Its better for me to have the least amount of time between making a hair appointment to actually having it. I scare myself out of getting my hair cut a lot of times. It still gets cut, just not as much as I had
first planned when I called to get an appointment. I know its a little thing to be worried over, hair does grow after all. But theres always the fear that the scissors will slip or something wrong will happen. Where as if I only have a day before, very little time for me to even think about it. This happened this past week, I made an appointment at the beginning of the week for today. I tried to get more than one person to come with me for moral support because I began to back up in my head. No dice. My only treat to myself to “get my through” the process was Starbucks (soy tea misto).

The best part to me of getting my hair cut is that someone plays with my hair for an hour. Notice how they do that first thing finger your hair, asking what you want done, then massage it as they wash it. It eases my mind back to the fact its a good idea to cut my hair. A friend of mine is my hair dresser. I think it helps comfort me that someone I know playing with my hair over someone I dont know. Though if she does cut it in a way I hate then I might be in some serious trouble. But so far, that hasnt happen, and in return she always puts this conditioner in my hair that makes my hair tingle. Its awesome.

Through the pouring down rain and my weariness, I drove to crash a Campus Crusade for Christ winter conference in San Diego. Don Miller was a speaker there, so I working my connections of having a friend on staff with Campus Crusade, I was able to get in to hear him speak. Im a pretty new fan you could say to his work. It was a little over a year ago I read “Blue Like Jazz” and loved the way he wrote. I havnt found another Christian writer who writes like he does. I have great memories of reading outloud last October with close friends the chapter titled “Penguin Sex” and how we all giggled but basked in the truth of what Don was writing. Because of a link Jason posted on his blog back to Don’s site it peaked my interest in him. Thus began the beginnings of our relationship.

Going to listen to Don speak I didnt expect to hear anything I hadnt already heard from him ether by his new book “Searching for God Knows What” or a sermon I had listened when he was a guest speaker at his home church. After hearing his voice, it bugged me I didnt know what this guy looked like, other than the two pictures that are apart of his first book “Prayer and the Art of VW Maintenance”. And those are quite old pictures to begin with. So I did a little search. Call me strange, but it bugged me to have a voice and a faceless name to someone who I had connected with on
some level. I found one photo and I was content with my searching. Even still, when Don walked up on stage and made a joke sending everyone laughing, I dont think I would of known him if I just past him on the street. I sat there happy with having a complete
picture in my mind.

As I sat and listened to Don give a wonderful message that I know hit home with a lot of folks in that conference room, I thought about more of what he was saying. I had read it, listened to it, and now
listening to most of it again. It was just different with the facial expressions to go with the personal stories and to see the passion he had for the topics he spoke about. He speaks a lot like how he writes
which brought over familiarity to me. He went on to talk about traveling on the road for a long period of time and how he physically ached for his church family in Portland. He felt a sense of belonging, something Ive gave up and been without for a while now. You could see his love for these people as he smiled talking about them. It broken my heart and warmed it at the same time. I prayed in my heart for the same joy some day soon.

I made my way through the mass of college students to just get a quick hello in. I couldnt come all this way and not met the guy you know? He gave me a hug as soon as I told him my name. He did this with everyone who came up to him. He looked like he was dying to
hear what I had to say. We didnt talk long, a brief moment really but it brought all the pecies together for me. I highly respect him as an author so it was a great pleasure to met him. To not only have his
writings, but to have a full picture of who he is. Again, call my strange, but Im like this with most people I find some connection with, whether through books or music. I want to let them know what they have shared with the world has comfort me. Whether something else blooms out of that, then great, but for me, I like the book the next time I read it or the song next time I play it to be that much more personal to me.

It was treat to get to listen to Don speak and to see his sweet smile. As much as I probably of stayed home that night at rested, Im glad I wore myself thin to do so. It was a wonderful night full of great reminders of God’s grace.

