why i think my dad will ruin christmas for my future kids

and the sign says:

most ridiculous thing ever?

YES! And i'm getting them for Christmas. 

O Christmas Tree

This is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Sitting on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate, the Christmas story from Luke and the lights on the tree puts me in the best mood. It is one of peace, joy and tranquility that only comes this time of the year.  

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Ok, so we don't have stockings...but the lights are hung all over and our mini-tinsel tree is up with ornaments. We have the hideous Santa statue on the end table, the ceramic Christmas dog on the shelf and the beanie baby snowman above the TV. I've read the Christmas story twice now and had multiple cups of hot chocolate. It's official, our house is ready for Christmas. Bring on the holiday cheer. 

Only the atypical

Thanksgiving is here and I want to write a blog. As I thought about it I realized that I didn't want it to be the normal stuff. I didn't want to just write about how I am incredibly thankful that God has blessed me with the best family on the planet, the most wonderful friends anyone could ever hope for and I have abundant food and shelter. So I am writing a list of the random things I am thankful for:

~children's crafts, like handprint turkeys and pink elephant ceramics

~that I can dance like an idiot to Daft Punk in the car, by myself

~weddings, because they are the reason I have a job

~the feeling I get when I put on a new pair of socks

~fresh flowers from someone I love!

~you tube videos that people with way to much time of their hands make

~travel books

~that I live in an era where I can be obsessively in contact with people

~my sister's job, because she always has great stories to tell me and make me laugh

~salad, peanut butter, jell-o box cheesecake

~souvenirs from foreign countries

~microfiber blankets

~people that have the kind of laughs that are contagious

~love from Jesus & relationships

confessions of an eavesdropper

I have to admit, I listen in on other people's conversations. 

This is quite bad for me currently, considering I'm in the middle of a lovely little coffee shop, mildly caffeinated, trying to write a paper (my first of the semester I might add), and my ipod is out of battery.

Sometimes I feel guilty for being a typical product of my generation for wanting to just plug myself into my own personal jukebox and cut myself off from contact with other people. However, when I am trying to be productive it is really what is best, because it prevents me from being totally distracted by the people around me and their conversations. Not to mention, other people probably don't like being listened too...

Embracing Arizona

I recently decided that I need to embrace Arizona more. Honestly, I don't plan on living here for long so while I'm here I should probably take advantage of the things Arizona has to offer. Here are the two of my most recent Arizona

 adventures:

This past weekend Seth and I went to the Ostrich Ranch that's between Tucson and Phoenix. First, did you know that ostriches live between 50 and 75 years? Second, this place is some of the best entertainment you can get for $5. You get some feed and some nectar. You can feed the donkeys, the miniature sicillian donkeys (which i love and now want one as a pet), the ostriches (which are terribly mean so mostly you throw the food at them) and the lorikeets (which flock to you - literally, they sit on you). It's phenomenal. I laughed the whole time we were there.

And on Veterans Day I did a hike to Romero Pools! The hike itself is 5.5 miles in Catalina State Park. It's actually kinda pretty :) Getting out of the U of A area is really nice and I love spending time with people in nature. 

Anyone have any other ideas for things to do in Tucson?

just a bit nerdy...

I have a new life goal. I have to warn you, it's pretty nerdy. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it.  

I want to compete in the Annual Crossword Championships. 

This comes from my latest Netflix rental of Wordplay. It's a pretty awesome documentary about crosswords, the people that make them, the guy that edits them for the NY Times, different random people that do them (i.e. Bill Clinton & Jon Stewart) and the Annual Crossword Championship. I was inspired. 

So yeah, I already added it to my life goal list which means I should definitely start doing more crosswords than the one in the Daily Wildcat...

this and that

~I'm dying to go to the beach right now. just pack a blanket, my ipod a good book into the car and drive 6 hours. it's tempting...

~I currently formulating a list of books I'm determined to read in the next, say 3 months. I'm going to blog this later. (I will be stealing the idea from my cousin-in-law)

~Eric Hutchinson is my new favorite artist. I went to the Jack's Mannequin concert in Tucson this past Sunday and he was an opening band. As soon as I feel like splurging on all the items in my iTunes cart I'll be legitimately obsessed with him. 

~A little rant on AZ weather: Why is it still in the 90s and it's almost November?!? It's supposed to be Fall. I'm supposed to be wearing sweaters by now!

