Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Negative Nancy

Someone invited Negative Nancy into my daily life. I do not like her and would like her to go away. She should leave my office environment, leave my personal life, leave my outlook on situations, leave all together.

I am taking this holiday weekend to reevaluate my life and become less negative and have a better outlook on what life consists of currently and where my life is headed.

I am blessed. I have great friends, great family, and I have a lot of things going for me. My future is going to be good.

If you hear me complaining, shut me up (or at least try and talk me through it :) ) Love you friends! You all are the best!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Dang you Andy Stanley

Well, maybe the title is a little dramatic, but I don't care. :)

Andy Stanley is the pastor at the church I attend here in Atlanta. (Northpoint Community Church/ Buckhead Church/Browns Bridge Community Church/ Watermarke Church) Yes I know, lots of campuses. I attended Northpoint first, but now go to Buckhead. Anyways, not important. (I apologize to those of you who go to this church and are getting a history lesson)

Andy did a series on "love, sex and dating" a few months back and it was a hard pill to swallow. It has been one of the most talked about sermons that I have heard in a while (especially with my small group). While I was definitely a part of the conversation, I realize now that I was only a partial listener of this sermon series.

At the time of the sermons, I was still in a relationship. And what I realize now is that instead of actually listening to the message and relating it to me and MY life, I listened to the message and related it to me and my current relationship. So basically I listened to what I wanted to and ignored the rest of it. Probably not the best idea.

Recently I have been thinking and thinking about this series and something (God) has been urging me to listen to it again. So over the next few days, I will be listening to the entire series again. The part that I continuously go back to is the first sermon. Link below.

http://www.northpoint.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating"

In this sermon, one of Andy's main points is "Am I the person the person I'm looking for is looking for?" You would have to listen to the whole thing to really understand his reasoning behind this, but man did that hit me hard. 3 months ago was I the person the person I'm looking for is looking for.... no. Am I now... no.

I hope that relistening/ actually listening this time will help me start on the right foot. I know that there is a purpose in my life, and whether or not it is to meet a great guy and get married I have no idea, but as I figure all that out, I am on the path to becoming the person I need to be for myself and could be for someone else.

For those of you who are single I encourage you to listen to this series, it will make a huge change in the way your view dating and view yourself through the dating process.

We all know dating has its ups and its downs, so why not become the best person we can be throughout the process. One day, someone will be very thankful.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

North Alabama Weekend

I had such a great time last weekend. So great that this week back at home has been less than enjoyable.

This weekend I was invited to attend the wedding of Mr and Mrs. Adam Warnke and I was so blessed to be there. They are such a special couple. Melissa, as usual, looked absolutely stunning. The wedding was amazing and the venue was so so pretty. I, of course, forgot my camera, but Im sure one of these days, sweet Elizabeth will post some pictures :).


Since the wedding was being held in Cullman on Saturday night, I decided to head up the North Alabama a day early and spend some time with Stuy Stu Stu (pretty much a brother to me). Stuart has been trying to get me and Amanda up to Huntsville to visit since he moved there and finally we made it. Oh my gosh, Friday night was an adventure and so much fun. So much fun, that I went back after the wedding on Saturday and redid the night. I swear I have not danced that hard, laughed so much, or been so content in so so long. Saturday morning we got up and decided to take a hike, a much needed bit of exercise, with a pretty view of Huntsville at the top. And other than forgetting to bring water and then constantly talking about water and gatorade, it was great.

I just love spending time with them and wish we could all spend more time together more often. Our next trip wont take as long and luckily we are all (well 3 of us are) from Auburn and Stu's roommate went to AU so we will all see eachother again in just 1.5 weeks! Yay!

This weekend I'm heading to Auburn to 1) pick up my sweet Maggie Mag from my parents and 2) attend a bridal shower for my bestfriend's sister. I cannot wait to have a second weekend with Amanda (I definitely dont see her enough).

This weekend made me really appreciate the people I do have in my life. Bestfriend time can really lift a girl's spirit and this weekend I got to spend bestfriend time with 2 bestfriends.

Elizabeth has been such a great friend to me for years now and I am so lucky to have her friendship and encouragement. While we are in two different stages of life (she's a happily married lady) we both cling to the friendship we have and refuse to let our locations, or marital status, or changes in life take that away.

Amanda has been my best bud since 8th grade. And oh my goodness did God know what he was doing when he brought her into my life. She has been my rock during hard times and a complete blessing. No matter what happens or how far away we are, she will always and forever be stuck with me, she's irreplacable.

I'm happy that the next few weeks are taking me home often and I'm going to do my best to use that time to help me out of the funk I've been in. Work is stressing me out and I'm allowing that stress to flow into other aspects of my life. I'll shake it. Family, Friends and football (and of course God) will help!

10 days 2 hours and 5 minutes to Auburn's first kickoff!!!




Thursday, August 18, 2011

Auburn

With football season coming up and the students all tweeting and facebooking about classes, I am reminded of how much I miss Auburn and how much I love my school. So in honor of Auburn, the 16 days we have left to football, and the starting of a new semester, I give you what every Auburn man and woman lives by. The Auburn Creed.




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Health Kick

I'm on a serious "get your body into shape" kick right now. I'm going to the beach in a few weeks, and the thought of putting on a swimsuit makes me cringe. I have a weight goal I want to be at, but I'm not sure the weight is really what is bothering me. I just want to tone up and feel good about prancing around on a beach in less than half the amount of clothes I wear on a daily basis.

