Love Come To Life

I have way more important things that need to be done tonight, but I had to share this song with you.  These lyrics put my deepest desires into words... "Bring your love to life inside of me..."

Take a listen...

Saying "No"

I found this link on my cousin's Facebook page, and I really needed this read.  My classes have recently focused on being intentional with our words and actions, but what about taking that a step further... What about  intentional living?

One line in particular struck me:

Intentionality is not so much about saying “yes.” Instead, it’s understanding that saying yes to a commitment or relationship means you will have to say a whole lot of uncomfortable and difficult “no’s.”

This gives clarity to a lot of unanswered questions of my past, and it definitely makes me anxious to be ready to say "no" to all of my other commitments when the right time and person comes along.  For now, I'm praying for peace and readiness.

Really, America?

I wonder what it says about our country and specifically this generation when we are so devastated and shocked by the death of a former CEO of a company.  I get that Steve Jobs was an American icon - as a creator, an innovator, and a businessman, but the hype seems a little extreme.  Case in point: 32 out of the last 50 tweets in my Twitter feed are about Steve Jobs.

Would we react the same way to the death of a member of Congress - a person who is making far bigger decisions on our behalf of our country and has pull in aiding our current economic woes?  I would say that most of our generations doesn't even know about conversations and issues happening in our government right now, and that to me is a huge problem.

Or what about the many soldiers who die in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Surely their families mourn their deaths, but those deaths are on behalf of us.  The sacrifice our soldiers endure is for the protection of our country, and I wonder how many of us are really aware of the effect of their loss.

Honoring people who truly are shaping our world's advancement is important, but let's make a conscious effort to pay attention to other people who are making decisions that are moving our political and economic climate forward too.  Those people have a true impact on the world and its progress.

Point. Set. Match.

I went to my first Iowa State volleyball game tonight, and boy, did it bring back a whole slew of emotions.  I miss the sport, the camaraderie, and the competition.  I found myself thinking about and missing a bunch of things:

• Pre-game dinners with the team
• Playing the rival school and going to five sets (and winning)
• All day Saturday tournaments
• The exhilaration I felt when being in the perfect position to dig a ball
• The thrill of a block, by any teammate
• Post-point cheers
• Being in incredible shape from workouts and games
• The intensity of the competition

Hopefully, I'll find a way to play here sometime soon.   I'm working on being OK with randomly joining a team through the city recreation center, but I worry that I'm going to be way too competitive and not find any fulfillment in playing.  For now, I'll use my energy to cheer on the No. 16 Iowa State team! Go Cyclones!

Sunday Morning Prayer

This morning at Cornerstone, we ended the service with this song. 

It helped me realize that it isn't until I fully know my weakness that I will see the need for God's grace in my life.  And knowing is not just saying I'm in need; I want it to break me, to take my breath away, to devastate me. 

"His spirit is strong in me..."

Seeking Spirituality in our Active World

Working spiritually smarter means seeking wholeness.  Some envision that we are in a "spiritual renaissance" and are recognizing the value of "a renewed search for contemplative values in the flurry of our active lives".  Exploring Leadership by Komives, Lucas, and McMahon

This thought was included in one of my graduate school readings this week, and it got me thinking.  The approach and value of spirituality is so wrong in the world we live in.  People are no longer considering spirituality for their futures (life after death, need for forgiveness and grace, etc.), but instead, people are becoming "spiritual" for the present.  They want health, stability, and calm moments in life so they can feel OK with the lives they lead and go onto the next busy task at hand.  We cannot work spiritually smarter by seeking wholeness in ourselves and in our work.  Complete wholeness can only come from above, from a Creator who is able to do far more than we can ever accomplish in our lowly lives on earth.

Our lifestyles are not going to slow down on their own.  We need to make conscious efforts to look to God and not our spirituality for comfort; find peace in the future life he has planned for us.  Think on that today with me.

Weekend Wisdom

A simple statement but a great reminder.

Fond of Quirkiness

Have you ever laughed uncontrollably all by yourself?  If you haven't, you can stop reading because I'm about to really embarrass myself.  If you're with me, enjoy this commentary and laugh out loud with me!

