Alyssa Lynn

A few pictures...

2009-11-09T17:50:00.002-06:00

Joe's is in a small strip of four stores. Joes is on the end. Next to us is a convenient store. On the
end is another place that Joe's owns. We have been in the process of fixng this place up. This is where we will serve our thanksgiving meal and have children's programs. There is also a lot of people that want to start tutoring and haveing GED, ACT, SAT prep out of it. It once was a small diner, but had been empty for quite sometime. When a huge church in the area heard about what we were trying to do in and around this neighborhood, they decided to use their resources to help starting with man power and electrical skills.

This is the inside space being painted and cleaned!

Everything was pulled out into the parking lot to be cleaned and painted. While others cleaned the windows and painted the outside of the building.

Behind the orange paint is where the kitchen was and where we eventually want to start Angel Food out of.

You can see Joe's on the far left of the picture. The gast station/convenient store in the middle (blue) and then the start of new location on the far right. It will be painted the same as Joe's. It was incredible to see the Body of Christ join together to help with resources and skills that other parts might lack!

Just a few pictures

...but more pictures to come

Short Update...

2009-11-06T21:21:00.002-06:00

I am sorry it has taken me awhile to write anything. I have started having to filter my blog more than normal. I realized that using specific names (i.e club names and people names) makes me easily seen on a search. Because of the opening of the newest club, I am having to be more secretive and protected with my words.

Excitement: One of my friends from next door gave me her phone number! Yes, we will more than likely get to hang out soon :).

The coffee shop had its first karaoke night. It went awesome. We will continue to have these every wednesday!

that is all for right now

...sorry

A few stories...

2009-10-15T09:21:00.004-05:00

I have been here for a little over a month now. One thing that I am learning is patience. Waiting and trusting the Lord means sometimes you have to wait. However, I do want to share a few of the stories that I have heard or situations I have been a part of:

Bouncer next door- He comes in fairly regularly. He comes in a lot when I am here. Last Saturday, a night I wasn't supposed to work, I was here and he came in and played skipbo with me for a while. He started talking to me about his life and then brought up the topic of God. So i was more than willing to listen to his perspective. After explaining his views, he made a statement that has become a driving force in my prayers. he said "I just don't believe that God can work/do anything in a strip club." How this has stirred my heart. He may not believe that God can work in a club, but I sure do. Therefore, that is what i am praying for.

Dancer next door- She seems very independent and has a hard edge, but she is a tiny woman. Either way, she comes in a lot while I am here. Every time she comes in, I say hello and ask how she is doing. The 3rd time, she smiled when she first saw me working. The 4th time, she answered my question and asked how i was. The 5th time, she asked how i was before I even said anything to her. There has been a noticeable change in her demeanor whenever she is in here. The last time she came in, she started talking to me about dancing and what she thinks about it.

Surgery Man- I don't know his name, but he just walked in today and it was the first time i have seen him. He got his coffee and said he was on his way to surgery. I asked what he was having done. He explained that he is having ulcers removed and he has been throwing up blood. As he was headed out the door he said "My wife died, my daughter was murdered, my son drowned and my parents died...it has been unreal" and out the door he walked. I normally say as people are leaving "have a good day" but at this moment, I had no idea what to say. So i feebly suggested "stay warm." After kicking myself, I began to pray. I want him in here again. I want to be able to talk to him! Or i want someone to be able to talk to him or just be able to listen to him.

...to help direct prayers.

First time...

2009-10-08T11:10:00.003-05:00

This past Friday, Me and two other women went to take our gifts to our neighbors. We had planned for almost 50 girls between the three clubs and soon found out that was an underestimation. There were, in fact, 70 girls between the our three little clubs along the street. Even that number will so be too small to include the new "high class" club going in on the left. We put a bath liquid item, nail polish or lip gloss, chocolate, and a free drink card in each bag. As soon as we had separated enough bags for the three clubs, we walked towards the biggest club. After walking in, we were warmly greeted by the doorman and the manager quickly journeyed to us. He began in conversation with one of us and next thing i knew, I was hearing our coffee shop advertised over the announcement speaker. The manager had taken it upon himself to send people from his club our way. (Umm, yes, of course you can do that!! Please send people to us from your club. You have no idea what you are doing :). After all three of us met him, we began to head out the door. The manager gently grabbed my arm and said that he wanted to talk to me for a second. I quickly replied that I had to help deliver the gift bags to the other two clubs and i couldn't stay. When Jamie turned back to help, he motioned her away as if to say "no, i just needed to talk to this girl (me)" However, i kinda reached toward Jamie and we trotted out the door together. Once outside, I breathed a huge sigh and said "thank you." We began to head towards the next club (the one with the least business) and walked in. After explaining why we were there, we walked towards all three of the girls that were working at the time. They were all sitting by the slot machine wasting time. When we handed them the box of bags we had prepared for that club, we saw their genuine smiles. They seemed genuinely joyful to receive anything from anyone. The last club we went into, we know the most people from. We went in and were warmly welcomed by the girls that new us. They smiled and gave us hugs.
Several of the girls have come in already and thanked us personally for the gift bags. How neat it was to be able to give them something without any expectation from them.
We are trying to do something like this once a month. We all three felt like the way was completely paved for us to go into all three of the clubs. What provision we had

...in the clubs :)

Slow..

2009-09-24T09:11:00.002-05:00

Is hard!

I feel like things here are moving slowly. That is different from the pace that i most enjoy going at. However, I am constantly learning to be patient. I meet people regularly and have started making conscious efforts to get to know the community that I now live in.

Being here so far has been:
exciting
scary
frustrating
overwhelming
slow

Some things that we are trying to make happen:
1.We are looking to get a karaoke machine. I have been told 4 times by 4 different people that as soon as we get the karaoke set up, all of the people from our neighbor club will be in here. YEAH! So we are looking for the karaoke machine. I am trying to figure out how to get one.

2.We have planned/scheduled story and craft time for kids every Saturday. That will start in October!

3. I am trying to determine how/where i can serve best here.

While I wait for these things to get going, the Lord has been throwing me around a little (when i say a little, I really mean it feels like he is drop kicking me constantly) My thoughts and heart have been challenged in so many way: The roaches, the patience, the sp. warfare, my depravity.

However, in the midst of all those things He has given me people to show me where to focus my attention and to challenge my thoughts and attitudes.

