Hold that tiger! (first in a series)

I attended my first LSU game (vs. Appalachian State) the weekend before Gustav. Everyone tells me I haven't seen anything until I've felt the electricity of an SEC game, but I certainly enjoyed myself!

Thank goodness for Shannon and Dixon, who shared the option of buying extra tickets with me, and for Susan, Mike and Gawain, who showed me the tailgating ropes.

Fun times. And Geaux Tigers!

bloody sod

Favorite (though random) quotes from Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, which I have just re-read:

~~~~~

I realize it has become too easy to find a diet to fit in with whatever you happen to feel like eating and that diets are not there to be picked and mixed but picked and stuck to, which is exactly what I shall begin to do once I've eaten this chocolate croissant.

~~~~~

Daniel: Would you like a cigarette?

Bridget: No thank you, I have found inner poise and given up smoking.

~~~~~

An evening with her is like swimming in sea with jellyfish: all will be going along perfectly pleasantly then suddenly you get a painful lashing, destroying confidence at stroke. Trouble is, her stings are aimed so subtly at one's Achilles' hells, like Gulf War missiles going "Fzzzzzz whoossssh" through Baghdad hotel corridors, that never see them coming.

~~~~~

When someone leaves you, apart from missing them, apart from the fact that the whole little world you've created together collapses, and that everything you see or do reminds you of them, the worst is the thought that they tried you out and, in the end, the whole sum of parts adds up to you got stamped REJECT by the one you love. How can you not be left with the personal confidence of a passed-over British Rail sandwich?

~~~~~

Mum: To be honest, darling, having children isn't all it's built up to be. I mean, no offense, I don't mean this personally but given my chance again I'm not sure I'd have...

Bridget (thinks): Oh no. Even my own mother wishes I'd never been born.

~~~~~

Tom: How many calories are you supposed to eat if you're on a diet?

Bridget: About a thousand. Well, I usually aim for a thousand and come in at about fifteen hundred.

Tom: A thousand? But I thought you needed two thousand just to survive.

Bridget (thinks): I looked at him nonplussed. I realized that I have spent so many years being on a diet that the idea that you might actually need calories to survive has been completely wiped out of my consciousness. Have reached point where believe nutritional ideal is to eat nothing at all and that the only reason people eat is because they are so greedy they cannot stop themselves from running out and ruining their diets.

~~~~~

Why hasn't she invited me to her party? Why? Why? How many more parties are going on that everyone has been invited to except me? I bet everyone is at one now, laughing and sipping expensive champagne. No one likes me. Christmas is going to be a total party-desert, apart from a three-party pile-up on December 20th, when I am booked in a work meeting all evening.

~~~~~

Ugh. Would that Christmas could just be, without presents. It is just so stupid, everyone exhausting themselves, miserably hemorrhaging money on pointless items nobody wants: no longer tokens of love but angst-ridden solutions to problems. (Hmmmm. Though must admit, pretty bloody pleased to have new handbag.) What is the point of entire nation rushing round for six weeks in a bad mood preparing for utterly pointless Taste-of-Others exam which entire nation then fails and gets stuck with hideous unwanted merchandise as fallout? If gifts and cards were completely eradicated, then Christmas as pagan-style twinkly festival to distract from lengthy winter gloom would be lovely. But if government, religious bodies, parents, tradition, etc., insist on Christmas Gift Tax to ruin everything why not make it that everyone must go out and spend 500 quid on themselves then distribute the items among their relatives and friends to wrap up and give to them instead of this psychic-failure torment?

~~~~~

Mum: Oh don't be silly, darling. You can't sit in the flat on your own all weekend when it's Christmas. What are you going to eat?

Bridget (thinks): Grrr. I hate this. It's as if, just because you're single, you don't have a home or any friends or responsibilities and the only possible reason you might have for not being at everyone else's beck and call for the entire Christmas period and happy to sleep bent at odd angles in sleeping bags on teenagers' bedroom floors, peel sprouts all day for fifty, and "talk nicely" to perverts with the word "Uncle" before their name while they stare freely at your breasts is complete selfishness.

Ugh. Must put sheets on bed. Disgusting to sleep on uncomfortable button-studded mattress. Where are sheets, though? Wish had some food.

