Thursday, May 31, 2012
Hair Update
I haven't added any new pictures of my hair lately, so here we go. These were both taken in March 2012. I began locking in January 2010, so it's been a little over two years.
Roller Set. I love the roller set, but it takes two hours to dry at the salon! During my next visit, we are going to try a new approach. I will buy some rollers, and I will be under the dryer for one hour. Then, it will dry over night, and I will take the rollers out in the morning.
These are called Bantu Knots. I was trying to get my hair to be curly without having the roller set. Cute style, but my head hurt, and it hurt to sleep. It was so bad I began taking them down at work during a meeting!
Things You Have Done
So, this was originally done in February 2009 and updated in July 2011. Not the bucket list, but somethings I would not mind doing! And somethings I have no interest in doing.
Nothing new can be checked off...again!
Things you have done during your lifetime:
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(x ) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
(x) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter (could be cool)
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC (could be cool)
(x) Swam in the ocean (swam no, played yes)
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans (could be cool)
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe (would so like)
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone (would so like)
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating (ice skating...um more like crawling)
(x) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon (could be cool)
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country (would so love)
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
(x) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding (does it matter I was terrified)
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
( ) Been to Disneyland/Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean (would so love - used to dream about them all the time)
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
(x) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Snorkeled with sharks or stingrays
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China (could be cool)
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying (I don't even know what this is.)
( ) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
(x) Been to Westminster Abbey
(x) Been to the Louvre
(x) Swam in the Mediterranean (swam no played in yes)
(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(x) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Been to Yosemite National Park
(x) Seen the Statue of David in Florence, Italy
( ) Eaten sushi in Tokyo (could be cool)
( ) Woke up in the morning wondering where you are (is this possible?)
Nothing new can be checked off...again!
Things you have done during your lifetime:
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(x ) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
(x) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter (could be cool)
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC (could be cool)
(x) Swam in the ocean (swam no, played yes)
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans (could be cool)
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe (would so like)
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone (would so like)
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating (ice skating...um more like crawling)
(x) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon (could be cool)
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country (would so love)
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
(x) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding (does it matter I was terrified)
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
( ) Been to Disneyland/Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean (would so love - used to dream about them all the time)
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
(x) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Snorkeled with sharks or stingrays
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China (could be cool)
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying (I don't even know what this is.)
( ) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
(x) Been to Westminster Abbey
(x) Been to the Louvre
(x) Swam in the Mediterranean (swam no played in yes)
(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(x) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Been to Yosemite National Park
(x) Seen the Statue of David in Florence, Italy
( ) Eaten sushi in Tokyo (could be cool)
( ) Woke up in the morning wondering where you are (is this possible?)
The Bucket List
I created a Bucket List in September 2010, which is not quite two years ago. How have I done?
So my buck list was:
Places to Go:
Egypt
Israel
Spain
Morocco
Greece
Turkey
Australia
Argentina
Who Am I Kidding? I want to go everywhere.
Things to Do:
Write a Book
Take a photography class
Go whale watching
Ride the Duck
Go on a horse and buggy ride during the winter with some hot chocolate
Find a place to volunteer
Under places to go, I have been to Greece and Turkey. Albeit Turkey was a day trip. Maybe I should focus this year's vacation on places on my list, but the list is ever growing! I also want to go to Germany, Portugal, and Vietnam.
Under things to do, I am doing the book this year. And, I have been doing some volunteer work - some through my job and some through my church.
It's crazy how quickly time moves. But, I have made some progress. The travel will take years to do. The things to do I could actually do in a year if I tried. I have missed this year's whale watching season in my area, but it resumes in March.
So my buck list was:
Places to Go:
Egypt
Israel
Spain
Morocco
Greece
Turkey
Australia
Argentina
Who Am I Kidding? I want to go everywhere.
Things to Do:
Write a Book
Take a photography class
Go whale watching
Ride the Duck
Go on a horse and buggy ride during the winter with some hot chocolate
Find a place to volunteer
Under places to go, I have been to Greece and Turkey. Albeit Turkey was a day trip. Maybe I should focus this year's vacation on places on my list, but the list is ever growing! I also want to go to Germany, Portugal, and Vietnam.
