New York... here we come!

One of my favorite things to do is travel. My family did a lot of traveling when I was younger, and once I got out of school, I made it my personal goal to travel as much as possible while I'm not tied down with a family of my own. Since I graduated from Baylor, I've been to L.A., San Diego, Colorado (several times), Florida, Boston, Washington DC (twice), Nashville, Mexico, England, France (twice) and Italy. Not bad for less than five years!

I'm always looking for my next trip. Since I'm saving most of my money for school (and trying to make upgrades on my house), this year we're planning a short, less-expensive but still fabulous trip... to New York! This is the last season for the Yankees to play at the old stadium, and I've never sat my hiney in one of those famous seats. I've driven by and taken pictures, but since I've only been to New York in Dececmber and March, I've never seen Derek Jeter in his home jersey. I've never tasted New York cracker jacks. Or run from a mugger in the Bronx (oops).

But this summer, we're doing it! New York or bust!

Even better, I was telling a friend of mine, who happens to work for NBC, about my trip. He said that he may be able to get us tickets to watch Conan or another show tape LIVE! How exciting! It's not a done deal just yet, but we should know for sure in the next few weeks. This little trip is turning into something fun!

Annuale

Okay, this may be the funniest video I've ever seen. It's a commercial from last weekend's Saturday Night Live. You've got to check it out.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQL2q-wjAsg

My highly retouched movie star photo

A few months ago I had to have my picture taken for one of the boards I sit on. They needed our photos for the directory or website or something, and even though I already have a professional headshot for work, I was forced against my will to get my picture made yet again.

The day we were scheduled to take this photo, I got a huge zit on my chin. And somehow I popped a blood vessel in my eye (yes, that was lovely). I was having a bad hair day. I felt pale. And really, really not cute.

So I jokingly asked the photographer to "retouch" my photo. I encouraged him to go crazy with Photoshop and do whatever it takes to make me look presentable. Well by-golly, Photoshop is a wonderful thing! Because after he was finished, I ended up with flawless skin (where'd those freckles go?), perfectly white teeth, perfectly clear eyes, and not a single hair out of place. Even my shirt has been whitened.

So now I know how those celebrities must feel after those big magazine covershoots. There's no way they could possibly look as flawless in real life as they look on the covers of those magazines. As someone who dabbles in design, I know how to tinker with a photo to "enhance" it. But this one of me just made me laugh.

And trust me, I'm going to use this photo forever.

Blonde moment... and the chair

Tonight we went to the best little Italian restaurant in town... it's called Taverno, and it's like you're stepping back into Italy. Even the bathroom is "authentic" European. Last summer when my family and I traveled across Italy & France, our big joke was trying to figure out how to use all of the bathrooms. Some were coin-operated, some had flushers in the form of peddles, for some had a push-button flush, others you pulled a rope from the ceiling. Most were co-ed (not cool for a modest Texas gal), and all were tiny. And this one was a lot like that... only it was free. In Italy, that's a bargain!

I had a major blonde moment--I left mom's birthday gift at home on my desk. I also forgot the thing I was supposed to bring for my dad. I was too busy chatting with my friend on the phone and worrying about doing my hair, and just left it. Which of course means that now I look like I didn't actually buy a gift. But mom... I promise, I did! And it's going in the mail tomorrow!

I also talked a few weeks ago about my big furniture purchase. I'm big into symbols that represent life changes. And since my life has changed over the past few weeks, I decided to commemorate it with a new piece of furniture. My very own Ethan Allen chair. According to sister Sarah, it's their #2 selling chair of the year. Apparently I have good taste. Even better, I got it 40% off the retail price because it was a floor sample. I guess that means a lot of strangers' rear ends have sat in that chair, but then again, a lot of strangers' rears will sit in it in the future. so it doesn't really matter, now does it? So anyway, this is my "life is not complicated" chair. Isn't it cute?

Two's

My blogs seem to come in two's. I think it's my A.D.D. side. I get to writing one thing, and something else pops into my head. And I hate long blogs. I also hate long research papers. And I have one of those due next Friday. Bleh.

Since I worked all weekend, I took the afternoon off. Originally my plan was to go home and do homework. But that changed about the time I left the hospital parking lot, and I decided I'd rather go home and take a nap. But then, after a good lunch, I realized I wasn't tired, and decided to hit the gym instead. There's nothing better than working out at 3:00. There was nobody there. No gawking middle-aged men, no beefy teenagers. Nobody's sweat splattering onto me as they run on the treadmill to my left. It was total workout peace.

