22 and Friends

On Wednesday I celebrated my 22nd birthday with my closest girlfriends. These girls have supported me, loved me, encouraged me, challenged me, and have enjoyed life with me. I felt so cheesy when I was looking around the table because all I wanted to do was give a little speech on why I loved each of them so much. God has been incredibly loving to me in bringing such amazing girls into my life- most of them Intercultural Studies majors, of course. Haha.

As I was looking around the table I was thinking, "Wow, these girls are going places. God has put such crazy passions in each of their hearts." So because of that I want to give a little blog shout out to them all and express the passions that the Lord has given them.

(Going clock wise.)

Teddi- This lovely lady is engaged to the man of her dreams and has a huge heart for the Lord. Both her and her fiancée serve in their college group. She is planning on getting her Masters in Social Work and using her love for art to help underprivileged.

Emily- Em has been one of my most beloved friends at Biola. We just click. She is destined to work with immigrant women in the United States by using TESOL. I ADORE HER.

Justine- This crazy girl has been my roommate and my adventure buddy. We have gone to DC together, walked through life together (good and bad) and totally love each other. She has a heart for inner city Chicago and wants to work in the city doing community health

Michelle- Michelle is completely real and has a big heart for Jesus. She is stubborn and knows that God is calling her to minister to the people of Hollywood. She wants to go far away from here, but knows that God is leading her on a completely crazy road.

Shannon- Shan is my soul sister. She knows my heart and knows well... knows everything. She said she would never go to the Middle East and that she was destine for Argentina... but God switched things up. She now lives in Artesia (Little India) with her husband and is planning on moving to the Middle East in the next few years for long-term Missions.

Kat- Kat is so GREAT. I cannot emphasize the word great enough. She is hilarious, sweet, fun, and so loving. This incredible ICS alum has a heart for human rights and is going to pursue her dream by going to law school and hopefully working for the State Dept or other human right groups by using her law background.

Rachel- Rach is my homegirl and lovely roommate. She is one of the silliest people I know and has a big heart for art. Even though I do not understand anything in the art realm, she has helped me appreciate it greatly. She is most likely going be doing commercial photography in the lovely food world.

Christina- My sister and my best friend. She loves Mexican children SO much. She is headed for inner city Los Angeles after graduation to teach elementary school children.

Melissa- This is Christina's best friend and one my dear friends as well. She is going to be an elementary school teacher as well. Melissa makes me laugh more than most people. We just "get" each other.

Sophie- Soph and I have only been friends since about March. It feels like we have known each other forever. God has called her to be a leader- I just know it. She is going to do something crazy in the government and in regards to International Relations/Development. She has a big heart for India and will probably return after graduation.

As you can see... God has blessed me with a lot of girlfriends who have big hearts and big passions. I am blessed.

Thank you girls for being you- for reals.

Thankful

I am so thankful for the following reasons:

1. My TN middle school content knowledge test is over- now I just have to wait and pray that I passed :)
2. I saw my Mom, my Dad, my Grandma, my Stepmom, all of my Stepmom's family, and my church family from home this weekend.
3. I went to the beach for the first time since I started studying for my exam- and my soul feels refreshed.
4. Seeing my church family from home made me realize how thankful I am to have an extended family at home.
5. I just feel so loved and blessed. I have to write a fatty paper tomorrow (it will probably be around 40 pages), but I am not stressing, so praise the Lord.
6. God is good.

My Mom and I in Huntington Beach. 

Kingdom & Blessings

Mother Teresa once said, "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." When we stop and think about our God and His desire for the kingdom to be more bright in this world that could not be more true. We are living in the already but not yet stage of the kingdom. I have been thinking about the individualistic view of salvation and the gospel. God never desired the gospel to be a sin management gospel or a three step plan. The gospel is so full of life, it is whole, it is more than just salvation... it is a way of life. It is about caring for the poor, loving our enemies, surrendering our lives, endless grace, redemption, fighting for good, etc. It is a big picture that sometimes we miss. I think Biola does a fine job of making sure that the gospel really is full. As far as I know, most people do not see a hole in the gospel here on Biola's campus. We talk about social issues, have outreaches, feed the poor, and go serve among those who need love. 

