so richly blessed: thank you facebook

It seems a bit too selfish to post about my weekend when our world has been shaken.  Thanks for keeping Melanie in your thoughts and prayers.  She is such a special friend to me {I've known her most of my life and we were college roommates} and I just love her family.  She's been in Japan with another sweet friend from ACU, Ally, for over a year teaching English in Sendai.  It's moments like these past few weeks {with the NZ quakes and Japan events} that I am truly grateful for technology and the ability to stay connected.  I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes facebook itself is a blessing.  We have been able to keep up with posts and emails from Mel or her family and find peace knowing our friends are safe in the midst of tragedy.  While my heart aches for those who have lost family and friends, I pray that they have not lost hope.  I know that my friends are there in Japan to bless those around them and be a source of courage during the unknown.  Currently, they are safe at the air force base and hopefully finally resting after the countless aftershocks following the earthquake.  Please continue to keep Melanie, Ally, their families, and the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers.  

{mel squared circa 2007}

The events in NZ & Japan these past few weeks have brought out my frustrations in American media.  Maybe it's because these events are personal.  Maybe it's because I have some vested interest in them.  Maybe it's because I know someone who has been personally affected.  Either way, it makes all of this hullabaloo of Charlie Sheen and the NFL lockout seem straight up ridiculous.  Either way, it makes me think about what I do with my time and reminds me to be more thankful for the family and friends I am blessed to have in my life {to be continued in another post}.  Thanks for hearing me out!        

wednesday whatever: ice ice baby

So, it's really Thursday... but I just wasn't up for completing my blog from yesterday.  I kind of got a nasty little virus and had to stay offline... causing a little stress and damper on my work productivity. 

Our office has been closed since Tuesday and I have not put on real clothes - it has been awesome.  Been hanging around the house reading emails, hopping on conference calls, and completing flowcharts.  Woo wee!  Today, I had to come downtown to get my computer cleaned up, so we had a nice little adventure navigating the icy streets.  Not a fan of that at all!  I am so ready for spring and some warm weather to head this way {last weekend was such a tease}.  BUT, rumor has it there will be some more snow heading our way tomorrow! 

All of this talk about ice reminds me of my good old ACU days as a penguin via Sing Song 2006.  Most normal people will never understand the glory of Sing Song, but it was so much fun.  Enjoy some classic entertainment... and see if you can spot me in the video!

t-giving challenge: monday - education

Today I am thankful for my education.  I know a lot of people take it for granted {and I'm sure I do as well a lot of the time} but it is an incredible blessing.  I keep going back to the site with statistics on what our world would like if it were condensed to 100 people and the information just blows me away.  Essentially, one person (1%) has a college education.  It's crazy how caught up we can get by comparing ourselves to millionaires and celebrities, but simply having my college degree means I am pretty privileged. 

I am grateful for my family who worked hard to support my siblings and me to ensure we had a good education.  My parents pushed us to earn good grades to help us go to college.  These good grades paid off and relieved some of the financial burden from my parents based on generous scholarship donors who believed in the importance and value of a quality education.  I was incredibly fortunate to attend ACU where I have been equipped to perform well in the marketplace.  I have so many wonderful memories from college between the lifelong friends I made and the husband I married.  I love the ACU culture... where everyone really does kind of know everyone else.  It was much more than a college - it was my community.  I learned a lot about myself during college and I know I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without the friends and professors who challenged me during those four years.  I met people who were real and authentic... who didn't care what the world thought about them... who knew without a doubt that this life is not the end and there is hope.  I met people who encouraged me... who believed in me... who knew the life lessons learned would carry me forward. 

I had so many wonderful opportunities in college from Siggies to study abroad to a summer in New Zealand.  I am so grateful for all of these blessings and for the education gained during each experience.  Through club, I learned to see others as they were.  I learned just how much we can truly accomplish when we come together.  I learned the importance of strong friendships.  Through study abroad, I learned how to navigate foreign countries.  I learned how to put our heads together as a team and provide companies with valuable recommendations.  I learned that though this world is huge, we are all people who hunger for something more.  Through my summer in New Zealand, I learned how to drive on the left side of the road.  I learned to stop and appreciate my surroundings.  I learned the importance of mentors.  I learned that there are people just like me halfway across the globe ready to make a difference.  

I learned a lot in class as well.  I can say I enjoyed probably 80-90% of my courses - not only because of the content, but often because of the professor.  I don't know a lot of people outside of ACU who can say they knew their professors on a personal level... that they attended dinners at their houses or met them for coffee.  My professors were key mentors during my time in college and weren't afraid to be honest about the 'real world'.  I knew when I graduated that I had earned a wonderful education and was equipped to start my career successfully.  But my professors taught me so much more than what was written in the textbooks.  They gave me an education full of perspective... that I am not 'owed' anything and will have to continue to work hard at whatever I do with all of my heart.  They taught me that life isn't always fair and that there will be tough days at work or difficult situations.  They taught me that it's not about the money or the job title but it's about what you make a priority.  They taught me to always act with integrity and above all to show love to others. 

  {sweet Siggies}

{NZ countryside}

{precious study abroad friends}

I am truly grateful for my education in and out of the classroom.  To the friends I have made along the way - thanks for challenging and growing with me!  I wouldn't be who I am today without you!