The American Cutie

Merry Christmas

2005-12-23T16:41:00.000Z

Just wanted to say a big Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. To all the people i know and love.
I can't believe how fast Christmas has come around!
I totally can see how people can get so caught up in the commercial idea of Christmas, coz this year ive been a bit like that. But its not about presents or food or whatever, its not even about us. Its about someone coming down to earth with the sole purpose of saving our lives. Purely selfless act. Isnt that something to celebrate?

My good friend Adamo, said something to me that really hit home a few weeks ago. He said:
'People don't really celebrate a dead persons birthday right? You dont really throw a birthday party for ur deceased grandfather. But here we are celebrating an amazing Man's birthday , who was born in the world, and died a gruesome death, and then was raised from the dead, every single year even since he's 'gone on' back home to his Father....'
Some people still see Jesus as a completely mortal man that lived and then died. I can see why kind of in a way how some people would think that, when there are so many lies going around about Jesus. From reading the Da Vinci Code, its like wow some people actually believe this stuff.
But why would be be celebrating a dead guys birthday every year?

Regardless what people say Christmas is about, believe it or not, its basically a celebration of Jesus' birthday whether they like it or not.

Merry Christmas....and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T11:17:00.000Z

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those of you who don't know, thanksgiving, is an HUGE American holiday. As all holidays are in America. Its the time of year that people reflect on what they are thankful for. The blessings they have in their life. Well this year, im thankful i dont have to worry about college this year or any other kind of education. No exams or coursework. I'm also thankful for the people in my life. All my friends, which means u guys! and of course who cant forget...the Family.

This day also means something else to me. On thanksgiving 8 years ago, while we were having the BIG meal. My parents broke it to me that we were moving to england. Not really the best timing, i cried so much, that my turkey was extra salty. lol. i'll never forget that day, or that feeling I had. For a few months after that i still thought they werent serious, well when we had to sell our house, and pretty much 3/4 of our stuff, i got the picture that they werent kidding around.
But if i never had moved here, i wouldnt know any of you guys. So i guess God did have a greater plan, than trying to please a lil 10 year old girl.

Who wants to see a picture of me when i was 10?
No one?

Ok this was when we had to move into our friends house, coz before we had sold our house, and were living in a hotel. So our best friends took pity on us and let us stay with them. I only brought with me a lil rucksack of stuff, and suitcase for clothes. Thats the only stuff I had to bring to England.
The cost of living here, is almost twice as much as in America. I find that funny.

Anyway...I also wanna give a shout out to my Grandpa who died 5 years yesterday.
Love you Grandpips!

Ok im done now, Happy Holidays!

UPDATED..FINALLY

2005-11-04T12:43:00.000Z

Wow it has definitely been a while! I was hoping to get my photos developed from America, but that still hasnt happened. I will get them on here as soon as I can.

This is a picture, when we went to Phantom of the Opera in London. Not the movie, the opera. it was really cool. I had a major headache after, because some of their voices were really loud and peircing.

Not many of you know this. but my life long ambition is to be a Storm Chaser. Thats right, chase tornados all day. I find storms, hurricanes, tornados, facinating. Spot the dork! I have ever since i was like 6. One time a Tornado hit my neighbour hood and completely leveled the woods that we lived right by. The sky turned green, and then purple it was so erie. Another memory I have is it was my birthday and we went to the movies, i was like 9, and the movie suddenly cut out like 5 minutes into it. We were told there was a major time, and we all had to get out. So my dad went out side, where lightening was literally hitting the ground. And we went in the car and we saw so much devastation. Some single mom from church had a huge tree cut through the middle of the house.

These amazing peices of mother nature, are both graceful and terrifying at the same time. They strike fear in hearts yet they also spark a certain curiosity. How do they work? How can we control them? We are still unable to answer these questions but we are getting closer.

Ok i think we have discovered the fact that I am a nerd. It was bound to come out sometime. When it comes to severe storms, super cells, tornados, vortexes and even hurricanes, i know my stuff.

