Friday, March 30, 2012

Surprising!

Hey, all!  I was making a list of things I wanted to blog about this week, and they all fell into the theme indicated by the title of this post.  Guess it was meant to be!  ☺


I saw the Google Maps car downtown this morning (11:45 a.m.)!  I was going the opposite direction, so eventually, I think you should be able to see me on the street view of O Street between 15th and Centennial Mall.  Luckily, I'd just washed my car!  (You're welcome for the rain that came this evening.)  I don't know how often they update their street views, but be on the lookout for my red Prelude!

I happened upon these in the grocery store yesterday.  I'd gone down the wrong isle, but was glancing at things, and did a double-take when I saw these!  How long have I gone without knowing of their existence?!  You'd better believe I got some...especially since they were on sale!  
There were pink peppermint ones, too, but I don't think they'd be nearly as great as these.
I was on my home late last night, and heard "Colors of the Wind" on the radio.  Guess I should turn the radio on at 11 p.m. more often!


Sonic has sweet potato tots.  I have yet to try them, but it will happen...soon.


When I was nannying yesterday, I had this conversation with the 2-yr.-old girl:
Her: I like your pink toes!
Me: Thank you!
Her: Who painted them?
Me: I did them myself.
Her: Why didn't your mom help you?
Me: Remember, I don't live with my mom, because I'm a grown-up.
Her: Oh yeah.  Why didn't your friend help you?
Me: I didn't ask her to - I just did them myself.
Her: Oh.  You shouldn't have to paint your toes all by yourself.
She. Is. TWO!


How many of you have ever played the word "qi" on Words With Friends and/or Scrabble?  Of those of you who have, how many of you know what it means?  ☺  Here's Wikipedia's definition:
In traditional Chinese culture (also chi or ch'i) is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. The literal translation of "qi" is breath, air, or gas.
Now, you don't have to feel like you're cheating when you play it.


I made some mini strawberry cupcakes for a luncheon tomorrow.  Click here for recipe.  Here's the surprising part: They have some granulated sugar in the frosting, so it's kind-of crunchy.  Not sure, yet, how I feel about it, but it tastes good!
Thank you, 4-H cake decorating classes. ☺

Ok - I think that's all, for now!


Have a lovely spring weekend!


Surprisingly,
Kensy


Favorites of the day:
too many to list

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Favorites of the week/end

Yep - it's a special edition post - lucky you!  

Favorites of this week and weekend:

such amazing work places, coworkers, and bosses
banana bars (with cream cheese frosting, of course)
Zumba
Raising Cane's (if you live in Lincoln and haven't eaten here, you should probably change that real quick)
wearing skirts and flip-flops
the Hunger Games trilogy (It's been on my summer reading list for months, but I decided to break down and read them now, instead.  I started them Tuesday night and will start the third book tonight.  They are excellent.  There's really no other way to say it.  You should probably read them...seriously.  No, I haven't seen the movie, yet, but hope to soon!  Any takers? ☺)
laying outside and reading...in March!
stamping weekend
bike rides!
Scrabble/Words with Friends
massage voucher on Groupon (and $5 in Groupon bucks to use toward it!)
baby cinnamon roll (recipe courtesy of Pinterest)
this guy:


Quick student story:
I asked one of the 6-yr.-old girls I teach (the one who wanted to set me up with her uncle) if she had any questions at the end of her lesson.  She said, "Yes - Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?"  I replied, "Yes, why do you ask?"  She said, "Well, some people don't."  Fair enough.

Enjoy the week,
Kensy

P.S.  Thanks for the 6,500+ page views! ☺

Friday, March 16, 2012

Spring Break!

What a lovely week - weather and otherwise!  

I was on spring break at the studio this week, so took a couple days off everything else to go home.  I was able to see my brother briefly, spend some quality time with my parents (including a few games of Pickleball!), have lunch with a good friend, and spend a day with my best friend in her first grade classroom!
They reached the next level on their "awesome behavior" thermometer, so I got in on a puppet-making party!  It was sooo great to meet them all and see what Miss Ford gets to do every day.  ☺
To top off the week, I spend this evening having a picnic with former/current roommates at Holmes Lake.  It felt so wonderful to spend some time outside...and with the girls!  (Ice cream followed, of course!)

Another thing:
You may remember me mentioning a photo shoot a few weeks ago...?  Well, the results are in!  On a chilly evening (as in probably upper 30s), I put on my favorite prom dress and laid barefoot on an old player piano while playing my trumpet...outside.  The reason: Harris Academy of the Arts is going to be putting together some new marketing materials, so we're all getting new head shots and some additional "artsy" photos.  Pretty exciting!

Now, I'm ready for the weekend ahead - hope you all are, too!

