soonerdanamite's Xanga

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:52:47 GMT

Okay, I know, I know, I have dropped off the face of the earth. But I assure you it hasn't been intentional. I have had a lot of time off, so I decided to try to help my mumsy clean and organize the old house a bit. The home where I dwelled from 5th grade on can only be described as a beast. It's a two story house with six bedrooms and two bathrooms, that was built the same year Oklahoma became a state. And yes, if you guessed 1907, you would be correct.

After my mom quit smoking, she started collecting what can only be described as the most random decorations (with a few exceptions), as well as cutesy type knickknacks, to put it in yiddish, tsatske (chachski). Then after my stepfather stopped drinking, he got into the world of building model airplanes, cars, entire villages, bead work, leather work, and I could go on for a while. So between to two of them, and all of that stuff, the house has become quite disheveled. So giving them a week and a half of my time, I got one room together, you know: painting the ceiling, walls, and trim, I hung pictures and decorations, moved and set up the funiture, and tidied up a bit. But tomorrow it's back to Idabel to work again.

PAST EVENTS:

NEW YORK TRIP-awesome

NOMAN VISIT-good time with friends, Gerber wedding, dinner with the Harveys", Trinity, hearing all about the WH team's summer! This was a great weekend!

See you didn't miss much!

Well, sorry to end so quickly...but I must be going!

Dana K.

I would love to have comments again! I miss my fellow xangaers!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 02:11:18 GMT

Well 4th of July weekend was great! I went to Dallas and got to visit with my dad. It was good, and I think that we came to a deeper understanding of each other. And then I went to visit Christina. We had a blast! We laughed until the cows came home, prayed together, went to a movie, and Medieval Times. Yes my second time this summer. I love that place, and it was an awesome experience for Christina. I think our serf was flirting with me because he gave me an extra piece of bread. And then the red night gave me a carnation. I know! What a night! Anyway, the next day it was back to d-town (Durant) to celebrate the 4th with the fam.

Crazy days are coming and going no doubt! Well, our summer program said goodbye to our juniors last week. This coming week we will bring our sophmores on for a week of seminars and career field trips. And originally we were going to take them to New Orleans for their second week, but our contact there change the plans on us at the last minute. So we may end up taking another group of students in October over fall break to work. Now the second week will be a time of college tours, which I am super pumped about, because we will get to visit OU and I can tell the students about all of the ins and outs of my alma mater. Yeah! Also, our bridge students and seniors go home at the end of this next week. And Ronnica is coming to visit. But unfortunately there will not be enough time to visit I-town, but she will get to be at work with me all day. And she will get to go to the farewell dance. That should be fun.

All and all this summer has been awesome. The Lord has provided in some amazing ways. And I have had great opportunity to invest in my family. What a summer!

Peace friends!

Dana K.

Oh and comments are welcome peeps!

Hazards of the trade...

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:59:07 GMT

There are things that happen to a person just because of their jobs. For instance, I'm sure every now and again a fireman gets burned, a dog catcher gets bit, a doctor gets sick, and a icecream scooper puts on a few pounds. Well it's the same with my job.

In my job one of the hazards include, dealing with teenage attitude, which includes a wide array of things. Just a few weeks ago a former student who wasn't supposed to be here came up probably just to start trouble. Who knows really? But I went to him and explained very kindly that he wasn't supposed to be visiting. And he gets this attitude going, gets in the car he was leaning on, slams the door, peels away, all simultaneously while giving me and the other staff the bird. Yes some of the kids are too gifted for their own good. Normally I could care less if that happens, you know your just driving down the road and you may not be going as fast as someone else thinks you should, or you honk at someone maybe just as a nudge to tell them the light is green. But in this instance it really hacked me off, and I yelled "oh yeah, you're real mature!" It's doubtful if he heard me, but it did make me feel better.

See, I don't even know that kid. I had nothing to do with him getting kicked out. And to top it off, when I asked him to leave I was very civil about it. Anyway, that is one of the hazards of my job.

But there are good hazards too. I just found out that I will get to be one of the staff sponsors on the trip to NYC. That will be awesome! One of the things we will get to see is Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Yeah! I haven't been there is 1999, so it will be interesting to see how things have change.

As for what the Lord is teaching me, is how do I overcome my flesh. It's an uphill battle these days, and I think the main difference is that there aren't a lot of people around me on a daily basis that will call me out on the things I do wrong. Although I have learned that when I start speculating about this and that, that really has nothing to do with me. It seems to always help when the Holy Spirit reminds me, Dana that is none of your business. Actually a good friend of mine said that to me not too long ago, and I don't think I will ever forget it. JoJo if you're reading this, thanks, it has really stuck with me!

