Typical. Complicating the simple

Pinned it here

Set your standard, goal. Make your dream known. The universe will fall into place accordingly. It's for us. Not against us.

My thoughts exactly

Things That Inspire

What Strunk and White Elements of Style forgot to mention

"So avoid using the word 'very' because it's lazy. A man in not very tired, he is exhausted. Don't use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women - and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won't do in your essays." -Dead Poets Society

found them here

When I grow Up...

I'm such a sucker for anything When-Harry-Met-Sally-esque

"You wear white, and I'll wear out the words 'I love you'"

...live in love...

Everything I need to know, I learned from everyone else...

I have lots of people to thank for any amount wisdom and growth I've acquired in my short life. I can honestly say, I have had little to do with my own maturity, but everyone to thank for making me grow up with integrity. Soo... Here are some lessons I've learned from nights spent with sun roof open at the lake with my best friends belting T.Swift at the top of my lungs or words merely shared over the most epic ham sandwich ever with my granny to the most difficult lessons learned from the position of bruised and scrapped knees yearning for more from my Lord.

Needless to say, I have comprised some lessons from various people and sources.

"We live by the choices we make, but we don't get to know if the choice others made came from the heart or head."-Granny

"You alone decide how much baggage you take into relationships whether it's a U-Haul or empty handed."-K8ie Gurl

"I wish I could be with you right now eating Little Debbie cakes"-Kelli

"You don't get to choose who you minister to. If you give it up to Him, He does. Just because you love doesn't mean that attention is who the Lord has intended for your ministry"-Bec

"I'm proud of you... You still need to prove your productivity."-Dad

"I dig it when your fancy dressed up in lace. I dig it when you have a smile on your face."-Van, Warm Love

"I do not think we know our own strength until we have seen how strong love makes us."-random card I bought in Charleston, SC

"Nobody puts baby in the corner."-The Swaze, Dirty Dancing

"Resolved to study the Scripture so steadily, constantly and frequently, so that I may find and painfully perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same"-Resolution 28, Jonathan Edwards

"When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."-Harry, When Harry Met Sally

"Let love be genuine."-Paul, letter to Romans

"Everything I need to know I learned from Noah's ark: 1. Don't miss the boat 2. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark 3. Stay fit.When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big 4. Remember, that we are all in the same boat 5. Don't listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done 6. Build your future on high ground 7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs (Note: this doesn't necessarily guarantee a good looking or funny boyfriend, sometimes it's a dog or best friend or brother-and I'm A-OK with that) 8. Speed isn't always an advantage-the snails were on board with the cheetahs 9. When you're stressed, float awhile 10. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals 11. No matter the storm, when you are with God there's always a rainbow waiting"

Courtesy of Father's Hands

And my favorite

"There is NEVER a moment you're not loved."-Mom

So I vow never again to work to be loved. But I will die working for love's enduring sake, and that's the difference between truly living in and being in love and simply gaining the world's approval, of which I am no longer a part of.

live in love, grace

Like mother like daughter. Or not?

My mother is my mother.
She's not my best friend.
She doesn't want to be my bff, and to be fair, I don't want her to be my bff.
My mother raised me with morals, integrity, curiosity and a strong will. She raised me the best she could, so that I could find friends with similar values and create friendships that would enhance my life.
On the Today show, there was a debate on whether moms and daughters could be bffs.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I too envied friends that talked to their mothers about boys, clothes, school and even their walk and struggles with faith, but as I've grown up, my appreciation for our distance has made us closer. But how does a mother discipline her daughter if the daughter doesn't respect her? There must be a line...

I got so mad because she never let me put Kelly-Clarkson-blonde chunky highlights in my hair or wear makeup until the eighth grade. I hated when she told me my blue lip gloss, Sketchers and glitter eye shadow wasn't my best look. She really urked me when she wouldn't let me visit my high school sweet heart who went to college a few states away when I was still in high school. She wouldn't let me go to some of the cool parties where people were drinking and needed me to clean their houses and drive people home, but when she conceded, let me go, and we inevitably got in trouble, she grounded me... Like who did she think she was? My mother or something?

