1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like your favorite lyric to your current favorite song.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

starrylizard asked:

1) What were you off to North Africa for and what was the most interesting thing you did there?

I was in North Africa on a five-week mission trip. :) The most interesting thing? Wow, hard to choose...probably when we went to a really really touristy Berber feast thing and I got chosen out of the audience to have a scorpion put on me and hold a snake. :D

2) What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

It kind of depends on my mood, whether I want something really chocolatey and dense or something lighter like hazelnut or mint chocolate chip, but Ben & Jerry's Half Baked is pretty awesome anytime. It's chocolate and vanilla swirled together with fudge brownie and cookie dough mixed in. *dies*

3) What childhood toy do you still possess?

Quite a few, actually. I have a whole shelf of stuffed animals, one of which (Poly the polar bear) I've had pretty much since I was born. But more interestingly, I just found my gonggi (Korean jacks) the other day, which my friend gave to me in fourth grade.

4) What's your favourite coffee style/flavour/type? (These aren't supposed to be deep and meaningful are they?)

I'm not super picky about my coffee, really, mostly because I'm not enough of a connoisseur to be able to tell much of a difference. But I recently discovered the Caramel Macchiato and I quite like that. :) Also a basic cappuccino, which is the closest thing to a "direct" (common North African coffee) I've found in America.

5) What is your dream job?

It's funny you ask that, because I've just been trying to figure that out as I apply to grad schools. I have several, really. Postal worker (seriously, I love sorting stuff), bookstore owner/librarian, movie critic, book editor, perpetual student...

Just a quick note to say I made it home safely on Tuesday! Another awesome trip of awesomeness. :D

Er, not that anyone will be able to notice much. ;)

Just thought I'd let y'all know I'm off to North Africa again and won't be back on the internet until June 30th. And judging by last year, probably not on livejournal for a couple days after that.

Bye!

mari4212 asked for the Ninth Doctor and Abby, with ferris wheels.

( Inspiration )

bookwormprinces asked for Tony helping Abby in the lab and failing miserably.

Er, this turned into more of a double drabble...

( Meeting Bill )

From bookwormprinces, whose post actually inspired *me* to start writing again. A little. ;)

The first ten people to comment in this post get to request a drabble of any pairing/character of their choosing from me. In return, they have to post this in their journal, regardless of their ability level. If you absolutely can't write, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to offer drawings or icons or something instead. If you want to.

Available fandoms: SG-1, SGA, Doctor Who, Psych, CSI (limited), LOM/A2A...anything else you know I watch/read/enjoy. ;)

Hey everyone, here's a drive-by fic rec:

Collide by bookwormprinces
John messes with an Ancient device and wakes up with more problems than he bargained for.

Y'all, I've betaed a lot of bookwormprinces's fic and I can honestly say this is her best work yet. Please, check it out and please don't forget to review!

(OMG! A non-meme post from me! O_O)

I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some reflections on Easter...

My favorite holiday used to be Christmas; I mean, presents, family, delicious food - what more could you ask for? I still love Christmas a lot (and not just because we're celebrating Jesus' birth, I will be honest) but in recent years I have come to really appreciate Easter. Possibly because I've somehow avoided most of the commercialization of Easter, it still retains its significance in my mind - especially since about three years ago, when I was baptized.

I accepted Jesus as my Savior quite young, and I've always known what Easter was about: Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died as the perfect sacrifice, and rose again to conquer death and sin. But it wasn't until I was seventeen that I think I really got it. My church screened The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday that year and, while I don't necessarily recommend it for everyone, it had an enormous impact on me. There's something about seeing someone being beaten to a bloody pulp and nailed to a wooden post that you don't quite get from having it described on a Sunday morning. And to think, Jesus went through that for me. So I didn't have to. It's sobering, it really is.

I also love how the film ends, with the empty tomb. Because that's the best part, after all! The sacrifice would be tragic and pretty pointless if He didn't come back. Satan would have won. But Jesus did rise again, and Satan lost. Amen! That's why I love it when we say on Easter, "He is Risen!" We don't worship a dead god, we worship a Living Savior.

