Nearly 3 Months Later!!

Needless to say, there has been a whole lot going on in the life of Jeni McKeithen!!! So much that I don't even know where to begin - so if this is scattered, I'm sorry, you will have to deal with it :o) My thoughts come & go, so that's most likely how they will be presented here, haha.

Most recently (one week ago to be exact) I graduated from California Baptist University w/ a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Cum Laude (that means I had over a 3.5 GPA). What a marvelous 3 1/2 years it was at CBU. Graduating and moving on as a whole is quite bittersweet, I'm really not sure how else to put it! I will really miss the community there, no doubt. I will miss the caf (but that can be a good thing, maybe there's hope of actually losing that freshman 15!). I will really miss my 1 and only room mate: Nancy Barrales, and of course the housemates as well: Beth Crowell, Kendra Faulkner, Brittany Ingold & Candy Teague. We had such a great experience living in the house together, and as I am happy to be back home, I will miss what our house at school was. Speaking of being home, I totally changed my room around today (wahoo!!) I figured I'm at a new place in life, so I deserve something new to come home to. Since I will be a working woman come January 5th (I'll be doing accounting/office assistant duties for M&M Sports and Apparel) I figured my bed should be the focal point & most comfortable place in my room. I got a new mattress memory foam, some memory foam pillows, some decor pillows, and my bed is now complete. It looks good if I say so myself! And the wall decor & lighting is now different as well, it's definitely a different room, a big change...and change is good!

In these past 3 months, I have been wondering what the future as a whole holds for me. I've graduated with a degree, and of course would love to use it - but I'm not so sure that I want to teach in the state of CA, so I have decided not to credential, and to just work for a while and pay down my loans, and see what comes. I have determined there are 2 options that I would like to pursue. One is to seek out administrative positions on Christian college campuses or to teach overseas. There is a great teaching program in Russia, which allows teachers from the U.S. (w/ any states credential) to teach at a private school there while receiving a U.S. teachers standard salary. This would be ideal. But I would have to look into getting my credentials first to do that. I'd like to see what options are out there, and then determine what I would like to do. I know it all rests in God's hands, so I will be prayerful to consider what He has in store for me. I will keep updating as to what I believe the future may hold (only time will tell).

As far as travelling goes, I went up to Chico in November to visit Melissa (my best friend) and had a blast there. My friend/co-worker Mallory flew up with me, and we spent the weekend w/ Melissa. We hung out, slept, went shopping, and also got to celebrate Samuel's 21st bday. Samuel and I have become friends, and he is a great guy! Seriously, if you want a good friend (someone to have meaningful conversations with, someone who is interested in what's going on in your life, someone who is fun/entertaining, someone who is honest, etc.) I know where you can find one!!!! Other than Chico, the only other trip I went on was to Vegas after graduation. What a GREAT weekend that was. Vegas deserves its own post, there's too much to say about that trip. In January I will be going with my dad to Alabama (what has become our annual father/daughter trip). We will be going hunting for white tail deer and hogs. Good times! I'm looking into going out to New York for a friends wedding in the late Spring and then to Chico again for Melissa's graduation. Even though I won't be in school, I know time will continue to fly by.

As I was putting some laundry away about 20 minutes ago, I realized I had completely left something out of this blog update. I was summoned for jury duty this summer, in the late weeks of August, though was unable to go at the time, so I had it postponed. And wouldn't you know it, it was rescheduled for Dec. 22nd. I didn't have to go in on the 22nd, but I had to report on the 23rd. Contrary to popular demand and popular complaints, I have thoroughly enjoyed jury duty! It is my 1st ever experience, and I was actually chosen for a jury. It's a 5 day trial, criminal case. Meaning, we have to have a unanimous vote as the jury, so that should be interesting. However, I really am enjoying the experience and it has tought me so much about the system we are blessed to have. Think of people in other countries who are not innocent until proven guilty, how would that make you feel if you were locked up for life immediately w/ out any say in the matter? I don't know about you, but what we have here is great, and we should be delighted to give of our time and thoughts in order to serve. Call me crazy if you wish, but truly, I look forward to my summons next year. Thank you Court!

