Sometimes I'm 11 again

I may or may not have watched all of these and laughed until I had tears in my eyes when I was supposed to be investing my time in turning my mediocre paper into a masterpiece. ...I did actually finish the paper, but Powerpuff Girls?!!! Come On! Take me back to the nineties, please.







...there are more, but I'll spare you (these really are the best though). And for the next week I'll walk around saying, "I aammmm MoJo JOJO!"

Prioritize

So maybe I should be writing my paper that's due tomorrow that I haven't even started yet, but I'm not ready yet; I'm prioritizing. Tonight, my small group was absolutely amazing. We talked about things that really hit home for us, we shared some awesome things God is doing, and saw an old story through the eyes of a sweet baby Christian. Sometimes, I can't believe myself, and sometimes, I can't believe God. He is so faithful. Always. This past week, God has been moving in such a mighty way in my life, and I can't get over it. Absolutely EVERYTHING that comes into my life fits perfectly into what He's teaching and revealing to me. Songs, verses, lessons, friends, quotes, everything. I've been so convicted, distraught, amazed, encouraged, and at peace this week. I cant even talk (or write) about it without crying. Why do I ever doubt His power? Why don't I realize the significance of the fact that He is working all things together for my good? For my good! I know this sounds like rambling, but if I tried to share every little thing He's been weaving together for me, it would be way too long. I just think that good things should be shared, and let me tell you, God is good.
Wind is one of my favorite metaphors for God's love. I love the idea of wind driving away the fog that blocks our vision, or moving the clouds that dishearten our spirit. Tonight we sang a song, and the words were so beautifully perfect. "Like the rushing of a mighty wind, come and fill our hearts again," and that's what God has done in my life this week. He has come with such unexpected force that it took my breath away and consumed me.

This is one of my favorite verses, and living in it this week has been the best decision ever. "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" Psalm 62:8

Say What?

Let me just say first of all, I am not Catholic. Also, I've already related to you in previous posts the impracticality of me giving up anything. (You'll recall, I'm just far too lazy and unmotivated). 40 days is a LONG time! However, there are a few things I wouldn't mind giving up for Lent. They are as follows:

-Brocolli (not that I actually eat it now)

-Make up (not that I've been wearing it recently)

-Washing Clothes (...I can go about 41 days before running out of essentials, I'm on 15 or so now)

-Reality TV ( not that I have time for tv, but I do love Ace of Cakes)

[Sensing a pattern yet?]

That being said, I did actually contemplate and com up with a list of things that I'm realistically considering a fast from.

-The words "rude," "like" and "uh."

Normally, you'd hear something like this coming from me:

"Ruuudeeee!" or (for "like" see the previous sentence^) or "I'll look, uhhh, ok here it is."

For Lent, I will replace these words with:

"Scurrilous or incorrigible," "almost as if," and "weellllllll."

e.g. : "He certainly was scurrilous; I mean, what he did was absolutely incorrigible."

"I it's almost as if chocolate milk."

"Sure I'll get it, wellllllllllllllllll, where is it again?"

I also considered giving up at least one of my "Jenna faces," but the impossibility of choosing between the "underbite of disapproval" and the "touche smirk" ended that endeavor before it advanced any distance at all really. So clearly, I will not be giving up any facial animation or verbal confabulations; therefore, my practical choice for Lent is,

The serif on the "J" in Jenna. I'm really quite fond of that serif, so this is going to be rather difficult, but I think I can do it. It is after all only 40 days.

Happy February 14th

In honor of the "holiday" at hand, I've decided it's time for another celebrity boyfriend update. And the Valentine's Day winner is ............ Rivers Cuomo. First of all, how cool is the name Rivers?! Ok, maybe you don't feel the same, but I like it. Second of all, look how completely adorable he is!

Clearly, he's a musician, which goes a long way for a lot of reasons in my book, and he's so much fun to listen to! My favorite song in high school-Buddy Holly (I still love it,). And one of my favorite songs now, I Want You To. Clearly I am completely envious of Sara Bareilles here. Such a cute video too!

What's Love Got to do With it?

^from this etsy shop

Confession Time. I am a super nerd. And I kind of love it. I won't lie; I'm pretty excited about graduating, but I'm also a little distraught about it. I really love school. I loved in the sixth grade. I loved it when I was 16. I love it now. I love getting to sit in a class with people from all different backgrounds and places and hear what they have to say, and I especially love my literature classes. I literally get a rush when someone says something I didn't think about. AMAZING that people can look at the same exact thing and see something completely different. I love gathering facts about various things that I know I will probably never actually need to know. And I get a kick out of things like this Hamlet Facebook Page. I laughed out loud in class for about 2 minutes, then giggled quietly for the next hour. I love researching, and I would live on the second floor (the reference section) of my school's library forever and not mind it one bit. I enjoy documentaries, and left to myself I will read a thesaurus. It's true. I'm a nerd, but it's ok, as long as you remember:

^from that etsy shop

:) love you much.

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier.

All right, all right. I told you I'd keep you updated, then I abandoned you. I'm going to blame the bulk of this failure on my lack of energy from changing my diet this week. Honestly the last week was sad. I mean I could still handle stairs, but by about 7pm, I had absolutely no energy left. Things must change, because this isn't conducive to my goals. Also, it drove me to eat animal crackers Friday, and consume an energy drink this morning. I KNOW! Don't fuss. I'm already ashamed.

This is still only phase 2...

