This Is Only The Beginning

My Life

2009-12-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow marks my last day at Starbucks Greystone.

I'm sitting here at my store watching some of the greatest people working behind the counter, each with a different and hilarious christmas hat on. Garrett is wearing a green santa hat, but it's spring loaded. Eric has Mickey Mouse ears coming out of his santa hat. Kyle's santa hat fits more like a child's toboggan in Charlie Brown or something. Ryan is wearing a red velvet pimp hat with white fluffy trim. Where else can you find co-workers such as these??

No where.

These people are priceless to me, and I have to say goodbye. There are so many things I shall miss.

It's not all so bad though. I get to openly date my wonderful boyfriend, Brantley. The people at my new store are very nice and accepting of me. I'm 5 minutes closer to work. That's about it.

On a different note, I celebrated the ever-so-important 22nd birthday this past Saturday. I spent it with my family. We went shopping for my birthday presents, and man did they overdo it. I received quite a nice entertainment system for my bedroom. Wow. It's unbelievable! Brantley got me an hour-long asian acupressure massage, dinner at The Melting Pot, and the most precious flowers (those were a surprise!). He checked with a florist to see if my favorite flower was in season, but not until spring! I cannot believe how lucky I am to have found a man such as Brantley. He is making me realize how much I deserve and how much I have to give. That SOUNDS completely snooty, but everyone deserves the very best for them! It's important that people can see how much they are worth.

I am so blessed.

I was blessed in heartache, and I am blessed in love.

God has done a lot of work on me this past year.

Cheers!

Nesting {cont.}

2009-11-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

I cannot explain why I have had such an urge to DO things around the house, but I am loving it! I got so bored that the other day I went ahead and painted over this darn awful piece of work:

I mean....just so very busy and all the wrong colors for the apartment. We need color in this house! Earlier this week I painted about 8 coats of white to attempt and mask that hideous pattern. Thursday I went ahead and painted the rest! Here are some pictures:

^^here is the painting as a whole^^

^^one of my little flowers^^

^^and Natalie's little flower!^^

The colors are much prettier in person. The green is more of a pea-green than lime.
I cannot wait to hang it up somewhere! So much color :)

Also, Natalie went ahead and gave me my birthday presents! (Three weeks early!)
She is hysterical!

First there's this dreamy pillowcase:

hahahahaha! Score!
Then there's this necklace:

The plate says "My neck belongs to a vampire," and the little charm attached are tiny vampire fangs. This necklace WILL be worn to the New Moon premier in two weeks!

TWO WEEKS!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Nesting

2009-11-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

I have been all over the place lately.

So blissfully happy with where I am.

This past week I have had the overwhelming urge to work on the nest. I cleaned out the fridge! I had no clue I even had that instinct in me. I started painting over this big old thing an "ex" gave me. It's my goal to have my best friends all contribute something to the painting. It will be nice to have a little bit of them hanging on my wall (that sounds very creepy). I want to organize my closet and bathroom and purchase the appropriate things to do so. No purchases have been made yet, but soon...knowing me...

Speaking of nesting, I found this adorable light fixture that I am dying to purchase:

{urban outfitters}

Lately I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with a few more High School people on Tuesday nights. We all get together, contribute home-made meals, hang out, and share a devotion, scriptures, and words of wisdom and advice. It's nice how this thing that started out as dinner has turned into a fixed thing in my schedule. I look forward to this every day. We all pooled money together and bought these awesome Thanksgiving Dinner boxes that we are going to personally deliver to families in need. We also hope to raise money to buy a family's Christmas. If you can think of great ways to raise such funds, that'd be awesome! We are trying to take our blessed time together and bless others.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

And a huge congratulations to my bestest friend Rachel (Meet The J.Rays) and her Hubs, Ross!

Can't wait for your little angel to get here!

Don't come any closer

2009-10-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

As it so happens, my dad thinks I have the swine flu. Why must they slap such a gross title on it? Why on earth would they choose the word SWINE? The flu in and of itself is not an appealing disease (but really, what disease is appealing)...

It all started with my already sore muscles getting more and more stiff.

Tonight was Brantley's 2nd birthday dinner, and I forced myself to go, even though I was feeling terrible! I didn't have a fever at the time, so I figured it was just all my knots reacting to the weather or something.

I started getting a low-grade fever toward the end of dinner, and by the time I was home I was crying from the pain. For a while I was really worried that I had Meningitis again. They feel very similar.

Can I just say how wonderful Brantley is? He asked his entire church to pray for me tonight. He is so thoughtful.

Now I'm wondering how long it'll be before I can be around people...

