Guest Blogger. Caroline White.

Meet Miss Caroline Thornberry White. Caroline and I met this past year through SMU Young Life Leader Training and have become fast friends. In fact, Caroline has become the unofficial 4th roommate over here at Casa Bonita. We have spent countless hours together watching musicals, eating at Panera (she used to be an employee there), just chatting about life, and getting excited about the Bible Study I get to lead with her and her friends.  I love Caroline's honesty and desire to be where God wants her to be and who He wants her to be. She is so much fun to be around, an extremely loyal friend, was the cutest AARO Leader, and is a great pen pal. Caroline loves all things Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines, her family, Chi Omega, Charlotte York Goldenblatt, headbands, needlepoint, and her home state of Kentucky...

When I tell people at SMU that I'm from Kentucky they immediately associate my beloved home state with two things: The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Fried Chicken. While I love any excuse to wear a big and beautiful Derby hat and although KFC's new grilled chicken is one of my fast food faves (and yes, I have been to the original restaurant and now museum in Corbin, KY), Kentucky has so much more to offer.  

Since being away for college this year and starting a brand new world at SMU I've been able to return home this summer and appreciate just how wonderful this state truly is.  I'm from Lexington, the second largest city in Kentucky located in the central part of the state.  We're home to the famous University of Kentucky Wildcats, 2 of the 5 Backstreet Boys, the bluegrass region (and bluegrass music), Keeneland Racetrack, breathtakingly beautiful horse farms, cool summer nights, and the best darn homegrown tomatoes I've ever had. 

Situated at the very top of the South, I've been raised in the world of SEC sports and you bet I bleed blue for the best team in the conference (sorry, Erin).  People have pointed out that Kentucky is unfortunately without any major professional sports teams and I confidently reply that we don't need them-- we over-compensate with UK basketball.  Enough said. And while I love all of the entertainment the city provides, the best thing to come home to is the natural beauty of this region.  Rolling hills covered in grass so green it could be blue, lined with dozens and dozens of lush and leafy blue ash and bur oak trees, all perfectly spread out under the bright and sunny Kentucky sky. 

I've traveled to Europe, Central and South America, out West, up North, and all down South and I've never seen such a simple picture of God's good Earth like there is only minutes from my house.  When I'm having one of those days where I just can't find the Lord, my favorite thing to do is get in my old, beat up 1999 Nixan Maxima and just drive those old country roads.  Sandwiched between nothing but God's creation on my left and right I'm always sure to find Him there, shining so bright.  There's nothing like it.  And just when I don't think it could get any better I drive up on a scene of beautiful brown thoroughbreds grazing together on this already perfect picture. And that's why I love coming home.  In the loud, busy, unstoppable city of Dallas where tranquility and simplicity cannot be found anywhere, coming back home to this gorgeous place always is so refreshing.

The state song of Kentucky, "My Old Kentucky Home", always sung after the National Anthem at any and every event resonates louder with me now than ever before.  One of our greatest, Albert "Happy" Chandler, once said, "I've never met a Kentuckian who wasn't comin' home." No matter where, home is always just so good.                

"My Old Kentucky Home"

The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky Home,

'Tis summer, the people are gay;

The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom

While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,

All merry, all happy and bright;

By 'n' by hard times comes a knocking at the door,

Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night!

Weep no more my lady

Oh weep no more today;

We will sing one song

For My Old Kentucky Home

For My Old Kentucky Home, far away

Guest Blogger. Laura Virginia Underwood.

I am so excited to introduce this week's Guest Blogger Laura, because I have known her since she was in her mama's belly. Her mom, Jayne, and my mom were great friends (and still are) when I was in elementary school and her sister, Ellen, and I were the best of friends too. Ellen and I were almost like sisters (twins specifically, because we looked quite a bit alike and frequently told people we were twins) and since both of us just had brothers. So, when Laura was born I felt like she was my little sister too. Now Laura is going to be a senior in college at N.C. State, has her own blog (which is awesome and you should definitely check out), has a cute boyfriend, takes amazing pictures, loves Jesus passionately, has great taste in decorating, mason jars, and fashion, loves cheese and is a fantastic cook (you will see below!), has the best taste in music, and if we lived in the same town I think we would be fantastic friends. I just can't believe how fast time has gone by and how grown up she is and I love the beautiful woman she has become both on the inside and out.

