Short Rows

A farming term my dad shared with me the other day was "short rows." Supposedly, the farmer uses this term when he or she is near the end of the harvesting (because the shorter rows are typically at the end of the field). So that's where I sit...and continue to plow, admist the short rows. I'm getting near the end of my time at JMU, but I still have a few weeks of plowing to go. The growing cry in me wants to declare..."who cares"...just let me pass, so I can be done. But I know this is not the appropriate response, and who would want to eat the crops of a half-hearted farmer? So as I continue to plow through directed research, case studies and finals, may the rows grow shorter but still be performed accordingly in front of the auidence of One.

So once this farmer has gotten to the end of the last row, which field does he go to next?? Depending on the season, he might go to the wheat field or the cotton field...but what if for some reason he has no clue what the next season would be or would bring?? My favorite line of Tom Petty..."the waiting is the hardest part"...rings true right now because this waiting keeps my mind going back to future thoughts instead of these last few rows that I must finish (for some reason I can't get away from this analogy...Thanks, Tru!). I once again find myself not knowing what I want to do and seeming like the decision is in someone else's hands...mainly the employers'. Thankfully, God's given me some fairly memorable stones to look upon and remember His faithfulness. I remember thinking during those past uncertain/crazy/confused/freakishly chaotic times how I thought I'd never finish the row (haha, there I go again)...but it got done and it all worked out (Rom. 8:28). So somehow, some way, I want to trust that... not what the next step is, but the Maker and decion-maker of the next step.

Spring Break '06

Six of us made the trip down to Kill Devil Hills, NC for the weekend. I know from the name you wouldn't expect this place to be the hopping spring break '06 destination...and it wasn't hopping, but it was a great place to get away for the weekend. We stayed in a huge house that had a hot tub...this was definitely a requirement since it didn't get above 50 degrees the whole weekend. We were at the BEACH...but we were inside a lot and played many games of pool, catch phrase, battle of the sexes, and watched movies.

Roarrry and Maddy, the future Boseks, sporting their navy and yellow attire at Mako Mike's. Mako is a type of shark. This was my first experience with makos...I tried the blackened Mako...tasted like chicken, I probably should of stuck with tuna.

I don't know if any of you have seen Shark Tales...but this was not a vegetarian shark. It was a close call, Roarry might have some permanent damage...he's just glad to still be alive...good thing he's friends with me!

Getting prepared to go in for a "polar bear swim" at the Outer Banks...it was 45 degrees and there were some killa waves...but we successfully accomplished the mission.

(After the swim)...The rules of the swim include: sprinting from the sand till you are fully submerged in the ocean, after you have successfully completed the submersion you can go back to the sand...but if it's windy you might as well stay in the ocean.
I recommend everyone should experience this at least once in your life...but you might want to make sure there is a hot tub near by to prevent hypothermia...

"Where the streets have no name"

Unbeknownst to me...Bono, U2's lead singer, spoke at the national day of prayer breakfast at the White House on February 2nd. How cool!!! I wish him and Laura Bush would have broken out in song, but here is a copy of what he said.
http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

"Setups"...love them or hate them??

