Ok, just an update...seems that when you click on that link (nanettechristine.blogspot.com), only the first entry shows up. So, in case you were wondering, you have to click on April 2005 to see the latest entries...at least until I figure out how to fix this problem. 

I hope everyone is have a super wonderful day!! 

Ok, so I've been convinced to at least try out Blogspot, so here's the new address:

http://nanettechristine.blogspot.com/

I've found one positive point already--you can post comments without joining. 

More to come later.  Have a fantastic day!

I'm just really not feeling inspirational.  I don't have any wisdom to bestow on the idle reader.  I don't even think I have any good stories...

What is this world coming to??  Ok, so let's turn the tables.  What do YOU have to say?? Any inspiration? 

Surprisingly I got some work done today.  That's not surprising because I'm incapable of working, but because of the disaster which is construction right outside my window.  Just like my soph. year at UIS.  Lovely.  Anyway, they've taken to pounding these HUGE metal poles into the ground.  Yeah.  Fun times.  It goes from 7am-6pm.  So, basically no sleep OR work.  Kind of a bummer.  Plus, for some reason the pounding has some type of affect on the foundation of MY building?  How do I know?  Because it is impossible to not feel the floor shaking.  Bonus?  I'm 8 floors up.  Yippee!  *Sigh*   

Back to the good news (sheesh!).  I got some work done because I discovered the joys of earplugs.  Earplugs + just the right amount of music = sanity.  I think this is the first day in a long time that I have NOT had a headache.  3 cheers for that!! 

Maybe I'll feel more inspired after a bit more work.  If not there's always some Dawson's DVDs calling my name...

I just want to say "thanks".

My life seems to be culminating into these huge events: becoming an aunt, graduation, weddings, moving (again and again), retirements, etc.  And even though sometimes I feel the stress and/or pressure more than others, through it all someone has been there with me every step of the way.  I've known Him ever since I can remember, but our relationship has taken on a new form since I came to England.  I guess before then I just had so much going on all the time.  My old roommates can attest to that.   From debate to MUN to CSF to choir to dance to Mentoring to Coffeehouse [] to SGA to whatever else I had going on that given time of year...I was always busy.  At times I thought I was away from UIS more than I was there.  It seemed like I was at a tournament or meeting all the time.  I'm still not sure how classes fit in there...Anyway, I was busy.  We were still great friends, but it just wasn't the same as it had once been. 

But now, now things are better than ever.  We've gotten super close over the last year.  He's the guy I go to when something is bothering me.  When I just want someone to listen, He's it.  One of the best things is, that He's always available.  As strange as it seems, He's never dodged my calls; I've never even gotten His voicemail.  He's never ditched me.  It's like the minute I need Him, He's ready.  He's the best friend I could ever ask for. 

I feel so lucky.  I mean, sometimes I feel guilty.  Why would I deserve a friend as good as Him?  Me, the girl who has a hard time keeping in touch with all of my friends from home when I'm only across the ocean.  Me.  It seems like no matter what I do, He's always there for me. 

I wish I had His sense of judgment.  Whenever I go to Him with a problem, He always knows the right answer.  He has never given me bad advice--and I ask for it a LOT!  He's not like other people.  Like, even after He gives me advice, sometimes I just don't take it...which generally  means I mess up the situation even more.  But He never does the "I told you so" dance.  He never holds it over my head.  He just pulls me to his side and give me the biggest hug ever...and he doesn't even have to say anything because He can tell my the look on my face that I know I should have listened.  That's the thing...I think He knows me better than I know myself.

So, I just wanted to take some time, and let Him know how much I appreciate Him--that I know I've relied on Him a lot lately, and I couldn't have made it without Him.  I just hope that someday I can be half the friend to someone that He's been to me...

For the rest of you, I just wanted to remind you not to give up.  Sometimes it seems like we are surrounded by damaged, broken, and failed relationships, and it's hard to see past that.  But there's hope.  There's a light at the end of the tunnel...sometimes it's right next to you.  Sometimes it's even closer that that.  But if you can't see how anyone could ever be that kind of a friend, then let me know.  I'll introduce you to mine. 

I was working on one of my many assignements, and this song came on my web-radio.  I think it's amazing considering the questions I posed yesterday.  Think about it...

Stacy Orrico "Strong Enough"

As I rest against this cold hard wall, will you pass me by?
Will you criticize me as I sit and cry?
I had fought so hard and thought that all my battles had been won
Only to find the war had just begun

Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again

Will my weakness fall and and now make me suffer for a lifetime?
Is there any way to be made whole again
If I be renewed and find forgiveness by the strength I've never had
Will my scars forever ruin all God's plans? 

Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again

He took my life into His hands
And turned it all around
In my most desperate circumstance, is where I'm finally found

That You are strong enough
That You are pure enough
To break me, pour me out and start again
That You are brave enough
To take one chance on me,
Oh thank You for my chance to start again