To say we had a strained relationship is a flattering understatment, and only a very few people knew just how strained it was from middle school until my fateful freshman year in college. I could never understand why she didn't want to be my friend until now. I am starting a new phase and need her more than ever. Boundaries don't keep us out. They keep us close. They give structure to a relationship that needs the most delicate structure . I need a mother like I need my best friends. Need mom to explain why things happen in life and need friends to help me through it. Need mom to force me to pay bills and need friends to overdraft at Moe's with.

If you know me, you know my fear is having a girl of my own... not that I don't love baby Auburn cheerleader outfits and frenchbraiding, but can you imagine what another Grace would do to this world? I don't wish that upon anyone... but if I do, you better believe I'll surround her with love and attention, so she can confidently grow into a woman seeking after the Lord in relationships around her. And I'll prolly let her wear Steve Madden, black, clunky shoes with Limited Too jorts because she has to learn some things the hard way.

Everything GUYS need to know...

Outtakes make me want to do this show... Courtesy of Hulu

...can be learned by watching a season of The Bachelorette with us ladies.

If you know me, you know that since high school, I center my life around (God...), but admittedly, The Bachelorette/Bachelor.

My heart broke for Trista, who was my pick, in Season 1, but I fell in love with Ryan during her season... I sat through that magical yet gosh-awful-Pepto-Bismol-pink wedding where unity candles burned ugly scars in my memory, and nobody but me remembers it was hosted by the guy Trista didn't pick, Charlie! How awkward would Mel have felt conducting the wedding of Molly and Jason? Talk about stormy.literally. If I were her and they made me host that rainy production, I would have worn a belly shirt because the chica's got abs...

Anywho.

A good great friend, Joe, told my other great best friend, Bec, if any guy wanted to know the best way to her heart, he should just watch The Bachelorette with her.

It's true.

We watch one hour late, so we can fast forward through commercials. We're strict about minimal talking during the show and rewind if we miss anything or need to see an awkward boob graze again. With all that, we ladies still tend to commentate every hit or miss of CCC or Roberto or Heather Whitestone, I mean, Kasey.

So if you're looking to know about the ladies and have no plans on Monday nights, watch the show with us. Planning on coming or not, here are some things you can learn about ladies from watching The Bachelortte/Bachelor:

1. Girls love it when you say something right before you kiss them.

Ex) You know it girls: Cape Cod Chris is King of this move. "Cuss, you're cute." "You know I love you." He has mastered timing...

2. If you ever wonder if we wanted to dance in the middle of the street, the answer is always YES. If you can dance like Roberto or not, we don't care to be completely honest...

3. My fam is anywhere near picture perfect, but we're dang funny and ceaselessly loving. Those things overcome how odd we can be. BUT If your dad has a taxidermy business in your basement-Kirk, or your mother is a Looney Tune-Naomi, you should prolly opt to meet in a safe spot like Waffle House where the characters around you will make your fam seem tame. Or go on a fam date to a movie at an Imax because you won't have to talk, and you know it'll rock.

4. If you think you still have feelings for a past gf, you should A. get over it B. not go on national TV on a reality show about finding love. That's selfish and immature... skip the coughing under my breath and flat out say-Frank (why i oughta...)

5. If you think your break up was bad, it could always be worse. You could get a tattoo of a pulsing heart with a chick's name you've known for a few weeks and the slogan "guard your heart" all to get left on a glacier while she rides off in a helicopter with a guy who's nick name is Rated-R (who you find out later had 2 girl friends he was probably texting from that helicopter).

You might learn a few more lessons when I make my debut on the show. My mom has submitted me behind my back. I know it...

IHateGreenBeans by Lincee made me cry I was laughing so hard about the season...

The one thing that stays the same is change itself...

Recently, there have been some changes in my life.

Again.

A change of mind. Heart. Whatever.

But it's another change nonetheless.

When reading Search for God Knows What by Donald Miller, I read something that subtly changed my mind about the beauty of change. Turns out, it's not as hurtful or horrible as I thought.

