Some say you're born and bred with it.
Others say its a skill you learn.
As for me? I love it. I think its part practiced skill, part natural love .
A lot of things have been changing inside me lately, thanks to my growing relationship with the my Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.
One of those things is a growing sense of hospitality. A desire to love through taking care of people- feeding them, talking to them, making them feel at home.
Reading Bread and Wine started to ferment these feelings and ideas.
At our bonfire last weekend, someone commented to me that I always have plenty of good food around when we have company. Wheels turned a little further down the track.
Today, a godly woman at work remarked that she sees me as being in the hospitality ministry.
And then it clicked. That's who I want to be. Who I feel God is leading me to be.
I am shy. When I am in my element, I am more open. More likely to share the Word of God or voice my opinion.
I love feeding people, sharing and laughing with them.
My new dream is to be the one who invites the newcomer (at work, church etc) over for dinner. The one who holds old groups of friends together by hosting gatherings
God has blessed me greatly and I can't wait to share them!
What talent, skills and desires has God blessed you with?
Showing posts with label ABCs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ABCs. Show all posts
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Sunday, 10 March 2013
R is for Random
I'm finally catching up with my ABCs of Me series.
I can be a bit random at times. Just ask my husband.
Here is a list of a few things I do, that he thinks are pretty random:
I can be a bit random at times. Just ask my husband.
Here is a list of a few things I do, that he thinks are pretty random:
- I rip pages out of magazines (designs, pictures, jokes) and paste them into a smashbook
- I get the urge to watch all 3 Lord of the Rings, extended editions
- I frequently laugh in my head when I recollect a Jack Sparrow moment
- I get the urge to watch and rewatch Pirates of the Carribean.
- I bake up a batch of strange flavored cupcakes (last attempt was hot sauce)
- I keep lots and lots of lists
- I pick up midconversation twenty minutes later.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
A Quad of Q's
2. Q number two is for....Quotes
I get to interview and quote people in my freelance writing and I love it. People have such great stories, and I'n such a nosy person that this works out fabulous. I really hope to find a way to make this my fulltime job.
3. Q is for quirky
My friend described herself as quirky in a recent interview and got strange looks back. She meant that she was an individual, and an out of the box one as that. But the connotation her interviewers read was "weird, odd, strange". Thats not what I think of when I think of quirky. It's like an "innocent different". An extra bit of personality, in a good way. What are your thoughts?
4. Q is for Quinn.
I've happened to catch a few episodes of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman lately (reruns of course). And I remember how much I used to love that show, although I pick up on a lot more things now than I did when I watched it the first time. It's a good show, and I still think Sully is hot!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
P is for Productive Procrastination
(I am finally back on the band wagon? Its only been what...a month? Whoops.)
My freshman roomate and I like to think we coined this term.
Productive Procrastination is putting off doing on task (in our case, homework/studying) but not spending the time idly. I am becoming a champion at this. I will clean, do wedding projects, run errands, clean out my desk, organize my recipes, fill out requests for samples, write blogs, make cards and about anything else to avoid doing my homework.
I've been worse than usual since I've returned from Scotland (I think I adopted the wrong end of their carefree attitude) and this semester, with my developing case of senoritis (and the fact that most of my classes are GEPS and not major classes), I've become the champion of productive procrastinators.
What about you? Is there anything you avoid by doing other necessary things first? Or do you get the worst over with in the beginning?
My freshman roomate and I like to think we coined this term.
Productive Procrastination is putting off doing on task (in our case, homework/studying) but not spending the time idly. I am becoming a champion at this. I will clean, do wedding projects, run errands, clean out my desk, organize my recipes, fill out requests for samples, write blogs, make cards and about anything else to avoid doing my homework.
I've been worse than usual since I've returned from Scotland (I think I adopted the wrong end of their carefree attitude) and this semester, with my developing case of senoritis (and the fact that most of my classes are GEPS and not major classes), I've become the champion of productive procrastinators.
What about you? Is there anything you avoid by doing other necessary things first? Or do you get the worst over with in the beginning?
Monday, 30 August 2010
O is for Organized!
This past week has been so busy!
But, thanks to my organization skills it was as painless as possible.
Before I left for South Korea I packed for college and made a list of thanks that would need doing right after I got home. A few weeks before coming home, I scheduled dentist, eye doctor, florist and catering appointments for last week.
My last week in Korea, I added to my to-do list (things like make smore brownies) and created a list of things that needed to be shortly after I moved back onto campus.
Because of my lists, and the fact that I packed most of my things before I left for the summer, I was able to take a second trip to the caterer, volunteer at Girl Scout's twlight camp and visit with both sets of my grandparents.
Check out all of mail I sorted this week:
I unpacked yesterday, and knocked out a good deal of my errands this morning (one of which was sending my engagement notice off to the paper), so now I have the afternoon to relax before classes start in the morning.
Thank goodness for lists!
But, thanks to my organization skills it was as painless as possible.
Before I left for South Korea I packed for college and made a list of thanks that would need doing right after I got home. A few weeks before coming home, I scheduled dentist, eye doctor, florist and catering appointments for last week.
My last week in Korea, I added to my to-do list (things like make smore brownies) and created a list of things that needed to be shortly after I moved back onto campus.
Because of my lists, and the fact that I packed most of my things before I left for the summer, I was able to take a second trip to the caterer, volunteer at Girl Scout's twlight camp and visit with both sets of my grandparents.
Check out all of mail I sorted this week:
I unpacked yesterday, and knocked out a good deal of my errands this morning (one of which was sending my engagement notice off to the paper), so now I have the afternoon to relax before classes start in the morning.
Thank goodness for lists!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
N is for Nightmares
My fear of the nighttime, or more specifically being alone at night began as a kid. We lived in an older house and as the house settled I could hear it creak and pop, and those creaks and pops sounded justly like someone was breaking into our house, walking the hallway, and slowly turning my door knob.
Even as I grew older and knew what the noises were I still could not help but let me imagination wonder. Usually, a vivid imagination is a good thing. I certainly appreciate mine as it has led me to write poems and short stories. But at night, my imagination running wild was not a good thing. I could not stop myself from imaging the horrible things that the noises or shadows could be. I was older, I should know better. Yet, I was older and had watched more serial killer movies and TV shows like CSI.
