70 degrees

Happy Thursday!

I woke up this morning to the sun shining through the blinds. A promising day filled with sunshine was right before me! Right now, I am sitting by the lake enjoying the 70-degree weather. After a week of clouds, mist and chilly weather, the warm wind is a welcome sight!

My dorm is without electricity from 9-5 today. I guess there is a major electrical issue or something going on. They had to shut down all electricity to fix it. I walked back to my room today and the hall way was PITCH dark! It was a tad freaky. I guess I expected some emergency light or something! Thank goodness for the illumination app on my phone!

Anyway, I woke up this morning knowing the electricity was going to be shut off soon, so I turned on my brand new flat iron (as of less than a month ago) and found that it wouldn’t turn on! I tried every outlet in my dorm, even the kitchen! I couldn’t get it to work. I was certainly bummed out, but also my hair was a mess and the power was going to shut off at any moment! Haha… I quickly turned on my curling iron and all was well, but still! I remembered where I put the receipt and called my mom since I bought it at home… she was able to find it and is going to send it to me! It’ll be a little bit of a hassle to return it, but it’ll be nice to have it again!

I can’t believe that it is already Thursday afternoon. This week has seemed to go by slower than most, but I am happy it is almost the weekend. I have a lot to get done, but that’s the beauty of a weekend- there is time to get it done!

The other day in when I was reading my scripture verses for the day, I came across this verse and I just had to share. It is such an encouragement to me and I have it posted in my car!

Psalm 97:11-12- “Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous and praise HIS holy name.”

I just love that we have a reason to rejoice. I have been working on being more conscious on how I approach each situation. I’ve found that it helps to look at each situation with a good attitude- the outcome will be what God wants it to be… It is my job to follow HIS will. Just a little something that I have been thinking about.

I love that we have the freedom to read the Bible. It is something that is taken so easily for granted. Each evening when I read, I can instantly see a chance in my attitude!

You know those days.....

When you realize that you forgot your pepper spray and a situation could very well require it?

oh.

me either.

Happy Wednesday!


(see those dark circles under my eyes? yeah. that's what college does to you.  those babies are permanent. No getting rid of them!)

David Gentiles-Shadows

I'm back!

Just checking in! I've been gone for a while!

I had a wonderful spring break. It was so relaxing and great to just be with my family.  I needed to get away from school more than you will know!  On my way home, I stopped about an hour away to see my friend Jennah! She is moving to Florida in a couple of weeks and I don't know the next time I will get to see her!  It was nice to catch up.

I was so glad that my dad was able to be home while I was.  The night before I left, he left for a business trip to Malaysia.  Speaking of my dad, today is his birthday! Happy Birthday daddy! Even though your birthday is already over in Malaysia, I hope you are still celebrating! I love you!

Ever since coming back to school.... did I mention that it took me ELEVEN hours to get back to Oklahoma? It should have only taken me 6, but I was stuck in traffic for over 5 hours!... anyways. Ever since coming back, I haven't been able to sleep.  I was spoiled with my bed at home.  I constantly wake up every 2-3 hours here with a sore back and a stiff neck.  I have had a sore throat this whole week too! It has been a little frustrating but I am still counting my blessings.

And, speaking of counting..... I am already counting down the days until Easter Break! haha.. It isn't that I dislike school, but I do miss my privacy, space, comfort, family, food, sleep.... you know. So, I cannot wait until April 21st! Only 4 weeks, 16 hours and 6 minutes until I am on the road to home! (I have a very specific countdown on my phone :D)

I would love to update more, but I have a biology test in the morning (gag) and this update was just a tiny break away from learning about G3P's and CAM cycles. --How is this going to assist me in life again? oh yes... counting my blessings.

I do have a lot to be thankful for and I don't want my fears and worries to cloud over those blessings!

Much love!

Wordless Wednesday

Well, not really wordless because there I am typing words, but I guess in the blogging world "Wordless Wednesday" is a big deal... (you just post a picture)

Midterms.  Enough said.  This World Civ one is going to be the death of me.  I was up at 5 this morning to work on it.  I have researched things for two essays, which i just finished now.  I have 50 terms to memorize; dates and info for each. plus a page of other stuff for this.

I take it tomorrow.  Oh dear.

Here is my morning:

Encouragement

It's been no doubt that I have had a trying week.

I have learned to rely on Jesus more, so I feel like that is a major accomplishment.

The other day, my wonderful momma sent me this message.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am so blessed with people around me that encourage me and believe in me.  I am so thankful for parents that encourage me to rely more on God and less on my own self.  I sometimes just need a gentle reminder and they have always been there to remind me that I am loved so much. 


This verse has been such a great verse for me this week.  I know it will be a favorite for a long time.  There is a peace beyond all understanding and that is found in Christ. I am so thankful for that peace. 


