Thursday, April 14, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
Psst! I moved.
I moved here: http://bryannahampton.wordpress.com/
It's nothing personal. Follow me here...if you want...or don't.
It's nothing personal. Follow me here...if you want...or don't.
Oh, oh, it's magic...
I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I.
And, frankly, I haven't been a particularly huge fan of the films up to this point. I didn't even see the sixth one. But I was eager to see the first part of what was sure to be an epic ending.
I personally thought it was great. It was intense throughout and kept true within reason to the novels. It's been awhile since I've read the books, considering the last time I read one was shortly after the seventh one was released, but from what I remember, the books made me impressed by the film.
I'm just not a big fan of the whole waiting-for-the-next-half-of-the-movie-to-come-out thing.
However, out of all of the books, the niftiest little gadget that has been most appealing to me (other than a wand, of course) is the Time Turner. Hermione is granted one of these gizmos in The Goblet of Fire in order to help her achieve all of her academic goals. She really does not have enough time in a day to accomplish everything and take all of the classes she needs, but with a simple turn of this contraption attached to a chain, she gains more time.
I would just like to say that Christmas is coming and Barnes & Noble has Time Turners and a sticker kit to go with it for $8.95.
I'm just sayin'.
This really goes back to what I've said before and will probably say again: how on this earth are we spending our time? One thing that I would like to do more is memorize Scripture. About a month or so ago, my wonderful roommate wrote on our mirrors with a dry erase marker a particular passage. It is good to be able to glance up once in awhile and be reminded of what it says:
Anyway...since the American Music Awards (AMAs) were tonight, here's a list of ten songs that pop up on shuffle on my iTunes list:
In other news, I'm filling out some applications for some opportunities. And stuff. So again, prayers are appreciated. Basically, I just need to hold my horses and not get too excited - there's nothing worse than breaking your own heart. Well, maybe. But it stinks.
And, frankly, I haven't been a particularly huge fan of the films up to this point. I didn't even see the sixth one. But I was eager to see the first part of what was sure to be an epic ending.
I personally thought it was great. It was intense throughout and kept true within reason to the novels. It's been awhile since I've read the books, considering the last time I read one was shortly after the seventh one was released, but from what I remember, the books made me impressed by the film.
I'm just not a big fan of the whole waiting-for-the-next-half-of-the-movie-to-come-out thing.
However, out of all of the books, the niftiest little gadget that has been most appealing to me (other than a wand, of course) is the Time Turner. Hermione is granted one of these gizmos in The Goblet of Fire in order to help her achieve all of her academic goals. She really does not have enough time in a day to accomplish everything and take all of the classes she needs, but with a simple turn of this contraption attached to a chain, she gains more time.
I would just like to say that Christmas is coming and Barnes & Noble has Time Turners and a sticker kit to go with it for $8.95.
I'm just sayin'.
This really goes back to what I've said before and will probably say again: how on this earth are we spending our time? One thing that I would like to do more is memorize Scripture. About a month or so ago, my wonderful roommate wrote on our mirrors with a dry erase marker a particular passage. It is good to be able to glance up once in awhile and be reminded of what it says:
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:9-13That's only the first part written on our mirrors. Although it may be nice to have a Time Turner, granted the ability to cram more tasks and work into my routine, I need to keep my outlook on the big picture. You know, the one with God's kingdom. That one. It's so easy to fall for the spell that the world casts on us; I need to see past it sometimes.
Anyway...since the American Music Awards (AMAs) were tonight, here's a list of ten songs that pop up on shuffle on my iTunes list:
- "Way Back into Love" - Haley Bennett and Hugh Grant (from Music and Lyrics)
- "Steady as She Goes" - Sky Sailing
- "Spotlight" - Mute Math
- "Next Five Minutes" - Steven Curtis Chapman
- "Listen to What the Man Said" - Wings
- "World War III" - Jonas Brothers
- "Ants Marching" - Dave Matthews Band
- "Lady Madonna" - The Beatles
- "I Don't Need a Soul" - Relient K
- "Workin' Day and Night" - Michael Jackson
In other news, I'm filling out some applications for some opportunities. And stuff. So again, prayers are appreciated. Basically, I just need to hold my horses and not get too excited - there's nothing worse than breaking your own heart. Well, maybe. But it stinks.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Of the essence
Today in our class that serves as a "staff meeting" for our online newspaper, we talked about the usual stuff. I wasn't sure who was working on a particular story, myself or another writer, and I asked in a manner similar to this: "Who exactly would you like writing this story? I'm trying to figure out what to devote my life to."
Sounds kind of lame, doesn't it?
