They say it's your birthday.....

Well, life for me has been a bit emotionally draining these past few weeks. I am curently behind in school and will be playing catch-up over Thanksgiving vacation.....so it will not be much of a vacation for me.
But in other EXCITING news....we here in Ft. Worth are gearing up to celebrate that wonderful INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY on NOVEMBER 18. My 26th birthday. To kick off the festivities, Meredith and Justin and Austin and I are going out to eat at Simply Fondue. I discovered the joy and goodness of fondue when I lived in Virginia with Deanna. Miss Paris herself introduced it to me and I have been in love ever since. I am looking forward to celebrating with three of my favorite folks on Thursday. Then, on Friday (the actual birthday), Austin is taking me to a place that is every 26 year old girl's dream (per my wishes)....the circus! I don't know why, but I have always gotten excited about the circus. Could it be the lions, the clowns, the cotton candy, or how about the flying trapeze family?!?! And to cap off my birthday weekend, on Saturday we will be hanging out at the house, eating lunch and playing games....we being Kim, Kim's beau, Meg, Michael, Austin, Jason, and maybe a few others. I am hoping to get a good game of Risk going. I have not played Risk since I left Zambia, so I hope my mad skills as a world dominator are not lost!! I might need to call my pals Mal and Chris for a little pep talk before the game begins. Ok, I must now go so I can get back to pretending to work on a paper.
Love to you all........

introducing....

I think everyone would benefit by going to www.thebufs.blogspot.com

Since my hoss of a paper is due in one week from now and I have yet to put the first word down on paper, I think it is the perfect time for an update! Life is not the funnest right now. School is about to get the best of me and I am lacking the motivation to work harder. At least one thing remains true, Austin is a great boyfriend. Last night we had a take-home test to finish in one hour and fifteen minutes. I will not go into detail about how I did, but I wil tell you that I spent nearly the next two hours sobbing. Austin knew I was pretty upset about it so he came to my house just to give me a hug!!! Awwww!!!! I will say that I felt much better when he left as opposed to how I felt before he got here. But I can do it, only about six more weeks of school left for this semester. And by the way, Louisiana Tech has a GREAT thing going on with the quarter system!!!!! Maybe I am just feeling overwhelmed since it is mid-term.
If anyone has any great theological insights on sin and suffering, let me know.

The oh-so-sweet boyfriend!!

Procrastination....Who, me??!!?!

Well, I think now is the perfect time for me to update. I say that because I am looking for any excuse to keep myself from writing a 15 page paper on suffering for one of my classes (who cares that it is only 35% of my grade and the grader for the class is an ex-marine who is so strict and not overly-friendly that my friend named him the "mean marine.")
I had wonderful intentions to spend my whole day in the library...Unfortunately, my follow-through was not as wonderful. The good news is I got to spend some quality time with Austin this afternoon. We went to Starbucks and used up the rest of our gift cards we had received.
Last night I visited the Bufkins (Mer and Justin). We did not do anything really except talk and eat at Chick-fil-la. It was so nice to sit back and be with good friends.
Last weekend was an eventful one. Austin's parents came into town. Saturday night we all went to the last Ranger's game of the season. But the exciting part of the weekend happened that afternoon. I went to get in my car at about 4:30 that afternoon and noticed that things were not right...it was obvious someone had been through my car. I took a quick survey of my car and everything was accounted for....except about 75 cents in change that was in the change holder. I made a quick decision not to file a police report since the windows were not broken and nothing was stolen. I was on my way to meet Austin and his parents for the baseball game and thought I would just deal with it at his house. I went to put my key in the ignition to start it and it would not go in. I looked at the key hole and saw that something had been done to it, preventing me from starting my car. So, now I call Austin and he comes over with his dad. I also call my parents and the police. His dad was able to fix the ignition problem by removing a piece of a metal file that was used to try to crank my car. Can you believe it?? Someone tried to steal Dave (the name of my car). Too bad for them that they did not know how tough he is and that he fights back!! Apparently when the file broke off, they cut their hand. When they realized they were not getting my car they decided to swipe my spare change. When they went to grab it they left their blood beside the change holder. When the policeman came, I showed him the blood and he called the CSI people!!!! Yes, I had CSI at my car. Actually, it was quite anti-climatic.
After the drama of the attempted Dave theft, Austin's mom and I made our way to the ballpark to meet up with the Perry men. After the ballgame there was a spectacular fireworks display to Beetles music. It was about 20 minutes long and I loved every minute of it! It really made me want to go see the Christmas lights in Natchitoches this year.
Well, I have succeeded in putting off my paper for the last 30 minutes. I suppose now I can resume with my studies.......