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:29:26 GMT

DALLAS

This post is not about the show that was and is still such a hit, that is now claiming the likes of international audiences. Oh no, but this post is about a well-placed city in Texas that inspired such a show. Yes, you guessed it, this post is about our orientation weekend in Dallas.

Firstly, we got the students here is in Durant. All of them moved into the dorms, and we spent the night. Then we headed out for Dallas bright and early. Our first stop was either Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor (a six flags water park formerly known as wet n' wild). Predetermined by our bosses I was to go to Hurricane Harbor. It was amazing!

I got a group of a few students, and a few of our part-time summer staff together, and we had a blast. I will just name a few rides we rode; the black hole, the texas tornado, and the carribean chaos (this was great because one of summer staff is from the carribean, and I think if he ever decides to become a professional wrestler that he could use that name for a very lucrative career).

We also frequented the lazy river for our ventures about the park, and fought five-year-olds on their floaties, as they pummeled us in the wave pool. Lesson: Never underestimated the power of an unsupervised five-year-old on an otherwise helpful device used for floatation, while in a wave-maker pool. So after nearly drowning I saw that we all got a little toasty after that because some genius gave us the sunscreen that wasn't waterproof, yes, the people going to the waterpark. Okay, now when I say that really I don't know who it was...I mean that could have been my responsibility for all I know, but the point is we were all looking a bit red.

We went to the hotel, cleaned up and headed out to Medieval Times for some dinner and a show. It was awesome! It was my second time to go, which the first time I went was in High School, but I hardly remember it except for the Blue Knight going down for the count in the very first duel. And yes we were in the Blue section. But this time I was in the Red section...ha, and then the battle at the end was against red and blue and guess who won...Okay I know you know, because you know me, yes you are right is was the blue knight. But it was an awesome time, and one of my students celebrated it by having me sign for him to purchase a sword. Which of course people thought I bought it, since I was carrying or wielding it around.

Then we had a Book study and I played the guitar for people to sing songs to Father. It was awesome. There were some new and old faces there, and overall we had a great time. I will also be doing the music for our weekly Book study this summer, which is really cool. It is amazing how Father has given me so many opportunities with music the past couple of years, and really He helped me to learn some of the guitar stuff at a very rapid speed. Sure, I'm no Jimmy Hendrix, but I can spin out a song here and there. Anyway, it's has been a great summer so far!

I miss my peeps!

Much love friends,

Dana K.

A slight reflection...

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:20:53 GMT

Well this past week I was at orientation week in Kansas. I won't go into a lot of detail of course, just because it is not beneficial to some to post details about last week. Anyway, on with it.

Even though I won't be going anywhere this year...(which is a bummer at times) I am learning to be content with my place in His plan this summer. Father just continues to amaze me with the truths that come out during this week in my life! Father is no doubt, so faithful! I really learned a lot about myself...which was really good. Things like misconceptions I had of Father as I shared the gsp. And I have definitely come away with a heightened awareness of those around me, and that life without hope is miserable, plain and simple. Furthermore, that inspite of how good these people without JC try to make it look, that it's only a facade. Sure it's well conceived, it's riddled with shards of truth, and is actually believable at times...but it won't last because it does not have any kind of eternal longevity.

Also, Father affirmed me in many ways this week. I feel there are things in my life He has given me to use for the benefit of others. How to use these things in Idabel still escapes me, but I will keep on persevering. I always do. But during this summer I will be in Durant working, so maybe He will show me how to use them here? Maybe?

Also I love the teams this year! I will be lifting them up like crazy...will you join me?

Well I better go!

Persevere friends,

Dana K.

Stay sweet and have a good summer...

Fri, 19 May 2006 03:02:38 GMT

Did you ever go back through your old yearbooks and notice the common thread of "stay sweet and have a good summer?" What was that all about? Could no one think of a unique thing to say besides occasionally substituting sweet for cool when you where penning your John Hancock in a guy's yearbook. I mean even if you were the school's hellion still the same message...okay so I wasn't, but if I would have been "that kid," I doubt someone would have written, "hey stay a jerk, and I hope you get to vandalize a lot of cars, trip a multitude of old ladies, and steal all the kids bicycles in your neighborhood this summer," (that actually happend in my neighborhood one summer, ha, but they gave my bike back after about a week...sure it was spray-painted red and had the word "bandit" carved into it...but I don't blame them, I mean a pink huffy or a red bandit? It's a toss up really).

