Friday, August 31, 2012

Fresh Start

Yesterday and today I had orientation at UW - Whitewater.
It was okay... I mean, kind of redundant since I've already been through this whole process, but fun! I also got my books - yay!! I love books, I am honestly super excited for this semester!
Tomorrow I start training at work! Yippeeee! Then I'm gonna hit those books.

Unfortunately I have nothing important to say today.

Much love,
Xoxo,
Shannon

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Simple Things in Life

Do you ever feel like you're going too fast, trying too hard, or being pressured? I've been feeling that quite a bit in the past couple of weeks.

I feel as though everything that's said to be 'simple', is not. It's complex. I mean, I enjoy complex things to an extent, but why must everything contain such a complexity when it's not really needed in the least bit.
Personally, I prefer to write letters over emails, to talk face to face rather than text, Skype or IM. I mean, these things are great, especially when you're far away from someone you love.
How about the need to obtain perfection? I'm flawed in this area as well! I enjoy when things are nice and neat... But when kids are playing or having fun, does every toy need to be picked up as perfect? Does every pillow have to be put up? Kids need discipline, not perfection. Correction, not harshness, SIMPLE love would suffice.

I Challenge you to enjoy something simple. Write someone you care about a real letter. Sit down and drink a cup of tea. Watch the neighbor kids play, or bring them some chalk and play with them. Life wasn't meant to be taken so seriously, kick your shoes off and roll up your sleeves! Stop trying to obtain perfection. ENJOY the SIMPLE THINGS.

Much love,
Xoxo,
Shannon

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

I Don't Have a Clue

Exactly as the title clearly states, I don't have a clue.
I'm too tired to think tonight.
But I thought you, my beloved readers and followers, would want to hear something.
I need to go sleep, on a pillow. But, before that happens I urge you to listen to the song Redeemer by Big Daddy Weave - It's completely wonderful. Let the words penetrate you.

Trust me, you'll love it.

much love,
xoxo,
Shannon

Monday, August 27, 2012

One.More.Week.

Today marks the day of one last week of summer. One last week to do something fun, exciting, invigorating, adventurous.  . . Until I realize that I'm not that much fun. HA! My plans for this last week have included up to this point: 

baking 5 dozen cookies & decorating them.
a picnic, which ended up being in the rain.
learning how to make a gluten free lemon bar.
& Bible study - LOVE!
Tomorrow I am going to meet with Fusion down by the lake for Twilight Jazz & a picnic! I'm super pumped about that! 
Then, the rest of the week will be finishing up projects & getting school things ready. 
I have orientation at Whitewater on Thursday & Friday.
Saturday I'm taking family pictures for my sister and her family. 
Sunday is Church.
Monday is my last day of summer. I'm thinking I'm going to go to the beach and lay there for 8 hours and read a really good book for the majority of the time. It sounds fantabulous! :) But, that may change. Maybe, I'll get together with some friends for the last time of the summer? Who knows. I'm just going to live this last week UUUUUUPPPPP.

Other than these super wonderful plans of nothing, I'm completely free! 

I will admit, I'm kind of excited because I get to plan things, and use my post it notes more. YIPPPEEE! Warning: school tends to make me even more of a structured freak. You gotta love it! 

Well, 'tis all folks. 
Much love,
xoxo, 
Shannon 

Just a Quick Thought

Hello my friends!

I had a quick thought I wanted to share with you & I'd love your feedback. I was watching a t.v. show earlier this week - Psych - and the father was talking to his son concerning dating a women. He said this to him when he was only eight years old, too!

 He said, "son, you treat your girlfriend like a person, then like a princess, then like a Greek Goddess. Only then do you have the right to treat her like a person again."

This just was so sweet, and I had put it on a post it note when I first heard it, but kind of forgot about it until now.

Much love,
xoxo,
Shannon

Sunday, August 26, 2012

COLLEGE BLOG!

Hi Everyone!

I'm starting a new blog on Wordpress just to chronicle my college days, weeks, months, semesters & years. I hope you'll visit often!

http://chroniclesofacollegegirl.wordpress.com/

much love,
xoxo,
Shannon

Patience Is a Virtue

Patience. 
Patience is a difficult, semi annoying word. 
I am patient in some areas of life, but in most areas I am the most impatient person you have ever met. 
I just want to do it, and get it done and over with and out of the way. 
If something isn't going as planned, I get annoyed and extremely impatient. 