I grew more afraid of the dark when I overheard someone mention gang shootings. As I recall, gang initations were taking place that required the wannabe gangsters to drive around with their lights off and shoot at the cars who flashed their lights at them. I was terrified to ride in a car at night, and once I was in high school, would always call a friend to talk to on dark drives home.
As I went off to college, I was alone more frequently and my fear of the nighttime began to subside. However, there were the occasional nights when, my roomate was gone, or later, Mr. Groom had gone out with a few buddies, and a strange noise would catch my imagination and run wild with it.
I've not had any nights like that in Korea, until a few nights ago, with Mr. Groom laying right beside me. I think that I had not had any night terrors because there is nothing to fear here. There are no guns, no crime, and often as I lay in bed, children are still out playing in the streets. The terror I experienced the other night happend after I woke up from a dream where I was at home and alone.
Thankfully, I'd found a Bible verse a few weeks ago and used it to quickly calm my nerves and return to bed. Now, thanks to this verse, I am fully prepared to return home and face the night.
Even as I grew older and knew what the noises were I still could not help but let me imagination wonder. Usually, a vivid imagination is a good thing. I certainly appreciate mine as it has led me to write poems and short stories. But at night, my imagination running wild was not a good thing. I could not stop myself from imaging the horrible things that the noises or shadows could be. I was older, I should know better. Yet, I was older and had watched more serial killer movies and TV shows like CSI.
I grew more afraid of the dark when I overheard someone mention gang shootings. As I recall, gang initations were taking place that required the wannabe gangsters to drive around with their lights off and shoot at the cars who flashed their lights at them. I was terrified to ride in a car at night, and once I was in high school, would always call a friend to talk to on dark drives home.
As I went off to college, I was alone more frequently and my fear of the nighttime began to subside. However, there were the occasional nights when, my roomate was gone, or later, Mr. Groom had gone out with a few buddies, and a strange noise would catch my imagination and run wild with it.
I've not had any nights like that in Korea, until a few nights ago, with Mr. Groom laying right beside me. I think that I had not had any night terrors because there is nothing to fear here. There are no guns, no crime, and often as I lay in bed, children are still out playing in the streets. The terror I experienced the other night happend after I woke up from a dream where I was at home and alone.
Thankfully, I'd found a Bible verse a few weeks ago and used it to quickly calm my nerves and return to bed. Now, thanks to this verse, I am fully prepared to return home and face the night.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
M is for Mr. Groom
Ya'll aren't going to believe this but when Mr. Groom and I first met he described to me the type of woman he was looking for, and in my head I thought Someone like me.
So here's our story:
I was working as a waitress (and hating every minute of it) when my uncle offered me an internship at the paper plant he was managing. I would be making way more money and doing way less stressful work, so how was I going to turn that deal down?
A few weeks before, Mr. Groom moved into a hotel in SC so that he could act as a consultant for the same company. The plant in SC was fairly new and he was helping sort out all of the processes.
We were both dating other people but everyone we worked with could tell we were naturally drawn to each other.
The other workers often joked about being invited to our wedding and spent hours trying to convince Mr. Groom to take me to dinner. Some even offered to pay. But, we never crossed the line.
We finally went out to dinner his last two nights (would have been three nights if I hadn't chickened out the first night) in the state. We went to Chilis one night and Indigo Joes the next night. Both night it was assumed we were dating and our waiter even commented that our age difference was similar to that of the relationship he was in. Our waiter was especially nice, considering he (and the one at Indigo's) had to come back to our table several times duringthe first hour of our dinner, because we had been so busy talking that we had not even glanced at the menu.
The day after our second dinner, Mr. Groom headed back to PA and a few weeks later I moved into my dorm for my freshman year of college. We stayed in touch through email, and then phone calls, each becoming more and more frequent as we both became single.
A week or two before Thanksgiving, a nervous Mr. Groom asked me if I wanted to take our long distance friendship to another level. I said yes, and we started dating. He traveled down during Thanksgiving weekend and we went on our first date, six months after we first met. He finished his teaching certificate and took a job 30 minutes away from my college town, so that we could be together. A few years passed, and here we are, waiting on December 18th to become Mr. and Mrs.
So here's our story:
I was working as a waitress (and hating every minute of it) when my uncle offered me an internship at the paper plant he was managing. I would be making way more money and doing way less stressful work, so how was I going to turn that deal down?
A few weeks before, Mr. Groom moved into a hotel in SC so that he could act as a consultant for the same company. The plant in SC was fairly new and he was helping sort out all of the processes.
We were both dating other people but everyone we worked with could tell we were naturally drawn to each other.
The other workers often joked about being invited to our wedding and spent hours trying to convince Mr. Groom to take me to dinner. Some even offered to pay. But, we never crossed the line.
We finally went out to dinner his last two nights (would have been three nights if I hadn't chickened out the first night) in the state. We went to Chilis one night and Indigo Joes the next night. Both night it was assumed we were dating and our waiter even commented that our age difference was similar to that of the relationship he was in. Our waiter was especially nice, considering he (and the one at Indigo's) had to come back to our table several times duringthe first hour of our dinner, because we had been so busy talking that we had not even glanced at the menu.
The day after our second dinner, Mr. Groom headed back to PA and a few weeks later I moved into my dorm for my freshman year of college. We stayed in touch through email, and then phone calls, each becoming more and more frequent as we both became single.
A week or two before Thanksgiving, a nervous Mr. Groom asked me if I wanted to take our long distance friendship to another level. I said yes, and we started dating. He traveled down during Thanksgiving weekend and we went on our first date, six months after we first met. He finished his teaching certificate and took a job 30 minutes away from my college town, so that we could be together. A few years passed, and here we are, waiting on December 18th to become Mr. and Mrs.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
L is for Loves
I love the fact that I'm lefthanded. Except when it comes to using scissors or someone else having to read my handwrtiting
I love the fact that I am part Seminole. When I was a child, I told all of my classmates I was an Indian princess. I scared one little boy into thinking my dad was going to shoot him full of arrows.
I love Mr. Groom's tiger tattoo.
