See ya in the CST!

Hey Hey Hey,

Good results on Idol tonight! I was pleased with America's choices. Although, I do feel kind of bad for Melinda. She was right when she said she didn't get much air time in the previous episodes and she sang soooo much better tonight at her send-off than she did in her actual performance. She had a fairly good voice. I wish her well!! I'm finding (again) that it is fairly hard for me to watch that show without being all judgmental and critique-y (Yes, I made that word up.) I have a feeling that anyone with any education in vocal technique would have the same problem when watching American Idol. You can't really watch a show where people sing when you pretty much know whether or not they are singing correctly. I am quite impressed with the male specimens on this years show, though. Most of them really know what they are doing. If Carrie Underwood doesn't ride this thing out till the end... I hope a guy wins.

So, have any of you jumped on the bandwagon to join me and Betsy in our list making revolution?? Her latest blog is sporting quite the wonderful Top Ten List, if I do say so myself (and I do!) I might come up with something between now and tomorrow. If I do, you'll see some sort of list posted in the morning. I have a pretty busy schedule for the next week or so. And speaking of that... I wanted to tell you all that I'm gonna be gone for a few days. Who knows how many. Tomorrow, I am going to take the MT-BC exam (let's hope the crazy conniption woman isn't there again!) and finish packing... on Friday, I am moving to Minneapolis!!! (*insert excited squeal and awkward unflattering dance here*) I am going to try and get my internet up and running as fast as possible when I get there, but who knows what over-priced make-me-wait schemes those crazy internet tycoons are up to these days :-)

Have a great weekend. See you in the Central Time Zone!

Love You~
Tempa

Story of the day

Is it just me, or is MJ from the real world Philadelphia one of the sexiest men alive!?! I know that oogling over extremely attractive reality TV stars probably isn't the smartest or classiest thing to do with one's Tuesday evening... but cut a girl some slack.... he's southern AND has curly hair...it's a win/win combination in my book! Give the boy a guitar and a heart for Christ... and you might as well plan on scooping me up off the floor cause I'd be some sort of unrecognizable heartthrob-affected mush.

Ok...well... when I was fishing for something to talk about tonight, I didn't really think of anything. So I was going to just stick with the MJ talk and bid you adieu. HOWEVER... I thought of something! Yesterday, I told you that I was scheduled to take the board certification exam this afternoon. It's true... I was scheduled to take it, however... the actual act of taking the test never actually happened. I'll tell you why! So I leave my house like 45 minutes early (there were "If you are late you will NOT be admitted" warnings all over the confirmation Email. I didn't want to chance it!) and get to the H&R Block store where the test was being administered 15 minutes early. I casually stroll in and notice an older woman sitting in the otherwise empty "waiting room". I sit near her (although not right next to her, because that would be creepy) and wait for someone to come and give us instructions. Soon, a well-dressed gentleman came in and greeted us. He then told us that there have been some computer problems and the test is unable to be administered at that location today, but he did give us an 800 number so we could call and reschedule the test. I thanked them, took the number, and turned to leave. You'd think that would the end of it, BUT.... shockingly... it wasn't. As I turned to leave, the older woman I was sharing the waiting room with (she was older, however she was dressed as if she still believed she was a pledge at the local sorority) shot up from her uncomfortable plastic chair and starting having some sort of serious conniption fit about the lack of exam. I'm talking fists in the air, top of your lungs conniption!! She was ranting about how she drove 3 hours to get there and it was completely unacceptable and she will not leave without having taken the test...etc. All far too dramatic for my taste. I know what you are thinking.... Well, why didn't you just leave, Tempa?? I'll tell you! Although my intentions were to leave right after I found out that no test would be taken, I couldn't. I couldn't because the Grand Master of Over-reaction was throwing said conniption right in front of the doors. That's right. I had to stand there (Extremely Awkwardly, mind you!!) for at least three minutes before she stopped her flailing about enough that I could get past her and out the door. Let me tell you... not the best 15 minutes of my life.

Ok, well, now that my Story-of-the-Day may or may not have made you laugh. I should get to bed. Tomorrow, is yet another day of planning and packing!

Here's to you~
Tempa

Longing...