For now, this is what's going on in my life. I will be posting more often, as I won't have papers, homework, projects, study groups, etc. to tend to...Hallelujah!!!! Until next time, adios!

Some stuff about me...

1. Were you named after anyone? Not that I know of, but I do have my aunt's middle name, Lee

2. When was the last time you cried? Probably during orientation week (August) when I was thinking about a lot of things...

3. Do you like your handwriting? Yes, actually I do.

4. What is your favorite lunchmeat? Roast beef.

5. Do you have kids? Nope, not yet...but someday I want 7.

6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? I think so.

7. Do you like sarcasm? Yes, I use it quite often!
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes
9. Would you bungee jump? No, skydive only.
10. What is your favorite cereal? Life or Cap-n-crunch or Fruity Pebbles
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope.
12. Do you think you are strong? Yes....

13. What is your favorite ice cream? Rainbow Sherbert

14. Whats the first thing you notice about people? Teeth/Smile

15. Red , or Pink? Red for clothing, pink for accessories

16. What 's the least favorite thing about yourself? Being out of shape

17. Who do you miss the most? Dancing and doing TaeKwonDo

18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you? No, they can't on this.

19. What color pants & shoes are you wearing? Light blue jean capris, and no shoes :o)

20. What was the last thing you ate? Chips & Guacamole from Albertos, yummy!
21. What are you listening to right now? This movie on Lifetime and some "band" playing in the neighborhood.

22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Yellow, because brightness is a necessity

23. Favorite smells? Guys cologne

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Beth

25. Do you like the person that sent this to you? Yes, Yvonne sent it to me!

26. Favorite sports to watch? Basketball of course

27. Hair color? Brown

28. Eye Color? Brown/Green, they change

29. Do you wear contacts? Yes, or glasses.

30. Favorite foods? Mexican or anything my mom cooks!

31. Scary movies or happy endings? Scary if there's a guy to protect me, happy endings any other time.

32. Last movie you watched? My Best Friends Girl (today w/ Melissa!!!)

33. What color shirt are you wearing? White

34. Summer or Winter? Summer

35. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs are my favorite, but kisses are more special.

36. Favorite Dessert? Cheesecake, or sorbet.

37. Most likely to respond? No one

38. Least likely to respond? No one

39. What book are you reading? The Bible, Define the Relationship & When God Writes Your Love Story

40. What is on your mouse pad? Don't have one

41. What did you watch on TV last night? One Tree Hill

42. Favorite sound? Rain on a tin roof (aka Alabama)

43. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles

44. What is the farthest you have ever been from home? Romania

45. Do you have a special talent? Just being me :o) I have an extreme flexibility gift though.

46. Where were you born? Yorba Linda, CA

...Music & Lyrics...

No, not the movie.

Anyone who has been in my car (or with me where there is music) for longer than an hour would know that I relate music to all aspects of my life. I'm pretty sure I have a song for everything. I like to link the different areas of my life, and music is a huge aspect of my doing that.

If there was a significant event in my life, significant people, fun times with friends where a song was involved, I remember the importance of these things and people in relation to the songs. It's part of my remembering. Music and lyrics are a part of my life.

The following are ways in which music is a part of me:
Mom: In My Daughters Eyes by Martina McBride
I Will Be by Natalie Grant

Dad: She Don't Know She's Beautiful by Sammy Kershaw
You Don't Have to Let Go by Jessica Simpson (Father-Daughter song for wedding)

Wedding: Tonight Is The Night by Betty Wright

Jesus: Often times when people are praying, or make small statements, they remind me of
worship songs...random, but AMAZING.

CARWASH (room mate upbeat songs that we deem important in washing our cars)

These are just a few specific ones. There are definitely WAY MORE. But, it's time for me to go to bed, because unfortunately I have a 7 am class, and then have to work. So I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

I have a feeling I will be blogging quite a bit to come, so stay tuned.

