Interview: Rebecca

I'd like you to meet my friend, Rebecca. We met through the fabulous Taylor Swift. Alright, well, we technically haven't met yet, but we've been talking on Facebook for about a year and a half and we also became pen pals this year. It has been a lot of fun getting to know her. What I can tell you about her is she's really sweet, she'll do anything for her friends, and she has a big heart. We have a lot in common, like our love for Taylor Swift, Friends, One Tree Hill, and many other things. We were also both close with our grandma's. I'm so glad we've become friends, and I can't wait to finally meet, hopefully at CMA Fest this year :)

Rebecca and Taylor Swift at the red carpet for the BMI's!!!!

Describe yourself in 3 words.
I would describe myself as caring, dedicated and loyal.

Tell us a little about your life (When you were born, some of your experiences, childhood, school, what you do-pretty much anything you want to share)
Let's see.. I'm an only child, I was born in 1989 which seems like ages ago! My school and town were small so everybody was really close. As a child I spent most of my time at school or after school activities, at home with my parents or out at my grandparents house.

If you could be anyone from a book, TV show, or movie...who would you be?
If I could be anybody from a book, movie or tv show I would probably be Melinda from Ghost Whisperer because although having the gift to speak to spirits is odd and scary at times, helping the families and the spirits themselves I think would be rewarding.

If you could date anyone from a book, TV Show, or movie, who would you be?
If I could date anybody from a book, movie or tv show I would either date Seth from the O.C., Channing Tatum's character in Dear John or the guy in The Last Song. They're all SO cute, sweet and treat the girls how they should be treated!

If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?
I would probably choose to be invisible! I think it would be so cool to be able to just be somewhere and have nobody see you.. everybody always says at some point they want to be a fly on a wall somewhere!


Guilty pleasure TV show?
Well I'm pretty obsessed and addicted to One Tree Hill, Friends, Law and Order SVU and Criminal Minds! Quite the different types of shows I know but they all interest me for different reasons and have me laughing, on the edge of my seat in suspense or crying!

If you had a chance to go back to your biggest mistake and change it, would you? Or do you think it has made you a better person because of it?
Probably one of my worst habits is having regret and carrying it around so this question is a hard one! I have a lot of moments I'd like to go back and change and some I think happened because they were supposed to but for the most part I would probably go back and change it!


Who is the one person you've always admired and why?
Well as far as famous people go I've admired Taylor Swift since the first time I learned anything about her! She's a great role model and person! As far as anybody in general I've always admired my grandma, my aunt and my mom. My grandma battled 3 types of cancer before losing her battle and was one of the strongest people I've ever met during everything! My aunt is a 8 year breast cancer survivor and I admire her for that and my mom is just my rock so I admire her for everything!


What's a motto you've always lived by?
I've always lived by the motto/saying "Everything happens for a reason". I've always been a firm believer of this and always will be. We may not always understand or like the reasons but they happened to make us a stronger, better person!


Proudest accomplishment in your life so far? What's something you'd still like to do?
Proudest accomplishment so far in my life is graduating with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care. It took me longer to get my degree than expected but I stuck with it and hung in there because it was something I really loved and when I finally got my diploma and graduated I felt so proud of myself. Something I would still like to do is at some point move to Nashville and sing!

Do you make new year resolutions? If so, have you made any for 2012?
I usually don't make New Year's resolutions but I think I'm going to try this year! I'm going to try to not drink as much soda and try and eat healthier.

What's something you're looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to seeing how my job is going to end up after the one year mark and going to Nashville again for my first time at CMA Fest 2012!


What would you tell your 13 year old self, knowing what you know now?
I would probably tell my 13 year old self to not worry so much about what people think of you and to not change yourself to make everybody else happy. If people don't like you for who you are then it's their loss and they're missing out on a great person and friend! Also I'd probably say to not hate life as much either.. at 13 we think life is so hard and tough.. wait until adulthood and the real world!

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

This Week in Photos

diet!

Hung up Christmas lights in my room, while listening to 98 Degrees hahaha

Pretty good week! Got 100% on my last speech I gave on Country music being the most relatable, and now I've just been trying to get work done (but, that hasn't exactly been going according to plan...I've been slacking). I'm so ready for break, it's not even funny. So, I need to finish some history and math for this week.

Peace out,
Shelby

Christmas Practice #3

Last night, we had our third Christmas practice, and it was so much fun! I think we're all a little tired with the year coming to a close and all that that entails; we were all popping off with crazy things and laughing A LOT. We learned Happy Christmas (War Is Over) and Joy To The World. Let me just say...the more you say "And heav'n and nature sing", the funnier it becomes. Viviyan and I were singing, and all of a sudden it became seriously funny, and we couldn't stop laughing. Happy Christmas is a little slower, so not exactly perky and upbeat, but I still think it'll be fun to sing!

"Is it has or is?"
"Is...that's the usual."
"Well, the book says how, so I just wanted to clarify."
"The book is WRONG!"
(About Joy To The World...All said in good fun, of course!)

