Through Fire and Ice

First post as the future Mrs. John Dirba!

2010-04-13T01:13:00.001-05:00

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that John and I got engaged last month! I turned 21 on the Monday of Spring Break, and he proposed on Friday. Needless to say it will be the most memorable Spring Break of my life! In an attempt to organize my thoughts (and hopefully blog more often!) I have created a blog that will strictly be about all things wedding/wifey. Check it out. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll leave you with these. Enjoy! :]

Speaking of ice...

2010-02-23T19:15:00.006-06:00

Happy snow day!

The view from the office window about 20 minutes after it started!

On campus... Bipolar TX weather.

Home

Park across the street.

Me, John, and Peter's E.T. snowman!

... and E.T. about 3 seconds later.

Fun day :]

Through Fire and Ice

2010-02-23T01:19:00.002-06:00

I changed the name of my blog... again. I've been having issues finding something that really meant something to me. And this... well, it isn't exactly what I had in mind. Let's face it-- Revelation 3 doesn't make you feel warm fuzzies like unicorns and puppies, which are much more my taste. But, this is something that's really been on my heart lately. I have been living a lukewarm life. How depressing to know that God, my Savior and redeemer who showers me with undeserved grace, mercy, and unconditional love, would rather me be cold and not care at all than just be comfortable. I need to be uncomfortable! I need to be out of my comfort zone and speaking to those who make me nervous and doing things I don't feel good enough for. I need to quit worrying about how I feel and do what He calls me to... and when I don't know what that is, I need to pray more and listen better. So, this is the next chapter in my walk; through fire and ice. Reminding me where I'm going, while reminding me that I'll never quite be there. It's something I need to constantly be running to. I'd greatly appreciate your prayers. Please also continue to pray for my family. The divorce is actually underway now, and things are ugly. I guess the meaning of my blog is twofold; not only will it be about my spiritual temperature, but even the hot and cold parts of my life. Right now is an icy period, but things will warm up!

False gospels and having a boyfriend who is way better than me.

2010-02-18T19:46:00.009-06:00

Every time I go to school, my blog suffers :[

I'm having issues. On campus the other day, there was this guy. He was waving a Bible around in the air and yelling at people to repent. Demonstrations like these give me mixed feelings.

1) They make me feel guilty. I am a Christian. I should support that guy. Instead, I just want to run away.

BUT

2) He only yells about judgement. Not hope. So... does that make it a false gospel?

I have some friends that aren't Christians, but sometimes we get into discussions about it. I like the conversation when John's around. He constantly surprises me with how much knowledge (and even wisdom!) he has. He makes me proud and it makes me happy... but it also makes me envy his confidence. As soon as he's gone, I'm sunk. My head can't remember any of the things I know and feel in my heart. I catch myself saying "yeah, I know what you mean" or "I don't know" a lot. But... do I really not know? Or do I just not know how to say it? Sometimes I do understand where they're coming from, but that doesn't mean I agree... so why is it so hard to say? I'm not ashamed. They know where I stand. I just think I'm scared maybe? I don't know as much and I'm not as good as John. I'd rather him tackle all the heavy discussion. What if I say something wrong? I just feel safer not saying anything at all, but it makes me uncomfortable. I know that's not what I'm called to do.

How do I speak? And what do I say? I've heard people say God gives them the words when the time comes. Where are mine?

I think sometimes I still expect God to work like a magic trick. He's magically going to speak to me and I'm magically going to have a script flash in front of my eyes and then I'll magically know everything and everything will magically be perfect. Clearly this is ridiculous, but what should I expect? I want to make disciples, but I'm scared I'm not good enough. Well, no one will ever be good enough... maybe I'm more scared I'm not strong enough. Please pray for me. I want to be confident. I want to be bold. I want to do my job.

Ask and you shall receive!!!

2010-01-14T19:44:00.002-06:00

For my first semester since I came to college, I was actually on the job hunt this semester. I've been checking the school's employment website and they didn't have any openings in the library, AND the pottery painting place down the street wasn't hiring either. I'm pretty picky when it comes to jobs (I guess because I've never really needed one), so this was making me very sad. I was starting to feel a little hopeless about getting one of the jobs I'd actually been interested in, when POW! God dropped one in my lap today :] I was on my way back to College Station and one of my professors called me and offered me a position as an Undergraduate Peer Mentor :] It's through the Education department and deals with all the writing courses. I'll basically be assigned to one teacher's class/classes, and I'll help with grading and whatever else they need. I'll also have office hours throughout the week where I'll have to be able to help my "fellow students." PLUS, it will be really good experience for when I actually start teaching. Yay, yay, yay, I'm excited!!!!! :]

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24b

Tossing the glass slipper, and embracing reality.

2010-01-13T02:24:00.010-06:00

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm a sucker for all the "listen to your heart," "what's meant to be will always find its way" happy endings. I'm struggling. I've allowed these thoughts to infiltrate too deeply into my life. I've allowed my mind to be consumed with fairytales. I expect my life to flow like the storyline of a chick flick, rather than reveling in the real life love story I've been blessed with. There's nothing wrong with fairytales, but they can't be trusted as truth. I shouldn't be trying to put my faith in them. I need to learn to lead my heart. I need to daydream and "what if" less, and listen for and trust God's will more. That's where the real happily ever afters are.

I don't mean to sound jaded. I hate to think of myself that way. But, I don't want to be silly enough to let my life pass me by, wishing for it to end like one of my favorite movies. This is real life. The only one I get.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I couldn't ask for a better reminder right now. This is my daily prayer. Please join me.

Is it just me, or should breast cancer awareness not put men in a position to stumble?

2010-01-10T01:52:00.002-06:00

Ok. So. The other day, I was getting bombarded by colors on Facebook. Every other girl's status update was "black" or "tan" or "pink" or "red." Come to find out, it's an attempt to raise breast cancer awareness. Every girl is supposed to put the color of their bra as their status update... that's it. I have not jumped on the bandwagon.

I can understand and appreciate the desire to raise breast cancer awareness, but... is this really a wise way to do it? Isn't it most likely just causing boys to think about what you look like in that bra (especially when 85% of them are "black" or "red")? Isn't that weird to think of everyone knowing/visualizing what color bra your mom/sister/wife/daughter/grandma is wearing? A few of my guy friends have even posted complaints about it on their Facebook.

The second thing is, it doesn't offer any explanation. Most boys have figured out by now that it's bra colors, but not many of them know the breast cancer story behind it. Therefore, my same guy friends that have complained about it are being chewed out for not being supportive of breast cancer. Really?

Maybe I'm a little over-sensitive, especially when I'm struggling to recognize and establish boundaries of things that could cause John to stumble. It just seems that there could be a more effective/less provocative way to get the message out, no?

Roll, tide, roll!

2010-01-08T18:39:00.003-06:00

I made good on my new years resolution last night and rooted for Alabama to win the national championship :] I know people are going to argue that as a Texan, I should support my state. However, as an AGGIE... I must support anybody except t.u. Sorry, folks!

Speaking of, I'm definitely ready to be up in Aggieland. There's too much tension in my house... ick. I went to lunch with my dad the other day. I can't remember the last time I did anything with him by myself. It was actually pretty good. We didn't talk about my mom or any of the divorce stuff really, so it almost felt just like the good ol' days. He did ask me if I had to keep going to Christ Church (YES.) and put me on a gas limit, but overall it wasn't too bad. My grandparents are caving though. My sisters and I were supposed to have dinner with him tomorrow night for his birthday, but he cancelled to go with his parents instead. I was happy he was talking to them again, until I found out he's taking Brandi. My grandma's been really stubborn, always telling him he can't bring her to any family functions until he's divorced, and that if he did, my grandma would leave. I guess she changed her mind.

It's just so awkward. On one hand, I'm glad they're talking. I mean, he is their son. But on the other hand, they were almost they only people on his side of the family still holding out praying and supporting us and not pretending everything's okay. Plus, it's not like the prodigal son's dad chased after him. He welcomed him home with open arms and forgave him, but he didn't wallow in the pig slop with him. The lines just feel so blurry all the time. I'm never quite sure how I should think or feel. I don't feel comfortable with anything. Except praying... so I'll just keep doing that.

The long-awaited Curtain Call video!

2010-01-06T01:44:00.004-06:00

Enjoy :]

"It's About That Walk"- Choreographed by Carolyn Collier

Revelation... 2010 is already looking up :]

2010-01-04T15:27:00.003-06:00

My little puppies are cuddling in bed with me as I type this :]

Last night I came to an astounding revelation... I don't hate Brandi anymore. I was saying my prayers and I just had this weird feeling. I kept trying to visualize her face (which is not easy, since I always run away from her before I can get a really good look) and it wasn't even making my blood boil. I've been trying to stay in line with Luke 6 and pray for my enemies and all that good stuff, but I don't think I was really praying FOR her. I was praying about her, and that God would give me peace and get her out of our lives... not really thinking about her. That's changed though. Now, when I think about her, I feel sad. Her life is a mess, and she doesn't seem to have much she can count on. She needs security, but she's not looking for it in the right places. Obviously she wants to have that with my dad, but she doesn't. She's always trying to stifle him with mushy gifts, and they never go anywhere without each other. Even when my dad does things with me and my sisters, his phone is constantly going off. I guess they're afraid they'll cheat on each other. After all, that's the only way they got together. But, that's not my point for this post. My point is, I am learning to hate the sin... not the sinner. Thank you to those of you who have been praying for my family and my dad. I appreciate it so much, but I'd like you to join me in praying for Brandi as well, that she'll find security in God, and He'll work all things out for good.

