Breakaway

I realize that I was told that I have to take a quiz, but I just posted something like that, and so will wait until I have nothing else to post about.

I want to tell you how SICK I am of being "conservative, but nice." I LOATHE being predictable, and not spontaneous. I ABHOR the fact that I think everything through, and think about the consequences an action might take. I DETEST that I never take risks, and always, ALWAYS do what is practical.

This year that changes! I am going to take risks. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, and I am actually going to DO something with my life.
I am twenty-five years old, I am single, and I am educated!!!!!
There are a million things I could do, but I don't because .... I don't know why really... I just don't do them.

Now is a perfect time for me to be living wherever I want to live, doing whatever I want (the Lord wants) me to do. There is NOTHING holding me to Circleville, Ohio....NOTHING!!!!!! My life is the same now, as it was when I moved here. I have the same friends, the same circle of places to go, and a job that is taking me nowhere.

So, why am I still here. Why am I not actively promoting myself to colleges, universities, and churches where I KNOW I am the PERFECT candidate for whatever position they have. Why have I been complacent for so long? Why have I been settling for not meeting new people, working at a job that, while I am good at it, is not something I have been called to do, and living in Ohio. I am not an Ohioan. Don't know exactly what I am or where I'm supposed to be, but small-town living is not for me for the rest of my life.

This may sound crazy, and a bit egotistical...but I KNOW I was made for great things. I know there is something HUGE that God has planned for me, I just haven't figured out what exactly that is.

I have a theme song. I started crying the minute I heard this song, because it fits me. It describes what I'm doing. Some of you may think it silly because the artist is Kelly Clarkson, but this song is really great. It's called Breakaway....and I would like to share some of the words with you.

Grew up in a small town. And when the rain would fall down,
I'd just stare out my window. Dreamin' of what could be,
And if I'd end up happy. I would pray.
Trying hard to reach out. But, when I tried to speak out,
Felt like no one could hear me. Wanted to belong here,
But something felt so wrong here. So I prayed I could break away.

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But, I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away

Wanna feel the warm breeze. Sleep under a palm tree.
Feel the rush of the ocean. Get on board a fast train
Travel on a jetplane, far away And break away.
Buildings with a hundred floors Swinging round revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
But, gotta keep moving on, moving on Fly away, break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye,
Gotta Take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun But, I won't forget of the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change And break away
*****
It's a great song.

And so, though I am kind of scared to say this, because I commit myself to it, I am moving to California.
I am applying for various jobs I have found, asking various Christian colleges if they have positions open, and writing to churches to see if they have any pastorates available.
I hope to be moving no early than late March and no later than the beginning of June.

So that's the deal. Pray for me please. Tell me you love me often...I seem to need that quite a bit lately.

Hmmm...

So this is also completely stolen from Scott (His link is over on the right). I just thought, since it's the Season for copying from other blogs, why not?

LAYER ONE
* Name: erika
* Birthdate: 9 March
* Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
* Current Location: Circleville, Ohio
* Eye Color: blue
* Hair Color: dishwater blonde
* Height: 5'2"
* Righty or Lefty: right-handed
* Zodiac Sign: Pisces

LAYER TWO
* Your heritage: English
* The shoes you wore today: high-heeled boots
* Your weakness: good-looking men (movie stars)
* Your perfect pizza: bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, green pepper, onion, black olives
* Goal you'd like to achieve: be a pastor

LAYER THREE
* Your first thoughts waking up: Today? I’m going to be late to work!
* Your best physical features: My eyes, smile
* Your bedtime: Usually 1am-ish
* Your most missed memory: Knowing that there was always someone to hang out with

LAYER FOUR
* Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi
* McDonald's or Burger King: McDonald’s
* Single or group dates: Single
* Adidas or Nike: Neither
* Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Whatever is sweetest
* Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla. You can do anything you want to vanilla.
* Cappuccino or coffee: cappuccino

LAYER FIVE
* Smoke: No
* Cuss: No, although there are times....
* Sing: I love to sing, but I think I drive my co-workers nuts.
* Take a shower everyday: Yes
* Crush(es): I live on crushes
* Do you think you've been in love: I think once.
* Want to go to college: Have a BA and an MA...don’t ask for more.
* Like high school: It was okay...College was GREAT!!!
* Want to get married: Someday
* Believe in yourself: Most of the time.
* Get motion sickness: No
* Think you're attractive: Sometimes
* Think you're a health freak: Let me think...NO!!!!
* Get along with your parents: Yes
* Like thunderstorms: LOVE them
* Play an instrument: I want to learn the violin. So, I guess the answer is no.

LAYER SIX: In the past month...
* Gone to the mall?: Yes, today in fact.
* Eaten an entire box of Oreos: I haven’t touched an Oreo this month
* Eaten sushi: I have never had sushi (not because I refuse, just never had the oppurtunity).
* Been on stage: Not in the past month. But, I love being onstage.
* Been dumped: No.
* Gone skating: No
* Made homemade cookies: No, but my housemate has.
* Gone skinny dipping: In December?
* Dyed your hair: No, but I have an appointment to get it highlighted next month.
* Stolen anything: No.

LAYER SEVEN: Ever..
* Played a game that required removal of clothing: No
* Go skinny dipping: No
* Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: No, just slightly tipsy.
* Gotten beaten up: No
* Shoplifted: No
* Changed who you were to fit in: Once upon a time.