Mother Teresa was one smart lady. She understood God's love for His children, that is for sure. God uses every single one of us in some small way to bless others. Sometimes I say "It's just your life" in response to people freaking out about the future and how they are going to serve. God wants to use us. God wants to open our eyes. God wants us to love others the way He would love. God desires for people to have abundant lives. God desperately wants people to know that they are loved and valued- after all He was the one who created them in their Mothers womb, so don't they have a purpose on this earth as well? What about the homeless man who walks across the street barefoot- doesn't he have a purpose? I believe so. 

So we are an instrument for God. We are the aroma of Christ... so let's be a pretty smell that attracts people to knowing that there are bits of the kingdom here on earth. 

On Wednesday I had a phone interview with Memphis Teaching Residency and found out that I got selected for the Fall Selection weekend in December. When I found out I went from the nervousness of asking "When will I find out" to jumping for joy and shedding a few tears. This Memphis journey has gone from a city that God put on my heart to a city that I have fallen in love with, all through prayer. God has his way of blessing- even if it is just to make it to the next step. Now I don't know how I am going to pay to go out there- but I know that I will make it out there. 

God loves to bless. Today Shannon asked me if I wanted to go out on a boat with her parents and Joel and let me tell you... It was SUCH a blessing. The water was beautiful, the weather was gorgeous, and I was with some of my favorite people. It was family time to me. 

I say let's let God use us in His love letter... after all He already wrote it already. 

Tomorrow is the first day of school!

This may sound silly but tomorrow is my very last "First Day of School." I am a bit of a dork so I already have my outfit set out (mainly because I have to work), my backpack ready to go, and my mind fully aware of what I am going to make for breakfast tomorrow. In honor of tomorrow we are all going to take some epic first day of school pics. You will see them soon.

Tomorrow is a free for all chapel but all my roomies and I are going because we cannot miss the epic DBC chapel. We figured it would be a good talk and an even more wonderful transition from summer into the semester.

Cheers to a new year! Full of love, joy, and LOTS of dependence on our Father (inshallah).



Also I love this song. I just had my sister listen to this and she was like "Oh yeah- I was at that concert." Haha, she is so on top of it.

Back at a place i have grown to call "home"

It takes a lot for me to start to call something home. Biola has become a place over the last three years, going on four, where it actually feels like home. Driving off the 5 onto the lovely Firestone, making a right onto Rosecrans, and then left onto Biola Avenue has become a drive that is not only comforting, but feels right. Most of you know, or should know by now, that the only other place that I consider home is my home in Pleasanton (lived there from 4 years old until now).

I started up work (which has been basically a lot of hanging out) on Thursday with SMU/AS. I have loved every single second of it and feel so blessed by the people I get to work with (which consist of a LOT of my friends- score). We will be spending lots of time together so it is so good to just be enjoying each others company before school gets a hold of us and life gets a little wild.

A lot of my close friends have returned from internships/mission trips from all over the place including Calcutta, Peru, New York City, Zambia and many more places. I have been blessed with a lot of people who have an international mindset, yet see the desperate need in America as well. It has been an encouragement to me.

Every summer I feel like very random things happen to me. Actually my whole life has been pretty random and totally unexpected.This summer was kind of nuts and a lot of unexpected things happened. God answered some crazy prayers and had me learn some hard lessons as well. I learned a lot about love this summer and what it really means. When I say I learned what it really means, I just learned what it takes to really love and how God wants us to love Him. I have not particularly mastered the action quite yet- working on it (which will be a life long lesson for sure). The book of James has been teaching me a thing or two with this.

I have been alone in my apartment the last few days, which has actually turned out to be great. I have been able to really reflect on summer and what I want out of this next year. I bought a journal today just for senior year- so I can see how God worked throughout the year. I need to be faithful to that sucker!