Being away from home last year it seems I did so many more Christmas things then I did this year. I cant believe it was only a year ago there was 20 people in my apartment in Alabama for the Gospel Supply Christmas party. It was so cold outside, but it was so hot inside from all our warm bodies. We hand a blast with too much food for our little ottoman that served as our coffee table. We played a very fun, even if it was long, game of guessing who a certain fact belonged to what person in the room. I have some video clips on there I love to watch, it makes me laugh everytime. Carla and I went to Dickens downtown which was held on Main Ave in our very own downtown Northport. We played in “snow” and looked at all the little shops and the carols dressed in Dickens time period. We found “our house” that was this traditional southern style house where that you can rent out for parties and events. This very day last year, I drove around with Brian and Amy, along with Brian’s parents looking at Christmas lights after going to a Christmas Eve services with them. We also had supper at Brian’s parents house, where they made me feel like one of the family. Brian’s parents lived off the street I lived on and told me I was welcome to come by any time, and I knew they meant it. Then I got share Christmas day with Kerry’s family. He made sure I wasn’t alone with Lunis (the Christmas tree) on Christmas morning, so he invited me over. When they got together to open presents I really was looking forward to just watching them open theirs. When his daughter brought me a present from their family I thanked them since they already gotten everyone at the store something. Then presents kept coming and coming. Couple tears escape at the site that was in my lap. My work family loved me more than I ever though. I hope that doesn’t come out in a shallow way, they didn’t need to get me presents for me to know this, but it was very touching. As much as I wanted to be home, last year was one of the best Christmas I ever had. I’m getting emotional thinking about it and how much I miss those people who warmed my heart so much.

“I have been a blacksmith with the tools in my hands
with plastered eyes I build the lie and cannot understand
feeding on the ashes of a deluded heart
but in the place of dust and death I see you have come this far.”

I had a pretty crappy day at work. I don’t get it when days like this happen at all. Our store is what is called “a drink store”. Our money is made by drinks, that’s all people buy really. Retail, not so much. With families and friends in town Starbucks is a great place to met, enjoy some coffee and chat. I couldn’t think of a better place myself, I did the same Thanksgiving morning. That explains the line out the door for hours on end. But my problem today was the attitude that seem to just spread like wild fire. The customers seemed cranky which turned into rude. Usually most of my coworkers and I can just shake it off, but its hard to when one right after another is like that. So not only was I personally dealing with customers just treating us barista kinda crappy, I turn around and have to deal with frustrated coworkers. I prayed over and over “serve Jesus” in my mind. Can I tell you how hard that was? That thought kept escaping my mind within seconds of something fouling up. I couldn’t think of a better way to stretch my patience’s (I don’t remember praying for more patience) than to just have one thing happen to another. I wanted to tell the customers that we are doing the best we can do, but I felt like a lot of times we weren’t. Myself included, I don’t know what it was but my the time my lunch brake rolled around I was so worn thin I walked out of the store just to walk almost in tears. No reason other than I was so frustrated and I couldn’t find one thing in particular that was rattling me. Being a Christian isn’t about being nice, I know this. Why do I have that expectation on myself then? Growing up in the church it seems this is the coating to every bible story that was told. The good Samaritan was a nice name to the man in need. Joseph was nice to his brothers, etc. Now as an adult I know its so much more than just being nice. But you know what? Its hard to be nice a lot of times for me. I feel bad admitting that out loud almost. Shouldn’t I be nice all the time? I mean, if I have Jesus in my heart, then why aren’t I always nice? I find at times non-Christians have an easier time at doing this than I. Today at work was no expectation, it was very hard. Maybe its because its Christmas time and I have in my mind I want it to be perfect, but its not somehow. I have so much to be grateful for, and I am don’t get my wrong. Its this internal struggle I’m having that I allow to beats myself up. Yet another thing to add to the list of things I do wrong (so it seems to me). I know the word I’m looking for is love and not nice. I understand all the Christian answers I can hear coming. Not that I don’t appreciate the intentions behind them, I just don’t want the typical Christian answer here. I know God is right here next to me. I know He loves me beyond words. Just right now its very hard and for some reason I’m going through it. Its just days like this I leave the store feeling like I wasn’t a good Christian today. I know that’s not biblical, but that’s how I feel. I know I have a fresh morning tomorrow to start over, but I cant seem to grab myself a big enough piece of something (this is what I’m longing for, this something) that will not let myself be down on myself so much about my lack of faith, hope and most importantly love.

