Thursday, June 2

autobiography

Happy June. Its hard to believe that 2011 is halfway over. Its been a good, good year so far.
Remember when I used to post on my blog regularly? I'm ATTEMPTING to get back to that this month! Here's a fun post... even though it isn't Friday.


Once you've been tagged, Fill this out and repost as, "My Autobiography" ... And use your own answers, not anyone else's.

1. Where did you take your profile pic?
My current Facebook picture was taken at April's bachelorette party at the Cajun Queen

2. What exactly are you wearing right now?
gray pajama pants. Winthrop t shirt.

3. What is your current problem?
too much stuff to do, not enough time to do it

4. What makes you happy most?
some wonderful people in my life

5. What's the name of the song that you're listening to?
The Beatles 'If I Fell"

6. Any celeb you would marry?
DUHHH. Justin Timberlake.

7. Name someone with the same birthday as you?
Hillary Duff

8. Ever sang by yourself in front of a large audience?
nope.

9. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
I hear Kristin Vagness from Criminal Minds a lot... especially when I was blonde

10. Do you still watch kiddie movies or kiddie TV shows?
Finding Nemo is my favorite!

11. Do you speak any languages?
English

12. Has anyone you've been really close with passed away?
nanny, aunt Faith

13. Do you ever watch MTV?
Jersey Shore <3

14. What's something that really annoys you?
People twice my age who are half as competent at work!


Chapter 1:
===============

1. Middle name:
Taylor

2. Nickname(s):
Fresh

3. Current location:
my apartment

Eye Color:
blue

Chapter 2:
===============

1. Do you get along with your parent(s):
yep love them

2.Are your parents married/separated/divorced
happily married but not to each other

3. Do you have any Siblings?:
yep. AMAZING ones.

Chapter 3: Favorites
===============

1. Ice Cream:
oreooooo!

2. Season:
spring/summer

3. Shampoo/conditioner:
I prefer Aveda rosemary mint shampoo.

Chapter 4: Do You..
===============

1. Dance in the shower?
nope. I sing though

2. Do you write on your hand?
ALL THE TIME.

3. Call people back?
not usually. thats what texts are for

4. Believe in love?
eh.

6. Any bad habits?
about a million of them

7. Any mental health issues?
yeah. my job is a mental health issue

Chapter 5: Have You..
===============

1. Broken a bone?
nope

2. Sprained anything?
ankles

3. Had physical therapy?
nope

4. Gotten stitches?
possibly.

5.Taken painkillers?
sure

6. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling?
nope.

7. Been stung by a bee?
ugh. yes!

8. Thrown up at the dentist?
no. ugh. I hate he dentist.

9. Sworn in front of your parents?
I'm sure.

10. Had detention?
once. It was Colt's fault!!

11. Been called a ho?
more than likely


Chapter 6: Who/What was the last
===============

1. Movie(s)
The King's Speech. Thank you Redbox

2. Person you called?
mom

3. Person you hugged?
Leesa

4. Person you kissed?
Harrison

5. Person you tackled?
Leesa

6. Person you talked to on IM?
omgahhh. I couldn't tell ya. Facebook IM it was probably Kiley

7. Thing you touched?
macbook

8. Thing you ate?
fruity pebbles!

9. Thing you drank?
milk

10. Thing you said?
love you tooo!

Steal it, comment and tell me to go read yours. =)

Friday, May 27

Test.

Tonight I was in the first session of my developmental psychology class. Dr. Crews emailed us the first reading assignment a few weeks ago and I knocked it out immediately. Tonight he uttered those dreaded words... please put everything away except a pen.

After a pop quiz which killed the spirit of the entire class I did better than many people around me, but nowhere near where I'd like to preform on my first test of grad school. Dr. Crews began to speak. He said that the grade didn't count and that we could retrieve our aper after class. He said that he didn't want to pass out the papers and see the grades at all.

Dr. Crews spent the next minute talking to us about our purpose in grad school. He told us that the only people in our program that care about grades we us, the students. Our professors care about facilitating our learning and leading us on the path of learning about ourselves and discovering how to be effective counselors. He assured us that we would have academic successes and failures while we were at Winthrop, but that those weren't the most important aspect of our experience. He told us that he was going to give us just enough information to make us dangerous as a counselor. Its our responsibility to make the most of our learning experience and to work toward being a responsible, competent practitioner.

Throughout this encouraging talk I kept thinking of a passage in Colossians...


Colossians 3:23 (The Message)
22-25 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.