"Credence Clearwater? It's Three Dog Night!"
"Yeah, we already established that over here!"
(On who sings the other Joy To The World LOL).

We went over the other songs we've learned (Oh Holy Night, A Baby Changes Everything, Shake Up Christmas, Go Tell It On The Mountain, The Messiah Came, and Don't Save It All For Christmas Day). I'm so excited for the concert! It's going to be a blast. We're having our dress rehearsal and full run through in a couple weeks; should be great :)

Why I Relate To The Character of Peyton Sawyer

Even though Peyton seemed to get a little whiny in the last season she was on One Tree Hill, I loved her character. I related to her in many ways; sometimes coming off a little tough, because she was afraid of getting hurt again, and music was her thing as well. She was deep and she based things in life off of lyrics! She is a pretty cool chick! :)

College

Me right now! ....oops!

College is supposed to be a wonderful time in our life, right? And don't get me wrong, it is. I wasn't a fan of high school. I think I did have a bad attitude about it, but either way, I was ready for other things. For some reason, I had this "magical" idea in my head that as soon as I got out of high school I was going to move to Nashville or Hollywood, and I'd be living the dream right now. I'd be working on music or I'd be writing the next great American novel, or hanging out with Jennifer Aniston and Ryan Reynolds by now, or getting ready for my European tour (yes, I realize I'm a little delusional and living in a fantasy world). But, the reality of it is that I'm here in front of my computer, in my living room, watching Ellen, like I pretty much do every afternoon, blogging. Why? Because I feel like this is as close as I can get to what I want to do right now...writing. 

I'm going to a community college right now to get my basic classes out of the way before I can transfer to another university, and it's only supposed to take two years, right? Wrong. It'll probably end up taking me 2 1/2-3 years out there. It either ends up being too many classes, so I end up spreading them out to the following semester, or it's too much money to take the class load that I have. I just feel like I'm going to be at square one the rest of my life, and at some point, I'd like to get out of town. Right now, that seems like a long shot, and I'm not quite ready, but I would love to branch out and do more. The things I want, I can't get here. And it's just really discouraging at the moment when I think of what comes after this. I have no idea. I know what I want, but what will I be able to make it happen? Is it what God has planned for me? I have no idea. And that really scares me.

Maybe now is the time to just dive in. Try new things. Maybe I'll fail, but maybe it'll be the best thing for me. Now is the time to enjoy hanging out with friends and family, do what I love without worrying too much about money, and to not be afraid to make mistakes. I'm young and the world's full of opportunities, I just have to learn to take them when they come, instead of waiting for something to fall out of the sky. Dreams change, and things don't work out, but there's no time like the present to find out what does.

So, right now, I need to focus on the last assignments of class, finals coming up, and just getting through each day. I'll think about life as it comes, and give it up to God. I think He's trying to teach me patience and to trust in Him more. I'm a control freak; I like to call the shots with my life, and know what's coming next. I like to plan, and have everything lined up. I'm not a fan of spontaneous things (well, depending on what it is).  But, God's in control, and I have to know that it's not up to me. Things will happen when they're supposed to. Until then, I need to enjoy just being and not worrying over things that aren't in my control. *Deep breath* Ready, set, GO!

That's all for now,
Shelby

Interview with my Grandpa

My grandpa is an incredible man of faith. He loves God more than anything in the world, and loves to share the gospel. He attended North Central Bible college in Minnesota, and was a pastor for many years. He is now retired, but still loves living each day to its fullest. He has four sons, a beautiful,loving wife (and my grandma) and has plenty of grandchildren to spread the love around to. I love him very much! I learned a lot about him from these questions and I hope you do too :)

What was your favorite memory of your childhood or something that stands out to you about growing up?
A: Being trained on the farm with parents that were loving, honest with integrity, hard workers; to build character and respect.

What was your dream or an ultimate goal of yours when you were younger?
A: While growing up on the farm, I always wanted to be a farmer, but time began to change on the farm. As I grew up I began to want to fly in the air force but when I was about 8-9 years old, I found out I was blind in the left eye and it could not be corrected.