It's one of the joys and woes of being single. Yep, you know what I'm talking about. One of your married friends who has completely forgotten what it's like out there in the dating world has this "perfect" friend that she wants you to meet. (This story is told from the woman's point of view...I'm not really familiar with the guy's side of all this).
So she talks to him and she talks to you and works out a "casual" meeting place. You know, a place like Barnes and Noble for coffee or Panera for lunch. The good thing about meeting somewhere is that you do have a way out (ahhh, I've got to go to the waterpark tonight- it was nice meeting you), and it saves you from the awkward do I wait for him to open the door/walk me to the door/make a mad dash for the door scenarios. However, the meeting can be potentially awkward, let's face it the expectations are high. In the back of your friend's mind she's picking out what color she wants the bridesmaid dresses to be (True story- my brother had a friend who was trying to set him up with one of her friends and on her friend's myspace page she literally put what color she wanted the dresses to be...crazy!). Meanwhile, your mind is floating from the extremes of..."maybe this will at least be a little hydration in the desert"...to..."he does sound great, maybe this could be IT."
So after the time and the meeting place are set, the day finally comes, which could potentially be many weeks after this whole idea was brought up...so expectations can be even higher. On "setup" day when you're getting ready you try to look the best you can but in a way that looks like you spent minimal effort doing it. You wear something casual, but straighten the hair, brush the teeth...twice...you know the little things.
The meeting is all about keeping the conversation flowing...if you find something in common stick with it...milk that for all it's worth...avoid awkward silences at all costs!!! Even if it requires talking about wrestling matches or big dogs.
Coming to a close...it's best if you do schedule something later on that you do have to get back for...like I'm meeting my roommate tonight for karaoke... A. it shows that you some personality, especially if you have something cool planned and B. it gives you something to bring the convo to a close with..."well, have fun singing 'Sweet Child of Mine' tonight" (what you have already alluded to as your "go to" karaoke song).
Lastly, as Tom Petty says "The waiting is the hardest part"...if it went well, you wonder what he thought, if it didn't go well, you wonder when you'll find that someone...so the cycle continues...

2006 Olympics

(my Olympic Crush)
I normally don't get consumed with the Olympics like I have for the past two days...maybe the snowstorm and the rather quiet weekend has had something to do with my fascination this year. I just can't get over the risks that these athletes take...whether it's going down the luge at 85 miles an hour and that's a minimum (not too mention the attempts of "grandma luge"- the sole Virgin Island athlete who is well over 50...unfortunately she had to withdraw due to a bad crash into the wall of the luge...ouch!) or going over mogules at 35 mph that leads you to a ramp in which you have the option to do a freestyle move while in the air. The obstacles these athletes overcome can also provide that extra motivation to get up and workout...the male for the Japanese pair figure skating team suffered an achilles tendon rupture last summer (and made a comeback in 6 months...that pretty impressive for this type of surgery) and a US skier has come back from not one but two broken ankles that caused her to pass out from the pain. These guys and gals will do anything to be on the podium. Even though NBC has a tendency to be over dramatic on some of their storytelling, I think hearing the stories and then seeing these athletes live their dream is the best part about the Olympics.
In the book The Call, Os Guinness says that "heroism has fallen on hard times in the modern world." One reason he gives to this crisis is the fact that there are fewer heroes--"because the role of the press and media in creating the modern celebrity and widening the gap between fame and greatness, heroism and accomplishmet." Fame can come instantly these days from winning a singing competition or falling in love with a Bachelor...but heroism is linked to the honor of accomplishment, of having geninuinely accomplished an achievement with sweat, cost, and dedication. I think some of these athletes hint on a truer definition of "heros" than what we normally see the media covering...over and over again.
The final reason Os Guiness gives for the "crisis of herosim" is the so-called death of God in Western society or what should be termed more accurately "the drowning out of the call of God in modern life." Ernest Becker recognized this problem as well and described being a great human being was to be "a knight of faith." He describes this type of man so well, I just have to include it:
"This figure is the man who lives in faith, who has given over the meaning of his life to his Creator...He accepts whatever happens in this visible dimension without complaint...no task is too frightening to be beyond his courage. He is fully in the world on its terms and wholly beyond the world in his trust in the invisible dimension."
Wow...these definitely are beautiful and challenging ideals, but thankfully "one cannont give the gifts of the knight of faith without first being dubbed by some Higher Majesty."
So back to the Olympics...I think my connection or the point of bringing these two thoughts together is that for two weeks we get to see people so caught up in their dream, passion and their eyes so fixed and focused on the goal of their life...that it inspires, drives and guides them to incredible feats. We'll get to see these athletes live out their dreams, and I hope these visible pictures of perseverance will be used to encourage me (and you) to walk out our faith...in the midst of whatever obstacle we may be facing.