Welcome, 2010!

2010-01-02T22:23:00.002-06:00

I expect great things from you.

I'm not a big resolution maker. The one thing I'm determined to do this year is become a better Aggie! For all you normal people out there, I'm sure that just sounds silly, but I'm missing out on all the fun traditions. I only went to one football game, people! No Midnight Yell... no Silver Taps... no Elephant Walk. Nothin' :[ But, that stops today! This coming semester I WILL bleed maroon!

I'm also going to find a job this semester... not really sure where. I'd love to work in one of the libraries on campus! I really hope that works out, because I don't have a back-up plan otherwise.

I'm starting a Bible reading plan this year. I have a YouVersion Bible app on my iPhone, so I'm going to follow the daily read on there. That way, if I spend the night somewhere and end up without my Bible, I have it all on my phone. No excuses!

I hope to do more blogging this year. Maybe one of these days I'll actually post something worth reading.

Pride and Prejudice: The "Religious" Version

2009-10-23T16:20:00.005-05:00

John and I have a new friend. I have several classes with him, and when I introduced him to John they really hit it off. He's a super nice guy, and we all have a lot of fun hanging out together. There's only one thing that gets to me... he calls us religious. He doesn't mean it as an insult, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

I think this is because the word "religious" has gotten so twisted by our society. For example, to me the word "religious" reverberates with all the wrong connotations. It seems to imply all the legalistic and judgmental stereotypes that are so sadly associated with Christians today.

I was listening to a discussion on the radio while I was driving to Navasota this morning. They were talking about the bad reputation Christianity has gotten, and how we as Christians need to find ways to make it more fun. I don't know if "fun" is the word I would choose. It's not as if Christianity is some gingerbread house that we have to lure little, lost children into. I think it is more important to be joyful and genuine, which I unfortunately can't say I've been living up to lately.

I think the saddest part of all is how far Christians as a whole have fallen from the place God intended for us. We are most often identified by our reputation as a condescending, judgmental people who care more about our own prejudices and following a strict set of laws rather than loving unconditionally. This stereotype is even harder to overcome when there are churches passing judgment and tearing each other down, rather than uniting in the common mission of reaching out and bringing glory to God. Jesus said that "all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Is that really the way people identify us? Are they able to see light from us and point us out by the love we exhibit? I hate to admit that in my case, I can't be so sure.

I've felt very convicted of this lately, and I have to say that I feel my pride is stealing the spotlight. I've never really considered myself a prideful person, but after listening to Pastor Justin's sermon over Philippians 2 yesterday as I got ready for class, it's been gnawing away at me. I don't quite know how to explain it. It's the kind of pride that prohibits me from making new friends. John's been telling me lately that not everyone will always automatically want to be my friend and that sometimes I need to make the first move and make an effort to talk to them, sit by them, etc. In a pathetic, childish manner, my response has been, "Well if they don't have to come talk to me, why do I have to go talk to them?" Am in 5th grade? Really, Erica? This has been going on for a while now, but I just really felt my eyes opened to it the other day and was disgusted. It reminds me of the song, "This Little Light of Mine." Am I really going to be so proud, and so quick to put walls up to fend off rejection that I'm going to keep my little light under a bushel? I don't think that's a very good idea. Thankfully, I know God is full of grace... but that doesn't do me much good if I'm too proud to ask for it.

I would appreciate prayers in this area. Also, please pray for my new friend. We had a long talk about religion after class yesterday. He's not anti-anything, but he's very bogged down in the legalities of the Christian church. He felt bad because he had wanted to order a beer when we went to lunch (he's legal), but didn't want to offend John and I since we're "religious." I admitted that while I guess I am considered religious because I believe in and love God, it's not the same sense of religion he's grown up around, full of judgment. I told him a little bit about our church and how it's about so much more than abiding by a rule book. He's a musician, so John and I are hoping he'd be interested in coming to church one week to listen to John lead worship. I pray that he'll be able to see past the stereotype and fall in love with our community and our Father just as much as I have.

Eli Young Band rocks my socks off!

2009-10-12T23:22:00.004-05:00

Well maybe not literally. My boots did somehow manage to stay on the entire concert, but it was AMAZING! This was my fifth time to see them live, so it wasn't anything too special. Except, oh wait... I MET THEM. AND I could have practically reached out and touched them during the entire concert. It was awesome :] John's uncle was in charge of entertainment at the Austin County Fair, so he hooked me, John, and Enrique up. We did a meet and greet and got autographs, then got to sit in VIP seating at the concert, and actually ended up bumping into them again and getting to talk with them some more afterwards. It was SOOOOOOOOOOO fun!

RIP Teddy :[

2009-10-08T20:23:00.007-05:00

My baby's dead :[

My sister ran over him. I'm not mad at her. I know it was an accident. He was really bad about running at/around cars.

She ran over him Tuesday morning. She wasn't even driving like the crazy new driver she is. She was backing out to leave and didn't see him run in front of her when she went to pull out. I had a test that afternoon so no one told me. I appreciate that, especially because I had been studying really hard and actually think I did really, really well on my test. It's just weird to know that everyone else knew and didn't tell me. But again, I'm not mad. I don't feel like they were lying to me. I understand.

My sister called John because she didn't know how to tell me. He (being the knight in shining armor that he is) told her he'd tell me, so he could be in person and comfort me when I inevitably had a meltdown. I appreciate that too.

John and I had been planning "Wednesday fun day!" all week. We didn't really have PLANS. We were just going to get out. Spend some good quality time together. Celebrate being done with our first round of tests. I had been looking forward to it so much all week. John knew that and didn't want to ruin our special time, so he was going to tell me Wednesday night after Bible study. I appreciate that too, and I really wish that was how it would have happened.

Instead, I got an email from my grandma on my way to pick him up for class to get "Wednesday fun day" started. I only read the first line: "My condolences on the loss of your Teddy." I instantly called my mom and then she was forced to break it to me. I was sobbing when I pulled up to get John. My grandma thought they were going to tell me the night before. I'm not mad at her either. It was nice of her to care. Just unfortunate the way it played out. Needless to say, "fun day" wasn't very fun. Especially when we realized at 6:30 that Bible study started at 7 instead of 8 like we'd been thinking, invoking another meltdown. We did end up finding a really good new Mexican food restaurant for dinner at least...

My dad went out and buried him for me today. He even made him a little tombstone. That was nice.

I'm so sad :[ SO sad. And I'm not even that crazy of a pet person. It's just... so sad. I've been blessed enough not to ever really even have to deal with any human deaths before. Just my great-grandparents, but I was pretty young and it wasn't anything traumatic. Plus, Teddy really was my baby. He was my first puppy that was all mine. He was my roommate last year when I lived by myself. I trained him and let him sleep with me every night and loved him so much :[ He didn't even get to have his first birthday.

RIP Teddy. I love you. You were a good dog.

Oh yeah, I made these too.

2009-09-23T02:13:00.002-05:00

"Fruits of the Spirit"

2009-09-23T02:01:00.000-05:00

I think I need to give Geography a little more credit.

2009-09-22T21:10:00.001-05:00

My professor wore a bow tie today :]
Awesome.

My Choreography for CHS

2009-09-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

Here are some vides of the Columbus High School Cardinal Belles I choreographed for this summer. "Poker Face" was one they requested I learn from a UDA video, then I taught it to the girls. "Smoke on the Water" was one I choreographed myself. Enjoy! :]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2r6ZktLZY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUVmphfrZII

School is in full swing!

2009-09-21T20:32:00.003-05:00

I have to admit it's way better than I expected. I'm taking a Reading class for teachers, a Writing class for teachers, a Middle School Education class, History of Modern American Women, and U.S. Geography. I was pretty bummed when I got my schedule, but so far I'm actually really enjoying my classes! My favorite is without a doubt my reading class. My teacher's super sweet and we get to read lots of fun books. Plus, John's in there ;] The only one I'm not too crazy about is my geography class. It's my only basic level class, so it's pretty big and straight lecture. It's a lot more difficult for me to focus and stay awake. My professor is this older, very serious and proper man, but sometimes he makes little jokes and I think it's cute :] It makes class bearable.

Last week I had my first day of field experience. I've been assigned to a teacher at Navasota Junior High with a Target Reading class and a 7th grade Language Arts class. I go there every Friday morning to observe, and maybe eventually lead a few lessons. I wasn't expecting much from Navasota, but the school is actually really cute and happy. My teacher lives in Brenham, so that is a possibility to keep in mind... :]

I have finally settled into a dance groove. I joined the Dance Arts Society and it's working out really well. It's entirely student run. They offer several different classes throughout the week (Contemporary is my favorite!!!) and put on a show at the end of the semester, called Curtain Call. The girls that wanted to choreograph pieces for Curtain Call had auditions this past week, and I made a really fun Jazz dance to "It's About That Walk" by Prince. It's so prissy and fun! I can't wait to be in the show! It's November 14th if anyone's interested :]

My oldest cousin and his wife had their first baby last Monday. They had a little girl, Bella Reese, and she's sooooooo precious! I went home to see her this past weekend. I held her for about an hour when we visited them one night and she slept almost the whole time. My cousin told me I need to come by more often so they can get some sleep :] I forgot how much I love babies!!! I can't believe it's almost been 7 years since Rebecca was born. It still feels so natural. I want a baby! (But not right now of course.)

