I'm Moving!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I'm not going far, but I've decided to move the blog to a new host. I just wanted a new look and some mobile capabilities.

My new site is : www.deniavant.wordpress.com

Either type that in or click here

Oh, and don't worry, I transferred all my old posts to the new site.

So click over to the new site, bookmark it and keep reading!

Thoughtful Thrilling Tasteful Tangible Tantalizing Totally Tite Terrific Tune Tuesday

Monday, February 1, 2010

It's been quite some time since the last Tune Tuesday. I'll blame it on not being able to come up with a "t" word for the title...

Go.

Song: Uprising

Artist: Muse

Album: The Resistance

Here's the video. Push play and read on:

I bought this song about a month ago and then a week later my church band played it one Sunday (and rocked it). I think the message in the song is pretty clear, but something about it being played in church really grabbed me and made me think about it in a new way.

I'm going to use this song as my anthem for my last semester at Winthrop. You'll see why...

The first verse really just describes how the world tries to influence us and control how we act and think. For instance:

They'll try to push drugs to keep us all dumbed down,

And hope that we will never see the truth around...

Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed.

And then to the powerful anthem chorus I love:

They will not force us,

They will stop degrading us,

They will not control us,

And we will be victorious!

When I first heard this song, I thought they=the world and us=my generation. After hearing it in church and reflecting on it in a different way, I thought they=the world, but us=Christians.

Instantly Romans 12:2 came to mind:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The second verse is encouraging basically saying that we can do this together:

If you could flick a switch and open your third eye,

You'd see that we should never be afraid to die...

It's time that the fat cats had a heart attack,

You know that their time's coming to an end,

We have to unify and watch or flag ascend!

Then the strong chorus plays several times until the song ends.

Ever time I listen (and sometimes sing really loudly) to this song, I make that chorus my prayer: that we, as Christians, especially in my generation, will not let the ever-pressuring world force us into doing things we know aren't right or changing who we are, will not get discouraged by the world laughing at our choices, nor will we let them control our actions through fear of the above mentioned things. Through Christ, we will be victorious, as He has already shown us.

So I'm using this song as my anthem as I prepare to leave college, head out into the real world and start fulfilling God's calling on my life. This songs pumps me up to take this [scary] next step. It encourages me.

There's about 20 million others things I could write about this song, but just let this song take on any other meanings to you personally. Share if you want!

End.

I'm Protesting!

Friday, January 15, 2010

I'm sure most of yall have heard of the big 'Conan - Leno' fiasco. But just in case you haven't, here's a quick recap:

Jay Leno, who used to host "The Tonight Show' somehow (I'm not sure if he quit, was let go, or the contract ended) got the chance to host another interview-type show that would air at 10pm. When Leno moved, Conan O'Brien got the job of host of "The Tonight Show" which airs at 11:35pm. Well, ratings went down for Leno, local affiliates complained and NBC decided to move Leno and his current show to 11:35pm thus bumping Conan to 12:05 and poor Jimmy Fallon to 1:05. This has caused an uproar at NBC. Leno is making Conan the butt of jokes on his show and Conan certainly responds by poking fun at NBC and Leno.

Here's a clip that'll give you a taste of it:

Conan is now saying he's quitting if they move his show back. I don't blame him. It's unfair. Leno needs to actually retire like he originally said and go drive all those cars he's got.

Looking at this situation from a public relations view, this is killing NBC. Not only are their own employees insulting each other, Conan and Leno are also saying some pretty awful things about NBC. This is killing NBC's image. They now look like some thoughtless company who disregards contracts and employees' opinions. NBC better figure something out quick, because their reputation is slowly degrading and I think they're losing fans.

In my own way of protesting, I have decided not to wear the red NBC shirt I bought when visiting NY a couple of summers ago. They will get no free advertising out of me until this is all settled in a more respectable way. Shame on you NBC.

And I'm team Conan.

Unplanned Plan 343

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Here's a little formula I created:

New Thru 30 + RELG 313 = Unplanned Plan 343

Let me explain:

New Thru 30: My church here at school, Elevation, is leading a series called New Thru 30. Basically, the congregation (plus churches and people from all over the world) are reading the entirety of the New Testament in the next 30 days. They designed a nice little reading plan that is available for everyone on the above web site. It's not too late to join in! I'm on day 4 and loving it so far!

RELG 313: I decided to take RELG 313 just because I love the professor and I needed a class in that area. RELG 313 just happens to be Intro to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. So, I'll be reading and studying (in a more academic way compared to New Thru 30) most of the Old Testament.

