Okay, LOST.

So, I feel my time with the TV show LOST wouldn't be complete unless I wrote down a few things. Watching every episode from day 1 on the island, I feel that I completed my duty as a beloved fan of the show. I cannot say, however, that I have not experienced frustrations, triumphs, confusion, irritation and just plain joy along the way. There are way too many theories to count and that is just something I love about the show. It has been open to theory and interpretation for six years, so why my naive self thought that all of my questions would be answered at the end of a two and half hour finale, I don't know.

I did, however, watch Jimmy Kimmel afterward, where he had a bunch of the cast and crew (who were watching along with us for the first time) in the studio to answer questions and talk about their experiences filming the show. One of the greatest things I learned watching this was that the people playing each character (for the most part) were learning the plot alongside their characters. They, with the exception of Matthew Fox aka Jack Shephard, did not realize where the show was heading at times or how long their characters were going to last on the island. Apparently, Jack knew that the series would end with his eye closing. Profound. I enjoyed that John Locke didn't know that he was the smoke monster pretty much all of season 5 (like the viewers). It is great how the directors only revealed information to the actors when absolutely necessary so that they would be able to make the crazy plot even more believable. They were just as shocked along with us as Charlie drowned, or Libby was shot, or John Locke was still deader than a doornail in his coffin once the Oceanic 6 returned to the island even though, unbeknownst at the time, the smoke monster was taking the form of his body.

I still don't fully understand the "sideways world" but I suppose it was some type of holding place that Jack must pass through in order to learn to "let go" and pass into the land of the light. My favorite theory of the show so far is that the whole series was all about Jack's life journey and the process of him letting go and entering into the afterlife. So, my question is, and please, respond if you have a theory, did they all die in the original plane crash? Or did everything on the island actually happen as we saw in real life and since Jack was technically the last one to "let go" of the island, we see everyone together for a big family reunion in the church before they all live happily ever after. I mean, I get that they were all dead at the end, but were they just all waiting for Jack to die so that they could all go together or had Jack already died in the plane crash (or in the sideways world on the flight the second time) and this was just his journey of letting go of his life on Earth? Goodness. I have no idea. You best believe I will be chatting with all of my friends who have remained devoted as I have and also checking out the entertainment blogs as everyone will start spilling their different theories until I, at last, rest in my favorite of all the theories.

It has been a great journey, LOST. Thank you for all the great memories with friends as we theorized and watched in amazement, awe, and horror over the years. You have been an epic journey, that is for dang sure, and although I'm not sure if I would do it again, I am proud to say I was here to witness the series along with millions of other dedicated viewers through the years. In the words of the pilot Frank Lapidus as the plane flew off the island, "Amen".

Workin' Woman!

I am so happy to say that I am a new employee of the Park Place Event Center in Cedar Falls! I feel very blessed to have been placed, relatively quickly, into a position so similar to what I had in NC, except NOW I get to be a wedding planner! yay! Without even setting foot in the door for my first day, I already have three weddings that I will be the lead coordinator for. Intimidating? Yes, I think so. Doable? Heck yes! I am so pumped and am very ready for a new challenge. Although this job does come with a pay cut from my job in NC, any income coming in from my direction is a step up! Graham, being the sweetheart that he is, took me out to celebrate by going to see the new Robin Hood (a must see!) and then grabbing margaritas and mexican food (my favorite combination).

And yes, if you have not seen the new version of Robin Hood, it is definitely worth the splurge. (Graham and I went to the matinee, so you know, saved a couple dollars there!) Russell Crowe does an AMAZING job, as I think he usually does, and the supporting cast is incredible as well. You find yourself constantly going, oh man, I just say that girl/guy in a movie, what was it? And, if that doesn't drive you crazy, it's fun trying to piece it all together.

Anyway...back on topic. Wish me luck on the job! My first day is Wednesday, and I am hitting the ground running. I have orientation on Wednesday at 10:00 AM and then heading straight to work after that until 5 or 6 PM. Waking up Thursday for an 8:00 AM-5:00 PM and then getting rest for my first wedding shadow on Friday for which I will be at work from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM! Phew! Talk about diving right in!