One of the things that increases my affections for the Lord is wrestling with scripture. Right now I am wrestling with Matthew 5 (specifically vs. 38-42) Insight, anyone?

Things I have learned

2009-09-15T14:09:00.002-05:00

It is exciting the things that I have learned since being in OK. I have learned these lessons in places that I would never have guessed.

lesson 1: Stop stereotyping

It was my unspoken understanding that people in poorer settings tend to be more democratic. It makes sense because democrats tend to focus more on the individual rather than the large organization. However, in Valley Brook, OK this is not the case. Most of the people that live here are rather anti democratic policy. They tend to prefer watching FOX news and will gladly stand in your face and argue politics if you fall on the more liberal side. It was such an interesting thing for me to see. I guess I need to learn that people really can't be placed in a box.

lesson 2: Insects can teach huge spiritual lessons

I have hated roaches for forever. Mostly because they are just so ugly and nasty and I think the are one of the most demonic creatures. With the house the blessing of a house to live in, came the blessing of thousands of awful demonic creatures. This has been a problem through the course of my stay that is now getting under control. As i was talking with my roommate about how they got as bad as they were, she explained that around 6 months ago, she started to see a few. Before she knew it, she wasn't even able to go in the kitchen anymore there were so many. I started to reflect on the reasons I hate roaches so much and a lesson hit me. Many times in our lives we begin to dabble in sin (whatever that may be). Maybe it is once or twice at first. A lie here, a spiteful word there don't seem like a huge deal. However, one time emerges into a second and a third and before you know it, sin has spread to an uncontrollable level. Like the roaches in the house, you don't realize it until someone comes in and says (me moving into the house) this is out of control. That is when restoration starts. It takes community (jamie and jessi and HGM girls) to help with the problem. However, nothing is going to change unless the root of the problem is addressed. Last night my roommate moved the fridge and stove in order to uncover the colonies living there. After spraying them completely, she will sweep them up and the issue will begin to lessen. Although I hate the problem, the pictures the Lord has allowed us to see in the midst of it is incredible.

These are just the things I have learned in the first week.

Strange happenings

2009-09-11T19:54:00.003-05:00

This week has been so busy. I almost don't have any time that isn't allocated to some project or responsibility. That is wonderful from one standpoint because boredom was one of my fears coming here. Oh, but that has not been a problem. Boredom has been eradicated from my recent days in peculiar ways:

New experiences filled my days and nights: 1.Slam Poetry. I have maybe heard of this in passing, but in reality, I had no idea what it was. It was the Wednesday night activity of a church youth group. I left feeling motivated and enthralled at the great power of words. How thrilling to see the tongue (such a painful weapon of destruction) being used to motivate and encourage those that heard.

Thursday held some moments where I was scratching my head wondering "really?" A man who started a business to help nonprofits came into the coffee shop. He makes crosses and sells them in the coffee shop. One of the regulars was sitting in the shop talking about Obama's most recent speech. He was livid about Obama's new plan. However, this cross maker said that people just need to prioritize their finances. this is how the conversation went:
Regular: Tell me this who does the idea of having to have car insurance hurt?
Cross-maker: No one
R: Are you kidding me, a single mother has to feed her kids so she has to have enough money for gas and food to feed them, but if she is having to pay insurance she isn't able to feed her children. She gets stopped by police gets a ticket for no insurance and then can't pay anything else. Her car gets taken away and she has no way of working to feed her family.
CM: She just shouldn't drive then
R: She has to go to a job and to the store and to school.
CM: She has feet doesn't she?
R: Are you kidding me. Is anyone able to get a job these days? The jobs in walking distance are in the clubs.
CM: Silence
Jamie and I (thinking): really, are you serious. Do you ever take a second from your sheltered life with your wife being the worker to look at others in this world?

The conversation was way more heated and longer than that, but that was the main part. If the regular hadn't been here, i would have had a hard time not telling this guy off as well. The ignorance of this man made me so sick.

Thursday I also got to experience HGM's girls night. What a fun gab fest that turned into, surprisingly, I sat back in silence in order to soak it all in. On the foggy drive home, I hit a brick or a curb so hard that it tore two holes in my brand new tire's wall.

I walked to work friday morning to have enough time to play skipbo and talk with the regulars. Shortly after, Jamie came with her daughter and we journeyed home to attack the kitchen. With rain boots and big yellow gloves i was prepped to handle the thing that i hated so much: Roaches. Around 30 secs into our quest, I was done. It was at that point that Jessi opened a drawer and what can only be described as a herd of roaches ran out. I turned and walked straight into the living room. I chose to do work on the carpets instead. Jamie and Jessi quickly discovered the tribes of roaches and they did their best to gather courage and handle the situation. This was far worse than I have ever experienced. However, I honestly think this challenge is good for me.

Like John had said to me, it is easy for people to talk about helping and serving the poor. Rarely is it seen someone who can live like and with the poor. Although i would consider the house i live in to be on the up end of the neighborhood, i am definitely experiencing the "bug of choice."

On a different note: Jamie and I are in brainstorm mode trying to figure out how to go about getting into the clubs. As of now, our idea is to get woman-friendly gifts. Pray for our journey and the way to be completely paved.

In the Brook...Valley Brook

2009-09-09T10:14:00.002-05:00

I have now officially been here for three days. It has been an experience already in many ways.

Some of you may recall a post that I made a few months ago about my disdain for roaches. Well can I just say that has already been a huge test for me here. The little house that I have been blessed to live in has an abundance of...yes, you guessed it, roaches. Let me just explain the extent: It was around 10 pm and my roomie and I were sitting in the living room. We stepped one foot in the kitchen (which is pretty dirty, that might explain things) and every spot on the floor began to scurry, quickly, away. I can say that I don't enjoy any moving spots, but this was way worse knowing what these moving spots are. Needless to say, I haven't felt like eating any of the food that I bought yet. It is just the feeling of it all that stresses me out.

It is more than likely a head game, but even that has been difficult to control. I haven't slept through the night yet. I woke up yesterday morning and I heard this heavy air being circulated. Because it was hot in the room, i went and stood by the floor vent thinking this would cool me down. I was dumbfounded when I walked to the vent and felt nothing. I messed with the lever and nothing helped. Then I stood up and realized it was my unintentional heavy breathing that was making the sound. (this might seem very dumb, but i think the lack of sleep was a huge factor in the inability to realize what was going on).

Aside from the roaches, everything has been awesome. My days have been quite busy. I am having the opportunity to participate with the Heart of God bootcamp students with this weeks class on handling people in poverty.

