Things I'm Looking forward to...

My friends sent out this Evite last night. I think they are party planning geniuses!
"It's that time again! You are cordially invited to the long-awaited Second Annual Girliest Super Bowl Party Ever! This is not for the hard core football fans. This IS for the faint of heart and former cheerleaders. Of course, the game will be on for those ladies who must watch...however, there will be girlie food and loud feminine chit-chat for those of us who don't even know which teams are playing. The only reason WE know it's the Colts vs. the Somebodies is because we looked at the CBS website for the time. So feel free to invite all your sassy girlfriends for an evening of pink, purple, estrogen, and anything sparkly. Oh yeah, and football too. Don't forget your tiaras and a girly appetizer to share!"

I'm looking forward to the macho male superbowl party, too, but I don't get to wear a sparkly dress or a tiara! Ten years down the road, I'd like to be attending the Twelfth Annual Girliest Super Bowl Party Ever. I think it is a GREAT concept. If you are a girl and want to come...let me know!

Restaurant Favorites: Foster's Market

Foster's Market is one of my favorite restaurants in the Triangle. I went to the Chapel Hill location in college but now the one in Durham is my favorite. Charleigh and I are fans of hanging out there.

Now, Sarah Foster is in the process of posting receipes & cooking demos on You Tube. Watch her cook your favorite dish!! I am SO excited about her cookbook that will be released in March.

Check out her blog.

Tell Me A Story

It is significant, I think, that in the presence of a story, whether we are telling it or listening to it, we never have the feeling of being experts - there is too much we don't yet know, too many possibilities available, too much mystery and glory.

Even the most sophisticated of stories tends to bring out the childlike in us - expectant, wondering, responsive, delighted - which, of course, is why the story is the child's favorite form of speech;

why it is the Holy Spirit's dominant form of revelation;

and

why we adults, who like posing as experts and mangagers of life, so often prefer the explanation and information."

St. Mark: The Basic Text for Christian Spirituality, 1. The Form of the Text
Subversive Spirituality by Eugene Peterson

Exchanging Stereotypes...Humans are Inherantly Evil

I'm posting this because I think it is hilariously funny and more than a little extremist. However, having come out of the most socially progressive major at UNC, I can't help but finding it completely ironic. We are taught TOLERANCE, TOLERANCE, TOLERANCE but there is one people group that slandering is not only allowed but completely encouraged.

Names and Countries changed to protect the prejudiced:

Hello girls,

I have already met my nemesis. I was in the crowded NYC airport, full of anxious people trying to get on planes that weren't landing or taking off. While waiting in the terminal, I heard a voice. It was the voice of the Ugly American. The college student who thought that world was her oyster, and that everyone was out to make her life convenient. In a high, shrieky voice like nails on a chalk board, she said, "I wanna go to Tuscany, definitely, and like Rome, and maybe...blah blah blah blah blah." I instantly knew, before even turning around, that the owner of the voice was a college student going on the same program I was going on. Even though she was about 20 feet away from me, I heard her voice loud & clear because she shamelessly forced her voice above the crowd, as if she wanted to exert her wealth and superiority at being able to study abroad in Italy. For the next hour, I did everything to get away from her, and refused to introduce myself even though I knew that we would be spending the next 4 months together. After finally getting on the plane, more bad news: she was sitting right behind me. I had to listen to her obnoxious voice for the entire 10 hour trip, plus the 3 hours we spent in NYC waiting for the plane to be de-iced. We finally departed, and after a few more unending hours she shut up. Eventually we landed in Munich,the site of more bad news: she was on my flight from Munich to Rome,which wouldn't depart until 8 hours later. Fortunately for me, she lived up to her Ugly American stereotype and decided to spend 20 euros on cheap beer that tasted like pee at the airport, so I had time to myself. But at this point I still hadn't spoken to her? I had just listened to her annoying voice for hours. After we arrived in Rome and had collected our bags, the kids from my program gathered together, and sure enough she was one of them. As we were waiting for a taxi, the inevitable conversation happened: Who are you and where do you go to school? We went around introducing ourselves, and finally the moment of truth: she introduced herself. I knew that whatever school she said she was from, I would not allow my kids, or any other kids I knew, to even get within 10 minutes of it. I knew that the school she was going to for higher education was an elitist, self-worshiping escape to throw away loads of money. Then she spoke, "My name is Cindy Loo Who, and I go to Duke." Suddenly my life made sense. I may not have understood the Italian signs all around me, or what the Italian taxi cab driver was yelling at me, but I understood this: that no parent should ever allow a child to go to Duke. I have also decided that no matter how many times she may try to friend me on facebook, I will never accept because I refuse to have even (1) friend from Duke.

