Tuesday, July 29, 2008

::Conferences, Tours, and Pirates, Oh My!::


Today was the ending of our fabulous conference. We went to so many different sessions where a variety of ambassador information was delivered. We also went on a spectacular walking tour of the PITT campus. As a side note, anyone who complains that we walk too much at mobap needs to go on a tour of this place....whew...I got in my walking quota for the month :-). Then we went on a bus tour of Pittsburgh, a place that has so much history and people take a lot of pride in. Finally we went to a Pittsburgh Pirates game which they won!! And I got to try a Pittsburghian staple the Cheesesteak sandwich which is not like a normal Philly cheesesteak but is a sandwich with the usual meat and cheese but also has french fries and coleslaw in the sandwich. Let's just say that I only ate half.

Monday, July 28, 2008

::Ambassadors Conference::


I thought based upon my last blog that I should clarify what kind of conference I am at and what exactly that I am learning. So as you know, Erica Jill and I are in Pittsburgh and we are at an ambassadors conference, which goes over the ins and outs of giving tours. I can't begin to say how much I have learned at this conference (and we have only been to two sessions). On top of all the learning, we are gaining ideas for our University from other fantastic schools alike and unlike our own. 
The best part is the passion that is inside of each one of us to change the University for the better, we want to see growth not just in numbers or championships but spiritually and relationally changing. We want a University that is bold about their faith and loves those that attend the establishment. We want to see people who welcome change but still hold onto some traditions that make the university unique. And we want to see other people with the same passion we have uniting for a cause. 
I will never forget the thought provoking conversations that we had in the Cathedral of Learning aka "the tower of knowledge"!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

::Was that a Blimp?::


So this is my last "vacation" of the summer...it is truly bitter sweet. This vacay involves two lovely ladies and a conference. That's right....conferences can be vacations too! So Jill, Erica and I piled into the schools Honda Pilot and hit the road this afternoon, nine hours later we are in this Cozy little Hampton not to far from Columbus! The conference starts tomorrow and is in Pittsburgh. So hopefully after a good nights sleep under the comfort of this lovely duvet, I will be ready to learn about how to give a great tour of a campus. It may not sound too exciting but I am sooo psyched to gain more knowledge about this topic and to get to know some new people! 
P.S. We were passing through Indy and saw this blimp...I don't think I have ever seen a blimp before!!!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

::The Dark Knight::


Tonight, a friend and I went out to dinner because she had just got back from a mission trip and then we wanted to see a movie, which ended up being The Dark Knight. 
First of all I love comic book heroes, but she didn't, and had the cards already stacked against the movie. But we both ended up loving it.
Some of my thoughts....
::What is with batman's voice? Really, How does he do that?
::Batman's "Bat mobile" or whatever it was called was much different than what I thought it would be. Usually it is a shiny new sports car, or something of the like. But this time it looked more like an all terrain vehicle. Plus it turned into an all terrain motorcycle...could it get any cooler?
::Could Heath Ledger do a better job? It was one of the best portrayed villains, I have seen yet.
I have yet to see any of the other batman movies and The Dark Knight had me on the edge of my seat and covering my eyes.
I give this movie a Roper and Ebert two thumb up!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

::Apples full of tears::


My goal this summer was to save up all of my money and buy myself a brand new wonderful computer. And as the summer begins to wane I am approaching my goal, as I have around $800 saved. I knew that soon I wouldn't be able to work and would be a little shy of my mac's $1200 price tag so I asked my beloved father if he would help me out a little.

Today at work I get a call from my dad asking if I would prefer a 13" or 15" screen. I am taken back a little and say 13", thinking he was questioning my judgement on choice of computer. He then basically says, "Good It will be there in 21 days". At first I am confused, did he really just by my mac for me? And then I am on the brink of tears (I know this sounds a little superficial as I hardly cry at anything) and cannot find the words to thank him. And don't know if I ever will.

I am so thankful for this wonderful gift and want to let my dad know that this means alot to me.

P.s. I think I know the perfect way to spend the money saved up..... a little trip to see my dad!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

::Wordle-It's like a word doodle::



This describes my blog to the world: And makes me conscious of what I write about!
Hope you enjoy!

Monday, July 21, 2008

::Tan Tar A: Bringing SAC together::

I must confess that on typical SAC trips I really don't get to relax that much, but this one was the exact opposite! Our "vacation" started with a quick meeting to go over some SAC Maintenance and then we were off to the lake. We arrived at TanTarA, which is an amazing resort next to the Lake of the Ozarks, and then got acclimated with our accommodations. This vacation was filled to the top with swimming, sunning, laughing and riding. Riding you ask? Yep that's right, we went horseback riding. I got the privilege of riding the tallest horse whose is affectionately named weasel. He definitely was a lot like me as he did not want to follow those around him and created his own path.

