Burger King is a family restaurant

Tonight was amazing.

Sweet friends. Long talks. Beautiful snow. Many laughs. Lasting memories.

I am beyond lucky to share this experience with these girls.

Here's to the magic of snow.

Happy Birthday Janie!

Celebrating the life of one of my dearest friends today, Janie Jane!

Oh man, what a life to celebrate! Her joy is contagious, and her laughter sweet. The countless life talks, Ben's Cookies and Whole Foods dates, freshman futon therapy sessions, and adventures all over the world have been some of my most cherished moments. She is truly great.

My life would not be the same without our crazy antics and adventures.

Love you dearly.

GBA.

Here's to her. I hope today is simply wonderful from start to finish.

Mail Call

I have received some love from home the past two days!!

What a blessing these two are! You each made my day. I am so lucky to call one of you mother (or Tonj) and the other best friend (or Janie Jane).

Thank you.

Here's to sweet words.

These are a few of my favorite things

The past few days have been filled with some of my favorite things. Here are just a few.

CLUELESS!! A theater hosted a quotealong of this little gem. I have loved clueless since I heard Alicia Silverstone say As If that very first time. It was sold out, and it is completely safe to say that everyone in that theater shared my love for the 90s teen angst. We screamed for Cher, booed for Amber, and fell in love with Paul Rudd all over again. The night was fab from start to finish.

GRILLED CHEESE! So, it is not too much of a secret that Tonj is struggs a little in the kitchen, but she can make a grilled cheese with the best of them (one flip is the secret). My childhood was filled with grilled cheeses and veggie soup, so they quickly became some of my favorites! We found a place in Borough that sells one of the best ones I have ever had, and on this bitterly cold day it was beyond perfect. I must say Tonj may still have them beat...

SURPRISES!! Katie's birthday was Saturday, and while she was picking up the students from the airport, Laura and I baked some cupcakes (Laura is going to be crazy famous one day for her culinary creations! Just a little side note)! It was so fun to surprise her and celebrate her birthday!! Not to mention we had a bit of viewing party of her wedding photos!! They were to die for!!

Here's to favorite things!

Discovering

The past few days I have found myself falling even more in love with this place. Had you asked me if this was even possible a week ago, I would have quickly replied no. I already love this city beyond words, but it has happened. There are many reasons for this actually. 

The play Somersaults changed my life. It was beyond beautiful in every manner possible. I have seen plays that have really moved me before, but this one was fantastic. It was put on in a wine loft and about 35 people fit into the space. The intimate setting was incredible; the actors were able to see you and you were able to see them. The invisible curtain between actor and audience that is created in some venues was nonexistent. The play focused on the power of language specifically our first language or native tongue, and how if that native tongue was simply absent one day it would take a part of your identity with it. We have all been taught that words are powerful, but I had never really focused on how extremely powerful a language as whole is. Beautiful from start to finish. 

I sat in on the House of Commons debate in Parliament this afternoon. As they debated safety, student visas, immigration, and a few more topics, my mind was blown. I was seeing government decisions happening before my eyes; it was such a unique experience. I felt like a true Brit sitting there hanging on their every word (Well actually, I felt like an actual member of parliament thanks to the super legit photo badge you receive post security scans). Everyone should take advantage of this free opportunity.

The little things have also added up; everything from simply having my favorite yogurt to going on my the same walks I loved the first time round. Discovering new things, trying that cup of coffee I never did, marking stuff of my list, and exploring different areas have all revealed new and different aspects of London than before. How great is this city? You must come visit and simply see for yourself. 

All of these are teaching me new and different things about myself. It is crazy how a city can do that...

Here's to discovering more about both myself and this city.  

What January Brings

I have been back in the land of red telephone booths, black taxi cabs, royal palaces, and one pretty well known clock for over a week... and I have not written!! Why, you may ask? Well since you did (and in such a nice manner if I may say so), I have not been able to put into words exactly how I feel. So there you have it, a disclaimer. I am not sure it is possible to explain at all, but I will let you in on a bit and then just share some experiences.

First, it feels like home. The moment my eyes saw 12 Ashburn Gardens my heart jumped. This place housed so many great memories, laughs, tears, and moments that changed me forever. It was coming home in a sense, but then the ones I shared all that with were not here. They were just as important (maybe even more) to my experience here, so it is weird not having them here. Luckily, I was warned of this, so I have been preparing for this feeling prior to the trip. Once that first initial shock wore off, I just had to remind myself of the new experience that lays before. There are new friendships to be made, new growth to be sought, new adventures to be had.

So, that is what I have been doing this week: creating new friendships, seeking growth, and adventuring all around some old and some new places. I have spent my days wandering the city for my independent study (which is an analysis of a few of the London's Boroughs), and my nights are usually dinner out with the group followed by shopping, show, or some more wandering.

The highlight? NEW YEARS EVE!!