What is the accomplishment in your life you are most proud of?
A: I finished high school in Morven, Georgia at the age of 18. I worked one summer in the local tobacco warehouse in Hahira (Georgia), inspecting the tobacco of a company from England that was buying the very best of 'smoking tobacco'. And my oldest brother Wallace and I went on up to Smithfield, N. Carolina following the market as it moved north. Finished there, and we came home and I went to Miami, FL, and got a job in construction work, til December, 1949, and I came home for Christmas, and daddy told me I was about to be drafted in the military, during the Korean War. I certainly did not want to go into the Army, so I joined the Air Force, and took 3 weeks of "Boot Camp" in San Antonia, Texas for my basic training and in about four weeks they shipped me to Rapid City, S. Dakota.
I was very home sick there, so far from home and not knowing anyone, but began to regularly go to church in a town called Bethel Temple Assembly of God, and I loved it there. On Good Friday in 1951 we were in a revival and I got saved.
I was beginning to grow up and become a real man. Soon I met Eleanor (my grandma) and in about two years we got married. God was now working in my life as I was filled with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Wichita Falls in Texas in November 1951. That's where I was going to Airplane and Engine Mechanics school for seven months.
I finished the Air Force  12-1954 with an Honorable Discharge, and I felt the Lord calling me to go to Bible college in Minneapolis, Minnesota, full time for almost four years.
It's a long story in the Air Force, but the Lord was really working in my heart to go into ministry. My studies in college was pastoral theology. By the time I finished college, three boys were born. Paul was in Rapid City before I got out of the Air Force, and Bob and David were born in Minneapolis, and Andy (my dad) was born in Fitzgerald, GA as we moved there and started a new Assembly of God church. It's a beautiful building in the southern pines now.
And writing two books that I am proud of, for I've gotten many many compliments for them both.

If you had a chance to re-live a certain moment your life, what would it be? Would you want to change anything about that moment?
OH! YES! It would be the sins I've committed since I've gotten saved, and believe you, I've prayed and prayed and asked God for conviction of the Lord, which He certainly has. But, oh I've hurt and would not want to share them personally with any of them.

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind or the one thing you want people to think about when they think of you?
That I have been an honest man of integrity, that the four sons God has given Eleanor and I will lead a great life for their children. That they would all be loved by all of their friends, be saved, and filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit setting a pattern of the life of Christ.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
I'm going to give you what I wished that some spiritual mentoring person would have given me at your age. To answer this question, I want to answer what the leading of the Holy Spirit has given to me. That is to give you and everyone that I can make contact with to do in the later part of my life. And these are the scriptures that would keep me in the perfect will of the Lord. I would encourage you to study hard of these up coming scriptures to get them in your soul, spirit, and body.
Know the correct methods of Bible study-2 Timothy 2:15
The discernment of our hearts-Hebrews 4:12
The eternal word of God-Isaiah 55:11, Psalm 119:71
Spiritual malnutrition-Isaiah 50:2, Psalm 32:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 1:33.
Now, there is so much more words of wisdom that will be of help and you get hungry for the word and study it daily.

That's all for now,
Shelby

Old Christmas Pictures

Last year with Santa at CALM haha

Good times...good times :D Ready to make some more Christmas memories this year!

It's The Simple Things...

Tweet from Kristian Alfonso on Days of Our Lives

White Mocha...YUM!

Tweet from Barbara Alyn Woods on One Tree Hill :D

Another tweet

Wall post from my friend Steph that really cheered me up :)

Wall post from my friend Ceci that also really cheered me up :)

Picture I stole from Ceci that she took on our Starbucks date with the girls last week

 ;) hee hee

 

Sometimes we let our lives get so busy with so many projects or we just keep waiting for all these BIG moments in our lives that we miss the sweetest, simplest ones. When we get a simple gesture we're reminded to slow down. Stop and smell the roses once in awhile, and that it's okay to to just BE every once in awhile :) Take a deep breath, it's all going to be okay.

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Stefano Langone performing

Marie Osmond-The Grand Marshal of the parade

Jason Earles (Hannah Montana)

Francia Raisa (Secret Life of the American Teenager), Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars), and Nicole Anderson (Jonas)

Latoya Jackson

Allisyn Ashley Arm (So Random)

Kristin Vangsness (Criminal Minds), Melissa Peterman (Reba), and Stacy McQueen (Pretty the series)

Montel Williams

Mark Ballas-Dancing with the Stars

The Brochu family- The two guys on the ends are on Disney (So Random and Lemonade Mouth)

Vivica A. Fox

Winner of last season's America's Got Talent

Days of our Lives cast

Cast of Good Luck Charlie

Lea Thompson

Stefano Langone from American Idol last season! He waved to me :)

Quentin Aaron (The Blind Side)

Joey King (Ramona and Beezus) and other Disney people

Ted McGinley (Happy Days, Hope&Faith, etc.)

Barbara Alyn Woods (One Tree Hill) and her daughters!

The only time we'll probably ever see it "snow" in Southern CA

All of these photos were taken by my wonderful aunt, Tami! My camera wasn't coming out quite as clear, and I gave up...plus, when I'd look at her screen, they were coming out perfectly! LOL.

The parade was so much fun! The weather was warm, so it didn't exactly feel Christmasy, but it was probably better that we weren't all freezing out there, trying to take pictures and everything. It was really exciting to see how the TV filming part of the parade worked. It was cool to see the cameras getting the shots, while the bands, etc. were having to work around cameras that were in the middle of the route. You never realize just how much it takes to put on such a production like this; major props to those guys! It's a tradition, and year after year, people really look forward to it. Great way to spend time with the family, see some celebrities, and get into the holiday spirit.

The parade will be on the Hallmark Channel, Monday, December 12th from 6-8 P.M. and the Hallmark Movie Channel, Friday, December 16th from 6-8 P.M as well :)

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox