My non-detailed response to team USA

Oh, USA. The team that was poor for my nerves, but kept me watching every minute. Yesterday, I watched the Yanks pursue until they could no longer could thanks to a clock. It’s embarrassing to admit that I am still mourning the loss to Ghana again (USA lost to Ghana in the last World Cup in Germany.) Ghana is like the Raven’s Steelers.

Regardless, Landon Donovan is now a household name. Americans have finally realized that futbol is entertaining, especially after each game’s come back after come back. This past week it was refreshing to see the states united again. People left their homes to watch the game with their communities, or for me, my parents actually starting watching the game. Americans developed a comradery over night. One thing is for sure, our futbol team has showed the world that Americans never give up and play fair. They did the unthinkable of tying England, coming back in the second half to Slovenia, and scoring a goal in the 91 minute. In two years, we have the Olympics and then off to Brazil for the next world cup. With the home team out, lets go Germany.

*Somewhat side note*

If you think I’m obsessed with this World Cup, you should have seen me in 2006. My friend, Suzy, would come over to my house and watch the games. At times Suzy and I would call each other and watch the games if she was unable to come over. As if that wasn’t enough, when no games were in session, we would play the Playstaion game in my brother’s room—I’ve never seen so many red cards given out in a game ;)

* fun videos to watch*

1. If you want to laugh, click on this link. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/312497/june-14-2010/america-s-strained-relationship-with-england
2. If you want to see how America celebrates:

Happy Birthday, U.S. Army

I have been to two balls, and no proms. How diverting is that? To move to my point, my dad took me to the Army Birthday Ball, the biggest and grandest military ball of the year. The United States Army turned 235! Over 2500 attended, tickets sold out in one day. My dad bought two tickets for my mother and he, however my mom did not want to go, so I went in her place. The festivities took placed at the National Harbor in the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center. The theme for the evening was “ The Strength of the Nation.” Although, the theme wasn’t too prevalent expect through the hosts' repeating the phrase.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the luxurious setting, but that would have been taboo in the setting, despite that I did sneak some without flash ;/ A red carpet arranged on the floor, albeit it was inside, but still. It was interesting that women were still women, meaning they examined other women’s apparel choices regardless of age, but of course with a smile. Ladies have to be ladies. We sat with my Dad’s office, and the ladies were very kind. I got a lot of compliments on my dress. My hair was a different story. Now no one said, “You’re hair is awful.” However, I knew. Mixed hair is hard to tame, or course this could be due to that fact that I was styling my hair in the car en route to the ball.

When a girl without a sufficient mirror needs a hairstyle she uses her camera...common knowledge ppl.

Before the meal five toasts were given. The menu was delicious. I have never eaten a formal meal, unless you count the Homecoming Banquet. I basically just followed the table. I ate in tiny bites in case someone asked me a question; however, this lead to me only eating half of each of my plates. During this time I noticed that men never talked to women except their dates.

Cutting of the Cake Ceremony

(btw there was no cake given out)

After dinner, an award was given to a civilian. (I should have written down his name) He wanted to help several wounded soldiers “become beautiful again,” after tours Iraq/ Afghanistan. He started a foundation with UCLA Medical Center. In a nutshell, he funds for soldiers’ plastic surgeries and their traveling cost including their family members. How commendable. The brave men and women fighting for our freedom deserve plastic surgery so they can be looked upon heroically rather than pitted. Philanthropists are inspiring.

Trace Adkins preformed for about an hour. His son is in the Army and Trace Adkins has gone to the Middle East to perform for our troops. He was good live, I’m not a country fan so I did not go up front nor stay in the ballroom. Although, I liked his clothing style. My dad told me that every Army Birthday Ball has a concert from a country singer. Perhaps because they are the safe choice and promote patriotism in their music.

We left the concert for fireworks.

Still a good picture even without the flash

Other performances came from the Unites States Drill Team as well as the West Point Glee Club. That’s right Glee, but it more like Evangel’s Concert Choir.

Drill Team

Glee Club from West Point

Overall, ‘twas a good night for our service members to relax along with another excuse to dress up.

Colors representing the evening

Unchristian

I can sincerely say, that I my heart and mind have been radically challenged in a good way thanks to a book called "Unchristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, christian researches form the Barna group that dove into society only to discover what people really think about Christianity. I could go into an hour discussion about this book, but here are some things to think about.