I was in the mood to push myself extra hard (my workouts are totally driven by my mood... I think today's inspiration had to do with the rockstar soundtrack playing in my iPod, or maybe it was seeing all of those people conquer the marathon this weekend), so I ran on the treadmill, then rode the bike, then lifted weights. Hard. And now, as I sit in bed typing this, I feel like my rear end is going to fall off. Or explode. I think I overdid. Which means tomorrow I'll be hobbling around like an old lady, trying to keep up a sleek, sophisticated facade, while trying not to waddle around like a pregnant lady with a wedgie.

On another note, tomorrow is my mom's birthday. I'm so excited to celebrate one of my very favorite people. Ever. If I can grow up to be half the woman (and mom) that she is, I'll be happy. She combines grace, style, wit, intelligence, a great Christian character and a spot-on sense of humor, with perfectly accessorized outfits, sass, and a cup of Starbucks. She's the strongest woman I know. I'm glad she's my mom.

And, lucky for me, I don't think she'll care if I waddle into the restuarant tomorrow night as we celebrate her birthday.

Promises

"So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there... Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled." (Joshua 21: 43, 45)

How great is that? God delivered on every single one of his promises to his people (the Israelites). I'm sure when they were wandering in the desert for 40 years, or when Joshua was leading his people into all of those different battles (it seems like everybody and their dog had to be defeated before they got the promised land), or when they were being chased by Pharoah's men through the Red Sea, that God's promises must have looked pretty far-fetched. I mean, God couldn't possibly deliver on every single one, right? It was just too hard. There were too many limitations. God only had so much to work with.

Oh yeah, but he did. Crazy, huh.

So when I try to put my God into that little box, and try to characterize him with all of my limitations, and lack of imagination, and lack of perspective, it helps to see that verse. Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled. Every single time. No matter how unreachable, how improbable.

So what does that mean for you?

What's in a name?

I'm mainly doing this because I don't want to start on my homework just yet...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Lady 4-Runner

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Rocky Flip-Flop

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Pink Moose

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Anne Victoria

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Spuba (I like this one!)

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue Soda

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Jerry Scottie

8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent,favorite candy): Romance Butterfinger

9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Laughlin Laredo

10. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Fall Rose

11. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing rightnow): Cherry Yogapant

12. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Banana Muffin Magnolia

Cowtown... whew!

I volunteered out at the Cowtown Marathon all weekend. What a fun time! Those crazy marathon runners have such contagious spirits that it almost makes me want to try to train for one.

Almost.

Yesterday I was on my feet handing out timing chips to the runners for about 12 hours. I came home and went straight to bed by 9:30. Then, I was back up at the sinful hour of 4:20 a.m. (on a Saturday... yikes!) to go back out to the race to help out again. Today was even more fun--I got to escort the winners of the half-marathon and full-marathon back to the media tent for their interviews. I've always wondered what someone who runs a 6-minute mile for 26.2 miles must be like... and now I know! Let's just say they don't have much in common with me. But most were very nice.

I also saw several people puke at the finish line, and I didn't even get queasy!

It really did inspire me to start training for something again. It reminded me of the old days, three years ago, when I was running in these things (okay, technically I was running marathon relays, but close enough). I always bought a cute new running outfit to inspire myself to run harder and faster. Seeing everybody achieve their goals this morning made me want to join in. So now it's time to set a goal... and go shopping for some new running shorts.

A first

For the first time ever, I'm atually watching a democratic presidential debate. I can't believe it.

Caleb

So I was reading in Joshua the other night, and it described Caleb this way:

..."because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly." (Joshua 14:14)

Caleb was one of the spies who went to check out the promised land the first time, when 10 of the 12 came back scared and telling tall tales of giants, instilling fear in the Israelites. Because of their lack of faith, the Israelites were forced to wander in the desert for 40 more years. Caleb was one of only two who had faith. And because of it, he still got to see the promised land. Because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

Someday, I'd like someone to describe me that way. I want them to say, "Bethe was a cool girl because she followed the Lord wholeheartedly."

Video killed the radio star

So today was the big day... the big radio interview! I got up extra early (5:30 a.m.!), put on my cute new shirt, a pair of blue jeans and my cowgirl boots, and headed to downtown Fort Worth to hang out with the crew at 95.9 The Ranch. They turned out to be really fun people... very laid back, and extremely nice to me. We chatted for a few minutes about my connection with the Marathon, and then it was time to start the interview. Gulp. Right about that time I spilled some of my bottled water on their counter. That's right, I'm cool.