Meet Virginia...
I like to think that growing up I thrived on the five main food groups. And, of course, by that I mean: grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, ranch dressing, and anything with chocolate in it. I once said to my mom, “My life is cheese!” At least we know where my priorities were. Many nights I sat at the dinner table long after everyone else was finished because I would NOT eat that salad in front of me. Lettuce made me gag and there was no way you could sneak me a tomato. Of course that meant I wasn’t getting dessert, and so… no chocolate. Life’s not fair. 
Then this strange thing happened. I went off to college and my tastes and preferences for foods started changing. People had told me that this might happen, but I was sure there was no way. Slowly I started trying new things and before I knew it I was eating crab cakes, making kale chips, ordering anything on a menu with the word “black bean” in it, buying every fruit I could get my hands on, shopping at Trader Joe’s, dreaming of asparagus, and getting dinner from the salad restaurant in the mall 3 times a week. Did you hear that? A salad restaurant!   
Now don’t get me wrong. I love a good grilled cheese. I still order a “Mac-a-roo n’ Cheese” off the Kid’s Menu at Outback. Not much beats a 6-pack of chicken nuggets from Chick-Fil-A. And as much as I try to resist, every time I have french fries with a meal, I just have to order a side of Ranch to go along with them. 
But I also have learned to love being healthy. It makes me feel so much better inside and out to be eating well and to be taking care of the body that my Creator gave me. I really just believe in a healthy balance. I think that it is so important to live a healthy and active lifestyle, but also to really enjoy the things that you love. Remember that “chocolate” food group? It is still a part of everyday life.   
Yesterday, I made what I am going to declare “The World’s Best Muffins.” They are a perfect example of my “Nutritionally Delicious” philosophy. They have some really nutritionally redemptive qualities, and they are to die for! It would be cruel to keep the recipe to myself. I recommend eating one fresh out of the oven with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
Makes approximately 24 muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 Tablespoon Flax Seed Meal

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 egg

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/4 Bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

!/4 Bag Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place muffin cups in muffin tins.

Mix sugar, applesauce, and egg until creamy and light yellow. Add bananas and vanilla. Add flour, flax meal, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Stir until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Guest Blogger. Melissa Priode.

In August of 2003 I went on staff with Young Life at a little high school named Carter, in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. 3 or 4 days a week I would make the 20 minute drive down Asheville Highway to stand in the lobby and meet kids as they were heading into lunch. Everyday this girl would stand at the stairs and wait for her friend to meet her then they would prance on into the cafeteria. She was cute as a button, always dressed to a T, a cheerleader, and someone I wanted to be friends with. The girl at the stairs and I eventually met and hit it off instantly and a month or so after meeting she asked me to be an assistant swim coach for her high school team. Young Life eventually started meeting at her house. She went to Windy Gap. She started bringing her friends to Young Life. She became a Young Life leader. And more than anything she became one of my great friends. She is so much fun to be around and is one of those people that after 5 minutes you feel like you have known her your whole life,  has an infectious smile, is always up for adventure (she even lived in Australia for a while!), loves Long's Drugstore and lists (read on and you will see), and will be my friend for life. I thank God that Melissa would wait at those stairs everyday for Meghan because God ended up using her to grow Young Life at her high school and now so many have come to know Jesus through YL at Carter. 

If I had a show on DIY or the Food Network, it would probably be called the List Queen (mainly because the Ace of Cakes and Barefoot Contessa were already taken). Simply put, I love to make lists. I constantly scribble bits of info or reminders down on scraps of paper and tuck them into my wallet or pocket. In honor of my sometimes paper-wasteful habit, I am going to make lists of things that will help you get to know me!

(in no particular order)

Top 5 Favorite Desserts

1. Banana pudding

2. Lemon cookies/bars

3. Strawberry shortcake

4. my Granny's pumpkin chocolate chip bread

5. my Grandma's chocolate cake with cream cheese icing

Top 5 Favorite Songs to Fall Asleep To

1. If It's The Beaches, the Avett Brothers

2. Where Are You Going, Dave Matthews

3. Breakdown, Jack Johnson

4. (tie) Savannah Fare You Well and Floridays, Jimmy Buffett

5. Angel in the Snow, Elliott Smith

Top 5 Best Pieces of Advice I Have Ever Received From My Mom

1. "Always carry a jacket with you from September to May."