So at the white elephant part I mentioned the other day was a lot of fun. I haven’t gone to one in quite a number of years and was looking forward to it. We had about thirty kids show up which is a good number for our group. Some of the kids got pretty creative with their gifts. One person tapped pickles into a box which was pretty gross, but creative. One girl actually brought a white elephant stuff animal was very cute and got stolen to its max (we played where it couldn’t get stolen more than three times). A spin on the stealing that we did was if you stole, you had to sing a Christmas song in front of everyone. I thought the elephant was very cute and there was even two movie tickets as a present I could of stole but there was no way I was singing a song. First off, I don’t like being in front of people, even the kids. When I have to get up and explain games at youth group I get all nervous, especially cause its the kids. Some of the leaders and I have talked about how the kids can really make you feel cool or uncool even though your the adult. Secondly, I can not sing, so, it would be like a bad karaoke number if they did make sing. I actually made out quite well because I got a O’Neil (for those of you none near a sea shore, its a surfing company) with tags still attached. It was an X-large shirt and I didn’t need another bedtime shirt so it was suggested to me to return it for something else. It was a gift after all. The tags told me it was from a store called Tilly’s. I asked where Tilly’s was being I never had heard of the store and not being a surfer girl myself. One of the girls told me in was in a outdoor mall called ‘The Forum’s and a lot the kids knew the store from over hearing the conversation. As soon as I walked into Tilly’s I understood why they all knew about this place and I did not, it was everything the kids wore. It was kinda serial in a way to me, walking around the racks seeing some of the choices that was before my Jr. Highers eyes. Some made me laugh because its so 80s (very big with the kids) and others that made me sad because it was so risqué for a 13 year old to wear. I ended up with a couple of scarf’s that I liked to wear in my hair to work instead of something my kids would wear. It was a nice way to spend my afternoon, a Christmas party and going to a busy mall to get myself a treat (exchange) and the last person who’s the hardest to buy for, my mom, a Christmas gift. I am wrapped and ready for Christmas.

And yes the rest of the Nashville weekend is coming, just in the works at the moment due to a certain set list

“Maybe it`s the way your love swells beneath my skin
or maybe it`s because my senses are full again
maybe it`s because I can`t quite mark the source
or maybe I`m afraid to let it run it`s course… “

Come Sunday morning and there’s a houseful of people who all want to go to church. I was planning on hearing Trey teach Sunday school along with Laura, Kari and Mike. I heard Kari get up and get in the shower and I told myself that as soon as she got out Id get in. I hear her come back into the room but then I hear running water so I tell myself I’ll just rest my eyes till the water stop (my thought was Mike got in the shower before I could cause I didn’t say anything, Kari probably didn’t even know I was alive to the world yet). About an hour later Sarah wakes me up asking if I was going to Trey’s church at all. I heard her say to me “Its 2pm” and I said “In the afternoon?!” She thought I was talking in my sleep since I had not moved but I just didn’t hear her right (she really said its 9am). I got up and between Brandon, Jason, Sarah and I all getting ready, it wasn’t going to be possible for Jason and I to make it to Trey’s church on time. Reminded me of my days with one shower and three girls trying to get ready at the same time years ago when I lived downtown. It was nice since in the mix where boys who didn’t need the bathroom to blow dry their hair and put on make-up (at least not that I know of). So, instead of sneaking in the back of a small town Baptist church we followed Sarah and Brandon to Christ Community.

I have been to Christ Community Church this time last year, also on the day of the Andy P Christmas show. A whole heard of us where there, so it was kinda nice only the four of us where there, blending in the best we can. As we walked in we say Dan Haseltine and we all did a double take cause well, we recognized him, but couldn’t place where at first. Every now and then I really like churches that are more traditional than mine. It makes church more rich to me, not in a money since, but I guess the better word would be sacred. The hymns probably did that for me or the traditional in the Presbyterian church of baptizing babies (I had never seen that done before so I was interested in seeing it). I asked Brandon if babies male or female, always get to wear a dress. He said yes. This maybe another reason why I’m not reform, no son of mine will wear something like that. I enjoy Scotty Smith’s preaching more than others but it was tough to stay awake. I found myself staring down at my journal way too long at one point and my eyes closing. I started tapping my foot to keep my body awake, I wasn’t going to fall asleep in church, that’s just awful. It was comforting to find out that everyone was pretty tired as well as we left.

Couple of missed calls from Kari prompted me to call and see what the “Baptist” crew was up to. I got Mike to let me know they were at lunch at a Mexican place near “the” Starbucks and I told him we would be on our way. Christ Community is in Franklin which is a little bit of a drive, but not too long of a drive from Fairview but by the time we got there they had gone home. I guess Mike has missed the “were coming” part. The four of us ate Mexican food (yum yum) and then headed back to the Lampley household to met up with addition to the couple household guest, Josh, Rhonda and Scott. The girls (Laura, Kari, and Rhonda) were in a corner away from the TV. We talked for a bit while the boys played a good round of Halo 2. I didn’t try to kick Mike’s butt this time. That reminds me… I don’t know when it was, but I picked up Jason’s controller to the game without anyone knowing and just started shooting when I saw a person on my screen. I killed Mike, Halo 2 king on the first try. Twice. Funny how the next day when I mentioned it to Kari she knew nothing about it. It was my high moment of the weekend, let me tell you. We chatted and the boys played Xbox till us girls prettied up and drove to downtown Nashville for dinner with the rest of the gang.

