What Am I Reading?

"Tell me what you are reading and I'll tell you who you are." ~Francios Muriac

So....I'm sort of a funny reader. My roomate in college was able to read for hours.....I can't do it. I can't sit still that long and I get bored. And tired. So the way that works out is I have several books that I read at a time. That way I have a little something I can read, no matter what mood I'm in. Here's what's currently on my nightstand.

1. Heaven by Randy Alcorn: This is a great book that discusses what Heaven will be like. But instead of just supposing, he backs up what he has to say with scripture. I'm only maybe a quarter of the way in, but it's a good one!

2. Annie G. Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish: This is my current fun book. It's fantastic about these middle-aged women who go on a traveling funeral for one of their friends. I think I'll blog about this sometime soon.

3. 20 Something 20 Everything by Christine Hassler: This is a book I haven't really gotten into yet. I need to keep trying becuse I've heard good things. It's all about twenty-something women finding balance and direction in their lives. Seems useful....

4. Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig: This is biography of Lou Gehrig. As I watched someone very close to me die of Lou Gehrigs disease, I saw Gehrig's famous speech where he spoke about how he was the luckiest man alive, even though he was dying of such a terrible disease and having to retire from baseball. If you haven't seen the speech, here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA The speech was really touching, especially considering my personal connection with the disease. I haven't gotten very far into the book yet, but I'm excited to read it.

So those are the currents. I also wanted to make a list of some of the better books I've read. You will notice, I'm not very intellectual when it comes to book choices. You won't see any classics on my list.....not my thing. I really like books that are more biographical best I think. Here we go.

1. Traveling Light by Max Lucado: Great book about letting go of our problems, worries, issues, etc. Probably my number one favorite book.

2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: I got this after watching the lecture given by Mr. Pausch as he was dying of cancer, at age 47, and leaving behind a young family. If you haven't seen the lecture, here's a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

3. Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean: This is the book that the movie was based on, written by a nun who worked with death row inmates. It's a great book, horribly sad, and I think it's something that everyone should read before you make up your opinion on the death penalty.

4. The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw: Great book telling stories of the World War II generation.

5. God Underneath by Edward L. Beck: This book is by a Priest and tells great short stories about people's spiritual encounters and experiences, but in a really funny manner.

6. Alcatraz Justice by Earnest B. Lageson: After going to Alcatraz like 57 times with everyone who came to visit me when I lived in San Francisco, I got this book about the murder trial for three inmtes who were part of the riot at Alcatraz. The author is an attorney, so he talks a lot about trial strategy and court rulings, so it may not be for everyone.

7. Presumed Guilty by Matt Dalton: This book is about the Scott Peterson murder trial for the death of his wife, Laci and their unborn baby, Connor. I don't profess to have an opinion on his guilt or innocence, but this book will really make you think. Particularly about three things--first, whether he is guilty; second, what affect the media has on trials; and third, how confident you are in the death penalty.

8. She Said Yes by Misty Bernall: Really sad story about one of the teenage girls who was killed at Columbine High School back in 1999.

9. Five People You'll Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom: Interesting view that in Heaven you will meet five people that will help you make sense out of events that happened in your life.

10. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt: I think this book is a just a good reminder for girls, no matter how independent we try to be, to read every now and again. You might think it's something that makes girls feel bad, but I think it has quite the opposite impact, at least on me. It makes me feel impowered and reminds me not to settle for someone who doesn't treat me well!

What are you reading?? I'm always looking for ideas!

What am I Listening To?

"When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have." ~Edgar Watson Howe

So.....I was just listening to the "Purchased" list on my iTunes playlist and got a kick out of the last 10 or so songs. It really is the most random list of songs you could think of! I thought I'd share.

My last 10 purchased songs:

1. Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker (country classics---gotta love those!)

2. Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickelback( first off love the band---second off this song is adorable)

3. Jump by FloRida (got hooked on this in my Turbo Kick class and I now love it for running!)

4. I Look So Good Without You by Michelle Branch (this is one of my FAVORITE songs right now---excellent girl power/breakup tune!)

5. Closer to Love by Matt Kearney (love the line about how we're all just one phone call from our knees)

6. Mary Jane's Last Chance by Tom Petty (another classic...)

7. Remember The Name by Fort Minor (my favorite running song....it's my power song on my ipod!)

8. If I Could Do It Again by Corey Smith (wonderful Texas country song---my ring tone on my phone)

9. I Can Love You by Gary Allan (probably my favorite sappy song....downloaded it so I could get it down on the guitar)

10. Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas (just a great song)

So what's on your playlist? I'm always hunting new songs, especially for running!

What Am I ________ Week

"Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself." ~George Bernard Shaw

Today I was writing a blog about what songs I've recently added to my iTunes, and decided to do a little theme for the week.


So this week will be "What Am I ______________ Week!" I'm thinking I'll do what am I listenting to....what am I reading (don't worry...I'll exclude legal stuff!).....what am I watching.....I need one more idea, so someone give me something!

Don't worry, I'm still going to have the regular Throwback Thursday and Guest Blog Friday. :)

Stay tuned for Monday!

Single Girl's Checklist

"It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!” ~ SATC

I didn't write this, but most of these (with the exception of the cat and fuzzy toilet cover!!) sound like pretty good ideas to me.....

It doesn't matter if you're planning to tie the knot with your man in the next couple of years or if that trip down the aisle isn't even on your horizon. There are some things that you better indulge in now, because once you're hitched? Forget about it.

1. Date a guy who's totally wrong for you just because he has amazing abs. So what if he's five years younger and your polar opposite? The joy of running your hands across his six-pack is a perfectly legitimate reason to go out with him. (If you see one, send him my way!!)

2. Collect at least six country stamps on your passport, including one from a place that until recently you didn't even know existed. Yes, it's fun to travel with your man, but you also have to have some solo adventures under your belt before you start sharing your life with him 100 percent. (Over halfway there....Mexico, Italy, France and Switzerland!)

3. Embrace feminine decor. Don't go so far as to paint the walls pink — that'll freak out any guy who sets foot in your place — but stock up on stuff that appeals to your girlie side. When you're building a nest with him, you'll have to compromise on furniture and accessories, so pile ..e throw pillows while the decorating is all up to you (because here's a tip: Guys hate the things). (My pictures everywhere should count for this one!) :)

4. Wear a hip, fabulous ring on your left hand. Once you have an engagement band, you won't want anything detracting attention from the ring. (Need to get on this one....)

5. Take advantage of the whole bed. You have the rest of your life to stick to "your" side when you sleep next to your man. Right now, place your pillow smack-dab in the center and make like a starfish. (Oh, no worries...got this one down!)

6. Spend an embarrassing amount of money on a designer bag you love or heels that make you feel incredibly sexy. Chances are, when you have a joint account with your hubby, he's not going to get why a purse might be worth the GDP of a small country. (Haven't done it, but I'm excited to try it!)

7. Learn how to change a tire and work a drill. It's easy to relegate all those "guy" tasks to your man (and you totally should enlist his help), but there's a sense of power that comes with being able to fix something yourself. (Well....I'm not totally helpless....but I do tend to have boys on speed dial for these things.)

8. Slip one of those furry covers on the toilet. Once it's there, he'll have to accept it (and psst, they make it impossible for men to leave the seat up). (Nope....not going to happen either.)

9. Throw blowout bashes. Sure, it's nice to have a mellow get-together with your girlfriends, but that shouldn't be the extent of your social life. Before settling down, let your wild side reign. (Dancing to Vanilla Pop and crazy fun nights at the Penny count??)

10. Get a grip on your dough. Sign up for a retirement plan and invest extra income in stocks or CD accounts. Take charge of your own cash flow before merging moola with your guy. (I'm on this one too! I'm so old and responsible....)

