100 Items of Randomness. RE: yours truly

This is a nifty little exercise:  list 100 random things about yourself.  This is in no particular order, just the first things that jumped in my head.

100. My heart belongs to Jesus.

99. I work in ministry – Children’s Ministry.

98. Mustard is my condiment of choice.

97. I hate mice.

96. Sometimes I feel inadequate.

95. My weakness: Coca-Cola

94. I watch CSI religiously.

93. I’ve never dyed my hair.

92. I wore braces for 5 years – yikes!

91. I had eye surgery when I was five.

90. I broke my arm when I was seven.

89. I’ve driven into a wall.

88. I’ve had up to 23 cats at one time.

87. I like being alone.

86. I love driving fast.

85. I love to clean.

84. I miss my grandmother.

83. I talk in my sleep.

82. I want to go to Australia.

81. I love rollercoasters.

80. I hate commercials.

79. I hate feet.

78. I love rainy days.

77. I’m short.

76. My favorite color is black.

75. Sandra Cisneros is a genius.

74. My favorite movie is Wizard of Oz.

73. I don’t like sweets.

72. I have an older brother.

71. I have a younger sister.

70. My parents are still married.

69. I lived in Houston for 3 years.

68. I read magazines from back to front.

67. I read the newspaper to find mistakes.

66. I collect quotes.

65. I love words.

64. Writing is a wonderful hobby.

63. I have no sense of direction.

62. When I love, it’s with a passion.

61. I don’t believe women have a choice.

60. I love cats…and dogs.

59. I want to go skydiving.

58. I’ve never been on a horse.

57. I keep many journals.

56. My friends are few, but that is how I prefer it.

55. I love to sing loud in the car when I’m by myself.

54. I miss my childhood.

53. I am still friends with my first love.

52. I prefer short hair.

51. I have 3 nieces.

50. I have 1 nephew.

49. Seriel killers intrigue me.

48. I hate when people burp.

47. I cry when I’m frustrated.

46. I used to have my tongue pierced.

45. I don’t like ice cream.

44. I love to chew on ice.

43. Sonic has the best cokes.

42. I don’t know how to turn my brain off.

41. I sleep with 6 pillows.

40. I don’t care for romantic comedies.

39. I like taking pictures.

38. I’m addicted to Bath & Body Works products.

37. I like solving crossword and sudoku puzzles.

36. I prefer hot weather.

35. The shower is my sanctuary.

34. My parents are my heroes.

33. I always have to have a pen in my hand.

32. I’m always chewing gum.

31. I enjoy a good slice of cheesecake.

30. I believe in the impossible.

29. I need systems in place to function.

28. I indulge in the laughter of my nieces and nephew.

27. I hate when people say they’ll call you and then don’t.

26. I love shopping at Target.

25. I spoil those I love.

24. I’m a New Kids On The Block fan.

23. My favorite number is 9.

22. I don’t want to live my life with regret.

21. Books are a sweet escape.

20. I’m told I laugh too loud.

19. I need glasses.

18. I like horror movies.

17. It’s hard to let go sometimes.

16. I don’t drink coffee.

15. I met Sandra Cisneros.

14. Sometimes I wish I could run far, far away.

13. My family is amazing.

12. My favorite time of day is early morning.

11. I miss poetry slams.

10. I wish people loved the way animals do – unconditionally.

09. I can’t keep fish alive.

08. Marriage seems nice, but it’s not for me.

07. I never want to fail my nieces and nephew.

06. My father is the most important man in my life.

05. I pray for my sister’s upcoming marriage.

04. I’m gonna hate it when he goes.

03. Tori Amos stole my thoughts and put them to music.

02. Love should be a great friend, why are we always fighting?

01. It takes me a long time to let people in.

Sandra Cisneros

I don’t quite remember the year or how long it has been, but I have loved the writings of Sandra Cisneros ever since my brother introduced me to her with her first acclaimed work, The House On Mango Street.  My brother was not a fan, but was told that if he went to one of her readings he could earn extra credit.  Upon listening to her, he figured I would like her and he was correct in his assessment.  As soon as he handed me the book, I devoured every single page and clung to every word that littered the pages. I voraciously read every one of her writings and even ventured to find books and essays that featured her work.  She has truly inspired me to become a better writer and to fall even deeper into love with the magic of words.  In the coming month I will have the opportunity to meet her once again as she goes on tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her beloved The House On Mango Street.  She will be making an appearance in my hometown and that is even more exciting.  Here’s to the power that lies within when pen and paper collide.