I'll try to post more regularly... but no promises. Actually reading textbooks is very time consuming!

My apartment!

2009-08-31T15:57:00.004-05:00

I finally have some pictures of my room and bathroom up! I'll have more to come of the living/kitchen area and our balcony view soon. Enjoy! :]

So long, studio.

2009-08-19T00:13:00.002-05:00

I taught my last round of classes at the studio tonight. I can't really say I'm going to miss it. It was fun and everyone was super sweet and what not, but its just not what I want to do. It opened my eyes that much more to the fact that I want to be a director. I just love the family-ness of a team, where its not just a group of people you teach once a week, but kids you get to really know and spend pretty much every day with. Plus, I'm a drill team addict. I love the boots and hats and all the silly little traditions. I'm headed back up to Columbus tomorrow (for the 3rd time this summer! I've been quite a hit, if I do say so myself :] ), so hopefully that will just prove this theory even more.

I move to College Station Sunday!!!!! :]

Anyone fluent in the 5 love languages?

2009-08-17T00:21:00.002-05:00

I've been reading the singles edition, and its actually pretty interesting. I don't know if I'm totally on board, but it has given me a lot to think about, and at least opened my eyes to different ways of expressing love and appreciation. I've been trying to guess my family member's languages and practice speaking them a little bit more. Nothing has really changed, but at least it makes me aware instead of just not even worrying about it.

One relationship where this theory actually seems to make a lot of sense is between me and John. For whatever reason, we fight a LOT more when we're apart. It doesn't make summer too enjoyable. But, after reading that book I've kind of guessed that John's primary love language is physical touch and mine is quality time. Obviously, these are a little more difficult to act on over long distances, so maybe that has something to do with our crankiness? It's a theory.

Just curious if any of yall have read any of the Love Language books (Gary Chapman) and what yall thought.

There's a hole in my Bible!

2009-08-17T00:19:00.001-05:00

Why isn't there a 16th verse in chapter 7 of Mark???

I want one of these in my backyard.

2009-08-15T13:35:00.005-05:00

We finally went and spent the night at the beach this past week! That's the one thing I've been dying to do all summer, so we squeezed it in just in time. I love the beach :] I really never get tired of it. It's always different and I love the sound of the waves and the sea breeze and looking for pretty shells and treasures. Ahhhhh :]

One of our many new friends. This little cranky's name was Elmer :]

Lightning was a little more shy.

Me and my sisters with a giant sand castle.

See?

I'm struggling.

2009-08-12T00:10:00.000-05:00

Please pray.

Love yall.

Hi! Remember me?

2009-08-07T23:02:00.002-05:00

It has been over 3 months since my last blog post. 3 months!!! That means that I have not posted once since I moved away from Brenham. What a disgrace. A lot has been going on! I always think summer will be my time to relax, but it just seems to be even more hectic. I haven't even gotten to go to the beach, which was one of the only things I wanted to do :[ I've got a few weeks left, hopefully something will work out...

I feel like there's too much that's happened to even try and catch up. Fortunately, I think pretty much everyone who reads my blog is my friend on Facebook, so yall can't have fallen out of the loop too terribly much. I will say that my Columbus camps went amazingly well, as did my classes I've been teaching at the Studio, and I'm even more confident that I want to stick with dance. Unfortunately, the easiest way for me to do that is become a middle school language arts/social studies teacher, then take high school certification tests. Middle school... blech :/ That was the last thing I would have considered when it came to education. Please be praying for me to be content with where I've been placed and make the best of it. If I really commit myself to it, I don't think it would be that bad.

I move to College Station the 23rd! Hopefully I'll get back to posting more regularly after I get into my routine...

Thanks, Blinn College. It's been a blast.

2009-05-14T00:42:00.002-05:00

I am officially through with Blinn College!
I was rejoicing in this thought as I walked to my car after my last final this morning, reveling in the freedom from this school and the excitement of moving onto "big girl college," when all of a sudden... a bird pooped on me. SPLAT! Right on my shoulder.

Good riddance to you too, Blinn College! Thanks for kicking me on the way out.

:] It's summer!

The product of a "boring" Friday night in.

2009-05-09T01:19:00.002-05:00

Guess it wasn't so bad after all :]

Big girl college

2009-05-05T15:14:00.001-05:00

I got my A&M acceptance letter today :] As Casey told Braelyn, "Miss Erica gets to go to big girl college now!"

Congratulations, John!

2009-05-05T00:05:00.003-05:00

I'm so proud of you and all your hard work. Can't wait till next year! :]

Whoop!

Yay, yay, yay!

2009-05-04T13:37:00.002-05:00

This is my last official week of school at Blinn College!
I got my check from the Rockdale tryouts last night and it was almost double what I was expecting!
I'm getting baptized Sunday! (and my dad might even come!)

And my new favorite... I have a dance job up here this summer!!! :]
I went to Columbus HS Friday to help teach their tryout routine. Their director emailed me today and said that I was so helpful and wanted to know if I would be interested in coming up this summer to teach them a high kick clinic. Kicks!!! My favorite!!! When I was up there Friday she was telling me about this vision she has for a field kick to "Sweet Child of Mine" that she's so excited about. She's really into it and wants to base a lot of their routines off of it and that's what she wants me to choreograph and teach at their clinic! She is entrusting her routine that she is counting on being her pride and joy to me! Just another reason for me to be up here this summer :] Yay, yay, yay!

Testimony night at 1302

2009-04-29T22:46:00.002-05:00

Last night John, Rob and I gave our testimonies at college bible study. I was nervous, but I actually think it went really well. I wasn't super satisfied with mine. It wasn't bad or anything, I just think I could've done better. I feel like I got all the background knowledge out there, but didn't really get the good points across as strongly as I wanted to. Rob and John were both incredible. They completely blew me away with their open honesty and passion. Plus they both closed with super amazing bible verses. I closed with "So... I guess that's it!" Thanks for the memo guys! :[

I felt kind of disatisfied the rest of the night. I felt like my story had been so shallow compared to the other guys and compared to how I know it really is. When I was doing my prayer time before bed I just kept praying that somehow I had honored God and touched someone with my story. My phone went off while I was praying and when I checked it before I got in bed it was a facebook message from one of my fellow college students. They told me that my testimony had blown them away and hearing me talk about the situation with my parents had made them feel like it was okay to talk about theirs. I shared some words of encouragement I've come by during the past year and a half (my favorite concept is that even if our daddies suck, we have a Father who will NEVER leave us or lie to us) and it was so nice to feel like I was giving someone hope in a situation that I know sucks so bad. God is so good for allowing me to see the good works he is doing through me and for positioning me to help someone I may never have even known I had so much in common with.

Visionary Love, Dream Sex

2009-04-27T15:33:00.006-05:00

When I went to College Station with my cousin a couple of weeks ago, she was telling me to check out this podcast she'd started listening to. Its out of the Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and the title of the series is "Visionary Love, Dream Sex." It goes through Song of Solomon. I listened to it a lot on the bus ride to Daytona and its actually really good. The guy's teaching style really reminds me of Casey. Just thought I'd pass it along and see what yall thought.

P.S. I'm listening to it right now and he just said his wife told him "Even if you have to go out and work at WalMart, I'll still love you!" heh :]

Mission accomplished :]

2009-04-26T13:30:00.003-05:00

Thanks for humoring me dear.

I love you :]

Even if I have to drive through floods, I'm on the right path!

2009-04-18T16:06:00.004-05:00

Okay, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but it sure felt like it!

I woke up early this morning to drive to Rockdale to judge their high school dance team try-outs. It had just started to rain when I was leaving, so I was hoping the drive wouldn't be that bad. WRONG!!! First of all, I am extremely paranoid of driving in the rain. I have had 2 little fishtailing accidents and I am scarred for life. I panic when I'm riding with people and their cars do it (John has lost his arm circulation due to this fact many a time). So I was driving and it started raining... and then it started raining harder... and harder... and then I couldn't see. I am not kidding you, folks! I was so scared and just wanted to pull over, but couldn't even see next to me to tell if there was a guard rail or a ditch or anything. All I could see was the faint, white dotted line so I followed it veryyyyyyyyyy slowly. Finally it let up a little bit, but then I hit this town that was flooding. I could see the water splashing up on my windows as I drove through. Oh and P.S. one of my windshield wipers quit working. Thank God it was the one on the passenger side! And of course during the entire 60 mile drive my car is randomly swerving and sliding and I felt like I was going to throw up my heart. It was in my throat the whole time and I don't know how I got my hands ungripped from the wheel when I finally got there.

SO, needless to say I was not in the best of moods when I got to the try-outs. Well, my attitude did a 180 as soon as the first group started their auditions. I loved it! I don't know why really. I mean, it's not like I got to do anything particularly fun. And the team has a new director, so they're in a transition stage where they're going through a lot of re-building. I just LOVE dance team! I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe I'm ready to be done with being on a team, but there's no way I'm ready to have that out of my life. That's what I know and what I love. I had this opportunity today (they even took my information so I can help them again next year), I'm teaching several classes at a studio this summer, and the company I work for is willing to let me teach camps this summer even though I can't attend the mandatory staff retreat. I just feel like everything is pointing me down this path and I absolutely could not be more excited :]

Dance isn't through with me yet!