Finding people to work for me till i'm well might be tough.

I already miss several of my friends, and this dumb sickness insuring even more time till I get to see them again!

BLah.

I can't find my camera, so I haven't had the chance to take any pictures of my new room.

I'm going to bed!

Much love, and a big "OINK!" from the girl with Swine Flu

Fascinating New Things

2009-10-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

("F.N.T." (Fascinating New Thing) Is a wonderful song. Just saying.

Anywho, this past week has been one for all things new!

It all started with a pair of curtains!

I am the type of person that needs to sleep in near to complete darkness, but apartment living means pesky yellow street lights and pitiful aluminum blinds that seem to glow in the light rather than block it. Monday after work my wonderfully gracious mother and roommate journeyed to our Mecca, Target. We, and by "We" I mean "I", took forever picking out the right curtains. I ended up selecting a beautiful silver velvet pair with big-blocked vertical stripes where the velvet alternates from matte to shiny. They are so beautiful!

With the new curtains in hand, I got the overwhelming desire to redo my entire room! Even more time was spent picking out a new white comforter, a pair of euro shams, sweet bed skirt, and a precious decorative pillow that ties in the bedskirt and curtains. All of this went along with the new brown organic sheets I purchased just a few days before!

I will post pictures of my new bedroom soon!

In other new things, I went on my first hiking trip on Tuesday! I ventured to Oak Mountain State Park and was treated to a Subway picnic lunch on a picnic table overlooking the Mountains. So beautiful! After lunch we found our way down to the waterfalls , and walked hand-in-hand down the stream, jeans rolled up and feet soaking up the cool water. The climb back up was quite a workout! I want to go back regularly just for the physical benefits!

I am loving life, you guys. Thank you for sticking with me!

Again, pictures will be up soon!

Love.

It's A Wonderful Life

2009-09-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

After I got off work tonight I really started re-analyzing my life. I am in such a beautiful place right now. I really think that people can see it. I have never been this happy before. Happy is not the word. I believe this is real Joy! I get to live with one of the most amazing girls I have ever known to exist. I have true family in the Aldridge/Mann clan. The Vickerys are yet another addition to my vast family, as well as the Bashtas. The dust has settled in my life, and all that I was afraid of losing is actually more special and precious than it ever was! I have GAINED so much more than I could have ever dreamed!

I am finding the funniest friendships at Starbucks. There's Tracy, child of the night. She has her quirks, but what a special woman she is! I absolutely love that girl, even in her "bad" moments! Then there are Kristie, Jesse, and Garrett! What loons! They constantly make me laugh! Then there is Kelly. What a crazy little pregnant lady! She knows what she wants, and she gets things done! I love getting to talk to her! Ryan is absurd and hilarious. Brantley is so chill and smooth. What a ladies man! All the ladies love him! Ashley and I share a love for many of the same things, and I love talking to her! Melanie is the craziest manager! She's so spirited. She gets me excited about work!

What I am trying to say is that my life is perfect.

Thank you to all who contribute!

Yatta!

Dream a little dream

2009-09-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

It is my dream to one day look KILLER in this:

Party in the USA

2009-09-18T01:27:00.000-07:00

. . . L i f e . i s . g r e a t . . .

I'm reconnecting with a few high school people I never really knew.

Heroes night / Game night is back!

The Office has returned.

I received a MUG Award from my manager :)

I purchased 14 tickets for the Midnight showing of New Moon.

I'm going to Andrew Bird with said high school people.

And I have the best roommate ever!

For Kimberly

2009-09-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

So, like I have said in the past, I do not update my blog for lack of reliable internet.

Tonight, Kimberly told me that I haven't updated, but made her voice curl in suspicion as if my lack of blogging was due to questionable activity.

So here I am.

Blogging.

I love my co-workers. They are fantastic individuals, and I hope the relationships will become more than merely professional!

As it would happen, I have enjoyed waking up at 3:30 AM for the morning Starbucks shift. I'm good at getting up that early...

Also, It is fall, which means the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Scone, and Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins are back. O, dear Lord, help me say "no!"

I have fallen in love with True Blood (HBO) and Dexter (Showtime). I am learning that all TV shows on those types of channels are excellent.

Rachel and I have begun a new tradition of Twilight nights (hopefully) every week, where we watch Twilight, surf the internet for the latest cast gossip, and drool over the fact that she and Jon Ross and Robert Pattinson and I would have the most fantastic double dates!

One last thing:

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!!

I can explain...

2009-08-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

I have been so out of touch with the blogging world for three reasons:

1) Internet is spotty at my place

2) I started working at Starbucks a week and a half ago

3) I read the Twilight Saga in a week

Actually...I've already started re-reading the series. I just finished the 2nd book, New Moon.