The sad reality is that these storms are gotta get worse and worse. Stronger hurricanes, more deadly twisters as we get closer to Jesus coming back. well thats my opinion, and i have fact to back that up.

At least you guys dont have to worry much about these things. There have been some tornados to strike, but only F1s (look at the Fugita Scale) which is like pretty nothing. But its a good thing, that you dont have to worry about these things.

I think i have given far too much evidence to back up that im really a geek!

The phone call you never wanted

2005-10-14T11:29:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you but...(ok before i go any further i warn you that this is pretty random blog) I hate getting phone calls in the middle of the night. From my experience those calls mean one of two things, a death or someones sick or been in an accident.

So last night, well this morning I guess, someone called our house. And i was like O No!!!! Because the last 3 times that had happened, 3 of my grandparents had died. So there i was in my bed....and it turns out it was this chinese guy...not in my bed...on the phone.

In conclusion, if you ever feel the urge to call me in the middle of the night....Dont.

It's Time To Say Goodbye

2005-09-12T09:06:00.000+01:00

Im off to America tomorrow for just under month. Taking a flight to Atlanta and then to Washington DC. I am gonna miss all of you.
Yesterday night I had to say good bye to many of my friends going to Uni. It didnt really hit me till this morning that everything is different now. And I dont like it! Hehe.
But I am glad that I still have alot of my friends, altho some are leaving soonish...You know who you are!!! But hey, you just gotta role with the good times!

Anyway American Girl is going back to her roots! Gotta let some stuff go and sort out a few things!

Big Hugz!!!!!

PS. If you wanna contact me, I do have access to the internet! So email me!

Sunset from my window! The sun setting on an era....

Finally legal...

2005-09-03T14:28:00.000+01:00

When I was a little girl, i thought being 18, was huge! I mean your finally an adult, you get loads of priviledges and you can basically do whatever you want...
Isnt always the case tho, you'll look at someone whos so much older then you, and think wow they are really grown up, but when you reach that age, its still feels like your that lil girl still.
I have recently turned 18, and i thought and still think, its a major turning point in your life. But i dont really feel that much older, well a lil... I guess i didnt quite relize that with the priviledges you recieve once 18, you also get loads of responsibility. People expect you to take care of your self.

One of the priviledges i love is that your able to legally buy alcohol and go clubbing! Now im not the kind of person who likes alcohol because you can get drunk, i personally think it tastes nice, and i immediately stop if it starts affecting me badly. Just ask Holly and Kym when we were at their house having a glass or two of wine!
I have been waiting to go clubbin for most of my adolescent life. I absolutely love dancing and music! I was stoked when i had my first oppurtunity to go last Thursday. For most people they like clubbing because its a chance for them to get drunk, and pull as many girls as they can. For me i definitely dont go because of those reasons, especially the last one! haha.

Going into a club really opened my eyes to the worldly side of the world...if that makes any sense. Yeah its a meat market, guys just think they can go up to you and grope you. This one guy slapped my ass so hard that it made me jump! It was a proper 'lets see how hard we can hit this girl' type slap. Many seemed to follow on from that, but after a while you just ignore it! People there are only looking for a cheap thrill, whether its sticking their tongue down someones throat or going behind you and put their arms all over you when dancing! Thats why im always going to clubs with at least some guys!!!! The guys on thursday were awesome at protecting us girls! Really cool of them do some things that they did!

But even tho its not the safest enviornment to be in, I still loved every minute of it! It may not be the best clubbing experience I will ever have but i know im gonna remember that night forever!!! Dancing till the early hours of the morning! I love it!

Anyway thats just a lil from me! Off to america a week Tuesday so Ill try and post something else before then!

Chillin with the fellas!

Ali, attempting to be funny and trying not to break an Anniversary bowl.

And the guys playing X Rated poker on a phone...

Can you feel the testosterone in the air? i guess im used to it...

