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