Sunday, February 28, 2010

John Mayer

I am a little behind in blogging, so just catching up on things worthy of remembering.

A couple of weeks ago, John Mayer played at the Sommet Center. For Justin's birthday, we went to dinner at Bricktops (yum!) and then went to the concert. Little did we know what was in store for us that night!

John Mayer has been popping up in media circles a lot lately and it is not for his good character. After sharing, his sexual escapades and inappropriate word choices, attention was a at high point and a low point. He must have had enough because we got to witness a little breakdown on stage that would be covered in national news stories the next day.

During the concert, he stopped to acknowledge that his band did not condone everything he does. He thanked them for always sticking by his side though. He went on to say that he got too caught up in his own wit and the media, that he forgot what he got into music to do. He announced he was quitting the media game and was just going to play his guitar for people. He then played a very emotional version of Gravity.

When John Mayer first became popular, I was not a fan. I thought his music was too "poppy." Over time though, I became smitten. He plays music with such raw emotion, it is hard not to like him. At the concert, I gained even more respect for him. While his breakdown has been viewed as a publicity stunt, I think he must be one of the world's greatest actors if that was the case. He look pained and spoke with a real sadness and shame. I guess only time and his actions will tell...

It was a good concert even though I fell asleep during one of the songs. (I guess I am still going though "chemo comas.") It was also the last concert we would attend at the Sommet Center. Last week, the arena changed its name again. Hopefully, we can catch some concerts at the Bridgestone Arena sometime.

Reading Parade

This past week was Read-Me week at school. We had dress up days. Visitors came and read to our classes. We even had a book character parade!

Students and teachers dressed up as book characters and a few students were nominated to march around the school while classes sat out in the hallway. It was so much fun! The kids got so excited and were talking about books they wanted to read after the parade. The kindergartners were so precious, I wanted to take all of them home with me. We will be doing this again next year.

My class voted David Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes as our parade book. We had the cutest banner! I painted the kids faces to look like Camilla's faces throughout the book. While we did not win, we were pretty stinkin' cute if I may say so.

If you have not read A Bad Case of Stripes, you should. Ms. Quarles' class loves David Shannon!

Annual Father Daughter Dance

On Friday, our school held its annual Father Daughter Dance. I am fortunate that my dad lives so close and is always willing to attend.

Dad always seems to face rather uncomfortable circumstances. Last year, the music was pretty much all hip-hop. He was a little out of his element. Dad doing the "skanky leg"... I think not.

This year, Dad and I were not at the dance for even one song when the asst. principal got on the mic, thanking the teachers for coming. She then announced that it was a special night because one of the teachers brought her father. "Everyone, please clear the dance floor. Ms.Quarles, lead your father out to the dance floor and enjoy this dance. Girls, please stay on the side so Ms. Quarles can have this time."
Both my dad and my face was going through lobster-colored shades so fast. I know I was thinking words teachers should not say!

Dad and I did dance to John Mayer's "Daughters" even amidst people running on to the floor to take our picture. If I don't ever marry and never have a chance to dance with my father afterwards that is quite alright because this was way more awkward and there are lots of photos out there. ;)

Needless to say, we only stayed a quick 30 minutes as compared to 2 hours last year.


Thanks Dad for being such a great sport!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Hat Day

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, we are celebrating Read Me week. We have fun things planned all week.

Monday-Crazy Socks Day
Tuesday- Hat Day
Wednesday-Blanket & Stuffed Animal Day
Thursday- Favorite T-Shirt Day
Friday-Book Character Parade

Sadly, I had to miss Crazy Socks Day because I had to go to a training. To my surprise, my kiddos had made me a hat while I was gone. It is just LOVELY. ;) I know I will have the best hat at school today.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Think Pink!

So it is hard to believe that last week we were cold and out of school for snow, and now I am wearing short sleeves and enjoying weather close to the 60s. The Vespa even had a little breakout session. :)

Last week I was invited to go to Lipscomb's Think Pink basketball game. The Think Pink game is a ladies game that raises awareness and support for breast cancer. All of the social clubs go together and cheer. A few of alumni from Delta Xi decided to go and make a night of it.

Ashley and Lauren were two of my close friends in Delta Xi. When I came back from China, I was blessed to be in both of their weddings. I don't get to see these married ladies too often (mainly due to me!), so we decided to grab dinner before the game. Broccoli soup from Panera is delish! While we were eating, it started to snow. I do mean snow! We walked out to my great surprise and delight the ground was covered.

We decided to trek on to the game anyways. (I just knew I was going to be out of school the next day.) We got to meet up with some of our other friends, meet the new Delta girls, and I got a stinkin' cute t-shirt. (Lauren is a graphic designer and creates all of the t-shirts for Delta Xi.) I honestly could not tell you the score. (Stop right there, I am normally not the chatty girl during the game. Don't stereotype me. It had just been a long time since I had seen these people...) While I was oh-so-glad not to be in college again, I was happy to rehash some old memories with good friends.

(some of Delta Xi alumni)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Things to Come...

Busy, busy, busy...

Things to update you on soon...

John Mayer concert
Chinese New Year
Valentine Day
New house
New part time job
More snow days

Curious yet? (I know Nana is! ;) )

Monday, February 8, 2010

Super Bowl Sunday

So happy to watch the Saints win, surrounded by my family and my friends.

No waking up in the middle of the night. No trying to hook computer wires to TVs. No real frustration.

We feasted on jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and Skyline Dip. yum.

Some days I am happy to be in America.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Daily Chew

This is what I am chewing on today...

"Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored."

-Romans 8:5-8

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Thoughts on Cursing

"I have three things to say today.

1st: While you were sleeping last night 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition.

2nd: Most of you don’t give a shit.

3rd: What’s worse is that you are more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night. "

– Tony Campolo, a well-respected Christian author and speaker

Prayer Request

I recieved the following email from a friend about some classmates from college.

My friends Bekah and Chris welcomed Eli and Issac to the world this afternoon at 27 weeks. Eli's condition was getting worse, and they decided to take both early rather than let Eli die, which he would have in days. Both were doing okay at delivery and were slightly bigger than expected.
Issac - 2lb 4oz. 14 inches
Eli - 1lb 3.5 oz 11 inches
Please lift the babies and the family up in your prayers as so many have. The next 4 days are still critical and the journey ahead will be long.


I too ask that you keep the Gannon family in your prayers.

My Final Snow Day

Read Same Kind of Different as Me
Mailed a package
Banked
Stopped by the library
Ran into a very dear lady who I hadn't seen in years
Ate dinner at Ugly Muggs with the fabulous Emilee Fitch
Watched Biggest Loser
Fell asleep during Biggest Loser

I really enjoyed Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It is an endearing story of a friendship between a homeless man (modern day slave) and an international art dealer. Makes you reflect on how you see people.

Amy got my hooked on Biggest Loser. Each Tuesday night I make sure the calendar is clear. However, I have this REALLY annoying habit pf falling asleep during the last 3 minutes. I see half the people weigh in and then I am gone. It is so frustrating! Maybe when I have a case of insomnia I should just watch an old episode of Biggest Loser. Go gray team!

And that is how I spent my final snow day... 5:30am came way too early this morning!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Key to Happiness

Be satisfied.
Be grateful.
For what you have.
For the love you receive.
And for what God has given you.
-Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith

Monday, February 1, 2010

Sledding

On Sunday, we trekked out to Hendersonville to go sledding with my family.
No sleds? No problem.
We used our pool floats instead.
They worked beautifully.