Friday Trick- Here's a Limmerick

A flamingo named Frank stood in the muck.


His one foot was free while the other stood stuck.

And to his dismay-

He was trapped for the day.

So he made friends with a duck



Summer Bucket List Update!

Does everyone remember my summer bucketlist I created back at the beginning of June? Well it's already nearing the tail-end of July and I thought I'd give a little update, considering I've completed some of the items on the list!

1. Compile 120+ Poems with illustrations for possible publication- In/P...
Look for a new poem with illustrations next week!

2. See The Hunger Games movie... FINALLY-
Ok, so the DVD comes out August, so until then, I will have to put this little number on hold.

3. Go to at least 2 different concerts
With my new job and moving to a new city, July has been a whirlwind. But having about a month and a half left of the summer season (I'm counting mid-september as still summer) I plan on securing tickets for some good shows!

4. Begin training for Disney half/marathon- STARTED! Jan 13

Yes, the training has begun! You can follow along (ahem, and by follow along, I mean join myself and friends in the race!) by looking at my training plan and signing up here!

5. Secure a big girl job – DONE! Started Jul 16 (Check Me Out!) and... AGAIN!

6. Reach over 30 followers for my blog- On The Wing
Still working on this- So if you have a gmail/blogger account, help a girl out!

7. Play on an organized sports team for a sport I never played as a child
This is in progress. But I'm looking forward to finding a volleyball, kickball, or flag football team ASAP!

8. Make an inspirational video and post it on Youtube
In progress... be on the lookout soon ;)

9. Visit baby sister in TN!

Cross this one off the list! I may not have made it all the way to TN, but I did make it out to see my friend Amanda, Danella, and Rachael in Asheville for a day of exploring, good food and hiking!

10. Make plans for a trip out of the country

This one will depend on the budget... But keeping my fingers crossed!

11. Find a new recipe for my favorite food

That's what this weekend is for! :)

12. Find a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country- Not a pen pal, but online friend from aiport.

Two weeks ago, I was stranded in the Dallas airport for 14 hours. I befriended a kind woman from Mexico who was having a hard time understanding the terminal updates and translated them into spanish. She may not be a "pen-pal" but we are for sure facebook friends and conversing regularly!

13. Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not feel guilty

14. Read two new books- In progress- Finished Nicholas Spark's Safe Haven-
Now I'm  looking for next book!

Any reccommendations?

15. Complete all 10 Seasons of Friends.- In progress- On season 7!

There you have it! Some things crossed off, others in progress. One thing's for sure, I'm having a great summer so far! I hope everyone out there is too...

Happy Weekending!

Wise Words, Margaret Thatcher

May this quote guide you through your weekend with positive thoughts and motivation. Happy Weekend, all!

Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.- Margaret Thatcher

Picture and a Poem

Photo found on Flickr-Creative Commons

Hello old friend, my rising gum tree

your eyes look tired, don't you remember me?

I've grown quite a bit since the days of my youth

And you've grown just as much, only time tells such truth...

I see you have scratches where my hands used to lay

and you give no more shade to the grounds we used to play

My friend, is that a hole? A hole gaping near your roots

Your bark looks like the ash that clings to my boots

Have you been battered, my dear friend, by the winds of spring?

Where are your branches upon which blue birds used to sing?

You feel hollow, dear fellow, have they taken all your heart?

You look splintered and sharden, your skin, it breaks apart.

I'm listening for your heart beat, but no beat reaches to my palm

My memories of you are joyous, yet now my mind is solemn

I'm sorry I let them break you, you were always so good to me

When I wanted shelter, a branch to swing, you were my favorite tree

You followed my tiny feet with each imaginary game

But I left you to this nasty world that made you dry and lame

Come back to me, old friend of mine, and although I can no longer play

I wish I could bring back your life that brightened up my every day.

I'll stay here slumped up against your withering base

I'll let the summer sun wreak havoc on my face

My dear old gum tree, I hope you found peace upon your time of rest

Because of my friends, each gum tree tends to always be my best.

