Sara does it again!!!

Hello~

On the drive home from work, I was thinking about what I should talk about on today's blog update. Honestly, I was at a loss. BUT, lo and behold, I popped in the Sara Groves CD I picked up at the library (Conversations... it's one of her first albums) and her words expressed my thoughts better than I ever could.

Hello Lord, it's me your child, I have a few things on my mind.
Right now I'm faced with big decisions And I'm wondering if you have a minute,
cuz Right now I don't hear so well aand I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil So I could sit with you in person and hear what you're saying but right now, I just can't hear you.

I don't doubt your sovereignty. I doubt my own ability to Hear what you're saying and to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing , but right now I don't hear so well aand I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil So I could sit with you in person and hear what you're saying but right now, I just can't hear you.

And somewhere in the back of my mind I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you. Right now I don't hear so well aand I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil so I could sit with you in person a hear what you're saying but right now, I think you're whispering.

There you have it~
Tempa

Ashlee Simpson what?

Good evening!

Yikes!! Ashlee Simspon just sang on the Radio Music Awards and it was far from amazing!! Honestly, her 'Pieces of Me' song is really good, even when she sings it live... but every other song I've heard her sing is just screaming and rarely on the right notes. No wonder she ripped her vocal chords to shreds I'm telling you, if my friends and I were really really hot, lived in L.A, and/or related to someone really famous we'd be soooo famous it's ridiculous!! The only people I have heard of that were actually trained in music are Norah Jones, Usher and Alicia Keys. I don't doubt it because they actually have a lot of talent. Ashlee's songs are pretty darn fun to sing along to, though, you gotta give her that!

So, you know what I hate?? I hate waiting. There's a lot of reasons why that could be. Maybe because I am selfish and want what other people have. Maybe because I am impatient and, much like the British brat from Willy Wonka, "I want it now!" Maybe because I am anxious. Anxious for my life to begin. More than likely, however, it's some horrible combination of all three. I have been talking to a few friends recently and their lives are going so well. One's life has completely flipped around since graduation and things are going soo well, another is in a wonderful committed marriage and two more are in amazing Christ-centered relationships. It's tough because, although I am extremely happy for all of those friends, I'd really like to be that happy about my life. The thing that just boggles my mind and something I struggle with on a daily basis is the fact that I am that happy about my life. I am doing amazing things (through Christ) with my clients here in Cleveland and I am in no way ready for one of those relationships I previously mentioned, but I can't help but want all of that and I can't help but be just a little envious of those who already have it.

Like I said, it's a daily struggle for me. "Future plans" is a definite area where Satan knows he can shake me. I wish I did better with remaining unshaken... but I'll get there. With His help, I know I will :)

Blessings,
Tempa

Bring on the Monday!!

Hi!

I am pretty excited about the week ahead. Not only did I get a lot of stuff done being here by myself all week, but it's Halloween week which means that the Charlie Brown special will be on AND I'm sure I'll find a showing of two of Hocus Pocus! Honestly, best Halloween movie ever... hands down! I saw it for the 1st time in the theater (it had to be 3rd or 4th grade) and have seen it at least twice every year since. I can not go a Halloween season with out Thackary Binx and the Sanderson Sisters! :)

Speaking of halloween type things... do you remember the MTV show "Fear". I LOVED that show. I'm not too keen on the actual idea of ghosts and spirits and all that hoo-hah, but I do appreciate a good fake scare now and again. The Surreal Life is on right now and they took the gang to this horrible haunted hospital (how's that for alliteration) and basically did what "Fear" did. Hooked them all up with those vests and cameras and stuff. Intense! I think if I were there I would walk around and BELT out praise and worship. I would fill those walls with Christ!

Speaking of... I'm going to fill this Blog with Christ right now ;) Here are some amazing verses I have committed to memory this past week.

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! " Isaiah 43:18-19

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. " John 10:10

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. " 2 Corinthians 12:9


Ok, well I think that may be all I have tonight. Totally Obsessed just came onto VH1 and you know how much I love that show! It's just sooo weird! Plus, my parents come home tonight so I should tidy up the house!

