Now once, I speak

Have You Ever Wandered Lonely Through the Woods

2011-08-21T19:38:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago Dawn and I went wandering through Astoria amid the sounds of xylophones and trolleys, with sunshine like the coast is apt to get only in August. Can't it be August here forever??

Can I just say, I love where I live. Not specifically... though my house is pretty cool, and the summer has spoiled me for weather... but I love the ocean and river right here, and cool old towns and boardwalks, and possibilities, and dreams of outrageous proportions, and good local coffee. Mmm.

Dawn found her own personal Lord of the Rings scene to step into, while I got lost along the train tracks for a bit. (Have I ever told you how I feel about trains? That's rhetorical. If you knew anything about anything you'd know I absolutely adore them.)

Then we went and had some great biscuits at Bistro. Yum. We gave our waitress flowers along with her tip. Oh, and if my building doesn't work out in town for my hostel, I already have another in mind.

Told you - dreams of outrageous proportions.

PS I want to move to Astoria next. There's an old, yellow Victorian house for sale. But then again, I "want to buy everything" according to a friend. Well, I just want to invest in these old buildings and put life and joy into them... which of course is served best with garage sale and thrift store finds.

Life and joy. That's all, really.

On a Sunday Afternoon

2011-08-07T22:32:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday, the whole lot of us drove in on the 6 towards Hillsboro to blueberry pick. Can I just say... 4 lbs of blueberries for 5 dollars - best.Probably equivalent to Marilyn's intake.

Pick it.
Put it in the bucket.
Pick it out of the bucket.
Eat it.
Repeat.

Though I'm sure no one appreciated the rather stinky diapers this blueberry-eating frenzy led to, she sure does eat them well... I mean, I had to join in the fun too!

Nems and Erik and the kiddos (excluding Marilyn, of course) all came away with over 4 full buckets of berries.. which may not seem like a lot, but coming from one who picked a full bucket by herself and knows how deep they were... impressive. Actually, I'm pretty sure the chilluns beat me, if it was a race - which everything is with them!

Pretty successful day, I'd say.
And can I just say... I lurve living so close to my sister and her family. Makes my heart happy.

Unicorn - $1.00

2011-08-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Turns out one person's trash really is another's treasure.

Oh, and Unicorns love Ember, too. Sheesh, who doesn't?

"Swallowed Across the Ocean Blue"

2011-08-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

Apparently it's "swam all across" but I've never, and will now ever be able to sing it as such.

In related news, Dawn and I went to see Brandi Carlile this last weekend. Best. We determined that she has this theatricality about her that makes listening and watching and singing along with her all the better. I mean, she's great anyways, but then you add the quirky, and highly vocabularized conversational style of her non-singing self, and it's great. So great.
We also conjectured that there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. Considering it wasn't a house at all, we were outside, and we were all stretched out on blankets with varying degrees of picnics - bad seats aren't really an option. Did I mention it was at the zoo?

Oh, and we ate a picnic of zoo food, no not the kind they feed the animals, but the kind that is good and bad for you and you only ever get it when you decide to disregard all costs for that one day and enjoy the sun and the crunchy fries and the elephants 20 feet away.

We settled into our seats, and watched as everyone else and their mom did as well. "Apparentwy, Dawn was pwanning on being so sewious when we wah smilwing" (my attempt at written Pup Voice). And the sun went down, we stopped sweating (man, the coast really gets into your system, until the slightest bit of sunlight and heat throws your body into haywire), and enjoyed the musical sultriness that is the changeful tones of Brandi Carlile.
Say it's over,say I'm dreaming,
Say I'm better than you left me
Say you're sorry, I can take it
Say you'll wait, say you won't
Say you love me, say you don't
I can make my own mistakes

Let it bend before it breaks

Winter is Coming

2011-07-24T00:18:00.000-07:00

Meet Stark. Written "Starck" on its top. But all the same.

Loosely Based on Luke... and a Little Alice

2011-07-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Require Much of me;
it won't be much
for all that Much of me,
will be enough.

For if not Much in me
not much desired
and if not Much in me
none be required.

I'd rather Much of me
to be entrusted
then be not much of me
with no such Muchness

So require Much from me
'cause it's been bestowed
for where much is given
then my Much is owed.

And with this Muchness
so much more prepared
to meet the much more
if my Much will dare.

Require Much of me;
then require much more
for all that Much in me,
wants much much more.

------
Like I said... very loosely. 12:48b.

A Little Homesick

2011-07-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

For walks through muggy, cicada-symphonied paths.

For feathers collected along the way to stuff into our dream-catchers.

Briedi. They kind of rock.

2011-07-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that, though I don't miss the smog or the traffic, or the general feeling of claustrophobia that I get whenever I'm in or around LA... Oh how I do miss these two - Heidi, formerly known as Myers, VanKooten and her husband Bryce.

Last weekend I flew down for a much too short trip to celebrate what was the marriage of two friends who I've come to describe as the most well-matched people I know. It's like the connection that's between them is actually visible to the eye... like a string or something. Or a chain. Wait... I was trying to think of something stronger than a string, and chain popped into my head, but I didn't mean it like that.

Now, being in the wedding party, I don't happen to have many pictures from this joyous day to share with all of you faithful readers, but many is not a few and a few I do have.

So, so overwhelmingly happy for you kindred! And Bryce (as I recently told Heidi to tell you) "well done, sir. Got the best girl around."

Oh, and Two Things From Work

2011-06-16T19:15:00.001-07:00

1. I used the phrase "Come now, Sir!" in indignation.

There's a first for everything.

------------------------

2. I learned that "shellfish" actually stands for ALL fish encased in a shell. It isn't, for those of you still under the impression, a specific water animal called Shellfish.

Makes sense... cause I kept thinking, it must be a pretty good tasting fish, if there are so many restaurants serving it and yet, it seems, even more people with an allergy. Quite a celebrity, this Shellfish.

Of course, I was informed that this previous sentiment was a direct correlation to my being blonde, to which I offered the explanation that, though brunette, I don't always connect the dots so well.

In other news, today was my Friday. Yeah, for early weekends!

For This Week's: "Googling: with Lynn and Molly"

2011-06-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

After watching Tangled (Disney really hit the ball out of the park with this one) last night, Lynn and Molly and I proceeded to google the art of floating sky lanterns... which we will endeavor to construct and release on the morrow, if all items can be obtained, and Molly doesn't work.
Speaking of, tomorrow also happens to be the start of the Sand Castle Weekend here in Cannon Beach which should prove to be a test: what will win out - my love for all things beach, or my claustrophobia? I've heard upwards of 20,000 tourists descend.I think the beach is going to win. As you can see, it's not necessarily just castles being built. I don't think I can resist. Not if there are sand dragons. Who knows, maybe some one will build a sand raptor... please oh please!

Okay, okay. Back to what I was originally talking about. (You're asking, was she really talking about anything...)
Googling.
With Lynn and Molly. Hence the title.

Learned about two new animals last night.
Chinchilla. Now, I've heard about this guy, but never actually seen him. He's a fat mouse.
And. I. Like. Him.
Annnnnnd the Sugar Glider.If they would've asked me, I would've said "Ninja Glider" instead. Too bad for them.

Tune in next time for "Googling: with Lynn and Molly"... we may just come across some more such gems.

Chicken is as Chicken Does - A Fanciful yet Frivolous Posting

2011-06-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, as some of you may know, I have a difficult time cooking meat.

Okay, okay. Let's just say I don't. Cook meat, that is. Oh, I eat meat. (I knew you were thinking that.) I just worry about cooking it.

Going to Costco the other weekend with my sister was a real motivator in overcoming this difficulty of mine. I. Bought. Chicken.

Problem is, haven't gotten the nerve yet. It almost came tonight. But upon arriving home after a long day at work, with a sniffle and a slight sore throat, I conjectured that the possibility of me actually wanting to eat the chicken after cooking it was less than probable, I opted for soup instead. A nice, simple, easy can of soup. Yum.

It was Vegetarian Vegetable (redundant much?), ironically.

But I promise. I love meat.

One of these days. And you can bet your bonnet there'll be pictures.

As promised...

2011-06-07T20:28:00.001-07:00

They call it the Mansion. I think of it more like a Fairy Tale house. I mean, I live up a spiral staircase, in what is technically an attic-type room. And, despite the 6:30am wake-up calls from the sun (or overcast bright sky, which is more likely here on the Oregon coast) streaming through the window by my bed, it's lovely.
And not to make you think I'm bitter at this window next to my bed, on the contrary. If I lay on my right side and look straight out, it's almost like I'm sleeping outside. That completely makes up for all the early mornings.

I don't know if I've ever told anyone, but as my many architectural endeavors of age 9 through 11 will attest, spiral staircases are only surpassed by trains and bridges. Albeit the stairs are steep, and maybe I've almost fallen up and down them on several occasions, not to mention moving in was a trick with my trusty Korean shipping boxes - but THERE ARE SPIRAL STAIRS. No contest.
Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the balcony. Yes. There's a door at the head of my bed, you can see it in the picture below, that leads to our balcony.
The roof is an easy step up from there. I love sitting on roofs. Just last week I Skyped with Cha up there. Beautiful.
So there you have it. My home.
Ps you can kind of get a peak at Jeeves, my jolly-good butler of a car, down on the road.

Updates of All Updates

2011-05-31T20:32:00.001-07:00

I know it's been awhile, and I'm pretty sure you who even read this I've talked to in the last 3 1/2 months as to keep you fully updated and aware of the goings on of this crazy life of mine.
Buuuuut. For those I haven't. And for those creepers who I don't even know read my blog... and I mean this in the best possible way of course... so many updates.

I'm living in Cannon Beach.Please feel free to "oo" and "ah". It is acceptable at this point.

I work at the Stephanie Inn.
I love my job. I hear stories. I tell stories. I smile. A lot.

After attending Ecola Bible School for the Spring term (it's only 7 weeks, I guess I'll go... feet dragging, shoulders shrugging) I've been accepted into their second year, School of Ministry program. I'm so excited for this next step. Especially as I've been feeling called to minister to young women and girls (yikes! what? new and scary direction... albeit one that feels so right) and this is the next natural step in becoming more equipped to step into what God will call me to after.

I would love prayer during all of this, of course, and if there are some of you that I haven't gotten to talk about all of this with, and you feel like I should've... tell me.

There are a few other updates, but I'll keep those for another time. Til then, let's just say God's timing and plan is completely His own, and I love that it is. Because if I were in control, I would've royally screwed up everything a long time ago.

Oh, and for next time... teaser. Remind me to post pictures of the spiral staircase that leads up to my attic/treehouse of a room. It's neat! Just like all of you!

For Amadeu.

2011-02-17T12:40:00.001-08:00

So, let's see.

It's been how long since my last post? Let's not even look (or scroll down). I'm sorry to say it's been waaaaaay too long. Apologies.

Hope this makes up for it. Wrote it awhile ago, but just re-read it and it seems so important to now.