The interview went great. It started out with one of the DJ's commenting on my cowboy boots (I knew it would be better to show up at the country station in casual clothes instead of a stuffy suit) and from there the conversation flowed pretty well. Being on the radio is a lot easier than being interviewed on TV... there's no cameras to worry about, and after a minute I forgot about the microphones and just had fun hanging out with them. And, I didn't spill anything once the interview started. Or pass out.

They're going to replay my interview later this week, and they invited me to come back next year! I must say, that was one of the coolest things I've gotten to do with this job. I've always had a secret dream to be a radio personality. Which is obviously never going to happen, but today I got to live it for about 15 minutes on a tiny local country station. I'll take it.

Isn't this how life goes?

I was getting my hair done tonight after work, and ran into a guy from high school that I haven't seen in nine years. Now, I'll never admit to not being a true blonde (I am!) but I was getting some highlights, and when I first noticed him my head was full of foil. Not exactly my best look. Then, they washed it out, and put on the deep conditioning treatment. Which is a bunch of gloop all over my hair, and then they wrap my head in plastic (kind of like a see-through shower cap, only dorkier) and I sit under a large dryer for 30 minutes. And let me tell you, I look H-O-T with a plastic bag full of gloop on my head.

Well, high school friend finally noticed me (even though I was trying hard not to be noticed) and came over to say hello. It was great to see him, I think we went to Elementary School together (again, it's been awhile, I forget) and we got to catch up on mutual friends, what we've done with the past nine years of our lives, etc. It was fun to catch up, but my vain side couldn't help but think about how ridiculous I must have looked. Whenever I see an old friend from high school, I always think, "That person looks so great!" or "That person has really let himself go." So you can imagine my horror at the thought of him going back to our mutual friends and saying "I saw Bethe... and she looked... well, kind of strange. Maybe she looks better with hair."

Oh well.

Just can't be a slacker

I'm working on my masters degree, which means once a week I sit in class the whole evening learning something that I hope makes me smarter. I have always taken school very seriously, making straight A's in high school and college, always doing my homework, always reading the assignment. Yes, I was THAT girl in the front row. I just can't help it... it's not my personality to not do my best. Besides, I'm paying $2700 of my own money per class, so that's extra incentive to try hard.

So this week I was feeling extra lazy and decided to put all my homework off until the last possible minute. I crammed about 3 hours of studying into 1 hour last night, doing just enough to make sure the assignment due was ready to be turned in. I decided not to bother reading the chapter, because, frankly, I wasn't in the mood. Yes, I decided to watch tv instead of do my homework. I'm such a rebel.

So it was a great shock when I arrived at school 15 minutes before class started, and decided to flip open the book to find out what I was supposed to have read about. Turns out, I had already read it! I forgot that last week I had to get my oil changed, and I brought my text book along to kill time while I waited. So, even though I really tried my best to be a slacker, it just didn't work.

Whew. Maybe I'll try again next week.

I feel like an underachiever

I have some really cool friends. Many have accomplished some awesome things (successful lawyers, mascots, tv personalities, corporate bigwigs, even a spy), and today I found out another one of my friends has overshadowed my accomplishments.

My friend Ron White went to Afghanistan as a reservist for a year and just sent me a link to his photos. Normally he's just a nationally recognized memory expert who speaks all over the United States (I met him at my first job, and was even given a shout-out on the acknowledgment page in one of his books for my "grammar consulting"). I don't think I would offend him if I said he's just an average joe who set out to do something heroic in support of his country. Way to go Ron, I'm proud of you.

As for something much less heroic, I'm going to be on the radio tomorrow morning to promote the Cowtown Marathon, an organization that I help out with. It should be fun, since I've never been to a radio station before (although I have been on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, a midnight trucker show on 820 a.m. and Rush Limbaugh... but all of those are because I'm a big dork who used to call into radio shows). Hopefully I won't make a huge goober of myself. I wasn't that nervous (mostly because this isn't the most popular station in town or anything) until I started thinking about how DJ's like to make fun of guests if they say something stupid. I could just imagine my flubbed speech getting played over and over as a teaser while everybody laughs. AT me. Oh my, I'm getting nervous just thinking about it!

Is it wrong that I was tempted to go buy a new outfit for my big radio interview?