Blessings,
Tempa E. Haines :)

Random Thought:
If you duct taped 2 unicycles together would it be a bicycle?? I don't think so. And I don't think it would work very well.

Poems, Ramblings, and Random Thought

A HAIKU:
I am bored tonight
Trading Spaces on TV
Doesn't entertain

Anyway, my parents have been gone about a week now and I am bored out of my gourd! I've worked a lot at Hallmark and at the internship, but somehow I still find myself bumming around the house with absolutely nothing to do! It's a good thing I'll be pulling 40 hour work weeks when I live by myself. That way I wont get this bored. I'm watching the new episode of Trading Spaces, but it's not exactly the most enthralling episode. Hilde and Edward... boring weird designs and Paige in the attic. That's about it. Nothing special.

I have a work meeting tomorrow from 9-11 AM. So much for church. Oh well, I'll worship in the car on the way :-) Speaking of work, I have applied to a full time MT job in Iowa City. Brooke and Drew will certainly love to hear that, I'm sure! It's with West Music, so it's a very reputable place. I don't know anything about salary or benefits or anything, but I know it's not contracted, so that's good. AND it's closer than Wisconsin, so that's good too!! :)

Anyway, it is nearing 10pm here in Cleveland and there's another hour and a half until Saturday Night Live starts. I wonder who is hosting tonight. I really have no idea. Neither do you, I'm sure. Even if you did, I'm sure you couldn't tell me being that you are reading this via the internet and probably not at the same time I am writing it.

So... I'm gonna do some laundry I think. That will pass the time nicely! It's been real, my friends. We'll talk soon.

In Him,
Tempa

Random Thoughts:
Ben Affleck, Joshua Jackson and Kyle Farnsworth of the Chicago Cubs are what may be the most attractive men in the world. No questions asked :)

Work-a-holic?

Good evening,

I am hardly a work-a-holic, but I have been working a lot this week. I work tomorrow all day and on Sunday morning, too. crazy Crazy! :)

I dont have much to write about. I am TOTALLY sucking on these blogs these days. Like I said, I'm sure I'll run into a wave of eloquence and creativity sometime soon. I don't think all my literary spunk has left me for good. At least I hope not :-)

I baked cookies tonight. It was fun. Cookies and "What not to wear" you gotta love that. I also watched a weird "For better or for Worse" that made the whole wedding Chocolate themed. It was interesting, but pretty. Not something I would want, that's for sure. Anyway... I think I am gonna clean the house HARDCORE tomorrow and Sunday for when my parents come home Sunday night. I might even buy some flowers for the table or something. Who knows? I just want them to be really happy when they come home. Not mad that I did something wrong or left something messy or askew. I'll just have to triple check everything. Act like I have a severe case of OCD, ya know? :)

Ok, I need to get to bed. Again, I have to work bright and early (woo hoo)

Somewhere Out There~
Tempa

Random Thought:
80's trends I took full advantage of~ Slap bracelets, double slouch socks, Neon, L.A.Gear high tops, Paula Abdoul, D.J. tanner hair. (You can tell why I had 3 boyfriends in 3rd grade... I was HOT!) ;)

Weekend bliss

Hi,

Here we are on the verge of another weekend. That's just crazy! I feel like yesterday was a weekend. Goodness!!! I'm gonna be a 45 year old single woman living in a studio apartment with 6 cats and a ferret before you know it!!

Ok, well I was kidding about the cats and the ferret and I sure do hope I was about the 45 year old single thing, but who knows. I'm pretty sure I can still be a productive human being in this society as a single woman at the age of 45. Who knows?? Well... God does :-)

So, I am currently spending a lot of time in the book of Psalms. I have never read all of them, which is a shame because I'm only on Psalm 46 right now and I've already found plenty of things that I would have benefited from in the past. I am starting to seriously think about writing that book I mentioned. At first it was kind of a joke, one of my off the cuff statements spewed to Katie over the telephone. But, now, I can't seem to shake the idea. Throughout my entire life, even as a child, I have been told 2 things consistently. One: I connect with people well... in short.. I'm a "people person". Two: That I have a way with words. "It's a gift" they say. This whole book idea sounds like a wonderful way to utilize those gifts. I know I know, I could just be talking crap... but even if I did write down my thoughts (and God's truths) about Christian singleness and the pages only get as far as the My Documents folder on my Dell desktop... I'll still have my thoughts down on paper somewhere. Maybe if I end up having a daughter some day, she can learn a lot from the stupid things I have done! I know I would much rather read something written as it's happening than hear it 30 years down the line. Anyway, I'm gonna pray about it. If God wants to use those gifts people tell me I have in this way... He'll let me know :-)