I often wonder why one meets certain people. Why, why is there that connection? You talk and talk, about nothing really, and after a brief friendship of two weeks, part ways. It's not like you want anything more out of the relationship, but you start to wonder if that's really all there is. We meet for brief moments and then it's gone.

And what is brief? Of all the people you know, which ones do you really know? I mean, like really understand what they want out of life, and where they are headed, and what they believe and hope for from their relationships, and whether they feel like they've succeeded more than they've failed in life. Do you even know that about yourself?

What do I want out of life? Hmm. Good question. I don't know if anyone else really understands that part of me. I don't know if I understand it. But, the thing is, maybe it's because I've never articulated it. We never do, do we? To ourselves, even.

I want life to be exciting but not exhausting. I want to feel needed but not weighed down. I want to see my children grow up, but I don't want to grow old and forget them growing up. I want to know more today than I did yesterday, but want to know less about what I already know and more about what I don't. I want to understand what it means to love someone even when I can't stand to be near them for one second longer. I want to laugh so hard I cry, a lot. Can I have all of these?

Where I'm headed, I don't really know. That one is hard, because I've been heading in the same direction all my life, but by very different means. Sometimes I'm sprinting towards an ending and sometimes there is no ending. Sometimes I'm lingering in the small times, and at those times they don't seem so small. Sometimes I've completely been enraptured by the scenery of the moment and don't want to take one more step. Sometimes I've taken the wrong turn, gone back, and found the right one. So, hopefully, I'm heading towards a wider scope, a greater imagination, a lover's heart, a more open opinion of the world around me, a grander view of humanity's purpose and a more faithful portrayal of my beliefs.

I believe that the relationships in my life are shaping me. They are molding me, not into copies of them, but into who I was always supposed to be. Like, I've been surrounded by people that have helped me become more me. And without them, I would be less me. God-appointed, destiny-ridden, karma-affected relationships. The last one, because I hope that I am shaping those around me. I am molding them into who they are supposed to be. Without me, they wouldn't be them. Well, they would, but not as much as if I weren't there.

To succeed in life, or to fail, stems from the discussion of comparison. And I've learned that I don't like comparison. If I succeeded at school, was it because I got good grades, or was it because I came out with a lot of friends. If I succeeded with my family, is it because I still love being with them, or because I've learned to be who I know they love me to be. If I succeeded with friends, is it because I make them who they want to be, or I demand that they approve of me. And what of failure. Because certainly that's harder to ignore than all those good times that we never remember to be grateful for. If I failed at relationships, is it because I wanted too much, or they expected too much from me. If I failed at integrity, is it because I demanded justice and forgot grace, or abused grace and wavered justice. If I failed at communication, is it because I wanted to say so many things and never got the courage, or was it I knew that, in the end, saying something wouldn't change anything.

Now, saying all of this, how do I expect to really say I know you. Or him. Or them. I can't. I can hardly say it about myself, in fact, I can't. Because of everything that I've stated, I've kept it brief, and general. I can't really begin to explore the deep recesses of these questions without coming across things in myself that surprise, frighten, excite, and enrage me. And all those emotions, if found in others on a similar quest, would lead to quite a different encounter and conclusion than understanding and friendship. Or maybe not. Maybe these are the things that should and must be explored. In ourselves, and in others. Because otherwise we are just hard, thick shells encasing unknown regions of fluid passions. Whether you change or they change, it doesn't matter, because for that brief moment, you were known. And if you keep saying it out loud these brief moments will maybe connect one day and your life has suddenly become a shared experience that is necessary, albeit an overlooked necessity, for the soul.

The soul. Yes, it is one person's. It can't belong to more than one. Yet, the soul, as a substance, thing, creature, being - whatever you want to call it - is relational. Whether it means being known by you, yourself, which can and will take a lifetime but should be the most sought-after discovery of any human life, or whether it's reaching outside of just that, and letting your soul, the very core of this moving, breathing, existence be exposed to the searching eyes of others who have long since been working on their own soul discovery enough to think to look outwards as well. And in that moment, where you both have understood the importance of such a short, seemingly small, encounter, you are both known.

And the brief moment no longer seems brief.

Thoughts from Greece... after the fact, now, I guess

2010-11-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

I love sunsets over the ocean.

For several reasons.

Here's one.

Have you ever noticed that when you watch the sunset the golden rays that run along the water's top always come directly to you? It's like that sunset is just for you.

It's pointing to you as if to say, "I wanted you, and just you, to see me right now, in all my orange and red and yellow beauty, and so I'm extending my arm along the edge of the rippling waves to you sitting there on the shore. Please take my hand."

And I say "yes, why of course, I would love to" and sit there in happiness for the hour or so of our dear friendship.

And what's more, if I were to get up and go for a walk, that sunset would go with me. Like it really was holding my hand.

Here's another. Along the same lines. Kind of.

You know that part in The Little Mermaid where Ariel is walking out of the water towards Eric on the shore? Well, in that moment her father sends golden shimmery dust along the top of the water towards her, so that it becomes a part of her dress.

Watching the sunset, and how it looks like its sparkling right towards me, I close my eyes and think that it's changing my clothes from jeans and a sweatshirt to a shimmery dress too. It's lovely.

Montenegro... Probably the Most Beautiful

2010-11-11T01:35:00.000-08:00

We got in Wednesday afternoon. Supposed to leave on Friday. Then Saturday. Then Monday.

We left Tuesday.

This is why.
Oh, and this.
I like it here. It was really hard to leave.I'll be back.

20 Days Out

2010-11-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly amazed at how you can find normal life anywhere. Or, to put it another way, you gravitate to that which makes you feel normal, even when life is different.

For example.

Dubrovnik.

Maybe it's being by the ocean again. Being able to walk down to the sea when I need space, or time, or time and space. Standing there against the rocks that spill down into the crashing waves. Getting sprayed with every 7th wave, or something like that. Feeling the need to back my way off the cliff because I was told to never turn your back on the ocean as a kid. And I listened. The sound.

Maybe it's the streets of Old Town. They're old, go figure. They feel it. Especially at night when there isn't anyone around to make you feel like the place doesn't really belong all to you. Because, at moments like this...

...it does.

Maybe it's the fact that there really isn't a whole lot to do. I can sit and read my book for hours. Or I can walk up and down every small, neatly stacked, stair-street, and feel like I've done a lot without having actually done much. Or I can sit out in "the yard" with coffee and good, albeit sometimes ridiculous, conversation. Or I can just enjoy the company of the wonderful people around me.

Maybe it's being in a place where familiarity has continued to come out of the thick cracks. Through random connections, try ten or so, informing me or my family or friends, that, "Dubrovnik? I've been there. It is so great." Through, after my first half hour walk around the city, I inform Carry that "here is a place I feel like myself... kind of like trains," though of course with not as much intensity (nothing but bridges rivals trains in that), but the feeling is still there. Through finding my favorite place to be, and staying there for two hours with music in my ears I haven't heard since a very different time in my life, and at a very different place - oh, Matt Wertz - and feeling okay about it all.

Even though leaving tomorrow seems a million miles away at this point (besides the fact that my packed bag is sitting right next to me), it'll come sooner than I think, and will make the two long weeks I've been here (two weeks feel like a month when it's usually two days to a place) seem like nothing.

But no. Not nothing.

The 3 times I've felt like Myself on this Trip (so far)

2010-10-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

3. Conversations with Two New Friends: There's a bare wooden Dance Floor. Waiting. Music playing. Waiting. For me? Yes. He's small enough so I don't feel intimidated, but big enough for me to get lost in the erratic movements that I call dancing across his broad shoulders. Dancing. Mmm. I love the freedom that comes with rhythm and sound and my body creating its own unique conversation with it. I also love dancing around fires. Which I proceeded to do after I felt that my friendship with Dance Floor was solidified by a long and detailed introductory conversation. Next talk, with Fire. What a warm presence he has. On my face at some points, on my back at others. Always intruding, in a pleasant way of course, on my continuous movements round and round, through the silky smooth mounds of sand under my feet and between each toe.

New Realization, though somehow FAMILIAR: I love to dance. ALOT.

2. For five mornings in a row I woke up, to the early warmth of that sweet little island off the coast of Cambodia. I didn't put shoes on and I walked out the door of the bungalow that faced the quiet surf of the crystal blue water. Walking along the path, feeling every crack in the sidewalk and at one point the shell of a snail (sorry, little buddy, didn't see you). Sitting at a table by myself, though there was room enough for 4. I was up earlier, selfishly inhaling all the good, clean, bright, cheery air of the day. Reading quiet words of wisdom, letting the familiar thoughts flow over me and work their way into the tendrils of my twisting and changing spirituality. Eating breakfast, of delicious tomatoes and eggs, accompanied by a small loaf of bread, with a cup of sweet Vietnamese coffee to wash it down. Welcoming in the day. With a sigh and a smile.

New Realization, and it's very REFRESHING : I love waking up early.

1. Since that fateful night in Nha Trang, when, among other things, my iPod was lost to the swirling mist of that grayish beach city, I've been without the gentle ebb and flow of the sound tracks of my life. I love music. But more than I love music, I love bridges. And more than I love bridges, though only slightly, I love trains. So, here I am, sitting on a train watching the picture show of the German countryside slide across the windowpanes of my enraptured eyes, listening to the beats of my newmagictouchsoundtrack-Pod, and feeling most like Myself. More than I have on this entire trip. To this point. But I'm not sure how much better it can get than this. I'm on a train. Crossing and watching bridges span green pasture to green pasture. Listening to beautiful people put beautiful feelings and thoughts to beautiful beats and rhythms. Oh God, I just passed over a cemetery. I love cemeteries. To make it even better, it's fall. Things aren't dying, oh no. They are reaching the glorious season of maturity. They show it in the way they no longer care what traditional color they must wear or not wear to fit in with everyone else. They don any radiance they choose, and live happily in the knowledge that they have loved life. I hope I live my life like these fall trees. Rooted (don't even get me started on roots). Growing. Changing. Renewing. Colorful. Radiant. Myself.

New Realization, THAT'S A LIE... it's not new at all: I love trains, and bridges, and music, and cemeteries, and fall, and roots, and trees. Now you may ask, "Mindy, why don't you just say you love everything?" and I would tell you that "these are very specific things I love, for very specific reasons, hmmm, maybe I'll do a blog series about them... but I don't love everything."

Oh wait, and tomato soup, but, alas, there was none to be had on the train. Next time.

So, Where Are You From?

2010-09-12T03:14:00.000-07:00

That question is one of the first asked when you meet people traveling.

I was realizing, during one of these conversations today, that if, in any way, shape or form, I had a connection to that area I would always ask more specific questions. Like "are you from the city of London, or somewhere nearby?" Or "what part of California?" Or even, "do you know Bundang?"

I wondered to myself, if I was making these connections for my sake or theirs.

