#50

50. see a concert

Last night, my good friend Cheyenne and I went to see a concert at The Square Room in Knoxville. It was such a fun experience and we meet many new friends throughout the night. But, we went to see Elliott Yamin perform and a guy named Mikey Wax opened for him. I never really heard about Mikey Wax before, but he was amazingggg! If you have never heard him...you need to check his music out becasue you are missing out! (I've been listening to his music all day today) Then, Elliott Yamin and his band played after. They were so good and so much fun to watch. After, we got to hang around and meet all of them. We talked with Mikey, Elliott, and his band. Overall, I am so glad I got to go and the night was so much fun..and one I needed because school has been kicking my butt! Hopefully, I will be making more trips to The Square Room soon!

                                                                       Mikey Wax

    

Elliott Yamin

At The Square Room

#27

27. go to the Tennessee fair!

When I was growing up, the fair was such a big deal..school                     
would even be closed for "fair day." I mostly went to the fair
to eat all the fried, greased, unhealthy foods...which was glorious.
It was the one day I could eat all this stuff and not feel bad about
it! But anyways, it has been years since I last went to the fair and I have really wanted to go back. So last night, a few friends and
I decided to go to the TN Valley Fair in Knoxville. It was definitely
an adventure to say the least.

-We watched the rodeo where one of the cowboys got hurt very
badly..an ambulance had to come and get him..it was scary! (they
believe he will be ok but please pray for that cowboy)
-We watched some bullriding...In my opinion, whoever came up
with the idea of riding a bull had to be out of their mind! But, those guys were intense and so good at it!
- I overcame a fear of mine as I rode the ferris wheel..I hate
heights..but it was fun (granted it wasn't the biggest ferris wheel I've seen).

I enjoyed going back to the fair, but I think as a kid, you think the fair is this huge ordeal that is the best thing ever. I realized last night how much I 've changed since then. For instance, as a kid, I would have ridden every ride there, eaten everything in sight, heights didn't really make me nervous, and I probably would have stayed there for hours and hours. But, I just think that's what happens as you get older. However, I loved the fact of just walking around the whole fair because it brought back some good memories from when I was younger.
                                                         Pictures from TN Valley Fair

                                                                  On the ferris wheel

ferris wheel entrance

                                              

#31 and #45

Well hey there folks! So, it has been quite a while since I have last blogged, but I have been super busy with school this past month. So, I decided to take a break and for a little while and update you on some things...by marking off a  few things on my 101 list! woohoo!!

31. Learn to eat with chopsticks
Yes...I am just as surprised as you are about this one but I finally accomplished the task of eating my entire meal with chopsticks. If you know me at all, you know that I am not the most graceful person, which includes eating. But, I decided to put this on the list because I have tried to do it several times and never had any success..until a week ago! A few friends and I went to a sushi place one night called Nama, where I ordered sushi for the first time ever (it was delicious). I decided it was time to learn to eat with chopsticks..in which my good friend Amber showed me the right technique to use. So, I can officially mark this one off!   And you never know, maybe I will go buy some chopsticks and eat every meal with them...then people will be asking me for my techniques..but I'll take one step at a time :)


                                                                                    45. Sing around a campfire
So, this one is a little different than learning to eat with chopsticks and it's a little more meaningful. This past weekend I attended a college ministry retreat, also known as the "Get To Know Ya" retreat. It was the second year I went and I love this time where you just "get to know" other college students from the church. On Friday night, we had a huge bonfire outside (cause it would be dangerous to have one inside) and we just had time of sharing what God is doing in our lives. After that, one of the members of the college band began playing his guitar and singing, in which we all joined in. It was one of my favorite parts of the retreat, as a group of college students gathered aorund a fire to worship. Therefore, I can now mark off singing (and I might add beautifully singing :) )  around a campfire.

