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I'm pretty sure everyone who is somewhat breathing in this world realizes there is an ongoing war between Facebook and MySpace. Ten years ago, we had no clue how addictive these social networking sites would be. I guess I have to preface this post by admitting that I am in fact completely addicted. I also know there are worse problems in the world to worry about than Facebook VS MySpace. But for these next few minutes, I need to vent about it no matter how unimportant this really is.
At the moment, I am a member of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. We'll get to Twitter later. MySpace is where my social networking life began. It truly was a whole new world that I couldn't get enough of. The only reason I joined Facebook was because they had unlimited photo storage capabilities. At the time, MySpace only allowed 24 pictures total. Even then, I knew that I wasn't as impressed with Facebook. Now MySpace has unlimited photo storage....woo hoo!
Lately, I've definitely been hearing a lot of MySpace bashing. I'm actually kind of sad this is happening. I still love MySpace so much more than Facebook. The only reason I feel like I need to keep my Facebook is because so many of my buds are now Facebook people and no longer even log on to MySpace.
I know. MySpace has child predators, skanky advertisements, SPAM. But I guess I'm willing to put up with these things because there are quite a few things I love that make it worth it. I don't worry about crazy stalkers because I have complete control in what I put out there about myself. I think Facebook is more "stalkerish" in general-----It's super addicting just to log in to see what everyone else is up to, or what they are posting on other pages, or who they are in a relationship with, or who they broke up with, or how many pigs they have on Farmtown.
My biggest beef with Facebook is that I wish it had the quality of individuality for your profile. Back before all the changes took place, you could actually organize your profile how you wanted it to look. After the Facebook "upgrade", that's no longer the case. With MySpace, my profile page truly reflects who I am....the pictures....the music....the backgrounds....the icons.....I have so much control over it. MySpace has also revolutionized the marketing of music. I can find any artist or song online through MySpace and listen to it for FREE. That's right folks. It's my own personal radio that plays only the music I tell it to.
I'm probably not going to get rid of my MySpace or Facebook because there are many people that I only have contact with through those sites. But, it's sad that no one really uses MySpace anymore. I'm pretty much using Facebook only because that's where everyone else is, not because I prefer it.
Twitter on the other hand.....blah! I'm so bored with it. It's basically a place to update your status and send direct blurbs to other members. People are hard to find. I hate that I keep getting text messages even though I turn it off in my settings. Why do I need somewhere else to post my status when MySpace and Facebook do the same things with SO MUCH MORE? I will say that I enjoy reading status updates from my fav celebs. It gives me the slight feeling that maybe I am actually buds with them and have the privilege of getting a peek into their daily life. Now, if someone could show me how I can update my Twitter by updating Facebook, that may convince me.
Whatever you think about social networking and how ridiculous it may seem to you, I know it has opened up a world of communication with old and new friends that I couldn't possibly maintain on my own.
And I never delete friends. Once a friend, always a friend. There's something that just stings when you see that someone chose to delete you.
Sorry if you are a Twitter or Facebook lover. I still love you. You probably just value different things than I do in a social networking site, and that's ok. See you online!
Today I read a story about a teenager who actually fell into a manhole while texting. Fell into a manhole. While texting. Do I need to repeat this to get it to sink in?
So at first, I was like, "WHAT AN IDIOT!" I feel like I can laugh because the teenager didn't die or anything horrible.
On the other hand, I found myself thinking "typical teenager". Shame on me. The fact that it happened to a teenager may somehow get us all to mistakenly believe that we mature adults would NEVER do something like this.
I will venture to say that as adults, we are sometimes on the same level as those crazy texting teens when it comes to our distraction levels. Granted, there are obviously exceptions to these generalizations I'm making. But in my experience, more and more adults are finding themselves in the world of texting. Even my mom, who probably will never even be able to find this blog because she barely knows how to turn a computer on....is texting....multiple times a day....and getting quick!! (no offense mom if you happen to read this because what I said about your computer skills is no longer true...congrats....you are on the World Wide Web)
I am definitely no stranger to the distraction of texting. I am pretty sure I could do something as silly as fall in a manhole while texting.
And I know you're all wondering, of COURSE I don't text while I'm driving....
Do you ever find there are certain subjects that can bring you to tears almost instantly?
If you know me, you know that I tend to get teary. I've actually always hated that about myself. It's kind of embarrassing to always be the one who's desperate for the kleenex after a Hallmark commercial.
Real life example:
I met this elderly couple the other day. It doesn't really matter who they are, but they were over 80 years old. After spending the evening with them, I learned that they had only been married for 6 years. It's funny that I assumed they were lifelong partners just because of their age. Pretty soon, we began to hear about their "story" and how they met. It was a very sweet story. I also learned about the tragic death of the man's first wife of many many many years. It was a sudden accident. So there I was. Trying to hold back my tears just listening to this man talk about the emotional struggle he went through.
I always knew I had a strange emotional quirk when it came to these things. I just can't even imagine spending an entire lifetime with someone and what it would be like to have that end. I know that at this moment, if something happened to my husband, I would be an absolute mess. Add 50 or 60 more years of marriage....I don't even know where to begin to imagine.
It's not always sad thoughts that make me like this....recently I found myself blubbering while watching a high school senior speak at baccalaureate. I know this senior and have seen him grow over many years-It just hit me so hard. I had so much joy in my heart over who he is and who he's become, it was like I couldn't react any other way.
I know God made me this way for a reason. I still get embarrassed, and I probably will always feel a twinge of that. But at the same time, I'm learning to embrace that God put those soft spots in my heart purposely. It's Him that allows my heart to feel empathy or joy.