RE-UNITED

The FAB 4
Jeni & Brit (aka Speef)
Jenna & Jeni (the Jen's!)
Becky & Jeni (aka Becky-sita & Jeni-sita)

Reunited and it feels so good, that song comes to mind when I begin thinking of the reunion that the FAB4 had last night. The last time we were all together was when we celebrated finals being over in the Spring. I was gone for Jenna's wedding, so the FAB4 was incomplete. We finally were able to get together last night, and as always, we had a BLAST. We met at Beck's and then went to In & Out (cuz Brit and I were craving it) then we headed over to the Glass House for some Tyrone Wells time!!! We needed to waste some time, and we somehow ended up wandering into a bridal shop, and the lady working there, Angie, wisped Becky away and made her the next bride to be. It was quite an experience, and now is making us all look forward to marriage that much more. Except for Jenna, she's gonna get to re-live the wedding experience through all of us, she's the expert now - I think we decided that. After we shopped for Becky's future wedding dress (which I believe she found) it was GORGEOUS!!! we went to see Tyrone. Jason Reeves opened for him, and he was really good. Some new fav. songs now, that's for sure. It was the first time I had ever really listened to Tyrone, and he seriously was the BEST. I'm sure that will be a new tradition for the FAB4. Check out his new single, Patience - it comes out on Tuesday. After the show we went to BJ's, a tradition when we get together!!

I am fine, REALLY!

Ok, so this is my first ever VENTING blog. People, seriously, I AM FINE! I may not appear that way, but honestly, and truly, I am fine. I think I might not be ok if everyone keeps asking me that and trying to figure whatever "it" is out. There isn't an "it"!!!!

I have just had a lot of stuff on my heart and mind lately, and I've been thinking. Once I get to thinking about something, it's hard to get my mind off of it. There are some tough things to think about, some decisions that need to be made, and none of the above come easily - especially in relation to my future and where I'm going. I don't know exactly what I'm thinking right now, but when I do - I will write about it I'm sure.

For now, I'm looking forward to a normal schedule and a routine. Where I can make plans for the weeks to come and be able to schedule out my days like I'm used to. This up and down, all around stuff is starting to wear on me - please don't be offended if I say I need "Jeni time" trust me, if I say I need it, I need it. I may be extroverted most of the time, but I'm starting to wear down because of people overload. "Jeni time" is my introverted time, where I can get rejouvenated and have some peace.

And with that thought, I'm off for some Jeni time and gonna read a new book! Hallelujah!

…I Have a Confession to Make…

I went to Sandals tonight, as I’ve been going with Greg & Tami Cash for the past couple weeks. It has been awesome. Tonight was about confessing one to another, and praying for each other. I have been wanting a mentor in my life, and I think that time is finally here – time to be serious about seeking and making time for something of the sort to be an active part of my life. For too long now I’ve been trying to do it Jeni’s way, and that obviously isn’t working. Well, it’s been sufficient, but not enough…because it’s NEVER enough when we try to do something on our own – we were created to rely on Him. I definitely have not been relying on Him for everything. He deserves so much more for me, and in accountability and confession, I hope to bring Him more.

Something that stuck out particularly to me was when (1) Pastor Neil posed the question/thought: “Are you choosing fake community over real intimacy?” Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. By my decisions to come, I’ll be deciding this for myself. Do I simply like someone because it’s appealing to have attention, or do I genuinely like them? Is it something I’m about because I like the thought of it, or because I like the reality of it? Do I like it because others notice it and are willing to invest time in me because of it? All of these things crossed my mind. I may truly like this person, or I may be after it for the big picture. I don’t know. Truly time will tell, but this calls on a true observation of my heart, actions, and life as a whole. If I don’t do this now – I may cause hurt for myself, and potentially hurt for another. We’ll see where things go. I truly think God used the message tonight to open my eyes to the realities of me not giving Him the least bit of what He requires of me. It’s time for action…no doubt.