Let me just take this opportunity to say that I absolutely love my job. I love the environment. I love the rushes. I adore working in the drive-thru. I am crazy about my co-workers. There isn't a single thing I dislike.

When it comes to Twilight... Read it. I have a fictional boyfriend, and we are in love. I swear it.

About my apartment... It's times like these, when the gates to our apartment complex right outside my bedroom window slowly squeak open and shut all day and night, that i force myself to recite, "i love my apartment. i LOVE my apartment. I LOVE MY APARTMENT!"

This is a short update, but nothing is going on except for numbers 2 and 3 above.

And let me just say...

YUMMMMMMM!!!!!:::

The beginning of something else

2009-07-25T02:52:00.000-07:00

So up until this point my life lately has been all about Change. (Not Obama's "change")

Losing relationships, losing jobs, losing friends, losing my identity...

All very sad and life-altering things.

Just now I realized that I am done Changing for the moment. I am now in the process of Living! I really do feel that I am (somewhat) OK with being single. I like that I am free to be myself and focus on myself for a little while. I have a job starting in about a week that I am very excited about. I really think I know who my friends are after all the smoke has cleared from recent uncalled for events. And, finally, I am realizing how quirky I really am, and I am learning to love myself for it! Sure, I don't know what I want to do for a career yet, but that will come in the future. For now I can relax and go with an actual flow in my life. I can finally just be. At least for a moment.

I am incredibly thankful for my dear roommate, Natalie.

She watches out for me in such a way that I can't help but know I am loved.

She has gone above and beyond when she worried about me, and I cannot thank her enough.

She fills my life with so much joy and laughter.

She made the last year bearable.

I don't know how I could have managed without her across the hall.

My dear dear loves, Rachel and Kimberly.

Each of you has shown me the kind of friendship I always hoped I'd have.

When the roads got complicated and bumpy, you both stood by me and made it work.

Rachel, you always reminded me of how much you loved me, and that pushed me onward.

Kimberly, you kept me busy when I needed it, and let me cry when I needed it more than staying busy. You held me and rocked me for an hour at my breaking point 6 months ago.

My love for you both is irreplaceable.

Again, thank you all.

(long pause for a long phone conversation)

On a side note, I really like feeling like I'm needed. Who doesn't, I know... but when a friend tells me that I'm helping them in some way, it really helps me with my own healing process. For so long I was the one who needed fixing. So much so that I was useless to my friends' benefits. Helping a friend is helping me.

Two last blips:

1) I am finally going to conquer the Twilight series.

2) Everyone needs to watch the short series called Harper's Island. (It's somewhat lame in the beginning, but once it picks up it does not stop for countless episodes).

Goodnight, all!

Or should I say good morning!?

Two posts in one day.

2009-07-15T00:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry about posting twice, but I absolutely HAD to share my Harry Potter Experience! I promise, there are no spoilers or anything, Rachel! ;)

We arrived at the Rave at 11:30 only to find the nearest parking spot over by Hobby Lobby. There were Harry Potters everywhere! I love that! Natalie and I, however, chose to go to the movie in pajamas. We are quite brilliant.

Anywho, there were SO many people there. I ran into two people I knew, as did Nat. I got us Icees hoping the sugar would help us stay awake.

We sit down in the theater, and the energy was super! Everyone's shockingly alive at midnight. Out of no where, two AWESOME guys dressed as Harry and Ron zip past us down the stairs and go to the floor of the theater beneath the screen. They whipped out their wands and started dueling! They were yelling spells and seriously tumbling and twisting through the air like in the movies! They were hilarious! Got a TON of applause. I want to be their best friend. That moment made my night the best possible!!

The movie itself was beautiful. Not what I expected, but that is a good thing! It's so much better :) Go see it. Now.

Life is looking up!

2009-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Things are finally moving in my life, and I am so glad!

As it turns out, I DID get the job at Starbucks! I am so thankful that they are giving me a shot! I'm incredibly nervous, but I'm glad that I have some experience going into it. It will be wonderful to have a paycheck again. O gosh, yes! I go in next Monday to meet with the Manager and go over stuff. I'll be there for two hours.

Like I said recently, I have wonderful people in my life, and the past few weeks have brought back a few old friends. I love adding different people into the mix. Refreshing.

I am determined to lose weight and tone up. I swear. It will happen. I am enjoying the workouts a lot more than I could have expected. I feel accomplished. That is always nice.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT MIGHT EXCITE ME THE MOST?!