~Lastly, I am quite excited for Halloween! Why? oh, because Sarah and I have amazing costumes in the works. Be watching for pictures...Until then I'll leave you with a really pretty sunset that my camera doesn't do justice

Contentment

the neuro-physiological experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation, bodymind, body, and/or mind. (thank you Wikipedia)

I realized the other day that my favorite feeling in the world is contentment. A combination of happiness, peacefullness, joy, basically all the good feelings in the world combined in one little package of emotion.

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty” Socrates

vacation, then and now.

So, when I was little I used to be packed for vacation weeks in advance. This is no exaggeration. I would organize my entire packing list, pull out enough socks, shirts, stuffed animals, crafts, etc. and roll them up and very carefully place them in my duffle bag about 3 weeks before we were supposed to leave for whatever vacation we were going on. I was apparently neurotic even as a child. And my excitement leading up to vacation was almost uncontrollable. Vacation was something totally out of the norm that happened once or twice a year. We got to do a bunch of stuff that was so out of the norm, like eat out on a regular basis and do stuff all day long!

Now, I'm leaving for vacation in a few hours and I'm haphazardly throwing things I may or may not need into my laundry basket. I'm definitely excited for vacation but for different reasons. I actually relax on vacations and love just laying around all day. Oh how my life has changed...

catching up on life

Well, I finally finished my labor and delivery rotation. I definitely learned a lot and experienced a lot (live birth, anyone?).  Now I'm on my off rotation for class, which is quite exciting! No class at 6:45 two days a week for a month! woo hoo

I decided that over this month I need to do some catching up (which will include but is not limited to): my Netflix queue, reading for pleasure, One Tree Hill episodes, being creative in some way, talking on the phone to long lost friends, blogging (maybe) and traveling. 

Here are some pictures from my recent life for those of you who haven't seen me in awhile

me and seth at a football game

me and my nursing school girls - i wouldn't survive without them

tailgating before a game with a few of my favorite people

new found (music) love

In honor of a totally hectic week, I have decided to write a totally pointless blog post about my new found (music) love, Bob Marley.

Yes, I know. I'm a little late getting on the reggae train, but better late than never. The movie In Her Shoes has "could you be loved" at the end of the movie and it inspired me to start up a Pandora radio station the other day. It's been playing on my computer ever since. 

it's just not fair

I had the opportunity to see something really cool. A miracle of sorts. It was humbling and touching in so many ways. I almost cried, which is kind of a big deal for me. 

but in the midst of it all, I realized that life isn't fair. now that's something that is sort of ingrained in you (well, it was in me...) your whole life. people say things like "finish your kidney beans, there are starving kids in China." which is true. and people always talk about how just from being born in the US we're part of the wealthiest part of the population. which is also true. but i don't think the unfairness of life hit me until this very moment. 

more than the country we're born into, how much money our parent/guardian's have, where we go to school, life is just plain unfair. We have different parents that bring us up uniquely. Some don't have parents. Some have aunts and uncles or stepdads or grandmas. Some have lots. Some have nothing. Some have "everything." the love we feel isn't the same. now this is definitely obvious, but even within our country the range of living people have is phenomenal. 

I don't think there is anything anyone could ever do to make anything fair. There is always going to be something that's different. Always. it's weird to realize. 

people you think that have less maybe have more than you in other ways. but it's really hard when you see situations that you know are unfair and leave a person disadvantaged. What do you do with that? Even with things that are good and right that try to make things "even" like giving money to feed children, you're still not making things fair. 

Is fairness even something we should want? i'm probably keeping a really wide definition of fair in my overly tired state of mind, but this is definitely something i'm thinking through and wrestling about what I can do. I would love feedback/discussion about this because it isn't something I'm gonna work through on my own...

Birthday Presents

You may be thinking to yourself....Angela, your birthday was two months ago. Why are you writing about birthday presents? 

Well friends, I am writing about them because I love getting them, especially when they're late. First, because you tend to get the majority of birthday presents within the week or so of your actual birthday and postponing the presents makes it seem like your birthday lasts longer. Second, i love any excuse for presents :)

I am going to tell you about two presents i just got that I am exceptionally excited for. 

1) A rice cooker! I am very excited about this because it means one more excuse to cook Asian themed food and is great for rice-n-raisins, my family's favorite Saturday night meal!