2009-04-15T12:37:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and I have finally come to a conclusion... I am changing my major. Well, kind of. I'm still going to do education, but rather than elementary I want to switch to being a high school dance director. That was always what I wanted to do, but for some reason I've been making excuses and talking myself out of it. I don't know why, but I'm not going to anymore. Especially after doing all my observations here in Brenham, I've realized that as much as I love kids, that's not really what I want to do all day, every day. I think I just loved it so much in high school because I was assigned to an amazing teacher with a great classroom. But now I realize that that is definitely not the norm in public schools. I was an officer for 2 years in high school, I work (worked?) for a dance company, and I have had some experience teaching in studios (I'm teaching 2 classes this summer so I'll have even more!). I know technique, I know how to choreograph, I know companies for costumes, camps, competitions... I really feel like I know what I'm doing! Especially after being on the team here the past 2 years, I've had a lot of time to think about what I would do differently if I was in charge. I feel much more confident about this route and much more excited :]

Go BC!!!

2009-04-13T17:17:00.002-05:00

We got 3rd in Daytona, with the highest rank and score Blinn has ever gotten. Yay Dream Team! :]

Congrats to cheer for getting 2nd and breaking their records as well!

Feel free to check out our performances on varsitywired.com.

Just click on videos and search Blinn.

Nationals preview

2009-04-06T23:00:00.002-05:00

We leave for Daytona tomorrow. This was just our showoff performance on campus tonight.

I'll be back to report on Sunday :]

Wish us luck and have a happy Easter!

So its not bluebonnets...

2009-04-05T02:16:00.003-05:00

but its progress :]

Maybe College Station won't be so scary.

2009-04-04T11:19:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I went and spent the day with my lovely cousin, Lauren, in College Station. It was so much fun! We went to the mall, got pedicures and Starbucks and had dinner at Cheddar's where I had a super delicious salad. Yummy :] And the more we drove around, the more I realized that I know my way around a little better than I thought I did. Plus I was very happy to discover that the drive between there and Brenham is way easier than I thought. And there's a Hobby Lobby and lots of bookstores! Woohoo!

On a worse note... I forgot my no candy rule :[ urghhhh. Thankfully I didn't splurge, it was just a Tootsie Pop. I was still irritated though. But I have been doing well with the ice cream rule! I reallyyyyyyy wanted some yesterday, but I could only have it one more time this week. Since I'm going to John's brother's birthday party tonight, I decided to hold out and wait for the special occasion. I have been drinking a ton of water (even more than normal!) and even though my weight isn't reflecting much change yet, I feel better. So that's a pretty good start I guess :]

Casey, I'm jumping on the bandwagon!

2009-03-30T23:21:00.002-05:00

So, after reading Casey's new blog, I have decided that I want to start being more healthy as well. I've been thinking this for a while, but... come on. It's Brenham. Blue Bell is EVERYWHERE! However, I felt very inspired/motivated by Casey, so now I am on board too. My changes aren't super drastic, but here they are.

1. I'm going to quit eating fried food... again. There was never any substantial difference in my weight the whole year I did this, but it made me feel better.
2. Taking vitamins! Why are moms always right?
3. Not eating candy! Except dark chocolate, because it's good for your heart :]
4. Definitely limiting my ice cream intake!!! 3 times a week... tops.
5. I am only going to eat all-natural snacks. Fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.

If you see me doing (or not doing) any of these things, please punch me in the face. Thanks!

College interferes with the important things in my life.

2009-03-30T21:11:00.007-05:00

Like blogging. And reading books I actually like. And making things.

But I only have a little over a month left! I have mixed feelings on this matter. I'm VERY excited to be done at Blinn. Class wise, this has probably been my least favorite semester. It can't end soon enough! But... I will be very sad to be leaving Brenham :[ Even though I'm super excited to be at A&M next year, I have come to really love my little life here and I will miss it a lot. Ugh, I can't think about it anymore!

On to a happier subject: WINNING!
We had our first dance competition in Denton Saturday and we WON! :] We beat our big rival, McLennan for the second year in a row which is a huge accomplishment in itself. And we beat them by 5 whole points! As if this news wasn't fantastic enough on its own, Coach told us that they have split up our division at nationals. Rather than consisting of over 20 teams, they are going to split it up into a small university category and a junior college category. Last year we placed 6th, but we were the top scoring junior college so there is a very good chance we could win the whole thing this year! Especially since our main competition is McLennan, who we just beat :] And if we win, we get rings! Like big, pretty national championship rings! There will be 6 teams in finals, so no matter what we will at least place higher than Blinn ever has. Oh yes, Daytona is definitely looking up :]

I'm super behind on blogging, but thanks to all the lovely ladies who celebrated my birthday with me and especially to Steph for getting everything organized. I love yall :]

Blinn's got talent!

2009-03-03T23:21:00.003-06:00

Well, it has a talent show at least. It is next Tuesday night at 7 and John and I are both in it! Not together though. He's singing/playing an original song with his friend Matt and I'm dancing because that's all I do... except read, but I don't think that would fire up a lot of excitement on stage :]

Wish us luck!

The World As We Know It Has Come To An End...

2009-02-25T14:28:00.002-06:00

I, Erica Ingram, was offered membership to the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. ME! MATH Honor Society! I think if my high school math teacher finds out he will go into shock.

In 3 Sundays I will be 20 :] The big 2-0! Heh, it sounds so much older than it really is. I will most likely be at home on my birthday since it is during spring break, but I kind of wanted to try to do something here before I leave. Not like a party... more like a get-together I suppose. I haven't really figured out what to do, or where to do it for that matter. If anyone has any suggestions for some fun "get-together" places here in Brenham, let me know :]

Bear :]

2009-02-08T23:07:00.002-06:00

my new puppy!!! :D

***name subject to change 84 million more times during the next few days....

Yayyyyy!

2009-02-05T15:49:00.003-06:00

I finally signed my TAPPS agreement and submitted my application to A&M today :] Now all I have to do is wait for the department to review me and to get my acceptance letter... again. Heh, I'm much more ready for it this time.

Now that I have one less thing to worry about, hopefully I'll be able to get myself into the Blogger swing... at least a little bit. My classes are surprisingly easy this semester, which is nice considering I didn't particularly want to take any of them. I'm just having to knock them out before I transfer. So far, so good though... but I'll update yall after I have my first round of tests next week :/

Everything seems to be going really great lately. Dance is even okay. We're working on Nationals. Practices are really long and nit-picky, but at least its something new. Plus, my mom and sisters are going to come to Daytona to watch and play with me :] Yay!
Bible Study (now far too big to be considered a "small" group!) is AMAZING. I absolutely love it. I always have of course, but I actually really enjoy the atmosphere of having it at the church as well. Plus, there are several new people every week! And I'm actually being talkative and trying to make friends with them! Haha it's awesome :] AWESOME!!!
Even my relationship with John feels better than normal. Defintely the best we've been in a long time, if not ever. We're both coming to a bunch of different realizations and just learning a lot. I like it :] It makes me very excited to see what the future holds.

Okey dokey, there's the quick update! I'll write again soon... I hope.

Thanks for the motivation, Steph!

2009-02-02T21:11:00.003-06:00

Last week I FINALLY got my apartment super cleaned. Like, not just picked up... I actually swept and scrubbed the toilet :] It's changed a bit since my first week here, so I thought I'd put up some updated pictures.

Materialism got the best of me again :[

2009-01-15T00:29:00.002-06:00

John's cousin is getting married on Valentine's Day and I was super excited to get a new dress! I figured it was perfectly justifiable because I never have a reason to buy dresses anymore (which is my FAVORITE thing to shop for). Plus, I could wear it to my dance banquet so I would get good use out of it. So, last weekend at the mall (when I was just going to hang out with the boys, "not to shop") I bought a dress. It's really cute and I got it on sale so I was proud of it. But.... now that I'm going through my closet to pack stuff to move back I have 2 dresses that would have been perfectly fine. I think they've both only been worn once themselves. And the one I got isn't even anything special compared to them and it has some pulls on it my mom noticed (gee, maybe that's why it was on sale...). They aren't really noticeable unless you're like holding it up looking for defects, but still. I shouldn't have been greedy. And of course I would realize this on a non-returnable sale item :[ I'm so used to getting new clothes whenever I want and new whatever whenever, but... things aren't the same anymore.

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. "
1 Peter 3:3-4

I'm going to be the prayer giver!

2009-01-07T11:57:00.003-06:00

I don't know if that's technically the right term, but whatever.
Next Saturday we have a big sports booster/alumni banquet and Coach just emailed me and asked me if I would give the prayer. I'm nervous! I've never done anything like that before. I don't think I've ever even done one of the prayers before we go on the field or at small group or anything. But I couldn't think of a reason to say no... besides being scared... which I figure I will just have to get over. I remember this amazing lady I know told me that if we're brave enough to speak to the Creator of EVERYTHING, we should be brave enough to do it in front of people. So I'm going to be brave!

Any tips?
Is it okay to like prepare a prayer?
Oh goodness....

Epiphany.