LAYER EIGHT
* Age you hope to be married: Please Lord, no later than 30.
* Numbers and Names of Children: I don’t have any children, I don’t have a preference as to how may I have, but the oldest girl has to have the first name of Kathleen (It’s a family name, my middle name)
* Describe your dream wedding: This changes every year.
* How do you want to die: Without pain.
* Where you want to go to college: Already been.
* What would you like to achieve in the next year: Find exactly where God wants me (Please not where I am now)
* What do you want to be when you grow up: Happy

LAYER NINE: In a guy/girl..
* Best eye color? Any
* Best hair color? Any
* Short or long hair: Any
* Height: 6'-6'3"
* Best weight: Not overweight
* Best articles of clothing: gray or khaki slacks with a black short-sleeved shirt.
* Best first date location: Play, Movie, Musical...Barnes and Noble after.
* Best first kiss location: Front stoop. Me pressed against the front door with him leaning over.

LAYER TEN
* Number of drugs taken illegally: Never
* Number of people I could trust with my life: Quite a few actually.
* Number of CDs that I own: I live music...but I don’t own a lot.
* Number of piercings: one hole in each ear, but I never wear earrings.
* Number of tattoos: None, I debate back and forth.
* Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper?: A few, now and again.
* Number of scars on my body: One or two, from burns.
* Number of things in my past that I regret: One.

LAYER ELEVEN:
* Like someone?: Yes
* Have someone who likes you?: You’re kidding, right?
* Have a best friend?: Not at the moment
* Think you're crazy?: Not crazy, so much as Pathetic.
* Own a thong?: Yes
* Take risks?: No...
* Remember your first kiss?:Yes
* Regret taking this quiz?: It was one of the better ones.

On the 9th Day of Christmas

This is completely stolen, but I really don't think anyone cares...and what did my true love give on the ninth day of Christmas...anyone remember?

9 Things I want to do before I die:
1. Get married
2. Have children
3. Pastor a church
4. Be the first woman General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene
5. Be completely daring and unpredictable
6. Live in England
7. Live in NYC
8. Go to the Academy Awards
9. Take a year off from work and travel and do whatever I want to do.
10. Meet Vin Diesel

8 Things I am wearing:
1. My new Walt Disney World sweatshirt.
2. A pair of jeans.
3. A pair of socks.
4. A pair of shoes.
5. A bra.
6. Panties
7. The family ring.
8. My Blockbuster keys are hooked to a beltloop on my jeans.

7 Things on my mind:
1. Are my friends and I meeting at a local restaurant to watch the Amazing Race, tonight at 9?
2. Will my family like the Christmas gifts that I have gotten for them?
3. What will be the reaction from people at this wedding I'm going to this weekend?
4. I wonder if the girls will be able to meet the Tuesday after Christmas.
5. When will I hear back about my resume that I just sent to this church?
6. Why am I so practical?
7. Vin Diesel

6 Things I touch everday:
1. My car keys.
2. My Blockbuster keys.
3. My cell phone.
4. My alarm clock.
5. A computer.
6. My purse.

5 Things I do everyday:
1. Get out of bed.
2. Go to work.
3. Go to my parents house.
4. Check my e-mail.
5. Make up Vin Diesel coming to Ohio fantasies

4 Songs on my mind:
1. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
2. One Thing by Finger Eleven
3. Master & Commander Soundtrack
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

3 Things I think of when I wake up:
1. It is SOOO cold.
2. Do I really have to get out of bed NOW?
3. What Vin Diesel fantasies can I come up with today?

My two favorite foods:
1. United Dairy Farmers Eggnog Milkshake
2. Buffalo Chircken sub from Charley's Steakery

1 Person I love more than any other:
That would have to be my dad. He's great.... I know y'all thought I was gonna say Vin Diesel...but c'mon, I don't even know the man. :)

My Secret Wish

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

Only a hippopotamus will do.

Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy,

I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy.

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?

He won't have to use or dirty chimney flue,

Just bring him through the door, that's the easy thing to do.

I can see me now on Chrismas morning, creeping down the stairs.

Oh, what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes

To see a hippo hero standing there.

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

Only a hippopotamus will do.

No crodociles, or rhinoceroses.

I only like hippopotmuses,

And hippopotumuses like me too.

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then

Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian.

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage.

I'd feed him there, and wash him there, and give him his massage.

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping dow the stairs.

Oh, what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes,

To see a hippo hero standing there.

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do.

No crocodiles, or rhinoceroseses.

I only like hippopotamuseses,

And hippopotamuses like me, too.

Okay, so I don't really want a hippopotamus for Christmas, but this is the funniest Christmas song that I have heard in a long while. They play it a lot on one of the local radio stations. It is hilarious.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season, thus far. Merry Christmas!!!

On Fan Mail

I have decided that it is not inappropriate, wrong, or stalkerish to send fan mail to famous people. Fan Mail is just a way of expressing appreciation for one's art. It is a compliment to the person and their talent.

We often tell people they have done well after a solo sung in church, after a school presentation has been performed to the best of one's abilities, or a piece of artwork is especially pleasing to the eye. Why should it be any different for famous actors, actresses, or musicians? It shouldn't.

If something should happen from said letter, such as return communication from a famous actor, actress, or musician, that is never the intention. The purpose of the letter is to compliment not to expect a visit, e-mail, or post from the celebrated persons.

Therefore, I have no qualms in sending a letter to a person who I feel has performed favourably. I am simply praising them for the exceptional use of their gifts and talents.

When

So, I'm just wondering when we're going to get together?
I'd like to see the girls on our own, but I would also like to see Scott and Joely, too.

My schedule is pretty flexible, let me know!!!!