Botswana: 4 days!

On Saturday, Jenny and I leave for Botswana. We’re going with Kids Around the World to build playgrounds for kids in the area. I’m so incredibly excited, but just as of yesterday the anxiety kicked in. Do I have everything I need? Will I be able to get everything done that I need to do before I leave? All these questions are filling my mind and I know that’s normal before a big trip like this, but the reality of how soon we leave is starting to make me anxious. I just need to relax and remember how amazingly ordained-by-God this trip was/is.

Anyway, we’re starting a blog to write about our adventures, so if you’re interested, definitely check it out: dumelabotswana2013.blogspot.com

Keep praying that I’ll be able to get all my funds in time for the trip. And if you want to donate to the cause, visit grouprev.com/botswanajb13. There was some miscommunication with KATW, and I ended up underestimating the flight costs by over $1000, so even though I thought I had surpassed my goal, I was actually UNDER funded by $1000. Kind of a thunder-stealer if you ask me, but I know it will all work out.

Frenchy Day!

Well today started out interesting (interestingly?)… I had a meeting this morning, which I thought was supposed to start at 9:30 a.m., but when I woke up at 8:23 a.m. I quickly realized I had misread my calendar and the meeting was really at 8:30 a.m. Also, yesterday I started feeling like I was getting a cold or something, and when I woke up this morning it was confirmed. I felt MISERABLE. I feel like I have razor blades in my throat every time I swallow. So my initial thought was (before I realized that it was actually an 8:30 a.m. meeting) that I would go to the Target Clinic to see if it was strep or something and be back to work in plenty of time. But then I remembered that this was an important meeting with our branding agency and I really didn’t want to miss it. So I quickly pulled myself together, razor blades and all, and made it to the meeting by 9 a.m. Not ideal, but at least I was there for part of it. It’s really difficult collaborating on creative concepts when everyone has their own aesthetic opinion. It’s just so subjective. Plus, web designers and print designers require to some degree a different set of creative standards. Anyway, long story short (not really), I’m glad I made it to the meeting, but I wish we all could’ve had more time to talk out our different needs/desires, especially when the creative aspect of the branding project greatly impacts all of us.

On a more positive note, it’s Frenchy Day at Bethel! What’s that, you ask? Well one of our favorite food service employees, Charlotte “Frenchy” French retired in January, and as a way to honor her time at Bethel and the legacy she created, she is coming back for one day only and we’re making a whole event of it. Some of her favorite meals will be served in the dining center (sesame beef!!!!), there is a photo-op available with Frenchy herself (or her cardboard cutout), autographed water bottles, etc. It should be pretty fun.

Well that’s about it for today. I have to get back to work for a few more minutes before I head down to grab some sesame beef. Yum!

 

2013 Motto Announcement!

I’ve finally decided on a motto for this year
(do do dooooo -*trumpet noise*):

Progress not Perfection. I’m excited. I’ll go into more detail another time, and perhaps recap on Make Yourself Proud in 2012, but for now the announcement is all you’re getting.

Thank you, and goodnight.

I’m on Etsy!

My Etsy shop is now open! Get your owl on!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennab4designs

It’s Monday!

The end.

Top Ten Wednesday: 9/26 Edition

Hey y’all! Guess what? I’m actually posting on a Wednesday for the first time in what feels like forever! Aren’t you proud of me?

I’ll be honest, I’m pretty impressed, considering I have probably never been so busy at work. Priorities, people!

Anyways, here are the top ten things that I feel like writing about today:

