Interesting Person #1

Though I claimed my first post would be a substitute for interesting person of the week number 1...here's the real one. This week I had the opportunity...oh gosh, I'm getting excited about it all over again...to meet...wait for it...BLAKE MYCOSKIE.

Pause for you to scream, do a toe-touch, couple of cartwheels, Tarzan yell, and dedicate a well-earned hip thrust to me. OK, now calm yourself and bring it back.

That's right. Blake Mycoskie, founder and Chief Shoe Giver at TOMS shoes, came to speak at Tech. Of course I went. Alone, but I went. I'm not going to say he's my hero, but sometimes I imagine him wearing a red cape and leaping over tall buildings. So maybe I do see him as way more BA than Superman. Seriously, the man has started a company from the ground up with no investors and given more than half a million shoes to children in need. If he wants rub mud in my carpet, he can.


Seriously though, I aspire to change the world the way Blake has. He had an idea and he didn't wait for someone else to act it out. He's an example of what God is calling our generation to do.

So there ya go, interesting person #1. A great way to start this series if I do say so myself.

New series

OK biggie-smalls. Today begins my new series. From now until whenever I'm going to post a blog once a week about the most interesting person I've met that week. Occasionally I may throw in a blog about something else, rest assured that you will see a blog about an interesting person. I know you're on the edge of your seats at the thought of a new Samantha-series. I understand. Sometimes I wake up so excited to know me that I ask for my own autograph. Gosh, the price of fame.

Anyhoo, my first entry will be a bit different. I spent this past weekend in Austin for the Hillsong concert. I wish I could describe what an incredible experience it was, but even I am at a loss for words. While I didn't have the opportunity to meet anyone specifically and hear their life story, we met together for the Lord. I worshipped like never before and was amazed at the energy Hillsong has. The whole time I tried to wrap my mind around how rewarding it must be to lead worship. So needless to say, I'm definitely fired up. I'm stoked for this new series and about all of the new and exciting people I'm going to meet!

BIG Peace.

P.S. Joel Houston is totally dreamy. Everyone should be required to have an Australian accent.

www.hillsongunited.com

My Bucket List

Even I admit it's odd that I associate graduation with impending death, but bear with me. If I have to be a grown up then I might as well know what I want, right? It's all a small part of my plan to become a worldwide sensation. Which isn't going so well...

My Bucket List
**Please take note that none of the following are in a particular order. Because I'm not organized enough to do it all in order.

-Learn to speak another language...preferably Ebonics.
-Run a marathon.
-Be honest with myself about the likelihood of completing a marathon.
-Become a world-renowned novelist.
-Be on The Ellen Show...if you're out there, Ellen. Hire me to be a writer on your show :)
-Speak in a stadium full of people.
-Marry rich...shoot for the moon.
-Convince Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser to marry me. He'll assist with bullet two.
-Dump him after he bans doughnuts from the house.
-Travel the world...except Amsterdam. I'm still having nightmares from Hostel.
-Slap some sense into Lindsay Lohan.
-Be in a horror film.
-Adopt.
-Learn to paint my own nails.
-Have my own radio talk show.
-Personally see that someone replaces Ryan Seacrest on American Idol.
-Marry John Krasinski. Sigh....
-Get a tattoo...a wee little bitty one.
-Go to every Smithsonian museum.
-Have tea with the Queen of England.
-Make the Pope laugh.
-Live to see a cure for cancer.
-Be an inspiration to someone.
-Witness a miracle.
-Throw the first pitch at a Rangers game.
-Sit on the sidelines of a Dallas Mavericks game.
-Help Chase get in a Gap commercial. Gap has taste. He can do it.
-Go skydiving.
-Write and produce a movie with Tina Fey.
-Host SNL.
-Have a role on The Office.
-Bring sexy back...50s style.
-Be a guest host on QVC. I'll sell anything but exercise equipment. Let's be real.
-Teach a college class on something really ridiculous. Like blogging.


And most of all I want to be one of those super interesting persons whom people can't resist. I want to openly declare my love for Jesus every singe day. If fame is what you're looking for, come sit next to me.

BIG peace.

Growing up...sheesh.

Graduation is 45 days away. But who's counting? Oh yeah, Wells-freakin'-Fargo. I'm not even walking across the stage in what is sure to be the most boring ceremony of life, and those b-words are already sending my folks letters! They'll get their money, unless I die. Then all is null and void. I read the fine print. Speaking of my folks though, guess what I so graciously had the privledge to help them with recently. Their mother-truckin' taxes. I used to think having to shovel the hog crap was the suckiest thing ever. Nope. Not even a little bit. So, as a response to my recent bout of "Peter Pan syndrome", I've developed a list of the pros and cons of growing up.