Unplanned Plan 343: Coincidently, I'll be reading through just about the entire Bible in the next few months. Woah. It's going to be a ton of reading, but I'm excited for the challenge. I can't wait to see what I learn and how I'm changed through this process. Wish me luck! I'll give updates along the way!

Spring 2010: Here I Come!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I'm going to start my last semester of college in two days. Goodness gracious. I won't even start on the uneasiness of uncertainties that thought brings. Instead, I'm going to focus on some highlights of the past 3.5 years at Winthrop University and all it entailed. Here are some things I never thought I would do or would happen to me:

1. One of my best friends would be on the girls' basketball team. I love my girl Lacey, my LOST watching partner, and I'm so glad she transfered from Coastal Carolina! Actually, I'm friends with several girls on the team. I don't think this would really be possible at a large school and I'm really thankful for my friendship with these girls. They're awesome!
2. I'd actually become a basketball fan. See #1 on this. Coming into WU, basketball was one of the sports I knew the least about, but ended up watching the most. I'm still a loyal guys fans. Still :)
3. I'd travel the world! On two (make it three in March) separate occasions. Italy, France and Amsterdam on the first go-round and England on the second. This is the girl that used to get "sick" at sleepovers. I got myself to leave the usual and loved it. A new love for the world, its culture, people and news. By far the best experiences of my life.
4. I'd get to worship our Creator with 20,000 other college students in one room at one time. Wow. Passion- you are wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to do this.
5. I'd change my major. I thought I would beat the statistic and stay the same all 4 years. After all, I basically ended up at WU just to major in journalism (a last minute, but solid decision). There are times when I wish I would have stayed with journalism and not changed to Integrated Marketing Communication, but the two are very similar. Besides, what would I do with Jennifer Carlyle by my side, Sarow and the Frenchies!
6. I'd have friends all over the world! France, Germany, England, Ireland. Thank you WU for being so diverse.
7. I'd go to a megachurch. Haha, I never would have pictured myself at one. When I started going to Elevation there were only about 400 attending. Now there are about 6000+ I couldn't begin to describe how God grew me through this church. Whew. If I leave the Charlotte area after graduation, this will be at the top of the list for things missed. At least they have that online service now.
8. I'd go to a billion concerts. I mean, I knew I was a concert junkie, but wow, I went to a ton. Thanks to my concert buddy Aimee West, we attended as many as possible. Notables: Switchfoot, The Fray, Mute Math, Derek Webb.
9. I'd have the absolute best, most amazing, hilarious, adventurous friends in the entire world. FCA leadership- I don't know what I'd do without these guys and gals. They rock. They push me to do better. I am so glad to be on a team with them. All of my roomates- I'll never laugh as much with anyone. The most fun ever. I love them all. I keep our memories close to my heart. None compare to yall.
10. I'd find myself not wanting to graduate. I love it here. I love Winthrop, FCA, Charlotte (NODA-I will deeply miss you!), my crazy amazing friends. I don't want to leave it all. Not yet. They all mean too much to me.

So that's it for now. There are a billion more things I could write about and I'm so thankful for that.

These next few months are going to bring a variety of changes and emotions. I hope I'm ready.

Competing Headlines

Friday, December 18, 2009

I found this interesting. Here are two headlines and subheads from two different news sources and apparently they are about the same story. Who would have guessed?

1. 'Obama: We are running short on time for a climate deal'

Subhead: Obama works overtime on climate deal

-CNN

2. 'Barack Obama's speech disappoints and fuels frustration at Copenhagen'

Subhead: US President offers no further commitment on reducing emissions or no finance to poorer countries

-Guardian, UK

I'm usually a defender of media bias, or lack thereof or whatever you want to call it, but these headlines made me laugh. They're actually opposite of each other. If you're interested, click here for the first article and here for the second.

Pop Quiz

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A couple of roommates and I have come up with a little test. The purpose of the test is to reveal if you are truly southern. And it all involves food/beverages. Here it is:

Do you like sweet tea?

 

Do you like boiled peanuts?

 

Do you like grits?

If you answered yes to at least 2 of the above, then congratulations, you’re southern!

If you only answered yes to one, then nope, you don’t make the cut.

If you you had zero yeses, then you fail.

And if you’ve never heard of the things in the questions, we’ll it’s time you head down south and try it because it will be the most amazing meal of your life.

 

So, who passed?