Die Die Die (not the song)

blue.
screen.
of.
death.

Due to the unfortunate death/crash of my computer, it seems like my posts will be postponed for a few days.  As of now, I have lost all pictures, school documents, and 3000+ songs on my itunes.  Luckily I have SOME things backed up on an external hard drive... but everything from the past year is gone :( 

HOPEFULLY some computer wiz will be able to save all of my documents before I put a new operating system on my computer... keeping FINGERS CROSSED!

I will say this could be worse...  I'm choosing to keep a positive spin on this until I find out I've lost everything!

I wanna wash my hands my face and hair with....

White Christmas is on AMC today... have I mentioned how I just LOVE Bing Crosby?  Oh to have lived in this day...

And can I PLEASE be her?  Vera-Ellen, can I have your moves?  AND your legs?

kidnapped.

My child (camera) has been kidnapped... actually, I was just irresponsible and left it in Memphis at a family Christmas... which is so sad because I have such fun pictures from last weekend.  Saturday was the Daddy-O's birthday so we ate big and of course made our annual stroll through the Rock City Christmas lights on Lookout.  I have some fun pictures buttttttt it looks like they'll just have to be posted at a later date along with my personal "gift wrapping" blog....

Until then, I shall entertain you with a song by none other than.... Paul. 


HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!!!

you're welcome MCK!

And I really meant it! (and my name).

Love,
Anonymous

huangness

**Before reading this post, I suggest you click HERE to fully understand mine and Carmen's friendship. 

This is my girl CRAE and me:

 

This is my girl CRAE and her new FIANCE:

This girl, for the very few of you who may not know her, is Carmen Rae Musgrove (soon to be Huang).  Carmen has been one of my very best friends since Freshman year of college.  I really don't know where to begin a post on her, nor do I think I can convey .000001% of her greatness, but I suppose I'll start at the beginning of our friendship...  I met Carmen Rae during Ole Miss Ambassador Tryouts.  Now, to be honest, I had always thought I was rather out-going... however, until the moment that I sat in a group interview with Carmen Rae Musgrove, I don't think I really knew what "out-going" really meant.  I was blown away at this girl... I had been around her for maybe 10 minutes and already considered her a great friend... I think that's how most people feel about Carmen Rae.. you meet her once and you've all of a sudden been friends with her for what seems all your life.  Perhaps that's why she is such a not-so-secret weapon in Ministry.

Well, it wasn't just a few weeks later that I received a call from Ellen Vaughan (now Balducci) telling me that she has a small group of girls that she would like to disciple, and invited me to be a part.  Next thing I know, I am meeting once a week with 4 of the most incredible women I've ever met, including Carmen Rae.  As you can imagine, you get pretty close with girls in which you share your spiritual walk with, but I'd have to say that Carmen Rae and I became the closest when we went on the Jackson Hole Summer Project with Crusade.  LIFE. CHANGING. SUMMER. for both of us.  It was that very summer sitting in our cabin that Carmen Rae decided to go through rush that next fall, which would be her Junior year.  Carmen had a heart for the Tri-Delt house and really felt the Lord calling her to begin a ministry there.. and well, if you go to Ole Miss, you know what happened next...  I can not even BEGIN to describe how the Lord has used her there...I'm not even a Tri-Delt, but I've heard some of the most  incredible stories.  Originally Carmen had dreamed about going to Med School as she's a rather smart cookie, but I don't think it took her long to realize that her REAL passion is giving her enthusiasm for life, her incredible people skills, her constant energy, time and entire SELF to be used by the Lord in full-time ministiry.  She is now on staff full-time with Campus Crusade for Christ, discipling younger girls, and rockin' the Ole Miss campus. 

As far as our friendship goes, Carmen Rae has continued to be a steadfast source of accountability, a wise counselor, a listening ear, and a genuine friend.  Gosh, we have gone through a lot together, whether it's making big decisions, changing life plans, surrendering life plans,  trying to humbly run a campaign, and now we are both getting married this summer!

If you don't know Carmen Rae Musgrove, all I've got to say is... MEET HER. BEFRIEND HER  KNOW HER. Actually, if you come within 2 feet of her, she'll meet YOU, befriend YOU and get to know YOU! Her attitude is contagious, her life is intentional, and her spirit is hidden in Christ.

Now, she will be marrying Mr. Ian Huang.  I've always wondered what the man who would marry Carmen Rae would be like... I've honestly never been able to fully imagine someone good enough for her... however, I can say that he has finally come along.  He's perfect for her... they fit together in a way that only the Lord could design- and I'll tell you now, Carmen gives Him all the credit.  So here's to my sweet new LUCKY friend, Mr. Ian Huang for choosing the most amazing woman!

WOO HOOOOO!! Who's ready for THAT dance floor? 

HART

marathon.

Needless to say, I AM BEYOND CONTENT. For starters, I am in my bed watching the Holiday (second night in a row... I just think that little old man is the sweetest thing in the entire world), Mom and I just got Starbucks and rode around town to look at Christmas lights, and we are currently making some punch for a retirement shower tomorrow... it's Mountain Dew punch- talk about an afternoon pick-me-up for the teachers at Rankin Elementary! 

