Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith By Anne Lamott

I just finished this book-honestly one of the best books I've ever read. She is so authentic and artistic in the arrangement of her words. She tells about her imperfections in her life, and how she found forgiveness from God. Her genuine words reached the depths of my heart, and I had tears to show for it multiple times. If you want a book that makes you think and helps you breathe in God's grace, and breathe out your inadequacies, pick up this book.

Me attempting to be Miley Cyrus!

The "Mock" Miley Cyrus.  This was my attempt at looking like the picture below.  It was really fun, and Courtney Rogers did my makeup!  I have only had my makeup done one other time or so, and Court did an amazing job!  Thanks Courtney:o)  Brynn's birthday was really fun, and everyone came in full contume.  We ended up going to Edgefield afterwards for a little more hang out time.  So fun, and so thankful for fun friends!

So I'm going to a Murder Mystery party this weekend and am going as Miley Cyrus.  Above are some pictures I'm trying to imitate, so we'll compare after the party!  Good times!  Courtney is going to do my makeup, so that will be fun!  We always talk about doing something like this, so we finally get to give it a shot!

I wrote this poem about 4 months after I broke off the engagement (5 years ago-crazy...). I have clearly come a long way since I wrote this poem, but it was interesting to go back 5 years later and read how I was feeling at the time.

Bride in waiting

A bride

A ring forgotten

What do these diamonds mean??

Are they forever?

Relationships don’t last

at least not from ill-fated experience

Why must they come?

Why must they go?

Why must they deceive?

Only does my God know

This rose, the beauty of a woman

A scent so powerful, as if gravity gives no choice

From afar the petals allure

With rose in hand, it steals thy blood

Love is signified by this velvet

The bride, her dress no longer with,

The bareness of her body exposed

Exposed to the world,

Vulnerable

The vale cannot mask the hurt indefinitely

She takes a step forward, moving towards the golden rays

Towards her God

Towards the only love she truly knows

I wrote Ode to My Blowdryer today, as an example to my students. It turned out kinda fun, so I thought I'd share it. The other poems were a part of a project from grad school to share what has shaped me-I chose to share a couple of them.

Ode to My Blowdryer By:Jennica Smith

my blowdryer
hangs
all day
on my wall

lonely
it stays
and droops
its chord

spread out
it falls asleep
and dreams
of luscious locks

it revisits
my shiny hair
from the
early morning

and wakes up
energized
enthusiastic
so hot

Adapted from: Ode to My shoes
By: Francisco X. Alarcon

Soccer Ball

Estampia!

German heritage

Spanish teacher

Amazing combination

Soccer coach

Senior Captain

Unlikely circumstances

End of the season

Not the end of my position…

Announcement spring term

The team came together

Heart attack

No coach

Abrupt, unexpected

No family?

Died of broken heart?

Questions remained

Captain stepped up

Memorial service

Speech

Beyond comfort zone

Heart of gold

He smiled,

His hat was crooked

We couldn’t help but to smile back

Soccer was life

Some had regrets of last words

Treat loved ones well

Do you know when you will see them again?

Youngberg

Friendship, uncontrolled laughter

Bread, cheese, and chardonnay of sweet perfection

From this hill, distance was no object

The spotted dog had no curfew

And time ceased to exist

Memories flying, futures pondered

The creaking of the swinging bench was a subconscious reminder of a friendship never fading

A hard stretch of road is always made easier by a good traveling companion

The Olympic Dream-August 2008

Growing up my family always watched the Olympics on TV, and I began to dream, “setting my standards high.”  When I grew up, I didn't necessarily care about competing in the Olympics, I just wanted to go to the Olympics.  I never could have imagined the role Timon was going to play in that dream by moving to China.  When we found out the 2008 Summer Olympics were going to be in Beijing, Timon and I began to scheme about going together.  

 I finally bought a ticket and flew out on August 8, 2008.  The first event we attended was Team Handball.  First of all, who knew team handball was anything more than a game I played in middle school PE, and second there isn't a US team.  Maybe there is a chance for Timon and I to compete in the Olympics after all.  After that we attended boxing, women’s soccer semi-finals (US beat Japan!), women’s basketball semi-finals (Dwayne Wade sat right in front of us and gave us a head nod), tennis, women's beach volleyball gold medal match, and last but certainly not least track finals.  

 Before track finals, I had already joined Timon and Kristina for their one-month anniversary dinner and spent some quality time getting to know Kristina (instantly approved!).  We decided that in order to represent our country well at track finals, we needed to sport our US colors and flail a giant American flag.  Part of our attire included tights.  Red and blue tights.  And Kristina and I weren't the only ones wearing them.  So after getting dressed in red, white and blue from head to toe, including Kristina's and my nails, we headed to the Bird's Nest!  

 I have to admit the three of us were awe struck as we stood in between the Bird's Nest and The Cube hearing people speaking multiple languages and representing the beauty and diversity of many countries.  It was by far the most magical experience of them all.  When we finally found our seats it was hard to believe that we were sitting across the track from the flames that we watched from afar on the television so many times during our childhood.  With cameras flashing, athletes competing to reach their dreams, and us right in the middle of it all, we were having the time of our lives.

 We had the opportunity to see many significant events that night.  Brian Clay finished his decathlon that night to take the gold, and Usane Bolt and his team broke the world record in the 4X100 meter relay!  Timon, Kristina and I were jumping up and down and screaming so loud as Usane's team broke into their celebration dance right below us on the track!  Our hearts were pounding, and the deafening sound of the crowd was a moment never to be forgotten.  Throughout the rest of the night the three of us were gripping the flag, jumping up and down in our red, white and blue, and cheering for our country. 

 By the end of the track meet, the Australian pole vaulter was attempting his last jumps to break the Olympic record.  We relocated to get a better view, and sure enough it was worth it, as he is now the Olympic Record holder!  After his celebration, a high-lights video was shown, recapping the glorious moments of the evening, including Clay, Bolt and the pole vaulter.  However, the most exciting clip of the video was when we saw ourselves for about two-point-five seconds on the jumbo-tron, jumping up and down in our sweatbands and tights and holding our giant American Flag!  It was the perfect ending to a perfect night and I will always cherish the special memories that Kristina, Timon and I experienced that day.

Vote YES on 66 and 67!

So, measure 66 and 67 could MAJORLY affect teachers and school districts in Oregon if it doesn't pass.  More information to come but check out this video!

Copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LbjhhmVUY