No, no, Adam has nothing to fear but over Thanksgiving I discovered Jamberry Nail Wraps through my friend from high school, Heather. She is a Jamberry consultant and has gotten me hooked!!! Click here to check out her page. If you do purchase any last minute stocking stuffers or maybe a gift for yourself (go ahead and pamper you!), please click on "Meg's Party" at checkout!
I've always loved nail polish and the artist inside me has always wanted to be more creative in wearing funky designs/colors but was never able to achieve that look through nail polish. I also prefer solid colors vs. the patterned look and am thrilled to share that Jamberry has all this and more! From chevron stripes to flowers to sparkles to plain colors to a matte finish to so so so much more, there is something for every girl's nail look. I can't wait to experiment and start doing accent nails with the wraps I have ordered.
Speaking of wraps I've already ordered, I've been wearing my sparkly silver wraps for a few days and in spite of washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning, bubble baths, and showers, my nails still look new! NO peeling, NO cracking, NO chipping and the nails are not breaking or splitting! I feel like I'm wearing gel nail polish and for a fraction of the cost and certainly less time!! The best part, other than the creativity, is that the wraps are dry and there is no drying time when "doing your nails"....why didn't someone think of this sooner!!!??
I'm currently having an online party that runs through until 12/12/14 so if you are interested in buying any through my consultant, please see the link above or shoot me a message! For those of you with little ones in your lives, they have Jamberry Juniors of which the Frozen series seems to be a hit and for those of all ages, Jamberry has colors and looks that really do work for anyone!!
I have been mulling over this topic in my head for a long time. Last night, it kept me up for a couple hours. Poor Adam, and my Mom, have been listening to my rambling thoughts as of late on this matter. They deserve gold medals for having to put up with this chatterbox of a fiance and daughter.
So what is this topic you ask?
Well, as if I weren't already pondering it enough, my daily quote a day calendar reminded me when I flipped the page this morning.
Adam and I recently read an article questioning should one marry a best friend? I wish I still had the link to the article so I could post it here but I've lost it. What can I say, we're in the midst of finals and everyone is beginning to crumble in one way or another, students and faculty included. ;) The article we read was actually one that was written to counter another article that advocated folks marrying their best friends. This topic has always piqued my interest. I remember thinking to myself, I can't date or marry anyone who wouldn't fit in with my group of friends. He will have to get along with my best friends and come to appreciate them and want to spend time with them as much as I do. I even recall thinking how would I find someone I would be close with when I share all my hopes and dreams with my best friend(s)? However, God slowly pruned away and cleared the path for that special someone to enter my life. Perhaps he wanted my needs to be met through that one special relationship rather than through a multitude of companions? Nowadays, there is no best friend but many friends both those in passing and those who are a bit closer to me. I've always had a preference for having a few close friends I can completely trust and relate to rather than having a thousand acquaintances but from the outside looking in inevitably it appeared that I fell in that second category. I've worked to try to fully embrace this as this is where God seems to want to use my talents and treasures via the form of being a planner or head of a social committee..ha!
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted a sister. Perhaps that is why I loved the story of Mary's and Elizabeth's relationship so. I envisioned that in my time of need my sister would come to me (even though they are cousins, they struck me as having a sisterly relationship) and I would go to her. How appropriate to be thinking of Mary today as I'm about to head to mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holy day. Thinking back on the relationships with close girlfriends in my life, my best friends became as close to me as I would imagine sisters might be. One of my favorite movies (and book series) as a child was Anne of Green Gables. I need my Colleen now I'm living somewhere new yet again. ;)
Life, distance, and geography will change your network and circle of friends. I fought it tooth and nail and desperately tried to cling to the former friendships with all I had which in retrospect was my clinging to sameness and not wanting things to change. Change is not usually my preferred experience in life. It's uncomfortable and pushes you outside your comfort zone when things were just fine the way they were...or so you think. At a Christmas party on Saturday night, I said something that surprised me. In talking about where we've been, where we are now, and where we were going (yeah, pretty deep conversation for someone I knew for all of two minutes), I shared that it took my leaving for the one thing I didn't want to happen to happen...for friendships and relationships to evolve. Last week, a student stayed after class to talk for over an hour and I found myself sharing advice about being open to God's will even if it may dramatically clash with what we have planned for our lives. I realized through talking with her and thinking back over the last several years that while I wouldn't say I was complacent, I was perhaps stagnant in some areas of my life. It took a whole new change of scenery and new people in my life to propel me forward on my journey. That is not to say that the relationships I encountered before leaving were negative or "not good enough" but perhaps I was not growing in my faith or as a person as a result.