We spent about six hours on a bridge with no food or anything to drink, only each other as entertainment, and barely enough space to breath... it was the best experience of my life. A dance party was had, Don't Stop Believing was screamed at the top of our lungs, and it is safe to say we entertained a majority of those surrounding us (or at least for the group who kept recording us and playing it back right in front of us... I am sure we will all be Youtube sensations soon). The fireworks were beyond anything I have ever seen, and I am girl who loves fireworks (there's just something about them that brings out the 5 year old in me). I do have one complaint... Wide Awake by Katy Perry was played?? Confused, aren't you? ME TOO! Fireworks is the clear choice, so let's just say a quick PTL that the director of London's NYE fireworks is not in charge of a stepsing show. We spent another 4 hours making our way home and welcoming in the new years with some chicken nuggs.

It is good to call this place home again.

Here's to this opportunity and what January will bring.

The House That Built Me

I know they say you can't go home again. 

I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.
And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn, concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness 

inside me might start healing. 

Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Here's to you, 4411 Landon Drive. You provided the perfect backdrop for countless adventures, STNPs (stay the night parties), Gilmore Girls marathons, Tuesday night dinners, and oh so much more. I know you will do the same for the people who now call you home. 

Surprise!

Nothing beats a good surprise and a great friendship.

I am beyond excited to spend the next week together!

Here's to sharpies, yellow tiles, and best friends.

Movie Forts and Sammies

Today I tucked John and Hans in for the last time until February. How will I make it two months without movie forts, playdough fights, countless readings of Elmo's adventures, and car races? To tell you the truth, I am not sure.

These two have taught me more than I could have ever imagined. There innocence is sweet and their love is deep.

I simply can't imagine my weeks without them.

Here's to all the Sammies, bubbles, laughs, and love we've shared.

Football and Farms

Bluegrass. Bourbon. Basketball. All things someone would think of when they hear Kentucky. Football not so much, but that is exactly what landed me there. Samford was playing UK, and conveniently my friend Paul lives in Bowling Green. Perfect? I would say yes; the only thing that could make it even better would be a farm. Oh wait, that's where we stayed.

So there you have it, the perfect mixture for a harvest weekend. Football and Farms.

Most of our friends spent the first night in Nashville, so Rex, Paul, and I held down the fort with some monopoly (which I would have won, but Rex made sure that would not happen... smh) milkshakes, and a fire. It was the perfect Friday night.

The rest of the group joined us Saturday, and we headed to the game. We had to drive about two hours to get to UK, and of course that became an adventure of its own. Rex decided to eat Doritos (the one thing forbidden on any road trip... That smell. Ew.), we learned our hands were in the shape of Kentucky, and the Mississippi River was the star of conversation ( which, Paul can discuss with anyone later if he has a map).

By the time we found our seats, I would feel confident in saying it was 32 degrees. We were frozen by the end, but it was great to see the Bulldogs play. Although, we didn't come away with a W; the memories made were worth it all including the freezing temperatures.

We traveled back to Samford on Sunday, but not before having breakfast at the farm, playing a few rounds of connect four, and sitting in traffic for seven hours.

Memories made? For sure.

Here's to Neil Taing (the real reason we visited UK)

... Jack

I could not imagine my life without these people.

Here's to a night well spent.

Expectations

Recently I have been surrounded by conversations focused on expectations. Are they good? Are they bad? Should we have them? Do they lead to unhappiness? Is it possible to not have them?

Well, I don't really have the answers to these questions, but this is what I will hold my expectation in:

"As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20

Here's to a greater expectation.

Just Roll With It

Sometimes things just happen...

You see, Drew is from Prattville, and Doug is from Chelsea. What better way to celebrate these two gentlemen's high school legacies than to attend the Friday night football game between their schools... There is not a better way. We all got pumped for a little Friday Night Lights... a fight song may or may not have been taught. Friday finally arrives, so we all head to Chelsea high school. As we pull up all that greets us is a completely dark field, a few abandoned cars, and empty stands. The game was in Prattville... Yes, we went to the wrong high school. What do we do now? We head to the local arcade of course. Where we drive go karts, play some ski ball, and win a few thousand tickets (That's right this girl hit the jackpot. I have the nerf gun to prove it). We ended the night with some food and a movie, and we laughed from start to finish. It was a great night spent with great people.

Halloween was this week, so we all made plans to celebrate the Saturday before. There was this pub crawl downtown that sounded legit, so that was the plan, in costume of course. About an hour before we were supposed to leave, we realized the pub crawl was last year. Almost everyone was already in costume and ready to party like we're gonna die young (yes, that was a Ke$ha reference. No shame). We began the frantic chase of finding a new party; we were lead to Old Car Heaven's Horns and Halos party. What up DJ silky. We might have been the only people there for a solid hour, but hey an open dance floor and no line at the photo booth... I'll take it.

Both nights ended up being beyond fantastic... See you just gotta roll with it.

Here's to unexpected adventures

This Week

This week has been hard. This week has felt like a test from beginning to end. This week has been exhausting. This week challenged. This week. All that is to say, that I made it.

There were definitely times where I felt defeated and empty, but Abba gave me strength in so many ways. His words. Friends. My mom. Study breaks. Diet Coke. Pep talks. Laughter. Some how, He managed to fit all of these in at just the right time.

