Christmas time is here, laughter everywhere!

My precious baby cousin, Lily.  Adorable, isn't she? :)

The view out my bedroom window Christmas morning. A white Christmas--- I couldn't believe it!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to own a flower shop? I'd love it.

My gorgeous sister, Hannah.

My dear friend, Stella.

Okay, this is all for now.  I just wanted to throw a couple of pics up here.

Hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas Break! I need to go work on my New Years Resolutions.

Have a wonderful evening, friends!

~Sara~

here I go again

I need to take a lesson in forgiveness from my friend, Micah.

I honestly don't know why he forgives me every time.  This time he may not though cause I was so horrible to him.  After all, we are all human; We can only take so much from a person before calling in quits on the friendship.

I thought I had reached that point with him this week, and honestly, I still feel that way to an extent.  However, I realize that he's still the one I consider as my best friend.

I need to learn to swallow my pride more often.  I'm going to have to give this one a lot of time before asking for forgiveness.

My advice to myself: Learn to hold your tongue, you idiot.

I----

love this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Zs2vXxSUE

And I love that I can open my window the week of Thanksgiving and feel just fine (not cold!).  It's a gorgeous day here on the mountain.
Heading home for break in 2 1/2 hours.  I'm going to miss school a lot, but I'm excited to be able to take lots of pictures, hangout and do absolutely NOTHING productive.

Have a lovely day, folks!

-Sara

"the boom of the tingling strings"

Piano

Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;
Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings.


In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song
Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong
To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside
And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide.


So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour
With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour
Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast
Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.

D. H. Lawrence

I'm in the process of a writing a research paper on this poem.  I absolutely love it!  It's simple, but yet very easy to relate to--- music, memories, emotion--- oh how I love all three of them.

Adventures at the downtown public library

I've been on a desperate search for a study place that I can go without even possibly seeing anyone I know. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the downtown public library…. It's old, smells funny, and full of homeless people here--- all of those factors contribute to my love and draw to this place.

Right now I'm at study carol working on homework surrounded by homeless people who seem completely harmless.  They are interesting (sleeping, talking to themselves, wearing cool earmuffs, etc) and I sorta like them.

I know there's not a chance in the world a Covenant student would wander in here.

Every time I look up I see those statues and think they're old men standing there staring at me.

There are some interesting characters here…..

But they don't seem too bad….. 

Oh the joys of being from Chattanooga and know the secrets of the city better than most of the other locals.

Back to homework now.
Hasta leugo!

Go do.

Jonsi….. there aren't words to express his concert.
I seriously almost cried it was so good!  I received a call from a friend 15 minutes before they had to leave telling me they had an extra ticket.  Needless to say, I took it. :)

His concert blew my mind away. SO GOOD.

Less than 3 weeks til Thanksgiving Break.  Can you believe it?!

Off to class for now,

Sara

1 Peter 5:6

Today I head back to school from Fall Break.  I'm not really sure what awaits me up there on the mountain….. situations over break back here at home have made returning there even more confusing and frustrating.
As I sat down for my quiet time this morning, I wasn't really sure where to begin reading.  I decided to look up the word "strife" in the concordance in the back of my Bible.  I remember reading one verse, which led to another then another, and somehow I ended up in 1 Peter (which the concordance didn't even list as a book that had anything to do with strife).
Reading through this book proved to be exactly what I needed today.  I came across a few passages I had underlined from previous studies here.
One verse that is short and to the point that fits my situation perfectly right now is:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
                                                                     ~1 Peter 5:6
Thank you, Jesus for that reminder.
I hope this verse is in some way applicable to your life too today…. :)

Alright, I must go back to head back to my home on the mountain. :)

Oh, the many side effects of being blonde…..

Tonight I went on Anthropolgy's website---- that's always a bad idea for me.

I went straight to the dress page and didn't make it past that…. I kicked myself off the website after that.

I've been lusting after these dresses for an hour now….. online "window shopping" is an unhealthy addiction for me. Oh goodness.

I think I might go thrifting tomorrow…. It's times like these I could use a good thrifting buddy. 

One of my chief grievances in life is that I can't wear this color:

Or any yellow for that matter (note: I love that coat).  It's one of the many side effects of being blonde. 

Today has been--- rough.  After spending a fair amount of time in a horrible mood, I turned to my Bible and a hot bath and now I feel much better.  The book of Mark has never seemed so good.