Ok.. that's all for this evening. I'm fairly tired of these horrible political slandner commercials and flipping back and forth between Leno and Letterman can only keep a girl happy for so long! I have to work at 10 tomorrow anyway, so I should get some sleep!

Your love is Amazing~
Tempa

Random Thoughts:
Ya know.. I've been thinking for something funny to say for like 20 minutes and I honestly have NOTHIN'!! :)

Gotta love Thursdays

Hey Hey, (we're the monkees...etc...)

So, although it is technically Thursday morning, it's still Wednesday night for me ;) I realized I hadn't blogged in a while and I might be letting some people down. By some people I mean Betsy. Anyway... I just wanted to update and say that I have nothing to update about. Life is busy this week due to the lack of parental units inhabiting the house. BUT... it's Ok. Doesn't suck. Kinda like life as we know it :)


Goodnight my someone,
Tempa

Random Thoughts:
Some political statistics from the Cleveland Plain Dealer~
24% of people who are satisfied with their sex lives are Republicans
35% of people who steal towels from hotels are Democrats
7% of Americans believe John Edwards is the candidate most in need of teeth whitening.

Is it December yet?

Hello Hello,

Welcome to Sunday night at my house. My parents are in California for a week and I am here by my lonesome. It would be more fun if my friends were here, but I'm good at rolling with the proverbial punches. I'll be at work a lot anyway.

Currently, I'm watching Oprah: True Hollywood Story. I love that woman. She is really inspiring. It sounds dumb to be inspired by a celebrity, but it's true. She has worked REALLY hard to be where she is right now and that's cool. I think I'm going to start working like that. For real. I think I am.

Ok, I don't have much to write about again. I'm sure after work tomorrow I'll have plenty!

Play nice~
Tempa

Random Thoughts:
** Eh, I'm tired. Not feeling too random tonight :) G*night **

LIVE FROM NEW YORK...

IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!

That's true, my friends... it's Saturday night.... but upon turning the television to channel 3 (aka: NBC) I was abruptly disappointed due to the fact that I was not greeted with The Best of Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live. In fact, I was face to face with the Cleveland Evening News. Now... let's just get something straight... if I wanted to watch the Cleveland evening news, I could have watched it at 5, 6, 8, OR 10!! I mean, how many times can this city watch the Hawkeyes annihilate the Buckeyes in one day?!? By no means, did they need to report the news again, especially preempting my highly anticipated Jimmy Fallon hour!! Nothing newsworthy happens between 10 and 11:30 PM and on the off-chance that something notable did happen... just air it on the news at noon tomorrow. I'm sure the lovely people of Northeast Ohio can handle it.

Ok, now that that little rant is out of my system... I will continue :) Betsy came home from camping today. I was happy to see "eliSabethleigh" online when I came downstairs. It told me she and her wonderful husband Skeeter didn't freeze to death out in the wild blue yonder. Well, I don't really think they were in the wild blue yonder... actually, I'm not too sure where the wild blue yonder would be... and to be incredibly honest... I'm not 100% certain what the wild blue yonder actually is. Regardless, I'm glad they are home and not hypothermic!

So, the stinkin' news just ended. Did they really have to push back the Best of Jimmy Fallon for replays of the Ohio State game (might I remind you that Iowa CLOBBERED them! Go Hawkeyes!) and a short piece on edible insects. Honestly, do they think the people of Cleveland are better off watching how to make beautiful Chocolate covered termites than laughing so hard it hurts watching Jimmy Fallon?? I don't. But who am I to judge :)

Ok, well SNL is starting so I think I will go pay attention to it. Gotta love that Jimmy Fallon!