All of this to say summer is coming! I will be working in Durant this summer with my kiddies, and will hopefully be able to get to know all of the other students in our program. I am hoping for some good opportunities to share the most important things in life with the students. And I am looking forward to seeing my co-workers everyday. Father has so blessed us with great people in our office. I haven't been to my church in Idabel for a month, I've been to Norman, San Antonio, Tulsa, Norman, and I be in Salina this weekend, then Norman again (the weekend after o-week, so look for me), and then Dallas. So hopefully around the second weekend in June I can again join in with the church of which I have obtained a membership. I wonder if they will remember me...or if I'll have to take part in some rejoining ceremony...I'll keep you posted.

Lesson of the week and of life in general is that our Father is faithful!

Oh yes and I have to give a shout out to my peeps Teresa Smith and Kevin Gerber who are getting married I think in August? If you are reading this just think of it as an early invitation...I'm sure they won't mind.

And if I had a complete list I would give a shout out to all of my other friends that are spread out far and wide across the globe, so if you are reading this, then yes, I am talking to you, and sure if you've just heard about it, I'm talking to you too, and I'll even take it a step further for those of you who have just randomly stumbled onto this particular xanga for whatever reason, then yes by all means I'm even giving a shout out to you.

Jesus rocks,

Dana K.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Thu, 04 May 2006 18:34:34 GMT

I'm hangin' up the phone, Goin' on a trip to San Antone,

Take a turnpike, pay a toll, Can't wait to see the Alamo,

Fun for the boys and the girls, Meetin' Shamu at the Sea world,

Lots of kids, lots of talk, Chillin' down at the Riverwalk,

Takin' down a charter bus, With 80 students it's a must,

This is my job, it's what I do, Most times dealing with teenage attitude,

It's alright I keep my cool, Hey, my moma didn't raise no fool!

Peaceout playas,

Dana K.

Your cows are getting out...(WARNING: random post, a mere diversion for me and you)

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 03:09:34 GMT

Idioms can be a bit crazy, especially when you don't get them, or you take them literally. This is one such tale...

Did you ever have someone tell you that your cows were getting out? And you look at them as if they were crazy for assuming you owned some sort of a cow ranch. I know I have. Well, as crazy as it may sound, the first time I heard this was in the 3rd grade. At the timeI lived with my grandparents who actually owned cows that were prone to getting out of the fence. Needless to say, I was about ready to race into the house, and let my grandpa know we needed to round up some cows. Though I am sure my readership, being the caliber of people you are. have all heard this phrase, and have become familiar with its use as an idiom, and quite frankly a better way of saying "hey! yeah you, zip up you fly."

All of this to say, I was driving down the road the other day, with a van in front of me going at a rather slow pace (which is not uncommon, I think there is some sort of unspoken speed limit for vans that is about 15 mph slower than everyone else). So I began deliberating about whether or not to pass it. And decided I wouldn't, being that the trip was quite scenic, and I was on time, so no need to rush. Then all of a sudden, the van swerves over into the oncoming traffic lane. Which was a bit baffling, and startling I might add, because usually people do that when they are trying to pass someone. Oh, but not this guy. I though what in the world, is this some kind of maniac? So I looked around to see what could be the culprit of such erratic behavior. Low and behold there was a cow several yards in front of me.

Thankfully, I saw it just in time to swerve off into the other lane much like my predecessor, aka: slowy mcslowins van. As my heart raced, and I silently counted my blessings, I looked in the rearview mirror to further examine the situation. And there was not just the one cow that had been in my lane, but three others on the shoulder just chillin' and eating some grass.

While coming back about 30 minutes later, I notice the cows were gone. What happend to the cows is really up for mere speculation. Later on was the a special at McDonalds, who knows? Or perhaps somone made a phonecall to the owner of these cows, and said "hey your cows are getting out." But I wonder, and leave it to me to be the one to think of this, did this owner of cows have a brief lapse in judgement, and glance ever so slightly to check to see if his fly was in fact unzipped, at the off chance that this voice on the other end of the line was referring to the man's zipper, rather than actual cows.

Spring Break...a tale of roomates reunited turning peace into pandamonium: North Carolina

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 00:12:57 GMT

Well many of you are wondering, "what happend to Dana?" I assure you I am still alive...busily alive...but alas, alive is alive based exclusively on pulse.

I have been wanting to write about Spring Break because it was so much fun, and such an encouragement! Sure it was weeks ago, but it was a blast, and this could very well be an intriguing tale for those of you who are interested.