I want this year to be God's. I have no idea what I want to do with my life and where God will take me, all I know is that I want to follow Him. I want to pray more and I want to learn how to be a better servant (which worked out because my job at school aligns perfectly with that). God needs to become more and I need to become less.

Biola is my second home. It is so nice. I walked outside my apartment yesterday and I know almost everyone in my apartment complex- talk about getting the hook up. I am so excited for this year and really sad that it is my last at Biola. I guess this means I need to really embrace every day- and not waste it away!

Germany is a go!

Some people value night materialistic things. My family has always valued travel. Friday morning I received a call from my Maggi (my Stepmom) saying, "So I was just thinking... what days did you want to go to Germany?" I told her December 21- January 12. I thought she was just curious so I proceeded on with the conversation. About an hour later I checked my e-mail and got the most surprising message ever. She booked a flight for me to Germany and back- with her frequent flier miles that she didn't even know she had! I was in awe- she saved me about 1,000 dollars! I just feel so blessed. I am still at a loss of words.

Given that it is almost near to impossible to get a flight around Christmas with frequent flier miles, I will be leaving SFO on Dec. 21 to Boston, to Madrid, to Frankfurt. I have a fatty layover in Madrid (12 hours)! Which means... I am going to go exploring big time (if I can wake up from the Ambien I am going to take ha).

Looks like I will be sipping on hot chocolate spiked with rum, enjoying Christmas villages, skiing in the alps, buying a "Czech Me Out T-Shirt" in Prague (which is perfect because I am Czech), lots of best friend time, and much more for three weeks. I am a pretty happy girl.

Despite that lovely news, I am back at home in the bay getting lost in the stars, running into people left and right and eating delicious organic food. I have hung out with all my good friends, had a laughter filled bbq at Brads and heard some black bay area people scream "you go white girl" as I was going dumb to bay area rap last night at the club. Last night was reallyyy fun, but hearing that totally topped off my night.

I am in my element. This is where my heart is.

swimming truth

The water is your friend.  You don't have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move.  ~Aleksandr Popov

 

There is one place in the world where I feel at complete ease: the water. Put me in a pool, an ocean, or a lake and I feel like I have experienced complete freedom. Moving underwater brings about a sense of silence, meditation, and body against self. It is liberating and comfortable. I always say that I would be a mermaid if God actually made them. Swimming brings about joy. Have you ever been swimming and people are not having fun? I do not think so. Despite being at complete peace while swimming, it is an excellent way to exercise. You work every single muscle. I agree with Mr. Popov. I have definitely experienced sharing the same spirit with the water. It is a swimming truth for those who love water.

My Friend Shannon

Today I visited one of my best friends in her new apartment with her newly wed husband. It took about 45 minutes to drive from Pasadena to Arcadia (Little India) to where they are living. Both of them are Biola grads, who know that they are called to missions, particularly among Muslims. Most people who graduate want to go live in some hip neighborhood with a whole bunch of people who are similar to them. Not Shannon and Joel. They are living in the heart of Little India among a lot of people who are well... not white. They definitely stick out, but that is not going to get to them. I am inspired by them. They have intentionally placed themselves in a place that might not be the most comfortable, but they are doing it to meet people other then themselves and to learn from them. I am praying that they will come to know people in their neighborhood and develop lasting loving friendships. Way to go Shannon- I am proud of you (even if you do watch Jersey Shore behind closed doors).

urban gardens

i am mildly obsessed with sustainable urban community gardens. i found myself trying to study for linguistics today and my mind wandered off into a a beautiful place:

imagine a city that is active, fast, and not time stopping. the city is vibrant, alive, and full of culture. diversity is knocking at its door. oh but wait, despite all of this movement, these people care and love their city and the environment. people can't wait to wake up on a saturday morning for farmers market to support their local farmers and the local economy. people have urban gardens right outside their flats on the patio and some within the city to support their people. people desire to learn about alternative health and the benefits of organic food.

i feel like the bay area does this well, but it is only in certain pockets. i am sure seattle has almost mastered it. i hope i can live to see the day where buildings are run by solar energy, people drive hybrids all the time, and fostering community through gardens is important. check out this article: best cities for urban gardens.

from the daily green on seattle:
"Seattle's P-Patch Program provides 68 gardens for residents throughout the city, with plans for four additional gardens by the end of 2009. The program was created by the Department of Neighborhoods and the nonprofit P-Patch Trust in 1973. Their volunteer-run community gardens offer 1,900 plots and serves more than 3,800 urban gardeners on 23 acres of land. With a youth gardening program and a 12.3-ton produce donation last year, Seattle is a city built for horticulturists."

representing socal- long beach:
"Long Beach Organic started as the vacant lot task force, identifying vacant lots and turning them into community garden spaces. Over the past seven years LBO has maintained many gardens, including three community gardens and one demonstration garden at the local nursery. LBO community gardeners come from many ethnicities and grow anything from sugar cane and lemongrass to sunflowers and tomatoes."

i really think God wants us to take care of our earth and our bodies in a way that glorifies Him.

while i was drifting off into this thought... i started thinking about how fun it would be teaching my kids (if i become a teacher) about environmental sustainability and teaching them about compost. maybe even taking them on a field trip to clean up whatever city we are in! hm, these are the kinds of things that excite me.

here is a fun site to explore: Urban Gardens.

my new sisters

sometimes i feel like i am dreaming because i have such odd/fun experiences for a 21 year old. most 21 year olds are worried about their tan, being a hipster, or drinking. i don't think i fit that description at all, although i just made a huge generalization of our society. tonight i went to hang out some of the Franciscan sisters i befriended. for my interpersonal and intercultural adjustment class we have to become familiar, hang out, and "study" a sub-culture here in LA. about a month ago i went to a conference and worked for The H20 Project. i did not realize that the conference would be swarming with sisters (nuns), priests, and a ton of catholics. so i got the idea of hanging out with nuns! i called about five convents in LA to ask them if we could hang out with them, do charity work with them, see their convent, etc. the franciscan nuns of LA were the nicest and most welcoming of them all. random snap shot: franciscan nuns take a vow to poverty, chastity, and obedience.


the first day we went to the children's mass with the sisters and the children at the preschool that the sisters run. it was really precious seeing preschoolers do all the catholic traditions and customs during church. when i was in preschool all i did was color when my mom took me to mass. the children's voices were high pitch as they sang songs about Jesus loving them. not joking, i almost died because it was the cutest thing i have ever heard. we had the opportunity to meet with the most welcoming, devout, and loving sister ever: sister mary magdalene. she shared her story of coming to be a sister, her hardships, but most importantly the joy she has had because of saying yes to God's call for her life.


i feel so incredibly blessed even to just type this out. tonight ashlee, justine, emily, and i went to the preschool to meet sister mary and then drove to the convent.


side note: once i called sister mary to see if we could initially meet with her, she let me know that only people who were considering being a sister could come into the convent.


anyways, sister mary, 3 weeks later, invited all of us over to dinner and to join them (5 sisters) in their private chapel for evening prayers. hello trust bond! Jesus is good :) we laughed loudly, hugged, cried together, prayed together, sang songs of praise together, and heard stories from the sisters hearts. the Holy Spirit was present, Jesus love was deep within our hearts, and obedience to God was first and foremost among us all. there is unity in Christ.


i am so encouraged. this is not just a project to understand people other than myself, this was friendship building. i let them know several times that i value my time with them and that they are my new friends, whom i have already come to love deeply.


i am inspired by their love and devotion to God. whoever said nuns were boring was totally off their rocker. these nuns or sisters, as some would say, are hilarious and very enjoyable to be around.


i love that my life consists of random things like this. my perspective on life has broadened even more tonight.

nature nature nature

my body in internally screaming "runnnn through the fields and soak in all the smells of these flowers." sounds incredibly hippie-ish, but so true.

the first thing i am going to do when i get home is take meghan to sunol to "little yosemite" and hike all over those hills. i absolutely love being in nature. i feel at home and all i want to do is praise God for his glorious creation.

so bay area here i come. get ready because i am going to be hiking every single day on your beautiful land.

the ocean

one.

okay.

secure.

in love.

liberated.

empowered.

in my own skin.