Then I thought, when someone KNOWS where Whidbey Island is, or has taught English in Korea, or lives in Brea with their family, I get excited. There's a sense of, "Hey, you know what I'm talking about" that is very comforting when you're a gazillion miles from home, exhausted from dodging motorbikes and crawling through war tunnels all day.

Because no matter how incredibly big the world seems, especially when you're out in it, it's always nice to know that other people love talking about home as much as you do.

Korea... What You Mean to Me

2010-09-05T21:42:00.001-07:00

Three more days.

The Blessing of Wilderness

So much to say. But this is what I've got.

Saying Goodbye

2010-08-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

There are those faces I will miss.
Of course, there are those I won't.

But Mini, Alice, and Jessica. I will.
Mini is really smart, always coming up with new ways of saying the same old things, which is impressive considering how redundant most of the class can be.
Alice and I laugh together. A lot. I had her for a reading class as well, and she and I would share books, and make jokes. Sometimes mine would go over her head, and sometimes hers would go over mine. I don't know much Korean. Yes sir, Chee-sol, ma-di-ga-sol. Still not sure what that means.
Jessica is so determined. And beautiful. They all are.

Jeff. Won-young. Jeff. Well, Jeff and I have had some problems. Andy was always great. And Alex, he had a slight lisp. It was awesome.

One year complete. It's hard to believe, but great to look back on. It was a great story.

Gap

2010-08-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

So, first off, sorry.

I realize I have never written anything pertaining to my future plans after I wrote about decision-making.

And yes, I have made a decision.

I'm packing up my whole life and love and leaving Korea. Please don't ask me why. I know why. But it doesn't make any sense to me right now because I "couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave".

Looking at what is ahead, I can tell you that I'm excited for the plans that have been made.

First stop: VietnamNow I normally don't like using pictures that I haven't taken, but I couldn't resist. This is Phu Quoc Island, off the coast of Cambodia, but still a part of Vietnam. This is our last stop on our month trek around the southern coast of the country. I'm traveling with Shmeepants and Carry.

Next, onto Bangkok. For the weekend. I've noticed that I have several of these "weekend" trips, as our trip was orchestrated around cheap air tickets, Bangkok to Berlin being one of them. But why not spend more than an hour there?

From there, like I said, it's onto Berlin. Carry has some friends that we'll meet up with, and I'm excited to see Germany, as I missed it on my last time traveling. Train down to Munich, and stay there for a couple days before, tentatively, heading to Switzerland to see an old friend.

Now the whole trip started as a haphazard plan to get to Croatia and Montenegro because Carry's mom owns a kayaking business in the former, and a house in the latter. What?!? I know, right. Call me silly, but I've always wanted to go to Montenegro because, every time I studied WWI, that's the country that I liked the name of most. See, one of those silly, rather whimsical reasons of mine. Kind of like my love of Latvia over Estonia or Lithuania.

Anyways, we'll spend the next three or four weeks hanging out around there. Making trips to northern Croatia, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo. Unless we do that on the way out. Which takes us to Thessaloniki. The trip gets kind of fuzzy at this point because we don't necessarily have to plan all of it right now since we will have plenty of time in Croatia to do this planning.

So, either fly from Thessaloniki to London, or take a train from there over to Istanbul for a few days (depending on time) and then fly to London. Either way I have to be in London by the 19th.

That way, I'll have "a weekend" in London, a city that I love, before my flight home to Seattle on the 22nd of November.

Whew. Deep breath.

Just in time for Thanksgiving. Huge smile.

A Taste of This Life

2010-07-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

My heart. Rooted so deeply in this life.

Howard Shore plays on repeat as I recall this day.

A hike through the woods.
Going slow, of course. I was still concussed.
Happened upon this open space.
Kind of what Korea was. An open space.
We all became ourselves.
Whit kicked a ball around, took a nap on the bench, then talked to Tay.
Tay played with Cha's hair then listened to Whit.
Kel soaked in everyone's presence, then went for a walk.
Cha planted herself firmly on the ground. And read.
Katie and I took over the bench. Took naps, then talked about God.
We all breathed deeply.
It was a good day.
Korea has been a great day.

"It's Up to Joe"

2010-07-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know, I've been struggling with a pretty big decision. I've been living in Korea for over 10 months now, which is probably the longest I've lived in one location in a long time. It feels good to have that consistency. I've lived here. I've grown here.

But now I'm coming to that part of the story where I must choose something. I must choose to stay, or choose to go. This decision is hard. I have people I love and care about in either choice. I've been struggling for the last two months with this knowledge. And of course I know that my decision cannot be made solely on people. I can't stay in Korea for people. And I can't go back for people. That can be a huge factor, but not the sole factor - people can also make the choice to stay or leave.

So I came to God one night. Asked Him for an answer. "God, just reveal your will. Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go. Just tell me." And then I waited. And kept waiting. And wondered why He wasn't answering. I would feel absolute certainty for one direction for about 5 minutes, and then everything would change and I'd be completely sure in the other direction. It was painful. And no fun at all.

I'm usually indecisive and generally stay as far away from decisions as I can get. But big things like this - once I make a decision, that's pretty much it. Done deal. Except for now. And all of a sudden I wasn't making a decision about what I was doing in 2 months, rather, I was hinging my whole life's course on the step I took now. Or in other words, I started exaggerating everything in my mind. What was I supposed to do with my life? Where did God want me to do it?

Amidst all of the confusion, anxiety and frustration that this brought, He answered. Clear and simple. But unlike I had expected, as God usually answers.

"My purpose for your life, Mindy, is not a direction. It's you. You following me. Do you think that I am only found at the end of one pathway? That if you walk down a road right now you won't find me there? No. You are seeking me with all your heart. So you will find me, wherever that is. Whichever way you choose to go, I'm going to bless you. Stop being afraid you're going to make the wrong choice. It doesn't exist. You wanted me to tell you what to do? I am - choose."

There's so much freedom in that. To know that my God trusts me.

As for the title of this blog - random movie quote, because I couldn't write a completely serious post.

Hannah Face is 6!!

2010-06-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe it.

But as I told Nemmy.... I thought she was turning 7, so this is a lot better.

Love this girl like whoa.

Day 307

2010-06-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Let's just say that today was awesome.

Whit had a soccer game on Yongsan Army Base and I, as a good roommate, naturally went to support and encourage. Little did I realize what this meant.

Yes, I knew it was an army base. An American army base. And I've been to this exact base two times before, all standard and smooth trips. Now, before you get worried, no, I did not get arrested, wreak havoc, or lose my citizenship. Oh no.

We were about two minutes' walk away from Gate 10, where my friend Logan could sign us on, when I realized something very important. It was an American base. With all it's American goodness.

TACO BELL.

I pause for dramatic effect.

Yes. I did, in fact, have a Grilled Stuft Chicken Burrito today with hot sauce (sidenote: I will never admit to how 20 of those little packets ended up in my purse and back to my apartment with me), nachos with nacho cheese, and a Dr. Pepper. What can I say, it's not every day I have access to such as this. What a great day.

Now for my daily run at 7 tomorrow. Perfect.

Heidi Myers, this story was for you.

A Little Story

2010-06-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

There once was a girl who wanted so many things in life.

She wanted to run and never stop running.
Through fields and fields of tall grass.
Definitely through a cornfield.
Maybe even a desert.
Just for the challenge.

She wanted to dance all the time.
While walking through crowded streets.
By herself, in a forest with no one around.
Underwater, gasping for air as the song ended.

She wanted to stretch and stretch.
Til her bones were so limber and free she could touch the sky.
Til her feet reached through the ground and stood on the roots of the trees.

She wanted to sing so loud the echo came back to her from around the world.
Sing from a mountain, very quiet so it'd get lost in the fog.
Sing from a bench sitting in the park in the rain.
And yes, sing underwater so that her words became jumbled.

She wanted to tell a joke so funny people cried.
And then peed.
And then cried again.

She wanted to climb a tree so high she couldn't see the bottom from the top.
So high the wind knocked her about and she was terrified.
So big she could stretch her body out on a branch and read a book. And then take a nap.

She wanted to pack a lunch made of tuna fish sandwiches that got soggy by the time she sat down to eat them.

She wanted to see everything.
She wanted to close her eyes.

Once is now. The girl is me.

The Incident

2010-05-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

As you may notice, some of my stories are old. Deal.

The following tale is one of compiled stories (well, one account) and tidbits of my own memory. Take it for as much truth as you wish.

FOR THE RECORD - OFFICIAL INCIDENT REPORT

Heading to work one bright sunny day, Kelsey and Mindy, aboard the faithful and true 90cc Veteran, were happily basking in the beams of Thursday morning Bible study and dear friends. Little did they know that a mere 10 minutes away from their destination something ominous was waiting.

Cue: men with fire hoses spraying down 3 lanes of traffic.

To avoid being lacerated by the streams of cold water shooting into their lane, Mindy, after concluding that it was safe to do so, merged into the far left lane of the road.

Enter: Seoul City Bus with a straight, shiny bumper.

Being as Korean roads are, with no drainage, and the amount of water being spewed forming a small lagoon in the aforesaid left lane, the ill-fated Veteran and his passengers were in quite the predicament.

Apply brakes: reduced speed at impact from 40 kph to 30 kph.

Being in an unconscious state, Mindy was of no help for the 2 minutes that followed. Some might say, her presence of mind was lost from that entire day, and may very well never be recovered. Kelsey, on the other hand, who was of sound and wise mind, though banged up in body, called their boss. After ascertaining that Mindy was neither dead, paralyzed, or broken, the police and ambulance arrived soon after to escort our two girls to the hospital.

Results of Incident: Severe concussion and bruising for our driver, yours truly, and deep-cut stitches and heavy bruising for the Lovepot, Kelsey.

Recovery is almost, if not all completed, but the repercussions of the not-so-straight bumper and the demolished Veteran are still working themselves out. The fire-hosing hooligans walked away unscathed and unknown.

Moral: Never play chicken with a Seoul City Bus. YOU WILL LOSE.

RIP Veteran
Oct 2009 - April 2010

For All Those Who Don't Know...

2010-05-25T01:59:00.000-07:00

... Taylar is no longer a Manning! She is an Evje. Pronunciation is hard. Don't worry about it.

I recently journeyed all the way across the Pacific back to the vast and unpredictable land of opportunity to celebrate with my friends Taylar and Tim at their wedding.

Wait, wait. Did you catch that?

I WASN'T IN KOREA.

What?!?

I know, my reaction too.

Yes, after 8 months of being on a little penninsula-more-like-an-island-because-of-our-northern-neighbors, except for Christmas in Thailand and Cambodia, I left the land that I lov... well the land that I have strong and mixed feelings about for the smoggy, wonderful, vibrant, intoxicating, sunny place that is southern California - which I also have strong and mixed feelings about. I realize this was a long sentence. You made it through, well done you.