1. The saying that “blondes have more fun”  may actually be true because, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been having some pretty good times since dying my hair a lighter color.
2. Last Saturday for example, I went to the Como Zoo with some friends, then to dinner at O’Gara’s Irish Pub, then drinks and conversation at W.A. Frost. I haven’t laughed that hard and for such a continual period of time in, well, I can’t even remember when. It was so fun. Then after that (a.k.a. after my old friends went home to bed), I met up with some other friends in uptown and continued the good times until the wee hours of the morning.
3. Sunday was fun only because I got to sleep in and cuddle with my cats all day on the couch, and we all know that chalks right up there with one of the best activities of all time. For me, at least.
4. By the way, W.A. Frost is one of my new favorite places. It’s just such a cool environment. And if anyone has any connection to my future husband, I think the outdoor patio would be a great place to get engaged. Just sayin’.
5. I actually got goosebumps as I walked past, imagining the man of my dreams, surrounded by a beautiful garden and twinkle lights, down on one knee. Seriously. Queue the waterworks.
6. In other news, I’m currently obsessed with Caramel Apple Suckers. Yep, the ones that were popular like 10 years ago. They’re only 15¢ in the campus store with my discount, so I splurged the other day and got one. I’ve been hooked ever since.
7. You know what else I’m hooked on, that I’m pretty sure they put some addictive ingredient in it? Any powdered drink mix, mainly of the Crystal Light (or Market Pantry) variety. Raspberry Lemonade. Mojito. Cherry Limeade. Yum. My mouth is watering just thinking about a big cold glass of one of those bad boys.
8. Speaking of bad boys… just kidding. I have nothing to say about bad boys. Only good boys.
9. One of my new from-a-distance friends came home today after being gone almost five months in Europe, so it will be fun to see him (whenever that happens).
10. Unrelated: I desperately need a haircut. I think all my hair bleaching didn’t help, but it is just so dry. All I need is a little trim. It will probably have to wait until Friday (payday!)… unless I can find some spare change under the couch cushions or something.

The end. See y’all soon.

Y’all — Twice in one blog post? What’s wrong with me?

(Don’t answer that.)

 

Beloved

A song to take you into the weekend… It’s not new, but it’s so good. My theme song right now.

“Beloved” by Tenth Avenue North Listen

Lyrics:

Love of my life

Look deep in my eyes

There you will find what you need

 

Give me your life,

The lust and the lies,

And the past you’re afraid I might see

You’ve been running away from me

 

You’re my beloved

Lover, I’m yours

Death shall not part us

It’s you I died for

For better or worse

Forever we’ll be

My love it unites us and it binds you to me

It’s a mystery

 

Love of my life

Look deep in my eyes

There you will find what you need

I’m the giver of life

I’ll clothe you in white

My immaculate bride you will be

Come running home to me

 

You’re my beloved

Lover, I’m yours

Death shall not part us

It’s you I died for

For better or worse

Forever we’ll be

My love it unites us and it binds you to me

 

You’ve been a mistress, my wife,

Chasing lovers that won’t satisfy

Won’t you let me make you my bride?

You will drink of my lips and you’ll taste new life

 

You’re my beloved

Lover, I’m yours

Death shall not part us

It’s you I died for

For better or worse

Forever we’ll be

My love it unites us and it binds you to me

It’s a mystery

 

Top Ten Wednesday: 8/29 Edition!

1. First things first: it’s been two weeks since I’ve had money. Somehow, God has provided. Coincidentally though, I’m at -$338.80 in my checking account. So there’s that.
2. I will be shouting for joy come midnight tomorrow (Thursday) night – payday!
3. Then crying; since two days after that, I will be practically back to zero.
4. I love money problems. (not!)
5. I do love (trying to change the subject) that this has been the first week of classes, so campus is abuzz with students. It’s so much fun.
6. I’ve been busy on Facebook posting Flat Jay photos from around campus (getting ready for the State Fair), and photo booth pics that people have submitted (once at the State Fair). It’s great how excited everyone is about Flat Jay (and real Jay)!
7. I’ll never forget when real Jay said (in response to us calling him Flat Jay), “Better than Flatulent Jay.” HA!
8. I’ve been busy on Facebook, but on a more personal note (not work related), sending messages back & forth with one of said crushes from last time I blogged. That’s been fun. Good for a smile, if nothing else.
9. Other things that make me smile: Brumby (cat #3) finding a new happy home with Sherie, Lace & Mike choosing a wedding date/venue, Roch day with Becks last Sunday (and mani/pedis with Lisa & Tina “small nail”), Gwen and babycakes coming into town this weekend. Among other things, I’m sure.
10. Oh, I’m blonde now. Remember my hair color poll back in ’09? Well, my hair is very similar to the blonde photo, except the under layers are dark. I actually really like it. I would probably like it a lot more if I was able to wake up in time to wash my hair every day. But no. Not yet.

That’s all for now, folks. Thanks for reading! See you soon!

Top Ten Wednesday: 8/8 Edition!

