Good Night and Good Luck May Have Sounded Better

I would be totally lying if I said I had the best luck ever, but the funny part in saying that is that I actually don't believe in luck. I just know that God is in control of all situations, and when yucky things happen, it's not because I'm having particularly bad luck; it just means that God is giving me a situation in which He wants to see how well I can handle it. So with that in mind, I begin telling you of the situations that arose that caused this sudden realization.

I don't know how many times Mardi and I said the phrase "Bad Luck" tonight. It got old each time it came out of my mouth. My good friend, Mardi, and I headed out for our second date (it's a joke between us, we don't have boys in our life, significant ones anyway, so every time we hang out is another addition to our dates...) and the original plan was to eat dinner and see a movie. DO NOT go to the movies right now because I promise there is NOTHING showing that is even worth the drive. Our intentions were to see "When a Stranger Calls" at Opry Mills so we could eat inside the mall before the movie. Less driving and better idea... so it seemed. So we didn't buy tickets beforehand which is a good thing now panning out the whole evening, and we headed to Tony Romas, Macaroni Grill, TGIFridays, AND Chilis only to find that all of the restaurants had over 45 minute waits, not that this was a problem until we remembered the movie would be playing at 9:25. It was 8:10 at this point. Point #1 in which the phrase "Bad Luck" was used.

We ate at Johnny Rockets, no wait, but definitely no service. We waited over 10 for someone to get our drinks. Another 10 for her to bring them. Another 10 for the "real" waitress to come take our orders. We then waited 15 minutes for the food, and when it came, it was only HALF of what we ordered. Special. Mardi orders a milkshake that was pretty much just milk. I mean, seriously, where WAS the ice cream?! The last straw came when she was supposed to be getting us refills. 10 minutes later and my mouth dry as a cotton ball, still no drink or even ice to suck on. Point #2 in which the phrase "Bad Luck" was used.

It's 9:45 at this point, and we realize we MAY be able to still catch the movie, well, that was until we realized the Revolution for the ... Well, let's just say there were about 10 million cops watching in the Cinema area trying to maintain the crowds. No fighting, just a scary situation when you're surrounded by unfamiliarity and no way of getting to the ticket line. Needless to say, there was no way we would be seeing a movie at Opry Mills. Point #3 in which the phrase "Bad Luck" was used.

So we headed back to good old Goodlettsville, and I nonchantly mentioned we should stop by Rivergate 8 movie theatre to see if anything was playing late. WOW, some good luck may come in at this point because "Good Night and Good Luck" was playing. Mardi had mentioned wanting to see it. I'm not sure she would admit to wanting to see it now. WOW. It was awful. I've never once left a movie before it ended. Mardi was asleep, I was irritated, $8.25 later I still had no popcorn and the worse case of "Bad Movie Syndrome" I had ever seen. We left about 20 minutes into the movie. Point #4 in which the phrase "Bad Luck" was used.

The funny part about all of it is that I can sit here and complain about how awful it was but never once stop to thank God for the opportunities He placed in front of us tonight. Mardi didn't have to call and want to go out. We didn't have to enjoy each others' company. So many things could have been worse, but as I look back on it now, tonight will be a memory of Mardi and myself I will never forget. It's only true friends that can have the most horrific night out ever and walk away from it feeling like it was the best time they have ever had. Thank you, Mardi, for your company and your smile even in the worst of times. And thank you, Lord, for the opportunities to live my life everyday. I'm so blessed to even say "Bad Luck" because it's amazing to me that God gives me a choice to make that bad situation a good one...

Screaming Like a Little Girl and A Big "High Five" to That

So, the moment I have been waiting for for over a month now finally happened today.

I took two of the four parts of my Praxis II tests (pretty much, I have to pass all of these to become a teacher... like even if I graduate, I have to pass these before they'll let me in a classroom. State Requirements blah.). I was extremely worried leaving Lipscomb that day, 1) because I had no idea where I was, and 2) I didn't feel all that grand about the tests. We're talking TESTS here. Everything I've learned the past 4 and a half years in school.

The Curriculum and Instruction part wasn't all that bad. Only 120 multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 159 in TN. After two hours of my allotted time to sit and take this thing, I wanted to shoot myself. The second of the day was the Reading Across the Curriculum test. It was horrible. Absolute horrible. Dude beside me must have had too much crack before he came in because he sniffed the whole time, after every question. If that wasn't bad enough, he cracked his knuckles... And his arms, and his neck. Dude had a BAD case of I don't know what. But the test itself was 60 multiple choice and 3 horrendous essays. Later I found out there was no minimum passing score... You just had to pay $100 to take it and you pass. RIDICULOUS.

SO that was in January. Here it is, forever since then, and the scores come in the mail today... YIKES. Mind you the passing score was 159, and it looks like I won't have to take it again because a 180 sure as HECK looks good to me. Oh, yes, I screamed like a little girl. I was high-fiving myself. NO JOKE. This is huge for me.

2 down... 2 more to go...

Here's My Resume, You Losers

So I'm stuck with the realization that my college career is almost over...

Seriously, this is so much more difficult than I ever imagined. Four years ago, I thought I'd NEVER finish, and here I am, what only feels like days passed, three and a half months from graduation. This is one scary thought. This summer, I more than likely won't have a job. I have to look for one so that in August I can be teaching. Otherwise, you know what I'll have to do?! Nothing. Broke, poor, and lonely makes for a great combination. I know God chose me for this education field, and He has sent me on a path I would never trade for anything but the uncertainty of it all has thrown me for a loop and along with that comes emotions and fears I never once had.