Hi everyone,

It's time for another list. Honestly, I think the art of list-making has slowly morphed into some anal-retentive, over-cautious activity for Jeopardy bound geniuses and over-worked soccer mom's. I (with the help of a few college friends) hope to bring back the art of list-making. It can be quite therapeutic, I'd say. I encourage you all to try it sometime :)

Ok, well tonight, the topic of my list will be longing. I'm not sure if I've ever talked about longing on this blog before. Chances are high, since I talk about a lot of stuff... actually... chances are high since I talk a lot period. BUT... I'm gonna talk about it again. Longing is a crazy animal. It makes you think crazy things, feel crazy things and sometimes even makes you do crazy things. I'm not just talking longing for the extremely attractive guy that sits across the room from you in Human Relations (granted, that is totally just an example!! ;) !!) ... I'm talking about longing in it's entirety. Both good and bad. I do think that there can be two distinct ways one can long for things. "Bad" longing is, of course, the kind where you are continually unsatisfied with what you are given. Really wanting a cuter pair of gym shoes or a Yellow jeep Wrangler with black roll bars when you already have some pretty sweet kicks and a cute Ford Focus (again... just an example!). "Good" longing is, in my opinion, the hope and expectation of something better while appreciating what you already have. I know that may sound stupid, but think about it. I've been given quite a bit in my life... I have a great family, wonderful friends, a beautiful house to live in...etc...the list goes on.... BUT... I do long for my new apartment, and the start of my "new" life in Minneapolis. I long for marriage and a family of my own someday, but am quite thankful for the stage of singleness that I am in right now. Anyway... so that's the difference... at least in my opinion. I am most certainly guilty of the "bad" longing, possibly moreso than the "good". Maybe that's all bull-honkey... but it's what I'm feeling right now.

SO... without further ado... My list of longings....

I long for:
A good night's sleep
Spring
Romance
A good book
A diet cherry soda that doesn't taste like a diet cherry soda
My new apartment
Late-night conversations
Guitar with Joanna
That giddy first-date feeling
A gut-busting laugh
Yellow roses
Meeting new friends
A husband
My new job


This list could go on and on, but making it has taken far more time than expected. As it turns out... I don't long for as many things as I thought I did. Or, at least, I can't think of them right now. So... with that... I should go. I am taking my Music Therapy Board Certification test tomorrow at 1:30. Since I have no real reason I get up before noon... I should head to be early to ensure some studying time before the test. Wish me Luck!

Live Happy~
Tempa

wow! Long time!

Geez, friends! I have left you alone for two weeks now! In the words of Jodie Sweetin (aka: Stephanie Tanner) "How Rude!" :)

I am sorry though. The past 14 days have been quite the ride. I'll explain it all to you.. let's start at the beginning. Well, we last spoke on February 6th.... on the 8th, I had my second interview with a perspective job opportunity in the Minneapolis area. On the 9th... I got the job!! So, you are now reading the typed words of Tempa Haines, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Martin Luther Manor, a nursing home in Bloomington, Minnesota! I am really (really!) excited about this opportunity. I will work on a team with four other recreational therapists... all with different specialties (Anna is a geriatric exercise therapist, Hailey is a certified Activity Director, and Jason is the head of the therapeutic recreation team. I, of course, am a music therapist) and when I talked with them on the phone it was like I was talking to my friends. A very surreal and unexpected thing. Surreal and unexpected, although Amazing and awesome at the same time! :) Is that even possible??!? Anyway, I accepted the position and the next day (the 10th) I drove out to Iowa for my best friends Bday AND a gig that my old band had somehow conjured up out of nowhere. I was at Wartburg that weekend and last Sunday, my good friend Betsy (she's the one who got married last July, you may have read about her previously) and I drove up to Bloomington to look for apartments. Miraculously... I found one!! I discovered very quickly that I was envisioning myself living faaaar more poshly than I could afford :) But the apartment I will be living in is cute and I can most definitely make it "home". So... this past week (after driving the 10 hours back to Ohio on Valentines Day) has been filled with last minute pre-move details and packing. How exciting is that?!?! (the answer is VERY!) So... that's the scoop. I got a job, a house, and a good start on my adult life all in the past 2 weeks. I'd say that's a pretty sweet deal!

Honestly, I am tempted to end this blog once I move up to Minneapolis. It would be a logical stopping point and I fear I won't have the time (or the energy) to keep up with it after an 8 hour work day. BUT... in talking to a few friends last night, I was persuaded to keep up this internet journal as much as possible. I think that's the best choice. I kinda do like sharing my life with the endless electronic void we know (and love) as the internet. :)

I hope you all are having weeks as exciting as mine have been! I'll write more tomorrow!

Peace out,
Tempa

Another thought...

I almost forgot...