I must say, however, that I will be ready to leave on Friday night, because two of our best/crazy friends are coming to visit this weekend! Yay! We are headed up to Minneapolis on Saturday morning to pick up Laura and Drew from the airport and then heading to a Minnesota Twins baseball game (complete with visit to one of the corporate boxes if Graham can pull it off) and then a night full of mayhem on the town I am sure. It will be my first and Graham's second time up to the Minn./St. Paul area, so we cannot wait! I hear it is an awesome town!

Closet Artist.

(Literally.)

So in college one of my sweet roommates made me two posters, one with one of my all time favorite Psalms and the other with my favorite quote from J.D. Greear, the pastor at our old church. I have been wanting to put these up somewhere, but with the lack of wall space in our tiny apartment, this has been a task! Thankfully, I got a burst of energy today and spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing my closet, which up until now has been a storage room where I have to climb over boxes to get to my clothes. THANK GOODNESS I have an actual floor in there now and could even lay down on the floor and take a nap if I wanted. (May or may not have already done this...ha!) Another one of my post-college roomies showed me the idea of using sample paint swatches for art projects. The one she showed me was of a mirror where the frame was covered in the colored squares and created a mosaic-like effect--such a great gift idea!

Well, i used my stolen paint squares (thanks Wal-mart!) to provide a little bit of color on the drab white wall of my closet around the two posters. This is what I came up with! Once a lame white wall...now full of color and inspiration!

"When someone (or Satan or my own heart) tells me I am a failure, or worthless, or sinful, I have a choice. I can believe what they say and become what they say about me, or I can believe what God says about me and belive that God says that in Christ I am a new creation. He says I am clean and forgiven. He says I have a future and a hope. He says I was chosen to be incredibly fruitful...and a world overcomer. He says goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, and that no weapon forged against me will prosper. I BELIEVE HIM."

Psalm 18

It's a Garden!

Or as close as I'm going to get to one for a while!! Thank you Wal-mart for placing potting soil, flowers and pots on sale just before I really wanted some! Here's to my makeshift garden, not having enough pots (sp crowding the poor flowers together...let's see if they'll actually grow this way!), and enjoying the little things in life that just brighten your day!

I planted marigolds (yes mom, even after I decided I don't really like them that much...but I like these cute mini ones!), impatiens, gerbera daisies and snapdragons. No idea if these flowers grow well together, can be plated in pots or all that general garden stuff, I just thought they were right pretty together! Let's hope the miracle grow potting soil and me trying to remember to keep them watered is enough for them to live and grow all summer! Please, Iowa wind, stay away from my poor, defenseless flowers. They look pretty and haven't done anything to upset you. The End.

Mother's Day Surprise!

Where have I been?? This past Thursday, with help from my awesome Husband and Father, I traveled back to NC to surprise my mom for Mother's Day weekend! I honestly had no expectation of actually surprising my mom, since I had told my sister, brother, dad, husband, mother-in-law and aunt of my plans. I think it might have been the first secret that has been kept in my family in years! When I arrived at the Asheville airport, I felt nervous and so excited to be back in my hometown. My dad convinced mom to come with him to the airport to pick up an "urgent package" that his company was sending him to the airport. Given the fact that my dad has asked way more odd requests in the past and my mom was completely clueless, I was happy to hear she had no clue as dad walked into the airport to claim me. As I walked up to the car, I saw my mom, primping in her makeup mirror per usual, went up to her rolled down passenger side mirror and non chalantly exclaimed, "Happy Mother's Day!" After a quick double take and screams/cries that scarred the lady walking behind me at the time, I was so excited to find my mom actually shocked at the news I really was in NC (she wasn't seeing things) and that I was going to be home until Monday!

From the airport we headed straight to Mezzaluna to enjoy some celebratory bruchetta and red wine (typical) before heading off to my home church for an Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center (where my mom volunteers) appreciation dinner. This is so funny because earlier in the week, mom mentioned the dinner to me over the phone and said, "Well, you know you were supposed to recieve an invitation to this dinner (I had donated earlier in the year) but I knew you wouldn't be able to come so I didn't send it." Knowing I would actually be there to join her, I then asked, "So I wasn't even worth a stamp, huh?" At least I helped them save on postage.

