Monday, January 31, 2011

b-rate flicks

Yuck, I'm still sick.

Being sick is boring. My mind is mush. To entertain myself, I've been watching Mystery Science Theater 3000.
MST3K is my special treat when I feel ill.
For some reason, it's not as funny when I'm feeling 100%.

Last year, when I had the swine flu, MST3K was the best medicine. (After tylenol and nyquil, that is)

Watching B-rate movies with clever commentary? How can you go wrong?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

sickness = OCD

I am sick. It's great that I can blog my complaints for all to read. I'm sure everyone just loves reading about things of that nature, right?
I'll try not to be too whiny, ok?

Friday, January 28, 2011

Carrots, eggs, and a cup of coffee...

I'm not usually big on chain letters, but I recently received this one, and being the...well, I don't want to give it away...

A lovely metaphor. I'll give you the moral at the end (in case you don't pick up on it):

Thursday, January 27, 2011

from one grasshopper to another

An oft-quoted verse:  

"Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint."

This is a fantastic verse, and I love to feel refreshed by it, but I've realized it is much more powerful in context. (Isaiah 40) Recently I read this chapter, and I was floored.  

Isaiah 40 starts off with bad times coming for the nation of Israel. The Israelites are going to be oppressed (again), because of their king's foolish mistake.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Yet ANOTHER Letter of Complaint

Dear cold virus,

I thought we had agreed for you to leave. You were gone almost all day yesterday, so I made plans that DO NOT involve you. But, to my surprise, you showed up last night and decided to hang around today. Sorry, but there's no room for you.

Can't you take a hint?

Don't you remember my letter to you a few months ago? (If you need to be refreshed, visit this link)

At that time, we agreed that you would go away.
Granted, you never responded, but since you are a microscopic virus, and therefore incapable of speech, (though you are very good at taking it away from others), I just used the old "silence conveys consent" trick: you ask a question, if there is no answer, you assume the answer is yes.




for example: 
"Hey cold will you go away?" 
*no answer*
"yay!"


 I know you feel unwanted; the truth is, you are.

Go away. You're messing up my flow.

I shall attempt to overcome you, and I do NOT want my half-marathon schedule messed with more than it has been.

Capisce?

Not Yours,

Makenzie

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

blissful beauty

If you read yesterday's post, you saw that I am not feeling 100%.
Stupid virus.

I've figured this virus out. When I tell you how to fight it, you're going to roll your eyes.
Well, the secret is...

Sleep.


 Have I rocked your world?
I haven't? That's what your mom told you, too?
...yeah, well, experience is an interesting teacher; moms are better. (I heard it from my mom, first, too.)

The way this virus reacts to sleep is dramatic. I'm not talking about just a good night's rest.
This is some sort of "nap bug". If I am feeling really crummy, but I let myself conk out for a few minutes *cough*hours*cough*, I feel amazingly better.

I didn't get much rest Friday night. My heart rate went up for three hours, and I was dehydrated. It makes enough sense for me to get sick from that.

On top of that, I'm a night person. I have the hardest time going to sleep at a good hour.
For the past three weeks or so, every weekday, I've been getting up at 6:30. I thought it would help adjust my sleep schedule.


I. Am. Not. A. Morning. Person.

So why put myself through torture? One simple, lovely answer: COFFEE. Cappuccino, to be exact.
That is so worth zombie-behavior in the morning.

I'm sure, reader, that you now have plenty of questions.
1) Where does the coffee come from? 2)Why 6:30? 3)Why do you keep blogging my assumed questions? 4)Are you a mind reader? 


As for number one: well, reader, the coffee comes from a coffee plant. The plant is located somewhere warm and exotic. Somewhere I would love to be right now. The tree/bush/plant is harvested... here, look at this diagram:



...oh, you mean the finished product? 


It's magic. Poof, there it is, at 6:30 every morning. Coffee elves.
Really.
Descendants of the shoe cobbler elves. See?

Actually, no.

To answer question 2:
See, I have a wonderful mom and dad. Mom has work in the morning, and Dad gets up and makes her a cappuccino. If I am up, I get a cappuccino too.
Dad's pretty possessive of his espresso machine, so, you know, if I over-sleep, then I can have plain old coffee, which is okay, but not at that same goodness level.

