an army of one...be all that you can be...strong, army strong.

So the sister shipped off to Basic last week. All the way in OK, she's going to spend 7months away from her husband, two daughters (3yrs and 1yr olds), and the rest of our family. This isn't much different than when my oldest sister entered the Navy back in '96, except for the fact that Karen didn't have any kids yet and I was too young to really have that much of a grasp on what it meant to not see her everyday, let alone every year. She was also in a branch of the military that doesn't usually have its men and women on the front lines. So Steph's situation just seems different. One of her biggest fears is that her youngest, Nicole, will not remember her when she returns from training.

This gives me a new appreciation for the sacrifices that the members of our military make every day. It's more than just placing one's self in danger, or being shipped off to a foreign country away from family; where all things appear socially and culturally backwards from their own. They also have to let go of children during crucial times of development and formation. With the very real possibility that those children won't know who they are once they return from their duty.

I couldn't do that. I'm not made of the stuff that our military men and women are, which gives them the courage to step away in order to protect all that they love, people like my sisters. I love them more for that sacrifice and I wish to say thank you to them and all that commit themselves to this life of service.

Corny Joke:

One of my husband's duties as a novice drill instructor at Fort Jackson, S.C., was to escort new recruits to the mess hall. After everyone had made it through the chow line, he sat them down and told them, "There are three rules in this mess hall: Shut up! Eat up! Get up!"

Checking to see that he had everyone's attention, he asked, "What is the first rule?" Much to the amusement of the other instructors, 60 privates yelled in unison, "Shut up, Drill Sergeant!"

In lieu of homework: a poem

Holy, holy, holy; at his feet we lay our cares. A wretch's friend is Jesus, our sins he came to bear. Each Sunday the little girl sings these songs without notice of their depth. A shallow understanding, with pride indwelling, each morning she takes her place at the front.

Now is it that she does not know, or is it that she does not care? For with each passing day and each ticking of the clock, closer the end draws near. She listens to the stories, and writes some of them down. All with hope that one day she returns and draw new meaning from them. Yet none seem to be the key to the door of truth she now knows is there.

Having grasped an understanding of a past that she has missed, what would she have said if, in the end, she'd not made his list? Aware of her own erring, and fear of what could have been, the not-so-little girl finally confesses her sin.

Not just the acts she had done, but the ones that she let slip. For the opportunities she was given and her failure to commit. The Son of God watches these acts, that come in everyone's lives. All in the hope that each of us will come to realize that it's not just the words that one reads, nor the songs that are sung. It's the act of obedience to them that show how the Son has won.

Today's joke:

Violets are blue, roses are red

I did this one backwards to mess with your head. =)

Curl into the Fetal Position Baby; You're an Adult.

Many firsts:

First apartment

First summer in Seattle

First office job

First retail job

First time without home...slightly daunting, but completely exciting.

I started working at Old Navy last week, and today was my first day working with UW as an office assistant...I like it. This summer will be a change for me and I might have a break down here or there, but I am finally content in my decision to stay here this summer and await to see what else God has in store, He has blessed me so thoroughly and completely that I can't even describe my excitement, and my relief. Life is "most excellent" these days and I am smiling inside and out.

So word on the apartment:

We are slowly getting things situated, Lane and I just need to get rid of some things, get clothes in the right places, and then start on the decorating phase. French bulldog, giraffe, jellyfish, octopus, owls...is it an apartment or an animal kingdom? I don't know, but I like! I can tell this is going to be good. =)

Corny Joke: I laughed hard at this one.

A woman walks into a shop that sells expensive Persian Rugs.
Looking around, she spots the perfect rug, walks over and inspects it.
As she bends to feel the texture of the rug she farts loudly.
Very embarrassed she looks around nervously to see if anyone has noticed her 'little accident' and hopes a sales person does not pop up right now.
As she turns back, there standing next to her is a salesman. "Good day Ma'am, how may we help you today?"
Very uncomfortably she asks, "How much does this rug cost?"
He answers, "Lady if you farted just touching it, you're gonna crap your pants when you hear what the price is."

Hungry Like The Wolf

Oh Duran Duran, how you do make me smile. Funny, I am on the prowl, on the hunt for a job, and yes, I am hungry like the wolf.

This song reminds me of "It Happened One Night" and Clark Gable singing, "who's afraid of the big bad wolf, tra la la la la. Which then in turn reminds me of "Little red riding hood, you sure are lookin' good. You're everything a big, bad wolf could want...OHWWWWW!!!"

Oh the random musings of my mind...now U2 is on with "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Lookin' For" But what is my burning desire Bono? I'm not sure I know what it is I'm searching for, unless we're talking literal, then I guess yeah, I still haven't found the job that is going to supply me with my first two rent checks...oh boy. I am stressed with money. Can't we go back to bartering? That would be nice. Oh well, God provides and I must stay reliant and hopeful for what He has planned, whatever it may be.