The kindred, Heidi, met me at LAX, where I was worried because no one was looking at me and I could understand almost all the conversations around me, and we drove straight to Chipotle. Oh, how I've missed you. Of course from there it was only a short walk to Target, my other love, for a little sight-seeing. Yes, walking through Target is theraupeutic, what with it's simple signs and well-organized abundance. It was a great time. But alas, too little time with the kindred. That's for sure.

Only a few short days in LA. But I also got to see my parents and my seester, Bethany. Which was great. They're great. Seester got me caught up on the word of choice, nugget. It used to be tiny. I took the fam to Venice Beach to see the sailboat I lived in, and the beach that I walked to nearly everyday this last summer.

Wednesday of my week home my parents drove me out to Palm Springs where I met up with Taylar and some of the other girls for spa day. It's a rough life, but someones got to do it, right?

It's hard to really explain how much fun the wedding was. The whole 3 days of being a part of something so special. I loved getting to be a part of it all. I loved being great friends with both Tim and Tay, so that the day was like a double celebration. I loved dancing to songs I didn't know the words to because the only music I'm caught up on is the K-Pop that my students show me on their phones during class. I loved laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants. I loved watching Tay, who looked stunning, and her dad walk down the aisle and being so excited and nervous my knees were shaking. I loved crying at John's speech and laughing at Sam's. I loved getting slapped in the face 3 times during the Ninja game at 4 in the morning when I was supposed to be driving to LA. I loved getting lost in Palm Desert with Sam-u-lous and hitting up the nearest gas station for Bubbalicious and other stuff for the Wang. I loved the drive back to LA with Canis, talking and laughing waking up to her punching me because I fell asleep for 2 seconds.

I loved so much about my time home. And I loved coming back to sweet friends here in Korea.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Evje! Love you both like whoa.
Consider yourself updated.

Sweet Darling of Spring

2010-04-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Text message conversation:

Whit: Uh mins... might be cming hm with a new friend of sorts.. its life or death, i choose life!

Me: I hv no clue what ths means but i like it

Whit: Haha a sweet darling of the spring needs a mama. or should i say mamas

Me: Well we got plenty of those!

Whit: mongs

Me: mongs longs for wongs

Translation:

Springishness

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spring has been slow in coming. I argue that it's not all the way here yet.

But whether or not the weather has come

the weather has weathered me some

And weathering me in the whether or not

new pictures in this weather I've got

With springtime in the air, I can look forward to many more picnics and reading aloud time in the park.

Spring semester is well into it's midterm and Kelly comes in twenty minutes early to talk. She's teaching me Korean. I have a video of her that I've been trying to upload, but apparently blogger doesn't like it for some reason. I'll keep you updated on further developments.

New Book Club commences with the spring. As of now, we have a book, a tentative date to meet Grandpa in the park with coffee, and enjoy an afternoon of reading Alice.

I love Spring. Now if it would only really come. No more of this Springishness.

God is a God of Pictures

2010-04-01T05:46:00.001-07:00

During my morning runs this past week I've been listening to a lecture by Ray VanderLaan, the founder of That the World May Know Ministries, and it has been an incredible time of growth and worship.

Since my Jesus' Life and Ministry class with Dr. Lunde my last semester of college at Biola, I have wanted to better understand Jesus' Jewishness, and the Jewish heritage of my faith. Jesus was a Jew - lived, ate, spoke, prayed, and worshipped like a Jew. What does that mean for how I should understand his teachings and read God's Word? It should have EVERYTHING to do with how I read and understand God's Word.

In Ray's message he focuses on the truth that God is a God of pictures - He doesn't tell us; He shows us. The most beautiful picture of all being that of a blameless man condemned to die for the evilness of all men - paying the penalty for a blood covenant that both parties knew was broken the second it was made.

I love my Bible time. But to realize that there is a whole Bible that I haven't even read yet... one of depth and texture and detail... one that comes rooted in Jewish culture and landscape... one that is a single whole brilliant picture that radiates with passion and love and truth... how do I read that one??

-----

On another note - I wanted to give one such picture to my Bible Study this morning, and so I brought a jar of honey to place a droplet on their Bibles for them to taste (as Ray related was done in Jewish classes and schools). Well, so happens it opened in my bag and, being the sticky thing it was, clung to everything that was within. Which, because God has a sense of humor, also included my Bible.

I wanted to learn in pictures: I now have a Bible that I can taste each page - and it is sweet.

God is Awesome.

Fav Babes

2010-03-23T17:11:00.001-07:00

With Spring comes a new set of kiddos, but here's to the Fav Babes

to teach

to laugh with

to tilt my head sideways and wonder what in the world they are saying

to make random allusions to K-pop songs and have class sing-alongs

to say one word in Korean and have them think I'm fluent

to play with their hair when they stand next to my desk

to get giant bear hugs from

to hear their laughter when they call me "mandu teacher"

to make jokes way over their heads and make myself laugh so hard that they start laughing too

to hear "he'p me teacher, he'p me" during Review Tests

to get to know them in all their personalities and challenges

to listen when they want to speak, whether in Korean or English

to have them stick their toes under my bathroom stall and then run away

to challenge their minds with creativity and new words and bigger ideas

to love that I get to love them

to love

William

2010-03-04T05:09:00.000-08:00

And then he was.

William, when he's sitting, stately, in conversation with Red Chair. Just so classy together, those two. They know how to appreciate each other's taste in the higher things.

Billy, when we're kicking back and having a good chat. He knows some good stories and he'll listen eagerly to my scattered, yet well-meant ones.

And yes, as in Billy Joel.

A Second Childhood... but Different??

2010-03-04T04:53:00.000-08:00

So I haven't necessarily gone back to those days of tent-pitching in the backyard, or rollerblading lemonade stands, or even the gymnastics performances in the front yard, but I have discovered a new sort of childhood bliss in having a roommate.

My friend Whit and I have now spent just over a week in our new place and there have been those moments of incredulity at what living with someone does to you. Such joy and joy-ness.

Case One: I came home tonight with the apartment, yet again, rearranged. And love it. Whit's on a week break from work and has proceeded to tinker. She is an excellent tinkering. With Red Chair and William in conversation, guitars facing off across the room, and precariously balanced paintings - consider yourself tinkered Obelisk 1717.

Case Two: Two nights ago we decided to have a slumber party. Isn't that every night, you might ask? Well yes, yes it is. But this was better. For, you see, we stayed up til 3 am watching DQMD (for those of you not down with DQ, your loss - actually, really interested to know your guesses), and slept on her bed of yos (mats that Koreans lay on the floor to sleep on) as she has not yet found a bed. It was reminiscent of Futon Days of Yore (you'll get that Sisters).

Case Three: The morning after. Woke up at 10, of course. Had to. Imagine if you will - Whitney making whole-wheat pancakes in the kitchen, because she makes me eat healthy (and I secretly love it), and me reading aloud from none other than Jane Eyre. Does life get better? Why yes, yes it does. Sarah Jane comes over (or up, depending on how you look at it- she lives on the 14th floor) and we proceed to devour pancakes and sip Tim Hor(not Mor)ton's Coffee - the taste of Canada, listening to Oh Happy Day from Sister Act. What a morning.

I'm sure there will be much more ridiculous awesomeness (because that's what I know you all are describing the aforementioned Cases as) to add to this presentation, but, alas, I have another blog to write about William, and so must leave them for other times.

We're All in the Mood for a Melody

2010-02-16T01:57:00.000-08:00

Rosy: My red guitar.
Red Chair: My red chair. Obvi.

Now, what does one name a piano (though not red, sadly) that one gets in Korea?

Here's the thing.
So, the thing is.

I'm getting a piano. And I can barely contain my excitment. There is a little sadness over the fact that I don't have any of my music from home, as, let's face it, I didn't really expect to be in possession of a piano in Korea. But one has fallen in my lap (not literally, ouch), and by fallen I mean I am buying it for 250 and don't feel bad about it because I make money and more importantly - I'LL HAVE A PIANO.

Having a piano doesn't just mean - "oh, I'll have something to play." No no.

Having a piano means - "Ugh I can't take the stress of teaching today!!!" or "My kids were beautiful, this subway ride is beautiful, life is beautiful!" or maybe even a "It's been raining for ten straight hours" as I've heard it does in June. I always feel like playing the piano when it's raining. Sometimes its "I need to think through this puzzling thought" and I'm sure I'll have several of "what am I going to do with my life after Korea?"

Whatever your name yet shall be: my piano.
Can't wait.

A Gem Found Yesterday Morning....

2010-02-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

...while sitting in Red Chair by the window and drinking my coffee. Best ever.

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!

You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep.

For you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:3-8

5 Months and Counting...

2010-02-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

It's been a roller-coaster, for sure.

And now I need advice. I've realized, after teaching English as a second language for the last 5 months, that I don't like teaching English as a second language. At least under the specific conditions as I have been, i.e. to younger children and with a pretty set teaching structure. Question is: where do I go from here?

I know I've still got quite a while to consider another country, a new place, and new life, or remaining where I am, but time seems to go by quicker than that and I have absolutely no clue what life will look like 7 months from now.

Cambodia? Working with a missions organization there? An adoption agency? Teaching - if God desires that of me again?

America? Grad school - my Masters in Teaching, hoping that teaching English as a literature will be way better than as language (a 'hoping' that costs a lot of money and two years)? Some other form of school?

Korea? Could I do another year here? Maybe with an international school, teaching drama, or English lit? Is that even possible without a TESOL certificate? Do I get my TESOL?

Overseas? Grad school - some unknown major that would be beneficial to a future career and well worth the money? Teaching again? Torchbearer's Bible School?

Any opinions, suggestions, ideas?

Thailand and Cambodia

2010-01-11T21:34:00.001-08:00

Sorry it's so long. Shut up, Kel.

December 25-26

So we were supposed to arrive in Bangkok at 2 pm. By we, I mean Katie, Tay and I. Well, we did. But I have to say that this is the only part of our Christmas Day trek that turned out the way it was supposed it. We then took a bus to the Eastern Bus Terminal that took 45 minutues. Wrong. Supposed to. Ours took us 2 hours. No worries, we'll just catch our bus to Rayong to meet up with some friends for the night. Bus leaves at 6. Perfect, it's 6:05.

Since Rayong wasn't really an option any more we decided to head down to Trat for the night before catching the ferry to Koh Chang where Kelly and Charissa were waiting for us. 5 hour bus ride later. Arrive at the creepiest bus terminal in all of Thailand. I'm not making this up... the stranger we made friends with told us so. But he also told us of Jane's Place where we could spend the night. So, after being dropped at JAME PLACE (close enough right?), we decide that we should just sleep our troubles away. No door. Pretty sleepless night.

We awake to realize that the world actually doesn't have a personal vendetta against us. We had a door all along. It was just hiding. With a cockroach in the toilet and a dollar fruit smoothie to send us on our way we headed to Koh Chang. And we were there... minus the 2 hour wait about 10 minutes from our resort, as we had to wait at the second ferry landing for more taxi passengers. Then we were there. Finally.

-----
December 26-31

2 scooter rides around the island.

