North and South

I am reading a novel called North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. No, it is not a modern day piece of fiction without morals or values as you would expect of today's authors. This book was written in 1855 so it is full of gentlemen and ladies who want to help those less fortunate and helpless. I am quite in love with this book because the author was the daughter of a minister and was taught to be benevolent and she was educated by her relations. So, all in all it is completely well rounded. The hero in the book is incredible and he really doesn't do what most would term heroic. He takes care of his mother and provides for her, works extremely hard, and falls in love with the heroine. Pretty normal stuff. But completely wonderful and honorable all the same. It is the depth of his love for her that really touched me. The hero, John Thornton, falls in love with Margaret Hale, the daughter of a minister. He respects her and her opinion on all matters. It is quite fantastic. I have not finished the book as of yet but I feel that it will be soon that I will. I have, of course, watched the movie version and liked it immensely. (However, I usually do not watch the movie first but I had no idea at the time that it was based off a novel)

The image is from the popular BBC version (which I HIGHLY recommend).

Living on Magnolia Ave

I am sitting in my room eating popcorn and drinking apple juice. The truth is, orange juice is my favorite but it was more expensive... hence the apple. I look around my apartment and notice all the things that don't match or make sense as part of the decor and I realize that all the odd, mismatched furniture is what makes my apartment home. Almost all of the furniture in our living room belongs to me but none of it matches. We have a red moon chair, a mahogany entertainment center, two light brown bookshelves, a white and pink-ish couch, two black end-tables, a hunter green quilt rack, and a black futon. (Next on my list is a circular rug for the center). It's funny how I never planned to have such add furnishings in my home but somehow it just happened. Growing up I always planned to have the matching couches and tables and curtains... but now I think that it would be crazy boring if I did! Now, I am not knocking coordination- my mother has the matching theme in her house. And it looks fantastic.
I just like that my little home reflects me (and thankfully my roommates as well) and how I view life-- this crazy mess that we navigate daily and TRY to understand.
Plus, when I make my tea in the evenings I like to sit in my moon chair with a book from my shelf.... If everything matched I wouldn't have that comfortable chair or relaxed atmosphere to enjoy.
Go random-ness!
So, recap:
I love my apartment... and I love my roommates. :)
p.s.
I was just talking to my mother on the phone a moment ago and I yawned... and then she yawned.... I guess that yawns are even contagious across the miles via telephone!

Medulla Oblongata

Right now I am studying in the library at school. I am enjoying the quiet atmosphere and really calming myself down after the events of today. I really enjoy Lee University mostly because of it's gorgeous campus. Yes, I love the people but what really drew me to this school in the first place was it's beautiful greenery. So, as you can guess, fall is my favorite time on campus. The leaves are turning colors and the two trees in my yard are full of yellow and red leaves. I really want to climb the one tree outside my window. It is gorgeous! However, I haven't climbed a tree since I was about fourteen or so... it will definitely be an adventure to see if I can still do it!
Of course you may hear that I have seriously injured myself trying to do it.
I will keep you updated on that!
On another note: I am still looking for a part time job and I am not having much luck. It is starting to become a nuisance. I don't think I am the type of person to take time off. I thought it would be a good idea when I started out this semester but now I am just bored and ready to work again.
I just noticed that I have spent all my time in the library doing a million things other than studying.
Oh well, it was nice and peaceful in here anyway!

p.s. I was reading in my Biology class the other day and have decided that the Medulla Oblongata is my favorite part of the brain because it is the Respiratory control center. Yes, thank your Medulla Oblongata the next time you breath, folks!

I Have the Most Amazing Bed

Longest Day Ever. I had an eight o'clock class with a quiz, a nine o'clock class with an exam, an twelve o'clock with a paper due, a one o'clock lab where I watched two women give birth (still sick to my stomach over that one), and a three o'clock class. I was non stop all day- same every Wednesday. However, today was just especially long because I pulled a late night of studying (for that exam on at nine).
Today has been pretty amazing though. I went to a flag football game to watch my roommates play.
I really had something really awesome to blog about but I got distracted (as usual). I really need to do something about all this rabbit trailing I do when I am thinking aloud or conversing with others. Actually, I even do it when I am journaling. Do you know anyone who rabbit trails while journaling? Apparently I can't even focus when expressing my thoughts through written words.
Well, until next time
p.s. my bed pretty much is incredible. I am currently sitting on it while typing and that is how my title was born. Actually, I think I am going to sleep now.
Life is so simple when you think about it. Or rather it is simple when you don' think about it. When you do focus all your attention on it's woes...well, that is when you get overwhelmed...
Rabbit trails.. Did you notice?
Wrapping it up..
Later!

Sometimes Being Stubborn And Independent Can Be A Hindrance

I am keep thinking that one day I am going to wake up and know exactly what I want to to for the rest of my life and how to accomplish this goal. You see, right now I am double majoring in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. I don't know if I even WANT to be a teacher. I only know that I love working with children. But more than that, I care about injustice to children- I want to be a part of protecting children from those who would hurt them. I am not sure if teaching is what I should be doing. What if it is something else? This is why I am double majoring. I can do ANYTHING with my life. Anything.
The funny thing is that I have finally given my life up to God to run it the way he sees fit. So, if God decides I will become a sales lady at JC Penny then that is what I will do. If he told me to give up school and move to Africa- well, that is what I would do. I suppose if he asked me to never work and stay at home I could do that too. (Even now I cringe at the thought)
The point is that I think I am finally ready to accept that God runs my life. He has plans for me and that I should be willing to use all of my gifts to honor him.

And Suddenly the world looks brighter.
However, there is still the question of what to do about my Ed. major.