" Mary J. is in the spot tonight..."

I had an unexpected blessing on Wednesday. It had been a pretty long day, and when I got home my roommate was watching Oprah (I'm not particularly an Oprah fan so my initial reaction was...why is that on the TV). Mary J. Blige was Oprah's guest and I immediately got glued to the TV as I listened to her story. I didn't know much of her story...but here's a brief outline.
She was raised by a single mother in a New York housing project. She was sexually and physically abused beginning at the age of five. Mary's description of the abuse in her family was that: "It's a vicious cycle. You look at the way your mother is being treated and you think this is the way you're supposed to be treated." Mary turned to drugs and alcohol at an early age. The music industry's partying lifestyle accelerated her downward spiral. "No one was telling me the truth," Mary says. "I had someone say to me, 'Girl, it's okay to drink and be promiscuous.' It was a lot of me just not loving or respecting myself and not thinking I deserved anything better."
But (praise God!) there was a "Breakthrough" (her new album title). Mary says her turning point came in 2001. After the loss of a close friend, her grief was compounded by the death of fellow hip-hop star Aaliyah on August 25 and the 9/11 tragedy. Of course Oprah tried to keep shifting the focus to "Mary J's self-discovery"...but Mary J. kept saying God opened my eyes to who I really was. Mary said from that point on she stopped blaming others for everything (the drug, addiction, etc) and saw herself as who she really was...a sinner. She described how painful that process was and how many of her "friends" left her and called her a "God-freak." But God was continually opening her eyes to the power of forgiveness. Referring to the abuse she endured as a child, Mary said, "I blame (my mother) for nothing, but I forgive her verything." Oprah selected this quote to go in her book of quotations (maybe one day Oprah will understand how Mary J. could make this bold statement...I think it's such a testimony to the power of Jesus' forgiveness in Mary's life).
Mary J. also shared how "grateful she is to God for bringing her husband into her life." The part about their story that really was surprising/encouraging to me was that at first she was disappointed that the marriage alone didn't heal the insecurities that she still battled. "I was looking to my husband to make me feel good about myself," she says. So not only was her husband a blessing because He is a fellow believer to walk with, but he also was used by God to show her that (and she didn't use these words on the show...but I'm hoping this is what she was thinking) Christ alone can meet her needs and defeat her insecurities.
Anyways- Her story was encouraging to me because it just reminded me how important it is to speak Truth into others' lives (even when you think they might not be listening). It made me realize how blessed I am because God has used so many people to speak Truth in my life. I was also thankful that God can use any instrument...even the Oprah show (let me know if you think that's blasphemy!) to speak beauty and Truth into our lives...may we continue to pray for open eyes so that we don't miss the blessings of those moments!!!

Now only a GA peach at heart

So Saturday night I went to watch the UConn basketball game with some other athletic trainers at a sports grille. I should have known something was wrong when the waiter continued to stare at my id. I had to ask myself..."I am legal, right??"... (haha...guess I don't get out much). Then the waiter told me that my license had expired. Not only did my 24th birthday bring a new year, but also the need for a new driver's license...woops! Who knows how long I would have been driving with an expired liscense if I had not ordered that drink!! Now it is official. I have a Virginia license, this is the last step of my Virginia citizenship (but in order to continue driving legally I had to take these desperate steps). No worries...I still claim Georgia, but I will be able to legally drive in Virginia for the next 6 years!

Note to self

Mk, always check your class schedule.
No matter how many times you've taught the lab or been going to school...Always double check your class schedule.
Having your lab assistant call you to tell you all the students are at lab, but there's no lab instructor is...humbling (but I definitely need moments like this). I know you thought the lab started at 7pm (like last semester), but it started at 6pm. It worked out fine; you only showed up 23 minutes late, and it was the first lab-so it was short. Woops! Learn from the mistakes and keep going...