5 dinners on the beach.

7 fire dancers in love with Jana.
2 nights dancing at an empty club.

5 new friends. The best.

1 whole day snorkeling, 4 different islands, 2 South African friends, 0 anenome attacks.

2 hours on the back of Milo the 9 year old elephant.

3 times I was afraid Milo was going to drown me during our swim.

4 roti desserts. So good.

50 helpings of pineapple for breakfast with Dr. David.

-----

December 31-1

Cambodia

I will never be the same
So broken, yet so hopeful

I'll be back

To love in any capacity

I can't wait

I spent the first part of New Years Eve dancing around a table with the Cambodian people, falling in love with the sweetest 2 year old who ran into my arms, eating vegetables, and realizing that I never want to leave.

The second part of New Years was a little crazier. Meeting Katie, Tay, Chris and Jordan at Pub Street, which was so full you could hardly walk through it. More dancing, more eating. Lots of laughing. We came back about ten minutes before midnight but I wanted to go back out because Katie, Chris and Tay had stayed out. Maurie, Simone, and some other people were heading to cara-kay (which after some discussion I realized to be karaoke), so Jordan and I had them drop us off at Pub Street again. Proceed to shout Happy New Years with everyone, and not find our friends. Oh well, Jordan goes home and I hop on the back of a taxi-scooter. Side-saddle of course because that's how ladies ride.

I arrive back at Ta Som Guesthouse only to just meet Katie, Tay and Chris coming to meet us. Perfect. Back to Pub Street for some 3 hours of dancing. So fun! (which also happens to be the name of one of our guesthouse friends - Sofun).

Hop in a Tuk tuk on the way home. Easy enough right? Apparently I shouldn't trust people as much as I do. Whoops. Scared my mom with this story. Let's just say I made it home after some persuasion. "I'm a very strong-willed girl."

-------

January 1

After 1 hour of sleep, and a very cold tuk tuk ride to Angkor Wat, we are there finally watching the sun come up over the temple. The best start to a new year if you ask me. Hard to beat the entire day actually. 13 hours later, after exploring ruins, swinging on vines, getting lost on the TOP of a temple, talking with the Cambodian children, lots of pineapple, and singing the Indiana Jones theme song who knows how many times - on the top of the hill watching the sunset over miles and miles of Cambodian beauty.

--------

January 2-3

Head back to Bangkok. Exploring, finding Chinatown, sitting in the street, eating amazing food, having great conversations.

Stay up all night in the airport - "this is the worst idea ever." Too cold to sleep inside. Sleep on the pavement outisde. Hop on the plane back to snowing Korea.

So much change in 10 days.

God IS Love

2009-12-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

I'm reading this book called "Incomparable: Exploring the Character of God." There have been so many things that God has revealed to me about Himself, me, and my relationship with Him over the last 4 months in Korea. But the most prevalent thing He has been pressing on me is the truth of His overwhelming love. How I can feel Him loving me through others. How I'm able to love others better because He loves me.

The chapter "God is Love" was just so good that I wanted to put a big chunk of it up here. Here goes.

"... Come to a cowshed in the Middle East in 4 BC. Love is not a fuzzy feeling, but a self-giving commitment that results in action... It involved sending the Son, from his position in heavenly glory and sinless perfection, to earth, to become flesh. ... It involved the Son laying aside his majesty and becoming an infant who fell over and vomited and soiled his nappy and grazed his knees. It involved walking a mile in our shoes, facing temptation of all kinds, misunderstanding, bereavement and rejection. 'In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.'

Now come with me about ten miles north of there, to a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem, 33 years later. Much has changed. The infant, the most powerful symbol of the love of God that could ever have been given, has grown up into a man, but a man no longer physically recognisable because of the welts on his face and the ripped flesh across his chest and back. The sky above him no longer has bright stars in the night, but dark clouds in the day. The two people next to him are not loving parents, but common criminals; the crowds have changed from saying 'Hosanna in the highest' to 'His blood be upon us and our children'. His earthly father has died. His closest friends have abandoned, denied or betrayed him. His enemies have mocked and humiliated him. The government has stripped, tortured and crucified him. And the wrath of God at all our lies and lusts and pride and envy and greed is being poured out on him, breaking utterly the fellowship with the Father and the Spirit which he has experienced and exulted in since before the foundation of the world.

If that doesn't explain to you what the love of God is, come closer to the cross, and listen to what Jesus is saying. The only one who matters is thinking of his mother, his friend, and even the criminal next to him. The God who created water is asking for a drink. The God-man whose presence had never borne any sin is crying out in anguish at being forsaken by his Father. The man with nails through his wrists and feet, his lungs slowly filling with his own blood, is crying out, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Astoundingly , the one who decided to allow man to make his own choices, is now fully experiencing their consequences, is shouting triumphantly that those consequences have been dealt with, finished - a victory cry which still resounds across history, affirming once and for all that the love of God is a love of both power and passion, both perfection and propitiation."

Oh, how He loves us so.

Ballad of an Almost Christmas

2009-12-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

As it is finally the week of Christmas I want to take this time to say... it doesn't seem like Christmas at all. Don't get me wrong, I've had a great December - God has blessed me so much with friends and love. What I miss though, is family.

I miss my sisters. I miss our crazy Christmas skit tradition.

Every year, we would wake up our parents and tell them to come out to the living room in 5 min. Then we would get in our places. Guess which one I was:

1. a. Mary, b. Joseph, and c. a wiseman

2. a. Santa, b. his elf, and c. the reindeer

3. a. 1st present, b. 2nd present, c. 3rd present that had to wrap itself after wrapping 1st and 2nd.

If you guess c for all, you were right! Congratulations. You got a look into my childhood.

I miss my parents. I miss the perfect gifts they would give. Even last year when we didn't get home til Christmas night from being snowed out of Seattle, my mom had a book by J.M. Barrie and my dad had a book by George MacDonald. Perfect.

I miss the house. The Christmas village on top of the piano, the REAL Christmas tree (though I guess right now I'd take a fake one with all our ornaments). The different ornaments mom got us every year, so we have a collection all our own. The Christmas music playing constantly from the moment I got up til I layed my head down, throughout the month of December. Watching movies every night (Muppet Christmas Carol, White Christmas, The Santa Clause, Jingle All the Way, It's a Wonderful Life). A Christmas puzzle a day... at least it seemed like.

Of Decembers, I've had the best. But I miss Christmas.

I Tried...

2009-11-24T06:46:00.000-08:00

I really did.

But something snapped tonight and I couldn't wait. I lit'rally couldn't stop my fingers from typing those little white keys on my Mac in the iTunes search tab - "Hotel Cafe".

Wait, what, you ask? Yes, yes I said Hotel Cafe.

Last winter Hotel Cafe, a small and amazing venue in Hollywood, released a Christmas album comprised of such great voices as Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat, Fiona Apple, and more. But, alas, I did not obtain said album until March of this last year and that was way too early to begin the Christmas music. I distracted myself well enough since then, yet this album was always in the back of my mind (and my iTunes) waiting to be played.

Tonight, it happened.

I came home. Lit some candles. Put on a pot of English Breakfast tea. Which is all fine. This has been done before and the temptation has been resisted, if yet begrudgingly. But not tonight. Tonight there were twinkle lights. They had to be hung up.

One can't very well have all of this Christmas feel and NOT have the music. I mean, it would've been wrong. How wrong? Well, more wrong than listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, I would think. And did think. Thought.

Because I did it. I listened to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. So sue me. Wow, haven't used that phrase in a while. Fitting.

Some Thinking

2009-11-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

"As the days keep turning into nights, and even breathing feels alright..."

Philippians 4:12 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

We started a Bible study Thursday morns at beloved Kim's house, and we're going through Philippians.

I love Philippians. I love that in my Bible there is a note that says content can also mean self-sufficient. Of course, not a self that is independent of God. It's one that is fully dependent on Him; complete in that dependence and content in it. Needs nothing else. Self-sufficient.

It's really not that hard to know this contentment in Korea though. I would say God has given me more than plenty. I'm full. A deep fullness that almost hurts at how close and real it is.

1 Corinthians 13:12 - Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I feel known here. So close and so real.

So Much...

2009-10-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

"How is Korea?"

I can answer this very simply - "amazing." But any way I answer will never convey how completely blessed I am to be over here. Even if I were able to explain it, it wouldn't do my life here justice. I can't convey that much understanding in one simple answer. How do I explain the peace I feel? The gratitude and freedom? The love I feel? So much love.

Here's how I'll start.

Whitney: Mama Hen. She takes care of us. She has such an open and welcoming heart and personality. She's Canadian. I feel safe and happy around her. Effortless calming presence. Great spooner.

Charissa: I am amazed and jealous of her sense of adventure. I can always count on her to remember any minute detail of our friendship - and there are many. We quote movies, books, and TV shows. She is legen - wait for it - dary.

Tayla: There is so much life in her. I love her humor - she can always make me laugh. She is so direct and open. Most quoted person of our group, I would say. "Lovin you!"

Kelsey: I can't get over how much she loves people. Loves talking to them, and really getting to know them. And we lived on a sailboat together - oh yes.

Kelly: She has such a huge heart. And it was open immediately to all of us. She loves with her whole self, and has such a determined and passionate faith. I trust her scootering abilities completely.

Anna: "I love your hair." Serious statement. She is wise and caring. I look up to her for both these qualities. She is so talented - I could listen to her sing and play the uke for hours "... and teach them how to dance..."

Katie: Full of joy. It overflows from her into all the rest of us. I love being around her, and I love how motivated she is. I respect her determination. If I ever feel like swing dancing, I know who to call.

So how do I answer the question: "How is Korea?" Can I answer it with a grammatically incorrect answer? Shhh... don't tell my students.

"So much Amazing."

Oh the People You'll Meet

2009-09-27T03:46:00.000-07:00

Real Conversation - started by discussing the Asian delicacy of dog.

Mindy: So you think a Chihuahua would go good with salsa?

Frankel: The power of advertising. You know Chihuahua, the dog, is actually an Asian dog?

Hannah: Then how was it named after the city in Mexico?

Frankel: Actually, the dog was named first. The city was named after the dog.

Me: How did the Asians name their dog a Mexican name?

Frankel: Well, Chihuahua is actually a Native American word.

Hannah: So, how did the dog end up over here?

Frankel: About 10,000 years ago they walked across the land bridge between Russia and Alaska over the Bering Strait with the huskies, and then down through Canada and America. Or else, they came across on a ship. Imagine that, a Chihuahua on a Polynesian ship.

It was around this time my mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe my good fortune of being able to be a part of such an epic conversation. Maybe not epic. Quote-worthy for sure. Hence, this post.

Thursday Class

2009-09-17T02:16:00.000-07:00

Me: Hungry is the opposite of starving. (I was very tired)

Pluto: No, Teacher. Let me do it. See watch - hungry is the opposite of full and starving is the opposite of full. See?

---------------------------

Me: Okay, so today we're going to try something new called an Oral Summary.