Monday: Move in and go to class and then go to Josiah's (Jamie's son) first freshman football game.
Tuesday: Spend the morning getting my room set up. Class and then journey to an apt. complex with many refugees.
Wednesday: Opened coffee shop and had down time to get online.

So far my schedule has worked day to day. Nothing is set in stone yet, but it has been good, really good thus far. We are working on the relationships with the clubs. We have had some opportunities to help.

There have been things that are discouraging, but in a completely different way they have encouraged me.

I will try to add pictures soon.

So many historic events have happened...

2009-08-03T20:47:00.003-05:00

I feel that (like my devotional suggested this morning) I should be honest. I am a fairly awful blogger. I don't feel the need to write anything unless i have something incredibly interesting to post. As you can see, I haven't had anything interesting since January. I think I might be fairly depressed if i stopped to think about that last sentence, but I don't really want to.

New happenings in the form of bullets:

+ I graduate with on Friday in a ceremony of silence (once again depressing)

+ I am moving to Oklahoma to work with joesaddiction.com

+ I spend a lot of my free time looking at photography blogs. It sucks me in like nothing else.

+ I have three rather unattractive new scars on my back. The only reason I say this is because it leads me into the point of this blog.

sidebar: I feel rather showy for what I am about to write. Just understand that it isn't my purpose, the reason I am sharing about my scars and their origin is my dad and my friend Sara have suggested that I do so. Being that I am now officially done with school, I have little extra time to do this.

It was the week before Spring Break '09 when I first thought something could be wrong. I called my dad one morning and explained to him how i felt that i had a gas bubble stuck in my chest. He told me to be careful and not let it get too bad. The next day when the "bubble" left and a strong cough took its place, I thought i was in the clear. Sometimes overcompensating for the feeling that I am weak, I simply ignored the times when I would double over coughing for no reason. Well, there was a reason, just not one that I knew of. I finally went to a Dr. the thursday of SB and was prescribed generic cough medicine, which I honestly think was a placebo which in turn made me feel even more weak. The following wednesday, I opened the Coffee Shop. After about two hours, I reached my breaking point. My chest felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't think straight. (wow, i am going to attempt to make this way shorter than it is on the path to being). After getting someone to come in early, finding a dr., finding another dr. that could see me that day, driving myself to the dr. and getting a chest x-ray, I was informed that my right lung ad decided it didn't want to be a lung anymore. So, out of protest, it stopped working. Thinking this sounded serious, but not knowing how i should respond, I asked the dr.

"how should i feel about this news"

to which he responded, nonchalantly "you should go to the ER"

"oh, awesome" I replied with sarcastic emotion

I drove myself home, called Sara, packed an overnight suitcase and began the journey to Waco. We met my parents at the ER and were immediately admitted. After laying me on a table -awake- (rainboots on and everything), hooking me up to laughing gas -still awake- and cutting into my side -very awake- they began to inflate my lung while i was WIDE AWAKE. This was just the beginning.

That began the 10 day stay that my mom and I enjoyed in the hospital. After surgery a week after admission, I began the road to recovery. There were some nights where I thought I wouldn't be able to ever handle anymore pain. There were other days where i thought my smile wouldn't be able to get any bigger because of the outpouring of love from my friends and friends of my family.

Exciting story- On the second to last day that I was in the hospital, the president of my university called my room phone. The call went like this:

Dr. Cook- Yes, is this Alsia?

Me- Yes, sir.

Dr. C- This is Gary Cook

Me- Hello

Dr. C- So i heard that you were in the hospital. I know how that goes. I am sorry to hear that.

Me- Yes, I am just hanging out in here, but i am doing a lot better

Dr. C- I pulled up your picture, I think i have seen you before. Do you play on the soccer team?

Me- Umm, no, but I thought about it.

Dr. C- Well, great. Listen, if you have any trouble finishing your assignments in school, it will be no problem for you to just finish them over the summer. Just come to my office if you have any issues.

Me- Wow thank you so much

Dr. C- I hope you get out very soon

Me- Thank you very much

I hung up the phone and then looked at my mom with a slight grin.

Mom- who was that?

Me- Dr. Cook, DBU's president, just called to say he was sorry i am in the hospital.

Mom- Woo hoh hoh, that is pretty big

Me- He called me Alisia

we both through our heads back in laughter!

When recounting that story to people, I don't really dwell on what he called me, just the fact that e called.

I will leave you with this last tale: The entire time I was in the hospital, I had a tube coming out of my side. It was connected to a rather dumb looking plastic container that I had the joy of carrying with me everywhere I went. Well after the surgery, they were able to finally relieve me of my constant companion. When talking about the subject, no one ever explained to me how this was accomplished. What is dumber is, I never thought/cared to ask. The following is what happened (My thoughts are italicized):

Dr.- Ok, (to my mom) I am going to go ahead and get you to leave the room.

umm, why would he ask her to do that?

Dr.- Can you lay on your side for me with your arm above your head? We are going to get this thing out of you!

YES, I never thought this day would come. I will be able to do all sorts of arm motions now. I can make a windmill...if i had a reason to.

Nurse 1- Where do you need me?

Nurse 2- I will just stand at the foot of the bed until you tell me otherwise

Dr.-Ok Alyssa (as he slowly pulls tape off of my body and from the tube), I want you to take a deep breath and then when you breathe out, i want you to tense everything like this (demonstration).

I am glad he is making sure my lungs are working. Hey, I still have some abs. I thought I would be nothing after a week in this bed.

Then the Dr. takes a firm grasp of my tube and with one motion, while i am tensing everything, he whips the tube out of me -EVEN MORE AWAKE-. All I see out of the corner of my eye is the tube flying out of my side. It looked like he had pulled the freakin tube out of my body like a sword from a sheath and then brandished it above his head and mine. Horrified would be an accurate word to describe my emotions at that point. However, that wasn't even the worst part.

Nurse 2- Oh wow

Dr. - Did I get you a little?

Nurse 2- oh yes, well

Not only was my surgeon treating my like a leather sheath, he was freely sharing my bodily liquids with my nurse. Umm, I don't ever recall signing a waver for that!

Oh awful! It was traumatic and I am not sure I ever wish to go through that again. The hospital, only lung thing was nothing compared to my zealous Dr. and his joy with chest tubes!