A year ago....

Well it has been one year since I left Zambia and arrived back in the States. It is frightening to think about how time can quickly pass you by. However, it has only been in the last few weeks that I have come to miss Zambia and the friends and life I had there.
Since being back in America:
*I have lived in Richmond, Va.
*I have only been with my parents for about 2 of the past 12 months.
*Been reunited with many friends.
*Yet to see many friends.
*Moved to Fort Worth.
*Started seminary for a masters in family and marriage counseling.
*I have learned what it means to be broke.
*Been able to experience the joy, blessing, love, generousity, and selflessness of parents to their children!
*Three months ago started dating a really cute, really tall, and really sweet boy(whom I miss right now b/c he went home for a visit).
*The President of Zambia came to know Jesus Christ as his savior.
*Got to live near Stephanie and Tommy.
*I have been able to spend some great quality time with Austin.
*Got to see many dear friends that I worked with in Zambia.
*I spent 6 weeks with Paige! I love that lambchop.
*Worked at MLC and confirmed that I was not made for an office job and my spirtual gift is not service.
*I met Deanna and she has become a close friend. For some reason she put up with me for 8 months and would even feed me!
*I have been blessed enough to move to a place where I am surrounded by close friends, including my bff Meredith.
*I get to live with a great friend that I have known since jr. high, Kim (www.kimbolina.blogspot.com). I am not sure if she finds my slacker ways as endearing as Deanna did, but we have fun nonetheless.
*I have discovered the joy of a cell phone and text messaging.
*Recently been overwhelmed by school and the amount of reading, work, and studying I will be doing for the next 4 months.


To be continued....

Is he the best or what??!!?!?!

So yesterday (Tuesday) turned out to be a great day even though it started out pretty rough. This has been my second week at my new job as a nanny. I like it so far but now the kids are starting to test me and their boundaries (too bad for them I have little toleration for disrespect). Yesterday I worked from 8-6 and had trouble the entire day with one of the kids. When I got home I was tired and just wanted to relax. Fortunately for me I have a sweet boyfriend. Austin had planned a little date for us and when I got to his house he met me at the door with a dozen pink roses! Then he took me to a place that overlooked the river and we ate strawberries and he read to me. It was really nice and a great way to end my day from all the craziness I had endured earlier. As if that was not enough, he placed little surprises for me to find throughout the house. The surprises were things he knew were my favorites (like Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream). Why can't more days end like that!

August 1...really?? How does time go so fast? At the end of this month I will have been back from Zambia for one year? Hard to believe.
So Kim and I are all moved into our apartment and I have already registered for my fall classes. The only thing left is to find a job, and asap! I already have one but it does not start for a couple more weeks.
It has been a truly great couple of days for me. Last night I hung out with my usual group of friends but there was a new addition...a long lost friend from the college days, Jay Whittington. That boy is funny and it is always fun when he is around. I especially like to watch when he, Michael, and Austin are all together...nothing but laughs.
Today I got to talk to Mal and Chris (pals I worked with and lived beside in Zambia). They are in New Orleans at seminary. I miss those guys! They were great friends to me the last two years. They are each married now and all grown up. But I wonder if their wives know that they like to get manicures and do facials?!?!?! Good times and great memories!
I love my friends....


Me and Kimmie

So after spending time in Arkansas and Louisiana, I am now living in Fort Worth, Texas. I have been here a little over 2 weeks and I am enjoying it tremendously so far. Since being here I have been to the Japanese Botanical Gardns, eaten sushi, attended a Texas Rangers game, had a crawfish boil, and went to the museum. It really has been a great time! Although, I will say, that I had some great company for all of those outings.
Being in Fort Worth is almost like being back in college. So many people I knew from Louisiana Tech are in the DFW area.
In case anyone is curious, I am putting a picture on here of me and my date at the botanical gardens last week.


Austin and Ashley (dating for one month now...)