 

The Big Orange Mess...in The Big Orange Country

Tomorrow starts the first day of class..which will also be the first day of senior year...wait what?!! Yes, this will be my senior year of college. It's crazy to think about how this time has already come and it seriously feels like the past three years have happened in a blink of an eye.As I prepare to start my final year of college at UT, I think about my freshman year and starting this new chapter of my life. As my friends and family know, I absolutely LOVE Knoxville and it feels like home to me...but it was not always like that. My first year here was hard, overwhelming, and nothing I imagined it would be. There were many days that I would lay in my dorm room and just wonder if I made the right decision coming to Knoxville. But, as I decided to stay and continue my time at the University of Tennessee, I realized the Lord had a plan set out for me all along. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse has held so much meaning for me as I have been on my college journey.

So, as I start the final part of my chapter here at UT, I look back and see how God really does make all things beautiful. I can honestly say that I would not be the same person if I didn't stay here and I can honestly say that I wouldn't have wanted my college years to be any different..because they have been some of the best years of my life.

                                        

Coming to the University of Tennessee, I have found many things here.
I found my best friends here...friends that have become like family.
I have found amazing opportunites here..such as going to New York City and Chicago.
I have found life-changing experiences...such as cherish the important things.
I have found traditions here...going to football games and singing Rocky Top every five seconds

I realize this is a more in-depth post, but I wanted to share a little of my journey at Tennessee and why it has meant so much to me.So, on that note, I hope that wherever you are in life, to never give up because you may not realize how much the Lord is working in your life and what a wonderful plan He has set for you.

Rocky Top, you will always be home sweet home to me!

                                             
                                       
                                         

#75

75. Read The Hunger Games

This past week, I decided to start reading the Hunger Games series, and let me tell you..it was awesome! Before reading, I heard from a lot of people that this series was so good and such an easy read. To be honest, I am not much of a reader but once I actually sit down with a book I can't stop..so maybe I should do it more often. I loved the fact of just sitting down and reading a book...there is something so relaxing about it. But anyways, I bought The Hunger Games and I started reading it and I seriously finished the book later that night...I always wanted to know what was going to happen next.



So, I would highly recommend this series for you to read. It was a great book and I think guys and girls would both enjoy it. There is a little of romance and action for everyone to enjoy. Also, if you have any free time, I encourage you to think about reading a good book before you decide to sit on the couch and watch TV.

The Big Orange Mess...Captivated by The One

This past Monday, I came home to catch up and visit with my family for a few days before my hectic school schedule starts back up. As I came back, I was looking through some old books of mine and I found the book Captivating. I realized that I never finished it, but decided to look through it and start where I left off. Then it struck me, I feel like I was meant to start this book once again because it was something I needed to hear.                                                                
A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a few friends about relationships and how society puts so much focus on finding "the one." Yes, I admit that I struggle with this and it is no easy subject for me. But, we were talking about where we find our worth and how much emphasis we place on these romantic relationships, because let's face it everybody wants to feel needed and loved. Many people question their value if they feel like no one wants to pursue them and let relationships define who they are as a person. But, as I was going through this book, it reminded me of where I should find my worth and how valuable I am as a young woman.
So, I thought I would share a few key points that really stuck with me and I hope that when we face days that we question our value, we will be reminded of these things.

1. Many girls, including myself,  all have to face what the word "beauty" really means. We often question ourselves with "am I pretty enough?" "am I skinny enough?" "does my hair look good?" But, when we realize that there is much much more to beauty than this, we see the real us. We can also take heart in the fact that the Creator of the universe is so deeply in love with us and finds each and everyone of us simply beautiful . In Psalm 45, it says, the King is enthralled by your beauty.

2. A major thing that really stuck with me was the fact of being the person God created you to be. In this world, we struggle so much on the thought of being who others will be pleased with and living up to others standards. In Captivating, Eldredge states, "We act in self-protective ways and refuse to offer what we truly see, believe, and know. We will not risk rejection or looking like a fool." I will be the first to admit that I have a unique personality at times (hence the rapping video) and I know it is part of what makes me who I am, but I often wonder what others may think.
 I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

3. Many times in life we search so long to find things that can satisfy us, even in relationships. But, I have personally learned that these worldly things do not complete the satisfacation my heart desires. This book discusses when we turn to these things, we are giving our heart to them instead of to the heart of God. How much I needed to be reminded of that! 
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17

So, I hope that we can all be reminded of these things, including guys. We are each wonderfully made and each have a unique story to tell. I know it is easier said than done, but my prayer is that when we are striving so hard to find "the one", we remember to seek "The One" who created us and views us as His beautiful children. For He has a wonderful plan set out for you!

