The Vague Post

So, my spring break flew by so fast I'm questioning whether it actually happened or not.  I left with grand dreams of extreme productivity ... and then I was met at home with happy hugs and the realization that there truly are only 24 hours in the day and I have not discovered that I possess any superpowers ... yet.  BUT - I was able to nail down my summer plans (update soon!), reconnect with friends, practice piano, voice and guitar a little and sew some new things for my Etsy store!  Looking back, I guess it wasn't a bad break after all.

Also, I am absolutely loving this free download from Noisetrade!! I had some writing to do and the new music made the time fly.  I think my favorite is the 2nd track - Slow Your Breath Down.  It's so peaceful and relaxing ... I just want to curl up and listen to it all day :)

I'm sorry, but the rest of  this post is going to be incredibly vague ... but it will all make sense in due time, I promise!

This week I was blessed with the opportunity to spend two hours mentoring and pouring God's love into six special third and fifth graders.  My first "mistake"* was asking them if they had any questions about anything that they may have heard in any of the previous lessons.  This brought up the typical questions ...

What did Jesus look like?
What would it be like if Jesus was around today?
What did Jesus sound like when he talked? 

And one that really made me think before I answered ...
How does Jesus talk to us today?

Now, this seems like it could be easy to answer, but it caught me off guard and got me thinking.  I mean, the answer seems obvious - through the Bible, through others, through dreams and visions, maybe even through an audible voice  ... but how do you explain the last one remaining: the "still small voice".

That voice is not heard through the ears, but felt on the heart.  

It's when you woke up this morning only to realize that you didn't cringe at the idea of something ... or maybe that you despised something that you once loved.

It's when you sense that you should talk to a stranger at the grocery store.

It's that wave of guilt and shame when you're alone and acting on temptations.

Perhaps the most common way that God speaks to us .. . but yet, for me anyways, it can be the most challenging to hear!

Those dear fifth graders unknowingly reminded me of something that is absolutely necessary to growing spiritually ... it's not my intention in any way to come across as being haughty or holier-than-thou.  If anything, I'm hoping that I can pass along this wisdom that I learned.

So, I am going to try to be extra intentional about making sure that I am taking more time in the next seven days to listen to God's voice.

Keep listening!

Amanda

*By mistake, I mean that I didn't know what can of worms I was opening!

Awkward Moment #02

The day started out like any other day.  A mini-heart attack caused by my loud alarm on my phone.  Tripping over my guitar case as I leave my room.  Black Coffee because I'm too tired to think to put milk or sugar in it.  Rushing to class because I didn't leave when I wanted to.

But it's okay, I was right on schedule to arrive at my 8:00 at my standard 8:01.*

Through the glass doors I see some one getting ready to leave.

In a grandiose gesture, I fling the door open

Due to the ice, I slipped and went along with the door

I let out a rather unladylike noise.  Something between a squeal and a grunt.  Is that even possible?  I used to wonder, but no alas, no longer.

So I'm done opening doors for people.  I'm sorry ... I tried.

I hope this is my last post about doors!

Be safe out there ...
Amanda

*Hey, at least I'm consistent ... and I'm pretty sure there's a rule somewhere that you are only late if you arrive after your prof calls your name during attendance.

the most wonderful and dastardly dreadful productivity thing ever

Okay, so I my already busy life has been complicated lately by a little something called the Internet.  I swear,  I could spend hours on it.  It's becoming the milk to my cookie, the cheese to my cracker, the olive to my oil ... you get the picture.  We spend a lot of time together.  But, now all of that is going to change!

What's that you say?

How could this be?

I'm glad you asked ....

I present to you Stay Focusd!

This is a chrome plug-in/extension* thing that only allows you to spend a certain amount of time on whatever time sucking websites you use.  Unfortunately, this only works if you use Google's Chrome browser.  But you should download it and use it because it is awesome :)  Plus you can download AdBlock and get rid of those stupid ads on your Facebook ... not that that really matters anymore because I won't be spending much time on Facebook.

It's super easy, and you can only find it in the Chrome web store ... all you have to do is click the little +Free button and you're in.  Now, you have to add your  list of websites in the box.  Goodbye facebook, etsy, and pinterest ... I love you all.