Enjoy,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:
flip-flop weather...enough said

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Journey

Yawn...we three coopmates just woke up form a rainy-day induced nap on the couch.  There aren't many things better than Sunday afternoon naps...when it's rainy outside...and you don't have any other obligations!  Love it.  Now, for some other thoughts:


Have you ever thought about how minute this moment is in the grand scheme of things?  I think it's pretty common to think about how small our lives are in comparison to the life of the world, but how often do we think about how small each minute of our own lives is in comparison to our entire lives?  Maybe it's just me...


Another mind-blowing thought: Reading this post is affecting you...right now.  It's affecting you in a different way than it affected me when I wrote it and in a different way than the next person who reads it.  Everything you do has an effect on the rest of your life, in my opinion.  I think whoever is orchestrating it all, whether it be God, Mother Nature, whoever or whatever you choose to believe in, has the coolest job ever.  Wouldn't it be awesome to see so many chains of cause and effect and to see all the stories play out, intertwine, affect each other, etc.?


This reminds me of really cool song (click for video) - the NWU choir sang an arrangement of it a couple year ago.  I always caught their rehearsal of it while I ate my lunch in the music building lounge.  ☺  The album it's from is called "The Journey," so that's why I associate it with this topic, I think.  haha


Also reminds me of this song about cause and effect.  This one is a little more relevant: click!


We each have our own journey.  Everything I write in this blog (including that post) comes from mine, and the way you interpret/accept/understand it comes from yours.  I'd love to share my own journey/story/testimony with you all, but would rather do so in person.  Please let me know if you'd like to swap stories - I would so love to grab coffee/lunch/dinner and chat with any and all of you!


Thanks for respecting me, my thoughts, and the experiences from which I've gathered it all.  I hope you know that I respect each of you, as well.  I truly appreciate you.


Enjoy the week!


Respectfully ☺,
Kensy


Favorites of the day:
spring break!
lazzzzy Sundays
the car wash the rain just provided

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Might as well go for 3!

Since I'm not apologizing for lapses between posts, I'm also not going to apologize for their recent frequency.  ☺


You know that video I shared last night?  When I shared it, it had about 11.5 million views.  Now, it has about 38.5 million...and it was added 3 days ago!  Jaw-dropping, to say the least.  I realize there is opposition to this video and the plan it presents, as well as plenty of opinions and research for and against the concept and the organization (Invisible Children/Kony 2012).  That being said, I am SO impressed by the video, how well thought-out the plan is, and how thoroughly they present it all to the public...and in such a way that has led to its immense success.  Wow.


I picked up my glass fusion creation from Paint Yourself Silly today (my roommie and I went there to celebrate her birthday a few weeks ago).  Here it is:
I just glued white, then colored pieces of glass to the black base.  You all should try it - so fun!


Another thing - I tried an African restaurant here with a friend for lunch today.  He'd spent some time in Africa, and I'd helped make Estonian food once upon a time, so we wanted to try it out.  It was delicious!  You Lincolnites (and visitors!) should definitely try it (if you don't mind the sketchiness of North 27th, that is...).  It's called "African Food," and it's on 27th between Q and R.


One more thing - I'd just like to comment on how much more energy (and positive energy) I have during the day when I'm able to work out in the morning.  Can anyone else relate?


Happy Friday!
-Kensy


Favorites of the day:
10 for $10 at Goodwill (tomorrow and Saturday!)
baby daffodils
flexibility (in relation to time)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Please read this ASAP...and take action

Hey, all.


I don't have anything to share tonight except this video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc


Please, please take 30 minutes out of your day to watch it and take whatever action you are able to.


After watching, let me know if you're available and wanting to do something on April 20th.  : )


Thanks,
Kensy

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Follow-up...and potatoes : )

Hey!

So, that last post got quite a variety of responses (and even more people read it within the first day than my "Not Single Anymore" post).  Again, I appreciate your continued interest in what I have to say, your support, and your input.  I just have a couple things to add to my previous thoughts:
  • I am not perfect.  I hope I never come across as seeming to think I am, because I am not.  Though I'm not proud of it,  there are plenty of sins I commit each and every day.  I'm not going to take time to list them here, but just ask if you'd like specifics.  Thankfully, Jesus took care of covering all these, and more...in addition to everyone else's sins, when He died on the cross.
  • That post was not meant to target anyone specifically, nor was the timing intentional (on my part, at least).  Like I said, I'd been working on putting those thoughts/beliefs into writing for quite awhile and just felt very convicted to publish them the other day.  I did not write it in order to avoid face-to-face conversations.  I do appreciate the conversations that have/will come of it, though! 
  • I should probably have placed heavier consideration on how some may have felt after reading what I had to say, and I would like to apologize for any hurt feelings I may have caused.  That result was so very far from my intent in sharing my thoughts.

In other news, I made this recipe from Pinterest the other night.  They turned out just as I'd hoped!  Click for recipe.
I call them Smashed Baked Potatoes.
I'll leave it at that, for now.  Have a great rest of the week!


♥,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:
the fact that I can wear open-toed shoes today!!
God's grace
spring break (next week!)
the power of prayer
 


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Varying degrees?

