Favorite Book

Here's thing... I absolutely love reading. I do have a lot of favorite books, but they kind of tie into my favorite author[s]. So here is my absolute favorite book. Period.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is hands-down the best book I've ever read. It's absolutely fantastic. I was kind of mad when I finished it only because I didn't want to be done.

Another book I really like is...

I'm a fan of Sarah Dessen as an author, but this is by far my favorite book of hers. Dreamland is another one of hers I like. It's about domestic violence in a relationship. Her books are kind of, sort of, maybe for teenagers. I don't care. I like them anyway.

Some of my other favorite authors are Gregory Maguire [Wicked, Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, & Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister]. Yes he wrote the book Wicked which is what the musical Wicked is based on. The book is not kid friendly. The musical is. The books are great though. Wicked comes as a trilogy [the first 3 books I listed of his].

Here's a list of some other favorite books
-Chronicles of Narnia

-Twilight Saga... don't judge.

-Harry Potter. Again. Don't judge.

-Philippa Gregory [The OtheBoleynr Girl, The Constant Princess, etc.] She rights books based on the old England Royalty [Catherine the Great. Anne and Mary Boleyn, Elizabeth.] I'm a recent history lover [for certain things], and even though these are fiction back stories I still like them. It makes reading the actual history even more interesting.

-I like those Christian "self help" books. I think calling them "self help" is actually putting them in the wrong category, but I don't know what else to call them.

That pretty much covers it. I have hundreds of books in boxes and my bookshelf. I've kept virtually every book from childhood, especially the ones that were my favorites or that I learned to read on. Once again... such a bookworm.

Fave Teacher

To be honest... I had the tendency to completely LOVE my teachers in any year of school or completely despise a teacher. There are a few that stick out the most though...

Mr. Anders- He was my World History and Psychology teacher in high school. I honestly kind of hate history. I know it's great and all, but it's just not my forte. I absolutely loved his class though. His psychology class was good, but his history class rocked. I wish he could have always taught me history. He would see his "kids" in the hallway and give us hugs or high fives. He was really invested with students. Even the trouble makers respected him. He passed away a few years ago from a sudden heart attack. I hadn't seen him since high school, but it still makes me sad that people are missing out on his great teaching.

Latimer- She is one of the computer teachers at my H.S. Alma Mater too. Her classes were easy, but she was so laid back. Her classes were fun, and relaxed. Not to mention I kind of could do anything in her class. Ha!

Doc- High school English teacher. I took his class my Junior year, and instead of taking the college course my senior year with a different teacher, I took a lesser level senior english class JUST so he could be my teacher again. He was younger [early to mid 30s I'd say] so he related a lot better. His classes were fun. He was laid back. He had a cussing jar that you had to put a quarter in every time you cussed, and if it was a "big" cuss word you had to put a dollar in. People rarely had to use it though just because we had a big respect for him. We had music on Fridays that we had to journal about the songs we picked. He made us journal basically everyday. I didn't love that, but it was cool.

Mrs. N- This was my choir teacher. She is incredible. A lot of people were afraid of her. I adore her though. She was, and still is, one of the top choir teachers in the state. She is so talented, and has a huge passion for what she does. Her passion for music and perfection feeds into her students. She has one of the best choirs in Arkansas for a reason, and I was so blessed to be a part of it.

Vaden- I took two semesters of ceramics from her my first year in a half of college. I loved art before I took her class. Up until I took it though... I didn't think I could make art. Making a piece of art that takes forever. That you've put your blood, sweat, and tears into [so to speak] is so rewarding. To me it is so relaxing and cathartic. I have some really great pieces that I was able to make.

Carter- Oh Dr. Carter... He was a prof of mine at OBU. One of the hardest professors I've ever had. However, I think what I learned in his class has stuck with me more then anything. He loves what he does. He knows his stuff. I wish I could have had him as my prof for every class.

Lopez- Okay... so she didn't impact me in a huge, huge way. But J-Lo [yes... we called her that for a reason] was the best Spanish teacher I've ever had. I loved, and actually comprehended, Spanish because of her. I went from a prof one semester that I failed every single sheet and test, to making A's and B's in J-Lo's class. It was a lot of fun. Not to mention I made some great friends those two semesters of college.