Ants Marching

I wrote this blog entry a while back, but I re-read it a while ago and thought it still held some importance.

I’m a sucker for Discovery Channel, National Geographic….shows like that. I was watching this one show on Ants. Yes, the pesky little insects that seem to overtake our backyards, and I was amazed at just how much we could learn from ants.

Ants are the greatest example of what it means to be a team. They have systems in place. The queen heads up the team, followed by the drone (male), and then the workers. The unique thing about ants is that they all know what they are supposed to do, even in a colony of 2 million. It would be easy to get lost in that shuffle and relent on what needs to be done because “someone else will do it,” but not in the ant world. Every single member has a job and if one fails, the colony suffers. The ants are also focused on what needs to be done and they don’t lose sight of their vision. As they make their journey in moving food, dirt, and other items they refuse to be stopped. As it is with everything else, ants are also on a timeline. Do you know that each ant has a specific role? There are ants who are assigned to be look-outs so that if anything gets in the way of the ants marching through, they will be there to stop them. Nothing stops the workers, nothing holds them back. They press on even when it seems they can’t.

What can we learn from the ants? In our lives, our jobs, our ministry? You see, we are all part of a team, whether it is small or 2 million strong like the ants. We are all given a specific role and if we don’t work at it with every thing that is in us, we not only fail ourselves, but our team as well. Our vision should not be stopped even when we feel like we are carrying 50x’s our weight. There is too much going on around us that could easily stop us, but it is up to us to carry out what has been entrusted to us. Who are the people we are putting in front of us, ahead of the line to watch out for us so that we can keep marching through with what we have been given? Leaders, are we leading our teams in the direction of the vision? Are we supporting, encouraging, and lifting those around us?

Ants, although, annoying and troublesome, can teach us the basics and the intricacies of teamwork. Before you go stomping on some ants – watch and learn from one of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!” Proverbs 6:6

Quite Funny, Actually

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I get a kick out of watching people fall. I don’t mean that in a rude way. I don’t know how to make that sound nice, but honestly, witnessing someone take a tumble is quite hilarious. It’s as if everything is in slow motion and the person knows they are falling and suddenly all these facial expressions are created as if by making them the fall itself can be prevented. The process gets funnier when they get up quickly, in obvious pain and look around to make sure no one captured that moment. I never laugh outright and point my finger to let them know I just witnessed an embarrassing moment for them. Now that would be rude. I laugh to myself and secretly thank them for a few seconds of humor. All that being said, last night it was my turn to humor the public. I went to dinner with my dear friend and he walked ahead of me excited about the rotating doors at the entrance to the restaurant when my foot decided to glide out in front of me. Realizing I was now the star of my show, I tried not to make a funny face and I didn’t even bother to get up quickly. I waited for my friend to come around from the revolving door ride and let him help me to my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing cause I knew I had just played the part that made someone else laugh. My knee is in pain, but it was a good laugh.

Finally

So I have finally dedicated myself to exercising. It’s been a while but in the last few weeks, I have really enjoyed exercising. It helps that I have a buddy system going on with my sister-in-law, Michelle. She and I brave the incessant ringing of the alarm clock at 4:00 a.m. to make our journey to the gym and welcome our day with lots of cardio and sweat. It’s been fun. I have tons of motivation right now and I presume that is key to keep this going as I plan to make it a life-long process. Exercise has become a daily routine in my schedule and I look forward to it. It provides a sense of stress release for me and it clears my head from constantly thinking about a myriad of things. Obviously, exercise is good for a healthy life, but I am finding that exercising has many more benefits that have nothing to do with the physical aspect. I am just a little annoyed and embarrassed that I did not commit to this wonderful part of life sooner.

Wonderland

Yes, I am lost in wonderland…wondering about numerous things…things to numerous to mention and dissect, but nonetheless numerous enough to have my mind on overload.  I’m perplexed by one in particular, but I’ll keep that to myself until I am ready to dispell that which captivates my thoughts.  Such secrets.  Believe me, it’s not that big ‘a deal, but it’s enough to make me wonder…and so I remain in my wonderland.

Benicio

I love Benicio del Toro. I think he’s the perfect face for my page.