"The Last Lecture"

On Oprah a while back, I watched a show about Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture." I had never heard of him before the show, but as soon as I started watching, I was intrigued. She interviewed him and he gave a mini version of his famous lecture.



Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon and was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer not long ago; he lost that battle this past week and died on July 25th. Today, I found his entire lecture on YouTube. I learned so much from his short lecture and was in tears the entire time. He was so passionate about teaching and having fun while doing it. I took notes of what really stuck out to me:





1.) "Brick walls are there for a reason; They let us prove how badly we want things."


This was, as all of his comments, an eye opener to me. Things happen in our lives everyday that prevent us from getting what we want. We should not let these stop us. They are there for a reason and only make us stronger.





2.) "Wait long enough, and people will surprise you."


I really liked this because there are so many people out there who rub you the wrong way, or you may think negative of them because of something they have said or done, or even not done...if we wait for them to make a move, it will surprise us and we will learn something about ourselves as well as see them in a new light.





3.) "Don't bail. The best gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap."


I thought a lot about this statement. Giving up is giving in and you never know what great things you'll have if you bail. This goes for anything; a relationship, a job, a dream. Everyone goes through crap and if you keep pursuing, you will find the reward someday.





4.) "Decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore."


This was personal to me because I love both Tigger and Eeyore, but which one should you be in life? Today, I choose to be a Tigger.





It's funny how the lives of others, even people you don't know, influence yours for good. Randy Pausch was an amazing man, and I only watched him through a tv screen for about 2 hours. His life touched so many people and his legacy and spirit will continue - as I think he wanted; it was his dream to influence people for good. He had 6 dreams in his lifetime and they all came true because he worked hard for them. He accomplished "Life" and "his Dream."

Holy Cow will this day ever end?!

This has been the longest day since I've started work....and the sad thing, is that I actually DID work today! I don't get it...Maybe it's just because JARED IS FINALLY HERE and it makes me want to hurry up and get off so I can see him. Did I mention Jared moved back yesterday??

I love to read - not sloppy books that have no learning point, but books that make you feel good; Books that make you cry because you are happy for the person who is succeeding or having a hard time. I'm currently reading Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." It is wonderful. This book is so good, the synopsis, even before I started the book, made me cry. If you haven't read it, do, it's very short and very worth it. Last week, I read the set of "The Pants" books by Ann Brashares. No, I'm not 16, but those books are the best! And, to make it even better, the sequel to the first movie comes out next week! I have a date with myself to go see it - I can't wait. BTW - Did I tell you Jared moved back?

We're still anticipating the kitten. I'm looking for a large wire kennel for the time being so she/he will have it's own big home while I'm away at work. I just hate to think of it wondering aroud the house all alone. I figured giving it it's own "home" will be good and even if we move, that will still be their "home" and it won't be as traumatizing. Yes, I will let the kitty out of the cage, but I figured leave the litter box and bed in there, so they have their own little place to be. No worries, I'm getting the X-Large kennel so it will have PLENTY of room to lounge around. Incase I forgot to tell you, Jared's back!

Oh Geez, it's only 3:49pm. Get me out of here!!!!

Hmm what else, what else, what else? There is a cup thief around the office and I found out it's me. I have about 6 colorful cups that I need to take back downstairs and put in the cabinet, but I have yet to do so...I'm sure everyone is wondering where they are. I'm trying to figure out how to mysteriously put them back down there without anyone knowing it was me who had them all. Suggestions Appreciated. Send them my way. 3:54 pm Ugh.

P.S. Guess who's back? Jerry!

Gettin' Crafty

I've always considered myself creative and got the bug again this past week. Work is very slow as of late, so I have tons of free time during the day...and the night (but only for 1 more day). I weathered the storm and headed to Walmart yesterday after visiting with Jared's Grandma for a few. I love funky jewelry and instead of spending $45 on a cool pair of earrings, I decided to make my own. They are awesome! I also made a chunky green beaded necklace, it has about 5 different strands of various green beads, and a couple pairs of matching earrings to go along with it. I feel very crafty and can't wait to find more things to make - I love this! I'm trying to find a cool antique broach to make a pretty hairpin, so today I think I'll go to the goodwill after work and see what I can find. I wish I had thought of doing all of this sooner! So far, I've made 4 pairs of earrings, and a necklace. Be prepared, all females in my family will most likely be getting jewelry for Christmas and Birthdays!

I also love decorative words and letters, like "Dream" or "Bath" or "Home" or my monogram. So I really thought it would be cool to find large wooden letters, paint them, and hang each letter separately with a cute ribbon and a bow. Unfortunately, Walmart was out of any letters other than I, Q, X, or Z. I couldn't think of anything I could spell with those. Bummer.