I feel like I have run a Marathon lately... not literally, although my all-star friend Laura ran her first full marathon last weekend... all 26.2 miles!  WOO HOO LAU! You can check her out HERE!

My marathon, however, has lasted a few weeks.  The last sprint was finals (which were not too terrible), and a grand finish of throwing a shower with Parisa for our sweet friend Hallie!

It was a kitchen shower so, naturally, we wore aprons:)
 Perhaps the funniest thing about the day was that Hallie got not one, not two, but THREE of the same pitchers (which she has wanted oh-so-badly).  Her friends know her well :)

Also, I promised several of  you that I would post the spinach dip, fruit dip, and chocolate chip pound cake recipes, but I'll be honest and tell you that they are all Traci's (for those of you who haven't figured it out, Traci is my mom).  So... I will get those from her soon and share!

This weekend it's off to Chatty to visit the Daddy-O for his Birthday!  There's nothing like a Rock City Christmas... it's my family tradition every year.  I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS.

Oh, and this is in honor of my war-eagle friend Leah:

 We've given her a hard time about her unwavering love and devotion for Auburn and Cam.... but I do admit, if it were Ole Miss and [insert imaginary heisman-worthy candidate],  I'd be super stoked, too.  In fact, I AM super stoked... I don't mind Auburn one bit.. in fact, I like them a lot!  So this is for you, Lay :) 

HART

finals.

 ... caffiene, a hint of sarcasm, whatever, trusting the plan.

WARDLAW

Interesting name, is it not?  You know when you think really hard about a word and it start's sounding really funny to you?  Try it with the word FORK.  Think about that word... it's honestly a funny word isn't it?  I was doing that with my last name today... WARDLAW.  I've been thinking about my last name alot... as it will soon become my maiden name and will only be referenced when I'm signing a legal document (or perhaps its what people will still call me, because let's get serious, I still call Meg Barefoot "Meg Joyner" anytime I talk about her).  So... what in the world is a Wardlaw and what does it mean?
...Wardlaw is a interesting word and let me tell you, it's one interesting family as well....

We all stem from this crazy one...

This is my Mamaw. Complete in her Thanksgiving Rockstar outfit of sequins and black jeans.  She's sassy as they come and wants to look good when serving her turkey!  She's quite a woman, the matriarch of our family of.... (I've honestly lost count at this point). We are rather large... and now we have  2 (possibly 3) on the way and 2 getting married into the family this year! We may just take over the world so watch out!  Mamaw is also the family prayer warrior- and I mean prayer WARRIOR.  If you ever need me to call you in a favor, let me know... she normally gets her way!

Thanksgiving is always a fun time for the Wardlaws as all 30+ of us gather into one living room and eat the feast (all cooked by my Mamaw as she will NOT have anyone else cooking or working in her kitchen).  Erin and I usually get kidnapped (literally) by the youngest of the Wardlaw's (almost all of my cousins have children-I am the baby of the family), and are taken into the back room. I will say that the past two years have been pretty awesome because they have had MASSAGE contests... and who's the judge? Oh yeah, that's ME! No complaints there!

Here are a few of the "great's".... aren't they cuties?

 

My uncle Paul has some pretty grandchildren... we are about to find out if my Uncle Dee can match!  We found out Thanksgiving day he will be expecting his first grandchild! Woohoooo! YIKES I'm old.

Anyway- I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with those you love and that you were reminded of how truly blessed you are!  There's nothing like family, is there? 

Wardlaw... hmmm such an interesting word..

Next post is about another interesting name... there's been some HUANGness going on around here... SOON TO COME :) 

HART

check it.

MY WEDDING WEBSITE

busy bee

 

Who knew that planning a wedding could be SO busy?  I feel like there's this never ending to do list... and when I treat myself to a new wedding magazine to "relax," it just tells me MORE things that I need to do... don't get me wrong, its a whole lot of fun, I just wish I didn't have to rely on holiday breaks to get everything done... Dr. Madar and now, Dr. Holmes, just aren't allowing me any time to wedding plan during school. 

Speaking of wedding magazines, I must share with you a couple of my current favorties... 

They're fun! 

I've also been working on our wedding website!  I haven't quite finished it so I'm going to wait until its complete before I tell you the URL :)  

Also- just acquired a new vintage camera collection from the drug store.. most of them look about like this: 

 

Once I get them good and cleaned up, I'll post some pictures.  They're pretty awesome, I'm not going to lie.  I'm trying to decide how I would like to display them one day.  A local photographer here in Tupelo has quitei a collection similar to these and I just LOVE how she has them displayed in her studio office... Not like I'm a professional photographer or anything- but hobbies count for something, don't they?  

Other News: 

Can we talk about the GLORIOUS fact that ...

are on itunes?  Although I have stolen most of my father's Beatles albums for uploading purposes, I have to say that I am BEYOND thrilled that I can start completing my collection.  And now the world can have one-click access to one of the greatest groups of all time!  Wonderful, simply wonderful. Perhaps I'll do a post on my favorite music soon?