Latest Intramural update

A group of us are still after the elusive IM championship t-shirt. An earlier posting was about our attempts at this prize through floor hockey. Those attempts were not reached...we lost in the first game of the playoffs, we never organized a flying V play, and I never got the whole team to chant "Quack, Quack, Quack."
Our failed pursuit at floor hockey has brought us to basketball- a sport that more of the members on our team are familiar with, so that's at least a better start. We had our first game on Sunday and we won (only by 5 points and the other team only had 4 players...but who's counting). I had forgotten the adrenaline that I get when I am in a real game. It's not the same feelings that I get when I'm playing a game of horse or just shooting around. When it came time to put the number on- I was out for blood. If we had a highlight video from the game, I'm sure I'd look pretty slow and missed more shots than I thought I did while I was out there. But while I was out there I felt great, had confidence, knew the foul shots were going in, and planted with boldness in such a way that drew the offensive charge.
I've been thinking about the emotions I had during the game on Sunday compared to the emotions I have during shoot around or HORSE. If God were the coach, I think He'd say something like..."play like every game was your last; life is not about just shooting around; it's a real game, a fight; your opponent is going to try to take the ball/your joy/peace/Truth/beauty away from you...so be ready; wake-up each day and prepare to be ready; have fun; encourage your teammates; be thankful for the opportunities you're given to play the game and remember who gave you the opportunities; go with your instincts/the Spirt I've given you; even though it feels awkward at times and you feel slower than you used to be or not quite on your A game...Trust Me; trust that this game will prepare you for the games ahead; Trust that I'm using these drills/plays/opponents to make you better/holy; Just do it/Trust Me."

Pics from my b-day

The Signature Sara Waz Funfetti Birthday cake...yum!

I was suppose to blow out my imaginary candles.

Me taking a big bite of the chunky chicken salad

Maddy's Queen of the mountain

24 Candles

In light of my 24th birthday, I've posted the lyrics of one of my favorite songs..."Twenty-four" by Switchfoot...let's all take a moment:

Twenty-four oceans Twenty-four skies Twenty-four failures And twenty-four tries Twenty-four finds me In twenty-fourth place With twenty-four drop outs At the end of the day Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And I'm not who I thought I was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' There's twenty-four reasons To admit that I'm wrong With all my excuses Still twenty-four strong See, I'm not copping out Not copping out Not copping out When you're raising the dead in me Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh, I am the second man now And you're raising these... Twenty-four voices With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies In twenty-four parts But I want to be one today Centered and true I'm singing 'Spirit take me up in arms with You' You're raising the dead in me Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh I am the second man now And you're raising the dead in me Yeah I wanna see miracles To see the world change Wrestled the angel for more than a name For more than a feeling For more than a cause I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And you're raising the dead in me Twenty-four oceans With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies With twenty-four parts Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' I'm not copping out Not copping out

Thanks for hanging in there with the song- This song has powerful lyrics...they'd make good prayers for anyone, whether you are 24 or not!

Here's a brief overview of my day...I wasn't over excited about the big day, but God really blessed me several good memories/blessings:
- a random dream that involved me going for a run and ending up at my parent's house- they cooked me a chicken so I would not have to cook supper on my b-day
- a real b-day run in the morning- I suggest this for everybody on their b-day
- a helpful meeting with my supervisor about my VATA presentation
- productivity at work...I know it sounds crazy, but this doesn't always happen in our office
- a beautiful day- clear and a high of 63 degrees, which is abnormal for my b-day even when I'm in GA-
- a short hike with a few friends and a picnic at the top
- trail mix
- 11 friends that would play board games with me
- Apples to Apples
- Sara Waz's signature brownies and funfetti cake
- phone calls and messages on facebook
Here are some pics...ok, well I don't know if they all were uploaded or not! If they did not make it on this post, I'll just try it again...