2009-01-06T02:36:00.002-06:00

Lately I've been in a mopey rut. I keep thinking about going back to school, and going back to dance, and not being excited about it at all. It's been making me so sad. Dance was my life all throughout high school. It was all I ever thought about, all I ever wanted to do, all I was ever known for, all that was ever expected of me. I was so confident and ready to take every opportunity with it I could. But I haven't felt that same spark or excitement for it in a lonnnnnnnnnnng time... probably since high school. That's heartbreaking to me.

Now, out of nowhere, I think I've had an epiphany.

I've been so distressed about it and trying to "find the silver lining" or anything to just feel that spark again. But now I'm thinking... maybe I'm not losing my passion. Maybe God is just redirecting it towards Him. Its a possibility, right? I mean, whenever people at work or my family or anyone has asked me if I like it at Blinn my response is always "yeah, but mostly I just LOVE my church." I never even mention dance team anymore. Instead of being upset and feeling like I'm losing this huge part of myself, it kind of makes me feel better now. Obviously I'm going to finish out the semester on the team, but maybe it won't be such a huge loss next year. I have a feeling I'll be growing in new, better ways :]

Humility

2009-01-03T22:47:00.002-06:00

I am so over work. I've been back 4 weeks and they STILL haven't reviewed me on register. So, for 4 WEEKS I have been the greeter... not fun. While I was standing around bored waiting for people to "greet" I started flipping through this book on our sale shelf. It's called "Life Overs: Upside-Down Ways to Become More Like Jesus" by Gracie Malone. It's a study over all the different "backwards" aspects of Christianity. (Ex: We must die to live, the last will be the first, we receive when we give, etc.) So I decided for 6 bucks I would give it a shot. I went through a chapter the other night and was very pleasantly surprised.

The first chapter I went through was about Pride. One quote that really caught my attention was "Humility is not having a low opinion of ourselves; it is having an accurate opinion." That seems like such a good point to me. So often we are taught that humility is the opposite of pride. But, if pride is being full of ourselves, then humility would mean we think nothing of ourselves, right? Like, we're worthless. However, this seems just as bad as being proud. When we're proud, we act as if we deserve the glory in our lives, rather than giving it to God. But if we have a "low opinion" of ourselves isn't that just as bad? I mean in a sense, wouldn't that mean we are basically telling God He created us wrong, or "not good enough?" And wouldn't that circle right back around to being proud? I mean, how can we "humbly" tell the Creator of EVERYTHING that He made a mistake in us? To me, that screams arrogance.

I like books that make me think :] I would love some feedback! Hopefully I'll have more "blog worthy" thoughts soon.

1st post of 2009!

2009-01-02T23:06:00.007-06:00

It's already the new year and I haven't even done an official Christmas post yet! What a slacker.

John came to Christmas with my family. We both got books for Christmas, so we sat on the porch all night and he drank coffee while I drank hot chocolate and we read our books. It was heavenly :] We took pictures with all the pretty decorations in Fredericksburg on the way back home and took a carriage ride in Johnson City.

I also went to Christmas with his family and they literally showered me with gifts. I was so surprised. They're so sweet and always make me feel so welcome, like I'm already part of the family :]

As far as gifts go, this was the best Christmas I've had in a long time. All my family members who usually give me random gifts that are just... well, random, gave me books. I love books! :] I also have all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls now. I definitely have more than enough entertainment to last me the rest of the semester. Plus, I actually felt that the gifts I gave were meaningful and appreciated. I got the frame all together for my grandparents and it turned out really beautiful. They were so proud of it. I found a wrought iron wall cross that had frames in it for my mom. It was absolutely perfect. I also made quite a few of Steph's cute little letter blocks and they were a big hit.
My favorite gifts would be my ring from John (NOT an engagement ring! Sorry for the scare Steph ;] ), the iPhone my dad gave me, and I FINALLY got the thing I've wanted every Christmas for my whole life.... A PUPPY! I was sooooooo excited :] My mom got us the teensiest little chihuahua I've ever seen in my life. She's so ugly that she's super cute :] She has HUGE ears and eyes and waddles around like a pig and its just so ridiculous! I love her :] She still doesn't have a name... We thought she was Sophie, and she's been Bitsy the past few days, but nothing really seems right yet.

I spent new years eve and the past few days with John's family. His puppies have gotten big! They're pretty ridiculous too. They remind me of groundhogs, and walruses, and platypuses... platypi? I haven't quite figured that last one out yet...

1st picture of 2009 ♥

I'll be back in Brenham soon! I can't wait to see everyone :]

best friends

2008-12-22T23:56:00.003-06:00

Man's best friend:

Girl's best friend:

Puppies are free!
Sorry folks, the ring's all mine :]

Dead puppies really ARE the saddest things!!!

2008-12-11T22:24:00.006-06:00

A couple of nights ago, one of John's dogs finally had her puppies! I went over there yesterday and was so excited to go see them :] We were kind of in a rush to go get my haircut in Columbus, so while John was getting ready I snuck outside to play with the puppies. I went and peeked in the little dog house and there are a million of them!!! Not really... probably more like 10. But still, that's a lot of puppy love!

(Plus we're still waiting on this one to pop hers out!)

They're almost all black so they kind of blend together in a big squirmy blob. I was so excited and was trying to play with them all and count them and that's when I saw it... A DEAD PUPPY! It was soooo sad :[ Of course it was white, so you could see every little feature like it's poor, stiff self and sad, little, open mouth. It wouldn't have been that noticeable if it was one of the black ones. It would have just blended in and I could have pretended it was sleeping. But unfortunately it was very, very dead. The mama kept licking it and it wouldn't wake up and I was so sad :[ So, then, of course I cried and John made fun of me and told me it was just nature. But when we got home that night I ran and snuck my blankie in the dog house while he was in the bathroom :]

Obviously I don't have a picture of the whole litter because the little popsicle puppy would have been in the background, but I have a picture of one of the little darlings! Plus I have some pictures from the snow! :]

Today is not the day to be driving down W. Alamo St!

2008-12-09T14:03:00.002-06:00

Ever since this rain came, all I have heard is squealing tires outside my window. John and I heard a really loud, fast one with a big pop last night, but there was no one there when we looked outside. Maybe someone had a blowout.

This morning while I was getting ready for class I heard more squealing and a thud. I just stood there for a minute, but didn't think that sounded loud enough to have been a wreck or anything serious. I looked out my window and didn't see anything, so I went back to getting ready. A few minutes later when I walked out the door there were firetrucks and ambulances and cop cars all zooming around the circle. I couldn't see what was going on because there were so many vehicles, but apparently it had been a serious wreck! John said he saw them cleaning it up when he got back and the car was totaled. When we went back on campus to finish our finals we drove by and saw big muddy skid marks in the hill. Apparently it wasn't loud because they just ran into straight ground.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day! I was just trying to take a nap when all of a sudden I heard VERY loud, VERY fast squealing, followed by a VERY loud crash. This was immediately followed by sirens and cop cars. I ran to my window again and the first thing I saw was a bunch of people pinning some guy to the ground. Apparently I had caught the end of a chase scene! The cops got him and threw him in the car right away. There was a motorcycle laying down across the street next to the guard rail. I don't know what happened obviously, but there were a lot more cop cars at this incident. An ambulance came and they put the guy in the cop car on a stretcher. He looked so little and young :[

Everytime Rebecca sees someone on a motorcycle since my dad's accident she says "they'll be sorry!" Looks like she knows what she's talking about...

Everyone, please drive safely over the holidays!!!

Free at last, free at last!!!

2008-12-09T11:38:00.003-06:00

I'M DONE WITH FINALS!!!

Surprisingly I think they all went really well. Even math!
I am pleased :]
Now I just have to wait impatiently for grades to come out. Plus, now I can focus on much more important things, like...

CHRISTMAS!!!

Yay :] I wanted to make a lot of my gifts this year and I'm pretty behind. But now I have tons of time to devote to that :]

I'm going back home Thursday and starting work Friday. I'm kind of scared of all the Christmas chaos, but I miss my work friends. I'm going to miss church a lot when I go home, but I'm still going to try to come back some over the break.

...did I mention I'm DONE!!!!! :D

Thoughts on life, love, and Romans

2008-12-07T00:06:00.003-06:00

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins." Romans 3:23-24
-None of us is, or ever could be good enough for the amazing grace God poured out for us. Jesus was the only perfect person who ever has and ever will live. He brought a new mercy and forgiveness that was more than we could have ever hoped for. (Ex: Jesus' "turn the other cheek" mentality compared to the "eye for an eye" concept of the Old Testament.) We aren't expected to be perfect. We are simply commanded to LOVE. Love God, and love others.

"Don't you see how wonderfully, kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" Romans 2:4
-God doesn't give up on us. He is constantly loving us and pursuing us. A way we show God we love him is by responding to that pursuit and OBEYING him.

"Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" Romans 6:1-2
-So, if we show God we love him by obeying him, it is impossible to love him while we are in sin. Loving God requires effort. As humans (especially us college kids), it is not our natural mindset to constantly be putting others before us, and depriving ourselves what we want, when we want it. We do not have a default setting which makes it easy for us to obey God, especially when it doesn't match up with our plans. But loving God means obeying him. Loving God requires us to constantly be running towards him, pushing ourselves to do what we know is pleasing to him, instead of what is pleasing to the world. When we stop pursuing God, that is when we fall into sin. Fortunately, God's grace allows us to stumble and even fall flat on our face in our sin. However, it also encourages us to get back up and keep going.