{there is one thing in the whole world that brings about these "words"...}

the ocean.

today i had to go to the santa cruz superior court to turn in my traffic school goodies, to find out that it was 8 days late. hm, did not realize that because of the extreme lack of information posted on the santa cruz website. oh well- guess my insurance will go up. after this little experience i almost started crying at the court. SO i decided that the beach was in store and there were two things that could heal this frustration: Jesus and the ocean.

did it work? you bet.

some may say i am a little overly obsessed with nature and the high it gives me, but i don't think so. God created this earth for our pleasure, for us to enjoy, and for us to take care of. i just fully embrace it.

driving down 41st ave. to hit the end, i parked my jeep, got out and was instantly hit with my 2 favorite smells: pine trees and the ocean.

i proceeded to walk down by the cliffs, letting the ocean breeze hit my hair. men in flannel walking around, surfers checking out the waves, and moms walking their babies in strollers were all in my surroundings.

i walked down the steps and climbed onto some rocks... just to find the perfect rock to sit on while i soaked in the waves beautiful noise, the smell, and the wind.

waves... miles upon miles out. there is something magical about it.

it is healing & spiritual.

i wish i could live at the beach, for as long as i live.

maybe i can.

lets just wait and see.

sweet memories.

Money can buy a grand vacation, can pay bills, can make you happy for a little bit, but money can never buy the simple things in life, such as laughing and having "stupid" moments with your friends.

Day after day I realize how fortunate I am to have found friends who understand me, can laugh with me, and really do laugh at the stupidest things. This summer when I went to Lake Siskiyou with Kaylee, Christina, X-tina, Lucinda, Maggi, and my Dad, that idea was reaffirmed greatly. We had fun ALL week long. I have gone to Lake Siskiyou almost every summer since I was in Elementary school and it have always had fun. It is my happy place.

So this video is for you Lake Siskiyou. Thanks for the memories and for making me resort to my silly 21 year old self.

Oregon is for lovers.

I know Virgina's slogan is "Virginia is for lovers," but Oregon's should be too. Oregon is so pretty and pleasant. I feel like its a place you could meet someone who really does love nature, well that and California. Maybe California should have that slogan too. Anyways...

On Friday, roughly around 10:00a.m. (if I can wake up that early), I am going to embark on a snowy journey to see Miss Rachel McCord in lovely Southern Oregon. I know exactly how our first glances at each other will be.... we will burst into screaming, jumping, and then a long hug. Yup, it will be glorious.

I also get to see Melanie and Becca at University of Oregon while I am up there in Eugene. So stoked for that as well! I am really excited to see Melanie's stomping grounds.

And its not over yet... I get to see Adam from D.C. Oh goodness, lots of fun people jammed in one trip.

When I am done seeing Adam... I am going to relax for a few days at Rachel's... possibly till Wednesday. Should be jam packed, yet really fun and lots of laughs... and probably a lot of lazy time too. Perfect.

Home nature home

Most people say "home sweet home." Although, that is true and some people focus on how sweet home is... when I think of home I instantly think of NATURE. I am obsessed with the bay area. Obsessed... I cannot get enough of Sunol and hiking there. I have gone there twice this week and want to go again tomorrow. It is so beautiful and every time I stop and look out, all I can see are hills that are endless.

There is something so powerful about nature. My soul feels revived. Once I get in my car, drive down 680 South, go two exits, and have blasting indie music on, my soul screams "Ah, YESSS Jesus." It gets even better once I exit on Sunol and drive up to my hiking spot to follow the "Canyon View" trail to "Little Yosemite" to see rushing waters, sunshine, and green hills.

I connect best in nature. My soul feels like a clean slate. Repentence, confession, soul searching etc. goes on there.