Goodnight, world!

~Sara~

Matt and Kim? That would be a negative, officer.

Yesterday I was supposed to attend a Matt and Kim concert in Atlanta with my best friend, Micah.  Well, at the last minute he had to drop out due to family being in town so I found others who would like to go with me (Abby and Sammy).  We got halfway there and had to turn around to go get the keys out of my car that my sister was using cause I had locked them in there (it's a long story….).

Needless to say, I was bummed (that's an understatement).  But there was nothing we could do about it…. so, we decided to eat Chik-Fil-A, then roam around downtown and take pictures.

• Handstands on the bridge and on the street that connects to Walnut
• Walking out on the dock into the Tennessee River
• The loud high pitched beep on the Walnut St. Bridge
• Watching tourists in the guided ghost tours
• Abby freaking out over the glass bridge (as usual hehe)

Those are few of the highlights from the evening.  There were so many obstacles preventing me from attending the concert that I'm sure God didn't want me there…. I don't know why though.

Well, Fall Break is wonderful minus the setbacks.  Tomorrow I'm getting my haircut and I'm trying to decide how short to go…. hm…. ideas?

Adios!

-Sara

Proverbs 24:5-6

"A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory."
-Proverbs 24:5-6

Lord,
Please give me strength and guidance.  I don't know at all what I should do or where you're taking me with this.

In the Mood

Who doesn't love In the Mood by Glen Miller?  That song makes people like me who lack all dancing skills want to dance.

This weekend at Covenant was homecoming.  Thursday was Burning at the Stage on the overlook where there were bonfires and live music under the stars---- so fun!

Friday was Jazz on the Overlook which was amazing.  It was like stepping back into the 1940's.  There was a full jazz band set up on the overlook, lights were strung, the stars were out and the weather was PERFECT (probably 60's), everyone was dressed up, and everything was lovely!  I wish I knew how to dance better but I think swing dancing is a skill I'll acquire with time at Covenant.

This week I have 3 midterms and a paper….. ugh.  But, Friday I'll be going home for Fall break and I'm sooo excited to have absolutely NO responsibilities.

For now I'll leave you with a few pictures from the weekend.  I wish I had taken more…. but I was having too much fun to stop and take pictures.

Goodbye, all!

-Sara

"Summer please shake Autumn's hand, cause home seems like some distant land"

FALL! IT'S HERE!

I love this weather.  It's so extraordinary! (I like that word---- extraordinary….)
I also like the song this post is titles after by Courtney Marie Andrews.  If you don't know her music, look her up!

Today would be a perfect day for a ride on this bike:

down this road:

have a picnic in this barn loft:

jump in a pile of leaves:

then finish the day with a bonfire while star gazing here:

I think this is what my fall break should look like….. not too much longer! :)

I'm going to take a nap for now though….. I'm very sleepy due to the small number of hours slept last night.  Watching Penelope with hall mates then dancing to A Thousand Miles for Pauli with Hollyanne was well worth the sacrifice of sleep. 

So long, friends!

~Sara~

Oh no, I had a thought and a feeling

Well, I've almost been at school for 4 weeks..... things have been crazy!  I won't write about all my woes and troubles, but I will say that I am back at school WITHOUT chickenpox, with a new allergy, and returning ear problems.   But I'm still walking, talking, and breathing, so all is good. :)

Ah. Covenant..... I love it so.  It's starting to feel like home.  The weather is getting cooler and the nights are getting longer, fall is almost here. (yippy! hehe)

I'll try to post pictures soon..... I'm not sure when though.

For now I'll leave you with this:

I would love to live in a REAL tree house!!!!  I hope there's a creek somewhere close to this one…. it'd be a shame if there weren't.

-Sara

chickenpox?