He challenges people like me who micromanage life by following this fine formula or steps as a way to organize and conquer their life.

The ugly, harsh, beautiful, humble truth: there is no formula. If there was, Jesus would have given it to us...

"I bring this up only because life is complex, and the idea that you can break it down or fix it in a few steps is rather silly.

The truth is there are a million steps, and we don't even know what the steps are, and worse, at any given moment we may not be willing or even able to take them; and still worse, they are different for you and me and

they are always changing.

I have come to believe the sooner we find this truth beautiful, the sooner we will fall in love with the God who keeps shaking things up, keeps changing the path, keeps rocking the boat to test our faith in Him, teaching us to not rely on easy answers, bullet points, magic mantras, or genies in lamps, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy, and His love." -donald miller

Umm... If this was Twitter I would simply trend: #humbled #smallmindedness

All I want to do is love God, love His creation and follow His commandments. Why do I still miss the Big picture when my intentions are sincere?

I think I found my answer in His answer to my never ceasing prayer. I pray that God will be obvious to me because obviously I love to be blind and deaf.

And in this prayer, I found that God is being obvious not through some sign or apparation (though I'd love to have one of those mirrors in Harry Potter that would show me the true desire of my heart/life path). He is being obvious to me in His grace.

God is letting me change my mind about my future, and His grace is so sufficient that it'll cover me where ever I go.

So bring it life... because I'm not scared of change anymore. My Nike IDs, Tory Burch flats and cowgirl boots are ready for the million steps that don't promise success or happiness, but total dependence on Him.

Anyway...

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

original by Dr. Kent Keith

the girls are back and ridiculous as ever... sista-friends unite

I came.
I saw.
I conquered.
Before the first movie, I had never seen an episode of SATC. I thought it was about silly superficial ladies with dirty minds, and I could never justify watching something with the word s-e-x in the title if my family walked in.
But sitting in the Union Station theater in DC where I was working with my best friends who came to visit me, K8ie Gurl and Camil, I found myself weirdly connected to these soul-mate gal pals in spite of myself. It's not about clothes or shoes or even dream jobs at Vogue. It's the best friend part that gets me.
My friends too found each other, and plan on staying sista-friends through whatever the future holds whether it's weddings, adventures in far away lands aka London, cull-de-sac shindigs with our fams, etc etc etc. We'll always be sista-friends.
I constantly tried to analyze myself to pick which character I am. I am a journalism and poli sci major, so naturally I leaned toward Carrie. She's terrified of commitment, another notch for me, and she's a hopeless romantic seemingly oxymoronic. In the second movie, I could actually see myself having that conversation between she and Mr. Preston about her fear of being an old married couple. We need sparkle... But then again, what's so horrible about a sofa and takeout if you're with the one guy you prayed would love you too?
But just when I wanted to write myself off as a Carrie... The aspiring law student in me feels oddly attached to Miranda, the work-aholic corporate lawyer with a quirky husband who adores her and a red-headed kid. We all know I'm having red-headed heathens... She says her type-A personality is in full swing on vaca and plans an interFUNtion for a much neeed interFRIENDtion. Bec jokes with me, but I plan on being the sista-friend who plans all our BFF adventures when we're old and livin the dream. No red-headed kids allowed. When any of the ladies need to vent, cry or laugh, she's the solid one they turn to for advice and a cocktail. Work hard. Play hard. Love hard.
Ahh... Then I can't help but dream I'm as bold as Samantha. Hate her or love her. She's so sincerely Sam and confident to a fault, but that's not it. She's loyal to her soul mates. She turns down a literally and figuratively hot date in the desert because it's GNO as Miley Cyrus would "sing." And I'll Diane-Summers diet til I drop to have a body as rockin as hers.
The pearls and love for cardigans unite mine and Charlotte's kindred spirits... She believes in love like she believes in life itself. I envy her for her selflessness, and I hope I'll someday be that joyfully submissive not to mention baking in a vintage cream skirt with a beautiful adopted daughter.
I hope my soul-mates are ready for their movie debut because if you thought SATC karaoke was something, wait til you hear us sing GLEE's "take your bow" in harmony, the Spice Girl's "if you want to be my SISTER" in rush, Momma Mia with karaoke subtitles and "Fancy" by Reba at the AL Slammer.
Cheers.