I love to PLAN. Mr. Groom disagrees with this one, because he knows he is the planner in the relationship. He likes to plan things like when we get home we need to do XYZ. I like to plan as in I love to plan events. I'm going to be the fundraising chair for my college's branch of Mortar Board this year and I'm very excited. I was on the student activites committee my freshaman year where I helped plan things like theme parties. And, as you can tell by my numerous wedding planning posts I'm really enjoying planning my wedding. I love planning out the details of things and carrying out themes. Maybe I should be an event planner.
I love to ORGANIZE. I love to make to do lists, clean out my desk, make budgets, grocery lists, christmas gift lists etc. I'm super excited about making menu plans with matching grocery lists and figuring out couponing/shopping smart. I'm excited about making a cute place to display our weekly menu, as well as a ktichen cabinet board (so I have subsitution ideas, meat temps etc all at my fingertips and out of the way).
I love to be crafty. This is where my stationary, scrapbooking and cardmaking loves come into play . Unfortunately, I'm not very good at it. I tend to have problems getting things straight and mananging my glue usage. Either glue squirts out or everything falls off. But I love to do it. Maybe I'll find the time this semester to head to one of the tutorials offered by Scrapbook Creations.
I took fencing lessons for a while and really enjoyed them. I would love to be able to find another place that offers lessons for my after college adventures/exercise plan.
You already know that I love to write, read and bake.
I love Girl Scouts. I was a Girl Scout from 3rd-12th grade. I got my Gold Award (think Eagle Scout) and was an Assistant Brownie Girl Scout Leader for a few years. I can't wait until I'm done with school and can start my own troop!
Do we share any loves? What would be on your list
I love the fact that I am part Seminole. When I was a child, I told all of my classmates I was an Indian princess. I scared one little boy into thinking my dad was going to shoot him full of arrows.
I love Mr. Groom's tiger tattoo.
I love to PLAN. Mr. Groom disagrees with this one, because he knows he is the planner in the relationship. He likes to plan things like when we get home we need to do XYZ. I like to plan as in I love to plan events. I'm going to be the fundraising chair for my college's branch of Mortar Board this year and I'm very excited. I was on the student activites committee my freshaman year where I helped plan things like theme parties. And, as you can tell by my numerous wedding planning posts I'm really enjoying planning my wedding. I love planning out the details of things and carrying out themes. Maybe I should be an event planner.
I love to ORGANIZE. I love to make to do lists, clean out my desk, make budgets, grocery lists, christmas gift lists etc. I'm super excited about making menu plans with matching grocery lists and figuring out couponing/shopping smart. I'm excited about making a cute place to display our weekly menu, as well as a ktichen cabinet board (so I have subsitution ideas, meat temps etc all at my fingertips and out of the way).
I love to be crafty. This is where my stationary, scrapbooking and cardmaking loves come into play . Unfortunately, I'm not very good at it. I tend to have problems getting things straight and mananging my glue usage. Either glue squirts out or everything falls off. But I love to do it. Maybe I'll find the time this semester to head to one of the tutorials offered by Scrapbook Creations.
I took fencing lessons for a while and really enjoyed them. I would love to be able to find another place that offers lessons for my after college adventures/exercise plan.
You already know that I love to write, read and bake.
I love Girl Scouts. I was a Girl Scout from 3rd-12th grade. I got my Gold Award (think Eagle Scout) and was an Assistant Brownie Girl Scout Leader for a few years. I can't wait until I'm done with school and can start my own troop!
Do we share any loves? What would be on your list
Friday, 30 July 2010
K is for King
God is my king, and I am one of his daughters.
Being in South Korea has led me to grow spiritually in quite a few ways.
I've developed an improved pray life and my trust in the Lord has grown stronger.
I know he has a great plan for me and Mr. Groom and I'm excited to find out what it is and delve right in.
Being a Christian, I believe in the ABCS. The ABCS is the way I was taught in VBS how to tell someone how I believe you are "saved".
Ask God to come into your heart.
Believe that Christ died on the cross for you.
Confess your sins.
While the ABCS are quite simplified, its the best way I feel like I can tell you what I believe on the blog. I believe many other things and try my best to keep the commandments, pray often and lead a life of faith. That doesn't mean that I am always successful.
When I'm at home, I love attending Morningside Baptist Church. I feel like a part of the family when I'm there. I've never felt so drawn to a church or felt like I fit in so well.
I have lately become curious about Judaism and things that I've read about on other's blogs like the Levitican diet. I'm taking a class in the fall on the New Testament and Early Christianity, which I think will be interesting.
Being in South Korea has led me to grow spiritually in quite a few ways.
I've developed an improved pray life and my trust in the Lord has grown stronger.
I know he has a great plan for me and Mr. Groom and I'm excited to find out what it is and delve right in.
Being a Christian, I believe in the ABCS. The ABCS is the way I was taught in VBS how to tell someone how I believe you are "saved".
Ask God to come into your heart.
Believe that Christ died on the cross for you.
Confess your sins.
While the ABCS are quite simplified, its the best way I feel like I can tell you what I believe on the blog. I believe many other things and try my best to keep the commandments, pray often and lead a life of faith. That doesn't mean that I am always successful.
When I'm at home, I love attending Morningside Baptist Church. I feel like a part of the family when I'm there. I've never felt so drawn to a church or felt like I fit in so well.
I have lately become curious about Judaism and things that I've read about on other's blogs like the Levitican diet. I'm taking a class in the fall on the New Testament and Early Christianity, which I think will be interesting.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
J is for Journaler
I have always had journals. People always give them to me for birthdays and holidays. I have many that, as a child, I only wrote in for a few pages and then tossed aside.
Recently (maybe since 2007), I have started to write in them more often. One of my goals on my 101/1001 list it to write daily and writing in my journal is one of the ways I accomplish that. I also count blogging, and of course creative writing, whether it be a poem or a character sketch.
In my journal I writer down my thoughts about the day, or my plans for the day or tomorrow. I write lists. Just this morning I started a list of 15 recipes I want to try-in preparation for completing number 44 on my list. I write down wedding ideas and blog post ideas. I've made comparison charts for things like my bridesmaid gifts and I've started on a wedding day timeline. Occasionally, I start writing prompts in my journal. I have another journal that I glue quotes into. I often write down my prayers in my journal. I am a better writer than speaker so I find that when I write my prayers I don't "fumble" for words as much. God made me a writer for a reason.
