With all the news in the world: Iran, N. Korea, Sanford, the war in Iraq and more, you kind of get a new perspective on life.

6 books-5 dollars
Splittin' a spud max-8 dollarsish
Newspaper-75 cents
Summer Afternoon-priceless

"At your library you'll find everything you need to expand your horizon and help you to to succeed" Yes, I am a nerd and I do know our county library jingle but, we did just get 5 books for 6 dollars which you can't really beat. And a newspaper for 75 cents?! When was the last time you bought stuff so cheap. So I know the economy is hurting right now but it makes us remember that it doesn't take a lot to have a good time and I think it also calls for appreciation, which you generally can't have enough of.

Well I'm off to go get ready for dance-what a priviledge!

I think I killed my toe for about 24 hours
I went to open a big metal glass door at midlands tech and I wasn't paying attention and opened it right on my barefoot toe-flip flops i love you but really? So i had to to walk a ways to get to the bathroom. I tried to apply pressure and stop the bleeding and then walk back to my car-super far away-and search for a band aid. About halfway there me flip-flop was sticking to my foot because the blood was kind of well you get the picture. No band-aids in the car and I had none because I just took them out of my bag thinking hey I won't need them. Wrong. I headed back to the bathroom again and stopped the bleeding for the most part. But then it kind of throbbed a while longer and didn't look so pretty. My toe was like dented. After my 4 hour biology class i came home and tried to fix it some more, at least it's not bloody anymore. Oh but fyi dance, sweat, and a bad toe don't really mix. So like i said, i think i killed my toe for a couple hours but it's back in shape, sort of, today.

Everything about this makes me smile. With my dad teaching middle school for 20 years, we kind of enjoyed the experiences that went along with it and well ya gotta luv middle school i guess :) Haha i luv that the teacher videos it and the celebration commences like a typical middle school-complete and utter shock

It's tough being a scientist

Man, Mendel and his peas. Genetics. He did have a lot going for him. Being a monk and all he had the time to make history and he did. Must've been hard trying to figure out where his recessive genes disappeared too and wondering if they'd ever come back. Tough stuff.
Anyway it's a summer of biology and I learned a few interesting facts that might win me some millions on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Apparently your eyes can tan. Yes I did say that, in the summer time they can get darker with exposure to the sun and thus tan in a sense. Oh and I learned that flamingos aren't really pink. They are more translucent and white, but apparently the male flamingos are attracted to the pink color and the females don't mind it. So the zoo puts in a pigment with their food. Who woulda thunk it. There went my childhood dreams, way to burst my bubble.

"I am Robin Hood, Don't let me down ;)"

"People of Nottingham, will you tolerate this injustice? I for one will not!"-Robin Hood
Been watching Robin Hood, the BBC version from Netflix and am on Season 1, I think you can watch it on youtube as well. If you're up for some good v. evil and a pretty accurate setting (the Holy Wars) it's a really good show. There's some great quotes and as history repeats itself, if you take a close look, you could find some semblances to today's world.

Sad Day

Well, today is a sad day in the Schreck Household. The red wheelbarrow is no more. I don't know how many times it was pushed between the back and front yard and sadly there were some times when I probably didn't like it very much, even though it was a tool which was supposed to help me grow some character or something like that. (It did and I am grateful). I still can't believe it is sitting by the garbage can, that is no place for our red wheel barrow. It's part of the family. I've known it my whole life-19 years oi vey that's a good wheel barrow. I guess they don't make 'em like that any more. Sad.

It even left serving, daddy sad he was filling it up with sand and it just gave out. Toppled over.



Boy did we have some good days planting flowers. Little Emily and Daddy planting bushes in the side of the yard. First you dig a BIG hole and then you break up the roots a little bit. Set it down carefully. Then you gotta cover it up and pat it really gently. Dig a little trench and then pour some water on it. OOO a worm, look Daddy! Whew I know, don't get all teary on me now. It's hard, hold it in, you can do it.


Red wheel barrow you will be missed!

Cinco Semanas

Could've been out of my Spanish class after 40 minutes of the two hour class but alas I decided to stay and help the Citadel guy. So readers must understand a little bit about this guy, our encounters began on the first day of class in which he was doing his part in coming up with some conversation. Soon enough I realize he's a jokester, you know one of those guys who picks on you in good humor because he can and little ol' me is just gonna put up with it because i understand its just his personality. And it certainly did make the class entertaining and quite humerus.

Some of my favorite quotes were "Your one of those hippies aren't you, I wouldn't have the guts (ok it was a different word but I'm keepin' this g rated) to wear somethin' like that." (I gotta give him credit though because it was a compliment...i think) and the next day "your one of those Trekkies aren't ya" oh and it gets better, today I was "one of those video gamers who plays Halo 24/7 and collects Pokemon cards" and when discussing characteristics, "How do you say I'm tall, dark, and handsome in Spanish?" Ok, you really do learn a lot about people in Spanish class after all, it's language right? You know, what you use to communicate with people.