Pluto: A Yellow Submarine???

I Dream in Detail

2009-09-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

I move into a new place. At first I'm sure it's Korea, but then I realize it's the apartments at Azusa. And I know, as you can only know in dreams, that I've gone back in time. I'm attending Azusa in its early days, but its also modern times, as that can only work out in dreams as well.

My roommates, whom I am only separated by a sliding door, decide to make my room theirs, and constantly use my TV for video games and my bed for napping. This is not okay. But as I am an undercover agent, sent to discover the strange cult that is at the center of the university, I must not cause trouble. I'm only a week away from the big "event" that initiates me fully into Azusa "doctrine". I can't blow it now.

The day of the event, I'm told to report to the field at 6 pm. My roommates decide to use this day to be the most annoying and intrusive that they possibly can. So I decide to run up the wall, and body slam the girl into the bed. I can because I'm a secret agent. We all can do that. Obviously a fight breaks out, and it is me and another agent against the roommates (co-ed, because apparently it was acceptable at the time). Security comes, and as my room was where the fighting started, I am the one who is going to be taken in for questioning.

The other agent and I quickly lock eyes and switch bodies. My body, with her in it, is taken away, while me in her body quietly makes my exit for the event. We're so close. We couldn't risk missing our big chance. That's what I call taking one for the team.

I inform Kelsey that she is to accompany me so it looks like I'm fitting in at Azusa and have friends. We find seats on the front bleacher. There is already a line for initiation. We watch on the screen as each person files down into this tarp-covered and water-filled hole and then up out the other side. Each time someone approaches the hole we hear their thoughts in our heads. They all are thinking "I'm finally one of them. I believe. I've made it." Until one girl gets up and we hear "I don't believe. I'm not sure I want this. What am I doing here?"

I tell Kelsey that this is the time I have to intervene. I knew something bad was about to happen. There's no time. She approaches the hole. As we watch her wade through, a picture of her body flashes on to the projected screen and suddenly we look over at the hole and she's gone. She's dead. We all know it instantly.

Kelsey jumps out of her seat and yells "This isn't right! You can't do this! You need to stop this immediately!" The rest of the crowd is confused, but the leaders start rushing towards Kelsey to overtake and quiet her. I must complete my mission. I must expose them for who they are. I run through the gathering crowd and pull the tarp up from over the hole and the dead bodies, including the body of the girl, are exposed for all to see. The crowd is enraged and they turn on the leaders. I fly off through the air to dispose of the tarp that had covered up so much evil. Kelsey is the Aaron to my Moses, and speaks to the crowd to calm them.

Then I am outside all of this and I see these words on a movie screen before my eyes: "And so began Azusa's purification from the cult and its foundation as a Christian university. These cultic early days are the reason for so much tension between Biola and Azusa."

I'm so glad it has finally been explained to me.

Oh the Joys of Teaching!

2009-09-10T03:38:00.000-07:00

One day more! (Les Mis fans will recognize)

I have almost completed my first full week of teaching, and despite one rowdy class of boys, its been amazing. Not saying I don't love that class, just that it takes a lot of creativity to focus them. And that's what makes it one of my favorite classes, though difficult. I guess I shouldn't complain, cause Kels' rowdy boys class is way more disruptive.

I love my classroom, my kids, and my job! First week positivity coming out, I know, but if I don't put this all down for posterity than I won't have any bright report to look back on when Week 11 hits. Ha! Let's hope I'm still whistling this tune then, right?

Another weekend approaches, another chance to find cheap furniture, explore an unknown part of this beautiful and strange place, and meet new and foreign friends! ONE DAY MORE!

Another fun note of today - I got to hear from the guys on Skype! It was fun seeing their faces, if only for a minute (Ben and Andrew) and also getting to talk (Jeff and Josiah). Yeah!

Ah-Yung-Ha-Se-Yo

2009-09-04T02:39:00.001-07:00

... or Something Like That (Hello)

I'm in Korea. What?! I constantly have those moments of reflection where I laugh out loud. It's awesome. Besides the drag of having strep throat my first weekend here, I've really enjoyed getting to explore Seoul. But I will only tell of one such exploration, as it has been the best so far.

Charissa has the most amazing neighborhood. Yes, she's been here way longer so she's established a grocer, a market.... well, a reputation actually. She's the only foreigner and, it goes without saying, everyone's friend. She's the neighborhood blonde. Ha! Well, they all know her and love her (who wouldn't?). So we picked up some pizza, a Korean pear, and packed up a box with this, a blanket, and candles. Oh yes, candles.

We proceed to Olympic Park which is a magical place where one can escape the concrete. It is very oppressive. We climbed up a several flights of wooden stairs and weaved our way through winding pathways of grass and trees, until we came to a hill that overlooked the city. Or part of it, for it is expansive. So fun!

Next, we hopped on her bike, me riding sidesaddle on the back platform over the tire, and rode down to her favorite place in the park - a gazebo-type structure, in the midst of cherry blossom trees. Of course they're not in bloom, but it was still a magical place! We ate ice cream with candles here. I'm telling you, candles add to the adventure tenfold! So here's just a preview to my year in Korea!!

For All My Friends Who Think I'm the Clumsy One

2009-08-16T19:19:00.001-07:00

Story 1:

My sister and her friend Shanley were running down an alleyway. Why, you ask? Why not, was their response. I'm not entirely sure of all the particulars in the case but this I do know: Bethany's shoes were slightly loose on her feet.

Imagine, if you will, my sister tripping and diving forward onto the gravelly pavement of the alleyway corridor. I have. Several times.

She is alive, we can all rejoice, but her arm is a little worse for wear.

Story 2:

My dad plays tennis; is rather skilled actually. In other words, I will never win a match against him until he is in a wheelchair - and maybe not even then. He passes on his knowledge by giving lessons and was doing one day, about a couple months ago.

Picture a shopping cart full of tennis balls, let's say two hundred. Now picture it tipping over an unseen curb, which also tripped up my dad, and trapping him between its wiry frame and the chain-linked fence behind him.

Oh how the scattered tennis balls must've rejoiced in their freedom and laughed at the man who clumsily bestowed it.

---------

As a sidenote, I don't offer these little anecdotes as a way of making fun, rather, they are a very serious endeavor to present my own sometimes-confused equilibrium in their proper familial light.

Thoughts from the Dentist's Chair

2009-08-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting there getting my teeth cleaned (which I might add, is NOT on my Happy List) and my mind wandered. Do follow.

"I wonder if dental assistants take a specific course on Yes or No Questions? Because I couldn't very well give descriptive answers with both their hands in my mouth."

"Stop torturing that little boy!!! He's crying for a reason!!!!"

After overhearing that aforesaid 'little boy' got to pick a prize from the treasure chest: "I wonder if I get one too?"

"I wonder what the healthcare system is like in England, maybe it doesn't cover dental, and that's why they never go."

"All the rebellious humans from The Host probably will have horrible teeth after living in the caves for so long. Oh no, that's right, they have access to all the Healers' medicines now that they have Wanda and Sunny with them." (This will be harder for some to follow)

"If I was to choose between perfect eyesight and never having to go to the dentist again I would choose... well, shoot... both."

"I wonder if she realizes I'm avoiding eye contact."

"I hope they'll tell me if I have spatters of teeth-cleaning paste all over my face before I walk out of here."

"I think she's getting really annoyed when I breathe and fog up her little mirror."

Oh, the rabbit trails of my brain conversations.

In Random Places...

2009-07-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

So I was in a friends car the other day and I looked over and saw this...

Seeing it made me feel overwhelmingly happy and comforted. Why? you might ask. Well, I had to ask myself the same question as I had instantly reached over, grabbed my camera, and snapped a picture of the mirror - my friend was somewhat perturbed. Yes, perturbed.

I realized that seeing these words was comforting like a warm blanket, or favorite book, or a smile is comforting. To know that they are written in identical (or close to it) print on every car on the road... wow. I felt connected to everyone through those words. I know this probably sounds silly but it's how I felt. Deal.

Story Time with Mindy

2009-07-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

Story #1: Kelsey and I decided to visit this little Thai restaurant down the street called "East Wind." Upon entering we were overwhelmed by the cute atmosphere. Though this story is not about the establishment particularly, it would not hurt for me to recommend this place with the greatest of affability and admiration. I look forward to my return there. Continuing the story. I dyed my hair dark. (See The Look for further explanation.) During the course of the dinner our waitress stopped by our table many times to question me. First time: "Are you an actress?" Her thick accent made it difficult to understand, but after realization hit, I answered negatively. She said I looked like a famous actress from her country. Second visit: "Are you have Asian, half American? You look so much like the famous actress." Again, my response was negative. I don't think she really believed me because her Third Question: "Can I take a picture of you?" In which, she proceeded to take out her phone and get my picture. Fourth and final stop: (showing me the picture) "Is this okay?" Finally, I got to answer affirmatively.

Story #2: Kelsey and I were getting the oil changed in lovely Betty, and whilst we awaited this completion we proceeded to walk to the famed Peet's Coffee and Tea Leaf to get their delicious iced coffee and ice cubes. In passing we found Narnia.

I pause for dramatic effect.

Now don't be alarmed, Narnia is not, in fact, on Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey. But there is a portal. We found it. See.

Story #3: Breakfast at Tiffany's party. My fake name was Jacqueline Shaw. Don't ask me

why. I found a kitty named Frank and a dog named Bacon - though I called him Largehuahua, as he was the most ginormous of Chihuahuas I have ever seen. I discussed favorite ruling families with Robert Compton (fake name) - his is Alexander the Great and his father Pippin, mine is Tsar Nicolas II and his family of Romanovs. I spoke in a British accent half the time and a southern accent the other half. Again, don't ask me why. All in all a successful night of dressing up, dancing, and chatting.

Los Angeles

2009-07-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Not sure what it is about the city - I don't go there that often, I hate traffic, and I value clean air - but every time I get a view similar to this one...

... (granted, this angle is from up in the sky and that orange moon probably happens once every 5 years, but driving along the 10 at night, you get a similar "looking north across the city" view, anyways, to get to my point), I love this city.

I find myself smiling whenever I see it's skyline (I also do this for Seattle) and I'm not sure why that is. I like the idea of so many people being in my eyesight, living their lives - maybe dancing, maybe crying - but living. And I find myself astounded at the fact that I will never meet them or know anything about their lives.

It goes further than that though. I find myself thinking about the dichotomy of the city. There is such hope and despair wrapped up in this specific city. Some wanting their big break, others just looking for a little bit of help. I'm not saying these aren't elsewhere - they are, because they belong to life. But Los Angeles has such stark contrasts. While making me smile, I feel both of those in me. I feel happiness and sadness at the same time.

Maybe that's why I like viewing the city from my safe place on the 10. I'm outside of this. Not to say that I'm outside of life's hope and despair, but I have a hope that is greater than this earth, so in a way, I am.