"Jesus used strong language, but who was he most likely to offend? Religiously arrogant people, not outsiders."

"You change a country not merely by bolstering its laws but by transforming the hearts of people."

James 1:26- "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."


Now to other books that need to be checked off the Summer Reading List:

Drop Like Stars- Rob Bell
Tale of Two Cities- Charles Dickinson
Kaplan GMAT
101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived
Various Backpacking Books to inspire Summer 2011 Ideas

One Step at a Time

I think I am going to be crazy, and take the Foreign Service exam. It's just a matter of when. If I pass it will be a total God thing. Friends, I know you are thinking, "Oh, you'll pass." However, here are some sample questions...

• What does the marble cake theory of federalism imply?
• The Feminine Mystique, published in 1963, was written by whom?
• In 2001, Russia implemented this type of tax system on what personal income?
• Cecil Rhodes advocated what broad goal for British involvement in Africa?
• What are software programs that allow users to legally copy files and give them away at no cost ?

The Foreign Service is an exciting life. A diplomat gets to aid people of their host nation as well as Americans, help adoption agencies, set up new businesses and much more! I was looking at my mother's bid list yesterday, I thought to myself what I would have chosen. So here is my list:

1. Paris, France
2. Ottawa, Canada
3. Port au Prince, Haiti
4. Nicosia, Cyprus
5. Durban, South Africa
6. Sao Paulo, Brazil
7. Santiago, Chile
8. Beijing, China
9. Podgorica, Montenegro
10. Vilnius, Lithuania

Celebrate Today

Disney for the, um, something time. Some people wonder why my family travels down to The Happiest Place On Earth so often. Well, to be honest, Disney is the only place where my brother is truly accepted . No one makes fun of him, the characters treat Drew the same as any other child. To Drew the magic never fades. Will Mickey save the day in Fantasmic? Will we save the baby elephant, Simba One, from poachers in Animal Kingdom? Well, I guess we will have to see.

Oh, by the way, Disney's slogan for this year is "Celebrate Today." My dad says, "Disney is indeed magically. You come in with money, and it magically goes away by the end of the day."

One will see all sorts of people at Disney. Europeans frequently jump over the pond, because of the sunshine Florida brings and they get so much for their money. Although, Brazil gives Europeans a run for their money. Through years of observation, I have discovered that the most well behaved children are French, Swiss, and German. Congrats! Please teach your ways to Americans. I can't complain because without American children, I would have nearly no stories. (Disclaimer: I do like children...just well-behaved ones.)

Jungle River Cruise Adventure

Oh, the land of sweat, humidity, corny jokes, and Elizabeth? Elizabeth is a 4 year old from Austin, Texas, that provided my family and I the best Jungle River cruise. We commence our "2 week cruise through Africa and Asia," but without the malaria, mosquitos, and wars. All is well, until Elizabeth sees the 12 foot PYTHON on a tree. Scared Elizabeth, no longer finds this ride alluring, for this is legit!

Until her mother says, "Elizabeth it is not real. It is all pretend."

Oh, does this give Elizabeth boldness. While the boat proceeds to go down the river, we see another animal.

Ginger, the crock, but "be careful...Ginger SNAPS." (Taken directly from the ride)

Elizabeth looks at our tour guide and yells, "This is not real. You are pretending it is."

The boat members do not know what to do. The tour guide chuckles and screams, "everyone get on the ground", and starts beating on the wood seats as we all crouch over.

Now this to Elizabeth is indeed real. Continuing, we pass an African safari that did not go as planned. In fact, Rhinos and tigers have envaded the camp.

Elizabeth again says in a matter of fact voice, "You are just pretending that this is real. You did have me scared when you told us to get on the ground."

I couldn't help but laugh as did my mom and the tour guide. The boat approaches the waterfall. The tour guide says, " Look at this waterfall. That looks like real water to me!"

A speculative little boy raises his hand, and our tour guide says in disbelief, " Is that a hand raised? Does someone have actually question?"

Only for the little blond boy to say, "Are the animals real?"

Elizabeth has created a following. Lucky for our tour guide the infamous dark tunnel, ahem I mean Temple, is straight ahead.

The tour guide proudly announces, "We are about to enter a REAL temple."

To no longer bore you, I will skip to the finale. We have to wait to dock our beloved boat, and somehow the boat drifts backwards ever so slowly.

Elizabeth screams, "We are going backwards," and points to the tour guide, "ROW! My name is Elizabeth and I have a bunk bed."