~~~~~

Emergency: Jude on phone in tears. Is coming round Vile Richard has gone back to Vile Jilly. Jude blames herself. Thank God stayed home. Am clearly Emissary of Baby Jesus here to help those persecuted at Christmas by Herod-Wannabees, e.g. Vile Richard. Jude will be here at 7:30.

~~~~~

So glad I re-read this book! Cracked me up for a full week.


Currently watching:
Grey’s Anatomy - The Complete Second Season
Release date: 2006-09-12






Çhr阮ïñå

Love It! :)

Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on August 24, 2008 - Sunday - 11:32 PM



Susan

Now you have me wanting to read it again!
I've missed you. I haven't been on much lately.
I hope life is treating you well!

Posted by Susan on September 11, 2008 - Thursday - 5:51 PM

Our Town

There's nothing to remind you of how much you like where you live than to have someone visit you there.

I have sincerely enjoyed nearly every second of the past almost year (!) I've lived in the BR -- with the exception of a few pity parties ;-) -- but it hits home more than ever when peeps come to visit me.

This weekend, my sweet friend Rachel came to stay with me and explore the Red Stick, and we had a blast. It was fun to show her the sites and sounds of Baton Rouge, and even more fun to send her off while hearing her praises of my new city.

This may sound obvious, but it definitely makes a place feel more like home to be familiar with it enough to show people around it.

That said, I love our town. And am so glad I'm here right now!

Bethanie
Wow. Has it almost been a year already??? Time flies...Miss you, girlie!
Posted by Bethanie on August 18, 2008 - Monday - 6:08 PM

Skye
Yay! I love that you love my hometown! It is a wonderful place. The sights, sounds, the FOOD, the people, the accents :) Gotta love Baton Rouge, baby! It'll always be home to me.
Posted by Skye on August 18, 2008 - Monday - 6:44 PM

The Apple Store

This evening, I was reminded that I live in one of the South's coolest cities. (Not temperature-wise, but coolness-wise.)

After the gym, I ran by the Mall of Louisiana's new Apple Store for some technical support. When I walked in, I was immediately surrounded by....cool. (And not just from the A/C.) I wondered if I fit in, but then realized it didn't matter, since I was there for technical support. This wasn't some club I had to have membership to; I needed help.

Walking past the Kid Mac Zone -- which was, of course, complete with ball-shaped bean bags and mini Macs -- to the front, where people were sitting at barstools being helped by employees, I waited in line for a few minutes until I realized there was probably some protocol I was totally clueless about. Turning around to the (much cooler than me) girl cradling her Mac notebook behind me, I said, "Are you in line?" She, of course, responded with, "No. I'm just waiting for my appointment with the concierge."

Appointment? Concierge? Did Carl submit my resume' before purchasing my iPod so that I could actually qualify for this gift?!

Stepping back, I asked the guy near Cool Girl who was typing on a computer, "Is that where we make reservations with the concierge?" He said, "I think so, but it doesn't work." So I asked the girl, "Do we just stand here to make our appointments?" She, of course, responded very nonchalantly, "Well, maybe. But I made mine online."

Realizing this was not going to be the quick technical support trip I had envisioned, I attempted a graceful exit with some lame joke about needing to go home and make my appointment. With a concierge. For another day.

Which I just did...for Friday evening. I'll keep you posted on how uncool they diagnose me to be. I fear it could be serious.

Ah well. At least I still live in a cool city.

2 Comments

hibbs is what they call me
hahaha! We have one in Birmingham, and I felt the same way when I went in to buy my MacBook. As soon as I walked in the Apple store, all the "coolness" I thought I possessed beforehand left when I enter those doors. I seriously felt it leave my body and I was so depressed! I remember telling Julie these exact words when I got home ... "I am not cool enough to shop there." But luckily I found a really "cool" employee that helped me out!
Posted by hibbs is what they call me on August 13, 2008 - Wednesday - 9:29 AM

RE RE
ha ha ha!!! i feel the same way when i call them for support on the phone. obviously, i don't live in a "cool" enough city to have a store. thank God! i have since resorted to recruiting help from my 15 yr old nephew and my 9 yr old niece. And, they think I am "like, totally cool". so, it works out for us all! LOL
Posted by RE RE on August 14, 2008 - Thursday - 9:17 AM

Mamma Mia!

I saw "Mamma Mia!" this weekend with a BR friend. It was a great show with plenty of musical variety, plus a cast that was surprising in its depth and breadth.

There were some points where the burst-into-song moments caught me off-guard, causing me to nearly burst in to laughter, but all in all, I think it's safe to call it this decade's "Grease."

1 Comments

ToBe
"Grease" was one thing for back in the day!!! But, this thing sound like it might give someone a greasey feeling between their legs stemming from the back-side!!! Thanks, but no thanks....... =0)
