Dear Friend

Honest, I was going to go to sleep. Then I remembered that I had to let the world in on a little secret.

WATCH DEAR JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know some of you may be saying that my use of exclamation points might be excessive, but then again, you clearly haven't watched this movie yet. I used this movie to cap off a two day movie marathon I had due to inclement weather. A perfect excuse to be a couch potato. I then subjected my mother to a string of bawl-worthy movies. For example: The Notebook, A League of Their Own and then A Walk to Remember. All really good movies. However nothing got to me like Dear Jack.

Now I know I'm a huge lover of Jack's Mannequin. And I could go on and on and on about how truly awesome the band is, and how you should check out there music right now, also, they are the nicest people on the face of this Earth, and if you really like them, you also like Something Corporate, and that my friend has a huge thing for Bobby Raw Anderson..... Ok I'm stopping. =) Honestly, I truly believe that anyone who likes music and/or a great documentary, will love this movie.

Note: I will use love to describe this movie. Not enjoy. If you enjoy this movie, you are a very sadistic person. Not that I'm judging or anything. This movie defines hope. I can't recall one moment where hope is not present. And that is why I adore this movie. Yes, it is about a musician's fight with leukemia, but through all the madness, it's a story of love and strength, and one again... hope. Some of it was actually taped by Andrew McMahon (lead singer of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate) on his own accord. It doesn't leave anything out. You see almost everything. Another perfectly, awesome reason why to watch this.

It's in limited release, but you can find it at various Barnes & Nobles or Borders. Or also in my own DVD library. I will gladly lend it to people, because that is how much I truly believe that everyone should see it. I was so overwhelmed by the whole movie that I had to let you guys know about it. Another great reason to watch it: some of the money goes to his foundation of the same name.

So let me know if you've seen it and/ or any thoughts. Or let me know about song suggestions. =) Shoutout to BRice and Chelsie: YOU'RE FAMOUS NOW!


Peace, Love (Hope) & God Bless

Always Gonna Be An Uphill Battle

"When it rains, it pours."

I feel like that phrase defines my life so much right now. My week started out like any other and than quickly nose-dived into oblivion shortly after. I had an important doctor's appointment this week, and, yet again, it was another dud. I mean how many "inconclusive" tests can you have before figuring out what's wrong. Seriously?

I'm also dealing with a bad sleeping problem. I can't tell if I'm not sleeping because of my nightmares, or my nightmares are because I'm not sleeping. It's almost as if my body attempts to get any sleep at all, it sabotages itself by plaguing me with nightmares. Very vivid, very scary nightmares. All include guns, and all include me getting shot. Not sure how to take this. Any dream interpreters out there? Or anyone know how to actually sleep? I think I've forgotten.

Luckily Emmaus is this weekend. It's the one thing that I am actually looking forward to. Unfortunately that's stressing me out in it's own way. Not only have I been feeling really terrible these past two days, I also still have a lot to do for it. I know it'll all get done, I'm just stressed about it. And to put the cherry on my theoretical cake, a family member passed away yesterday. It was really unexpected, when my family got the late night call last night. I'm just praying that the services don't interfere with my other obligations. The service obviously takes precedence over Emmaus, but I'm really needed there to help out. All in all, I just feel torn.

So this probably the last post for a while. I will be away all weekend and then I will be leaving for Florida next week. I hate to leave on such a sour note. So I won't. I know this sounds REALLY lame, but there has been one song that really helps get me through the day. "The Climb" is just one of those unbelievably uplifting songs. I just need to know that each thing I'm going through is what makes me, not what's on the other side. It's always popping up on the radio, just when I need it to, and I can relate to it so much. I also feel the need to say how thankful I am for my support system. I don't know how I'd do it without you. Wow, I feel a lot better after that.

If anyone thinks of it, much prayers will be needed this weekend for the team, the candidates, my family, everyone. So if you get a chance, just say a little prayer. It is much appreciated.

Peace, Love & God Bless. (I will miss you Aunt Ginnie. <3)

I really want to apologize for not updating. Between last week being my birthday and this week just being busy, I haven't had much time for blogging. I'm definitely going to try to get back into a schedule soon enough.

So what's been on my plate lately: a whole lot of nothing actually. Celebrated the birthday for almost a week (hey, 19 has to be good for something, right?). And really just preparing for my youth group's weekend. There is a lot of work that goes into these weekends... none of which I can talk about here. =) But I can say that there is a LOT of love, prayer and especially time that goes into making this weekend as awesome as possible.

I also can not believe how much trouble I've had with sleeping as of lately. When I was in college I could fall asleep whenever, wherever. Since I've gotten sick, I go to bed whenever my brain shuts down and I wake up anywhere from 3 to 6 or more times a night. It's just weird and really frustrating. I'm obscenely tired all day long but boy when I get a chance to sleep or nap my body just refuses. I'm trying not to eat or drink past a certain time, no T.V., no electronics, but nothing seems to work. I have been taking benadryl once a week, which I do NOT advocate at all, to catch up on sleep. Seriously, don't do it. I'm just doing it because I need to get some sort of sleep at least once a week. Unfortunately that's the only way that's working right now.

Oh well. On the bright-side, it's almost HALLOWEEN! Yay!!!!!! I'm dressing up as Abby Sciuto from NCIS. Black hair and all. Hopefully some awesome pictures to post after this weekend. So what is everyone else dressing up as? Doing anything exciting?

Until next time,
Peace, Love & God Bless