The Murtaugh List

If you don't watch CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" you are missing out. Not only is it a delightful batch of hi-larious fused with random and awesome, sometimes it even makes you think. 

Which is what happened last night. 

Last night's episode, "The Murtaugh List", was surprisingly thought-provoking. Ted, one of the main characters, has kept a list of things that he is "too old to do." The list is based on a character from the movie "Lethal Weapon", in which Danny Glovers' character (Murtaugh) says "I'm too old for that sh**." Because of Ted's list, another HIMYM character, Barney, retaliates with a list of things that you should be "too young to do."  

And it made me think: what are the things that I'm too young/too old to do? Is there anything? Should there be anything? And I think it's subjective. Your list is going to be different from my list. Which is great!

So therefore I ask: What things are you too old to do? What things are you too young to do? Let's compare.

At 23, "I'm Too Old For This Stuff" (The Murtaugh List):

- Using the phrase "That is legit"

- Dating someone 21 or younger

- Failing to take responsibility for my actions

- Failing to plan for moments beyond the present

- Thinking I know it all

- Thinking other people "have it together"

At 23, "I'm Too Young For This Stuff" (The Mickey Mouse Club List):

- Being stuck in my ways

- Knowing what I want to "do" with the rest of my life

- Feeling like I "need" to be settled down

- Dating someone 31 or older 

- People thinking I could have a 16-year-old kid (...Vladimir...)

- Tapered or pleated jeans

Here's to life - at any age. =)

And the Winner Is...

The First Annual Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego Blog Game (TFAWITWICSBG, if you will) is officially over.

And the winner is.......


Matt (KiKi) Layton!!!!
Congratulations, my little Kikikens! You win!
This young man answered 9/10 correct. And he will get the prize. I'm so proud...


All the submissions were really close and I am super impressed with you all. Just in case you wondered, here are the answers to the TFAWITWICSBG:

1. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa

2. The Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

3. Washington Monument, National Mall, Washington D.C.

4. Bahai Temple, New Delhi, India

5. Reformed Latter-Day Saints of Jesus Christ Church, Independence, Missouri

6. Petra, in the Arabah, in Jordan

7. The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

8. Palace Square, St. Petersburg, Russia

9. Great South Gate, Seoul, South Korea

10. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey


Congratulations, friends. That was fun for me. I hope it was fun for you. =)

Reminder!

The Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego Blog Game (or TWITWICSBG, if you will) ends tonight at 5pm PST. If I head off to the Golden Steer to get my karaoke on and haven't received your submission... that's sad for you. 

Ok... that's the reminder!!

And also for you "Priscilla's Ponderings" readers, we'll be back with a new series this week. Just a heads up. =)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Talk Thursday // Spring Break! (Woohoo!)

So it's Spring Break (woohoo!). At least for me. And SBU. And Highline Community College. (I only know those two b/c that's where my sisters go to school.) 

I've never been a big "Spring Breaker" (woohoo!) One time I brought some friends from SBU home to Seattle. And that was good times. This year, I've read, watched NCIS, went to West Seattle, did homework, did church stuff... I will karaoke. Oh yes, I will karaoke.  ;) 

But while some dream of a White Christmas, I dream of a warm, tropical Spring Break (woohoo!). Sun, sand, studs... 

The question today: Do you get a Spring Break (woohoo?)? What will you be doing? What would you rather be doing? 

I'm chillin' out  max and relaxin' all cool, with maybe some b-ball out up at the school. (Shout out to my Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fans)

I'd rather be down at Senor Tadpole's, making a margarita in my mouth. (Shout out to my Arrested Development fans)

Well, happy Spring Break kids. I'll be studying for a test and translating Greek. Woohoo!

 

I'm dreaming of you, tropical, sun-soaked island of warmness. 

Springtime, It's About Time

Spring officially sprung over the weekend. Therefore I am banishing all winter sweaters, winter scarves and winter coats from my wardrobe from here til the end of October. Even if I have to wear 87 layers to stay warm in this Artic tundra called the Pacific Northwest I'll do it!

Good-bye, Turtlenecks; Flip-flops: here I come!

  

Wal-Mart...It Makes the World Go 'Round

We talk about Wal-Mart a lot on this blog. I know this. And I'm sorry. 

But, can I just say, I think Wal-Mart is the greatest one-stop-shop in the world. Where else can you go to get non-fat French Vanilla creamer, nail polish, the fixin's for a Raspberry Vinagrette spinach and feta salad, body wash, the new release "Twilight" movie, undergarmets and clothes hangers? I dare you to tell me where else you can get such things! All at one low, low price!

 

Just wanted you to know. =)

Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?!

That's right! It's time for a new blog game! Woo-hoo!

The Rules: Identify each picture. Correct answers will include both the name of the thing/monument/place and it's location . Submit your answers by March 27, 2009, 5pm. You can put them here or send them to my email: sarniclew@gmail.com

To Win: Be the person with the most correct answers!

The Prize: The winner will receive a really cool prize sent to you by yours truly. If you play and win, you'll know what the prize is! =)

Good luck!

Talk Thursday // Crayola CrAzY

If you could be any color crayon, what color would you be?