2. "Never use Nair on your eyebrows ever again." (after an unfortunate incident in 6th grade)

3. "Melissa, you should never be a nurse." (after my sister threw up on me and I nearly passed out)

4. "Eating a new food adds 7 years on your life." (there is no verification if this is actually true. Yet)

5. "If you are having a bad day you should read the jokes in Reader's Digest."

Top 5 Things You Would Only Know If You Really Knew Me:

1. I had a Star Wars birthday party for my 10th birthday

2. I like grocery shopping more than any other kind of shopping

3. A huge pet peeve of mine is when words are misspelled on purpose. (Ex: KOOL Aid)

4. I accidentally rolled my sister out of her baby crib the day she came home from the hospital

5. As a child, I thought my dad was a train conductor. Actually, he worked for Trane Heating and Air. Easy mistake to make for a kid. 

Top 5 Ficitional Characters Figures I Would Like To Have Lunch With:

1. Jo March, Little Women

2. Scarlett O'Hara, Gone with the Wind

3. Kristy Thomas, the Babysitters Club

4. Coach Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights

5. Luna Lovegood, from the Harry Potter books

Top 5 Movies I Will Always Get Sucked Into Watching When They Are On TV:

1. Forrest Gump

2. the Indiana Jones trilogy

3. the Sound of Music

4. Jumanji

5. the Shining (even though I know it scares me)

Guest Blogger. Jon Jordan.

Meet guest blogger, Jon Jordan. I know Jon because we both used to work for Young Life, and both worked with crazy fun middle school kids. When my YL area and another area were going on a retreat and we needed a speaker, the other girl in charge and I were so excited to ask Jon. I am so glad we did. He loves Jesus deeply and you can see it in the way he gives his life away and in the words that he uses. Jon hails form Katy, TX, has a fantastic wife, Vivien, can rock a mustache, has an awesome Twitter account and website, and surprisingly enough, never really wanted to be a theologian...

I never wanted to be a theologian.

I wanted to be hip, cool and well-liked, and theologians are not hip, cool or well liked. I could lie and say that I have achieved all those things, but my wife and the rest of our friends would just point and laugh at me. But as it turns out, never wanting to be a theological did not stop me from becoming one.

That being said it wasn't long before I realized that you don't really become a theologian, instead you just are one. And not just those who study scripture or go to seminary, but anybody who holds a belief about God and shapes their life around that belief. That covers all of us. Whether you believe that there is no God, or you believe that there are many Gods, your life is shaped by that belief. So it turned out I was a theologian, but at least I'm not alone.

This realization instilled in me a desire to learn as much as I can about the God that I claim exists. My wife reminds me that she never signed up to be a seminary or ministry wife, and I remind her that I never meant to sign up for it either. Once I began the journey of discovering and aligning myself with the historic, orthodox, Christian view of who God is, I found that I couldn't stop. Another strange effect of pursuing God is that I didn't lose interest in other things I enjoy, they just begin to have more purpose. My marriage is my greatest earthly joy, but now I also see it as a picture of Christ's great pursuit of his people. Time with friends is still one of the highlights of my week, but now our relationships are a beautiful picture of a God who exists and creates in community. I still enjoy a great beer, but now that beer points to a God who is the author of Great and the eternity we will spend enjoying him.

Theology matters. I think C.S. Lewis summed up what I continue to believe about studying God when he said that "If these things [the historic-redemptive story of Scripture] are true, they are of infinite importance. If they are not true, they are of no importance. But the one thing it cannot be if of moderate importance." 

guest blogger. mallory mccall.

todays guest blogger (a little late in the day) is none other than miss mallory mccall. mallory and i were on the same wyldlife team for a about a year, and through that year became really great friends. we went through some tough stuff this year when highland park young life dissolved and she was frequently my sounding board, shoulder to cry on, and friend to laugh with too. her heart for Jesus is open, honest, and full. she is famous around highland park for driving an awesome yellow jeep, in college mallory spent a semester at sea traveling the world (ask her how many countries she has been to), is in love with tim riggins and edward cullen, just rented a rocking new old house, and is one of my best friends here in dallas. but, there is something else about mallory that she would like to share with all of you readers of oh and the world spins madly on...