Perfect Sunday

Today was just perfect. It was one of those lazy Sundays that involved the little things that I enjoy so much. Nothing exceptional, but simple and comfortable and happy.

After church, I grabbed some Mexican food with friends, then came home for a nap. Then I took the Wonder Schnoodle on a walk around my neighborhood, enjoying the sunshine that has seemed so elusive all week. I love roaming my neighborhood, checking out the new houses and analyzing everybody's landscaping decisions (I have so much to learn, so I love to see what everybody else is doing). The fun thing about my neighborhood is that they're constantly building new houses, so the view changes weekly. Every once in awhile I'll sneak into a new house to see what features they have and compare them to what I did in my house. Sometimes Harley goes with me... if these homeowners only knew that the Wonder Schnoodle has walked all over their home, they might not be very happy with me. Oh well. Sometimes you have to be a rebel.

After the walk, I did a few chores in my yard, chatted with my neighbor Roy and then came in to catch up on homework. It didn't take very long, so now I have the whole evening to do whatever I want. It's the perfect way to start out my week.

Best week

This is one of the best weeks of the year. No, not because of Valentinte's Day. Or President's Day. Or the Grammy's or upcoming Oscars.

Nope. This is one of my very favorite weeks of the year because it marks the beginning of my favorite season.

Baseball season.

That's right, pitchers and catchers reported to spring training yesterday. Football is officially over (thank you God) and for the next 8 1/2 months, my old friend is back.

Too bad the Rangers have only had 1 winning season since '99. But in February, everybody can be the best.

These are pretty good

Here's my goal for this week (okay, two goals and an exclamation):

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27


And I pray that you... may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:18-19

(this third one is one of my very favorites)

A good day

It's amazing how the little things can change the course of your day. It makes me so happy to wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee percolating, waiting for me to enjoy the first cup. And then a second. Maybe with a little touch of milk.

I really should set up my coffee maker the night before, so that every morning I can wake up to this little piece of happiness. But I get too busy sometimes. It seems that I get preoccupied doing things that don't matter, and neglect to take care of things that do. Even something as small as preparing my coffee.

So in honor of my coffee (I'm even trying a new flavor tomorrow... French Vanilla instead of my typical Hazlenut), I've made a list of silly things that make me really happy.

• Watering my flowers in the morning.
• The smell of books.
• When my dog cuddles up next to me while watching TV.
• Pay day.
• A fire in my fireplace.
• The smell of barbecue.
• A day with no appointments.
• Pedicures with girlfriends.
• Dinner with girlfriends.
• Sunday afternoon naps.
• Saturday afternoon naps are good too.
• March... when the media starts covering spring training.
• Baseball games.
• Taking my dog for walks around the lake in my neighborhood.
• Knitting.
• The way I feel after I run. Or lift weights.
• Getting a strawberry milkshake on my way home from working out.
• Hot tea.
• Donuts. Kolaches.
• Warm chocolate chip cookies, straight from the oven.
• Knowing that a new episode of my favorite TV show is waiting for me on my Tivo. And I get to skip the commercials.
• A warm day after a string of cold, rainy ones.

I'm off to bed. My coffee will be brewing in just a few hours.

Grammys = Strange, Unstable People

I'm not big on awards shows, but my mom called to say she was cooking dinner tonight and watching the Grammy's, and that was all I needed to hear. I hopped in my car and headed over for a home-cooked meal and more bonding time with the family.

This year's Grammy's have been great... mainly because they didn't waste time handing out awards. Acceptance speeches bore me. Just show me cool musical performances by Tina Turner, Beyonce, Josh Grobin, Alicia Keys, and Frank Sanatra. Oh, and Carrie Underwood is just so darn cute. I hope Tony Romo realizes what he's missing!

As I watched tonight's red carpet show, it reminded me of just how screwed up all of these people really are. If I saw one of those famous rappers walking down the street, I would hold my purse close or lock my car doors, because they just look scary. And some of those female performers are so dirty looking... I bet they smell bad. I don't get the whole celebration of Amy Winehouse. She can barely speak in complete sentences. It's very sad. We celebrate these performers, and yet, I want to be nothing like them.

Except maybe Carrie Underwood. I wonder if my hair could ever look like hers? Mine is as long and blonde as hers, but I could never get it to do that Texas-size bounce. I should call my hairdresser...

I survived

I survived those junior high kiddos yesterday. Career day went fine, although I have come to the conclusion that my job is only interesting to somebody in college or older. Before that, I don't think these kids really have a grasp on what my job really entails or why it's so much fun. All those kids took away from yesterday is that I get a bunch of free tickets to sporting events, and I get to watch surgeries whenever I want. I always think they'll enjoy the idea of designing advertising, but their little eyes just glaze over.

But I brought gifts, so they loved me anyway. One girl told me afterward that she wanted to be just like me when she grew up. Ahh, what a smart girl (just kidding).

My news interview with Kristi Nelson also went great. Our story is going to run next Tuesday or Wednesday... I'll let you know when. I think we did a great job, and the reporter said she would definitely call me again for future health care stories. Let's hope she does.

Today I have to tackle all of that homework I put off all week. But if I finish it all today, I'm going to reward myself by going shopping for some new furniture! It's my absolute favorite thing to shop for, and I have been needing an extra arm chair for my living room, so today just might be the big day! I'm hosting a party next week for my Sunday School class and could use the extra seating. Plus, I'm just sort of in the mood to buy something big. It's either this, or I'll need to book a trip to Europe or something. And surprisingly enough, the chair would be much less expensive.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be a fun day. I love my job, but every once in awhile I sit back and think about what a cool job I have. I get paid to do things that I would probably do for free. Tomorrow is one of those days.

Tomorrow morning I am speaking at a junior high career day. I'll be speaking to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders about the importance of going to college, and letting them know about careers in advertising. I did this two years ago and my kids were completely unimpressed. I thought they would be fascinated about the thought of shooting TV commercials, designing advertising, going to cool events or working with the media. But 6th graders are different, and all they wanted to hear about was blood and guts. Unfortunately, my job doesn't involve many blood or guts (although I see that occasionally).

If I survive career day (which I should, since I'm bringing gifts for the kiddos... whatever it takes to win their love), then after lunch I'll get to work with reporter Kristi Nelson from NBC Channel 5 on a news story that involves one of our doctors. It's always fun to work with a news crew... it's not nearly as glamorous as you'd think, but it's exciting nonetheless. I enjoy coaching people before they speak on camera, looking for a cool place for them to shoot, talking with reporters (or even more interesting, the cameraman). I'm fascinated by the whole process.

So wish me luck. It will be a full day!

Movie

Tonight I saw Juno, and it was adorable. Juno is the dark, moody heroine who gets pregnant at 16 and yet is mature beyond her years. I love Juno's sarcastic, dry sense of humor. I'm drawn to characters like her, and yet there's nothing dark or moody about me. I'm the kind of person Juno wouldn't like... perky and upbeat.

But, my life is a lot more fun being perky and upbeat. Plus, I drink a lot of coffee.

Angry post

Today was a long day, filled with nothing overtly bad, but it was tiring (plus I didn't sleep well) and weird things happened that required a lot of energy to fix. I had school after work, and was happy that I got finished an hour early (yipee!). I celebrated to myself as I walked back to my car, only to find...

A PARKING TICKET!

This is my fourth semester of grad school (yeah, I know, I'll be here forever). I was told when I first started that grad students who only park on campus at night don't need parking permits. I actually checked with someone. So imagine my surprise that in my fourth semester, my fourth class (so approximately my 54th time to park on campus) I came back to a parking ticket! For $75! It's ridiculous!

Plus, I sort of ran one of those red lights with the cameras on Friday night, so I'm waiting for another $75 ticket in the mail. I'm a good driver, I promise. Very responsible. And under normal circumstances, I think very highly of police officers (one of my very favorite people is a cop!). But tonight, after my long, hard day, when I was already cranky and hungry and a bit hormonal, I must say that I really don't like police officer #15. Whoever he is, I wish he would have shown me and Snowflake (my car) a little extra grace. Because we needed it tonight.

I'm going to bed early, to cuddle up with my TIME Magazine and forget about that stupid ticket. Tomorrow will be a better day.

My first love remembered

Tonight I ran into Hobby Lobby to pick up a little girl's birthday present (what do you get a 9-year-old?). I had forgotten just how wonderful Hobby Lobby is. Everywhere I turn are cute decorations, most at 50% off, all calling my name. I don't know why I never go there anymore.

Oh wait, now I do. As I paid for my two candle sticks, my cute shelf decoration that says "smile," some candles and my gift, I remember why I never shop there. Because if I don't go, I won't be tempted to spend my money!

Oh... and I got a really cool art set. Hopefully she will like it. Or at least not think it's stupid.