TV Craziness
Have you noticed that most of the new shows now are what I consider freaky? For example, the show Lost. I'm sorry to my family and friends that are obsessed with the show, and yes it is interesting, but it's freaky! These people are trapped on an island with weird things happening that they can't explain, there's something about a big hole in the ground and someone living in it or something, there's a polar bear or something on the island, a dude that used to be paralyzed can all of the sudden walk, and I'm sure there's a whole bunch of other freaky stuff that has happened, because I've only watched 2 episodes. Another example: the show that my mother is currently watching. It's called Invasion, and so far it looks freaky. (I'm not in here by choice, it's where the computer is) There's death, unexplained creatures, and so far this blonde lady that seems kind of weird. Oh great, now there's a freaky priest or something. The freakiest part? All of this disaster was caused by a huge HURRICANE! As if people haven't been effected enough by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there's now a show about the same type of disaster but with aliens thrown into the mix! Weird coincidence.
Ok, so what's my point? What happened to the happy shows that made you laugh? The days of Cheers, Night Court, The Cosby Show, Seinfield, Seinfield, Friends (I don't care who you are, you have to admit that it's funny), and Frasier? Why so much drama? If laughter is the best medicine aren't we hurting our health by getting so intrigued in these intricate webs of fabricated and exaggerated situations? Do yourself a favor. Watch a funny movie. Or even a romantic comedy to get that warm fuzzy feeling. Have a happy evening.
"Knights of Camelot: [singing] We're knights of the Round Table, we dance whene'er we're able. We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impec-cable, We dine well here in Camelot, we eat ham and jam and Spam a lot. / We're knights of the Round Table, our shows are for-mi-dable. But many times we're given rhymes that are quite un-sing-able, We're opera mad in Camelot, we sing from the diaphragm a lot. / In war we're tough and able, Quite in-de-fa-ti-gable. Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable / It's a busy life in Camelot
[solo]
Knights of Camelot: I have to push the pram a lot." .....Now didn't that make you smile? :)
Epiphany
I've discovered that I'm not that great at coming up with titles for this thing, but I'm working on it. This morning I was sitting in Sunday School and to be perfectly honest, I didn't want to be there. I didn't feel good, I was really tired, I didn't like my outfit at all, my ankle really hurt from standing at football games, and I just wasn't happy. But I looked up and saw a poster for this thing called Shift. It said it was for juniors and seniors to learn about college and I'm guessing staying godly at it, and all that good stuff. Well, it said the conference was on April 19, and I thought, "That's almost at the end of the year." And then I realized that next year will be my last year of high school. Then that's it. I won't be going back. It hit me that the future is a lot closer than I think it is. And then I realized that I'm not making the memories I want to have for my high school career. I'm being lazy thinking that I have all the time in the world to make the most of my life right now. I don't want to remember high school as just a time in my life where I was stressed out and had a few good times. I know it sounds really cliche-ish and I don't like cliches that much, but I want to remember high school as being on fire for God and being sold out to Him. Yes, I love God and I'm not ashamed to say that I've been saved and washed by the pouring blood of God's son Jesus Christ. I guess a better way to put it is that I want to be passionate for God and the life he has planned for me. Some definitions of passion include "boundless enthusiasm" and "something that is desired intensely." I want to know enthusiasm that has no limits! I want to want something so intensively that it's what I live for! I guess my point is, we will never be in the same position or have the same opportunities that we have today. There's not time to wait until our workload or the pressure we're under or our new situations get easier or more comfortable. This is the time. I know this probably sounds like a common Wednesday night youth group sermon, and you're probably thinking, "Ok, Shari, you're behind. Everyone knows all this, get with the program," but I didn't believe it until I figured it out for myself. There's a possibility that I'm just making my situation dramatic, but I don't want the casual life that I've been leading to consume my memories. so basically, let's rise.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live, —not as unwise but as wise,
-Ephesians 5:13-15
Fun!
This past evening i was reminded that sometimes it is indeed fun to be a teenager. Last night before the Dorman game I went out with my closest orchestra (and lunch! hehe!) buds to Ruby Tuesday's (even thought I'd been there for lunch as well). Then we went to the Dorman game, which to be quite honest was the worst part of the whole evening. There were so many drunk people in the student section and no one was even paying attention to the game, it was sad. The drumline even left the student section because no one was getting into to it and having fun! It was pathetic! But a little after halftime I left the student section just because the smell of excessive alcohal was naussiating. Over on the other side of the stadium it was a little better. But after that was when the fun began. We had our biggest crowd ever at Marble Slab!! Yay! The tradition continues with a new record! We had 12 people there! I think. Of course it was fun and hilarious because it always is with those people, and Mollie was happy because the manager of Marble Slab gave her a balloon. Then the d-group minus Lindsey, plus Mary headed to 5th Quarter which really was more fun than we thought it would be. Five of us had a ping-pong tournament that didn't have any out of bounds which was quite hilarious. At this point, Mollie still had her balloon tied to her wrist which made it interesting when it would get in her way. We headed to my house and then Mollie's with 5 of us cramed into my little car with windows rolled down with Grits and some other random music blaring.
At Mollie's a few of us had a long talk about Christianity and the effects it has on our school. Lately, I've been just incredibly discouraged looking around at our student population thinking "Ok, I have my small group of friends that I know is saved, but is there anyone else?" It was kind of encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one that thinks that. After our little talk, we watched Phantom of the Opera. Oh my gosh, that movie is amazing!!! Not only is it an awesome story, but the music is AMAZING!!! Andrew Lloyd Webber is a genius. Not only were the voices and melodies great, but the orchestratian that went along with it was fabulous!! Ok, so that's my opinion of the movie. I ended staying up till 9 in the morning. That's right. After staying up all night with only two 10 minute power naps, at 9 in the morning I decided that I was tired (even though I was being poked to stay awake) and slept for an hour. I think that pretty much concludes fun Friday night evening of festivites. Today is the Furman game!!! Woo hoo!!! Go Paladins!! I can't wait! Ooh, I get chills thinking about the team running out on the field out of the inflated helmet between the two rows of band people. Ooh! Yay, ok I'm excited! Well, I'll let you know how that goes. Love y'all!
You know how sometimes you can be surrounded by hundreds of people but still feel completely alone. Even when you're with your best friend sometimes, you can feel alone. It's amazing how unique each person's circumstance is and how differently each person handles certain situations. But in the same way, you can be completely alone and feel so supported and loved and not at all alone.
For those of you who don't know, I have a cousin that I'm very very close to. She's an only child and I have no sisters, so we're more like sisters to each other. In looks, we're almost complete opposites. Tall vs. short, blonde hair vs. brown hair and so forth. But we'll act and think the same way sometimes. This cousin is also 2 years older than me and has just gone to college. When she was still in Sparkle City, there were many times when one of us would call up the other (usually when we had a problem) and we'd meet at Barnes & Noble and get mocha fraps (my fav!). The other day, I was craving some coffee just because I was so worn out with school and violin and I needed a sugar/cafine high. So, I went to Barnes & Noble and it was amazing. It was the safest and most satisfied I had felt in weeks just knowing that that place held so many memories. Sure there were a couple of people I knew there doing their homework and stuff, but I wasn't with anyone. I was only in there for like 2 minutes, and yet God still took the opportunity to nudge me and say, "Hey, remember all those times. You're loved. Not just by me, but there's people out there that truly love you and you aren't alone. You don't have to feel so deserted." Of course after that, I cried half-way home but the moral of the story is we're never alone. Not only will God never leave or forsake you, but there are people out there who love you. Not like high school dating "love" or my crazy "love" of Gilmore Girls, but real love.
This might be one of those things that only makes sense to me. Or if you're reading this you might be thinking, "Ok, so she had some fun times with her cousin. Whoopdi-do." And if it doesn't make sense, I'm sorry. Sometimes the thoughts in my head aren't really made of up words, and those who know me best know that in those cases I make really odd noises and motions, but I can't very well do that on the computer. When all of this happened, it reminded me of a very personal song:
I'm all alone again
No one here to feel the same
I didn't mean for it to be this way
Why am I a recluse
As the breeze passes
I realize I'm alone
I'll keep pressing on
But it's not fair God
Do you realize that
Do you realize I'm in pain
I can't find you
All I have is faith
But even that is weak
I don't wanna be alone anymore
Do they know I'm here
Or am I invisible
I try to hold the tears but they still seep out
As the emptiness
Fills my ear I realize
that I'm alone
I'll keep pressing on
But it's not fair God
Do you realize that
Do you realize I'm in pain
I can't find you
All I have is faith
But even that is weak
I don't wanna be alone
Where is that comforting power I read about?
Where are your loving arms?
I'm giving you all I have
I wanna feel your grace
Your presence
I'm surrenduring
My heart and love to you
You heal me with your loving arms
Pouring out your love
You have found me
All I want is embrace, your comforting power
Lord, I know I'm not alone anymore
Ok, sorry for the like super serious post. Class was boring today so I had a lot of time to think about stuff. I promise that my next one will be more light hearted. I hope everyone has a great day. Love y'all!
Kat is the Coolest Person Ever
First of all, Steven is helping me write this today. And I think Kat is having some input too. Hence the title. I didn't bring my violin home from school in a sneaky attempt not to practice (not really!! I had a reason I promise!) but my brilliant mother figured out my clever plot (It wasn't a plot!) and reminded me that there was another violin here anyway. Drat!
-In that paragraph, all the stuff in parenthesis was me. The rest was steven and Kat. I didn't bring my violin home for a good reason.
Kat bought this cool purple shirt yesterday that she was like destined to own. So she went to Target cause she needs clothes because hers are all under water 10 hours away. And she'd been looking for a shirt like this. And she was disappointed because the color that she wanted didn't have the size she wanted. but then the clearance rack was saying, "Kat! Come to me! come look at me!" so she went and followed the voice of the God blessed clearance rack. It was like a burning bush surrounded by a silver ring of stylish but not too expensive clothes. And it was $7.50. And God said, "It is good."
Steven can no longer be a part this blog writing experience because he is going to Wal-mart to buy soap.
Shari is temporarily away because she is popping her back. And her hips. And her knee. There's a whole lotta poppin' going on.
Annnnnd...she's back.
Whew! I feel better. So I think this blog is coming to an end even though it was lots and lots of fun. It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you've had the time of your life.
Waiting to Hatch
I know that the name of this blog may not make a whole lot of sense, but I'm going to put forth an effort to explain it. I'm a big fan of C. S. Lewis. He was a brilliant man that spent many years comtemplating and wrestling with some of life's biggest and most complex questions. Not only that, he had a pretty decent sense of humor which is always appreciated. He had a wonderful gift of taking complicated ideas and putting them into metaphors that made more sense. That being said, here's the quote that I got my idea from:
"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad."
Many many times, I find myself trying to "fly" in certain areas of my life in which I haven't "hatched" yet. In this lifestyle, it seems encouraged to take shortcuts and skip steps and as a result our goal is less fulfilling, less meaningful, and all around just not as good as it could be. I want to fly. Not just hop off the ground a little bit. Therefore I'm an egg, waiting to hatch.