I think I would be Mac 'n' Cheese. This is the description from Crayola regarding this particular crayon color: 

"Personality Traits for this hue: *warm* *sociable* *good-natured* *jovial* *glowing* "

I'll take it! I love Mac 'n' Cheese AND it's orange-y, which is my favorite color. It makes so much sense!

So, go on, Tickle-Us-Pink with your choice! =)

"Kiss me! I'm Irish!"

Okay... so I'm not really Irish (I'm like 1/84 or something like that) but rest assured, I will capitalize on this minute heritage because I have no shame and if there's some gorgeous, single guy in say, my Greek class? who I can coerce into kissing this not-very-Irish girl, I have no problem tweaking my lineage. Especially if he cusses and wants to go have a Strongbow with me.

And I just wanted to share that with you all.

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Go

"You cannot stay where you are and go with God." - Henry Blackaby

Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually? Physically?

This is a thought I avoid. I don't want to be real with God, with you, with my family. But God is saying "Sarah, you cannot stay where you are and go where I want you to go." 

I really feel like He is saying that I need to stay where I am physically, but I need to be moving spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Great adventures around the world sound so much better and awesomer. But sometimes He doesn't work like that. He knows where we are and where we need to go. 

Where are you? Where does God want you to go? Are you going to go?

3.14 - Happy Pi Day!

Did your teachers ever tell you Calculus or Algebra or Geometry was important for your every day life? That'd you would use it when you were older? That one day you'd thank them for teaching this most frustrating of all studies to you?

Well, today call up your math teachers and thank them for teaching you about the function of 3.14. Because it's Pi day! The day we celebrate... Pi. 

I'm sure you are rightly wondering: How do I appropriately celebrate this holiday of holidays?

Here are some basic tips to help get the most out of your day:

1. Don't do any math

This would be counter-productive. Instead of enjoying this day, you will pull out your hair and gnash your teeth. Because that's what math inspires - pain. (Sorry Brenda Cathcart....) If you have no other option for doing math (like doing your taxes) and you can't put it off till Sunday, make someone else do it. Particularly if it's someone you don't care for. 

2. Eat pie

Most of you know that I'm not the world's biggest pie fan. But I will eat pie on this day. Because it just makes sense - eating PIE on International PI Day. A play on words on a math day. That just shows math who's boss. 

3. Hug a nerd

Nerds like math. It's just a proven fact. And they probably don't get hugged much. So share the joy and the celebration with a round of hugs at the local nerd-a-torium. You may also need to use Klingon to get in, but that's another post.

4. Spin in circles

Because Pi relates to circles, it makes seems right to celebrate Pi by making some circles of your own. Some people might think you've joined the Swirling Dervishes, but that's ok. You are honoring the day. 

5. Comment on this site

You might think this is a ploy for comments, but it's not. If you share how you've celebrated Pi Day, then I can take the number of comments, multiply them by 3.14, divide by the invisible number 0 and next year we can party-hardy! (Don't worry, I won't do the math until Sunday.)

So... happy Pi Day, friends! =)

Talk Thursday // Hobbies

Did you know it was Thursday?! Cause I sure didn't! It's Talk Thursday, people! We're supposed to be talking!

So I'm trying to come up with a hobby. I'm considering golf, but I'm not sure. But I want something that lets me be out of the house and being active. And I could be like Tiger Woods. Or Happy Gilmore. Who doesn't love that? 

Do ya'll have any hobbies? What are they? C'mon... It's Talk Thursday - let's Chatty McChatt. =)

I'm Not Her Mom

Scene: U.S. Bank in Albertsons, 3/11/09, around 2 p.m. 

Characters: Sarah, Rachael, and a teller named Vladimir. 

(as they enter, Rachael and Sarah are discussing)

Rachael: ...are you sure you don't want to write my paper for me? I'll pay you! Please, please, please?

Sarah: No, I'm not going to write it for you. That's ridiculous. Shut up and let me deposit the only money I've seen in weeks.

Vladimir: Is she hitting you up for money again, Mom? (smirk) Don't let her have any. (smirk)

Rachael: Oh no...

Sarah: (with a tear in her eye) I'm not her mom. I'm only 23. 

Vladimir: Oh. You. Just. Look. Older. I'm. So. Sorry. (blushing and feeling like a major jackass)

Sarah: Now I know why I can't get a date. No one thinks I'm 23. Everyone thinks I'm in my 30's.

Seriously... this is me:

This is Rachael and me:

This is OUR MOTHER and us:

I'm happy that my mother looks younger than her years. But seriously?! I look old enough to have a 16 year old?! WTF?!

(A message to any guy who may have thought I was nice and fun, but immediately assumed I was in my early-mid 30's: I'm not. I'm 23. You can ask me out. Just think - when I'm in my 50's, I'll look like I'm in my 40's. (Example above))

Eff.

It's Microwavable!!!

Ok, why has no one ever informed me of Easy Mac? It's 2.05 oz of microwavable cheesy, noodle-y goodness!!!


I think I may have found my new BFF...



What's your new favorite thing?

