Well, things are slowly returning to normal around here. It has been a rough week with the funeral services and the gobs of homework that I have had. Thankfully, I only have one week left of classes and I'm really looking forward to a break. I just wish that it was bit longer but I'll take it. Below is a picture of Jacob and I at a Valentines Dance that we went to.

Although at this time I didn't know it, Jacob had gotten us a private dance lesson at a dance studio. I just can't wait! I've always wanted to take ballroom dance lessons so it was perhaps the best valentines gift ever! I will be sure keep you updated and take lots of pictures.

Well this has been a short and pointless post but I just thought I would let everyone know that we're doing ok and that once class is over, I'll try to be more consistent with my postings!

Numbness

I read something recently where an individual had attempted to describe the feeling of "numbness", the absence of feeling. Although it was well-written and very descriptive, it was hard for me to really feel it simply from reading the words of this author. I'm sure I had felt it before, but it's just one of those things where after it is over, you quickly forget about how it really felt; it's a that feeling just doesn't stay with you. Yet as I now reflect back over the last 24 hours, the words of this author have stuck in my mind, and I now remember what "numbness" is. I'm not planning on trying to describe this feeling to you, because just as I have come to discover, you can't understand the feeling through reading words from a blog or through hearing someone describe it, you have to feel it. And I don't want anyone to feel numbness, as it is perhaps one of the most terrible feelings in the world. Life is about feeling; its about love, hate, anger, pain, joy, happiness, fear. Yet numbness is the absence of these or any emotion; its as if your existence, your being, your soul, is no longer with you. It's the not knowing what to do, or say, or think, or feel because the one thing that guides these behaviors, our emotion, is not longer there. Words cannot do it justice; it's just indescribable.

My husband and I just found out last night that a dear friend from Chicago, was killed in a tragic accident this weekend. My heart goes out to her husband, her family, and her friends. Keep them in your prayers. I know that what I am feeling is insignificant compared to the hurt, anger, and loss that those closest to her are struggling with at this time. As I look at my husband and reflect on this short period that we have spent together, I am so thankful for the love we have shared and can't imagine what her husband must be going through. Death is a part of life, and it is something that all must deal with, but that doesn't make it easier, in fact, perhaps that is what makes it so hard to face. So as I sit and reflect on this weekend and dread the coming days, my prayer for her family, her friends, and for my husband, is that the sadness, loneliness, and hurt which they most surely feel at this time, is not replaced by "numbness" but that their pain is a reminder of the life that they have, and that they use every moment which is given to them for the glory of the one who gave it.

My "Vantage Point"

I just returned from seeing the movie "Vantage Point" and thought I would share with you my review of the movie. I had been looking forward to this movie for over a month and I have to say, it lived up to, and perhaps surpassed, my expectations. It began like any other action movie, yet as the movie progressed, the plot became increasingly more complex. I don't want to give away too much, but as you can tell from the title, you get see the story from the vantage point of different individuals, all viewing the same scene unfold. At the end of the movie, they all come together and you get a more holistic view of the story. I know, I know, this is not a new idea. But the way the director presents the story is different from any other movie I had seen. It has many different twists and turns, and the end of the movie contains the best, yes I said it, the BEST car chase I have ever seen in a movie. It was simply amazing. There is some foul language and some violent scenes, but overall, I give the movie an "A". Go see it, I really don't think you will be disappointed.

On a side note, I hate seeing a movie while surrounded by idiots. Every time the movie would go back and show a different vantage point of the same scene, they would say something like "what is going on" or "why do they keep showing this scene" and even "this is stupid." The name of the movie is "Vantage Point" what in the heck did you expect??? From the title you should understand that you are seeing something happen from VARIOUS vantage points. Geeessshhhh!

Anyway, see the movie and let me know what you think!

Welcome

Welcome to the wonderful world ME! My hope is that this blog will provide me with the opportunity to release some of the creative juices which have been all bottled up inside since my college days. During that period of my life I was constantly involved in some type of activity which required me to think creatively and put my skills to use but I just don't have the same opportunities for that type of activity any more. I've been trying to do more crafty things here like make blankets and scrapbooks, and I plan to continue to do them, but those activities can be costly and this is free so.....onward we shall go.