2) Light up knitting needles! Why, now I can knit anytime anywhere. they're perfect for watching a movie or when I'm trapped in a cave and feel like creating something out of yarn. This marvelous birthday present is the perfect excuse to get back into knitting more!

Bottom line - birthday presents are phenomenal any time of the year, especially when they are amazing presents!

a day in the life of a nursing student

Now, I wish I could give you one simple outline of my day. But it's impossible. Needless to say there will be a lot of reading, a lot of class, a little whining, some laughing with my nursing school friends, various moments of mental anxiety and maybe some needle sticking.

It's all very exciting really. And totally overwhelming. The fact is I'm doing real things to real people now! Definitely a step up from pretending and/or watching movies. 

I think I'm learning a lot too. Not just about caring for people, health care, medicine and nursing plans but about myself and people. I learned I probably can't be an operating room nurse (although we'll see if I actually get into a real OR...) and I really value sleep. 

This is just a blog to get myself back in the blogging world after a 3 week hiatus, so expect some actually interesting blogs soon...

Blown Away

I am constantly blown away by God. The stuff He does for me, or in spite of me, is incredible.

This year, my junior year of college, I am a social coordinator for InterVarsity at the UA. Part of this job includes putting on events for the beginning of school. We had 50 and 75 people are our first two events. Which is pretty out of control, considering that half of them were new. And at a BBQ we hosted yesterday we gave out like 180 hamburgers. I met so many awesome new people that I decided I want to be friends with, whether or not they want to be my friend is another matter...haha

But yeah, God's awesome and I'm stoked for what he's going to do for the rest of the year! 

Things to do when you're bored

The other night I happened to be hanging out with some of my friends and someone said to me, "Hey, why don't you look up things to do when you're bored," sort of jokingly. So I did. Here is a sampling of the things it told me to do (thanks to the list of 474 Things To Do When You're Bored):

• Buff your cat
  
• Paint your house Day-Glo Orange
  
• Go back to square one
• Develop a complex
• Go to a drive in movie in a tank
• See how small you can scrunch your face
• Clean and polish your bellybutton
• Set your Christmas tree up
• Teach your pet rock to play dead
• Moo
• Embarrass yourself
• Do aerobic exercise...in your head

Go ahead, try them...

i survived...

my very first backpacking trip!

My family spent 4 days in the back country of Glacier hiking through the wilderness. We hiked a total of 31 miles. We stayed at 3 different campgrounds, each at a different lake; Cosley, Helen and Elizabeth.  (in the picture you can see Lake Elizabeth in the foreground, and Helen way in the back) Some other things we accomplished: I learned to spin cast and almost caught a fish, hiked through Ptarmigan Tunnel (a man-made tunnel they blasted through a mountain), got eaten alive by mosquitos, got a wicked tan. 

All-in-all I really loved it. I think if I lived up there, or by any mountains I thought were worthwhile, I might take it up...until then, I'll settle for more hiking!

I'm off...again!

Tomorrow, at 12:30 p.m. I fly out of Washington DC and into Montana! I'll be gone for a week on a family vacation in Glacier National Park.

It happens to be a place with quite a bit of family attachment. My parents honeymooned there, my sister and brother-in-law met there, and we spent pretty much every summer vacation there when we lived in Minnesota. I've fallen in ice cold lakes, gotten countless blisters, eating the best pie in the world, and spent many memorable birthdays there. This time I'll be backpacking for the first time there. Let's all hope I don't do something embarrassing like break my leg or get eaten by bears...

I'll be back to the world of computers and cell phones in about a week, so until then I'll leave you with this breath-taking view.

Wanderlust

I really like looking up places that I want to travel. It's kind of a hobby of mine. I just google the names of random places, things to do in these places, how much plane tickets are. It's really unhealthy of me actually because it makes me want to drop out of school, quit reality and spend all my money. Nevertheless, here is a list of the top 5 places I want to go:

1) Taj Mahal - it was built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan for his wife. This huge white marble structure has dazzled people for ages and I've always wanted to see it in person.

2) Seattle, Washington - this is probably the most realistic on my list. I loved Portland and people have told me Seattle is better. I figure I'll love it, especially because of its plethora of coffee shops!