(cappuccino > coffee. See, I can use math in everyday life! lightbulb moment!)

It's pretty much a win-win. My parents get me out of bed at a good hour so I can be functioning by say, 8 or so, and I get bribed with yummyness.
I'm such a sucker for caffeine.

Questions 3 and 4?

I KNOW what's on your minds, I have my ways, ok?

Have I answered your queries? If I haven't, ask away! I LOVE answering questions, I really do. I have a formspring (you know, that site where you ask bizarre questions anonymously to avoid embarrassment? If that sounds fun to you, click here)
...or you can comment. Comments are lovely, lovely things. Comments get you kudos, and kudos from me are worth a lot, ok? ok.

Where was I? Oh yes.
I've been getting up at that before-the-crack-of-dawn-time.
Today, I slept in.

Technically, I still got up at 6:30 for my coffee shot, but THEN, I went back to sleep. (if drinking coffee and going back to sleep sounds odd to you, remember that you aren't sick and tired like me. Normally, that is odd behavior.)

I'm not making sleeping in a habit, but oh man, it was so blissful. I felt amazing waking up when the sun was streaming in through my windows. I felt rested and truly alive, not zombie-alive.


I LOVE SLEEP.


If only I can remember that at night when I don't want to sleep.

The only downside to my extra sleep today was that I had less time to get ready for Physics class.

But that is ok. I was in a wonderful mood as I walked in class a few minutes late.
My teacher is a chill dude, and really nice.
Physics is actually a great course to take. I can feel my brain growing while I sit in lecture. True story.

I am going to try to stay on Mr. Converse's good side and be on time in the future...

Monday, January 24, 2011

Goodmornoonight, world!

What a weekend.

Friday night, I danced for three hours straight, spinning like a top 50% of the time. Contra-dancing was oh-so-fun. (No, it has nothing to do with being  a member of the guerrilla force that opposed a left-wing government in Nicaragua.) 

In contra dancing, the ladies all wear twirling skirts. I love wearing twirling skirts.


 For the most part, I had experienced partners who pointed me in the right direction. Contradancing reminded me of a mixture of a square dance, an irish jig, and English country dancing.



You know, I'm not the best at today's "normal dancing".

(I am afraid that my normal dancing is like Mia's in the Princess Diaries...



okay, okay, I AM a few steps higher than her "doggy on a dashboard" dance... But really, I am such a mega-super-white girl.)

Happily, I was able to grasp the concept of contradance and go with it. To say I was thrilled that I understood this kind of dancing would be an understatement.

I had a gnawing fear that I would greatly embarrass myself at the dance. ESPECIALLY since I missed the lesson for beginners. Admittedly, I goofed, but everyone was gracious, and luckily I wasn't the only confused one there.

I rejoiced in that fact. I also twirled, swung, and learned some of the lingo.
...words like allemande, gypsy, ladies-chain, hen ...
The dances weren't overly complex, so eventually I begun to understand the patterns and fall in line with the dancing more naturally.


I've decided to wear shoes when I dance in the future. It's suggested that you wear dancing flats or go barefoot when you contradance.
I thought, "Hey, I love going barefoot, so why not?" It was fun for the first bit, but then blisters came for a visit. Talk about major pain.
I'm finding some dancing flats. My feet were KILLING me, but the fun of dancing overruled the pain. My brain didn't process that I had beat my feet up until the end of the evening, on the ride home.

So I had a major workout on Friday, despite it being a "rest day". I made up for it with extra rest, though.
I had a sinking suspicion I wasn't feeling so well.

Saturday was a great day, but I could tell I wasn't 100%. I went to see Social Network with a friend (don't see that movie. just don't), ate some yummy Cooper's bbq (do eat that. just do), I went home...
...and then I came down with a fever and a killer sore throat.
Who knows where I picked it up.

I positively hate being sick. It brings out the worst in me. It really, truly does. Ask my sisters.

Sickness makes me tired and irritable, obviously.
I get totally zoned out, like I can't focus for anything. I just sort of shuffle around, drink hot tea, and sleep.
It makes me feel OCD (guess who cleaned her room?)