                                               

                                       
                                                                
                        
                                                      

#14

14. See Chris August in concert
For those who know me, know that I am a huge Chris August fan. He is one of my favorite artists and I first heard his song "Starry Night" on Klove back in the fall. Ever since then, I have been waiting for him to come to Tennessee so I would get the chance to see him live. Well, last night, it finally happened. I went to the Smokies game, a minor league baseball team, and following the game, they  held a Christian concert featuring Chris August and the Sidewalk Prophets.

Chris August on stage

Smokies Stadium

If you have never heard Chris August or the Sidewalk Prophets, I would highly recommend you listen to them because they are unbelievable. It was so incredible to see fellow believers gathered at a baseball stadium to praise the One who is everything! It was an indescribale setting as people waited after watching 9 innings of a game to stand and lift their hands high to praise the Lord.
As much as I love Chris August, I know that it is not all about seeing him, but instead about the meaning his music holds.
                                                                                                              

                                                                    

7x70

                       
Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, I will sing praises to your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

The Big Orange Mess...With a Summer Like No Other!

In less than a month from now, I will be starting my final year of college and all the classes, studying, and exams will once again be part of my routine. Many people I know are excited to start their senior year, preparing for a whole new school term, and anxiously awaiting their friends to arrive back in town. But honestly, I am dreading when this time comes and I have to say good-bye to these summer days. I say this because this summer has been nothing like I imagined it would be...it has been even better!
    I know these next few weeks will be tough as I already had to say one of a few good-byes, or what my friends like to call  "see  ya later" this past week and it was anything but easy for me. But, as I was going through all my pictures this summer, I realized that this was one of the best summer's I have had. I decided to spend the summer in Knoxville and without a doubt in my mind, it was the best decision I could possibly make. I got the opportunity to hang out with some amazing friends, while also forming new friendships. We spent countless nights going on adventures and creating memories that I will always cherish. We spents hours and hours playing games, watching movies, eating delicious food, doing random crazy things, rapping, and my favorite..laughing so hard that we cried!     
    Looking back over these past two months, I see how blessed I am to have such wonderful and caring people in my life. They have made this summer amazing and they have become some of my best friends! I know I will look back on this summer and I will automatically start laughing because I will remember all the great times we had together...all the inside jokes, all the stories, and everything. As much as I dread the summer ending and people leaving, one quote comes to mind. "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."

                                             

So, here is a reflection of these summer months and some of the best times ever!!

We took a roadrip to see the Braves for my friend's 21st birthday! It was one of my favorite things this summer because I love the Braves and got to spend time with great friends!

This was in Chicago, and if you can't tell from earlier posts, I clearly fell in love with that city. This picture was from the day we saw the David Crowder Band.

This was at Litton's..one of the best places to eat in Knoxville.

Free Chick-fil-a day!

Lake Day!

Dinner at Aubrey's!

"I still recall every summer night like it was yesterday; the times would never end and my friends were family."

"I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." - Charles Swindoll

                                           

The Big Orange Mess...and a RAPPING career?

It's the summer of 11 and we're actin like some felons
We went to Taco Bell where we learned we're hot as :0
We be jammin to some Starry Night as I wish I was Chris August wife
I like trees and my boy Chris is the bees knees, pleaseee
I made a baby with Tsweezie and a kitty, don't judge people just have pity
I sucked down a milkshake at a drug store, but no crack or meth that ain't me no more
I must confess I am still the Big Orange Mess
God Bless.

Yes, I am a mess and I may regret putting this on here later, but as you can clearly see my rapping career will not be going very far!

Things I have come to love this summer...