Harry freaking Potter comes out in 2 hours, and Natalie and I have tickets! Yes, ma'am, we do! It has been too long since one of these puppies came out. I will be so sad when the last movie is released :( No more new Potter anything.

My life is tragic hahaha I'm such a lame-o.

Peace :)

Could it be?

2009-07-09T22:24:00.001-07:00

Could Hannah finally have a job?

I think it is HIGHLY possible!

Today, I went to an interview at Starbucks, and I am almost certain that I am hired. I sure hope so, because I really have wanted to work there for years. Two years ago, before I decided to attend Highlands Worship School, I applied at Starbucks and actually got a call-back for an interview. Unfortunately (for them - ha!) I had just signed up for school.

I do love making drinks, and I know that I am good at it. I am confident in my customer service skills. And this may make me sound a tad dorko, but I am ALWAYS curious when I go to a new coffee shop as to how things are done there. Seattle Drip, Cambridge Coffee (R.I.P.), O'Henrys, Primavera, Mate Factor, and the New Life Cafe in New Life Church (Colorado Springs, CO). I even took pictures of the NLCafe and ordered a drink to see how their speed was looking! HAHA

ANYWHO I am really praying that the Manager-who shall remain nameless-liked me :) She was awesome!

Night-night :) :) :)

Correction...

2009-07-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

I WAS only peeling on one shoulder.
See, on top of moisturizing with unscented, sensitive moisturizer that costs around $30 a bottle, I was also sleeping in a VERY soft sweatshirt that prevented my body from rubbing around all night.

OOOOOF COURSE the night I blog about my single peeling spot, I slip up and sleep in a rough short-sleeved t-shirt. Woke up the next morning with flakey arms, chest, and other shoulder. Classic Hannah.

Now if I could only get this darned fruit fly to GET OUT OF MY ROOM........

There comes a moment in your life...

2009-07-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

I have a beautiful life...no matter what.

I have wonderful friends and mentors.

A supportive family.

A luxury apartment that I shouldn't afford.

Good health and I never go hungry.

A church that I love and I know loves me.

I have known love, and know I will find it again.

What blessings!

You always hear that your life will change drastically from the years 21-26, and for some reason or another you think that your life is impervious to that kind of change. Well, I am getting there. I resisted for so long, but now is the time to EMBRACE that change! Move with it, not against it!

Yes, I am single. And? I can have fun whenever and with whomever I want. (That is only partially true *wink*) The greatest part is that I know that I will find someone who will love ma and understand why I am so weird, and he will love me for it! I don't know who it is. I wish I at least knew him already, but that's just too easy isn't it? lol

END "DIARY" SEGMANT

*************************************************************************

This weekend I got to travel down to the deep south with my "BESTIE!!" and roommate, Natalie!

The trip down was hot and endless.

Once in Louisiana, we witnessed a BEAUTIFUL lightening storm. Huge bolts stretching across the entire skyline at night. Of course, in "quirky hannah" fashion, I had my camera resting on the dash snapping pictures. I only got two decent pictures before we hit Baton Rouge, and I had to start paying attention to signs.

Our first night there was wonderful. We ate with Ryan's parents and brothers at IHOP at 11PM. We hung out and watched Grease until 2 AM and went to bed. Ryan's mom, Ms. Laura, had set up a BEAUTIFUL room for Natalie and me. She even put chocolates on our pillows!

In the morning, Ms. Laura fixed home-made french toast and bacon. O my word, that woman can COOK! We set off for Ryan's Dad's fishing camp about 2.5 hours from BR. SUCH a long car ride. We listened to this hysterical, yet not-so-clean comedian, Daniel Tosh. O my word. So funny. That night, as I was getting ready to finally fall asleep, I realized that the last people to sleep in our designated bed did NOT follow the cabin rules and wash the sheets. Hair was everywhere in that bed. I tried sleeping on top, but the AC was blasting arctic winds on me. I slept on the couch both nights we were there, while Natalie toughed it out on top on the comforter!

For the 4th of July we dragged our sleepy bodies on the boat at 7:30AM and rode an hour out to the ocean. We went SO far. The waves were too rough in the Gulf, so we went back behind the sandbars. We fished for about 3 hours or so, and only caught 2 fish. I got more sun though :). That night we shot off fireworks and watched the neighbors very expensive fireworks displays. Mr. Jim grilled the yummiest bbq chicken along with burgers and sausage. Delish!

Today was nothing but driving, eating, driving, eating, and driving. Ew. This week will kick off major damage control!