I loved D.C. I felt like a city girl, felt the rush, and was beginning to get "Potomac fever."
I was in a city for four months with very little nature action. Sure, there were trees and parks, but not open space. Here in the Bay I can go 5 minutes to a place of serenity.

Thank you Jesus for hiking and nature.
My body says thank you too.

West Coast Feel

Even though i love the east coast, there is a certain feel that tingles up my spine when i think of the "west coast," specifically San Francisco.

I just watched "Four Christmases" and had a glimpse of the beautiful city that i have spent most of my life around. In certain sections of the movie, it took some beautiful shots of the golden gate bridge, the fog, city lights, and even good old Union Square. My Bay Area pride CAME BACK! Haha, for those of you reading this you are probably saying "Oh God." But do not fret I also have D.C. pride... equally or maybe MORE then the Bay Area.

Although this last week I have come to the realization that I can no longer suppress my feelings and have to face them, I have also came to the fact that going home to something I am familiar with is not that bad.

So in order to foster and cultivate this semi-excitement I have reflected on a few things that are exciting about home. One thing I am excited about is to see mountains and hills. I can't wait to look out my window and be faced with the Foothills. Hm, that will be nice. It will also be nice to see a snow capped Mt. Diablo. I am also excited to drive on windy roads that are covered by trees and to hop in my car and go on a hike five minutes away. That will be real nice. It sounds pleasant to sit inside of Tully's and run into lots of random people that I have not seen for years. Sleeping in my heavenly bed where I do not have to toss and turn, but can awake from my slumber in the same position... that will be nice. Waking up to the smell of bacon because of my Dad's never ending generosity with food will be a treat. As I run out the door I have the assurance of knowing that chocolate covered raisins will be on the island in the kitchen, ready to be tasted by these taste buds. Hm... those are just a few of the reasons I am excited to be home.

Now now, that sounds like I am all about the petty and little things in life. Which is some what true.

I am also excited to not be working for once in my life! Every single time I come home I have a job and do not make time for a social life (that sentence makes me sound like 30 instead of 20). Since I will have so much free time I am going to finish my long awaited online geology class, that has taken me WAY too long. I am also going to volunteer for the IRC in San Jose and tutor/mentor Refugees :)

A few things I do realize...X will be very tired of my endless calls because I will want to hang out so much. Meghan will hang out with me for a week straight and then start to screen my calls because she will get so busy. And she will also make me go to social activities I do not want to go too... but then in the long run I will be thankful.

You see... there is a difference between my home friends and myself. They are very good at staying in contact with people from church and most of them live at home. Their social life has continued at home and has grown... where I have moved. I have friends from home, biola, and now D.C. The friends I have from home are a narrow amount of people I want to spend time with, including Meghan, X, Mel, and Becca. There are others... but those are the people I actually talk with.

To say the least, I am trying to get excited to go home. Time is ending here. I cannot change that, although I wish I could. So instead of basking in my sadness, I need to look towards something else: home.

Thanksgiving Excitement

Thanksgiving is near... which means family is coming to town! My sister is coming next Saturday and my Mom is coming the Monday before thanksgiving. Needless to say, I am very excited!
I am excited to hug my sister, laugh with my mother, and go a little crazy. When the three of us are together... its a little out of control at times. I get to show them all around D.C., which can be exhausting, but I will do it with a joyful heart (haha, or try). It will be a lot of fun because we have a week to do it and don't have to rush anything. My favorite part about them coming is that we are going to drive down to Williamsburg, VA and staying HERE for two nights...



Um, Hello.... so pretty. My Mom scored big time with The Marriott Manor. For Thanksgiving dinner we are going to eat at one of the Historic Taverns that had the first thanksgiving dinner in 1619. I really hope we get to sit at a long table with a lot of strangers and they act out thanksgiving (I doubt it, but if they did it would be sweet). I love how my family seems to always do holidays different... and finds things like this amusing.

Ah yes.

Goal Number One

Christmas break goal number one:
Re-teach myself how to play the piano.

