Wednesday, September 28, 2011

a prayer for my future husband

Dear God,

If there is someone out there for me then I pray that he waits for me. And whoever he is, wherever he is, I hope he thinks I’m worth that wait because he will probably end up waiting on me a lot. Like when I try and decide on what flavor ice cream to get or when I do my hair (blast those unruly curls!) And please let him love dancing - at parties, in socks in the kitchen, and in the rain (NOT a hurricane). He doesn’t have to like fashion at all but I hope he tolerates it enough to let me enjoy it. In return, I’ll give him and his buddies snacks and full reign of the TV for Monday Night Football. If I haven’t met him yet I hope we meet in a funny way that makes a good story. And if we have met...who is it?!?! I hope he is silly, but that he takes his faith seriously. I want him to love me, but You more. Bless that boy in advance for voluntarily spending the rest of his life connected to my crazy family. I pray the reason we are apart now is because you are doing big things in each of us and that when we are together its only because our ministry is better together. Keep us together, forever. And Lord, if there isn’t someone out there for me please give me a passion for something I can fully commit to and emerge myself in. And a good dog. Or two. Because you know I’m allergic to cats.

Amen.

Monday, September 26, 2011

accidents happen

MY CAST IS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought this day would come, but my foot is finally free! And it feels so great sore. I have two weeks in a surgical shoe that would make Christian Louboutin cry (perhaps I should paint the bottom red?) and then hopefully I can go back to matching shoes again, oh, and work. In case you haven't been keeping up, I present to you:


My accident by numbers...

0 amount of money in USD that I have made in the past month
1 broken bone
2 crutches
3 casts
4 x-rays
5 x 10 = a rough estimate of how much this entire fiasco has cost me


This is by far the most expensive dance I've ever done. I'm just so thankful I didn't have to go through the entire rainbow of casts before getting it off for good.



Friday, September 23, 2011

forever fan


It is officially Fall which means my mailbox is getting flooded with letters from my alma mater a) asking for money (I'm still paying off the 4 years I was there!) & b) encouraging me to come to Homecoming! It actually makes me a little sad to think I will probably be missing Homecoming this year. Right now I'm just hoping for walking privileges...I haven't even thought about driving ones yet. Baby steps, literally. I've never missed a Homecoming game. I've also only been out of school for 2 years, but still. I remember before I graduated how I told myself that I would always make it to the LU Homecoming game no matter where I lived or what was going on. I was going to go every year until I died and when I got older and had kids I would drag them along and make them like it. I really told myself that. But I've learned life and circumstances aren't always so compliant. I really do miss LU. My 4 years of college were single-handedly the best 4 years of my life, so far. And I think sometimes I give LU too hard of a time b/c I complain about student loans and how expensive college was when I really did get a decent amount of scholarships from them. And while it still was RIDICULOUSLY expensive (private school will do that) it was worth it for the education, experience, and life-long friends I left with. Plus, it is really organizations like FAFSA and SallieMae that I should complain about. Sidenote: if you want to skip the momentary complaining don't read the italics below.

Let me just get this off my chest and save you some time. If you have two parents that are working and trying to provide for your family you will get nothing from FAFSA. That's right, nothing. You WILL however have to fill out the 3284023 million pieces of paper/online mess to apply for it. But you will get nothing. Tell me how that is fair? I am being punished because my parents work. If your parents don't work then you are lucky b/c you will probably get a lot. Even if one of your parents doesn't work you will at least get something. Tell your parents to quit their jobs before you apply for school and you will probably get to go for free. I'm only half joking. As for SallieMae...don't be fooled into thinking you can get out of your student loans. You can't. Even if you die, your family will be burdened with them. Take a look at your student loan balance (try not to cry) and then double it b/c by the time you pay it off 20 years later the interest will have practically doubled. SallieMae doesn't care if you aren't using your degree, if you barely have enough money to survive, or like I said, if you die. Rant over.

Back to LU. I am proud of my school. I seriously love my school. I honestly believe the students that graduate from there will change the world for Christ. And when you are doing big things for God there are always going to be haters. And I think LU gets a bad rep sometimes b/c of the rules or the founder or (insert some ridiculous rumor here). And maybe its because I grew up in VA and LU is in VA but I sometimes think the worst haters are the ones that go to other VA colleges and think their school is so much better than ours. For example, UVA. Ok, so you're smart, we get it. You're also probably boring. And for Tech and VCU and JMU and ODU and whatever other schools think it is impossible to have fun without being wasted I ask you this...does this not look like fun to you?


