I'm alive!

For the three people that read this blog, you may have been wondering where I've been the last two years.  Good news.  I'm alive!

So what in the world have I been up to?

Last we talked, I had just begun graduate school.  More good news...

I GRADUATED!  

Feel free to refer to me as "Master Megan."  No seriously.  ;)

Now on to more excited and important stuff!  Dun dun duuuuuuh!  

In March I was asked to lead the marketing and public relations for something called Hope Run Kenosha- A 5k run/2 mile walk to bring awareness to my community about human trafficking... a topic that I'm extremely passionate about.  The raise was held on June 6th along the lakefront.

Here in the U.S. there's an idea that human trafficking only takes place in other countries, when in all reality, there have been reported cases in EVERY state in the U.S. Living in Wisconsin, I was shocked when I found out that in the last two years, there have been over 77 cases of sex trafficking reported in Milwaukee alone!!  

Here are some more stats:

· Over 200 victims of trafficking have been identified in Wisconsin

· The average age of a girl who enters into sex trafficking is 14 years old

· Every 10 minutes a woman or child is trafficked in the U.S.

· 14,500-17,500 victims (child and adult) are trafficked into the U.S. every year

· Over 300,000 U.S. children are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation

· 27 million people are enslaved around the world today

A21 is one of the many organizations Hope Run Kenosha is coming alongside of to bring awareness about this horrific issue in America and around the world if you'd like more information.

Ok back to the race...

Our original goal for this first year of the race was 300. You can imagine my disbelief when we ended up with 1001 people that registered!!!

I had the privilege of emceeing the event. We had over 50 sponsors that partnered with us and got coverage from the local news outlets and even television crews from Milwaukee showed up the day of the event. We even had a billboard!

After the race there was a human trafficking program that brought in speakers from Exploit No More & P.R.O.M.I.SE along with representatives from the City of Kenosha and the Kenosha Police Department who are actively working against this cause.

At the very end, we held a moment of a silence for the victims and each participant was given a glowing balloon as a symbol of the freedom we hope to bring these girls and boys. As a song by Naomi Marie was played, the balloons were released into the sky. It was beautiful.

This event left me wanting to do so much more. I don't know what that is going to look like in the future but I do know that knowledge truly is power, and now that I know this is real and happening at this very moment, I can't sit back and do nothing.

If you'd like more information about Hope Run Kenosha or how you can get involved, please email me.

Raise + Connect + Restore

Happy Opening Day!

Oh snap!

Guess who got a 98% on her first grad school paper?  And guess who got a 100% on her second grad school paper?!  Holler back higher education!

Sorry that I suck at blogging lately.  Here's a few of my latest favorite things...

1.  Music by Sam & Ruby
2.  Pepsi Next (only 100 calories!)
3.  The Hunger Games (I actually read the book!)
4.  Cover FX powder foundation 
5.  Baylor women's basketball
6.  Cute boys name Scott

Be fabulous. 

My Life in Someecards

How To Be A Hipster

Ok, so the other night I was out with this (super cute) boy in Milwaukee.  As we were parking, he informed me that this part of town was where all the "hipsters" hang out.  I immediately chuckled to myself as I remembered an episode of the show "Happy Endings" where they went over the rules of being a hipster.  Seriously, this stuff is funny.  And even funnier, these people exist in real life.  Believe me.  I lived it.

For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, here are the hipster rules. Be sure to watch the clip below.  It's hysterical!  Wait. Hipster talk- It's whatev. I'm over it.

HOW TO BE A HIPSTER:

1.  Never try.  Never put effort into anything

2.  Only like things that are ironic (i.e. books, movies, tv shows, the environment.

3.  Never show too much enthusiasm.

4.  Everything is dumb.  

  

I'm back!

Hey there 3.5 people that read this!  Sorry for the blogging sabbatical I've been on!  I've had some major changes in my life. Here's some of the changes in a nutshell:

• Got homesick
• Quit my job
• Moved home to Wisconsin
• No job lined up
• Moved in with my parents
• Went 2 months without a job
• Got hired at a clothing store working part-time
• Experienced my first black friday
• Still looking for a full-time position
• Hopefully starting grad school in the spring

Despite some of the "not exactly ideal" things listed above, I am LOVING every minute of being home.

God is good!

This is your life...