Posted by ToBe on August 11, 2008 - Monday - 9:19 PM

hahahaha

So I've always wanted to see a live comedy show, but other than Jay Leno's stand-up act a few years ago, I've never done that.

Tonight, though, a friend had free tickets to a show in Baton Rouge at The Funny Bone and it was hilarious! There were several comedians, with headliner Howard Hall and his precursor, Corey Mac -- both Baton Rouge natives. I laughed so hard, and hope I can remember enough funnies from both of their acts to repeat so others will believe what a great time I had come tomorrow.

Definitely tickled my funny bone!

Violation

Last week I was violated.

It seems weird to type that -- much less say it out loud -- but it's true. Of course, it couldn't come in some average, run-of-the mill way. It had to happen through a method that's basically unheard of, but I learned that the whole process makes you feel...bizarre, to say the least.

It all began when I started my car Monday. To my horror, the little white cotton puff sounded exactly like a Harley. I took it to a shop, only to learn the next day that my catalytic converter had been cut out and stolen. Apparently, there is a hot (pun intended) resale market due to the platinum in catalytic converters. According to my insurance company, this trend was very popular in northern states but limited to that region until the crackpot experts at 20/20 did a special on it. Then it caught on around other parts of the country as well. With my luck, of course Louisiana is a hot spot for it right now, and of course the less-than-a-year-long resident gets hit. After, I might add, moving from one of the nation's top crime cities and having never been a victim. Nice.

I think it's important to note that my car had been parked at work over the weekend -- which is located in a very nice part of Baton Rouge, similar to Ridgeland's new Renaissance area, for those who live in Jackson -- and as my daddy pointed out, the theive(s) had probably noticed a trend in my occasionally leaving it there overnight when I travel for work and use bank cars. So it's not like my car was in a bad part of town when this happened.

But back to the violation... Before I realized that my comprehensive deductible was so low on my insurance (IDK why, but I am now thankful it was!), the car shop called to say my violators had ruined my tailpipe and muffler when they took my catalytic converter. Of course, that meant more expense, more repair time, more frustration.

Around this time, other things started occurring as well. My cell phone rang with a call from an 800 number. I figured it was a telemarketer, but had already racked up so many voicemails that day that I knew I didn't want to listen to another one, so I took the call, which went like this:

RJ: Hello?
Caller: Hi, this is so-and-so from AT&T Wireless.
RJ: Hi....
Caller: Miss Johnson, this is a courtesy call. We've noticed that your bill is unusually high and wanted to see if you've been making many out-of-country calls from your cell phone?

Well, of course I had not, but wasn't that just the sweetest thing to hear, especially right then?

Five phone calls later (AT&T Wireless may have great customer service reps if they call you to point out something like that, but I learned they cannot transfer you to the person who can fix the problem worth a flip), I was finally speaking to someone who could fix the error. And when they figured out what the error was, don't worry, because the genius who switched me to my new 225 number gave me NO PLAN AT ALL. That's right - for the last two months, every time I have LOOKED at my phone (much less texted, placed or took a call from it), I have been charged out the nose. Of course, the customer service rep wanted me to tell her what plan I was on, when I had been with AT&T forever, through several company changes, and had probably had the same plan for at least five years. Ugh. When the error was finally corrected, I was credited more than $1,000.

The hits kept rolling from there - documents I had worked on for weeks were suddenly corrupt with no changes saved, things around me started breaking, the guy from the car shop who gave me a ride back to my repaired car was overly chatty, I caught every train in Baton Rouge every time I drove, etc. I tried to chalk it up to a full moon, but I must say, it was one tough week. Each evening I drug myself home and locked my doors, thinking it wise to put myself on house arrest. But of course, I learned a lot from my weird experiences, including (but not limited to):

• Cars have catalytic converters.
• Catalytic converters need their own alarms.
• Getting a new haircut before a weird week is essential to a girl's self-esteem and self-preservation.
• I should time my vacations to align with Liz's so I don't have to worry about not venting to her while she's having the time of her life.
• Contrary to the way the world should work, bad things can happen during my sweet sister's birthday week.
• Having a boyfriend and family who understand when you're all talked out is priceless. And essential.
• God bless Angela, Shannon, and our penchants for getaway lunches.