I'm really trying to work on this particular Fruit of the Spirit, because it's definitely something I lack and could use a truckload more of. 

So why not, the next time you're impatient about something, or with someone just walk away. Take a deep breath and calm down. I bet that the problem isn't anything too big, and that our God is a million times bigger than your frustration! 

That's all for tonight, 
much love, 
xoxo,
Shannon 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

YOU are Beautiful!


This is to every girl in the world. You should know that you are more beautiful then words could say, in your own special way! I'm sick and tired of media saying that because you're not a size 0 and over 5'6", with long hair, big eyes, and a great skin tone you're not BEAUTIFUL. 

"Every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall butt, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, and the arms of Michelle Obama. The only person close to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling. - Tina Fey"

Why can't you see past the flaws in uneven skin tone, I mean seriously. WHO CARES?! Physical beauty definitely helps on the attractiveness scale, but if you're pretty on the outside but ugly and mean on the inside, you might as well have leprosy. I guess that's a bit harsh, but can't you see where I'm coming from? Life isn't about what the scale says you are, it's about what others say about you. How they react to your presence, how often they want to be around you. If you're not friendly, even if you're drop dead gorgeous, no one is going to give you a second thought after they talk to you once. 


I dare you to ask a guy friend of yours if he thinks you'd be less pretty with brown hair instead of blonde, green eyes instead of blue, glasses instead of contacts. I could probably tell you right now that 98% of them would look at you like you just lost your mind and want to slap you. Sure, they don't mind the fact that girls are physically attractive, but in all honesty most REAL men want a woman who isn't afraid of getting dirty, someone who knows how to LAUGH, someone who has goals, ambitions and dreams. 

As the picture states: "you are beautiful not for the shape of the vessel, but for the volume of the soul it carries." 

So, next time you head out with your friends, remember even though physical appearance is a VERY good thing, remember the little things. Remember to be kind. Remember to smile. Remember that people watching see not only how you look, but also how you ACT. 

Much love, 
xoxo, 
Shannon 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Let Go -----> God

I've had a lot on my mind and heart lately. But... It's so jumbled up in my own head that I have no clue how to write it down here. A lot of it though is just repetition. Repeating the same thing over and over to possibly feel better or to understand myself more clearly.

A lot of it has to do with the future and knowing what will happen and how I just need to let go and let God. Let God work out a plan, even when I don't understand.

Hmm. Well, that's all. Much love, Shannon


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Scared.

Love.
That's a strong word.
It kind of scares me to be honest.
Its meaning lies deep inside your heart, and no one can pry it out but yourself- even then it can be a difficulty.

I was having a conversation with a friend earlier today and she was telling me about a past relationship, one that although had burnt out, kept coming up and rekindling it's fire. She explained it as though even though she thought she would be better of without him, she ultimately knew that he was the perfect guy, the only guy for her.

This brought to mind my 'issues with dating'. And it just confirmed in me, that although I know what I want and I think I know what's good for me, I'm ultimately scared. Scared that the plan I have for my future won't work out, that everything will fall apart, that maybe I have to give up my wants to go after His desires.

Hmm,
I'm not sure why I just wrote this. But I hope it blesses you!
Much love!
Xoxo
Shannon

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Wheels are Turning

Or not.
That's literally all I have to say. I'm having a bit of a writer's block. I'm not exactly sure why... But I seriously can't think. I do have a pretty massive headache though, that might be it. Hmmm.

Well, maybe I will think clearer tomorrow.
Much love
Xoxo
Shannon

Monday, August 20, 2012

And Then. . . God Slapped Me.

Okay, so this title sounds like it's going to be a super great post, but to be completely honest. . . The title just  came to me, and now I'm going to let my thoughts come out. Because, evidently, God needs to slap me, so feel free to sit back, read and watch me be slapped. 
My plan is to type out words. 

Planning, 
Lists
Future
The Big Picture.

Ohhhhhh. I think I get it. 
I think God's trying to tell me to shut up, sit down, and let Him tell me what's going to happen in my future. 
OH CRAP. I was just slapped. Well, that was fun, wasn't it? 