3) France - Eiffel Tower, anyone? This has been a life goal of mine since I was about 7

4) Sweden - I really want to go with my mom to see where we came from. My aunt and uncle went recently and actually visited with some distant relatives and said it was really great. 

5) Barbados - this is purely for the beaches. 

Crafts, anyone?

Well, yesterday my sister and I spent the evening being crafty. Once we started we couldn't stop! 

For Christmas my sister got a very cute earring holder that I love, so we decided to make our own. We spent all day going to Home Depot (for chicken wire), scrapbook stores (for fun paper), and antique stores (for picture frames). 

This is what we came up with!  

We were planning on just making two but we got really carried away and made 5. 

This is the glass I shattered into my lap.  :-/ 

These are my favorite and probably what I will be putting up in my room at home!

A question I've had for a long time

So, you've heard of Naked juice right? They boast the use of "naked fruits" with no sugar, no preservatives, no anticoagulative agents, no cardboard added. Well, I've had a question that has long plagued my mind that I need your help with. 

If you were sitting around, naked, drinking Naked juice, and you spilled some on yourself, would you be more naked or less naked?

A new favorite

I recently finished reading Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller. It's probably one of my new favorite books. Its everything that I love in a book; travel with some deep thoughts thrown in among random hilarious stories. After I finished I wanted to buy an old VW van, throw some random stuff in the back and drive around the country and settle down somewhere fantastic. Anyone want to join?

I'm Famous.

I'm featured on event coordinator, Liene Steven's blog today. It's called Blue Orchid Designs and lately they have been doing a meet the reader feature. Since I have known Liene for a long time and she knows I blog-stalk her she asked me to participate. :)

Here's the link to my bio: Meet The Readers::Angela

A Capitol Fourth

Well, I completed a life goal of mine this past Friday. I got to spend the 232nd celebration of our nation's independence in Washington DC! 

We started the day off with the 4th of July Parade, which to be honest, was not the most thrilling thing I've ever seen, but hey, it's about the experience, right? :) Then we wandered through the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, featuring Texas, Bhutan and NASA. Don't worry, I didn't understand the connection either. Then we began our search find the perfect spot for fireworks.

Here you can see that we took a break to stand in the World War II Memorial. I couldn't decide if this demoralized the idea of the memorial, but it was really hot outside and others were doing it, so I took my chances.

It rained quite a bit after we finally found our place for fireworks. The rain definitely cooled us off and provided a distraction from the heat. 

After we got settled, the people kept pouring on to the Mall. This picture of the Lincoln Memorial is to give you an idea of the insane amount of people that were there! It was crazy!

And this was our view of the Washington Monument about 100 feet from where we were sitting.

All in all the day was quite an adventure. I loved being around all that history and all the people on such a great holiday. I can't wait to go back sometime for the 4th of July and do it all over again!

Airport observations

As I sit here, at a gate not far from mine, I have carefully thought out some facts about airports. Here is what I have realized:

Pretty much everyone working here is grumpy, or at least seems grumpy, especially when you do something not quite right, like try and wear a pashmina through the xray box. I think all the workers would all be happier if they had spirit days at the airport. For example, luau day or pajama day. How could you be grumpy if you wore your favorite cartoon pants or a lei?

Also, everyone in line at the security checkpoint seems a little distant. They should have mandatory ice breakers in line. Like a back massage line, or the forced laughter game. That would be great.

Coffee is a status symbol. You seem cooler, or more experienced if you have a cup wrapped in a sleeve filled with the nectar of the Gods. I'm going to rebel (even though I LOVE coffee) and start drinking Capri Sun or something equally ridiculous.

I always pray before I get on a plane too. Obviously I throw up a little "keep us safe" prayer. But mostly I focus on things like, put me next to someone that really nice, let there be a good movie to watch, and if I'm feeling bold I pray for an upgrade to first class. Is this awful of me?

Being friendly is totally worth it. Plus it makes your red eye to New York a lot better. 

That being said I'm on my way to BALTIMORE to spend a month hanging out with my sister :D I'm super excited. Expect some super exciting blogs (with pictures included) soon. 