Ugh, I hate feeling that way.

I'm working on not being such a baby about sickness, but I have heard that redheads have a lower tolerance for pain...
I guess that doesn't mean I can use that as an excuse.


I'm almost as right as rain today. (question: how right is that, anyways?)

After sleeping yesterday and chillaxing, my body is healing itself.
Yay immune system! Good on yourself!

I can't decide if it's a good idea to try to run today, or if I should try to take *one* more rest day. I'm a few days behind schedule...

There goes my voice. It's odd to hear myself speak. My voice keeps cracking from the bug I have lodged in my throat.

Speaking of bugs, here's some of my favorite butterfly pictures (Blue is best):

Friday, January 21, 2011

The beauty of running

Okay blog, 


I bit off more than I can chew. Posting on you every day is going to be a challenge. I know there's no bad repercussions if I don't post, but I'd be letting myself down. I mean, if you can't keep a promise to yourself of all people, what good are you?
I'll attempt to continue this trend, but it is only January. I don't think I'll run out of things to post, but...I'm going to not count weekends as days to post. Fair compromise? I think yes. Since you are just a webpage, you must agree. 

Onward to my post for today.


Today is my running "rest day". Psychologically, rest days are hard.

I feel like if I'm not training, I'll lose what I've worked for. This isn't true, but still.

I easily see how people become exercise addicts. But I AM TAKING this day off so my body can recoup from the past week of exercising.
You probably know the plus sides of working out (it seems obvious enough) but here's why I love it:


  • endorphin high = feeling so chillaxed; nothing really fazes me. 

  • I can feel that my muscles have worked, and it's a lovely thing.  You know that feeling when you haven't worked out, and you feel sloppy like a potato? It's the inverse of the couch potato. It's super-rejuvenating energy. 

  • I feel like I've done something fruitful. I force myself to push past that "threshold" (the point where I feel like I need to either give up or die). Strangely, if I can hold out for a bit past that point, I get an energy spike and I can keep on trucking. It's sometimes insanely hard, but so rewarding.

  • I don't feel bad eating a bit of junk food since I'm burning all of those calories. heh, as if.  Junk food cravings begin to vanish though. After running, I crave wholesome-good-for-you-full-of-nutrient stuff. I still have chocolate and coffee vices, but running makes me feel better about that. 

  • Running is like pushing a reset button. I feel ready to face the day. 

  • I see so much beauty. Running gives me much-needed outside time. Looking around and soaking in the gorgeousness of the day is great. 


I'm sure there's plenty of other reasons why running is great, and I'd take the time to list them out, but I have PHYSICS homework calling my name, and there's no time like the present.

I'm attempting to get everything done now so I can go dancing tonight!

...I'm excited.

Be excited for me.

I'll post about the awesomeness of dancing later.

And here's a picture that makes me glad to be alive (I hope you feel that way, too):
(I think from here on out, all of my pics will be hi-res and clickable)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Training Thursday...

So, as you might have heard, I'm training for a half-marathon.
I have a training notebook, schedule, and lots of reference guides.  It makes me legit, of course.

Though there's a bone to pick. The name of the event makes me feel like it's no big whoop.


Half-marathon? I mean really, it's only half of a regular marathon.

Psh, what wimp only goes halfway? It should be a piece of cake...

...then my common sense kicks in.

13.1 miles.


23,056 yards.




69,168 feet.


830,016 inches. 

Not too shabby if you ask me. Not shabby at all for a relative newbie.

They should rename it to something more...awesome sounding.

 Like "The 21.08 Killer K".
Sigh.

So, I'm sticking to my schedule, and we shall see how it goes.


...
As I've been going through life, I'm realizing that I'm cursed/blessed with an introverted personality.
One of my major flaws is the fact that I can think of things to say when I'm typing or with close friends and family, but it doesn't really translate when I interact with other humans. (When I mean things to say, I'm not talking about social niceties. I've got that down-pat.)
I have to be comfortable in order to open up. There's always the rare case where I meet someone and we "click".

It's terrible. I wish wit could always just roll off of my tongue.

I began to ponder my predicament. I thought about such characters that were classified as witty. Such characters as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.