Overall, this is one of the most relaxing vacations I have had, despite the intense burn that my dear shoulders bear.

Monday, July 14, 2008

::My Big Fat Family Vacation::

So let me give you a day by day peak into my crazy vacation (prepare for a long Post).....

July 3: So my mommacita picks me up to go to lunch with my stepdad (thank you Dr. Lacey for a half day at work) and we go to this Kosher Deli Called Kohns Kosher Market and I had a wonderful Bison Burger. Then we are off to get our rental car Which is....a Mustang....yup that's right boys think of two mustang sallies!!!! So we were off....

July 4: We ended at a wonderful hotel and after a little breakfast we continued our trek to Tunkhannock Pennsylvania. After 16 hours and two days of driving we finally arrive and are whisked away to spend our fourth "livin it up". Our Cousin took us to the top of a large bank building and we saw all of the fireworks of the night from that location. It was the neatest fourth I have had. There is no way I could but the adequate words to it.

July 5: We spend the nights at the Shadowbrook "resort". I say "resort" very loosely. But we spent our Saturday cleaning, painting, washing and vacuuming my Great grandmothers house. This was such a ministry opportunity and I'm glad that I got to be part of it. I also got to see my family in a much different light.

July 6: My family went to my great grandmothers small country church, where everyone seems to be related. The message was wonderful and include some great patriotic quotes. What a mighty but fragile country we live in. Then the belle of the ball (my great grandmother) was put in her chariot (the mustang-that was a show) and taken to her 90th birthday party! I saw family there that I haven't seen since I was a very small child. I didn't remember most of them but it was nice to see all of the love that we have for this one special woman.

July 7: I like to call this day the "Great Switch", because the ball (myself) was handed off from one team (my mom) to the other team (my dad). And I spent another 7 hours in a car. Let me tell you this I have never seen a grown man get so excited about a trip to a furniture store. We passed an IKEA and the man practically dove off the deep end (but I heard a rumor that this need was fixed on the way home when they only spent two hours there). Finally we (my dad, Stan and I) arrived in Gaylord, Michigan.

July 8: I have to confess, I have never played many lawn games until this vacation. I played so many games of washers, lawn darts and badminton, that I was sure that my arm was going to fall off. But the uncontrollable laughter kept all of us going.

July 9: My grandfather and grandmother flowers came up to my grandma and pa chickens house. This is a rare occasion to see them together so we took it too our advantage and had a lovely time with them all.

July 10: During these days of great food, lawn games, poker and laughter, I got to talk with my family and see how they were doing. I love being with my dad and spending time with my sister.

July 11: This day we got to go up to Mackinac City and see lake Huron. While there we ate fish and chips and went shopping. We got back just in time to clean the house for the block party. This was an interesting experience and I learned alot about myself and others.

July 12: We got to sleep in after a late night and when we got up I got to see my grandfathers Airplane. He is an excellent Pilot and I really do admire him. Then we lounge around til our intense Euchre Tournament that was briefly interrupted by our dinner of pizza. Then we went to bed because we had a 6 am wake up call.

July 13: My Uncle, Sister and I pack up to head back to the Lou. Yes the vacation was over....

All in all I got to see my family (on both sides), and stay in two states. I learned tons of things about myself, and found out that I can spend about 40 hours in a car and SURVIVE!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

::Leave a Smile on my Face::

Some of my all-time favorites:

*Fuze - I love the stuff...I used to only find these guys at gas stations but now Walmart and Target carry them! The fruit flavors are so great...right now I am drinking Tangerine Grapefruit!
*Qdoba - Two summers ago I worked as a Shift manager at the Q, and I still love the food! My favorite is the Naked Chicken Queso Burrito with chips instead of a tortilla!
*Starbucks - Recently A friend gave me a couple of coupons for, get this, Free drinks.....that is right there is nothing better than a free tall frappacino...
*Love Spell Fragrance- I always get compliments on this perfume. This lovely smell was recommended by a good friend of mine and I have been stuck on it since!
*The perfect Picture - I love the feeling that a picture emanates. It just makes me smile real big.
*A verse that speaks directly- You know the kind that makes you think, Wow, my Savior loves me so much! Or Man I am so selfish.

these are the things that leave a smile on my face and a whistle on my lips...enjoy!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

::My Personality::

A couple of months ago I took a personality test and agreed with most of it, but I thought I would take it again and this is what I got.

According to typelogic.com The ESTJ is outspoken, a person of principles, which are readily expressed. The ESTJ is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right even in the face of overwhelming odds. ESTJs are able to make the tough calls.


And the website told me that the most well known person that shared my personality was Barbra Stanwyck. Hmmm...perhaps I should become an actress.