Some Stuff I've Learned

I saw this on a really cool blog the other day and decided to copy the idea. So Here is my list of stuff I learned over the last school year:

-your friends care, so you should probably talk to them about what's going on with you instead of ignoring whatever is going inside
-cooking can be fun
-if God tells you to do it, just do it, right then. don't wait
-you can hear into my roommate's room through the vent in my room
-i love yoga
-a clean room keeps me sane
-nursing is definitely the right profession for me
-praying helps
-you need boundaries in your life sometimes
-i need 8 hours of sleep to be a normal and functioning person
-parents are cool to hang out with and talk to
-thinking about lessons you've learned and reflecting on what God has done are great to do on a regular basis
-honesty is the best policy
-i am good enough!
-vomiting and taking off my clothes is good for me (i mean this in the context of being open and putting out all your junk with a group of amazing girls...haha)
-learning about yourself is great, whether its through talking to your roommates about the future, taking personality tests online, or just a little self-examintation.
-even I need some time alone once in awhile
-laughing with the people you love is more important than most other things you can do
-i love Rock Band
-I am blessed. And using your life to bless others is one of the best things you can spend your time doing.

An Ode To My Dad

On this, the 15th of June, 2008, my 19th year of celebrating my Dad, I thought I would dedicate an entry just to him :)

I loved coming home from school on a Friday afternoon because I knew there would be Dad, standing in the kitchen window, with all the ingredients for delicious chocolate-chip cookies waiting for us to mix up. And the cookie in the shape of an A was the best thing in the world.

After I would cry out in frustration, "I can't," He would simply say "Can't it's not in my dictionary...so you can." And of course, I would. 

When I asked him yet another ridiculous question, he started laughing to himself and said"Turn the other cheek," which I've taken more to heart than the moment called to.

He loves  my mother; which is the most important thing I think a father can do.

I respect the choices he has made for his family, his lifestyle and his career. Giving up his passion for his kids, knowing God would call him back to it. Moving us when it probably would have been easier to stay put. Sacrificing things to set an example, memorizing endless amounts of Bible verses, and dedicating himself to whatever he does. 

And probably the best advice he's ever given me was scribbled on a note I found in a pair of socks in my suitcase when I was in Kenya. It read simply, "Love God. Love People. And stay away from the crocodiles."

childhood car games

I was thinking the other day about road trips. And as I often do, I started reminiscing about all the ridiculous games I used to play. Let's examine a few of them:

• the 50 states license plate game - fairy self-explanatory. you made a list of the 50 states and tried to find a license plate (or two) from each state. If you got Alaska you were pretty much guaranteed a win, if you saw Hawaii you were dubbed "best ever" for the rest of the trip and no matter what else happened on vacation you were on cloud 9.
  
• draw every toy you own game: this wasn't so much a game as it was me drawing everything i brought with me on vacation with a color pencil in a tiny notebook. i have many detailed drawings of my cabbage patch doll
  
• see which sibling can push the cooler in the middle seat further game: this was a challenging game because you had to play without the parents knowing you were playing...typically the loser was the one who fell asleep first and couldn't hold their own.
  
• drown out mom and dad's audio book with your discman game: i listened to 100% Dance so loud I probably caused long-term ear damage in order to drown out the latest John Grisham book in 8th grade.
  
• yarn octopus game: this is only entertaining for about 8 and a half minutes. you wind yarn endlessly around the biggest book you happen to have in the car. die like 18 different strands of yarn around it in various places and...ta da!...you have a yarn octopus. 
  
• 20 questions (with dad's impossible items) game: 20 questions was only fun as a child until my dad got to pick an item. Then it was torture. he would just find the most obscure item in the car and then it would take us about 83 questions to realize that he had picked his right sock. 
  
• read a book until you vomit game: I always won at this one. Particularly on the windy roads of Glacier National Park while wearing a turtleneck sweater. 
  

These were how I passed about 1500 hours in the car as a child. What did you do?

My new favorite thing

What is your new favorite thing you ask?

It is indeed my new KitchenAid Mixer! It works beautifully (well, actually, I haven't taken mine out yet but I have used my cousin's.) It's empire red shiny finish and beautiful whisk will grace my kitchen for years to come. I will post a picture with my new camera as soon as I return home :)

Now my problem is finding all sorts of yummy recipes to make!

Happiness

So, amidst my online perusing lately I went to a blog called The Happiness Project (http://www.happiness-project.com/).