My heart feels as if it is going to burst with joy when my ears meet the beautiful harmony of a piano. My day is complete when I can sit and enjoy listening to someone play the piano. Whether it be at Nordstrom’s or in my living room, I love it. Growing up playing the piano and letting it go was not one of my finest choices. I need to get back to the place of where it is just me and the piano. Me and the music. Nothing else.

It is a beautiful thing when you can tune out all matters and focus on that moment, then, and there. Music flowing from your heart, to your fingers, can create an out pour of joy...

Hm, take me to this place goal number one. It’s been a good eight years.

This little baby is coming to visit...

I am so excited! Em, get ready for a weekend full of tourist adventure.

This weekend will include:

-Site seeing: Capitol tourt by my friend Adam, Arlington Cemetery, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House

-Food and fun places: Georgetown, Ben's Chilil Bowl, maybe some Sushi in Dupont, Eastern Market

-And of course... lots of laughter and love!

"It's a girl thing."

After anxiously waiting an entire month to get my haircut and colored, Friday morning finally arrived. Over the last two weeks the thought of what color my hair would be, what kind of haircut I wanted, and if I wanted to go brunette consumed my mind. Some would say it was vain, others would say "It's a girl thing."

On Friday morning I turned off my alarm clock with excitement knowing that I had a wonderful morning to look forward to. As I walked to Union Station I contemplated what hair color I would choose: stick with blonde or go brunette. All the way to U St. I looked at People Magazine to get hair ideas, knowing that I would probably just be brain washed by the hair stylist anyways.

There is something to say about getting your hair done. Some get freaked out and do not like change and others, such as myself, absolutely love it. As I entered the Salon, I was instantly hit with the "Please Pamper me now" sensation.

I met Hiwot, an amazing Ethiopian lady who moved to Washington D.C. in 1993, who welcomed me to the Salon. After getting aquainted with the Salon's atmosphere, I felt like I could full out veg as a girl.

Being a girl is wonderful. I know it costs more money, there are more worries, and you actually have to look good from time to time, but it is so worth it. We get to get pampered (even though we pay a lot for it), we get to take time for ourselves and it is okay, and we get to have the luxury of feeling pretty.

Sitting in the chair as Hiwot and I discussed my hair options, I was filled with the sensation of new possibilities. Which seems so silly, since it is only my hair!

The last two years of my life I have have allowed my hair to be one kind of blonde: platinum. There comes a time in a girls life when one needs change. The one who desperately needed change was me. I needed something new.

Hiwot led me to the table, where there was a wide variety of colors and possibilities to choose from. Thankfully she helped me sort out my scattered mind and helped bring me to a decision on what color my hair would be: a darker blonde with brown low-lights.

The art of highlighting is worth observing. I am the kind of person who learns from watching. I watched intensly, trying to figure out if I could attempt to do what she did (which I probably can't). The process of waiting for the dye to sit in is relaxing in itsself, especially as I finished the book "In the Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen (which I highly recommend).

The best part is yet to come. Why is it that european women who can't speak english always work at salons? I don't know if anyone has ever observed that, but I love it for two reasons. One being that I just love when people can't speak english are given a job. The second being european women are always EXCEPTIONAL masseus' , particularly with head massages. Good Lord, I could not keep my mouth shut. "Ohhhh ahhhh" and "This is the best massage I have ever had" were the verbal expressions my body chose to use to express the wonderful sensation my head was experiencing.

Foil off, wet hair, and the color was revealed. "Ahh, YES," I was so excited. I loved it, even before the cut and before the dry.

The color being revealed was exciting in itsself, but speaking with Hiwot as even more of a blessing. She is a mother of two daughters and a wife to an ethiopian man. She co-owns her salon and has had great success despite the recession. Sweetest lady I have met in D.C. yet. She cared deeply for her costomers and for their needs.

I thank her, the master mind behind hair, becuase she has taken my platinum blonde hair with dead ends and turned it into a new creation of darker colors and life. So thank you Hiwot for making my Friday.