How hard is it for us to remember to do everything as if for God when we are forced into doing things we do not like? I mean sometimes you just don't feel like finishing the dishes, getting up on time, heading in to work, reading another chapter before class. This is especially daunting for those of us who like to be in control. The simplest task can become enormous when we dislike it. But, when we approach the task from a different place-- when we do it out of love for the Lord, we often find that the task is not as bad as we thought.

For me, things aren't difficult because I don't like them... but no matter how much you appreciate school or a job, sometimes you'd rather just get some sleep or see your family. I'm finding that sacrifice and discipline are easier when you keep in mind why you're doing what you do. Even in the midst of suffering, if we approach it from the standpoint that there is a purpose in it from and for God, we can endure anything.

I found encouragement in an unexpected source today, and just wanted to share.

Thursday, May 26

A brief brief.

This is going to be a relatively short post. Thats mainly due to the fact that I have zero time to spare these days. Just wanted to post a quick update since I started grad school classes this week. God REALLY blessed me with this opportunity, and I thought i was well aware of that until I went to class. Then I really realized what an experience this is going to be. My professors are intelligent and accomplished and seem really passionate about preparing us to be good therapists. My classmates have all been really friendly and seem like a great group of people to go through this process with. I've already been assigned a healthy amount of work, but honestly, I am SO excited about all of it that I don't even mind sacrificing to get everything done. I can already se that this is going to be difficult at times, but that I'm not only going to learn a lot about helping others, but about God, and myself too.

Thanks to everyone who has been praying about this with me. Love you!


"Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen? Chance favors only the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur

Tuesday, May 24

IN LOVE...

... with Justin Timberlake. But you already know that. Posting a clip from him on SNL last week. ENJOY!


My favorite sketch from the night...

Friday, May 20

Blessings.

Hey guys. Happy Friday... at least I THINK its Friday. Since I've started working nights I'm a little confused about what day it is. haha

Anyway, I've been thinking about some things and I'd really like your input. There were several things that I've been praying for since the beginning of 2011. These mainly included getting promoted at work to a job with more hours each week, getting into grad school, finding an apartment once April got married, and paying for school. God has blessed me beyond measure as each and every thing I prayed about has happened. I really am just in awe of the way things have happened in 2011 so far.

Ok, so here's what I'm concerned about. Working nights is really taking a toll on me. I am getting plenty of sleep, but I'm not at all into a routine. I've not seen family or friends much. I didn't make it to small group last week either. I've slept, read for class, and worked this week. I really don't want to neglect people or things in my life... especially the people who so diligently prayed and supported me while I was in the process of getting to where I am now. I'm praying that I'm able to fit everything new into my life without sacrificing any of the people or things that I already love.

Ok, so this is where you come in. I've been looking for some scripture or a blog or maybe a sermon about making the most of God's blessings in your life. I've spent a lot of my life thinking about where I wanted to be... and God is really providing a way for me to get there. I'm really passionate about making all of this work together. So, if any of you readers can provide some words of wisdom I'd be GREATLY appreciative!

Love you guys!

Tuesday, May 17

slack.

Ugh. Remember when I used to be really committed to my blog?! I have no idea why I'm so slack lately.

I just started working as the team leader on third shift. I'm trying to get all the reading finished for my first week of classes. Adjusting to a new schedule of sleep, eating, and all that is KILLING me.

I'm not sure exactly how most people who work weird hours schedule their time. I personally have found myself sleeping a lot more than I did when I was working first shift. Oddly enough, I was told that the opposite was more likely.

I keep getting emails from professors with reading assignments for class this summer. So far I'm keeping up pretty well. I've found that reading a few pages every time I have a free minute (waiting in lines, on break at work, right before bed) has made it pretty easy to get everything done. Hopefully I'll continue to keep up with the pace of grad school. I'm sure its likely to get more strenuous, but I'm actually pretty excited for this particular challenge.

I'm already looking forward to getting through this stage of my life though. I can already see that working full time and going to school full time is going to be a long, difficult process. I know that it will be worth it in the long run, but I'm beginning to see how much I'm gonna have to sacrifice for the next few years.

Tuesday, May 3

Fried Pickles.

Good afternoon everyone. Its Tuesday... which means new music. =)

As such, I thought I'd take a minute and shout out one of my favorite singers (and a GREAT real life friend) Rayen Belchere. I fell in love with Rayen's acoustic southern rock tunes a few years back when I saw him open for one of my favorite artists, Corey Smith. So, why did I instantly take a liking to Rayen's music? Simple. He's got something for every mood. Feeling in love? In the mood for a drink? Sad after a breakup? He's got a song for that.

Anyway, these days Rayen is releasing music under the name Early Ray. His new stuff is fantastic. So, take a listen to this track from his latest release, Highway to Jail.



Ok, so now that you've fallen in love, go to iTunes and get this record.