This week, my last week of school:
4 tests
4 quizzes
2 projects due
1 homework assignment of 40 problems
and only 2 classes.
Pray for me.
See you on the other side.
-A
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
It's Tuesday!
Like my title? Ha I couldn't think of anything else to put.
So this year I'm in a new apartment with new girls and I love it. There are 4 of us and 2 dogs. Seriously, I'm thrilled. I'm a MAJOR dog person, it's insane. In a month, two of the girls will be leaving, along with one dog, and I'm sad to see them go. We've all been getting along great. I'm so glad that at least one dog will be staying though. I know when I'm away from home, I miss my dog sometimes more than anything else. I mean, she sleeps with me every night! But even though I don't get to bring McKenzy with me to college, I still get a boxer to play with! She's still a puppy so it's tons of fun. She's in that awkward "teenage" stage where she's not used to her legs yet and thinks she's smaller than she really is. I love playing with her, even when I have to pry my fingers from her mouth from time-to-time. She's precious and I'm overjoyed that she'll be here for at least a year with me!
I just got out of my physics class. I can already tell that it will be the class I will have to really study for. It's not exactly a thrilling subject and it's at 8am and my focus is on the nap I'd really like to be taking! I know I know, bad student, but oh well. I'm even doing a good job of going to bed at a decent time (10:30ish) to get enough sleep to get up at 6:30.
This morning however I woke up at 5:10 coughing up blood. Can I just tell you how annoying and slightly scary that still is to me? Even though I understand it now, it still freaks me out. So I got up and took another Vit. K (I took one the night before because I felt that bloody cough coming on) and did my morning albuterol. It stopped mostly. I ended up just sleeping until 7 that morning hoping to give my body a little more rest. I think it worked. I'm not feeling fantastic and I'm a little wary because my lungs feel so fragile right now, but I'm still getting everything done that needs to be done. I'm going!
I have 152.4 hours on this Vest. To quote CFFatboy today, "Unbelievable to think of all that time we have to spend doing things others can't comprehend." Preach it! Dear "normal" people, can you imagine yourself in an inflatable vest being shaken for 20, 30, 60 minutes at a time every day? Being tethered to one spot for a lengthy amount of time? You can't write while doing the Vest, so homework is out. You kinda need headphones to hear anything while doing the Vest (plus the air compressor for treatments) but ear buds tickle while you're shaken. Don't eat or drink (that's really funny to try though). Don't forget, this is EVERY DAY! Crazy, huh? My friends have told my for years "I couldn't do what you do." Yes, if you had to and you knew nothing different, you could. But I see what they mean. They can't even comprehend having to be so constantly aware of their health status and planning a day with chunks of time set aside for treatments because it's not second nature to them like it is to me and my fellow CFers. Just a thought.
In case you live under a rock, the final Harry Potter movie comes out this Friday. Excited doesn't even begin to describe me. I literally get goosebumps every time I see a preview for it. I don't do midnight showings, or really crowded movies at all, but I'll go see this one early in the runnings. I'm stoked.
I'm also excited about that Dallas trip this weekend too with mama dearest. It really will be fun!
Oh I did some reading during my time of nothingness. I had mentioned reading the 7th Harry Potter book again, but I also read a few other books, such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I love that book. I went to B&N and bought Schindler's List. It's a hard read, but so far good. I'm having to put it on hold though with the fast pace of my summer classes. I'll have some time between summer classes and fall classes, so maybe I'll read some more then.
I guess I'm now just getting out all of my thoughts I had kept bottled up during the time I was "uninspired" to write. Enjoy!
-A
So this year I'm in a new apartment with new girls and I love it. There are 4 of us and 2 dogs. Seriously, I'm thrilled. I'm a MAJOR dog person, it's insane. In a month, two of the girls will be leaving, along with one dog, and I'm sad to see them go. We've all been getting along great. I'm so glad that at least one dog will be staying though. I know when I'm away from home, I miss my dog sometimes more than anything else. I mean, she sleeps with me every night! But even though I don't get to bring McKenzy with me to college, I still get a boxer to play with! She's still a puppy so it's tons of fun. She's in that awkward "teenage" stage where she's not used to her legs yet and thinks she's smaller than she really is. I love playing with her, even when I have to pry my fingers from her mouth from time-to-time. She's precious and I'm overjoyed that she'll be here for at least a year with me!
I just got out of my physics class. I can already tell that it will be the class I will have to really study for. It's not exactly a thrilling subject and it's at 8am and my focus is on the nap I'd really like to be taking! I know I know, bad student, but oh well. I'm even doing a good job of going to bed at a decent time (10:30ish) to get enough sleep to get up at 6:30.
