the challenge

As I approach my 28th birthday, lots of questions have randomly crossed my mind like…

Who am I? (still to be determined…)
What would I do for a Klondike bar?
What is important to me?
Where are the wild things?
What career do I want to pursue? (another ‘to be determined’)
Could I outrun a kangaroo? (I looked this one up…the answer is definitely no)
How do others see me?

And I got stuck on this last one. It hit me that I still dress like I’m in college. My standard day-to-day uniform is generally a tee shirt and jeans (thanks to the relaxed nature of my job)….but this enselmble is EXACTLY the same as what I wore throughout college. If you don’t believe me, please refer to Exhibit A to get an idea of my daily look (ps- for those who don’t know me, I’m the girl on the right.):

Exhibit A: Hook'Em visits the UIL

Being a Textile and Apparel alum, I know the inadvertent drawbacks of my (lack of) clothing choices…but I’ve chosen to believe that I’m the exception to the rule. Yet the truth is that I’m not the exception, I’m the poster child for the “I’m-stuck-in-a-dead-end-job-because-everyone-thinks-I’m-still-in-college” demographic. And I’ve recognized that the collegiate connotations aren’t limited to the office–this could very well explain why I only seem to attract guys under the age of 25. 

I feel like the only way to alter this perception is to refine my personal presentation. Which means…for the month of September, I’m banishing jeans from my work attire.  Unfortunately, I’ve lost the will to go completely cold-turkey….so I’ll allow myself to wear jeans for social purposes, BUT only when accompanied by a cute top and heels/flats. Like any addiction, baby steps are required in the beginning…maybe in time, I’ll be able to go entirely jean-free. My hope is that my month-long blue-jean-restriction will lead to a permanent adjustment in my daily habits. Depending on how I fare, the month of October may bring about an entirely new challenge (like wearing make-up every day) or a continuation of the no-jean project. Either way…it should be an interesting journey for this comfort-driven, cozy-loving chick!

revelation 3:8

 

a friend sent me this verse, and it’s one that I haven’t really looked at until today. it says:

 I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep My Word. You didn’t deny Me when times were rough.
Revelations 3:8 (The Message)

thanks for pointing me to this Brenda.

I was dreaming when I wrote this…

 

because my own words aren’t as pretty,  here are some lyrics that have caught my attention… 

 

I don’t know nothing except change will come
Year after year what we do is undone
Time keeps moving from a crawl to a run
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home
Patty Griffin When It Don’t Come Easy

 

I was perched outside in the pouring rain 
Trying to make myself a sail 
Then I’ll float to you my darlin’ 
With the evening on my tail 
Although not the most honest means of travel 
It gets me there nonetheless 
I’m a heartless man at worst, babe 
And a helpless one at best
Paolo Nutini Candy

 

Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
James Taylor Fire and Rain

 

And I’ve lost my mind, I’m sure I’ll find
Need to apologize for my
Lack of inhibition, for my belligerent condition
But with You this near I’m dizzy
Intoxicating You are to me
Completely captivating to see
Sending my world spinning You are, You see
David Crowder Band Intoxicating

 

Nickels and dimes 
Memories and wines
George Strait Fool Hearted Memory

 

Get in the groove & let the good times roll
I’m gonna stay here till I soothe my soul
If it take all night long
Sam Cooke Good Times

 

To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
The Smiths There is a Light That Never Goes Out

 

Are we really living or just walking dead now?
Or dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels
The way we live
The way we die
What a tragedy, I’m so terrified
Day dreamers please wake up, we can’t sleep no more
Janelle Monae Sincerely, Jane

 

He’s a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Doesn’t have a point of view,
Knows not where he’s going to,
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man please listen,
You don’t know what you’re missing,
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command!
The Beatles Nowhere Man

I find I’m moving to the rhythms of Your grace.
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place.
Your love is extravagant.
Casting Crowns Your Love is Extravagant

 

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
Simon & Garfunkel Sound of Silence

my résumé

don’t you wish you could list your real talents/traits/skill set on your résumé ?
here’s what I would like mine to include:

