tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46069027046172901972023-11-16T10:07:21.302-05:00Thinking OutloudGeorgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-22885121203350216542011-05-22T22:50:00.001-04:002011-05-22T22:54:47.905-04:00Roughly 638 Metro Rides Later...Yes, I am doing the obligatory "I've been in DC for a year" blog post. The first thing I thought of this morning was "Season's of Love" from <i>Rent</i>, so I wanted to decide how <i>I</i> measured a year. It seemed too boring to say work days, and though I used to be able to measure them in Sonic diet cokes, that fell by the wayside this year (I still feel badly for the whole Sonic Corporation for their monetary loss this year from my lack of patronage, but I will make it up to them if/when I move back to a land where Sonic drinks flow abundantly). Then, ah ha! Metro rides. I do it every day, twice a day--sometimes more. So after counting up the days that I know I've been out of town this past year and did not ride the metro, plus factoring in a few days (especially during FunEmployment) when I didn't ride the metro at all, plus several days when I've ridden more than twice, I've come up with 638 metro rides, averaging about 17 minutes a ride, which means I've spent a little over 2% of my year on the metro. <br />
<br />
So what have I been doing with the other 98% of the year, you may be asking yourself...funny you should ask...<br />
<ul><li>I've learned how to manage my finances (which is an especially large feat with you don't make a lot, but live in a place where everything costs a lot).</li>
<li>I've learned that the people you least expect end up being your best friends, and vice versa.</li>
<li>I've learned to love Arkansas and Southern culture even more than I used to (yes, my accent too!).</li>
<li>I've formed an irreplaceable bond with a roommate, turned friend, turned sister.</li>
<li>I've found that turning on "Friends" is the best escape and proves to be pretty applicable.</li>
<li>I've cried over friends and family that I left in Arkansas.</li>
<li>I've rejoiced in making friends that have turned into my family here.</li>
<li>I'm learning (I wish this could be in past tense) patience in the future and "figuring things out," with making decisions, with people, and with the metro.</li>
<li>I've learned that not having a Sonic diet coke at happy hour every day won't exactly kill you, especially if you replace it with an after-work happy hour.</li>
<li>I've learned that you really <i>can't</i> help you fall in love with. </li>
<li>I've learned how important a church community is for support and growth.</li>
<li>I've learned that the best way to make girl friends is through a lot of prayer and honing in on guy friends' girlfriends. </li>
<li>I've discovered that I abhor winter.</li>
<li>I've learned to try new cuisines and cocktails. </li>
<li>I've learned how to say good-bye. </li>
<li>I've become a Washington Nationals fan. </li>
<li>And finally, I've learned that I have zero control over my circumstances, and that life is<i> so</i> much better because I don't. </li>
</ul>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-73662797973035015762011-04-25T11:14:00.001-04:002011-04-25T11:22:55.374-04:00So No One Told You Life Was Gonna Be This Way...As all note-worthy things begin, one day I awoke with an idea. An idea that I thought was brilliant--I'll plan a trip to Arkansas to visit best friend Becca and the boyfriend. With my living on the East Coast and Becca's severe case of the travel bug, I knew the chances of us seeing each other before August were slim to none, and plus, I'm always looking for excuses these days to see Carter. After consulting boyfriend, we got the grand idea of surprising Becca for her birthday weekend. I called <a href="http://whatigetforthinking.blogspot.com/">Johanna</a> to get her thoughts and clue her in on the plan, and we decided it was, in fact, brilliant.<br />
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Next pay day rolls around, and I look online at tickets. The prices are pretty decent, but seeing as I'm not very spontaneous, especially with money, I got very nervous buying the ticket (and yes, I'm well aware that purchasing something three weeks in advance isn't necessarily "spontaneous," but that's how non-spontaneous I am), but eventually just said 1-2-3, go, and did it.<br />
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Now the trip is set in stone, I just have to keep my mouth shut with Becca. I tend to get excited about things, and I definitely didn't want to ruin the surprise, so I had to be especially guarded when talking to her on the phone. She didn't make it easy with saying things like, "Who is going to plan my birthday this year?! I need you to be here!" and "I just really don't think we <i>will</i> get to see each other before I go to South Africa for the summer!" etc... I am proud to say that I was a rock--I let nothing on. And poor Johanna had to live with Becca and keep the secret. I got off easy in comparison!<br />
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Fiiiiiiinally, it's Friday, April 8th. I'd cleared it with the bosses to leave early to catch my flight, and off to the airport I went. Donning nude three-and-a-half-inch heels, skinny jeans, and a blazer, I felt the right mix of causal and professional, and was excited for boyfriend to pick me up at the airport in Little Rock. It was further confirmed it was going to be a good day when there was a Potbelly's next to my gate, so I could snag a milkshake before taking off.<br />
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The weather was kind of gloomy and rainy, but no storms, so I wasn't anxious at all about delays or turbulence. We began to board the plane (on time I might add), but since I was one of the last people on and the flight was full, the overhead compartments were at capacity. The flight attendants offered to check my bag for free (soapbox from Dad--nothing is ever free; I'm beginning to believe him), so I thought I was good to go. I got on the plane, and sat next to the nicest gentleman. We talked politics, medicine, religion, and family before I even realized almost thirty minutes had passed and we were still on the ground in DC. I checked the time of my next flight, and I would still have an hour layover, so I wasn't reaching panic mode--yet. Shortly thereafter, we took off, so again, my mind was at ease. I read my book, and continued to chat with the military surgeon from Colorado Springs next to me. The pilot came over the intercom to announce that we had to take a long route to avoid a storm system, but still, I would have approximately 45 minutes to get from point A to point B at DFW, even so I could sense myself becoming anxious. When we touched down several minutes later at DFW, I lost my sense of worry, because I was going to, in fact, have 45 minutes before my plane was to take off. We were taxiing around the airport, and my new friend and I noticed that we seemed to be going in circles. It turns out, we were! We circled the DFW airport for an <i>hour</i>. I literally watched myself miss my flight as time ticked by.<br />