G*night,
Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Great College memories: The Den Train, Full house conversation via AOL in Becker, Singing in the stairwell, Human Relations, TPing Ben's room, Chicago service trip, 80's party, Upstairs/Downstairs war, Late night song sessions and trading w/ Joanna, Dr. Phil w/ Kate, and "Motownphilly".

Friends are Good

Hi y'all~

Yes, I did just say Y'all. You forget that I was born and raised in Missouri and Kentucky... well, and Chicago, but I didn't think that saying “Yo, to all my home-dawgs in the hizzy!" would be very appropriate ;)

So I spent my evening talking to a new friend via AOL instant messenger. I have told a few of you (really all of the people who read this on an at least semi-regular basis) about this new friend of mine, so the story might be rather redundant, but I'm going to tell it anyway. Actually, there isn't much story to tell... It's just really fun to be able to talk to someone new. Like I have previously stated... Friends are good!

I worked today, again, with the lovely old ladies at Hallmark. It's kinda fun being the kid, but also not so much since they these old ladies are CRAZY!! Katie and I decided that God gave me this job so I would learn how I don't want to be after menopause :) They all think that I won’t know what I’m doing and that I need specific step-by-step instructions to learn stuff. Ladies, if any of you happen to be reading this online blog...which is highly unlikely, mind you... I have worked retail jobs since I was 16 years old and once cash register is not that different from the next. I've got it under control! :) I'm sure a good 30% of my frustration with the women there comes from my own arrogance. Thinking I can do everything on my own, that I don’t need help. And another 30% probably comes from the issues I have with my insecurities about my intelligence. Assuming they think I am dumb and won't know what's going on...etc. More than likely a good 10% comes from the lack of sleep I had last night and another 5% from the fact that the weather is cold and rainy and (did I mention?) cold. So... in closing, I'd say only about a fourth of my frustration comes from the old ladies themselves ;)

I know my latest blogs have sucked in comparison to previous ones, but I just don't have much to write about... at least not poetically ;) I'm sure I'll get on a eloquence kick again here sometime soon. Just not when I'm soo tired!!

For now... I'm going to finish watching this horrible stand-up comic on Letterman and head up to bed. Just so you know... this comic is one of those obnoxious ones that after he tells a joke he kinda does this jazz square box step while bobbing his head like Amelia during an intense choir discussion. He is making weird faces, like a retarded man trying to do an impression of Will Farrell. Although he is dressed to the nines in his Sunday best... his jokes could use some work!

G*night,
Tempa E. Haines
(that's my name on the professional circuit)

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
TV shows I wish were still on (non-syndication): Full House, The Torkelson's, Sisters, Eerie Indiana, The Elephant Show, Saved by the Bell, Double Dare, Lois and Clark (dean cain *drool*), and that "No Whammies" game show circa 1989.

Almost Friday :)

Hi everyone,

So I can not even believe that it's already Thursday! That's just ridiculous! Ridiculous and Awesome! ;) Happy friday in one and a half hours! WOO HOO

On a different note, I have absolutely nothing to talk about tonight. Surprised?? So am I. I spent the day at the craft store and the evening was spent playing guitar and watching Thursday night TV (Have you watched the show "Life as We Know it" yet. It's really cute! I like it!). I must admit, the Thursday night line-up isn't quite the same without our "Friends" at the Central Perk... but I'd say that Joey Tribiani is making do just fine.

Tomorrow is another day at Hallmark and then a night full of who knows what. My parents are leaving for 2 weeks in Napa Valley on Saturday. I'm sure my mom will want me to clean something before they leave. Here's to the Windex! :)

See you in the morn,
Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Underrated weekend activities: Kickball, sleeping-in, picnics, baking, flying kites.
Games I wish adults would play: Four-square, Teatherball, Marco Polo, Sardines, and Old Maid.

Jobs? What jobs?