Here are the top ten super hot things about my life right now (in no particular order):

1. I got a new alarm clock last night, hoping that will help me wake up in the morning. I have been using my cell phone for the last, like, six years, and I’m hoping the “be-beeep, be-beeep, be-beeep” of the alarm clock will do the trick.
2. I’ve been OBSESSED with all my spray painting projects lately. Since the humidity level (and overall temperature) has decreased in the last week or so, the conditions for spray painting have been a lot better. I’m getting ready to open my Etsy shop [I think] in the next couple weeks. I just want to get a decent inventory on hand when I start, so I don’t run out of stuff to sell right away.
3. Speaking of spray paint projects, I FINALLY hung my white mirror wall over the weekend. I’m not gonna lie, it looks pretty sweet. I needed one more mirror (preferably round) to finish it off, and I found the perfect one last night at Savers. For $2! Score!
4. I also finally finished off my tub of grape Laffy Taffys after only a WEEK. Woof. I practically ate them nonstop. They were so amazing  and delicious and I wish I had more. My mouth waters at the thought of them. Thank you, Gwen, for one of my favorite birthday presents ever.
5. I’ve also recently been obsessed with Caprese salads. I had one a few weeks ago at Seven, and it was super good; I was like, hey, I bet I could make this. Who cares if it’s not super nutritious with all that yummy mozzarella, guaranteed it’s more nutritious than a handful of Laffy Taffys. Yum. I may have to have one for dinner tonight.
6. On the non-food-item side of things, I’ve been really into watching the Olympics. Mainly just gymnastics and swimming. The night that Team USA won the gold in gymnastics, I totally cried, those girls are so amazing. And Michael Phelps? What a machine. That man is an amazing athlete. Watching swimming really made me miss the sport. I don’t miss the grueling practices, just swimming in general. No wonder I have swim team themed dreams at least once a week. (Is that weird?)
7. Other things that made me cry recently: (now this was a while ago, but…) when Emily Maynard picked Jef on the season finale of The Bachelorette. Man, that is one cute couple. I really hope nothing but the best for them… and then last night when I was at Cub Foods (getting some more caprese salad ingredients actually) I totally bawled. I don’t know why, but the cover of whatever dumb tabloid that had Macaulay Culkin on it just about did me in. I don’t know if I’ve ever physically/emotionally reacted so strongly, but I was so upset. There was just a horrible photo of him on the front, looking all gross and disheveled and out of control and the headline read “Home Alone’ star Macaulay Culkin Addicted To Heroin – Only 6 Months To Live!” It wasn’t anything about Macaulay Culkin that got me upset, I couldn’t care less about that, it just hit way too close to home as the sister of a heroin addict. Addiction is a serious and real disease and I just hate that tabloids talk about celebrities who struggle with addiction so nonchalantly, or like it’s just a behavior problem. Ugh… I’m getting all worked up again, I have to stop talking about it. Mainly, it just felt like they could’ve replaced the photo and the name of anyone dealing with addiction on the stupid cover and it would’ve had a completely different meaning. Right away I imagined my brother on that cover and could barely make it to my car before bursting into tears. I can’t lose him.
8. Ok, so on a more positive note… everything at work is going really well. It’s getting into the busy time of the year, and I love it. It’s crazy and chaotic at times, but it’s the best. I can’t wait for school to start again and have more energy on campus. Plus, my actual job just feels so much better right now. My schedule is changing to work around my depression and hypersomnia issues, so it feels great to finally have someone (and HR, at that) on my side. AND (!!!!!!!) I’m getting a window put in my door so I can shut it during the day (to minimize distractions) without feeling completely confined to my little cave. SO excited about that.
9. I also have two new crushes. Esmond (formerly Double N)  is still kind of in the picture but he’s not looking for anything serious, so we’ll definitely remain friends, but since I am looking for something serious, we’re not hanging out as often. Which is probably for the best. The crushes are helpful. They’re probably not going to go anywhere (that’s the spirit!) but at least it’s fun to have a crush (or two)!
10. I’m never giving up on love. In case anyone was wondering. :)

Tweeted

So I obviously haven’t been blogging very much (for many reasons) and that’s something I’d like to change, but in the meantime — until that day comes — you can more readily find out about what’s going on in my life by following me on twitter (@jennabolmgren). It’s still my goal to post more on my blog, but I’m focusing on other more important stuff and blogging just takes too much time right now (hence the move to the simple 140-characters-or-less tweets). :)

Thanks for being patient, folks. I’ll be back soon.