The Royal Wedding Hubbub

I woke up this morning to my facebook newsfeed freaking out over the Royal Wedding. I had originally planned on taping the ceremony and reception and watching the interesting parts at a more reasonable time. It turns out, the only interesting parts involved Prince Harry being a complete dork, grinning as his grandmother walked past him, dancing down the aisle, and making goofy faces at his brother. I have to admit, I've always had a little crush on Harry and his actions today made that crush a little bigger (okay, a lot bigger).

Almost every little girl has dreamed of being a princess. I've dreamed of marrying Harry or William or some other French or British royal. But after watching William take his first look at his new bride, I realized I had a new dream. I don't want to be a princess. I don't want millions of people watching my wedding. I don't want my wedding to cost millions of pounds. I simply want to find a man who will look at me like this.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. What is something that bothers you if it is not done perfectly?

- My hair, which is extremely frustrating because it is never perfect. I could spends hours in front of the mirror straightening it and never be satisfied. When I walk in front of a mirror, I have to stop and adjust the flyaways. In high school, I carried around a hairbrush in my backpack for this reason. I've now learned to just avoid the mirror and stop brushing my hair so much.

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?

- Oh, so many to choose from. While racking my brain for my favorite, I randomly remembered my preschool graduation. It was held outside at Coquina's Children Center. My whole family (immediate and chosen) was there to cheer me on as I got my diploma. I was so proud of myself. I've stayed friends with some of the kids I went to preschool with, which is what makes this memory so great.

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?

- I have a bad case of wedding fever but I am not one to pull an all-nighter so I'll probably DVR the wedding and watch it at a more Godly hour. I actually wore a hat last weekend. My friend Melissa has this big floppy garden hat she wore to our field day and I couldn't resist trying it on.

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?

- I'm the middle child. I think my parents did a good job of giving my brothers and I equal attention, so I don't really have a case of middle child syndrome. I mean, I do like being the center of attention sometimes, but who doesn't? I like to make my own way in life and do my own thing, regardless of what my older brother has done. If anything, being the middle child has made me more social rather than less.

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?

- During the school year, I definitely spend most of my money on food. Last semester, I was good about waiting to eat until I got home, unless a friend called and wanted to grab lunch. This semester, I went to the union and paid for lunch everyday. I blame that on my cousin always being hungry.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, on the phone, by email or by letter? Why?

- I hate confrontation. I try to avoid it like the plague. Given the choice, I would much rather confront someone via texting or a phone call. I know it's terrible and I'm really trying to get better at face-to-face confrontation.

7. Dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.

- Freeze tag. Always freeze tag. My friends and I still play when we get together at a park.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- It's officially summertime, but I don't think that fact has sunk in yet. It's extremely hard to believe I've already completed another year of college. Pretty soon, I'll be graduating and trying to find a teaching job. I'm really hoping the school system is at least a little bit better by the time I graduate. If it's not, maybe I really will try grad school. One can never be too educated.

Easter Hodgepodge

1. What are your plans for Easter Day/weekend?

- This year, Easter falls smack-dab in the middle of exam week, so I'll be spending most of the weekend studying. Saturday evening, my family and I are planning on going to the Easter vigil at church. Sunday, my grandparents, uncles, and aunt are coming over for dinner. I'll probably end up eating and then retreating back to my room to cram as much astronomy in my head as I can.

2. Besides Jesus, what one person from The Bible would you most like to meet and why?

- That's a hard question... I'd have to say Joseph. I have always wondered what it was like raising Jesus. There's a lot of talk about Mary in the Bible and the Catholic church, but it seems Joseph always gets forgotten. I'd love to meet him and ask him what his life was like.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

- I grew up without a cell phone. I remember having to call my friends on the house phone. I had to make sure no one was on the phone first and I always worried that my parents would pick up the other line and eavesdrop on me. (not that I was ever talking about anything bad). Now everyone has a cell phone and people rarely spend time on an actual phone call. It's all texting, all the time.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained? If you don't know what that means there is an interesting little quiz here.

- Based on the quiz, I'm whole-brained, but I lean towards left. I've never considered myself to be a very creative person, so I think the quiz is pretty accurate.

5. What is something you intended to do today but didn't? Why?

- I actually made a "to do" list last night and I accomplished everything on it. The only thing I didn't do was study with my friend Matt, but that was because he had a test to take. I studied on my own though, so I think it still counts as getting accomplished. I'm actually quite proud of the fact that I finished my astronomy chapters. I've been known to complain non-stop about the class so it took a lot (deactivating facebook and leaving my computer at home) to finally finish my readings.

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses peanut butter?

- REESES! Reeses are my weakness. I've been trying to give up chocolate since January (in support of my head-teacher Nichole), but I sneak a Reeses cup every once in a while.

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

- hmm... I wasn't in to too many cartoons as a child. I was more of a Gullah Gullah Island girl. But I did love the Animaniacs. They were entertaining AND educational. Nowadays, I can't get enough of the Backyardigans and Wonderpets. I wish my cousins weren't growing up so fast.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

- This time next week, I'll officially be on summer vacation. I feel like it's coming at a terrible time though. While I'm looking forward to being done with classes, I'm not looking forward to all my new friends going home. I'm hoping some of them choose to stay in Orlando over break.

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time or have a significant conversation with two people?

- I'd much rather have a significant conversation with fewer people. Last weekend, I was at a party and I often found myself in a corner talking to two or three people rather than shouting to be heard in a group of fifteen.