Hey,

So I'm starting to kinda freak out about the job thing. I know I have talked about it before, but this time I am serious! There's just not that many jobs available, so it makes being picky about where you want to be located a little harder. I just called and talked to the present music therapist at a health care place in Wausau, Wisconsin (home of Ms. Weber, choral director at Plattville High!) and it seems like a pretty good opportunity. It's farther away than I would like to be, but like I said, I can't really be picky about where I'm located when there are only a small number of jobs available in the the first place. As far as I'm concerned... 5 hours is better than 11 hours and not in Iowa is better than not employed :)

Anyway, not much else is new here. I am reading a book called "What's a girl to do?". Basically, it's a book that is supposed to inspire single women to live to their full Christ-given potential. Which is a great thing to do, mind you, but a very hard thing to do when everyone you know is happily involved. It's hard for many a reason, but mainly because I know that it's completely foolish and unproductive of me to be affected by it. And I'm usually not. I think I'm just in some sort of rut. A rut of self-destruction! ;) Honestly though, allowing myself to ignore the truth of God's promises is pretty much self destructive and good for nothin'! =) BUT... this book I just talked about... isn't really doing much for me. It does give me awesome scripture to learn and find hope in, but it also is filled with the author's personal experiences that she presents as absolute truth. That makes me sooo mad!! I wish someone would write a book where they share there personal experiences, but recognize that just because it happened to them and they are a believer it isn't the truth for ALL Christian women. I want to read a book that focuses on God's truth. The truth that we can't just will a husband and family into our existance, that blessings aren't earned, and that God has a plan for each one of us, and like it or not, that plan isn't nessicarily the plan we made for ourselves. I wish someone would write THAT book to single Christian women. Who knows... maybe I will.

Goodnight friends,
tempa

Random Thought:
Great Catch phrases: "You're Fired"~ "Waaaaaake up, San Fransisco"~ "Maybe it's Maybelinne"~ "Yo Quiero Taco Bell"

Monday Monday...

Sung to the tune of "monday monday" the song from the 60's. =-)

Well, today's blog entry will be written in Orange on account of it being OUTFLY at Wartburg College. For those of you reading that might not know (although Im pretty sure that there aren't any of you reading this that might not know), Outfly is a day at Wartburg where the student body president calls off class. Students don't know when it will be, although plenty of them try and guess, so the cross country team (dressed only in their bloomers) is a welcome wake-up call at 6:00AM. I's say that it's pretty much the highlight of a Wartburg student's fall term. So... in honor of such a wonderful occasion... I'm writing in orange :)

It is now nearing 5:00 Pm and I have been cooped up in this office since noon. I tried to convince my boss to let me have my own Outfly, being that I am still considered a student, but that didn't go over too well, so I've been doing paperwork since I got here. Not surprisingly, I had enough to keep me busy until about 4:00. Since then, I have been setting up for tonight's sessions and planning for next week. All part of the job I guess :) SPEAKING of jobs... I sent out 10 resumes and cover letters to different facilities around Iowa and Minneapolis this afternoon. Most of them have MT programs already implemented, but there are a few that don't. I figure that they probably won't start on on account of my letter and Music Therapy fact sheet... but they will never know I am interested in working for them, if I don't at least try.

Ok, well I think that Betsy must be thinking of me or writing to me or something involving me because I have the sudden urge to pee. We've decided that we trigger each other's pee reflexes because within 3 minutes of whenever we start talking, both of us have to pee. It's one of those weird "forever friends" sort of things, I guess ;-)

Happy Outfly to everyone at Wartburg. Happy boring Monday to everyone else :-)

In Him,
Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Songs that will never get old: 'Only You'- Harry Connick, Jr. ~ 'I'll Be'- Edwin McCain ~ 'With or Without You'- U2 ~ 'More than Words'- Extreme ~ 'To Be With You'- Mr. Big ~ 'Stay' - Lisa Loeb

Another day, another dollar :)

Hey hey hey!

Maybe not another dollar, considering I don't make that many dollars in the 1st place... however, it is another day! And what a good day it was!! I went to a new church this morning. It was great! Not only was I engulfed in the praise and worship music I was hoping for, I was presented with a wonderful message. I think I will visit the Lutheran Church in Strongsville next week, just to check it out, too. It's hard to believe I (hopefully) only have like 10 more weeks here. It kinda feels like I just graduated yesterday. Pretty soon Katie, Jed and the other members of Wartburg's 2005 graduating class will be walking around that orange track, too. Crazy Crazy!