My journal serves as a record of my thoughts but also as a planning tool and a spiritual tool. No one is allowed to read my journal but me. My journal is the grown-up version of my imaginary friend.
Do you keep a diary or journal? What do you use it for?
Oh! One last thing! I found out about this thismorning and figured it would tie in perfectly with my post about journaling.
Its a commitment to 31 days of being creative- whether it be through scrapbooking, decorating, cooking or simply journaling. Even though I won't be able to do much besides journal as the 31 days ends soon after I return home I will be journaling and possibly sharing some writing on the blog over the next 31 days. So, if you'd like to join the challenge, head on over and check it out!
Recently (maybe since 2007), I have started to write in them more often. One of my goals on my 101/1001 list it to write daily and writing in my journal is one of the ways I accomplish that. I also count blogging, and of course creative writing, whether it be a poem or a character sketch.
In my journal I writer down my thoughts about the day, or my plans for the day or tomorrow. I write lists. Just this morning I started a list of 15 recipes I want to try-in preparation for completing number 44 on my list. I write down wedding ideas and blog post ideas. I've made comparison charts for things like my bridesmaid gifts and I've started on a wedding day timeline. Occasionally, I start writing prompts in my journal. I have another journal that I glue quotes into. I often write down my prayers in my journal. I am a better writer than speaker so I find that when I write my prayers I don't "fumble" for words as much. God made me a writer for a reason.
My journal serves as a record of my thoughts but also as a planning tool and a spiritual tool. No one is allowed to read my journal but me. My journal is the grown-up version of my imaginary friend.
Do you keep a diary or journal? What do you use it for?
Oh! One last thing! I found out about this thismorning and figured it would tie in perfectly with my post about journaling.
Its a commitment to 31 days of being creative- whether it be through scrapbooking, decorating, cooking or simply journaling. Even though I won't be able to do much besides journal as the 31 days ends soon after I return home I will be journaling and possibly sharing some writing on the blog over the next 31 days. So, if you'd like to join the challenge, head on over and check it out!
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
I is for Inquisitive
Did you think I'd forgotten about this weeks ABCs challenge? Truth be told, I almost did. I looked at Mr Groom the other evening and said "Oh, no! I haven't done I." And he looked back at me like I was a loony toon.
I am very inquisitive. I'm always asking questions, wanting to know the who, what, when, where and why of things. I think its the why question that most irritates Mr Groom. I' m always asking "Why do you think she said.." or "why do you think he did...?" It drives him batty.
Oh, because of my inquisitiveness and the fact that I was quick to point out that I am not a cat and therefore won't die from my curiousity, Mr. Groom has taken to calling me "Nosey McNoser".
I really can't help it. Its what fuels my journalistic desires, what helps me to write thought proving poems and stories. The what if factor.
But I am trying to work on my habit of asking Mr Groom who was one the phone everytime it rings because he tells me that one drives him super batty. I'll ask and he'll say "Was it for you?". And I'll stammer back "No, but.." And then he shoots me the look.
Just the other day I saw what I thought were peaches- but they were a lot lighter in color than the peaches I am used to seeing. So I asked him :
'"Do you know what those are?"
"Nope"
"Don't ya think they look like peaches?"
"Didn't I just say I don't know what they are?"
Men.
I am very inquisitive. I'm always asking questions, wanting to know the who, what, when, where and why of things. I think its the why question that most irritates Mr Groom. I' m always asking "Why do you think she said.." or "why do you think he did...?" It drives him batty.
Oh, because of my inquisitiveness and the fact that I was quick to point out that I am not a cat and therefore won't die from my curiousity, Mr. Groom has taken to calling me "Nosey McNoser".
I really can't help it. Its what fuels my journalistic desires, what helps me to write thought proving poems and stories. The what if factor.
But I am trying to work on my habit of asking Mr Groom who was one the phone everytime it rings because he tells me that one drives him super batty. I'll ask and he'll say "Was it for you?". And I'll stammer back "No, but.." And then he shoots me the look.
Just the other day I saw what I thought were peaches- but they were a lot lighter in color than the peaches I am used to seeing. So I asked him :
'"Do you know what those are?"
"Nope"
"Don't ya think they look like peaches?"
"Didn't I just say I don't know what they are?"
Men.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
H is for Homemade
I love things that are homemade-whether made by me or by others. I love things that are homemade because they are often one of a kind, heart felt and twice as tasty as store bought. One of my roomies, "Lyric" knitted me a scarf for a birthday gift and I couldn't have loved it more- its was the perfect shade of red and had my initals knitted into it- how lovely.
I love to make homemade desserts because they taste so much better than store bought, they're better for me-fresher ingredients and less processing -and making them is a great stress reliever. For the same reasons I can't wait to begin cooking dinner nightly.
I love to make homemade cards. I get to make beautiful things to share with my friends and family. I feel like the homemade cards says "I care" on a so much more personal level than a store bought card. That being said, I still love my frequent trips to Hallmark. With my leftover cardmaking supplies I've started to make bookmarks and gift tags.
Becaise of my love for homemade I want to expand my DIY skills and learn to make more things on my own- and if not make them completely than personalize them to better suit our tastes.
My love of all things homemade has led me to become an etsy addict. I can spend hours searching for a homemade something or other. I've recently bought a super cute apron (my sewing skills are subpar), my wedding garter and wedding earrings from etsy.
What are your favorite things to make at home? What is the best homemade gift you've ever recieved? What do you wish you had the skills to DIY?
I love to make homemade desserts because they taste so much better than store bought, they're better for me-fresher ingredients and less processing -and making them is a great stress reliever. For the same reasons I can't wait to begin cooking dinner nightly.
I love to make homemade cards. I get to make beautiful things to share with my friends and family. I feel like the homemade cards says "I care" on a so much more personal level than a store bought card. That being said, I still love my frequent trips to Hallmark. With my leftover cardmaking supplies I've started to make bookmarks and gift tags.
Becaise of my love for homemade I want to expand my DIY skills and learn to make more things on my own- and if not make them completely than personalize them to better suit our tastes.
My love of all things homemade has led me to become an etsy addict. I can spend hours searching for a homemade something or other. I've recently bought a super cute apron (my sewing skills are subpar), my wedding garter and wedding earrings from etsy.