Duplication picture

Me and Whit-Dawg manning our station at Passion '06

The Seed

I got the opportunity to volunteer at Passion '06 from January 1st to the 5th. It was a great way to start the new year not only because it involved serving but also because some close friends got to share the experience with me. Passion is all about a generation coming together for the glory of God's name. What I love about the heart behind Passion is that it's not about a particular denomination, speaker or band...but it's about real people seeking and responding to the greatness of God. A quote from the David Crowder Band describe their experience this way, "when our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision."

This picture is from the art gallery that was in the GoCenter...where we served all week. It always struck me as I passed by, but I didn't notice the words until I took the picture. I thought it was pretty cool- and wanted to share it with you for your viewing pleasure. My favorite hidden line in the picture says "spreading your love to those hopelessly separate from God."

Anyways...to the part about the seed. The one talk that I got to listen to completely was Beth Moore's. She was doing a bit on Galatians 6:7-9. She was centering in on the promise in Galatians 6:9 which says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. " She used an amazing analogy which has been such a blessing to me. She and her husband were helping with some relief work in Africa, particularly distributing food to those in need. While she was there she was talking with one of the full-time workers in Africa, she learned about a problem that was going on with the people. They were so hungry that once they were given seed to plant, they ate the seed and did not take it back to plant it to enjoy the full benefit of the seed. This action struck her as similar to what we do as Christians...instead of planting the "seed" of the Word into the reality of our lives, we taste it and agree that it was good and then a month later we wonder why we're not full and where are harvest is. I think this idea is partially what keeps me from getting excited about conferences like Passion. Let me explain...in the past I have gone to events like this before where I'm moved by the Word but I come back to real life having tasted the seed- but life gets in the way and I lose track and before I know it I'm back to my comfortable sin pattern again. But thankfully God's Word is here to make us victors not scholar!! Beth encouraged us by saying that in order to reap a harvest we must get the Word into our experiences..."therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word inplanted, which ia able to save your soul . But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. " Jame 1:21-22- Beth says it better than I do- so chech out www.268generation.org and look under Louie's latest messages. It will be under Beth Moore Main Session 3.
So may we live as authentic victors in this new year!

The Dance

In Bible study on Wednesday, our leader suggested that repentence is like a dance. No he was not equating repentence to what you might see on Soul Train, but more of what you would see on Dancing with the Stars. Before you deem me a heretic, let me explain. I am no expert on ballroom dancing, but I have taken my share of beginner lessons. When you see the instructor demonstrate the steps in a fluid and eloquent manner, you think- "I've got this." However, from my experience, taking your partners hand for the first time can be awkward as he intends to lead in a certain direction, particularly when the steps are new and unfamiliar...it was always my natural tendency to try to take over. Once you begin to practice the steps with your partner, the point comes where you actually feel comfortable letting him lead as you waltz around the floor. But since we would only practice the steps at ballroom dance lessons once a week, each Monday we had to basically start from scratch until we got back in sync.

So this is where the analogy comes in, repentence is not meant to be steps that are learned once, but steps that are practiced continually throughout your days. I fall short of this a lot because I feel like it takes to much time or I just plain forget who I'm living for...but the truth is once the steps of conviction, confession, and walking in obedience are learnt and you allow the Holy Spirit to be your professional ball room dancing partner (who knows all the steps and is constantly counting for you so you stay on track)-- a life of repentance is attainable...may we continue to strive for perfection in all of our daily waltzes!