11. Have your dad take you out to dinner as often as possible. The reasons: It's great bonding time, and his open-wallet generosity will dry up once you're hitched. Face it: Your reception is the last meal that'll be his treat. (My dad's paying me to elope....I better eat a lot now!)

12. Want a cat? Heed this advice: Buy it now. Call it Snowflake. Let it sleep next to you in bed. If you wait to get a pet with your betrothed, it will end up being a big, slobbering Lab called Bif. (I am such a tomboy girl. I want the dog....)

13. If all you feel like eating for dinner is ice cream and diet soda, buy a cone and pop a Coke. When you and The Mister mangia together all the time, you'll be less likely to indulge those bizarre — but oh-so-satisfying — cravings. :) (Yea...don't drink coke but I do love my ice cream!)

14. Use tons of hot water in the a.m. (I prefer the extra sleep to the extra long shower).

15. Take your celeb crush to the max. Plaster a poster of Ryan Gosling in your hallway, and set your computer wallpaper to a topless shot of him. (This seems sort of 16 to me.....probably not!)

16. Plan your fantasy wedding. Now's the time to let your imagination roam — rip pictures of dresses from magazines, size up ceremony venues, and try on some rocks at the jewelry store. This stuff wigs guys out if they witness it, so get it out of your system now. (I never really thought I wanted a wedding....then Kristin and Jon and their stupid perfect relationship had to ruin that for me. But luckily, I've been in enough to know what's good and bad!)

17. Start a pleasure ritual that a change in your relationship status can't disturb. Regularly treat yourself to something you love, whether it's a manicure, yoga classes at the fanciest studio in town, or a superrelaxing massage. (Now that I have income...maybe I'll look into this!)

18. Set up your home in a way that fits your needs. Maybe keeping the coffee machine in the bathroom so you can get your caffeine boost while you put on makeup in the morning works for you. Until you have to deal with someone else weighing in on your unusual arrangement, customize. (I don't plan on re-arranging for someone....you think that's a problem?)

Growing Up....GUEST BLOG by Marianna!!

"We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves." ~ May Lamberton Becker

I'm so excited to have one of my closest, and oldest (meaning longest time....not that she's old!) friends guest blog today! Marianna and I have been friends since the 4th grade. Although we had a year or two of not getting along (circa middle school.....go figure!), we have been really close ever since. Sooooo many of my favorite memories involve her! State Fair dorms, double dates in Grady, her chasing her twin brother with a butcher knife.....I could go on forever. She is one of the sweetest, strongest people I know and I'm so grateful to have her in my life. I think her blog topic is just great, hope you all do too!

So......here's Marianna!

I have realized that as the years pass by and we age one more year, that each has held something great. Growing up is definitely a hard feat and if it were easy everyone would do it. When Tiffany asked me to write on this wonderful blog, my mind went through all of the different stories I could tell or the different events that have happened in our lives. One of the main ones that kept coming back was the idea of when I knew I was ‘grown up’.

· When my hero went from a guy throwing around a football or singing a country song to my dad.
· When Chester and I could actually be together for more than a day and not fight (and if you knew us we sure could! There are great fighting stories that still circulate!)
· When I stopped caring about how other people looked at me.
· When I knew it was OK to express emotion.
· When dad calls me and I don’t think ‘Oh I am too busy to talk right now.’
· When I look back on my childhood and realize how blessed I was to have strict parents.
· When I yearn to have land and cattle.
· When I knew I didn’t have to agree with EVERYTHING anyone talked about.

Growing up is definitely a process that enriches the soul. In one hand, growing up means more responsibility, but on the other hand it means more freedom to spread your wings. Every day you are becoming more like yourself.

Throwback Thursday #2 - Hike Around Cully, Suisse

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~ St. Augustine

So I have realized I have so many great pictures, I'm going to have to split Swiss National Day into two blogs. This first one will show you highlights from our hike around the village of Cully and up into the vineyards above the city. Next Thursday will be really great---our pictures of the village boat cruise, including real yodeling and those big horns like you see in the Ricola commercials. So stay tuned for next Thursday!