• Not having a cell phone plan is the silliest thing anyone could ever do.
• Thieves watch 20/20.
• I am good for nothing during a week like I just had!

TGIF took on a whole new meaning last Friday.

5 Comments

Çhr阮ïñå
Wow. It's just Unbelievable how things seem to occur in a series of events... never just one little thing... an entire string of little things. I hope this weekend has proven to make it all better for you.This made me think of a quote I came across this morning:>Murphy's Law<"The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet."
Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on July 27, 2008 - Sunday - 5:23 PM [Reply to this] [Remove] [Block User]

Dyanne
the good news is you have a roof over your head...there were times in my life when i didnt! they took your catalytic converter not your car! as for your cell phone... its a damn shame they couldnt see how great you looked, with hot hair, while you freaked on the service call you had to make!~!!!!!!!!!!! lol i love you
Posted by Dyanne on July 27, 2008 - Sunday - 7:53 PM [Reply to this] [Remove] [Block User]

Amanda
Okay, that is the week from H***. I hope that this week is going much better for you. After reading your blog, I think I'm going to go out and get an alarm for my catalytic converter (whatever the heck that is!). Also, just FYI, I love the bread quote from above! I'm adding it to my favorite quotes right beside Charlie Brown! Happy Brand New Week!
Posted by Amanda on July 29, 2008 - Tuesday - 9:48 AM [Reply to this] [Remove] [Block User]

Jammit
.........BUDLIGHT PRESENTS.... REAL....Men of GENIUS...Today We Salute you, Mr. Catalytic-Converter-Platinum-Ripper-Offer Guy....- - (Mr. C-C-P-R-O-Guyyyy!!)Your Pit Crew speed and ingenuity, combined with up-to-date intel from 20/20 have resulted in the latest Feng Shui in urban crime(...We're-really-fast-like-Ninjas....)First; Copper..... Then it was lead.... Now Industrial grade platinum.... Your stealth-like automotive-mining skills place you on the top rung of the Can-Man's corporate ladder(I-Really-Need-Bail-Money)So Crack Open an Ice Cold Bud Light... Metallurgist-Of-The-Muffler......Because We know as long as we have catalytic converters..... You'll ALWAYS stink......In our book...(- - Mr. C-C-P-R-O-Guyyyy!!)
Posted by Jammit on July 31, 2008 - Thursday - 1:51 PM [Reply to this] [Remove] [Block User]


WOW omg what a week!

The Dark Knight

Yesterday, C and I caught the matinee showing of "The Dark Knight."

I was curious as to Heath Ledger's performance for obvious reasons, but admittedly, once the film started and the acting began, I lost sight of who still is and focused on who was on screen.

In a word -- amazing.

I hate for anyone to lose his life, especially so needlessly. But after seeing this movie, I selfishly hate that I won't see his interviews about how he jumped into his believably sick role as the Joker, maniacally convincing me that he knew how to do, be, feel, LIVE in that mindset.

Absolutely incredible. Talk about going out in style.

Catch it if you can.

1 Comments
2 Kudos

We saw it while at the beach. Great movie. I liked it even better than the first one. I agree that Heath Ledger did a great job with the joker. I noticed that they didn't kill the joker off at the end of the movie. I bet they had planned to bring Heath Ledger back to play the joker again. So sad that he won't be able to do that.

Stranger Than Fiction

After holding onto the East Baton Rouge Parish library's copy of "Stranger than Fiction" for more than the allotted week, I finally watched it tonight, under C's encouragement that it was worth not falling asleep during. (He saw it on HBO a while back.)

I think it suffices to say -- without any spoilers -- that Will Ferrell and his bevy of cool castmates exceeded expectations, giving me more than I anticipated from him (which is generally a lot).

And it proved that life can definitely be stranger than fiction.

Staycation

I debated on blogging about this not-new-anymore term...simply because it's not new anymore. I first heard it on the radio back in the spring and thought it would be a fun blog title. Then I forgot, and now everyone knows it.

But just in case you don't, here's the definition. A staycation is the survival-of-the-fittest mode of a vacation in these times of highest gas prices ever. The first radio narration I heard on staycations encouraged families to enjoy their own cities (or cities near them), leaving behind the worries and stresses of vacating, including the bills the ever-rising gas prices induce.

I still like the term, but since it's more common now, my main reason for blogging about staycations is to point out the immense emotional value of them....not just because you will cry less when you see more money in your wallet, but because one can really grow to appreciate where he's from (or is) when he explores that city rather than jaunting off to some great vacay destination.

I know this for a fact, because I truly regret never "staycating" in Biloxi and checking out Beauvoir as an adult. And Marine Life. Yes, I saw all the fun coast spots as a child, but never really chose to enjoy them once I got older and the field trip bus wasn't taking me there.
