Who knew picking out paint color was such a daunting task? Of course you want it to be just right and something you can live with for a while and won’t get tired of. But whatever you do, don’t pick beige. From this cool marketing campaign from one of my fav stores (IKEA), beige is boring… put some color in your life.
(Click on all the windows… esp. the very first one. 
)
Friend 1: “Oh, did you see that Erin got a job and that I went to Flugtag this weekend?”
Friend 2: “Oh yeah, I read it on Facebook hours ago.”
I’ve realized that the words “Facebook” and “MySpace” are such common words now in daily conversations. What’s up with that? I even had a conversation at lunch today with some of my friends about this. One of them said I should write a blog about it. Well, here it is. I know I say Facebook a lot without meaning to say it. It just comes out. It really is a part of my life and the lives of my peers. I can’t help it… or can I? I’m sucked in. I don’t know if I can escape.
A few years ago, we didn’t even know what this stuff was! We thought IM was the greatest invention ever for college students. I remember when I signed up for my Facebook account. I read about it on my friend Meghan’s IM and thought what the heck the point of the site was. Why would I want to build a page like that when I could easily pick up the phone or shoot a quick IM or email? Eventually, I signed up, of course. I didn’t realize it at the time, but basically I sold my soul and time to Facebook.
Here are some of my Facebook observations:
Facebook and MySpace really are cool concepts, but of course too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. Are you addicted yet?
Dear Mr. Sports Store Manager Guy,
I just want to buy a bike. That’s all I want. I want to give you my money – cold, hard cash right now – in exchange for decreasing your product overhead. This is going to be an easy sell. Is your store the best place to buy my bike?
Before you answer a quick “yes”, I would like to tell you a little about myself and propose some questions for you.
I really like it when I can “test-drive”, touch, see with my own eyes what it is I want to buy, especially when it comes to a bike. There are a lot of options out there, and I want to be sure I make the best decision for me. That means it would be best if you had bikes in stock and on the floor, right? Would you mind going to see if you do?
I also really like it when at least one employee genuinely acknowledges that I am alive and am in your store. If at least one employee asks me, “Can I help you find something?” I am ecstatic. When your employees treat me like I’m a ghost or a burden, especially when I am looking for something more significant than paper towels, I get really sad. No, actually I get pissed off. Especially when I’m within eyesight of a group of employees just standing around trying to flirt with each other. And that brings up the age-old question: Why is it that whenever I am looking for help, no one’s around, but when I want to be left alone, everyone’s in my way and asking me if I want to sign up for a store credit card? Anyway, I just like some assistance and a friendly employee to be around to answer my questions and help make my shopping experience a pleasant one. So, what kind of people do you employ?
The final thing I really like is when the employee I ask a question to is knowledgeable about a product line and your store as a whole. The whole purpose of having employees on the floor to answer questions and provide helpful customer service is pretty much defeated when a) they have no clue what I’m talking about, b) they make no effort to help me find the answer, or c) they’re nowhere to be found. Don’t you agree? Sometimes I wonder why some people are even getting paid to be of assistance and serve the customers. So, have your employees received enough training? Are they kept up to date on current happenings throughout the store?
Now please don’t get me wrong – I do not expect your employees to bow down and worship me and serve me like I’m 500% better than they are. I just expect them to be helpful, hospitable, friendly hosts to me, the guest in the house. I don’t think it’s wrong to have expectations like that. I just know that I really like it when I’m in a store and am treated the way someone else would like to be treated if they were a guest.
Now that you know a little bit more about me, is your store really the best place for me to buy a bike?
Wanting to be your customer,
Marianna
PS – I am enclosing a copy of the book QBQ: The Question Behind the Question by John Miller for you to read and hopefully pass on to your team. I am certain it will be of great benefit to all of you.
I don’t know who originally wrote this, but I think it’s an interesting perspective. Of course we all have all types of these relationships going on in our lives simultaneously.
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
When someone is in your life for a reason…It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. Sometimes they die. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. Your need has been answered, and now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a season…It is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn from them. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
Lifetime relationships teach you life-long lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.
