Monday, March 30, 2009

Just give me a road and a little gasoline...


When I need to clear my head I always go for a drive.

Even though I live in the Road Rage capital of the US, I find driving to be relaxing. If I can get on the road, alone, with some music to fit my mood (usually a mixed CD) I can always refocus, cope, or rejoice. This works better when there's not traffic, but either way.

I drove to Orlando this weekend to reunite with Alyssa, my freshman year roommate from Purdue and Mer who I'm lucky enough to see regularly since were both down here in Florida. It was a Purdue Alum reunion!

The weekend was a great chance to catch up with two of my best friends, get a little shopping in, eat some wonderful food, stuff my face with key lime pie (all of our fav), watch The Hills (the show that brought us together), and just unload after a busy couple of weeks. It was just what the doctor ordered. I'm so thankful that Mer's place has become a sort of haven for me to go and regroup when I need it.

The drive there gave me time to think through the week that had just past. My work and all that we have going on during a very busy season. Jordie & the week we had together and everything that's going on with him @ school and such. My family, all the new developments there and the fact that I will be seeing them in less than two weeks (so excited). Reflecting on my friendships and how I'm doing at those. I made a few phones calls to friends I feel like I've been stacking on lately (sorry guys) and played catch up a little.

The drive was full of reminiscing. About the my friendships with Alyssa & Mer from beginning to now. About all the wonderful times that Alyssa & I had freshman year in the dorms. Oh how learning to live on your own is funny in hindsight! It was a time to be thankful for this past year and how God has grown me in so many big & small ways to bring me to where I am now. I've been in Tampa 11 months this week and what a beautiful 11 months it has been.

I hope you all had weekends like mine. I hope you find time in the next week to go for a drive and just think (or pray) out loud. I hope that you are blessed with friends like Mer & Alyssa. I hope your life is full of laughter and funny awkward times like I did this weekend.

Love,
B

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A Lost Art...


I think letter writing is a lost art. While most people would agree they love getting a handwritten letter or card in the mail (at least more than getting bills), how many people take time to send them anymore? Some of our parents or relatives but few of our peers, am I right? When was the last time you personally sat down and wrote a heartfelt letter for a non-occasion?

When I moved to Florida I set out to change this at least in my own life. As a lover of all things written, few things touch my heart the way a letter does. My Mom argues that there's no reason to pay 42 cents to send someone a letter if you could just shoot them an e-mail. They get it quicker anyway, right? Always thrifty, she is. No matter...I think it is worth 42 cents here and there to brighten the day of a dear friend. When she asks how I afford so much stationary and stamps I respond with, how can I afford not to shower the important people in my life with love?

Dad is always telling me that no one wants to be around someone who is negative. That positive people always have more friends because people want to be around them. While my head is frequently swimming with thoughts of my friends, I am not always quick to share them. This is where letter writing has helped me. It has cause me to take a time out from my crazy life to build those people up by sharing the thoughts that were in my head to begin with. By putting into written word the things that I love about them or why I cherish their friendship. Writing to say they're on my mind.

I keep an intense schedule and it is hard for me to find time to sleep, let alone do anything "extra". Making this a priority has benefitted me in so many ways. Helping me to express myself. Strengthening my relationships and building up my loved ones. Dwelling on the positive relationships God has brought into my life keeps me uplifted and grateful - keeping me in turn from taking for granted that provision.

People always find time for what is important to them. I am no exception to this standard. May the time I spend pursuing deeper relationship reflect my heart.

I committed yesterday to mail a card this week to everyone who sent me their address via facebook on that day. So I have over 15 cards to write this week (7 are done now - between last night and this morning before work). Bring it on. If you made that list, I hope you enjoy yours.

Love,

B

Ps: Don't tell my mom that equals $6.30 in stamps + stationary. ; ]

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Siblings.


Siblings - minus me - On christmas morning.


I would hate being an only child.

Having moved regularly all throughout my childhood, my sisters were my support system as well as my best friends. In many ways, throughout all the changes over the years that has not changed. They are still my support system & my best friends. I wouldn't trade my relationship with them for anything. I'd even go so far as to say I'd take 10 siblings if they were half as wonderful as the 2 I have.

Almost 2 years ago now I got to officially add Chris (on the right) to make my sibling count 3. Having been Ra's best friend for 5 years before they dated & married, he'd been in the picture for quite a while. I'd been considering him my brother for so long before he and Rachel got married that it was a no-brainer-transition. I've always wanted a brother, and he's great.

I was watching my cousin Wesley play baseball yesterday with my Aunt when she made an off-hand comment that my sisters and I probably do a great job of keeping in touch. It made me sad that while Rachel, Ruthie, & I remain close regardless of how often we're able to talk - I don't always do my part to make sure the lines of communication are open. This is something I want to purpose to make more of a concentrated effort towards. She also told me that my cousins talk at least once per day. Now that is how it should be. And so, I started last night by calling each of them.

God has blessed me in so many ways throughout my 23 years of life, but I think my sisters are the greatest blessing of all.

Love,
B

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Few things...