<br />
Determined to not lose this battle though, and knowing how many times I prayed on the tarmac (ask and ye shall receive, right?), I had a small glimmer of hope that the flight had waited on me. I mean, I was going to Arkansas to see my boyfriend and to surprise my best friend. How could American Airlines deprive me of that?! After sprinting through the airport (mind you I'm still wearing the aforementioned heels), I get to the gate, catch my breath, and the attendant at the gate chuckles, and said I missed the flight by 25 minutes. I'm not sure if it was her laughing at me, or just all the anxiety coming to surface, but I erupted into tears. That's right, in the airport, like a two year old. So I asked a man (who was also on my flight; not as nice as Colorado Springs) if he wanted to rent a car and drive from Dallas to Little Rock. He looked at me like I was crazy (really, who can blame him?), and shook his head no. So, I do the only sensible thing--call Carter and sob. He is, of course, in the car with Governor Beebe, who has to a) listen to me sound like a lunatic and b) try and help calm me down, which the poor man had no idea was a losing battle. To make a long story short, Carter decided to drive from Little Rock to Dallas to meet me.<br />
<br />
The airline gave me a hotel voucher at what I was sure was going to be a sketch hotel. So, I called Tina and Drew, who were luckily in Dallas that weekend, and they picked me up from the airport, took me to get food and to check out this place. Turns out, NYLO (which stands for New York Lofts, not New York and London fusion, in case there was any confusion) was actually pretty swanky. So, I settled into my room, and talked to Carter. I had not been able to retrieve my bag yet, but they assured me it would stay in Dallas since I was not going to Little Rock, so it was literally just me. No phone charger, no anything, so I just wanted to go to sleep and put the day behind me. While I was asleep, Carter, of course, got a speeding ticket. <br />
<br />
After what seemed like two years, he got to Dallas, and I'm sure the folks at the front desk think I called in a male hooker, but that is neither here nor there. He was there, and I was finally able to relax! We went to sleep (it was 3:30 a.m.!), but I woke him up early the next morning to start figuring out the bag situation. We went to the airport at 8:30 a.m., and my bag was unable to be located (after my friends at the baggage station told me it would be at C14 first thing in the morning). They told us to come back in 3-4 hours, and they could tell me where it is. So we ate breakfast, showered, and at this point, since I have no makeup, hair dryer, clothes, etc... I am wearing my heels, skinny jeans, and one of Carter's large t-shirts. Disaster. So we take naps, and go back to the airport to learn that my bag is in Little Rock. Wooooonderful. Luckily, one of Carter's coworkers was coming to Fayetteville from Little Rock, and he swung by the airport to get my bag.<br />
<br />
Now we were on the open road to Fayetteville. The so open road, in fact, that the Master's visor Carter gave me to wear to cover my atrocious hair flew out of the window. Turns out, you can only get those at the actual Master's, so we had to get out on the side of the service road/highway and get the visor that had been run over. Girlfriend of the year, right?<br />
<br />
After hours of dancing, singing, laughing, Sonic stops, and talking, we finally arrived in Northwest Arkansas. Now I was sooo excited to see Becca and the look on her face! Of course the stadium was packed and they wouldn't let us bring in our coolers, but I was determined to find her! Johanna had told me where they were standing, so after finally spotting them, I walked up behind them, put my arms around them, and said, "So girls, what are we talking about??" Becca turned around, screamed, and started crying. Thankfully, Carter captured the moment. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsb7Ss4EhSBg2eCcZ4osihyphenhyphenMtKBZFdrBlEZFGyik29Gqji5FVSSJSlEFx9tpkgG0ymSWauIhSBXXcgE25MjsvfHfTEnYReH1MmGbtIaxLsm4In0X4voJy_c70tMQtR-KNonmrwNxsGTg/s1600/Becca+Surprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsb7Ss4EhSBg2eCcZ4osihyphenhyphenMtKBZFdrBlEZFGyik29Gqji5FVSSJSlEFx9tpkgG0ymSWauIhSBXXcgE25MjsvfHfTEnYReH1MmGbtIaxLsm4In0X4voJy_c70tMQtR-KNonmrwNxsGTg/s320/Becca+Surprise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
She was sooo surprised, and it was so fun to embrace, laugh, and then tell her about all the planning and hullabaloo of the weekend. We watched the Hogs pull out an amazing win over LSU with a walk-off homerun, and then went to Geno's to eat, and then out on Dickson. Seeing old friends was very refreshing, and it was great to meet all of Becca's new MBA friends.<br />
<br />
We ended the evening, and got up to have a delicious brunch at Common Grounds the next morning. We sat outside, drank bloody marys, and enjoyed each other until at last, it was time for Carter and me to go back to Little Rock to the airport. We were kind of hoping flights would be delayed, but alas, everything went smoothly to get me back to DC. And luckily, as my flight landed at 1:00 a.m., my dear friend Eric May was waiting at the airport to hear about this interesting journey and to make sure I made it safely home. I've never slept so soundly as I did that night!!Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-48339379529106619812011-02-08T01:39:00.001-05:002011-02-08T01:41:13.880-05:00Idiomatic Conversation<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In case you've not figured it out, I'm an absolute cheese ball. Sappy love songs? Yes, please. Happily ever after endings? I'll take 'em. Motivational quotes? My middle name. (The beauty of not actually having a middle name is that I can claim anything as my middle name without too much dispute.) </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which brings me to my love for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy6GzaLxhQw">idioms</a>. One of the best gifts I've ever received was a book of idioms from my friend Jake. And I must confess, my definition of the word "gift" in this instance is an item that a dear friend let another dear friend borrow, and here it sits three years later on the borrower's book case an ocean away from the lender. In all fairness, he still has my copy of <i>The Davinci Code.