Wrigley field. The mecca for Cubs fans. A happy place… even when the Cubbies lose. I have been multiple times and plan to go even more. Here are some old pictures of some past trips:
And now for the real reason for my post…
Do you know who Steve Bartman is? Read this article. It’s really great because the writer is a great storyteller and writes in a way to make you feel as though you are right there with him experiencing all the sites, sounds, smells, and emotions that he did. Here’s my summary:
It’s impossible not to imagine all of it — Alou, the ball and the dreams of every Cubs fan across the world five outs away from the World Series — coming together right above my head. And it’s frightening to realize this: I likely would have done the same thing.
I would have been Steve Bartman.
Close your eyes and picture life as Steve Bartman. Imagine the Cubs being the core of your existence and having your name and photo right alongside the billy goats and black cats of past Cubs failures. Imagine the realization you likely will never visit Wrigley Field again. Your eyes will never gaze upon the dark green ivy, bright green scoreboard or muted brown bricks. Imagine turning on a random St. Louis Cardinals game, watching Albert Pujols chase a foul ball into the front row at Busch Stadium and listening as it sparks a 10-minute conversation about you. It’s enough to prompt a swoon into a lifetime of unspeakable depression.
Yeah, not a very peachy perspective, eh? But the article story IS great, despite the topic. 
“Your best friend is the person who brings out the best in you.” – Henry Ford
A college dorm community bathroom is where I least expected to meet my best friend.
In Corlew Hall, if you lived at the end of the hallway, you had to walk halfway down the hall to get to the bathroom, the elevator, or just to escape the enclosure of musty, white bricks. And if you lived on the third floor, this also meant you had to pass room 303, home to Marianna and Lori, two of the loudest girls on that side of the floor. This was a daily activity that Mary Anne, the quiet girl at the end of the hall, had to embrace if she wanted to go anywhere.
As our freshman year progressed, so did the number of times she had to pass by 303. All those passing-bys and quick hellos and brief conversations while brushing teeth and washing faces in the community bathroom added up. As she and I got involved with the same campus ministry and small group, our friendship continued to grow as we realized we had a lot of the same interests, beliefs, style, humor, and even shared a favorite TV show. Oh yes, the loud girl and the quiet girl began to tolerate each other and find common ground. Funny what kinds of doors open when a few hellos and smiles are thrown out there.
Well, those Corlew days were but a short time ago, and we have grown and changed and moved on since then. Just like with any close friendship, we have memories that make us cry – from laughter and from heartache – and hours worth of stories that we will enjoy retelling from now until we’re sitting in our front-porch rockers as 70-year-old retirees.
Even though time and distance separate us now, I am thankful I can call her my friend. What a blessing it is to have a friend who knows your history and still sticks with you anyway. Who forgives your stupidness and selfishness time and time again. Who can make you laugh until you cry and knows exactly what you’re thinking with just “a look” (yes, we women are gifted with that magical power). Who truly does share your joy and divides your grief. Who wants you to be yourself and brings out the best in you. I hope you have a friend like this in your life.
Five years later, we live every different lives, but because of the time and effort we have both invested in our friendship, we are still close friends. Hopefully girls living in Corlew this year will strike up conversations with their neighbors in the community bathroom and still be great friends five years from now.
Cheers to another 5 years!
(The above picture is us at a Martina McBride concert this spring!)
Well, my tried and true Yahoo Photos account will be no more. I have to move my photos to another online place. Where do you suggest I turn – Flickr, Photobucket, Webshots, Shutterfly, etc? If you use any of these programs, what are some pros and cons you’ve encountered? Or are they all pretty much the same?
Don’t be shy – leave a comment!
I have a bunch of pics from Peru that I am so excited about. A lot of them turned out better than I expected, especially the random ones where there’s no planning involved and people aren’t ready.
One afternoon our group went to downtown Lima to meet a Congressman and tour the building. What a beautiful building! At one point, we were waiting in the main lobby of the building. I looked over my shoulder and saw the over-sized detailed doors leading outside to where the sun was beginning to set. The following pictures are what I captured. They’re some of my favorites. (Click on each to see a full-size image.)
It’s worth it to look over your shoulder once in a while. You might be missing something like this. And it doesn’t hurt if you have a camera either.
Love this song by Sister Hazel. Check it.