This morning however I woke up at 5:10 coughing up blood. Can I just tell you how annoying and slightly scary that still is to me? Even though I understand it now, it still freaks me out. So I got up and took another Vit. K (I took one the night before because I felt that bloody cough coming on) and did my morning albuterol. It stopped mostly. I ended up just sleeping until 7 that morning hoping to give my body a little more rest. I think it worked. I'm not feeling fantastic and I'm a little wary because my lungs feel so fragile right now, but I'm still getting everything done that needs to be done. I'm going!
I have 152.4 hours on this Vest. To quote CFFatboy today, "Unbelievable to think of all that time we have to spend doing things others can't comprehend." Preach it! Dear "normal" people, can you imagine yourself in an inflatable vest being shaken for 20, 30, 60 minutes at a time every day? Being tethered to one spot for a lengthy amount of time? You can't write while doing the Vest, so homework is out. You kinda need headphones to hear anything while doing the Vest (plus the air compressor for treatments) but ear buds tickle while you're shaken. Don't eat or drink (that's really funny to try though). Don't forget, this is EVERY DAY! Crazy, huh? My friends have told my for years "I couldn't do what you do." Yes, if you had to and you knew nothing different, you could. But I see what they mean. They can't even comprehend having to be so constantly aware of their health status and planning a day with chunks of time set aside for treatments because it's not second nature to them like it is to me and my fellow CFers. Just a thought.
In case you live under a rock, the final Harry Potter movie comes out this Friday. Excited doesn't even begin to describe me. I literally get goosebumps every time I see a preview for it. I don't do midnight showings, or really crowded movies at all, but I'll go see this one early in the runnings. I'm stoked.
I'm also excited about that Dallas trip this weekend too with mama dearest. It really will be fun!
Oh I did some reading during my time of nothingness. I had mentioned reading the 7th Harry Potter book again, but I also read a few other books, such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I love that book. I went to B&N and bought Schindler's List. It's a hard read, but so far good. I'm having to put it on hold though with the fast pace of my summer classes. I'll have some time between summer classes and fall classes, so maybe I'll read some more then.
I guess I'm now just getting out all of my thoughts I had kept bottled up during the time I was "uninspired" to write. Enjoy!
-A
Monday, July 11, 2011
*sigh*..... Apologies and Excuses
So I've been very MIA and I apologize. I've not felt inspired to write. I've been a little down and feeling kind of couped up in my house. It's not that I don't enjoy my family time or I don't like being home, but when you've lived away for an extended amount of time, it's hard going back. I've also had trouble with the idea of summer where you do "nothing." As a CFer, I feel as though doing "nothing" for an extended amount of time is a waste of my precious time. Being bluntly realistic, and maybe even too fatalistic, but I don't have as much time to kill as my peers. They all have probably a good 20 years on me in the long run, at best, and I find that wasting a few months of "down time" is excessive and extremely frustrating. I cleaned the house one time. Not just dusted here and there. I SCRUBBED floors and made the house shine. I felt like I was actually doing something of value. My summer would have not been so frustrating had I not just been in summer limbo between Spring Quarter and the classes I was going to take in July (which started today). It wasn't enough time to get a job and it was time to repack for my new apartment just as finished unpacking. I, honestly, had fallen into a rut of mild depression. I would cry sometimes because I was so miserable doing nothing.
I had a doctor's appointment this past Tuesday, July 5. It didn't go well. During my rut of sadness and frustration, I neglected most things health-related. Well done, brainiac! So now, not only am I recovering from being upset, I'm not feeling well either. A downward spiral for sure. My doctor looked at my numbers and just flat out asked me... "what happened?" Then the tears began to flow. I just told her everything, about how lonely I was, how my break-up last March has taken a toll on me, how I hated being so bored, how I neglected my meds to be in control of something in my life, etc. etc. etc. With her understanding that these results were self-inflicted and not just me being sick for no reason, I was granted oral antibiotics for 3 weeks instead of IV ones. However, I go back in mid August for a re-test of PFTs. I'm about 85% back on track on everything as of right now. I'm trying, I really am. Habits are hard to break, especially bad ones. I'm also on a pill to make me hungry because my appetite has dropped significantly and I've lost 2lbs over the last few months. Bad bad bad.
I'm getting better though. I'm back in my college town with new and old friends and finally school! As much as I hate my 8am physics class, I feel like I have something worthwhile to do. I have a purpose again and something to keep my mind occupied. TV gets old really fast.
Also exciting, I'm going on a mother-daughter Dallas trip this weekend, Friday-Sunday including Six Flags and shopping! I finally feel like my mom has become more of a friend figure who I can talk to instead of an authority figure and I like that. We get along these days. I like finally being respected.
Sorry for not posting forever. I really would pull up a new post and just stare at the screen, feeling completely unmotivated to type. Even when I had things to say, the words wouldn't come so I just closed the screen.
Things are looking up. After having a very rough spring, and a frustrating summer, I feel there is only good ahead. I have hope, and that's a good thing.
