SURPRISE!

Now I can finally blog what I've been wanting to tell the world about for so long! Yesterday was Jack's birthday and Saturday night we had a surprise party for him! Operation Birthday was a total success!

On Saturday afternoon, he and his friend Aaron got home from a road trip to Indiana. Aaron had strict instructions from me (I had stolen his phone number out of Jack's phone a couple weeks ago) to be back in time for dinner at 6. Jack was clueless about everything, which I was really excited about because usually I'm the one that's cluelss about surprises. So I drove to PF Chang's where Jack could eat Chinese food til his heart's content. He loves Chinese food but I don't, so he pretty much hasn't eaten it for seven months. He was so excited that we were eating there. Yay!

While we were eating, I kept watching the time so we could leave at about 7:40. Well, we left about 7:20, so I had several minutes to kill. We went to Borders to look for a magazine. Borders is a great time-killing-place. I had told Jack that we were on a schedule, and he was great and just went along with it. He still had no idea. (I had invited everyone for 7:30 and we were going to arrive at 7:45ish).

Well, the day before, I had told him that our friend Renda was having an open house (wink wink) and she wanted us to stop by for that and because she had a birthday card for Jack. That's totally believeable and he went right along with it. I thought we could leave it at that, but of course being the inquisitive one that he is, asked what KIND of open house it was. Dang it. But thankfully Renda had said, "Tell him I'm having a Christian benefit open house and I want you all to stop by." So I went with that. I told him we'd just stay for 15 or 20 minutes because she knew the next birthday event. He believed it. Later, he was surprised at what a good liar I am.

So I called Renda to let her know we were stopping by. She was great on the phone. And Jack was still going along with my plan. Mwahaha. We were driving through her neighborhood and he asked who all would be there. I said, "Oh I don't know. Probably people like John Wood (pastor of Cedar Springs) and Mayor Ragsdale." Jack was intrigued. Until we got to her house and he saw Aaron's car! He said, "What is this? What is going on?" And then of course we parked right behind Patrick's car. He was so excited, but still ready for a good "SURPRISE!" We went to the front door and I could see through the side window that Renda was getting everyone over to one side in the sunroom. She came to the door and was great, telling us that they had eaten, etc. So we went in and everyone yelled "SURPRISE!" It was great. He was surprised for sure, but I think most of all how well I lied!

We had about 23 people there, mostly family and some good friends. We had chocolate cake, thanks to Caroline, and vanilla ice cream, and angel food cake (Jack's fav) with strawberries, blueberries and cool whip. We all ate dessert then he opened some lovely gifts and cards. Thanks to Jordan and Allie for the "new" dishes! (They got married a few weeks ago and gave us their old dishes b/c they're really cool and Jack needs them.) Then Patrick got on "stage" and told Jack stories. It was a great time and he had a Happy Birthday.

And that was only Saturday! Sunday night Linda had us over and my parents for a birthday dinner. It was great, as usual. I love when Linda cooks! Jack got some more great gifts, including a new pan/skillet for all the lovely things he cooks and a food processor! The man loves to be in the kitchen.

So the Good Reverend had a Good Birthday. But now I am sick and debating on if I should go home or not. My School Law class starts today! It's going to be good, I'm sure. If I can breathe. Ugh.

The 433 Family

Well, I left campus today fully armed with knowledge. My cup overflows of American literature, Shakespeare, writing styles, curiosity, and zeal for my literary future. Yes, today was the last day of class. I have enjoyed the past 10 weeks greatly. There were a few days where I was tired of the ocean of information, philsophies, and authors. But I feel so equipped to impart all of this to future students. I just hope they want to hear what I have to say. (I've decided that I would love to teach freshmen in college. Freshmen in college are old enough to be almost adults, but in comparison, they are still babies. But at least in college you choose to be there and its not like high schoolers who are forced to be there.)
My uber cool professor, Dr. McKinstry, called our class his 433 family the other day (it was English 433). He said, in his monotone gruff voice, that we are his family and we are welcome to call him Dad, Pappy, or the Old Man. He ROCKS!! As I was leaving today, I turned in my final paper and told him how much I enjoyed the class and he said he did too. It's so cool to be able to tell that a professor really does enjoy the class too. It's makes a world of difference. He really had an influence on me, and I appreciate that.

Now I have a week "off," but it's not really going to be much vacation or anything. This weekend The Good Reverend is in a wedding in Durham, NC and I am along for the ride. But cousin Patrick and Caroline are too, so I will have someone to hang out with while Jack and Pat are being Dukies... Yay for Caroline! I am taking off work on Monday and Tuesday as well, which will be lovely. I have to register for my School Law class on Monday, which will also be lovely.

Today is the first day at work in 10 weeks where I am not reading something or writing something! I don't know what to do with myself, but I do have a magazine!