</i> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Back to idioms. I think my favorite, and most commonly referenced, is, "Hindsight is 20/20." It really is often appropriate, and on several different levels. If used correctly, it can also be a sure-fire conversation changer. Take your friend who is obsessing over an awkward encounter. After you exhaust your encouraging remarks of, "I'm sure it wasn't that bad," or, "Trust me, he didn't even notice you had asparagus stuck in your teeth," there isn't a whole lot you can contribute. Smiling and nodding doesn't quite get it, so what do you do? After aforementioned friend picks apart another detail of what she should have said or how she should have said it, simply say, "Well, you know, hindsight is 20/20." There is absolutely nothing that can be said back to that. Friend will stop, agree, and now you're back to discussing the crisis in Egypt, our looming deficit, or deciding whether you support Team Jacob or Team Edward. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Note: This post is not to encourage being an unsupportive friend. It's more of a tid-bit to be kept on file for emergency conversations that may never end without this idiom's help or to stop your friend from dwelling on a topic to his/her own detriment and missing out on any fun that may be wasted by hashing and rehashing an event. </i>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-58487635240441903072011-02-02T02:39:00.006-05:002011-02-02T11:00:52.784-05:00Beauty in the Breakdown<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>seasonal affective disorder</u>: <i>n</i>. a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter, or less frequently than in spring, summer or autumn. Also known as SAD, winter blues, or winter depression.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Say what you will about my self-diagnosis. Even call me a wimp, that's fine. I've come to this conclusion... I <i>hate</i> winter, and yes, I'm going to be a baby about it. I know hate is a strong word, but really, <b>where </b>is the sun?!? Also, this whole snow thing gets kind of old when there are no benefits, and it never melts. Thus your pants, shoes, and socks all end up sopping wet, your feet end up freezing, and you catch cold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I never second guess my decision to move to DC, but some days that go by are easier or better than others. In the end, I know all of these life lessons are being taught to me for a reason, and I can feel myself becoming more independent and self-aware. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The song, though, that has stayed in the back of my head from deciding to move, packing my bags, starting life here, losing my job then my wallet, and now beginning a new chapter professionally, is </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Cg1wxgX6M&feature=related" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Let Go"</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> by Frou Frou. I could probably write a book on the lyrics of the entire song and what they mean to me, but I'll spare you and just focus on the end of the first verse leading into the chorus:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>Excuse me, too busy </i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>You're writing your tragedy</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>These mishaps</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>You bubble-wrap</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you've no idea what you're like </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>So let go, let go</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Jump in</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Oh well, what you waiting for?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>It's all right</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>So let go, let go</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Just get in</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>It's so amazing here</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>It's all right</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">To me, this beautifully depicts figuring yourself out. The situations that you just try and brush under the rug and ignore are eventually going to come to light, so why not just face them head-on and see how you handle yourself? So what if you mess up. You get back up after jumping in, breakdown if you need to, then just go for it again until you get it right. Trial and error. Who cares how many tries you make and how many times you fail. What matters is taking the plunge to do what you desperately want but are terrified to, because in the end, regardless of the outcome, you're going to feel amazing for having tried. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">I'm a glass-half-full kind of gal and a sucker for inspirational quotes, so I love that this depicts breaking down as beautiful. But really, it is. Taking a risk and failing builds character. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">We're also never alone. The way the song says, "It's so amazing here" is like the person is giving advice from a standpoint of already having arrived or having made the decision the other is scared of making. The one to already take it has a peace of mind. I kind of envision this as God telling us to just let go and give things to Him, jump into His grip, and that when we are breaking down and losing control, He finds us beautiful because we're yielding our lives to Him to be able to write our stories. He's gone before us and is trying to tell us how amazing it is once we get to a place where we don't have to worry and can solely lean on Him. Until then, though, here's to seeing the beauty in our breakdowns. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-10687528933252838442011-01-27T01:28:00.001-05:002011-01-27T01:28:46.322-05:00Reflections on TV<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night as I was flipping through channels on the TV (which, by the way, it has recently come to my attention that I pronounce this device "TEE-vee," while most and apparently the correct pronunciation is "tee-VEE"), I came across the pilot for "How I Met Your Mother." I've seen the show a few times here and there, but I would never call myself a fan. However, how can you resist turning down a pilot episode? A chance to start watching a series from the very beginning? I have entirely too much time on my hands to refuse that kind of opportunity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, I watch. I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. Basically, Ted (the main character) was ready to get married. When he met a girl at a bar, they engaged in friendly banter, and she accepted an invitation to go on a date the next night. After the end of the date, Ted did not kiss her because she didn't "give him the sign." After recapping with his friends, they encouraged him to go back and make his move. He did, but after a fair amount of awkwardness, he again, failed to kiss the girl, leaving the audience feeling like there is no chance he would ever see her again. In a voice-over, Ted confirmed that he did see Robin again, only she ended up becoming his sister-in-law, not his wife. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In his final monologue, he said, "But it turns out, I was just too close to the puzzle to see the picture that was forming..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That line is something that I have desperately been needing to hear. I am the world's worst at picking apart daily occurrences and trying to analyze them into "what they mean" and how they can potentially affect my future. But, at the end of the day-- I HAVE NO IDEA! Who knows if the lobbyist I met will become my future employer or just another hand I've shaken? Who knows if I'll still be single when I'm 30? Who knows when I'll get my next job? Who knows even where I'll be living in 5 years? WHO CARES! There is a much more holy and divine plan in the works than I could possibly fathom, and I am excited to someday be able to look back and see a glimpse of the picture that was forming and how some of the puzzle pieces fit together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also think it's neat when these reminders come through a secular means. When I pick up my Bible, I <i>expect </i>to be slapped in the face and reminded that the Lord is almighty, but the same cannot be said about turning on a television show. I usually just want to escape reality or my own head. Hearing a line that jerks you into reality and reflection when unexpected is so much more jarring and awakening. I have no idea what the writers' true intent was behind that line, but it really is a powerful phrase. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's to remembering that as much as I want to be in control, I am not. Thank goodness for that. </span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-55433303310665282852011-01-26T22:37:00.018-05:002011-01-26T23:47:49.667-05:00Days in the Life<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwIWuv6lqfYmHPPzJIpYVvL3Ovt_EmVVr8kGLtx9Bo3hoCov9adUqXk5N71NXlOvukOWEckniks57L071Comdqp4nEpDYMyrqwh57hrsttPmex22GUKfTFeB91_5niCQNMflopgE-zKU/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What have I been up to lately?</span></a><br /></div><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwIWuv6lqfYmHPPzJIpYVvL3Ovt_EmVVr8kGLtx9Bo3hoCov9adUqXk5N71NXlOvukOWEckniks57L071Comdqp4nEpDYMyrqwh57hrsttPmex22GUKfTFeB91_5niCQNMflopgE-zKU/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Touring the White House Garden and West Wing...</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwIWuv6lqfYmHPPzJIpYVvL3Ovt_EmVVr8kGLtx9Bo3hoCov9adUqXk5N71NXlOvukOWEckniks57L071Comdqp4nEpDYMyrqwh57hrsttPmex22GUKfTFeB91_5niCQNMflopgE-zKU/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwIWuv6lqfYmHPPzJIpYVvL3Ovt_EmVVr8kGLtx9Bo3hoCov9adUqXk5N71NXlOvukOWEckniks57L071Comdqp4nEpDYMyrqwh57hrsttPmex22GUKfTFeB91_5niCQNMflopgE-zKU/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566707265833049090" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K1WfxjB4pgBfBm9hproTTHPG0Pdly-SA0c5b0vG1wjH_DJjQgpcNa1VJhKUTX0CE3uxSbagprzyiPfagvt1T8cmhC0c9WhJHdJfOJQsE_tWUAIqbPu7fNUi7NQT1n_XwsFtuupFhMZY/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K1WfxjB4pgBfBm9hproTTHPG0Pdly-SA0c5b0vG1wjH_DJjQgpcNa1VJhKUTX0CE3uxSbagprzyiPfagvt1T8cmhC0c9WhJHdJfOJQsE_tWUAIqbPu7fNUi7NQT1n_XwsFtuupFhMZY/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566707583828746194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K1WfxjB4pgBfBm9hproTTHPG0Pdly-SA0c5b0vG1wjH_DJjQgpcNa1VJhKUTX0CE3uxSbagprzyiPfagvt1T8cmhC0c9WhJHdJfOJQsE_tWUAIqbPu7fNUi7NQT1n_XwsFtuupFhMZY/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwvjbiOEx4Adk5P44u_XrQ92kBuxYTW9pWO1XFkJphjojBY_XROOtGPLf6f0RYCU-NrckG_FjxZQWuOMrHdIq_FsZgLb_eFU3yLRHCaflWiPuka7x-dSN3SRY8LGr9YVdAKcvV_9Zozo/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwvjbiOEx4Adk5P44u_XrQ92kBuxYTW9pWO1XFkJphjojBY_XROOtGPLf6f0RYCU-NrckG_FjxZQWuOMrHdIq_FsZgLb_eFU3yLRHCaflWiPuka7x-dSN3SRY8LGr9YVdAKcvV_9Zozo/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566708097026641154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hiking up the West Virginia hills at a Grace DC retreat with Melissa (we make up 2/3 of the blonde trio)...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X8DTfo8RyW1tOFTJf7xyeucsInPFWbaR5RHtryAHi71hy4mMPhK5yueZp7Z3CPLZ7sS30C4DroVdNhiTF0lPudATt8rN9gfPUF8B9zroh7E0R8eiNQp8uiicmpXb45pJUGxSTGvkeM0/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X8DTfo8RyW1tOFTJf7xyeucsInPFWbaR5RHtryAHi71hy4mMPhK5yueZp7Z3CPLZ7sS30C4DroVdNhiTF0lPudATt8rN9gfPUF8B9zroh7E0R8eiNQp8uiicmpXb45pJUGxSTGvkeM0/s320/IMG_1362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566710386533130962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Finally getting to show Becca my life in DC...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O0tqU618kC4tf8mtx6YUGmtd715h6c5w4J2LT7u32nUO6MUxI4NbUeGz-YSg6hCChuMVi5kmqA0Es7SCjWFhVuaQSGyvc2m2JT7TrePPlInpLxGGZ7U6vdrgR3cfJNS-Tn_z-tOe1kw/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O0tqU618kC4tf8mtx6YUGmtd715h6c5w4J2LT7u32nUO6MUxI4NbUeGz-YSg6hCChuMVi5kmqA0Es7SCjWFhVuaQSGyvc2m2JT7TrePPlInpLxGGZ7U6vdrgR3cfJNS-Tn_z-tOe1kw/s320/IMG_1382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566711087020154274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Winning a few (okay, all except the Championship, but I'm not one to brag) flag football games...