So what I really love about Easter is that it's such a hope-full holiday. Because Jesus died and rose again, I have the hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago. How awesome is that?!

I see this one come around every so often but I've never actually done it. So now I am! Because apparently I don't journal anymore, just meme. Sorry? :/

1) Comment and I will give you three people for a fandom you are interested in.
2) Post this meme with your answers.
3) Provide pictures of the three named people.
4) Label which you would marry, shag, or throw off a cliff.

mari4212 gave me Gibbs, Rodney, and the Doctor. Ohhhh, so difficult...

( Pretty pictures and explanations! )

from heylittleriver

Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up? Welsh flag, autographed photo collection, my goldfish box TARDIS, coffeemaker, Ten doll

How do you style your hair? Umm, is a ponytail *really* style? Sometimes I'll mix it up with pigtails, or a braid or two, and I'm trying to delve into buns a bit since my mom got me a couple of hair picks for Christmas. But most days, it's the ponytail.

What are you wearing now? slippers, jeans, "No Kangaroos in Austria" t-shirt

Who was the last person you said 'I Love You' to? Mom

Do you nap a lot? Not a lot, no, but more than I used to.

Who was the last person you hugged? Probably...bookwormprinces

What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction? The Kite Runner, and Khalid Abdalla (Amir in Kite Runner). I'm not really *addicted* to anything else, but I'm watching a bunch of stuff...

What would you most love to be doing right now? Yikes, I have no idea! Going to visit my parents or someone else, maybe?

What was the last text message you received? Well, I just deleted them because my inbox was full, unfortunately. But it was something from bookwormprinces to which I replied "w00t"...

What websites do you always visit when you go online? Yahoo! Mail, Facebook, LJ, school email.

What was the last thing you bought? A surprise. ;) But I'm about to go buy some stamps and, hopefully, international reply coupons at the post office.

What would you like to be listening to right now? Probably The Kite Runner soundtrack, though I did have it on repeat for about five cycles last night...

What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Az Man Begurezed (from The Kite Runner soundtrack)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Flying or teleportation, invisibility (the kind you can turn on and off), or telekinesis (the cool Jedi hand-wave kind)

What is your favorite weather, and why? Ummm, maybe a light steady snow - when you're in a warm cozy house and don't have to be anywhere for a long time. Or a good hard rain, when it's warm out so you can run and dance in it. Or a day where it's sunny, but not too bright, about 75 degrees, with a light breeze. Why? Cuz it's awesome...

If you could play any musical instrument (that you currently don't play), which one would you play? Violin

How are you? Pretty good...been having some weird dreams lately and I cannot get my days straight this week, but pretty good...

What's something you'd like to say to someone right now? Yes.

Your dream career? Hmmm...I don't really know. Librarian or bookstore owner/manager? Travel writer? Film writer/director? Film/book critic? These are all very good options. :)

Okay, so that last meme was a lot of fun (for me, anyway) and please keep guessing on that one. But I got to thinking, there are a lot of relationships on shows/movies/whatever that I really enjoy but are not romantic. So I present...

The OTPP Meme!

OTPP = One True Platonic Pairing. Basically, two characters who have awesome chemistry but not in a romantic way. Also known as Man-Friendship, though not exclusively because there may some guy/girl and girl/girl ones in here. :)

♦ Pick up to fifteen OTPPs.
♦ Describe them in fifteen words or less.
♦ Have your friends guess the OTPP.

apologies for some of the odd constructions due to same-gender pronouns and the fifteen-word limit...