I proudly confess I am a word nerd. I’d rather write an essay than circle an answer; send an e-mail than make a call; and leave a note instead of waiting for you to return. Growing up, my mom was a first-grade teacher, which means there was an educational lesson woven into the most mundane tasks, and she took that whole “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” thing to the extreme. Her idea of brain food was a bowl full of gibberish.

For five years (Monday through Friday, August through May), I ate a bowl of soggy Alpha-bits Cereal. Before drowning the tiny whole-grain letters in a sea of white water, my brother and I would race to create the “most impressive” word before Dad’s instant coffee sent the microwave into a ringing fit of rage. (We’d giggle and pretend the incisive beeping was the censored shouts of a boiling-hot Mr. Potatohead mug. Yes, seriously, a cussing cup.)

Ultimate loser family, right?! Poor kids missed out on Cartoon Network and Toaster Strudel. Cheap dad drank fake coffee. Learning-obsessed mom should have fed us shredded newspaper instead, huh?

It’s lame, I know. But I ate it up (pun totally intended). The kid with the “most impressive” word won shotgun, which included radio rights. And when you’re 8 years old, those things matter… a lot.

Sigh. That was when I learned the power of using the right words. Think about it—letters, lyrics and even tweets are the confession of an honest expression. Why is it easier to write what we really feel or think versus just saying what’s on our heart and mind? How can so much emotion hide behind a 6-inch pen?

Postsecret, Letters to Crushes, heck, even Letters to Juliet prove the power of the written word. Feeling powerful today? Write something, I dare you.

guest blogger. rachel sherbakoff.

meet rachel sherb or sherb, as i like to call her. she is one of my favorite people in the world. i have known sherb since she was 16 on the way to frontier ranch and went to webb school of knoxville. then i was lucky enough to have her transfer to the school where i was a young life leader (w-e-s-t west west, b-e-s-t best best) and then she went to auburn where i later went on young life staff and we got to be besties there. rachel is a fiercely faithful friend, loves Jesus in such a real way, and as you can see from her pictures she both beautiful and so much fun. she is the friend that will come over at 2 a.m. when you think you hear someone breaking into your house (which she did for me), loves to watch movies and make cookies on a saturday night, and will go on any and all road trips and bring the best music. rachel has amazing taste in music (which is fitting, since she lives in nashville) and has always kept me up to date on the best indie, folk, and rock tunes. so, here is her summer music playlist. your ears will thank you...

Back in the day, one of the best things about summer was making a mixed CD for all of your friends. These days, I don’t get the fortunate pleasure of burning a CD, creating a fun title for it like “Rach and Meg’s Summer Fun Volume One 4 Life” and decorating the CD with a silver Sharpie. I would do that except my CD burner is broken on my computer and I don’t have enough money to fix it. Secondly, we have IPods and we can just make a playlist. As I prepared for my drive to the beach with my family, which I drove (8 hours) alone because I am all grown up and don’t live anywhere near my family, I created my Summer Playlist. Enjoy!


1. Oh My Stars, Andrew Belle - Belle’s voice will make those lazy afternoons and summer sunsets linger just a little bit longer. Play this song as you are winding down your action packed day and eating your peach cobbler. Belle also lives in Nashville, which is definitely a plus.

2. Airplanes, B.o.B - As you make your way to the local Sonic with the windows rolled down, turn up the volume and sing your heart out. Then look up at the sky, find an airplane, and make that one wish you hope will come true this summer.

3. The Outsiders, Needtobreathe - I recently saw these guys in concert and almost quit my job to follow them. If this song doesn’t want to make you play the banjo, clap your hands, and sing along, not sure what will.

4. Good Life, OneRepublic - I mean, isn’t summer all about the good life? At least for me it is because I am a teacher and I get lots of time off in the summer. If you happen to be at work reading this, go get this song and you will instantly be in a better mood.

5. Wavin’ Flag, K’nann - Somalian native has made himself known to us Americans as his remixed hit has become the anthem for the World Cup. Get yourself pumped up for the big event, which starts this Friday.

6. Your Side Now, Trent Dabbs-This is just a good song. Another Nashvillian, Dabbs is going on a summer tour with Andrew Belle and Andy Davis. Go check it out. It will sure to be a good one. I have played this song on repeat since I bought it.