I will forever remember little Elizabeth who might one day become a lawyer.

Les enfants

As I was walking to Epcot, I couldn't help but to notice a little 4 year-old on the ground crying by her father. The little mademoiselle looked up to her papa with watered eyes. The dad glanced down and sarcastically said, "This could be worse...Capital Punishment." Having no clue on what that meant, the little girl had a puzzle look and resorted to whaling. Hey, I'm sure she was in time out for a reason, which means she will enjoy Disney World even more when she can finally enter the park.

Next, two little boys probably 5 and 7 and AMERICAN were pushing each other back and forth while walking. The mother yelled, " Boys, don't push into people."

How about no pushing at all?

I do have a positive thing to report. Strollers are being used as a means of transportation for children as opposed to parting the streets Red Sea style. Also, kids are so cute dressed up and meeting Disney characters.

Speaking of characters, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple that I have never encountered before: Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and toy soldier from Toy Story.

Oops. I forgot to mention that I am now dating someone. That's right folks, Miss. Picky has found a companion according to a talking trash can. Maybe you know him?

Lessoned learned: make sure the camera isn't on video

Overall, I had a lovely time. Maybe Peter Pan and Wendy should have gone to Disney World where one truly never goes old.

Which 9 are you?

Do you ever have ideas in your head, but do not know which one to tackle? I've applied to 29 internships from Baltimore Ravens to working on Capital Hill. I was offered a job for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for 3 weeks, but I have no desire to take catering orders and hassel with Baltimore's gritty sites and people. (Prepare yourself, for we are about to switch onto another track) Blogging. What to write? I do not have crazy adventures in another country, or an awesome internship to tell. All I have is the knowledge and experience that my day brings- with a chance to inspire an IDEA.

Did you know that there are 9 definitions for "idea."

–noun

1.

any conception existing in the mind as a result of mental understanding, awareness, or activity.

2.

a thought, conception, or notion: That is an excellent idea.

3.

an impression: He gave me a general idea of how he plans to run the department.

4.

an opinion, view, or belief: His ideas on raising children are certainly strange.

5.

a plan of action; an intention: the idea of becoming an engineer.

6.

a groundless supposition; fantasy.

7.

Philosophy.

a.

a concept developed by the mind.

b.

a conception of what is desirable or ought to be; ideal.

c.

(initial capital letter) Platonism. Also called form. an archetype or pattern of which the individual objects in any natural class are imperfect copies and from which they derive their being.

d.

Kantianism. idea of pure reason.

8.

Music. a theme, phrase, or figure.

9.

Obsolete.

a.

a likeness.

b.

a mental image.

- taken from dictionary.com

My Ideas:

1. Summer

- Volunteer with a non profit organization

- Dog Sit

- Take a painting and drawing class

- Take cello lessons again in order to try out for James River's Worship Team

- Write more feature articles

- Decide on what test I will take this Fall (GMAT, GRE or LSAT), and then actually study for them.

- Volunteer at a Camp

2. Beyond

- Create a dream job, and stragize

- Get an agent after graduation

- Take the Foreign Service Exam...GASP

So what are your ideas? It's summer, which means time for you and I to DREAM regardless of where we are now!

Chez Moi

Summer is here; one would not know it with temperatures in the 60's. I have been home for two days. It took Celia and I 21 hours to return to "The Old Line State." I learned a valuable lesson...ALWAYS get directions even if you know the way, this would have saved us at least 3 hours. But we made it. I laughed at one part of the trip because it started to rain and some of our luggage was on top of the CRV. Also, around this time, I tricked our minds (or at least mine) to think it was earlier by setting the clock back two hours. Because who really wants to be driving at 1 am?

With it being summer, I feel like I should talk about the end of school. Finals actually wasn't too bad compared to my previous week. I got a "B" in French again. I was actually melancholy the last day of class, because even though I did not receive "A's", I still learned a ton, and I got the chance to study abroad. I feel blessed. I have to admit though, I was starting to hate going to class because I would just get frustrated with myself. Although, now that I am home, I miss French. I hope to be fluent one day, this may only come with living overseas or marrying someone who already is fluent. HA!! Or someone can just donate Rosette Stone a (please insert accent) toi ;)

I head off to Florida on Wednesday, which means I once again face my fears. I promised myself this year to not base my decisions on fear... because I REFUSE to live a boring life. Until then Au revior.