There's never a moment you are not loved

The Anthony Clan

That's a quote my mother has told me as long as I can remember: when I didn't make danceteam, when she forced me to go to math tutoring, when I lost her trust, when I left for college, when I came home from college, when I had my first breakup to the next... and next... and next.... you get the point and most importantly, when I didn't deserve it.
She says it regardless if she likes me at the moment because we all know mothers and daughters have to love each other, but they don't have to like each other sometimes. My mother not only my pushes off the cliff into some of the greatest adventures of my life, but she catches me at the bottom if I don't soar quite as gracefully or as far as I thought.
So this Mother's Day, I'd like to remind her,

"Mom, there's never a moment you're not loved."

Despite how much I love her, there might be too many moments my mother is not appreciated... Make sure your mother knows you love her this Mother's Day.

Smith Magazine is partnering with Women ONE2ONE on why moms matter. Go to

Six-word memoir for mother

and leave your six-word thoughts about your mommy:

My quads hate me for this...

But my butt is thankful for my New Year's Resolution- a half marathon.

In middle and high school I ran track, but I competed in events like the 100 m and 300 m hurdles, the 200 m relay and for one night only the 400 m relay.

At about the 200 m mark, I promised the Lord never to do X, Y, and Z ever again, if He would never punish me with the 400 m ever again...

Honestly, I chose them because I was decent and got our team points.

Upon entering college, I started running for longer distances. I am slightly athletic and slightly competitive, so it was experimental and a new way to keep in shape with my new college friends who are also athletic and competitive.

Besides, I love the way running shoes make my legs specifically my calves look.

I soon grew to love the feeling of my legs burning, face sweating and side cramping. Not only do I enjoy the physical aspect, but I love the mental and spiritual space running affords me.

The Avett Brothers have a line that I think about when I run. It says,

"So when you run make sure you run

to something and not away from

cause lies don't need an aeroplane to chase you anywhere."

I love running to think. I don't run to a specific destination or away from my problems, but I run to "walk it out" as DJ UNK, another respected artist, says in clubs and dance floors across the US of A.

It helps that Auburn stays beautiful, and I can run outside most of the year, if I time it right. Summer-morning and night

Winter-mid-afternoon

So the half-marathon is this weekend. If I survive, which is highly likely considering my running partner, Brittany, and I have already gotten to 10.75, I shall blog all about it.

And yes, if i could, I would share the serious calories we're going to burn with y'all.

If you are inspired by my truly touching story and want to run yourself today, I have found this little site to be pretty helpful when designing a training schedule.

Live in love...

http://www.mapmyrun.com/create_new

Everything I need to know...

Series Part II: Everything I need to know I learned from the U.S. Constitution.

My Constitutional law professor Dr. Steven Brown told our class something I doubt I'll ever forget. This class is absorbed with anything and everything 14th Amendment/equal protection/due process... You got it. Reading cases from Marbury v. Madison to Roe v. Wade to Planned Parenthood v. Casey to Stenberg v. Carhart is vital to understanding where America stands on this issue. Having an opinion is one thing, but if you can't back it up, does it matter? Our class depends on discussion, but the discussion depends on educated responses... That's why Dr. Brown so eloquently told us,

"Not everything true is useful."

Moral: Think before I talk... Does what I say benefit anyone else? Does it have to benefit anyone else?

live in love,

grace

With this speech... I thee give you away

Soo... Some of my friends have asked me what I said during my speech at my best friend's wedding rehearsal dinner. Here it is.

Hit it maestro: So I figured the last person in the world to stand up and give any kind of romantic advice that would actually benefit anyone including you two is me… Honestly, I’m OK with that because that’s what mommys, daddys, grandmothers and grandfathers are for. Looking at the excellent example of love from your own parents is proof enough that romantic love does last.