Uh, I think NOT. I have a problem, and I'm going to admit it now. I enjoy making lists. I enjoy planning my future out. I enjoy seeing the BIG picture. 

I really want to see what my future will be like, but I guess I should probably slow down. It always comes back to 'living in the moment', doesn't it? This time though, I felt a slap. Possibly a burn. But definitely a slap.

So now, I'm going to enjoy life. I'll still have a problem with being obsessive and list making. . . but maybe I'll get a grip and realize that life isn't just about the future. It's about the adventure and the slaps in the face that I receive on the way. It might not feel good right away, but in the end I'll turn out okay. Probably better then anything I could ever do on my own. 

Alright, that's all for now! 
much love,
xoxo,
Shannon 

Friday, August 17, 2012

p.s. my favorite superhero movie is Captain America

Tonight, I'm going to tell you a little bit more about myself.
Who I am, and who I aspire to be in the near future. 

I'm Shannon Lynette Lonergan
I love Jesus!
I'm 18
I'm a small business owner 
I'm a Sophomore in college
I'm majoring in Elementary Education, gearing towards second and third grade, as well as fifth grade.
I'm minoring in music - vocal and violin or piano. I'm not sure which instrument I want as my minor yet. 
I'm a writer, 
a photographer,
a scrapbooker, 
a babysitter, 
a note taker,
a little bit obsessive - compulsive,
really talkative . . . when I know you, really quiet when I don't know you, or don't like you.
Sister, 
Auntie,
Friend. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I aspire to be the best I can be, I make mistakes, unfortunately because I am human. But slowly I am learning that my God is bigger than any mistakes I've ever made, and He loves me more than anything. 
I get asked a lot why I want to be a teacher, especially since I was home schooled my whole entire life. Well, that's easy! God called me to it. Trust me, I would have never picked this career on my own, but I  know for a fact that this is right where God wants me, and I'm going to trust Him and believe He knows exactly what He's doing. 

I hope that sometime in the near future (5 years or so) I will find the man of my dreams, and that soon thereafter I will be able to start my own family. But, I'm not saying that that's my main focus. No, not at all. I mean, obviously it IS something I really desire, but at the same time I realize that God must have me single for a particular reason and that reason will be made known to me in His perfect timing. For now though, I want to learn. I want to learn everything I possibly can! From parasailing to board games and traveling the world to driving a boat. I have a HUUUUGE desire to travel and right now this is my list of places I'd like to see:

 all fifty states
Ireland - I hope to go here for at least a semester and teach. 
Scotland
England
Sweden
China
India
Africa
South America
Russia
Germany
France
Spain
Portugal
Italy
Greece
Yeah, it's kind of long. . . but I love adventure, and I just want to see what's out there. What's outside of Wisconsin. What the culture is like, what the people are like. It's so exhilarating, even to just THINK about! I've also decided that this next year is going to be the best year ever. Academically, family wise and friend wise! Nothing can stop me now! WOOOOO! 


I write. I write a lot. I write everything down, from notes to huge thoughts. I have enough post it notes to last a normal person 6 years - guess how long they last me? 5 months. I have enough pens and pencils to last a normal person DECADES. I have this odd crayon obsession, but they have to be a certain sharpness. It's weird. . . after they cross this fine line of not being sharp enough, I throw them out. I've tried to not, but I just can't do it! 

I like to make things out of old things, or old looking things. I'm super into vintage clothes and antique furniture, it's so cute! 

I read like a person who just realized that she has eyes, and can see words. I LOVE reading. It's my happy place. On a rainy day or a snowy winter day, you can expect to find me wrapped up in a blanket gobbling up word after word. Sometimes, I'll be wrapped up and writing my own words. 

Well, that's all for now. 
much love, 
xoxo
Shannon
p.s. my favorite super hero movie is Captain America

Thursday, August 16, 2012

I Love My Eyeballs

Oh my goodness. 
My eyeballs hurt. 
I finally finished editing ALL of the pictures from the Stoner wedding, and holy cow. My brain hurts, my eyeballs hurt, and my neck is KILLING me. 
The only good thing is that they're done! If only Flickr would upload the pictures faster. 

