Grammatically Correct

UPDATE: I only have 3 classes and 5 finals til summer!!!

I just took a ridiculously hard grammar test. It was sort of an "exit exam" in one of my classes. No lies- I just fixed 3 grammatical errors in those first two sentences. UGH. Isn't it unbelievable how unimportant grammar is in society? I remember learning grammar in elementary school and one of the tips was to "say it in your head" and see what sounds right. NEWSFLASH- we, as a society, do not speak grammatically correct so it all sounds wrong in my head. I was telling someone about this test last night and he said grammar just makes him mad because we never really, truly learned it. So now its a matter of principle. Ha. But hopefully I didn't kill my A in that class with that stupid test.

I can't believe I just wrote that much about grammar. Actually, I can. I should totally be an English major.

Anyways, the week is winding down. I am 1 presentation, 1 project, 5 classes, and 5 finals away from summer. Cannot happen soon enough. I have a wonderful celebration planned for after finals that involves a trip to the beach with my favoritest girls!

Next week is dead week. Aside from Diadeloso, dead week is my favorite. No classes. Need I say more? I really should have written an entire post about Diadeloso. Maybe this summer when I have nothing exciting going on, I can revisit Dia.

I also talked to my favorite friend from Kansas for wayy too long this week. What an incredible friendship we have cultivated. I am glad to know her. =)

And that is all. Happy Thursday!

Oh wait- ok I found some pictures on my laptop this week from May 2007. I hardly remember this time in my life. It seems like I haven't slowed down since. But with my sister graduating soon, I wanted to remember how it felt. It is way more fun to see everything through her eyes though!



I am seriously hoping I did not take this attempt at an artsy picture. But no guarantees...

The Beginning of The End (of the semester)

It is quite a gloomy day but I do not feel gloomy at all. I have pretty much been laughing my head off at a few friends since I woke up. Rainy weather makes people go nuts. Running around with umbrellas looking very tense is kinda unnecessary. So is driving like an idiot. It is just rain people, just rain. Also, I moved a "caution wet floor" sign from the lobby of the business school outside for a good laugh.

Ok, you had to be there. It was funny.

(I would also have a picture of this if I could figure out how to work my new phone. Currently, I can text and make calls and take a picture. If I get your number or need to check a voicemail you left me, forget about it.)

I love the feeling of connectedness I have here. I have a routine. I walk here with my roommate then meet another friend before this class. I talk to so and so in this class and text Karalee across the hall. I eat with a group every Monday night and stay up late the night before accounting tests with my self proclaimed "study group." It is fun. And I'm better for it.

This time in two weeks, I will be done with my American Literature final, which is also my last final. I'd by lying if I said I was ready for that. Or any finals for that matter. Preparation is not exactly my middle name. I try really hard to stay ahead of the curve with my classes and obligations, but more often than not, I get behind. My mom told me a couple weeks ago that I was going to be this busy for the rest of my life. (My mom isn't a downer all the time I swear- I just needed to hear it). But I have gotten so much better and slowing my pace and enjoying the ride. I still make good grades, still do my work, still handle my responsibilities, but for the first time ever, I am not completely stressed out by all that. I think I attribute it to a little maturing and a lot of good friends.

Two weeks and I will be half way done with college. Wow.

Mixed feelings. A lot of them to be exact. I hardly recognize the person I was when I started school. I am older and (fingers crossed) smarter. I am happier and kinder. I have made a lot of mistakes but I am thankful for the experience. Two of my closest friends graduate in less than 3 weeks and I have become oddly nostalgic. I cannot believe they won't be here. I think I am going to write a tribute post to them later but for now, it makes me never want to graduate. Ever. evereverevereverever.

And that is that.

Also, I have a job. I am not going to say where it is cause I would feel ultimately dumb later if I get stalked or something because I made myself transparent on the internet. But it is fun! I really enjoy it and it hasn't made a huge dent in my social life (or schoolwork... kidding). I can only work for another couple of weeks but I am excited to come back in the fall and make it part of my regular routine.

Places I do not have a job: at home. Ideas? Anyone need a copy/file girl? Or an actual intern? Or a nanny? Anything? Anyone? pleaseee.