I think this sums up my rambling nicely:
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

A little late (as usual)

2008-11-29T22:28:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

♥

Happy :]

2008-11-18T21:36:00.004-06:00

Small group was amazing tonight! Well, it's amazing every night, but tonight was exceptional :] And what am I thinking calling it small group? With 15 PEOPLE I think we have earned a "medium group" title! Heh. It was real and provocative and awesome. And inspiring! My heart feels full.

I've found myself being happy all week. After quite a confession session Saturday night, everything just seems different. I didn't even know how much I was feeling weighed down until it was gone. I feel like I've been smiling ever since :] God is so gracious and generous to forgive me, a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things, and give me new life. He is so good!!!

The only thing dampering my new state of happiness is that I have been voiceless... for 3 days. Brandi, how would one go about determining whether or not they have laryngitis?

.<>.<>.<>.<>.<>.<>.<>.

I think I just had a mini epiphany. The confession sermon on Sunday and our deep talk at small group tonight don't make me feel guilty or discouraged. They make me feel excited, ready to face the challenges. I feel like I have a new hope. And that makes me very happy indeed :]

Finally one less thing to worry about!

2008-11-13T22:31:00.000-06:00

I just scored 100 on my defensive driving exam :] Woohoo!!!

daisies :]

2008-11-09T23:33:00.003-06:00

John and I FINALLY went and saw Fireproof last night. It was actually super good! Its definitely my new favorite movie. No joke. Not gonna lie, my hopes weren't too high. I was expecting it to be pretty lame and was pretty much just going to humor my mom, but it was so good!!!

Things have been better lately :] Please keep praying!

Play with your pictures :]

2008-11-08T02:24:00.005-06:00

Go to picnik.
It's fun :]

Goodbye Moores

2008-11-05T21:42:00.004-06:00

I will miss you lovely people. It's been such a blessing meeting yall and I hope yall have an amazing life in Oklahoma! :]

When I went to WalMart today...

2008-11-02T23:00:00.002-06:00

they were playing Christmas music.
and it made me very happy :]

I'm a big girl now!

2008-10-30T23:23:00.001-05:00

I made my blog pretty and I did it all by myself :]
Yay me!!!

Chara

2008-10-29T22:24:00.002-05:00

That's greek for "joy." :]

My cousin had mentioned this student organization at A&M called "Chara Christian dance company." Not gonna lie, when she first mentioned it, I wasn't too enthusisatic about the idea. My mom made me and my sister dance with some lady at church once and it was just kind of weird... but I looked up this organization and I was actually pretty happy with what I found! They have a lot of videos on youtube and they're actually not bad. They don't have the best timing in the world, but the style of dance looks SO much more appealing than what I'm doing right now. Maybe this will be something else to look forward to :] Plus, then it would be easy for me to make new girl friends! Yay! :]

Brenham connections

2008-10-29T21:24:00.001-05:00

Does anyone know someone in town that is over age 35 and is politically involved in some way that I could interview for my history class???

We have a problem...

2008-10-28T22:34:00.002-05:00

My hair looks BLONDE-ISH!
This simply will not do :[
I made the mistake of highlighting it 2 summers ago and it still has that orangey color :[ I just want my BROWN hair back!
Anyone who has experience with dying hair, please teach me!

I think when I have a daughter, I will advise her not to mess up the pretty natural hair color God blesses her with :[

danceDANCEdanceDANCEdance

2008-10-28T22:10:00.003-05:00

My dance schedule for the coming week:

Volleyball game @ 6 Thursday night.

Football game @ 3 Saturday afternoon.

Basketball game @ 5:30 Sunday evening.

Volleyball game @ 6 Monday night.

Thankfully, I will have next Tuesday off from practice :] That's a nice incentive!

On a less happy note, Coach issued our "Bucs tops" today.

I believe "Bucs bras" would be more appropriate :[

How romantical :]

2008-10-22T22:54:00.004-05:00

Me and John's home-made pizza date night!

Complete with sparkling grape juice ;]

It's official!

2008-10-21T22:13:00.003-05:00

Sunday my cousins and I signed our lease for our apartment in College Station next year! :] We're going to live at the Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek. It's going to be like living in a hotel. No joke. I'm really excited to already have that in order and I'm SUPER excited to live with girls I like! Awwwwwwww :] But... it also makes me super sad because it makes it feel more real and soon that I'm going to be leaving yall in Brenham. Awwwwwwww :[

I believe I would like this apartment better if the Ceases were still going to be my landlords...

blogger funk...

2008-10-17T23:34:00.000-05:00

seems to be very contagious right now. Where are all my friends? :[

Shocker.

2008-10-10T15:18:00.002-05:00

My daddy had an accident on his motorcycle. Someone ran a stop sign and hit him. He's ok though! His leg is broken really bad... the big top bone. But it was a clean break and even though he wasn't wearing a helmet his neck and back and everything are ok. My mom said he isn't even scratched up too bad except on his elbow. He's supposed to have surgery to day so please keep him in your prayers. We could use a miracle...

Volleyball dance

2008-10-10T15:03:00.003-05:00

John videod this for me at the volleyball game last night. It's my favorite dance we have so far :] Sorry for the solo at the end. It was my boyfriend videoing it...

Originals

2008-09-26T23:22:00.013-05:00

These are some of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. Just felt like sharing ♥

There's always a catch...

2008-09-26T23:10:00.002-05:00

So today we had band practice. There's a new band director and he's insisted on reading all of our introductions along with the band's at the football games. So he was reading them when we were practicing today and not knowing the sacred rituals of dance team, he announced "Treasure of the Week." For those of you who don't know, "Treasure of the Week" is someone who has stood out in practice and been noticed as working really hard. These usually aren't announced until the actual game, but the new band director apparently didn't know this and blew the secret. So, he goes "And Treasure of the Week is Erica Ingram from New Braunfels!" Yay me! :] I'm really excited because we only do these at football games. I never got it last year, and since we only have 4 games this year my chance of getting it was pretty slim. But I get to be the very first one :] I'm really happy because I have been working hard, but I'm just a little bit bummed that it's at our only away game, which also happens to be the only one my family won't be at to see me and be proud :[ I told my mom and she told me to ask Coach if they could switch me to next week. Yeah right. Oh well, I'm trying to suck that unfortunate part up and just focus on the happy part :]

I am a failure at life.

2008-09-25T21:33:00.002-05:00

Or at least at blogging. School feels so much busier this year!!! I think it's because even if I don't have homework, there's always something to do around my apartment. This year's much better though. I absolutely LOVE my living arrangement :] And college small group is definitely the high-light of my week. Yay! I'm FINALLY dancing at my first football game this weekend :] It's a night game at Kilgore. Then we'll be at home the rest of the time :] And cookie dough comes in October 10th! Thanks again for your support :] This is pretty pointless... but I'm obviously in a blogger rut. Maybe now that I at least got something out here I can start making good posts.

Hurricanes and printers are not my favorite things in the world.

2008-09-13T22:30:00.003-05:00

Though I am extremely thankful the hurricane wasn't actually bad in the Brenham area. Thanks so much again to Casey and Steph for being such wonderful evacuee harborers :]

I am having a dilemma with my printer. It wasn't turning on last week and Casey fixed it for me, but now it won't turn on again. I turned it off before the hurricane came through, but I turned it on when I got back up here today and it was fine. But now that I need to print concert tickets, it mysteriously won't turn on again. I've taken apart all its plugs and tried putting them together again and I tried every socket on my power strip and it still won't work. If any of my computer genius friends have any suggestions, I'd appreciate them.

I have to turn in my cookie dough order Monday! I'm bringing it to church tomorrow for those of you who asked me about it, but just a heads up. I'm so happy everyone was able to weather the storm without much damage.

Hurricane!

2008-09-13T09:03:00.002-05:00

So the Hurricane finally hit last night and aside from some fallen tree limbs, we're doing okay. Casey evacuated me from my apartment yesterday, so Peter and I have been hunkered down in the Cease home. I'd much rather be here than up there by myself though. Especially because I get to listen to Braelyn sing "Jesus Loves Me" :] And Stephanie cooks much better than I do! Luckily, we still have power. I hope everyone else is safe! More updates to come.

I'm a master chef!

2008-09-03T21:55:00.002-05:00

Well maybe not quite... but I did cook for people outside of my family tonight and they all cleaned their plates! I made the pretzel crusted chicken Steph taught me, rice, and salad, and all of their plates were scraped clean! They're basically human dumpsters though so I'm not sure that's a fair audience, but I'm just excited someone ate my cooking that didn't have to :]

Sorry this is brief, 6:15 run in the morning. Boo :[

So maybe I won't be as helpful as I thought.

2008-09-02T23:17:00.003-05:00

Sorry, Steph. While I can still handle the reptiles, I might not be as much of a help in the bug department as I thought. I had my first cockroach encounter last night!!!!