Soul Survivor

2005-08-26T15:57:00.000+01:00

Well these past 2 weeks have gone by quite quickly.
Firstly i went to Passion for Your Name/Momentum. To be honest, the thought of campin for just under 2 weeks, scared the life out of me. Plus with just having surgery i was still in so much pain.
The trip up there was normal, apart from it took us 4 1.2 hours to get to Somerset, i think someone went the wrong way, not mentioning any name *cough Simo cough*.
We got there to find the marquee was on a different site to where we were gonna be camping. But thank God it was the site next to ours, so it wasnt so bad, i guess the crutches made it interesting. After the first day, i couldnt use my crutches anymore, coz my hands were bruised hurt so much and were bruised from using them, that i thought id rather just cope with the pain instead of having both my hands and knees hurt.
The PFYN were in the Underground Venue, so it was a bit wierd not being in the big top, but to be honest i prefered it as it was a proper building, and not just material tied together. Tim Hughes and his wife (grrrr!) lead it. We had all sorts of bands play, Tim Hughes (obviously), Noel Robinson (he was one of my favourites!), Lex Brody (i want her voice!), Delirious and 100Hours. So a bit of a mixture really. The preaches were excellent, part from the one we had for communion, Me and Ben managed to fall asleep at the exact same time, and were startled when the thing we were leaning against moved. I swear i didnt know where i was. gave me the heebie jeebies!
Another point to add is how many cute christian guys me and netz found at Momentum, and they were all over 18! We were definitely spoilt for choice! ;)
One of the fond memories i have from Momentum and PFYN, was the creation of 'Bowl Shane'. If you ever wanted to find someone from cowfold, you wld just shout, Bowl Shane!!! and they would reply Shane!!!! or Bowl Shane!!!! We ended up outside the guys loos, shaking the hand every guy that walked in and out saying Bowl Shane!!!! Man i hope they washed their hands.
Some funny stuff happened at the Market Place, where Alex attempted his break dancing, on the stage. and where we started singing random songs, and ended up keeping loads of people on Blue 1 and 2 awake. Not to mention, British Bull Dog, the guys played on concrete. Even tho it was stupidly dangerous, it was pretty amusing.
Then, Soul Survivor Week B came around, Nettie and I were pretty fed up with camping, but at least i got good meals, all thanks to Simo and Alex who cooked for the PFYN people, which was only the band, me and giles. Poor momentum people!
Nettie and I had to sort out sites, coz there was a mix up and everyone had pretty much left us on our tot, to get the other 80 odd kids coming. So the only morning we thought we had to just chill, we were the most stressed.
Soul Survivor was more about serving compared to PYFN, so i was lookin after the kids mainly. Most of the my time was spent at the basketball courts. A hive for a cutie guys!! We won the basketball tournament, finals against the tribe!! unlucky Lindsey! and we also won the football! You just cant touch us! hehe. Rohan also got 3rd place in the basketball freestyle!
I spent the nights throwing water bombs at people, well mainly watching the guys throw them, but i did get Lindsey from the Tribe, but he got kinda mad!! Doh!!!
It was really nice to have the guys down from Leeds! Havent seen some of them for a while and met some new guys! With which i was shocked were much younger then they looked.
All in all these past 2 weeks have been amazing! I have learnt so much about the Heart of Worship, also God has taught me so much about myself.
This past year i really feel Gods taken me through the wilderness, he does this when he teaches you stuff etc, and this past year i have built on my character, been through trials and tribulations from which I had to lean on Gods own strength, even if i didnt feel him there. It was all a learning curve. And i look back, and the things that i thought were important and needed to happen that didnt, actually worked out better for me! What can i say? Our God is an Awesome God!

This is Houston signing off...

2005-08-14T15:00:00.001+01:00

Well I am gonna be gone for a while. But hope you all have an awesome few weeks! Not that anyone actually ever reads my blog.

Bye!