I increased my time from the standard 15 to 30 minutes.

And of course they guilt trip you about increasing your time :)

THINK OF THE KITTENS!

But when you do reach your time limit, at least they're nice about it ...

Bam!  So that's all there is to it.  Lent is starting tomorrow ... and if you happen to be limiting or giving up Facebook, I would recommend this to you!  Especially if you don't trust yourself :)

Good luck!

Amanda 

*sorry, I'm not tech-y enough to know the difference

**StayFocusd is not giving me compensation in return for saying nice things about them, I promise!

Can February March?

Hey, remember me?  I'm still here, I promise!  The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of tests, picking up extra hours at work, and most importantly: practicing ... i swear my fingers twitch in their sleep :)  But I am a survivor ... and I can't believe that only two weeks of classes are between me and spring break!

degreed.com

I'm sitting here drinking Chai tea, listening to the Les Misérables soundtrack, and looking out the window at our latest snowstorm ... this lazy Sunday afternoon is perfect for blogging!  I was thinking about writing about how I fail at time management, or how social media is ruining females' perception of beauty, or how I am stricken with wanderlust ...but I thought I would ease back into blogging with a list of things that I am excited about in March!  :)

I'm seeing Les Misérables live!! For those of you who don't know, they came out with a movie version of this in 2012. Basically, it's a depressing musical depicting poverty during the French Revolution. Well, technically it could be considered an opera because the story is told through song ... but the music is incredible :)

I applied to be a CA (community assistant, aka resident assistant in other colleges).  I had an interview, job shadow and I have a group interview this Friday!  The job shadow was really helpful because I got to see all sides of the job.  I don't know when I will find out if I got the job, but I think my chances are good :)

I can't wait for weather like this:

I want to run through a field of wild flowers wearing white clothes and waving lightweight bed sheets!  Who's with me?  But instead, we're stuck with below freezing temps.

Alas, I'm forced to ask for extra buffalo sauce on my wrap and drink large amounts of tea and hot chocolate.  It's a struggle, I know :)

Most importantly, I can't wait for spring break!  I'm not doing anything crazy ... just spending time with my family, boyfriend and friends!  Oh, and I hope to sew a lot of doll clothes for my Etsy shop.  Besides, I can't even imagine going to the beach in March ... It sounds too c-c-c-cold!

So that's my list, it sounded a lot more impressive in my head!

Thanks for reading, and don't worry ...

http://i.imgur.com/

Sorry, I couldn't help it ... 

Hang in there - spring is coming :)

Amanda

I Dislike Doors

Entrance.

Portals.

Exits.

Revolving Doors.

French doors.

Dutch Doors.*

You can call them whatever you want, but that won't change how I feel about them.  I dislike them because they are the source of many awkward moments.

I'm a polite person ... I like to hold the door open for people.  But how long is too long?  I mean, sometimes it just makes the person mad because they have to hurry up.

Or what about this scenario ... It's 7:45 and you are just leaving your dorm for your 8 am.  You've got coffee in one hand, and a bagel in the other.  You step out into the hall.  Someone comes up behind you, so you hold the door for them as you enter the stairwell.  They thank you.  Even though you are still half asleep, you have the sense to be polite and tell them that they're welcome.  Normal, right?

Here's where my predicament comes in ...

Let's say they follow you through the next two doors out of the building and they continue to thank you every single time.

Do I really have to tell them that they're welcome every single time ... Or can my first "you're welcome" be like a blanket statement ... covering the rest of the time they're following me?

Even worse, what do you do if you're the one following someone out the building?  Do you see my moral dilemma?  I would love to be polite and thank you for holding the door open for me ... but every thirty seconds?  I might need another cup of coffee for that!  But if I don't say thank you, then I just feel like I'm being ungrateful.

Let it be known, that from this day forward that I am always grateful for when you open doors for me ... even if I don't say thank you every time!