When I see this city, and I "see" all those lives before me... it makes me want to dance. And it makes me want to cry. But mostly, it makes me want to live.

This is What I Think About Sometimes

2009-07-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

So you know when a boy is a boy and he tries to show off for you? Like say, he's riding on his bike and casually jumps as many curbs as he can.

Do you ever secretly hope his front tire catches the top of the curb and he falls on his face?

And then it actually happens and you feel bad because you think you caused it?

This didn't happen recently or anything, I was just thinking about it.

Oh the Joys of Technology!

2009-07-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I became the proud owner of a Canon camera... again. I bought one 4 years ago before I went off to college, and I thought now, before I leave for Korea, would be another one of those pivotal times when a new camera is necessary to memory-making. Upon purchase of said camera Kels and I proceeded to document the day. It was date-day, well, more like run-errands-but-just-be-the-two-of-us-day. So I will now bring you the Mundane but Awesome Chronicles of the First Day of the Rest of Summer Complete with Pictures.

First of course was the wonderful, but expensive trip to Best Buy

Then we came to Panda and Ralphs for a little food and a little Potty Break (you'd think we would've skipped the Ralphs bathroom and just used the one in Panda... no clue what we were thinking really.) I'm not going to post the pictures of their signs as that would get to be utterly ridiculous and would make this blog ginormous.

Here is us in the beloved Betty with the top down!

So I'm going to post a video now.. this is one that I think sums up my knowledge of cameras. No more preface, just enjoy.

Okay, I don't think I'm going to post all the pictures or chronicle all the events from yesterday, but we did end up going to an awesome thrift store where I bought Valentino boots for $10, went for a 2 mile longboard adventure, and ate at Islands Restaurant. All in all a pretty successful day - even more so because I have pictures to remember it by now!

RUBIKS SOLVED

2009-06-30T02:55:00.000-07:00

Epic moment.

2:54 am Tuesday morning.

Rubiks Cube solved.

There are no words to express my joy.

Did I mention change??

2009-06-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

No I'm not that conceited.. I just thought it would be super fun to do a video instead of just one picture. And yes, it is done with that little camera built into my Mac. You know you love it.

Anyways. I spoke in my last blog about my bangs. And I told Canis that when I got my new haircut I would post pictures. Well, I got my haircut about a week and a half ago, but I just now finished cutting my own bangs to what I like. I mean, Tree (my hairstylist, of course) cut them the way I asked her too, but then Kels and Kate said that they weren't short enough, not enough of a change. And you know me - gots to have that change. So I began by cutting the then-long-side-bangs, into shorter-side-bangs. I have now finished with fully-straight-across-bangs, as seen in slideshow.

Down to the Minute Update: Aaron Phillips - brother Phillips, AP - just told me that I could link my blog to my facebook, so that whenever I post a new blog it will automatically show up on my facebook wall. I was excited until I thought about this blog showing up there. I declined this application addition on the sole ridiculous-ness of this post.

The Look

2009-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

So I just spent the last hour or so (I'm rounding down, because if I really said two hours I would feel like a complete loser with no life, instead of only a semi-loser who sometimes has something to do) changing The Look of my blog.

I know that you gasped with delight when you first saw it, no need to comment and tell me so, and that is precisely why I took this time out of my day to give it a makeover. I'm one of those people that likes change. In high school, I rearranged my room about once a month because I liked the different scenery. My hair has been red, blonde, nearly black, and dark brown. Not blue yet - I wish. I now have bangs. I haven't lived in the same place for more than 6 months in almost 4 years. When I move out in July, this last stay will have lasted 2 whole months. My favorite song usually lasts about two weeks - though its been Bridge Over Troubled Water for three now. Feel free to applaud.

Okay, enough about change. I'm wearing the same shirt I wore last night. Point for consistency.

What's the worst that could happen?

2009-06-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Kelsey left Tuesday morning to go home for a couple days so I have been alone on the sailboat during this time. Let me say that its not as fun by yourself. Explanation.

One night I climb into bed after the journey to the bathroom, about 100 feet away up the dock. It's like camping. Well, anyways, I close up shop - meaning I put the puzzle pieces that are our door together and close the hatch. I'm snug, I'm safe, and so, as I said, I climb into bed.

Laying there I realize the boat is shaking. Now it's not the gentle rocking back and forth of the tide, no. It is a 8.0 earthquake in my mind, so that something is dreadfully wrong. Suddenly I can almost see the 5 story apartment buildings to my right crumble to the ground, thereby falling into the harbor and causing a tidal wave that engulfs my little boat. Of course, the hatch is closed, the puzzle door secure, so I drown inside my home that I can't escape from.

Okay, okay. So there was no earthquake and the apartment buildings are still standing and I am still alive. But I'm still lying there and can still feel the shaking. So I sit up and look around me. There's an orange light on our control panel flashing. As we have no engine and the battery is dead this light is rather alarming. It's not flashing regularly, but erratically and suspiciously. The shaking of the boat gets worse and I know there's a gasoline leak of some kind that gets ignited by an electric current running from the dock to the boat and I am engulfed in an explosion so big that it can be seen by people in downtown LA.

When this doesn't happen I get up to check out the light and decide to switch it off. The fridge stops working. It's our electricity coming from the dock plug. No battery or engine needed for it. I climb back into bed only to realize that it is neither the boat nor the ground that is shaking, but me.

So, I survived the night. Barely. My imagination often gets the better of me. I'm a worst case scenario thinker. You'd think after 22 years of dealing with this I would be able to write off the stories as pure fiction in my head. I cannot.

Well, that's it for scary stories with Mindy. Tune in next time. That is, if I don't get kidnapped by the nice-looking elderly couple out for a stroll on the boardwalk - I'm sure my imagination could make it happen.

RAS

2009-06-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

RAS

Kelsey and Jeff and their pants

one day got lost in France.

It was right in the middle,

which is far from little.

So they both decided to dance.

Said Jeff to Kelsey "this rocks!

I can't believe this comes in a box.

Why don't we have a drink,

cause underwater the fish don't stink."

So drink they did while wearing socks.

Said Kelsey to Jeff "let us pause...

we must be here for a cause.

Let's run in the air

'til we make sure we're there.

RAS RAS RAS RAS RAS RAS RAS RAS."

In response: "What a wonderful plan" said he.

"Let's set all the captives free,

then go live on a boat

that don't run but floats,

and we'll never go out to sea."

So this plan they carried out not by chance

when they found they'd been stuck in France.

They broke all the laws,

(they could cause their Ras)

And all of it done without Lance.

One day if you hear of a story,

that's neither gruesome, grimsome, nor gory,

but it puts you in a trance

beware the middle of France

And remember Kelsey and Jeff and their glory.

Poem inspired by, and dedicated to, none other than my Ras friends Kelsey and Jeff.

Finally Sailboat.

2009-06-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

So my captain, Kelsey, just started a blog yesterday and will get upset if I don't tell you all that she was going to put pictures of the sailboat first...

...though I have been planning on doing it since we moved here, I just haven't because my camera is temperamental. That's beside the point, of course. So to keep tension down, here is an official statement: "I am copying Kelsey Le

e Phillips as I post the following pictures."

(The statement "beside the point" is an interesting one indeed - I really like it. Think about it a little, swish it around. I have this picture of me physically standing next to a huge dot, and the dot is what is the real discussion, but I choose to remain beside it.)

And now for your viewing pleasure.

Hi-Flier

Sailboat

Summer 09

Marina Del Rey

Ze boat - ta da!! I know it's a little rough around the edges but I love it.

Correspondence... Isn't it Lovely?

2009-05-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the letter that I wrote to my friend Andrew (don't be confused, his name is Max too) as he left for Montreal yesterday to work on a film and I won't be seeing him for over a year. We have commenced emailing.

Max,

I'd assume that you arrived safely in Canada, but you know what happens when you assume.

You look dumb.

So, I'm not assuming, I'm figuring you've arrive in Canada. I think figuring is okay to do. It's logical. It's strategic. It involves educated hypotheses rather than random guessing.

My hypothesis is this, step 1, you texted me when you were in D.C. on your layover, or wherever it was that you had a layover, so flight one was successful. Step 2, you have not texted me since, which means that you're in a foreign country and you cannot, or Option B of Step 2, you're plane crashed on its way to the aforesaid foreign country and you are in heaven, in which case you could not send a text but it doesn't matter because, shoot, you're in heaven, or Option C of Step 2, your plane was hijacked midair by the undercover body guards of Zac Efron who is selling humans on the black market to pay for his expensive drub habit, to which he plummeted into after realizing that his girlfriend was soon to be stolen by some assistant director on her new movie, so, after hijacking enough planes and enough humans, he decided to sell this assistant director and eliminate the possibility of Vanessa Hudgens leaving him and the drug habit that was getting harder to coverup. In case of Option B I will cry at your funeral. In case of Option C, I will punch Zac Efron in the face. As Option B holds the stipulation that if you had in fact died, I would've, in some way, been notified, either by telephone, or by the Max-shaped absence in the universe, and as Option C is probably true but can hardly be proved as Efron refuses to offer a comment to this educated figuring investigation, I can intelligently proceed to Step 3, you made it safely to Canada.

End proof.

Mindy

-----------------------------

Here is the letter I got in response. Again, for limited confusion, I am HeatherLo -- it's short for Lola.

Well HeatherLo,

       What if I was to tell you that all three options you posed were correct. It started off with Option B coming true when a space skydiver (exactly what it sounds like) clipped the windshield of the cockpit. Now you may think that was what caused the crash but it was only the first step. The space skydiver cracked the windshield which eventually broke completely, causing a pressure imbalance that sucked everything out of the cockpit. The pilots were strapped in so they were safe but the head pilot's drug stash (he was a mule for Zac Efron) got sucked out and he unstrapped himself and jumped after it. The co-pilot, who was in love with the pilot jumped after him, figuring their love would save them...it didn't. I epiclly rushed into the cockpit and grabbed the stick to save the day and we promptly crashed in under 4 seconds.

     So there I am in Heaven, partying (what else did you expect) and I meet this absolutely amazing guy. Fun, smart, snazzy dresser; and we are having a good time and I ask his name...Zac Efron he said. My jaw hit the floor. 2 things to mention here, 1, in Heaven you have such control of your body that when i say my jaw hit the floor, it actually streched and hit the floor and 2. the floor being made of solid Gold hurt like a bitch. Anyway, I tell him I know who Zac efron is and he isn't him and he said that he WAS Zac Efron and that the guy I I know killed my friend Zac to assume his identity to keep up his drug habit.

    So I did what anybody else would do, I talked God into sending me back to Earth with super powers to hunt down this "Zac Efron" and to serve him with heavenly justice...the deadly kind. I found him quickly with my new powers here in Montreal and with one punch I sent his face back to the stone age. Literally. That is one of my new powers. So now I am just here in Montreal and figure heaven is the best but that party is never going to end so I will take my time here on earth and spend it with some good friends.