Changing subjects. Baking homemade cinnamon rolls should be an Olympic event. This morning I planned to make homemade cinnamon rolls, so I got up at 6am. Unfortunately, I failed to realize that after you make the dough and knead it, it has to sit 1.5hours before you roll/cut/prepare the actual rolls which then sit for another 1.5hours, then cook for another 15min. (?!?!?!) Needless to say, the wedding shower I was preparing them for was tragically subjected to grocery store pastries instead of yummy, healthy cinnamon rolls. However, I did get to work out early this morning, which increased the awesomeness of my day exponentially. Oh, and the rolls will actually be ready for consumption in about 5 minutes. That's 14 hours+ after I started. :(

Other fun things that happened today-I got frustrated with the clutter that is my life, and started organizing. My precious baby sister came over to help, and I'm pretty sure she said it best-I'm kind of like a pirate because my place is so full of treasure. I found so much stuff today I forgot I had! Examples of such: a food processor, notes from my sweet site babies this past summer, bubble wands, and everything my mom bought me years ago when I was planning on going away for college. Like Christmas all over again. Best ever.

Then Clara came over. This girl is the best. I also forced her to watch my camp dvds and look at scrapbooks, so the fact that she endured it without much resistance probably obligates me to be her friend for the rest of forever. I'm ok with that. She makes me smile.

So, she makes the face from the first pic most, but this one makes me laugh. Clearly we need to update our picture situation stat.

**Update! Cinnamon rolls are done! And they are super delicious. Clearly this is what I should do with my life. (Make them, not eat them)

aren't they beautiful?! ...ok maybe not. But they are SUPER YUMMY. 4/4 people agree.

This one was my favorite. It was cutest, but doesn't look at all like its brothers.

I'm now trapped again watching these ridiculous reality shows. This one is Toddlers and Tiaras. And these parents are the meanest most ridiculous people I've ever seen in my life. They are not only living vicariously (regularly they refer to things their kid is doing as "I" not she (or he apparently), but I'm pretty sure I just watched someone's marriage completely fall apart on national television. Plus they all say, "they love it" and "I'd stop if they wanted to" then the kids repeatedly scream and say "no" and "I want to quit." Insane! I could always change the channel, but I'm fascinated.

Dear moms, making your 8 year old look 21 and compete for the attention and approval of strangers will not end well.

Ok, I have to get up change the channel now; this is too much for me. Also, I kind of want to paint. So, tchou lovelies.

A Day in the Life of a Fat Kid

So last week I volunteered to be part of the "ScaleBackAlabama" program that my college campus is doing, and in the last 4 days of participation I have learned that I am the worst partner my team could've possibly chosen. Every member on the team is required to lose 10lbs by the second week of April, but not only has my weight been the same since about the 10th grade-I have the worst will power ever. One time I actually stuck with South Beach Diet to support my mom, and for two weeks all I ate was air and water. She lost 13 pounds; I lost ZERO pounds. I don't do carbonation. I don't do meat. I run, yoga, and some other random things. And I'm not sure how this is going to work out. I'll keep you updated on this journey/suicide attempt. 

First, the things I live for:

2nd- The things I can't eat but would love to

C- The things I love to hate, but would be practical for such an endeavor

Which means that I have 2 options left. Eat these 

 for the next 2.5 months, or adopt an eating disorder for the month of March. Unfortunately I can't handle a finger down my throat or a laxative (I think I just broke every lady code in existence by even noting that), so looks like I'm stuck with eggs. And water. Oh dear.

Θα τραγουδήσω ένα τραγούδι γλυκιά αύριο

^from my favorite etsy shop
I should be tutoring, but apparently students are feeling super confident about this semester right now and do not want their appointments. Thus, I blog. So lately God's really been teaching me about the importance and necessity of encouragement-as friends, family, believers-and I have to say it's been humbling. I could definitely be a better encourager; I'm working on it. However, with this lesson has come a backlash that's been bothering me. I'm going to seek advice here knowing that you faithful few who read this will not respond, but hey, a girl can dream.

My dilemma is this: When is it ok to give up?

I don't mean, I feel like giving up on life. I mean that I'm getting exhausted and discouraged by continually reaching out to someone who doesn't want to meet you halfway. Sometimes I'm that girl who when faced with encouragement during a trying time says, "thanks" then still feels the same way for a bit, BUT I acknowledge that a well-meaning soul cared about me. It's just really hard sometimes caring and not feeling like it matters. I know it does, but what do you do when you don't feel like it does? I honestly want to cut my losses and find somewhere else to invest because quite frankly, this is somewhat painful. But I never want to be guilty of giving up on someone! Have you ever been here? What happens next? A dear friend of mine actually counseled me to step back and see if said drainer of motivation cherishes me at all, but I don't know how to do that because I'm afraid that I already know the answers doing that will reveal-that I don't really matter to them and I care a whole lot more than they do. Being a good friend is hard. I know that, but it's possible. So should should I continue trying to be a good friend and suffer silently, or suck it up and move on because they can't seem to comprehend how to be a good friend? You're probably thinking a. is the valid option. Fine. I'll accept it, but how do I deal with it? I want to be an encouragement, I really do (yes, I am fully aware that this post is the antithesis of encouragement [I promise I will actually be encouraging once I purge this from my system]) but in order to be successful at it, I think I might have to let this go. Unfortunate, this is.

(Fear not faithfuls, next time I'll post something fun. Maybe another celebrity boyfriend or how I'm the worst scalebackalabama teammate ever) :)