On a totally random and weird note, It feels SOOOO good to satisfy an itch again! For a week I did not scratch a single itch on my arms, shoulders, upper back, or neck. I was trying so hard to keep my sunburn from peeling! I moisturized 2-3 times a day with Aveda's All-Sensitive facial moisturizer for a week, and I'm only peeling in one tiny spot on one shoulder. YES! I so win.

AAAAANYWAY...

Love you all! <3

My best friend"""

2009-06-08T00:21:00.000-07:00

I'd like to re-post a little excerpt from my best friend, Natalie's, most recent blog post over at I 'm Natalie... :

"After work i decided (well i had actually decided when i woke up) that i would be headed to the pool.

Hannah agreed to go but warned me she would be fully dressed.

About midway into my chilly swim it started to sprinkle, which immediately made her disappear (i assumed back to the apt.)

Shortly after her going m.i.a. she returned... still fully dressed, holding a extra large golfing umbrella in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.

This is my best friend and roommate, Hannah.

She couldn't have been anymore prepared and i couldn't have laughed any harder. "

Natalie, I do believe, has taken a single moment of my life and was able to use it to sum up my entire personality. That is iconically me. That is who I am. I need to keep that in mind and embrace that which makes me unique... or "delightfully eccentric" as my 8th grade teachers called me at graduation.

Thank you, dear friend, for reminding me of who I am!

I've decided...

2009-06-05T01:17:00.001-07:00

I have nothing constructive or interesting to write about.
Nothing anyone will care to read or comment on, anyway.
Guess I'll take a break until I'm interesting again.
See ya.

Some might call it fate

2009-05-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

...but I call it an act of God.
(For the sake of being REAL, I am going to speak the truth in this blog)

See, as much as I resist spontaneity, I decided last minute to fly out to Colorado to spend 8 days with my friend Stacie (StacieRue). Little did I know, the very day after I arrive here in the Springs, I would stumble upon earth-shattering news (for me, but celebration worthy for every other person I have ever come in contact with). I spent the entire first day of my vacation in sobs. I did not want to talk. I did not want to move. I did not want to be here. I was sick to my stomach the entire day. That night I barely slept. I kept waking up in tears and sweat. I was in a stupor. I am still in shock. It does not seem real. I keep asking myself how this could possibly be happening all ready...and why...
I was so angry that this HAD to happen at the beginning of my trip. This thing that I have been dreading for months. Stacie tried her hardest to keep my spirits up. I didn't talk much the first two days.

Then today happened.
(Just to clarify, I am in no way over this. Today just helped tremendously.)

Stacie took me up to Manitou Springs. It is this delightful Hippie town up in the mountains. The most beautiful place I have ever seen. We walked around and shopped with her friend's 6-year-old daughter, Hannah. We played games at the Penny Arcade. I sampled the famous Lemonade as well as the even more famous Mate ("Mah-tay" : A South American tea with some weird caffeine-like particle). The sun and the wind was perfection. I felt refreshed. I watch a large group of hippies playing drums and dancing in a little park. I got a "hey, baby" from the most delicious guy. Out here the guys think I am attractive. Back home, I am over-looked, because I don't dress up or curl my hair or wear heels. That is not the kind of girl I am. I have confidence here. At home all I feel is like I have no where to grow. No future there.

Walking around Manitou, I realized that God sent me to Colorado.

Had I stayed home, I would have been all alone for a whole week. Getting the news of the engagement would have left me destroyed with no one to help me. I cannot honestly imagine what I would have done to myself. With Natalie at the beach and every other friend of mine congratulating the happy couple, I would have had no one. It would have been too much. God sent me here, because He knew that I would need to be away. I am confident in that.

I have 5 more days left of my vacation, and I have to say that I will be very sad to leave.

I am dreading what is waiting for me. What more hurt is coming my way, because my heart is still involved.

Until then, I will enjoy the get-a-way the God gave me.

Love you all.

well...

2009-05-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations.

.

Development

2009-05-23T01:20:00.000-07:00

I learned some things about myself today that I am not too proud of.

I have spent my entire life thus far failing to listen to other people. Failing to appreciate what other people had to contribute to my life. I cannot help but ask myself why? Slowly, I am going though the music on my computer, and the sheer beauty and simple brilliance of most of it slapped this girl into her self-revelation. Why did I spend years fighting to listen to anything BUT this music during the many car rides we shared? Why did I object to every movie put up for movie night (every night).
That brings me to the second thing I came to realize about myself this evening. I have become the very person that I chose to leave nine months ago. The only thing I desire to do nowadays is sit on my couch and watch movie after movie, or TV episode after TV episode. While I would like to say that it is out of pure appreciation for the art of cinema and television, I know that it is simply because I am unhappy. I concluded that you socialize when you are happy, and you hide away when you are unhappy. Which made me realize that he was not happy with me in the end. He was where I am. Now he is happy. Good for him. I will get there again one day.
Until then, I will enjoy the movie suggestions I refused to listen to for so many years.