So happy finals studying to all my college friends, happy almost summer to everyone else.

And- congratulations to my incredible sister for making the cheerleading squad at ACU this weekend! Mary- you are a champ and I love you. I cannot wait to come see you cheer!!!! love ya seester.

hot

ladies and gentlemen,

i do believe it is officially summer.

i have waited many long, cold, dreary months to say this. i have perservered through a rainy season. i have driven on ice patches. i have bundled up to walk to class. i have trudged through slush. i have consumed a lot of hot chocolate.

but now, after a beautiful Texas spring day, it is here.

God Bless Texas and our 6 months of summer. I wouldn't have it any other way.

work out

Alright, I want to touch on a few things before I tell my working out story.

First and foremost- Easter- Laura was baptized by my dad Sunday morning. It was really special because Mary and I were both baptized on Easter but moreso because my ENTIRE family was there. Both my grandma from Longview and my grandparents from Houston were there, along with my beautiful great-grandmother. I am constantly in awe of her and what she does. Family is so important to her and it is obvious that she instilled a love of each other and the Lord into her children who have passed that down for four generations. And my aunt and uncle and crazy boy cousins were there. Love em. And my cousins Christie and Katie. No lie- I don't think we have ever all been together. So it was a good day. I slipped into a slight food coma Sunday afternoon and woke up in a haze. You know the kind of nap that exhausts you. yeah that happened to me.

(picture was taken before Easter lunch kicked my butt)

And second- it has been a stressful, crazy week that has taken it out of me. But my great best friend reminded me it has been a beautiful week. The weather has been nice. Everyone is getting along. We have all spent time together catching up and enjoying each other. It really has been beautiful. My paper that is due in 10ish hours is not beautiful. But really- it doesn't matter. I am amazed at how great life can be at my busiest. My friend Lauren agreed with me today that I usually self implode grade wise at this point every semester. With two full weeks left before finals, I have usually secured my good grades. But I have too much fun these last few weeks and shoot myself in the foot. Case in point- writing a blog instead of my paper....

Ok so working out- as previously mentioned- I have been a tad bit stressed lately. And I ate a ton this weekend. I seriously slept and ate and went shopping with my mom. Hardly anything else. So I have been feeling sluggish and grouchy all week but I have been too busy to do anything. Let it be said right now that I do not under any circumstance work out regularly. I try and walk a few miles a week and eat semi healthy food. But lets get real- I am lazy. I am also not the most athletic person you have ever met. Running is the closest thing to a sport I am good at. That and wallyball (more later). But it really clears my head and I always feel better. So I grab my ipod and my sweat towel and head to the SLC (read:gym). I get there, socialize for a few minutes (love socializing not sweating) and hop on a treadmill.

1. Misstep and kinda trip onto it. Look really cool in front of all the hardcore workerouters.

2. Stand there and watch tv for about 3.3 minutes. Again, I look totally professh.

3. Press start. Only to find out that the button is jammed with someone's gum!!!!

4. Remember why I prefer to run outdoors.

5. Switch treadmills.

6. Run 1.2 miles in decent time.

7. Only get tangled up in my earbud cords twice.

8. Awkwardly wave to about 5 people who never see me. awesome.

9. Start getting a really bad stomach cramp.

10. Leave after all of 17 minutes.

I ended up logging like 1.6 miles and burning 140 calories. And now my legs hurt and I smell bad. Great.

And I am for real writing my paper now. Have a good night kenzie. =)

lyrics

"When You Come Back Down" -Nickel Creek

You gotta leave me, you've got to go alone.
You gotta chase a dream- one that's all your own before it slips away.
When you're flying high, take my heart along.
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song that you'll learn to play.

When you're soaring through the air, I'll be your solid ground.
Take every chance you dare, I'll still be there
When you come back down.

I'll be looking up, awaiting your return.
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn and I won't feel your fire.
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line connecting in between your sweet heart and mine.
I'm strung out on that wire.

And I'll be the other end to hear you when you call.
Angel, you were born to fly.
If you get too high, I'll catch you when you fall.

Your memory's' the sunshine, every new day brings.
I know the sky is calling- angel- let me help you with your wings.