It's written by Gretchen Rubin, an author currently doing research for her next book on...well...happiness. She's tested out theories and methods for being happy. She has happiness goals and projects going all the time. I don't agree with everything she's written but there are definitely interesting posts. Take a look :)

packing up

I'm packing my room for the summer. Weird. Not that I'm done with finals, but I'm pretending to be. I just have one left this week.

Here are some random comments for the day:

If you ever have the chance, play Truffle Shuffle. It is a fantastic game that will make you feel ridiculous (you wear a pig nose...) and will bring you back to childhood. Or, if you've ever left (like me) it'll just be like normal. We played today at Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's! Which you should go to if you like fun and happen to be in tucson.

Also on my list of "best things in the whole world" is the Peanut Butter Mocha I had today at Epic Cafe. {http://www.epic-cafe.com/} If you know me at all, you know this combines three of my very favorite things into one compact take-with-me or sit-and-sip cup, so needless to say this started my day off with a lot of joy.

And, you should see The Other Boleyn Girl. Really well done, I thought. And Eric Bana is in it.

Finally, if you don't already have it or listen to it on a regular basis, go on to itunes right now and buy Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup by Nat King Cole. A patient I had sang it to me and that moment it now on my top 5 favorite moments in life. The song is precious.

I'm starting on my fun adventures for the summer, which I'll write about later, soon so I am getting antsy. Well that's all for now.

i am from

My sister did this poem with her class. here is mine:

I am from guinea pigs, the upright piano and Grandma’s perfume.
I am from the red brick, green carpet and wood panel walls
I am from the big evergreen tree out front, the blue and white hammock and rhubarb.
I am from baking chocolate chip cookies with dad on Fridays after school and cereal every morning, from Grandpa Roy and Grandma Louise and Trisha Louise and Sophia.
I am from the love and tradition that only a family can instill
From “pay your bills” and “thank you for smoking,” candy corn from Grandma’s car and Grandpa’s box of old toys in the closet.
I am from three legged races during Awana games, felt Jesus cutouts on the green board and running around the halls of church with the other pastor’s kids.
I'm from Warren, Minnesota and the big wooden park by the house, Kuchen on Christmas morning, corn on the cob in the summer and honey sticks at the farmer’s market.
From the ten-mile hike to Iceberg Lake and from the tennis games and pastel Easter M & Ms before I was late for the bus, and Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal.
I am from the shelf in mom and dad’s bedroom, the ocean picture Trisha painted and mom’s Bible on the coffee table.

ESTJ

Well...again, more late night distractions. I'm wide awake after a latte about 2 hours ago and am sick of studying, so i did an online Myers-Briggs Test. And my personality is an ESTJ (extrovert, sensing, thinking and judging)

http://www.personalitypage.com/ESTJ.html

"ESTJs are very enthusiastic people who are driven to fulfill their obligations and duties, especially those towards their families. Their priorities generally put God first, family second, and friends third. They put forth a tremendous amount of effort to meet their obligations and duties, according to their priorities. They are dedicated and committed to their relationships, which they consider to be lifelong and unalterable. They like to be in charge, and may be very controlling of their mates and children. They have high esteem for traditions and institutions, and expect that their mates and children will support these as well. They have little patience and need for dealing with people who see things very differently from the ESTJ."

That is the summary of my personality, which is pretty (creepily) accurate. There's also a link to jobs I should have and how I am in relationships. It told me I could be a judge...looks like I should drop out of nursing school and go into law... ha.

adventure

so, I decided I wanted to search for something new online.

something random. something that could lead me to excitment.

I typed in "adventure" becuase that's what I want.

It's interesting what came up. I got some pictures first. Of people trekking through a glacial landscape with the sun setting in a brilliant array of colors through their silhouettes. One of a pirate ship. there was white water rafting of course. I even got a woman doing yoga...something to do with an "adventure spa" it told me.

On to the websites. A link to Adventure magazing. typical. then a subheading of "adventure games," it also told me I could see "adventure quest." More links...colossal caves, an Angels and Airwaves song, even an adventure video game.

Is this our world's definition of adventure? Seems a little blah to me. i want bigger adventure. I want a truth-seeking, true love-experiencing, all out, gung-ho, throw caution to the wind kind of adventure.

