Happy New Years!

Well it is a New Year...and I have decided to make a point of blogging more often. That is one of the many resolutions I have made...but before I get to that let's recap the last year.

2009 didn't seem too important of a year until I thought about it. When I got down to it...I realized that so much of my life has changed this last year and I hadn't really realized it. I met my best friend...who I haven't seen in 3 weeks and feel like I might die. My dad was diagnosed with cancer, and is finally almost done with his treatment. I finished my first year of college. I taught my first lesson to a group of high school students...and didn't completely suck. I got my first kind of grown up job. And finally, I have met some of the coolest people ever in the past year.

The past year has been a pretty crazy ride...and I am completely looking forward to 2010. This next semester is going to be pretty much amazing in my opinion. And while it is Sarah's last semester...we are gonna have a heck of a good time.

There are a few things that I have resolved to this year...some a fairly lame I'll admit it, but nonetheless I want to try and make them happen.

1. Read the entire Bible in a year (already started this one).
2. Work out a couple times a week.
3. Rebuild old relationships...and keep working on the new ones.
4. Be more organized...and actually keep it up.
5. Write more often.

So as I finish up the first of hopefully many blogs this year...I just want to list my few favorite memories of 2009.

1. The many awkward nights caused by one peer who attends Mobap....classic comments including The THRESHHOLD, Looking tense, and needing some chapstick.
2. Going to the Rock the River Tour with my bestie and meeting all kinds of bands.
3. Fall Getaway
4. Taking care of 7 pretty pupies for two months.

doo DA la DOOOOO

I recently received a twitter from a friend who had posted a new blog, and it made me think that I haven't blogged since May 2, that is 5 MONTHS people...slightly ridiculous if you ask me.

Blogging is something that I really want to make a fairly often occurrence, so this is my attempt to make that happen.

My life has changed a lot in the last 5 months....seriously.

School has started, in fact the first 8 weeks is already over, which is insane. I am pretty stoked that my night class is over, but it is crazy to think that the semester is already halfway over. I have met some pretty cool new people this year, and I am so glad they decided to come to MOBAP. We have had some crazy experiences like FOUNTAIN JUMPING, the AG Silver concert, CHI Town, and winning the MIDNIGHT DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT (Warrenton Wannabees Dominate)!

Last weekend was FALL GETAWAY! It was one of the best weekends I have in a long time. There was some awesome worship and I learned a lot about myself and what God has called me to do. God really moved in a lot of people's hearts this weekend, and that is AWESOME. Not to mention I have some great stories, including all the campers being woken up by a wrestler whose name will not be mentioned cell phone at 5 a.m. in the morning...and another certain wrestler who was not to thrilled about that. More to come on that later though :)

This whole semester I have really been trying to step out of my comfort zone and work on building community with the people around me. It is a goal of mine to build true community and authentic relationships with the people around MOBAP.

As the semester continues on, I hope I will actually get on here on continue to keep this updated. Talk to you soon!!

Hygiene 101

So my first year of college is over. That is pretty crazy...but definitely not the point of this blog. So what is the point you might be asking? Well it is all about hygiene and cleanliness.

If you talked to me much over the past school year you know that on of my suite mates was in no way stressed by a messy suite. I, on the other hand, could not stand how disgusting my suite and bathroom was. So I have decided to discuss how to be hygienic to the point that the people you live with will not want to kill you.

Here is my advice:

1. If the trash is full, or it smells, take it out...even if it isn't your turn.

2. When it is your turn to clean that means your should clean (seems like a DUH statement to me...)

3. If you walk into the suite and the bathroom smells...spray some febreze. (I am a big fan of lavender-vanilla myself)

4. Take a shower more than twice a week...it effects everyone, not just you.

5. Don't leave your toothbrush laying in the counter.

6. When the toilet paper runs out put the new roll on the holder. Don't just set a new roll on the counter...take 30 seconds and do it.

7. If we run completely out of toilet paper go get some. Don't just leave it for the next innocent victim.

8. If you prank someone...don't make them so mad that they icy-hot the toilet and but blue dye in the shower for your suite mates to enjoy. If that does happen take the initiative to clean it up.

9. Don't leave your nasty dishes in the suite sink. It clogs up the sink and smells.

10. When you do decide to shower make sure your hair isn't clogged in the drain or all over the sink.

If you follow these few rules...and just keep yourself and room slightly clean your roommates, suite mates, or whoever else you live with will like you that much more!! And trust me they will definitely appreciate the help with all of the cleaning.

Inside Jokes

I absolutley adore a good inside jokes between great friends. They have the power to turn even the most awkward situation or worst day into something fun! Inside jokes make memories last longer, and can bring up memories that would have been long forgotten.

A few of my friends that I went on a senior trip with made a huge list of all the funny things that happened over the trip. Now some of those stories and jokes come up during conversation and I have to stop and laugh. Those memories are still so clear in my mind because I have those jokes to remeber them by.

If you know me even a little bit, you know that I love having inside jokes with people, especially those that I am close with. It just makes me feel like I have a better connection with you.

One thing about inside jokes that I am not a fan of is when no one else knows what is so funny, and so someone says, "Inside joke," and then there is that awkward silence. It is awful! I mean really, those silences kill me, and kill the joke.

To close I guess I will leave you with a few of my most recent inside jokes...

~You look pretty tense.

~Those burgers are pretty cute.

~ You can't tell a girl you cried over the phone...

~What's the bean?! (that will always be a top 10 one)

I hope this was a decent first post...hopefully they get better! haha