This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

(Chorus)

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

Album: My Paper Heart
Artist: Francesca Battistelli

Hot Quarterback Highlight- 2011 Edition

It's that time again!  My picks for the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL this season.  In case you missed it or want to compare, here's 2010 and 2009's list.

Let's not waste time with words, bring on the HUNKS! (Oh and don't forget to vote for your favorite to the right)

#5 

#5  Tim Tebow,

Denver Broncos
Height:  6'3

Meg B's comments:  The first of 2 QB's from Denver this year, Tebow loves Jesus and isn't afraid to let people know it.  That alone makes him that much more attractive and definitely worthy of this list!

#4 

Andy Dalton, #14
Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 6'2

Meg B's comments:  Well, I'm not happy that Andy lead TCU to a victory over my Wisconsin Badgers in the Rose Bowl this past year, but I am happy that I get to watch his handsome-self play in the NFL this year!

#3

Christian Ponder, #7
Minnesota Vikings
Height:  6'2

Meg B's comments:  This hottie of a gem was found by chance.  But my oh my, I'm glad I did.  For a guy replacing Brett Favre, you def have what it takes Christian!

#2

Brady Quinn, #9
Denver Broncos
Height:  6'3

Meg B's comments:  Man, Denver sure knew what they were doing this year with sexy QB's.  If their colors weren't orange and blue (to remind me of my home-team's rival), I might consider rocking those colors in support of these yummy athletes!

And finally....without further ado....as if you didn't know this one was coming.....

#1 on our list....

Aaron "SuperBowl Champion" Rodgers, #12
Reigning World Champions, The Green Bay Packers
Height:  6'2

 Meg B's comments:  No doubt, a Superbowl ring from your home team's quarterback is definitely worthy of being the hottest on this year's list (That manly scruffy face doesn't hurt either!)  Keep up the good work Aaron, can't wait for ring #2 this year.

Let the games begin!

Music Monday...On Tuesday

Many of you have heard Beyonce's song "Single Ladies." I'll admit, it's preeetty catchy.  If the R&B "jive" isn't for you, I've found an AWESOME remake of this song by the group Pomplamoose.  Check them out on YouTube for more gems like this one...


Come to think of it, I may have posted this already a while back.  Oh well, it's def worth sharing again!

Lioness Arise!

A couple weeks ago I was in Phoenix for work and had the pleasure of interviewing international speaker and author, Lisa Bevere.  Let me just tell you that she is AMAZING! 

Check out our interview below: 

I'm currently reading Lisa's book, Lioness Arise.  It's inspiring and I definitely recommend.  It's a great motivator to be all that God has called you to be.  You can order it here. 

As Greg Jennings always says, "Be great today."

Online Dating Profile 101

This post is for all my single friends, specifically those with testosterone.

Dating sites. We've all tried them.  C'mon.  Admit it.  Ain't no shame in your game.  

Whether Christian Mingle, Match.com or Plenty of Fish (to name a few), I've found one constant- more often than not, these guys are so clueless with their profiles.  Seriously dude. You're better than that.

So, for the single fellas reading this, I present to you...

"5 WAYS TO GET ME TO NOT LOOK AT YOUR PROFILE:"

You're welcome in advance.

1.  SHIRTLESS PROFILE PICTURE.  Let’s be real here, there are at least 20 more guys with hotter bods than you so impress me with your face, wit and charm, not your mediocre abs.

2.  ANOTHER WOMAN.  I don’t care if it’s your mom, your sister, your cousin or Great Aunt Betty with you in your profile picture.  If I wanted to compete, I'd go on The Bachelor.

3.  CHEESY HEADLINE.  I'm sure you really are: “Prince Charming” “Mr. Right” “Casanova” or “Theoneforyou"  and you just haven't found your princess yet.  Riiiight. 

4.  DRAMA FREE ZONE.  Your intro paragraph warns girls with drama from messaging you. Translation: You either are drama or have had a lot of it in the past.  You have baggage written all over you. Not interested. 

5. FLAMES BUTTON-UP SHIRT.  1996 called and they want their shirt back.  And probably your haircut, JNCO jeans and Vans tennis shoes as well. 

In case you missed it

So for the 17 people that read my blog, most of you probably weren't around at the beginning (circa 2007).  So I figured I would highlight a few of my favorite posts that you may or may not find amusing.  Heh.

Just click on the titles below to take a gander...

 

Enjoy!

Oh, and meet TJ.  My cousin's baby and pretty much the sweetest thing I've come in contact with.  Ever.

Smile.