Jared is moving here tomorrow! Talk about being excited - I am the definition of the word!!!!! I think he's excited. He'll be living with his sister until we get married, so he'll be just around the corner from my house! I'm very excited for this Chapter of our lives...

Ch,ch,ch,changes!

So since graduation in May of 2007, my life has benn all about changes, but isn't that what life is all about anyway? Jared and I talked a lot this weekend about people and their purpose in life. Saturday night we went down to Carolina Beach to Britt's donuts, because Jared had never had one. We came across a free bench and sat down with our piping hot treats and a glass of water. We looked around at the people around us, and I felt sad. They have no clue why they are here...they are just living life - with no purpose really. We talked a lot about people we knew who basically, "party it up" on a daily basis, some even have children...but really have no purpose in life. But then again, is that their purpose?

Contemplating this, I'm so grateful to have goals in life and to have ideas about what will happen after this life, because of the goals I have aimed for and hopefully reached. Jared and I's lives are getting ready to change as we inch everyday, one step closer to getting married - completing a goal we have aimed for and doing something that has so much meaning, so much purpose, and get ready to have a family. I'm so grateful for changes!

This past weekend was fun - we moved! Well, my other half moved. I never thought one could have so much stuff in such a small place. But it was good to go through stuff and organize and throw away old things. Jared's definition of "packing" and "moving" are very different from mine. I like to box things up, organize them into which room they are going, and clean everything thoroughly before packing it away neatly, making sure all space is utilized. Jared - not so much. Somehow, we managed to take apart his bed frame and stuff the mattress into the Tahoe - I have no idea how we did this, furthermore, I have no idea how I made it back to Pinehurst! I had no visual of behind me, the left, or the right! For those who know, I stink at driving so not being able to see, handicapped me even more, but alas, I made it here in one piece, and so did Jared's things...well, they were not neccessarily in ONE piece, but they made it.

We didn't get a kitten this past weekend, but we almost did! We found a beautiful Siamese at the petstore! We held him, and then figured we needed to talk about it. We came back a little later to get him, and he had been adopted about 5 minutes before we walked back in. I was really bummed, but this will give me a chance to research and get everything we need for our new little addition! We're excited!

It'sssssssssssss Friday!!!!

Hooray for Fridays, they can never come soon enough! I don't think I've ever dreaded a Friday coming...maybe unless I was in Middle or High School and I couldn't see my crush for the weekend...but nonetheless, Fridays are amazing. Plus today was payday! Paydays are even greater because here, they only come once a month. So this is one amazing day. Plus, I got free pizza and cake at work, we get to leave work early, and I see Jared this afternoon! Can this day get any better, I submit that it cannot! So, because this day has been so great, I will leave this short blog, in fear of ruining this Perfect Friday....

This weekend, I may even get a kitty! Meowwwww

Waiting...

Do you ever stop to think how much of our lives, we sit waiting? I applied for a job recently and was selected for an interview. I thouht it went really well, and I was very anxious for a call-back because I really wanted this job. So I've been waiting for the last 5 days to hear back...finally I heard - I didn't get the job. I'm really upset about it, but alas, I will move on...on to looking for my career! So I'll wait some more...for another job opportunity to come knocking. I'm in no hurry, but I know that it's out there.

Another thing I'm waiting on is next Tuesday - Jared will be moving back. I've been waiting for this day since I moved here. So for the last 3 months I've been waiting on Fridays to hurry up and get here, so I can see him...then I wait for Sundays, to take him away from me again...then the waiting process starts all over. We're waiting for our wedding day - it's 7 and 1/2 months away...still waiting.

I don't mean for this post to be somber, but our whole family is waiting for things right now - to see what will happen next. The past few days have been rough, and they will get rougher - atleast we have each other. My mood is dreary, it's pouring rain outside, and I've been crying for 2 days over things I cannot control.

For now....I'm waiting for the sun to come up...in more ways than one.

Home Sweet Home

I love going home. I love being with my family. I've come to realize that life isn't about how many friends you have or how popular - it's about family, because they are who will be there for you in the end. I had the chance to go home this weekend and Jared's mom and dad came along...we took family pictures at my mom and dad's. It was great! Blake and Elizabeth also came into town and brought Zeke with them. Saturday night after we took our photos, Blake and Elizabeth decided to go to a movie. Me, Jared, Mom and Dad, Zeke, Mary and Dana went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and had a great time! I love how our 2 families can connect and it feel so great! I'm so blessed! Sorry this post is so short. I'm trying to make sure I atleast check in once a day during the week so my blog can keep it's "Journal-esque" feel to it. On a side note, mom and dad put the house up for sale and already have 2 offers...I'm a little upset about it. I love that house.