Another sermon point that is weighing on me is to “start acting in love, so as NOT to be selfish!” When we truly love others (like 1 Corinthians 16:14 – “Let all you do be done in love.”) we are putting our own needs aside in order to put others as more valuable and important. When we do this, we are eliminating the chances of being selfish. After doing the love languages test and reading the book, the ways I express my love and receive love from others is by Quality Time & Gifts. I have often felt that in gift giving, people think I’m trying to win them over (for FOCUS people, yes I have Woo!) but it’s not as to do it in a negative way. I love to do small things to remind people that they are thought of and that they are special to me. I also love to do things to encourage people…it’s part of how He wired me I suppose. (Actually, I know…I don’t suppose that.)

Well, this is my piece of mind for now. More to come sometime.

Contentment

Contentment...what is contentment? According to dictionary.com, contentment is "happiness with one's situation in life"

I can truly say that where I am right now, is at a place of content. I have been doing much thinking lately, and it has been driving me nuts, but thinking is good. If we don't think about things - how do we really know how we feel? We may think we know - but the more thought we give to something, we see whether we really do know, or if we simply need to give it more thought...thus, we're presented with an ever present cycle of "thinking"

You may wonder what in life is making me content. If you are...continue to read, if not, disregard and go read someone else's blog :o)
#1, I am content because of Christ. I would not be content if I did not have a loving, forgiving, and gracious Father, who is my Savior!! To know that I am loved unconditionally by Him, no matter what I look like, no matter what I think, say, or do - if I come to Him with a repentant heart and a desire to serve Him, He welcomes me with open arms - there is not much more contentment than that.
#2, I am content because in 12 days I get to move into a house (which we're making a home) with 5 friends: Beth Crowell, Britt Ingold, Nancy Barrales, Candy Teague & Kendra Faulkner. What an exciting time. I truly cannot wait to live with these women, ahhhh WAHOOOOOOO! Pictures of our home will definitely be posted...probably after orientation, after we get all settled in - so expect pictures sometime in beg. of September.
#3, I am content because I got to be open with a friend, and they were open in return. You know when you just wonder something for so long, but don't know how to ask it, because you don't want things to be awkward, and you don't want them to take it the wrong way - well I was feeling just that, for about 2 months now. But didn't know how to bring it up. Finally, I got bold enough, and just asked. I know I didn't ask what I wanted to know in the right manner, but we were able to talk about it a little more later, and things are fine. No need to think there will be awkwardness.
#4 (really #3 cont'd), I am content, because I don't feel a need to want to like someone, or to be liked in return. This is weird, and I'm not even sure if my words are portraying my feelings properly...but I will try my best. If you know you like someone, why do you search somewhere else to see if you can find something better? Usually I've always been the type to keep the open mind, but for some reason, my mind and heart keep coming back to one person. Could it be that I really really really like this person? I would say YES!!! I have never liked anyone like I like him, and I don't know what the difference is. Maybe it's different because I'm more mature now - I dunno, my last relationship was in uhhh, June 2005 (so over 3 years ago). But, when you like someone, it doesn't mean you have to be in a relationship. Of course, in time, and in development of the friendship/relationship, you may see that you're better as friends - or that you can potentially be together...but you can't limit your friendship in the present, you must just continue to develop the friendship you have, and see where God leads it. This is exactly where the "in time" and "we'll see" come into the picture. Out of love & respect for one another though, be honest with one another, and see where things go. If you're like me, and you know in your heart of hearts that you don't want to pursue a relationship with anyone else right now, stick to that - but have people around you that can see the situation as a whole, to make sure you're not just sitting around, waiting for their time only, where you're a convenient person to have around - that's not what friendships or relationships are about - DON'T SETTLE, and certainly don't be used. With that said, I'm content with where I'm at in the friendship/relationship stage of life...and am looking to stay where I'm at.
#5, I am content because I will graduate December 19, 2008!!! Wahoo. Though if you ask me in a couple months, I probably won't be so content, as I will have to be looking for a full time job. But, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
#6, I am content because I figured out that I've been best friends with Melissa for nearly 10 years! 2 weeks from now, we're going on a trip to the very 1st place we ever went as friends - how exciting. I guess you could say we'll celebrate our 10 year anniversary of being friends :o)
#7, I am content because I just got all of this off of my mind...and I hope it made sense!!!

If you've managed to make it to this point - congratulations, sorry for the different ways I went, but that's just how my mind works!!!