Today, I focused on my resume. I'm supposed to have one, but every job I've had up until now, I've been able to walk in and get the job. No resume, just a smiling face. I guess this is why I'm so fond of the people I know and the small town I'm from. Getting a job in the education field won't be as easy, as I don't KNOW as many people as I wish I did. I'm really frustrated that I can't remember what I did four years ago, what my GPA was, what clubs I was a part of, what honors I've won because really none of that matters so much to me anymore. I did it, it got me where I am today, but I couldn't remember it for the life of me. Isn't it who I am now that matters? Or not?

So in conclusion, I've decided to work on the REAL resume of me. Not the one I've tossed and turned fifty times in my chair over. The one that you need to know. The one that truly matters.

Jenna R. Warren
Birthdate: January 22, 1983 (you should remember this forever)
Hometown: Greenbrier, TN (important fact)
Current Residence: Chances are you won’t need to know this.
Phone: If you knew me, you’d know this.

Objective: (I have more than one; why isn’t that an option?!)
*To live my life in a way that uplifts my Heavenly Father.
*To educate children in a positive manner, ensure their safety and security, and be a role model so that they will find enjoyment in not only my classroom, but in education.
*To be a great wife and an even better mother.
*To be a friend that listens, encourages, and gives freely of myself.
*To be a positive person that finds the truth and grace in every situation.

Education:
Western Kentucky University (4 and a half years and running)
Volunteer State University (the biggest waste of time)
Greenbrier High School (it was a learning experience)

Teaching Experience:
*Student Teacher, Second Grade
*Block Two, Sixth Grade
*Block One, Kindergarten/First Grades Split
*Vacation Bible School, A LOT
*Jamaica Mission Trip, taught music to kids ages 1-18
***Everyday (I’m pretty bossy, I wear teacher clothes, I am very organized, I don’t mind throw-up and boogers, I like to write and color, I like to smile and laugh, and I love acting like a kid. See, I’m perfect for teaching.)

Other Experience:
*Teller/Service Center Representative (4 years), Old Hickory Credit Union (I listened to people complain about money, claim I had stolen their money, and deal with money everyday but made the most I ever will for the rest of my life.)
*Hostess/Trainer/Server (2 years), Cracker Barrel (I broke glasses, wrote the daily feature on the chalkboards, wore a red apron with 4 stars, ate good food, built up some arm muscles, taught people the job, and made some great friends. Perfect training for a teacher.)

Additional Training:
I’m 23 years old. Of course, I have additional training.
Life. Loss. Love. Music. Computers. College. Friendships. Uncertainty. Confusion. Peer Pressure. Sign Language. Lactose Intolerance. Head Injuries. Relationships. Cheerleading. Driving. Alcohol. Family. Weddings. Self Doubt. Movies. Hyperactivity. ADD. Insomnia. The list goes on and on…

Lessons from a Beautifully Broken Soul

As much as I hate to admit this, I have to go on and admit that I've learned a truly valuable lesson tonight. Well, let me just say I've learned a FEW lessons tonight, and learning things isn't always as easy as we imagine.

1. People don't change as much as you always hope they will. Some people will stay the same forever. Now, sometimes this a good thing, but most of the time, it's the people who haven't changed that hurt you the most.

2. When your instinct tells you to go home, go home. When your gut tells you to get out of a situation, then get out of it. When your stomach tells you NOT to eat at Waffle House, do it anyway. Some of the better things in life happen when you follow your heart, but some of the best things happen when you go against the grain.

3. Being a pool shark around a bunch of guys is one of the best traits a girl can have. AND if you happen to play a decent game around those boys, call your Daddy and thank him for that passed-on trait.

4. Watch In Her Shoes any time you get mad, miss, or just need reminding of how much you love your sister. Even better, watch this movie WITH your sister. You'll feel UNBELIEVABLY blessed to have her in your life.

5. People you didn't think were your true friends can become the greatest company on a boring night.

6. Laugh at every situation especially the sad, lonely, and disgusting times. Those will be the memories that last forever... Not the not-so-good times, but the way you HANDLE those not-so-great situations.

7. Do not sit near anyone at Waffle House that, 1) is insanely drunk, 2) that has on a Dale Jr. camoflauge hat, and 3) orders their hashbrowns with EVERY option, including the mushrooms, jalapenos, tomatoes, cheese, AND chili and then covers it all with Tabasco Sauce. It will make for a very icky dining experience.

8. Always have hand sanitizer with you. ESPECIALLY at Waffle House. It can make for a unique yet genius way to clean the nasty tables.

9. Love your family even the part of them that embarasses you. No one will ever love you or mean as much to you as they will.

And last but not least, 10. Ashlee Simpson can heal all wounds. She has a song for every situation, and riding around after a RANDOM night listening to her will make you feel like your life is completely normal. Plus, she'll remind you that it's okay to be Beautifully Broken.

Getting Good at Getting Honest

I've gotten good at getting honest. I've always been really. It's just that now I say the things I actually mean, and I don't watch out in fear of hurting someone's feelings. Because why? Well, let's just say I've gotten good at hearing honesty. I could never handle criticism as a teenager; I would break down in tears on a daily basis. But scrutiny will only go as far as you let it. That's why I've learned to get over being scared of being hurt and hurting others. It's a fact of life - you can't avoid getting hurt and sometimes you can't avoid hurting others. That's my revelation of the day.

All in all, it's been a great week. I learn more and more from my second graders, and I'm getting upset more and more each day knowing I'll be leaving them in less than 3 weeks. I'm not at all excited about fifth graders. I know I should be optimistic, but I'm going with the idea that honesty is the best policy, and honestly, I am not a big fan of kids who are taller than me, know more than me, and have a more negative attitude than me. All of this into one equation doesn't turn out well. But nevertheless, I'm taking it all day by day. Taking in these wonderful kids is so precious to me. I love them so much. It's time for a weekend break though. Hallelujah.