Now, I can finally sit down and relax and not feel bad about it. EEK! 
So, while I'm free I'm going to go sleep, and sleep WELL. Anyways, I've been listening to some new Indie music lately, and I've kind of fallen in love with the Secret Sisters. They're SO great. It's like a hipster/indie mosh-up. 

Oh, also, I'm starting a new blog. It's going to track my college days/years/weeks/semesters, and maybe include more pictures or projects and the like. I'll post the link on here once I start, but I'm excited! It'll be more fun and enjoyable to read then this blog - as this blog is my 'serious thinking'. 

Alright, I'm seriously tired & I love my eyeballs, so I'm going to let them rest. 

Much love, 
xoxox
Shannon 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Speechless

For those of you who actually know me, I know this sounds super weird, because I'm NEVER speechless. But at the moment, I'm extremely speechless.

It's like, I have SO much to say, I don't know what to say first, therefore I've just decided not to speak at all. It's kind of funny, and a weird way.

So, I'm just going to share a great song with you tonight!

Redeemed - Big Daddy Weave 



Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not sure exactly why, but I've had this song on repeat in my head today. It's a fantastic song though, give it a listen. 

Sorry I'm not more interesting tonight, let's hope I can collect all my thoughts by tomorrow. :)

Much love, 
xoxo,
Shannon 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Wait. . . WHAT?!

I just have to laugh. 
God as a great sense of humor. 
I'm not exactly sure what to write about tonight, but I do know that my God is a lot bigger than I ever dreamed. And He makes me laugh, cry and rejoice! 

I'm so thankful for everything in my life, and today was a very good day. 
I'm kind of at a loss for words at the moment, but I do know that EVERY good and perfect thing comes from ABOVE. 


I leave with this: 
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11


Much love, 
xoxo,
Shannon 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Will of God

The will of God

What do you think of it? 
I think that my God is all knowing and all powerful. He's here for me whenever I need him and it's so comforting to know that I have Him to run to when I'm hurt or confused. 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11

This verse hits home for me. So often I worry about the future, and what's going to happen. Will it be good? Will it be bad? I worry that things aren't going to happen the way I want them too, and guess what? I'm right! They're not. 
Things will happen the way GOD intended them to, and I need to sit down, shut up, stop worrying and be patient! 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4

So here, Paul is telling me that I need to be HAPPY when I have problems because testing produces patience? I know, it sounds ridiculous. But it's SO true. To be patient and content right now, will mean that in the future I can happier, because I am lacking nothing through Christ.
It kind of reverts back to the relationship thing I've been struggling with. I do want to be in a relationship, I do want to find that 'perfect guy', but what if I've already found him, and now God's just testing me to make sure I'm content in where I'm at in my life? Because if I'm not content single, who says I'll be content in a relationship? Who says I won't just get up and leave because I'm 'bored' with where I'm at. To learn to be content right now, when I don't have a significant other in my life, is the greatest lesson. It not only teaches patience but it is showing me how to love the moments I have, because sooner or late they're not going to exist. I'm not going to have 'single' moments anymore, they're going to become 'partnered' moments. I will share them with someone who means the world to me, but I don't want that feeling to change after a few months, I want it to stay forever. So if I have to learn how to be content before I'm in a relationship, so be it. At least I will learn patience and know that my God has a plan and purpose in everything He does in my life. 
I leave you with this: trust in God, He is all knowing and all powerful and He LOVES you & wants to see you succeed, and He will do ANYTHING to make sure you stay on the right path. 


"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."
Phillippians 4:11

Much love,
xoxo
Shannon



Saturday, August 11, 2012

All This Time

Tonight, all I have to share is a song. It's not much, but I was listening to it on the way to babysit earlier tonight and it just struck me. It makes so much sense. 
I know it's not a huge deal, it's just a song, right? Well. ..  sometimes, lyrics speak to me. And these ones not only spoke, they screamed. 
much love,
xoxo
Shannon 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All This Time - Britt Nicole 

I remember the moment
I remember the pain
I was only a girl
But I grew up that day
Tears were falling
I know You saw me

Hiding there in my bedroom
So alone
I was doing my best
Trying to be strong
No one to turn to
That's when I met You