Then I realized that she, like other fictional characters, is just that: a work of fiction, totally derived from someone's imagination. She is under the same curse as I.

Sigh

{It's a sigh kind of post, and I apologize. Next post will be peppier, I promise.}

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Pride

Pride approaches you
approaches ever slowly
as the rising tide

Your hand he will take
and skipping he leads you up
to dizzying heights

You chortle and laugh
marvel at your sheer greatness
your work is profound

All others are small
small and insignificant
like ants on a hill

How do the ants know
how can they speak and warn you
of your coming fall

The world is beneath
you alone stand at the summit
the peak of your ego

Suddenly pride turns
he is no friend to you now
with a sneer he shoves

Headfirst you descend
the warning rings in your ear
as you tumble downwards

Bruised and scraped
now at the base of your ego
the ants did speak truth

Humility is kind
though it's hard to acknowledge
you are but an ant

(well there we go. I wanted to write something, and I thought I'd experiment with haikus.)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

there is no limit to stupidity...

I wrote this last week...but I chose not to post it. I changed my mind.


I feel like a total moron. 

I think I should put that out there.

I've paid a good amount to learn a simple lesson. I guess with the amount I've paid, it's a big lesson.

I'm struggling. Part of me wants to cry that it's not fair. The other part realizes that it's my own fault for getting into such a pickle.
 I can't imagine who would have the nerve to do such a thing, but maybe it's all in God's plan. I know He works all things for my good, though He lets me experience the consequences of my actions.
 I'll admit to how great my goof was. It's hard to say that I was irresponsible and careless; here we go.

On Sunday, after church, I went out with a group to eat. We went back to the church to hang out.
 I, ever the eager game player, violated one of the MOST IMPORTANT WOMAN RULES.

Wedged in between "how to walk in high-heels", and "how to be a hostess" is this very important law: 

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let your purse out of sight. 

(there might not be enough "never"'s...)

This holds true especially if the purse contains valuables, as mine did. I left it by the coat rack at church, thinking it would be safe. Actually, I didn't really think at all.

Can you see where I'm going with this?

Yes, I was robbed.
Quite a bit of cash was taken. I'll just say that it was a substantial blow. I mean, my birthday has recently happened, and money from a few odd jobs was in there.
My birthday gift cards have been spirited away, too.
My ipod is nowhere to be found.

After church on Sunday night, I set my purse on a hook and didn't mess with it until today.
It took me a few days to realize anything was missing, thus emphasizing my stupidity. We had an ice storm on Monday, and everything was still closed Tuesday...
I haven't needed money, and I only use my ipod on long trips.  Why it was in my purse Sunday, I don't know. But it was. And now it's gone.

At first, I considered the possibility of robbery as highly unlikely. The facts were blatant.
I'm absent-minded at times. Everyone who knows me, knows this. I've searched through my house with a fine-tooth comb...just to be sure.

I pray that whoever took my stuff really did need it, and that God will work and show himself through this whole circumstance.  He will be glorified. 

You never know what can happen...

All of the things that were taken were His, anyways. He's blessed me with them for a season, and now, maybe it's someone else's turn to be blessed.

For me to get upset over impermanent things is stupid. I'm not upset about that as much as I'm upset at my lack of good stewardship.

I can keep calling myself "moron", and bemoaning my "losses", but that won't help anything. I haven't lost anything truly important. Stuff is stuff. It's not going to last.

So, my game plan is to take this expensive nugget of knowledge and keep it close. I'll glean as much as I can from the experience. At the least, I've been humbled.

God has already blessed me immensely, and I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. He's got me, and I know that He is in control.


And here's a crazy-cool hi res butterfly in its natural habitat.





Monday, January 17, 2011

A tree planted beside still waters

This picture makes me feel chillaxed and introspective. It reminds me of oh so many Bible verses.
(It's also Hi-res, just so you know )

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Time keeps on slipping...

Hey Blog.
Well, I'm taking a weekend off.
I'll see you Monday, if I feel like it.

I didn't post yesterday because I'm super addicted to this game, Braid. It's sucking my computer time, and quenches my thirst to type. It's a fun, fabulous game.