What are your favorite things to make at home? What is the best homemade gift you've ever recieved? What do you wish you had the skills to DIY?
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
G is for Ginormous Sweet Tooth
Yeah, I know, you probably figured this one out yourselves. Its not like you could tell from my blog title. But seriously, I will rarely turn down a sweet treat. And if I do, you should probably rush me to the ER.
I have a ginormous sweet tooth. I even thought (for only a few seconds and then I realized Mr. Groom probably wouldn't come.) of having a chocolate themed wedding.
Because of my ginormous sweet tooth (and the fact that its a stress reliever)I love to bake. Unfortunately, Mr. Groom isn't big on sweets so I've got to find others to share my treats with lest I gain my weight in chocolate. No thank you.
Here are some of my favorite types of treats:
Random: SMORES. I absolutely adore smores. Two of my favorite things- chocolate and marshmallows. I recently heard of someone making smores with reese cups. Have you ever? I think I might try it.
Hard candy: Werthers Orginals and Jolly ranchers. Thats about it. Unless peanut butter M&Ms count?
Non hard candy: Riesens-although I haven't had them in years.
What are your favorite sweet treats?
I have a ginormous sweet tooth. I even thought (for only a few seconds and then I realized Mr. Groom probably wouldn't come.) of having a chocolate themed wedding.
Because of my ginormous sweet tooth (and the fact that its a stress reliever)I love to bake. Unfortunately, Mr. Groom isn't big on sweets so I've got to find others to share my treats with lest I gain my weight in chocolate. No thank you.
Here are some of my favorite types of treats:
Cookie: chocolate chip. Seriously, sometimes I suck down the store bough frozen dough before it can even make it to the oven
Ice cream: rocky road or moosetracks. Suprinsingly enough, I don't like plain chocolate ice cream. It tastes funny.
Cake: Chocolate with cream cheese icing or Italian Cream Cake or German Chocolate. Also, I love the key lime pie cupcakes I made that one time.
Cheesecake: Again, not really chocolate. I like the regular cheesecake topped with cherries. Mmmm.
Milkshake: Chocolate pineappple. Sonic doesn't list this flavor combo on their menu but they will make it if you order it. Go try it and tell me what you think.
Random: SMORES. I absolutely adore smores. Two of my favorite things- chocolate and marshmallows. I recently heard of someone making smores with reese cups. Have you ever? I think I might try it.
Hard candy: Werthers Orginals and Jolly ranchers. Thats about it. Unless peanut butter M&Ms count?
Non hard candy: Riesens-although I haven't had them in years.
What are your favorite sweet treats?
Monday, 21 June 2010
F is for Five Things I Like About South Korea
1. No Fear
There is little to be afraid of here. Children play in the streets at midnight on a Friday night. Children buy ice cream from random men on the sidewalk. Delivery restaurants bring food in real dishes and people leave them outside their doors for the restaurant to collect. No one thinks of stealing them.
2. Packaged Foods
Things that come in bags like big bags of chips or cereal come with stickers on them. You use the sticker to seal the bag. Brillant.
3. Words of Wisdom
My friend A informed me of two korean sayings the other day. One is "You have thin ears". It means that you listen too much to what other people think. The other is, "You are going to fly away". It implies that you listen so much to what other people think that your ears are flapping back and forth and you will take off. We could all listen a little less to what others think of us and the things we do.
4. Numbered Buildings
If my computer cord was working I could show you a picture of this. Instead of having an address like 101 Blog Lane, buildings are assigned numbers. I think we live in 13. This eliminates confusion. For example, in the states, my sister could live on 101 Main St, and I could live on 101 Mane St. This way, each building has a unique number and your pizza gets delivered to the right address.
5. Postage
I mailed two postcards internationally. It costs me ten cent total. Total. When I was in Scotland mailing one letter to the states cost me close to 2.5 dollars.
There is little to be afraid of here. Children play in the streets at midnight on a Friday night. Children buy ice cream from random men on the sidewalk. Delivery restaurants bring food in real dishes and people leave them outside their doors for the restaurant to collect. No one thinks of stealing them.
2. Packaged Foods
Things that come in bags like big bags of chips or cereal come with stickers on them. You use the sticker to seal the bag. Brillant.
3. Words of Wisdom
My friend A informed me of two korean sayings the other day. One is "You have thin ears". It means that you listen too much to what other people think. The other is, "You are going to fly away". It implies that you listen so much to what other people think that your ears are flapping back and forth and you will take off. We could all listen a little less to what others think of us and the things we do.
4. Numbered Buildings
If my computer cord was working I could show you a picture of this. Instead of having an address like 101 Blog Lane, buildings are assigned numbers. I think we live in 13. This eliminates confusion. For example, in the states, my sister could live on 101 Main St, and I could live on 101 Mane St. This way, each building has a unique number and your pizza gets delivered to the right address.
5. Postage
I mailed two postcards internationally. It costs me ten cent total. Total. When I was in Scotland mailing one letter to the states cost me close to 2.5 dollars.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
E is for Elastic Waist Pants and Other Trends That I Followed
For the longest time I refused to wear jeans. The only pants my mother could get me into were elastic waisted black Hang Ten brand pants. They had little handprints on them at the top. They looked something like this:
I also went through a leopard print phase. I had a leopaard print skirt, leopard print sandals, purse and lunchbox. I had 2 different black shirts with leopard print trim and a black beanie with leopard trip. The last 6 pack of Walmart undearwear I bought was leopard print. The rug in my room had a leopard on it. My bedspread is red with leopards on it. Maybe I should have said never got out of a leopard phase. Maybe I was raised in the jungle by a pack of English speaking leopards.
In high school I went through a second no jeans phase. Except this time I wore short skirts and dresses instead of cloth pants. I wore skirts and heels every flippin' day to school. Every day I got asked to perform the fingertip test. Everyday I performed the test and smirked because I knew I was getting away by mere centimeters.
I also went through a no tennis shoes phase. I hated them- the way the looked, the way the fit, the way my laces wouldn't stay tied unless I triple knotted them and then they just looked dumb. I always thought they made my size 6.5 feet look two big. A semester in Scotland has gotten me used to wearing them again but they're still not my favorite. My current mission is to find an everyday pair of shoes that aren't tennis shoes and aren't flip flops.