Before I know it, summer will be coming to an end and school will once again be starting up. But, this summer I have had many adventures and experiences that I have learned from. I have tried new things and learned how much I have been missing out on, while also realizing how much I enjoy the simple things. So, here is my summer lists of things I have come to love..                                                           

1. OUTDOORS: This summer I have been very busy, whether it be hanging out with friends, going to class everyday, or catching up with family, that I had very little time to actually sit down and watch TV. I have always had my certain shows that I try to follow, but this summer, I hated the fact of just watching TV. I even tried sitting down to watch a 30 minute show and couldn't do it. Instead, I enjoyed spending time outdoors...even though it was so blazing hot. I loved going to the pool, even though I had one growing up, I just forgot how much I really do love it.

2. CHICAGO: This summer I have come to love the great city of Chicago. This may be a given, but I fell in love with it. It was my first time there, and hopefully not my last.


3. FLOWERS: I have also come to love flowers. Yes, I have always thought they were beautiful but after going to the gardens in Chicago, all I do is look at flowers. I have lived in my apartment for a year now and have never noticed the flowers until I got back...they are quite pretty. If anybody gives me flowers, they will have my heart :)

4. RAINY DAYS: Another thing I have come to love is rainy days. Usually, I am the sunshine-kind-of-day person, but this summer I have had a few enjoyable rainy days. For instance, one rainy day consisted of going to the mall and trying on a billion dresses...it may not sound like fun to some but it was indeed!!

5. PURPLE HAIR: This summer I have gotten the chance to hang out with some great friends, but we never seem to have just a normal night. I thought it would be a great idea to dye some of my hair..purple. Don't worry, it was only a small strand that is temporary, but I enjoy trying new things haha

6. TWITTER: Yes, this summer I have joined the bandwagon. I have never been big into twitter...until my friend decided to create one for me. Now, I have learned all about twitter and what is considered tweet worthy. Don't have tweet regrets :)

                                                      

                                                      
  

The Big Orange Mess...Takes Chicago

A few weeks ago, I was presented with the opportunity to go to Chicago with some great friends of mine. I was so excited to get this chance because I have always wanted to go, but as much as I wanted to, it didn't seem like a very logical decision for me. I just started my sesond session of summer school and going would mean that I would miss two of the first three days. As suprising as this may be, missing class just doesn't settle right with me. Therefore, I had to make a decision and I seriously went back and forth and as cheesy as this may sound, my heart was telling me one thing and my head was saying the other. I would have to decide between choosing the safe option or taking a risk. For many, there probably is no comparison, but with me it was a very hard dcecision (I even made a pros and cons lists). The point came to where I had to tell them a final decision and at one time I was dead set on not going. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a great experience this can be. I realized that if I didn't take this chance then I would be sitting around regretting every minute of it...and what is life without taking chances..it's how you learn and grow. So, I made the final decision to go on the trip and I was filled with excitement once again.
  So we packed up and left on Thursday and stayed until that following Tuesday. Between those few days, there are so many adventures, stories, laughs, and inside jokes that were created, that I could seriously talk about it for quite some time. But, from the first day we were there, I knew without a doubt that I made the right decision. I fell in love with the city and I got to enjoy it with some incredible friends! One of the highlights of the trip for me was the day we were on the beach. I just sat there for a second, with the water in front of me, the city behind me, and my friends next to me, thinking about how peaceful it is right now and how very fortunate I am to be there.
  The more I think about the Chicago trip, the more I think about a message I heard in church a few weeks ago...how every decision can affect your life in some way. I think about the fact if I made the decision to stay, how I wouldn't know these inside jokes, I wouln't have these stories to share, or I wouldn't even be friends with Sam. But, I believe I was presented with this opportunity in order to take a chance and live life to the fullest. Chicago Roadtrip 2011 was one of the best roadtrips...I love Chicago, but honestly I think it was the people I went to Chicago with that made it worthwhile. I know I can look back on this summer and know it was one of the best I have had. Chicago...a trip like no other!

This is a small glimpse into what our week in Chicago was like...
   