I woke up early on the beautiful Friday morning to head out on a run. Living out in the middle of nowhere as my parents do provides for some great running routes. My favorite of which is a four mile run down the road to an old bridge, then around what we call "the dirt road" and back. It is hard to imagine without knowing the country, but I don't think running has ever made me so happy. It was a gorgeous morning and, although I didn't have my camera, I captured a few shots on my phone for you to enjoy (amazing how great those things are nowadays, huh?):

Lovin' the country roads.

Fiberglass cows, anyone? A clear landmark you're almost to the house.

A view of Bub's barn and small community near my house built by Bub, an eccentric millionaire.

We later ate lunch at a little place in downtown Hendersonville called Never Blue and enjoyed some awesome hummus and the beautiful weather along with Graham's mom Sharon. As any good mother daughter pair enjoys, we headed straight from lunch to shop! Had a great time, bought some great things, and just really enjoyed being with mom. That night we met my dad for dinner at West First, a local wood-fired pizza place that is a Hill family favorite (mostly because my dad enjoys their wine selection and the barbeque chicken pizza is to die for!).

On Saturday my sister Keri and brother-in-law Joel came to visit with my two neices, Rami and Ada. It was wonderful seeing them, enjoying an awesome, super unhealthy, lunch at Harry's burger joint in Hendo (another one of my childhood favorites) and then headed out to a par 3 golf course with Keri, Joel, Dad and I as mom so graciously offered to keep the girls. I was proud of my performance as I only finished 6 strokes behind dad after 18 holes! Anyone who knows my dad knows how great he is at golf, but in his defense, if we were playing on a "real" golf course the slaughter would have been much worse. This is why I stick to par 3 courses.

On sunday after church we headed down to Chimney Rock, NC to have a picnic with the whole fam! The grandparents, my dad's sister and the rest of us piled in cars and drove until we found a picnic spot by the river. What a wonderful place for the girls to play, and to enjoy some Bojangles' fried chicken with all the homemade fixin's on the side courtesy of Mamaw L. and mom. What a great mother's day retreat and great way to spend the last afternoon in town.

Monday morning we woke up bright and early so we could grab breakfast at one of my favorite little spots (can you tell I was really excited about food on this trip??) and then head over to Fresh Market before being taken back to the airport. Stuffed with trial mixes, Quinoa, and peanut butter stuffed pretzels (a Fresh Market fave) in my new ballin' j. crew purse (thanks mom!) I headed back to Iowa. Thank you mom and dad for an amazing weekend back in Hendersonville!!

As I was searching for my I.D. at the airport, I turn around and try to remain cool as I realize that Mr. Schuster from Glee was beind me in line. Okay. So. Accordng to Graham he isn't really a famous person, but to me, he totally is, and as I really haven't ever met anyone famous or semi-famous or whatever, of course I had to introduce myself and ask why he was in town. He was visiting his mom for mother's day as well. How sweet. So, now, whenever you watch Glee, just know, Joanna has shaken hands with Matthew Morrison, thank you so much (even if I had chosen not to shower that morning...lml).

Then in Detriot I got to spend my 2 hour layover with Taylor Meadows, one of my bridesmaids and bff's for surprise lunch at Subway. Isn't it amazing how things like that work out? It was so surreal to be spending a few short minutes with such a great friend so far from our home state of NC (Michigan!) while I'm on my way back to my new home...Iowa! Talk about time flying since just one year ago when we were wearing the Carolina blue gowns and marching into Kenan stadium together to accept our diplomas...graduating from college deserves another blog entirely.

Thankfully I made it back to Iowa safe and sound and arrived to find a freshly cleaned apartment a sweet note and frech flowers from my awesome husband and best friend. Even if we are so far away from our families and hometown, my home is here, for now, in Iowa with the love of my life. I couldn't be happier.