That happens in real life???

So this morning, I was standing on the sidewalk waiting for my commuter shuttle to pick me up from the North Shore and take me downtown when....

A HUGE TRUCK BLEW PAST ME AND SOAKED MY PANTS!!!

I had only seen this happen in movies!!! AHHHH. At least I am wearing jeans today and wasn't wearing dress pants or a skirt.

So since that occurred, I decided to treat myself to a Dunkin Donuts Strawberry icing donut and coffee.

When God writes your Love Story??

hmmmmmmmmmm i have heard this saying thrown out there a few times. it is the title to a book that i have not read and have no intentions of reading. i believe the concept is...don't be discouraged if you have not found the love of your life, let God "pen" your love story, by giving Him control and trusting His plan.

nice concept i guess.

but something struck me the other night at our small group. even if i do let God "pen" my love story, find a husband, all that jazz-- it will be wonderful, yes, but not complete. people will ALWAYS let you down. I will always let others down. we are broken. deal with it.

Randy Alcorn talks about the idea that there will be no "marriages" in heaven, that we are all the collective bride of Christ. yes, all of our loved ones will be there if they have a relationship with Christ as their savior, but we will be experiencing the ULTIMATE love from our Creator. who will never let us down! Randy said that those moments we experience on this earth with a loved one that seem so incredible, will be nothing in comparison to the union we will have with God in heaven.

How exciting!! so yeah, God can write my love story here on earth, but how reassuring and amazing to know that my ultimate love story is already written and all i can do now is anticipate what is to come!

Soup of the Day

Part of the great thing about working in Pittsburgh is the FOOD! So many great little spots to try for coffee, snack, or lunch. A co-worker may come to me during the day and say "hey- let's try this new coffee shop, or let's go get some candy, let's grab lunch" that is the great thing about working for a place that embraces creativity and freedom- they believe the more freedom they give you in your schedule, the more creative you will be with your work, and I think it's true! Anyways, having these little adventures around town also becomes pricey. SOOO I have started only ordering soup for lunch. I will sometimes get a side piece of bread, chips, or 1/2 sandwich if I am really hungry...but always soup. So here are my soup recommendations so far if you are eating in the city...

1. Best Soup tried so far: Clam Chowder @ The Oyster House in Market Square. TO DIE FOR. Big daddy Jon and I have met a few times to enjoy this delight, along with calamari sometimes too! It is kind of annoying that this is a cash only place, but the vibe of the restaurant is very Sopranos....


2. Soup of the Season: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup @ Au Bon Pain. This is in the PPG cafeteria, a frequent hot spot for us. SOOO good. Au Bon Pain is a little pricey though.


3. Best Tomato Soup: Six Penn Kitchen....gotta pair this one with their fabulous grilled cheese. Went there with my cousin Shannon the other week, so of course having great convo over great soup makes for a wonderful lunch.


4. Worst Tomato Soup: 1902 Tavern in Market Square....was not feeling their tomato soup/grilled cheese combo.


5. Worst Soup Yet: Mix Stirs Cafe in Market Square, Lobster and Crab Bisque. The soup actually wasn't that bad, but the service was so that is why I am blacklisting it.

Any suggestions of where to venture in the city for my next cup of soup??

Another Commuter Story!

So this week I have had to drive in myself EVERYDAY! I mean, there are perks to this...I can go to work whenever I want and leave whenever- LOVE that about my job. However, commuting alone means no HOV lane (*tears roll down cheek*) and no one to split the parking fee with. So today seemed like the perfect day to park by Heinz Field in the $5 lot and ride the free shuttle over to downtown. The last time I did this, I chased the free shuttle down the road and had to bang on the door for them to let me in on my way to work, and on the way home, I just plain missed the free shuttle. So this time would go better, right? So I park my car and start panicking because I see the shuttle stop and a crowd of people get on it. I start running, in heels, with my umbrella towards the bus. I run and get on. I am greeted by the bus driver and some VERY LOUD bump and grind music playing. No one is acknowledging that this music is soooo inappropriate for so many reasons---- like that we are all professionals just trying to save some money by parking on the North Shore getting ready to go to work-not trying to board a party/scandalous bus, and really- who listens to that kind of music this early ever?!!! So I find a seat and see that the bus is parked there for another 5 minutes...good thing I made that big scene and rushed to get on! The next 6ish minutes of the shuttle ride I spent reading this EXCELLENT book about an aids orphanage in Honduras. I could have rode that bus all day and finished the book! Wishful thinking...the bus doors open and I am forced to get out and walk another 5 minutes to my office in the rain. At least I had my umbrella! Well, off to the North Shore to get my car...hopefully it will be uneventful, or hopefully not- there would be no fun in an uneventful commute!