Have a wonderful week!

Countdown

days

 hours

minutes

seconds 

until I am home. 

I 

can

not

wait.

This coming week?

CRAZY!

I have SO much to do... midterms to study for, assignments due, presentations to give.

Will there be time for sleep?

Can I get it all done?

Want to know what I think?

No, not alone..

If anything, this past week has taught me, once again, that I can not do it.  I have had a stressful week, a lot to get done, my stress level has been at an all time high for many different reasons.

But, yesterday, when I came across this verse in my daily reading, I knew that I would be ok.

I am not alone.  I don't have to sit here feeling frustrated, and like there is never going to be an end to this.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)

 ¹³No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

What a wonderful promise this is.  I had heard this verse before, memorized it for something in fact, but I had never seen this version of it.  It brought me so much comfort. I am so thankful that God knows what I need.  It is a constant struggle with my own flesh to give my fears, worries, and failures to HIM, but I know that it is SO much more rewarding.  Every day is a learning experience. 


For the whole "beyond-exhausted-I-could-sleep-for-a-week-times-seven" 


I am resting in this verse tonight. 

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

My Life Lately.

I have been so, so tired lately, so when I came across this cute list, I had to share!

Borrowed from HERE. This brought me a laugh. I would add coffee to this list, because I am on my second cup of today and coffee is always a necessity.

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how to keep staying creative even though you have hit the infamous “zombie” mode? Well, I thought I would scout the Internet for the 10 most effective ways how to keep you creative while exhausted during any looming deadline. Ten sure ways to keep work progressing.

Even though you feel as you might be invincible, remember that none of us are. Some of these steps can be harmful if sustained during long periods of time. But then again, we all do whatever it takes to make sure we are ahead of deadline to leave a good lasting impression. Right?

Buckle up and enjoy!

1. Power Up

The most common way to power up is probably the Energy Drink. With over a hundred different kinds to choose from you are sure to find one that is to your own liking and flavor. The danger here is really only not to get addicted to this easy way of ensuring a Super Mario Power Up working mode.

2. The Geek Minute Exercise

Well, after sitting down in front of your computer for hours at end it is important to move your limbs to ensure blood flow. Do the one (1) minute geek exercise to get your energy flowing again. There is little research proposing this will work but geeks are geeks and there has to be some relevance to this theory.

3. The Power Nap

This is a dangerous one. However one of the most effective of the bunch. Stop everything you are doing. Relax every single body part that you possess and close your eyes. Try to think of nothing else but the dark insides of your eyelids. Well, there you go. NOW DON’T FALL ASLEEP!

4. The Surprise Scare

Takes some setting up but is a really well formulated energy boost. However, without an interval randomizer its effectivity is rapidly decreased with every scare. Put the alarm to a random time (preferably within the time you are working) without looking. Raise the volume to max (11 in our case). Keep working.

5. YouTube Yourself

There is always something fun and inspirational to watch at the ole YouTube factory. However, watch out! The danger here is you will most likely get stuck there for a while. Be sure to have a good 30 minutes to spare to get your energy regenerated. Warning: Don’t Get Stuck!

6. The Kitchen Stroll

We all need to eat right? So, what could really make your energy start pumping again (unless you’re dead that is) is to make sure that all (and I mean ALL) of your power bars, candy, beverages and edibles are located somewhere in the kitchen (hence the name “The Kitchen Stroll”. Make sure you never stand still while getting your nuetriants. Ain’t it good with exercise?

7. The “BIO” Run

As a side effect to eating and drinking we have this really annoying biological thing we all need to answer to every once in a while. Here’s the trick. Whenever you feel you have to go, run as FAST as you can to the rest room. When you’re done, run like your life depended on it on your way back to your workstation. Keep working.

8. The Match

I don’t know if it works as it totally freaks me out and also believe it’s directly harmful to your eyes. However, it’s been used in cartoons since the dawn of time it seems so how dangerous can it be. Right? lol Take a couple of match sticks and pin up your eyes with them. Make sure they are the right length by cutting off the edges. make sure to get rid of any sharp edges. Warning: This is hazardous!

9. The Cold Shock

Here’s a shocker for you. Fill up your bathtub with only cold (as cold as possible) water. The colder the better. You might want to strip down to your skin before attempting this one. But, if you have spare clothes around you go ahead and do it with them on. Entirely up to you. Well, the rest is kinda of obvious right? Warning: Don’t stay too long in there. (Yeah, like you could!!)

10. Endurance Fight

This last trick is probably the best sollution. Simply make sure you have air. That you have light aroung you. That you heart is still beating. That your friends are still there to pick you up from the floor when you successfully completed your work. Simply continue working. Do it the Bill Gates style. Get It Done! The sooner you are done, the faster you get to rest.