-A
I had a doctor's appointment this past Tuesday, July 5. It didn't go well. During my rut of sadness and frustration, I neglected most things health-related. Well done, brainiac! So now, not only am I recovering from being upset, I'm not feeling well either. A downward spiral for sure. My doctor looked at my numbers and just flat out asked me... "what happened?" Then the tears began to flow. I just told her everything, about how lonely I was, how my break-up last March has taken a toll on me, how I hated being so bored, how I neglected my meds to be in control of something in my life, etc. etc. etc. With her understanding that these results were self-inflicted and not just me being sick for no reason, I was granted oral antibiotics for 3 weeks instead of IV ones. However, I go back in mid August for a re-test of PFTs. I'm about 85% back on track on everything as of right now. I'm trying, I really am. Habits are hard to break, especially bad ones. I'm also on a pill to make me hungry because my appetite has dropped significantly and I've lost 2lbs over the last few months. Bad bad bad.
I'm getting better though. I'm back in my college town with new and old friends and finally school! As much as I hate my 8am physics class, I feel like I have something worthwhile to do. I have a purpose again and something to keep my mind occupied. TV gets old really fast.
Also exciting, I'm going on a mother-daughter Dallas trip this weekend, Friday-Sunday including Six Flags and shopping! I finally feel like my mom has become more of a friend figure who I can talk to instead of an authority figure and I like that. We get along these days. I like finally being respected.
Sorry for not posting forever. I really would pull up a new post and just stare at the screen, feeling completely unmotivated to type. Even when I had things to say, the words wouldn't come so I just closed the screen.
Things are looking up. After having a very rough spring, and a frustrating summer, I feel there is only good ahead. I have hope, and that's a good thing.
-A
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Summer, goals
Well hi! MIA as usual, my apologies.
I'm just enjoying my summer days before I head back to school in July. I'm almost completely unpacked (ha! Said it would take until half of June) but I've been doing other things too. I finished my scholarship application, turned it in, visited friends I haven't seen in what seems like forever, spent quality time with family, reread the 7th Harry Potter book (since the movie comes out July 15), and shopping for my new apartment. So while I've been busy, it feels like I haven't done much at all!
---------------
Goals. I have been told all my life to set goals for myself. I have avoided admitting to making goals for the fear of not reaching them. However now, I see goals in my future that I'm striving for whether I reach them or not.
I reached one goal after my freshman year of college: stay out of the hospital for my first year! I managed to stretch my accomplishment over my second year of college too. My new goal is that I can stay out of the hospital all my college life, including grad school. It's going to take a lot of work, a lot of perseverance, and a lot of doing stuff I really don't want to do. But this is my goal and it benefits many people, not just myself. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fight for people who aren't even a thought yet? My future family is far from being created, but I'm fighting every day to spend time with them. An RT once told me that when I do treatment, I'm not fighting for today, I'm fighting for tomorrow. I'm fighting for my kids' first days of school, for their soccer games, for their graduations and weddings and their kids too. I'm fighting to have those moments with THEM, not to have more time for myself. See the difference?
From this side of the screen, it seems like people who already have their families have an easier time fighting because they have eyes to look into and think to themselves "I'm doing this for you." I've been trying to do that with my niece and nephew. I want to be around to be their aunt for many years to come. I want them to see me live a wonderful life of many years with them. I don't want them to grow up and remember me as the aunt they don't remember so well because I passed away too young from some terrible disease and they didn't know me very well. That would be my life's regret. The same goes for my kids one day. I NEVER want them to say that they don't remember their mom because I passed away before they really knew me. That's why I'm fighting. That's why pictures of my niece and nephew are so dear to me. Those are the eyes I look into right now and say "I'm fighting for you."
-Annie
I'm just enjoying my summer days before I head back to school in July. I'm almost completely unpacked (ha! Said it would take until half of June) but I've been doing other things too. I finished my scholarship application, turned it in, visited friends I haven't seen in what seems like forever, spent quality time with family, reread the 7th Harry Potter book (since the movie comes out July 15), and shopping for my new apartment. So while I've been busy, it feels like I haven't done much at all!
---------------
Goals. I have been told all my life to set goals for myself. I have avoided admitting to making goals for the fear of not reaching them. However now, I see goals in my future that I'm striving for whether I reach them or not.
I reached one goal after my freshman year of college: stay out of the hospital for my first year! I managed to stretch my accomplishment over my second year of college too. My new goal is that I can stay out of the hospital all my college life, including grad school. It's going to take a lot of work, a lot of perseverance, and a lot of doing stuff I really don't want to do. But this is my goal and it benefits many people, not just myself. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fight for people who aren't even a thought yet? My future family is far from being created, but I'm fighting every day to spend time with them. An RT once told me that when I do treatment, I'm not fighting for today, I'm fighting for tomorrow. I'm fighting for my kids' first days of school, for their soccer games, for their graduations and weddings and their kids too. I'm fighting to have those moments with THEM, not to have more time for myself. See the difference?
