While I have been home for the break, I have watched a considerable more amount of television than usual. As a result, I have also seen a considerably large number of stupid commercials.

The first was a commercial about rheumatoid arthritis. It has a woman saying something along the lines of "I knew arthritis could affect my life, but I didn't know it could attack my joints."....... Seriously? She didn't know it could attack her joints? What exactly did she think?

I also saw a commercial for an osteoporosis medicine. This woman said she had a friend who had to set aside time one morning each week to take osteoporosis. Oh, the inconvenience! Can you imagine having to set aside time once a week? It probably takes away from the time she spends running a brush through her hair 3 more times, or worse- reading an extra comic strip.

I've just been disappointed with most ads on television. There were probably at least 3 people behind that commercial who all majored in advertising in college and that was the best they could come up with.

It appears as though Xanga has died, I just felt like getting back on and supplying a little rant.

So... I'm headed to Mexico in a day. I'm up waiting for my roomie's laundry to dry so I can start mine... you know, so packing can occur in the near future. I told my coworkers I was going to be working in an orphanage and they mentioned how depressing it would be. I'm not usually the optimist, but I feel the opposite! I mean, I am expecting to see poverty and beautiful children without families... but with a hope! They have a roof over their head and food to eat... praise Jesus they are not on the streets!! I can't wait to see them.

I've been in this overly sentimental mood as of late. I don't even know how to explain it. Maybe I shouldn't get all sappy. Okay, I wont... but I do feel the need to express the joy I feel being where God has me right now. I expected to stay in Norman this summer and quite honestly, I doubted why I was staying here and not taking part in the many opportunities I had. I didn't question my motives, but I questioned my decision making skills and whether I really was sure this would be glorifying to God and would be the best decision. God has answered that  time over again, as I feel not only am I getting somewhat of a bird's eye view of what God is doing and raising up around the world, but I am also getting to take part. God's power impresses me, as rightly it should. But I don't dwell on it as much as I wish I would. Have you ever really pondered how God is sovereign. Really, thats.... crazy! I'm talking in circles and very close to getting sappy. I guess I'm just excited and challenged by the fact that God is.... God. Nothing catches him off guard, He is not surprised by anything, He is able to turn the steps of kings.... whether they even acknowledge Him or not. And I am also incredibly thankful for the people he has let me be around this summer. Brothers and sisters that love the Lord and are seeking to grow in wisdom and desire for the name of Christ to reign in the life of every person. I could go into paragraphs about each one... but that is definitely sappy.

I converted. I bought my first 2 pairs of guy's pants... and I love them. There is something so nice about having shorts that go down to your knees. :) It makes me miss Amy K.

I saw a big orange temporary road sign on Boyd near my house the other day. It said "Stripping Crew". Or at least thats what I thought. The sign was hanging sideways... so I had to look closer before I realized it said "Striping Crew". It cleared up all the "what on earth?" questions I had in my head.

 Oh, did everyone know they make Harry Potter Jelly Bellys? Along with some usual flavors, also included are flavors like booger, bacon, soap, sardine, vomit, dirt, earthworm, and my personal favorite... rotten egg. This is no joke my friends. Oh no, they have managed to recreate these flavors quite impressively. It's sick.

Lessons Learned

Just in case you missed it....

But hopefully you didn't.

The Wonderful World of New York City

Hi my name is Amy and it has been approximately 5 months since my last update.

Well it really has been a long time, and I must admit, I don't miss it that much. I really can't imagine anyone intentionally coming to this site to read anything I've written, but I do know that on occasion people may come across this and want something different than what has been there for the past 5 months. A lot has gone on as of late... so I will give you a brief update on my life within the past few months:

I finished the semester and barely avoided retaking molecular biology again next semester. My sister decided on OU. I went to a family reunion in Claremore, OK.. home of Will Rogers (woohoo!!!). I said goodbye to many close friends as they left the states and went back home. I lost my sense of humor completely. I bought a pair of big sunglasses that I promised myself I would never ever buy. I have gotten to know several people that have stuck around Norman this summer and God has really used them to challenge and encourage me. I got engaged. I feel like I have spent a abnormally large amount of time around small children. Brian Zunigha fell halfway through our ceiling. I've been helping fill in for Holly as the BSU secretary... very large shoes to fill. The city informed my roomies and I that we could no longer park in our backyard causing much upheaval and a clearing out of the garage. I traveled to New York this past week with my family. I see now that Xanga just keeps getting better, as you can now add pictures. But I dont have the hook-up with me for my camera so I will merely paint you a picture of a few happenings of the week.

First, and most exciting- my sister launched her musical career on Broadway. It all started off as an ingenious dare by my father. Street performers asking for tips litter the sidewalks (along with cheap purse salesmen and pretzel vendors), so we figured one more wouldn't hurt. The performance was carefully planned- 3 acappella pieces were picked, a used cup was transformed into a tip collection, and my parents and I were strategically placed around the area to casually walk by and get the tips started. My sister picked her spot outside the Hershey's store (just a few steps away from our hotel so they wouldn't see their guests begging for tips on the street) and began to sing. Turns out, we didnt even have to start the tips. The best part was not the fact that people were giving her tips, or even that people were backing back up after passing her to keep listening. The best part was that tourists were taking pictures of her. At first I dismissed it as "Oh shes hot, of course guys are gonna want pictures." Then, I noticed that older women and families on vacation were stopping to take a picture of the New York street performer. It feel so deceitful yet so hilarious. How many people can say their first paid performance was actually on Broadway? Thats right, my sister.

This is also just further evidence that although my sister and I are related, we ended up on opposite sides of the personality spectrum.

Oh, and NYC really is great. My heart was actually fluttering in love as we walked down the streets and heard the beautiful chorus of other languages echoing around us. I heard more of other languages than I did of english- and that brought great joy to my heart! :) My two favorite sounds- people speaking other languages and bells. Although I didn't hear the clocks striking at the hour, I did hear on a few occasions the sounds of wedding bells- and they are beautiful!!! I think if and when it comes time for me to be wed, I will get married in new york and invite all my non english speaking friends and be sure to get married in a church that plays church bells. Then I can hear both of my favorite sounds at the same time! Or maybe I could just hang out in New York and sit out on the street while there is a wedding going on and soak in all the beautiful sounds around me. That seems to be the option that takes far less planning- and is considerably cheaper.

This has been long and, like most my posts, boring. Its late. Cut me a break.  

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, I didn't really get engaged. Just wanted to see if anyone was paying attention.