I love to cook.

So, to you this is going to sound really random, but hey, to you most of my posts are really random ...

I really like to cook. I love it. Today is my sister's 17th birthday and I decided to make one of her favorite meals for her. I think thanks to me, she really likes chicken alfredo with broccoli so instead of buying a jar of premade alfredo sauce and just using that I figured I would look up a recipe and make it all from scratch. I cooked a ton of chicken, 5 heads of broccoli, 2 pounds of fettuccine and then made my sauce. It was seriously delicious (and less calories that the usual due to smarter options). I knew that eating some would result in an attack of my allergies, but it was very very worth it.

I also made cupcakes for the Sunshine (it's what I call my sister). 17 cupcakes spelled out Happy Birthday Jana and we had like 7 left over. So we spelled out the message and put candles in them. She doesn't really like cake so we went with funfetti cupcakes instead. =)

Oh yeah. Not only did I cook for my family, but Sunshine decided to have a few friends over for her birthday. So I cooked for 10. Ah it was so awesome! Seriously, awesome. I don't know why I find such joy in cooking for people, but I do. My senior year of high school I almost went to CTC for a culinary arts program, but I decided that missions was more important to me than cooking. I'm happy with my choice, but now I wish I could have done both. I would love to learn all the fancy ways to cook things, but then again, maybe it would take all the fun out of it for me.

Another meal that I've been making on a very regular basis is a general tso chicken dish. I fry pieces of chicken, broccoli and pineapple in a skillet, add some rice and mix it with general tso's sauce. So good. Sometimes I just do rice ... kinda like a fried rice sort of thing. It's just fun.

Dinner parties are one of my favorite things as well. Like I said, cooking for people brings me joy. I can make something for them and they appreciate it and it makes me feel important I guess. I don't know. It's just fun. So, yay for cooking! =)

Someday

I think it's interesting ... all three of my siblings constantly have boys or girls (depending on their gender)interested in them and vying for their attention and affection. Seriously, since middle school I would sit by and watch as they delt with the annoying or sweet pursuers. Even my youngest brother who is 7 years younger than me has girls that at least appear remotely interested.

I'm always the observer. Always. My favorite movies are romantic comedies; my favorite scenes are those when Ross finally gets Rachel kind of scenes. Even now as I type this my favorite scene from my favorite Star Wars is playing on the screen above me. "You like me because I'm a scoundrel ... There aren't enough scoundrels in your life ..."

My adolecence was marked by crush after crush after crush. There was always a guy (or two) that I liked but hardly ever one that liked me back. I mean, I've come to terms with that and I am perfectly okay with it just sometimes I wish that my "Prince Charming" would come along ... Or at least for once that the guy I like would like me back.

I always talk myself into thinking that he might like me, but then realize it was just me playing silly little girl games and getting my hopes up. Currently, I've liked the same guy for over a year and as far as I know he has no clue. Of course that's partly if not entirely my fault, but still.

I know that the right guy will come along and I'm not really worried about it ... Well clearly on some level I'm a little worried or I wouldn't be writing this now. I know that God has the perfect guy for me out there somewhere and he will come along at the right moment ... Just sometimes I'm afraid that the right guy/moment has come and gone and I missed it.

Someday. Someday it will all be worth it ... All the waiting, all the heartache, all the sitting by and watching my younger siblings deal with relationship issues that I only dream I had. Someday will eventually become my one day ...

Love and laughter

I think it is so awesome when a group of people can find any reason to just hang out and have fun. My brother's college soccer team played in a local tournament this weekend. After the game this afternoon a tired and sweaty Ben came home to a house full of people. We decided to gather a bunch of his friends and ours for a post-game party. It was such a great time.

The "kids" kind of ruled the house. Mom and Dad and another parent cooked food and then whoosh! it was devoured and and laughing began. I can't even tell you what we talked about or what we did besides sit around our big wooden table and laugh at the most random stuff. Our house -- as always -- was filled with love and laughter. We just had a few extra people tonight.

That's the kind of home I want to have -- a place where people and friends can feel free to stop by anytime and just hang out, have fun, eat and enjoy life. I thrive on nights like these when everyone is gathered for a good time -- no occasion necessary. Life seems that much richer and fuller when surrounded by loving laughter. I pray that people feel welcomed and relaxed in my house -- a second home to anyone who needs it. It is the true meaning of loving your neighbor, friends, children, anyone! My goal is to always have a place where anyone can feel at home. =)

First Day of Transition.

I'm sitting here in the lobby of one of the buildings on campus watching as people rush by, already late for class on their first day ... It is a new first day for me. Not only is it my first day of classes at Millersville this school year, but it is the first day of my senior year. Not only is it the first day of my senior year of classes, but it is the first day of my year of transition from student to teacher.

This morning I reported to Reynolds Middle School for my first day as "Miss Barnhart." The sixth graders were so cute and nervous and overexcited. For some of them, they are still at that point in their lives when they actually enjoy going to school. For me, I always enjoy it ... I just don't always enjoy all the things that go with it -- like the homework and waking up early.

There's always an energy on the first day of school. It fuels the day and even part of the year. The sense of "new" is a particularly interesting concept. What I will never understand is how people are indifferent to firsts -- particularly the first day of school. I don't know; I just think there is too much emotion tied into the experience that it is impossible -- at least for me -- to feel nothing.

Well, something for sure this semester will teach me is that I need to be sure I get enough rest. Sitting here right now waiting for my first MU class to start, I am exhausted -- my body is begging for a nap. If this is going to go well by any means, I am going to need to revise some habits -- I need to make use of the in between time and go to bed earlier. Prepare the night before so that there is no rush in the morning. It is certainly a transition year, but the transitions and changes should only be for the better. =)

Patience, Flexibility, Questions, and Surrender

Already this experience is teaching me something. It is yet to be the beginning of school and already I've learned a few very important lessons.