The Cons.
Taxes - enough said.
Gravity - I've already seen what it has done to my body in just 21 years of life. I cringe at the next 60.
Girdles - Tuck it in ladies.
Your mom and dad cease to care.
People begin to give you that "poor-single-you" look.
Your boss will inevitably be a bigger a-hole than your Chemistry professor.
Debt collectors get fiesty.
Have you seen liver spots?!
I may be healthy now, but I'm sure that'll go downhill fast.
I'll have to start calling celebrities like Sean Connery hot.
Orthopedic shoes. The horror.
Your toenails get that funky yellow color.
I don't want to be that cranky...all the time.
I'll become the "older generation"...shudder....

The Pros.
No longer will I pay $200 for a book that I will never use.
No more homework, tests, projects, etc.
Not boys with jobs, men with careers.
Money.
Money.
Money.

Maybe it will all work out. If I marry John Krasinski and have lots of money. That'll work for my first marriage.

Dancing...

This is clearly a ballroom. The most beautiful room I have ever seen. The walls glisten like the surface of the ocean when the sun is highest in the sky, and the floor reflects the open night sky to appear as though I am walking on water. I fix my eyes upon the sky above me and am instantly positive that each star has been hand crafted and chosen just for me. My foot catches on something on the floor and causes me to stumble. As I recover, I see the only ugly thing in the room. On the floor are my worldly, dirty grave robes. My trembling hand reaches out to the clothing that has been my comfort zone, and the pile evaporates in front of my eyes. I stand to see that I am draped in a cloth like nothing I have ever felt in my life. The gown is pure and white like the first snow and hugs my body in a reassuring and perfect way. It lightly brushes along my finger tips sending chills down my spine. For I am, in this majestically created room, clothed in Grace. A light breeze blows through the room kissing my cheeks and shoulders with Glory and the wind carries with it an aroma so Heavenly and powerful that am weak in the knees. I become intoxicated on the scent and search for its beholder. As if He'd been there along, and He had in fact, a Man stands on the far most wall of the room. Tears fall down my cheeks as this beautiful King approaches me. His eyes dance as He reads me, for He knows me by heart. "I know the plans I have for you, but for now, let’s dance." And we do just that. He knows all the right steps and never flinches when I step on His toes. When I grow weary, He lifts me up and carries me. I am drowning in the love of my Beloved. In His presence, I am complete...

What you have just read is one of the most intimate moments I have ever had with Him. In this moment, He revealed to me exactly what He wants for me right here and right now. For months I have worried unnecessarily about my future when He has all the plans. I've worried so much that I've forgotten to dance with my King. He longs to romance me, and I have rebuffed His advances.

No longer. I want to simply be with Him, all the time. I hope that this has touched you in the exact way He has intended. I hope you'll dance with Him because He's really the very best. You don't have to bring anything but yourself...

Father, I am in love with you...

Withdrawals.

Day 6. Or perhaps I should call it Day 2. That's right, I cracked. Cracked like an egg on Sunday morning. In my defense, it was the Tech v. Texas basketball game, and I was entirely too stressed out. This girl needed a Coke, mmmkay?! Otherwise you were gonna see a big girl down on that court giving the refs a "comin-to-Jesus" meeting.

But I'm still alive, and still without that sugary goodness. Oh geez. I've noticed that I'm quite irritable these days. So did the guy I screamed out my car window at this morning. Poor guy. I truly regret insulting his momma now. I bet she's a nice lady. But I'm praying violence isn't the stage that follows. If so, I'd like to know in an advance so that my aggression can actually be used on someone worth punching in the face.

Some good has come out of my withdrawals though. Last night I laid awake for a good while (like 10 minutes) and pondered how different my life would've been without Jesus. I don't have to go into the details to tell you that the thought was scary. I'm really happy to have Him. And that may seem like a lackluster way of showing how much I love Him, but He knows my heart. I'm also really thankful He loves me despite my lack-of-caffeine induced road rage.

Peace Biggies.

40 days...really?

I'm not Catholic. Though I kind of wish I was because those people are F-U-N. Catholic or not, I am observing Lent this year. I've tried in the past and failed miserably. I think it might be because I inevitably wipe someone's ashes off their forehead thinking that I'm being an excellent person. I don't usually tell people they have something in their teeth though because, well, that's funny.

Anyways, back to the point. I've decided that I am going to make it this year! No Cokes for 40 days! I'm on day 2! And I feel...like death. Seriously, I just shook like a recovering crack addict. I might actually turn to crack when this is all said and done. Is it normal to wake up and want to volunteer a vital organ in exchange for 20 oz. of sweet, sticky goodness? I think not, but if anyone's looking for a kidney....

Jesus went 40 days. I'm no Jesus, though. I'm not good with carpentry. Or well, I haven't walked on water lately either. So I guess this is a fast or sorts. Honestly, I heard no Cokes makes your face slimmer and I've got a portrait session coming up soon. 40 days later...goodbye Rush Limbaugh, hello Jennifer Aniston.

Have a BIG day.