What were your funny fashion trends? Did you wear parachute pants? Go through a tiedye phase? How about denim outfits. C'mon fess up!
Don't forget to check out this weeks giveaways!
(Apologies are needed to the person who left a comment this morning. I've been struggling with IntenseDebate and comluv recently and I think your comment got deleted. I want to say it was Meg's Blog)
I also went through a leopard print phase. I had a leopaard print skirt, leopard print sandals, purse and lunchbox. I had 2 different black shirts with leopard print trim and a black beanie with leopard trip. The last 6 pack of Walmart undearwear I bought was leopard print. The rug in my room had a leopard on it. My bedspread is red with leopards on it. Maybe I should have said never got out of a leopard phase. Maybe I was raised in the jungle by a pack of English speaking leopards.
In high school I went through a second no jeans phase. Except this time I wore short skirts and dresses instead of cloth pants. I wore skirts and heels every flippin' day to school. Every day I got asked to perform the fingertip test. Everyday I performed the test and smirked because I knew I was getting away by mere centimeters.
I also went through a no tennis shoes phase. I hated them- the way the looked, the way the fit, the way my laces wouldn't stay tied unless I triple knotted them and then they just looked dumb. I always thought they made my size 6.5 feet look two big. A semester in Scotland has gotten me used to wearing them again but they're still not my favorite. My current mission is to find an everyday pair of shoes that aren't tennis shoes and aren't flip flops.
What were your funny fashion trends? Did you wear parachute pants? Go through a tiedye phase? How about denim outfits. C'mon fess up!
Don't forget to check out this weeks giveaways!
(Apologies are needed to the person who left a comment this morning. I've been struggling with IntenseDebate and comluv recently and I think your comment got deleted. I want to say it was Meg's Blog)
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
D is for Delicious
I feel like I've been complaining a lot about the food I've been eating, so I thought I'd take a moment and highlight a few of the delicious things I've tried here, as well as my standard favorites.
Since being here I've had a few things that I've really enjoyed.
The first was at a restaurant where the food grilled in front of us. We had pork pieces, that we took and wrapped in lettuce, and topped with bean paste and onions. Mmmm Oh, and it was served with a very yummy egg souffle.
The second was a soup. It had meat stuffed dumplings and veggies in it and it was very good.
The third was grilled/smoked duck. It was at a restuarant similar to the first and served with a (eww gross) cold bones intact fish and some version of kimchi. But the duck was very enjoyable.
My fourth favorite thing:
Of course its a sweet. Mr. Groom brought these home from work for me. They have dough on the outside, chocolate and a nut on the inside (I say pecan, he says walnut, he's probably right.). And they're best when chilled.
At home?
I love love love my veggies- especially the homegrown ones like corn on the cob, tomatoes, and okra. I also loved butterbeans cooked with bacon. With them I love crumbly cheese biscuits. I also love cheeses, shrimp and grits, mushroom green pepper bacon pineapple pizza. Yum
My favorite ice cream would have to be anything with chocolate-unless its Butter Pecan. And I don't like plain chocolate. I tend to lean towards moose tracks, reeses, and rocky road.
Drink? Water
Alcoholic Drink? This is tough. I love red wine, I don't love the headaches it gives me. I love rum and pineapple, hot chocolate with brandy, homemade lemonade and vodka, bahama mama's, pina coladas, daiquris and mudslides. Basically, when it comes to alcholic beverages I defintely drink too many calories.
Dessert? This is a killer. I love cookies. I love icecream. I'm not a big cake person- unless its homemade or I made it. Because I love to make cupcakes. So basically, the answer here should be anything with chocolate. (As you couldn't tell from my blog title I love chocolate)
Since being here I've had a few things that I've really enjoyed.
The first was at a restaurant where the food grilled in front of us. We had pork pieces, that we took and wrapped in lettuce, and topped with bean paste and onions. Mmmm Oh, and it was served with a very yummy egg souffle.
The second was a soup. It had meat stuffed dumplings and veggies in it and it was very good.
The third was grilled/smoked duck. It was at a restuarant similar to the first and served with a (eww gross) cold bones intact fish and some version of kimchi. But the duck was very enjoyable.
My fourth favorite thing:
Of course its a sweet. Mr. Groom brought these home from work for me. They have dough on the outside, chocolate and a nut on the inside (I say pecan, he says walnut, he's probably right.). And they're best when chilled.
At home?
I love love love my veggies- especially the homegrown ones like corn on the cob, tomatoes, and okra. I also loved butterbeans cooked with bacon. With them I love crumbly cheese biscuits. I also love cheeses, shrimp and grits, mushroom green pepper bacon pineapple pizza. Yum
My favorite ice cream would have to be anything with chocolate-unless its Butter Pecan. And I don't like plain chocolate. I tend to lean towards moose tracks, reeses, and rocky road.
Drink? Water
Alcoholic Drink? This is tough. I love red wine, I don't love the headaches it gives me. I love rum and pineapple, hot chocolate with brandy, homemade lemonade and vodka, bahama mama's, pina coladas, daiquris and mudslides. Basically, when it comes to alcholic beverages I defintely drink too many calories.
Dessert? This is a killer. I love cookies. I love icecream. I'm not a big cake person- unless its homemade or I made it. Because I love to make cupcakes. So basically, the answer here should be anything with chocolate. (As you couldn't tell from my blog title I love chocolate)
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
C is for Changwon, South Korea
Thats where I am right now. I've been here since my Sunday night- USA Sunday morning. There is a 13 hour time difference between here and South Carolina.
For letter C, I'm going to blog about a few things I've noticed so far.
1. Chopsticks. (Another C! go me!!) How did I forget that I would have to use chopsticks? I totally should of practiced. Remember A is for Accident Prone? It could just have easily been filed under Coordination (Lack of). I am not adept at using chopsticks. No where close. First, I'm left handed so having our friend A show me how to hold them took a bit. And then I had to learn how to actually use them. I think she told me they use their back 3 fingers to move them, but Mr. Groom holds them more like pencils. Silly me, the first thing I tried to practice on was sushi. Note to self: sushi is very soft and will break when squeezed.