I cant say enough nice things about our server at the Old Spaghetti Factory. With thirty some on people you’d think the service wouldn’t be that great but Chris was awesome. Awesome, awesome, awesome. He kept the drinks comin’, brought food to the right people, kept things straight and even gave us some free deserts. It was fun to have all of us in the same place again, but its always hard to talk to everyone. So I tired by hoping tables again and talked a little bit with everyone. After a wonderful dinner and being grossed out by Josh trying to make a move by eating butter we walked down to the Ryman theater. This is where we all met Luke, who I probably would of passed if I didn’t heard his voice. There were awarded hugs all around. I had to laugh when Luke would greet someone then turn to me and just asked who he just hugged. The dynamics of the .net is always fun when we all are thrown together in “real life”.

We made it early to the Ryman, got tickets and ran into more folks we had yet to see during the weekend. Some of us made a quick run to the merch table where I purchased the long awaited Randall Goodgame cd, “War and Peace”. Then we all stood in the very warm lobby waiting for the doors to open. When they did let us in everyone poured in. We stood around talking till the show started and took our respective seats and waited to be amazed…

Merry Christmas

Listen to it all the way through, it only gets better.

I’m going to take a brake from recapping (I know, I’m getting to the best part too). At Jr. High last night I had forgotten that we were having the kids go down (our Jr. High room is the only second story room in the church) to help with the grade school kids in Sunday school. So us leaders weren’t really need, we sat talking for a bit before some of us headed down to one the class rooms that had a lady with a puppet who talked when she closed her mouth (right like I’m gonna even try and spell that). She was from Texas and even if I hadn’t been told that, I would of known she was from the south from terms such as “being ugly” “yes ma’m” and the slight twang she had in her voice. She spoke of those bible stories we all know, but last night they held so much truth for me. Its in the hard times the simplest parts of faith surface as something so big. I was smiling at the cute jokes she kept making but more so at the little ones sitting in little chairs giggling all the time. I miss innocences. The Jr. Highers who where in the room didn’t laugh nearly as often as the little kids did. I know its the maturity level, but I also think it has to do with it wasn’t potty humor, it was just silly fun. But the laugher of those kids lined my ears and warmed my heart. After she was done most of us leaders left till we met again this afternoon for a white elephant party. Ive been going through something that I’m really not willing to share to openly at this point, that basically I didn’t want to come home after church last night because of it, so I went to my Starbucks with a book. Usually on Saturday nights, as my friend/coworker Jeff can attest I get a non-fat extra foamy tea misto. As Ive been told, over in the UK they use lots of milk in their tea, so this is how Ive been drinking it for months now and have come to absolutely love it. So as I sat spooning the foam, reading, and enjoying my treat of a pecan tart I forgotten what I was avoiding and it was nice. Jeff was sweeping the lobby and came to sit down with me for a sec. He joked with me I cant get enough since I had already worked earlier in the day. When dropping off my plate from my pecan tart the other part of the crew said we all should do something. I was up for anything being the only commitment I had was being at church in the afternoon, I could sleep in. They had checked into a late movie, but since they didn’t get out till 11:15pm, nothing was playing. I suggested a movie and we could watch it at my house, they all said that was a great idea. As I was in Blockbuster renting “Elf” (great Christmas movie if you haven’t seen it. Funny too.) I was so excited to slip into the role of host again. I rarely get to do this living at home and I really do enjoy it for some reason. One of my coworkers, Amy, was spending the night because she has moved a long drive away from work and she had to open in the morning. I thought she was crazy since we didn’t go to bed till 2am and she had to be there at 4:45am! Even still, Amanda brought over pop corn that you pop on the stove which was fun. Her and I had a small chat before Jeff and Amy arrived which was nice since her and I haven’t really gotten along in the past. So to have a nice conversation with her was a nice change and not uncomfortable at all. Jeff and Amy arrived only after going to my neighbors across the street first. Luckily its my friend Sarah’s (who also works with us) house who directed them to the right house. We popped the popcorn and watched Elf and some of the special features wee into the night. We said our good nights once all of us were having trouble keeping our eyes open. It was a simple thing, but it really helped my heart. It goes back to the basics like I said before, the smallest things that I know make me happy I tend to forget about when I’m down. I know God knew this about me, even though I had forgotten it myself. He didn’t leave me alone when I thought I was and provided a sweet time for me as a reminder.

“…and lay your finger anywhere down
We’ll leave the figuring to those we pass on our way out of town
Don’t drink the water there seems to be something ailing everyone
I’m gonna clear my head
I’m gonna drink that sun
I’m gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young.”