So those are my faves I can think of. I've always loved school. It hasn't always been easy, but I love it. I kind of was one of those kids that had the potential to be a teachers pet, but kept it to a minimum so I didn't look like a kiss-ass. I had fun though. I'm not much for trouble making so all the teachers, principals, resource officers, secretaries, etc. knew I could be trusted. I basically did what I wanted to my senior year of high school.

I think I need school to keep my brain going. I've been out two years, and I'm already bored. I guess that's why I'm going back! I don't realize how much I love school until I'm not in it.

Having great teachers helps too. :)

Day 2: Definition of Success

These are two definitions that www.dictionary.com says...
–noun
1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors
2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like

I can agree with that for the most part. Completing a task or attaining an award or important position DOES equal success. Especially form a worldly view. However...

Success to ME:
-happiness
-my actions being pleasing to God
-showing God others through myself
-good relationships
-being healthy
-having a family
-being a good friend
-actually doing my hair, and NOT putting it up in a pony tail or messy bun
-being on time to work instead of one stinkin' minute late
-not giving up even when I failed miserably the first time [or two or three] :)
-cooking dinner that didn't come pre made or from a restaurant
-not taking a week [or more] to hang my clothes or fold them and put them in drawers
-jogging! I have a new love for jogging. I get kind of pissy when weather does not permit me to do so. I hate working out inside, so I don't own a gym membership. Just the outdoors.
-the fact that I adopted my dog from a shelter
-graduating from nursing school

I'm glad this was a list capable subject. I'm paragraphed out for the day.

another blog challenge? yes please.

I suck at blogging without a challenge going on. Thanks to Aleasa I have another challenge! Yay!

Day 1: Your Biggest Accomplishment

I'd have to say my biggest accomplishment was graduating college. If you ask me in a few more years, hopefully, I'll saying getting my RN license. I struggled a LOT off and on at Ouachita. I transferred there the second semester of my sophomore year. I chose to get the majority of my basics done at a community college where I had a scholarship. Plus, if I didn't have a scholarship it was still super cheap. I did okay with grades my 1st semester at OBU. It was a whole new ball-game my 2nd semester though. Fall of 2007 was a rough semester for me. My mom and step-dad [who had raised me] had gotten a divorce. It wasn't a good time. I came thisclose to being put on academic probation. I'll say this... I had 18 hours, and made all D's and an F. Did I mention that I had knee surgery that semester too? The rest of my semesters weren't bad. In fact, I graduated on the Dean's List. I decided to go out with a bang. Ha! College was a big deal to me. I'm the only one out of me and my 4 guy cousins who've actually started and finished college. I always said after I graduated that I'd never go back to school... apparently God has a sense of humor.

I have never, ever been late on a payment. I pride myself in keeping good credit. If that means I have to eat cereal for a few days because it was all I could afford than so be it. Bills first. Others second. Me third. That is how the paycheck goes.

I'm clearly stretching that accomplishment business. The college thing is the biggest deal though. :)

more blog challenge

I've made a discovery... I suck at blogging unless I'm "challenged". Most of the time I have too many thoughts and not enough space to write or type. I wish there was like and internal typewriter that fed out all the thoughts you had for the day. Then again... maybe not. So here's the new challenge



Day 1 - your biggest accomplishment
Day 2 - your definition of success
Day 3 - Your favorite teacher
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes your heart melt
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your role model
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live- in detail, what makes it special?
Day 25 - guilty pleasure
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - car you drive ( and past cars too!)

Day 30: Picture

So today is the last day of the challenge... I was thinking, "a picture? we've done pictures this whole time. how am I going to find one that expresses me." Then my picture came in the mail today. about 6 days earlier than expected.


That my blog readers, all 2 of you probably, is my acceptance letter into the LPN program at my local good ole community college. So 18 months there, and then applying to an RN program. I'm so nervous and pumped all at the same time. I just felt like if this was what God was really calling me to do then I would get accepted. And I did. I can't wait to take what I learned at OBU and apply it to nursing school. That may sound weird to some. But 18 year old Megan wasn't prepared for nursing school Megan who graduated from OBU with a Bachelors in Christian Studies IS prepared. What better ministry than being a nurse?! My stomach is in knots, but I'm so excited. Then again... the knots might be because I ate Mexican Chicken at the grands house, and then jogged 2 miles. Dumb. Well aware.

Anyways. That's my picture. It may be blurry, and illegible to you, but to me it's the golden ticket. Maybe this blog challenge will help me be a better blogger.

why am i always behind?