It's puzzles, so it is growing my brain...I'm compulsive, and puzzles are like a compulsive person's vice...

Friday, January 14, 2011

Did you see Letters to Juliet?

I need to post something...
I have 2 long posts in the works.

While I type, my sisters have a rom-com on. Why am I not watching it with them?

It's because I have these guys:

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Da na na na na MATHMAN!!!

I'm wired in such a way that standardized tests and I get along very well.
Maybe it's a personality thing. Or maybe it's my learning style. Either way, I'm always pleasantly surprised when I get my results.

On my tests, there is one area that I don't do as well on:

Math. 

Yuck.

{Want to know a secret? Math people intimidate me. I'm amazed by them. They're like a different species...}

 My brain is bent towards literary things.
Give me a book? A poem? I'm golden.
Tell me to do some sort of math? I'm like molasses. I made it through pre-calc, and I have a feeling calculus is coming...

Save me, Math-Man!

(...if only there was such a superhero. He could use his brain power to transfer math knowledge into my cranium)

I DID learn how to extract square roots without the aid of a calculator this week. *cough*I was reminded how to do them*cough, cough* After mastering it, I felt a mixture of triumph and stupidity. After all, it was in my younger sister's math book.
But now, if someone says, "Extract the square root of 1764.", I can easily say that the square root is 42, without using a calculator!

Although I have an obvious distaste for math, I have been trained to use proper grammar. I usually do. I'm by no means the know-all, so don't start picking me apart, please.

...logs and specks and all that. (you know, Matthew 7)

My brain is analytical, and sensitive to mistakes. (Mistakes of a grammatical nature, that is.)

Are you like this too? Am I alone?

I'm ESPECIALLY sensitive when the mistake is something along the lines of misusing your/you're, to/too, it's/its, their/there/they're, or another word combo that should have (note that I did not say should of) been learned in elementary school.

I think there must be a special "interwebs grammar code", of which I am unaware.

I wish someone had let me in on the joke.

 And yes, grammar-honks, I know this blog is rife with error. It helps to keep me humble.

(I don't mind you telling me if I have made an error, so long as you're nice about it...and throw in some compliments... I won't be offended, I promise. I'd actually appreciate it. I love compliments)

If there is indeed a different grammar code for the internet, would someone please let me know?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A New Arrival on My Shelf

I've recently acquired, through happenstance, a book, Never Let It End by Ruth Bell Graham. I've enjoyed flipping through the pages and getting a glimpse into her life.

While some will think it mushy, I LOVED this poem, and felt that it was worth re-posting, just for the utter sweetness of its message:

"Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid 
(as we're inclined to do),
I do not need a handsome man
but let him be like You;
I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
nor need he be some genius,
or wealthy, Lord, at all;
but let his head be high, dear God, 
and let his eye be clear,
his shoulders straight, what'er his state,
what'er his earthly sphere;
and let his face have character,
a ruggedness of soul,
and let his whole life show, dear God,
a singleness of goal;
then when he comes
(as he will come)
with quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man
I prayed for long ago."
Isn't that sweet? It's SO encouraging to see that God blesses those who wait patiently on Him, whatever the circumstance may be (I'm not looking for my man for a long while yet, just so you know).  He knows and grants the desires of His children's hearts. How marvelous to meditate on.


 "Trust in the LORD and do good;
   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 Take delight in the LORD,
   and He will give you the desires of your heart.
  Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
   your vindication like the noonday sun."
-Psalm 37:3-6

Writer's block of sorts

I have been working on a post for a while now, but I can't seem to get it to sound just right. Ah, well, I'm going to come back to it tomorrow. Sometimes all one needs is fresh perspective.
In the meantime, check out this video that is highly relatable to me:

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Finding Freedom

I'll start with a happy picture to offset this icy day. A cute little bird sunning himself (it's hi res, so clicking=big) :





Have you ever had a recurring dream?

If you have, you can relate to me.

I have a dream that pops up every so often. When I tell it to others, it's laughable in the circumstance it presents. I'll spare you the details.

However, when I'm going through the dream, it's a nightmare. I think this dream is revealing one of my greatest fears.

My greatest fear is not death.
It isn't pain.