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks

So I played my first game of floor hockey tonight. I've decided one of the reasons I'm still in school is that I never got the glorious Intramural Championship t-shirt in undergrad. So I hope this year will put an end to this drought because I'm not going to stick around school for another year till I get one. A few weeks ago we decided to sign up for IM floor hockey. I could feel the rush of competition as I walked into the captains' meeting (yes, I- the Georgia girl went to the captains' meeting). Thus far my only experience with hockey is the movie Mighty Ducks. But I figured if it has a ball and you keep score- I'm in! So we showed up for the first game about 5 minutes before game time and our opponents are warming up with some drills. This was the point where I felt the first hesitation. It was all I could do to not pee in my pants (some of you will know that's more difficult for me than it sounds) as we "warmed up" because we were running all over the place chasing the ball. During the game, I found that my favorite thing about sports still applied- boxing out. There are no out-of-bounds, so if the ball goes against the wall all you do is try to box the other guy out and as you slide down the wall will the ball. It will definitely be a skill I will be working on this season. We did manage to get three goals, thanks to the Dainty Dutch. So at the end of our 3 periods it was 3 to 7, but we were all smiles and injury free. I ended each huddle with the chant... ducks ducks ducks. Noone really joined in, but I'm thinking by the end of the season everybody will be doing it.

MK says

Earlier today I was wandering what the keys to my heart are...then a friend showed me this quiz (I recommend it to kill a few seconds). Ok prince charming- I'm ready!! Here ya go:

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to good manners and elegance. In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is comforting. You crave a relationship where you always feel warmth and love. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Single Sisters...

Ok- so I've been attending this church for about a year now. The teaching is great; I love the family/community there; they also have a great vision of missions. So I've continued to go- despite there's no so thriving singles ministry. I got excited because I saw that the Single Sisters group was getting together Friday night for an ice cream social and fellowship time. Of course, I've got nothing going on Friday nights so I planned on going and even asking a friend that I'd met at church. We rode to the meeting site together which should have been our first clue as to the age range of the group because it was held at the community center. When we pulled up we saw through the window a room filled with white-headed women...but we thought that's probably not the room we're going to. As we walked in and turned the corner in the direction of that same room, it started to dawn on me that this wouldn't be the young, hip single women's group that I had envisioned in my head. We got to the clear door and saw a multitude of women (all about the age of my grandmother) forming a line for ice cream and since their backs were turned towards us...we made a run for it. I mean I'm sure it would have been great fellowship, but we decided that we're not that desperate to have fun plans on a Friday night...at least not yet!
So we continued on our search for ice cream. We make it to the Harrisonburg original ice cream shop- Kline's. It wasn't too crowded- just a family of four and a couple in the mid-60s right in front of us. As I was looking at the flavors for the week, I must have stepped funny off the curb, because all of a sudden (it was if I was in slow motion) my keys and wallet go flying in the air along with my whole body. The next thing I know, I'm on the ground on all fours and it was complete silence. It was one of those moments when you just want your best friend there so they can laugh with you- instead I got up as quick as I could and reassured my friend that I was fine. The older man in front of me said something about me needing to get a smaller wallet and I agreed with a laugh. The older man's comment to me made me realize...maybe I should have just enjoyed the single sisters company- at the rate I'm going with clumsiness, I should just be thankful when I can get some ice cream with out falling on my face. Be an athlete, mk!!!

If I could turn back time...

Ok- let's be honest if I could turn back time I still would not have updated my blog any earlier!! My deepest apologies to my readers out there who have stuck with me through this dry spell. Summer break is over (see first posting on my feelings toward summer break) and I feel like it's taking a while to get my brained kicked back into gear. For instance, August 31st was a particularly slow day for me as I was getting back into the grind of school (I write funny stories in my day planner so I can look back and laugh). So that day I forgot my 8 AM meeting...the funny thing about this was that the night before I wrote my schedule for the next day on a sticky note and stuck it on the outside of my day planner, instead of looking in the planner to see that I was suppose to attend a class at 8AM. Thankfully, my partner in crime made it and took good notes for me that day. Later in the day, I was walking up the hill to my supervisors house (I've been painting his rec room for a little extra dough) and completely lost my footing on the freshly planted sod. I left several skid marks as I tried to scurry up the hill without falling on my face. Before I went to paint, I contemplated whether I should wear the shorts with the ridiculously stretch elastic, but I figured the t-shirt I was wearing would be big enough to cover up a slight sag in the shorts. While I was on the ladder painting the wall, my roommate, and fellow amateur painter, looked over and said something to the effect of "so do you like painting with your butt cheek hanging out?" Since the music was blaring and the fan was on, I thought she had made a comment about the paint that was already accumulating on my shorts and just aggreed with her, not even looking down to see what she was laughing at. Later on that day after Maddy had left, I was cleaning up and all of a sudden felt a draft. I looked down and all of a sudden the episode that had occurred earlier with Maddy was crystal clear....the t-shirt was not doing it's job of covering up the uncomfortably low sag I was sporting. All I could do at that point was laugh and be glad that my supervisor did not come home and see my umbro sag in his freshly painted rec room! I shared with Maddy the discovery and we had a good laugh.
That's all I got for now....I'm hoping to do better with at least keeping you up to date on my embarrassing stories!