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChxxZhiUJYAftcWM8TYs1qfE0FCEr-1QKAtFMdeBdssXd4GSfmv0jgKx0NbsBVoyRjVY4Flv1mueLcPvhEBj1FkU9qa9KXKNaMQLfM1Q3plB5Ja702UN0LMBWFBXiO6dIQ8awM0bi18Y/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChxxZhiUJYAftcWM8TYs1qfE0FCEr-1QKAtFMdeBdssXd4GSfmv0jgKx0NbsBVoyRjVY4Flv1mueLcPvhEBj1FkU9qa9KXKNaMQLfM1Q3plB5Ja702UN0LMBWFBXiO6dIQ8awM0bi18Y/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566711645035335906" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9x9M4fdcH-jRj4xgbl6UXL1VCvo6t_x2KN_pqdIrQhRjNijsSEJ6je7O-KUMD0TeLk1bLxTWxxpie8Cs1zDR_VcjdxVeLAxfBabj_Z1T-FarPAdol56TigxtVpf5LR5RdUQxCW2BkuM/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9x9M4fdcH-jRj4xgbl6UXL1VCvo6t_x2KN_pqdIrQhRjNijsSEJ6je7O-KUMD0TeLk1bLxTWxxpie8Cs1zDR_VcjdxVeLAxfBabj_Z1T-FarPAdol56TigxtVpf5LR5RdUQxCW2BkuM/s320/IMG_1385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566711755186516802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">campaigning my heart out for Senator Lincoln, and ultimately job searching and looking for new opportunities...getting to go to a Razorback football game....falling in love with my church, Grace DC, and all of the amazing people that it brings together who have become my best friends... riding in an elevator with Clay Aiken... turning friends in family... going skiing at Wisp in McHenry, MD (although there is, unfortunately, no photographic evidence of this adventure)... going to symphonies and to see "The Nutcracker"... learning what it means to really be living on your own, luckily I get to figure it out with an amazing roommate and friend... going through an emotional roller coaster with a friend through the diagnosis, treatment, and survival of cancer... trying new "hot spots" in DC...and mainly, just enjoying life and whichever curve balls and blessings get thrown my way!</span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-55142036383415631322010-08-15T20:42:00.003-04:002010-08-15T20:46:15.746-04:00Ode to Moving<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >When I can't sleep and get in a creative mood, this is what happens:</span>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Miles away from a Sonic</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Or bars with cheap vodka tonic</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">You’ll find two Southern girls</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Just trying to make it in the world.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">In an apartment with a red door</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nothing is for sure</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">As to why they started careers</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Before any of their peers.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">As each morning comes with haste</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">They get ready with no space to waste.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">And the girls make their toast</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">While adjusting to life on the East Coast.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">A checklist is read as they make their way out</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Just in case either girl may have a doubt</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then off to work the two go</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">At the will of only the metro</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hoping just to get a seat</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">To a commuter, a true feat.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">They part ways at Union Station</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sometimes with hesitation</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Asking whether they’ll make it through the day</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Or just would rather just go outside and play. </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Their mornings fly by</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">With no time for a sigh</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">But as the noon hour grows nearer</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tummy rumblings are heard clearer</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">And they eat a meal with their flock</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Or sandwich out of a lunch bag and ziplock. </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then work is to be done</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Because staying late is no fun, </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">‘Cause these girls would hate to miss</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Which boy Ali gave the diss.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Or the nights they take a bat to a ball</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">On the Capitol Mall</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Even to get home to just chat</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">(They never get tired of that)</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">And watching Friends on DVD</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">To forget about missing family.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Though their jobs are great</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">The weekends can be such a long wait</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">For some freedom to decide</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Exactly how to spend their time. </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">The girls have changed quite a lot</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Whether they realize it or not</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">But one thing they see</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">Is they are where they should be. </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-83720306863793697582010-06-12T18:42:00.011-04:002011-01-27T00:30:04.395-05:00Birthday Weekend!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I am apparently not great at updating this, so forgive me! But this past weekend was my birthday weekend, and really the first thing I think "blog-worthy" since my move. Of course I could put up pictures of my super cute apartment, but I am not ready to do so until my room is completely decorated, which, granted, means it could be a while.