Hey all!  Hope you haven't blown away in this wind...yikes!


I've had pieces of this post written for quite awhile.  I wasn't sure whether or not I'd ever actually make it public, but I was "nudged" to do so in Sunday school today (by God...not a physical nudge☺).


Disclaimer: Some of this may offend some of you, and that is not my intention.  I'm also not out to start an argument about what I think is Biblically right and wrong.  I'm simply sharing my own thoughts and reflections.  I'd welcome some healthy discussion if you have anything to add after reading!  ☺


The following lists are by no means comprehensive - just what first comes to mind.


Things society thinks are wrong:
murder
adultery
stealing
cheating
lying


Things I think are wrong:
all of the above
homosexuality
premarital sex
drunkenness
cursing


Things God thinks are wrong (based on my own knowledge of Him):
all of the above
gossip
using His name in vain
gluttony
lust
putting other things before Him


The difference between these three categories is this:
Society, and myself included, views these "things that are wrong" in varying degrees.  There is a far higher punishment for murder than there is for cheating.  I am quicker to judge a criminal over a couple who may have had sex before marriage.  For God, however, all of these "wrongs" - these sins - are equal.  An adulterer is going to face the same judgement as the person who spread a rumor about a coworker.  Someone who leaves without paying the check is ultimately going to be judged in the same light as a pedophile.


Did you catch that word I used to describe how I react to people who have done these wrong things?  I said "I am quicker to judge a criminal over a couple who may have had sex before marriage."  Judge.  That's not what I'm called to do!  That's not what anyone is called to do.  In fact, I should add "judging others" to the list of things God thinks are wrong.  It is not our job to condemn others in any situation.  Rather, and I think I've said this in an earlier post, we are called to love others.    Of course, in answering the call to do so, we're held to a higher standard and asked to live as examples of Christ.  Christ loves everyone, though...and so should we.  Perhaps you're familiar with all the times He was in fellowship with sinners?  We don't have to go far to follow this particular example He set.  We're in fellowship with sinners everywhere - at work, at church, at family gatherings, at home.  The key to Christ's example, however, is to find the sinners who may not recognize their sin or their need for repentance.  Again, though - this doesn't mean we approach them, point out their sin, tell them they'd better confess "or else," and walk away.  Have you ever heard the phrase "Love the sinner, not the sin?"  It goes hand-in-hand with "Hate the sin, not the sinner."  We are to develop relationships with those around us, Christian or not, and again, be an example of Christ's love.  If the Holy Spirit "nudges" you to present the Gospel to someone in the meantime, by all means, take the opportunity!  If your Christ-like example is simply to help someone carry groceries to their car, though, don't take it lightly.  Take every opportunity to show others the "love that surpasses all understanding."


I could reference plenty of Bible verses to back these thoughts up, but I'm going to let you draw from your own experiences to interpret where I'm coming from and perhaps do some research on your own if you're questioning anything.  Please feel free to let me know if you find anything that goes against what I've presented here.


I realize some of you reading this may not have any knowledge of the Bible or Christianity in general.  Some of you may disagree with everything you just read.  Some of you may have tons of questions.  Some of you may not care, period.  Either way, please let me know if you have any questions at all!  If I can't answer them, I'll help you find someone who can.


As usual, thanks for reading!  I know this was a pretty heavy post in comparison to others.  It's all coming from the same place, though - my heart.  ☺


Humbly,
Kensy


Favorites of the day:
Jim Brickman
my nap with Charlie on the couch a little bit ago
having time to make a real meal tonight
Just Dance and time with friends


*EDIT: After reading this, I'd love for you to also read the following two posts:

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Even more things to share!

Happy March!  

I feel like I just keep sharing day-to-day things with you...hope you don't mind!  These are things I wish I could tell a lot of you in person, but don't have the opportunity to do so, so I'm sharing it via my blog.  If there's something you'd rather hear/read about, please let me know!  

The 4-yr.-old I nanny for and I were playing "army guys" the other morning.  I had to put the setting-up-of-bases on pause while I fixed lunch, and when we resumed playing, this is what I found:
He explained, "Your ship was dirty, so I put the cleaner guys up there.  My big ship is REALLY dirty, so I put five cleaner guys on mine." (For those of you who are unfamiliar with army guys, these are actually minesweepers holding metal detectors...) ☺

Also - this has been a regular occurrence for awhile, but I keep failing to capture the moment:
Charlie's warm spot.
Also, for those of you not on Facebook, here's a funny moment from today:
A mom brought her teenage son to Zumba today...he was the lone male in a room of 20.  He was a pretty good sport about it for about 40 minutes, then he went to lift weights.  Definitely made for an even more entertaining class! ☺


Looking forward to the band concert tomorrow and a photo shoot this weekend (results to follow shortly, hope)!


Anticipating spring,
Kensy


Favorites of the day:
my new wireless mouse (after Charlie chewed the cord to the receiver of my old one...)
BOGO Noodles & Co. on Leap Day!