I can't tell you how many times during the weeks and months right after Katrina hit that I apologized to my boyfriend and friends for never insisting we forego Destin or Gulf Shores or New Orleans to just explore the Coast of Mississippi. It's more than just where I grew up -- there are some fun places there!

I am so proud of the place I call home for sustaining and rebuilding so valiantly. The courage and stamina is admirable, to put it mildly. But even with that wonderful determination and all the generosity of those who have given back to the land I love, the tourist attractions of the summer of 2005 will never be as they were before August 29 of that year. And I'll never be able to take the people I have met and grown to love in adulthood back to August 28, 2005....we only have the present and the future.

So yes, save the gas money and do a staycation. But also do it to be able to appreciate your town, city, county, parish, state or even region's touristy spots as you are now. Don't wait until the unthinkable happens and all you have are dreadful before and after pics.

K?

Happy staycay.

Let it go, let it go, let it go?

One of my favorite bands in the world is Cowboy Mouth. And one of my favorite songs of theirs is "Jenny Says."

Lately, it's been easy to let things get to me. There's been lots of sadness around me, and subsequently, in me. I don't like that.

I know that without the sad times, I can't really experience the truest joy of the good times. But I'm beginning to think there's only so much sadness a girl can take.

So along with my all-time favorite Bible verse (John 10:10 - "I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly."), the help of wonderful friends and family, and being on the look-out for those day-to-day pleasures that make life more fun to live, I am going to make an effort to live by Cowboy Mouth's lyrics this week:

I've got no reason for the things I fear
The things that plague me when I see and hear
A dime's a nickel and a nickel's none
I throw myself into the Sunday sun
That summer Sunday when you went insane
You said you're going, but instead I came
I'm throwing oranges in an apple cart
The ties that bind are tearing me apart

Jenny says turn off the radio
Jenny says turn off the light
Jenny says turn off the video
You beat yourself up to bring yourself down

Let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go
When the world keeps coming down on me
I let it go

I've got no reason for the things I say
She turned toward me then she turned away
There's lots of voices in a modern world
They take their toll upon a modern girl
I've got no reason for the things I fear
The things that plague me when I see and hear
I press my finger on an itchy trigger
What once was small right now is so much bigger

Jenny says turn off the radio
Jenny says turn off the light
Jenny says turn off the video
You beat yourself up to bring yourself down

Let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go
When the world keeps coming down on me
I let it go

I've got no reason for the things I do
The dealer deals and then the deal is screwed
You throw your cards up on the playing table
My name is Cain and I am now unable
I've got no reason for the things I fear
The things that plague me when I see and hear
A dime's a nickel, a nickel's none
I throw myself into the Sunday sun

Jenny says turn off the radio
Jenny says turn off the light
Jenny says turn off the video
You beat yourself up 'cause you love it

Let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go
When the world keeps coming down on me
I let it go

Let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go
When the world keeps coming down on me
I let it go

I let it go, let it go, let it go
I let it go, let it go, let it go
I let it go, let it go, let it go

I am really going to make an effort with this (and living life more abundantly, and paying attention to those "small" daily delights God blesses us with) this week, and I'd really love it if those of you who pay attention to things like MySpace moods and statuses (or stati?!) would keep me accountable on this.

Just remind me -- when the world is coming down on me, I let it go.

Grazie.


4 Comments
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*Michelle*
I have always *loved* this song! Thanks for posting the lyrics so that I can hopefully let some things go right now as well! You're the best :) Luvs!
Posted by *Michelle* on July 15, 2008 - Tuesday - 8:14 AM

RE RE
I love that song too!!! I forgot how good it is and how much it says about life in general. Thanks for sharing it with me. I am going to join you too. MUAH!!!
Posted by RE RE on July 15, 2008 - Tuesday - 8:54 AM

hibbs is what they call me
you should change the name of your blog from "welcome to my world" to "Bekah Says...!"

Bella.

I just watched the movie "Bella" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think I was in the right mode for it, though...I like all kinds of movies and entertainment, but some are made for specific times. Like quiet nights alone, when introspection is welcome.