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I suppose before digging into the birthday, I could reassure you that I do love work. My job is less than glamorous, but it comes equipped with business cards and lets me talk to people all day every day, which, of course, I love. I also have the best co-workers anyone could ask for. Someone is always up for a laugh or cup a coffee, and they are all so willing to help others and seem to be genuinely nice people.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Back to my birthday weekend! Friday night after work, a group of us went and ate at La Loma on Capitol Hill. From there, a smaller group broke off and went to Alero U and sat outside.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DFrLMzcbP2tX2g7Psdbn0wgdb8KnPRXtU_xG8TKsvQO6V99xfhkDQtGsiNYtJwZwWB42rpwhQmDB64zJMsvJFh7NbFUlbA44LP34r7BIFWxGcEPTT3GDCOQ6okkBK228-F4s_mnoGZU/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482024760034557458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DFrLMzcbP2tX2g7Psdbn0wgdb8KnPRXtU_xG8TKsvQO6V99xfhkDQtGsiNYtJwZwWB42rpwhQmDB64zJMsvJFh7NbFUlbA44LP34r7BIFWxGcEPTT3GDCOQ6okkBK228-F4s_mnoGZU/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Tori, Zoe, Tina, and me</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The next day, Becca Bradley and I went to the pool next to my apartment complex to get a little sun before taste of the South, which is one of the biggest parties in DC each year. It's a black tie event with an open bar, and food from each of the 13 southern states. It was a BLAST! Though there was no air conditioning or fans, we danced alllll night long to this awesome 70s cover band called the Right On Band. Check them out; they were the most fun! And afterward, we took the metro to Capitol Hill to grab a drink. This was quite possibly the highlight of my life--as we're waiting for the metro, everyone started rapping, and oh, fear not, the party continued on the metro! Everyone was dancing and singing, as if in a really bad musical. Seriously, though, highlight of my DC experience thus far.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlQN0HflHuHelNLP42tNe_9xXzKLvCpPkEuetPL7BHdlUj9pEtoi-ZMfPYVA149ppIQz62Zu12Xms8p5z6-eQeUowD2Bq-IiHnNhbogJqj5Ml98x32wcLnN5JtMbdnB-r5T77JdGDBwE/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482025790414701218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlQN0HflHuHelNLP42tNe_9xXzKLvCpPkEuetPL7BHdlUj9pEtoi-ZMfPYVA149ppIQz62Zu12Xms8p5z6-eQeUowD2Bq-IiHnNhbogJqj5Ml98x32wcLnN5JtMbdnB-r5T77JdGDBwE/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Me, Emili, Becca, Elizabeth, and Christi before TOTS</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqIhFdJ7GxKkCR1tBs-Bk7i7wFMcju_pqzSWzLR2V-ECM-x-I8Ltvt1GgRFIF1LVggZl7HolPPfIisWj-VcbB23j2HhshlfO09bzq_TCQ16acjUKLM3eZCtXtASv2Sn4fiGBzzexTfkA/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482027426459043730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqIhFdJ7GxKkCR1tBs-Bk7i7wFMcju_pqzSWzLR2V-ECM-x-I8Ltvt1GgRFIF1LVggZl7HolPPfIisWj-VcbB23j2HhshlfO09bzq_TCQ16acjUKLM3eZCtXtASv2Sn4fiGBzzexTfkA/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>No picture could fully capture this, but this is my feeble attempt</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to catch this spontaneous rap session.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKeAB1wsLlg_Yxf8XFgTPO7s4aGKMLYRPkAA_yEdS035ZTA0oZK8Z0TdeVtqTbwzWPBhmTOwc1vIat4riByjZmsjEnpy2TgdI4sPVEHNDFT7NBSJ5tanoyE3Kh6MffjQcRK9QEZAY_Ic/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482027960921714722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKeAB1wsLlg_Yxf8XFgTPO7s4aGKMLYRPkAA_yEdS035ZTA0oZK8Z0TdeVtqTbwzWPBhmTOwc1vIat4riByjZmsjEnpy2TgdI4sPVEHNDFT7NBSJ5tanoyE3Kh6MffjQcRK9QEZAY_Ic/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>..and the party continues on the metro. Apparently Ash and Quinten are</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cracking up, and take note of Becca's hands. They</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">were on the roof the WHOLE time!</div><br />
</div></div></div>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-37131514660773587652010-05-13T00:11:00.008-04:002011-01-27T00:30:36.261-05:00Welcome to the Real World<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The day has come that the U of A finally said they'd given me all they could and that it is time for me to leave and enter into the "real" world. The world of working from 9 to 6, actually ironing clothes before leaving the house, and making sure ends meet to pay bills (the real kind, not bar tabs). So after a 3 hour graduation ceremony in Bud Walton Arena, the Razorback Class of 2010 officially became alumni.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxGQDm1kn_jJSH424W6hQN4qwBidWsx8B8Na9PS1G4vmCRZK4tF07lqUCTBtS_Q-P5QpeT-zijiiUoHAw5Zl-EGCSfSGAGaK_VPLMwMyqSZ4M5LyQi8PsY2mCIjee7Oz7sE34fmBrdr0/s1600/KKG+Grads.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470604181165143314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxGQDm1kn_jJSH424W6hQN4qwBidWsx8B8Na9PS1G4vmCRZK4tF07lqUCTBtS_Q-P5QpeT-zijiiUoHAw5Zl-EGCSfSGAGaK_VPLMwMyqSZ4M5LyQi8PsY2mCIjee7Oz7sE34fmBrdr0/s320/KKG+Grads.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Me and some of my KKG sorority sisters before the ceremony. At this point we were still in denial that it was happening. Flash forward through 2 1/2 hours of name calling and the Graduation March, which is still stuck in my head, and you've got graduation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEofi-lnObkR-bS4H_6_ykArunosi9yPBGkl_rqK7GV6w8kMSZgBgzpLpzr4HZNZUolfGpDvz5FOshWtTHVelc12812p8pfFfNxvhuBqEsa-ITCPBrg0tvCMjlIKRxjzzdzaTnPz2bqs/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472462252812029378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEofi-lnObkR-bS4H_6_ykArunosi9yPBGkl_rqK7GV6w8kMSZgBgzpLpzr4HZNZUolfGpDvz5FOshWtTHVelc12812p8pfFfNxvhuBqEsa-ITCPBrg0tvCMjlIKRxjzzdzaTnPz2bqs/s320/IMG_1166.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