As my wise mother told me today...

We go through things in life for one of three reasons. Discipline, Development, or...forgive me, I cannot remember the third one...

I am being developed.

So many types of lessons

2009-05-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today has been a day of learning for me.

First off, I learned the DIRE importance of flossing. I know, it's gross that I don't floss regularly, but it is the ONE habit i never could get in to. I brush twice-a-day, sometimes more if I'm going out. Mouthwash? Check. But anyways...
I went to the dentist this morning for a cleaning and to get them to look into some of the pain I was experiencing last week. I left with a $700 root canal and future appointments for 3 cavities and a cleaning...they couldn't even do my cleaning today.
So lesson one: Floss.
Lesson two: Lortab WORKS!

Lesson three is a bit more complicated...I don't know what the lesson is yet. God's trying to teach me something...
Today I was let go from the cafe.
Allow me to provide a little back story.
About 3 weeks ago, I was about an hour and a half late to work one morning for 2 reasons:
1) I have a sleeping problem that makes my sleep patterns uncontrollable and unpredictable
&
2) I turned off my alarm in my sleep
That was not a good Morning.
Yesterday morning, I woke up 3 hours after I was supposed to be at work.
My phone died during the night.
It couldn't be helped.
There was no way my body could possibly know what time to wake up.
I went directly to Target and invested in a very nice and expensive alarm clock to insure that this would not happen again, and the alarm clock did it's job.
However, because of my two oversleeping mishaps, I had to be let go.

Highlands Cafe has been my home for the past two years.
It was all that I had left of what made me me.
Now I'm lost again.
I don't know why God is taking things away from me, but I know there is something to be learned here, and I must always remember that he is GOOD.

Here I am, Lord.
Mold me.

Serenity

2009-05-09T04:49:00.001-07:00

Good Morning, Friends.

(Forgive the morning face and hair)

At 6:15 this morning, I decided to get out of bed and make some breakfast.

Nothing special.

I walk into my kitchen and notice something I haven't appreciated in a long time...

Silence.

I am always trying to escape it.

I always have the TV on or friends to keep me company.

I've been afraid of it until this moment.

That is when I decided I was going to sit at my tiffany blue breakfast table and enjoy a silent, peaceful breakfast with tea.

I made the most delightful Earl Grey.

4 sugars and a splash of milk.

The only thing that made this morning absolutely perfect was the grey overcast outside my window.

Sunshine and blue skies would have ruined everything.

And for the first time, I am enjoying the birds that start singing at 3:30 AM rather than cursing them.

God has given me this moment for myself and to sit and be with Him.

On a side note, my dear friend, Rachel, over at A Klassy Lady graduates in about 3 hours.

Congratulations, my darling!

I could not be more proud of you.

You have worked so hard for this.

I love you.

"Pepsi...For Those Who Think Young"

2009-05-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

This is an ad for Pepsi.
This is why a woman came into the cafe this morning requesting to speak to our supplier.
Here is our dialog:

Woman: "You usually sell Mountain Dew, right?"
Me: "Yes, ma'am. We're out right now, though. Today's our shopping day, so we should have some later."
Woman: "Who is your supplier?"
Me: "That would be Rachel Roll or Carrie Norris."
Woman: "Are either of them here? Are they shopping right now?"

(Here I'm thinking I'm going to get reported for selling too many Mtn. Dews)

Me: "No, but Rachel is going shopping in a few hours and she'll be here after that."
Woman: "Oh, well can I have one of their numbers? I'm here because Christians are boycotting Pepsi products, and Mountain Dew is a Pepsi Product..."
Me: "Yes, ma'am..."
Woman: "...And I was hoping you would help us."

(Now I am at a loss for words. Customers are lining up.)
Me: "Um, can you hang on just one second?"
(She steps back so I can do my JOB. I then mouth to Elizabeth Owen "SAVE ME!" and start laughing silently. I make all the drinks and readdress the woman.)

Me: "...........Um............Why exactly are they--I mean we--boycotting Pepsi?"
Woman: "They have donated bundles of money in supporting gay rights, and have been very public about picking sides. We are boycotting, hoping that they will be less vocal about their choice. And you know Gatorade is a Pepsi product as well. Powerade is also cheaper!"
Me: "Well, I'm not sure why we get Gatorade over Powerade...I can give you Carrie's number."