Anyway- about to start on my Pharmacy Law paper...  

 

Hart

PLANS

I'm currently sitting in my Pharmacy Law class.  This is only further confirmation of the wonderful decision I made in the 11th grade... which was to NOT go to law school.  I know you're thinking that's a pretty big decision to make in 11th grade, but you'd have to understand the inner-workings of my mind to get it.  In short, I'm a planner.  Not necessarily when it comes to making plans for the weekend (I actually strongly dislike to feel chained to small obligations, as I enjoy spontaneity), but I'm a life-planer.  After my astronaut phase (no, I am not lying- I was obsessed with the Huntsville Space Center and wanted to be an astronaut), my roller-coaster critic phase, and finally my music video dancer phase, I decided to chew on a piece of reality and thought about being a lawyer- don't worry, criminal law.  (I think this was largely due to my mild obsession with Law and Order and other "murder mystery" shows). Anyhow, after randomly applying for early-entry pharmacy my senior year in high school, I find myself sitting in the Thad Cochran Research Center and looking forward to a lovely Friday date night with my Medicinal Chemistry book.

Plans are funny.  I've had my life planned out since as long as I can remember- actually a better way to phrase that would be to say, "I am consistenly making life plans every day" because let's face it, they are consistently changed. A direct positive correlation can be made from my little pattern- the more I plan, the more things change... Coincidence?  I think not.  It's still hard for me to let go of MY plans but honestly, ever since I have- I have ended up in Oxford an extra year and now have a ring on my finger.... not that bad of a deal, huh?  Wasn't in MY plan but that's naturally because mine will never be as good as the Lord's.  I'm just not that creative.

HOWEVER, speaking of plans... I can't let you go without recommending my favorite planners for 2011-2012!  I'm mildly obsessed with my planner.  Here are some of my top picks:

 1. Moleskin
You can't go wrong with a moleskin anything... journals, planners, blank notebook, and even the portfolio (which is what I am also using for my wedding plan book).  It has sections for month, week, and day, and stays perfectly bound with no loose pages.

2. Franklin Covey Student Planner
I would almost have to tie this with a Moleskin... I have used a Franklin Covey planner since the 9th grade... Unfortunately they don't make the one that I used every year until Sophomore year of college... it was perfect for students- had a very spacious month section as well as a great two page spread per week.  It even had little bookmark tabs for each month and day that allowed you to flip right to the month or day. They made a highschool and a collegiate one.  Unfortunately I think they now have a general "student" one that just doesn't measure up to the old ones... that is why it's bumped down to number 2.

3. Plan-Ahead Day Planner
This is your standard Walmart planner... they have several but I would have to recommend the one made by "Plan-Ahead."  They have the small size and a larger size which is what I have used in the past.  Not bad- actually it is one of my favorite page layouts... the only problem is the spiral binding that sometimes gets bent in your backpack and just is not very durable- eventually makes your planner look somewhat messy.. but all in all, its a decent planner!

Those are the only ones I can recommend from personal use, but I'm sure there are some other great planners out there.

Get a planner. Just keep in mind it's ok to plan your day, but don't get too carried away.  Plans change... thank goodness for that!

HART

could eat her up.

 

I mean, come on.  CAN. YOU. GET. ANY. MORE. PRECIOUS?  She is my obsession.  Don't you just want to eat her up?  You can't even see those precious legs- yep they are nothing but rolls.  This is Etta Catherine Balducci.  Seriously I cannot get over her.  

 You'd HAVE to know she belongs to Ellen and Andrew... look at her. Ahhhhhh ok I just had to post these pictures.  They seriously made my day better...

Sweet photos by Missy Daniel

D-Tuesdays

Tuesdays have always been a special day of the week.  Every Tuesday (well some semesters we switched days), I met with THESE girls...

 This is my discipleship group: Meg, Carmen, Callie, and our fearless leader, Ellen.  This  is the first year we haven't met... and OH how I miss them! 

These girls are SO dear to my heart and I cannot imagine my college experience without them...Most importantly, each one of these girls has modeled a relationship with Christ that has been a steady encouragement and source of accountability in my life. 

Explanation:  Ellen informed us that she would "rather watch paint dry on the walls" than listen to the Spice Girls.  So what did we do?  We gave her a little surprise concert at Crusade!

We have seen each other through alot.... We've been through making, changing, and surrendering life plans, long distance relationships, 3 (now 4) engagements, 3 weddings, and a baby.  We have had the privilege of watching Ellen meet her Andrew, marry her Andrew, and bring sweet Etta Catherine into the World.  We've seen Meg meet her Brett and marry her Brett, and we've seen Callie meet her love on summer project and watch her handle a 3 year long-distance relationship like a pro.  It's actually pretty funny that we all have gotten married in 3 (now 4 or 5) consecutive summers.

 

 I am so thankful I was able to share some of the most memorable college experiences with these girls...

 

Thanks El, for starting it all :)