I'm pretty sure he thought I was one of the strangest people he had ever met and yes, it is kinda unusual to have lived in Ukraine for a year, and been to some other countries. And to go to school in Mississippi and have family in Oregon. But hey its my life and I am blessed to have it! So all I want to say to Mr. Citadel is, thanks for making Spanish so great and really, I'll never forget it :) P.S. Profesor Robert, Gracias por todo! Tu eres paciente con tus clases. I hope that was correcto :P

So you think you can dance dance dance

These are my favorite pieces so far from episode one and two season 5. This season has so many strong dancers and its hard to see anyone go but these two pieces have been my favorites so far. The expression, music, storytelling, choreography, interpretation of the choreography, everything worked and as dance can be, it was pretty moving. I really liked the concept of the first one. The choreography, the crispness yet light quality of the execution of it were really well done. In the second one, I think the music had a big impact, not to put down the dancing, by no means, but it takes a lot of work to put it all together! Oh and my runner's up well there was a bunch, the Bollywood and contemporary, the ridiculously fast disco, Kayla and Max's pop-Kayla's positions were picture perfect and Max role played well





More favs :)

Excerpts from Leaper by Geoffrey Wood

Hey ya'll, just finished a book called the Leaper and it was a little slow but the ending definitely made up for it. The following are some of my favorite quotes and excerpts

"Without God, reality is madness. Reason will tell you so. You either madly trust in God, or you trust in a world gone made without him." p. 296

"It seems doing good isn't doing good. It's desiring to be there when God shows up with the good. The truth is you only need one beautiful thing to free you and talk you out of yourself." p. 300

"I see now, Father, that all heroes are unlikely, that the world doesn't need people to be more heroic, just less comfortable. More people willing to be less for someone else's benefit, eager to be used, to rush toward what's most needed and not away from it." p.300

"You don't change the world by telling it what to do, sitting at home, and telling it what you believe. You believe by throwing yourself into it. Making a leap, getting involved, then waiting, taking some one person's place for a while, one suffering person at a time." p.300

"At first, God's gift was annoying, an interruption. When the interruption became surprising, then God was simply terrifying. But God was alive." p.301

just some food for thought, enjoy the day....only get to live it once!

Lazy Saturday Mornings
Trying to sleep late, though it's not all that possible when you have to get up at 7 every morning. So when it's 8:00 and you think, woa it must be so late only to realize it's a mere hour difference, I decide to listen to some Adventures in Odyssey. Yes, I am 19 but I don't think they ever get old and as a teacher in training, well I guess you could say it goes with the passion and job :). Then like most Saturdays I studied in bed. Oddly enough I manage to get the most accomplished while still in my PJs. I eventually had some breakfast around the would-have been late hour if i had slept (10:00) and got ready. Craig's list was calling my name and though there's nothing I can take on at the moment, it's fun to look around. There was even a security job wanting bodyguards for a bar, that one brought a smile. Well it's lunchtime! Happy Saturday everyone!

The bunny candle is no more. somehow there melted a crevice in the side and green wax proceeded to spill onto my floor. for future reference I don't know what I'll do with unusual candles and wax is difficult to clean up, you never feel like it's all gone.

In other news...we somehow managed to discuss palmetto bugs and sweet tea, among other things, in the 3 1/2 hours of biology today.

Well i suppose i have delayed enough and should probably take a look at some of my schoolwork :) until next time

I Should've Taken Pictures
We went to Mo's Drive-in Movie Theater to see Night at the Museum 2 and the double feature was Wolverine. Let me just say that it was a good sequel, which rarely happens. The humor mixed with the story line was really entertaining and of course every good drive-in ends with a kiss! There were some really great quotables..."I just thought you would want the cube of Rubix"/"I will forever be known for my biggest failure-Kernel Custerd"/"Yes, Sacagshmmem, Sacagemima, Sack in the Box"/ there are others and of course Gigantore was back in action. It's one of those movies that you might have to see a few times to catch everything. Having it set in D.C. with our history was neat to see as it becomes more personable. I would definitely recommend it and if you were wondering if you had seen it from the previews, oh there is so much more to see, well worth the 7.50 movie ticket.
As for Wolverine it was intense. Starting at 11 I thought for sure we'd loose a few people to the wonders of sleep but alas I was highly mistaken. If you got away with sleeping through that movie you could probably sleep through anything-it was intense! ^ Personally the ending was slightly disappointing but because it's the X-men Origins I can unerstand it, I suppose it was fitting.
It certainly felt like summer though with a warm night, lots of mosquitoes and good ol' southern hospitality. Pizza, hamburgers, chocolate, couldn't ask for more.

In other news...I have a Spanish test and bio lab quiz this week....that'll be interesting.

Oh and I'm not sure what happened to SC summer, the sun and 100 degree weather seems to have swapped with Oregon or disappeared all-together :( oh well I suppose I should enjoy it because after a week of its arrival, I will probably be complaining. South Carolina summers are something you don't forget but they are also what make it home.

Randomness-I have a green bunny candle that I have been burning and note to people who actually burn unusual candles: the way they burn is kinda funny....mine has become a half bunny but the ears and head are still in tact. Updates will follow.