7. I Was Made for Sunny Days, The Weepies-The Weepies are probably one of my top five favorite bands. If I were able to choose two famous people to be friends with, it would be them. This song is off their new album and it’s free! Their new album isn’t out yet, but it comes out so soon! Now, if only they would go on tour so I know they are actually real people.

8. American Honey, Lady Antebellum-What’s summer without a country song? This song will put your heart at rest, vocal chords in their element, and your heart aching to be the fourth member in their band.

9. Rosalyn, Thad Cockrell- “The way you walk around this town, you think you own the corner on the market of a Broken Heart.” That’s just one of the many good lines in this song. This song will help you get over that bad relationship (even if you weren’t in one) and sing a new tune in your heart. This song makes me wish my name was Rosalyn. His other songs are amazing as well, of his latest album, To Be Loved.

10. The Beat, Ben Rector-This guy is just talented. This song will have you putting a beat on your steering wheel driving to the pool. Definitely play this song real loud where everyone can hear you at the stop light. That’s the way it was meant to be played, in my professional opinion.

11. In My Veins, Andrew Belle-Yes, he is that good that he has made this esteemed playlist twice. This song was on the album that Ten out of Tenn put out for Nashville Flood Relief. Now, it may be little deep for summer (in some eyes), but man, it’s sooo beautiful that you will instantly replay it.

12. You and I, Ingrid Michaelson-This is the song for summer love. It makes you want to stand on the roof and dance. Enough said.

13. Back Home, JJ Heler- I may be a little late getting into her music, but this song resonates deep in my soul. My favorite line is the very first, “Don’t let your eyes get used to darkness, the light is coming soon.” The light is here, enjoy summer, lay your sorrows down, and come back home.

**(Bonus Track!) 14. Things I’ll Never Say, Avril Lavinge-Ok, I couldn’t resist. You may not have played it since you were thirteen, but go re-live it. It will make you smile and it’s an instant summer hit.

guest blogger. andrew fletcher conwell.

this is the first guest blogger ever on oh and the world spins madly on! and, i could not have asked for a better first guest than andrew conwell. God really wanted us on the same WyldLife team, because we ended up on the same team twice. he loves smu with all his heart, has great taste in wolf/bear t-shirts and southern frat/sorority wear, frequently throws up the adpi diamond, and is just an all around funny and wonderful friend to have.

here is andrew's top 5 list for summer...

1. TC’s Shaved Ice is one of my favorite places in the world. For just $1.75 you can get an incredible cup of shaved ice, with limitless flavor combinations. My favorite flavors are lime and strawberry, wedding cake and vanilla, dreamsicle, and grape. It’s located on Garland Road between Easton and Jupiter, and it will definitely make your day a little better

2. If you love garage sales, random junk, and vintage finds, check out Junkadoodle on West Lovers Lane. They have everything from a vintage Texas section to modern furniture and everything in between. I recently went on a “Flea Market Day,” and picked up lots of cool decorations including croquet balls, an old screen door, dart board, and “slang” flashcards. Even if you come home empty-handed, you are sure to leave with many ideas for your home!

3. What better symbol represents summer than a rollercoaster and cotton candy? Six Flags over Texas is an incredible amusement park right outside of Dallas in Arlington. Next door to the Rangers Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium, it is a key attraction for summer in Dallas. They always run deals and coupons to take money off the expensive price. So if you can get one of those, be ready for adrenaline pumping thrills like Mr. Freeze, Texas Titan, Superman and Batman. For the less adventurous, there are entertaining shows and kiddy rides.

4. Like most college students, my favorite food is none other than PIZZA! Fireside Pies is one of my favorite restaurants to frequent. Not your average pizzeria, Fireside Pies has many “bougie” pies and salads that I crave. I like to stick with the traditional Triple ‘Roni, but they also have fancier pies like the North Beach or Parma Prosciutto. Their location on Henderson has a cool patio which makes a great atmosphere for chowing down with friends.

5. Not everyone can be outside everyday of summer, so for those of you who are stuck in cubicles or an office, check out grooveshark.com and listentoamovie.com. Plug in your headphones and drown out the office while you jam to your favorite music, or listen to full length movies. Groove Shark is like a free iTunes where you can choose from thousands of songs and create your own playlist, while Listen to a Movie houses the audio to all of you favorite films.

each wednesday i am going to start having a guest blogger, so if you are interested in sharing your thoughts on, well, anything let me know!