So we began our hike in the village of Cully. There are about 400 people who live in this beautiful village right on the shore of Lake Geneva. All of the buildings are super old, but well-built and well taken care of. As you can see, the flags were out for Swiss National Day!

As we walked around town, we saw some really amazing things. First, there was a tree that is older than our whole country!! It's been there since 1796. That really put things in perspective!

This was the Fountina de la Justice. It was right by Cousin Swiss Mister's apartment. I felt this was a good omen, beings that I had just taken the bar exam about 48 hours earlier. Turns out it was!

We then made our way down by the water---and saw what I think was the most beautiful view I've ever seen. No, not Cousin Whitney and I after flying all night....although we were pretty cute...

But I was talking about Lake Geneva, surrounded by the Swiss Alps. I am telling you guys, the pictures just do not do it justice. It was amazing! You will see I kept taking pictures of this throughout the trip at different angles/times/etc. I fell in love!

So then we started our hike up the hills surrounding Cully. There were great views of the vineyards and houses along the way.

When we figured we got high enough above the village (or at least our legs had decided we were high enough) we stopped to enjoy the view! This is the village of Cully below.

And here is another of the lake and the Alps with the vineyards included.

Then Cousin Swiss Mister decided to show off. In picture 1, he thought he was Shannon Miller. In picture 2, Pat Day.

I cannot let this opporunity pass without telling the "Cousin Swiss Mister on a horse" story. My dear cousin is SO not a country kid. He would come to visit and we always loved it because we would end up with the best stories about him! When he was a kid, he came to NM and my dad decided he should ride a horse. Luckily, we had an old nag named Pet. The name alone should tell you the caliber of this horse. He was like 20 years old or something crazy. Anyway, Cousin Swiss Mister still refers to him as the killer horse and tells some ridiculous story of near-death involving warp speeds on this horse. (I'm going to try my best to work in the "Cousin Swiss Mister saw a snake" story in a future blog...).

So the hike around Cully was beautiful and a lot of fun! I can't wait for next Thursday--I am telling you guys, the pictures from the boat cruise are some of the best! Stay tuned!

I'm That Small Town Kid.....

"Everybody knows me and I know them and I believe that's the way we were supposed to live." ~Justin Moore, "Small Town USA"

I recently went to dinner with two friends who I went to high school with. We hadn't seen each other in about eight years, and were talking about how about how most people do not understand small town friendships. People thought it was wierd that we hadn't seen each other in eight years, but called each other out of the blue and went to dinner. For us, it didn't seem wierd at all! I am so glad to have grown up in a small town, and the friendships that I made there are a huge reason why!

When you are from a small town, all the people (okay....most of the people) really do become your friends. And even when you haven't seen them for years, you still have that bond. I've had friends who I had not seen in years open up their homes for me without blinking when I've been somewhere on vacation and needed a place to crash. I've had them call me out of the blue because they were in town and wanted to grab lunch. When we get together, it's not wierd at all....it's like we just pick up where we left off and go right on with our relationships.

I am not talking about just the people I went to high school with, although this is certainly true with them. But I'm talking about people who went to other small schools all over the state. We played basketball against each other, showed against each other, went to FFA Convention together....these opportunities to make life-long friends are what makes growing up in a small town so great.

More than once my "city friends" have asked me how I can know so many people, being that I'm from such a tiny place. They dont' understand, because they didn't have these experiences. Yes, they might have grown up in a place with a mall, and a Wal-Mart and chain restaurants, but you know what? I wouldn't trade my friendships for any of that!

So thank you, to all my fellow small town friends, for being so fantastic! And the next time you're in town, give me a call. You've always got an air matress with your name on it at my house!

Southern Football!