Three Questions You Don't Expect to Answer In Starbucks

1. What do you believe in?

2. How is your relationship with Jesus?

3. What do you believe about satan? (for you SCL fans, you'll recognize the middle finger of grammar there)

Tonight I went to Starbucks to read the previously mentioned book o' boring and while sipping a London Fog Latte, a young man began making conversation with me. He asked me about my book (which I was brutally honest about) and I politely asked about his (he was reading about Chinese calligraphy). The conversation continued in a small-talk fashion until he asked once more about my reading selection. He wanted to know why I was reading about ministry management. Now, normally, I'm a pretty closed off individual - I don't like to share personal things (please sense the completely ridiculosity of that statement), but I began sharing with him that I'm a seminary student at Multnomah, that I live in the Seattle area and that I'm going to school to get more training to do ministry. 

OUT OF THE BLUE, he asks question #1: What do you believe in? When I looked at him a little blankly, he followed up with What religion are you? Finally, I overcame my shock and told him I was Evangelical Protestant (I didn't really want to get into the whole Southern Baptist thing) and that I believed in Jesus. That conversation led to a few more questions on his part and I turned the questions back on him. He grew up Catholic, but had tried many other religions and has landed on Jehovah's Witness. He believes in everything and nothing (his words). We chatted for a few minutes about his religious upbringing and Jehovah's Witness in particular when again...

OUT OF THE BLUE, he asks question #2: How is your relationship with Jesus? Having really never been asked that question outside religious institutions, I had to be completely honest and say that, like any relationship, it ebbs and flows, but He always leads me back to deep connectedness with Himself eventually. This train of conversation continued again for a few minutes and included some other topics. 

THEN RANDOMLY, during a lull in conversation, he asked me question #3: What do I believe about satan? At this point, I had to be really honest and tell him what I knew from the Bible, but that I hadn't ever really thought through my personal thoughts on satan and evil spirits, etc. 

All in all... it was a little awkward. But it was life. And it was real. We don't believe in the same things; he doesn't believe in the things that his church does. But it was absolutely apparent from our brief conversation that he loves people and wants to know people. Which made me realize that the Bible is right (which, I guess, really shouldn't be a shocker to me) when God says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (1 Peter 3.15). Someone asked me to articulate what I believed about Jesus, His church and His enemy. And I have to admit, I was not as prepared as I could have been.

So the question today is: how would you answer those questions? No matter what religious or non-religious background you have, how do you articulate what beliefs you hold? What make you who you are? What do you value? In what or in whom is your hope placed?

Hopefully, the next time I'm at Starbucks presented with questions like that, I'll be prepared to answer. Cause apparently you never know what can happen at Starbucks. =)

Never Been So Bored In My LIFE!

Reading about ministry management is just about as boring as getting your teeth cleaned. Listening to smooth jazz. Living in Delaware. (Sorry Delawarians.)

I would much rather be DOING ministry than reading about how to write a vision statement, how to find your actual vs aspirational mission. Blah blah blah. 

I so hope my Ministry Management prof doesn't read this site. Cause I would feel bad. And because this boring book, the bane of my weekend, is his favorite. Poor guy... 

Is there something that bores you to literal or figurative tears? Reading this book bores me to both literal AND figurative tears. Wah wah wah. =)

Talk Thursday // Context Is King

On Wednesday nights, my pastor and I co-teach a hermeneutics small group for my church (hermeneutics is just a $10 word for process of interpreting the Bible). Anyway, we were discussing the hermeneutical process and interpretation and context, so as not to misinterpret the Bible. Most people there were not as excited about this, I think, as I was. Granted, I was hopped up on Sudafed, so I don't know that I can tell anything. =)

This is my dorky side coming straight out: I love biblical interp. Hebrew makes me happy on the inside; reading commentaries about obscure passages in the Old Testament lights up my day. But I am a nerd extraordinaire. 

So today's question: what dorky thing drives you? Do you like to read the dictionary? (I won't judge that cause I like to as well.) Do you play RPG's? (I might judge that... ;) ) Is LOTR Risk your favorite game? (I will judge that.) Do you read expositions of French Theatre in your spare time? Do you have a dorky side? 

That's a lot of questions. But the people want to know! What dorky thing makes you who you are?

Things to Be Excited About...

Sweet Tea...

Bar-be-que...

Meeting new friends...

Greek being over for the week!




What are you excited about today?

Theology Makes My Brain Hurt...

Let's play a game! It's called "Which One of These Words Sounds Like a Cuss Word?"

Is it:

A) Eschaton/eschatological

B) Parousia

C) Dispensationalism

D) Ecumenism

E) Premillenialism

If you guessed the ever elusive, F) All of the Above! you win!!!! Congratulations!!!!

In my head right now, all of those words sound like cuss words. Mostly because when I read them, it makes my brain hurt, which in turn makes me crabby. Being crabby makes me cuss. Therefore, the above words = cuss words for Sarah. 

Exegetical used to be my cuss word of choice. Now there's more. What are these New Testament guys doing to me?! (Yeah, that's right Dr. Reeves - I'm callin' you out.)

Ok, I'm going to ecumenically get back to premillenialism studying my dispensational reading for eschaton tomorrow. Parousia.