All this time
From the first tear cried
'Til today's sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You've been walking with me all this time
Oh, Oh Oh, Oh, Oh
You've been walking with me all this time

Ever since that day
It's been clear to me
That no matter what comes
You will never leave
I know You're for me
And You're restoring

Every heartache and failure
Every broken dream
You're the God who sees
The God who rescued me
This is my story
This is my story------

All this time
From the first tear cry
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/britt-nicole-lyrics/all-this-time-lyrics.html ]
'Til today's sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You've been walking with me all this time
Ooooooooh
You've been walking with me all this time

I hear these people asking me
How do I know what I believe?
Well I'm not the same me
And that's all the proof I need
I felt love, I felt Your grace
You stole my heart that day

Ooooooooh
Youve been walking with me all this time

All this time
From the first tear cry
Till today's sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You've been walking with me all this time

Ever since the first tear cry
It was You, You and I
You've been walking with me all this time
Ever since the first tear cry
It was You, You and I
You've been walking with me all this time

Friday, August 10, 2012

Thoughts of the Future

So, when I was 13 or so one of my friends and I made this list of what we wanted our future husbands to be like.  . . I found it today as I was looking through some drawers, along with a list of "possible kid names". Talk about being prepared!

Anyways, I'm going to type up the list I wrote so long ago, and then compare it to my thoughts right now, being a little older and a teensy bit wiser.

Thirteen year old Shannon:

  • Loves Jesus
  • Pretty eyes
  • Cook with me
  • Let me sing along to the radio
  • Keep surprising me
  • Watch movies with me on lazy days
  • Remember the little things
  • Help me face my fears
  • Start play fights with me
  • Write me post it note love letters
  • Always say what's on his mind
  • Let me wear his clothes.
  • Call me darling more often than 'babe'.
  • Hug me and say, "no, you're not", when I say "I'm fine".
  • Treat me sometimes like a child.
  • Show everyone how much he loves me
  • Pastor
  • Decisive
  • Lead me & our family
  • Listen to my jumbled up thoughts
  • Call me when he misses me
  • Tell me all about his day
  • hold me up when i'm weak
  • stand by my side, through thick and thin
  • Not expect me to be someone I'm not
  • Dance with me
  • Send me flowers just because
  • Tell me what I need to hear, even when I don't want to hear it
  • Smart & ambitious. 


Eighteen year old Shannon:
  • Loves God 
  • Possibly a pastor/ministry position
  • Thinker, listener, talker
  • Ambitious
  • Family man
  • Smart
  • Leader
  • Decisive
  • Know that the little things matter

Wow. Big difference, right? At 13, the things I wrote seemed so important. . . . but now I look at it and can't help but smile and laugh at my naive self. 

I've never had a boyfriend, and the only reason I will have one is because I'm considering marriage. Dating is just that in my mind, an application to marriage - and my future boyfriend better understand that dating is not all fun and games. It's a serious time to learn if he is someone I can live with for the rest of my life.

My idea of a relationship is built upon Christ. Not upon worldly ideals of what 'Dating' is. 






Thursday, August 9, 2012

A Letter from one Olympian to Another

This is a letter from Michael Phelps addressed to future Olympians. It moved me to tears, and I hope you will be touched by the truth and harshness.

"I hope that you do what I have done.

I hope you go from “just” an Olympic athlete one year,

To a household name four years later,

To a record breaker in another four,

To the greatest in four more.

I hope that you beat me. I hope you earn twenty-three medals.

I hope all of them are gold.

And I know now that you are just a kid, and these are just dreams,

But your dreams will become real before you even know what has happened.

And when they do, be thrilled. And, please, please, watch out.

Watch out, because when you are still a child they will call you “hero”

And you won’t know how to be one yet.

They will make you the great hope,

The American dream,

But you will think that all you have done is beat another country by one one hundredth of a second.

And you will know that you could have lost to that country.

And, some day, you will.

But they will understand that you have done something bigger.

You, who have risen above your parent’s divorce, will show a young man that his father moving out doesn’t have to be the end of the world.

You, who have focused even when your mental disorder has said you shouldn’t be able to, will show a recently diagnosed teenager that she can do what her brain chemistry says she can not.

And only when you know this, when you know that your victory was a victory shared in every way by every person, will you know what it means to be a hero.