To warm the cockles of your heart

2005-08-10T16:15:00.000+01:00

Since lots of the soldiers in Iraq have been getting bad press, i thought id show you some photos that will totally contradict that bad image. (Special thanks to my cherry pie from whos website i found these photos from. really made me smile, especially the kitty cat one!)

This is gonna sound so corny...but i dont care. Just wanted to say to the soldiers, i salute u guys.

Under the Knife

2005-08-08T13:18:00.000+01:00

(note i didnt draw the arrows, the doctor did. kinda worried me, surely he should know where the knees are!!)
As many of you probably know, I had surgery last Thursday. I had double arthroscopys on both knees. I was pretty nervous about it, because my last run in with general anaethestic was not good! When i was 12 I had an operation, and i didnt react too well with the anaethestic (sp?) i wasnt getting enough oxygen so my body started reacting badly. I guess this experience gave me the hebbie-jeebies. Well back to the story...i got to the hospital, checked in, had to be there 2 hours early like when you have to go the airport. I got my own lil room, was really cute. Then i had to wait for a while, sign some forms etc. The waiting was probably the worst part. Then around 2:30 they wheeled me off dressed in a very trendy hospital gown, in my bed, and went through the doors to the operating theatre. at this point my heart was racing, it had just hit me that they were going to be drilling holes into my knees. Not a nice thought. When i got to one of the rooms, the nurses i met were really nice. and they put a lil IV thing in my arm, so they could drip in the sleepy stuff (anaethestic). They put it in my veins, and i didnt feel it until i started tasting it and smelling it, then as soon as you could say 'Bob's your uncle' when really its Allen. The room started spinning and vibrating and i quickly went to sleep. Then i woke up, and had to actually check if they had done the surgery coz it was so fast i didnt know whether i was still waiting. and low and behold i had 2 giant bandages on.
I was still half asleep. and then the nurse came and put the oxygen mask on me, which i personally think was the best experience while i was there, i loved breathing in the O2, and then i went back to sleep again. Then woke up and was carted back to my room, still very unconcious and the local anathestic in my knees were wearing off so the pain was starting to appear.
Back in my room, I was still really out of it but i was so hungry, coz your not allowed to eat or drink the day of your op.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, i went home late in the evening, with crutches. Which brings me to now....
I have been lying on the sofa or my bed since thursday night. And im getting rather bored. The painkillers have not been fun, because I have blacked out, lost my hearing, nose bleeds, hallucinations etc etc. but its all in the name of pain. I have been able to walk a lil but not that much.

2 Weddings and my funeral

2005-07-31T22:49:00.000+01:00

Howdy! This weekend, I have been to 2 weddings...thats right 2!!! As you can see from above i was Bridesmaid to one of them. Me and my mommy in the pic above! I can honestly say I have had enough of weddings for a while! I absolutely loves being bridesmaid at Gemma and Rich's wedding! Any excuse to wear a dress coz, well lets be honest, its not exactly a regular occassion that anyone will ever see me in a dress...thing.

Then today i went to more of a registry office wedding thingy. but it was like an all day thing, of which i had my mom keep asking me. 'So what do you think we should do for your wedding?' Ummmmm hello....alarms bell went off.....im still very much single, and loving it. Sure weddings do have an annoying way of reminding you that you ARE single and that thats one more person you know that has found their true love and you havent!...

But you know what? (What?) God has taught me one extremly important thing...

*Flash Back*

A few months ago, i was taking my A Levels, and got really really sick, didnt get out the house for 3 weeks. Missed so much college, and started freaking out about how I am gonna pass my exams. Coz they are kinda important...I had this whole plan, study hard, get good grades. But with being as ill as i was i couldnt do anything...and well being me I totally freaked out, coz lots of things seemed like they were falling apart, like my Uni course was discontinued and so on and so on. This lead me to become really depressed all the time, and anxious, not being able to sleep hardly in months, but this really made me have to slap myself and say...'Hey! you have a loving God that cares for you so much. He has the best plan for you, you just gotta TRUST him.'

