From Anywhere to Here...

Homecoming was the big week-long event here at Belmont. Yesterday was the pep-rally. Being in SGA, I had to help with handing out shirts to the masses. YIKES! When you say "free t-shirts" people bombard you.

Today was the homecoming game against Kennesaw State. Needless to say we won. Beat the Owls by 30 or so points. It was pretty sweet.

Ash and I painted faces while Martha and Kimi handed out free, leftover homecoming t-shirts. *Cue bombardment*.

Here are a few pictures from tonight:

Girls first

Kennesaw eventually won by 1 point

Ash, Martha, meKimi!

me, Martha, and her boyfriend, Stephen

Dragging my feet

Hey guys and girls!

I just got out of class. Every time I come out of Business of News, I feel like I've sat there for the entire day! Maybe because we get so much done. Our presentation was today. It was based on the piracy model since we read

It was actually a really great book and has some key points journalists can use. Shoot, the news industry in general needs to use some of these tactics.

After this class, I don't know how in the world I'm going to be able to do a 9-5 EVER! I think I'm gonna have to be my own business. The thought of working for someone else is just so unappealing now that I've been exposed to this information. I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!

The next book on our list is "What Would Google Do?" by Jeff Jarvis. I've already started reading and I'm about 20 pages in. Yea, it's that good. I'm compiling a small list of books to read after this semester, maybe during the summer. I'll be working but also will stay educated and informed.

I think I get my AVP test back. Yea...not so excited. More than likely got a D on that sucker. It's so annoying, really it is. My problem is, I can work with the technology and produce a great video, but ask me what an XLR cable is and I look at you like you're speaking rubbish. Now, if I saw the cable maybe I could tell you but even that's a stretch. Allow me to work with the technology and I'm fine. Test me on it and you think I'm not learning anything. I promise I am! It's just better to work with it than see the term on a piece of paper. Hopefully he understands that.

Tomorrow's Friday which means I only have a week left until spring break. Could I be any happier? Nah. Don't think so.

Well...maybe if Jesus came back today...yea, that'd do it.

Tuesday, Tuesday

We had glorious 60 degree weather on Saturday and now...

Winter has returned to bite us all again. Dang. I had to exchange my short-lived dress wearing back to my winter coat and jeans. Spring will come. I'm sure of it!

[stomach growl]

Uh oh.

Better get something to eat before I head out for the day.

Catch ya'll later.

***I know this post is random. I do that sometimes...***

Saturday!

Yesterday was a good day. I finally finished my book for Business of News. Now I just have to come up with a business model and present it on Tuesday.

No big.

Actually, my group is meeting tonight to work on the project so cross your fingers.

Ash and I went to Target after she got off her 6 hour shift. I bought this little number:

She bought a dress too, I think. We also bought magazines and Starbucks and pretty much just bummed around the store for two hours. After we got back, I set up a new website (http://www.amandastrav.wordpress.com/) and she watched the Olympics. How cute is Apollo? He's just so laid back. It's very attractive.

I've been in a frenzy all morning. From running back and forth to the laundry room to trying to type up the Homecoming 2010 candidates' accomplishments for the Vision, Ash described me in one word: stressed.

I wasn't stressed...just annoyed that it's a week (no more like three days) before Homecoming and I just got the green light to send something off to the Vision. Bad management.

Maybe Elle will calm my nerves. I'm wearing my dress today because it's gonna be like 65 degrees today!! I'm so happy. Spring is finally going to be upon us. Flurries shmurries. It's all about the SUN! 

Enjoy your Sundays!

The Milky Way

You know the Lincoln MKZ commercial? Well I had been looking for the song forever and a day. Needless to say, tonight I have found it. It was "Under the Milky Way Tonight" by The Church originally, but Sia (yea, first time I'm hearing about her, too) did a great great cover. I love it.

