KY is in the middle of an ice storm. Yesterday Asbury had a 1-hour delay and although the poor physical plant guys worked tirelessly all day (since 5am) to keep the pathways clear, there was nothing to be done about the ice that kept accumulating. Last night everything started to get so heavy that trees are breaking, people are losing power, etc. The governor declared a stage 2 emergency. There are 14000 people without power. Fortunately, we are not one of them. Although it did flicker in and out last night. Asbury declared a 2-hour delay last night but I am happy to say that this morning they had the sense to close. This is some pretty bad weather. Even for a Northerner, this is way out of my comfort zone. The tree out my bedroom window is sunk to the ground with a few of the branches snapped. Roads are closed. It's an icy wonderland out there... beautiful but dangerous. Charles may try to get a pic or two today which I will try to post. I have never seen weather like this is KY. I feel bad for the physical plant guys who have been out there again today since 5am, cleaning the ice and picking up the fallen trees. I guess some people don't get a day off no matter how bad the weather. 

1) We booked our cruise! Over spring break we are headed to Fort Lauderdale and Nassau! Awesome! Now we just have to figure out how to get to Ft. Lauderdale. Plane tickets are so stinkin expensive these days and I don't feel like spending 32 hours in the car.

2) I got a $150 dress yesterday at Banana Republic for $35!!!!!! It is perfect for Kate's wedding - trendy but classic! I LOVE sales!

(Read the full story below!)

We'll find out.

Yesterday, with Kate's influence, I spontaneously decided to dye my hair brown. Well, it wasn't quite that simple. It started when I asked her to put a few highlights in my hair. Let me start at the beginning. (This is not a serious post by any means and probably too much detail about something you care nothing about -- but this is more for my benefit... so I can look back on this years from now and be reminded of what possessed me to do such a thing.) Please understand that this is a big thing for me. I don't really do change. At least to myself. I follow the same routine every day, I wear the same make-up colors every day, I style my hair the same way - I find something that works and I am not quick to change it. And I have always liked that I have blond hair and big brown eyes. It's unique.

But I digress.
I have been a natural blond my whole life, but since college, every winter my roots get pretty dark so the top is light brown and the bottom is blond - so even though I don't dye it, it almost looks like I do. But then in the summer it all gets really blond again, so I don't worry about it too mcuh. I have gotten highlights a couple of time, just to mask the dark roots and give my hair some dimension. The last time I did that was for my wedding over three years ago. So yesterday I decided that I was getting sick of my dark roots. Makes me depressed/feel like my hair is dirty all the time. So I bought a box of highlights (which I have used before, which always works very well) and asked Kate it she would do it for me.

So yesterday afternoon we sat down and did my hair. Well, for some reason it didn't quite work. It wasn't anything Kate did. I could see how she had put the highlights in and it was great. But my hair went uber blond at the roots and then hardly lightened at all anywhere else so when my hair was wet, a actually slightly resembled a skunk and kate was panicking. (I knew it wouldn't be so extreme once we blow-dried it.) So we dried it and it wasn't so bad. I had some nice highlights around the face but there was ONE spot that turned really blond and the space right next to it still looked really brown and probably no one would ever have noticed (Charles couldn't tell at all, even when I pointed it out) but it would have driven Kate and I nuts so we decided we needed to fix it. But that gave us 2 options. Go all super blond to cover it, or go a different color. Well, normally I would just go the blond because it will just grow out blond this summer and won't be a big deal. But it's the middle of winter and I have no tan and going so blond would make me look complete washed out. So that I idea was out. So Kate said - "You should just go brown." And I was like..."um... I don't know. I like being blond." But she flipped her hair over my head and we decided it might work. So we went BACK to Wal-Mart (and this whole time I'm really really nervous and thinking about how that blond spot really wasn't all that bad) and we sat on the floor of the hair color aisle for probably an hour trying to pick the best color. And we finally narrowed it down to medium ash. I was thinking LIGHT brown. But Kate kept saying - that's not much different than the top of your hair is now. If you're going to change, make a real change.

And we did. And at first I panicked because the water ran purple when we took the stuff out. And my hair looked black and I felt goth. And then we blow-dried it and it was a bit of panic at first because my hair is always brown when it's wet but then lightens as it dries and this time it didn't. NO blond. And then, there are parts of blond still peeking through at the bottom and to me it looked like it was gray. And then I REALLY panicked. But no one else could see the gray - just me. So I decided I was crazy and dealt with it. Kate told me I could have 3 cries and after that, if I still hate it, we can go back to blond.

So far I haven't cried yet. I DO miss the blond. I look down sometimes and see brown hair laying over my shoulder and it throws me off for a minute. Yesterday I was ready to change but today, in real sunlight, it doesn't look gray anymore and I rather like it. I feel mysterious. (Which I have NEVER felt, being a blond.) I feel like it brings my brown eyes out and it definitely don't feel so washed out since I have no tan.