I want to be called to do radical things. To experience beauty on the plains of the Kenyan wilderness. To play soccer with people I just met on the shores of the Indian Ocean. To be a nurse. To hear the laugh of my baby cousin. To discuss life with my family as we walk in the mountains. To listen to a boy with autism tell me the story of the three little pigs. To move across the world.

now that I think of it...I think I'm on the greatest adventure. it's called trusting God.

instead of going to bed...

...I'm making photo montages on my new website obsession www.animoto.com

go there...you won't regret it, unless of course you actually have something you should be doing right now instead of putting your memories to lots of catchy songs in video format.

Here is the link to one video I made of my family hiking in Lost Dutchman State Park two weeks ago: http://animoto.com/play/comRuGS3AExIJNsp9cd0fA

Macbook

Well, I bought my macbook about a month ago and am getting to use it a lot this week, it's been great - but the computer still needs a name.

I've been color correcting for the photographer I worked for in high school, and off and on since then ~ check out her site...she's amazing. (www.kimberlyjarman.com)

Also, since it's spring break I've finally been getting rest and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I've layed out by the pool, watched new movies, done some work, and have started reading The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (working on one of my goals on the list!) This book is typical of Byrson's in the fact that it's very funny and I highly recommend it.

101 in 1001

So, there's this blog idea going around, that to me sounds like a life goal list, but with a cooler title. The idea is that you come up with 101 things to do in 1,001 days.

I started writing mine awhile ago, a year ago now. And constantly update it becuase I can't come up with 101 things. But here is my list in progress.

1. Spend consistent time with God (in progress, spring, sophomore year)
2. Go to Kenya (completed July 2007)
3. Visit 11 new states I’ve never been to (Oregon, 2/07; Maryland 12/07; DC 12/07; Rhode Island 12/08; Pennsylvania 7/08)
4. Go on a cruise (March 2007)
5. Work out more consistently (in progress)
6. learn to be better at conversations
7. read 3 classic novels
8. Decorate my next room (September 2007)
9. Strike up conversations with strangers randomly
10. Save money
11. Drink more tea
12. Be more honest/direct with people
13. Make and finish “movies to watch list”
14. Get into the college of nursing (July 2007)
15. Keep a 3.75 (in progress)
16. Work for Mayo Clinic (summer after junior year) - this may be modified
17. Learn an artsy thing, i.e. knitting (December, 2007, knitting)
18. Buy a nice camera (October 2007)
19. Encourage other people
20. Do more random acts of kindness (woman, groceries: October 2007)
21. Pray more
22. Stay in contact with friends (valentines cards ’08)
23. Write cards not e-mails
24. Eat more fruits and veggies (ongoing, October)
25. learn to cook!
26. take ballroom dance lessons
27. study more in coffee shops
28. accessorize more
29. Hike (Lost Dutchman State Park, Montana)
30. Learn to salsa
31. Skydive (with my dad)
32. Try more ethnic foods! (Ethiopian, Indian!)
33. Memorize more scripture
34. Be more positive
35. Drink more water each day
36. Take a pottery class
37. Read Bill Byrson’s books (Memiors of a Thunderbolt Kid, A Short History of Nearly Everything...)
38. Travel to Greece
39. Visit 5 European countries
40. Scrapbook old family pictures
41. Visit my sister wherever she lives (Baltimore, December 2008)
42. Live in Baltimore for a summer (July 08)
43. Go to the East Coast with Nate
44. Go back to Glacier with my parents (August 08)
45. go to more concerts (Ryanhood, Merimec Iron, John Mayer)
46. Find a church in Tucson
47. Teach/Volunteer in a Sunday School class
48. Visit Jana in Mississippi
49. Road Trip with Lauren
50. Go to California with friends from school
51. Eat at a new restaurant every 3 months (October 2007 – India Oven, December – Baltimore places, February 2008 – Baggins, Asian Sandwich deli, Panera - July)
52. Try a new recipe once a month
53. Give friends meaningful presents on their birthdays
54. Call instead of text whenever possible
55. Have a plant in my condo
56. Take my parents canoe out
57. Get a car
58. Journal consistently
59. Have meaningful conversations
60. Go to Sweden with my mom
61. Keep studying Spanish
62. Have another language partner
63. Go without dessert for a month (Sept/Oct 2007)
64. Do crunches everyday for 2 months
65. Find a way to use my favorite quotes (scrapbooking cards, posters)
66. Go 3 months without buying new clothes (started 11/1/07)
67. Write Syengo a letter (March 08)
68. Do a noise fast (Feb. 08)
69. Knit my sister a scarf
70. Try yoga (February 08)
71. start color correcting (April 08)
72. Road trip to Austin, TX!
73. Backpack (August 08)

Ok - now I need 30 more ideas....

