Friday's Fave Five [at the end of a semester]

This week went sooo slow. I'm so happy to finally see Friday!! AND, it's the last full week of the semester! I'm officially done with classes, and start three days of exams on Monday!

Happy “Friday’s Fave Five” blog, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. Click on the linky to see what 5 things other bloggers are love love loving this week!

1. Shrek
I miss this dog. He lives in Cambodia, and while I was there in May and June he walked me to school everyday. Last week as I was skyping with Titus [pictured below], I could hear Shrek barking in the background and it warmed my little heart. Love him! When I live in Cambodia, I hope to raise a Shrek puppy!

2. I Saw What I Saw by Sara Groves

This song inspired my new blog header. It's a song inspired by a trip to Rwanda, and it reminds me of what I saw in Cambodia [and what I have seen in Ecuador, Honduras, the DR, Mexico, etc.] and how it has changed me. Love love love it!

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it

I heard what I heard and I can't go back

I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road

Cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me

Your dream inspires

Your face a memory

Your hope a fire

Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of

And what I know of love

We've done what we've done and we can't erase it

We are what we are and it's more than enough

We have what we have but it's no substitution

I say what I say with no hesitation

I have what I have and I'm giving it up

I do what I do with deep conviction

3. Two-hour lunch breaks

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have a two-hour break between chapel and work and it is a very cherished time. It is a great time to either accomplish a lot or to rest. I start classes before 8am and I'm not done until after 4pm, so it's a needed to get either refocused or chill out. I'm being thankful for it now, because next semester my schedule isn't as permitting. :(

4. Shelter from the wind

As I'm writing this, it is blistering cold and windy outside. AND... it isn't even snowing! What a waste of winter weather! I'm thankful for a warm coat, and I'm thankful for the heat inside this building. I'm thankful for scarfs and gloves, warm chai, and all the blankets on my bed.

5. Jessie

I have the best twin sister. For real. We fight, we get selfish, but I know that truly she does care about me more than she cares about herself, and I feel the same. I love you Jessie, and when people hurt you, it hurts me! Things are always more fun when you are there.

Plans for CHRISTMAS VACATION:

Aside from the traditional Christmasy things (Christmas shopping, decorating cookies, Reed fam. Christmas on Christmas Eve...), my Christmas vacation plans are as follows::

1. Sleep until at least 12pm on Thursday, Dec. 17th (day #1!!)

2. Read the following books: The Imitation of Christ (Thomas á Kempis); The Revolution: A Field Manual for Changing Your World; God is Here (Steve Case); Love has a Face (Michele Perry); Jesus for President (Shane Claiborne); Shine (Newsboys); The Relevant Nation AND the following, which I am hoping will be Christmas gifts: Drop Like Stars (Rob Bell); and Terrify No More (Gary Hauge) -- Yes, that is nine books; and no, I do not know which I will read first.

3. Hang out with friends that I'm too busy to hang out with during the semester. This may include visiting the Stullers who recently moved to Kentucky, and spending some time at my sister and bro-in-law's house with Baby Face, my cute cute cute little niece. (I say 'may' because I haven't discussed this with them, but I know I have an open invitation to visit.)

4. Break my caffeine addiction (because it certainly won't taste as good from home, and I'm certainly not going to Starbucks everyday!)

5. Watch at least 10 movies, including The Obsessed and Blood Diamond. Also, I'm hoping I'll get Marley and Me and The Perfect Storm for Christmas.

6. Establish a few new records on the Wii fit, and run all those miles that I committed to running before the end of 2009.

7. Spend a couple hours on Skype talking to my friends in Cambodia.

8. Sell this semester's textbooks on half.com (making millions) and buying next semester's textbooks on half.com (saving billions).

9. Cook rice.

10. Prepare a message for chapel. (I was asked to be a chapel speaker in January at my old high school -- nervous!)

11. Make it up as I go!

Snow and Wednesday's Random Dozen

I'm happy to participate in another random Wednesday meme, hosted by Lid at 2nd cup of coffee. Trace the link above to visit Mr. Linky and read the randoms of other bloggers.