I left Va last Wednesday at 4:40am. I drove for 14 hours and I finally arrived in Little rock sometime around 6:30pm. I was dang tired, especially since I was unable to sleep the night before I left. Maybe I was too excited to sleep. All I know is I practically had to have a caffeine IV hooked up to me that morning.
It was bittersweet to leave Richmond. I miss the girls of quad 32 and Deanna taking care of me like she is my mother. The Tuesday night before I left the girls had planned something for me. We did a progressive supper of some of our favorite restaurants. It was really sweet of them. And for dessert, the multi-talented Deanna, made chocolate fondue for me....the first time I had ever had it and she even gave me my very own chocolate fondue pot...how sweet is she!
I have had a great time in Arkansas. You should email me and ask me about it. I have seen family, friends, BB King, and the Black Crowes. I even left little rock with a great souvenir!
Right now I am at my grandparents house in Heber Springs, Ar. I will be here for several days before going to my parents house in Louisiana. I will be at my parents house until I move to Fort Worth, Tx. in a few weeks.
That's all for now because my eyelids are starting to get heavy. Oh, Steph, if you are reading this, I want you to know that I have not forgotten that I need to write about the great adventure we had in Gether!

Your Inner European is Spanish!

Energetic and lively. You bring the party with you!

Who's" Your Inner European?

ASHLEYBROOKESHOWARD
A	is for	Active
S	is for	Sweet
H	is for	Honest
L	is for	Likeable
E	is for	Energetic
Y	is for	Yummy
B	is for	Brainy
R	is for	Responsible
O	is for	Overwhelming
O	is for	Outrageous
K	is for	Keen
E	is for	Enthusiastic
S	is for	Serious
H	is for	Happy
O	is for	Orderly
W	is for	Worldly
A	is for	Alluring
R	is for	Radiant
D	is for	Dreamy

What Does Your Name Mean?

Your #1 Match: INFP

The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

Your #2 Match: ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller! You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

American Cities That Best Fit You:

75% Austin

60% Atlanta

60% Denver

50% Honolulu

50% Miami

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Your Linguistic Profile:

45% Dixie

45% General American English

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Upper Midwestern

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/amenglishdialecttest/">What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

An important event took place not long ago and I would like to share it with you....


By Shawn HendricksLUSAKA, Zambia (BP)--

The president of Zambia recently acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in a public service, Southern Baptist missionaries report.A crowd clapped and cheered as President Levy Mwanawasa (mwah-nah-WAH-sah) rose from the water in an outdoor baptistery behind a Baptist seminary chapel building in Lusaka, Zambia's capital. The event drew hundreds of people, including public officials, leaders and pastors from the area and neighboring countries."This baptism was an incredible occasion for the Baptist witness to many people who we have not had in church before," said Troy Lewis, a Southern Baptist missionary in the southern African nation of more than 10 million people. "They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ." On the day of his baptism, Mwanawasa shared his spiritual journey before a packed chapel service. He told listeners he had been "struck" by Jesus -- similar to the Apostle Paul's experience on the road to Damascus. Mwanawasa, a successful lawyer and former vice president, took office in 2002. Respected for his reputation for honesty, he was known as "Mr. Integrity" even by his political opponents before his election. Now in his mid-50s, he survived a near-fatal car accident in 1992 but insists he is in excellent health. Mwanawasa remembers attending a Baptist school as a boy, but his relationship with Christ began to transform when he started attending Twin Palm Baptist Church in Lusaka in 2003. The small church meets at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Zambia in Lusaka.As he came week after week with his "entourage," the church tried to maintain business as usual -- but it wasn't easy. "All of us here were immensely excited about this," Lewis said. "Our excitement and prayers increased when he returned to church again and kept coming whenever he was in the country."The president began asking questions about the Christian faith and how he could join the church. Church members answered his questions and ministered to him during difficult times. After Mwanawasa began attending the church, his mother died from injuries caused by a fire. He also lost his two brothers. One died unexpectedly of illness; the other was murdered. Mwanawasa soon shared how Christ had moved in his life -- and that he wanted to be baptized. Franklin Kilpatrick, missionary in Zambia for 35 years, helped disciple Mwanawasa during this process. Kilpatrick and his wife, Paula, are members of Twin Palm Baptist Church."The impact is not just in Zambia; this could have an impact on an international level," said Kilpatrick, who is temporarily on U.S. assignment. "He could impact a lot of leaders. He is in a position of influence, and people need encouragement."The Kilpatricks were originally concerned about drawing too much attention to the event. Local missionaries tried to remain low-key about Mwanawasa's decision. But the news quickly spread all over Zambia -- and to other parts of the world. Others have commented on how the president's life has changed. He already has invited friends and leaders from around the world to attend church with him.Paula Kilpatrick is excited about what God has planned for the future. "We feel like the story is not over," she said.The president is just one of many spiritual success stories in Zambia. Last year, 116 Baptist churches were started, bringing the total number of churches to 985 -- plus 124 mission congregations. Some missionaries believe Mwanawasa's baptism is an exclamation point on what God is beginning to do in the country. Lewis encouraged Mwanawasa during a celebration lunch at the statehouse after his baptism. "I shared with him that we had been praying for him after he came into office, that Zambia would have a leader who had Jesus as his Lord," Lewis said. "And in him coming to Christ and being baptized, God had answered our prayers. "I told him that we praise God -- and will pray for him to continue to be a president who sees leadership as serving the people rather than lording it over them."