Lots of Random Thoughts and Preferences

It's Fall Break! I have been living it up I promise! I love my quiet apartment and my even more quiet campus. It is almost silent and my noisy neighbors are gone too. Finally, I can actually relax and enjoy life. Other than catching up on my reading,I have actually been getting out of my apartment. I have been working out this semester and I enjoy it immensely. I never should have stopped doing it. Let's see, I am a huge fan of smoothies.... blueberry heaven is the way to go-- I recommend it to anyone interested in trying a smoothie...
Later I may venture into Chattanooga with CeCe and Cassondra. I have no idea what we will do once we get there. By the way, I hd to go buy some floss last night and decided to chance it and try a new thing. Well, I bought this floss brush by reach and it is incredible. It makes it so easy to reach the back teeth ( I know, I am pleased by th little things-- my friends mention it often).
By the way, I am experimenting with some vegitarian dinners... would anyone like to brave this new world with me? Lol. (Come on, Jessie..haha)
Well, I have an appointment- later!

Procrastinating

Early this evening I decided that I should begin my homework-- you know, be a productive student and actually act as if I deserve my Government aid! I know, I know it is my duty to be zealous in my studies. Regardless, I have a lot of stuff to accomplish tonight. I especially need to study for my exam that is on Monday night. Tomorrow afternoon I intend on going home (maybe) to see my family. I really miss them.
Besides this, I am really just enjoying being here in my apartment alone this weekend. I'm not going to lie... I was a little nervous about it in the beginning. However, in the end, my stubborn streak came out and I survived. LOL
I really wanted to Blog to say something great and profound... this usually happens after I get an emotional high (which doesn't happen that often). I watched While You Were Sleeping tonight. It is a crazy emotional movie that gets me going every time, kind of like Sleepless in Seattle. I always want to write out my emotion afterwards...
And sometimes I cry. And it's not always because of a love story... no, sometimes it's a comedy....or a tragedy... or even a sci-fi movie. For instance.... I cried in Madagascar. Why would someone cry in a comedic cartoon you may ask? Or, I cried in Star Wars 3. And relationally, I also learned to despise Anakin in that movie as well. Those poor little padawans. I will never forgive Him for that. Poor Padme!

Anyway, those kinds of things seem to bring the emotions out in me. lol
I had a great evening... except for the fact that Tennessee LOST to GEORGIA!!!!

Goodbye USA, Hello Japan?

I have decided to keep my Psychology major and possibly stay only a semester longer at Lee.... However, I might be going to Japan this June to get a couple of Psych class credits...

I am going crazy with the excitement of the possibility! I'll keep the blog posted with updates and thoughts...

Now I've just got to make sure I will have the money to do it!
Keep me in your prayers!
Roxie

Change Isn't Always A Bad Thing

Well, my life is interesting to say the least. I think I will just leave it at that. I can't tell you how much I miss my MDT friends. It is really disappointing that we don't seem to have that much in common anymore. I know that I have changed a lot in the past year and most of those changes happened while I have been away from them. I can say that I am now a more confident person and independent person than I was before. And I know not to settle for less than God's best- which is kind of incredible!
However, this does not mean that I don't want to continue to work on those relationships with my MDT friends- actually I think this gives us a better opportunity to grow as friends and as Christians. Maybe together we can learn what this "Christian life" is all about. I know I don't know how to do it all. Maybe we could be an encouragement to each other... and actually PRAY for one another. Huge concept there.
Well, big Mid-term tomorrow and convocation is ending in the morning... it has been an interesting one to say the least.

Pulling My Hair Out!

Today has officially been one of the longest of my life. And it's not over yet! It's five pm now but I have to go to convocation at 7 pm. I have been going and going since 7:00 am this morning. :Sighs: I just neede to get that out. Phew! I feel better already.
Well, I have lots of homework to accomplish in the next two hours....
I will be blogging about something more meaningful next time... hopefully!

Give Me Your Eyes

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?


Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see


Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
Theres a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
Hes out of work
Hes buying time
are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?


Ive Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath


Somehow in the midst of school and Ukraine and life, I missed this song coming out. But wouldn't you know that this song describes everything I have been feeling for months now? God has been showing me little by little what he wants from me. What I need to be doing for Him. How could I never see what was right in front of me?
I want to love people they way He wants me to. Not superficiallly, not half-heartedly. Completely and fully love people. So many people are hurting....
I want to start over and show others that God loves them, that God wants them in His family. My prayer is that God never lets my heart become cold and distant towards His people.

My prayer is that God will give me His eyes. Give me a heart for those who are hurting. Those are alone. Those that have no one.

What! Is that Wilbur?!

Today was week two of my pig dissection... not exactly the highlight of my week. However, I realized that once I let myself become immersed in my task... Well, I forgot that I had my hands inside a dead baby pig. Instead I got to really take a look at some very vital organs and really understand the body. Since the human body much resembles the pigs body... it was a very good comparison.

We named our pig Bianca. Yes, she is a girl. I was really wanting a boy but it didn't work out. If she had been boy.... I wanted to name her Reginald. Such a noble pig name, don't you think?

Anyway, I am sure that I will never quite see bacon the same way again.

Not that I am a fan of pig foods anyway.

Moving on... today my apartment got cable... and all of a sudden, my little apartment felt like a real home. I think it was that in combination with the last couple of things we added to our living room... like the entertainment center. That was a great addition... and we were finally able to take the tv off of that little table.

Now all we have to do is hang some things on the walls... it is really bare and makes me feel like I live in an institution...or at least a place that doesn't allow things on the walls... which isn't at all inviting.

Tomorrow I have an exam... I should be studying for that.