Well, school has started and I love it!  I'm still looking for the niche on campus that I really fit into and for the group of friends I will hangout with a lot.  I have met some super people there so far and I honestly LOVE it.  Covenant is DEFINITELY where I'm supposed to be.
Sunday I had been there for a week and two days and things were going great!---- until I started to get itchy.  That afternoon I broke out into a mild case of the chickenpox from the vaccine I received two days before moving off to college.  Weird, huh?  How often do you hear of people catching the chickenpox at 18 years old and during their second week of college?  Needless to say I've been pretty irritable all week.  I feel like I'm missing out on everything that's happening on campus and there's NOTHING I can do about it because I've been sorta banned from school.  But, then I read Psalm 51 the other night and I felt a whole lot better.  Although I don't know why God had me come home and miss out on a lot of stuff at college, but I know it was for a reason.... I'm just trying to trust him.  I know skipping school seems pretty microscopic to you all, but to me it's huge.
Today I'm heading back to school and hopefully I'll get to stay longer than 9 days this time. I'm ready to be back (even though I have a TON of homework to catch up on...).
Adios for now!  Hopefully I'll get better about blogging once I settle into more of a routine.
-Sara

21 days and counting

21 days.
I can't believe it...... For years I've stressed over where I'd go to college and now I know where I'm going and I leave in just 3 weeks..... I have so much to finish and accomplish before the end of summer....

Why do friends change? Why does summer change?  Some friends I thought I'd never see this summer I've seen a ton while others I used to see everyday I've seen once of twice.  I don't understand that.... I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle by trying to be friends still because college is just around the corner; if I can't be friends with them now over summer, how in the world will I manage to keep in touch during college?

I'm at Disney right now so I'm going to go swim--- or something.

So long, folks.

Off to Neverland! :)

Ah. Disney..... My 3rd home. :)
Tomorrow I shall be returning there and I'm excited. :)
I have 5 books and my ipod to keep me entertained on the way there and while lounging by the pool.

I don't feel like writing a complete post right now so I'm going to go

Goodbye for a little while! I'll tell Mickey you all said hello. :)

"For youth and the dawn of life are vanity"

Lately I've been reading through Ecclesiastes. Honestly, this is the first time I've read all the way through it and I'm loving it....
Today I went back to Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 where it talks about The Vanity of Toil. Ha. This is a big problem for me. I'm always striving to do stuff on my own and not giving it to God.  Pretty much this section of scripture was just talking about how all of our toil is vain and useless; instead we should find joy IN the toil instead of working to benefit from it.
Also, one other verse I went back to today:
"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.  Walk in the ways of your heart and the sights of your eyes.  But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement.  Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for you and the dawn or life are vanity."
~Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
I like he he worded it.... sort of "go-ahead-and-do-it-but-you're-gonna-pay-for-it-later". haha
Anyway, that's all for now. I'm in a blogging mood so probably more soon. :)
Have a wonderful day everyone!

-Sara

"Dignity, always dignity"

Today was a movie day. Here's the line up:

Best movie ever:

Singin' In the Rain

Another movie I watched tonight for the first time and actually really enjoyed:

(500) Days of Summer

If you haven't seen them before, check 'em out.  If you have, watch them again. It's worth it.

God is good, all the time

Two blog posts in two days? Be amazed.

Well, today did not go as I intended.  Then again, how often does it?  God always has His own ideas for my days---- maybe one day I'll learn and grasp that concept.

So, today was extremely stressful.... however, now that it's coming to a close, I can't say it was bad..... I actually conclude that it was good.

Here's the load down:
1. First car wreck.  Fender bender, but enough to scare me.  I thank God that it was an older man who understood.  Thankfully he recognized how scared I was and knew that it was both of our error.  He didn't ask my name or mention police or anything.
2. Chatt State ruined my transcript and I hope never to return there.  I know some people really like it, but for me it's been a living nightmare.
3. A kid gashed his head open in the baby pool at work today.  Thankfully the mother was precious and knew it wasn't my fault.  THAT was a miracle all in itself.  Usually the moms chew out the lifeguards and seek revenge on them if one small little thing happens.
4. I killed another walkie talkie at work.  It had a dreadful, drowning death below 7ft of water.  Why they haven't learned to give me waterproof radios, I don't know.  At least give me a wrist strap for the thing!
5. Drama. Lame, I know. When will it ever end? Never, I'm guessing.  Seriously, it's life. Maybe I should get used to it? Nah, that sounds to hard.  (kidding, I'm working on just ignoring people.... at least as much as possible).
6. I dropped the diving board on my hand.

So. I'm not sure what to think of this day.  I'm glad God is testing me....
I've been consistently reminded of His grace and mercy today.  All of these events could have been catastrophic but they weren't, thank goodness!