T R U S T. probably one of the hardest 5 letter word a human being can do. Its in our nature i guess. We as humans have at least one memory of someone letting us down, i certainly do. So its in our nature, to not trust someone with our whole heart and mind. Just incase they let us down. So we take over, and ride on our feelings! Thats what i was doin i guess, i was like 'Yeah God sure...uhuh...' but secretely doin my own thing, and puting my self in the driving seat...that is until God put me in a place where i had to full on trust him or i was screwed.

Now i have complete trust in God for all my situations. Struggling in life is what makes us who we are, it helps us grow and also puts us in a place where only God can bring us through. Thats the best place to be I reckon, totally leaning on God.

God says: 'My grace is sufficient you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness...'

Me playing the guitar! - its a negative photo

Boredom and lukewarmness

2005-07-27T19:36:00.000+01:00

Ok i am so bored, and since i have some catching up to do with blogging coz im so poor at it, i thought id write another one.
On the left is Marty Sampson. My friend knows the official Hillsong United Photographer and got me this picture.
How cool? I was watching the DVD just now and saw another really sweet guitarist called Scott Ligertwood who co wrote 'What the world will never take'

Apparently im suppose to talk about something that really means something to me...this could take a while...

Ok i got it, might be a bit of a sensitive subject.
Luke Warm Christians.

They are the kind of people who will go to church act like they know it all, act as holy as they can and then the second they are out of those church doors they are completely different people.
Sometimes the change astounds me. I kind of do a double take. And im like 'say what?'
I mean im up for having fun and a laugh and we all make mistakes from time to time. But going to a club getting totally off your face and having a competition with your mates on how many chicks you can pull is NOT COOL! Then they come back to church or youth events and start judging you on your appearance etc. Hello!!! Reality Check....and then they are all like 'Its so hard...everybody else is doing it' or my favourite 'Dont blame me, you've got more self control so its easy for you.'
All christians go through trials, struggles, temptations thats just what makes us stronger. People have the choice to say no, they dont have to give in to what the world is offering. Sadly though alot of christians give up and submit. And then start offering lame excuses on why they did all that stuff...'I was trying to make myself feel better' Puuuuuuuhhhhlease!

In a United song, theres a line that goes, 'You say you want all of me...I wouldnt have it any other way.' Thats how it should be, we should be giving our all to God. Different people have different struggles, my struggle is with Music, like listening to stuff that i know i shouldnt be listening too, for others it might be the opposite sex, or drinking, or movies. At the end of the day its all relative, its all stuff that makes it harder for us to live an onfire life for God.

These guys just wanted to say Hi...

Whats underneath it all...

2005-07-26T19:37:00.000+01:00

I have been told, I need to write a bit more about me, and WHO i am. Personally that sounds a bit selfish but i'll give it a go. Well when asking myself this question, I tend to come up with a blank. Who am I? Everyone knows the happy, sarcastic and very american Tori. But theres more...isnt there?...i mean there is supposed to be....

Im the kind of person like someone else i know, that gets on really well with the opposite sex. I mean they are so much less complicated. And they like football....ok confession I LOVE FOOTBALL which is weird coz i used to be a Ballet Dancer...go figure.... I used to play for Brighton and Hove Ladies, Sussex County, Centre of Excellence in the south. So football is a huge passion of mine, and sometimes girls just don't get it.

What else can I say about myself? ok...I am a very organized person, it drives me absolutely crazy when people are just so damn lazy! another thing that I cant stand is awkward silences, so i feel i have to keep talking...and then i jus embarrass myself coz i run out of things to say. O and i hate it when you dont know how to greet a person, like sometimes people normally greet people with a hey or just a hug. i always go for the totally wrong way and look like im coming on to the person.

Im quite a closed book i think, i hate getting mushy, well...only to people i dont know so well. And i hate being touched and people prodding me and just constantly touching me. makes me wanna rip my hair out. but then i can be very sensitive..all depending on what mood I am in.
Another thing that winds me up is lukewarm christians. I mean come on, your either in it or not.