THE HOV HAS A HOLD ON ME!

So, in this new adventure of working in Pittsburgh, I have learned a lot about "commuting" to the city. It has been nice because I can carpool with Josh or another girl I work with a lot of the time. However, sometimes there are days like yesterday, where I have to drive in all by my lonesome. I had to be at a meeting by 8:30. Of course, I was already running late. Needed gas. Get to the gas station, can't find my card, have no cash. After 10 minutes of panic, I realize it is in the middle console. Get gas. Now North Park has MAJOR traffic. Like behind 5 stopping every second school bus traffic. It is 8:10. YIKES! Make it down McNightMARE Rd. Then comes the moral crisis.....

usually, i carpool, so i can take the HOV lane. It is soooo bomb! You pass seriously about 80 cars sitting in traffic. It can take about 20 minutes off your commute. However- this morning, I am alone. Not carpooling. this is when i made the decision....... wait, i am not going to say it outloud and incriminate myself of illegal activity...but you can connect the dots.

the whole way down i kept feeling SO GUILTY! i kept looking over at all the people sitting in traffic, thinking i should be there! I turned on K-LUV for some inspirational music to bring me back to focus and ask God to forgive me.

I made it to work about 8 minutes late... my boss had just announced her engagement. our meeting didn't start for another 15 minutes because of this news. No rush to work that morning necessary.

So today, I commuted by my lonesome again.... came to the point of moral crisis....was very tempted to take the HOV, chose not to, and spent the whole time in traffic thinking i should have just taken it!

The HOV lane is pretty much like CRACK to me. It has a hold on me. It is creeping into my life and taking over. SAVE ME, JESUS!

A new chapter in my life

After a blogging hiatus, I find myself in a totally new chapter in life- ready to embrace new things, meet new people, and stretch my gifts even further! August was filled with great fun of being unemployed that included: coaching tennis, Church Camp/Barnard House with my mom's side of the family, a Cape May Beach Trip with my girl Vera, Kennywood, and a trip to the Outer Banks with 3 new friends. It was a great way to round out the summer and my time of rest/unemployment. This time was also a great time of healing for me- of feeling used, taken advantage of in some situations, constantly questioning the morality of situations going on around me, feeling humbled, etc. from my last job.

Then this new and exciting opportunity literally just fell into my lap! I now am working for Pittsburgh Cares as the program manager for Campus Cares. It is the perfect blend of my love for non-profit outreach and college students. It embraces my creativity, initiative, laid back style, and love for community! It has already been an amazing opportunity to learn more about non-profit management, efficiency, and vision mapping. All things I am very interested in and could be useful in the future if I am able to one day have my own non-profit or ministry.

So I think a lot of my new blog is going to focus on the new challenge of working in the city, what I am learning, what God is doing in my life, and new adventures of old Beth. :)

It's nice to be blogging again!

2 very different/totally opposite movies worth seeing...

the movie TAKEN.

a very powerful movie exploring sexual exploitation and trafficking of minors... really makes you think.  i have been reading a lot lately about sexual abuse/predators/related issues and this movie made my convictions and desire to become active in reaching out to victims of such happenings even more strong.  this movie is really intense.

the movie BOLT.

i am pretty sure this movie was written about Nilla.  Nilla looks just like Bolt and is just as crazy as the character.  very cute movie, worth seeing.  it didn't hurt that i watched it with my little cousin who knew every word to the movie and was super excited that it was my first time to watch the movie!

also- The Real Housewives of Atlanta is starting up again and I cannot wait to see what drama unfolds!