So I have decided to keep it. Not forever. I will keep it this winter and will probably go back to being a blond this summer. But I made the change. I actually did something new and spontaneous. I've thought about it many times and finally (with some persuasion) had the guts to do it. And I won't cry. (My mom said my dad might - haha - he has always like the blond women in his family!) In fact, I may even grow to think of myself as a brunette.... Nah. I will always be a blond at heart! :)

So that is my story in all of it's unimportant detail! If you got through it, good for you! If you see me and you like it, let me know. If you don't like it, keep your opinion to yourself! ;)

Before I get into my crazy dream, I have to say that this sleeping 10 hours a night is getting ridiculous. Every weekend I got to bed approx at midnight at get up at 10. That's a lot of sleep. I thought that 10am was my "biological alarm" so to speak. Well, last night we went to bed a little before 2am and I thought i'd wake up around 10. Nope. 11:30. My body seriously does not wake up unless I have slept for around 10 hours. No wonder I'm always so tired during the week when I get 8 hours of sleep. I need to start going to bed around 9pm. Yikes.

Anywho - I had this dream last night that I went to a hospital for something and ended up in line at the abortion clinic. (I didn't need an abortion.) I was just chillin and talking to all the ladies there (who were pregnant), but I wasn't trying to get them not to have one or anything. i was just making small talk. So I got to the front of the line, and since I didn't need their services, I just went and sat at the "counter." (There was a big waiting room, and then a counter with bar seats (what the heck is wrong in my brain?) And then a big plastic barrier behind which sat all the nurses and stuff. And then their were 3 doors that took you to the counseling rooms and the operation rooms. I never went back there. I just saw a lot of women go in with confident expressions and come out with red, blotchy eyes.

Anyhow, so I'm just chillin there, for some reason, and then I saw that the name of the place was "UN UNTO" as in "Unto us a child is born" but "UN" as in - NOT ANYMORE. (I'm seriously concerned about my mental health.) And a sign underneath said "operation time approx. 6 1/2 minutes" and then there was a counter for how many abortions were performed that year (was this supposed to make the women feel better?) and the number was going up every minute or so. (And it was in the millions.)
So, for some reason, I decided that I wanted to twitter about how weird this whole place was. So I grabbed my laptop and opened it up and before I actually made the post, I got distracted by something and walked away (can't remember what now.) When I came back, I couldn't find my laptop. It was nowhere. There are 2 other people in the room working on laptops (Russell Purvis and some blonde woman) and so I'm asking them if they had seen ANYONE come in the room in the last 2 seconds and take my laptop and they were like "nope." And there are all these other laptops laying around so I'm going through each one and opening it and seeing who it belongs to and 4 of them were Russell's. So I'm starting to get really mad and thinking 1)Who the heck took my laptop? and 2) Why does Russell have a bazillion laptops in the abortion clinic and 3) Why didn't whoever took my laptop take one of the random ones laying around instead of mine (which was an older model)??? (All were Macs, for the record.) So I'm starting to get really angry and am swearing and Russell keeps saying "stop swearing, I don't like it." And I"m yelling at him "THEN STOP JUST SITTING THERE AND GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND HELP ME LOOK FOR IT." And then I woke up.
BUT
When I went back to sleep, I was still in the abortion clinic. But the whole laptop part of the dream was gone. This time, I was trying to take a picture of the sign (because it was just so bizarre) with the camera on my phone. But I had to get close to actually make out the sign and then one of the nurses caught me trying to take a picture and they thought I was going to use it to stop people from going there and I was like "no - I just want to show my mom because it's so weird." And then they did this whole background check on me (and I'm trying to hide the fact that I work in a seminary, because that will not go down well.) And they found out I went to Houghton, a Christian school, and I told them I was a music major. And then they linked me to Duke Seminary in Cincinatti (?) and told me I was married to a guy named Ted Carl and I was like "nope - that is definitely not me. I live in KY. Now, I WORK at a seminary, but i'm in financial aid. I'm not a student or anything." (Like that was supposed to make a difference.) But they were unconvinced. I didn't want to look supportive of abortion, I just wanted to look neutral so I could take the stupid picture.
So I went back into the waiting room part and every time the front area was clear I would try to sneak a picture but the sign would disappear. So I never did get my picture.
The dream ended when the woman and her boyfriend had been standing in front of me in line (she had had a baby bump) came out and she was proudly showing me that she had a flat tummy again. (But I could see the hesitation on her eyes and that her eyes were red like she had been crying.) And I just said "wow" because I didn't know what else to say. I was sad for her and sad for the baby and I wanted to say something like "I wonder if your dead baby would be proud of your flat tummy" or "well, I hope you have a guilt-ridden 9 months..." or something. But all I said was "wow" and after she walked out, I waited a few seconds (so I wouldn't have to walk with her - because I didn't know what to say), and then I walked out... and then my dream went a totally different direction from there... (of which I can't really recall clearly)... and then I woke up.

