Does Packaging Really Matter?

This past week I put myself to shame. My "T" on the Myers Briggs personality test failed me, and was trumped by my cultural up bringing. I was in need of a product, something that is consumed, but that I only need to buy about once a year. As I strolled down the cosmetic isles at my local Target in search of my newest buy a million questions started buzzing through my head. What is the best brand? What color should I get? Which one is the best 'bang for my buck'? I have known that, as with most products, it is important to purchase products that will be used together by the same company. This could be shampoo/conditioner, face washes and moisturizer, etc. The companies design their products to work together so their chemical compounds do not have cross effects when combined. In the past I had mostly purchased Cover Girl, but I had a foundation I really liked from Maybeline and mascara from Neutrogena. See all over the board. I have decided to go for a mineral powder this time, and was considering going for something a little higher quality. So in my search I wasn't just looking for a new foundation, but rather the brand I would dedicate my shopping to for the indefinite future. The best thing they carry that I know of is Physicians Formula. I've heard good things about this company, and was pleased to find out they carry organic make-up. I'm and environmental science major, which DOES NOT mean I'm an organic freak, but the prospect that they were attempting to make a healthful, quality product was encouraging to me. I guess they are the first to have organic mascara, and the packaging is recyclable. I proceeded to look at the product and decided I didn't like the design of the container in which it was packaged (What??). So proceeded to buy a mineral powder foundation from an equally expensive (The physicians formula had a coupon bringing it down $2 from the $11 it normally was), lower quality company which had "cuter" packaging more like what I wanted. After getting to the car I realized my complete stupidity. Not only did I fall victim to the world of marketing and advertising (something I fight against succumbing to) I had also purchased a products of lesser quantity. Yep that’s right. Shameful isn't it. If you know me at all I'm a picky shopper to the max. I look at the nutrition facts to weight health benefits between two comparable products, then I look at the price....not overall, but per oz, per lb, whatever it may be. I don't always go with the 'cheapest' because I believe in quality over quantity, but I still take everything into account. So for me this was a terribly off character decision, so off that I traveled to a different Target (one closer to my school) and returned the stupid thing less than 30 minutes later, and bought the better quality, more for your money product. It turned out that the coupon at the second Target was better than the first and I got an $11 product for only $6. In make-up world that is a good deal!

The Molecule Song

I ain't acetelyne, hydrogen B-Y
I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had an isotope for every half-life
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Valence electrons so low, but shoot 'em up high
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
With a photon and I'll make light
Just not giving up this time
I ain't settling for anything less than chemistry
I ain't settling for anything less than everything

The Molecule Song by Natalie Bell
Settlin' by Sugarland

Outdoor Decorations

I didn't actually do this, but it was a cute forward I got from my cousin:

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year

Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Kind of feel like I gave in to the man by taking him down but my neighbor did confirm to near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made him too real this time

So it was fun while it lasted

Christmas to My Ears

Below are links to my favorite Christmas Songs

- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Mannheim Steamroller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhc2DSsDhG0

-Winter Wonderland by Jason Mraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHTE_QQOct8

Chistmas Time is Near

Last night my wonderful roommate and I made a Target run to pick up some decorations and gifts to really get us into the holiday spirit. Although no snow is falling, I'm beginning to slowly get into the Christmas spirit. We now have lights and a tree with a paper angel made by yours truly. Mostly mismatched ornaments, cheap red bows, and colored globes. We're college students, what do you expect? We now have 3 stockings hung near the TV (we don't have a fireplace or chimney-I supposed we could pretend with the range hood). Katie and I found perfect gifts to stuff in them, and much to Alexas anticipation we have not yet told her what they are. Currently I am listening to Christmas music, and remeniscing at the small flakes that were blowing overhead last night when Katie and I walked through the parking lot with our bags full of treasure.