So, for now, I'm totally cool with the fact that I cried 3 times during the movie "Up".
I've realized something tonight. If you really want to know how I'm doing, what my life is like, my stress level...just take a look at my toenails.
Fresh paint: Life is good-I've got time for life's little luxuries.
Painted (with paint smudges on my toes): Life is tight-I barely had enough time to paint them, but I tried to get it done in a hurry because I was crying out for some sense of luxury.
Painted (with chips): Life is falling behind-I can't keep up with everything I'm doing and am on edge.
No paint or very little paint: Life has taken over-I'm done even trying. I have close to no time for myself and things I enjoy. Watch out! I could easily just explode at you or start crying at the smallest thing, who knows??
Pedicure: Life is all of the above-I prob just wanted to treat myself to something special.
I would venture to say that many other ladies are similar to me. I think every girl feels pretty and a little more put together when their toes are lookin' good. So now you know how to see a little bit more into my world at any given moment. I'll be watching for those of you who can't resist a peek. ;)
In case you're wondering, my toes are painted with no chips right now.
I did it. I got a new phone. New phones are really fun. But at the same time, it's so annoying not being able to do what you want super quick. I'm actually sad to say goodbye to my old phone-It's been good to me. Sure, it's probably going to break pretty soon. But my phone and I have a great connection-Is it even possible to have a better connection with another phone?? I've made the huge leap from just normal flip phone to a blackberry with tons of buttons. It was way more affordable than I had always assumed, so I don't feel like such a rich snob for buying a nice phone...haha! I'm not even sure I'll ever figure out all of the capabilities but I am WAY excited for GPS. I get lost all the time and I need all the help I can get. So, here is an apology in advance if I accidently pocket call or text you since I've never had a non-flip phone. I'm already seeing it will be a problem from the stuff my phone did on it's own while in my purse. We'll see how it goes.
Last night, we were asked to reflect our mission trip to Mexico. I really hadn't taken much time to reflect or process the time we spent there. I know God worked a lot that week, but it really is just starting to hit me I guess.
Let me preface by pointing out a few things Satan was distracting me with:
I went into this trip with a bad attitude. I wasn't focusing on what God was going to do through me.
I was focusing on the fact that we failed to get our college group kids to commit to go on the trip.
I was focusing on researching every web page I could to find out the safety in Mexicali.
I was focusing on defending my reasoning and research to others who felt we shouldn't go.
I was focusing on my nervousness, this being my first mission trip to Mexico, while many on the team have gone for years and know what to expect.
I was focusing on my own insecurities of not fitting in with the others who would be serving alongside of me.
I was focusing on if I could handle the uncomfortableness of not having as many showers, bathrooms...sleeping in a tent...just the stupid stuff girls worry about.
I was focusing on the fact that I was going to be the only girl on the building project.
And most of all, I was focusing on the fact that I know nothing about building a house. How am I supposed to be helpful in a situation that I don't have any knowledge or skills to offer?
Now looking at this list of things I was letting my mind get consumed with, I realize that I was WASTING my time and thoughts. I could have been filling my mind with conversations to God to prepare my time in Mexicali.
The family we built a house for was in extreme need. They recently had been kicked out of a place they were renting...made of pallets. It was a terrible living situation. We knew that this family was desperate for a place to be safe and call home.
Throughout the week, God really worked on my heart. While I still dealt with my insecurities about not having much to offer to the building team, that quickly changed. I found that all the things that were heavy in my heart before the trip were not even in my thoughts as we worked. The other guys on the building team really took their time to show me where and how I could be useful. They were so patient to teach me how to do tasks they could have done faster on their own. Yeah, there were times when I was frustrated because I couldn't work as fast or just didn't have the knowledge I needed to keep up.
But that's ok.
God wants us to step out of our comfort zones. I'm sure I would have been much more comfortable doing Vacation Bible School with the other team. Building is something that I don't think anyone would picture me being good at. But, for me, having to lean on God and trust in him at such a higher level made my time in Mexico that much more meaningful.
I left wanting to stay longer. I left with a desire in my heart to continue putting myself out there for God. Not just in mission situations, but in all situations. God totally got me through some uncomfortable and new things. I know that I can continue to push my limits and that God will push me even farther than I intended to go.
This is what I want to encourage all of you to realize:
When it comes to anything God wants you to do, Satan will do his best to get in your head and help you create this list of reasons why you shouldn't. If you're human, you'll most likely let those insecurites and excuses become huge enough to take your eyes off of God's plan. It's important to realize that EVERYONE can think of many reasons to not step out and do God's work. It's hard. It's embarassing. It takes too much time. I'm not good enough. I don't want to. So just go into it knowing that Satan will try to remind you of all of those reasons, be ready for them. Don't let those reasons keep you from the experiences that God wants you to be a part of.
So I chose the "Georgia" font because I've been there before, no real good reason.
Am I really worthy to have my very own blog? I'm not sure. I guess the question in my mind is will I write blogs for others to be entertained, or because I need to write and sort things out for myself? Probably a little of both.
Warning #1: I am pretty strange and random. Well, more like goofy. You will most likely think to yourself sometimes that you never really knew I was like that.
Warning #2: I have some pretty strong opinions. Even though I know I can't possibly right all the time, I still believe that what's the point of having an opinion if you're not going to be strong in it?
Warning #3: I am very busy, which means I may not blog often.
That's all I can think of at the moment. So we'll see what happens...
Welcome to a small glimpse into my world =)
