Reflections on Rollercoasters

As I sit here I suddenly find myself with a lot on my mind. Dang it! I made it all the way until 2:00 without thinking, and alas, I have fallen back into the dark pool of my mind. Well, although slightly frightening at times by the many ripples of confusion, it really isn't that dark. Anyways, I started partaking in the dangerous act we call thought when asked to reflect on 2005. So I turned on the soothing lyrics of Chris Martin and headed down the road of reflection. It's so amazing how much can happen in one year, and then again how fast the year goes by. I have also found myself in a very interesting and new place/perspective. My entire life (well, as far back as I can remember) I haven't been following the normal yearly calendar. Nope, neither have most people my age...yes, you have been deceiving yourselves to think that the year actually starts/ends on Jan. first. I've been following the "school calendar" as the final say in the beginning and ending of my year. The year began in September with school and ended in June. Then July and August didn't really count as the year...that's the summer, an entirely separate time frame to be considered. So when Jan first rolled around I never really thought it was a big deal....the year wasn't over until June, and even now I look back on my years as, "oh, back in junior year I....." etc, etc..... (ok, you get the point). So, here I sit, my first real year. I have finally come to the place in my life where years begin in Jan....the adult years. WOW!!!! That was intense.

I was reflecting on this last year, and one word really jumps into my mind: drama.......oh wait, what is that I hear? Oh yes, it's just the sound of the jaws of those who know me hitting the floor. I'll give you a minute to get over your surprise...................Yes, this year has been kind of dramatic, and I'm beginning to realize that most of life is probably going to be this way. Is it is like this for everyone? Does the entire human race exist in this soap opera? Or am I just one of the lucky chosen few whose life seems to be one rollercoaster after another (no wonder I despise amusement parks; way too close to home...well, with the exception of Disneyland of course, which pretty much goes without saying)? Don't get me wrong; drama isn't always a bad thing, it's just that sometimes I just want to rest. Is that possible in this life? Well, definitely not without the help of our Lord....(How I didn't lose my mind before I knew our savior really baffles me, oh wait, yes I do.....and even then I wasn't losing my mind by simply killing it instead). I guess, no, I know the best thing is when the Lord provides rest in the midst of the soap opera....that is real and true rest, and yes, I have tasted that, but only through surrender....

And once again I find myself rambling and gladly clinging to those tangents that I so enjoy. I haven't even mentioned anything that went on this year. Well, I'm not sure I'm ready to go into the details all that much....but a lot happened. A lot of good, and a lot of hard (I don't want to say "bad" because hard doesn't necessarily equal bad). This year has probably been one of the toughest (is it a bad sign if I tend to say that at the end of each year?) ;-) but the most wonderful thing is that I can look back on last Jan 1 and honestly say that my eyes have been opened even more to our Lord Jesus since then; I have experienced more of Him, and that is why I live (to experience Him more, and step closer into His kingdom, bringing others along as much as possible), and if life is going to be more and more dramatic, yet causes me to see more of Him, then I say I have a lot to look forward to. Wow, kind of scary, but hey....God is terrifying now isn't He?

(oh, and just so you don't worry...it's really not that bad...there are countless others who have been through much that I haven't even come close to experiencing this last year...for example, New Orleans, Iraq....my heart goes out to those who have suffered far more than I can even begin to relate to....the Lord has been too good to me, and I praise Him for another year...just don't want anyone to think I'm being all negative....it has been a good year of which I am thankful for....Oh my gosh!!! So many blessings! That must be reserved for it's own posting; I have much to be thankful for).

Alright, off I go.....maybe I'll provide a better breakdown of this last year later (I can't fully reflect on 2005 while we're still in it!!!! I still have one more day!). This was simply a reflection on my reflection....I feel much better now. Thanks!!!!

Have a fantastic New Years celebration!!!!!! I love you all!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

Blown away

So, I have returned from my adventures in the windy city. Stay tuned for more (I want to put some pics up, and talk more about the trip. Time is pressing on me at the moment however)...........