In all reality, my words spat out of my mouth so that I could fit them in and, well, that's what happened. I had fully intended to say "devote my time to" instead of "devote my life to", but I ended up concluding that it means pretty much the same thing. Right?
In my other class, a course on Christian theology, my professor continued his lecture on creation. Several different theories of possible conceptions of the universe came into play, including some I had never heard of or thought about. Some theories proposed the possibility that the six days of creation were literal 24-hour days while others pondered the idea that the six days of creation were just six different stages, ages or time frames.
Is a day just a literal matter of time? Or is it something we live out?
Finding myself in a routine of sorts, I asked myself this question today. Am I living my life out in stages, years, months, weeks, days, semesters, episodes of The Office? To what am I devoting my time/life to?
Funny how that works. I come to the close of the day, wrap up homework, check various communication outlets, shower, switch out notebooks and textbooks in my backpack, load the refrigerator with a new bottle of Snapple peach tea, blog, read a chapter or so of the Bible, journal, pray, go to bed. The rest of the day comes with it, packaged up in a quaint, factory-made right-off-the-supply-line box.
In other words, today starts to feel the same as yesterday, if you know what I mean. And tomorrow follows suit. But here's this:
It's really rather comforting, I think.
Things within my reach right at this very moment:
Sounds kind of lame, doesn't it?
In all reality, my words spat out of my mouth so that I could fit them in and, well, that's what happened. I had fully intended to say "devote my time to" instead of "devote my life to", but I ended up concluding that it means pretty much the same thing. Right?
In my other class, a course on Christian theology, my professor continued his lecture on creation. Several different theories of possible conceptions of the universe came into play, including some I had never heard of or thought about. Some theories proposed the possibility that the six days of creation were literal 24-hour days while others pondered the idea that the six days of creation were just six different stages, ages or time frames.
Is a day just a literal matter of time? Or is it something we live out?
Finding myself in a routine of sorts, I asked myself this question today. Am I living my life out in stages, years, months, weeks, days, semesters, episodes of The Office? To what am I devoting my time/life to?
Funny how that works. I come to the close of the day, wrap up homework, check various communication outlets, shower, switch out notebooks and textbooks in my backpack, load the refrigerator with a new bottle of Snapple peach tea, blog, read a chapter or so of the Bible, journal, pray, go to bed. The rest of the day comes with it, packaged up in a quaint, factory-made right-off-the-supply-line box.
In other words, today starts to feel the same as yesterday, if you know what I mean. And tomorrow follows suit. But here's this:
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." - I Peter 4:1-2I don't know exactly what the will of God is, but I know he has provided us with plenty of ways to follow his lead. If I desire him more than the things of this world, it will be very difficult to mistake the path to bringing him glory.
It's really rather comforting, I think.
Things within my reach right at this very moment:
- Cell phone
- Bible
- Journal
- The latest copy of People magazine
- Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark A. Noll
- Morning Glory by Diana Peterfreund
- Cup of water
- The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Vol. I by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Ibuprofen
- Kleenex
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Pressing pause
Being a part of the launch party for our university online newspaper is quite the trip. It's been in the works since last spring, but in one of my classes this semester we've been providing the filling...and everything else, for that matter.
Here's the deal: there are four of us. Four isn't much, especially when we have to make the whole vehicle run.
I like editing; it's the biggest part of my job at this point. I edit everyone's stories and send them to our professor for her approval before they go live on the site. Like I said, I enjoy it, but it takes up a lot of time. When it comes down to writing my own stories, I almost have to write it all in my head first during the time I have before I can type it out.
It makes for an interesting news feed in my head.
In a nutshell, or nut graph for you journalists out there, my brain is functioning on a whole new speed these days. Taking in information, creating my own, making sure everything is done when it needs to be, connecting to the lives of other people...it's like one of those news channels with seven different feeds running across the bottom and top of the screen.
Alas, is this what our lives have become? Information overload? I believe it has.
It all circles back to that need for peace. A peace from God that can only be generated by placing our total trust in him.
Some things I follow on Twitter, which is what my life feels like sometimes when you hear from people all of the time and don't always know what to make of it all and then you're supposed to type in 140 characters or less something worthwhile but you know that no one probably really cares...come on, spare time:
Here's the deal: there are four of us. Four isn't much, especially when we have to make the whole vehicle run.
I like editing; it's the biggest part of my job at this point. I edit everyone's stories and send them to our professor for her approval before they go live on the site. Like I said, I enjoy it, but it takes up a lot of time. When it comes down to writing my own stories, I almost have to write it all in my head first during the time I have before I can type it out.
It makes for an interesting news feed in my head.
