Adele

There are certain artists that have spoken to me a lot throughout college and childhood as well. Music is so good for the soul. Sometimes I feel like I am going to be that old lady who goes to a certain artist just to bask in their music... and well ladies and gentlemen, one of them is Adele. Please listen to her amazing new album and buy it if you please.

She will not disappoint you.

Creation

Psalm 104 is one of my favorite Psalms about creation. God loves His creation and did not give us creation to take over and destroy- He entrusted it to us to take care of and to SERVE. We are to cultivate the earth. After all, the earth takes care of us and we are to take care of it. We rely on each other. What will our children think of our generation if we are not people who reverse the cycle that it is in? I think that we as Christians we should be more concerned about taking care of the earth- myself included. I am trying to figure out what it looks like to live in a way that is honoring to the Lord- in light of creation care. This is going to be a journey.

Here is something amazing to look at (from National Geographic) in terms of industrialization, nature, and how far we have come (both good and bad). Click here. 

And for kicks... take this Water Footprint Calculator. It is really interesting!

Insanity

Do you ever think it is possible to get drunk off of your own energy or craziness? Today has proven that my own personality has made me feel like I am drunk, when in fact, I have gone crazy/slightly insane.

After an oddly productive social day at school and work, I came home, knowing that I had a lot of homework to tackle. I ended up pondering on the fact that I have completely lost it when I found myself groaning every five minutes while trying to do my Spanish homework. My brain activity is clogged and needs some serious drain-o because I am starting to think I cannot comprehend anymore information that I do not want to know.

My lovely neighbor Weston came over asking for a bowl to use for mixing and as I walked into the kitchen to get it I instantly I turned into "Ange-jello" and could barely walk. My mind, body, and soul are exhausted- due to what I think is senioritis.

I find myself on Urban Ecology websites for hours and looking at pictures of bunnies (because after all it is the year of the rabbit right?) I think I am going a little crazy. After Melissa told me she was going to buy a bunny today I was so excited for a few reasons.

Adults own pets for a reason. Yes, dogs are adorable, but they also help people stay sane. American's are crazy. We live in this hyper motivated society where we do way too many things in one day. We do not know how to rest, breathe, or enjoy life like a normal person. I think we could really use a lesson in rest from people in rural China or Nepal. Due to our craziness, we need a pet in order to keep us sane. An animal does not talk back to you... it simply enjoys your company. And that is why, my friends, The Nest (our apartment) is going to get a rabbit (once Melissa buys it). You may be thinking, "Oh man, they have really lost it," which we may have. But apparently Melissa has been thinking of getting a rabbit for nine months now, so it is about time our home has a little creature to take care of.

I am also finding that if I do not work out everyday I cannot focus because I have so much pent up energy that is stored in the wrong place. I wish it would all go to my brain and stay there. It is days like these that I do not know how I am going to start my Masters in June. Or how I am going to make friends with this weirdness level. Hopefully my mind will be okay and will be so excited to learn something different than the theology and methodologies of Missions. Don't get me wrong- I love missions, but I have been studying it for four years now. It is about time to move on to something else and to actually do something instead of talking about it.

All I have to say is... thank you for still being my friend despite my craziness.

girl arms

realization of the day: it is unfair that guys are allowed to have strong arms and that it will take a life time for me to have strong arms (not buff and manly ones though).

my frail arms had a real rough time in my weight training class tonight with em. we are GOING to make sure that they get stronger by the end of the semester. just you wait.

p.s. is it weird that i think i might get married in memphis? who would of ever thought that i would ever think that... maybe it is because of this (click here).

The lady in the apartment complex over from me (right across the alley) cries herself to sleep every night. Something is going on behind her closed doors. The blinds are shut all day. I wish I could help or know what is going on- but only God knows.

Pray for her. Pray for her heart to be calmed by the peace of God. Pray for whatever is happening- whether it be depression, abuse, or something else.

God, deliver her from what is happening. Please.

I can't...

WAIT to start taking teaching classes and to just teach! I want to be worked and pushed to the limits. I want the next four years of my life to be dedicated to the cause of Urban Education in Memphis and making God known. Gosh, I'm so excited. 

(Isn't he precious?)

My Friend Melanie

My friend Melanie is serving in India with a few other people from the University of Oregon for an internship. Melanie is one of the first and last people I would expect in this coutnry. Melanie has never gone on a mission trip and now she is abroad in India- so no one believed it when they found out she was going. She is also one of the first people I would expect to go to India because she has a FREE SPIRIT and lives each day to the fullest (she really does). She calls me a Hippie all the time- but let's be honest- Melanie is slowly turning into one (and I love it). God is using her as a light among the children she is teaching and I know that she will be forever changed and rocked by this experience. You can read her blog here. 

Nerd lert

I am a senior in college and should be having major senioritis, yet I am finding that I want to take more and more classes. I am realizing that I might be a different breed of a senior.

When registration for classes was still going on I was so disappointed that the grammar English class had a time conflict with one of my classes (even though i didn't need the class at all). I just think grammar is really fun and wish I knew it inside out. I like world civilization and find it fascinating to learn about useless things- such as unknown pharaohs in world civilizations. I have also been finding myself day dreaming about learning Spanish fluently someday (which will probably take my a lifetime). Today I was talking to a communication disorders major and became instantly overjoyed with the thought of how fun the International Phonetic Alphabet is and how fascinating the human mouth, tongue, and airflow is. During work today I started to think about how fun it would be to take bible classes when i am done with Biola and my masters (maybe through IHOP).

All of these things are just so weird to me. I am so weird. I have always known this, but it is becoming more and more real to me.

I guess it is a good thing that I am going into the field of education and teaching. I find so much joy in learning really simple things. For example, I think that the water cycle is the coolest thing (mainly because it shows how creative God is with nature and order).

Well it's time for me to look up how to teach a fourth grader long division in a simple manner. I told Dulce at MIKA that I would help her out tomorrow.

Buenos noches.

Please Be Obsessed

I am obsessed with this store. I hope you will be too, because I check the sale section religiously and would feel less crazy if you would see how wonderful it is.

http://www.paper-source.com/ will become your friend... and if you are really liking it head down to Santa Monica and read some cards with the ocean breeze.

They have the CUTEST cards and stationary known to man. I love receiving cards and giving cards. I dream of making them and even thought it would be one of the most fun jobs when I was a kid (if I was only more artistic). Maybe when I am 65 and retired (fingers crossed) I will work at Paper-Source and show off my awesome embossing skills or something crazy like that.

Filmography 2010

It's funny how life is full of a bunch of common themes that always seem to blend together.

Holy Smokes

I just learned that I grew up in an area where there were 28 sex offenders within my area code. I was terrified and always thought someone was going to get me when I was home alone (mainly due to the weird events that happened to me when I was home alone). Then I moved to La Mirada where there are 500 sex offenders within my area code. And now I am moving to Memphis, TN where there are 1300 sex offenders within my area code.

All I can say is "Holy Smokes." Good thing I am taking RADS. Memphis is going to be my mission field, the place where I invest my life for the next four plus years, where I love on children, and hopefully become the urban educator that God desires me to be. I am going to give it my all- relying solely on God's strength. 

God knows I am paranoid and fearful. It has been a gradual process of really relying and trusting God to be my protector and learning how to deal my anxiety. Funny how He has called me to a place where there are 1300 sex offenders... ironic? Of course God hates this... greatly. But it is still not ironic. 

This is where prayer comes in my friends.