Morning seem to come all too early, but I was rewarded for getting out of bed with yummy french toast (three of them, I don’t know where Mike expected me to put it all). I’m going to make note of Kari’s breakfast because I was so surprised by it. Across from my plate was a plate of eggs, which I assumed were Mike’s since I know Kari hates eggs. But she said she need to have some protein and so there for had eggs. After feeding my last piece of french toast to the birds we packed the car (me taking up most of the truck) and went to pick up Jason in High Point. This is when we renamed High Point to Chair Point because High Point, NC is really only known for the many furniture stores there. Mike and Kari even got their kitchen table in High Point. Coincidence? I think not. Also on the way to Jason’s I discovered they had a Starbucks in this smaller town outside of Greensboro. I didn’t know of this Starbucks which made me sit and wonder why Jason was with holding such information from me. He later tells me there are actually two Starbucks in High Point. How can I really trust someone if they keep such information from me, I pondered on this thought as we started our drive to Nashville.

Our drive was pleasant, uneventful really. I never think of this as a bad thing when traveling somewhere. But really, how exciting can being in a car from 8 hours be? This is nothing against the wonderful people I was with, I very much enjoyed their company, its just being a small space in the same position for that long gets old real quick. We kept ourselves busy with conversation mostly. We switched off listening to the guys IPods, Christmas music on Mike then some David Sardis and Jerry Seinfeld on Jace’s. As untold to me, we were to sing “Tennessee Christmas” as we crossed the state line. Kari and I were the only ones to partake in this, quietly too. At that point, listening to that song as I stared out at the bare trees that went on for miles, it was officially Christmas time for me. I don’t know what is about that song (or record) but it does it for me (along with Starbucks holiday drinks). I knew Mike loves Diet Coke, but I really didn’t know how much till our drive to Nashville. I’m very impressed by his drinking powers. Kari and Mike brought as a treat, a case of Diet Coke. I think there was only two or three left by the time we landed in Nashville. (Side note to Mike, there is a blog entry for you, write about your love for Diet Coke, I’m interested to know.) The only traffic we hit was in Knoxville (boo!) and comments where made about none of us are fond of Knoxville. One of the things about me as a passenger is I can kind of be a back seat driver. Mind you, I didn’t do this once with Mike (he’s got Kari for that) but I did with Jason when we were driving around (because that’s all that he did). Maybe its because Jason and I have the same car, cept his a stick, so I know the feel of it. When its not slowing down when I usually slow down, I start to worry for my life. So when Mike got close to the back of cars at times I noticed at times but didn’t say anything because well, I didn’t fear for my life. Jason made a face at me when it happened, like I should say something. I don’t know what it was but really I felt fine driving with Mike even if he did close a couple of times. I realize this is making Jason and Mike both look like bad drivers, which neither of them are, so don’t be afraid to drive with them. Kari and I talked about our forecasts of what we thought was going to be like during the weekend. What we expect the folks we hadn’t met before to be like. Picturing weather or not there will be the typical drama that comes with the group. It was nice to have the comfort that someone else had a lot of the same thoughts as I did about the weekend.

We landed in Fairview to excited and jumping Eddy and Ozzy. We just sat and talked with Trey till it was time to head to downtown for dinner with the rest of the gang. As we drove down highway 100 I made sure to point out every Starbucks along the way, just so they all knew, in case of, well, an emergency or something. I loved being back in Nashville. I don’t know what it is about that town, but I just love being there. Id love to live there someday if that happens to be where God leads, but not for the novelty reasons most would think. After ordering my dinner I turned around and saw familiar faces I had never seen in person before. It was like that everyway I turned. People I knew but never given a hug to stood before me. It was a very strange but warm feeling. It was the biggest gathering of us .net folks that night. It wasn’t as insane as you may think, which I was thankful for. I floated around trying to talk to people I had long to met and talk to face to face. We all took lots of goofy pictures between eating. We knew were quite loud and taking up a good part of the restaurant so we decided to depart but where do 30ish people go? There wasn’t one place we knew all would fit so we ended braking up going back to Trey’s house or a bar or the hotel. Sad for us all to spit up after since a small amount of time seeing one another and especially some had to leave the next day. But the day was long from driving and it was nice to just rest with a smaller group. We started to watch the third Harry Potter movie, but all started trailing off to bed one by one.