At any rate, I enjoy anything that has to do with real decisions, and of course, I like language variations and the occasional subtitle, too. (I know, I'm weird.)

Sweet movie. Good RJ time.


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Jammit
I just Watched the Mini-series "Ice Road Truckers" in its entirety. I think I was in the right mode for it, though... I like all kinds of Hardcore, Crazy, Mindless shows, but some are made for specific times. Like veg'ing on the couch after a 3 day "Beer-a-thon" when watching mindless rednecks traverse frozen oceans and rivers in the name of Xtreme global transport is welcome. At any rate, I enjoy anything that has to do with loud, dirty, heavy machines, and of course, the only Language variations and subtitles would not be welcome on Bekah's Blog (How weird is *she*)...Great series! New episode next sunday night! Dane-O

Posted by Jammit on July 8, 2008 - Tuesday - 8:32 AM

summer lovin’ (straight from John Mayer’s blog)

I sometimes check out John Mayer's blog, because since I really love his lyrics, I figured I'd really love his freestyle writing, too. (I was right.)

I am reposting one of his tonight, because it says things I needed to hear:

summer 2008 is here 06/29 by JM


I'm laying in my London hotel room in one of my least favorite scenarios: the job is done today but the plane takes off tomorrow. The European tour was an absolute blast and I think I speak for the band and crew when I say that all sights are set firmly on the US tour and making it the best ever.

As a 30-year old with an eight-year mainstream professional music career, I couldn't be happier (and more thankful) to still have a gig. All I can think about when I'm on stage these days is how terrible it would feel to have learned how to make the most out of each and every show after the gig was up.

It's a funny time to be alive right now, in that I'm not quite sure we're celebrating like we should. I don't mean the "Hand me your keys, Dan!" celebrating. I mean the very innate act of celebration; human appreciation. Group reveling. A general sense of "This is my tribe and this is our fellowship." Like a concert.

I know I've written along these lines before, but do you know why it matters? Because someday you're going to be old, and things are going to change. Your body is going to turn on you. I already know where the L-5 and L-6 discs in my back are, because they're wearing down a little, and when I ask the doc how we lick this, he says "It is what it is. You're not 18 anymore." I have 3 gray hairs that I insist are "mutant clear hairs" but they're not. They're just gray. And right on time.

Chances are you won't get hit by that proverbial bus people always talk about when they're smoking a Lucky Strike and tipping back on their chair. Odds are also on your side (thank God) that you won't ever get the news from your doctor that you have only months left to live. But you know what he may very well tell you? That you need a new hip. Nobody ever says "live it up because someday you might need a new hip" but it's the truth. They don't say "Be good to one another because in time we'll all know a medical lab technician on a first name basis" but it happens every day.

My point is that whenever that someday comes, when I slide into the MRI scanner and the thing starts spinning up, spitting lasers and screaming into my ears, I may very well say to myself "I wish I had just one more of those summers."

Being a young man is kick-ass. Being a young man who knows that being a young man is kick-ass is what it's really all about. And as a musician, I'm finally learning to distinguish the notes that matter from the ones that don't. I'm also getting better at knowing those notes as a person, too. I'm excited to bring it all on stage, and even more excited to see you all out there.

Thank you for another one of those summers.

John


Granted, anyone who is dating Jennifer Aniston should be a happy guy, and appreciative of what he has. But seriously. Happy summer lovin' to you. Let's savor this day while we can.

my daily plate (dot com)

In response to my whining and moaning about my need to watch my weight, a friend told me a couple of weeks ago about a website that might help raise my awareness about what I eat: www.mydailyplate.com

I tried it and guess what? It's really interesting, and definitely keeps me accountable when I see how many calories I have consumed by (and sometimes before!) lunch, and what the site recommends I eat (or don't eat) for the rest of the day.

Check it out if you're interested - it's free to sign up, and a great way to keep track of what's going in your body on a daily basis.





3:54 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos

I always knew you were a goddess! I've used some other sites before but have never been thrilled with them! HUGE THANKS!!!

Posted by *Michelle* on July 1, 2008 - Tuesday 9:02 PM

finding happy

This week has been kind of tough. News of all shapes and sizes has come in, and none of it has been very joyous. It's hard to hear about things that cause others pain, and it's easy to lose sight of my happy.