2. What objects do you remember from your parent's living room?

- Well, I still live at home, but whenever I think of our living room, I can't help but picture the Precious Moments all over. We have shelves and shelves of figurines on each wall. I'm pretty sure my mom owns almost every figurine.

3. Do you hog the bed? Steal the covers? Snore?

- I definitely hog the bed and steal the covers. I'm used to sleeping alone, so I always feel sorry for my friends when we have a slumber party. I like sprawling out and wrapping myself in a cocoon. Maybe this is why my friends usually make me sleep on the floor.

4. Speaking of Easter dinner....what is your favorite way to cook/eat lamb? Or does just the thought of that make you squeamish? If you're not cooking lamb what will be your entree du jour on Easter Sunday?

- I absolutely love lamb! But my mom hates it (she's not a real Greek), so my dad can't cook it for Easter dinner. Instead, we have ham. I'm not a big fan of ham so my dad makes me my own little turkey. I suppose I'm a tad bit spoiled.

5. Let's throw some politics into this week's mix-oooohhh...Do you know the whereabouts of your birth certificate and when was the last time you had to produce it to prove you're you?

- I believe mine is either in the roll-top desk in the study or in our safety deposit box. I think I had to show it when I renewed my passport.

6. As a child, how did people describe you?

- Loud. Extremely chatty. Social butterfly. Violent.

All of the above work. My teachers had trouble keeping me quiet during class. I also tended to push kids around, but that's what happens when you grow up with two brothers. I remember my 1st grade teacher used to laugh when I'd knock the boys out of their chairs. She told them I was small and it was my only defense. She gave me the only excuse I've ever needed.

7. What do you complain about the most?

- School and not having enough time in the day. The education department in this country is going downhill fast and people are abandoning ship left and right. I often find myself wishing I was interested in something other than teaching, but alas, I am not. So instead of changing my major, I complain about the classes I'm in while secretly enjoying every minute of it.

8. Insert your own random thought here

- Read this please.

Prayer Request!!!

I can't stress how important it is to keep a close eye on kids when they're swimming! Everyone knows this, but accidents happen, even to the best/most responsible parents. This weekend, Alicia, my nail tech and friend, was with her family at a hotel. Alicia's daughter, Jada, was playing near the pool and somehow ended up in the water. I'm not sure how this happened, the details are vague, but the point is, she ended up underwater for some length of time. Jada is now at Arnold Palmer, basically in a coma. The doctors haven't been able to detect brain activity. I'm praying this is just because of the swelling and little Jada will find the strength to fight for her life. She's an adorable girl with a loving family. She deserves to make it through.

I'd love it if you'd pray for her and her family. Pray Jada has the strength to fight. Pray her family has the strength to fight with her. And, if the worst happens, pray her family has the strength to keep living.

Pedal to the metal

I passed the test I needed to take to get into the teaching program at UCF. I just have to wait three weeks to get my official scores so I can finally sign up for the classes I need. Now that that's over, I can finally focus on final projects and exams. With just two weeks of class and one week of finals, it really is pedal to the metal time. I have a unit plan to compose, two finals to study for, another astronomy test, and a couple reflection papers to write. Not to mention a formal, a birthday party, and two plays to attend. Why does everything always happen all at once?

It's honestly hard to believe this semester is almost over. I feel like last week was January and now it's suddenly the middle of April. Where did the time go?

HodgePodge

1. National Read a Road Map Day falls on April 5th. Would people say you have a good sense of direction? Do you rely on a GPS when you drive somewhere new? When was the last time you used a map?

- I have ALWAYS had a terrible sense of direction. I remember once, about five years ago, I was driving with my friend Blake. He didn't know how to get back to my house, so I was giving him step-by-step directions. All was going well until I told him to turn right at the 50/US1 intersection. Here's the problem: the river is on the right.... Oops. After that I bought a GPS and have relied on it ever since.

2. What's your favorite cookbook?

- I recently discovered my dads old cookbook. It's filled with a bunch of old recipes for cookies, cakes, lasagna, etc. I made the BEST applesauce cookie from one of his recipes a while ago. When I move into my apartment, I may try to steal the book...

3. What painting would you like to "walk into" and experience? Why?

- John Frederick Kensett's "Marine View of Beacon Rock". I saw it last year at the Cummer Museum and I fell in love. I absolutely love Newport Harbour and I think it'd be awesome

to step into that painting, sit on the little sailboat, and ride the waves. It just seems so peaceful.

4. What annoys you more- misspellings or mispronunciations?

- Depends on the word really. Misspelling difficult words is understandable, but when someone misspells "weird" or "definitely", I get annoyed.

5. What is something your mother or father considered important?

- My parents considered a lot of things to be very important. Manners, timeliness, and education to name a few.

6. Do you like or dislike schedules?

- I LOVE schedules. I'm the kind of person that has to be early wherever I'm going. My months are mapped out ahead of time and I have my entire college career basically planned. I like knowing what I'll be doing at any time of any day. Sticking to schedules is the only way I get work done.

7. Let's have some fun with National Poetry Month (that would be April)...write your own ending to this poem-

"Roses are Red

Violets are blue..."

I don't have much time,

But I've got a lot to do.

That's the best I can do right now. I'm not a huge fan of writing poems.

8. Insert your own random thought in this space.

- Time really does fly when you're having fun. I can hardly believe there are barely 3 weeks left in the spring semester. This school year has flown by MUCH faster than my year at Flagler. I just wish this year would slow down a little bit so I had time to enjoy the last few weeks instead of simply stressing over exams and tests.