i’m going over the rainbow.

What do you think of when you think “Australia”?

Kangaroos, Koalas, Duckbilled Platypuses maybe. Or maybe the Sydney Opera House, or Uluru aka Ayers Rock.

I think something new as of this morning. I am going to be a study abroad student of Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria as in Australia. The Land of Oz as they refer to it. And I am so stoked, and terrified, and cannot wait all in one bag. I’d be studying for a semester to a year.. and I’d be in Australia!!! (I know I mentioned that before. It’s just fun to say).

So here’s to the little Kansas girl who’s jumping over the rainbow and into the land of Oz (AUS-tralia. I swear they call it this. I’m not making it up.)

so if you may. send up a few prayers to the big guy about this. money. being away from everyone I know for up to a whole year can be scary. but I know in my gut, it’s where I’m supposed to be.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

So I’m forewarning you that even though I have stewed over this issue before venting my reactions, and tried to put together a well thought out, non-rant. I apologize if I step on the soapbox. I will try to come back and edit if necessary.

I generally try to avoid speaking in public concerning my personal views on politics nowadays simply because I find they cause fights. And I hate fights. I only speak when asked, and with people who I really believe can carry on a civilized discussion about our two opinions, differing or alike.

I am apalled at the lack of respect our new president is recieving from so many. I see facebook flooded with comments of “when will he get shot” to “Obama is already screwing the country up” and even some mentioning and questionning Christians dedication to Christ if they support Obama. To be honest, to see these comments from my friends, and especially those who take such a stand for Christ, scares me.

We follow Christ who said, “Give to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) I really don’t think that Jesus was speaking only about taxes and monetary things. He was telling them to respect their government and Caeser by giving the government the taxes they owed according to law. Granted, the law doesn’t say you must respect and lift up the president in America. I’m very glad it says the opposite almost, that we are allowed to say the things we do by law. (duh, I’m a journalism major. i love the first amendment.) BUT I think that because he was elected by the public, that he should be respected regardless of what he does.

We prayed for God to choose the right man and put him through. Maybe he is not the right man, but I know God has a plan like he always does. He will make the best out of every circumstance. So many Christians coated this election with prayers. Now it is time for us to pray for our country. Pray for our President Barack Obama–I don’t care what your opinion of him is. He is still a human who needs our prayers.

I may not agree that he is the best choice for president. But I do know that he is my president. And I will respect him.

I challenge you to do the same. At least give him more than a week to form an opinion on the man!

photo contest.

Hello all. For those of my readers who have remained faithful through my lack of writing, and for those who are just stopping by, as mentioned in previous posts, I’m aspiring to go to Australia to study for my sophomore year of college. In order to do so I need a loooot of money. So rather than give me money, if you would vote/spread these photos.. that gives me a huge chance. I’d be so grateful!

Father and Sons

Small Stones versus Giants

the definition of beauty.

Yesterday afternoon I had the privelege of shooting an old friend’s wedding and I came out with more than good photographs. Something Jon, the officiating pastor, said made me think. Obviously the main message was about love, but part of his elaboration of what love his really made me think, and put a requirement on the list for Mr. Right.

Paraphrased, he said that a husband is his wife’s definition of beauty. The wife is her husband’s definition of beauty.

For some reason this seems all the more powerful than simply saying “you’re beautiful.” To me it would mean that if my husband, fiancé or boyfriend were to say I was their definition of beauty, EVERY single other woman his eyes fell upon would be compared to me…and I would win the contest of beauty. Now how cool would that be. It is so on the list. I long for that kind of love and admiration.

i didn’t die.

so, college is hard. and time consuming. factor in me, being the social butterfly that I am, getting my schoolwork done takes great feats, in addition to maintaining a blog, which obviously didn’t happen. whoops. so if any of the proud and the faithful are there checking up on me, here i am. not dead.

i learned so many things this year. i learned to grow up. i learned to let go. i learned to study. i learned more about making fantastic friends. i learned that letting go sucks. i learned that i’m not good at it and haven’t completely yet. i learned there’s a little more adventure in me. i learned a ton of australian lingo. i learned to become a better writer. i learned to deal with classes i hated. i learned that going to class was important. i learned which people were vital in my life and who wasn’t. i learned that derb food does get old. i learned that no matter how far i go, my parent’s got my back.

i think this year, the one ending highschool, and beginning college, is one of the most drastic changes yet. i’ve yet to really see the change. but i know one thing. i am most definitely not the seventeen year old i was on december 29th, 2007.

here’s to update you.

