notes about me

I absolutely adore animals...of any kind. In addition to my dog Moby and 2 cats, Ami and Soco, my favorites are giraffes and sea turtles. Don't ask me why.

I recently watched a sea turtle at the Chattanooga Aquarium for 30 minutes, right next to the glass, and wished I had a tank big enough at home to bring him along.

As a homeowner, I've come to the stark realization that my parents were right all along, there are always things to be done.

Unfortunately, I currently have no motivation to work full-time, other than that at some point in the future I want to do music in some capacity, and have no intention of pursuing a career using my Bachelor of Journalism.

I quite frequently wish that student loans had not accompanied this lack of focus, or perhaps that I had figured it out sooner.

I have perfect pitch, and quite frequently am asked to sing a "G" for my husband to tune his guitar to.

I substitute teach, and have aspirations of home schooling my future children.

Chris and I plan to adopt (after trying for and, God willing, successfully having a biological child) from Asia (hoping to adopt within the next 5 years) and would ideally like to have two biological and two adoptive children, intermixed.

I know some Chinese, and listen to Pimsleur CD's to further my knowledge of the language- Ni Hao!

My dog is currently at the bottom of the stairs, whining because Chris is up there and he can't get to him.

My favorite movie in the world is "Something's Gotta Give." That part where Diane Keaton is hysterically crying, after Jack Nicholson leaves, I laugh so hard I cry.

I can't stand Nicholas Cage. I don't know what it is, but his acting drives me crazy.

I can sleep for over 12 hours at a time, but try my hardest not to....

My grandfather was an artist, and though I don't consider myself a good one, I'd like to think I got my love of art from him.

If I won a large sum of money, I'd put enough away in savings to live off the interest and donate the rest to charity.

I tend to be a very random person and have trouble explaining exactly how these unrelated ideas pop into my head.

I inherited an anxiety disorder from my dad, who refuses to admit that he has anxiety, and now have to be on medication so I don't have panic attacks.

I cannot multi-task, and as such will never claim to be good at it on a resume.

I sing in the shower, but who doesn't?

I would LOVE to live overseas at some point...Ireland, England, China, Spain..I'm not particular.

If I ever get enough motivation, I hope to improve my piano playing skills...or lack thereof.

I would also love to take up Violin.

I love the show LOST. It's really the only show I watch on a regular basis...and I was really looking forward to it coming back.

I can't eat anything with wheat, barley, oats, or rye due to the fact that I have Celiac Disease. However, since being diagnosed 3 years ago, I'm doing much better at finding foods I can eat, and modifying recipes.

I believe God created the Universe, that Jesus was His Son, and that his grace is the ONLY reason I will know him in Heaven.

the woes of January

There's a chill in the air, meaning the dead of winter in Tennessee has finally arrived. Although it may be short lived, it's never short enough. Waking to temperatures in the single digits feels like torture in this state. Somehow one grows accustomed to the highs and lows of different parts of the country quite quickly. Where 25 degrees may feel warm during a Nebraska winter (some people wear no coats!), the same temp is utterly unbearable in Nashville. I've come to realize that I just can't handle that kind of cold. Give me 100 degrees any day over being so chilled to the bone I have to shower to warm up!

The one thing I'm thankful for about the cold is being able to have a fire. Our fireplace finally has a job, and fulfillment in life, thanks to Pine Mountain logs. If you have never experienced the beauty of these, it's a log wrapped in paper that you place into the fireplace, light, and let go. It's lasts about 4 hours, and has been the highlight of my evening. I just love cuddling up by the fire with a book and some cocoa. I can't get enough. In fact, I'd like to move my bedroom to the living room so I could enjoy the fire more often.

i think i'll go make some cocoa now...

ushering in a new year

2009 has officially begun, technically just over a day ago....but honestly, it feels no different. As always, it will probably take a good solid month before writing '09 at the end of a check will become automatic...which always annoyed me about the beginning of each new year. I was listening to resolutions of the Husker and Clemson football teams yesterday during the Gator Bowl- one memorable moment was that one of them wanted to give up fast food-after the season..... I resolve to write more. It's something I have been attempting to do, unsuccessfully, for the past few months. I'd love to find a direction for this blog, be it food, entertainment, crafting, or something else altogether. Perhaps I'll keep this blog about my personal life, and create another for something more specific? I also resolve to become the pack leader over my dog. Watching the Dog Whisperer was an eye opening experience highlighting my utter failure as a leader of my pack. I can't help it...I love to love on my pup. We'll see if this is achievable, but I know the failure is mine, so it's a start.

Happy 2009!