Well lets talk bout what I love....obviously God, america....umm people over here. I love chocolate doughnuts, i love being inside and seeing the rain outside knowing im safe and warm in my room. I love the smell of dusk in america, i love photos coz they are visible memory. i love my phone! i love dancing! I love hillsong united and Mr Marty Sampson. I love Johnny Storm aka Chris Evans.

Now there is my ideal husband. and hes from the East Coast ya'll.

Ok heres something else i dont like...Ladies, dont sell your self short and just give yourself to the first peice of boxer shorts that walk by. Wait for that special person that will send shivers down your spine. If hes the kind of guy that makes you feel more confident, beautiful even when wearing your sweats, full of life, secure then hes a keeper..but if he makes u feel unworthy, ugly, self concious then toss him back to the sea of losers. You deserve the best so dont settle for second or third.

Well... drawing to a conclusion, i still dont know what makes the noTORIous Tori tick. any suggestions?

Portugal

2005-07-19T21:36:00.001+01:00

Wow!!! What an awesome trip. Seriously.
Well lets see...i think the beginning is always a good place to start. Well simo came and picked me up at 4:30am. We went to the airport, got into the security check point, and me and ali went throught, until we were told to take off out belts, how embarassing!!!!!! Then we got on the flight, not too bad, pretty smooth. Got to the Airport in Faro and caught the bus to the train station, then we got on a train to Lagos, which took about 1 1/2 hours. Got to the church where we were stayin and they prepared a really nice lunch for us. Then guys went to check out their campsite, and we all met at this couple's private villa with a pool. Last chance to relax till we got down to work.

Thursday morning, the guys came in at 8am to shower, and we could tell by their faces that they had had a rough night. They brought in the biggest mutha spider!!! called Bazza. Simo's face when he saw it was a picture. Then all the girlies part from me and nettie went to do a group called Mums and Tots which is a bigger version of creche at church. During that the rest of us went into a seperate room and prayed for 2 1/2 hours, with worship and praise. That was an experience and God defintely spoke. Then we had lunch and the dance group practiced for a bit. We then went down to the beach and handed out flyers and talked to people. Thursday night we had a devotional time which was cool.

Friday morning, the guys came in at 8:30 to shower etc, so all the girls got up. After brekkie, we went to the big town to hand out leaflets. Me, Simo, Ali and Catrina had walkie talkies. but instead I picked up the police on my frequency! Doh!!! After that we came back and had lunch then worked on our dances for a few hours while some people practised the drama. Then we went back into the Town to a huge square. This is where Dwell played, and the dancers dance. I didnt think there was gonna be anyone let alone a crowd. And i was flippin scared! But as soon as i got up there and started dancing, the nerves went away completely. And i was proud to be dancin for my God! I ended up dancing 9 times that night. And i free styled with Simo and nick, which i would never have done infront of anyone, but God gave me the courage and i LOVED IT!!!!! Everyone went out after for a pizza but i could hardly walk coz of my knees so i went to back and rested them. I absolutely loved every minute of evanglising at the square.

Saturday morning, the guys and girls went out for brekkie seperately, and i met a fellow american, from Maine, i liked her coz she was from the East Coast! :) Then we got back and i practised dance some more. U have to keep training or else you will lose the mentallity of it. Then we went to the orphange. What a humbling experience. Kids ranging from 4 - 18. This girl came up to me and gave me a huge hug and a kiss on each cheek (which is a custom over there) and i cherished her smile from the first time i saw her. So many of these kids had no family or fami;y that didnt want them. Yet they were all smiling and happy. At the end of playing with them, dancing etc when we were trying to go, some of them locked themselves in simo's car coz they didnt want us to leave. They were all so lovely and i love them all!!!!
After we got back, i danced some more. and then it was time to go the 2nd square in the town which has a stage. We went on till 9-12, dancing, worship etc. I danced around 12 routines. Me and nettie did Shackles which we were both very proud we remembered it seeing as it was the first dance we had ever done 4 years ago. Then after the gig some of us went to get pizza, i had a Jack Daniels and Coke which i loved!!! We got back around 2:30am.