A really good gift for your Valentine

I got this e-mail in one of my eighteen e-mail accounts that gives an idea for the best Valentine's Day gift idea ever.

"Choose from
a sewing machine for a Dalit woman,
vaccines for Dalit children,
training for a Dalit Education Center teacher,
tools for a Community Healthcare Worker
and many more options!"

This organization called the Dalit Freedom Network advocates for the Dalits (those lowest in the social caste system) in India. http://www.dalitnetwork.org/go?/dfn/resources/C128/

The gifts range in price from $15 to thousands of dollars...so I'm sure there is something to fit in your price range :)

a little reflection

Lately I have been in a reflective state of mind. I often get like this when I start new things, like nursing school or a new year or a new project. Most recently my mind wandered to this past I spent summer traveling all over the world, specifically Kenya.

Never have I had a life experience so imapct me like this trip did. I saw more than I ever expected to see, some very very beautiful scenery, things, places, but most of all people.

I was reading through my journal from the trip and I stumbled upon my entry about our visit to Vpingo. It was a school/feeding center/church that we got to visit on three occasions. One little girl attached herself to me the first time we were there and I made up my mind that she was the most beautiful little girl i had ever seen. Her dark skin in contrast to her big eyes that stared at me in wonder. Her smile lit up her whole face whenever something pleased her. And the grip she had upon my hand felt like she would never let go. I loved wandering around the field with her, letting her wear my sunglasses, watching her chase balloons, dancing in a huge crowd of people with her and just playing silly handclapping games that seem to be universal. Seeing her happy made me so joyful and having her run back to me was the best feeling And i got to thinking, this is how God looks at me, only times 1000. How awesome is that?

blood pressure and coffee

Now, these things don't usually mix well, except in this blog.

First - I can now take your blood pressure. That's what 6 hours of clinicals will do for ya.

Second - check out this cool website I found in an e-mail I got http://www.963coffee.com/default.aspx Coffee that tastes good and provides a fair wage for the farmers in poverty-striken countries. Also, you can use this coffee to fund raise for groups going on missions trips and such. I know what I'll be getting my dad for Christmas...

i love sisters

Specifically, I love my sister. Yesterday was her birthday and I got to chat with her a bit and it was so good :) She is such an amazing woman of God and I have always looked up to her as a source of inspiration. Anytime we are together we laugh and bond like we've never been apart. I can't wait to live with her next summer...more about that in a post later.

Here are a few of the things she has introduced me to...

http://www.freerice.com/

my love of Audrey Hepburn movies

Finding joy in the little things

good books! like The Street

new projects :)

This blog comes out of the fact that I had a huge latte today, which as it turns out was not an intelligent decision. But it has given me enough energy to write a new blog about my new project!

I have taken up knitting. So far, I have started a really cute brown scarf that I just bought more yarn for. Also, I am knitting squares for a blanket I want to make. So, as you can see I am doing really basic stuff, but I am enjoying it and looking forward to getting better! Any help with links to cool knitting sites would be great :) I also want to put up pictures as soon as I upload my pictures to my computer.

Also, I spent a large chunk of today making more cards. This is something my friend got me into that I really enjoy right now. My sister got me a card kit for Christmas and today was the perfect day to put it to use :) now I can't wait to send out some snail mail!

*Here's a bonus for today: a book/movie review. I have recently read and seen Atonement by Ian McEwan. The book was fantastic. McEwan is amazing at his descriptions of scenes and emotions and the movie is exactly how I pictured the book. The movie takes a really interesting adaptation, which I think is brilliant. Kiera Knightley actually does a wonderful job. Like usual for me, I like the book more than the movie, but both are superb.

Checking it off my list

I made it a goal of mine to start a blog. Keep in mind this is not a New Years Resolution. This is more of a "I've wanted to do this for awhile and thought, what better time to start than at the beginning of 2008?" idea. I'm really looking forward to having an outlet for my ideas and projects and reviews of movies/books/new ideas! Hope you enjoy :)

So...here it goes....

P.S. I would love comments or suggestions about anything on the blog.