Most of you reading this blog probably already know me so there is no need for a long introduction about who I am, where I've been, and where I am going. I have posted a short piece about myself in the "about me section" to your right, so please feel free to read all about me there. Instead, I am going to post 10 weird/random things about myself which I first posted on my myspace page. However this edition will contain a bit more explanation for those of you who are curious. I found this activity fun and enlightening and thought many of you may enjoy learning something new about me. Feel free to comment on them as I hope this is a place for my friends and family to learn, explore, debate, argue, and keep in touch with one another. My goal is to post blogs about things which I find interesting in our ever-changing world and challenge each of you to "think outside the box" and see the world through my eyes.

1. I hate for any part of my body to touch the shower curtain while I'm taking a bath or shower. Although I am not sure where this comes from, I do know that if Jacob and I ever get to build our own house, we are gonna have a wide tub or one of the shower curtain rods that are curved.

2. My dream house would be a one level house with a downstairs basement that I could turn into a family room/guest room. (Does that count as a 2 level house?) I always loved the thought of a basement as a room. I think it is because when I was growing up, we spent a lot of time at my great grandmother's house, (the one that lives in near cleveland) and she had a basement that I just loved to play in. Although it was not turned into a room, I always thought that it would be the best idea ever.

3. I hate not having bright, bright, lights on when I'm in a room, especially the bathroom and kitchen. I'm not really sure why this is so. I enjoy being in the dark, but I just hate not having lights in the bathroom and kitchen. I guess the bathroom part comes from the fact that I was younger, I was always afraid that either the toliet was going to explode while I was on it, or that something was going to crawl out of it, like a snake or something, and bite me. That was my biggest fear. I guess I just transferred that fear to the kitchen as well.

4. Although I've had many different career dreams, I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom who can cook, sew, play with my kids, and garden. I think I would have fit in just perfectly during the 1950s. Although many people will say that it unambitious, I don't see it that way. I just like the idea of being a mom and wife. I always think of "Leave it to Beaver" and I know life isn't really like that, but I just think it would be great if it was.

5. Dancing is one of my most favorite things to do. I've always wanted to take swing or ballroom dance lessons or even perhaps disco! Update: For valentines day my husband got me private dance lessons at a dancing studio here in town! I AM SO EXCITED! He is the greatest husband ever!

6. I hate leftovers. The only food that I actually like eating after its intial cooking is cabbage rolls. They just always taste better if you reheat them.

7. I love adventure and being spontaneous. I would go on a trip somewhere new every weekend if my husband would let me and we could afford it. One of my favorite movies is National Treasure and I am so fascinated with conspiracy theories and government cover-ups. Although this appears to be 2 facts in 1, they are actually tied together. I think my sense of adventure makes me want to believe things that aren't necessarily true or are only part truth. Jacob hates it when I make him watch things on the History channel like, alien abductions, or monster hunters, but stuff like that is just interesting to me.

8. I have always told Jacob that if something ever happened to him and we didn't have any children, I would become a truck driver because I love to travel and I love driving. So many people laugh at me when I tell them this. I do know how hard being a truck driver is because my grandfather just to haul equipment for a company but I just like the idea of being on the open road. Although this is not a career that would last forever, I think it would be an interesting experience!

9. Staring out a window is an obsession of mine. If I'm sitting by a window, no matter what else is going on around me, I can't help but look out of it. I believe this relates to my fear or dislike of being in a small, enclosed space. The window provides an outlet into openess and fresh air and that freedom and space is mesmorizing to me.

10. If I could be like one famous person in the whole world, I would choose Reba Mcentire. I just love her! =) Although I've always liked her singing, it was her show that actually caused me to become her number 1 fan. She is just so funny and talented and although I know she is acting, I just picture her really being like that in person. Also, I love her accent and of course her red hair!