Just a little update

I haven't written much just because these last two weeks have been crazy busy. Homecoming is next week so SGA is trying to get everything set up for that. I'm in charge of getting pictures and bios of the homecoming nominees together. Supposedly, I'm working with the Vision but they haven't gotten back with me with any ideas so I don't know what's going on with that. I may need to make a visit...dun dun dun!

After homecoming, I make my informative speech on World Vision. Spring break starts Friday and I have a lot to do (including packing) to do before I can fly out. I have papers, reading (lots and lots), my speech, and another case study and test before then.

If I don't write for a while, don't unRSS me. haha I swear it's just college and hopefully at the end of break, I'll be able to exhale.

I was going to do a post about Lent and what it means to me but I'll save that for next year. I decided to give up Facebook for Lent. I'm on my third day and I don't have any use for it. I thought it was going to be extremely hard and there are some times when my fingers want to type in the all-too-familiar URL but I always remind myself that I would just be wasting time. It's been on my heart anyway to give up the procrastination tool and what better time to give it up then Lent?

Another thing I'm doing, which is pretty cool (practically everyone on Belmont's campus is doing this), is 40 days of water. Bloodwater: Mission is an organization that helps build wells in Africa for safe drinking water. What Belmont students are doing is drinking only water and then what we would spend on other drinks like coffee or soda, we donate the money to Bloodwater. It's been a little difficult and I have to remind myself that I can't have green tea with my salad, but it's a good thing. The "water challenge" coincides with Lent so I'm killing two birds with one stone.

I think that's it. Other than school, everything's fine. I'm reviewing All My Sons in the Troutt tonight at 8pm so go to my Web site to read the review tonight or tomorrow. It can be your weekend read =)

Oh! My younger brother, Austin, is on his way to Venezuela for his mission trip. Pray for safety for him and the group and guidance for him. He has a few future questions that need to be answered and I believe through prayer, God will show him his path.

I'm on my way out the door for meetings and class so have a great weekend!

Be mine

You may be rolling your eyes at the title. "Oh gosh" you may think, "not another I-loathe-valentine's-day-because-i'm-single, angst-for-someone post."

Nay, friends. Actually, I've learned to appreciate the day for what it is. The actual holiday may be all commercial, but the concept is beautiful. It's a day dedicated to show the ones you love how much you truly love them! It's not just for lovers (though commercialism may tell you otherwise). It's for parents, brothers, sisters, friends, aunts, uncles. Heck, even the postman. It's a day where everyone should be happy and filled with love and appreciation for the blessings they have in their lives.

It's like Thanksgiving only instead of turkey, you get candy!

Who's my valentine this year? Well, for 19 years running (this being the 20th) it's Jesus. Hey, at least His love is constant. He doesn't need to show His love with flowers that will wilt, balloons that will deflate, or chocolates that will melt. He showed the ultimate love by dying on the cross and giving me LIFE!

Who's valentine has done that?

Jesus will still be my ultimate valentine when God gives me that someone He's been saving. Jesus won't hurt me, will never disappoint. He's my Rock, my Salvation. He's who my heart beats for.

Jesus is my ultimate valentine.




Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't know

For the first time in a long time, I sit to blog because I have a hunger to blog and I come up empty.

There is nothing. Same old.

I hate those two words 'same' and 'old'. They're even worse when put together. Together they represent a monotony, something I try to run from. I don't like to get comfortable. I like adventure and while I take comfort in the goings on of life, I don't like to stay in one place for long.

Ironically, this adventurer has two words to describe what's going on.


Same old.

Who dem Saints?

Excuse the ridiculous grammar. It was painful to type.

BUT, I suppose in the end I picked the right team to root for, huh? Saints won. hahaha

And it was their first ever superbowl victory in the history of their team so they were very much the underdog. That's why I love the superbowl, especially when there's a team who has never won. They play with so much heart and passion. It's just inspiring and teaches everyone if you set your mind to something and put your passion behind your work, you will succeed.

Not saying the Colts didn't play with passion but I do believe they've won the superbowl before. If anything, I believe it would've been a gloating thing for them. A bunch of dudes body slamming each other "Yea, man. Told you. We're number one. We're the best!"