Hi, I'm ....

I like to call it the curse of having a double name. Growing up, I didn't really like being called Mary Katherine, but it was better than being called Mary b/c then I'd be Mary Martin- which is the girl who played Peter Pan (in the version I used to watch)- and I didn't want to go by that. Well, by high school I had gotten used to the double name and had accumulated many nicknames: Mary Kay (which I no longer go by- I couldn't take the cosmetic jokes, Snoz (I broke my nose in a softball incident), Mortal Kombat (M.K.- get it?), and Superstar (SNL skit). In college I was glad I had a double name- b/c there were so many Marys and Katherines- and by the end of my 4 years I, for the most part, went by M.K. When I came up to Virginia, apparently the only people that had double names up here were Catholic nuns, because that's the question that most people asked me about my name. It's kind of funny because I'm 23 and I still don't know how to introduce myself...haha! If I say "Hi, I'm M.K" the "Mmmm" sound comes out funny sometimes and I have to repeat myself. The kicker from this last experience of the double name curse is that I introduced myself as Mary Katherine...then all of a sudden everyone at the camp was calling me Mary Kate! Did I ever say that??? I don't think so- but it's cool. I'll answer to almost anything.

Spontaneity : Deliberation

No, don't worry you didn't click on the wrong site. This isn't a dreaded GRE analogy prep-test. But I thought this game would be fun to describe my weekend. Play along and pick the correct answer to the question....come on, I'm making up the question...it'll be easy!


Spontaneity : Deliberation
a. dog : puppy
b. Birthday Cake Remix : Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix
c. Jessica Simpson : Paris Hilton
d. All night, unplanned roadtrip to NYC : forethought