It has been a very eventful semester, if there is one thing i have learned it is to not wait so long to blog. Way too much has happened

...since my last post

These are my lung pictures. The Dr. told my parents and me that I had "Beautiful anatomy" to which he quickly classified "Beautiful lung anatomy, I am used to seeing older messed up lungs" Yeah, sure!!! hahaha

I HATE...

2009-01-15T18:32:00.002-06:00

You know something is wrong when your heart starts pounding for no apparent reason, or at least you think. "Why is it doing this?" is one of the first questions that runs through my mind. This question is quickly answered with a quick glance towards the floor where my feet are happily resting. A rather large black object is hustling across the floor right near my feet. The only acceptable and understandable reaction is to jump towards clearer grounds-literally:

Just five minutes ago, while trying to be studious (didn't happen), I noticed this black object out of the corner of my eye. Yes, it was a roach...bah huhuh. I quickly jumped from my seat at the table and climbed onto the farthest chair with a whinny shriek. I hate few things as much as I do roaches. Call me superficial, but I think their ugliness unnerves me.

***I really can't help my reactions to the situation. At one point in my life, I wondered if I often overreacted to roaches because there were people around. However, after just one roach experience by myself, I realized this was not the case.***

My experience just now was no different. I was sitting at the table all alone waiting for my parents to come home when I saw it. It was crawling between me and any form of defense (besides distance) that I could have. Strangely I wasn't able to control the stream of words that escaped my mouth. Words like "no (several times)" and "Come on (pleading with the roach does nothing, let me tell you)" and "mom (who wasn't home yet, may I remind you)"

I, in a mortified state, watched (while doing a frightened dance- a cross between "I have to go to the bathroom" and marching) as it crawled toward my bedroom. "How am I going to sleep tonight knowing that it is maybe journeying to see its family?" Finally, in a flurry of adrenaline, I was able to grab the broom out of the closet. This action was brave in and of itself. The roach was guarding the closet. With a "uh no no no" I feebly lowered the broom onto the devil of the insect world. When my attempt, weak from fear and mortification, didn't do anything, I tried a second time. This time, I held control of myself briefly enough to knock the thing on its back and into the bathroom across the hall from my bedroom. "That would do until mom got home, ehh, I hope."

I anxiously skip-jumped back to the table with my computer to start this account, but quickly had to stop. My hands were shaking and my mind was racing so fast that I couldn't type. Finally, I began to write what you have, to this point, read. My mom came home and found the roach angrily crawling toward my room. Luckily she made it in time to save me and my sleep from future harm.

All this might seem to you as a bit of an overreaction, but if you knew the experiences that I have had with roaches, you would more than understand.

I couldn't stomach putting a picture of a real roach here...this is all you will get!

...Roaches burahh huh- gross!!!

Reflections from...

2009-01-10T13:53:00.005-06:00

So, this has been an excellent Christmas break. Family, school, new friends, old friends and coffee...well let me just tell you a little about it:

Family time is always good...i was able to experience a lot of that before and during the Christmas week. How lovely it is! I choose not to linger on that because it is always enjoyable.

the following is a list of highlights from the break without lots of description...because that gets old:

1. I spent most of my first week (during the mini) tallying the number of times a fellow student interjected unnecessary stories from his life. Although that seems very pathetic and lame, his number hit 94 by the end of the week. YEAH, I KNOW....WHAT??? I did take the creative liberty to add a few bonus tallies because he cursed in a class presentation and he said that i wasn't important. I totally had the right to do that!!! So this was a student that i had the "delight" of having in my voice and articulation class a year ago. He offered without being asked that i sounded like The Nanny from a TV show in the 90's. Yeah, not a compliment...at all. I guess one could say that i already had a bit of a bias against the nanny man...but can you blame me? No, thanks.

2. I started the following week in a large class (50) that had also decided to take Philippians with me. I got to sit by my one of college long friends. That was quite enjoyable. This experience was elevated by the fact that our Professor was AMAZING. I have come to the conclusion that classes with professors that are extremely intelligent and a bit socially awkward are my FAVORITE. I had many of my friends in the class as well. We were able to talk for many minutes on how much we loved our Professor and how we would like to be able to speak and everything sound like a poem. We often attempted to do that...I have come to the conclusion that only very intelligent and a bit socially awkward Professors are able to do that. (you might be wondering why i continually capitalize "professor"...no it is not because i tend to do things like that on accident, it is more because i feel that our Professor deserves that kind of respect...i mean seriously, everything he said sounded like a poem.)

3. This week was accented by getting to go to lunch every day with good friends and having good conversation. On Friday to end our great week of joy with a bang, my friend (Jason) took me and my other friend (Ally) to his favorite restaurant: Spiral Diner. This just so happens to be a vegan restaurant. Can I say that it was such an exciting time. It seemed like such a different culture! It was so unique and enjoyable to watch those who worked there and those who journeyed there. I couldn't help but notice Jason's posture while we were there...a mix between relaxed and maybe a tinge of pride (in a good way). I got a BBQ sandwich (yes, i know that is a sandwich with meat..but have you already forgotten we were at a vegan dinner?). It was made with wheat protein instead. I very much enjoyed it.

4. Can i take a number (4, to be exact) to talk about the weather on these days? Ok, stellar, thanks! The days this week were so intense and lovely. I believe that this first week of 2009 found incredible joy in being extreme. side note: i believe it was attempting to set the standard for me this year! Day 1: freezing with rain-Day 2: warm and sunny- Day 3: i don't remember, but awesome-Day 4: slightly overcast and a little hot-Day 5: OH GOODNESS...so beautiful, like a painting crossed with purity.

5. Now I sit in Panera Bread with the uniquely beautiful Sara. There aren't many words to describe this time. I am not sure that many things surpass that happiness that i experience while sitting in a coffee shop with good friends and fun.

6. I feel like there are times in my life when the Lord just lavishes joy through things in my life. I am so thankful that this has been one of those times. The beauty of desiring The Savior and being able to see Him in your surroundings! How Glorious!!!

Just because I hate not having a picture to keep readers interested:

...a truly splendid break

I Got Lotta Lotto Love (Sara T.)...