Sunday morning we had breakfast on the beach which was lovely. And then went back up for church. Where we saw people get saved including this very sick man in a wheel chair who not only became a fellow brother but he walked a few paces, which was a miracle to see. After church we went to another villa for a BBQ and pool, since we had all worked so hard the previous days. Since it was our last night we went out, and firstly went to the Basement, which a bar underground with dance floor etc. and a pole LOL. I had a shot there which was very good, but went straight to my legs! hehe. Then we went to the Tavern to play pool. Where i had another Jack Daniels and Coke. hehe. Then we met up with Lou and went to Joes which is a club/bar. We all started dancing, some guys dragged me up (with some help from the cowfold guys) onto a table where i danced... :s then got chatted up by some random guy. But getting up on that table and dancing was one of my best moments of the trip. So many drunk guys there tho, glad we had adamo, simo, ali, liam and nick there!!! We then left and walked home. then the guys went back to their sleepin quarters and adamo, simo and carla stayed for a chat! until the wee hours of the morning.

Then in the morning we had to get up early and pack. then we had a devotional time and went for lunch. Then came back and prayed as a group. Then said our Good byes, where me and louise started crying!!!!! it was so sad and i was even crying in the car to the airport!!!!

I didnt wanna leave, i loved it there and didnt wanna come back home yet. Especially without Lou. I took one last look at the beautiful sunset before entering the plane and shed a tear. On the way home, i couldnt get to sleep coz SOMEONE kept waking me up, by tappin the tray table. Therefore i was so tired and fell for ' O look tori we are over the alps and theres snow!' Thanks Liam for that!!!!

Wanna give a big shout out too, my dancers, Nettie, Holly and Nick. Who did a superb job and was extremely proud of all of them. Love u guys! Also to Ali and Liam and Simo, never a dull moment with them. :p hehe and to everyone else on the trip but lastly to Lou, who i miss soooooo much.

I am defintely going back soon, and wanna make that Portugese Custom of greeting people with 2 kisses and a custom over here!! hehe.

OBRAGATA (thank u in portugese)

Portugal baby!!!

2005-07-11T14:48:00.000+01:00

Wow, 2 days from now I'll be in sunny portugal!!! With Dwell, my dance group, the PA crew and some other people. It's gonna be so awesome. Flight should be interesting. I bet Simo will blag it so that the captain allows him, to sit in the cock pit. Hehe. I do feel sorry for some people that dont like to fly...not mentioning any names...i really hope you dont have to sit on your own or a window seat! I'm available to hold your hand! Haha!
Apparently we have to pack light. Haha. Thats gonna be a mission all in its self. And simo's picking me up at 4:30am!!! Looks like I'm gonna get up at 3:30am to straighten my hair! Doh!
This trip is gonna be the bomb diggity!!!! Hehe.

Last night was good, went to Eden. Dwell played, then Matt Redman! We all know who was the better band...especially when Matt Redman said Dwell, when asked who his favourite band was. That could be because the crowd were chanting 'Dwell, Dwell Dwell'... and i touched Matt Redmans butt! ACCIDENTIALLY!!! Hes seem to have gotten festively plump since last seeing him. Beth must be keepin him well fed.

This is a picture so you all can remember me. I know, i know goofy!!! But what do you expect from a picture taken early in the morning!

I'm gonna miss you all!! But i know you guys are gonna have fun while, Im gone.

And please pray for safety and that we all dont end up killing each other, also i hear that its very common to get hit on by old drunk guys, so im planning to have a big strong guy with me at all times!? (kind limits the picking doesnt it? Joke!!)

Much Love! x

It's official...