From this side of the screen, it seems like people who already have their families have an easier time fighting because they have eyes to look into and think to themselves "I'm doing this for you." I've been trying to do that with my niece and nephew. I want to be around to be their aunt for many years to come. I want them to see me live a wonderful life of many years with them. I don't want them to grow up and remember me as the aunt they don't remember so well because I passed away too young from some terrible disease and they didn't know me very well. That would be my life's regret. The same goes for my kids one day. I NEVER want them to say that they don't remember their mom because I passed away before they really knew me. That's why I'm fighting. That's why pictures of my niece and nephew are so dear to me. Those are the eyes I look into right now and say "I'm fighting for you."
-Annie
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Summer. Finally.
The quarter from hell is over. I literally have had the worst quarter so far. It could have been worse, yes, but man this quarter was rough. However, despite all that happened, I still ended with a good GPA!
Enough about the past quarter, it's time to move on. It's time for... SUMMER!!! So far, my summer has been pretty chill, which is how I like it. There has been a lot of Harry Potter Weekend watching. My latest project is going through all the stuff I brought home and trying to weave it back into all the stuff I had left at home and make it all fit. I did clothes first and I have a VERY large stack of clothing/shoes that is going to Goodwill. This is quite a project, but I've got several days to get it done. I also have a scholarship application due soon that I need to get a move on doing. And then come July, I move back to Ruston! So little time! The last thing I want to happen is by the end of June, I finally have my stuff unpacked and situated for living at home, and then I have to turn around and pack it all up again for my new apartment! That would happen to me, lol.
I ordered some CF Silly Bandz recently and they arrived!! I'm so excited! Hear me out, I've *never* had the desire to wear Silly Bandz before in my life. Never. Just never felt the urge to buy a pack to wear or see what the shapes are. But then one day I found the CF Silly Bandz and that was the day I decided I wanted to wear Silly Bandz, but only these. Check them out:
CF Silly Bandz
They compliment my CF Awareness Band from Fatboy quite nicely. My right arm is all "Cure CF"ed out.
Me? I'm doing well. Excited about the future and what it may hold. It's a good day.
-Annie
Enough about the past quarter, it's time to move on. It's time for... SUMMER!!! So far, my summer has been pretty chill, which is how I like it. There has been a lot of Harry Potter Weekend watching. My latest project is going through all the stuff I brought home and trying to weave it back into all the stuff I had left at home and make it all fit. I did clothes first and I have a VERY large stack of clothing/shoes that is going to Goodwill. This is quite a project, but I've got several days to get it done. I also have a scholarship application due soon that I need to get a move on doing. And then come July, I move back to Ruston! So little time! The last thing I want to happen is by the end of June, I finally have my stuff unpacked and situated for living at home, and then I have to turn around and pack it all up again for my new apartment! That would happen to me, lol.
I ordered some CF Silly Bandz recently and they arrived!! I'm so excited! Hear me out, I've *never* had the desire to wear Silly Bandz before in my life. Never. Just never felt the urge to buy a pack to wear or see what the shapes are. But then one day I found the CF Silly Bandz and that was the day I decided I wanted to wear Silly Bandz, but only these. Check them out:
CF Silly Bandz
They compliment my CF Awareness Band from Fatboy quite nicely. My right arm is all "Cure CF"ed out.
Me? I'm doing well. Excited about the future and what it may hold. It's a good day.
-Annie
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Benefit of having CF
So of course the most obvious main benefit of the common CF patient is the ability to eat whatever and not be the size of a house. My body and I decided to take full benefit of that "gift" from CF and I eat WHATEVER I want at any hour, and fight to put on the pounds. However, that "gift" sits at the top of my list tied with another: my abs.
I have mentioned this before, but it becomes ever more obvious during swimsuit season and since I've been coughing more lately. My abs and my back are ripped and I love it. If I'm wearing just a sports bra and some sweat pants, I look like I should be in a work-out video as the trainer. Y'all, I'm PROUD of my body. Ask 100 other 20 year old girls that and see if you can ever get that answer again. Having CF has definitely gifted me with a strong and healthy-looking core body that I'm proud of.
Also, school ends WEDNESDAY then I'm home for until the start of July. Then back to school.
See you on the other side of finals!
-Andrea
I have mentioned this before, but it becomes ever more obvious during swimsuit season and since I've been coughing more lately. My abs and my back are ripped and I love it. If I'm wearing just a sports bra and some sweat pants, I look like I should be in a work-out video as the trainer. Y'all, I'm PROUD of my body. Ask 100 other 20 year old girls that and see if you can ever get that answer again. Having CF has definitely gifted me with a strong and healthy-looking core body that I'm proud of.
Also, school ends WEDNESDAY then I'm home for until the start of July. Then back to school.
See you on the other side of finals!