1. He can't do that; it's a very special culture!
Jack & Daniel, Stargate SG-1

2. This guy's only friend puts up with his painful remarks.
House & Wilson, House

3. He knows his place: It's right here, with him. Got him a better ship, too.
Will & Jack, Pirates of the Caribbean

4. One of them got hit by a car; the other hits trash bins with his.
Sam & Gene, Life on Mars (BBC)

5. School friends, then mortal enemies. He has just one thing to say to him.
Doctor & Master, Doctor Who

6. He's a good friend, Arthur.
John & Rodney, Stargate Atlantis

7. One's humanoid, one isn't, but they helped save the princess and the galaxy.
C3PO & R2D2, Star Wars

8. They come in three sizes: mini, midi, POWERRR. They're the greatest frienemies...in the world.
Jeremy, Richard and James, Top Gear (here is the hilarious video from which the "mini/midi" and "...in the world" references are drawn)

9. After many adventures, they briefly became one - but she doesn't remember anything.
Doctor & Donna, Doctor Who

10. They couldn't be more different, but as the only girls around, they bond over shopping.
Sam & Vala, Stargate SG-1

11. She remembers things better with him. And she looks at him, and she's home.
Marlin & Dory, Finding Nemo

12. A young hotshot and a broken-down old hick.
Mater & Lightning McQueen, Cars

13. Half of a fearsome foursome, they both have a thing for canines.
Sirius & Lupin, Harry Potter

14. They actually kissed once, but he's the closest thing he has to a best friend.
Carson & Rodney, Stargate Atlantis

15. He's scruffy-looking and his fuzzball laughs it up.
Han Solo & Chewbacca, Star Wars

Stolen from bookwormprinces cuz it reminds me of that Christmas carol game and I like that game. ;)

For those who don't know, OTP = One True Pairing. aka people I totally ship.

*NOTE! Some of these might not be canon relationships.

♦ Pick up to fifteen OTPs.
♦ Describe them in fifteen words or less.
♦ Have your friends guess the OTP.

personal note: I'm not really a superhardcore shipper, so some of these may not be so much "OTPs" as ships that I kind of like and sometimes see. Also, a couple are from the same fandom so don't be confused by that.

1. Not in a million years did he ever consider that person would be her.
Daniel/Vala,Stargate SG-1

2. Their sisters fell into the same trap; he helped out; she saw his true self.
Elizabeth Bennett/Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice

( okay, this fifteen-word limit is HARD )

Grabbed this from bookwormprinces, who got it from sache8, who created it.

In an alternate universe, ljmckay would be...

- in a naval ROTC program in Vermont, working on a criminal justice degree and headed to law school.
- a bitter, cynical anti-American.
- living in Kenya.
- at Harvard or Yale.
- working for the FBI.
- a veterinarian, neurosurgeon, 5th grade teacher, and flight attendant.
- a published author, raking in the royalties.
- married, with three kids.
- dead. (like sache8 said, it's a little morbid, but come on, it's an AU!)
- a boy named Joshua Peter (and I would go by Josh, not JP).
- a world-famous defender in women's soccer.
- student body president.
- the surprise hit extra on Stargate who becomes a recurring guest and eventually part of the regular supporting cast.
- Dr. Rodney McKay's geeky assistant. (clearly in a different AU than the one above...)
- Dr. Daniel Jackson's geeky assistant. (more likely, actually, given my math/science skills...)
- a world-famous pianist whom the prickly Meredith McKay meets and falls for. ;)

and finally...the most dreadful scenario of all...

- a longhorn O_O

Honestly, this has not the best couple of days ever. As evidenced by my absence, I've been ridiculously busy. But I shall try to salvage some happiness from the mire. ;D

Yesterday - I didn't have to wake up early and I got to have a relaxing breakfast/morning routine. That was nice.

Today - I had a chopped beef sandwich for lunch that was absolutely delicious. :)

Well, somewhat unfortunately, I had to return to school today for a couple of days of RA training and opening the dorms up.

But the plus of this is getting to hang out with the other RAs in my dorm, who are awesome and funny and a lot of fun to hang out with. So yay! :D

I had a lovely day (still sitting around doing nothing, but with Mom now) topped off by a fantabulous sermon about Scripture (what is the Bible, how do we know it's true, and how do we study it) this evening. I am somewhat bummed about missing the next few weeks at my parents' church, as they promise to be pretty awesome. I am excited to get back to Grace, though, so no worries.