"A southern girl is a girl who knows full and well that she can open a door for herself, but prefers for the gentleman to do it because it demonstrates a sense of respect. After all, every girl wants to be treated like a princess. We know how to make sweet tea and grits while telling you everything about any football team in the SEC. We pick our battles and fight with the heart of pit bull while still maintaining grace and elegance. Our mistique is that of a soft-spoken, mild-mannered southern belle who could direct an army, loves her mama, and will always be daddy's little girl."

I can assure you that at least 95% of these are true and I have seen/done them during my college days. I swear this is why Stillwater is the happiest place on earth!! (Pardon the language on a couple.....but it's too funny!)

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different from up North. For those who are planning a football trip in the South, here are some helpful hints.

Women's Accessories: NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket. SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and a fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

Stadium Size: NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people. SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

Campus Decor: NORTH: Statues of founding fathers. SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

Homecoming Queen: NORTH: Also a physics major. SOUTH: Also Miss America.

Heroes: NORTH: Rudy Guliani SOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

Getting Tickets: NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus andpurchase tickets. SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campusand put name on waiting list for tickets.

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game: NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because they have classes on Friday. SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to class.

Parking: NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for gameparking. SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

Game Day: NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV. SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never broadcast from their campus.

Tailgating: NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down. SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance by "Dave Matthews Band," who come overduring breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

Getting to the Stadium: NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in. SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it becomes the state's third largest city.

Concessions: NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda. SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

When National Anthem is Played: NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up. SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

The Smell in the Air After the First Score: NORTH: No change. SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

Commentary (Male): NORTH: "Nice play." SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

Commentary (Female): NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport." SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

Announcers: NORTH: Neutral and paid. SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

After the Game: NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends. SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker. While somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, planning begins for next week's game.

Ladies....Just Do Your Thing.....

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." ~ Mother Theresa

I know I have talked before about how I feel like people are judgmental of me because I am single and have no little ones running around. I think a lot of us single twenty-somethings feel that way. Like we are somehow failures, no matter what else we are doing in our lives.

But recently, I've had a couple different friends talk to me about how they feel judged for having kids. One felt like she might be looked down on for having a baby before establishing a career. Another was worried about fitting in because she hadn't gone to college. Someone else mentioned that her life was so boring as compared to her single friends.

I think that everyone feels judged and inferior...and you know what? That's crazy! I hope that I never make anyone feel like I would ever think less of them because their life went in a different direction or timeline than my own. That being said, I'd appreciate the same in return. If I have ever done that, I'm truly sorry and that was never my intention!

Some women are meant to have kiddos right away and be great moms. Some are meant to have successful careers and make tons of money. Some are meant to balance both. But you know what....whatever you decide to do is great.

So don't ever let anyone make you feel like your decisions about your life aren't good enough. We all walk different paths. I'm so glad to have women in my life who are all doing such different things---I feel that these different experiences and viewpoints only enrich my life! I love being able to go buy baby clothes for my friends, or getting to be a bridesmaid (yes...again!) or going on a girls weekend trip with my single friends.

Thank you all for being in my life......and thank you for making different decisions! Keep being you, because the world needs women who are strong and happy, whatever road they decide to go down!

Cards for Noah

"I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses." ~Taylor Caldwell







This is Noah. He is a 5 year-old little boy in Michigan, who is dying of cancer and probably will not live until Christmas. His parents are having an early Christmas for him. Apparently he really likes Christmas cards, and his mother has made a plea for people to send him Christmas cards now, so he will have them in time for his Christmas. Here are links to a video and an article telling his story.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/11/thousands_send_early_christmas.html

His address is:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, MI 48178

Having watched someone I loved die in my own life this year, I'm very sympathetic to people seeking to do whatever they can to help make someone happy, and to give him his last wish. So please, send a card. And keep his family in your prayers.

As we come to the holiday season, let us remember the true spirit of Christmas....that of love and giving, of faith and peace.