Whoa. Baby.

So...I'm on Twitter for anyone out there that cares or would like to follow me (@MegB35).

Rarely do I tweet celebrities/athletes because they don't usually right back, and frankly, I don't think I come up with witty enough things to merrit a respoonse.

HOWEVER, today was a GREAT day!  Why you ask?  Because Greg Jennings of the GREEN BAY PACKERS replied to my tweet!  Seriously, made.my.day.month.

See for yourself:

Waitin' on a dream...

The following is a little poem my mom used to jokingly say as I was growing up...

"Patience is a virtue,

possess it if you can.

Found rarely in a woman, 

and never in a man."

Ah patience.  Oh how I loathe thee.  Mostly because I have such a hard time practicing it.   I genuinely desire God's will for my life, however, I can't seem to get to that place where I'm confident in what that plan is.

A good friend of mine, Doug Clay, recently wrote a book called Dreaming in 3D.  I had the pleasure of hearing him speak in front of thousands of people while I was in Arizona for work last week.  One thing he said really hit me deep in my core.  He said:  "Too many dreams get aborted because of lack of patience."  Boom. 

Even though I don't know specifically what my dream is, I know that I'm destined to do something great.  Destined to impact people in a positive way.  Destined to be a leader and destined to be an example of Christ to others.   I pray that disappointments, silence and distractions will not keep me from achieving my dreams.  The dreams that my creator has instilled in me.

In the meantime, as I struggle with patience and with the lack of understanding as to why I'm currently in a place of waiting, I hold on to this: 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7


Because let's face it, in this world of chaos and unknowing, He truly is the peace that passes all understanding.  


Hold on to your dreams my friends!  And that whole patience thing, I'll work on it if you will.  :)

Top seven reasons I would never wanna be the bachelorette

1. They say the camera adds 10 lbs. Enough said. 

2. When you turn anything into a competition for guys, they want to WIN. Even if they don't care about the prize,  it's about WINNING the competition. Insert insecurities now. Did I mention guys like to win?!!  (Well, i mean all guys except the Chicago Cubs). 

3.  I don't think ABC could find 25 guys to meet my height requirements. "This season on the first ever Giant Bachelorette..." 

4.  It's all bubbles and puppies till the cameras are off. Of course I'm gonna be super awesome the 5 minutes that  Prince Charming and I are together before we decide we are in love. But what about when real life hits and you find out that sometimes I don't wear makeup and that I actually prefer basketball shorts over booty shorts?! 

5.  My mom still thinks I don't kiss boys. I'd hate for her to find out on national television because of course I'd have to try every flavor... That's what the bachelorette does, right? Duh. 

6.  The idea of them dropping me off 50 ft away from my date just so I could dramatically run to him is just silly. I wouldn't do it. They'd probably end up firing me and going back to short girls who think frolicking is cute. 

7. My friends would make fun of me. 

So in the meantime... "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will grant you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Yahoo!

The NFL Lockout is OVER!

This makes me so happy I could kiss someone (preferably Aaron Rodgers).  However, I'd be lying if a tiny part of me didn't love the idea that the my Packers would have won the very first and last Superbowls!  Heh. 

In honor of this exciting news, I thought sharing some music would be a great way to celebrate!  So without further ado, here's my "Holy Crap It's Hot" play list (Be warned, it's super awesome and super random):

Enjoy!

It's been a long time

I shouldn't of left you, without a dope beat to step to...


Wow!  2 Months since I have posted!  Sorry 17 people that read this.  Heh.

How was your 4th of July?  Here's my weekend in Kenosha, Wisconsin (where I grew up), in photos...

Jerilyn came on the road trip with me to visit her brother in  Chicago!

Naturally, I had to show her the Cheese Castle.  Only in Wisconsin I tell ya.  haha

 

 

 

 

I turned 28! 

 

 

My grandparents stopped by for the party.  Grams made lasagna and redvelvet cake! yea baby.

 

My awesome parents.

A few of the besties came to celebrate my oldness!

Holding baby TJ for the first time.  LOVE HIM.

Lake Michigan.  One of my favorite places in the world.

Competed and LOST in the Backyard Olympics with Kareem.  So not fly.

Bought a shirt at my favorite store, H & M. 

And finally, before getting on the road, I got to meet baby Ella.  She is too stinking cute!

Had an OUTSTANDING weekend.  Hope yours was equally as excellent!

Lighthouses, cheese and babies,

MegB