When you're soaring through the air, I'll be your solid ground.
Take every chance you dare, I'll still be there
when you come back down.

Far Away

its late and early. and i am tired. and i miss my best friend.

sing me to sleep, sunshine.

Father, thank you for itunes. lame to be thankful for but it is letting me hear love. and i feel better. bless my tests. bless my friends and all their hard work. protect us. guide us.

[random post mostly for sanity reasons. sorry]

Lease

The past week will fondly be remembered as "the week of the lease." Or "in search of an apartment." And I am glad it is coming to a close.

My beautiful friend Caroline and I have been talking about living together for pretty much ever now. But, due to my family and I feeling really called to cut back on expenses and "down size," the house we planned on renting was out of my price range. Soo, we've been apartment hunting. It has been a long process with a lot of dead ends and disappointments. But we have laughed a lot. I spend all but 4 hours with Caroline this past weekend, starting Friday afternoon with our house hunt. We now yell "management" when we walk in pretty much anywhere we go.

But the whole thing kinda worries me. I don't want to get taken advantage of or end up unhappy. I have a lot of worry about living arrangements. But Caroline has, of course, been wonderful. We both knew God was going to show us where to live and we found a cool place! We are so excited to decorate it how we want and make it our own. I cannot wait to come back to Waco in August and be roommates with my bestest friend (and the best little).

I feel like I'm taking a leap of faith on it. I feel like a big kid, signing a lease and a contract. We are going to have bills to pay, rent to pay, owners to answer to. Very grown up. My cool on campus apartment (read: dorm) has sheltered me from these things. But I am excited to share it with her and figure it all out together.

Also- I rocked a job interview yesterday. I actually spent an hour after the group interview was over talking to the manager and asst manager about the position and requirements. I am very excited about it and how part time it is. I have felt like God was pulling me back into the workforce, so to speak, to help me more financially independent. It is something that is really important to me and I look forward to making my own money. (For the sake of safety, I'm not listing where but I will totally tell ya if I know you and you care....ha)

Last night- soccer. Freezing cold. Got beat on a lame o dumb goal. And I got owned by a girl about a foot taller than me. I fell really hard on my wrist so now I have a gross blood bruise and a swollen left hand. Attractive. I ran by the health center to just see if something was wrong or it was just gonna be sore and now I have a stinking appt with the doctor tomorrow. Lovely. Things that are hard with a hurt wrist- washing my hair, blowdrying my hair, buttoning pants, typing, texting. I'll continue the list as my annoyedness with the wrist thing grows.

So yeah, I have an appt, a job, a hurt wrist, a test and a quiz tomorrow. And sushi plans with some girls who make me laugh and hold me when I cry. Today has been blessed.

Monday

First- it is cold. I am pretty sure when I signed up for Texas, that included hot weather and boots. But no. It is April 6th and it was 33 degrees this morning. I feel like there is always one final "freeze" before Easter and then it is hot. So here we are. Who doesn't love a new spring dress on Easter morning with open toed shoes in 33 degree weather.

Also, on the Easter note, Baylor loves Easter and we get Friday and Monday off. Love private school. I have a crazy week nonetheless. I have an important accounting test on Wednesday. And I am about 80% sure I want to be an accounting major (more on that later) but even with my interest in it, I cannot get motivated to study. I watched Rambo last night and just stared at my notes and the book. Not a good start. I have high hopes for today though. I also have a project due tomorrow and Wednesday and a quiz Wednesday. Awesome.

And my dad is in College Station "teaching class." Translation- he is recruiting. He called me no less than 3 times before 10 am to tell me he was going to be a professor for the day cause the kids need him.

It sounds like he doesn't get out much. But in reality, he recruits pretty frequently. So really there is no excuse for his silliness.... or energy that early.

But he is going to eat dinner with me. It always makes me really thankful I go to school here because I get to see my family and friends who pass through and its not that far from home. But its far enough... maybe.

And that is my random post for the day. And maybe week depending on how busy I get.

Also, I love the business school mostly for social reasons I've decided. sad...

Thy Kingdom Come

Every now and then, I hear something beautiful that stays with me for a long time. Like usually it's years. I remember lessons and sermons and just stuff smart people have said for a long long time. I remember when my favorite intern told me to "love like a magnet." And when a friends dad said "to trust is to step out of the boat in the middle of a lake." I remember statements in books and things I read. I cling to these words.

