Addressing the Congress.

So, after watching President Obama's (of whom I am a fan) address yesterday, I had a few thoughts:

1) Doesn't it seem counter-intuitive to borrow money so that more people can borrow money when borrowing money is what got us into this economic crisis to begin with? Why not make money available to the banks/businesses/regular citizens who are living within their means, paying off their debt and buying things in cash? Why not use this time as an opportunity to re-teach americans how to buy things they can afford? How to delay gratification? I know I could benefit from that. I know it's not a quick fix, but isn't it a better fix in the long run?

2)While watching the speech I've been thinking about the main differences between repubs and dems and I think it boils down to this: Dems believe a country is successful with big government and small businesses. Repubs believe a country is successful with small government and big businesses. Which is right?

3)Bobby Jindal looked like he was trying to take a page or two from the Pres's speaking manner, and failed. And they say he's a contender for 2012? No thank you. Be yourself. I also find it ironic that he's turning down money to help pay unemployment for part-time workers, but he's willing to take money to help with Katrina rebuilding. You can't talk about wanting small government but then talk about how Katrina was a government failing. Either you want big government or you don't.

4)America has got a long way to go before we're healthy again. Schools, health care and energy are all things that reflect on the relative health of our nation. And let's face it; all those kind of suck right now.

5)I'm glad hopeful Barack is back.

6)I'm interested to see what is going to happen over the next four years.

W.U. (Weekend Update, not Woo)

The Weekend: Saw Shopaholic with the girls (GREAT fluffy fun. Good job making the book into the movie), watched the Oscars (yay for Slumdog! and I really want to rent/go see The Curious Case and Rachel Getting Married now too), had breakfast saturday with two of my middle school girls, had good food at the church potluck on Sunday night. Also worked on a couple things for thesource.

Where I am at the moment: Office.

On my to-do list this week: Soccer game, worship meeting, vbs meeting, lunch with Mary youth chair, Ash Wednesday, Confirmation Servant Event, Filing my taxes (I NEED to get that done this week...) plus a couple more minor things, making dinner for the a house church family and meeting baby Claire! OH and TOP CHEF FINALE! GO CARLA!!! (now that Fabio's gone, she's the only one I care to watch)

Procrastinating about: Work, in general

Book I’m in the midst of: Read Cold Mountain over the last week. Good, but sad. Am going to have to dig out my old Civil War notes from H.S. American History to remember all the details of that time. May also have to rent the movie.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Still Blake and Kate. They're gooooood.

Next trip: May for Syd's graduation. Maybe CO... I need to get on that right quick (oh the southernisms are creeping in). ACtually, I lied, next trip is to Ardmore-ish area to meet up with the Laura and friends. Party Party.

How I'm feeling about this week: I'm not sure. I'm just really tired this afternoon. Check back with me later (after I've had some caffiene).

Rant

Seriously?!

What an assy thing to say.

I'm sorry things are different, but you don't have to pout about it.

Grow up. You're an adult.

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Movie Weekend! I saw Taken with Callie (good intense guy movie--makes me not want to travel to Europe), and He's Just Not That Into You with Ash. Had lunch with the college girls (Jessie and Alycia) and Natalie. Sunday, Church, Hot Dogs for the Homeless, and Coffee Shop. Reminder to Self: Visiting the Mall on Valentines Day means that you will see a LOT of high school couples running around and making out. Yuck. Almost took home a puppy from downtown. I won't lie. I almost dog-napped it.

Where I am at the moment: In the office. On Presidents' Day, wishing I was home in my jammies :).

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Shop-a-holic?, Cuppies and Joe with the Murphs, maybe seeing baby Claire :), writing a couple articles/talksheets for thesource, visiting hotels for ok'd, mailers, filing my taxes. Pretty Normal Week, really.

Procrastinating about: Work, in general

Book I’m in the midst of: Not anything in particular. Any suggestions?

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Still Blake and Kate, but Also, She is Love by Parachute, VA (acoustic version--yes it's from the nivea commercial-don't hate)

Next trip: May for Sydney's graduation, or perhaps March if I plan a trip to the C- to the O to visit the Wright (which is sounding better and better all the time)

How I'm feeling about this week: oh fine. I'm really feeling the need for a vacation.