I won't drone on forever about this... but I kinda just want to put it out there. Lately, I've felt rather convicted of a few things. The other day, I watched this thing on TLC. It was kind of a documentary about the Tsunami and interviews with the survivors and stuff. It just kind of struck me as I was falling asleep that night how detached I am from the rest of the world, how little I appreciate things that have been given to me. Like, my heart really feels for all those affected by the December tsunami, and I think it's really great to see so many people come together to raise money and help in any way they can (Ellen Degeneres has already raised over 2.5 million dollars just on her own!). I can watch three hours of intense video and interviews of people who endured something sooo massive and sooo life-altering. I can sit and cry along with those on television, trying to empathize with something that I can only attempt to imagine. I can pray for them and donate money and all this other 'Good Samaritan' type stuff, but while Im watching all of this on TV, others are actually living it. I have the luxury of changing the channel. I have the luxury of turning off the television and walking up the stairs of my house to a warm bed surrounded by pictures of people I care about. I can turn off the TV and think about what's for dinner that night or call my best friend and talk for two hours about absolutely nothing (or everything... whichever the case may be). What I mean is... we are given sooo much...even if it feels like we don't have anything at all... yet we are soooo quick to want more. I'm the queen of materialism! I love new shoes and DVD's and can easily drop a 10-spot at Target on nothing worthwhile. I know it sounds cliche, but how selfish is that?! It's pretty ridiculous when you think about it.

God asks us to pray for those who suffer as if we were suffering with them. I'm the first to tell you that isn't something I do all that often. It's too sad or too hard. It's too personal or not personal enough. Mostly, I just don't do it. I guess, I just want to challenge those of you who read this to step back for a while and appreciate what you've been given... even if seems like you haven't been given much. Then... take some time to suffer. I know that sounds harsh, even kinda stupid... and I don't mean suffer like jump out the window or step on your new puppy suffer. Just take a second and try to put yourself in the shoes of someone less fortunate. Just try.

Blessings,
Tempa

Sunday Night Boredom

Wow. It's Sunday night, Superbowl Sunday at that, and I am bored out of my gourd!! The two shows I like to indulge myself with on Sunday nights (Extreme Home Makeover and Desperate Housewives) were both re-runs and I have absolutely NO interest in watching the biggest football game of the year.... or any football game of the year for that matter. So, that leaves me with pretty much nothing to do. I even spent a few hours this evening cleaning up my room and began packing for the fact that I will eventually move out of my parents house and into my own place (hopefully sooner than later). That really puts this boredom thing into perspective, doesn't it?! :-)

So, later this week I am driving to Iowa. I kinda feel like I was just there. Actually, I kinda was just there. I wish there was some way I could get there without having to drive the 10 hours. Like some sort of tele-transporter where I could just blink and be where I want to go. I mean, I don't mind driving at all, but it's expensive and I just did it like a month ago. Hopefully, I'll be moving closer pretty soon so the 10 hour drive will be substantially shorter!! Anyway, the band I was in last year was asked to play again at my college. Last year we were given the opportunity to open for a pretty well-known Christian rock band. This year we're co-headlining a show with some other local group. I've heard they are pretty hardcore, so I think we'll stick with the softer worship stuff. We're better at that anyway. Well, at least I am ;)

So... Valentine's Day. Two words that can strike a nerve with those who find themselves unattached come February 14th. Even though I've only been on the "attached" side of the equation twice during Valentine's Day, I've never really been one to get all uptight and crazy about it. Granted, I've never 100% embraced my singleness either, but... it's just not something that I think about all that often. Or at least not something that I've ever spent a lot of time worrying about. However, I currently have a part time job at the local Hallmark store. Now, during this season of happy hearts, that could be reason enough to make me want to carve out my pupils with a box cutter, but combine that with friends who are in awesome relationships and a recent shove off of the highdive into the pool of unrequited love.... it should pretty much leave me as a melted blob of loneliness. I'm happy to report that I am none of the above (melted, blobby, or lonely... that is). I'm sure I will write some other long-winded expose (accent over the last e) about my thoughts and feelings on Valentine's day later this week. For know, though, I'm going to find something delightfully mind-numbing to watch and head to bed.

Goodnight friends,
Tempa

A little about me...

Hi there,
So everyday (well, almost everyday) I write on this blog telling you things about my life and my day, but I realized this afternoon that I haven't really ever told you anything about me. You know all about my thoughts and my passions and what I do with my daily life, but you really don't know who I am at all. I hope to change that in this blog!! This blog will be all about me....