I'll stop there before there is too much irony in my words. And before I get bad comments on this post. I'm not a hater, I'm just saying. If you want to know what LU is like from an outside perspective I encourage you to read this book, The Unlikely Disciple. But a better way to know what it is like is to check out this video...


OR take a look back this post to see why I love(d) college.

Want to know my favorite part of college? Remembering it.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

dancing in the rain


I am days away from getting my (third) cast off and freedom is so close I can practically taste it. This has been a very trying month. I think I have a new definition of humbled...

hum·bled
[adj.]
1. To watch one's bank account slowly drain while not being able to walk, drive or work.


My parents have also been "teaching me a lesson" this month by not helping with any medical bills as to not encourage my irresponsibility. Because we all know I broke my foot on purpose...not. What I find most funny about the situation is that my mom quickly offered to pay for my handicap parking pass provided she gets to use it whenever she wants. At least someone is benefiting from my accident. I think there is a lesson for them to learn in the midst of all of this too and it can be summed up in one little quote.


There is no way a little rain, setback, or empty bank account will ever stop me from dancing my way through life.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

sketch

A few years ago my sister introduced me to the world of sketchbooks. Her sketchbooks were so creative and fun that it inspired me to start my own. I've kept the same one for a while now and I love it. Sketchbooks are such a perfect outlet for me to express myself and document my likes and interests in so many different ways. My book is filled with quotes and paintings and collages of an eclectic mesh of fashion, dreams, memories & even my bucket list! I think everyone should start their own, its like the trendy new version of scrapbooking. I, for one, can't wait to finish my current sketchbook and start a new one of these smash books.

If you're looking for a little inspiration take a look below at a few pages from my book or check out the journal prompts on the Lily Girl's Magazine site...



Saturday, September 17, 2011

fashion favorites

This past week while most Americans gathered around their televisions eating chips for the start of football season, I was glued to Style.com's live stream of Fashion Week eating carrots...I was watching models after all! Ok, ok so I was eating chips too. I try to like football I really do, but I just love fashion and dancing and cooking shows so much more. Perhaps if I had a favorite team I'd be more involved, but I'm waiting to adopt the team favorite of whoever I marry. Or maybe I will just pick a team based on mascot (I know enough about football to know the Dolphins aren't good) or team colors (which makes it awfully hard to root for the Redskins). For now I will just enjoy uninterrupted fashion. Here are a few of my favs from the 2012 Spring RTW lines...
Tory Burch
Rodarte - Never a disappointment with their shows!
Rodarte again...this reminds of me of what I imagined Katniss' dress from The Hunger Games to look like. What do you think?
Oscar de la Renta - Gorgeous as usual!
Nanette Lepore - I loved all of the shoes from this line!
Marchesa - ALWAYS a favorite of mine!
Erin Fetherston
Christian Siriano
Alice + Olivia
3.1 Philip Lim - LOVE the pastels!

**click the photos to make them larger, all photos from style.com!

Monday, September 12, 2011

casted (still)

I have been casted for 2 weeks now! Wow! The official diagnosis? A spiral fracture to the shaft of my 5th metatarsal...which translates to "a really bad break in the part of your foot that takes a long time to heal" in English. Immediately after receiving my diagnosis I flooded google with the following searches:

How long until I can dance after breaking my foot?
What is a spiral fracture?
5th metatarsal fracture healing time
How long does it take a fracture to heal?
When can I get my cast off?
How long do I have to wear a cast?
How do you take off your cast yourself?
Dance Moms (my newest obsession)

When google wasn't providing the answers I was looking for I turned to my friends Sandi and Jen. Sandi provided me with the most realistic information (aka the stuff I didn't want to hear) in the most loving way. Jen provided me with funny YouTube videos and this informative link about my fracture (also ironically called "Dancer's Fracture): click this if you like medical jargon about feet!

Summarized: "The junction between the base of the metatarsal and the shaft is the area which creates the most problems when fractured. The reason for the difficulty is that bone healing relies upon good circulation, and this particular area of the bone has a notoriously poor blood supply. Fractures of the shaft of the metatarsal occur commonly as a result of twisting of the foot when landing from a jump, for example in ballet dancers, and these heal very rapidly in a stiff shoe without any need for surgery."