And one more thing, sry...the pictures are in honor of the blooming gardenias, bc i have failed on my picture taking documentary, and because i discovered how to use my photobooth application (i tried to have the beach background but somehow it always ended up distorted)

There's nothin' like the smell of gardenia....wear it in your hair and the beautiful scent will follow you throughout the day

Ninety-Nine and One

I was thinking about a lot of things going on and heard this song about how Jesus/God "would leave ninety-nine, leave them all behind to find you." To me that is just incredible, that God would go that far to either bring back one of his sheep that have strayed or go after a lost shop. For us to fathom the depths of his Love and sacrifice, we can only begin to touch the tip of the iceberg if you will. Sure we my face crazy stuff that seems way beyond us but knowing that you are on the side of God who has such characteristics and qualities, "whom shall you fear." Wrapped up into those I Am statements, God reminds us, countless times, of his presence and aid in the midst of whatever is going on-whether doing the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 16;10), as we live life (Matthew28:20), and facing giants as some say (Psalm 21:1-3 and Psalm 23:4). If you just try and think about an I Am statement-your mind will begin to whirl. Jesus, was, is, and will be. I'm just so glad that it is not up to me to save myself or anybody else because I certainly would be/am helpless. It takes/should take the pressure off of a lot. To the King who would "leave it all behind to find you" "be the praise and glory forever, and ever, Amen."

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10

Think About it....

I read this yesterday and thought it had some good points in it (comes from the devotional God's Best Secrets by Andrew Murray.....

My Witnesses
"Ye shall be My Witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

The Fourth mark of Christ's Church-His servants are to be witnesses to Hi, ever testifying of His wonderful love, of His power to redeem, of His continual abiding presence, and of His wonderful power to work in them.
This is the only weapon that the King allows His redeemed ones to use. Without claiming authority or power, without wisdom or eloquences, without influence or position, each one is called, not only by his words but by his life and action, to be a living proof and witness of what Jesus can do.
This is to be the only weapon they are to sue in conquering souls and bringing them to the feet of Christ. This si what the first disciples did. When they were filled with the Spirit, they began to speak of the mighty things that Christ had done.
It was in the power that those who were scattered abroad by persecution went forth, even as far as Antioch, preaching in the name of Jesus, to that a multitude of the heathen believed. They had no commissions from the Apostle, they had no special gifts or training; but out of the fullness of the heart, they spoke of Jesus Christ. They could not be silent; they were filled with the life and the love of Christ and could not but witness to Him .
It was this that gave the Gospel its power of increase; every new convert became a witness for Christ.
A heathen writer tells later in regard to the persecutions that if the Christians were only content to keep the worship of Jesus to themselves, they would not have to suffer. But in their zeal they wanted Christ to rule over all.

Side note: the following is what really got me ;)

Here we have the secret of a flourishing Church: every believer a witness for Jesus. Here we have the cause of the weakness of the Church: so few who are willing in daily life to testify that Jesus is Lord.

Oh how I've missed you.....
Family
Inside Jokes
Isabear
Delicious Food (strawberries so sweet and red it just makes you smile)
Movie Nights
Church
Sunshine and good old SC heat
Sandy Beaches
my own bathroom
barefoot on asphalt
picking up the mail
Driving

and the list goes on. I don't know you just forget how easily things and people are taken for granted.

Two Different Worlds
Two different worlds I live in, both in the South
Of different people, whom I dearly love
Adjustments can be hard, trying to figure out my place in each
Helping those who want/need it, trying to offer it to those who refuse
Fun times are the same in both, tragedy remains
God who sees it, listens, understands, cares, and acts-the two worlds are bearable and even enjoyable with God at the helm.

Guess what? Did you guess, did you guess? I am officially a sophomore in college!!! It is so hard to believe and it really does seem true, time flies when you are having fun-praise the Lord he carried me through yet another year full of tears, triumphs, and memories. Well, my roommate and I made it through 24-hour quite hours without getting written up (quite an accomplishment I must say ;) ) and now the halls are quite quiet because everyone has returned home (Oh yes, my song came on my i-pod and it's quite the fitting song: Where My Heart Will Take Me). I am kind of at a loss for words, so much has happened, so much has been learned I would hope and there is so much more to learn. Oh my there were some giggly times and memorable girls nights as we went through Philippians. As I pack the car tomorrow and return home, to South Carolina with all the excitement of summer plans and the unknown, I will surely look back at this year with a mind that is spinning over all that was accomplished and experienced.

LOVE....
spring is in the air and of course love is too but I just wanted to post something along the lines of a different sort of love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Granted this verse may be over quoted, though I don't know if you can ever over quote a verse, but if you really stop and think of the Creator, Source, and Giver of Love and its definition you might just see it in a new, unfathomable, incredible Light.

Long time no post, I know and to the few who actually do read this....
It's a beautiful Friday. Beautiful for so many reasons.
-the sun is shining
-it's a wonderful temp
-did I mention it's Friday?
-semester's half way over
-big empty green fields make me happy
-God is good all the time
-family and friends are priceless
-even with the struggles, God is there and will somehow pull us through