he ain't the leavin' kind

"Even after all this time,

The sun never says to the earth,

'You owe me.'

Look what happens

With a love like that,

It lights the whole sky."

-Hafiz, Persian poet of the 1300s

Some of you are aware that I've been reading through the book of Hosea with my sweet leetle baboosh, Erin, and some of you may have thought I'd forgotten to keep you updated--you thought wrong.

I just finished all 14 chapters of amazingness and I literally couldn't wait to tell someone about it! I'm not a huge reader during the school year for obvious reasons, but I couldn't put it down toward the end.

I have been thinking and debating in my mind the best way to share with you (anyone who'll listen) what working my way through this book of the Bible has shown me, and I've just about got it. This is my short post forewarning you that the next several will be cutting myself open to spill out all of the pure joy and thankfulness God has filled me with by finishing this story.

And to think...all this started with a phrase in a church sermon, and a night with no homework and no where to go...

My cup runneth over

Bonus: listen to this song I found that goes perfectly with the story of Hosea [both as an example of a marriage relationship and an intimate spiritual relationship with God]

*post title courtesy of the Rascal Flatts song

she's gone country

"When the sun starts slippin' from the Delta sky,

And the last scarecrow tucks in for the night

Make a fire, throw a blanket on the sandy bank

'Bout an hour til we feel the first catfish yank.

Barefoot cane pole wavin' at the riverboats

And when they're gone take a dip in the moon glow

That's what country is..."

Luke Bryan

I finally made the trek to Mississippi to visit Benny, and to my surprise I really liked it. Don't get me wrong here-- I never ever thought I'd hate it, but despite my freakish flare for country music, in reality I actually am a city girl. I've only ever lived in the thriving cities of Memphis and Birmingham, which despite being rich Southern history, aren't exactly the country....

That said, the fear of the unknown rural-lifestyle had me a bit spooked. Thankfully, we (me and the backwoods) hit it off right from the start. My trip was full of fun and new experiences including shooting my first gun, learning new history about the state lines (the Mississippi River doesn't actually serve as a hard-and-fast divide of Arkansas and Mississippi), and trips to both Doe's and Abe's. Here are a few of the pictures I took this weekend, and let me be the first to say they do not give The Delta justice--really and truly it's gorgeous down there.

[walking around some wreckage from the flood of the mighty mississippi]

[one of my favs-- he didn't know he was in the picture]

[deer tracks everywhere--this one looked like a heart]

[again...one of my favs b/c it describes him so well]

[Benny and his true love--his John Deere]

As you're well aware I'm a huge fan of lists in my posts; this one is no exception. While I found numerous things I loved, these next few are among some of my latest and greatest obsessions...

1) Orchards--specifically pecan orchards

[love the endless rows of perfectly landscaped trees]

[pecans]

[I don't even really like pecans, but these were ah.maze.ing.]

2) The Delta Sunset

[gave me chills]

[it lights up the sky like I've never seen it]

3) Open Spaces

[with the amazing sunset over a field at Allendale Farms]

[ok--so, this isn't a field, but c'mon..pretty dang cool if you ask me]

4) Back Roads

[at Concordia Rod and Gun Club]

[must admit it beats a highway any day]

last but not least.........

5) Cotton

[proud of the cotton modules]

In the word's of an all-time favorite,"I hear down there it's changed ya see, they're not as backward as they used to be-- She's gone country, look at them boots; she's gone country, back to her roots; she's gone country, a new kinda suit; she's gone country, here she comes..."

Couldn't have said it better myself, Alan. Here's to hoping that this is just the beginning of my love affair with the mesmerizing Mississippi landscape...

[one of our only pictures together from the weekend--finally figured out self timer]

*post title courtesy of the Alan Jackson song

*Now Playing: Mud on the Tires, Harvest Time, Livin' Our Love Song, Fly Over States, Country Boy's World, Famous in a Small Town, Me and Charlie Talking, Beaches of Cheyenne and many, many more.

all for one, and one for all

"Friendship isn't about whom you've known the longest.

It's about who came, and never left your side."