Photo found on Flickr: Creative Commons

My lady, Roseann
Where have you gone off to tonight?
You left your pearl earrings under the glow of the lamp light.
My lady, Roseann
Your head is full of dreams
Come down, you silly woman, Hollywood is nothing like it seems
Roseann, my dear Roseann
Why must you chase the stars?
Don't you know each constellation can only take you so far
Roseann, my sweet Roseann
Can you not hear your husband's plea?
Come home into my loving arms, no one will love you quite like me
Roseann, my dearest Roseann
I beg you to open your emerald eyes
Don't believe what those papers and their glittering, golden lies
Roseann, my lady Roseann
You are not safe among the men of those streets
Know that no one will love you quite like I, no matter who you meet.
Roseann, I love you, Roseann
Come home and let us grow old
Because in a city where lights always shimmer, all that glimmers isn't gold.

Still On the Prowl... for a Job

Still awaiting to hear back from a few locations about future jobs, I am learning to listen and indulge in the ever-daunting task of being patient. But as many people have said over and over, I am trying to enjoy this downtime as much as possible. On my third book since I graduated in December and plans to visit McCutcheon's homemade, mason-jar-packed food store downtown, I know today will be another good day to research more job possibilities, drink coffee, and plan more adventures.

Dog sitting in VA all weekend, I'll be tempted to explore the surrounding area and look into more opportunities I HOPE will wander my way. Here is to Hope and Adventure!

In times of uncertainty...

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

So much uncertainty comes with graduating college. I thought I eagerly anticipated this time period of slowing down and waiting... but now that two months have passed without any job offers, I can say I have felt somewhat defeated.  But some days are better reminders than others- I am on the right track whether I see the purpose behind God's plan in plain sight... or not.


Coming from working 40-50 hour weeks (between 2 jobs and classes), I feel like this free time is a stranger to me. Cooking for two hours, followed by a workout for three hours, time to eat again, then four hours spent watching Friends on TBS and Pinning on Pinterest. 


Perhaps this is God's timing to let me reflect and breathe. Because as I have been told numerous times again and again- I will never get this down time once thrown into the working world. It is time for me to seek out a path that I know I am supposed to travel down... that allows me to be who I am and who I'm supposed to become. 

Psalm 121:3-8

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. ...

1 Peter 2:1

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 

DF Recipe, Fun Fridays, and a Giveaway

I know you're all thinking it out there...

TGIF!

After starting classes this week with a mountain of reading to begin for next week, I couldn't be happier it's the weekend! 

Do you ever have those Thursday or Friday nights where all you want to do is organize, prioritize, and anticipate the adventures in store for your weekend?

(Ok... Maybe that's just me with the whole organize/prioritize thing)
But it makes waking up with a to-do list so much more motivating!

(And it's not all work, planning out fun activities with friends is a top Priority =D)

For those of you following earlier posts, My Giveaway is still open to anyone and everyone who wants to enter for a $25 Gift Card! Check it out!

And for those of you on the Daniel Fast, My Roommate Hayden wanted to try making a meal for us both to eat that not only followed the rules of the fast, but was simply delicious! I encourage anyone on the fast (AND THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T, YOU CAN DO THE DIRECTIONS + WHAT'S IN RED) 
to try this out! It's easy, healthy, and scrumptious!

Spicy Black Bean Cakes

1. Heat the broiler. In a small skillet over medium heat, warm 1tbs of olive oil. Cook 4 thinly sliced scallions until softened for one minute. Add 6 garlic cloves (minced or pressed) 1-2 cup up jalepeno chiles and add seeds for desired heat. Cook mixture 30sec. Transfer to large bowl.

2. Add 2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed) and mash with a fork*leaving a bout 1/4 of the beans whole*.  Season with sea salt and pepper. Fold in 1 LRG Sweet potato (peeled and grated), 1 egg (DF-3tbs simmered water+1tbs flax seed) and 1/2 cup ground flax seed. Once Mixed, Divide into 8 balls of equal size. Flatten into patties.

3. Brush baking sheet with 1tbs olive oil, place patties on baking sheet 1/2in apart. Broil 4inches from heat for 8-10 minutes. Turn cakes and repeat for 2minutes. Remove from oven and serve over a bed of fresh arugala.

(Non DF- Serve up a lime sour cream, by mixing half cup sour cream, 2tsp lime juice, and 1 small minced jalepeno)

Happy Friday, Everyone!