(WHOOPS. Yeah should have given her the Church's number and told her to ask for Carrie. I was lost and confused and trapped in a corner by a crazy person. She thanks me, and I immediately text Carrie to apologize for the crazy phone call she was about to receive.)

END OF STORY

Anywho, this woman got me going. I think that when a believer is asked to vote on something opposing gay marriage/rights/what have you, then do just that. Vote. (Example: Prop 8) What good is Boycotting a company going to do? What good could it possibly do to our purpose to reach out to the righteous, but not the WORLD as it is. We can't stand on our platforms pointing fingers and damning those who we are supposed to be loving. Telling people that you're boycotting Pepsi for something they support is translated as "I'm ignorant and hateful" to the very people we are trying to reach. Come down from the pedestal, and find a better means for your cause.

Now hiring...

2009-05-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

I am now taking applications for anyone who wants to unpack my clothes and hang them in their proper place in my closet.

Having said that bit I shall move on...

I am so grateful for the blessing God has given me. I now live in a beautiful apartment that WORKS! It's comfortable and spacious, and I love it. Tonight is the first party in the new place. A happenin' Cinco de Mayo shindig. There will be Mexican food, lights, decorations, Latin party music, and lots of friends. I hope our neighbors don't call the cops this time! Of course, if the cops DO come, we will have already won our neighbors over with free tacos and virgin margaritas! Ole!

Copy Cat

2009-05-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

(Inspired by the Beautiful Rachel)

Since this is me at work today,

I'm going to pretend I'm here by myself in silence....

"Start checking off my list of to-dos..."

2009-04-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

1. Pick up Natalie
2. Pick up keys
3. Pick up Charley
4. Pick up U-Haul truck
5. MOVE!!!!!!

Today is the day! I was so excited, I couldn't sleep last night! At 2 AM i decided to run home to my parent's house to get my old N64 and my FAVORITE game EVERRRRR, Banjo-Tooie (I also love it's brother, Banjo-Kazooie!)

It's the amazing game where you play as a Bear (Banjo) and a cheeky red bird (Kazooie) that lives in his Back Pack. You run around magical worlds beating challenges and collecting things to ultimately save Banjo's little sister, Tootie, from Gruntilda (wicked witch). That is Banjo-Kazooie. Banjo-Tooie is the same concept, but with a different objective. I love it.

Wish us luck moving all our heavy stuff to the 3rd floor! Pray nothing falls.

Oh Lord, I'm sweating just thinking about it!

What happened to "organized chaos"?

2009-04-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

"I can hardly believe it. Is it really the sun? Haven't seen her in ages! Gotta let my eyes adjust.
She's peeking through the blinds, pointing out the dust; her light highlights the grime. If I could only just find the time to clear my appointments. Find the time to clean this apartment. Start checking off my list of to-dos..."
(Sorry, that's just a cute little verse from this broadway song I have fallen in love with this week..."Spring Cleaning")

But basically since I sleep all day on my days off, that pretty much applies to my life this week! We move in 4 days, and the place is a wreck. I've packed up nearly everything I can--aside from food and DVD--and everything has it's place. HUGE plastic bins. So crisp! Yet the place looks like a NIGHTMARE! Trash is EVERYWHERE. You cannot even see our sink or kitchen counter. My sofa somehow broke in two! I cringe when i take my eyes off the TV or computer screen! I'm just overwhelmed.

On top of that, I am panicking about moving all of our heavy pieces. My TV weighs about 500 lbs, and the piece it's sitting on weighs just as much, if not more than that! Moving to the 3rd floor is going to be a real challenge. I just don't know if we have the means to get our stuff up there! If you know of any muscle men who are up for helping two young women move, we will gladly bake them cookies. Beers all around if we must! HAHA Not for us, but for the men! I don't care. We need all the help we can get!

Also, if you know of anyone who has a trailer or something that we could use, that'd be swell. If not, I'll have to get my mom to come with me to rent a U-haul truck, since I think you have to be 25 to rent one.

I can't wait to start designing in the new place! Even more so, I can't wait to have everyone over!

It's Looking At Things Another Way

2009-04-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight Natalie and I had such a great time cleaning out her room, going through her old stuff, and singing along to Sufjan Stevens. Laughed a LOT. Then she and I realized something that excites me about the new apartment...

This home that we are in now is tainted. Both of our exes have been here, and way too many tragic things went on. We both went through the toughest breakups of our lives thus far here. So many tears were shed here. While it's been MONTHS since the sketchiness, it's so refreshing to know that we are continuing our Spring season of our lives in a new home. This is something that she and I both really need! I'm actually looking forward to moving now!