It's not even in the list of top fears:

  1. fear of snakes
  2. speaking in public 
  3. heights 
  4. being closed in a small space 
  5. spiders and insects 
  6. needles and getting shots
  7. mice 
  8. flying on a plane 
  9. dogs
  10. darkness
  11. crowds
  12. going to the doctor 
My nightmares consist of having no free will.
Try as I might to speak my opinion/preference, my voice is cancelled out by louder foes. I have no control, no say. I look on helplessly.

(**Disclaimer** this loss of control hasn't happened in reality, my parents have always listened to me, loved me, and I am given freedom to make decisions.)

This dream of the subconscious speaks volumes about me and the way I tick. 

Herein lies one contradiction of my personality: I'm a push-over/pleaser-type, yet I highly value my independence and freedom of choice. 

I love it when I can do something to serve others, but when it gets into the realm of becoming a doormat, I can't take it. 

You may be thinking, "What about giving up to God?".  

You have a point there. 

This is totally apart from that. In my weak humanity, freedom is what I cling to. Losing it is what I fear. 

In the strength of the Spirit, I choose to serve God, and that makes all of the difference. I trust Him implicitly, and He knows what is best for me. 

He is all that is good, He is perfect. He loves me. I know that I am His totally and irrefutably, because I have chosen to be His. 

The funny thing is that by choosing to give it all to Him, I have chosen freedom for myself. 

He promises that He will set me free. If He has set me free, then I am free indeed.   

This fills me with such hope. Again and again, God promises freedom:


"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Galatians 5:13


 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because He has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”



~Luke 4:18-19, Jesus speaking. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

once upon a dream

I woke up early this morning, and boy I was dragging.
I went for a run, or I should say I attempted to run. It was good that the roads were empty, because I was terrible. Running under the influence of exhaustion isn't good for anyone's minutes per mile.  I was disappointed. I couldn't figure out why I was doing so poorly until I got home and sat down. My body took over, and I slept hard.

 I didn't realize that I had been depriving my body of SO much sleep. I got a good night's rest last night, but this past weekend has been so great, I put off sleep. I thought my body could handle it and bounce back. Not so.

I often do this when I'm having fun/there's a big event. I push sleep far, far, away. If I close my eyes, I'll miss something.

My poor nervous system.

I love naps. They're wonderful.
Though today, I had realistic, intense dreams. When I awoke, I had a loose concept of reality. It took me a few minutes to figure out fact and fiction.

I did this before Inception came out, just so you know. *wink*


My favorite princess is Sleeping Beauty....at least right now it is. I played her in a skit, so I feel there is a "connection" there.
Sleeping for 100 years sounds nice. Plus, she had wonderful fairy godmothers. I'd love to have a fairy around...

Sunday, January 09, 2011

You. Are. Adorable.

My post for today:
I like your boots, are you in a gang?



and the amazing follow-up translation video:

Just so I can keep up

My post for today: I love parties. I've rather messed up my unspoken pledge to blog daily, but I still count this as Saturday, since I have not yet slept.

I'm wiped out from two nights of very little sleep and much fun. Introverts like parties, but they need time to recharge. The parties I've been to (or hosted, I should say) have been fabulous, but I still need to recharge. It's the curse of the introvert. An uncharged introvert is a grumpy, confused, withdrawn introvert. It's a fact of life. How do I recharge? I become a hermit for an hour or two, and then I'm ready to face the world, more or less.

Being an adult won't be so very bad if it's this great all the time.

Today at lunch, I got my sushi fix. Do you know how good raw fish can be?

I also bought red tea. Red tea invokes happy memories for me. It has a sweet, tobacco smell. It reminds me of my days as a girl from the 1840's.
Such simple, sweet, lovely times. No no no, I'm not taking about reincarnation or any weird mumbo-jumbo, but rather, dressing the part and playing the role.
You see, I was a jr. interpreter at a historic site. I positively love history. I'm not sure if it's because of the job I held or if it's just an innate part of my being.

Anyways, I am REALLY wiped out, so I am going to sleep for 6 hours.

