You're All Beautiful

Lately, as in yesterday and today, random things have been occurring that make me think. 

First, I was sitting in the student center by some random people.  A girl walked up, knew one of the guys, and he asked her how she was doing. "Hey! I'm great! How are you?" was her response. The finished their short conversation and the girl walked away.  A few seconds later, the guy turned to his friend and said, "You know what, you could be having the absolute worst day of your life, but when somebody asks you how you are you'll always say you're doing well."  This is so true in my life.  I hardly ever have one of those "Hi, how are you?" conversations with someone without them saying they're doing good.  

Secondly, last night as I was falling asleep, What Women Want was on TV.  If you haven't seen this movie, Mel Gibson's character gets electricuted one night and when he wakes up, he is able to hear every woman's thoughts.  Naturally, he thinks this is so weird and scary.  As he's walking in his office, he notices that one woman is thinking terrible thoughts about herself.  She doesn't show it on her face, but she feels worthless.  She thinks that no one would even care if she weren't alive anymore.

Well, that's just two examples, but they both lead to this: you really never know what someone's going through.  There's absolutely no reason to have a bad attitude, be rude to people, or not be beyond joyful because of the amazing life God has given to each of us.  Knowing how much Jesus loves me makes me want to go talk to every single person and let them know that he loves them just as much.  Who knows, they may have never heard that before.

To any of you out there who are feeling like the lady in What Women Want, or if you're just having a bad day and doubting your worth, here's a song for you.  No matter what pain you're feeling right now, just know that to me and Jesus, you are beautiful.  

Weekend Food with Jessica

Hey Hey Heyyyy!

This weekend has been so fun!  (And it's not even over.. THANK you Martin Luther King!)  Thinking back on it, if I had to pick one thing that stands out the most, it would be the amount of food consumed by all.  Yeah, this is going to be a weird one.

1)  Friday afternoon, Estes made his ten thousandth journey from Samford to Auburn and he, Jessica, George, Will Salter, and I went out to eat at the Auburn Oyster Bar.  None of us had been here before so we were excited/nervous to check it out.  But hey, turns out it was a great choice!  George and the waitress had a little thing for each other, which was interesting.................. But we all loved our food and everything and I'd say it was a success.

2)  After a long and eventful night in Aubs, Little Italy was calling our names.  By this time, a couple of Estes and George's little Sigma Chi pledges had joined us.  (Haaayy Andy and Ben!)  We got some greasy, meaty, greasy pizza and pepsi not coke and after George told some girls that they were in high school, we left.

3)  What's the first thing on our minds when we wake up???? Food of course.  Poor Estes had to leave us (We're all still really really really sad, Estes.), so Jessica, George, Andy, Ben, and I were ready for our first meal of the day.  We had a lot of trouble deciding where to go.  Niffer's was our first try, and the 45 minute wait was a definite "no."  Jessica, brilliant as she is, suggested the Creole Shack.  We drove out to it, weren't sure what to expect when we saw it, and went inside.  The artwork was a little..... cheap. As were the menu's, silverware and napkin holders (aka tape), but hey, we're not complainin'!!  The food was real good!  Thanks Jessie!  That was fun.  I laughed so much.

4)  After we were all stuffed from the chicken fingers, crab claws, fried pickles, pork chops, creole stuff, and whatever else we got, we decided that a little cupcake would be nice.  GiGi's was calling our names!!  The boys might have been a little hesitant to enter, but Jess and I forced them through the doors.  If Estes was there, he wouldn't have cared.  We got our wedding cake and red velvet cake cupcakes with mile high icing, and hit the road.  (If you've never been to GiGi's, you're SERIOUSLY missing out! Ask Annie Stephens!)

5)  A couple hours later, after visiting with some cool Samford kids (minus Estes), we decided it was dinner time.  Soooooooo, Jessica, Kristen, Will Salter, George, Wes, Clay, Owen (Shout out to the new Twitter user btw), and I went to the classic Acapulco's.  Ok, I wanted to go to Fuji, but I wasn't gonna fight anybody over it.  Wes was miserable because after asking for ONLY chicken and cheese in his quesadilla, he found "green things" and onions.  He cried a little but then he was fine.  It took a few days to wash the smell of Mexico off of my body but I managed.  In my opinion, it was good, not great.  That's just my opinion though.

6)  Ok, this was the longest gap of not having food, so it was time for something good.  Jessica and I went to First Baptist Opelika (Woo traditional service) this morning.  Literally within one second, we decided we MUST go to Pannie George's for lunch.  You seriously cannot beat this place.  They have the BEST soul food I've ever had.  The macaroni and cheese?  PERFECT.  The fried chicken, green beans, and cornbread were so amazing as well.  I'd have to say that this is my favorite restaurant in Auburn, and I think I'll have to go there every day for the rest of the semester.  MAYBE Estes will be here next time to go with us.

(Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, and Cream Corn at Pannie's)

Well, I just blogged about a lot of food.  I feel like Paula Deen.

Anyways, this was a really fun weekend.  Meeting new people, hanging out with friends, and eating good food... how can you go wrong with that??  (It would have been better with Estes the whole time, but we managed.)

Arizona, Here We Come!!

If we agreed about nothing else this winter break, my brothers and I were in total agreement that this was the best Christmas ever.  We had tons of fun times with family and friends, and each got amazing presents! I know that's not what Christmas is all about (so glad baby Jesus was born for us!!), but it sure made us happy!  Will got a duck hunting trip to Arkansas, Phillip got tickets to see Alabama in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, and I got the most amazing trip package ever to Arizona!!  And guess what..... I LEAVE TOMORROW!!

For those of you who didn't know, Auburn is playing Oregon in the BCS National Championship on Monday, January 10, 2011.  Ok, got that out of the way.  My mom and I are taking off from Montgomery at 10 am and arriving in Phoenix around 1:00.  I am beyond ready to be there.  Today, we ran errands for about 20739 hours, and the WHOLE time we talked about how excited we were.  Yep.. I think it's safe to say that Mom is almost 100% All-In for Auburn.  FINALLY!!!  She still will cheer for Alabama when they're not playing Auburn, though.  I think she realizes that one of her kids goes there now, one is going next year, and tons and tons of her money is going to Aubs... So all that, along with the fact that Auburn is just plain great, has made her totally convert.  Phew!

We're staying in Scottsdale all three nights and four days.  I'm pumped about Sunday because we have a free day to do whatever.  I went to Arizona with my fellow FBC seniors for spring break in 12th grade.  (So, so, so, soooo fun and such an amazing experience!!) It was one of the most beautiful place I've ever been.  My favorite part.... NO HUMIDITY!! Just kidding.  Actually, no I'm not.  The mountains and cacti and dirt and blue skies were wonderful as well!  

Well, it's about time for me to go to bed. I just painted my fingernails orange to be sure I'm showing my school spirit 24/7.  (My mom just asked me what I was doing, and when I said blogging she was in shock.  Sorry for my lack of posts.  I feel like I have to say that every time.)  Ahhhhh Arizona!!!  Here. I. Come!!  I hope to see tons and tons of friends and familiar faces out there! :)

War Eagle Y'all!!!  Go Auburn!!  Beat Oregon!!  Track 'em Tigers!!  Kick 'em in the butt Big Blue!! 

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work. 

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully. 

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men. 

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities. 

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all. 

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all. 

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God." 

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it. 

-George Petrie (1945)