And that is how I conquered this week. Through Him and His unfailing love.

Here's to an Abba that provides strength through my weakness.

My Cry

In my distress I called to The Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.

Three Weekends, One Post

Three weeks. That is how long it has been since we chatted last... crazy huh? To say I have been in constant motion is an understatement. Now, do not worry. I am not going to fill you in on every detail of these past three weeks... ain't nobody got time for that. How about we hit some highlights? Ya dig?

The first two weekends were spent in the always lovely kpatch aka knoxville. The first was Tonja's birthday partyyyy (where she did not even hesitate to wear a forty and fabulous pageant sash... wouldn't have it any other way)!! Rex made the drive with me and got to experience the weekend from beginning to end. The party was fantastic, and as I sat there with the people who made me who I am, the people who inspire, the people who push me, the people who support me, and the people who love me I was simply in awe. It was such a blessing to look across the table and see all of these people together. The laughter was great, and the memories are dear. The next day was the UT FL game, and man, was I ready for some football. I missed last season while I was in London, so I was more than ready to rock my orange and white, sing rocky top till my lungs gave out, and fill that UT spirit all day long. It was a great day despite the outcome, and Rex only asked if he could go out into the lobby one time... (I was unaware there even was a lobby...) Sunday, we were Birmingham bound.

The next weekend was my dear cousin's wedding!! Also, such a celebration!! I loved sharing the day with her, and watching as she began her new life with the one she loved. It was beautiful from start to finish and totally worth the two blisters I walked away with.

Now, this past weekend was simply great to be reunited with the people I share my life with and this place that has become home. We did make our way to the ATL for a little braves and a lot of coke. That's right... you caught that, didn't you? The World of Coke was our first stop!! Now if you know me, you know I have a vice for some DC (Diet Coke) and awkward high fives if we are being honest here. It is a problem, but at least I can admit it. It was everything I wanted it to be and more!! Loved it from start to finish! The game was also beyond exciting!! I had never been to a Braves game before, so I loved finally getting to experience it. We wrapped the trip up with a burger from the Varsity and headed home. Memories were made from start to finish.

Wow, we did it? Three weekends, one post. Impressive, I know right.

Here's to the rest of the semester!

 

And some days you realize just how big this world is...

today was one of those days.

Take that in. Really, take that in. 

And never forget.    

Here's to continuous seeking in His name. 

It's Tonja's Birthday!!

Remember those celebrations I mentioned? Good, because today is a HUGE one!!! TONJA IS 40!!!! Is there a bigger reason to celebrate? I think not, so if you are reading this and have not stopped to tell her happy birthday... go do that now. Then return of course.

Okay so now that we have all sent her our happy birthdays and love, I can share with you a little bit about why this day is so important to me. Birthdays have and will always be one of my favorite things; they are a celebration of life. Can you get any better? No. We have each been gifted with this life, and birthdays are a reminder of how much weight that gift can hold. They are simply beautiful reminders to take it all in and truly live.

But, this one is particularly special. My mom is my best friend. She is the person I have traveled this life with. She is my constant. Today gives me a reason to celebrate that (not that I should need one).  Her strength is one of the attributes I admire most; whatever this world throws at her she handles it with grace, grows from the experience, and allows God to use the situation   in numerous manners. It is amazing, and often I am blown away by that.

Her willingness to listen to the Lord is also something I strive after. She continues to grow and seek Abba daily, and I have been privileged to watch  this ever evolving experience. I mean who leaves their job after 20ish years? I can only hope to remain that open to God's voice in my life.

Remaining that close to the Lord has allowed her to impact so many people in a variety of manners. I have watched her care for a small group of high school girls as if they were her own daughters for four years, share her life stories with girls who found themselves in the same position she did 21 years ago, serve countless people, and truly touch the lives of many with her joy. She has impacted this world.

All of these are lessons she has taught me about this life, but what she has taught most is to simply be joyous in all circumstances. Our joy is found in the Lord, not in this world. We have the daily option to choose joy; it is that choice that makes the rest possible. Now, many people mistake us for sisters, twins, or just compare us in general (I don't mind this at all... I mean there is no denying the resemblance), but I can only hope to also mirror her joy.

These things have made me who I am, and as we have each grown separately yet together we have impacted one another in a way many will never do. That is what makes us special. I Thank her for her patience through the whole process, and for always knowing we would end up stronger through it all. She is my best friend and my mom in every sense of both words.


Today, I celebrate her life. Her goals. Her accomplishments. Her faith. Her laugh. Her dreams. Her joy. Her humor. Her love. Her strength. Her endurance. Her wisdom. Her spirit. Her patience. Her friendship. Her heart. I celebrate her.


                                                                                                                                     


Happy Birthday Tonj!!!

Here is to the life she has lived and all that is left to be lived.

London is calling...

and I will be answering come December.

BEYOND EXCITED!

Oh, and did I mention I get to return with these two lovely ladies?

Here's to returning.