So... I'm watching Cheaters, although I'm not too sure why. The news ended and the remote isn't by the computer, so I never changed it. Regretfully. This show is hardcore! It's hard to believe that people A) actually act like that B) hire a TV show to find out if your loved one acts like that and C) produce, think of, or host a TV show that finds out if people's loved ones act like that. WOW!! This one woman from Mexico is on right now, she is afraid that her husband is cheating on her. She is 23 and has been married for TEN YEARS! Muy interesante, verdad?? On a lighter note, I watched Extreme Home Makeover tonight. I almost got through the whole thing without crying, but they got me there at the end. DARN YOU, TY PENNINGTON!!!!

I was definitely going to write about something tonight, but I don't remember what it was. GRRR! I hate that! I am sooo flighty sometimes!! It's a good thing my closest friends can relate to that :-) OH! I remember. So, lately I have been struggling with letting go of some relationships in my life. The kind of relationship that you know had to end and you know ending it was good for you, but you liked it better before it was good for you. Now, it's one of those things where I know where I'm supposed to be and I know where I want to be, but somehow I'm not anywhere close to either of those places. Pretty frustrating, that's for sure! It's tough knowing you aren't willing or able to be where you need to be. I realize that it's just part of being human, but it's still not what God wants or deserves from me. It gets better each day, though, so maybe after 11 months I'll be Ok =) Regardless, I find hope in the fact that "suffering produces perseverance" (Romans 5:3) and just as I share in the trials of Christ, I will share His comfort.

With that... I am off for a long (much-needed) night of sleep. I played Soccer-Mom for my boss's kids this weekend. Volleyball games, middle school dances, and the youngest is going through his "nightmare stage". He woke up every 2 hours with screams and stories of his pretty frightening dreams. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep either. BUT it was a glorious illustration of what I hope my life will be like someday.

Goodnight friends,
Temp

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Laws that I think are a waste of time:
~ Jaywalking, Common Law Marriage, and the Speed Limit ;)

Sunday Sunday Sunday!

GOOD DAY I SAY TO YOU!

well, here we are, another weekend has nearly come and gone. I know I mention this quite often in this little blog of mine... but TIME FLIES!!! =) Tomorrow morning, I am off to a new church to (hopefully) be engulfed with praise and worship music only to return home to get crackin' on my resumes and cover letters. WOO HOO!!!

Wow... lots of capital letters in this entry, huh?

Anyway, Like I wrote in an Email just 10 minutes ago. I don't have much to say tonight and my eyelids are fighting the good fight to stay open. BUT, I did want to mention this... In the paper today, there was mention of two websites www.selectsmart.com and www.presidentmatch.com where you fill out a simple survey of your values and views and it will compute for you the candidate who most shares those values and views. I recommend the second link, although they were both good. The second link is a little easier to understand, less wordy... (kinda like Bush, huh?) =)

Speaking of Bush, in taking this survey, I found out a lot of stuff about Mr. W. that I don't really like. Gun control stuff (he strongly opposes background checks for people who buy guns???!!! Why don't you just go ahead and say that you strongly agree with drive-by shootings in the suburbs!!) and Human Rights stuff (Strongly opposes gays in the military? Well, last time I checked, Mr. Bush, we're all called to fight in God's army, so why don't you go ahead and check your 'pick and choose' campaign at the door with your coat!!) There's plenty of issues in which I don't agree with Johnny boy as well (strongly opposes outlawing "partial birth" abortions?!? Mr. Kerry... listen to that word "partial-birth". What do you think that means, kiddo?? For your next commercial... go ahead and say "I am John Kerry and I approve killing babies!")

Ho-Hum! Does this mean I am back to square one with the election stuff??? CRAP.

Goodnight friends,
Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHT:
I wish Paula Abdoul would go on Bands Reunited and sing some of her hits off of "Forever Your Girl". That cassette was the best!

Weekend?? Now?? Please??