I will tell you the truth when you ask how you look in a new pair of pants, I won't sugar coat the fact that I think you're boyfriend is a jerkstore, and I'll call you out on things if I think you're being illogical, but somehow you probably won't be that upset with me because I'm just being honest. I can't stand awkward silences, but silence in itself isn't a bad thing. I'm not a fan of confrontation, but I do enjoy intelligent conversation. I'm the girl who answers incorrectly in class when no one else has the guts to guess. I hate science, but love the arts. Music and writing are my favorite. I dropped out of trigonometry early in high school because I sucked at it, my teacher was a bit of an alcoholic, and didn't think I needed it. I haven't needed it yet. I have curly hair, and I like it. I never had pretty hair growing up, so I can be a bit vain about the fact that I do now. I sometimes speak before I think. And by sometimes, I mean most of the time. Speaking before you think can make you look quite foolish. I love wearing hoodies and American Eagle shoes, especially in the fall. I plan on wearing Adidas at my wedding someday. People always say I'm funny, but I think I make myself laugh more than others. I like it that way. I have quite a few different laughs. One sounds like a grandpa, one sounds like a baby and one is just a loud "HA!". I am horrible at self-motivation and pretty lazy when I don't concentrate on being otherwise. I only wear silver jewelry because gold doesn't go well with my skin tone. I'm kinda yellow :) I love war movies and I am petrified of the fog. That's right. Fog. I don't cry that often, but things that make me cry are Jesus, music, Extreme Home Makeover, and Hallmark commercials. I love coffee, but only expensive, high calorie, not-real-coffee coffee. I think reality TV is highly overrated, yet I can't seem to turn it off. I'm a fan of witty banter and, interestingly enough, I only mock the ones I care for the most. It's a fact, although one I am not too proud of. I can be pretty intellectual, although it's not the side of me that people notice. Unfortunately, it's not the side I show that often. I like sports, but only when they are live. Not on TV. I would say I'm usually optimistic. I keep my glass (and the glasses of those around me) always half full. I'm hooked on Dawson's Creek. Always have been. Always will be. I'm moved by gospel music and children's choirs. I like talking on the phone and think conversation is the best way to love. My eyes are green. My hair is brown. Above all else... I'm thankful for everything.

There you have it, a little about me. Maybe you could tell me a little something about you...

Where are you?

Here I am. Where are you?

I imagine you are at work. A journalist, maybe, or a teacher. English? History? P.E? Oh, please don't let it be P.E.! I imagine you are changing the life of a child even as I sit and write about you. Telling a young girl that she can accomplish more than she gives herself credit for, or coming up with some intricate football analogy to explain the idea of democracy to a struggling boy in 3rd period. Or, maybe you're still in school. Spacing out during your psychology class, thinking about how much you would rather be somewhere else. Maybe you are between jobs right now, not even sure of what job you're supposed to have. You spend your days working part time at the local music store, playing all the expensive guitars and wishing they were yours while daydreaming about what your future holds. You don't know that I'm a part of that future... but I am.

I can't help but imagine what it would be like if were together now. You would call. I know it is you because you have a special ring tone on my cell phone. Just another convenience of a modern romance. After a casual hello and daily small talk, you would ask what I wanted to do tonight. Good question. I wouldn't have an answer. Although going out is nice, staying in might be nicer. I suggest ordering in and renting one of the movies that has recently been swarmed by Oscar Buzz. Nope. You don't like that idea. "I'll surprise you", you say. I can't help but go along with that... I do love a good surprise. Later that evening you would pick me up, both of us dressed in our mid-day best. Jeans and gym shoes, of course. We would hop into your sporty SUV... a car you bought (and will be paying off for the next 10 years) merely because you thought it, as you say, 'upped your cool factor'... and we're off. Of course the drive is filled with witty banter and the occasional silence in which we both think about how lucky we are. Your surprise turns out to be a trip to the roller rink. Although I am quite apprehensive--being that I haven't been on roller skates since I wore my hair in a side pony-tail and kept neon colored scrunchies on my wrist-- I feel safe skating with you. There's something about the way you tell me I'll be fine that actually makes me believe it. After you tell me that my pathetic attempt at roller skating was actually quite endearing, we grab something to eat at the local over-rated chain restaurant and end up back at my place. Where you have so thoughtfully (although not too surprisingly) rented that Oscar bound movie I had my thoughts on earlier. As I settle into your arms... a space that was seeminly created for me... I can't help but think about how I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I am here. Where are you?