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?
I don’t know. [How’s that for an answer? HA!]

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom?
Let’s see, nowadays I watch House, Golden Girls, Friends, Lost, and the Biggest Loser, so I will have to digress to my youth and choose Mrs. Camden from 7th Heaven.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?
I’m fluent in Spanish and working my way to being fluent in Khmer (the language of Cambodia.)

4. Who is your personal hero?
Harvey Ellsworth Ache (Granddad). Though he died when I was in kindergarten, he lives on everyday in my memory and my passion for missions.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?
Buckeyes! (peanut butter balls)

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.
Every Christmas both Mom and Grandmom give me an ornament and those will be very cherished in the years to come, especially as I move to Cambodia in the next 2-3 years and start new traditions with my new family. [I'll be taking those ornaments with me!]

7. How do you feel about snow?
I think it is beautiful. While I prefer warmer weather, my thought is this: If it’s going to be below 32 degrees, then it might as well snow! BUT BUT BUT – I like clean streets and sidewalks. ☺

Here in Marion, our 1st snow fell early on Monday morning. Didn't quite cover everything, but was beautiful. During my lunch hour I skype'd with my friend Titus in Cambodia and he was so excited to see his first snow via webcam!

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.
Last week it was between four and five, but usually it’s closer to seven.

9. Tell me about your first crush.
He was a high school volunteer at VBS when I was in pre-school. I always always always sat on his lap and I LOVED it! Now he is married and has a baby and I lost all my jealousy after 3rd grade. His name is James Matchette. (Shh… it’s a secret.)

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?
My first thought would be a nap, but if that weren’t an option… I suppose song lyrics. Or maybe I would see how many of my friends’ names I could fit on the board.

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?
I dress for the current temperature, always keeping the afternoon in mind. Fortunately three days a week I have a wonderful two hour lunch break and I am able to change between morning classes, and work in the afternoon.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?
Elf. I could quote Elf all day long and I watch it about 15 times a year. Love love love it!
Also love: The Santa Claus (Tim Allen), the Home Alone series, and Miracle on 34th Street.

A few of those Elf quotes are::

- I'm singing/I'm in a store/and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!/I'm in a store/and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!
- We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
-You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa.
-Actually, I'm a human, but I was raised by elves.
-I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite.
-I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.
-Have you seen these toilets? They're ginormous!
-I thought maybe we could make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe even hold hands.
[I could go on, but I'll stop.]

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I did it. I changed my blog header!

Goodbye to this:

Hello to this:

You like? You don't like?

You care? You don't care?

For those interested, my header was inspired by Sara Grove's I Saw What I Saw -- a song definitely worth checking out.

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it

I heard what I heard and I can't go back

I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road

Cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me

Your dream inspires

Your face a memory

Your hope a fire

Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of

And what I know of love

[Etc.]

To read about my adventures in Cambodia, click HERE.

Christmas Shoes

Have you heard this song? It isn't your typical cheery Christmas song, it's actually quite sad, but I like it. The video is only decent, but you can either listen to it or read the lyrics below.

Merry Christmas everyone! Only 16 more days! [That is both exciting AND stressful considering it means almost a full month vacation, BUT there is still much to be done.]

It was almost Christmas time

There I stood in another line

Trying to buy that last gift or two

Not really in the Christmas mood.

Standing right in front of me

Was a little boy waiting anxiously

Pacing around like little boys do

And in his hands he had a pair of shoes.

And his clothes were worn and old

He was dirty from head to toe

And when it came his time to pay

I couldn't believe what I heard him say.

Sir, I want to buy these shoes, for my Momma please

It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her style

Could you hurry Sir?

Daddy says there's not much time

You see, she's been sick for quite a while.

I know these shoes will make her smile

And I want her to look beautiful

If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

They counted pennies for what seemed like years

And the cashier said, Son there's not enough here

He searched his pockets franticly

Then he turned and he looked at me.

He said, Momma made Christmas good at our house

Though most years she just did without

Tell me Sir, what am I gonna do?