So, today has been one of those days. Those kind of days where all you want to do is be with your friends and hang out and do nothing and laugh till your stomach hurts, but you can't because you live 600 miles away from them and the closest thing you have to the "laughing till your stomach hurts" feeling is drinking too much Diet Rite in one gulp. Yeah... one of those days. I'd say this whole week has been like that. I mean, I know I was just at Wartburg for Homecoming, but I really miss it. I miss just BEING there.

I had sessions this afternoon. I'm not a huge fan of my Thursday sessions, but they went ok. I'm glad to be done for the week. HOWEVER, tomorrow night, I am babysitting for my boss's kids and then Saturday night I have to work at Hallmark. So... my music week is over, but my work week is not. Oh well, it will be worth when the paychecks come, I guess.

Ok, well... I just got off the phone from a 2 hour convo with Katie (shutup... we hadn't talked in a few days!!) so now I'm gonna be off to bed! G*night Moon,

Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHT:
I am fairly certain that the scummiest people on earth are asked to be on the show "Blind Date". Honestly, where do they find these people?!?

God Bless America

Hi everyone,

So, I was taking a shower this afternoon (after Mitch Leery's death episode of Dawson's Creek and the Junior Prom episode of Saved By the Bell where Zack and Kelly dance out side the prom because her dad loses his job) and I heard a rendition of "God Bless America". While singing along to this traditional ballad and shampooing my hair, I realized that people don't often understand that song. Until this afternoon, I had always thought it was a song of well-wishes "God Bless, America".. like "Bless you, Tempa". But it's not. Not at all. That song is a prayer. "God, Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her in the night with a light from above." That song means a lot more than the traditional American Pride anthem and it's yet another awesome illustration of the faith foundation that this country was built on (and, might I add, should remain standing on!)

Just wanted to share that with you all =) Good night friends!

Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHT:
Have you seen this new 7up Plus. It's like berry 7up. Must we doctor up everything in this world? SICK!

Hungry, I come to You...

Good evening everyone!

I usually start out my blog entries with an explanation of the title, so I'll go ahead and follow suit with this one. Those are lyrics from a wonderful worship song and the song that I happen to be listening to currently... which... Incidentally is also my favorite worship song (if one can have a favorite!). So... that's that =)

Today was such a long day! I woke up at 10ish, like usual, and was at the office by noon. A marvel considering I took the time to make today a straight hair day AND I had to stop for gas. (SIDEBAR: Gas is $2.05 a gallon today... it's like Rape!!) I sat in front of the computer doing paperwork till about 5:00, when I decided to start setting up for the night's sessions. I got everything done that needed to be finished, so that's good. Although it makes for each first Monday of the month to be extremely tedious, it really is a good deal for me to do all the needed paperwork in one big clump. That way, I don't forget anything or leave anyone out of their monthly report. I may be done, but in another 30 days till I have to do it again :) Clients began coming at 5:30ish and the last one left at 8. Then, I stuck around to clean up and prepare for tomorrow's sessions and headed home around 8:30.

I like driving through Cleveland at night. During the day, the city isn't much to "write home to Mom about", but it's beautiful after the sun goes down. My daily route to the office takes me right along the shore of Lake Eerie. At night, the lights from the city reflect off the water and are almost mesmerizing. If I had to cast myself into some sort of Romantic Comedy, I think the Cleveland cityscape reflected off the calm waters of Lake Eerie on a cool autumn night like tonight might be the perfect first kiss scene. Add a tall, brown eyed leading man, a swing-equipped park along the walking trail, and a background track that tugs at your heartstrings... we've got ourselves a box-office smash!

I got a wonderful Email from a friend at school today. Very uplifting and encouraging. A perfect pick-me-up in a rather "pick-me-down" kind of day! I also talked to my good friend (and roommate of 4 years) for quite some time about some pretty interesting stuff. Gotta love things like that!

For now, I think I am going to head on upstairs. I've been slacking when it comes to reading my Bible since I got back from Wartburg a week ago. I should spend some time doing that tonight... since I have some time to spend :)

Enjoy your tomorrow.... it's the only 10-5-2004 we get!

Till then~
Tempa
Elizabeth
Haines

Random Thoughts for today:
I think I may need a haircut. That... or maybe a weave.