But most of all ... for some reason the doors in the music building all open in different directions.  I'm pretty sure ... and they don't have normal hinges!  I'd say I have a 60% success rate at door opening :(

You're luck I still have homework to do tonight because I didn't even get started talking about the danger of glass doors, two people trying to squeeze through one door way or stepping through doors onto ice.

Maybe I'll just boycott doors ... there's just too much at stake.

Be careful out there...
~Amanda

*According to google.com, this is one of those doors that is split into a top half and a bottom half

Everyone Poops

I made the most amazing discover the other day.

Everyone poops.*

Surprise!

Shocking, I know.  Okay, so maybe you're thinking that I've lost my mind ... and maybe that's true, but that's a blog for another time!

Here's the method behind the madness:  there are these things in our lives that we don't like to talk about.  Like poop, with the exception of my little nephews out of earshot of their mother!

These things we try to hide from other people, because clearly they have their lives together.  And I so clearly don't.  I mean, have you even seen those people's Pinterest boards and Facebook statuses?  Here they're excelling at everything they're doing and going on exciting adventures ... and I'm just the girl that usually chooses an extra half hour of sleep over a shower in the morning**!

I think the core of the problem is that we're all living under a false facade.  We can smile and pretend like everything is absolutely fine ... but that doesn't change the fact that you might be dying inside.

This reminds me of Casting Crown's song "Stained Glass Masquerade" (youtube here)

The lyrics go like this:

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Sorry about the long list ... I couldn't narrow the song down to just a verse or two!

I guess the point of this blog post is that at the end of the day, we all poop (figuratively and literally ... stick with me here!).

We all make mistakes and have regrets.
We all have insecurities and doubts.
We are all broken.

By denying our "human-ness" we are not only hurting ourselves, but others around us!

This is a call to be genuine ... transparent.  You never know when someone might be struggling or feeling the same way that you do.  And that can make all the difference.  It is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the only one that can bring healing, but he created us with a deep desire for positive relationships.

Keep those bowel movements comin',

Amanda

*Unfortunately, I can not take full credit for this epiphany.  A Japanese author wrote a children's book, and Morgan Freeman allegedly (Youtube commentors are suspicious) narrated it.  Enjoy!

**I would just like to say that I do shower regularly... just not first thing in the morning :)

Shameless Self-Promoting

Unfortunately, my job that I was counting on for over winter break fell through, so I had to be creative to come up with a way to make money.  I remembered that my mom used to make Barbie clothes when she was a preteen and teenager.  So, if she can do it ... I can do it too ... right?

That was the dreamer in me talking!  Sewing doll clothes is so much easier said than done.  I mean, you have to cut everything out exactly.  Then, you have to sew itty-bitty seams as straight as you can.  It seems like every time you actually get sewing, something goes wrong.  The thread will get caught, but then it will get caught in another place.  And then you'll go two teeny-tiny stitches in before your bobbin runs out.

Anyways, so I had some frustrating moments ... and my mom was probably the pickiest quality control ever.  But I love her, and I'm eternally grateful.  I need someone to keep me on my toes!  Towards the end, I decided that I really did like sewing ... and I like it even more now that I'm starting to sell some stuff.

In a couple weeks,  I sewed  dresses, pajamas, jeans, shorts, jeans, scarves, lace headbands, gym shorts and skirts.  Mom has continued to sew new clothes, and our Etsy shop is growing!  Right now we have a lot of adorable Valentine's Day outfits! Here's some of my

Here's some of my favorite things that I made :)

My first outfits!  The coral is sold out already, 

but I think the green and pink one is my favorite. :)

Lucky for me, this model 

accepts payment in free doll clothes!

This was the last thing that I made 

before I had to go back to school ... 

I think it's my favorite!

So that's a little bit about how I spent my winter break!  I would love it if you could check out some of the stuff that I'm selling and spread the word.  

Here's my Etsy shop:

www.etsy.com/shop/itssewmedollclothesitssewmedollclothes

If you are local, you can check out my Craigslist's ad here . The clothes are cheaper if you buy them through Craigslist because we won't have to pay for shipping or other fees (shipping is included in the Etsy prices).

Alright, so I'm done repping myself ... I have to stop before everyone starts to hate me!

Much love,

Amanda