I leave you with a picture of a happy day (it's blurry on purpose, so real photographers, please, you know how it is to be anonymous on the interwebs):

Friday, January 07, 2011

new ocurrences

This is almost becoming habitual.
A post every day
...keeps the...
the...
urge to write long letters away?
brain from overloading, they say?
public informed of what is my way?

Ehh, whatever. I feel like posting, so I will. Who knows? maybe this will be one resolution I can keep.

So much has happened since yesterday morning. It sounds silly, but it's true. Just like in the show 24, a lot can happen in 24 hours. (although nothing quite so epic as 24)

To start my list of recent exploits, I'll attempt to redeem myself from the previous post's show of wimpdom by saying that I DID run yesterday. To further prove my ability, my mom and I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in Charlottesville. They call it the "Bad To The Bone" run.

I've got 15 weeks to train, and I apologize in advance for my future posts about running technique, gear, etc.

That was big news for me. I've never run in an "official" race before.




...unless you count running to the fridge for the last klondike bar, or proving that you're faster than your sister by sprinting until you leave her in the dust.


Another event that has happened is the start of Physics 2.
I took Physics 1 last year, and I thought the subject was one of the worst subjects known to man.
Physics 2 is SO MUCH BETTER. I have a different teacher, and he is heads above my former professor.

They might make an Einstein or Newton of me yet. If you know me, you should look skeptical about now...


 AND overnight, I became an old person.


18, people. 18. 

It's a bit of a big age to be. I'm in denial. I'm putting my birthday on hiatus for a day. Saturday is when we celebrate with the family. Weekends are better, anyways.

Though I am older, I feel no different. I still have the same tasks to carry out, one of them being the orthodontist appointment I will be late for if I don't get a move on.

In other news, Alejandro the aloe is growing nicely. Isn't it pretty? It's a hi-res pic, so if you click on it, it gets really big and detailed.


*SIGH* I'm always indecisive about bracket band color...

Thursday, January 06, 2011

The Cold SHALL Deter Her

I'm eating crow. Yuck.


After pumping myself up yesterday, I was deterred from my run. There were a few contributing factors:

  • Daddy said it was much too cold.
  • My brain and body told me it was much too cold. 
  • I was sore from running the day before. 
Yes, I'm a wimp. I admit it. 

Last night I did get some activity by giving piggy-back rides and running around with little kids. But that doesn't really count for exercise. 

Though I was disappointed in my lack of perseverance, there was a ray of happiness in my day. 

Lately, I've been feeling grumbly and not ready to face the reality of school, work, and life.

So, we haven't had "real" kids club in about 2 weeks, and I haven't seen most of the kids since then. When I arrived at the pick-up point, I heard the kids shout "There's Miss Makenzie!!!" they rushed and gave me a big hug all at once. At least 10 of them swarmed to show affection. 

It was a happy reunion. 
My heart was so warmed, and I was thankful God had blessed our church with these kiddos. 

Also, I got another drawing to post on my bulletin board! 

I'm becoming like a grandma, I know. 

The little person is Benjamin
So cute that he tried to write my nearly un-spell-able name! 

Okay, I will get some sort of workout in today. I'm not going to obsess about it, but I do want to lead a full and happy life. 

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Cold weather shan't deter her

It's 33 degrees out.

I want to run.
I need to run so I can get to my goal.

I bitterly hate the cold. Running in the cold is hard. All that bundling and layering.

I think I'll run anyways.

I can hear those "tough northern people" calling me a wimp. Well, I am a girl, so it's okay. I'm also a southerner, so that's great. stop judging.

If I die, my sisters get all my stuff. (Hey, J! Stop looking at my macbook!)

Maybe I'll envision a lovely summer day to help me mentally prepare for the winter blasts.

I'll use this one memory of me at the beach, in a tree:




















Gee, my memory is getting foggy. Come back summer!
How bout this one?



I miss summer dreadfully.

Also, as I'm aging, I'm realizing how I am SO Scotch-Irish. I don't look very "American", and I do have a hard time of speaking with a plain american accent. Especially after I've picked up a few crazy dialects.

I think I was meant to speak with an Irish brogue.
Or maybe it's all in my head.
Whatever.
After I get those running endorphins in me, my foggy-headedness will dissipate.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

For Future Reference

Like every other American, I feel the need to have a new year in order to make a resolute goal.
...I'm not living up to this non-conformist thing, am I?