I can't tell if my family is more excited that the forever long ceremony is completed or that their money and patience with me for the past four years has finally paid off with a degree and a job for me! Either way, we were all in really good moods :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After the ceremony we all went our separate ways for dinner--my family went to Bonefish in Rogers for a great meal--and then we reconvened at Powerhouse for a big celebration shin-dig on the patio. It was good to get to see everyone and their families one last time before parting ways for jobs, schools, and internships. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VfN4sO2pRE-2wpjmXVccbHh4ht7aoRfSIy_VIKAqcfRiSf14AEjtQjucDKAd8jhYptMlO-J_qZYBrwcUMOC56cUu4s6rV3Bj72ADzVeXKg23bs1VbCLPcfaE8Bl9Dw7WK7DRCv8Y52w/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472462784251170946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VfN4sO2pRE-2wpjmXVccbHh4ht7aoRfSIy_VIKAqcfRiSf14AEjtQjucDKAd8jhYptMlO-J_qZYBrwcUMOC56cUu4s6rV3Bj72ADzVeXKg23bs1VbCLPcfaE8Bl9Dw7WK7DRCv8Y52w/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 218px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 291px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLws2mynU-OqlKVs7R0lkwIB7Yi27VpdBb0idHB18OLoA3_UFAo8xJDv7b25mrCb8YyRCirC2DFLZzDbnBBK16pLBMm-MMS7je-knx_T3wc19K76H-GOj0HVgaIGtmfSwNrf8ZRKn-ojo/s1600/KKG+Powerhouse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470605351507808738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLws2mynU-OqlKVs7R0lkwIB7Yi27VpdBb0idHB18OLoA3_UFAo8xJDv7b25mrCb8YyRCirC2DFLZzDbnBBK16pLBMm-MMS7je-knx_T3wc19K76H-GOj0HVgaIGtmfSwNrf8ZRKn-ojo/s320/KKG+Powerhouse.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then after we'd tired all of our parents out, we decided to hit Dickson Street for one last time all together as (semi-) undergraduates. It was definitely a great night out and great way to end a fantastic 4 years.<br />
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Now I'm back in West Memphis knee deep in boxes and dirty laundry. I've been sorting out what I should get rid of and donate to 8th Street Mission, what should stay in West Memphis, and what needs to eventually make its way to DC with me. As much as I claim to hate packing and cleaning, I really don't. Turn on some good tunes and I get in my zone. If I can rope Mom, Dad, or Clayton into sitting and talking with me while I do it, then it's even better! But so far I've really enjoyed being home and spending some much needed catch-up time with my family and old friends.<br />
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</div><br />
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</div></div>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-60400791767481402052010-05-05T12:10:00.002-04:002011-01-27T00:30:54.810-05:00Changing Direction<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I began this blog, my intent was to reflect on quotes and words of wisdom I came across. Obviously, I've dropped the ball. So, now that my life is changing directions with graduating college, leaving Fayetteville, and moving to Washington, DC, it only seems appropriate that my blog should too. So instead of writing about other people's takes on life, I will talk about my own ideas and experience with my new job and new location.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For the first time in my life, I will not be within driving distance from my family or in the same town as the majority of my friends. The people I'm used to seeing daily (or hourly) that know every detail of my life will now have to be told things instead of experiencing them with me. So what better way to all keep up with our lives than to blog!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In three days I will officially be a University of Arkansas alumna. WEIRD. The past four years have seemed to go by within the blink of an eye. I have met the most amazing people, had the greatest experiences, and grown up so much while here. I can't help but think about the things I'm going to miss the most....</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li>Sonic Happy Hour everyday with Becca (the closest one to DC is like 50 miles away or something... YIIIKES!)<br />
</li>
<li>Walking around campus never knowing who you'll run into</li>
<li>The food!! Hammontree's, Noodle's, Flying Burrito, Feltner Brothers, Kosmos, Loafin' Joes, Hugo's, Patron, and Tim's...</li>
<li>Working at Metropolis and all the girls there (and my free haircuts!)<br />
</li>
<li>Going to Razorback football and baseball games</li>
<li>Walking at Wilson Park<br />
</li>
<li>Hanging out in the ASG office<br />
</li>
<li>Sitting and talking/thinking/praying at Mt. Sequoya</li>
<li>Seeing everyone you know on Dickson Street</li>
<li>My roomies... and Duncan in general</li>
<li>The Kappa house<br />
</li>
<li>Free concerts every semester</li>
<li>All of your friends living in about a mile radius of one another<br />
</li>
<li>RUF and all of the preaching, singing, people, Bible studies, and random events that it encompasses</li>
<li>The Traveler, especially the crossword puzzles</li>
<li>Four dollar movies at Fiesta Square on weeknights </li>
<li>Camping, hiking, and caving at Devil's Den</li>
<li>Riding around listening to music and singing at the top of our lungs</li>
<li>The "Brough Game" </li>
<li>Greek with Yiorgos and Dr. Levine</li>
<li>Shopping at Something Urban and Private Gallery<br />
</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The list could keep going, but I should probably wrap it up...It has been a wonderful four years that I would not trade for the world. Filled with many laughs and the neatest people. Thank you, Fayetteville.</div>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-2765672310550601832010-01-04T01:29:00.002-05:002011-01-27T00:31:16.623-05:00The Adams Family<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 100%;">During Christmas break, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was a chaperon for my old youth group for a ski trip to Winter Park, Colorado. Instead of taking the slightly more expensive yet much more leisure form of travel, flying, we chose to "bond" and charter a bus. Thus 40 hours in a bus (round trip), yields much time to read. A good friend of mine encouraged me several months ago to read David McCulloch's biography of John Adams, so this trip gave me the perfect opportunity to delve into the life of an all-around wonderful man. While I would love to post tons of quotes from the letters of John Adams to Abagail and his children (I cannot recall another person's words and life that have so captivated me), this one piece of advice from Mr. Smith, Abagail's father, has resonated with me.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "Abagail remembered her father saying repeatedly that they should only speak of 'handsome things' and make topics, rather than people, their subjects."