2008-10-24T17:33:00.006-05:00

Oh the state fair of Texas. It only comes once a year. I cannot contain the excitement that my heart has for the fair!! I have gone since I was very young. I love the smells, i love the fried food, I love big Tex (even thought he doesn't talk anymore, I don't hold it against him), I love it all. But I can honestly say that my favorite part of the fair is:

***The Paul Adams Game Show***

Some of you noobies might be wondering "Alyssa, what is this game show?" Well, I will tell you. It is the best, free game show that I have ever been a part of. Let me start with back story:

When I was younger, I would always go to the fair with my family. One year my parents and sister and I stumbled on to a loud-talking, big-gesturing, sparkle jacket-wearing man with a microphone. As is common for anyone who spots a Elton John wannabe, we ran to watch. We were quickly enthralled with the sights and the sounds of the Paul Adams Game Show. It is a interactive game show where audience members had a chance to win free Texas Lottery tickets. Well to make a long story short, my dad got on stage and won 10 lottery tickets. Since that day, I have wanted to get on that game show...which leads me to today:

Kent and I have gone to the fair together two years running. Last year we made it to the show and got carded both times. I don't guess we look above 18, but look at us:

I am strong enough to hang onto a giant wood pole and he has a stach. Show me 18 year old that can do that!

Anyway, we never once got on stage. So when this year rolled around, he and i were determined to make it to the stage. We brought my roommates and friends a long too. We had built it up in their minds. The fact is that the game show is as good as you are willing to make it. I guess Kent and I have just made it really GOOD! We get to the show kinda late and therefore sit all over the area. As we are waiting for the show to start, Kent, who is behind me, gets carded. I was stoked, I thought for sure a year had made me finally look my age. However, shortly after, I got carded and Kent got carded a second time (sucka!).

Finally the show starts. Paul comes out in all his glory and the games begin. The second game, Paul goes into the audience and picks random volunteers. Although i was winking at he furiously (joke) he went to the next row and chose Kent!!! I felt as if i had just won the lottery already. He was just picked along with 10 other people to go on stage. From the crowd I gave him hand signals of what he should pick, it didn't work out and he walked away with a lotto ball cap.....that is it. We thought our dreams were over, but least he got onto the stage.

It finally gets to the last game, I knew this because my neighbor told me, and I am just enjoying the experience.

The final game is a game like Deal, Or No Deal. The lady picks a 35 ticket case leaving the 100 up there. Paul in all his brilliance offers to give half the tickets to the audience. The numbers role and without any forethought the number board reads 23

I jumped up and laughed and high-fived and got 50 tickets...f. r. e. e. that spells free, lotto tickets for me baby...Well shortly after, the game was over and perfect strangers were congratulating me. I stood in the street with the tickets and then it hit me: I have no idea what to do with these. Everyone gathered around and tried to explain what to do, but they don't play the lotto either. So i grabbed my neighbor and she showed me how to do it. I won 10 dollars that night (thus why i started typing in green) and around 10-12 lotto tickets for the next day.

I woke up and went to a gas station to see what I won off of those tickets, but after looking inside, i was too embarrassed to go in and ask. So i drove to another gas station and walked in, but then walked right back out because i saw people i knew. So i grabbed 75 cents and bought a newspaper so i could look for myself. I had won 5 more dollar on a bonus ball. However, I was too scared to go redeem the dough, so I gave it to Kent as his cut.

I had won $15 free dollars. There is a wonderful lesson in this though. Out of the 50 one dollar priced tickets, i had only made $15 dollars. Therefore, the lotto is not profitable, but

..From Paul Adams Game Show
it is great!

The act of awaiting the unexpected...

2008-05-14T14:13:00.003-05:00

The title says it all for me. Rather than giving a long intro of what I am about to say, I am just going to say it:

I feel that God is preparing to show me something big in regards to my life. God is about to throw me into something completely unexpected and something that I already feel completely unprepared for. I can't explain the feeling I am experiencing currently. I just know that it is a gentle tug on my spirit to be ready and looking.

In the meantime, I am just going to continue in the Love Journey and try to seek God at every turn.

Prayer would be lovely...

Attempt at combat...

2008-04-23T14:43:00.002-05:00

It might be common knowledge to most people by now, but we as girls have a tendency to need to group up to do things. If you don't believe me just notice the next time you go to a movie or a meal with a group of ladies. I can almost guarantee that we will visit the bathroom in a cluster. It isn't that we fear danger lurks in the public restroom facilities or even that it is necessary to have two or more girls to be successful in the restroom. It is more (as far as i can understand) an unspoken rule in the book of life known as I am Girl. Suggestion to the wise: don't question it because you will more than likely receive an unsatisfying reason that makes the thought that you just wasted your breath quite frustrating.

All that to say, I know that I too am a participant of this unspoken rule. Therefore, i tried to combat the need for a cluster of girls by going to a movie, in the theater (i will proudly add), by MYSELF. I know this seems ridiculous and even unheard of, but be assured that i went to great lengths to make sure i didn't fail on my first attempt at combat. I made sure to go to a movie and time that would warrant the fewest amount of people.

Before you start judging me about the fact that in bathrooms i want to be surrounded by girls, but in movies i would rather be by myself, let me explain: In my mind, when there comes a time where i am forced or (in my case) choose to be by myself, i would like the fewest amount of people (especially girls) to see me. When a lone female is spotted by girl clusters, you can bet that she is being judged by the unspoken rules of the book stated earlier. I don't want to be a disappointment. Therefore, the fewer the better.

Now that we are all on the same page once again, please continue with me. Along with going at a time with few people, i also tried to make sure i was a little late. Tried being the operative word in this case. Because to my dismay, the movie started 10 minutes later than i thought it did. Therefore, instead of being late, i was 5 minutes early. This equaled 5 minutes of me sitting in the dead center of the movie theater shifting at every sound of potential movie goers coming to join me. Luckily, these days movie theaters put advertisements as well as trivia questions on the screen for those that get there early and have nothing and no one to keep them occupied until the movie starts. I continually checked my watch. I was down to 1 min before the movie started when 3 high school boys walked in.

Picture this scene: Me sitting in the dead center of the theater (by myself, may i remind you) staring as the screen replays the cycle of ads and trivia. They walk in and look around the theater and comment: "wow, busy theater. We should probably sit right in front of the only person in here." (i want you to notice the word "only". Yes, i was the only person in there, but knowing that fact and hearing someone else acknowledge it creates completely different emotions in me. Needless to say, it wasn't a positive feeling). I tried to play it cool (cause i kept telling myself that it was cool to go to a movie by yourself) by saying: "That is fine, but i am not going to move my feet." They proceeded to sit in the exact row behind my head. I feel this was done on purpose. (What purpose, i have no idea. I could never admit to trying to understand the mind of a high school boy). A few more couples (sad) came into the theater in the remaining minute and then the movie started.