With the Saints, it was a lesson learned. If they apply themselves, they can go far.

<<----------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>

That's my after-thoughts on the Superbowl. The commercials weren't that great except for the Doritos commercials. They're always fun.

Speeches were today. Yea, that's all I'm gonna say about that hahahahaha

The next speech is an informative powerpoint. I'm thinking of talking about World Vision, what the organization is, how they help, and what they've done recently. If I could work for any organization, I think I'd work with them.

All my other classes are doing great. Syb won't be in Tuesday and Thursday. Instead of cancelling class, she wants us to talk about Pirate's Dilemma and perhaps skype her? Sometimes I curse technology.

That's about it. I'm thinking of lying down for a bit. I'm so tired.

Oh, here's a tip: If you want your Mondays to go well, start your day by dressing yourself to the nines. I'm wearing heels, skinny jeans, a white button-down cuffed with a blazer. A long necklace and diamond earrings complete the look. I'm feeling good about myself and giving Monday a second chance to be great.

Happy Monday!

Superbowl Sunday

Who are you rooting for?

I honestly don't know who I want to win! Never has this happened before. I'm leaning towards the Colts but everyone is rooting for them. The Saints come from New Orleans and it'd be really cool for them to win, what with Katrina happening and people still devestated by it. I think it'd be a great moral boost if the team won...it's like the phoenix coming from the ashes. Oooh, I like that.

I always root for the underdog. Does it sound like I'm leaning toward the Saints? Hahaha. The Colts, though, have really pretty uniforms. Like that blue is just gorgeous and they'd look really good with the trophy. Manning is cute, too. Especially in uniform! Mmmhmm

I suppose after everything, I'm going to root for the Saints. Not that I'm basing it solely off of Katrina, I just think they're the underdogs in this and I love when an underdog team dominates =) It's fuel to my inspirational fire.

GO SAINTS!

Where you headed?

The first session of Synodia was last night. The series is called "The Gospel According to [Saint] Bongo". Everyone was scratching their heads because what in the world does Jesus have to do with Belmont kids' Mecca for caffeine Bongo Java?

As Guy spoke, it was clear.

He shared John 10:7-15 where Jesus says He's the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and the sheep know Him. Jesus also talks about two other people: the thief and the hired hand. The thief obviously represents the bad stuff, the stuff we know is wrong and we can easily keep ourselves away. It's very black and white. The hired hand is where it gets gray. He can come in the form of a Starbucks (or St. Arbucks to Guy...har har har) or materials like the new techy thing or new clothes. He could even come in the form of a relationship or the idea of a relationship. These things, while enjoyed in moderation (Lord knows He allowed us to have Starbucks for a reason. Can I get an Amen??) aren't going to be around when life (the wolf in the passage's case) bares its teeth and rears its head. Those things are frivolous in those storms and turmoil. If that's all we hold onto and those things wash away, what do we have left? We're left groping for something that wasn't truly there in the first place. We come to realize it was all a facade.

Guy encouraged and challenged us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ. He's the only One who's going to get us through the tough times. He's the one who is always there no matter what. What does David say? If I go to the heights of heaven, God is there. If I go to the lowest point, God is there. How comforting that is! We don't need to fear anything life throws at us. We can be confident in the fact God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I hope that encourages some of you today.

This next bit is w-e-i-r-d WEIRD!

Like I said earlier, I had my speech yesterday. I had written 2 Timothy 1:7 on my notecard in order to look at it and know that God didn't give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Well, wouldn't you know I was reminded of that verse ALL DAY yesterday! The verse is written above my bed, first of all, so I'm constantly reminded of that. But it was brought up in conversation somewhere and my devotion had it as well. My devotion really struck me with something. My devotional was the one AO gave me and the other missionaries when we left. It's Henry T and Richard Blackaby's "Experiencing God Day by Day". The title for last night's reading was "Power, Not Fear".

As I began to read, I noticed it was speaking directly to me. Rather, God was speaking right to me through those words.