“So if you have a minute why don’t we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don’t we go
Somewhere only we know? “

Our story continues as Sarah and I wake up really late (I cant remember the last time I slept in past 10!) and decided to go out and get breakfast in our PJs. Well, we ended up putting on jeans and going out, but bed head was still there. We got some danishes Sarah recommended along with berries. (Ive been on a huge berry kick lately) Next to her neighborhood Harris Teeter (a store we do not have out here) was “her” Starbucks. I got myself a gingerbread latte and off back to her apartment we went to veg out to Legally Blonde. After the movie we got dressed and hung out with Brandon some before heading to uptown Charlotte to met Jason for dinner at Fox and Hound. That turned into a pretty headache of an affair due to loud sports bar and parking issues. But we did have a nice little walk just the four of us and took some Christmas pictures in front of the lit up tree. It was kinda creepy out due to the heavy fog, you couldn’t even see the tops of the buildings. The fog was a bit worry some as Jace and I drove back to Greensboro, but we made it safely. I crashed at Stephen and Sarah’s place again, meeting Stephen this time, for the second time. (I actually met Stephen the day I met Jason this past summer)

Friday was the only day I didn’t have something “to do” while Jason was at work (but now I know that I could of hung out with Brian). He suggested taking me to the Green Bean, a coffee show in downtown Greensboro that he loves. I was down for the idea since I hadn’t have really any alone time on the trip thus far. Traveling wears on me even more so if I don’t get time to myself. Maybe its like how it is with married couples when they haven’t seen their spouse or spent time with them. Having my own time, writing to God, reading, really is the one thing I know that keeps me sane. I enjoyed a very yummy mint cappuccino over writing Christmas cards and listening to Jason’s IPod. An older man came and sat down on the other end of the couch where I was sitting. I moved my stuff over realizing I was being a hog of the couch and kept on writing my cards. I also had with me “What’s So Amazing About Grace” by Philip Yancy along with my bible for me to read once the task of Christmas cards where done, which apparently was enough for this guy to spark a conversation with me. After asking what I do, finding out I’m a visitor to Greensboro, asking where I go to church when I’m in town, who my boyfriend is, turns out he’s Jason’s friend, Stuart’s dad. *cue its a small world* Jason came shortly later to take us to our traditional place of lunch, Baja Fresh (sadly the food, which is the same thing I get everytime didn’t taste right). During my time at the Green Bean I had picked out a movie (Oceans 12) for me to watch while Jason finished up his work day. I have never gone to the movies by myself. Ive rented plenty, and never seem to thing twice about it. But going to a theater and sitting alone always thought something Id never do. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I’m not really talker through movies so I don’t know why I thought it would bother me. After the movie I walked around Friendly Center trying to find my mom a Christmas present. No dice, she is so hard to buy for. Around our meeting time at Barns and Noble I followed Jason around who was in search of me (I’m not one to yell in a store for someones attention). We decided to visit the best used bookstore, McKays (that’s wrong isn’t it?) where I got a copy of the next Shopaholic book for my plane ride back (and I almost bought a trade back for more than I paid for a nice copy. I love deals). We visited Jason’s friend Tim for a while and then went back downtown for dinner at a little place Jason eats lunch at a lot (the waitress was surprised he needed a menu). We landed at Mike and Kari’s a little later than planned, exchanged conversation a little then Jace left for sleep before our trip for Nashville. As Mike finished his movie he sent Kari and I off “to do girl things” as he said. I don’t know what he thought we were gonna do, but we sat on my bed talking till Mikes movie was over. While they went off to read together, I read with Moses for a bit then got some shut eye.

And yes… there is more to come.

“…Same way I tend to lose my conscience too.
Another day in these dirty old blues, and I don’t seem to mind.
This is a thing that confounds me, You can find me; You surround and remind me. I lose my way and I forget about You, but You still remember me…
All for a man here in Kalamazoo, who loses his bags and his way sometimes, too.But that was something that You already knew and still You died for me.”

My adventure started on my flight landing in Austin, Texas. The lady who had sat a seat away from me had too many Starbucks accessories on her to me not to ask about them. Turns out her daughter works at the other Starbucks in town, she told me that she personally hates coffee. Not only did we share the same flight from San Diego to Austin where we changed planes to have a stop over in Nashville then onto Raleigh. Both of our check on items liked Austin so much that they stayed longer than we did. I wasn’t upset, but a bit annoyed that my bag was lost, an elderly southern lady put in perspective for me when she said “There’s no need to get ugly. It wont change the fact your bag isn’t here.” about another gentleman also on our flight cussing up a storm in front of the Southwest office. In all my years of traveling, this is the first time losing my bag and it wasn’t as horrible as I thought. Mind you, they knew were it was and not just off in never never land so I was not too worried. Knowing that I have very little to get me through till I got my bag back, Jace and I still went straight to his house to watch of course the Amazing Race. We have to keep our priorities straight! Afterwards I dragged Jace around Wal-Mart which closed 15 minutes after we got there (isn’t it a law that all Wal-Marts are open 24 hours in the south?) I got what I needed to get me through the night to not feel I was roughing it too much.