So, this time around when I moved again, I thought I was better prepared for the loneliness and the distancing (literally and figuratively) that would occur in the relationships (both the old ones from prior to the move and the new ones I had formed while living there for the last four years). I had hoped to find confidants and new girlfriends to be close with here in my new town but we're all so busy with teaching, working, and just getting through each day it feels as if there is no time! However, I just spoke with one of my housemates and we're all going to actually sit down and eat together tomorrow night...yay! Believe it or not, this is only the second time this semester that this will occur due to all of us being like ships in the night and seeing each other once in a while throughout our busy weeks. While I can be a homebody most of the time, I'm a social gal and do crave that one-on-one time with a trusted girlfriend. Enter social media and how it can be a tremendous aid to crossing the miles and connecting folks through photos, sharing of inspirational songs and blog postings, or even sparking conversation through the posting of controversial subjects. However, the opposite is true too...seeing the fun that is being had by others, even those in your former tight knit circle of friends, can be depressing as you're now on the outside looking in at it all. I suppose it is similar to "the grass is always greener" line of thought. While someone might be envious of what you're going through you are looking to someone else and may be envious of what is happening in that person's life.
As I said to Adam last night, it
doesn't make much sense for me to feel lonely when I have the love of him and
the support of so many others in both of our lives. While Skype, texting, emails, and other social media are great for encouraging connections, in person time would be awesome and is needed, especially for me. I am so blessed, and humbled, to have such an understanding and encouraging man in my life who doesn't brush me off and say, "Oh, well just go make new friends" or even worse, "You're just being a girl". When talking about it with Adam, I realized that maybe a part of why I try to hold on so hard is because I fear that if I don't, the relationships will just disappear. Numerous times I have wanted to give up social media but then hung on because for many, it is my only connection to what were at one time close friends. Who knows..perhaps for Lent, I'll give up Facebook. Guess only time will tell!
I find it ironic that I'm fighting these feelings at a time when I would think I would be running to my girlfriends for advice on current & upcoming events such as how I feel guilty for not being home for the holidays
this year or how I worry Adam might not like living on the East Coast or if I will be viewed as "stealing" him or voice my worry over our being able to accommodate all of the guests on the limited invitation list to the wedding that is coming up in five short months! Talking through all of this with Adam last night made me think of something...perhaps the loneliness is further
cultivating the spirit within me of no one person can satisfy every longing in
your heart since only Jesus can do that. Adam can't do that for me and I certainly can't do it for him. A best friend can't fill that void for either of us nor can we do that for others. So maybe this is just a restless heart talking courtesy of St. Augustine. Perhaps I needed this reminder before Adam's arrival and I get swept off my feet from the giddiness of it all. I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that Adam will be living in the same town in less than a month!! It almost makes this semester of the down times worth it as the next semester seems like it will be radically different!! I also don't take lightly all that this man is doing in the name of love...he is essentially giving up all he knows and starting fresh somewhere completely new for him on the blind trust that it is where God is calling him...what bravery & character that takes and further makes me love him all the more.
All of this meditations and prayer has led me to think we possibly need to do a better job of living in the moment (I am the first to admit I struggle with this daily and will let work get in the way of carving out time to be present and to spend it with friends) and of truly appreciating what we're given...and even what we're not given.
There is a time for everything and as Sheryl reminded me this past summer all things work for the good of the Lord. He knows our plan better than us and if it's to be a time of spiritual dryness or lack of close girlfriends or time apart from loved ones right now, then so be it. Mother Teresa spoke of periods in her life where she felt distant from God and spiritually dry yet she persevered and continued doing good works in her life. I suppose that is why I would still attend mass and complete my Adoration hour even if I feel like God is being extremely silent right now. Even if I feel disconnected and more distant than ever from some folks in my life I can still continue to reach out and try to keep the lines of communication open among them and am currently filling that time/void with more prayer and looking to lean in on God more and more, which is something we probably all can strive for perhaps. The point is regardless of the situation we should never just throw in the towel and give up since life is not about being complacent or just getting by...shouldn't it be about embracing those around us and making the best of the gift of the present we have right now?
Nope, I'm not talking about a wedding veil. My friend, Anthony, asked me to spread the word about wearing the veil to mass tomorrow (Monday, 12/08/14).
He also shared with me the links below for your reading pleasure. I look forward to attending mass on campus tomorrow for the holy day and will count how many veils I see in the congregation!
This year will be the first time I miss a birthday party of hers. I met her, the day she came home from the hospital when she was three days old, and ever since was lucky enough to have been able to make the trip, or was already living in NC, to join in on the birthday fun.
This year, I may not be able to be with her but she's not far from my mind being my only niece and my first goddaughter!! Luckily, she was kind enough to fit me into her busy schedule and skype with me on her birthday night where she showed me some of her goodies and birthday cards. Happy birthday to my fellow sparkly and doggie loving, girly, and knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it little niece!!
Keep on twirling, pretty girl, keep on twirling! <3
Last Sunday I made my way back to Ohio from my parents' home in Pennsylvania. As I drove west on the turnpike and saw one college kid after another driving as well as all the families at the rest stops, memories of other trips that were made crossed my mind.