I had been waiting for this moment since i walked into the theater. I thought that the movie starting and the lights dimming would make everything okay. However, i suddenly noticed the fear i had to move. For some reason, the fact that people were directly behind my head made me not want to move any part of my body for fear of judgement.

Yes, i do realize how dumb it is to think that. However, at the time it was a quite logical response to the situation. I really don't want to be judged right now by you, the reader, either!

So the movie played and finished with little movement or readjustment from me. The lights went up and the credits started to role. Now the fear of leaving and everyone else (besides the three high school boys) knowing i came by myself hit me. So i stayed in my seat pretending like i really wanted to see who wrote the music in the movie (that is always the last thing in the credits). I even moved to the edge of my seat a little to make my interest in the credits more believable. Finally, i got up and left the theater when i deemed it "safe". After reaching my car, i analyzed the situation to myself (because remember, i was alone). I can say, that i did feel a little bit of success, but it hadn't quite hit me yet.

I later looked back on my experience. I broke the unspoken rule in this situation. I mean, who wouldn't feel a sense of accomplishment after that. However, i will freely admit that i did it once and don't plan on doing it again any time soon. All i can say is i did it and it

...Was successful.

This day is...

2008-04-10T13:16:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you, but weather has a huge affect on my willingness to want to do things. Therefore, today I woke up without the bright ray of sun peering in through my corner window. I rolled out of bed and looked in the mirror. Needless to say, I felt exactly like this:
This is my neighbors cat. Poor thing! Although it has a lovely rhinestone in crested collar, it has next to no back fur! Yes, this is how I felt.

I tried to battle the weather by making everything an adventure this morning. Don't ask, it is just a little game I often play with myself in an attempt to trick my mind into thinking that everything is so much fun.

It wasn't until i went home for lunch and I looked out the window that let me down this morning, that i actually realized how beautiful and wonderful of a day today is. Right out my corner window are these:

I have affectionately entitled them "the most whimsical plant/flower that I have known"

Some might argue that i should have been able to realize and appreciate this day by the sheer fact that I woke up and didn't have to think about breathing. This is very true, but some days I feel that I just need a bit of a kick to the senses.

... oh so wonderful

Simply Lovely

2008-04-03T11:40:00.005-05:00

Last week in my constant travel, I attempted to have the most wonderful day. Now that doesn't mean that it has outshined past days, but I just wanted to take a day and make sure every part of it was lovely...this is what came out:

X I ate lunch by myself and didn't have anything on my table to keep me busy. I simple looked people in the eyes and smiled and looked up and around at all the things that surrounded me!

X I wore a light scarf and enjoyed every second of the wind that blew it into my face, eyes and around my head

X I allowed my mind to fantisize about the idea of owning a flower and pie shop called Petals and Pies

X I tried to smile at every single person that looked at me

X I filled my day with all things green: Green scarf, green shoes, green bag, green starbcks drink

X I saw the Waco Waver (a homeless man that walks around Waco all day everyday and just waves to everything that he sees with a huge smile on his face) It makes me smile just thinking about it

These were just a few things that filled my lovely day. I feel like the loveliest part was knowing that I have a Captivating God that prepared all of those things for me to enjoy that day because He longs for me to be captivated by Him. :)

Simply Lovely.

A worthwhile endeavor

2008-03-20T14:03:00.003-05:00

Tuesday was a wonderful day!
After I was finished at the church, I was able to go to my current house and enjoy life. As a result, I grabbed "Same Kind of Different as Me" (a book that my mom had encouraged me to read).

Back story: For the last few months, well lets say the last semester, I have had this weird burden on me. My college home is not located in the wealthiest or safest part of Dallas, but it is great. Therefore, on numerous occasions I have seen, run into (in person, not in my car), or driven by several homeless people. Every time I do, I feel so burdened. Being a girl, i am constantly told that it is unsafe to go by myself to talk with or pick up anyone sitting/standing on the side of the road. However, I am not one to always care about being safe. That is probably a dumb way to live, but I don't really like being held back from experiences especially when I am drawn to do something.

So I read this book from chapter 1 all the way to the end on Tuesday night. I could not put it down. I think i went through every single emotion during the reading of this book. I cried... a lot (probably not surprising), I laughed, I got upset, and became more burdened for the homeless. I have been carrying around the effects of this book for 2 days now. This fits so closely with my love journey. How can people be affected by someone who loves completely, with real love? The Lord has just been braking my heart for the homeless...and oh how it stirs my passions for the Lord even more.

I don't know what all this means or why I am even writing my thoughts here. I just wanted to share a little of what has been consuming my thoughts.

I encourage everyone to read it.

Adventure... thanks to EZ Food Mart

2008-03-18T11:12:00.006-05:00

It felt like any other college station visit, until...

Morgan, Josh ("B" from now on), and I were getting restless at the griffin residence (faith's house). Therefore, we decided to go on a walking adventure (or at least that is what we told ourselves). Morgan and I both thought that a walking adventure meant we would walk, but we found out we were wrong when B asked who was going to drive. Morgan and i both left our keys inside the house that B had just locked. Ergo, B drove.

*You might be wondering why i am giving all this detail. It could be because I like making the readers of this blog read way more than they have to in an attempt to help to combat illiteracy in America, but actually it is because this is the main factor that our adventure hinged upon. For if B hadn't drove, we wouldn't have needed gas. Furthermore, we wouldn't have gone into the EZ Food Mart and never experienced our adventure!

Morgan and I walk into the EZ Food Mart at the same time while B is getting some gas. Morgan started walking around, but i wanted nothing to eat or drink so I decided to live love to the guy behind the counter (meaning i was going to talk to him). He mumbled something about the weather. I took this opportunity to mention that we were about to embark on an adventure because it was so nice. I offered my condolences to the fact that he was having to work and couldn't enjoy the weather. However, he expectantly informed me that he would be off work soon and could come join us at that time. (i kinda stepped back and smiled and said "oh, well uhuh.") The counter man got quiet at this point because B walked in. I began following B and Morgan through the isles in order to look busy! Finally, they both decided on quality food items that could only be found at an EZ Food Mart and proceeded to check out.

