WOW!!!!

There have been many many updates in my life lately.
#1 Matt and I are engaged!!!!!!!!
#2 I'm planning a wedding!!!!!!!

ok, so not much else has changed except that I'm engaged and can officially plan a wedding and think about moving to Rome. :-) But still, it feels like things just got fast-forwarded, mainly because it seemed like life was in slow-motion.

I will update more about everything, but just wanted to say officially on my blog that I'm getting married, and it's awesome.
:-)

what i'm passionate about

my pastor just wrote a post about how the church can lead in this time of financial crisis and such. his last point really hit home with me because it's something i'm very passionate about, social justice. social issues are what i love to think about, analyze, discuss. it's about the only thing i can win on in a debate with matt. :-) for the first time ever, i left a comment on michael's blog about my thoughts on social justice.
why is it that even though i'm very passionate about something, i feel so insecure and inadequate in my thoughts and opinions? i've always felt that way, even in school, i never thought my ideas in class discussion had any merit. i'd like to improve my confidence in that area, yet i think that it will be a lifetime process. :-)
anyways, here's the link to Michael's blog. he always has good stuff to say.

big things a'happenin

1. my grandparents have "officially" moved up here from savannah. their suite/apartment addition onto our house has made great progress and is looking great. there is still stuff in their house in sav, but most of the essentials are here. :-) i've always lived away from my grandparents, yet have remained very close to them, so it is a very special treat to have them living with me and my parents.

2. i noticed yesterday how incredible fall really is. the sky was a bit overcast, which made all of the colors pop in contrast with the clouds. i love that i live in north georgia where fall is so beautiful.

3. my cousins are visiting right now. elise and rachel are probably the cutest kids ever. and boy, do they have personalities that just make you laugh. elise is very particular and conscientious (which reminds me so much of myself) and then there is rachel who treats everything as if it were a jungle gym (mostly people). on monday, we are going to partake in one of our Christmas traditions a little early...making gingerbread houses! it's so fun being with the girls.

4. no game today for my brother, but next week is the final home game against Huntingdon. they have only lost 1 game this season! (and really, that was due to some costly calls)

5. i'm getting excited about the holidays. i love love love the holidays! i love the gathering of people, i love parties, i love the decorations, i love giving presents, i love christmas music, i love the good food, i love that most people are in such a good mood. it's just awesome. i am a bit nervous about working at starbucks during this time, however. i've heard that it is constantly busy and the rush does not end. oh well, it will just make me a better barista.

6. travel season is finally over for matt, which means that i will be able to see him more. we are both glad that he is done with travel for a while.

7. i'm so glad that election season is over. the nation has made it's decision, and while, not everyone is happy, i'm just glad it is done with. it does upset me that Georgians have to endure a run-off for Senate. ugh. those were the worst campaign commercials ever and i'm mad we have to listen and watch more of them.

i think that is all for now. :-) this update makes my life seem like such a bore, haha. (most of my time lately has been spent on completing the Harry Potter books. i wanted to reread all of them and have finally finished the last one this week. so, don't worry, friends, i'm back to reality now!)

ok, i'm lame.

well, it's official that i'm really lame. i ended up not dressing up for halloween. so, no nerd or Rebekah of Sunnybrook Farm. sorry, dear friends. i don't really think that i could follow up the act of another barista who dressed in drag. people were coming back last night to catch another glimpse at Miss KiKi. this guy is a trip.
in other news, i voted. it's done. the ballot is cast and there is nothing i can do about it. i went through the whole ballot before i went back to the no. 1 item to make my decision. yesterday morning, i spent a couple of hours reading up on both candidates and their actual stances on issues (not just what they say they will do in their presidency). in the end, i feel like i made the best decision for what i believe and want to work for in life. i think. whatever happens, happens. and i know that the Lord has control ultimately. i'm so grateful for our democracy and freedoms. and i'm proud to say that i can vote as a female.
i'm going to see a friend get married today and i'm so looking forward to it. with anne's taste and attention to detail, it is bound to be a beautiful wedding.

that's all for now!
oh, and happy november!!!

currently listening to: death cab for cutie and the shins (thank you, pandora). :-)