Currently.

My day so far has been relaxed and exciting all at once. Today, we are in Nashville because Jeff & Sheri are recording an in studio video. The day has been full of "what to do next?" all the while having a plan! (You all know my theory on plans lately...)
In the meantime, I've been working on filling my iPhone with enough media sources to entertain me in Canada next week. I'm looking forward to this trip. Last time in Canada, I realized that I'm actually a bit happier when my phone isn't constantly in my hand and I'm actually doing other things. I plan on taking a few movies, Season 2 of Lost, lots of music, my Nintendo DS/games, and several books for the ride! Of course, I'll also be working on some wedding plans along the way as well! There are 530 days left of planning, and I'm so excited! This past June 23rd marked exactly one year since Madison had asked my dad's permission to propose. This year, June 23rd, I picked out my wedding gown! I love the history in that date now, and just to think it was all unintentional! It didn't dawn on me until I was about mid-way through trying on wedding dresses that the date served such significance! So that's it for now: I'm relaxing and doing fun things... until school starts again. I'm determined my time management will be better and healthier for this school year.

A few last unimportant notes: 15 days until Aerosmith and 45 days until the Alaskan Cruise!

Speechless.

This afternoon is the most shocked I've been in my life. I innocently signed into facebook just to read everyone's posts because I don't sign in frequently. The first thing I read is that Michael Jackson has died. At first, I thought it was stupid so I continued to google just to make sure. After seeing it posted on several sites, I turned to CNN. What I love about CNN is that they MAKE SURE their details are correct before flashing them all over the media. I cried when I first read this news. It made me think of a lyric that I just became aware of about 2 days ago. I'd always loved the song Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five For Fighting, but the other day while hearing it on the radio, I notice the following lyric: Even heroes have the right to bleed. I loved this line and have been thinking about it for the past few days because it's so true. We really hold our heroes on such a high pedestal that we deem them immortal. No one EVER thought about Michael Jackson dying. The same way no one thinks of loved ones dying. It just isn't fair. It isn't something we consider for life because in our book, it's simply unacceptable. I've heard this song 3 times within the past few days, randomly on the radio. It's just weird how diverse things in life make connections. I'm still in shock, and I'm doing my best not to think of his death. I know he may not have been the best or most sane person out there, but no one can deny his musical influence. Every household knows Michael Jackson's name. He was a legend. I'm just speechless and in disbelief.

My prayers go out to his family and to his fans who are mourning right now, and who will do so for many days ahead.

Maybe It's Just A Phase?

I haven't posted about Bruce lately but this week he's given me enough to write on. My dad tells me that when I'm not home Bruce is wild. I think what the problem is, is that dad doesn't show dominance over him so Bruce doesn't listen which then turns into dad not caring to play with him. This, I don't like... We all know puppies need attention...

So lately, since I've been home Bruce has been inside a lot more. His new favorite activities include looking for tipsy, throwing his squeak toys, giving kisses, and barking at the singing Barney (teddy bear) that he's found.

He's also shown a bit of rebellion. Under NO circumstance will he go into my bathroom (where he used to eat, sleep, and stay if we left home for an hour or so). He won't even touch his food if it's in the bathroom. Every night this week I've played and played with him until he shows fatigue then attempted to make him go "night night" like he used to... in the bathroom. Before, he never even barked but soon after shutting the door thumped into the bathtub where he slept til morning. This week, he wouldn't stop barking. Considering how loud he is and worrying about waking dad up (who wakes for work at 4:30 every morning) I've had to take him back outside to his pen to sleep. I really don't like it... I don't care for him staying outside when he doesn't have to... but there's been no choice this week.

I'm just assuming this is some puppy phase he's in... wild and rowdy. Getting him fixed next month may also help, I hope!

I apologize if you weren't interested in this blog... it's just the only thing that's been on my mind enough to write on lately.

Coming Soon...

I saw someone that I follow do this and I thought it was really cool. Hope she doesn't mind that I'd like to do it as well. In future blogs, I'd like to start signing off using my signature that I made at http://www.mylivesignature.com/. Here it is!

Caught a Few Laughs Today

As you know via my million tweets on twitter, I'm on vacation in Orlando, and I LOVE IT! Today, Madison and I went to Disney World. We've had a blast! There are a few of today's happenings that I'd like to share with you!

First, let me say that I love this concept we've found of not having a game plan! Normally, when we go anywhere, or do anything, we've planned it out. Not this time! We woke up this morning not knowing what we would venture to do. An hour later, we decided to go to Disney World and buy not a one day park hopper (like normal... we haul butt to cover 4 parks in one day, but hit all our favorite rides) but a TWO day park hopper! This means that either tomorrow or Thursday, we'll be going back! The good thing we've found about this is that we can take our time and enjoy some rides that we've never been on before. For example, everything we did this morning was new. First, we had our pictures taken with Minnie... a Disney World MUST. I felt the child in me over flow with excitement while standing in her presence (and I'm aware... it isn't the REAL Minnie Mouse like the little girl in front of me shouted. How sweet and excited she was!). Then, we stepped into the American Idol Experience, which was very cool. We also rode the Toy Story Mania. A few of our friends have bragged so much on this ride, but every time before when we tried to go, the wait time was 3 to 4 hours! It's like the most popular ride in Hollywood Studios apparently! Today, the wait was only 80 minutes, so we endured. There's something else we don't normally do... go to Disney in June! Normally, we go in January when the lines are fairly breezy! 