Today, I heard something beautiful. Today is Palm Sunday ( a day kinda de-emphasized in the Churches of Christ). But as I held my "palm" (after spilling coffee all over the ground and the palm itself and my feet), I realized just how significant today is. Jesus makes his triumphant entry into the holy city of Jerusalem. The crowd is electric with anticipation. They are just sure that God is going to return Jerusalem to His people. They know it. Rome is going to be defeated TODAY. And Jesus is going to be crowned King. He will take the city by force and might. (Side note- Jesus and Joshua are the same name... Joshua is Hebrew, Jesus is Greek. Coincidence? yeah right. ) Oh how wrong they were.

But isn't that how we live? I wait in anticipation for Jesus to save me from what I don't like. Hosanna is our cry- save us! But we only want saving from the things that inconvenience us, that makes us uncomfortable. The pastor this morning hit the nail on the head- we need to cry that God saves us from ourselves.

I was talking with my new friend Kelsey afterwards and we were talking about how we were not created to live in this world. The whole wreckage of the fall thing. We walk among so many lost. And we don't even realize how lost we are. But we have a Savior. And He is conducting our lives. He has written a beautiful symphony for us. His Kingdom, the one with the little children, the one with the yeast and the mustard seed, the meek and the farmer, the one that has been prepared for us, will come. The Kingdom will come down. And we will be rectified and made whole. That Kingdom is so different than the one I build for myself. My Kingdom is a bunch of random notes. All over the place. Played by an inexperienced hand on an out of tune piano. Or by my thick fingers on a dusty guitar. There is no direction, no beauty, no resolution in my Kingdom.

But God comes in, takes my hand, and teaches me to play my note. I learn my note well. It resonates in my soul. I learn this note and how it sounds with the chord of people around me. I was born to play this note with my life. Because in a symphony, sometimes, when playing a chord, you hear a note that wasn't played. Music is just cool like that. My note is in that music. It was carefully chosen for me and written meticulously in the score. And I can't hear it now, but it is in there. If I can just keep playing it.

Psalms 68:19

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves."

This verse has definately become my motto, my cry, my joy. I cling to it. It is so cool! First- I love that it speaks not from a personal standpoint but from a group- using the word our. I love feeling a part of something big. It's kind of a drug to me- to play my little part in something big.
Second- this verse exposes a truth about my God. He daily bears my burdens. When I trust enough to lay it down, He will carry my struggles. He does this daily. It isn't a one time thing. He, moment by moment, is rescuing me from myself. Third- I love how beautiful it sounds. Fourth- I love calling God by name. I don't deserve to but to name Him Lord of my heart, God of my life, and Savior of my soul is so cool.

What verse speaks to you?

This week has been hectic. Jen told me my blog is depressing. I am not depressed. I just get reflective every so often. And it is usually in those moments that I blog. So I will try not to. It is a busy and hard life we live. Mostly because we live in this broken world. But it is a beautiful life. I am learning that.

Beautiful things in my life this week

• My little sister is getting baptized on Easter!! This is so cool on a lot of levels. I think Laura is the greatest kid on this planet so to see her growing up into this beautiful, confident girl makes me so happy. But more than that- she is making a really great decision to live her life for Christ. And to top it off, she is waiting so that my ENTIRE extended family can be here. She is a pretty selfless kid. And I love her.


• Good friends to watch dumb movies with. When we should be studying or sleeping. But I laughed so hard that it's totally worth it.


• Soccer intramurals. Funniest thing ever. I am awful and shouldn't be on b team. But I adore these people.

So that is pretty much it. Crazy day today. We are having a tailgate competition! Whoever designs the best tailgate area, has the best food and the most people wins a free spot at every Baylor home game next season. Pretty exciting stuff. And a faculty appreciation coffee hour thing. And a ton of homework. And I need to read about 17i492027383i029 poems for American Lit. And eat lunch. or breakfast. or something. But I will end with this-

SIC 'EM!!!!! BAYLOR IS GONNA WIN THE NIT.
(winners of the loser bracket baby