Julia

Found this...at least we are starting to draw the line somewhere! I'd like to take this moment to express my personal love and appreciation for my Duke friends... we just can't watch basketball together!

UNC-77, Georgia Tech-61

1. My New Year's Resolutions are at war: Loose weight and stop spending money. I now need new pants and it is past the point of ignoring. Good news. Bad news.

2. Nicole, Ceeece, Jason, & I tried turkey mignon this Saturday. Now I can sell it with confidence! Kimberly showed up just in time for the second half of the game.

3. My current favorite food, Cuties! SO SWEET!

4. INNAMORATO, my NEWEST project. Our take on American Idol. I'm so excited to plan this one!

5. Headed to Rose Hill, NC for a few days of corporate meetings. I had to travel somewhere glamorous with Stacey skiing in Colorado & Matt in Maui.

6. Senator Brownback announced his run for president. A spirit-filled, speaking in tounges candidate! I'm still reading up on his platform.

Miss Hospitality: Charity V.

Lovely Charity's party last night made me realize a few things.
1. I like being able to show up to parties that I had nothing to do with the planning.

2. No matter how outgoing you may be, it is a lot easier to talk to the people you know than the ones you don't.

3. You don't really know a person until you've met their friends.

4. I really love parties that don't start until 8pm.

5. I am addicted to Jeff Cash's music. (Jason had me listen to his CD on the way home.)

The First Snow of the Year!

Topsail Beach

Little happenings and goings on...

I thought this was pretty cute. The blog I found this on had the fortune: "The Cherry Pie will get you."

My Fortune Cookie told me: You have always wanted to be a comet. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

I went to the UNC Women's Basketball game against UConn, tonight. We won but barely!

I cut off my fingernails and painted them my favorite red, OPI Dutch Tulip. I'm officially playing the guitar again.

Reading through the Bible with Ask Dr. Jeff. Much thanks to Eddie for taking over blog creation!

I'm still reading Spin Sisters and I'm now on Season Three of Monarch of the Glenn.

What was Lost is Now Found!!

My camera has been missing since September and I just found it yesterday just before Ashley and Lance's wedding. Here are some pictures from weekend of the State Fair when Amy & Ginny drove up from Charleston and Stacey flew in from Jacksonville. Ginny family live in Goldsboro and gave us tickets to the Chris Tomlin Concert.
Of course, CT is kind of old news for Stacey & Amy since they went to Northpoint Church in Atlanta for two years and he played for their young adult meetings. I guess it is more like re-uniting with family! The first time I saw him in concert was at the first OneDay conference.

It was SOOOO cold. Jason was our late night host, providing an after midnight snack and hot tea. You forget how cold 28 degrees really is to warm region Southern belles!

Upscale Living

After eight months of living in my condo, I am finally unpacking all of my boxes. It is AMAZING the jackets, sweaters, suits, picture frames, guitar music, computer speakers and a ton of other things that have surfaced. (Just what I needed, more stuff to find a place for...)

I also discovered that my fake balcony railing is a super place to air dry my jeans. I'm sure they'll LOVE that but I'm banking on the fact that it is Friday afternoon and that this is a low traffic area around this time of day. When you have doors that are four feet taller than your head, you can't hang jeans on the top of them!

Adorable...

...Never thought I would like Woody Allen's movies but I loved his latest, Scoop, with Scarlett Johanson & Hugh Jackman. I'm a fan now and it makes me want to watch some of his other movies.

Faithful

This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16 MSG

Time Spent

aXcess

All the events...

Some of the pictures...

Weekend

It was a busy weekend with almost every hour scheduled.

Highlights:

aXcess had our first Concert of Prayer & Praise and around 40 people showed up. It was great!

Kim and I went to see an IMAX film for the first time ever. Loved it!

25 People Celebrating Jaimie's 25th Birthday Party!

Sarah, Anna, Ben, Jonathan, Tony, Chris & I all went to see Children of Men. Good Movie.

Hanging out Saturday night at Chateau Cho with Char, Sam, Hoek, Kim

Coffee with Char, Nicole, & Charity at Tony's Cafe at City Market in downtown Raleigh after the aXcess info meeting.

And, as always, spending time with the people I love most!

Pictures that Make me Miss the Lowcountry

I was looking around on-line for great restaurants in Charleston for the owner of my favorite paper store and ran across these two pictures of Sewee Restaurant. I drove by it on my way to work in Myrtle Beach & Pawley's Island and I thought the atmosphere was great.