In a nutshell, or nut graph for you journalists out there, my brain is functioning on a whole new speed these days. Taking in information, creating my own, making sure everything is done when it needs to be, connecting to the lives of other people...it's like one of those news channels with seven different feeds running across the bottom and top of the screen.
Alas, is this what our lives have become? Information overload? I believe it has.
It all circles back to that need for peace. A peace from God that can only be generated by placing our total trust in him.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27I'm still working on that. It's good to help people edit their stories, and definitely important to write our own, but we can't leave out the Author of our lives - and key subject matter. I know that his Spirit guides, but I have to shut off a few channels in order to tune in to his direction.
Some things I follow on Twitter, which is what my life feels like sometimes when you hear from people all of the time and don't always know what to make of it all and then you're supposed to type in 140 characters or less something worthwhile but you know that no one probably really cares...come on, spare time:
- @washingtonpost - The Washington Post
- @HuffingtonPost - Huffington Post
- @AP - The Associated Press
- @CBSNews - CBS News
- @NBCNews - NBC News
- @espn - ESPN
- @andersoncooper - Anderson Cooper
- @AdviceToWriters - Jon Winokur
- @nytimes - The New York Times
- @USATODAY - USA TODAY Top News
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Kicked out cares
I'm becoming a night owl.
Don't get me wrong. It isn't that I'm not a morning person; I just have the chance to relieve my mind of all of the bearings of the day I just lived when the evening rolls around.
Regardless, living in the dorms, you don't get much alone time. Being an introvert, I'll take all the alone time I can get. Sometimes my only chance is when I take my daily evening shower. I don't have to hold conversations with anyone but myself and God and, when it comes down to it, that is the most necessary part of my day anyway.
Ever since Sunday's sermon about worrying slapped me in the face, I've been opting to make better use of that time when I communicate with myself, if you will. Instead of worrying and overthinking matters unnecessarily, pondering useful and positive solutions or concepts has taken its place.
I mean, that sermon was something. I have always known worrying wasn't good - duh. But the emphasis on the fact that God provides was such a blessing that I needed to hear right then and there. Thinking about money and possibilities in the near future was starting to put me in frantic mode. My constant focus on accomplishing my work on time and making people happy had already pushed me over a metaphorical cliff.
But hearing Matthew 6:25-31, although I knew the passage and reference and guessed it would be the basis for the sermon called "Worry Wart", hit me in a new way. It's one thing to read it and know it's there, but another thing entirely to take it to heart. Especially:
And it's true. My worries control me, whether I am consciously aware of it or not. The last few days, I've tried to let go. You know something? I feel much better about things. God has shown me things about myself and ways to encourage others. I'm still feeding off his inspiration because he loves me. I don't need to worry about that.
Pray this continues to move in the right direction. I'm praying about it, too.
Things that usually, always and definitely worry me:
Don't get me wrong. It isn't that I'm not a morning person; I just have the chance to relieve my mind of all of the bearings of the day I just lived when the evening rolls around.
Regardless, living in the dorms, you don't get much alone time. Being an introvert, I'll take all the alone time I can get. Sometimes my only chance is when I take my daily evening shower. I don't have to hold conversations with anyone but myself and God and, when it comes down to it, that is the most necessary part of my day anyway.
Ever since Sunday's sermon about worrying slapped me in the face, I've been opting to make better use of that time when I communicate with myself, if you will. Instead of worrying and overthinking matters unnecessarily, pondering useful and positive solutions or concepts has taken its place.
I mean, that sermon was something. I have always known worrying wasn't good - duh. But the emphasis on the fact that God provides was such a blessing that I needed to hear right then and there. Thinking about money and possibilities in the near future was starting to put me in frantic mode. My constant focus on accomplishing my work on time and making people happy had already pushed me over a metaphorical cliff.
But hearing Matthew 6:25-31, although I knew the passage and reference and guessed it would be the basis for the sermon called "Worry Wart", hit me in a new way. It's one thing to read it and know it's there, but another thing entirely to take it to heart. Especially:
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" - Matthew 6:27I'm going to go with "no."
And it's true. My worries control me, whether I am consciously aware of it or not. The last few days, I've tried to let go. You know something? I feel much better about things. God has shown me things about myself and ways to encourage others. I'm still feeding off his inspiration because he loves me. I don't need to worry about that.
Pray this continues to move in the right direction. I'm praying about it, too.
Things that usually, always and definitely worry me:
- Pleasing people - why are you all so difficult?
- Getting all of my work completed well and on time
- People thinking poorly of me, which I think is different than #1
- Forgetting something...or somethings...
- The future (echo...echo...echo...)