Sometimes my happy is right in front of me. I don't even have to look for it. I close my eyes, and it's still there. I love those times. Those times are most frequent for me. I'm fortunate, and I know that. Times when my happy is hard to find are not as common, and make for a really blah rebekah.

There are millions of reasons for me to be joyous. If I counted the ways, my blog would go on for miles. I know this. I really do.

So why is it that happy can occasionally be hard to find?

My very understanding boyfriend says that funks make him appreciate the days when he feels no funk -- they even make him appreciate the days when he feels nothing at all. I know he's right.

And the search goes on.

VBS - B = VS

My 4-year-old nephew is in Vacation Bible School this week.

I, myself, can remember VBS like it was yesterday: the flower-shaped cookies with the hole in the middle (that was clearly there so you could twirl the cookies on your finger); the red Kool-Aid (and inevitable mustaches that followed); the arts and crafts (where they sometimes let even short-attention-span girls like me use the hot glue gun)! There are certain things that time just can't erase in a memory.

And apparently, there are certain things that time (and any other given element) has no problem erasing.

After Caleb's first day of VBS, my sister asked him what he did. He told her all about the arts, crafts, snacks...basically the things on my list above. When she asked him what he had learned about the Bible, he replied, "Nothin'."

Please don't get me wrong...Caleb's dad is a minister. He practically lives at that church. And anyone who knows my sister, well, enough said. Let's just say the boy definitely has some Bible stories in his memory bank by now.

So don't worry, because after Caleb's second day of VBS, Kim reported that "he's having fun, but he says still hasn't learned anything."

Apparently, Caleb is just in Vacation School.




3:11 PM - 4 Comments - 3 Kudos




Hilarious! Sounds like myr girls this week. They tell me about the arts and crafts and snacks... and they say... """ We learned about God and Jesus... Mommy did you know that God and Jesus are the same?! Like How does he do that?!""" Tonight they are having their Closing Ceremony, they are all singing, and have parts in the little performance. I ALWAYS LOVED VBS!

Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on June 13, 2008 - Friday 6:38 AM





Our VBS is next week and I'm glad I'm in charge of snacks...at least they should remember that part! :)

Posted by Amanda on June 13, 2008 - Friday 10:40 AM




You bring back fond memories of some of my favorite childhood times. You painted the picture perfectly. As with most things, VBS is probably not what it used to be when we were children. I do recall those arts and crafts were usually centered on a Bible story and helped with learning that story. I had such a fondness for the bible at that age... I miss that childlike love and desire for knowing the Bible so well, I'm sad to admit. Maybe I need to go back to VBS and do a little Biblical crafting for a refresher and as a teacher... and you're never to old to learn something, especially from a child!

Posted by Susan on June 19, 2008 - Thursday 8:50 PM




I always loved VBS too.

Minley had it last week and she was so excited because she got this huge parrot for reciting her Bible verse to everyone. I was so excited that she actually learned something.

You know, there are times that I ask Minley what she did that day at school and because they do so much, she couldn't really remember. Maybe the kids are having so much fun at VBS and they are pretty much rushed from one event to another, that they don't really remember the bible story that was taught that day.

Posted by Mary on June 20, 2008 - Friday 4:43 AM

My celebrity twin

rebekah's celebrity twin is:

Kate Hudson

Your ideal life is that of a Bohemian beach bum. You're the quintessential fun girl -- the one all the guys want to hang out with for her natural beauty and laid-back attitude. Like Kate, you embrace the hippie lifestyle and are a free spirit. You need a man who can make you laugh, and you understand how hard marriage can be. (Kate has said she never wanted to know if her ex-husband, Chris Robinson, was cheating on her). You form close bonds with your immediate family but can separate the good people in your life from those who are poor influences.

Who is your celebrity twin?

http://quiz.ivillage.com/entertainment/tests/CelebDoubleQuiz.htm?nlcid=et%7C05-21-2008%7C

Cha cha!

My brilliant boyfriend recently introduced me to yet another fun new girl for my world: Cha cha. She's really smart, never sleeps, and will tell me anything...all I have to do is ask.

But I'm not selfish. You can meet her, too. Just text any question to Cha cha (242242), and she will answer you, usually within minutes. The best part of all is that if she doesn't know the answer, she doesn't pretend to know. She just says she doesn't know. Refreshing, eh?

Cha cha!

3:40 PM - 1 Comments



This is crazy. Now I want to do it. Like any question at all? Is this in LA only or can I do this? Oh, why did you give me another goofy thing to do... these things are my weakness!

Posted by Susan on May 29, 2008 - Thursday 4:01 PM

Beautiful bride? Check.