-Andrea
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Health update + family time
My doctor's appointment was on Tuesday and my sinus infection was dying down, but I was still concerned. However, my numbers were, even to the hundreth (0.01) decimal place, the EXACT same as in January!!! That's huge! I'm thrilled. My doctor and I looked over my PFTs for the last 4 years, and I have been between 60%-80% and overall very consistent. She is thrilled with my overall health over the last several years (really, my whole life) and how even with so many changes (ending soccer, going to college away from home, growing up, etc.) I've stayed healthy and consistent! I've got CF on lockdown, yall.
I did lose a pound, but we contributed it to my antibiotic which has seriously curbed my appetite lately. They're not worried about it.
I went home for Easter break and have enjoyed all of my family time! I've hung out with Carter and the newest edition to our family, my cousin baby Louis! We've dyed eggs, Carter had an Easter egg hunt, and played a fun game knowns as "Laugh Your Face Off." (Anjea, it has to do with words/drawings similar to pictionary and you have be banned from playing it with us!! lol just kidding)
Only 4 more weeks of school, then SUMMER! I cannot wait. I don't think I'm ready to move home, I like living away actually (oops, mom don't read that!), but I'm definitely ready for a break. I'm taking summer school in July and moving into my new off-campus apartment on July 1st. I think a month at home will be nice. I'm doing a little bit of travelling during June too, (New Orleans, California, etc.) so it won't be just a month of being home, bored.
Oh, more family time! Just got invited to play some cards, one of my favourite family activities. Probably a wild game of "I Hate This Game" is about to break out. Always fun! :)
Have a nice Easter everyone!
-Annie
I did lose a pound, but we contributed it to my antibiotic which has seriously curbed my appetite lately. They're not worried about it.
I went home for Easter break and have enjoyed all of my family time! I've hung out with Carter and the newest edition to our family, my cousin baby Louis! We've dyed eggs, Carter had an Easter egg hunt, and played a fun game knowns as "Laugh Your Face Off." (Anjea, it has to do with words/drawings similar to pictionary and you have be banned from playing it with us!! lol just kidding)
Only 4 more weeks of school, then SUMMER! I cannot wait. I don't think I'm ready to move home, I like living away actually (oops, mom don't read that!), but I'm definitely ready for a break. I'm taking summer school in July and moving into my new off-campus apartment on July 1st. I think a month at home will be nice. I'm doing a little bit of travelling during June too, (New Orleans, California, etc.) so it won't be just a month of being home, bored.
Oh, more family time! Just got invited to play some cards, one of my favourite family activities. Probably a wild game of "I Hate This Game" is about to break out. Always fun! :)
Have a nice Easter everyone!
-Annie
Thursday, July 22, 2010
VBS + Dixie
So I'm exhausted from chasing 4-5 year olds this week. I've been doing craft projects at church and at home for these sweet [read: wild] kids and I'm beat! I've been with the boyfriend when I can since he's going to be gone to visit his sister again this weekend. So I'm putting off things like cleaning until then when I'll have more time. I'm finished the Vest/treatment at the moment which is why I'm still up. Mom and I just spent the last hour planning details of our Boston trip! It's so close!! I'm getting extremely excited. I'm not sure how I'm going to work Cayston into this trip, since I'll be on it while I'm there, but I'll manage!
I feel like posting a few pictures of Dixie, my last dog before McKenzy. Dixie died the summer before my senior year. I made the very difficult decision to put her down because she was so, so sick. I still miss her a whole lot, despite having McK. They are two
very different dogs. Dixie was very passive while McK is a much more active and crazy dog. They were/are both very sweet however. Dixie will always have a special place in my heart. I want to post a few pictures because I don't believe she really ev
er made it on the blog and she was such an important part of my life for so long (11 years) that it's only right she gets some air time!
So here we go: I love and miss you Dixie!
It won't let me post the last picture. Well I can, but it's rotated the wrong way. Never had that happen before. Odd.
-Annie
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Freshman year of college.... *check*
Dear readers: I am a very happy happy person right now. All of the stress of finals has been released. My freshman year of college is over with. The summer has hit me. It's time to RELAX.
The last few days has had some serious ups and downs. Let's recap
Ups:
Finished my chem & biology final, both on good notes
aka the stress of finals is GONE
Finished my dose of Bactrim!
KEPT MY A IN BIOLOGY!!!!!!!!!!
Actually got an adequate amount of sleep during finals
Erin, Anjea's sister, had her baby girl!!!
I got a 98% on my biology lab final! So I got a 99.5 in the class.
Downs:
Chris left for the summer
I've felt more sick than healthy
Didn't finish my OWL (chemistry homework)
I fight when I get stressed so stupid little fights with Chris over nothing.
My room looks so barren now that all the stuff is gone. It echoes when I cough. Kinda weird.
I could have made a 100% or a 58% on my psych final and kept my B. I did.
I got an 89 B in math. So annoyed.
So left to do is final packing/loading, CLEANING the apartment with the roomie, playing some Scrabble (for fun with friends before the summer) and going home either today or Friday (haven't decided...)