Youth Quake: A Summary

Highlights:
1. The Big Group! The Big, well behaved group! (I would say, be here at x time and 5 minutes before x time, they'd be there!)
2. Get Crunk 4 Jesus and our little white female flava flave and her paper plate alarm clock and her flame hat.
3. Watching Middle Schoolers devour 16+ Pizzas in one sitting.
4. The girls in my room.
5. Red Robin for dinner (and teaching them how to tip).
6. Bob Lenz
7. The Van Ride up and Sierra's "Jesus" improv... "I turn my head to west, got Jesus by my side.. I turn my head to the east... got Jesus by my side..."
8. Dinner at Mcdonalds and the whole group applauding Sierra and not knowing why.
9. Stellar adults.
10. Late Night Starbucks run
11. Hearing how Linda met her husband
12. Early morning swimming
13. Saturday night affirmations.
14. The four van caravan.

Low-lights:
1. Sickness
2. Elevators... Oy Elevators.
3. Having to play bad cop whilst being sick on Sunday morning

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Youth Quake-a-palooza! This was a great weekend. The kids were great, the adults were great and it all ran fairly smoothly (learning from experience helps a lot), and even with the stomach virus than ran through about a quarter of the group (including myself), I had a great, great time. Also Monday and Tuesday (after spending Sunday night sucking down chicken broth and saltines and falling asleep during brothers and sisters) was spent at SullivanT retreat center in Norman (boo norman and your stupid roads), with the DCE's working on Ok'd stuff and Middle School District Youth Gathering stuff. My brain is tah-erd (to use the southern drawl)...

Where I am at the moment: At the house watching all the tornado updates and maybe going out to house church...

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Charlie Hall! Dinner with one of my youth,

Procrastinating about: ummm, nothing really... it's been a crazy, crazy last 5 days so I'm determined to just chill this evening, either with house church homies or at the apt.

Book I’m in the midst of: They Like Jesus but not the Church by Dan Kimball and I just finished Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Right now I'm listening to Blake and Kate (h/t to the girgismelsons for that find) and the new adele Itunes special thingy. Also the Fray's You Found Me.

Next trip: not for a while! Maybe May for Sydney's graduation, or perhaps March if I plan a trip to the C- to the O to visit the Wright.

How I'm feeling about this week: Much better now that I'm not sick!

SUCCESS!

I figured it out!

Housing Crisis

Ok, It's not really a crisis, BUT, it is an annoyance.

Last week, I had the most perfect room arrangements for Youth Quake. After much time and ponderance, I got it figured out. Perfect. It was a great balance between breaking up some more exclusive cliques and the troublemakers and pairing people with friends.

Too bad that's not the case anymore.

Friday, a 6th grader backed out, but I was able to replace her. Sunday, a mom chaperone cancelled, but I was able to replace her.

However, these TWO minor changes, completely change the roommate situation. COMPLETELY.

Oy Vay.

Maybe I'm just overanalyzing it, but I have a healthy fear of the "this is what could happen-itis" that keeps me going back over the roommate list. Currently, I have decent housing list, BUT, it's certainly not perfect...

Do I keep working towards a better solution, or do I call it quits?

Beyoncé - Single Ladies SPOOF (Barack Obama)

Hahah. Love.
H/t to Bethany

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Birthday extravaganaza! Friday night, I went out to Sushi with friends from OKC (and Suz from Tulsa), and then played some rockband over at Casa de la Girgismelson. It was, by far, one of the best birthdays in recent memory.

Where I am at the moment: In the office.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Youth Quake Prep and , going to the bank to make a deposit, Youth Quake, VBS Meeting, getting cable installed at the apt. MS district youth gathering meeting.

Procrastinating about: All sorts of work related stuff. And yet, I'm blogging.

Book I’m in the midst of: They Like Jesus but not the Church by Dan Kimball

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Right now I'm listening to Blake and Kate (h/t to the girgismelsons for that find too)

Next trip: Youth Quake followed immediately by the DCE retreat/meeting-a-thon.

How I'm feeling about this week: Excited, exhausted, etc.