Watch out, because it turns out everyone wants to live to see the hero become the villain,

Because they will put you on the podium, and then they will tear you down in the tabloids and it will never be more clear to you that everything you do can be crime if it does not result in a gold medal hung around your neck.

And in the age of smart phones and compact cameras, you behaving like someone your own age will damn you.

And your childish mistakes, the mistakes of a man who is still young enough to make them, the mistakes that will not stop you from being the best,

Will let down people that have looked up to you.

And this knowledge will hurt worse than any criticism by your coach, or any medal-less race.

And nobody will understand that you are still young enough to need someone to look up to.

And being the best means that you will have no heroes left, and the people you watched on television as a boy, are now watching you beat their records,

And you can not be your own hero.

And nobody will know how badly the hero needs a hero to tell him that it’s okay that he made a mistake or two.

Nobody will know that the hero is sometimes still just a gawky little boy.

Watch out because the best will never be enough, and you will still think of all the things you could have done better, all the times you could have pushed harder, even when you are holding a gold medal in your hands.

And even when you beat world records you will always think that you could have beat them by more. You will think that you are supposed to be inhuman, when you are still young enough to be on your parent’s health insurance.

And you will understand that twelve thousand calories a day and eight gold medals doesn’t make you a man. That being a hero doesn’t make you a man, that being over six feet tall and living on your own doesn’t make you a man.

But becoming a hero again after you have been a fallen idol, that just might.

Watch out because your career will probably end before you are thirty years old and you will spend the rest of your life wandering blindly, trying to find something to make you feel alive like you did for that one week every four years.

Watch out because someday somebody who looked up to you will beat you. And that will be more beautiful to you than any medal, and any national anthem.

Watch out because the only people who can truly understand you are also the only people who can truly beat you.

Watch out because people will hate you and you will never know why, and people will idolize you and you will never know how to be who they think you are.

Watch out, because with all you have sacrificed, and all you will continue to sacrifice, you can not yet see that your biggest sacrifice will be when you decide it is time to stop sacrificing.

Watch out, because for all your training, for all the hours spent running a track, or swimming in a pool, or hitting a ball, or working with coaches, physical therapists, trainers and specialists, there will still be one walk you will never be able to train for.

It will be worse than the first time you trained so hard that you threw up.

It will be worse than all the times you couldn’t hang out with your friends because you had to practice.

It will be worse than looking at your name in the number four spot.

It will be the only walk you ever have to take completely alone, and all the screaming in the stands, and all your team mates right behind you, and even all the love your mom and sister are pouring towards you will not make it any less lonely.

Because even the greatest of the greats retires alone.

The hardest walk you will ever have to make will be the last walk you make from the podium to the dressing room.

And if you have accomplished your goals, if you have changed your sport, if you have inspired others, if you have brought a nation to their feet, if you have done what I have done,

It will be something beautiful and tragic

It will be the end of an era.

But watch out, because knowing that will not make this walk any less impossible to make."

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Chaos

Today, I lost it. I'm pretty mild mannered, I kind of let myself be a rug that people can stomp on... But, I was talking to my mom and she said one word and I just lost it. Lost everything. Completely freaked out and went bonkers.

In a way though.. It's refreshing cause now I'm not holding all that in, although I know the way I approached her wasn't right, and I probably should apologize (not my strong point) I .... I don't even know.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

A Thousand Things

I have one thousand things running through my head right now, and I can't get the thoughts to slow down long enough for me to organize a complete sentence about my thoughts. It's weird. I have so much to say, but not enough to say at the same time.

I'm exhausted, that's one thing I know for sure - that's possibly why my brain isn't cooperating with me in this present time. I just finished writing out a few Bible verses, that I love a lot. (Romans 8:1 & Luke 2:17-21) Tomorrow I hope to have a productive day. My areas of attack are as follows:

Clean/organize(re-organize) my room
Interview with the college of Education Department Chair to possibly start my Pre-Block classes (AH!)
Work
Spend time with a good friend
Babysit
Finish reading my book The Help
Organize some more
SLEEP. LOTS OF SLEEP.