So this week I kicked it up a notch. I have officially worked out 3 days in a row (a complete shock to me), something that hasn't been done, well ever. The best part, I do not hate it. What? Did I just say that. I have never been one to like working out, or running, or being hot, or anything that forced me to get off the couch. Yes I know, pathetic. But NOW, I actually look forward to working out. Whether it is tennis (I'm a soon-to be pro, ask my coach :) haha), running, classes at the gym, walking sweet Mags, anything.

Now why such a change in attitude?

1) I feel gross and hate feeling this way. They say that when a girl is single they work out and when they aren't single they "let themselves go." I strongly disagree. I worked out more when I was in a relationship and now I just got lazy and would rather go to dinner with friends than to go the gym. No more...

2) The LA Fitness in Brookhaven finally opened and holy cow is it nice. Two stories of equipment, a really nice classroom, and tvs everywhere (including on the treadmills). Love it. AND this one has Zumba, which I did on Monday, and loved.

3) I got new shoes. Before when I was running my knees always always hurt. So I was complaining about it to my coworker and they sent me to Big Peach Running Co. to figure out what shoes would be best for the way I run. I did their lil test and found out the shoes I was wearing weren't helping support my knees because of the way that I run. So I am now the proud owner of some new shoes, HOT PINK SHOES! Now I'm going to want to workout everyday.

4) I also bought some cute workout attire. Working out in cotton is out, and cute workout tops are in. Besides if I feel good while working out, then I will continue to do it.

5) I also have more stamina now than before. I find it easier to run further and longer than I could before. I am still not 100% there, and struggle with the whole "just keep going and you'll be fine." I think that is a myth, but I am trying and my goal is to be able to do a 5K atleast once a week, if not more.

Today will make day 4 of Erin's workout regime and hopefully I will be able to stick with it. Maybe I should find a running partner (someone who is actually on my level of pathetic-ness. While the beach is in my sights now, I want to be able to keep this up so here goes nothing. :)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A good book can cure all things

Well, maybe not all things, but I find it very easy to get caught up in a book and let all the insignificant things in life just melt away. Recently (well since the beginning of the year) I've been reading so much (mostly because of travel, but still.) Last week I went on a book buying spree (dang you Amazon) and bought some I've been wanting to read, or have been recommended to me for reading.

First of all the book I'm most excited about, Nicholas Sparks has a new book coming out... in October. Why did I have to find out about this early? I love love love his books. So, because I couldn't wait, I preordered it. A good meaningless book will be welcomed after I read the other books I've ordered.

"Captivating", "Lady in Waiting" and Jaycee Dugard's "A Stolen Life" along with finishing "Heaven is for Real." I'll try to remember to review those on here, but all are going to be pretty heavy reads. I'm excited to see what is so great about them and get some good learning in. I hope I can make it through all of them considering I'm supposed to be studying....

About that, I remember now why I wanted out of school. Studying is not my forte, I've never been much of a studier and have to retrain myself to get with the program. This LSAT may kick my butt. But, to find a positive, I have decided I have a favorite section so maybe that will help me out. If nothing else, I plan to rock that section :)

In the meantime, if you have other books to help distract me, I mean read, let me know! I'm open to anything!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Life Lessons

Sometimes I wish I could get into the brain of God. Why does he do some of the things he does the way he does them? What is his thought process?

I'm in the midst of a test I think. This is the hardest test I've taken by far. And what is scary is it is the most important test I've ever taken.
He's allowing me the freedom to make choices and either follow his plan or follow my own. Of course, this is the basic life of any christian, but right now I feel like it is amplified way beyond anything I have ever experienced. I keep saying I want to follow his plan, and I do, so now he is asking me to do just that. Except now I have a dilemma, I don't know what he wants. Maybe that is the point, maybe his goal is for me to practice patience and be willing to listen. Maybe he will tell me in time and all the situations I'm being put in are just steps in the process of his plan. Maybe Satan is behind some of this. Life is definitely a journey through the unknown.

I'm listening, waiting, and praying. May his will be done and not my own.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Weekend Warrior

I live for the weekends at this point. Work has been, well less than satisfactory lately. I think I'm just in a funk about it. I really do like my job, but sometimes it is exhausting. When you think you are caught up, you aren't. I just need to reorganize some things and get my priorities straight, that will definitely help. Oh and get back to to-do lists, that will help too.

On that note, my memory is legitamitely awful lately. I cannot remember anything. I've never had this problem before. If you have a remedy, please let me know. It's pathetic.

This weekend was such a good weekend (other than FriDAY). My soon-to-be cousin-in-law lost her mother last week so my family went in support of Elizabeth and the family. If you know me, you know I hate anything death related (yes I know most people do), but the whole concept of funerals and cemeteries completely freaks me out. I hate them. But this service was not like a normal funeral. The man who spoke had such great things to say about Elizabeth's mom and actually got a laugh or two from the people there to mourn. Seeing Elizabeth was by far the hardest thing. I cannot imagine what she is going through and hope I don't have to know that feeling for a very very very very long (times infinity) time.

After the service, we had some family shopping time. My grandmother, Mom and I went all over looking for random stuff my mom needed. I, or course, found more clothes (which I did not need). Friday night I got to see Katie and Elizabeth (LOVE THEM!) We went to this bar near Summit called The Black Market. I really liked it, and loved getting to meet some new people and catch up with my girlies! The late night buffalo chicken fingers were a highlight too :). Oh and we cant forget about the girl in the tube top with her bra all sorts of out (think What Not To Wear bad).



Saturday I left the couch very infrequently, but did manage to get dressed later that night and hit the town again with Katie. Such a good time. Met more people, some more interesting than others, but it was so fun.

Big news in my life...... I am going skydiving on Sunday!!!!! AHHH so excited, so scared. I'll be sure to update you on that.