I generally brought visitors here because it is a nice contrast with all the downtown white tablecloth restaurants.

The specials board is the first thing you see when you walk inside.

Amy & I on a group outing to Sewee! Miss ya'll... Of course, Stacey moved to Florida the month after I left so things aren't quite the same. And, I found out my apartments were turned into Condos (like everything else in Mt. Pleasant) so I would have had to move anyway!

They say that Charleston gets in your blood once you have been there a year and I really think that is true. I left after nine months and it was hard to leave. (It was, afterall, the SLOWEST nine months on the planet so I had a lot of time to take it all in. My homesickness for Durham made the days crawl but I always had fun and surprised myself by falling in love.) God knew what he was doing by pulling me out when he did. Three more months there would have done me in!

No. 2 Tarheels Overpower the Quakers, 102-64

What's this?? The Dean Dome Fans are in a frenzy and jumping to their feet. There is cheering and yelling as #15 Dewy Burke runs onto the court.

BUT WHY?

The score is 88 - 64 in Carolina's favor with less than two minutes on the clock. What is it that made this wine and cheese crowd (who is generally famous for their lack of desire to rise from their seats much less cheer) suddenly leap to their feet with screams of encouragement and even desperation when a guy who averages 5 or 6 points a game runs onto the court. "Come on, Dewy! DO IT for us!!" He hits a three pointer and the crowd goes even nuttier. The pep band strikes up the fight song but what is it the crowd is chanting instead of the traditional "Let's Go Tar-Heels"?

"WE WANT BIS-CUITS!"

clap. clap. clapclapclap.

"WE WANT BIS-CUITS!"

clap. clap. clapclapclap

Oh yes, the ENTIRE DEAN DOME, this legendary hallowed hall of basketball history, is on it's feet singing praises to Bojangles because if the Tarheels hit 100pts. in a home game you can bring in your ticket stub and get a free biscuit.

Dewy and his compatriots pulled through and delivered 12 more points and, friends, you would have thought that the National Championship was on the line the way the crowd cheered and, more importantly, the way the bench team played. It truly was some of the most exciting minutes in basketball. When our boys hit 100 with two seconds left in the game, it was a celebration and all the big screens were flashing that fabulous red and yellow.

Currently Intaking

Currently Watching:




Based in Scotland (Mandy, you might like this), this BBC TV Series has become a big hit with me!
"This popular BBC series, inspired by the novels of Compton Mackenzie, traces the adventures of Archie MacDonald, a London hipster-restaurateur summoned back to his Highland home, Glenbogle, to care for his sick father. Faced with an estate riddled with mounting losses, the city boy stays on -- at least until the muddled mess can be sorted out. " ~Netflix
I obviously have a soft spot for "hipster-restaurateurs" so I decided to get the DVDs based only on that one phrase. I was not disappointed! When you know what you like, you know what you like!

This team is becoming as special to me as the 2005. Sunday night, I was at the Dean Dome for the Dayton game when they honored Raymond Felton, Sean May, & Rashad McCants. TEARY EYED. I also ended up with GREAT seats (only five rows back from the court) thanks to the combined efforts of Dad & Alisha.

I'm looking for Durhamites interested in watching the games together this season...I know you won't comment...so call me, instead.

Currently Reading:

Kim gave me this book written by the former editor-in-chief of the magazine Ladies Home Journal. So far, it is a REALLY great read. I was impressed by how interesting the book is to be a non-fiction, political agenda novel. Not only does she keep your attention but also entertains!

Jennifer & Greg's Treck Across the Country.

My dear friend is relocating from the City of Angels to Missouri...get the scoop.

Dean Dome Self Photography Gone Awry

My brother, John, Got A New Camera For Christmas and broke it in at the Rutgers game.
We all tried to perfect our "Take Your Self Portraits" Skills...you know, where you stretch out your arm, hope you can aim... Click!


Kate & John always take the best pictures.

Alison forgot John was taller when she took their picture. LOVE IT!
I taught John the PRETEND YOU AREN'T LOOKING AT THE CAMERA tactic...





...it never really worked for us, though.












I love this picture of Kate! You can't help but admire her eyeshadow abilities!

The whole crowd; Alisha, me, Laura, Kate, John, Alison, Andrew, & Allison

Happy New Year!

Life just gets too busy to post! I just can't fit it all in. Instead of running through everything I've been up to lately, I decided it would be easier to share some pictures from Nicole & my trip to Charleston about a month ago.