I wandered over to the $12.99 dvd rack. There was pride and prejudice at the front of the rack, so i decided to flip and see if there were anymore good movies. After two flips of the rack i saw a dvd of the murder of Saddam Hussein. That should have been my first clue to stop flipping, but it wasn't. I flipped right to the adult section of the rack (if you know what i mean). With a "oh, no" i quickly slammed the rack shut and sashayed away. The counter man responded with a "I have to sell all sorts of things here" To which I responded "Oh, no, I understand" This was accompanied by awkward silence. The counter man then informed me that i could take one if i wanted. Suddenly fearful that i would be thrust into some underground realm of shadyness if i took one, i politely replied "No thanks, that is ok"

Immediately following this Morgan tapped on the glass for B to see what was under/behind the counter. Although i didn't see what was behind there, i saw both of their faces. Furthermore, as soon as we "escaped" the EZ Food Mart, i asked them about it. The informed me that said cabinet was full of an assortment of pipes and bongs (I am pretty sure most of you can guess what those are used for). We laughed for a while and continued on with what we had intended to be a walking adventure!

+ = BAD IDEA
*Special thanks to EZ Food Mart and B's lack of gas in his car.

...add this

2008-03-11T15:55:00.002-05:00

to my love journey.

I feel that one thing I have realized is love has to be able to love even if it isn't reciprocated.

Love in any form is not real love until it can still love without reciprocation. It is unconditional... so it ceases under no conditions.

This was perfectly exampled by Christ.

So how now can I live love to people who don't reciprocate?

Sometimes I wonder...

2008-03-04T13:57:00.002-06:00

...what love really is.

I have had a lot of time recently to read books. I am currently reading two: Emma and A Love Worth Giving. This has placed the question of love in my mind in almost every situation. What does it really look like. How can I live it. Can it be lived.

Really these things have occupied my thoughts. Being in Brenham, I have had the opportunity to show and experience love in very different ways. I still haven't figured it out yet, but I am on my quest to understanding it.

The reason I write this is because at this very moment the pastor and his wife are talking to a woman who wandered in to the church asking for help.

We get a lot of people like this that come in asking for help. In fact, on Sunday, a girl came to church and started talking to Merritt and Leslie. She had gone to another church first, but that church had told her to come to our church because they didn't think it would be good for her to stay there that sunday. This just burdened my heart. What is the mission of the church, if not to help those in need (spiritually, physically)?

I know love is more than the physical. I have been taught that love is a choice (usually in terms of eros love). I think it is also an attitude. I guess you choose to adopt a loving attitude. I want to strive to love like christ. Agape love.

I guess you could say:
...I am on a LOVE JOURNEY.

Reunion...

2008-02-29T14:39:00.002-06:00

...With my new friends. I guess since I have had them for two weeks now, they can just be referred to as "my friends." I am actually sitting in their coffee shop. We just finished discussing what we feel is the future of LOST. This last episode centered around my accented friend Desmond.

We can all agree that we are more confused than ever, but we have so much fun throwing around our theories. Friday tradition...i think so!!!

knock knock jokes

2008-02-25T13:46:00.002-06:00

So as I was driving to Brenham from Waco this weekend, I had an epiphany in the car. I often get epiphanies at random solitary times, so I wasn’t surprised by the arrival of this one. However, generally when one gets an epiphany, it is about some monumental thing. Well this time it was about knock knock jokes. I don’t believe them to be real jokes anymore. I feel they are just a ploy for you to demonstrate how funny you think you are and how not funny everyone else thinks you are. If you break down a knock knock joke you can discover a few of things. 1. When has an object or a phrase ever knocked on your door? I can pretty much say never for me. I don’t run to the door at the sound of a knock to find an orange sitting there. I ask “who’s there?” and he says “orange.” Maybe you are different and may I say potentially a bit crazy. 2. When has there ever been an object or phrase that has a last name. “Oh you say you you are orange, ah well I know a lot of those, you would be Orange who?” Now I know these are jokes and they don’t have to be realistic by any means, but they are rarely funny. 3. I have discovered that the “(insert object or phrase) who?” part of the joke isn’t even necessary. Someone could say “knock knock” “who’s there?” “(insert object or phrase)” and then the victim could just as easily say nothing in response and the joke would still work. The “who” part of the joke has little importance. The only real importance I could discover in that line is the joke teller is making sure the victim is really understanding the main point of the joke. It is almost as if the joke teller is saying “OK I am about to say something I think is really funny, but you might not find it funny unless you truly understand the word that this joke centers around so go ahead and repeat my central joke word followed by ‘who’ and get ready for my matchless laughter.” I have decided that next time someone offers a knock knock joke to me and we get to the “who” part, I am going to just nod or say “..uh uh” as if to induce them to press on. 4. Finally, I have discovered that the real point of the joke is to show someone else how a word or phrase can be interchangeable with another word or phrase. Couldn’t this all be accomplished by saying: “hey buddy, listen how this word or phrase can be turned into another word or phrase, isn’t that nifty?” I feel you could get the same response.

Just putting that out there. With that being said, here are some jokes for your reading pleasure.

Gifts

2008-02-21T10:09:00.004-06:00

That i don't have...

So I have tried, many times to create masterpiece after masterpiece on microsoft paint and have been unsuccessful with it.

this just upsets me BECAUSE when i ask my Rachel friend to explain what a t-bar lift is with a picture she comes back with this and shows me up with an example drawing....oh woe is me and my lack of microsoft paint gifts!

New Friends

2008-02-19T10:27:00.001-06:00

My mom and grandparents came to visit me yesterday because it was Presidents’ Day (well not because…that would imply that I am a president or something, but because they had a day off due to the holiday). While we were walking around downtown my mom spotted a coffee shop that advertised free internet. I decided to come back later and check it out. I went back and walked into the most precious coffe shop slash store of things that I had seen. I got a coffee with vanilla and cinnamon and used the internet. All of a sudden I heard one lady say to the other “Did you see LOST this week?” I casually jumped in with “I just had a conversation about this (with merritt)” We proceeded to discuss LOST and I caught up by watching the last episode which I had missed due to the conference. OMG it was incredible. After I watched it, we all started throwing out theories and thoughts. I had to shortly pack up my stuff (because it is only open until 5:30), but before I left, the ladies told me that I would have to make sure and come back every Friday and discuss with them what I had seen. This just excited me so much and the ladies were so fun and outspoken. I am so excited about the potential to go and “hang out” in the coffee shop in the future . This def made my week!

*details on my conference weekend to come…don’t fret

It's BONUS blog day

2008-02-13T13:23:00.002-06:00

So surprise surprise it is bonus blog day. I bet you didn't know that. Due to the fact that i have been searching youtube for videos for three days, i decided to share a bit of my world. Here are two videos that have provided me so much joy in the long days of online video searches. BLAM: here comes your bonus

Irish music: Intoxicating:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-JAP7Kf1cI

Angry young teens: so true: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPIQJ3mFZQ

SWEET!!!

Girls Night

2008-02-13T10:17:00.001-06:00

My first annual Brenham girls night was a success. Those in attendance included: myself and…. Ann Hathaway. A certain James Macvoy made an appearance on occasion. Yes that is right.

Girls night consisted of me with Brenham made blue bell ice cream and

Becoming Jane.

As pathetic as this might sound, I actually really enjoyed myself and might even make this a Tuesday night tradition.

Memories...all alone in the moonlight

2008-01-31T10:56:00.000-06:00

So I like pictures, i normally look through people's blogs and stop only when there is pictures. Because of this, i am posting some of my favorite pictures from my college experiences. I was going through them last night and they make me giddy!

Who can forget 80's Day! That was so wonderful and even more wonderful because only we knew it was 80's day! (thanks sara for the garb)

Backpacking(top). The group after a night in cardboard boxes with little food (we look rough)

The first day of sun of last spring. We dressed in red and took pictures.

(top) Me in Rwanda, Africa. The little boys were so happy to have a picture that i could make them copy my every face. Great fun for both parties!
(middle) First experience of fall '07. We always find useless ways to spend money. Masks: $3.99 (pack of 3). Feathers: $2.99 (a bag). Jewels: $1.99 (a color). The stares we got while walking around like that: priceless!
(Bottom): Elise's final project. It was raining everyday. We made the most of it!

I love memories. I noticed a common theme: dressing up makes perfect memories!

Small Town = adventure

2008-01-30T14:31:00.000-06:00

So last night after coffee and conversation with a lovely new friend, i got to drive around. Because Brenham is rather small, I was able to see most everything around. :)

I drove down town to try to find a store and there in front of me was a delighting sight. In a building that was completely open on one side, there was a bunch of little boys dressed in all white. They were in the Karate class! They were so cute kicking each other and holding their balance. I laughed out loud for a long time. It was just so cute to me. I drove down a one way street the wrong way just so i could get back and see more.

I have decided, i am signing my kids up for KARATE!!! That is just so cute to me! Look --->

They are so intense!

That was my adventure for the night can't wait for more!

Loneliness

2008-01-29T09:52:00.000-06:00

I have been pretty lonely lately. I have people around me and things to do, but no one that really really knows me and that equals a bit of lonesomeness. Don't feel sad for me, though. I was talking to my dad last night and was telling him about my life here in Brenham. One thing I was telling him was that my television only got one station, but now that one station doesn't work. We laughed and joked about it.

Well this morning my dad called me to offer me some insight. He pointed out Paul. Right before Paul had huge spiritual revelations and experiences, he was in prison. He was in a place of solitde. This was so encouraging to me for many reasons. I am ready for God to do big things in me and i know this will be an important time for him to do that. I already see God at work. Yesterday, I didn't go in to work (merritt was feeling sick). So I was able to run a lot of errands. God really started showing me things about myself. Things I need to work on and things that have changed in me for the negative. Although knowing how you suck is never fun, God gave me such breath and encouragement after He was done. That time yesterday felt like house cleaning. I feel so light and at ease today. All I can do is smile.

What an incredible God we serve. There is so much joy in seeing how small you are compared to a God who is so HUGE!!!

My future does not include an office

2008-01-24T16:24:00.000-06:00

So this is not an excuse to keep me out of often mundane tasks, i really think God is trying to tell me i am not gifted for office work...and i am not complaining!

A couple of years ago, I was using a paper cutter to trim down some items for children's ministry when i accidently sliced through my thumb and thumb nail!

Today, i was putting 3-punched pages into folders when my finger slide right down a brad and sliced me pretty deep.

I think this is a sign: my future is not the office!

Thank you Jesus!

My new life (for a little while)

2008-01-24T14:40:00.000-06:00

I now live in Brenham.

The thought of living by myself has scared me since I found that out back in December.

After 4 days of living by myself, I am not so much scared as I am bored!!! I went to bed Monday at 10pm. That hasn't happened since the summer when it is important to go to bed early otherwise you will be dead. The fact was, I had no idea what to do with myself in a small town.

Well this will no longer be an issue. I am getting a roomie as of tonight. She is an aTm graduate that is now helping with a mission organization here in Brenham. After meeting her for like 3 secs today, i think we will get along fine.

A few interesting stories:

I worked with the youth group, of the church down here, for the first time last night. Believe it or not, i was super nervous. I was afraid that they wouldn't like me. Not only would i not have friends my own age, but youth kids wouldn't accept me. However, luckily this wasn't the case. While preping for a game we were about to play, they were asked to write their names down on a piece of paper that I gave them. Well the Jr. High boys gladly offered to write their numbers down for me as well. :) oh young boys...and lack of fear! During worship, a 7th grade boy went to the youth pastor (jeremy) to ask if he could go to the bathroom. I laughed.

Luckily there is a starbucks here. I have been there twice thus far. One time the overly friendly counter guy offered to make me a special drink. It was good. I feel like i made a friend. Although i didn't really, he was nice and that made me happy! I went to starbucks again today and drove through. A lady helped me and then took my order and then a young guy popped his head out of the drive-thru window and our conversation went like this:
Guy: Hey, so your just waiting on your drink?
Me: Uhuh yes
Guy: You having a good day?
Me: Uhuh yes
Guy: Oh here comes your drink, almost ready
Me: Super great
Guy: Ok here you go
Me: Thank you very much
Guy: Ok well you enjoy
Me: Thanks (as i start to pull away and roll up my window)
Guy: Ok have a nice day and stay warm
Me: (halfway gone and out of things nice to say)

hahaha...It made me smile
That is all i got currently. I forgot my password until just now (well until i made a new one)

Later from Brenham

LOST, oh so LOST

2007-12-10T18:50:00.001-06:00

I don't know what to do! I have no idea how to do it!

Gave up and Gave in

2007-12-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

After numerous recommendations to start a blog, i have finally given in. Here i am. I realized it might be nice to share thoughts and read others thoughts since so much is changing between now and Jan 1st, 2008. I guess this is my lame attempt to keep connected.