I seem to do this all.the.time.  My friends will attest to this as well, as I'm often the only one to laugh at certain scenarios.  Sometimes it's just in my head, but other times, it's a full-out laugh.  Most of the time it happens when I'm remembering funny things that have happened to me.  Case in point... two months ago, while making Jiffy Pop in my Blacksburg apartment with two of my friends watching, I proceeded to run in place while I was shaking the metal pan uncontrollably.  It seemed to make the task of popping that popcorn that much easier.  Andy why not get a little workout in before indulging in a butter-drenched snack?  I think I was even singing to myself at one point.  The memory of this adventure cracks me up.  Embarrassing? Yes. Funny? Even more so.

I also tend to laugh out loud with myself when I'm watching a TV show or a movie.  Modern Family gets me every time.  Romantic comedies...of course, but it's usually at lines that no one else would notice like lines from this scene in Two Weeks Notice:



The final thing I tend to laugh with myself about are just situational.  Take yesterday for example.  I was trying to find a card that I bought for my cousin for his birthday, so I ran upstairs to get it.  After coming down, I realized I forgot my pen, and then I found that my stamps were upstairs too, so I made three trips up and down the stairs of my house in a matter of a minute.  The thought of that alone made me laugh all the way up the stairs the third time and shake my head at how silly that minute was.

Maybe it's just my care-free attitude, but this quirky trait of mine doesn't even bother me.  I'm actually rather fond of it.  Keep the hysterical situations coming, God, and I'll keep laughing.

A new project

The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check the mail.  I walk from my bedroom, down the stairs, through the front door, expecting to just bring in the familiar stack of letter-sized envelopes addressed to random past tenants of 216 Division Street scattered with a random circular or two.  But there it is, the misfit 5"x7" hand-addressed colored envelope bringing a smile and a changed day.

I'm starting a new project in June to send a personal note to one person every week of the year.  I know what joy and excitement it brings to my day; so why not give it to 52 other people this upcoming year?  Take on this "pay it forward" challenge with me.  Keep sending the love.

This can't be happening!

SNL will never be the same because of this.

The ABCs of Me.

A. Age: 24


B. Bed size: normally a twin, but I'm going Queen come the fall!

C. Chores you hate: taking out the trash and vacuuming

D. Dogs: none, but I'm coming around to the idea of having one someday.

E. Essential start to your day: A good breakfast (small mug of coffee, cereal or oatmeal, and fruit)

F. Favorite color: Green

G. Gold or silver: Silver 

H. Height: 5’6”, maybe a little less, but I like to round up...

I. Instruments you play: Well, I can plunk out notes on a piano. I wish I played the guitar and I hope to get back into the piano once I settle down.

J. Job Title: Collegiate Leadership Consultant

K. Kids: Someday, absolutely!

L. Live: As of now, Blacksburg, VA.  In two months, Ames, IA!

M. Movie/TV Crush: Phil Dunphy from Modern Family, hands down.

N. Nicknames: Giesch, LC, Lysers, "E"

O. Overnight hospital stays: Thankfully, none yet.

P. Pet peeve: Teeth scraping on silverware.

Q. Quote from a movie: "Well that's silly. Have you met everyone on the planet?" -Two Weeks Notice

R. Right or left handed: Left. Holla, south paws!

S. Siblings: Three lovely younger sisters. Love 'em!

T. Time you wake up: Around 8:30am or 9am.  But the alarm is usually set for 8:15am. Yup, I'm a snoozer...

U. Unbelievable life moment: Making JiffyPop yesterday night.  If you haven't done it before, try it.

V. Vegetable you dislike: Beets

W. What makes you run late: Choosing my shoes and forgetting things at home. Dumb, but it happens!

X. X-Rays you’ve had: A few actually... An MRI for migraine research and another when I had mono. No idea why.

Y. Yummy food you make: Salmon on salad with mango salsa. Enough said.

Z. Zoo animal: Favorite=elephants or giraffes.  Least favorite=any bird.

A new (to me) love.

I recently started listening to Mumford & Sons.  Now, I'm sure you music buffs out there will be quick to tell me that they've been around for a few years, and yes, I know this.  But man, am I glad I at least got into the game late instead of never.  This London-based bands surely has a great sound and can really be a great start to any morning.

Try this playlist for a taste, and if you're anything like me, you'll quickly want to purchase the album!

