dream jobs that probably wouldn't require a college degree...

Often I have little dreams of things I could see myself doing. And lately, they have been pounding away at my mind. Most of them just sound like the most perfect job, something that would be fun and different everyday, yet none of them would require a college degree. Here's a small list, (in no specific order, of course):

1. Cupcake Bar - I'd love to start one of these in Columbia. I went to my first last weekend in STL. We'd have a cute name like "the sweetest thing" or something like that, and sell only cupcakes. Big ones, small ones, fruity ones, chocolate ones, maybe even a few VEGAN ones!

2. Wedding Anything - the more and more I think about my wedding day and how much I loved it, I think about planning weddings for others, or working at a gown shop or something. I think it would be a blast to help other girls plan their big day! And, I could show them how to have a gorgeous wedding with a small budget!

3. Cutting Hair - I know, I know, you're probably thinking this job doesn't sound glamourous at all. But I really do think it would be a fun job.

4. Florist - how fun would it be to put beautiful bouquets of flowers together all day? It would constantly smell good and you could always be creative!

(Yes, these are pictures of flowers from my wedding!)

Those are just a few....

Maybe I could do some of these part-time while I have kids, or in the summer when I'm a teacher... I dunno.

-Lace

Why I've got to be dedicated to loving on youth...

Have you heard this new song? Phil and I heard it for the first time while we were honeymooning. At first I thought it was Lindsey Lohan after her big lesbian kick, turns out, it's another singer by the name of Katy Perry. Here are the astonishing lyrics. I added the italics to emphasize how heartbreaking this is.

This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion
It's not what, I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chap stick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my experimental game
Just human nature
It's not what, good girls do
Not how they should behave
My head gets so confused
Hard to obey

Us girls we are so magical
Soft skin, red lips, so kissable
Hard to resist so touchable
Too good to deny it
Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

This song breaks my heart. How many 13-18 year-old girls are going to hear this and think it's okay to do this? It's innocent. It's just human nature. It's ok, try it out.

Watch the video:

KATY

-Lacy

Throw Up

This morning, all I could think about was the wedding. I got so excited I literally thought I was going to throw up!

One week from today!!!

Lacy Donaldson

A final piece of writing...

This is Love

By Lacy Donaldson

Nine.
Nine, nine, NINE!

Nine times I’ve been here and I still can’t stomach it. I don’t know if it’s the smell, the sounds, or the fact that I’ll never be in their situation. We talk all this talk about our purpose and about life to the full. I get it when it comes to me and my life,

But what about them?
What is their purpose?

The thought that they have to live this life so my eyes can see it,
makes me want to throw up.

You say that you are always working towards our good.
But it’s hard to see the good in this place.
It’s hard to let yourself see anything.

Men with tiny legs are lying on rusted roll-away beds. The mattresses have disappeared, leaving the men to relieve themselves through the creaky springs of those old beds. The drool swoops down, landing in their lap. I crouch down, patting them with my warm hands, thanking God they have shut their eyes, hiding them from my tears.

Sobbing, I can feel you.
You are right behind me, whispering…

This is love.
This is love.
This is love.

I remember the first time I ever visited this place. My eyes had been turned on to a world that only certain hearts are able to see. I made my way around the place, stopping here and there to pat a back, wipe a tear, and calm a shaking soul.

Something is weird here. So much heaven and so much hell. It pounds at your heart.
It just doesn’t seem right, you know? No one should have to live like this, no one…

Women are folded over, hunched and hurting. The smell of week-old urine reeks from under their beds. All of their belongings are safely tucked under their pillows, so no one will steal them in the night. I see feet that don’t look like feet, hands that don’t look like hands. And I still can’t seem to understand.

Who has deformed them?
Who has caused this infliction?

Here is what I want to know:
Why didn’t you pick me?
Why am I just seeing this in front of my eyes?
Why can’t I hurt for them?
Why am I not drooling all over myself and dying with no hope?

I can hear you, you answer me almost immediately.

My Daughter, can’t you understand?
This is love.
This is love.
This is love.

But I cannot. I just can’t grasp what your mind is thinking, what your heart is beating, what you are trying to teach me. I can’t seem to find any peace in my soul. Not here, not in this place. I’m wondering why you would allow this to happen. These are your people. These are hearts and minds that you created.

And then I hear you again, breathing inside of me, saying…

You are right, my darling. How can we allow this to happen? You are my body. You are my hands and my feet. Be my body. Be my hands and be my feet. Wrap yourself up in my skin and show these beloved ones a love that they have never imagined. Touch the insides of their souls with your hands. Coax their hearts to see a better day.
Be my body. Be my hands and be my feet.

I return to the women in the corner, my eyes still filled with tears. Without reluctance, I touch them. I hold their hands and look deep into their beautiful eyes. I sing with them and cry with them. I have them tell me their stories, where they have been and what has led them to this place. Listening to the voices of brokenness, I nod and say to myself…

This is love.
This is love.
This is love.

Best little date night...

Last night Phil and I went on the best little date! Parks & Rec is doing this cool thing, that every 2nd Friday night, now till September, they're showing a movie at Stephen's Park! They have this HUGE blow-up big screen thing. We took a blanket and watched Bee Movie under the stars! It was so much fun! And only $3 a person! Another fun thing to do in Columbia this summer!!!






If you haven't seen Bee Movie, I recommend it!!! Hilarious!


Love,
Lace

Things to do in Columbia during the summer...

The myth is that summer in Columbia is super lame. 27,000 people leave the city, leaving it boring, hot, and miserable. However, I'm pretty sure that is a myth.

Since Phil and I will be living here this summer, I have been researching things to do, and here are a few things I've found so far:

The Twilight Festival

Every Thursday in June and September, from 6-9, the downtown area is blocked off. There is live music, carriage rides, activities for kids, and all of the shops and restaurants are open late!

9th Street Summerfest

Every Wednesday night, May through October, there is a HUGE block party on 9th street in front of the Blue Note. Every week there is a band, food, and beer. Best of all - everything is free! Death Cab is starting off Summerfest this year, with a Saturday performance on May 31st (the day after my wedding!)

Swimming Pools and Lake Beaches

Columbia has over 7 different aquatic facilities, all for the public to use! Almost all of them are outside! There are 3 lakes with a swim beach, and city pools with slides and fun stuff like that! Can't wait to check these out!

So that's just a few of the sweet things going on in Columbia this summer! I'm pretty excited!!!


--Lace

Learn something new everyday...

Today in my TDP class, (yes, even the one where I hardly learn anything), a group presented on deaf children in the regular classroom. I learned something I thought would be useful to all of you:

Never call a deaf person "Hearing Impaired". This is NOT PC, and is extremely offensive, as if they are broken. Always refer to them as "deaf" or "hard of hearing"...



Pass it along...

Lace

p.s. 1 month from today! But who's counting?? :)