Wow

Have you heard about the new TigerText app for smart phones? You can read about it here.

Looking the Part is Half the Battle

Note to self: do not run diamond engagement ring across pantyhose*. Even an accidental brush will result in you spending the afternoon looking like a 10 cent hooker.

Not exactly the look I was going for as an attorney......

Lesson learned.

You know, I really hate pantyhose. Even cheap ones cost about $8/pair and they last maybe 3 wears before they are full of runs or little nicks. What a waste!

Self-Diagnosis

I have seasonal affective disorder. I just know it! I nearly cried when hearing the prediction for potentially more snow this Saturday. I haven't been able to run outside in well over a week. Heck, I couldn't even drive to the gym the past three days and have had to improvise with Jillian Michaels' DVDs (h-e-double hockey sticks).

Since I can't exactly jet off on a beach vacation, pictures are the next best thing, right?

My cure for S.A.D. would involve:

1. A run through Wildwood Metropark. Toledo has the absolute best park system, complete with very run-able trails. Cincinnati has nothing in comparison. If I weren't getting married in the Outer Banks, I'd be getting married at Wildwood. It's beautiful and a fresh-air run without the need for hats/gloves and running tights would feel amazing.

2. A glass of vinho verde on my parents' deck (or any deck for that matter). Yes please. My favorite wine is my favorite because it screams summer. Light, crisp and uncomplicated. It pairs deliciously with one of my Dad's homegrown tomatoes. Too bad the best brand is nowhere to be found on store shelves until usually May.

3. Reading a good book on the beach while soaking up some sun at the Outer Banks. Oh, I know-the sun is harmful to my skin. Well, the snow is harmful to my soul! (At least I'm not dramatic...) I'll wear sunscreen, I promise.

4. Grilling out on Steve's balcony. Hmm, well Steve would be doing the grilling out while I relax and read a book and sip on some wine! That balcony is one of a kind, and even provides shelter from the hot sun or a summer rain shower. I bet you'll miss it, Steve!

5. A 7 night cruise in the Caribbean. Ok, now I'm getting greedy. But, it's been 7 years since I went on my first cruise. That trip was fantastic. There is something incredibly relaxing about traveling via boat. You unpack once, but you still get to visit several cities. The day at the Bahamas was unreal. It felt completely like paradise.

6. Island hopping in Greece. Fine, if I'm being greedy I might as well go all out. My trip to Greece in 2004 was limited to Athens and Rhodes. To complete a tour of Greece, I believe some island hopping to Mykonos, Santorini, and of course a return to Rhodes would be a must!

7. NO WORK.

Discipline

How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death? Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.

-Henri Nouwen

I can't believe Lent is already here. Well, tomorrow anyway. Easter is just around the corner (and Spring, yay!). Lent always feels kind of like a "spiritual" new year. It's a chance to reflect on the areas of my life that are focused in the wrong direction and get rid of those things I'm treating like idols.

I often pick something to "fast" from during Lent. And to be honest, this year I was particularly inclined to pick something edible (or drinkable) from which to refrain. But, if I'm honest with myself, the reason behind that isn't so much to engage in sacrifice so I can recall Christ's sacrifice for me as it is to not look like a cow at my wedding in June.

So, this year, my focus during Lent is going to be on discipline, specifically discipline in prayer. I have set aside time to be used solely for prayer or prayer-journaling. It's not that I never pray, but I don't think my relationship with God is going to get stronger and more personal without discipline in this area. It doesn't feel natural to me-I don't like being still, and usually, if I am still-I'm falling asleep! I can't tell you how many times I've fallen asleep after just beginning to pray. Maybe praying with the lights off tucked in my bed isn't the best plan? Plus, I want that prayer time to be deeper-more confession and thanks, rather than feeling like I need to rattle off my list of requests.

Anyway, disciplined prayer-that'll be my focus this Lenten season. I have a feeling I won't regret it.

candy gram

When you were in school, did you have candy grams around Valentine's Day? We had those and also had carnations for sale that you could buy to have delivered to someone. It was always very nerve wracking in homeroom while you waited for your flower. I mean, what if you didn't get one? Total loser, right? Whew...glad those days are over. ;-)

The candy grams always came with candy hearts. I am not a big fan of conversation hearts. They taste like chalk. They are cute, though...

I just wasted 10 minutes making my very own conversation hearts. Fantastic, no?

You can even set it to "goth" mode if you have a negative disposition towards this weekend's holiday. (I have a negative disposition towards winter...so... yeah.)

Snow day pays off!

Usually I'm filled with jealousy when my teacher-roommate has a snow day. But, today I am filled with gratitude! My car was stuck in my snow covered driveway due to the little hill on it, and Jana came to the rescue and drove me to work. Good thing, too, because I was about to try to use a rake to shovel my driveway so I could get out. Maybe a shovel would be a good investment?

I cannot wait for spring.

I am so over this snow.

I'm LOST

LOST is the perfect name for the show because I feel completely lost once I'm done watching an episode. But, it's so exciting...and also confusing.

I found myself liking Sawyer better than Jack, what could that possibly mean?! (Except for his sick long hair, of course.)

Best line of the night: "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

What'd you think? Sometimes I think I have a love/hate relationship with LOST. If only Penny and Desmond were back...