On this day in history...

I like to take time in the morning while enjoying my coffee and breakfast to think about what the day will bring.  OK, I'll be the 800th person to say, "Can you believe it's already MARCH?"  And of course the answer is an obligatory "no", but let's be real...  We're that much closer to spring and summer.  So in my mind, bring it on!

Just to tickle your historical curiosity, here are some of the more or less popular March 1st of the past.  What will March 1, 2011, bring?

1565 - The city of Rio de Janeiro is founded.
1790 - The first United States census is authorized.
1803 - Ohio is admitted as the 17th U.S. state.
1847 - The state of Michigan formally abolishes capital punishment.
1872 - Yellowstone National Park is established as the world's first national park.
1896 - Henri Becquerel discovers radioactivity.
1912 - Albert Berry makes the first parachute jump from a moving airplane.
1936 - The Hoover Dam is completed.
1941 - W47NV (now known as WSM-FM) begins operations in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming the first FM radio station in the U.S.
1961 - President of the United State John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps.
1961 - Uganda becomes self-governing and holds its first elections.
1989 - Beer Day first celebrated, marking the end of beer prohibition in Iceland.
1995 - Yahoo! is incorporated.
2002 - U.S. invasion of Afghanistan: Operation Anaconda begins in eastern Afghanistan.

Visit this site for the citing and full listing.

Girls are Like Apples.

Well, this made me smile today.

Tougher than Steel.

It just makes me want to jump out of my seat and do a little dance to this song.  GREEN AND GOLD FOREVER! GO PACK GO!

Another proud moment came with this.  Love me some Detroit pride.

Everything We Need

I started my morning with a drive to the airport, a Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte, and 2 Peter 1.

I'm ready to respond to God's promises today by using all I am for his glory with moral excellence, self control, and patient endurance.  You are faithful, God!

A Minneapolis Weekend Escape

The view from the 50th floor of the IDS tower downtown.
Amazing!

VU love! So good to see these guys!

Congrats, Ben!

Great night with delicious food, good wine, and fun dancing.

Toured the GPhiB house at the U of M!

The dome-less Metrodome.

LegoLand!!!

Winter Carnival with a good friend!
Thanks for being the best tour guide ever!

Integrity

A friend (and now sister) of mine that I met last semester posted this on her Facebook, and I wanted to share.  What a great thing to remember going into a time of big decisions and changes.

Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.

Seatbelts everyone!

Ms. Frizzle is the bomb.  If I could be half as cool as her when I'm older, I think I would be happy.

I'm obsessed with The Magic School Bus.  Why, you might ask?  Well, for the theme song of course!  And I may have been a bit of a science nerd as a kid...

Oldie but a goodie...

I love this version of Free Fallin'.  It just makes me think of jamming out with my cousin and his guitar.  I miss our harmonies and definitely hope we get to rock out together again soon.

Green and Gold

I'm so ready for this game right now. Dun du du du dun Go Pack Go!

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

Windy City weekend

I spent this past weekend in Chicago, and man, was it a blast.  Here are some highlights:

1. A calm NYE with two really great friends.  We spent the night in, complete with wine, too many snacks, refreshing conversation, Balderdash, and a few episodes of The Office.  It had been way too long since I had had the chance to just relax with friends.  And I'm so thankful for the spiritual inspiration and guidance given by my dear friends. 
2. Watching the Packers vs. Bears game at Will's Northwoods Inn.  A friend and I decided that it's the second best place to watch a Packer game (just behind Lambeau itself).  In the heart of Chicago, it's the only place you can go to get this song played at each touchdown and "GO PACK GO" epically chanted throughout the game.  There are also ridiculous raffles at halftime.  My favorite... green and gold striped overalls. Classic.
3. Staying downtown with my past roomie and hanging out with college friends.  We enjoyed an amazing Greek dinner at Athenian Room (Tina Fey recommended!), a late night up chatting, a relaxing breakfast, and a fun morning downtown.  We even got to meet up with another friend for coffee on our way out of the city.  It was so great to feel a part of a community again, even if it was just for three days.
4. This view from the Hancock Tower Signature Lounge where a few friends and I had afternoon drinks after an day roaming around downtown.  I mean, if you're going to have drinks in the city, have drinks in the city.