- The past - like I can do anything about it
- Being wrong
- Being misunderstood
- My sins, failures, mistakes, etc.
- Missing something I shouldn't
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
...and a side of inspiration.
Friday, I saw Morning Glory.
Okay. A few things: I'm a big fan of Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton are pretty cool, and um, oh - I'm kind of a Communications major.
But really.
This movie inspired me. Classic go-get-'em-girl plot with giggles and wit and at the same time, I believed it. Granted, in the filming of our news segment on campus, there are maybe 15 people involved at once, on a good week. Not to mention the fact that we're at a private university and not, oh, a network. But I related to McAdams's character. And it was in New York.
I know I'm using italicized words a lot, but I just can't help it.
There's something about it all, and you'll have to see it to understand me clearly, that had me on the edge of my seat in the theater with my head in my hands the whole time, eager to see what would happen. The intensity of being on the air, the constant search for the next newest story, the must-please persona - I understood.
At the same time, in, you know, real life, I am seeking my own career path. I am trying to learn constantly and more and more I am starting to love the communications field. When I started here, I wasn't sure I could do it. I didn't think I was competitive enough. But ever so slowly, and I mean really slowly, I am seeing this new person busting out of a shell. When I let God take me instead of grinding my heels against the ground, life becomes something much more, well, inspirational.
Which reminds me - I should probably learn how to run in heels. Seems to be the thing all women in movies know how to do.
God has a plan for all of this, whether it is something we want or something deep down we desire, although we may not know specifically what it is. As long as I desire what God desires for me, I know I could take off running...with the birds flying around me and my scarf flying in the air, like in that one movie. Or maybe that was The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Whatever.
So instead of being a wallflower and waiting around for something to happen, I'm going to start actually following God instead of burdening myself so much that I can't even move (sometimes literally). Here:
Films that "inspire" me, attributed to witty banter, complex story lines, and/or talented actors. Also dance sequences:
Pray for inspiration.
Okay. A few things: I'm a big fan of Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton are pretty cool, and um, oh - I'm kind of a Communications major.
But really.
This movie inspired me. Classic go-get-'em-girl plot with giggles and wit and at the same time, I believed it. Granted, in the filming of our news segment on campus, there are maybe 15 people involved at once, on a good week. Not to mention the fact that we're at a private university and not, oh, a network. But I related to McAdams's character. And it was in New York.
I know I'm using italicized words a lot, but I just can't help it.
There's something about it all, and you'll have to see it to understand me clearly, that had me on the edge of my seat in the theater with my head in my hands the whole time, eager to see what would happen. The intensity of being on the air, the constant search for the next newest story, the must-please persona - I understood.
At the same time, in, you know, real life, I am seeking my own career path. I am trying to learn constantly and more and more I am starting to love the communications field. When I started here, I wasn't sure I could do it. I didn't think I was competitive enough. But ever so slowly, and I mean really slowly, I am seeing this new person busting out of a shell. When I let God take me instead of grinding my heels against the ground, life becomes something much more, well, inspirational.
Which reminds me - I should probably learn how to run in heels. Seems to be the thing all women in movies know how to do.
God has a plan for all of this, whether it is something we want or something deep down we desire, although we may not know specifically what it is. As long as I desire what God desires for me, I know I could take off running...with the birds flying around me and my scarf flying in the air, like in that one movie. Or maybe that was The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Whatever.
So instead of being a wallflower and waiting around for something to happen, I'm going to start actually following God instead of burdening myself so much that I can't even move (sometimes literally). Here:
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength..." - Ephesians 1:18-19I'd pray for that - wouldn't you?
Films that "inspire" me, attributed to witty banter, complex story lines, and/or talented actors. Also dance sequences:
- Morning Glory (2010) - Go see it. You have to. Even my dad liked it.
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - I like the people in this movie, and there's that same kind of learning-a-lesson feel. It's a lesson I need to learn.
- Julie and Julia (2009) - Blogger goes big. Also, Nora Ephron, in my opinion, is a fantastic screenplay writer.
- Date Night (2010) - Two words: Tina Fey.
- State of Play (2009) - Come on. It's a journalism movie.
- Funny Face (1957) - Again, normal girl hits the big time. Call me a female - it's true.
- Sherlock Holmes (2009) - The intellect and perspective in this movie just makes me drool. I promise that's the major reason. Mostly.
- The Princess Diaries (2001) - I really enjoy Meg Cabot's writing and watching this movie reminds me of it. Every time I read one of her books I am encouraged to write.
- Juno (2007) - The writing is great - and composed by a blogger.
- Runaway Bride (1999) - I don't know. It just does, okay?
Pray for inspiration.
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