2. I had a bit of trouble yesterday getting around because I'm used to using signs and words as my markers. But, while there are some English signs they are few and far between. And I am not familar with Korean characters so I don't recognize them when I'm walking. So I've learned some basic landmarks: Bank, tennis court looking field, wind tunnel parking lot, cross the double street, restaurant with piles of wood outside, pharmacy.
3. Speaking of pharmicies, hospital patients here don't have to stay in the hospital. They are free to go about their daily lives, pushing their IVs around with them
4. Sunglasses. A says the older generation hates them and tends to think people are sleeping when they wear them. So instead they carry umbrellas or wear HUGE visors. I think I might want to buy a korean umbrella- they are very pretty- but I can't tell if the ones the ladies carry in the sun are not water proof parasols or double duty umbrellas.
5. Lets talk food. Yesterday, my first Korean meal was a fried porkchop paired with a bunch of other things. There was a rice porridge type thing (very oatmealy- not my cup of tea), several types of sushi which I tried for the first time. It had an okay taste, because it was mostly rice, but everytime I thought "raw fish" I'd start to get queasy. So I had to force my self not to think about it. There was also kimichi (sp?), or spicy cabbage, which wasn't too bad. Next to the sushi, were some vegetable looking things. I tried one- pickeled radish. And Mr. Groom pointed out that the other things were garlic, so I didn't try it. The fried porkchop was the best though. And it was easy to eat with the chopsticks. Today I walked with Mr. Groom to work and he ordered us both Lunch Club sandwiches. I had slightly spicy Sun chips and lemonade. Best damn lemonade ever. Go figure. The Lunch Club had bacon, lettuce, cheese and egg, and maybe turkey. And two different sauces that of course dripped all love me. I'm going to feast on vegetables when I come home Oh- and today I learned that there is a western grocery store. I got very excited when Mr. Groom told me about it. I was dissapointed to learn that is very expensive- $7 for peanut butter. I think if I was here alone I'd deal with those prices for a block of cheese and some peanut butter. We're suppoused to go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll have things for dinner-because he eats dinner at work.
6. I have a feeling I might lose most of my vocabulary while I'm here. For example, Mr. Groom ordered our lunch this way "Lunch Club. Two (holds up two fingers). Cola. Lemonade. Here (points to the ground). I'm just thankful that as many people speak English as they do- it reminds me a bit of my visit to France, where a lot of the restuarant people spoke enough English to get your order. I always say thank you, even if I'm pretty positive I'm not understood. I should learn how to say thank you in Korean.
7. I don't know why. I really have no clue. But I am awfully tempted to speak Spanish. It would probably do me less good than English, but everytime I don't understand (like in the airport) something, I am tempted to give it a go in Spanish. Korean and Spanish don't even share a similar alphabet. What is wrong with my brain?
For letter C, I'm going to blog about a few things I've noticed so far.
1. Chopsticks. (Another C! go me!!) How did I forget that I would have to use chopsticks? I totally should of practiced. Remember A is for Accident Prone? It could just have easily been filed under Coordination (Lack of). I am not adept at using chopsticks. No where close. First, I'm left handed so having our friend A show me how to hold them took a bit. And then I had to learn how to actually use them. I think she told me they use their back 3 fingers to move them, but Mr. Groom holds them more like pencils. Silly me, the first thing I tried to practice on was sushi. Note to self: sushi is very soft and will break when squeezed.
2. I had a bit of trouble yesterday getting around because I'm used to using signs and words as my markers. But, while there are some English signs they are few and far between. And I am not familar with Korean characters so I don't recognize them when I'm walking. So I've learned some basic landmarks: Bank, tennis court looking field, wind tunnel parking lot, cross the double street, restaurant with piles of wood outside, pharmacy.
3. Speaking of pharmicies, hospital patients here don't have to stay in the hospital. They are free to go about their daily lives, pushing their IVs around with them
4. Sunglasses. A says the older generation hates them and tends to think people are sleeping when they wear them. So instead they carry umbrellas or wear HUGE visors. I think I might want to buy a korean umbrella- they are very pretty- but I can't tell if the ones the ladies carry in the sun are not water proof parasols or double duty umbrellas.
5. Lets talk food. Yesterday, my first Korean meal was a fried porkchop paired with a bunch of other things. There was a rice porridge type thing (very oatmealy- not my cup of tea), several types of sushi which I tried for the first time. It had an okay taste, because it was mostly rice, but everytime I thought "raw fish" I'd start to get queasy. So I had to force my self not to think about it. There was also kimichi (sp?), or spicy cabbage, which wasn't too bad. Next to the sushi, were some vegetable looking things. I tried one- pickeled radish. And Mr. Groom pointed out that the other things were garlic, so I didn't try it. The fried porkchop was the best though. And it was easy to eat with the chopsticks. Today I walked with Mr. Groom to work and he ordered us both Lunch Club sandwiches. I had slightly spicy Sun chips and lemonade. Best damn lemonade ever. Go figure. The Lunch Club had bacon, lettuce, cheese and egg, and maybe turkey. And two different sauces that of course dripped all love me. I'm going to feast on vegetables when I come home Oh- and today I learned that there is a western grocery store. I got very excited when Mr. Groom told me about it. I was dissapointed to learn that is very expensive- $7 for peanut butter. I think if I was here alone I'd deal with those prices for a block of cheese and some peanut butter. We're suppoused to go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll have things for dinner-because he eats dinner at work.
6. I have a feeling I might lose most of my vocabulary while I'm here. For example, Mr. Groom ordered our lunch this way "Lunch Club. Two (holds up two fingers). Cola. Lemonade. Here (points to the ground). I'm just thankful that as many people speak English as they do- it reminds me a bit of my visit to France, where a lot of the restuarant people spoke enough English to get your order. I always say thank you, even if I'm pretty positive I'm not understood. I should learn how to say thank you in Korean.
7. I don't know why. I really have no clue. But I am awfully tempted to speak Spanish. It would probably do me less good than English, but everytime I don't understand (like in the airport) something, I am tempted to give it a go in Spanish. Korean and Spanish don't even share a similar alphabet. What is wrong with my brain?
Friday, 28 May 2010
B is for Beach Bum
I love the beach. Offer me the beach and I’m yours. My ninth grade boyfriend promised me that the when he married he wanted to own a private beach. Boy did I try hard. Thankfully it didn’t work out and 4 years later I met the man of my dreams. Ironically, he hates the beach. He’s my mountain man. Good thing I love the mountains too. I just love the beach more.