I got to stay with Jace’s old room mate, Stephen and his sweet wife Sarah. I told Jace its gonna take me a while to get his friends name straight. And having friends who are a couple with names that don’t go together really mess me up. In my mind a Stephen goes with a Christy. Sarah goes with Brandon. So keeping the names straight is gonna take me a while, but Sarah, even though we awoke her as we tried to creep into the guest bedroom got up in her PJs telling me she was sorry she couldn’t stay up and chat with me. She seemed like a person who I could become instant friends with from her sweet spirit, but that really was the only interaction we had with one another. In the morning on his way to work, Jace dropped me off at Boarder’s, Sarah and I meeting place for me to spend some time with her over the next day and half. I had some breakfast from McD’s and some Boarders coffee (just plain coffee, it was pretty safe) while waiting for Sarah to arrive. Also while I waited I made a new friend over the phone name Roger who was in South Carolina with my bag. Why on earth it went there, I do not know since the lady at the Southwest counter told me that Charlotte was out of their way. I reminder her that it was not I who lost my bag so Charlotte shouldn’t be a problem. On our drive down the 65, Roger gave me directions to where we’d met him at. “Off of exit 81 over the bridge to your left is a gas station. I will be in the abandon parking lot next to it.” I say it out loud so Sarah can hear what I’m hearing. Can we say sketchy? Once arriving at this abandon parking lot Roger handed over as he said “the bag in question” and Sarah and I were on our way. Pretty harmless and I was excited to get out of my plane clothes.

For lunch, Sarah and I made a run to the food court that held so many memories for me. These memories came from the day of Jace and I first meeting, or date as some may say. As a long distance couple its very different than a “normal” dating relationship. I don’t have the memories of “first things” in our relationship here in Cali. They all are held in North Carolina (highway 311 is dear to both our hearts). When I saw the table we sat at and I got made fun of for only eating half a potato I smiled. When Sarah and I went to the first Starbucks Jace and I went to, passing the seats we sat in talking through awarded moments, it warmed me. Funny how both Jace and I not real mall people but I my heart was beaming as I walked through that mall with Sarah, wishing he was there to share the moment with me. I share with Sarah a little what I was feeling, but she could only understand to a certain degree. It was a great delight for me though to see her get to own a dress she had be eyeing for months that fit her to a tee. Its pink and very princess like. She denied my request for her to wear it out that night to Disney on ice. She could of been the prettiest one in the place, but I guess that wasn’t on her list of to-dos that day. We went to Brandon’s very decked out Lord of the Rings apartment to share lunch with him. If you every get the pleasure of going to Brandon’s apartment, make sure and play with his figurines. He loves it when people do that. Also, maybe then someone can explain to us all why the girl (her name escapes me at the moment) is so manly looking. Kinda creepy.

One of the things Sarah and I had planned was to go ice skating. Sounded a lot of fun to me since I haven’t been in years and it would give us a great excuse to take fun photos. When she told me the bad news we weren’t going, but in exchanged her room mate had gotten free tickets to see Beauty on the Beast on ice. Now I know what a lot of you are thinking, but honestly, it was really fun. Its very much geared towards a younger crowd, for goodness sakes its Disney. But the skating was really quite fun to watch and see how they’d pull off different scenes. Some of the survivors they were selling confused me. One that I saw everywhere was a sword that light up. A sword? There is no sword in this story line that I recall. Also, a crown with Mickey Mouse ears. Now, I can see doing a Mickey Mouse thing, he told the story, but a crown? Again, this story had no crown. I can see a rose, or a tea cup that looked like Chip. But whatever sells I guess is the way to go. We made it back at a decent hour to watch my newly owned copy of “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton” (Topher Grace *swoon*) over yummy Chinese food. We also helped Sarah’s room mate pick out a outfit for a double date she was going on the next evening straight from work. Girl time for me was long over due so it was nice to be apart of it again in ways. Sarah being sick and I kind of tired from the time change went to bed at a decent hour.

