person now than I am from a year ago, life isn't AT ALL what I imagined it would be, and yet I couldn't be happier. We're Skyping with one of our best friends this evening. All is just unbelievably well! :D
If you have been riding on this roller coaster with us from the start, then I must thank you. Knowing that there are those out there that take interest in what is going on in our random, hectic lives makes it the very reason that we've reached 100 posts. Here's to 100 more, hopefully!
And now, some random awesome pictures:
We: met Colin and Brad, Holly graduated, moved into a new place, became mommies to two fuzzy children, got hooked on Lord of the Rings, Sherlock and the Hobbit, made new friends, lived, laughed and grew in our joy of the Lord. WOW! It blows me away how much as people we have grown! It's awesome and we couldn't have done it without God and your all's warm and wonderful comments! Thank you all! 100 down...100 more to go!
Holly: I have a purring Yoda on my lap. We just ate an amazing dinner (Seriously). We're wearing our new hobbit feet slippers (you can't make this stuff up). We're about to go spend time with our amazing church choir family. :) I am so different of a person now than I am from a year ago, life isn't AT ALL what I imagined it would be, and yet I couldn't be happier. We're Skyping with one of our best friends this evening. All is just unbelievably well! :D
If you have been riding on this roller coaster with us from the start, then I must thank you. Knowing that there are those out there that take interest in what is going on in our random, hectic lives makes it the very reason that we've reached 100 posts. Here's to 100 more, hopefully!
And now, some random awesome pictures:
Saturday, October 6, 2012
If we had a dollar....
Holly and Kelly: So, just in case any of you live under a rock, we are twins. Duh. Blatantly obvious. But over the years, during our numerous encounters with various people and situations, we have been asked a plethora of ridiculous, humorous, silly, stupid, and just flat out "what the heck" questions. Here are some of them (by the way, the parentheses after the questions are our mental responses, i.e. we would never say them aloud):
"Are y'all TWINS???" *short pause while we process, then say yes* "Are y'all related?"
(um...if we just said we're twins, then...we're....probably........related.....MMM, we'll give you a minute to think about it...)
"Are y'all sisters?"
"Do y'all ever fight?" (No, it's just puppies and rainbows all OF COURSE WE DO. We're so freakishly alike it's scary; of course our opinions will clash.)
"Do you have the same birthday?" (Not even joking. Although there are twins that don't..i.e. one born at 11:59 and one at like 12:01, etc...but no. We do not)
"Do you all like the same stuff?" (For the most part, yes...but we do have different tastes. For some reason that question just irritates us. Sorry)
"So if I poke your sister in the arm, will you feel it?" (No. Next question)
"Does that whole sister ESP thing work? Like, do you know what she's thinking, or feeling?" (Again...no.)
"Have ya'll ever switched places before?" (What are we, cruel? People have a hard enough time telling us apart sometimes. I'd rather not add to the torture)
"Are ya'll the same?" (Same DNA. COMPLETELY different people. Though we are both extroverts, Kelly tends to be more extroverted and expressive with emotions. Holly is more reserved. Not a bad thing. NEXT).
"Do you all ever run out of things to talk about?" (This is actually a good question. And no we don't.)
"Do ya'll share clothes?" (Hmm....again, let me give you all a minute. You have an instant double wardrobe. OF COURSE we share clothes!)
"Do you like being a twin?" (Gee....)
"I think I would hate being a twin." (You would be quite surprised. It's like any relationship; both parties have to work at it and be willing to make the commitments necessary to keep it steady and strong)
And the best one for last...
"How can I tell you apart from your sister?" No parentheses for this. This is what I say. Holly ALWAYS wears her hair up and I don't. That's the easiest way for someone who is at first getting to know us to tell us apart. When you get to know us a little bit more, our family and friends have different ways of telling us apart. To close, we both LOVE being a twin and wouldn't have it any other way! :]
"Are y'all TWINS???" *short pause while we process, then say yes* "Are y'all related?"
(um...if we just said we're twins, then...we're....probably........related.....MMM, we'll give you a minute to think about it...)
"Are y'all sisters?"
"Do y'all ever fight?" (No, it's just puppies and rainbows all OF COURSE WE DO. We're so freakishly alike it's scary; of course our opinions will clash.)
"Do you have the same birthday?" (Not even joking. Although there are twins that don't..i.e. one born at 11:59 and one at like 12:01, etc...but no. We do not)
"Do you all like the same stuff?" (For the most part, yes...but we do have different tastes. For some reason that question just irritates us. Sorry)
"So if I poke your sister in the arm, will you feel it?" (No. Next question)
"Does that whole sister ESP thing work? Like, do you know what she's thinking, or feeling?" (Again...no.)
"Have ya'll ever switched places before?" (What are we, cruel? People have a hard enough time telling us apart sometimes. I'd rather not add to the torture)
"Are ya'll the same?" (Same DNA. COMPLETELY different people. Though we are both extroverts, Kelly tends to be more extroverted and expressive with emotions. Holly is more reserved. Not a bad thing. NEXT).
"Do you all ever run out of things to talk about?" (This is actually a good question. And no we don't.)
"Do ya'll share clothes?" (Hmm....again, let me give you all a minute. You have an instant double wardrobe. OF COURSE we share clothes!)
"Do you like being a twin?" (Gee....)
"I think I would hate being a twin." (You would be quite surprised. It's like any relationship; both parties have to work at it and be willing to make the commitments necessary to keep it steady and strong)
And the best one for last...
"How can I tell you apart from your sister?" No parentheses for this. This is what I say. Holly ALWAYS wears her hair up and I don't. That's the easiest way for someone who is at first getting to know us to tell us apart. When you get to know us a little bit more, our family and friends have different ways of telling us apart. To close, we both LOVE being a twin and wouldn't have it any other way! :]
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