It's been a great first year and I'm ending with a pretty great GPA. :]
So long college! I'll see you again soon enough.
-Annie
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Is it over yet?
Seriously. Make this week end. I'm so ready for Thursday after 9am or so. Then I can pack up, load up, play some mad scrabble with friends, and GO HOME. Currently, at 12:37am on Wednesday "morning", I have 2 finals remaining.
Please.
Let.
This.
End.
Very soon.
I miss my family, and real food, and my puppy. No, I'm not in a depressed mood, I'm just ready to be home. The sad part is Chris leaves Wednesday afternoon/evening to go back home then he's away more than home until early July. Then, the day after he gets back, I leave to work the Gear Up camp. So I won't see too much of him this summer, and that makes me sad, but it's part of life. He's busy, I'm busy, and unfortunately, we're not busy at the same time!
Ok. It's bed time. Ragan is coming by at 9am to study more. *yawn* here we gooooo
-Annie
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Where has the time gone?
Between trips, orientation for college, and having a broken laptop, TIME HAS FLOWN! But Lappy is mostly repaired and I'm back. The only thing that's really current is that shopping for college is more fun than pretty much most anything else. I am *giddy* at times. Part of me is eager to move into my apartment and part of me is content here at home for the summer. Either way, I get to enjoy the summer until I get to move into my apartment so I guess I win both ways?
Nothing else to really update on. Oh, except I had a Dr. appt yesterday and I had gained 5 lbs since my appointment in April. For those who don't know, that's a big deal and a VERY good thing. So yay!!
-Andrea
Nothing else to really update on. Oh, except I had a Dr. appt yesterday and I had gained 5 lbs since my appointment in April. For those who don't know, that's a big deal and a VERY good thing. So yay!!
-Andrea
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Deep Thoughts
I've been on two trips lately and have had a lot of time to just think. Here is where I get those thoughts out, so here we go.
Well wait. First a basic update: Boston was amazing (choir tour) in so many ways and Myrtle Beach (Emmons family vaca) was too in a completely different way. I loved both trips and had tons of fun at each. Boston: Spiritual growth, friendship growth, hard work in God's name, outreach, service, music and STOMP, and a whole new place. Myrtle Beach: "family" growth, deep chats on the beach, parasailing, shopping, doing beachy-things, people watching, and just a really awesome time with a family I feel I'm a part of.
Ok. Now it's time for deep thoughts. (Kid, brace yourself for part of this...) [And people, this is just me talking. I'm not looking for an argument, just stating my own personal thoughts. Don't be offended by any of this. Don't like it? Don't read it.]
Churches and religion can be such a touchy topic for many people, and while I may get defensive about it sometimes, I still find it very interesting to read up on. While in Boston, I went on a prayer walk route that passed two Jewish temples, a Kabbalah center, and a Devotional Elementary school. The Jewish temples were not like anything I've seen here in Shreveport. They were large and majestic, towering over neighboring buildings. We had planned to enter one if we had had more time, but unfortunately we didn't. The Devotional Elementary school was the only Bible elementary school in Boston. We're not sure of the exact teachings that went on because while sitting outside of it, we noticed children of obviously differing faiths on the playground. While this surprised me seeing as I wouldn't let my child attend a school that spent time each day teaching out of the Qur'an or the Torah, seeing as I'm a strong Christian, it also reminded me that there are people of other faiths at Loyola, for example. Just because they are forced to sit in Mass doesn't mean they are forced to participate. It is still a mind-blowing concept to me. The Kabbalah center was very interesting to me. I had never heard of Kabbalistic teachings until this prayer walk. There was a sign outside the center to explain their teachings. Here is basically what it said, "Kabbalah — the world’s oldest body of spiritual wisdom — contains the long-hidden keys to the secrets of the universe as well as the keys to the mysteries of the human heart and soul. Kabbalistic teachings explain the complexities of the material and the nonmaterial universe, as well as the physical and metaphysical nature of all humanity. Kabbalah shows in detail, how to navigate that vast terrain in order to remove every form of chaos, pain, and suffering. For thousands of years, the great kabbalistic sages have taught that every human being is born with the potential for greatness. Kabbalah is the means for activating that potential. Kabbalah has always been meant to be used, not just learned. Its purpose is to bring clarity, understanding, and freedom to our lives — and ultimately to erase even itself." (Ref.)
Interesting. Especially that last line: "and ultimately to erase even itself." Wow. The thing about this teaching is that is sounds so promising, so wonderful, so.... so sad. It's just sad. Searching for truth within yourself will be in vain because we don't hold the Truth. But that's a whole 'nother topic that I'm not going to post because I've already stepped into some touchy stuff. Moving on.