I mean the beach has the ocean. I love the ocean. I love to get deep enough where I can just drift around, rocked by the waves. Being in the ocean is a humbling experience. It is so big and powerful and I am so small and weak. Sometimes the current is so strong; it feels almost useless to fight against it. Other times, the ocean cradles me gently, holding me safely still. My relationship with the ocean mirrors my relationship with God. The days I try to run or fight his will are the days his strong current of love pushes back and sets me on the right path. The days I am in sync with him are the days I feel cradled in love. Many people debate God’s love and kindness vs. his power, force and anger. I think that like the ocean he is the perfect balance.
On a less serious note, I almost drowned one time in the ocean. I was maybe fifteen or sixteen and had been swimming with my girlfriend and some cute boys and their grandfather. We all started to swim in, but I kept getting pushed back from the current. The grandfather sent the boys back in to pull me out. To this day, my mother accuses me of faking drowning to get the boys to help me.
I thought about posting this under O or W since a lot of it deals with the ocean and water, but there are plenty of other great things about the beach as well. I love to lay out and bask in the sun. I love to read and nap on the beach. I love to take walks and pick up pretty sea shells- always with some craft project in mind that I never start. Maybe I’ll use them on my Caribbean table at my wedding reception.
I mean the beach has the ocean. I love the ocean. I love to get deep enough where I can just drift around, rocked by the waves. Being in the ocean is a humbling experience. It is so big and powerful and I am so small and weak. Sometimes the current is so strong; it feels almost useless to fight against it. Other times, the ocean cradles me gently, holding me safely still. My relationship with the ocean mirrors my relationship with God. The days I try to run or fight his will are the days his strong current of love pushes back and sets me on the right path. The days I am in sync with him are the days I feel cradled in love. Many people debate God’s love and kindness vs. his power, force and anger. I think that like the ocean he is the perfect balance.
On a less serious note, I almost drowned one time in the ocean. I was maybe fifteen or sixteen and had been swimming with my girlfriend and some cute boys and their grandfather. We all started to swim in, but I kept getting pushed back from the current. The grandfather sent the boys back in to pull me out. To this day, my mother accuses me of faking drowning to get the boys to help me.
I thought about posting this under O or W since a lot of it deals with the ocean and water, but there are plenty of other great things about the beach as well. I love to lay out and bask in the sun. I love to read and nap on the beach. I love to take walks and pick up pretty sea shells- always with some craft project in mind that I never start. Maybe I’ll use them on my Caribbean table at my wedding reception.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
B is for Boudoir Photos
I want to have these taken and give them to Mr. Groom in a nice album as my wedding gift to him. I love the idea of doing a shoot and have found several images I would like to copy. I've found some great photographers- but most of them are either out of my budget or expects to shoot in my house.
Ummm. I don't have a house. I live in a dorm. Mess, bad lighting and a roommate. I don't want them shot there. I'm having trouble finding an affordable photographer with a studio I can take them in. But- I have contacted a few photographers I haven't heard back from yet- so there is hope. Especially since I don't need to take them until this fall.
Has anyone done this? How was it? Did you like it? Did he? How much did you pay? Did you shoot at home?
I hope to be posting another B is for post this week. I'd like to do two more but that may be overly ambitious since I am flying to South Korea Friday.
Ummm. I don't have a house. I live in a dorm. Mess, bad lighting and a roommate. I don't want them shot there. I'm having trouble finding an affordable photographer with a studio I can take them in. But- I have contacted a few photographers I haven't heard back from yet- so there is hope. Especially since I don't need to take them until this fall.
Has anyone done this? How was it? Did you like it? Did he? How much did you pay? Did you shoot at home?
I hope to be posting another B is for post this week. I'd like to do two more but that may be overly ambitious since I am flying to South Korea Friday.
Monday, 17 May 2010
A is for Accident Prone
I am very accident prone.
I am so accident prone that I have become numb to the fact. Seriously, I run into doors and don't even notice it anymore. My fiance and I were in Gettysburg once. We were in a cute shop and on our way out I ran into the door and kept walking. My fiance stopped and looked at me.
"Are you okay?", he asked.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Uh...You just smacked into that door."
"Oh."
Apparently, I ran into him many times on that trip as well. No clue.
When I was a child my dad would look at me playing and ask me how I got a certain brusise. My response "what bruise? where?"
When I was or 5 years old I fell of my mother's bed and broke my collarbone. I fell all of the time as a child and she would usually laught at me until I started laughing back. This time she laughed for about ten minutes straight before she realized something was really wrong.
Freshman year of highschool. I wore my "hooker heels" as my fiance calls them (knee length black boots) and a cute skirt. Cue the rain. I walked into lunch, very confident and flaunting my stuff- or lack thereof. And slid and busted my tail on the cafeteria floor.
I recently registered for wedding gifts at William Sonoma. My friends were very skeptical about this process and about encouraging anyone to buy me gifts from there because everything in the story is freaking breakable. "You know no one on your side of the family is going to get you anything from there, right?". Shut up.
I am so accident prone that I have become numb to the fact. Seriously, I run into doors and don't even notice it anymore. My fiance and I were in Gettysburg once. We were in a cute shop and on our way out I ran into the door and kept walking. My fiance stopped and looked at me.
"Are you okay?", he asked.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Uh...You just smacked into that door."
"Oh."
Apparently, I ran into him many times on that trip as well. No clue.
When I was a child my dad would look at me playing and ask me how I got a certain brusise. My response "what bruise? where?"
When I was or 5 years old I fell of my mother's bed and broke my collarbone. I fell all of the time as a child and she would usually laught at me until I started laughing back. This time she laughed for about ten minutes straight before she realized something was really wrong.
Freshman year of highschool. I wore my "hooker heels" as my fiance calls them (knee length black boots) and a cute skirt. Cue the rain. I walked into lunch, very confident and flaunting my stuff- or lack thereof. And slid and busted my tail on the cafeteria floor.
I recently registered for wedding gifts at William Sonoma. My friends were very skeptical about this process and about encouraging anyone to buy me gifts from there because everything in the story is freaking breakable. "You know no one on your side of the family is going to get you anything from there, right?". Shut up.
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