Final answer.... Ding, ding, ding...yep, it's D. And it pretty much sums up my weekend. Although I had hoped this summer would include a trip to New York City, I had not put any forethought into planning such an event. So when the opportunity arose around 4 PM on Thursday, June 9th, 2005 to go with a dear friend and a friend of hers (whom I had never met)-- I took it...despite the other plans I had for the weekend. Anyways, I met Whitney and Beth (she had lived in NYC for a year and a half and was ready to go back- she just needed some fellow road warriors to go with her) around 2 AM at a DoubleTree Hotel on the outskirts of D.C. I lefted my car there and hopped in Tina (imagine a dark green/teal Altima with the darkest shade of tint on the windows and a speaker system that takes up half of the trunk).
DAY 1:
We made great time and entered the Big Apple around 6 AM Friday morning. We found Beth's old apt. off 163rd St. in upper, upper west Manhattan. We crashed for a few hours and then headed off to the city. Some highlights from my first day in the city:
*Sammy's Chinese Restaurant- After hiking around Union Square and taking in all the big buildings that enclosed "typical" strip mall stores (e.g. Home Depot -which had columns!!), the vegetable dumplings at Sammy's hit the spot.
*Met Peter and Susan at the French Roast- Two of Beth's friends who are both on staff with Navigators at NYU...I mean that university doesn't really even have a campus, where do they hold their campus meeting??...talk about having to believe God's promise that He "can do more than we ask or believe."
*FREE (yes, somethings are free in NYC) admission to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)- An attempt to get me in touch with the artist inside of me, I'll let you know if it works. However, MoMa did have some fun pieces to soak in including a pencil sketch of the ocean (incredible), huge Monet painting, and a total elclipse of the "Lemon."
*Chatted on an apt. rooftop within view of the Empire State Building...and acted like it was something we did every night!
****Crispy Duck and Kenny- these two completed the trip. After the day, which seemed like a whole weekend, savoring Thai food and meeting Kenny (a.k.a.- Latin Boy) gave us the extra kick to get us back to the air mattress for some much needed sleep!
DAY 2:
I woke up around 9:00 and couldn't go back to sleep- so I hopped in the shower in full anticipation of the day. Not everyone had those same thoughts...but it's cool, this just gave me some time for reading. We left the apt around 1PM with one other road warrior added to the crew: Megan (friend and occupant of Beth's old room). Highlights from day 2:
*Stanton Island Ferry- What is Lady Liberty made of anyway?? Here we got some good pics. Hope to post them later...we'll see.
*Ground Zero- Left me speechless, and we moved on.
*Mamoun's for lunch around 3ish-here we enjoyed a $2 falafel. Hard to explain what it actually consists of, but they can get it to you before you say "falafel"- and it's yummy!
*1 dozen limit- P.S.- if you're going to Magnolia's Bakery in the West Village to get cupcakes for a party, remember that there is a limit per customer...why because these cupcakes are GREAT! The icing melts in your mouth and on the box but still very delicious. Go for one or two during your stay in NYC, but no more than 1 dozen.
*Mad skills in Central Park- demonstrated by a performer who juggled 2 knifes and an apple (and took a bite out of the apple) while standing on one leg on a handmade seesaw.
*Pizza in NYC- ahhhh, my selection of Buffalo chicken was probably not the best but Emily's (another friend of Beth- yes, we brought the cool kid, who had many cool friends) company was nice
****Flagging down my first taxi- I did it with perfect form, then found out perfect form does not make the lights come on (by the way for those of you like me who have never "caught a taxi," the numbers have to be lit up and the lights on the side must be lit up for you to know it is offering you service). Try number three to "catch a taxi" (I have a new appreciation for people that do this everyday...it's not as easy as it looks) worked the best (The 2nd try was denied by a group of girls that had obviously done this before.) So by that time we had walked half of the way to the theatre, and we payed $3.5o for our taxi ride. But it's all about the experience....right?
* We saw Christina Applegate in her Broadway debut of Sweet Charity...enough said.
*The lights of Times Square and the sugar rush of Birthday Cake Remix from Cold Stone...a great way to end the evening.
Day 3:
Our day of departure had drawn near. But we still had a couple stops to hit up before we left:
*The Journey- Beth's church in NYC. Krispie Kreme and coffee--now that church has found how to bring in the multitudes...jk...but it did work with me! Good service, nice people, if you'll be in NYC on a Sunday check out this place.
*Tom's Restaurant...a.k.a. the restaurant seen on Seinfield. Our server reminded me of my first boss at the bagel shop (who was from NY)..."keep those counters clean, if there's time to lean, there's time to clean."
Last stop for me in NYC was to the Backseat...got to love Tina's speakers from the backseat- rocking. Good contemplation time- got to love roadtrips...thanks God!

That's my spontaneous NYC trip...or at least what I felt compelled to post. No there wasn't much deliberation, forethought, or caution given to the trip ahead of time...but it was much better than I could have planned. Shout-out#1 to Beth, the 2nd best tour guide in the world (1st place is still held by the guide in St. Petersburg- yes, even though I didn't experience her first hand.) Beth did relieve me of having to put any thought into getting around on the subway system and from figuring out where to eat in NYC. Shout-out #2 to Whitney, thanks for calling me and reminding me "we're only in our twenties once."

By the way this will more than likely be my longest blog from here on out...so don't get accustomed to the wordiness.