Monday Musings

I stole this from Marriage Confessions' archives.  It seems a good way to kick off Monday morning of the week after Spring Break.  

I am:  a grad student who is a horrible procrastinator.

I think: there are a lot more things to be joyful about than to complain about.

I know: I am extremely blessed.

I have: an intense desire for Dr. Pepper.  Or coffee.  Or both.

I wish: "to go to the festival!"  Into the Woods reference . . . anyone?  ANYONE?  *crickets*

I hate: how I give into the flesh.

I miss: my family. 

I fear: failure and mediocrity.

I hear: library sounds and a tutoring session.

I smell: mint and I get really happy.

I crave: turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy.

I search: for my calling.

I wonder: if I'll do something that really matters.

I regret: nothing.

I love: Dr. Pepper.  Did I mention that I'm craving it?

I ache: for people who don't know the Love that I do.

I am not: your average girl.

I believe: that God is sovereign and good.

I dance: while I'm doing the dishes.

I sing: all the time, all genres.

I cry: at every single musical I've ever seen.  Something about musical theatre just gets me.

I fight: feelings of mediocrity.

I lose: my mind periodically.

I win: no giveaways on the Pioneer Woman.  :(  Please give me things, Ree!

I never: really imagined going to grad school--but here I am!

I always: can use a good laugh.

I confuse: myself as I walk around campus (this place is huge).

I listen: to friends in lots of places and situations.

I am scared: if I'm ever home alone at night.

I need: dinner with friends every so often.

I am happy about: spending part of my spring break with my twin, Sarah! :)

I can usually be found: reading a book.  And don't you ever interrupt me while I'm reading a book!


Happy Monday! :)

A new friend

Meet Tyger!

He's the newest member of our household.  My roommate Sarah--the blond in all the pictures below--rescued him from a shelter a little over two weeks ago.  He's a puppy who weighs 18 pounds (as of yesterday) and is 2-4 months old.  The vet said he'll probably be 50-60 pounds when he's full-grown, so we plan on using him as a horse. :)  Just kidding!

Tyger's favorite activities currently include hiding under Aunt Carrie's legs

Chewing bones (see above picture)

Snuggling

Giving kisses

And using Aunt Carrie as a chew toy.  Unfortunately there are no pictures of this, due to the fact that I normally spend that time saying, "No, Tyger!  I'm not a chew toy!" and trying to escape the puppy jaws of death.  

Tyger has been a funny addition to our house.  It's been an adventure for two twentysomethings to train a puppy.  Well, mainly for Sarah.  I sit around and laugh as she chases Tyger around the house.  But sometimes I am helpful!  Like the time when Tyger decided he had to go potty in the house and it was pouring rain.  Sarah ran around, collecting rain slickers and leashes, while I made sure Tyger didn't stand still for too long, if ya catch my drift. :)

Tyger has been learning commands such as "sit", "stay" and "fetch" and I must say I'm quite impressed with my little puppy nephew.  He's smart and already has such a personality.  And I'm learning too--all about puppies and training.  Also a tiiiiiiny glimpse of what it will be like to be a mom someday.  Wow!

Also, in culinary news, I baked my very first cheesecake!  Cheesecake is my absolute favorite dessert in the whole world.  I had never made one before.  I was intimidated by how tough cheesecake is supposed to be to make.  So, I googled Easy Cheesecake Recipes.  This was the one I found that I ended up using:

NY Cheesecake Recipe and Video  

I didn't actually watch the video.  I just followed the instructions.  I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the process because I was in a bit of a hurry.  Also, I didn't photograph the finished product because, well, like I said, I like cheesecake.  :)  But, I did find the recipe very simple to follow.  The cheesecake did not crack and I was pretty proud of myself!

Well, I'm off to pack for Spring Break!  I can't wait to relax and read.  I'll catch you up on what's on my bookshelf in a few days. :)

Hello Blogosphere!

And so begins my foray into the world of blogging.  I've been an avid reader of blogs like those of my friends Nikki, Keith, and Caitlin for a long time.  But I've never actually thought I would have anything that anyone would want to read.  Maybe I don't.  Maybe this will be my place where I make some sense of all the crazy thoughts that swirl around my head on a daily basis.  


I always say that weird stuff happens to me--and it's definitely true.  Anything from passing out after cortizone shots to me mistakenly thinking a bunch of falling pans was an intruder in my kitchen.  Maybe those aren't the weirdest things you've heard of, but I tend to think that my daily life is amusing and I hope you will too.  


As to the title of this blog "The Orange Spice," it came partly from a conversation I had with my dear friend Sarah R.  Sarah and I went to college together and discovered that we were "twins" our freshman year of college.  Having remained close ever since, we decided to take up blogging together.  Anyways, anyone who knows me for more than 5 minutes will probably discover that I love the color orange.  I think it goes back to middle school, when every other girl I knew was completely into pink.  Pink had been my favorite color and I was angry people were intruding on my "favorite color" turf.  So, I picked the least loved color I could think of--orange.  The color of prison jumpsuits, traffic cones, and well. . . um, oranges.  When debating blog titles, Sarah said, "You really need something to do with orange."  I joked that my subtitle could be "A frazzled orange among the polished apples of life."  We both loved it, and somehow it stuck.  


I always feel as though I'm running in a thousand different directions while everyone else looks so put together.  I am a recovering perfectionist who can't say no (no reference to the Oklahoma song, just for the record).  A self-admitted oddity, I do feel like an orange in the middle of a bunch of apples.  Both fruits, but that's where the similarities stop.  I'm sure plenty of other people feel this way as well.  Hopefully this blog will be a peek into a crazy grad student's thoughts as she goes about her days.     


Having a hearty love for the domestic, this might also be a place where I share recipes and daily household things that happen.  I've been known to burn a dish or two.  Also, living on a grad student budget tends to make me be . . . well, let's say creative in my cooking endeavors. :)  I'm always in the mood for new recipes and suggestions, so feel free to contribute.  


Most of all, I hope this blog points people to the One Who it's really all about--no matter where they might be in their spiritual journey.  I am so blessed to be loved by the God of the universe and so grateful for Who He is and all He has done for me.  I am so thankful that He has given His Son, Jesus, for me.  At this time of year, it makes me especially glad, remembering the reason Jesus came just for us.  Look for a post on that soon.  :)


Well, I've rambled enough.  Time to go eat some oatmeal cookies and watch Pushing Daisies (my current favorite show).  Or maybe read a book--for fun!