2005-07-07T09:23:00.000+01:00

Ok...this morning, i got my british passport. its official ya'll. However...it says place of birth : Washington DC!!!! So i bet u guys dont have that!!
You could tell i was in a bad mood yesterday, and did do some english bashing. its really not a bad place to live, i love all my friends and it would kill me if I had to leave. Love you guys....
anyway enough of the soppy stuff!! back to the passport, well i went to find the part where the photograph is, and you guys put it at the back! my american passport we have it at the front! o and let me clarify, the only reason why i have a british passport is because i am entitled to it since my mommy is english. and i couldnt use my american one to go to portugal because, firstly apparently they dont really like americans, and are funny about allowing them into the country! and secondly i wouldnt be allowed back into england if i had gone, because i dont have a 500$ stamp yet to say that i have been given permission by Mr Blair to stay, that would have been interesting, being left at Portugal!!!
But i love having 2 homes, over here and Washington. so its all gooooood. i know im still gonna get stick for my americanisms and stuff like that, but i know where im really from! THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!

2005-07-06T14:47:00.000+01:00

O yes!!!

God Bless America, my home sweet home...

2005-07-06T13:55:00.000+01:00

Seeing as there has been alot of anti americanism...i thought id write something about how amazing America really is...

Alright, at least in America the roads are big enough for 2 cars, i mean come on, you can only really get one car on a road over, let alone 2! The weather over here is raining, and cold and RAINING! at least in america, you actually get 4 seasons! Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.
And whats with the expensive prices...i think the british government are over compensating for something, or at least Tony Blair is. In america you could get an 'all you can eat meal' (where..thats right, you guessed it! you keep on going up to the buffet, and i dont mean just a teeny table i mean a whole room, packed out with chicken, crab, shrimp, beef and thats only to mention the meat!!) for what you would pay for a lil starter over here, with a peice of lettuce and a tomatoe.
And the national anthem over here is all about the Queen, at least our anthem is about a legacy. And if you actually knew bout the American anthem, it says at the end, the most important line, "And the home of the braves" for all you who are well...how can i put it nicely...one screw loose of a fridge, braves = indians. we still have indians over there, i had lots of friends who belong to a family of Indians. so dont give me all this crap about, you americans made the race of indians (native americans) extinct.
George bush...well lets be fair, id rather have him in charge then that skank Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair, who doesnt have a clue about how to run a country, well a little island! he puts a whole new meaning to 'One flew over the cuckoos nest'
And the war...maybe we should have let Suddam reign in power, torture all those poor people, and have the chance to nuke cities. yeah thats right, lets be leanient on the lil terrorist dictactor. awww pooor lil sudam!! people over here think they actually have the right to have an opinion about what goes on over in America. English people dont have a clue about how the government works over in the USA, they just believe everything that the BBC says. Duh!!!
Well thats me done for now, im sick of getting crap about America. Englands not so bad...but we are the superior nation. :p

Exam time is over...Now what to do??

2005-06-28T14:13:00.001+01:00

Something i jus dont get...you really quench for that feeling of freedom, no more exams, no more college. But then when that time comes, your like, 'Ok, nothing to do, someone give me something to do!!' and then you accidentally say it aloud, and your mom gives you a job like cleaning out the garage.

This summer is going to be the busiest. Theres Portugal, Passion for Your Name, Soul Survivor. As well as all the partying and getting ready to go back to America.
But if any of you guys wanna hang out just give me a bell. (And i dont mean, a bell that rings...)

Can I have a drum role please...

2005-06-26T23:00:00.000+01:00

This is my first blog with Blogger.com. And it has been inspired by many things...

It looked like fun, i have to say
Well exams are over (starting tomorrow) thought this would be a cool lil place to write whats happening in my busy summer.
Sam Burrows kind of inspired me to do one

I am gonna write more, and will do tomorrow but i gotta revise for my last exam etc... and yes that picture is of me. Training like Rocky...'its the eye of the tiger'