  

A Big Orange Mess....With a Story To Tell

As I have spent 21 years on this earth, I have clearly learned that life is not always easy and there will be difficult days that we each have to face. This past weekend, I felt like the Lord hit me with one of those "ah ha" kind of moments. I had the opportunity to meet a new friend this weekend that shared a part of his life story with me and the journey he has been on so far. In that one moment, I quickly learned how much I take for granted each day, when there are people out there homeless, starving, and alone. This one man taught me that even when we face our difficult days, we should still use the blessings God gives us and glorify His name. How awesome it is to be reminded of that! I was reminded of the verse John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." This verse is so powerful as it reminds us that we will each face trouble in our lives...some of us may even face trouble on a daily basis...but to not give up hope because the Lord is near. I believe I was presented with the opportunity to get to know this person because I quickly thought about where I am in my life and how easy it is for me to lose focus on what is important. This man had very little but was still singing away, while I have everything I need and fail to give thanks. In other words, it was a huge reality check for me. So, I challenge myself this week to tell people how much they mean to me and how thankful I am for them to be in my life...this should not even be a challenge but something I should already do. I am blessed with more than I could even imagine and I pray that I will always keep my heart open to meeting new people...because you never know how much it might change you. Each person has their own story to tell...we just have to be open to listen when they are ready to share it.

Everyone has a story. Everyone has seen good days and bad days. Everyone has had hard times in their lives. Some have seen harder times than others. The important things about each person's story is not so much the story itself, but the attitude and direction we choose to take based on our story. -Jeff Moore

A Big Orange Mess...With a Life Lesson Learned!

    So, I have recently been inspired by a good friend, Ada, to start a blog. This is kind of a whole new concept to me because I am usually not the one to write out these kind of things...so it's a new adventure for me and I'm excited to be starting something new, but you may have to bear with me. So, as I am starting this blog, I was pressured into writing my first one...Ada...but it was a little more diffcult than I intended. I was coming up with different ideas but I just didn't know where to start...then after thinking for a while, I knew exactly where I wanted to start it all...this summer.
    I decided to spend my summer in Knoxville and to be honest I was sligthy afarid to because I didn't know what this summer would look like. I didn't know what to think because it wouldn't be the same in my apartment or with a lot of people gone for summer. But, what I quickly realized is that this summer could be one of the best that I have had. I have learned a few important lessons this summer that will carry on with me forever...1) wear sunscreen when spending the day at the pool 2) do not go to a sketch sonic in Georgia 3) do not drive little red (my car) when it is pouring down 4) I have a potentional career in the rapping business and most importantly 5) friends and family are one of the greatest things a person can have.
     All my life, I have heard people tell me multiple times that the friends and family you have come into your life for a reason. Yes, I have always believed that but this summer I find it true more than ever. After hearing someone recieve terrible and tragic news, it left me thinking about my own life and the value it holds. I never know when my last breath will be or that of the people close to me...so I have truly learned to cherish the people in my life and make the most out of the time I have on this Earth. I know this may be starting things out on a serious note, but it was something that was on my heart. I have realized how much my friends and family mean to me and how blessed I am to have them in my life. I have also had the chance this summer to get to know some people better, and I am so excited for our friendships to grow stronger. I am surrounded by wonderful, genuine, and encouraging people, and I pray that I am as good of a friend as they are to me.

But on another note...As I mentioned earlier one of the lessons I have learned this summer, is that I have the potentional to be in the rapping business. So, I just wanted to give you a little taste of what that could look like...this is my first rap that Ada decided to write...this is how we spend our summer time..haha!

  Yo! My name is Nic and I must confess  I got lots of dough and I'm a big orange mess
   I wrap myself in a blanket that's fuzzy, but it ain't no snuggie
   I be chillin all night with my buddy One night me and the homies drove to a sonic that is ruddy      (ruddy as in sketch)
   The sonic was a mess but not a big orange mess cause that's me I confess
    I be goin to ATL my Brave boys, they do so well
    No I ain't ever been in jail I be shinin like my nail
    Now let me share my favorite blog
    I be workin so hard, it's like I jog
    Runnin through those other bloggers log
    Now I be goin home and feedin my dog

.........what?    Yes we are this crazy, but I hope my first blog has not been too much of a mess!
 

Hi blog world!

Hey friends! I am so glad I started this blog...well, actually my great friend Ms. Leung helped me!