Uhm, yeah. So, my brain is not functioning so I can't think of something actually important to say tonight. (lovely, right?) So, I'm going to say goodnight, have a wonderful evening/morning/day/afternoon/life/year/week/vacation. . . you get the point.

much love!
xoxo,
Shannon

Monday, August 6, 2012

Observing

Today I was an observer. An observer of people & things. Being an observer I see things that not everyone else notices.
I noticed a lot of people, laughing, talking, crying, drinking, dancing, running, singing and eating. A LOT of eating. I see this as an epidemic, our nation's debt goes sky high, while at the same time our nation's pant size becomes larger as the day carries on.

Now, this is a touchy subject for me... I like to eat food, but I hate being told that I'm 'too big' or 'too heavy', but I think this area touches home for nearly everyone. I'm not attacking anyone in this post, just to be clear. I'm merely observing.

I observed people eating fried foods out the wazoo, most of the time it was on a stick and deep fried and dropping grease. I saw little kids carrying a big bag of cotton candy in one hand and eating a giant ice cream cone from the other hand. I noticed parents giving into their child's plea of being 'so hungry', but not for actual food... For cookies, ice cream, and funnel cakes. Now, please don't misinterpret this - I too am guilty of eating too much 'Fair Food'. It smells great, it tastes pretty awesome, it's hard to resist. But maybe, we could do ourselves a favor and instead of bonding over a big bowl of ice cream or giant pile of grease, we could bond over a board game, sitting on a beach or walking through a park. Your stomach doesn't fix your problems, but talking through them and listening to advice and having friends does.

Another thing I observed were kids seeing everything so bright and pretty in their packages... And wanting everything. They'd go from one thing to the next saying "I want that!" "oh, no! I want THAT! It's SOOOO cool". And honestly, adults are even worse. What has society come too? From over eating to wanting everything we see, because 'maybe, someday, I might possibly use it'. We have turned into a poor people, people who lack contentment, and live for the next 'new' thing. What happened to being happy with what you have, and loving where you're at?

I don't know about you, but I hope that this will change.
Much love,
Shannon

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Technology.

I'm ticked.
I bought Lightroom 4 for my photo editing stuff and I installed it... But now my computer is going bonkers. It was starting to go bonkers before but now it's worse and I have SO many pictures to edit by Sunday for Whitney & Ken. AGGHHHHH! Stupid technology.
All that said, I'm trying to figure this thing out but it just freezes and crashes whenever I do anything. OBNOXIOUS.

Well, that's all for tonight. I hope you enjoyed my rant. Much love, Shannon

Organizing my LIFE.

HOLY COW. (I can just hear the little red headed Annie saying that, when I think it). I'm seriously going overboard with the whole organizing my documents & pictures thing.

It's kind of enjoyable for a little while. . .but then, it just becomes monotonous. But, my computer has been acting weird lately, so I better back everything up, before I have a disaster on my hands. Right?

I have a bunch of other things to say, but I'm going to write more later. Back to organizing!


Friday, August 3, 2012

LOVE yourSELF

CHANGE

I enjoy change. It's like an adventure to me. Moving, making new friends, changing my hair color. . . it's all CHANGE, and it can all be positive if you look at it from the right angle. 

Change is coming up quickly, as a new school year approaches. We move from one grade to another, advancing in our education of learning more in hopes to one day be the one teaching the next generation what we learned so many years before - only hoping maybe they'll learn it faster than we did at their age. 

An important thing to remember is to NEVER change you YOU are as a person. Because you are who you are for a purpose, and a calling. Embrace it, LOVE who you are! 

