book tables

I am loving these book tables I saw on Design*Sponge. I'm thinking I definitely want to do this!


'Cause I have so much free time now that Camp is over!!!

operation: get my life back

Camp War Eagle 2010 is over! Here are some shots from our banquets this weekend and some of my favorite people.


Now, it is time to get my life back. I have a long list of things to do. They are listed below, not necessarily in order of importance, but in the order I will be doing them.

1. Sleep.

2. Clean my office. It's overwhelming. And it it's a problem for me, then it's a problem.

3. Talk to John about something other than Camp War Eagle.

4. Get my hair done.

5. Spend some time with family and friends in Tennessee. I cannot wait.

6. Eat real food not prepared by Tiger Dining or Chic-Fil-A.

7. Get re-focused with diet and exercise. Which means making a reappearance at the gym.

8. Use my spa gift certificate I got from the Head Counselors.

9. Clean my house.

10. Finish some personal projects that I have been working on for a long time.

11. Get ready for the Fall semester.

12. Blog more.

I can't wait to do the first one...

flag day

I meant to post this on Flag Day, when it actually happened, but I forgot.

So, close your eyes and pretend it is Flag Day...

As I was driving to work this morning, the radio announced that it was Flag Day. Well, the radio didn't announce it so much as the morning radio personality did, but you get the idea. It struck me that I don't even really know what Flag Day is. I mean, I can make a guess based on context clues (as Mr. Pedigo used to say), but nothing for sure.

So, just in case you were also wondering, it commemorates the day that the US flag was adopted, on June 14, 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation that officially put this day on the calendar. Well, he didn't put June 14 on the calendar...it was already there. He put Flag Day on the calendar.


It just so happened that I was running a bit late for work that day and parked in a meter spot that just so happened to be directly in front of the flag pole next to Samford Hall. As I got out of the car I noticed that the ROTC cadets were marching up to raise the flag for the day. For some reason it really captivated me. As far as they were concerned, no one was watching. They marched in a straight line up to the flag pole with their solemn faces and 90 degree turns. They did this out of requirement, out of duty and out of respect. I stood there for a few minutes watching and since that day have been thinking about the flag and what it means and patriotism in general.

I don't think I would label myself as patriotic. I definitely wouldn't label myself as unpatriotic. I don't wear red on 4th of July (or on a normal day - fiery coral maybe, but not red). I own no American Flag paraphernalia. And I don't want to put a boot in anyone's a$$ (thank you Toby Keith).

I consider myself to be a very objective person. So objectively, I can say that my country is not perfect. In general, I would say our flaws are arrogance and lack of perspective. Nothing is perfect, right?

But I can say that I'm proud to be an American (thank you Lee Greenwood). And I am thankful for the men and women who made/make it possible for me to live freely. The men and women who protect not only my rights as a citizen, but the human rights of people around the world. I am thankful for the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines. I am thankful for the government officials who devote their lives. And I am thankful for the ordinary civilians who make bettering our world a priority.

I am thankful for the freedom to love my country while at the same time, wish for it to be better.

Now open your eyes.

It's not Flag Day anymore. It's July 4th.

For several years we celebrated the 4th with a cookout at my Uncle Sam's house. Yes, I have a real Uncle Sam - a retired Marine. We would have burgers and beans, volleyball and great conversation. Someone would yell "Whoa Nelly!" (inside joke). I miss my family today.

I am thankful to be part of this one nation under God. That's right Mrs. Brinkmann, there's no comma.

And I am hopeful for a future of liberty and justice for all.

lists

Stumbled across listography today after stumbling across this great list.

It's already sucked up too much of my time. I've created 4 lists so far, including a list of lists I want to make. Crazy?

I'm sure they will appear here sooner or later. First up will be things I want to do before I turn 31.

Why 31? Because 30 is too soon. No need to freak myself out.

And I need to make 31 more interesting. 30 is already a milestone in itself.

Good times.