For more details and pictures search www.imb.org.

I finally had a weekend that consisted of more than MLC and lounging on the couch. Friday night I spent nearly 4 hours at Chile's with 3 other friends talking and laughing. We were killing time until our movie that started at 10:15. Deanna and I watched "A lot like love." We thorougly enjoyed it and talked about it the whole way home that night.

On Saturday I met up with Tommy and Stephanie and we drove to Williamsburg, Va.

We ate lunch with her brother and then walked around the free part of colonial Williamsburg. We visited a super-old church that George Washinton, Thomas Jefferson, and many others attended. They had assigned seating back then so we got to see their pews. Not surprising that Washington had the front pew. There was even a fancy throne-type seat in the church that was saved for whichever British high-up that was in visiting. But now that seat is strictly reserved for the Govenor of Virginia only. Too bad I did not take my camera with me to Williamsburg!

Also while in Williamsburg we stopped by the William and Mary Barnes and Noble bookstore. Me, Tommy, and Stephanie all bought W&M hats. Tommy and I only slightly felt like traitors to LA Tech.

After the bookstore Steph took us on a mini-tour of W&M campus and showed us where she spent most of her college days....what a nerd, she spent most of her time in the chemistry lab (when she wasn't in the pool for swim team, of course). What a concept...studying in college....or studying at all!

When we got back to Richmond we hung out at Tommy and Steph's for a while before we went to the movies later that night to watch "Sahara." It was actually pretty good, a lot better than I was expecting.

It was a good weekend! I will miss the Knighten's when I leave Va (insert really sad face here).

Speaking of leaving Virginia...I do that in one month from today on May 25.........

I had a friend email me asking me to write an update....the problem with writing an update is there is little to update on, unless you are interested in how many times a week I go to Wal-mart or what tv show currently has me hooked. Regardless of how uninteresting I am, here goes an update....

Another week down and less than six weeks until I leave Richmond. I am very eager to get to Texas!
So it is yet another Saturday with nothing to do. Or maybe it is another Saturday with no motivation to do anything.
I went to DC this week with Paige and Deanna. Deanna was flying out of Dulles for a trip home and so Paige and I "volunteered" to take her to the airport. But we did not so much mind taking her because we got to go shopping all day before dropping her off at the airport.
As I am typing this I am listening to Jimmy Buffett and James Taylor. The result--it makes me wish I were on the beach.
Well, that is all I can stand to type for now...this music is making me get cabin fever and I am gonna head outside for a while. Stay tuned........

Paige and I at Deanna's birthday party. Paige and I met in Zambia.

So I took a personality test online, here is a "trait snapshot" of me...

messy, disorganized, not rule conscious, rebellious, rash, weird, ambivalent about chaos, likes bizarre things, anti-authority, not good at saving money, not a perfectionist, leaves many things unfinished, low self control, strange, desires more attention, romantic daydreamer, abstract, impractical, unproductive, leisurely, likes the unknown

I have to say that not all of those are exactly positive but for the most part it is accurate. I do not really sound like the kind of employee an employer would hire...or the type of student that a seminary would accept. Thank goodness "diversity" and "uniqueness" are good things.

World Water Day

Go here and click
http://www.aquaplastics.org/

my roomie, Deanna


AT LEAST once a day people ask if we are sisters, some even go so far as to ask if we are twins. I mean, we even get stopped in Wal-Mart and the mall!! We don't really see it. We are guessing it is the Irish blood in us. I have gotten to the point that I say yes when people ask b/c it is easier.


me and Karen getting ready to clean...and all decked out in green

This weekend was pretty uneventful. So much so that we volunteered our services to help our friend Jonathan clean his house. Yeah, cleaning!?!??! Obviously that was not my idea. And we went to help him out because he bought this house in November and bless his heart it is like the movie "The Money Pit." I swept up dustpan's full of sawdust and nails...in the kitchen alone!
But it was a nice trade off, he cooked supper for us in return.