And now for something that gives me Oh so much joy:

Learning about yourself...

2009-04-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

So I'm running around in the cafe yesterday cleaning all those pesky cambros that hold the church's free coffee when Mrs. Trudy informs me that Natalie wants me to look at an apartment complex.

Ok. Cool.

Our lease is up in 2 weeks, and should we renew, our rent is going up to $720. That's a lot to pay for a crappy apartment. So she tells me about this great deal on a 3BR apartment for just $799 over at The Parc on Cahaba River. I'm thinking how wonderful of a deal that is, especially if we were to get a third roommate. After work, I meet Natalie and her mother at the apartment offices to find her filling out paper work. Before I know it I have three sheets of papers filled out, and two checks written. I didn't even have time to consider if I wanted to move in a week and a half. Basically I commited to a 10 month lease without even seeing the apartment first.

We went to one of the empty models, and I have to admit that it's very nice. So why am I not excited? Natalie starts packing tonight, and she teared up when she saw the big laundry room. I'm more so panicking about having 10 or 11 days left here.

This is where I learned something about myself:

I hate spontaneity.

I need structure and a plan. I don't like making big decisions anymore, especially on a whim. They make my heart pound with anxiety.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad to continue my stay with Natalie. I'm just freaking out about the fact that only 2 hours after hearing about this place, I write two checks and signed my name in blood. What was I thinking? I wasn't thinking. I just did.

"Hi, my name is Hannah, and I am an Ozaholic..."

2009-04-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

("Hi, Hannah.")

Last night I had the absolute joy of treating two of my most cherished friends to Wicked.
Needless to say they loved it! Turning people on to Wicked is seriously the most exciting things for me right now! I cannot stress enough how wonderful this show is. It is by far one of the most visually and audibly stunning things I have experienced. (Every blog won't be about Wicked, I promise. It leaves Birmingham this Sunday evening, and then I will be forced to move on...)

I will admit that despite my friends' attempts at distracting me and efforts to bring back the "old Hannah," I have been miserable. However, over the past week, by God's grace and my many trips to Wicked, I have had the most wonderful vacation. I feel like ME again! I think it's safe to say that Oz feels like home to me! I can't help but go back every chance I get. I'm going to enter the Wicked Lottery again tonight with my girl, Daphne! I have a ticket for tomorrow's 2 o'clock showing, and Sunday at 7! You will most likely see me at all of the remaining performances! 5 in all!

OK, enough Wicked talk!

My mother read my blog, and told me that not only should I start praying about this whole Musical Theater thing, but I should consider going to Montevallo as a Musical Theater major! WOW. Can you imagine me going there? I sure can't! But then again, maybe it's what I need. We'll see!

Oh, Life. Am I even ready for it?

And one more thing that excites me to NO end...

Delusions of Grandeur

2009-04-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

This week I have had the enormous pleasure of catching 3 incredible showings of Broadway's Wicked at the BJCC Music Hall. Something about that show excites me. I get a rush from the initial flight of the monkeys of Oz to the final booming "WICKED!" from the chorus. Finally something has me excited again! The past week has awoken a love for theater that I had forgotten...

I have been to New York City 6 times since I was little, and each time my father insisted on seeing at least two major productions. I grew up dreaming I could be the woman standing on stage, singing to the world and being applauded for my talent! In Jr. High, I got to act in a few plays. High School was spent behind the scenes on make up crew. I even tried out for a lead in Fiddler On The Roof, but choked on stage. Nevertheless, I loved being around the school productions. I loved it so much, and I was actually good at it! Back then I wasn't afraid to make my own judgments and put them out there--whereas today I have become far too unsure of myself. I wouldn't be able to do anyone's make up for fear of messing up or being judged.

It's time I break out of that fear.

There have been very few things that I truly have had a passion for, but I can easily say that musical theater is one. Why not pursue it? Crazy, I know!! Going after this would require a lot of putting myself out there and getting crushed. A lot of vocal training, dance training, acting lessons, etc. are needed, and that couldn't intimidate me more! Sadly, I'm not in school for musical theater. That might hurt me. Maybe I should slowly get into it by finding a vocal coach and working out. That isn't so scary. Problem is finding a vocal coach. Any ideas of how I can find one? After coaching, should I decide this theater thing isn't for me, at least I will have vocal lessons under my belt! Maybe I could sing at church.

If you think I am totally crazy, please, let me know. I need to toughen up anyway!

But for now, this is who I want to be...THIS is my dream:
(and forgive me for posting this video twice. I'm new to blogging!)