-Anonymous

[the title is a tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies: Now and Then. Now those girls knew a thing or two about friendship]

[shout out to my awesome friends--you know who you are and how much you mean to me]

Warning: this post is not for those who don't want to know how I truly feel about recent events with my oh-so-fabulous besties. (can't say I didn't warn ya)

That said, I always kinda wondered when I'd actually do this (write a post that might offend some people who actually take time out of their day to read what I have to say). I don't want to offend them, but I'm aware that I might. My only defense is that this is my blog. I write about the highs and the lows, and it just so happens that today I don't really have any pithy anecdotes for your entertainment.

I'm struggling with how exactly I want to say what I have weighing on my mind, but here I go anyway....

Ever hear of giving someone the benefit of the doubt? I'm sure you have (because, really, who hasn't?). What everyone fails to mention about this phrase is that it's subjective. Aka- it's not just given to everyone.

What about the song "friends in low places"? It's a Garth Brooks song thats fun to belt immediately following "Callin' Baton Rouge" while frat lapping, but it kinda has a point. I'm not sayin' my friends aren't top of the line; I'm sayin' not everyone gives us the benefit of the doubt.

Why you might ask? Because, in my humble opinion, the benefit of the doubt isn't given to those who 1) are overly visible or involved 2) tend to be loud and semi-obnoxious on a regular basis 3) might have made a few mistakes in the past (no matter if they have cleaned up their act currently or now refer to themselves as "grandmas" regarding their social activities)

[lions travel in "prides." packs known for loyalty and support]

* in media law we learned that pictures can be libelous when taken out of context. I wanted to make perfectly clear that I intend the context these pictures imply. (aka- I'm taking full responsibility for anything a reader would infer from my pictures, all courtesy of pinterest)

There used to be a time when I never doubted anything the people I trusted told me. I am a rule-follower through and through, but I'd be lying if I said I'd never made mistakes in this department (just to be clear...so would everyone else).

My issue today (and for the passed few days) has been the meaning of friendship and loyalty. I've always believed that family(both blood and otherwise) comes second only to God. That's why I'm perplexed as to why some would turn on their own.

"Friends are the family you choose for yourself."

aka-treat them like your family

I'm relatively certain you're getting my point; so, I won't beat a dead horse. SOooO0O00OO0o, I'm using the rest of this post to say why exactly it is that I'll always have my besties' backs. While I may have friends in low places, they're the cream of the crop.

They know the real me, (The one that wears her hair in an "Asian bun", over-sized Tennessee shirt and nike shorts. The one that can quote a song lyric or movie for any situation. The one that hoards nail polish, magazines, and DVDs like their going out of style) and I know them. They'd have my back in a hot-second, and I'd have theirs'.

[Thelma and Louise could teach every gal a thing or two about loyalty]

For better or worse, whether we always agree with each other or not, no matter the scenario, no matter the reason, no matter the outcome--you mess with one girl, you got us all.

[the perfect quote to describe us. senior year and all...]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times:

I got a million problems, but 99 ain't one.

*as for the rest of 'em... jury's still out...

if i could, bet i would...

okay, okay. I know I'm going to sound like a complete freak of nature, but here I go anyway...

I confess that I'm a full-blown, glasses wearing, list making, literature loving closet nerd. There. I said it. Not that I've ever really tried to hide it.

But when I woke up at the un-Godly hour of 5 a.m. (yes, 5:53 is still not 6) to sign up for classes for the last time I was filled with the oh so bittersweet feeling that I don't want to be done.

I'm hesitant to move on for all the expected reasons: I love my friends, my memories, and my major, and I'm not quite sure I have enough knowledge to take on the big, bad working world after graduation.

That said, I've been thinking about what I would do if, in fact, I actually had endless funds to pay for school and a full lifetime to learn everything I wanted to before applying it. (because I realize more school is outrageously expensive AND I'd be approximately 80 when I completed my studies. Not exactly ideal)

Here they are. The things I still wish I could dabble in before I strut my stuff across that stage with pseudo-diploma in manicured hand:

1) Law

Yes, I realize it'd be hard, time consuming, and tedious, but I just can't help it. I'm beyond fascinated by cases and rules (go figure. all that E! True Hollywood Story nonsense actually sank in.)

There's something about arguing that just never gets old to me (again, go figure. I'm not naive enough to think it's not obvious that I'm a semi- passively aggressive, sarcastic individual who enjoys being right by way of factual evidence. I'd LOVE to be a prosecuting attorney or an adoption lawyer. No shady defense for me. As much as I like to argue, I still have a conscience.