Sometimes I wake with a weary head and
I wonder how I’ll ever get through
Then I think of the things you said
how you told me to my self be true
My faith in things unseen,
My belief that it’ll all work out
May seem like a strange cup of tea,
but if it’s alright with you than it’s alright with me
Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I’ll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray
There are times I feel with the stains of life
I could just turn around, turn around walk away
Then a strength like a beam from above
lifts me up by the hand and it leads me to say
Good things for good people you see
good things they seem to all work out
May seem like a strange cup of tea but
if it’s alright with you well then it’s alright with me
Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I’ll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray
Getting by ain’t enough for me
I know what I like I like what I see
I’m not only flesh and blood but
I’m heart and soul I know
Sometimes I feel at the end of the day
was it worth while or have I settled for less
I sit back and your there by my side sincerely you say,
we’re both so blessed
Count your blessing count them one, two, three
don’t give up cause it’ll all work out
It may seem like a strange cup of tea but
if it’s alright with you, it’s just fine with me
Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I’ll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray.
What are some of your favorite songs?
I’m sure that any time you’ve gotten back from a trip, the first thing people ask you is, “So, how was your trip?” Not to say that it’s wrong… it’s just a very loaded question sometimes. Below is something one of my new friends wrote right after we returned from our week in Peru. I will share more of my thoughts later, but this is a fabulous summary of what we all experienced…
“I have been flooded with a borage of feelings after returning to the United States. The feelings include: sadness, unworthiness, confusion, thankfulness, sorrow, happiness, love, a new perspective, and a renewed spirit. A well-balanced team of 14 God-fearing 20-somethings just embarked on a life-changing mission trip to Peru. I am so thankful and blessed to have been part of this group.
“I can confidently say that the vast majority of us had no clue of what to expect of this adventure. Bu, we did know that the Lord had called all of us to a foreign land to advance His kingdom. After it was all said and done, it was quite apparent that the Lord had orchestrated this group to be a piece of his perfect plan. The 14 of us experienced the most stripped down, unglamorous, raw view of a country in unquantifiable need.
“The Lord led us into orphanages of beautiful, innocent children that had been wronged by poor decisions made by their parents. He led us into a domicile of mothers and children who suffered from the AIDS virus, which, without proper care and funding, lived with a death sentence. He led us into a community which was composed of houses made of ply wood and cardboard, where the livelihood of the inhabitants was based on how much trash (left on the streets of the city) could be salvaged and sold to make just enough money to literally scrape by. He led us into the homes of impoverished individuals that barely had enough to live. He led us into a land of poverty, sadness, filth, unsanitary conditions, and an overwhelming population of lost, wandering souls.
“Now before your mind wanders too far, let me tell you the beauty we experienced in this land. He led us to hurting children to give them hope, smiles, laughter, comfort, and love. He led us to men and women to give them a perspective of what it is like to be a strong, bold Christian that lives by a high standard of sexual integrity, morals, kindness, selflessness, and Christ-like love. He led us to mountain tops to worship and praise his name and cross paths with an individual who was seeking Him. He led us into the streets to hand out food to the needy. He led us into schools for the blind and English institutes to spread His Gospel. He led us to churches to be a shining light and a godly example for the members. He led us into hospitals to pray in numbers for people that had a small chance of survival. He led us to a land to interact with fellow believers and followers to strengthen our unity in Christ. He led us to a place that needs Him. He led us to a place of beautiful, selfless, giving, serving, tender individuals that follow him without any shame.
“My heart has been changed forever. The Lord showed me and the other 13 team members how unbelievably blessed we are. Our Father has given us more blessings than we could ever deserve…we are incredibly unworthy. The Lord showed us the true meaning of “Give thanks with a grateful heart.” He showed us how to be selfless and serve others even when you are emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. He showed us examples of individuals after God’s heart. He showed us examples of a Christ-like love. He showed us that no matter what happens in your life, good or bad, you must always get on your knees and praise Him for his mercy and faithfulness. He showed us visions of advancing His kingdom. He showed us the things we needed to see, when we needed to see them. He showed us a glimpse of his perfect plan and how every piece fits together in His timing exactly as it should.
“After this week in Peru, I really didn’t know what to expect upon our return. My heart was filled with many conflicting emotions. My heart was and is very heavy. We are so blessed. The Lord has given us so much, even though we are not always faithful to Him.
“To live a life by faith is to live a life with no explanation. That’s my life. I will continue to follow him and actively seek him in everything I do. He will lead me in the right direction. In that, I am certain.”