Some how I gotta buy her these Christmas shoes.

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out

And I'll never forget the look on his face

When he said, "Momma's gonna look so great."

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Momma please

It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her style

Could you hurry Sir?

Daddy says there's not much time

You see, she's been sick for quite a while.

And I know these shoes will make her smile

I want her to look beautiful

If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

I knew I caught a breathe of heaven's love

As he thanked me and ran out

I knew that God had sent that little boy to remind me

What Christmas is all about.

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Momma please

It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her style

Could you hurry Sir? Daddy says there's not much time

You see, she's been sick for quite a while.

And I know these shoes will make her smile

And I want her to look beautiful

If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

I want her to look beautiful

If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

Youth dies from studying too much

English translation:

A 28-year-old Thai student died of cerebral hemorrhage after presenting himself by exam to enter his judgeship. Doctors attributed his death to physical and mental exhaustion, caused by the extended time that he spent studying more than 16 hours daily.

(I hope I survive tonight's all-nighter.)

Polly and Digory and the Gender Dispute

I think this is so funny. I've heard conversations like this play out quite a few times...

"That's all you know," said Digory. "It's because you're a girl. Girls never want to know anything but gossip and rot about people getting engaged."

"You looked exactly like your Uncle when you said that," said Polly. (*Not a compliment, for Uncle Andrew is a lunatic.*)

"Why can't you keep to the point?" said Digory. "What we're talking about is--"

"How exactly like a man!" said Polly in a very grown-up voice, "And don't say that I'm justlike a woman, or you'll be a beastly copy-cat."

"I should never dream of calling a kid like you a woman," said Digory loftily.

"Oh, I'm a kid, am I?" said Polly who was now in a real rage. "Well you needn't be bothered by having a kid with you any longer then. I'm off. I've had enough of this place. And I've had enough of you too -- you beastly, stuck up, obstinate pig!"

(C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew, pg. 57)

December's 1st Random Dozen

I'm happy to participate in another random Wednesday meme, hosted by Lid at 2nd cup of coffee. Trace the link above to visit Mr. Linky and read the randoms of other bloggers.

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like?

Probably the cowardly lion.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why?
Usually my shirt, and then choose dark or light-washed jeans; however, this process isn't doctrine.

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without?
Most actually, but spiders especially. (No, I’m not an animal lover.)

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?
Three big ones.

1st is my fav. - tall and skinny, with antique red, white, and blue ornaments

2nd - Jessie and I's childhood tree in the dining room

3rd - a spinning tree where we put all the presents

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?

Absolutely not! I certainly would NOT sacrifice joy, excitement, gladness, passion, etc. for the escape of fear, sadness, or anger. Heartbreak is the emotion of losing intimacy, exhilaration, ecstasy.. and as terrible as heartbreak is, I would rather know sadness if it means that I had known joy and passion. HA, what a terrible thought!

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression?

Taking down decorations is always a little sad, but only a little sad.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music?

Yes, some, but I can certainly tolerate him IN MODERATION. The week Jackson died I was a counselor at a youth camp, and the following day we went to the Splash House (a local waterpark) where they played Michael Jackson for three straight hours. Two weeks later, I went back to the Splash House and he was still on repeat!

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma?
I feel like this question can't be answered, but is only a thought-provoker...

Kinda like this:

9. Enjoy horseback riding?

Really, I have only been once and it wasn't incredibly fun, (it was a class trip and there were about 18 of us, moving only very slowly, but through a gorgeous wood,) BUT I'm pretty sure I would love it in a different setting.

10. Shoes--practical or stylish?

Practical.

11. What was the name of your first pet?

Pepper -- a cherished black cat. We thought she was a he until she delivered a litter of kittens in our van. (No, we didn't live in a van down by the river -- Dad accidently left the door open.) I was young... maybe five-years-old. The morning after, Mom, Jessie, and I got in the van to go to the beauty shop and we found kittens! Quite the surprise you can imagine if you thought your car was male!

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?

I have bought one gift for my niece, and I'm not finished with her yet. So... pretty close to about 5%!