Ever since God revealed that tidbit of information while I was praying that one night, I've been scared. Scared I won't be good enough, that I'm not truly ready, that it's just one-sided and the man doesn't really like me. God put a stop to that right away last night!

"Fear causes us to stop and question what God has clearly told us to do."

Hey, that's me! I questioned God because this is totally new to me. I prayed long ago, about four years ago...I was pretty hurt from a situation with a guy when I was a sophomore in high school. He was the first guy I ever cried over. I haven't cried over anyone else like I had with him. It was there that I was broken. And it was there that I asked God for the simplest thing: to keep me away from relationships, meaningless relationships, and save me and my heart for that ONE guy who will end up being my husband. Sure through the four years, I've tried to like guys but God held me to it and didn't allow me to get into a relationship. He's given me the deepest desire of my heart, stay single until God's time came to give me the one who would challenge, compliment and, most importantly, love me and would never leave my side. Well, with this insight into my future, I was hesitant and fearful. I had the same feelings I had when God said I would be a journalist. All these questions would pop up into my head because I was scared of the uncertain. Instead of putting my big girl britches on and saying, "Alright Lord, lead the way." I was the one who shifted from foot to foot, wringing her hands. "Oh goodness, Lord, really? Now? Uhh...I don't know..." And God's lifting His hands saying "What are you talking about?! This is what you wanted! It's time. Get out there and do what I'm telling you to do!"

"Fear is no excuse to disobey God. Ask God to free you from any fear you are experiencing and to open your eyes. As He reveals the reality of your situation, He will enable you to continue in obedience."

That's my prayer. That God will open my eyes to the things unseen. That He'll keep me grounded in Him, not worrying about the future but embracing the present.

There's my shpeal. Take it for what it's worth.

Those rats with fluffy tails

I feel bad for the Belmont squirrels.

Before you laugh at me, let me explain. It's winter and cold. Instead of the squirrels disappearing for the winter, they're out hopping around. Shouldn't they be sleeping or at least lethargic? I think they should be chilling out in their trees, eating acorns and just taking it easy for these months.

BUT they're out and about! When it snowed this past weekend, the squirrels were out in the snow! Look!:

That shouldn't be! And they're fat, aren't they? Look at that guy. His belly is hanging down to the snow. Yea, Belmont squirrels eat VERY well here. I know God takes care of them (they're hefty and probably happy in their heftiness) but it just seems odd to me how they aren't chilling out. Maybe they're a special kind of squirrel. Like....hyperactive and don't know the concept of winter sleep or something relative to that nature.

It was just a concern for me that Ash brought up a few minutes ago.

Yes, I'm concerned for the squirrels.

If you have any wisdom on this, please feel free to comment!

Love me that's all I ask of you

I'm listening to Phantom of the Opera and studying for my Comm Law test that is this afternoon. The test will be easy compared to this morning.

My speech was today.

Yea, EE GAD!

I didn't feel that bad giving it. I talked about the first time I fell off a horse. But...I felt like I was speaking too fast. Like a horse coming out of the gate! Ah well. I think I'll get like an A maybe an A-. Truthfully, without being boastful, I was one of the better ones this morning. Off the top of my head, there were about three, maybe four of us who did well. So about half since there were eight of us. I was the second to last to go and I wanted to be the first. Get it done and over with, ya know? Set the bar high? I love doing that!!

In speech class, our instructor told us to reward ourselves with something after we give the speech. I know what you may be thinking what you would reward yourself with. Oo, maybe a cookie or a really great movie or pizza or something that just tastes really good. While these are very good ideas (and are making me hungry!) my reward to myself was that I would come back to the room and fold laundry.

I know. Pathetic.

But it had to get done! It was crowding my wardrobe and was just a pain. Now the clothes are happily folded and put away. Ah, cleanliness. Well...the room isn't really clean. I still need to vacuum and clean the bathroom and...ya know what, I'll stop there.

Have a great hump day everyone!