But I am going to stick with the only kind of love I know. It’s not necessarily always neat and pretty. It is rarely fairytale, but every princess has to start somewhere and she usually starts with this first.

I am talking about the love of a best friend. The love that comes from days spent jumping on the trampoline doing the … and peeing our pants laughing so hard. Love that comes from so many Little Debbie Zebra Cakes it makes my metabolism shudder as I speak. Love that comes from birthday parties spent riding together, skating together, sitting together, spending the night together- you get the picture- we were inseparable. Love that comes from a strong, confident 7^th-grade best friend who will always sacrifice her hott dance partner to get me out of the girl’s locker room and find some poor soul to dance with me (I’m being nice to myself because that happened until freshmen-year homecoming). I always knew they would only dance with me because maybe Kelli would dance with them next… Love that comes from laughter and good times, and love that's overwhelmingly mutual.

But it wouldn’t be love without the hard times too. So I hope you never have to, but understand you inevitably will face love that comes only from the humblest of circumstances and most broken of hearts. Love that unselfishly comforts one when she doesn’t make the dance team despite that the other did. Love that comes from disappointment by a midnight phone call with a pitiful excuse of why he changed his mind resulting in a sweet, broken-hearted girl fallen on my doorstep, who only my dad can pick up and carry to my room.

Jay, at the time of heartbreak and myworldisover, I didn’t understand why.

Looking at you two now, and your commitment to Kelli, I never have to question whether you’ll change your mind. You’re here to stay like a true friend. If I had truly wanted to, I couldn’t have designed someone using a paint by numbers kit more fit for Kelli… You’re not perfect. You’re her compliment.

So new best friend, I have advice: Embrace one of Kelli’s most admirable qualities, and the quality I have found most precious: loyalty. Since 1^st grade, her loyalty has only strengthened. Even when it hurts her, she’ll stick by your side and defend you. It works well for you because she’s rarely wrong, but she’ll even defend you if you both know what you’re doing or saying is absolutely wrong.

Now, I’m going to read this letter I wrote at the end of 8^th grade for this very day:

Kelli, You are and have been since 1^st grade my other half. I have always been terrified of this day because it ends with me giving you to someone else to complete him and be his better half. You’ll clean his room and make him sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. You’ll make him the happiest person alive because he’s whole now. I am still so scared and anxious, not for myself, but for you! You’re going to really do this (like sleep in a bed with a boy)! But your maturity has yet to let me down, and I’m excited for us both to learn through this.

Fill in the Blank.. JAY, I can’t think of a better friend or man I’d rather give my other half too (and the better half at that). Remember, you don’t deserve love and neither do I, but we have a Father who has graciously given love to us with one requirement: we give it back. So, all I ask is that you love her with the love that never fails and forgives even though we know she’ll never do anything worth needing forgiveness.

I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but I’m so jealous. I’m jealous of you Jay because you now get my best friend as yours. Love her despite and inspite of yourself. But I trust you because she wouldn’t keep you if you weren’t worth it…

When you get frustrated or she gets frustrated, remember she has that old best friend who loved her first but gladly gave her to you as your best friend.

I now toast to the love of youth and mine and Kelli’s fairytale: the love of best friends.

Then we CHEERed!

Save the date... though Hallmark won't let you forget

Happy early Valentine's Day... You shall hear my six pence (none the richer) soon enough.

If the draw-dropping list of talented actors in this movie wasn't enough... and when has Julia Roberts or Bradley Cooper not been enough... You were probably laughing out loud at the other half of the 1:31 trailer.

If you weren't, get a Zoloft and book your Fandango ticket now for this movie because I'm convinced it'll cheer you right up.

Since the first Valentine's Day was celebrated, commercial America, Hallmark cards and Beanie Babies have nobly tried to season the other half of the crowd, the single crowd, with sugar and spice appropriate for this bittersweet holiday.

They try to make us fat with chocolates, sentimental with George Straight and Seal songs or hopeful with Father of the Bride marathons...