I can't count the number of times my Dad drove me out to college then returned home on the same day. Due to not having a car, it was necessary for Dad to make the 3.5 hour one way trip twice to pick me up or drop me off then return home so he could go to work the next day. Back then, I had taken it for granted and not really considered the length of time (nor cost of gas) Dad spent on these trips. I'm so thankful to have grown up with such a selfless man for a father. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve our family trips in the Astro or in the big blue van as we traveled from one state to another to celebrate various holidays with family.
It was quite lonely last Sunday night as I traveled in my little car by myself without my little pup at my side. He had been left behind at my parents' home due to my going to CA for the first part of the holidays before Adam's and my big cross country road trip!! All week, when home, I've been listening for the pitter patter of his feet or waiting for him to jump into my lap as I type and I even miss his impatiently barking he sometimes engages in when reminding me of his supper time. Each time I turn the key in the door, I hesitate and wait for his loveable greeting as he rounds the corner and runs/slides to the front door, but instead only silence greets me. I know Dusty Shamrock is having a grand time with his grandparents and enjoyed some doggie time with Kona and Max but oh, how I miss that little pup!
Adam, having gone through something similar himself (on a far grander scale), can relate and sent me this cute video the other day. How blessed to have found my traveling buddy for life in this man who knows how to put a smile on my face!
Yesterday was worse than a Marathon Monday. It involved my being on campus from a little after 9am until 1:30am. Falling asleep around 2, I found myself awake by 8am. YUCK! The end of the semester is here and with it comes a mountain of grading, attempts at trying to clean out the inbox, meetings galore, prepping for spring semester classes, and finalizing finals. Tomorrow will be the last day of classes I will teach for this semester with my first final being on Saturday morning.
In addition to meeting deadlines and trying to facilitate a smooth transition to the spring, my other goal for getting it all done is so that I can truly enjoy the time out in California with Adam and his family that I will be spending over the holidays. He reminded me last night that we only have 12 days until I fly out there!
While the thought of being with him is so exciting and of course spending time with his family and meeting new members, it's also a bit nerve inducing to think about all that needs done before then. I hope my car will be out of the shop. I would love to have all 96 of the Christmas cards I just finished be sent off in the mail. It would be terrific if I could leave four separate piles of syllabi freshly printed in my office so that I don't have to step foot on campus over break. The house needs cleaned and cookies need baked. Oh, I need to pack too! Then there is also the pesky little thing I do called being a professor in grading end of the semester projects and finals. Ack! It's enough to make me want to dive under the covers and throw a pillow over my head. Reflecting on all this with Marybeth during our coffee date this morning, we wondered if I should push up some of these end of the semester due dates in the spring so that I can try to avoid some of this craziness in early May. I have a feeling I will already be super stressed with the wedding being rightaroundthecorner at that time so it might not be such a bad idea.
The thought of spending this year's Christmas in California, sunny warm sunny relaxing sunny California, is very appealing. I love to try new things and go new places. However, at the same time, a part of my heart will be in Schuylkill County with my parents and I can even say that I will miss the snowy (but not icy), cozy, holiday season that I have always, up until now, spent with my parents. This past year has been full of transitions much like the previous years leading up to it and I know there are many more to come in 2015. I can only imagine the thoughts and feelings that will be running through me the afternoon of Saturday, May 23, 2015. I wonder if it will feel a bit like when I came around the corner on the floor of the Coliseum with my trusted advisor at UNCG's graduation this past May. The morning had been a chaotic one with waking up in a house busting at the seams with my family as we all prepared to celebrate the long-awaited graduation day together. It wasn't until that very moment as we walked out onto the brightly lit floor of the arena filled with well-wishers and seeing everything in all it's pomp and circumstance glory that it hit me that this was really happening. I remember blinking back tears as we walked the long walk to our seats at the front just before the stage. The neatest part, other than having Dr. Compton sitting next to me, was glancing up to my left and spotting my family in that huge crowd. They had chosen perfect seats in terms of our being able to see each other throughout the ceremony. I wonder if that same rush of excitement, nerves, and sheer happiness will come crashing down on me as my Dad and I enter St. Joseph Church and see the faces of Adam's and my family and friends wishing us well. It may seem silly comparing a graduation to a wedding but perhaps it isn't. Both are monumental events and both have not happened without struggles. I digress....looking ahead to 170 days from now when I should be grading and preparing for tomorrow's last day of classes.
Yesterday, I told my morning class about how even though I got up super early to get ready for school (folks apparently noticed since I received compliments on my hair, scarf, boots, outfit, etc. all day), that I forgot my planner (that listed the plans for each of the classes I was teaching, the meeting times and locations, and my to-do list) and inhaler at home. Perhaps God is trying to help me to sloooooow down and try to live in the present instead of constantly checking to see what meeting is coming up and what needs to be done next on the list. Speaking of which, check out this AWESOME blog posting by my friend Jessie about waiting. It is pretty timely considering we are currently experiencing Advent. I think I'm going to print it and share it with my students as a parting gift after they finish their finals!
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:14