• mixed-cd maker
• professional bridesmaid
• fashion/jewelry aficionado
• slightly sarcastic, wise-cracking commentator
• music/film/literary/art/food/travel enthusiast
• greeting card innovator
• master of rants
• breakdancing-wannabe
• ‘sleeper hit’ personality
• language developer (aka brookisms)
• sleuth
• finger-painting expert
• party/event planner
• sporadic comedian
• massive hugger
• getaway driver

now, if I could just find a job that would utilize all this goodness…well then I would have one amazing job…..any suggestions??

ps – I’ve recently rediscovered how good james taylor’s “fire and rain” is…especially this particular lyric:
sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

in other news…

on a less serious note, I said goodbye to maggie (my little red PT cruiser, which I also referred to as margaret when I was mad) this weekend…and I’m now the proud owner of a steel grey 2009 toyota camry (officially dubbed bella…mainly because I thought of twilight when I saw it).

maggie and I had a good run…but after 6 years, several miles and many rough patches (with engine problems, dents, batteries, etc) it was definitely time to move on. bella is a dream to drive…and I was ecstatic to make the trek back to austin on half a tank of gas! plus not decelerating when you’re pushing on the gas is a good thing…made the drive a lot more enjoyable

when I made it back into austin, I actually ended up heading to mozart’s for a bit to unwind. there were a few musicians there playing some songs, and I was shocked by the first song I heard. here’s what they played (literally back to back):

“On My Knees”
“Bless the Broken Road”
“Amazing Love”

a lot of good memories came to mind such as a youth camp performance, Troy & Katy’s wedding, etc. i went home happy and peaceful.

like sunshine and rain…

around 9:40 am on Friday (May 8), I received word that Troy Gatlin had passed away. I don’t have the words to express everything that I felt at that time, but there were a lot of tears involved…mingled with feelings of peace and relief that my friend was free from pain. Katy (Troy’s wife) more eloquently articulated these emotions on Troy’s caring bridge blog:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/troygatlin

I was overcome with emotion…and the deluge of tears started that morning. by noon I was on the road headed home. I had a few bumps along the way…mainly that Maggie (my car) was having some serious engine issues. I had several emergency stops on the side of the road. but by the grace of God I made the trek safely.

when I got to Winnie…the day worsened. my mom called in hysterics because she had received word from the emergency room that that my uncle was dying. the hospital had called to ask someone to come sign a paper agreeing to whether or not we would put my uncle on life support. by the time I got off the phone, I felt like I was going to explode with the sorrow I felt.

but somehow, a glimmer of hope burst through (with God’s provision, and with many thanks to the prayers of some awesome friends). I was reminded that Troy was finally at peace, pain-free and cancer-free in his heavenly Home. and after getting to the hospital (and finally getting past the emergency room staff) it became evident that my uncle was not dying. he has several severe on-going medical problems, and on top of being seriously ill, the emergency room made a judgement call without taking time to familiarize themselves with his medical history. by saturday, my uncle was in a regular hospital room and on his way to recovering.

sunday was hard. my heart was broken for all of Troy’s family…especially his mom (Tammy). I don’t think any mother should have to bury their child, much less on mother’s day. however even though the day was incredibly sad, it offered so much encouragement and hope. the service was a true testimony to Troy’s life and his legacy. the sheer number of people who came to celebrate the life of Troy spoke volumes. God truly used Troy as a vessel to deliver His message to so many people. I am in awe of the Gatlin/Hicks family…their faith has shone through this whole battle. It is evident that their hope is in the Lord. Katy (Troy’s wife) recorded the song “I Will Rise” for Troy the night before he passed away; they played the recording at his service on Sunday. the song was a beautiful tribute to the life Troy lived here on earth, and the life he will spend in his eternal Home.

I WILL RISE

There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say “It is well”

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
“Worthy is the Lamb”
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
“Worthy is the Lamb”

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

Troy, my friend you left a mark on so many of us…I am at peace knowing that you are Home…free from cancer and free from pain. you are greatly missed, but one day there will be a rocking awesome reunion in Heaven…