So I have to play catch-up. Again. So here's to Day 28 and 29.

Day 28: Something That Stresses You Out
How much space do I have for this one? The thing is... not a lot of stuff really, really stresses me out. It's more of little things that build up until I can't stand it anymore, and I explode.

-Micromanagers. I didn't realize how much this bothered me until I started working with one. My "manager" is the most epic micro-manager. Except it's more just being plain nosey. Which I also can't stand. I have this thing that if you can't here what the topic is in a conversation maybe you shouldn't interrupt and ask what is being talked about. Now if you hear what we're talking about and it's a casual topic I might be okay with you jumping in. Other than that, butt out. So I guess ultimately it's the nosiness that bothers me more than anything.

-This is weird, but the thought of failure completely and totally stresses me out. I'm really career minded. And I'm okay with that. However, I get stressed thinking about what I want to do with my life, and the "what ifs". I find out in less than 2 weeks if I got into the nursing program, and the thought of not getting in almost makes me crazy.

-Fighting. I don't do well with confrontation. Now to hear me talk... you'd think I'd be ready to go head to head with whomever pisses me off the right way. I'm a lot of talk though. Lots of bark. No bite. I might have bite, but I haven't had to use it yet. Now if you get my family, friends, or children involved... it's a very real possibility that that bark turns into a bite. As far as I'm concerned you don't mess with the ones I love. We'll have a problem.

-Unruly children. I don't know how a lot of people feel about spanking your children, but I'm pro spanking. I was spanked. Not beat. And I'm fine. If you don't want to spank your kids at LEAST have the common sense to teach them manners. I can't stand bad behavior of children. It completely drives me nuts. Especially if they're just throwing a tantrum because they can.

-Crappy theology. Two words: Joel Olsteen. I'm not going to get into it though because this is leading me into my next stress.

-Talking religion and/or politics with people. ESPECIALLY when they aren't willing to hear your side of it. I'll kind of talk a little religion and politics with my friends, but that's rare and short lived. I can't stand people fighting over either topic. It's immature, and childish. Just because you don't agree with what someone believes doesn't mean you have to put them down and berate them.

-Bad drivers. I ask few things from drivers. Go no more then 5 mph above the speed limit unless necessary. Don't stay in the "fast" lane if you're going the speed limit or under. DO NOT tailgate me when I'm going over the speed limit... I will brake check you. And last, but most definitely not least, my biggest stress with drivers... NO BLINKERS! That level to the left [sometimes right] or your steering wheel is there for a reason. Use it. You won't break a finger. I promise.

-Uninvited physical touch. I hate it. HATE IT! It literally makes my skin start to crawl. I don't know why I'm so anti-touch, but I am. I've been knownt to almost hurt myself so someone wouldn't touch me, and it was just a hug. If I didn't ask or you aren't a child or my mom, grandparents, or some friends, don't touch me.

On to day 29.

Day 29: Wishes
I would say I'm not much of a wish person, but I am a closet dreamer. I don't really see it as a wish though. I keep things in my prayers. I think that God knows my heart's desire, so this is what I think He probably sees...
-I hope that my future kids get to meet their great-grandparents, my maternal grandparents, because I adored my greats, and I think they'd be missing out if they didn't get to meet theirs.

-I hope that I am successful in such a way that I'm able to really give back.

-I hope that God continues to stay as patient with me as He's been in the past. I'm continuing to have problems really getting back to Him. I'm in a constant state of 2 steps forward 3+ steps back.

-I hope that God will bring someone into my life that can really keep me accountable. Someone I can trust with the deep darks. The things I can't or don't tell anyone else. It comes down to the fact that I need counseling, and I can't afford it. I constantly pray that God opens a door for me to get what I need. Not in a crazy way, but in a closure and healing way.

-I hope that I get married so I can have kids. It's not that I don't believe that people can't raise children as a single parent, but I know, as a kid of a single parent at several times, how hard it can be. I don't wish that on anyone. It's got its perks, but it's got some downfalls too. Besides all that... every kid deserves a mom and dad.

-I hope that I am given multiple opportunities, and means, to adopt. One of my biggest "wishes" is to adopt. I want a "Jesus Loves the Little Children" kind of family.


Is tomorrow really the last day of the challenge? Can we have a challenge month every month? I can blog when topics are given! Ha!