That explains that. Except...why am I in a cast and not a stiff shoe?!?! Exactly the point I brought up to my doctor today. While tears filled my eyes he calmly explained the need for a cast, the dangers of taking it off too soon, and the risk of re-breaking my foot. We finally came to a compromise. I traded in my hot pink non-weight bearing cast for a baby blue weight bearing cast for 2 more weeks and then the cast comes off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Surely I can last two more weeks. Ironically I also read this verse in my devo this week...

"Even children become tried and need to rest, and young people trip and fall." - Isaiah 40:30 (NCV)

The Lord knew I needed a "break" and this is still part of His plan even if it wasn't part of mine.

"All the days planned for me were written in your book, before I was one day old." - Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

Bye bye pink cast!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

allow me to explain

A few weeks ago I was blog stalking a friend of a friend's blog and I came upon a post she wrote about personality types. When I was at LU I took a women's ministry class where we took several personality tests and I remember being so surprised at how spot on the results were for both my strengths and weaknesses. I am now a huge advocate of knowing my friend's and families personality types (& love languages!) b/c I truly think it helps me to love, understand, and relate to them better. And to help everyone get to know who I am and why I do what I do I present to you my personality test results from Myers-Briggs & Gary Smalley.

[extraverted intuitive feeling perceiving]

defined :
ENFPs are initiators of change, keenly perceptive of possibilities. They energize and stimulate others through their contagious enthusiasm. They prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests. ENFPs are able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. They bring zest, joy, liveliness, and fun to all aspects of their lives. They are at their best in fluid situations that allow them to express their creativity and use their charisma. They tend to idealize people, and can be disappointed when reality fails to fulfill their expectations. They are easily frustrated if a project requires a great deal of follow-up or attention to detail. (via wikipedia)

explained:
"outgoing, social, disorganized, easily talked into doing silly things, spontaneous, wild and crazy, acts without thinking..." (via ENFP Jung Type Descriptions)

which would explain this...


"ENFPs are energized by being around people. Some have real difficulty being alone, especially on a regular basis." (via ENFP Profile on TypeLogic)

which is why I think breaking my foot and having to sit still for 6 weeks is absolutely the pits!

"Because ENFPs live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivious to these types of concerns." (via ENFP Personalitypage.com)

which is why I often forget to bump my appetizers at work, i leave clean and folded laundry sitting on the stairs for days (sorry Mom!) at home, and the time on the clock in my car is always an hour ahead or behind.


SANGUINE
[aka Otter]
defined:
The Sanguine temperament personality is fairly extroverted. People of a sanguine temperament tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. They are usually quite creative and often daydream. However, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. Sanguine can also mean very sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful. Sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when pursuing a new hobby, interest is lost quickly when it ceases to be engaging or fun. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy. People of sanguine temperament can often be emotional. (via wiki)

explained:
"Sanguines prefer to live in big cities where they can satisfy their craving for variety much easier." (via askwomennet.com)

which is further proof why I belong back in NYC.


"In addition to being spontaneous, Sanguine personalities are sincere. Their moods change quickly, but they don't pretend. They really do feel the way they do. They don't stay mad long, and they don't hold grudges. They are quick to see and admit their own mistakes, and aren't ashamed of apologizing for them." (via Ellen McCormick)

which pretty much sums up all of my blog posts from the past two years.

"Because Sanguines always want to be the center of attention, this lively person is many times a show off or class clown." (via Gospel Gazette)

which somewhat justifies all of those detentions in school and resonates with any of my classmates that were in class with me during 8th grade Advanced English, Geography, Trig, French 3, COMS101, COMS360 and any art class taken at GHS. it also explains why i had an assigned seat in class as a college sophomore.

**Here is a link to a pretty accurate explanation/test for Gary Smalley's Personality Traitst: Click me!

There are about 1 million (Sanguines tend to exaggerate) personality tests out there and it is pretty easy to get sucked into trying them all out. For example, I am also a "Squiggle" according to Psycho-Geometrics, "Tigger" according to 100 Acre Wood Characters, and "Type B" according to the Jacob Goldsmith theory. However, I think Myers-Briggs and Gary Smalley's seem to be the most accurate IMO. So, friends, what is your personality type?!?!

And remember..."God could have made us all Sanguines. We could have lots of fun but accomplish little. He could have made us all Melancholies. We would have been organized and charted but not very cheerful. He could have made us all Cholerics. We would have been set to lead, but impatient that no one would follow! He could have made us all Phlegmatics. We would have had a peaceful world but not much enthusiam for life. We need each temperament for the total function of the body. Each part should do its work to unify the action and produce harmonious results." - Florence Littaur.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011