On choir tour, we have this thing called Senior Affirmation. This event is every evening where one senior has to sit in front of the rest of the choir for a while and let everyone say affirming things about them. It's sometimes very emotional because it's a way of saying goodbye too. As I sit and listen to everyone affirm the seniors (and myself), I hear one phrase so many times in various ways: "You've been through so much." That should not be the case. As I started my list, I counted for sure 8 out of the 15 seniors who had been through, or are still going through, something tragic, extremely difficult, and burden bearing. It ranges from loss of parents, serious sibling issues, dea-th, alcohol, depression, and then of course me and my health. I was floored when I really sat and thought about it. This isn't even counting the underclassmen who are dealing with the same things. Why is life so rough that by age 18, we've already been through so, so much?? Is it to shape us to the person we are supposed to be? To build character? Or just drawing the short straw? Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans for us, not to harm us but plan to make us prosper. I fully rely on that, but when I can't see what God sees, I have trouble understanding why we go through "so much."
I've started a scripture journal. I have these moments, struggles, and friends and sometimes I just need to pull a scripture out of the air about [insert topic]. So I've created this organized compilation of scripture so that when I need a verse about [worry, dea-th, God's faithfulness, strength, etc.], I have it on hand. It's been a blessing to create it (I still have a long ways to go) and I encourage everyone to do the same. Even if you feel like you aren't that close to God and yet have the desire to be, this is a *fantastic* way to indulge in His Word. To find these verses, I pull from my daily devotional, Sunday School, the sermon, Hallmark cards, ANYWHERE I find a valid scripture that fits under a category. I have a long list of topics so let me know if you need ideas or a verse. :]
While sitting on the beach this past week, I asked my dear sorta-sister, "What makes the beach so beautiful?" Feel free to answer but I have mine. It's the same thing that makes bad words bad and parachute pants popular in the 1980s: because society says so. When generations of people have said the beach is romantic and beautiful and revolved honeymoons, cards, and "long walks on the beach" as a romantic notion for so many years, it's ingrained in our minds that it is so. Don't get me wrong: I'm in the same boat because I think the beach is gorgeous, but I was simply asking, "Why?"
This is quick and simple. Betsy, you might want to answer this part for me if you want. God commands us to follow the laws and authorities placed over us (as long as they don't conflict with God's commands). It would be a sin to disobey or break the laws seeing as that's not respecting authority. I drive without shoes on, which is against the law. Am I sinning every time I get in the car and kick off my shoes to drive? Do Catholics who go to confession remember sins like that too when asking for forgiveness? I'm serious though, is that a sin?
(MRE, this is the part you need to possibly skip over?)
Ok, I'm not going to give background on this because it's not my place, but I got to thinking that in a weird, twisted way, dealing with the loss of a sibling very early on is in a way like dealing with a chronic disease. There is a situation I'm aware of where a friend of mine lost her older sister before she (my friend) was born. A few months before she was born, actually. So the question is raised: when asked if she has any siblings, is it a yes or a no?
Sometimes I have those days where I cough more than usual for me. As any good caring person would do, they ask, "are you sick?" Is it a yes or a no?
While my friend may not have a sister living, she HAD a sister. In her place, I would answer "no" in the same way I say "no, I'm not sick," simply because I don't owe anyone an explaination of my health nor does she her family situation. [To my friend:] In the same way that by me saying "no, I'm fine", my health problems don't disappear, neither does Danielle when you say "no, I'm an only child." Just my 2-cents. :]
END DEEP THOUGHTS.
Whew it's 1 o'clock
-Andrea
Well wait. First a basic update: Boston was amazing (choir tour) in so many ways and Myrtle Beach (Emmons family vaca) was too in a completely different way. I loved both trips and had tons of fun at each. Boston: Spiritual growth, friendship growth, hard work in God's name, outreach, service, music and STOMP, and a whole new place. Myrtle Beach: "family" growth, deep chats on the beach, parasailing, shopping, doing beachy-things, people watching, and just a really awesome time with a family I feel I'm a part of.
Ok. Now it's time for deep thoughts. (Kid, brace yourself for part of this...) [And people, this is just me talking. I'm not looking for an argument, just stating my own personal thoughts. Don't be offended by any of this. Don't like it? Don't read it.]