I don't have the time/energy to tell this in a lot of detail but I'll sum it up.

I was living in NYC and had to take the "subway" to central park. But instead of trains, they had turned the "subway" into water canals, and you had to get on a little metal platform (probably 1 foot by 3 feet) and float to your destination. And you couldn't get off unless you quoted a bible verse or answered a bible question. So I'm at my stop and they tell me to quote a verse and I didn't know that one so I'm begging them to let me get off saying "I really do read the Bible, I just don't know that one verse. Please give me a second chance, I have to get off here." And I ended up getting off so they must have given me another question. I don't remember the question, but the answer was "Jerusalem." Weird.

I another one too, but I don't feel like typing it all out. :)

I don't know why I have not taken advantage of Skype before now. I guess probably because we did not pick up the internet in our apartment until a couple months ago. But now we do and have talked to some of our favorite friends in Oz this past week. (Not all of them, of course, but we are working on it.) And it has been super amazing to hear how things are, and hear the Australian accent again, and hear the personality come out - phone is so much better than email.

So much for my blog about doing great with my New Years "resolutions." I must have jinxed myself because yesterday it all went out the window. It's this blasted anger, man. It is uncontrollable, it seems. And, worst of all, it was not even for a good reason. It was not at bad drivers (of which there were plenty this weekend), or Charles or social injustice or anything of significance. I blew it at a GAME. Yes, it is well known to most of the world that I am uber-competitive. But I didn't even blow up because I was losing. I lost (not last place, but I didn't win)and was fine. What made me so mad was that, near the beginning of the game (Phase 10 - bad choice in the first place... that game never ends well), I was way behind everyone else - like 3 phases or something like that. And I had almost 300 points and everyone else had less than 100... I was really losing. And one of my buddies that we were playing with kept skipping me because it was FUNNY. Well, the first couple times it was funny. And then it got frustrating because I was getting farther and farther behind and was never getting to play, and then it was no longer frustrating and I got MAD. And all my patience, kindness and love went right out the window.

And now I feel guilty. Fortunately, my buddy is a pretty cool guy and I don't think he'll hold it against me (and he definitely knew about my temper AND about my resolutions and was instigating me on purpose, the punk) but I think I may have scared him a bit. Anyhow, we truced and all ended well, except with my conscience.

I'm sure the Lord gave me this personality for a reason - there must be something good I can do with it... but sometimes I wish I was born nice, laid back, quiet and sweet-spirited. Because it is BLASTED hard work to try and become that way.

So here we go, starting all over again at week #2. Hopefully this week can be as promising as last week, without the giant blow-up at the end.

I have successfully completed my first week back to work after a long break. The first week is always the hardest. There is all that dread about going back, but once I'm back it's not so bad. I realize that, if I didn't have a job, I would probably be bored to tears. As far as my "resolutions" go, so far so good. I had to drive to the hospital on Monday morning and it is a horrible drive into Lexington with a ridiculous amount of traffic lights (which I have the uncanny ability to almost always hit red - ask Kate) and frustrating drivers. And I felt myself start to get angry but instead of yelling and swearing, I wrote a song which I sang 97% of the way there and, lo and behold, I made it all the way there and realized I wasn't even frustrated anymore. Even when the only parking space I could get was on the roof of the parking garage and the elevator was broken and it was freezing cold out and a 15 minute walk and I left WAY early and ended up being right on time and then sat in the waiting room for over an hour, I wasn't angry. My song went like this. If you know the tune, it will make more sense!
I'm a gonna scream, scream, scream
I'm a gonna shout, shout, shout
I'm a gonna scream, I'm a gonna shout, I'm a gonna cry
If this light does not turn green, I won't swear but I will scream
I'm a gonna scream, I'm a gonna shout, I'm a gonna die!
HA!
(Not Mozart, but at least it kept me away from the anger train for 45 minutes!)

As far as work, I have found myself having more patients with my students and my co-workers. I have been much less cynical and much more positive! At home, although harder, I have found myself having more patience with Charles. And in any circumstance, when the idea of "having patience" just does not cut it, I remind myself that loving others was another one of my resolutions and that usually helps me not do something stupid.
I know God must be working overtime, because I certainly could not be doing this much better on my own. They say if you do something for 21 days, it becomes a habit. I'm hoping to make these new resolutions not only into habits, but into a lifestyle. That has the potential to change everything.