Peculiar and Astonishing

These are two words that I think are great. They are rare, descriptive and funny. When someone says something is peculiar or astonishing, you know they really mean it.

I have a peculiar story. You know how in a class, the first day everyone more or less claims their seat for the rest of the semester. You go in, you spot a good area, then a good seat and you claim it. People, or adult students I should say, are very comfortable sticking to THEIR seat. You don't move around to a better seat because it might be someone else's seat. There is usually a grace period of about two days where you can get really comfortable with where you are. That said.... I have been in my American Lit class (which is awesome) for about four weeks. A week from today is the last class. It's not time to switch seats or decide you want a better one. This girl that sits in front of me has decided she wants MY seat. WHAT?! It's mind boggling really. Not quite astonishing, but definitely peculiar. She definitely broke the Golden Rule of Seats.

It actually started about a week ago. I went into the classroom and went to my usual seat- third row, third seat. However, I had an intruder. I thought, ok, maybe she just got confused and it will be for today only. So I sat behind her but didn't like it because I didn't have good eye contact with my Bruce McNeil professor. The next day, she was in my seat. Not cool. It's been that way for a week now and I just don't get it. People in a college setting don't DO that. So, I haven't been playing games with her or anything, but when I get there before her, I sit in my previously claimed seat. Is that mean? This week she's just sat behind me and I haven't had to be a jerk or anything. And so the seat saga will continue for another week.

By the way, I'm blogging on my super cool new laptop! I enjoy it greatly. I've already almost finished my first paper on it and I'm listening to my Celtic Psalms CD, courtesy of Cousin Jill.

As more peculiar and astonishing things happen, I will post. I hope they do because that's the good stuff!

Class, Weddings, and a Laptop

Wow, it has been such a long time since I have posted! I have gotten several questions about WHY I haven't blogged, and I really don't know the answer. I've thought about it, but just never done it. I'm lame, I know.
So let me try to catch the bleaders (bloggers + readers) up on what is going on....

I am almost done with my second English class of the summer. This one is actually harder than Shakespeare because there is LOADS more reading and assignments. It would be nice to not have a job so I could be productive class-wise in the afternoons instead of wasting away at the number 3 station in Knoxville. Anyway, work is another paragraph. I am registered to take my final graduate class, School Law, in the fall on Mondays from 4:30-7. I also registered for another English class at UT, Early American Lit for Tuesdays and Thursdays. I wanted to keep taking lit classes so I feel extra prepared in January when I'm in the classroom. And plus, it pleases my inner nerd to take another class! That all starts later this month (holy cow it's August!), but I have a lovely week of no classes in about 2 weeks.

Work is not quite as exciting to talk about as my class schedule. I really am hating it right now, but try to focus on the fact that I have steady, easy job that lets me just hang out. However, I do have a countdown until my last day on December 22. As of today, I have four months and 20 days. I would love it if my bleaders would also enjoy keeping up with my countdown.

In more news, this has been quite the wedding season for Pastor Jack and I. The coolest one thus far has been Jack's cousin Jordan and Allie's. (For those of you who don't know, Jordan is Patrick's brother and Allie is Caroline's sister... don't get confused.) It was this past Friday night. It was held outside at the Lily Barn in Townsend. It was raining as guests arrived, stopped as everyone processed, then started raining again as Allie walked down the aisle. However, never fear because it turned out beautifully. The 70-80 (I'm bad with guessing numbers) guests gathered under the gazebo for the ceremony. It was very intimate as we all surrounded Jordan and Allie. And I was especially proud of Pastor Jack as he performed the ceremony and did a fantastic job despite the stress of the rain. (Of course I can't post any more pics... thanks blogger). The reception was lovely, there was such an air of joy and contentment, the food was incredible, the kids were great, the music was fun, and God was glorified. It couldn't have been better. We are so happy for Allie and Jordan! What a great couple they are.

In even more news, I ordered a new laptop! It's a Dell Inspiron 640m. I would like to give my friend Justin Lipscomb who works at Dell a special thank you for the "Best Friend from College Discount" and all his help. It should be arriving today via UPS at home. I should have gotten it sent to work since I am never home. But needless to say, I am very excited about having a new laptop. It will be great for the fall semester and also as I student teach. I have been saving for one since I worked at Proffitt's two years ago!

In further news, a congratulations is in order for my friend Justin who recently got engaged to Katie Tenery. They will be getting married May 5, the same day that my brother (knock on wood) graduates from Tennessee Tech. Also congratulations to Landon and Kandice Vick who are expecting their second child. Landon and Justin are dear friends from my lovely four years at Tennessee Tech.

The Good Reverend and I have tons of things planned for the month of August, so I will definitly do better at blogging and taking pictures!