Today looked a lot like yesterday...almost identical, in fact.

Happiness moment of the day: I took a shower. This is meant to be an illustration of the utter unremarkability of my day, rather than my deficient hygiene habits, but take it as you will. ;)

And my mom is coming home tonight.

Well, today has been kind of depressingly unproductive, actually. I have spent almost the entire day on TV Tropes, which has been enormous fun but leaves the day with a kind of empty feeling. My own fault.

But my happiness point is looking forward to tonight, for the season (or is it mid-season?) premiere of Psych and the series finale of SGA. :)

Happy Birthday to mari4212!! Have a great day and I hope you're not sick!

(Apparently you have the same birthday as Snape. How cool is THAT.)

It *does* make more sense to do this in the afternoon...

I got out of the house today! I drove to the bank, which is a ways away, and then found a Barnes & Noble nearby and browsed there for about two hours. Then I drove past my old high school on the way home (spotting a cadet in uniform along the way, which made me rather happy) and got a frappuccino just for the heck of it.

I do like being able to get out. :)

mari4212 tagged me in the happiness meme a while ago, actually. I have no excuse for not getting to it before now. (I also have no excuse for not posting since October. *wince*)

So. I'm going to start with yesterday since it's only 9 in the morning and I've only been up for half an hour.

Yesterday I finished Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere (which I had read before, but a looong time ago) and really enjoyed that. What was really fun was I found the miniseries on YouTube that actually preceded the novel (but is really exactly like it) and kind of watched that along with reading. So that was fun. :) And I'm also really proud of myself for not having the TV on all day.

ETA: The main character in the miniseries was Scottish, which very much added to the happiness. ;)

grabbed from bookwormprinces and heylitteriver, because I am avoiding reading Tacitus and writing my English essay. Hurrah!

Go to your icons page in Livejournal and look at the first two icons (the one on the right and the one on the left). Pair up the characters in the two icons. Go to the next two and do the same until you have a list of ships. Then...well, write 'em.

Okay, so mine aren't so much ships as just meetings, given that a) they're mostly in vastly different fandoms, and b) 90% of them are male.

edited some to fix some major canonical errors, like the color of BSG uniforms and the plot of Importance of Being Earnest...

( *snicker* )

Snurched from starrylizard

( Who comments the most on this journal? )

snagged from bookwormprinces and autumndandelion

( The Controversial Survey )

My poor LJ...it's really been left by the wayside a bit...sorry about that. :(

Classes are going well! I really like most of them. :) Life also goes well, job's a little stressful but I'm coping all right and I loooove leading my Bible study. :D

I wrote this fic a while ago (back at the start of season 4 of Atlantis) but am only just getting around to posting it. I wanted to see what Sam telling Rodney about them being married would go like. It starts off funny and gets a little more angsty than I had really intended - I actually classified it as Angst/Humor on FF.net, which I think might be a first...

Title: Promises to Keep (Miles to Go)
Fandom: SGA
Rating: PG
Pairing: Sam/Rodney (sort of) with Sam/Jack implied
Summary: Sam decides Rodney deserves to know about his role in her alternate self's life, but she's having a bit of difficulty telling him. Takes place just after Sam comes to Atlantis.

( Promises to Keep (Miles to Go) )

I got my Aggie ring today!!

( piccie! )

So I'm back at the history program I did for two summers in high school, this time as a Resident Program Assistant (RPA) - basically a combination of camp counselor, mom, best friend, and chauffeur. It's awesome. :)

( A bit of a ramble about the program so far and some recent purchases... )

Hey y'all! I'm finally back in the US of A and with internet again! I had an *amazing* time in North Africa; God taught me a *lot* and I think I can honestly say it was life-changing.

I've been putting off coming back up on LJ cuz it's so intimidating trying to catch up on six weeks of stuff! I may or may not look back through the however-many pages of backlog I've got, but if there's something you want me to see, let me know.

Well folks, I'm off! I'm going on a mission trip for six weeks and will be completely out of internet contact. (eek...)

Have a great rest of May and June everybody!!