Flexibility is key.
Patience is absolutely necessary.
It is okay to ask questions.
Sometimes there is just nothing you can do, but don't give up until every option has been examined.

As I've written before, I am part of the Professional Development School this year for Junior Block and then on into Student Teaching. I am super excited for the experience and cannot wait to get it underway. However, irony has received the prize for, well, being irony. I am one of only two (at least that is what I have been led to believe) students who still do not have their placements for the fall. I am supposed to meet with my mentor/co-operating teacher on Friday and then be in class with them on Monday, but as I have yet to find out who it is, I'm not sure how solid those plans are.

I found myself this evening extremely overwhelmed with this information. My mood dropped and my attitude found its way to a dark corner. Tears seemed inevitable. But God. I am reminded daily, if not hourly or by the minute, that God has a plan and a purpose for my life. I have committed this internship to Him and know that no matter what happens, He works everything for the good. I've been praying to be placed in the right classroom with the right teacher, and fully believe that God is going to do just that.

So ... long story short -- yes, I am anxious, a little frustrated, and extremely antsy over not knowing where I am supposed to report on Friday, but I firmly believe that God will lot let my prayers go unanswered and will place me in the classroom that will be the exact place he planned to put me all along. The end. =)

Playing Catch-Up

It's been a crazy almost week since I last wrote. We moved Ben into college. I had fun, but my parents definitely did not. Note to self: get as far away from home when parents move Jana in ...

Speaking of Jana ... she wrecked my car yesterday. I got a text from her saying "I hope you don't like [your car] very much because [it] just got into an accident." I was like WHAT?!?! Fortunately everyone was/is okay and it's just the front left corner that was damaged. It's at the repair shop already ... thankfully.

I've bought my school supplies, some food I can actually eat, the remainder of my books, a parking permit and registered for the praxis ii so what little I brought home from working for my uncle has been just about depleted. Oy. I will quote one of my friends (which one it was I can't seem to remember) "Growing up is expensive!" and it truly truly is.

I've been exploring my post graduation options -- it's a little early, I know, but I like to plan ahead for these things. I have some ideas, but I'm looking forward to the year for hopefully a few more ideas/options. We'll see where I end up.

For a few days last week and the majority of this week, I am playing Mom -- or at least that's what it feels like sometimes. It's kinda fun actually. I basically supposed to keep the kitchen clean, keep the table cleared off and make dinner for everyone -- oh and take care of/be responsible for any and all kids that are at the house during the day. Today I also had to play chauffeur for my brother to and from soccer practice. Eh, it's not a bad way to spend the week ... I get to relax a bit too ... oh and I got a Vera Bradley bag out of the deal! =)

I honestly cannot believe school starts on Monday. Life has flown by these past few years. People told me that it would, but it's taken until now to really see how much truth those words possessed. Entering my senior year is mind blowing, but exciting at the same time. I meet with my mentor on Friday at Reynolds Middle School and will be in full swing come Monday morning. My siblings are growing up and times are changing. Life is getting more and more interesting each and every day. I wonder what else God has in store for me. Looking forward to the year!

My Wonderful Siblings

My brother moves into college tomorrow. In honor of his farewell and the start of another school year we had one of our semi regular/spring it on us whenever something important is going on family meetings. Each sibling prayed for each other and we through that we each were able to truly realize what new adventures we were stepping into. I thank God not often enough for the opportunity to watch my amazing younger siblings grow up. I am so proud to call them family. Each has such unique giftings, but together we just fit. I've loved the time I've spent with them since I've moved back home and I look forward to continuing to build stronger relationships as time goes on.

Since I write about myself a lot, I'm going to skip what's new in my life and lay out what's going on with my brothers and sister.

Ben as of tomorrow is a freshman at Eastern University in their honors college. He will be playing soccer and doing school work til all hours of the night, I'm sure. It's his first real adventure sans family and I can see the excitement wafting off of him. He's anxious to test his independence. He's grown so much in the past year and he will do great, I'm sure. This is the kid who killed his SAT's and was second in his class. He balanced all of his extra curriculars and got 5's on all of his AP exams but one (which he got a 4 on). He plays guitar like a pro, but doesn't believe it. He's that guy that every girl likes and he makes them all feel special. He's a heartbreak waiting to happen but too nice of a guy to let it.

Jana is sixteen, soon to be seventeen and a junior in high school. With Ben leaving for school, she is inheriting his car -- which is a stick shift. She's spent the past few days learning how not to stall and how to maneuver around in the tiny Honda Civic. She's a class officer and an officer in many other activities as well. She has such a way with people that I will never understand because it's just so natural for her. She just started her first job a few weeks ago and is adapting like a fish to water. We've grown closer since I moved back home and I love having a sister. We're so different, but it's just fun.

Joseph will be a freshman in high school this year. He turns fifteen in October which is mind boggling in its own right. This week he tried out for the high school soccer team and made varsity. I couldn't be prouder. He's a jack of all trades. He plays soccer, basketball, runs track and dabbles in music and writing (but only when he has to). His intelligence has gotten him in trouble more than once, but his ideas are mind breaking and he will probably be one of those people you read about in professional magazines one day. He's hilarious and the baby of the family but has grown up more in the past year than anyone I've ever met. He's still my little brother, but he's quickly growing into someone I want to be friends with. It is wonderful to watch him succeed in life.

These are the three I'm stuck with -- for the rest of my life -- and I couldn't be happier. They each have such great influence and have been so blessed. I have been blessed just being their sister. They are amazing people and I hope they understand and realize that. I love them with everything in me. This is my family.