I know for me, I struggle sometimes with who I am. I'm quiet when you don't know me, but once I get comfortable with people, I'm loud & I know it. . .but that's who I am.
 I'm not the most attractive girl in the room, and I know it, but I let the beauty underneath my skin shine through, because it doesn't matter if I don't have perfect skin. It matters if I have a pretty heart.
I'm also not the thinnest, but that doesn't mean I'm overweight. 
I'm short, and I seriously SUCK at walking in heels. . . It's actually kind of funny watching me try and walk in heels.  
I enjoy sitting alone, and thinking. . . and I think my mom thinks I just don't want to be around her. And that's not the case at all. I just enjoy being alone! Being with people tires me out.
I like to write. I only have a billion journals.
I like to sing, and sometimes I sing off key because I CAN. Sure, I have a pretty decent voice, but sometimes it's enjoyable to just sing in the most random voice EVER.  
I over analyze every little thing I do. 
I carry post it notes and a rainbow selection of pens in my purse at all times. Yes, it's a little bit OCD, but who cares!? It's who I am. 
I've never had a boyfriend. Yeah, that's considered 'weird' in our culture, but I consider it a blessing. I've never had to go through the pain of a breakup, or deal with the frustrations of making someone else happy. (ha!) NO, I'm not saying I don't want that. Of course I do! I want a family more than anything. . . but I KNOW that God has huge plans for me, and they obviously don't include a serious relationship. 
When I'm in a bad mood, I'm a butt-head, and I know it. But I try not to be too mean. 
I love kids and I'm going to school to be a teacher - and I get the weirdest looks, partly because I was homeschooled my whole life and partly because of the economy. 
I love wearing ridiculous looking hats.
I'm also addicted to coffee. It's a problem, but I can't change it. (I don't want to change it). 

And you know what? I like who I am. And I'm not going to change. 

I encourage you to look yourself in the mirror, and embrace who you are. I promise, the sooner you do that, the sooner you'll be able to move on with your life, career and goals. LOVE yourSELF.

Much love, 
xoxo, 
Shannon 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Quirky - A Continuation

So, I had a few more things to share with you . . . but I kept falling asleep typing.
Woops.



So, I'm a neat freak. I like things to be put in specific places and I really like things to match. . .but that's a problem right now, cause my room is antique-ish except for my storage containers cause my room used to be blue & green UGH. It drives me CRAZY. 
Anyways, I like clean things. 
I also put my binders in a color pattern. .. Yes, I have issues. 
Here's the other side of my desk. It has my calendars & dry erase board & envelopes & cards. 
And then there's my shirt drawer. . . yes, it's all color coordinated & they're all rolled to a perfection. What can I say? I like to find matching shirts quickly. 
DEAL with it. 

So . . . yeah, that's me. I'm a little weird, but mostly quirky & obsessed with organizing things. 

much love, 
xoxo, 
Shannon 


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Quirky

Why, hello! Today's blog is going to be a tad bit different. I'm going to tell you & show you bits and pieces about me. So, sit back & relax as you read this (and look at awesome pictures!)

This creature. . . would be me, wearing my nerdy glasses that I <3. 
I am using a Nikon D5000 for this picture. 
I have my own photography business! 
Shyne On Photography - check iiiiiit. 
Anyways, I'm Shannon.
I over thing everything
I over analyze everything
I'm a little bit OCD . . . about everything.
I write too much
I talk too much
I smile too much
I love too much.
I just do a lot of good things... too much. HA! 
I'm obsessed with photography & music & I have a passion to be a teacher.
 Oh yeah, this is me making a strange face. . . I do that a lot. It's one of my many quirks. 
I am definitely obsessed with flower prints & lace. 
I have a problem, and I'm admitting it now. 
I also love looking like a little child, so I have an overabundance of flower & bow headbands as well as LOTS of pearls. You see. . . I'm not much of a jewelry fan, but pearls. They just, get me. 
And then there's Twilight Woods. Oh my GOSH. I'm pretty much in love. 
Bath & Body Works had a sale on this stuff for $3.99 a bottle after I'd been using it for over a year. . . I bough 4 bottles at once. Yeah, I have a problem. 


Okay, so we're past getting to know me as a person on the outside . . . sort of. So here's the inside of me. 
I LOVE pens. Colored pens, to be exact. Except for bright blue, they annoy me. 
Anyways, I bought this pack a while back and I love it! 
Whenever I take notes, I make it a point to use every color once. 

I'm also preeeeetty sure i have an unhealthy pencil obsession. I don't know why, I just have this keen desire to always have more pencils.
These are my journals, since last august. 
I write. . . a LOT. 
Lastly, I ADORE music. I play piano, guitar, violin & I sing. 
It's beautiful, happy and soothing for me. 

Well, that's me. I'm a pretty open book. I'm quiet until you know me, I love starbucks, I have an unealthy addiction. I fall asleep on a regular basis at inconvenient times. I love kids & most important. . .
I'm going to make a difference here.

Much love, 
xoxo
Shannon