Ronnica and I had so much fun! I basically got to step into her world for about a week. I went to a couple of her classes, Biblical counseling and church history, and bought a few new books. I also visited her church a few times, and wow who knew AWANAS could be so fun? I missed out as a child, no doubt about it. We also, visited two rivaling Universities, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, and then improved our tans at Wrightsville Beach. And who knew Chic-Fil-A had breakfast? Wow! We stayed up late watching movies, and embarked out each morning anxiously awaiting the activities that day would bring. But most importantly, we got to catch up on old times, and continue the crazy adventure that it has been being friends. God is good!

The first stop was Duke...

Ronnica decided to catch up on some reading, while I decided to brush up on my five-finger discounting skills (ha okay so both of these pics are posed...like I said we caused ruckus in peaceful places...as seen in exhibit A the Library).

Okay...so then let me take you to a generic version of the great reading room you have known at OU. I was wrapped up in 'The Chronicle,' an indy paper at Duke, and came across some astonishing news. Needless to say, I stirred up a fresh pot of contraversy in the most quiet place hidden within the deep lurches of one of the Duke libraries.

Ah yes, and here we are in the student union...really only wanting to have a Duke sign in a picture for proof of our visit. So we used the bottom of the list of signatures of the freshman class. Was it wrong? Maybe. Would we do it again? Probably. Were there any casualties? One at the most.

Me at UNC pretending to be a ram...now this is not actually a thing...but hey it could become a thing, right? I mean somebody has to put themselves on the line for the sake of mascot representation...and if it has to be me, so be it. (Dana enjoys being a freelance mascot representative in her spare time...she is available for events and other activities based on appointment only...for a booking or a list of scheduled appearances contact her agent Melinda P. Brown).

Ah, yes and the Wrightsville Beach! How did we cause trouble here? Good Question. It wasn't really so much at the beach...I mean afterall, it is a hotbed for rebels, rogues, and renagades alike, and of course the occasional fair-skinned person in want of a tan. The trouble started after the beach, as we walked into a local eatery covered in sand, sporting the so eighties 'beach bum' look. Afterall, there's nothing like seeing sand fall from a person's ear to really jumpstart the hunger of the masses. Needless to say, we didn't inspire a fastfood commercial campaign...though Burger King could use some help...their commericials are TERRIBLE, ha but so is their food (sorry that's what happens when you live in Adams)!

What? I'm innocent!

Bizarro, Weird, Freak of Nature Story...

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 03:49:19 GMT

Okay, so I know I promised the stuff about the Chinese food, but it will have to wait, because just when you think nothing else will shock you...it happens.

What is the so-called much anticipated "IT" you ask? Well at church this past Sunday we sat in front of some ladies. And apparently we had been sitting in front of them at church every week and they became familiar with us. One of them is single and owns her own business, another is an EMT and ambulance driver (with some crazy stories), and the other sister is married and is an RN that works for a hospice care center. So they invited us to this prop painting party for the Easter Contada (contada is like a musical I guess). So we went there tonight to help out and eat dinner. And of course one of the first questions we are asked is, "so where do you live?" So we try to explain, and the funny thing about this is that we live off of one of the two main streets in Idabel, yet still people around here don't know street names, so we begin naming off the twenty plus landmarks that surround us. And as it turns out we live by the sister who is an abulance driver. And when they realize which house we live in, that is when Bev and I found out the IT.

Apparently, about two years ago an older man and his wife lived in the house, and he got cancer and eventually died. So his wife decided to move out and let her sons take over the house. And I guess the sons really felt like normal jobs were overrated, and thought it might be rather lucrative to open a meth lab. I mean afterall, we do live in McCurtain County the once Marijuanna growing cash cow of Oklahoma. But after most of the crops were burned by the DEA, people around here decided to try their hands at a little Chemistry. So the sons had a meth lab right here in our house! Okay, but that's still not the "IT," even though it is as bizarro as it is. This is the "IT" that you just don't expect when you're talking about what house you moved into. These sons weren't the sharpest tools in the shed, and apparently their lab exploded. Yes, our house exploded! And yes, we live in the same house that is known as the old drug house by the sub station that blew up a little over two years ago.

Ha ha, but since then the sons went to jail, new owners bought the house (our landlords), and the whole inside was replaced giving it that brand "new" feel. So I guess the next time someone asks me where I live I can just say, "yeah I live in that old drug house in the Lofton Heights addition, you know across from the sub station that had the meth lab that exploded." And I'm sure everyone will know the exact one I'm talking about, good gracious!

Okay so the shock hasn't worn off yet, I live in a house that was a meth lab! And it EXPLODED!!! So after they told me this I said, "what are the odds?" And they said actually the odds were pretty good and commenced to name several houses that had meth labs explode in them.

You learn something new everyday!

Dana K. (you know, the girl that lives in a house that once exploded because it was a meth lab!)