Amanda & I at the Dallas Bull - a country line dancing place. Not totally my scene but fun just the same.

I added Twitter to my blog, so if you don't have twitter you can still follow me on here thanks to it. I'm still mastering what Twitter even is, so bare with me. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it - and it sure does make keeping up with (or stalking if you prefer) some of my favorite celebs quite a bit easier.

I'm no longer going to be in Indy (Carmel) in July, BUT I will be home for Easter - so get in touch with me if you'll be in town that weekend. It will mostly be family time, esp since Daddy will be off work. BUT I might have time for a Starbucks date or something of that nature.

Upcoming Events:
- All Pro Dad - The Bucs Event (April 18th)
- Walk for Life (April 25th)
- Impact Spring Retreat (May 2nd & 3rd)

Volunteer with me, support me, or watch for pictures and updates later.

The next few weeks are going to be crazy but I'm looking forward to them. Seeing Matt back in Tampa after so many years, finally! Candy & Josh's visit in a few weeks (that will hopefully go fast). Seeing the family and reuniting with my Carmel friends. Seeing my darling cousins play some baseball down this way, as well as spending some time with Uncle David & Aunt Ju. Events, events, events. AND my upcoming one year anniversary of being in Tampa (well, back in Tampa that is) which I'm planning something fun for.

So there you have it.

Love,
B

Monday, March 16, 2009

Home.


"There's no place like home," -- Dorthy, The Wizard of Oz

There is in fact, no place like home. And so, I'm thankful that I'm always welcomed back to mine with excitement. I booked a flight this morning to go home for Easter. After feeling for several weeks now that I was in need of some family-time, I took the plunge and rearranged my schedule to go be with my family for a long weekend. Even Dad has a four day weekend - so we'll get to spend some needed time together.
Also, I was excited to find out today that the Colts are playing in both Jacksonville and Miami this year! So I'm looking forward to a few extra games in my general area this year. Oh why oh why isn't it football season yet?
Love,
B


Monday, March 9, 2009

How much is too much?

So, I joined the Twitter cult today. They suggested at my last bible study meeting at Grace that we join twitter and follow one set up for our group so they could give us bible verses everyday. I can't for the life of me figure out how to link to them though, search though I have. Either way, I'm officially on Twitter now and trying to figure out exactly what it is! But this brings me to the point of this blog... just how available is too available?

I've always prided myself on staying up with the times (you know, for all 23 years now). From going to texting as a primary form of communication, to facebook as a way to keep up with friends I don't get to talk to via the phone regularly. To e-mail as a way to get in touch with work contacts and get more done faster. But just how far do we take this technology built to make us permanently available?

From facebook & myspace to texting & twitter - just when do we turn all of this stuff off and let the world survive without us? I got to wondering this after being woken up by a facebook alert sent via my facebook mobile account to my phone at 4am. How much is too much and have I hit that point?

It scares me to think you could really "be my friend" without actually ever spending any real face time with me. You could see me everyday on facebook and myspace. You could read what I'm doing every moment on twitter. You could read my blog to know more about my life, my work, my family, and my friends. E-mail while I'm at work or texting when I'm home. And isn't this similar to how our relationships get sometimes? We don't have time to spend with people so we maintain our friendships in much the same way that we use e-mail to get more work done faster. We let our computers (or phones) do the friendship leg work for us.

I went away this weekend and I set out to talk on my phone as little as possible. I didn't log on a computer to any of my internet sites, I took only phone calls from the friends I was with to locate them. And while I didn't stop texting for the weekend - it still felt like quite a nice break! So why don't I do this more often? The answer is - I don't know. But over the next week or two I'm going to purpose to spend more time talking to people on the phone or in person and less time at my computer virtually being a friend.

Love,
B

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Home.





Back home from Orlando.  Had a blast with Mer, Kate, & Amanda.  Got some great deals at the outlet malls - you never know what you "need" til you find in on sale. Ha!  But seriously, it was great to get away for a weekend and I'm feeling refreshed.  Sad the weekend is over... but it was another great one with great friends.

Love,
B

Friday, March 6, 2009

Book update.

Next up for book club is The Time Travelers Wife.

Ordered from Amazon this week for cheesy girlie book fetish fill -

One Fifth Avenue & Chasing Harry Winston.

Anyone read these already? Thoughts? Feelings?

I also bought and built myself a new book shelf last weekend that I love because my book collection is no longer being housed in my kitchen cabnets.

Love,
B

Orlando

I'm headed to Orlando for the weekend after work today. I think for the sake of sanity it is improtant to leave town every once in a while to clear your head, see friends, and shop at amazing outlet malls.

Some may argue I do this ritual more often than necessary - however, I think you can never have too many mini-road trips.

Pictures and possibly video footage to follow.

Love,
B

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Newbie.

Since two blogs are better than one I will now be a contributing writer along with two of my best friends in keeping up a blog about surviving your twenty-somethings. This is such an entertaining and chaotically wonderful time period in our lives and so we are documenting it for your reading pleasure.

Check us out at: http://justalittlethingcalledlife.blogspot.com/

No worries, I will continue to write here.

Love,
B