Thanksgiving Reflections

It's back to school now with t-minus two weeks until finals. Now that Thanksgiving break is over, I feel like I'm in the vacation mindset and am now impatient for the next two weeks to be over. Not so much that I want to leave here, I'm so glad to be back "home" today. The buildings are decorated with an explosion of garland and ribbon. It's quite beautiful, a small sparkle of fresh snow would make the vision complete. This past week, was busy and packed. I have a gift to make breaks 'unrestful'. So much fun to pack into one weekend. It started off with Thanksgiving Day at grandmas, complete with Turkey, Chicken, and Ham...potatoes, green beans, bread, jello, 3 types of pie, and all of that wonderful goodness, Macy's parade, a GB Packer game, and many rounds of cards. The hunters trompsed through the woods with little success. A sleepover Thrusday night left me more tired than before, and if the cold didn't keep you awake it was the hard floor, and a crooked neck. Friday my mom, grandma, and I made oodles of Christmas cookies, mint patties, and other deliciousness. Saturday was a morning at home with a MaryKay party, and Oreo truffles with my cousin. Sunday was church, a baptism service that was so beautiful. I think there were almost 40 people who chose to be baptised. Many of them families where the fathers baptised their wife and children, an autistic boy, a father who blessed his daughter, and my "little brother's" little brother Nathan Street. A huge "family" lunch at Casa Mexicana (by family I mean my family, the Street Family, two of my cousins, a couple of best friends, and a boyfriend). The weekend was topped off with a lego consruction, to scale, of my dream house. I have so much to be thankful for. Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed, the Lord is good to me. Amen!!

Busted

For the past several years my female cousins and I have been writing little notes whenever we find ourselves at my grandparents home. We decided it would be a fun way to communicate with each other and leave memories behind to reminisce later on. We have hidden them by tucking them into the back of a picture frame in their guest bedroom. Once it was full we moved to another of the 3 collages of senior pictures from my aunt, uncle, and mom. Yesterday, I recieved an urgent phone call from one of my cousins who has already arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving/Hunting season. Grandma has found the notes and they were laid out, read, upon the kitchen counter. We don't know what we said. Were their hurtful things, boy talk, secret messages??? Who knows,....well I guess now Grandma does. So she quickly retrieved the notes, and they are not safely hidden somewhere...I guess. Grandma as or an hour ago has not made any mention of the notes, but that's sort of how the family is. They tend to keep things to themselves. Well I can't wait to read them tomorrow when I finally arrive and we can deal with the situation accordingly.

Yesterday's Tomorrow

Today has the potential to be the best day of your life

...so tomorrow it is said again

For if each day could expound upon the previous

...and lay foundation for the next

Tomorrows joy may very well surpass

...the best of days on which it follows

While the glow of a monumental yesterday

...in the beams of present reality dims

Natalie Bell '09

Psalm 73

A Psalm of Asaph

1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2 But asfor me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.

5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

11 They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength ofmy heart and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

If I'm being honest with myself am I the evil person?

Left-over Turkey Soup

Looking for something to do with left-overs from Thanksgiving? I actually just whipped up this soup last week, and thought it turned our pretty well. The timing couldn't have been any better either. Enjoy! (Ingredient amounts are just estimates)

Left-over Turkey Soup

4 cups chicken broth
2-3 celery stalks, washed and chopped
2-3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large potato, cubed (I didn't even peel mine)
1 cup left-over cooked turkey, shredded or cubed
1 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup left-over gravy
1 tsp. shallots
pinch of rosemary
black pepper

Place broth, celery, carrots, and potato in a saucepan. Bring to boil long enough for harder contents to cook slightly. Add remaining ingredients, and reduce to a simmer until vegetables are soft. Serve!

A Sacred Moment

Could this be love
Too soon to say
Maybe just friends, I don't know, either way
I want this to be*

*A sacred moment in her life
Guard her heart and treat her right
There may come a day
When she's someone else's wife
If she's not mine to have and hold
May this time we share be known as
A sacred moment

She keeps me praying
Lead me Lord
Don't wanna say and do things I'll be sorry for
God show the way
To live out Your love
Strengthen her faith, be a man she can trust
I want this to be*

Till the true love of my life takes my name
Whoever's hand I get to hold
My prayer will be the same

Daniel Kirkley
"A Sacred Moment"

Getting it all Started

After prompting from my old roommate (who recently started her own blog) and a small inspiration from watching Julie and Julia yesterday, I have now officially started my first blog. I guess that means I may now consider myself among the bloggers of the universe. In fact as I am typing this my current roommate is aslo subjecting herself to the world of blogspot. The fever has caught on and I have a feeling some roommate blogging parties will insue in the near future. What I'm actually going to blog about has not yet been decided, but I figure we'll just take each day as it comes.