Enough for one day.
Goodnight, world. :)

"And we'll all float on okay"

Once again my grand plans of blogging more frequently were unsuccessful. Ha. Oh well.

Anyway, Michigan was wonderful except for the fact it had to be cut short at the last minute.  We did the usual swimming, kayaking, laying around, Capt'n Frosties, Checker's Pizza, Brighton, Howell, Ann Arbor, Urban Outfitters, Donny and Len visiter, etc. while we were there.

Summer in general is passing all too quickly.  I can't believe I leave for college in 38 days. I'm getting really sad but also really excited.  I've spent so much time working and such this summer that I've missed A LOT of things that have happened.  I'm not necessarily complaining about work, I'm complaining about summer being to short. haha  I still have 38 days to make this summer memorable....... That's a daunting but very doable task. :)  My family has planned a Disney trip July 23-30 but I'm not sure I'll be able to go.... I want to, but I need the money and I want to be in Chatt, too.  I guess I'll just have to leave that one to God, too..... I'm torn between the two different decisions.  Also, as soon as I get back from Florida my cousins from Boston are going to be coming into town so that will consume another 5 days of my life.  By that time I'll be down to less that 2 weeks til college. d;hdghdfhg;ksdhg;khgjkhdfg I'm just not ready for things to change. I don't have a choice though.

Anywayyyyy. This was my catch up post.  Now that I have a new and better computer hopefully I'll blog more often.  My other computer had just about had it, the poor thing.

It's rainy and I'm praying it stays this way until 8 oclock tonight..... hopefully people will stay away from the pool. hehe :)

Adios for now, people.  I've off to argue with the people at Chatt State.

-Sara

"And I could use a vacation myself, my eyes are bored"

Summer---- it's passing too quickly.  Tomorrow we're leaving for our annual trip to Michigan. :) I'm super excited but I'll be missing a lot of things here at home.... but it'll be worth it! I need to get out of Chattanooga for a little while.  As much as I love it, I need a break.

It's been a while since I've blogged.  Actually, a LONG time.  There are a lot of things I haven't posted pictures of so I'll try to sum it up in one post. :)

The first three pics are from the Lookouts game the choir sings at every year. It's always so fun just to hangout with everyone even though the people who actually want to watch the game yell at us most of the time.... This is also where we began scheming the plan for Mrs. Bingham. mwahah

Prom. Oh goodness. I almost didn't go.  Exactly one week before I decided I would go.  That same day in 2 hours I found, bought, and had my dress altered.  Impressive, huh?

Oh Choir. I'm going to miss you. You and all your homeschooliness. :) I've had some really good time with this group....

HAHA! Good times. This is our after-Mrs. Binghams-house-pose.  This is us demonstrating HOW you approach a police office at 3AM in all black and face paint. (Note: Arthur is missing in this photo :( )

I have a new baby cousin!  Lily Grace!!!! :) This is my Aunt Angie holding her first granddaughter. :)

Senior recital. I'm glad that's over with!

Blue Hole. I've spent a lot of time there this summer. This is from our first adventure there. 

Booker T. Washington Park.  We wanted to jump into the river during the November choir retreat but the guys went without me. Lammmme. Then we were going to go during the February retreat but Mrs. Gibbons caught us.  So, we promised that we'd go back to jump in just for the heck of it when summer came.  We did. :) The last day of Hilger we met after classes in the parking lot and drove up there to jump in.  It was so fun and the perfect way to say bye to high school. :)

Last Lake Winnie homeschool day ever.  Sad, I know. :/ I've been going every year with a lot of the same people since I was about 4.

My last day of Hilger. :( I miss you guys already.... I'm coming to visit, okay?

Banquet, the day before graduation. :)

THE CLASS OF 2010!!!!!! :)

I miss everyone already.  But at least Micah, Jillian, and Arthur will be at Covenant with me this fall!

Open house the day after graduation.

Road trip with Micah.  The perfect way to begin summer.  We started out attempting to find a good mountain peak.  Well, the one we found wasn't that great so we kept driving.  And driving and driving and driving til we thought we were almost to Atlanta but we were really in Clemson, South Carolina almost to Greensville. HA. That was a fun day. :)

Well, I must be going. I have a lot to do before I leave for vacation.  But, I will try to blog regularly from Michigan like I did last year. :)

Adios, people!