 

The Perfect Job

The perfect job: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4057591681481453187

I love this

My Michaela

I just want to take a little time to pay tribute to one of my roommates, Michaela. She is moving out, and has been such a blessing. Michaela, you will be missed from the house, but you can't get away from me that easily. ;-) I love you!

"Come on Feel the Illinoise"

I'm leaving for the windy city of Chicago on Thursday! My sister and her husband go to Wheaton College there, and I will be traveling there to spend Christmas with them. I'm excited because I haven't seen that side oh my beautiful family for ages and it will be great to finally spend Christmas with my wonderful sister (her husband's not so bad himself). ;-) I'll be leaving at 2pm on Thursday and then I'll be back around 8pm on Tuesday night. I've never been to chicago, so I'm also excited about that. Man, I love traveling!!!! I haven't traveled enough within the US, so this will hopefully spark an interest to experience all the great diverse stuff we've got going on in our country. I hear it's pretty much freezing in Chicago right now, so that might be somewhat of a challenge, but hey, I'm sure I can handle it. Oh, and I'm really excited about the five hour plane trip also....plane rides pretty much force you to read and listen to music; two things I can't seem to get enough of. I can't wait to turn on The Eels and dive into A New Kind of Christian by Brian Mclaren. I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise album in anticipation for my visit to the city.....he presents and interesting view of Illinois....I love that album. Anyways, I'll let you know how the trip went on my return...stay tuned.

Taste of worship

"Sit in a chair and keep still. Let the dancer’s shoulders emerge from your shoulders, the dancer’s chest from your chest, the dancer’s loins from your loins, the dancer’s hips and thighs from yours; and from your silence the throat that makes a sound, and from your bafflement a clear song to which the dancer moves, and let him serve God in beauty. When he fails, send him again from your chair. By such an exercise, even a bitter man can praise Creation, even a heavy man can swoon, and a man of high responsibility soften his heart."

Leonard Cohen

I read this and loved it. Our Lord should cause us to dance...even if it may seem foolish, who cares...foolishness can be beautiful.

My JM

I love my Jean Marie.....she's my favorite Bond. 

Merry Christmas Party Pics

I promised pictures from the Christmas party, so here are just a few. These are of my beautiful roommates and me. :-)

Christmas Party Pic

Lara, Heather, Melissa, and Me at the Christmas party. 

Shindigs and sequins...

We had a Christmas party at our house the other night. It was a nice little get together, and I'd have to say that it was a pretty dang good party. Nothing spells Christmas parties like Dean Martin and Celine Dion holiday music, a fire pit, and a lot of people dressed in red, stuffing their faces with cranberry goat cheese logs and washing it all down with holiday beverages. Michaela did an amazing job on the food! She was unbelievable..no no..she IS unbelievable, but that's a whole different blog in itself. :-) I made chocolate covered peanut butter ritz sandwiches which is about as gourmet as I get. I enjoyed it even despite the fact that there was a semi formal dress code....I actually prettied my feet with heals adorned with sequins and wore...wait for it...a skirt!!! Oh and (those who know me well...prepare yourselves) I actually wore a flower choker looking necklace; yes I strayed from my hemp and amber. I know, I know....walking dangerously close to the estrogen line, but I came through unscathed, and feeling more female than ever. Perhaps I shall brave the more feminine dress in the future...hmm..we'll see. Due to the absence of a little black usb cable....the display of pictures from our convivial shindig must be postponed, but stay tuned. Oh, and yesterday one of the guests, Brian, brought roses and Sees candy to our house as a thank you for such a nice party. That was sweet, and definitely worth mentioning. We appreciate your appreciativeness!

Nickel Creek is fantastic, reminds me of my mandolin playing days...well, at least it would if they were actually real...*sigh*

Christian Attitude?

Franciscan Travel Blessing.....

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,
half truths and superficial relationships
so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice,
oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you may wish for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in this world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Hope. Joy. Foolishness. Anger at injustice instead of people not understanding us. Why not?

My bunny, Aslan, and Harry Potter....