Happy Sabbath :)

Ha! Sabbath... I love when people use the word Sabbath as if it's a word that is used all the time. Let's get it straight... Beelzebub is now called "Satan", The Bible is also known as "The Word", and the Sabbath is more commonly known as Sunday! =)


So, today was a pretty low-key day. I didn't go to church this morning on account of what may have been the worst cramps of my womanhood to date. That was kind of disappointing because I was planning on attending a new church this morning. Oh well... next week I guess. I did do some household chores (including cleaning the bathroom, basement, and doing some laundry) and made a cute little activity for some of my sessions this week. It's called "The Pumpkin Hunt" and it's a way to emphasize affect recognition, sequence and order, and work on social skills. I made eight jack-O-lantern pictures with different faces, then wrote a poem asking my clients to "find the pumpkin who's....". The poem uses First, Then, Next, Last...etc... other sequencing words and my clients will have to distinguish between different facial affects on the pumpkins. THUS, emphasizing correct social behaviors, which is something a lot of my clients (especially Monday night folks) will benefit from.

Otherwise, I have spent the day listening to my new Bebo Norman CD, working on the new song I am writing, and anticipating the all new episode of Extreme Home Makeover... WHICH... happens to start in 16 minutes.

So, I'm off. I'm off to watch (and no doubt cry) Ty Pennington work his magic on another deserving family's house! Have a great last night of the weekend and I'll check in with you all tomorrow!

See ya when the sun comes up~
Temp

TODAY'S RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Top 5 things I will ask for for Christmas because I don't have enough money to buy them for myself~
1) The Dawsons Creek DVD's
2) Trivial Pursuit 90's Edition
3) A sweet keyboard, with MIDI capabilities
4) A new acoustic guitar
5) A down comforter :)

It's a Bah-Humbug day!

Hi~

You know that U2 song "It's a beautiful day"?? Well, that song was most definitely not written in suburban Cleveland in October. Today was the most dreary, rainy, cold, nasty, bah-humbug kind of day!! It was my first day of work at the local Hallmark store and they were anticipating tons of people to come scope out the new Christmas ornaments. Needless to say... there were barely any customers in the store and I had barely anything to do. Which made the dreary, rainy, cold, nasty, bah-humbug kind of day... only more dreary, rainy, cold, nasty, and bah-humbug! I'm excited to be trained on the registers (not like it will be any different than any other job I have had) and actually get to start working.

So, here's the thing.... I am in a rather bad mood tonight. More than likely a direct reflection of the previously mentioned day and my lack of sleep last night (I had to get up at 6:45 for work!)... but whatever the reason... I'm not all about writing in this blog tonight!

I'm off to a new church tomorrow. I hope the Lord speaks to me there, I haven't heard Him in a while.

Goodnight, my someone~
Tempa

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The show "WifeSwap"... I don't understand it. I don't understand why it would be a good idea. I don't understand why anyone would want to do it. I just don't understand.

Happy weekend!!

Hello there!

Today was just a glorious Friday!! I didn't do much, which is precisely what made it glorious! I went and did some much needed shopping, on account of the weekend, and got some newly released DVD's from the library. Oh, and I registered to vote! Who knows if I actually will....

So, I just watched "What I like About You"... that show on the WB with Amanda Bynes. It's nothing special, but it's cute. This episode reeeeally made me want a boyfriend. I'm usually pretty stable minded when it comes to that aspect of my life, but I fear I am approaching that time each month when I get really sentimental and contemplative about everything. Unfortunately, the whole relationship (or lack there of) aspect of my life gets included in the sentimental thoughts. Oh well... Im sure you'll hear about it in the next few days.

For now, I must head upstairs for dinner. Even though it's 8:30. Weird, I know. I work bright and early tomorrow morning, so I'm gonna attempt to get to bed early tonight again... who knows if that will work out :) WOO HOO for the weekend!

God Bless,
Tempa

TONIGHT'S RANDOM THOUGHT:
Words that are fun to say: Linguini, Explicit, Salsa, Syphillis, Wasabi, and Tweed.