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 :)