• i decided to do journalism. print.
• i fell in love with F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (introduced by three of the fantastic four: jared, kait, andy.)
• discovered my extrovertedness.
• gained the bestest roommate everr.
• decided i wanted to study in australia for my sophomore year of college.

YET. I still love silly little kid things like disney, build-a-bear and playgrounds.

ahh politics.

it has begun.

not gonna lie. i’m super glad that i don’t have tv in this case so I can skip out on the mudslinging commercials.

instead i get to do my own research for who i want for president.

now.. who to vote for.. if only it were easier!

all packed and nowhere to go.

Saturday was when it started. The goodbyes, keep in touches, etc. And then Sunday came. The goodbyes continued of course, and the friends started to leave. KU, KState for rush, Emporia, etc.

At first the break was really nice. I got to hang out with my mom. Wednesday, the cabin fever started to set in. Now, I’m thinking the lack of things to do has me stressed almost, its kinda backwards

Now we’re here. Friday. The car is packed. Room cleaned. I have at least five hours before I can attempt sleep. Waiting sucks.
(plus there are rumors of a family game night. hmm.)

gymnastics venting. you were forewarned.

(In case you haven’t seen my previous sports ranting posts.. i rant. you have been forewarned.)

So eliminating the fact that there’s ridiculously strong evidence that China cheated by having a team of young’uns that are more flexible and..well that makes things easier!

Step One: Americans win silver in the team competition. Yes, Alicia Sacramone screwed things up. So that silver medal was a tad unsatifactory. But at least the fault was ours.

Step Two: Yes. Shawn and Nastia went one-two. INCREDIBLE. First time ever I think?

Step Three: Vault Finals. Um, knees mean eight tenths of a point deduction.. not being square..more deduction, uneven hands on vault MORE DEDUCTION. yet who won the bronze? Nope. Not Alicia, who had a hop. ONE HOP.

Step Four: Floor Finals: Shawn Johsnon takes lead. Keeps the lead. The very last gymnast swipes the gold.

Step Five: Uneven Bars Finals. Nastia’s a sure fire win correct? So the little Chinese girl went and got a great score. Then Nastia went and SHOULD HAVE blown the judges away. And got the same score. So then there’s this weird “tie breaker” thing right? I learned in elementary school that tie breaker means you redo, and then whoever wins that, wins. Apparently not. So Nastia walks away with silver. And got the same score as the gold medalist who looks like she’s twelve.

Step Six: Beam. Chung Fei gets a 15.9 something. What?! And then again, Shawn has sights on the gold, with one gymnast to go. But she WINS! And the Americans go one-two again.

I’m so glad it ended on a good note. Otherwise I was close to running out to KCI and hopping on a plane to Beijing to give the IOC a piece of my mind. If you hadn’t noticed, sports can get me going.

zoobilee zoo and talkatoo the cockatoo

this was the best show ever. talkatoo was my favorite. ironically enough, she’s the “journalist” in the zoo. What do I want to be again? (check previous post if you don’t know the answer. :])

aw man. there sure are those moments where I wish I could be five again. I kinda want my VHS recordings of the show my granddad made for me.

when i grow up..

in kindergarten i wanted to be a ballerina. [i hadn't yet discovered my lack of coordination. at that age-everyone was clumsy.]

in second grade i wanted to be a teacher. [this dream held out for a little longer.]

in sixth/seventh grade i wanted to be a overseas missionary. [realized short term would be better. but who knows what God has in store.]

in eighth grade i wanted to be a photographer.

in eleventh grade i wanted to be a graphic designer.

in twelfth grade i wanted to be a journalist.

the dream now: to be a photographer and writer for sports illustrated.

what did/do you want to be when you grow up?