Theres the first part of the trip in a nutshell. Stay tunned for the days that followed…

Well, it too little hours of sleep I will be on a plane to Austin, Texas. Ive never been to Austin. Lets hope they have a Starbucks or a Cinnamon to keep me company as I travel the rest of my way to that state that James Taylor sings about in his mind. You’d think Id be more excited than I am. Not that I’m not excited, its just I’m letting my stress get the best of me really. I have this giant suitcase with me which I worry will be a pain to travel with, take up too much room, I’m over packing because its too big, etc. All small worries in the grand scheme of things, but worries none the less. Worry is something the bible speaks against, I know, but its hard sometimes. My bitten finger nails prove it.

But what’s funny, I will leave an hour and a half before my flight (its an hour drive to the airport) and have no problem stopping for coffee first. I mean, that’s half and hour before my plane takes off for me to get into the airport, get my ticket, get to my gate and board. What’s that? You want me there two hours before my flight? What for really when I could be sleeping in my own comfy bed with my Moses and kitties? So I seem almost backwards in my ways of worries.I still haven’t really packed my carry on bag. It looks like a lap top bag, yet I have no lap top to put in it. That would be nice, but no dice. I got my journal (to work on my list inspired by Phil) a new Sophie Kinsella book, some paperwork for work that I’m getting paid for to fill out and some treats for me to munch on. In the morning (5:30 is the wake up call) I will probably finish loading what I think will need for my in-flight entertainment.

I’m revisiting places on my trip which is funny to me. I haven’t lived in ether one of these places and that seems to be the only reason in the past Ive taken a longer stay in a place. I’m looking forward to both Greensboro and Nashville with great excitement because I love the south dearly. I’m also really thrilled to be spending time with so many friends this up coming week. Ive longed for a group here but its taking a lot longer than I hoped. My “group” seems to be sprinkled over the southern part of the country and it makes me sad not to be there. I cant wait to see my old roomie again who I haven’t seen since the sad day she drove away to her internship leaving me and Emma alone for a month. Sarah and I haven’t had quality girl time probably since my trip to Va to see her in April of ’02. I’m looking forward to sharing a car ride with Kari to Nashville maybe in making a video for the Amazing Race. Of course my Jace is the main reason of this trip, but Ive missed having close girlfriends near. So to be able to see these amazing women who have touched my life greatly is going to be so special to me. And on top of that, I get to go to Nashville this weekend and hang out with about 30 people who are coming together for one crazy night for the Andrew Peterson Christmas show. The Ryman wont know what hit it.

All of that rambling to say, I’m bursting at the seams with excitement for my friends Ive long to see.

The last two morning while getting up at a mighty early hour I have come to discover none other than frost on my window shield. Yes ladies and gentlemen, frost. Ive woken up to high 30s to low 40s weather, which is way too cold for southern cali, and my house which is 3.3 miles from the sandy coast line. Now, I expect it to be like this when I go to North Carolina on Tuesday, but we California’s do not pay good money to live by the sea to get frost! Also, I cant get the knob on my car to turn to heat, so that makes for a very chilly ride to work in the mornings. Scarf and mittens are my weapons. I may also have to start wearing a beanie because my poor little ears have no defense in such conditions as these.

Id like to welcome to the family a new member. He (its silver I guess its a he) was brought home for my dad as a play mate more so than a son or brother. He is the digital Barista espresso machine. Originally the thought was bring a cute, not bad amount of money (after the lovely partner discount) cherry red espresso machine. The thought was when I move and get my “house” (it can be in many forms) and get my red dishes, and red Kitchen Aid and red toaster… you get the idea… that the cherry red espresso would be an nice addition to my future kitchen. Well, I think others had an idea similar to mine because they are completely sold out in the company! Cant you believe it?! (Kenya… oh sorry…) So my parents, somehow thought a machine almost the same amount as the refrigerator would become the newest thing to cover our counter space. He seems happy so far, though he’s a bit louder than Id hope. Well see if he grows on me.

God knows I miss the south greatly. He takes good care of me in the form of Chick-fil-a. The first in San Diego county (if not the state, I’m unsure of this fact so don’t quote me) opened this morning to folks spending the night in the parking lot to be one of the first 100 people in the doors for free Chick-fil-a for a year. Need I remind you of the temperatures we have been having here at night and early morning? Is it really worth free chicken for a year? I wouldn’t say no, but, maybe the sweet tea. Of course I was overly excited to hear of this news, part of the south coming to me right behind my house (6 minute drive) and took my mom for dinner. She was sadden that biscuit sandwiches are only served in the morning, though she has never had Chick-fil-a. The day we thought of going there when I lived in Tuscaloosa was on a Sunday. As you all know, they are closed on Sundays (even here where everything is open, even Christian bookstores, on Sunday) so she wasn’t able to know the wonders of Chick-fil-a until this evening. Its wonderful having sweet tea running through my system again.