Churches and religion can be such a touchy topic for many people, and while I may get defensive about it sometimes, I still find it very interesting to read up on. While in Boston, I went on a prayer walk route that passed two Jewish temples, a Kabbalah center, and a Devotional Elementary school. The Jewish temples were not like anything I've seen here in Shreveport. They were large and majestic, towering over neighboring buildings. We had planned to enter one if we had had more time, but unfortunately we didn't. The Devotional Elementary school was the only Bible elementary school in Boston. We're not sure of the exact teachings that went on because while sitting outside of it, we noticed children of obviously differing faiths on the playground. While this surprised me seeing as I wouldn't let my child attend a school that spent time each day teaching out of the Qur'an or the Torah, seeing as I'm a strong Christian, it also reminded me that there are people of other faiths at Loyola, for example. Just because they are forced to sit in Mass doesn't mean they are forced to participate. It is still a mind-blowing concept to me. The Kabbalah center was very interesting to me. I had never heard of Kabbalistic teachings until this prayer walk. There was a sign outside the center to explain their teachings. Here is basically what it said, "Kabbalah — the world’s oldest body of spiritual wisdom — contains the long-hidden keys to the secrets of the universe as well as the keys to the mysteries of the human heart and soul. Kabbalistic teachings explain the complexities of the material and the nonmaterial universe, as well as the physical and metaphysical nature of all humanity. Kabbalah shows in detail, how to navigate that vast terrain in order to remove every form of chaos, pain, and suffering. For thousands of years, the great kabbalistic sages have taught that every human being is born with the potential for greatness. Kabbalah is the means for activating that potential. Kabbalah has always been meant to be used, not just learned. Its purpose is to bring clarity, understanding, and freedom to our lives — and ultimately to erase even itself." (Ref.)
Interesting. Especially that last line: "and ultimately to erase even itself." Wow. The thing about this teaching is that is sounds so promising, so wonderful, so.... so sad. It's just sad. Searching for truth within yourself will be in vain because we don't hold the Truth. But that's a whole 'nother topic that I'm not going to post because I've already stepped into some touchy stuff. Moving on.
On choir tour, we have this thing called Senior Affirmation. This event is every evening where one senior has to sit in front of the rest of the choir for a while and let everyone say affirming things about them. It's sometimes very emotional because it's a way of saying goodbye too. As I sit and listen to everyone affirm the seniors (and myself), I hear one phrase so many times in various ways: "You've been through so much." That should not be the case. As I started my list, I counted for sure 8 out of the 15 seniors who had been through, or are still going through, something tragic, extremely difficult, and burden bearing. It ranges from loss of parents, serious sibling issues, dea-th, alcohol, depression, and then of course me and my health. I was floored when I really sat and thought about it. This isn't even counting the underclassmen who are dealing with the same things. Why is life so rough that by age 18, we've already been through so, so much?? Is it to shape us to the person we are supposed to be? To build character? Or just drawing the short straw? Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans for us, not to harm us but plan to make us prosper. I fully rely on that, but when I can't see what God sees, I have trouble understanding why we go through "so much."
I've started a scripture journal. I have these moments, struggles, and friends and sometimes I just need to pull a scripture out of the air about [insert topic]. So I've created this organized compilation of scripture so that when I need a verse about [worry, dea-th, God's faithfulness, strength, etc.], I have it on hand. It's been a blessing to create it (I still have a long ways to go) and I encourage everyone to do the same. Even if you feel like you aren't that close to God and yet have the desire to be, this is a *fantastic* way to indulge in His Word. To find these verses, I pull from my daily devotional, Sunday School, the sermon, Hallmark cards, ANYWHERE I find a valid scripture that fits under a category. I have a long list of topics so let me know if you need ideas or a verse. :]
While sitting on the beach this past week, I asked my dear sorta-sister, "What makes the beach so beautiful?" Feel free to answer but I have mine. It's the same thing that makes bad words bad and parachute pants popular in the 1980s: because society says so. When generations of people have said the beach is romantic and beautiful and revolved honeymoons, cards, and "long walks on the beach" as a romantic notion for so many years, it's ingrained in our minds that it is so. Don't get me wrong: I'm in the same boat because I think the beach is gorgeous, but I was simply asking, "Why?"
This is quick and simple. Betsy, you might want to answer this part for me if you want. God commands us to follow the laws and authorities placed over us (as long as they don't conflict with God's commands). It would be a sin to disobey or break the laws seeing as that's not respecting authority. I drive without shoes on, which is against the law. Am I sinning every time I get in the car and kick off my shoes to drive? Do Catholics who go to confession remember sins like that too when asking for forgiveness? I'm serious though, is that a sin?
(MRE, this is the part you need to possibly skip over?)
Ok, I'm not going to give background on this because it's not my place, but I got to thinking that in a weird, twisted way, dealing with the loss of a sibling very early on is in a way like dealing with a chronic disease. There is a situation I'm aware of where a friend of mine lost her older sister before she (my friend) was born. A few months before she was born, actually. So the question is raised: when asked if she has any siblings, is it a yes or a no?
Sometimes I have those days where I cough more than usual for me. As any good caring person would do, they ask, "are you sick?" Is it a yes or a no?
While my friend may not have a sister living, she HAD a sister. In her place, I would answer "no" in the same way I say "no, I'm not sick," simply because I don't owe anyone an explaination of my health nor does she her family situation. [To my friend:] In the same way that by me saying "no, I'm fine", my health problems don't disappear, neither does Danielle when you say "no, I'm an only child." Just my 2-cents. :]
END DEEP THOUGHTS.
Whew it's 1 o'clock
-Andrea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)