Life is good when I remember not to take it into my own hands, and on that note I leave you with this little Russian delite: VITAS, youtube him and you will understand, better yet, go to his website and just look at his pictures...ridiculous and yet so amazing. Just what you need for a pick me up.

Today's joke:

What's black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white?

A nun falling down the stairs. =D

Mask Over Man Please...

Living in a Christian community where relationships, DTR's, "ring by spring", and hormones run rampant, I am constantly told to be content in my singleness, God has someone for my future, I just need to be patient and wait in the Lord...who said I am discontent. I speak to some people and when I state that I am, in fact, quite content with my status as a single person--not that I am defining myself by being single, that just happens to be a piece of who I am--these people don't seem to believe me. They feel the need to comfort me and encourage me that "this is just one of your seasons." I KNOW!!! And it's the season that is best for me.

God desires a relationship with His children, and until I can commit myself to that relationship I know that I'm not ready for one with a man. I can be friends, I enjoy male company almost more than female company, but I can't let go enough to be vulnerable with anyone. So I refrain. And while I am here, failing miserably at maintaining a vulnerable relationship with my Creator, I do not see a person in my future like so many have promised.

I can't seem to be entirely honest with myself, let alone tell others what I'm really thinking or what makes me tick, so please don't assume that because I have told you some things about myself, that you have seen past the title page that is Amy. I'm trying and lately I have been able to give a little more to people, but I still sense myself pulling away. And that is why I know that I am not supposed to be with someone, at least not right now, yet as I say that I can't image myself being with someone. I would need to have a stronger, more open relationship with God, myself, and those close to me.

Relationships has been the theme on campus these past two weeks and with that all I've heard is that we shouldn't be as vulnerable with a guy, that we need to be more guarded with our hearts. I don't really struggle with that part, I need some advice on how to be more open and honest, I feel like I need to go to a male meeting instead of the female because it seems that men are the only ones that struggle with commitment issues and being open. Oh well. It is what it is.

So instead of encouraging me about my future husband, I ask that people encourage my growth in my faith. Instead of advice on protecting myself from disappointment, how about some advice on being personal with people, where I give as much as I receive. I have always been the listener in my friendships (unless I am on a rant relieving stress) and never needed to divulge anything about myself, because my friends had enough issues to talk about without me adding on top of that. I've shielded myself and put up a front for so long I don't even know what's beneath the mask. So advice on that would be more appropriate than a sermon on how God has "the one" waiting for me.

I am at the place I need to be and will go through this season as I have the previous ones: working through it and look forward to seeing the fruits of my labor.

On that note--Joke of the Day:

What time is it when your clock strikes 13?

Time to get a new clock.

=) smile, you know you want to.

24 Quiet Hours Please...

What is it about stress, exhaustion, and winter that makes me so insecure? My facade has made it through yet another test of school (barely). This armor is rusted from tears, causing it to crumble piece by piece onto the cold, harsh ground. Without it I am stripped bare. I stand naked for others to see me for the anxious bundle of nerves that I am.

Corny Joke:

Why do they call it PMS? Because Mad Cow Disease was already taken. (I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.)

Shuffle It Up

Blank. Empty. Void. Vacant. Hollow.

Listlessly I lounge, laptop at hand. Typing out terrific tales of absurd alliterations. After watching Disney's Robin Hood at half staff last night, I just couldn't resist. Disney was a genius poet and authority of the English language. Clever, witting, and just plain hilarious.

Just a taste of the stupendously snarky words of Disney:

Silly serpent; Reluctant reptile; Suspicious snake; Scurrilous scoundrel...so good, the last is one of my favorites. Oh to be the scintillating pen behind that script.

Life is grand when we remember to enjoy the simple things. To take a break from worrying about tomorrow and the crises of our lives, sit back, bask in the company of friends, watch a fave movie from childhood, and simply be. Life is golden when we remember what laughter brings to us, not only in health, but in our relationships as well.

Be random, put your music on shuffle and discover what you've been missing by remaining in the same humdrum schedule this quarter. So far I've discovered how little of my library I actually listen to, and the sudden change has made studying quite relaxing. If only there were a shuffle button for our lives. One that when we push it, it randomizes our day and causes us to take a new and different look at what we do with ourselves...what if the wee hours of the day, when I get all my work done, were in the middle of the day, and the unproductive hours were when I was sleeping? Would I remain unproductive? What if Friday was my Monday, would I still hate Monday? Isn't it funny how the order of our lives changes our perspective and our attitudes?

Anyway, now I'm ranting, so I think it's time to go to bed...oh, I just discovered that I have the real slim shady by eminem on my computer...wow. =)

Joke: What do you call a fish missing an eye? FSHHH! =D