Under things to do, I am doing the book this year. And, I have been doing some volunteer work - some through my job and some through my church.
It's crazy how quickly time moves. But, I have made some progress. The travel will take years to do. The things to do I could actually do in a year if I tried. I have missed this year's whale watching season in my area, but it resumes in March.
The Matrix
I find myself pretty distracted lately.
I can trace this back to two purchases that have me so tied to the Matrix.
1) I was upgraded to an I-phone a few months back. Now, I hear a ding each time I get an email. So, I find myself tied to my email and phone. It's a sickness. I can also play Words with Friends on it. This game is also part of the problem. I find myself tied to my computer at home playing the ten or so matches I have going on during any given time.
2) For my birthday, I asked for Target gift cards. I received enough funds to where I could buy a Kindle Fire. So, now I am getting free books from Amazon and books from the library's digital file. So, I have tons of books to read. I have also begun checking out books from the library when a digital copy is not available. So. Reading, reading, reading in between playing Words with Friends, which I can also play on my Kindle.
Did I mention I am supposed to be editing an anthology right now? Plus, I need to begin working on the July 1 issue of the Scroll.
Basically, I am too connected to technology. And, these games and books are distracting to me where I don't do anything in my free time but read and play Words with Friends. I hope the novelty wears off.
These would be good things to give up for Lent, if I thought I could make it!
I can trace this back to two purchases that have me so tied to the Matrix.
1) I was upgraded to an I-phone a few months back. Now, I hear a ding each time I get an email. So, I find myself tied to my email and phone. It's a sickness. I can also play Words with Friends on it. This game is also part of the problem. I find myself tied to my computer at home playing the ten or so matches I have going on during any given time.
2) For my birthday, I asked for Target gift cards. I received enough funds to where I could buy a Kindle Fire. So, now I am getting free books from Amazon and books from the library's digital file. So, I have tons of books to read. I have also begun checking out books from the library when a digital copy is not available. So. Reading, reading, reading in between playing Words with Friends, which I can also play on my Kindle.
Did I mention I am supposed to be editing an anthology right now? Plus, I need to begin working on the July 1 issue of the Scroll.
Basically, I am too connected to technology. And, these games and books are distracting to me where I don't do anything in my free time but read and play Words with Friends. I hope the novelty wears off.
These would be good things to give up for Lent, if I thought I could make it!
Anthology
I have begun working on the anthology for my church in earnest.
Now, I will be remiss in saying I have had months to work on it, but, without a deadline, I procrastinate!
Right now, I am working with the writers on edits. The idea is for me to give my edits and for them to accept them or tell me why they don't want it changed. Repeat and re-rinse.
Then, I will have an external editor edit the work before turning it over to a coworker who will lay it out for it to be print ready!
My only major question is who to select to print it and how many copies to print!
Now, I will be remiss in saying I have had months to work on it, but, without a deadline, I procrastinate!
Right now, I am working with the writers on edits. The idea is for me to give my edits and for them to accept them or tell me why they don't want it changed. Repeat and re-rinse.
Then, I will have an external editor edit the work before turning it over to a coworker who will lay it out for it to be print ready!
My only major question is who to select to print it and how many copies to print!
Vacation all I Ever Wanted
I thought I had my vacation figured out for this year, but alas, my plans fell through.
So, I need to figure out Plan B. I really, really, really would like to go on vacation in July, but I may need to push it back to October. And, to prevent the mental breakdown, I will need to do some mini vacations between now and then.
If I do a vacation in July, I will probably just join a tour because I don't think I will have the time to really plan something on my own, not to mention my motivation level is low right now.
Where to go? Where to go? Where to go? It is nice to have options!
So, I need to figure out Plan B. I really, really, really would like to go on vacation in July, but I may need to push it back to October. And, to prevent the mental breakdown, I will need to do some mini vacations between now and then.
If I do a vacation in July, I will probably just join a tour because I don't think I will have the time to really plan something on my own, not to mention my motivation level is low right now.
Where to go? Where to go? Where to go? It is nice to have options!
UGH
I am totally so behind on my blog posting.
Tying blogging and my devotional day backfired. It really took the joy out of the experience of just blogging because I had something to say. It was too forced and became too routine.