One of my best friends is extremely structured. I have tried to think of other words to use, but they would fail to communicate just how goal- and list-oriented sweet Jane is.

From what I understand, Jane was one of those kids who liked -- no, loved -- to follow the rules. One of those kids I might not would have identified with as a small child, had we known each other way back when. She did what was expected and she did what was right, and she did it all very well. She continued to follow rules, meet goals and make and check off lists throughout elementary, junior high and high school, during college, and beyond.

Jane and I had just graduated from our respective colleges when we realized we were kindred spirits. We grew up in the same county and had met a few years earlier through mutual friends, but in 1999, we found ourselves in the same city, at the same stage of life, and uncannily, living less than a mile from one another. Even more important than that, though, was the amazing connection we realized we had, even though Jane was very structured and I was very rebekah (fairly free-spirited and whatever-goes).

You can probably just imagine the conversations that began our frequent lunch, dinner, pool, errand-running, grocery shopping and mini-road trip dates:

Jane: "What's the plan?"

Rebekah: "Hmmm...I don't know. Why don't we just play it by ear?"

Throughout our first month or so of friendship, Jane and I realized we could benefit greatly from the other's very different personality, and decided to take advantage of that. For instance, I actually started planning things in my personal life (which was pretty new for me), and Jane started planning to be spontaneous more often. :-)

Time went on, Jane moved to New Orleans to get her Master's, relationships came and went (and sometimes came back and went again), job led to other jobs that led to careers, friends got married and had babies, Jane dealt with her mother's illness, and future plans were contemplated and pursued in both of our lives. There was drama and laughter in the midst of it all, but even though we lost the opportunity to grocery shop together, we didn't lose the opportunity to keep in touch and benefit from the other's unique personality traits. We squeezed in phone calls and coordinated trips home to the coast when possible, and time even allowed us a rare and much-appreciated road trip here and there.

Time also allowed us some incredible life moments, including Jane's reunion with Matt, whom I was honored to watch her vow 'til death do they part last Saturday evening. Anyone who witnessed that day (or any part of their relationship) could see that Matt is more than just a college friend and former study buddy of Jane's. He is more than a welcome surprise who came back into Jane's life at just the right time. He's even more than a well-learned onocologist who understood her mother's disease and treatments more than the average person could. No, we could all see that Matt is Jane's true soulmate -- someone who appreciates who she is (lists and all) and who loves her for every precious trait that she has.

So it was no wonder that despite the few loose items that were yet to be checked off Jane's mental wedding day list right before she walked down the aisle, she could enjoy a deep breath of relaxation at the realization that yes, she had checked off another life's goal and huge moment. Confident in who she is and where she's going, humble enough to learn and accept criticism, armed with the knowledge that she has honored her parents in the most touching of ways, continuing her ongoing goal to be the Proverbs 31 woman she so gracefully is, Jane could radiantly walk down the aisle to become Mrs. Matt Varner with the purest of hope and most profound security that a lifetime of love and happiness awaits them both.

Beautiful bride? You'd better believe it.

Check.



2 Comments - 2 Kudos

This made me cry. You described her so well. I cannot believe after all these years... that I actually missed this day. We have known each other for a lifetime... and I am also on the far-opposite end of the spectrum as far as personalities go. I have always admired her for her strength of character and resolve. I hope and pray that my little girls can grow up someday with a little bit of: Jane, Amy, and Rebekah.... I would be very proud indeed.
Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on May 23, 2008 - Friday 4:23 AM

tell Jane I said congrats when you speak to her again... thanks!
Posted by hibbs is what they call me on May 23, 2008 - Friday 8:58 AM

update on Nan

Thanks so much to those of you who have asked about my Nan...I'm happy to report that after visiting with her this weekend, I saw (in person) that she is doing MUCH better...physically, emotionally, etc.Of course, fractured spines take a while to heal, but she's definitely on the mend and I am so thankful for that!



3:53 PM - 1 Comments

Hannah Montana... wow! Though, I've watched the show... and it's kinda addictive (shhh, tell no one this secret)GREAT NEWS about Nan. Our God is a great God... and he listens (even to Hannah Montana I bet)
Posted by Susan on May 21, 2008 - Wednesday 4:52 PM