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.