 For my own purposes, (you can compare notes or go away. This will be boring. I'd pick going away.) I list my main objectives for the year:


...after the following moment of serenity


Okay now. Proceed with the listing. 
I will...
  1.  have more quiet times. I plan on spending more time with God, and less time on useless games...yes, I'm looking at you Mafia Wars, Farmville, etc. No more! 
  2.  increase my physical ability. Granted, I am young, but there is no time like the present to get in great shape. I'd like to be able to run a marathon distance by the end of the year with good time. ("heh, as if." says the cynic within) At least I'll up my stamina.  
  3.  hike the Appalachian trail...at some point...I'll do more hiking at least. More time outside, less time indoors. 
  4. take more pictures and fine tune my photography skills
  5. master Physics, and absorb knowledge like a sponge. I will be a good student and I will study hard. Coefficients of friction? No problem! I'll keep telling myself this. A lie, repeated enough, becomes truth.
  6. be organized. I have my own form of so-called organization (I'm a discouraged perfectionist, okay? Try to understand), but this year I am going to become better at seriously getting things in order. Really. I'm going to be a better steward of my time/money/life. 
  7. count my blessings more often. I will be satisfied with what I've been given.  This is going to be hard. 
  8. be an adult. Friday is my birthday, and it makes me sad. My Childhood (yes, it needs capitalization. It was that good) is pretty much over. But that's not really a goal.
I cannot know the future, but if it is God's will, it will be done. All of these "goals" are good, but I give them to God for approval. They certainly are ambitious. Sometimes I shock myself.
 I'm not writing anything SUPER specific, but this is my outline. The list could be longer, I have many improvements to make, but I shall start with this framework and see where it takes me.


 I know I am going to laugh more and blog more.
Also, I'll invest in an air horn:


Monday, January 03, 2011

So long, 2010

Dear 2010,

Wow, what a year you have been. I have gained so much. (Whaat?!??) ...No, I'm not referring to the scale in the bathroom, but instead I refer to the lessons I have acquired.

I've realized that some things in life must be experienced in order to be fully understood.

{Disclaimer: This doesn't count for all lessons (thankfully), but there are a few cases where this holds true.}

For instance, the loss a loved one is hard to understand until you experience it.
It's a tumult of emotion.
It's a paradox of rejoicing for the departed (if they know the Way),  yet mourning at great loss.

It's knowing they are in a better place, and fighting the selfish streak that wants them back on earth.

I never had experienced this until you, 2010, when I was allowed a first-hand look at death.

Something that must be experienced firsthand is God's love and forgiveness. Do you know what a feeling it is? It is euphoric, wonderful, and like nothing else. I feel it daily, and it is good stuff.


I've seen that when the going gets tough, God shows up in a big way. When hard times come, dear friends rally and show they care. My family supports me with love.

God is good, always. He loves me, always.
He has a plan for me and He provides.
Always.


I feel that this year, my spiritual knowledge has increased.
As I learn more, I grow.
As I grow, I slowly mature.

I'm a long way off from spiritual maturity, but I've seen progress, and it makes me glad.

Another big lesson for me: my discomfort with public speaking has decreased dramatically.
The utter fear of leading a big group in song has been removed.
I used to quiver at the thought of speaking to a large group.

 All I can say is that it was God's doing. He's been working on me.
Now I really love getting up and being a goofball on a stage.

I've also seen how much work there is to be done in my life. The greatest room in the world is room for improvement.

In the past year, I've lost most of my personal space bubble as I've worked with sweet kids from nearby apartment complexes (I've blogged about them here and here). Any reserved facade I put up has been decimated by these cuties. They love to get up-close-in-your-face.

I'm glad for it. I'm not a fan of priggish standoffishness.


2010: I've gained friends, continued friendships, completed tasks that seemed insurmountable, seen God work, shared His love, and as a result I've learned countless lessons.

2010, you've been an invaluable year for me. I'm so looking forward to your sucessor.

2011 is filled with hope and great expectation.

Thanks for such a good year 2010.

Sincerely,

Kenzie
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