The best is when Hollywood succeeds at making all the single ladies and gents waiting to get a ring on it appreciate our season of singleness. (Thankfully, it's not Hollywood's job to make us thankful for this God-ordained time, but I am nonetheless grateful when Hollywood throws me a bone)

Best contribution on this day: laughter.

When laughing, Beyonce's crowd isn't excluded but included on this blissful February 14. Excluded is the way I feel having to watch the train-wreck effect of two young lovers making out on my charming walking campus... Stop that by the way.

I strongly dislike when people refer to Valentine's Day as Single's Awareness Day. It makes them sound bitter, and who is attracted to bitter people? Well, probably other bitter people, which is just an ugly cycle.

Back to our Valentine's Day plans... laughing.

Since when did dinner and a movie become roped off as couples only? We could all do it together. Come on. It'll be fun. We'll sneak a box of Hot Tamales and a Dasani into the theater and laugh the night away.

The single's crew is revamping V. Day this year.

Depending on which work out video you got yourself for Christmas- Pussy Cat Dolls, Dancing with the Stars' ABs or any of the Wii Fit options- we should be looking toned by Feb. 14, 2010. It'll be more than a month after we made resolutions to loose # pounds, run once a week and skip the fries at Chick-fil-A. We will be in good spirits with the amount of successful relationships eHarmony is cranking out, and we have a reason to laugh.

This Valentine's Day, I echo John Mayer... I'm perfectly lonely, and I'm laughing loudly.

live in love,
grace

Everything I need to know...

I'm going to start a "Everything I Need to Know I Learned from..." section in this blog of mine... It's as much for me as it is for anyone who stumbles upon it.

In this first addition, I'm going start with "Everything I need to know, I learned from White Christmas."

On this rainy Christmas eve, I have watched this classic all day, and I find something more enchanting about it and something more to love with every viewing.

Phil Davis jokes with Bob Wallace about settling down with a girl and starting a family with nine kids, and Bob shrugs him off saying he'll get around to it. Phil wittily replies, "When what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting, whatever it is you've got left."

Brilliant.

Moral: don't pass on love. pass on rolls (save the calories and go for more dessert).

Maybe my favorite lesson learned is one that I already had a good feeling about, but Phil and Judy reminded me so gracefully in their first scene together.

The best things really do happen while dancing... Think about it.

How long do you stay upset once you start dancing, especially when you're wrapped in the arms of a great partner? It doesn't have to be Fred Astaire or J. Timberlake, but someone who can twirl you a few times and end with a great dip.

If you even get the least mad, just dance it off... Dane Cook might have made fun of us fussy girls for going dancing to forget about our bad days, but there's truth to that.

We should make Obama, Bernanke, Pelosi, McCain, Sarah Mclachlan, Osama and anyone else who has some drama with the world and host a huge dance party... We could fix health care, save puppies/kittens, clear up climate control and maybe straighten up some Middle Eastern policies.

Great quotes:

Phil to Judy: In some ways, you're far superior to my cocker spaniel.

Judy: Yesterday, she couldn't sleep. Today, she won't eat. She's in love.
Phil: Well if that's love, somebody goofed.

Bob: Miss Haynes, if you're ever under a falling building and someone offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think, don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye.
Betty: What did that mean?
Bob: It means we're going to Vermont.

According to local radio hosts, Santa is coming soon...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse prolly bc my cat, Sancho, is on my bed.
Our Mickey and Minnie stockings are hung by the chimney with haphazard care,
In hopes that St Nick soon will be there with nail polish, fishing lures and candies.
We children are nestled all snug in our beds- well couch,

While visions of sugar-plums dance in our heads and our annual viewing of the Griswold's Christmas.

I'll spare you all the lessons I have learned from that classic.

But I'll leave you with a final lesson...

"When I'm worried, and I can't sleep. I count my blessings instead of sheep..." Now if only, I could sing like Bing, I could peacefully drift off to sleep at the sound of my own voice.

Merry Christmas and God bless