</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> This philosophy caused me to reflect upon my daily interactions and conversations. Whereas I would like to say that topics are discussed more than people, I am convinced that is only partially true. There are some people that I could talk to all day about books, movies, politics, ambitions, etc... without ever mentioning people and the latest goings-on. Other people though, I find only discussing mutual friends and their lives. I wonder if the latter conversations are not due to more shallow friendships, because I like to believe that we all have pretty solid foundations, but rather society's focus. With Facebook, Twitter, and the internet in general, I feel like people have this increasing desire to be the first to know something and to be connected to as many people as possible. In the days when Abagail's father was giving this advice, the only way to keep up with people was by written correspondence or by living in close proximity, but definitely not access to information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I wonder how they would behave in today's world, and more importantly, I hope we can try to not get caught up in people, but rather heed Mr. Smith's advice and be educated on topics.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br />
</span></span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-49272057404721881222009-12-04T20:28:00.001-05:002011-01-27T00:31:32.822-05:00Home Sweet Home<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 100%;">There is nothing quite like being at home, and I'd have to say that one of my favorite things about being home is going to church on Sundays with the people that have been in my life since I was about two years old. Hugging the older people that have taught me so much about life and have been encouraging me in my success in both faith and academics is so comfortable, and a good sermon is just the icing on the cake. I am about a week over-due in posing this, but last Sunday Brother David said,<br />
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"We cannot look to human beings, like ourselves, to learn more about ourselves."<br />
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One thing I have always focused on is knowing who I am. I don't think that search is ever complete, and there are periods in my life in which I feel that I may know myself more or less, but that concept is in the back of my mind. I find the way that we go about knowing ourselves interesting. Obviously the person that knows the most about each of us is God, the person who created us. So why do we continue to look at people that are just like us, people who are lost, confused, and broken, to teach us who we are? Why not learn more about ourselves by clinging to the creator who is, in fact, perfect?<br />
<br />
This may seem a bit ironic since the purpose of this blog is to document quotes that stand out to me, invariably teaching me things or helping me gain perspective. But I think there is a difference in seeking wisdom from people like ourselves and in placing full responsibility on people like ourselves to teach us things. So, from now on when I find myself eager to learn more about myself, I hope that I can remind myself that divine intimacy is the only way.</span><br />
</span></span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-64671428739886699852009-11-07T09:50:00.001-05:002011-01-27T00:31:48.445-05:00The Unknown<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This Thursday at RUF, Reid Dunn spoke since Ted was out of town. In his discussion of Abraham's failed tests, he made a remark that I've been dwelling on since.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "Do not keep facing the devil you know to avoid facing the devil you don't."</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> After large group this spurred much discussion, and it even awoke me in the middle of the night with this realization: we as people have an underlying fear and sense of anxiousness of the unknown. We are constantly wondering what is next and how we can plan for it, or if you're like me, just secretly hoping that things will all just stay as they are--comfortable and familiar. Lately my friends and I have all been trying to decipher God's plan for our lives upon graduation in the coming months, and regardless of how many pro/con lists we make, this answer will only come through much prayer and at the time in which the Lord chooses to reveal the answer.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> However, this statement by Reid adds a new dimension to my analysis on my personal plan. I am very much a person who appreciates consistency and routine and is resistant to most change. This makes me wonder whether my lack of deciding on either continuing with law school or moving to a new city really is just a matter of the former being not only what I know, but a familiar plan and idea versus the latter which is uncharted territory in not being in an academic setting and forcing independence. So here I shall sit, on this eve of an ending, and patiently await the answer of where to go next and pray that me clinging to familiarity will not be a factor.</span><br />
</span></span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606902704617290197.post-50321484307239342952009-11-05T00:43:00.001-05:002011-01-27T00:32:05.315-05:00Matt Wertz<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have never written a blog before, and never thought I would. But lately I have discovered that I really like other people's takes on life. So, I will be using this for writing down quotes, song lyrics, or random happenings of the day that I really like or that cause me to pause and reflect.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> For some reason I cannot quit listening to Matt Wertz. "Counting to 100" and "That for You" have been two that are constantly on repeat in my car, but today I ventured to "All I Know." There is one line in particular that makes my heart swell and mind fixate on:</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "I don't know how You swallow all I am, when I can't stand my taste."</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> To me, that has summed up my faith as of late. I keep making the same stupid mistakes or trusting in my plan versus the Lord's for me. This line just says it all--regardless of how many times we find ourselves messing up, God loves us. He takes us in completely when we don't even like ourselves. Nothing is more encouraging than that!</span><br />
</span></span>Georgeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218906520579187190noreply@blogger.com0