And I won't lie...there's some sort of pride I'd have just by saying I did it. To get through law school and, Lord-willing, pass the Bar would be pretty ballin' if I do say so myself.

2) Film Production

My love of movies is not just surface level. I love to watch them, quote them, and I'd love to make them. Granted I had my shot in a JMC class, but most know just how well that went. Nevertheless, I'm still fascinated.

It's just interesting to me all the aspects that go into getting the perfect shot. To imagine something and have the ability or means to make it a reality.

3) PR/ the PR Practicum

[ahahahaha love this]

If I'd had more time, I would have loved to do the print AND PR track at Samford. I think it's interesting and would make me more marketable.

4) Beauty School

Okay, don't laugh. I've always wanted to go to beauty school. Sephora and Ulta are my happy places (besides book stores). But in all seriousness...I'd love to just know how to color my own hair.

5) Politics/ Political Science

My one Intro class was enough to let me know that I'm not politically inclined. I wish I was, though. Maybe it goes back to law (see #1) or maybe it has nothing to do with it. Either way, I wish I was more informed and educated in the ways of our government. I used to want to do political PR. I love D.C. and desire to know the inner workings of the power players, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the news... yikes.

6) Jewelry

This is just an interest of mine, but what makes someone qualified to work in a jewelry store? Sales? Knowledge of gemstones? I haven't the slightest idea, but always intrigued me.

7) Teaching

It's no secret that'd I'd LOVE to be a high school American English teacher. Maybe I will someday. I have no clue, but time will tell..

8) Sociology

I'm in a sociology of contemporary social problems class now and LOVE it. Fascinating to learn about how social settings affect things and debate the nature v. nurture stuff. I particularly like the topics of deviance, crime, and medicine.

9) Wedding Planning

Again I say, don't laugh. Planning Emily's (my older sister) wedding I secretly loved combing the bridal magazines to find specifics. I realize I'm not the most warm and fuzzy person in the world, but I also think I'm organized and driven enough to meticulously make something happen. I'm also a sucker for wedding blogs--they're one of my guilty pleasures.

10) Culinary School

I'd love to know how to whip up even just 1/4 of the things I see on pinterest and want to make.

Alas... if only I had all the money in the world and all the time...

'cause you best believe I'd be in that classroom

soakin' in all in.

a new frontier

[Ree Drummond doing what she loves as seen on her website]

You're well aware at this point that I'm an over-analytical, stream-of-consciousness, print loving, OPI/Essie wearing, E! News watching, painfully honest belle of the South. Well... I've officially found my career mentor. (No, I'm not giving up my career-lust of Giuliana Rancic, but it's time I dug up some down-home role models of my own too)

That, my faithful followers, has lead me to the ever-fabulous celeb blogger/mother of 4/wife of a cowboy/author and all around powerhouse of an individual known as The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

I stumbled upon her blog this summer and have been obsessed ever since. Okay, obsessed is a mild understatement. I wouldn't hate spending a day (or week or month) with her soaking up all of her knowledge. She's quirky, funny, career and family oriented, and she managed to make her passions into a fruitful career all while homeschooling her kids on a working cattle ranch. YOWZA. talk about having it all...

[this is my latest find that I will be purchasing and reading. (in all my spare time...so probably over Christmas break) PS Sony purchased the rights to make this a movie-possibly with Reese Witherspoon..umm YES, PLEASE]

[yes, she's also mastered the divine art of cooking]

[and the Food Network]

[and did I mention she home-schools her 4 kids?!]

so in case my subtle tribute to her isn't clear-- I'd love Love LOVE to make this (southern farm life paired with celeb status in the media for simply doin' my thing) my reality

Just South of the Mason/Dixon Line

"Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

a job where I could do something I'm passionate about wouldn't be work.

As it is my senior year--I'm constantly caught up in the ever-present fear of what my life will be like after graduation (aka where my current life plan trails off). Ergo, I've focused my mind long enough to compile a few of my magazine addictions/loves that I'd love to parlay into a career of sorts. And, not surprisingly, they are all located in the South and deal with some of my favorite things: lifestyle, food, and beauty products all with a little southern twang.

Here they are ladies and gents--in no particular order:

"The artist doesn't have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don't have the time to read reviews." ~ William Faulkner

If anyone has any suggestions as to how to make my dreams a reality/career feel beyond free to help a sista' out. 'Til then--I'll be dreamin'.