Also, I realized that P90X has caused my endurance of sweat to reach all time highs! I don't know that I've ever sweated as much as I have today! I also found that tonight's workout proved me stronger than normal, and with more balance! GO P90X! Bring it!

I've tweeted more today than ever before, and if it annoyed you, I am SO sorry. 

I realized over supper at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse tonight that I may ought to put the chop sticks down. I dropped my piece of sushi TWICE in my soy sauce. Luckily, this was the last piece of my roll... regardless, soy sauce went everywhere and the strangers (although kind) at the table couldn't help but notice!

I've laughed more than normal today... I think I've decided that I need to loosen up and enjoy life a bit more than I do. I stress myself and pressure myself to always be productive, because there's always something to be done! However, today I realized that sometimes I just want to be a kid, and I want to be fun. I want people to look forward to talking to me or spending time with me because I know how to have fun (a valuable lesson to learn in life!). 

So today I tweeted: My life is too serious. I've gotta learn to loosen up and live a little. 

Hilary Aycock, who's blog I follow, responded: Don't take life to seriously- no one comes out alive... =)

And this completely cracked me up! How true! 

Besides, you're never to old for Disney, where childhood dreams come true!

A few announcements before I go... 

I'm launching our wedding website today! Please take a moment to check it out, and note that it is still in progress! 

http://www.theknot.com/our

wedding/ShannonNorman&MadisonEaster

Congratulations to Kendall Anne Huff, my dear friend, and her fiance! They've set their date for May 22, 2010! 

The Worst Luck.

Fact: I have the absolute worst luck with my toes. 

I broke my pinky toe on my right foot during my 6th grade year of school. The bone still slightly protrudes off the side of the toe. Yuck.

A few summers ago, when opening the icebox on the bus, I knocked off my toenail, left foot, second toe (would this be my index toe?), and it bled and bled, and did not grow back quickly. 

About a month ago, I stomped my toe (right foot, second toe) on my piano bench in my room. It bled and bled... and 2 weeks later, fell off in the middle of the night.

About 2 days ago, while exiting our local Mexican restaurant, I stomped my left foot, second toe, on the door, knocking it off as well.

I used to get cramps in my toes... and you'd laugh if you saw them sticking together during that time.

I've read that it takes approximately 100 days for a toenail to grow 1 cm. To look at my feet now only saddens me. It's summer... the time for pretty painted toenails... only I'm 2 short of 10! I surely hope this growth process goes quickly. In the meantime, maybe I'll just paint my skin. =(

Regarding My Previous Post...

I have received a few complaints on my previous post, and in reading back, I see where the following sentence was worded incorrectly: "Side note: in Canada, you have no phone and no internet." My intention in saying that was to show that without cell service or internet, I had no distractions which encouraged me to do something educational, like reading a book. I am aware that Canada does have internet service, cell service, Wal-Mart, and Starbuck's, just like America does. I should have clarified myself on this topic. What I should have said to get my point across was that because I do not have the international package on my cell, it would have cost me to text or talk on my phone. Also, my source of internet while traveling is a Verizon air card, so getting online would have also been considered roaming for me, and would have cost a bit that I was unwilling to pay. I seem to recall blogging "Facebook Causes Panic" during the Canadian tour while sitting in production at Gaither's, because they had made internet available to us free of charge. Regardless, I would like to apologize if I offended any of my readers, and I promise to make myself clear in the future. 

Shan

The Shack (No spoilers. No worries)

My story with this book began just a few weeks ago. I had heard several ravings over it, and upon a trip to Canada, decided to pick it up. Side note: in Canada, you have no phone and no internet. Plus, being one week before the Gatlinburg, TN concert where William Paul Young was to speak, this seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Throughout the Canadian weekend, I read and loved the book so much I couldn't put it down. Finally, I had just 25 pages to go. At that time, we crossed back into the U.S. and normal distractions retook hold of my life.. until this morning.

Let me first say that one opinion I overheard before starting the book was that the book was touching and life changing especially to those in certain circumstances. In my mind I just assumed that I would probably enjoy the book and gain further understanding into some of the problems that people face. Little did I know that this book would change me. The last 25 pages talked about forgiveness. I realized that although I thought it was an easy concept to grasp, I did not know how to truly forgive. I did not realize that forgiving was for myself, and not for the other party involved. It has taken so much weight off of my chest, and I can't stress how amazing that feels. In forgiving, we are loving even when it seems impossible.

If any of you have read this book, I'd love to hear your opinion!