Oh my goodness... it was TERRIFYING. I am so ashamed to admit that. I am a country girl! I don't get scared of bugs! I chase my sister with them! But cockroaches... they are a WHOLE new story. We used to have little ones in my dance room but there was a HUGE one in my bathroom tonight! It was right up in the corner above the door. I was trying to throw my shoe at it because it was too high to reach but after many unsuccessful attempts I missed the wall completely and threw my shoe out the doorway into my room. But of course the cockroach was still above the door so I was too afraid to walk under it and get it :[ It was so big! And it was pointing its evil antennae of doom at me and making scary noises. I was in my bathroom screaming, beating my wall with the plunger trying to kill the stupid monster and after all my trauma and trouble he crawled into a stupid hole somewhere up by the ceiling. Now he's gonna get his friends and come get me in my sleep :[

I want to go back home to my scorpions. I appreciate them now. At least they don't make scary noises. Plus, they can't fly and attack my face!

College small group

2008-09-02T22:11:00.002-05:00

is my favorite time of the whole week!
well... I really like church too because I get to see everyone...
but no joke, small group's amazing :]
There are 3 girls! This is HUGE news people! I am no longer alone in a sea of testosterone! And Tressa is one of those girls, so I'm excited to have someone on the team to grow closer with and to get my church references and jokes :]

Thank you Christ Church and Casey and Steph for hosting! I'm so excited for this year :]

my new favorite song!!!

2008-08-31T23:19:00.001-05:00

"Memories of You"- John and Matt

without a doubt their best one so far!

I was tagged!

2008-08-22T16:43:00.002-05:00

The tagging rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag.

1. My birthday is the ides of March. Yes, the day Caesar was murdered. But apparently it's also national ice cream day, so that lightens the mood a little :]

2. I have never been a very outgoing social person. That's probably not a surprise to most of you, but this will be: When I was in 5th grade I went to the library every day during recess and helped shelve books. Lame......

3. I had a pet deer when I was little. I have very cute pictures of us playing in the kitchen.

4. When I have control of the volume on a tv or radio, the number has to end in a zero or a five.

5. Apparently I never laugh the same way twice. I have a motorboat laugh, a snort laugh, an obnoxiously loud laugh, a shrill shrieky laugh, a man laugh... I can't really control them.

6. I've had glasses since 2nd grade. I've probably only worn them a month total in my life.

I tag: ...everyone I know on here has already been tagged :/ I need more blogging friends!

Where's one of Casey's shameless plugs when I need it?

2008-08-21T15:55:00.003-05:00

I'm selling delicious cookie dough for a dance fundraiser! Chocolate chunk, sugar, peanut butter, and snickerdoodle are all $13 a tub. I also have M&M, white chocolate macadamia nut, oatmeal raisin, and triple chocolate for $14 a tub. Plus, there are pumpkin rolls for $14. Let me know if there are any sweet tooths (sweet teeth?) I can help out! :]

more good news

2008-08-20T18:32:00.002-05:00

I decided to be open and just make my blog public. I've had to make a few adjustments, but hopefully this will help those Google Reader problems Steph!

I love my apartment!!!!!!!!

2008-08-20T18:23:00.003-05:00

It is soooooo cute :] I don't have it all quite together yet (I'm living out of suitcases until I find a dresser!) but I love it so much. I have been so blessed! Thanks Casey and Steph, I love yall!

Failing Forward

2008-08-14T23:15:00.004-05:00

So as I was cleaning my desk out and getting things ready to move back up to Brenham (Yay!!!), I found a packet I had gotten from some speaker on positive attitudes at the All-State dance convention senior year. I was reading through it and spotted where I had highlighted "fail forward!" It was followed by this quote from John C. Maxwell- "The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure." I'm really hard on myself, so this was kind of a nice reminder that I don't have to do everything perfectly, I just have to grow from it instead of dwelling on it... which I'm really bad about :/ But now that I've had this nice little reminder I'll get better! :]

Best of times: Holly, Alex and I went and saw the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and ate at Chili's last night. It was really fun, I wish Holly was moving in with me!

I'M MOVING BACK TOMORROW!!!!!!!!! :D

Worst of times: Court.

And my dad's not coming to help us move me up tomorrow because he helped yesterday and diesel's too expensive to pay for another trip. But he can buy a motorcycle. And a HUGE new big black truck that's jacked up 15 stories high. And a lot of gross stupid rock cd's to play in it. And an iPhone. Speaking of his iPhone, I asked him if I could play with it on the way home yesterday. Really I was just snooping. He has a picture of "the harlot" (as John so affectionately nicknamed her). She has fake-baked cancer skin. My mom's way prettier. And when he was on the phone with her I could hear her voice and I couldn't understand what she was saying but her voice sounds like a stupid chihuahua.

I'm so glad I'm leaving.

I desperately need self-discipline.

2008-08-12T23:22:00.002-05:00

Seriously.

I know a blog may not seem like worth worrying about self-discipline, but I'm severly lacking that in all areas of my life.

Bad news: I have to go to court tomorrow for my wreck :[ I'm so scared! I don't know what to expect or do. Prayers would be appreciated.

Good news: I'm moving some of my stuff tomorrow! I'm so close to being back for good, I can't wait! :]

I am a failure to the blogosphere.

2008-08-07T01:43:00.007-05:00

In an effort to quit neglecting my blog, I am going to follow Stephanie's lead and start a best of times/worst of times format.

Best of times:
- I've been eying this picture frame at work for a few months now. It's a really big black one with a Bible verse about family on the mat. I was thinking about getting it for my grandparents for their 50th anniversary, but I didn't think it was necessarily a good present for that ocassion. But today I saw it was on the list to transfer to San Marcos, so I finally made myself buy it and I'm going to make it a Christmas gift. I'm really excited because now I've been thinking about what to do with it and I have such a good idea! The frame has 12 slots, so I want to get all 11 of the grandkids to go out to their ranch and take individual pictures on this big tree we used to play on or on this wall we always take family pictures on. Then I'm going to put a picture of my grandparents in the middle. I also thought I could make little albums of all the pictures for each family. I think it will be so cute! :]

- I went out with Julie, my best friend of forever, and Holly, my new friend from work, tonight. We just went to eat dessert at Applebee's, but we were there for almost 2 hours. I've missed getting to hang out with Julie cause she's been in Europe all summer, and Holly and I have never hung out outside of work, so it was really fun and refreshing :] I just wish they were coming back to Brenham with me!

- I cooked dinner for my mom and sisters tonight. I made salmon, rice, and broccoli and cheese :] I felt so grown up! Haha

- I got some really cute pictures from my weekend in Sealy :] I just wish I would have taken some at church and Chili's!

Dirba cotton fields :]

John Mayer!!!
Waiting at the concert :]

Worst of times:
- I had the most chaotic work day EVER!!! It wasn't actually bad though. I was just doing something every single second of the day. At least I didn't have time to get bored!

- I have to go to court in Brenham on the 13th for my wreck :[ My dad's the one that made me do it, but I don't know how much I should trust his opinion anymore. I don't even know what to do! My mom doesn't know if I need a lawyer or anything and my dad's totally not being helpful at all. Casey, please help if you have any advice!

- All of my classes that I've been registered for since April got dropped because I didn't pay my tuition by some date. But I'm on scholarship for tuition! That does not make sense to me and I'm very upset. They're on some stupid schedule by last name now and I'm in the very last group that gets to register :[

Wish me luck on keeping up with my blogging!

Oh my goodness, this is crazy!!!

2008-07-16T19:58:00.001-05:00

Just wait till you make it past the frogs... it's RIDICULOUS.

So if I only speak English, I can't be saved?

2008-07-06T00:30:00.005-05:00

When I was at work today, some customer lady handed me this little pamphlet about the Holy Spirit living inside you. It had little cartoons and I thought it was going to be cute. So I'm reading it and first of all, it basically broke salvation into like a 3 step process. First- believe in Jesus and admit your sins. Second- be baptized. But wait! There's a catch: if you're only sprinkled, your baptism doesn't count and you won't be saved. It only counts if you're fully submerged under the water, representing you're fully submerging yourself in the Spirit. I've never thought about it like that, but it kind of made sense in an extremist way. But if that's the case, then what's the point of baptizing babies??? I don't know much about baptism, but I thought it was more of a symbol of your committment. I didn't know it was an actual requirement? Third- you'll know when the Holy Spirit enters you because you will begin speaking in tongues. Personally, I don't know many people who have ever spoken in tongues. So does that mean no one I know is saved? I just felt weird reading it, like it was some checklist for salvation. I've never thought of salvation as something that could be defined. If these are the requirements, I'm in sad shape :[ Let me know your thoughts, I'm really interested in what my elders have to say on this subject.

I bought a book at work today... again. That place is a money sucker! It's called "His Princess: Love Letters From Your King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd. I saw it on the wrong shelf and was like wow... that's a pretty cheesy book. But I started flipping through it while I was trying to find it's home and it is SO GOOD! It has a Bible verse and then a little "love letter from God" and I just read 1 or 2 and wanted to cry. I am such a dumb person but God still loves me passionately and patiently. He is so amazing!!!!!!

not the best _____ of my life.

2008-07-04T18:54:00.010-05:00

Yesterday we went to Sea World. After hiding under a towel while trapped in a torrential downpour...

I decided it wasn't the best Sea World trip of my life. At least I have a cute sister though :]

I had to work 8 hours today. Only like 5 people came in the store during the last 3 hours. Definitely didn't feel worth missing being at the lake with my cousin or shopping in Fredericksburg with my family :[ Needless to say it wasn't the best 4th of July of my life. But at least I made some money!

