Thoughts From The Mind of A Princess

My faith is like shifting sand changed by every wave; My faith is like shifting sand...so I stand on grace. -Caedmon's Call Shifting Sand Isaiah 26:8, James 1:4, James, 1:22-27

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I'd Gone Out Into The World

A friend emailed this to me today:

Things I wish I'd known before I'd gone into the world:

  • A person needs only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the tape.
  • When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.
  • The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: "I apologize" and "You are right."
  • Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
  • When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.
  • If he or she says that you are too good for him -- believe it.
  • I've learned to pick my battles; I ask myself, "Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"
  • Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
  • If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
  • Living well really is the best revenge.
  • Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just proves that the other person was right about you.
  • Be really nice to your friends because you never know when you are going to need them to empty your bed pan and hold your hand.
  • And finally... Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect; it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Hmmm...

I LOVE Johnny Depp!!!

This will crack you up (sorry for the scary picture)!!!!

Edward Scissorhands from Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands:Charming, innocent, and beautiful. Unfortunately,
he has blades for fingers. But hey, you can
get around that, you're all set.

Which Johnny Depp character is your ideal mate?

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Blog Game

I stole this off of a fellow blogger's site. It looks like a lot of fun.

20 years ago I… (1985)
1. Lived in Waterbury, CT.
2. Attended St. Lucie’s Catholic School and was elected vice-president of my classroom.
3. Received my first detention for talking while the teacher was talking.

10 years ago I… (1995)
1. Graduated from St. Cloud High School.
2. Won a substantial amount of scholarships for flute, vocals, and honors.
3. Met some of my life-long friends at Valencia Community College.

5 years ago I… (2000)
1. Moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida
2. Got a tattoo on my shoulder blade.
3. Successfully got through my first year of marriage.

3 years ago I… (2002)
1. Got divorced
2. Got my belly-button pierced.
3. Got drunk for the first time (yuck!!!)
4. Successfully got through my first year of teaching.

1 year ago I… (2004)
1. Got back into the marching band circuit.
2. Decided to go back to school.
3. Allowed myself to fall in love again.

So far this year I… (2005)
1. Began my Master’s Degree.
2. Began my 5th year of teaching.
3. Have felt the happiest and most complete I’ve ever felt.

Yesterday I…
1. Had lunch with one of Phil’s closest friends.
2. Slept way too much.
3. Studied the most I’ve ever studied in my life!

Today I…
1. Just finished the hardest mid-term I’ve ever taken in my scholastic career, and think I aced it!
2. Sang on the church worship team.
3. Will have dinner with Phil while watching the season premier of Desperate Housewives.

Tomorrow I will…
1. Give my students a pop-quiz on The Count of Monte Cristo.
2. Have a parent-teacher conference and detention all at the same time.
3. Hurry up and finish my homework for tomorrow’s grad school class.

In the next year I will…
1. Hopefully get engaged (sorry Phil).
2. See Wicked in Tampa and Chicago.
3. Go to London.
4. Be a member of my little sister’s wedding party.
5. Decide if I want to stay in teaching or not.

HI JANICE!!!!

I just found out that some of Phil's college friends read my blog. That is so funny to me. I have been pretty careful about not writing all the time about the stuff Phil and I talk (or argue) about. Now that I know that his friends read this, that gives me free reign to write all the embarassing stuff. (insert sinister laugh here...) ;-)

Who else reads this thing?

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

**sigh**

At our church, small groups tend to take a break during the summer since so many people are in and out of town. My small group chose to take a break. Well, it seems as if my small group has decided to no longer meet. I understand the reasons, but I am sad about it. This is the only group of girls that I meet with on a regular basis. I have been growing closer to these women and growing from the accountablilty. I did not become dependent on them, but I valued our time together.

As Phil and I drove away from church on Sunday, I was sad because my small group no longer meets and I have no other evening in the week when I can meet with another small group. There may be a couples group starting, but (no offense to Phil) I kind of want some "girl time." If I want a strong relationship with Phil, I don't think it's healthy to do every activity with him. I think it is very healthy to have some of our own separate things aside from work.

This got me thinking: Am I too busy? YES! I am a very busy person, but it's not stupid stuff that I waste my time on. On Monday nights I go to school, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have band rehearsal and then do homework, every three Wednesdays or so I have worship team rehearsal, and on Friday I either do homework or go to the football game to support FHS. Saturdays are mine but I've been so busy, I've been finishing my homework. Sundays are church, homework, grading papers, lesson planning, and then domestic type stuff that I usually do with Phil. AAAHHHH!!!

Is my career getting in the way of my life? Am I allowing my life to get in the way of my relationship with God? Is the gap in my relationship with God going to get in the way of my relationship with Phil? Is getting a Master's Degree really worth it in a state that does not value education AT ALL!?!?!?!?!

HELP!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Reality Check a la Katrina

Hurricane Katrina has really shaken me up. I've never experienced survivor's guilt until now. My heart literally aches when I see pictures and hear stories of the devestation. I get angry when I listen to political commentary about the rescue response. I get infuriated when people talk about this being a racial issue. I get sad when I see pictures of the Superdome.

Last week, one of the teachers at my school let us know about a family that happened to be in Central Florida for a funeral when Katrina swept through their Mississippi town. I have one of the cousins in one of my classes, and taught the other cousin two years ago. I felt bad. I prayed for the family. I shed tears for the family and the town. When I got to school yesterday, I found out that the family has decided to stay in Central Florida and one of the children are now in my class. Their house and belongings are ok, but they have no school district and lost friends. I was sorta' worried about my reaction to seeing this child walk into my classroom. I didn't want to make the child feel different, but I didn't want to overwhelmed the child either. Then the child knocked on my door.

New Student: "Hi, I am a new student here, and I think I am in your class this period."
My response: **Smile** "Why, yes you are. Have a seat, and I'll get you caught up before the end of the period. Welcome.

As I walked around the classroom today , I noticed the new student. With all the thoughts and images of Katrina running through my head, I looked at this child with new insight: God spared this family. It was coincidence that the family was here during the storm. An unfortune death of a close family member brought them to Florida. They were probably really sad about the death and dealing with family and funeral preparations. Now they are dealing with the loss of friends and neighbors. They still have material items but their souls have been damaged. You can't tell that this child has experienced so much in the past week, until you look in the child's eyes. You can see uncertainty and fear of the unknown. You can see nervousness. You can see anxiety. Is it because this is a new school, a new city, new people? Is it something else?

I question God's hand in this matter--why would He allow something of this magnitude to happen? I know He is in control of everything, but sometimes it is difficult to figure out the reasons.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

40 Year Old Virgin

If you have not seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin," you need to!! Phil made me take a break from writing a paper last night and took me to see this movie. We laughed the entire 2 hours! Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. It is so funny. There are enough "Awww" moments to keep the ladies happy and enough raunchy humor to keep the men quiet. Go see it and then let me know what you think.