I spoke to one of my best friends today, who was telling me, as friends do, what she was learning.   Don't you hate being sad? I know, I know...sadness and tears are good things (so I'm told by my favorite coworker)....I'm learning everyday that tears don't necessarily equal weakness.   Shaun (my friend/coworker) has pointed out to me that it is a good thing to be concerned about someone enough to cry over them/for them; sometimes it's a good reminder that we truly love them.  And I really do love the person who told me the news....she is one of the dearest people in the world to me (my bunny), and I am excited for what she is learning. I just need to learn to not be so protective over my close friends, and also I need to learn that it isn't up to me what they think/believe...I cannot place their faith upon my shoulders; that is not my responsibility. I am simply to love them. Wow, so simple. Especially when it comes to her because I couldn't not love her even if I wanted to....my love for my friend is a part of who I am. Ok, I'm feeling better now. I know that I can't force her to think a certain way which is definitely a good thing (I'm sure you'd agree). It is important to find out truth for ourselves, through our own seeking. We can't just believe what is fed to us, although we should still consider the guidance that has been given to us because we do need each other. And sometimes we can get so caught up in our own search for truth that we end up ignoring what is so obvious. Wow, such a balance...seems that we walk a fine line in pretty much most things in life. *sigh* too much thinking.... I bet this is what it's like to be a parent, yet not, because being a parent is way more intense

Right now I'm listening to The Man Comes Down by Johnny Cash.  What a guy, always makes me feel better. :-) (I really really really need to see the movie that just came out about him.....wow, lots of good movies these days!)

Speaking of movies!!! I'm going to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe tomorrow! I can't can't can't can't wait!!!!  I love the book so much, and I can't wait to see it with my eyes. I want to see how close my imagination matched up with the movie peeps. We shall see. :-)

I also watched the first Harry Potter movie the other day because I've started reading the books. Yes, I'm addicted...I cannot hide it. I'm addicted to the little wizard and his adventures. I thought that I never would get into those books, and I made it quite a few years, but...*sigh*....I decided to give them a try. Well, I fell in love with them; they really are very well written, and very entertaining stories. A nice escape from reality. ;-)  I like stories that come in a series, it's like reading one looooong book, and I feel like I'm getting all of the story (if that makes sense).  Anyways, so I'm into Harry, and I'm thinking next will be Lord of the Rings. I watched that movie (the first one) with Rico last night....I thought we could just watch all the movies of the books I'm reading (poor Rico...he's so patient with me) :-)  And I just realized that I get far to excited than is healthy about books.....oh well, everyone enjoys a nice little escape from reality sometimes (even if you do tend to sit there more than you venture into the "real world".....thinking about quitting my job and just reading books all days....what do you think?).  Ok, now I'm just rambling. I love you all, and God bless!!!!

(oh and becka, if you're reading this blog....I missed you a lot this week. I'm going to try and give you a call as soon as I get a calling card....soon. I love you my Chilean princess!)

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8: 32

 

A band that makes me smile...

I have recently been introduced to a band from Pismo Beach that really makes me smile. Their name is Blesk, and I wanted to share: www.myspace.com/blesk Hope you like them as much as I do. :-)

Politics Test

So I took this test online because I was trying to kill some time. It was a test that can supposedly give you an idea about what end of the political spectrum you exist in. Although, I take it with a grain of salt, it was interesting to say the least. Oh, and although I did care at a time, as time has gone on I've cared less and less about taking a political side, and no, I don't label myself an elephant or a donkey, but I thought it would be fun to see what the test would say. Here are the results.....

You are a Social Liberal (66% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (21% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Here is another picture of my baby, Ben. Proud mom? Definitely. 

My roommates

I just wanted to introduce you to my newest roommates. Cute huh? Don't you wish you could just hug them and kiss them....until they pee on you...that isn't as cute. I love the little guys though. The orange one is Aslan (that's my roommate's kitten) and the gray one is Ben (that's mine...can you guess who he is named after? Some of you already know).  

Hmmm....blogs...

Well, this is my first post for my newly established blogsite, "All things green..." I used to think that blogs were so silly, but yes, my mind has been changed. I have now become addicted to these little online journals....they provide for me such a nice mental outlet. So don't be alarmed at what you read, questioning my sanity...just enjoy, and hopefully you will feel more connected to the usually uneventful life of me. Love you all!!!!!