So, I need to find a way to bring the joy back. I haven't blogged in so long that I didn't realize that blogger has changed the look of its platform.
So, here's hoping I can do a better job! My originally goal has been to blog once a week. So, since this is May I should have twenty by now. I am an underachiever!
Tying blogging and my devotional day backfired. It really took the joy out of the experience of just blogging because I had something to say. It was too forced and became too routine.
So, I need to find a way to bring the joy back. I haven't blogged in so long that I didn't realize that blogger has changed the look of its platform.
So, here's hoping I can do a better job! My originally goal has been to blog once a week. So, since this is May I should have twenty by now. I am an underachiever!
Let Your Nail Stick Out
Written for Volume XI, Issue II of the PCC Scroll .
The Japanese have a proverb, “Deru kugi wa utareru.” It is translated as, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” Unfortunately, many of us have been hammered down to the point that we are not accomplishing our purpose and are stagnant. The theme of this issue of the PCC Scroll is “Awakening: Purpose Fulfilled.” Part of our awakening is to shake off our stupor and inactivity, especially when it is driven by fear.
We are bound by the fear that our abilities and skills are not substantial enough to undertake anything worthwhile. But, the truth is that God has given you everything you need to accomplish your purpose in Him. Before the world was made, He knew you. He gave you all that you need to complete your call.
We are fearful that what we have to offer is not important. But, when it comes to the Kingdom of God, all of our purposes are significant and needed! We are a body with many parts, and each of those parts is needed for the body to be successful and function correctly.
We are fearful about what other people will think about us, and we let that hold us back. We are scared of their criticism. We are scared about what they are going to think and say.
And, people will criticize you. People will talk about you. So, we become too scared to let our nails stick out. It becomes more comfortable and more safe to be at the same level as the other nails.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather be the nail that sticks out than the nail that has been beaten down to match society to the point that I blend in with everyone else. My Bible tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I was created with a unique skill set and personality to fulfill my purpose and ministry. I lose this when I try to conform not only to the world but also to man-made laws that focus less about my heart and more about an external performance.
When it comes down to it, I am not concerned with people’s outward show, appearance, or performance. I can’t see what is on their heart, and I have been fooled too many times by someone’s outward show, appearance, or performance. As 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
We are all uniquely, fearfully, wonderfully, and divinely made. We were not created to blend in and accept the status quo. We were created to stand out and be light and salt. I invite you to let your nail stick out as you use your gifts and talents to fulfill your purpose.
The Japanese have a proverb, “Deru kugi wa utareru.” It is translated as, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” Unfortunately, many of us have been hammered down to the point that we are not accomplishing our purpose and are stagnant. The theme of this issue of the PCC Scroll is “Awakening: Purpose Fulfilled.” Part of our awakening is to shake off our stupor and inactivity, especially when it is driven by fear.
We are bound by the fear that our abilities and skills are not substantial enough to undertake anything worthwhile. But, the truth is that God has given you everything you need to accomplish your purpose in Him. Before the world was made, He knew you. He gave you all that you need to complete your call.
We are fearful that what we have to offer is not important. But, when it comes to the Kingdom of God, all of our purposes are significant and needed! We are a body with many parts, and each of those parts is needed for the body to be successful and function correctly.
We are fearful about what other people will think about us, and we let that hold us back. We are scared of their criticism. We are scared about what they are going to think and say.
And, people will criticize you. People will talk about you. So, we become too scared to let our nails stick out. It becomes more comfortable and more safe to be at the same level as the other nails.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather be the nail that sticks out than the nail that has been beaten down to match society to the point that I blend in with everyone else. My Bible tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I was created with a unique skill set and personality to fulfill my purpose and ministry. I lose this when I try to conform not only to the world but also to man-made laws that focus less about my heart and more about an external performance.
When it comes down to it, I am not concerned with people’s outward show, appearance, or performance. I can’t see what is on their heart, and I have been fooled too many times by someone’s outward show, appearance, or performance. As 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
We are all uniquely, fearfully, wonderfully, and divinely made. We were not created to blend in and accept the status quo. We were created to stand out and be light and salt. I invite you to let your nail stick out as you use your gifts and talents to fulfill your purpose.
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