My biggest challenge came last night. Charles got mad at me. I won't go into why, because it's not important. But it was late at night and we were coming home. He said he didn't want to talk about it, and came home and went straight to bed, without saying a word. Now LAST year (as in 2 weeks ago) that would have royally ticked me off because I think it is AWFUL to go to bed angry. And in my own frustration over HIS frustration (even though I wasn't mad at him at all, originally), I would have badgered him to talk about it, making him more mad, and making me mad in the process and then, because we were both tired, it would have turned into this big thing. (And I know this because it's happened before.) But last night I remembered "patience, kindness and love." So I didn't say anything to him and let him be mad and just go to bed. And I went to bed, working hard to not be frustrated and just thinking that, for once, it might be better if I just kept my mouth shut. And because I reminded myself that I had no idea yet why he was mad at me (because he didn't tell me) and I had no reason to be mad at him, I was able to let it go and go to sleep. This morning, he was over it and we talked about it and it was fine. NO PROBLEM. See, if only I could have learned this 3 years ago I can't imagine how many stupid fights we may have avoided. But better late than never!

And one other note of victory (I'm not trying to brag, honest, I am just astounded at the change - seriously, God must be working a miracle here!), we played racquetball on Thursday. I made some decent progress in my playing and in my temper last year, but usually I would still get angry, even if I stifled it more and didn't take it out on Charles or my racket. But anyway, I went into it and once I started playing, realized that I am DEFINITELY rusty and Charles was gonna whoop my butt. So I just realized that I was going to lose, no matter what, but I was still going to play hard - not for purpose of still trying to win, but to get the most exercise out of our playtime as possible, and to give Charles a challenge. And it worked. I lost all 3 games, but I didn't end up doing near as bad as I thought and both of us got a decent work out! And I never once got angry, and that made it all the more fun for both of us.

So with that I will say, week #1 = success! Keep praying for week #2. I think it is going to take a LONG time before the action becomes a habit and not something I have to think about everytime. I know it is going to be a process and that I will probably fail miserably at times, but I'm glad God has helped me this week because it has shown me that it IS possible to really live this way. :)

Every New Year's Day I try to reflect on the happenings of the past year and prepare for the year to come.

2008 was a pretty good year. The major event that happened was our trip to Israel on the archeological dig. That was an experience of a lifetime, and we were so blessed to be able to go. In spite of all my worries about funding, God provided for us and we were able to save enough money, with the help of some donations, to get it all paid off.
We made some new friends last year. Kate moved to Asbury in February, 2008 and she has been a huge blessing to me this past year. Also, we started getting to know the SWU guys better and they have provided hours of fun, whether it be at Pazzos or Guitar Hero...
Work this past year held its share of challenges. I am thankful for my job and am blessed to have a stable job in our crumbling economy, but it has not been without it's stress and frustration.
One thing I really struggled with in 2008 is sincerity. You would think that spending the majority of your time in the seminary environment would really challenge your faith and strengthen it and encourage you to dig deeper in your relationship with God. I mean, there are a plethora of good chapels and speakers, etc. but I have felt really apathetic this year. Maybe it's because it's easy to just talk. It's easy to say the right things, (not so easy to do them, but not impossible), but it's really hard to DO and SAY things authentically - meaning it with all of your heart. I have found myself really not caring much at all about anything. I find myself less patient, less kind, and less loving, more cynical and much more pessimistic. We have a great church where I am almost always challenged but then I go through the week not putting any of what I have learned into practice and fall into the pit of thinking "why even bother to go to church if it doesn't impact my life the rest of the week?" Needless to say, this year has not been the easiest for me.

Other than that, life has been pretty much the same - me working, Charles kicking butt at school (and spending many hours in the library).

2009 is going to bring some changes. Charles graduates in July and although we are not sure what is going to happen after that, there will be changes. I have some hopes and dreams for 2009. Charles doesn't really believe in New Year's Resolutions, but I like to see Jan 1 as a "fresh start" in some ways. I have a New Years Resolution. We'll see how it goes.
But more than a resolution, I have things that I know need to change in my life and only God can make those changes happen. In 2009 I want to learn to relinquish control and going along with that, I want to learn how to trust - both God and people. I don't know when I stopped trusting but I have realized in this last month or so that I rely on myself for so much, and when I don't have control of something, I panic. And the crazy thing is, we have been MORE than blessed, but so often, I cannot see this and only focus on what we DON"T have, rather than what we DO.
Also, I want to see people through Jesus' eyes. Especially Charles. I have become very mean-spirited and angry and I'm not sure when or why this happened, but I don't want to be that way anymore. I don't want to get so angry every time I get in the car, for example. I want Jesus to teach me compassion and kindness. And I certainly need him to teach me patience. In all areas.

I think God has his work cut out for him this year! :) And I know that I need to start doing my part as well.