I don't think any of yall are big So You Think You Can Dance fans, but I was watching it Wednesday night and absolutely loved these 2 dances so I thought I'd share them just in case yall wanted some entertainment :]

I hope everyone had a very fun 4th!

I don't know when I "grew up."

2008-06-05T22:30:00.003-05:00

So I forgot to mention that when John was heading back home yesterday he stopped in to visit me at work for a little bit and bought a few books from the store. One of the books he bought was "101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged." I had actually put them out on the shelves the other day and mentioned it to him because it reminded me of some test Casey wants us to take if we seriously start thinking about it. But then I realized buying that book meant he was seriously thinking about it! Well, to an extent at least. It's kind of exciting because as unambitious (inambitious? ambitiousless?) as it sounds, all I really want to do with my life is have a family. I don't really have any crazy life plans or career dreams, I just want to get married and have cute babies and just have a simple, happy life. But it's weird to think that I'm actually entering the realm of possibility for all those things! I pulled another copy after he left and was flipping through it when there was a customer lull, and I don't even know what half the questions mean! I mean, what the heck is a pre-nup??? I think this growing up stuff is even more confusing thatn I thought....

I felt an update was needed....

2008-06-05T21:41:00.007-05:00

but I don't know what to write :[ I've been working a lot. I deposited my first paycheck today, it was quite exciting :] I love my job! The only bad thing is I've had to scrub a toilet... twice. That definitely hasn't been the best experience of my life. I've also been cooking a lot! I made a cinnamon breakfast cake, brownies for my sister's birthday, and waffles! My mother told me I'm becoming very domesticated. Who knew?

John surprised me Monday. I was sad because I had to work last weekend and I'm leaving for Seattle Saturday, so I wasn't really sure when I'd get to see him again. He called me Monday morning and let's just say I'm not very alert in the mornings...

John: "Hey, I thought you said you were going to wash your car?"

Erica: "It's not that bad...... I will eventually.... *snore*"

John: "Well I'm looking at it right now and it looks pretty dirty to me."

Erica: "Uh huh.... *snore* whatever...."

John: ((starts talking to my dog)) "Hey Mister Weenie!"

Erica: "Ok, have fun at work, I'm going back to sleep.........."

2 minutes later I feel something in my ear. Since I am not a morning person to start with and that is a quite obnoxious way to be woken up I hit the hand that was poking me and rolled over and put my pillow over my head. When the poking persisted, I rolled over ready to punch my sister in the face, but it was John! I wasn't very cranky after that :] I'm so thankful he came down because it was my sister's birthday that day and she had a party... aka TORTURE. She only had 4 friends over, but they're all such petty, little girls. It makes me sad for her because they're the only other sophomores on the dance team with her next year, so she feels like she has to be friends with them so she won't be lonely. I know the feeling... I just hope she can find a NICE girl friend to hang out with. I'd like to find one of those myself.

I'd also like to get a PUPPY!!!!!! I have wanted a puppy forever. I have dogs at my house, but I just want one little cute puppy to be mine. My mom's always told me I could have one when I wasn't living at home, but now she's trying to tell me she meant when I'm out of college like really on my own. It's not fair :[ I just want one to keep me company next year since I'm going to be alone in my apartment. She keeps telling me that Tucker will be there for me to play with but... well it's Tucker. Love him, but I want a cute, little, fluffy, non-asthmatic puppy of my own.

Hm... I don't really know what else to write tonight. I think I might try to go to bed semi-early for once. So, I will leave yall with some lovely pictures that sum up my summer so far.

John and I

Me and my sisters at dance recital. Oh how I miss those days :[

My bff ;]

John feeding the ducks at Landa Park in NB :]

My sisters and I before going to Gruene Hall

Christ Church of Brenham

2008-06-05T00:28:00.001-05:00

I miss you lovely people :[

Instead of getting sleep for work tomorrow...

2008-05-27T02:02:00.001-05:00

I made this:

I think it was worth it :]
I'm going to hang it in my lovely kitchen next year, because if I remember correctly it already has yellow walls!

Yay for midnight bursts of creativity :]

1 year older, and possibly a little wiser?

2008-05-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

4/19/07
(Last ever) Senior Writing

Senior year has been one never-ending period of clichés. "Time flies when you're having fun." "Be true to yourself." "Listen to your heart." "The sky's the limit." "You never really realize what you have till it's gone." "Live every day as if it were your last." The funny part is, for the first time in my life there is some actual truth that reverberates through these words. I can see why people say them so often. Whether you expect it to or not, senior year zooms by you, like lightning. One minute you're doing the first officer strut of the year at the start of a brand new football season, the next minute you're shimmying through your very last show. And no matter how badly you want to get out of high school, no one can deny there's not a teensy part of them that will find something worth missing. For me, it won't be the performing. I still have years of that ahead of me. It won't be the friends, because I know that for every person that has had any sort of positive impact on my life, this is not the end. I am certain that we will be together again at some point in our lives. It will be the little things that seem so miniscule now I can't even think of an example, but I know that once they are gone they will be noticed and missed.
Along with all the privileges of senior year, there are a lot of important decisions to be made. Always remember that you're allowed to change your mind. Your life isn't set in stone. If a chance comes your way, take it. Don't try to please everybody. Take it from someone who's tried—it's impossible. You will never be able to please every single person, every single time. You just have to discover what is best for you and then put everything you have into it to make it happen. Don't hold back. Don't be greedy with your talent, your kindness, or your character. Lavish it upon others. Live passionately. And when life seems like it's reached its absolute low, take it as your cue to prove yourself to the world. If there isn't a silver lining, grab your glitter glue and make your own. Life isn't some story for you to follow, it's your own to write. Write yourself as the hero, the shining star, and most importantly, believe it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was reminiscing over my last senior writing today, but after the past year I have changed my opinion on a few things. I’ve grown a lot and come to many more understandings. Sure, the clichés are generally still true, but I don’t agree with listening to your heart. I know what you’re probably thinking. In today’s “take chances,” “no regrets” society, we believe that what our heart thinks is right. But if your heart isn’t in the right place and doesn’t know Jesus, then it isn’t right at all! “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Rather than trusting in our own hearts and irrational, greedy human emotions, we should put all our faith in Jesus Christ. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) What more could we possibly ask for? Our lives are set! Why should we worry about taking chances when all we have to do is trust in our Lord and have our path shown to us? From personal experience, I know how difficult it can be to focus on the Lord and follow him, especially at college. With everyone learning how to live on their own and being excited to be out from under the parents’ watchful eye, it’s hard to see past anything but what we want to do and when we want to do it. But God has so much more planned for us! College is a very trying time. It’s hard to stick to your convictions and your morals when the world puts so much pressure on you to let them go and just “live for the moment.” But that isn’t really living at all. Just because we are in the world doesn’t mean we should be of it. We should be striving to live for something much bigger than ourselves. “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) Amen.

I made more than my fair share of mistakes and regrets and still have so much to learn. But I’m willing to learn! That’s why I find so much joy in the people I spend my time with in Brenham and in my job. It’s amazing being surrounded by people who support me and who genuinely care about me and help to guide me in my faith. We all need people like that in our lives! I know it’s hard to stay strong in your faith! That’s why I’m posting this: as an encouragement and to let others who feel like I do know you're not alone! I know I felt that way for a long time. No matter how disconnected you may feel, there is hope. I promise. Check your hearts, and find yourself true friends, someone who makes you better and will hold you accountable for your decisions. Not in a condescending or motherly way, but in a way that is truly concerned about your spiritual growth, along with your well being. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we’re all in this together.

Love all. ♥
Worship one. †

Will wonders never cease?

2008-05-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

First of all, this is my second post today! I've barely been making it once a week!
Second, and most importantly, my cooking was a success! I made a scrumptious spinach and strawberry salad, and a delicious lemon and blueberry pie! My mom made salmon and baked potatoes, but I totally learned how. That'll be easy stuff :] I was kind of nervous because my mom invited my grandparents over for dinner and I wasn't sure I wanted that many critics for my first attempt. I felt so stupid because I didn't actually read ahead and I finished the pie like 30 minutes before they came not knowing it was supposed to chill for 2 hours... oh well! Luckily, everything turned out fine and they loved it! My grandma even asked me for my recipes :] Thanks for sending them to me Brandi! ♥

Brenham friends- I miss you all terribly!!!

Love all ♥ Worship one †

2008-05-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

That is a quote off a t-shirt I want from my fabulous new job at the Christian Gifts Outlet! :] I started training last night and I absolutely love it. I had round 2 this morning and I've already got the register down. I've come to the realization that I've never actually had a real job. I worked at a little shop for 2 summers but I've known the owner my whole life so she was really flexible. I was mostly just the fill in girl, and now I work every day! I'm excited though. I love the atmosphere at CGO and they play super good happy music :] The only downside is I'm mostly working at the San Marcos branch, which wasn't exactly what I had in mind. It's very interesting though! It's in the Tanger Outlet Mall, so we have a lot of different people come in. Last night there were people from Mexico City, Guam, and Peru, and this morning there were people from London and somewhere that speaks Dutch. Plus most of the customers are very friendly and fun to talk to. It's a great environment :] Except I'm scared I'll end up spending all of my paychecks there! Now I am finally going to go cook a late Mother's Day dinner for my mom and grandma. Wish me luck! ♥