    But I am very glad to hear that you would 1. cry at my funeral, and 2. punch Efron in the face.

Andrew

-----------------------------

And that, my dear students, is a lesson in wit.

Korea!!

2009-05-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

So as of last Friday afternoon, I am officially accepted to the Adventure Teaching program - meaning they would start to look for available positions in Korea for me to teach at. I decided that I was going to get as much done yesterday as I could on all the paperwork for the E-2 Visa and so ran around doing errands at Biola via Heidi's ID card. I now have a lime green folder full of those separate pieces, such as health statements and consulate checklists, and yesterday afternoon I felt rather productive.

Well, so last night Kels and I were heading to Jeff's birthday celebration and I get a call from an Unavailable number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is Reuben from Adventure Teaching, is this Mindy?"

So I have an interview tomorrow night with Avalon schools. What?!?! It's actually happening. I'm going to Korea, and I'm going to be a teacher, and I'll be living overseas for a whole year. I'm so excited.

Apparently this school organization is the same that Katie interviewed with and accepted, and two minutes after I got off the phone with Reuben he called Kelsey. Don't forget, we're in the same car. She has an interview with Avalon after my interview on Thursday night. So I guess the organization is looking to hire all four of us! This would be awesome because all of the schools are relatively close together, and they are a well-established program that is really considerate towards its foreign teachers. Paid flight, housing, 50% health, bonus... I'm really excited for my interview, and I can't wait to get further along with the visa process, i.e. getting a criminal record check and interviewing with the Korean consulate. Yeah!

A Story

2009-05-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here's the beginning, I haven't posted the whole thing, as, for a short story, it's long. It was written based on the picture below.

Girl: (explaining to the camera) I packed my hatbox with my clothes, because, one, I have no hat, and two, I have no other luggage. (looking down at birdcage) Him? Thing is, I wasn't about to stay in that house a second longer, but before hitting the road I grabbed Cheeky. I couldn't just leave him there. I guess I make a pretty sight. When I said hitting the road, just then, I meant good old fashioned "my heels on the pebbled shoulder" walking with the power lines. Not many cars right now, I like that, don't you? Gives me time to think. Sure cars shouldn't usually mess that up, but right now, in this moment, I don't think I could handle a '92 Buick going 50 mph whipping my skirt around my head. Yes, I left the house, skirt, heels, and all.(laughs) I'm leaving home for good this time. Not that it was for bad any other time - you know, I've never understood that phrase "for good." I mean, if you take it literally, than you would think I was setting out to do something spectacular in this world. I'm going to go cure cancer, or open an orphanage, or something like that. No, I guess I'm leaving home for bad this time. Well, actually I don't know if I would go so far as to say that either. I'm leaving home for neutral - I'm freakin' Switzerland walking down this road.

(car drives by - ironically, a '92 Buick, her skirt flies up)

Well, so much for that.

I guess you're wondering why I am leaving, for good, for bad, or whatever. Well, to tell you the truth, if you had to wear these sunglasses for my reasons, and still didn't get why I was leaving "home," then you should probably stop listening to my story right about now. We probably won't agree on much, you and me.

(sitting on the hatbox on the ground, a couple hours have passed)

No, I haven't given up. Is Switzerland still a country?(car pulls to a stop behind her, guy gets out)

Guy: You need a ride somewhere, miss?

Girl: (hasn't gotten up yet, still facing camera) Guess I won't have to though. (to Guy) If you don't mind birds then I'm going where you're going.

(Opens door throws hatbox in the back, sits down with cage in lap)

Girl: Where are you going, by the way?

Guy: Heading north a ways, up towards the border. Where are you heading?

Girl: Um, a little farther than that... more west too. Just drop me at the end of your line and I'll pick up another from there.

Guy: What's taking you out a little farther and more west?

Girl: My grandma. And some big kid stole my bus money.

Guy: (pause) Well, that's really nice of you, she sick or something?

Girl: (long pause) Actually, I don't have a grandma. That was the first thing that popped into my head. I just don't know you, and, though you're giving me a ride, I'm pretty sure when you drop me off you still won't know enough about me to really care where the hell I'm going. So, as I see it, I'll call you guy, you can call me girl, and we'll both go our ways feeling better about ourselves. You for helping out a total stranger and earning brownie points with God, you know, that whole "when I was hungry, you fed me", and Me, well I'll be a little closer to where I want to be which is as far away from here as possible. (sarcastic celebration) Yah! We both win.

(Silence)

Guy: Hey Girl?

Girl: (slight laugh) Yeah, Guy?

Guy: What's with the bird?

Girl: (sigh) Since you seem so intent upon asking questions you won't mind if I lie do you?

Guy: Not if you make it interesting.

Girl: (looks at him in surprise) Didn't expect that. Here's the truth then. Before she died, because I did have one once, my grandma gave him to me. And I did visit her when she was sick.

Guy: No kidding. Well, there goes the sarcasm.

(silence)

Girl: Hey Guy?

Guy: Yeah Girl?

Girl: Put your seatbelt on. I'd hate for you to go breaking through the windshield if we get in an accident and ruin my get-away car.

Guy: (as he's grabbing for his seatbelt) And it's back.

Long Beach Life

2009-05-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

So this is for you Canis, my love. But I have to give the background on the story first, which, you already know.

Two Sundays ago I drive home to Long Beach and proceed to park my car. Now, normally, I have no trouble parallel parking as that is the only subcategory of parking available on the tight streets of LB. Occasionally I have to try a second time. I do worse when people watch. It's a very particular thing this parallel park.

Anyways, continue the joke. It's not really a joke at all, but I quote for Canis' benefit, as I have already told her this portion of the story and want to hold her attention. As I was saying. I pull up to this smaller than usual space and proceed to back ever so carefully in between these two cars. Pause. Another condition of my parking process -the window must be down. This enables my head to lean out and judge more objectively the park I am completing.

Resume. Window down, head out, pulling into space. A guy from across the street starts walking towards me holding his hands about "yeah" far away from each other saying: "You have about this much room." And now I have a witness. If you were paying attention you will remember my parking ability tends to decline at this point. "You need help parking?"

I could allow him the benefit of thinking my bad park was due to his inability at helping, couldn't I? "Yeah, sure, thanks." I start pulling forward to begin Round Two, as I've noticed the curb is neither 6 or 12 inches from the curb. "I have to start over, I'm too far from the curb," meaning, now it's all on you buddy, this next park will represent your expertise at guiding my car.

"I'm helping you cause that's my car behind you." Ouch. Not only was my pride at parking fatally wounded, not saying it was through the roof before, but in that moment all womankind shuddered at the clear jab at our ability to operate an automobile.

For that, without waiting for help at all, I deftly pulled so quickly into the space that even James Bond would've been taken aback. Oh yes, ten points for women.

"Oh, um, well, I guess you're good."

"Yeah, thanks for your help." Ha.

He goes back to the bunch of people outside the house across the street, and I gather my belongings and head to my house down the street.

Two days later, the next time I drive my car, I see a note tucked under my windshield wiper. A number. Followed by "Guy who tried to help you park". Now, I'm all for meeting new people, so of course I give him a call a couple of days later.

"Hi, I got a note on my car..."

"No way! I can't believe you called! We were taking bets of whether you would, or my creeper mustache scared you away."

Okay, one, it was way too dark to get a real idea of what Jaret (the guy) looked like, let alone to ascertain that on his face was, in fact, a creeper mustache. Two, he never really got that close to the car as, which I'm now realizing, he probably assumed from my gender that I could very easily run him over. And three, I was parking. If my attention was focused anywhere it was most definitely not focused on the distracting presence of the group of people across the street staring and judging my park job.

Anyways, this story seems much longer than it's worth probably, but hopefully I've made it interesting enough for you to still be reading.

My roommate Priscilla and I met up with Jaret and his band mates, they are in a folk band, the next night and it was a rather interesting time. As my story has continued this long I better tie it up quickly. Canis, I'm sorry, but it was way too much fun to talk about how we met, then the night we actually hung out. Here goes the more interesting of points regarding the night.

1. They have a huge T-Rex in their front window. His name is Adam.

2. Not to get confused with the dinosaur, two members of the band are called Adam.

3. It is still debatable of whether Brett can actually smile, though it is safe to say that Priscilla can run way faster then him, and everybody at the Pike knows he's not very coordinated, due to his face plant right outside the door.

4. Matt, after losing the bet of whether I would call, had to run down the street in his boxers, which he proceeded to do, right past two cop cars with their lights going.

5. Not surprising to the rest of us, Brett was the only one to get pulled over after he turned to follow after Matt - Brett's a redhead. Apparently there is some prejudice. I am excluded from this as I am not natural. LB police can tell this from afar.

6. The Penny Saver is an excellent means to starting a bonfire.

7. Balloon animals, on the other hand, are not.

8. But balloon animals are a means of making an amazing bonfire with music even better.

Okay, I think that's the end. I've rambled on quite long enough, and I'm not even sure if anyone is still reading. Hope you enjoyed a little slice of Long Beach Life.

Updates... boring, sorry

2009-05-02T10:55:00.001-07:00

I apologize to all my devoted readers for my lack of posts in the last month. Actually a month ago today was my last. Please accept my deepest apologies. I will now update you with my life as I know you are all wondering worriedly if I'm even alive.

As of right now -

Favorite song: Beggar's Prayer - Emiliana Torrini

Color I'm currently wearing: Blue, and blue. Light and Dark, striped pjs. Oh yeah.

Temporary job: Balloon artist, not so temporary as its what I'll be doing this whole summer

Last song I wrote: Indecision, finished yesterday

Favorite TV show: Castle

Latest crazy story: A guy helped me park one night, next time I go out to my car I have a note on it with his number, called him, Priscilla and I hung out with him and his friends last night. They have a huge T-rex in their front window with a green light for effect.

Last thing I cooked: Pie-dough cookies last night

Summer plans: Living on a sailboat with Kelsey up in the Venice Beach area

Book I'm reading: New Moon, second in the Twilight series

Time I slept to this morning: Ten

Band I can't stop listening to: Kings of Leon

Last movie theater movie I watched: 17 Again - pretty funny

Korea application stage: interview next Friday at 11!!

Color of my hair: Still red

Plans for today: Signing lease for the boat, bonfire for Ben's birthday, yeah!

Okay, okay. I know you wanted to know all of that. I want to write more, but I'm going to finish my cup of Peppermint Tea and take a shower. Sorry. Later though.

They Write the Songs

2009-04-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

So I've done this a couple times now. I get a song stuck in my head, for instance, the one that is there right now "Asking for Flowers" by Kathleen Edwards, and then the tune is there no matter how much I try to make up my own. So when I go to write a new song, I can get the lyrics fine, but they're to the tune of that one song I can't seem to get out of my head. And no matter what tune I try to come up with, the copied one always sounds better. Makes sense really, I mean, that song is the one that got recorded and sold at Starbucks. Ha! Well, here's my words anyways.

The weaving traffic on the highway

looks like a circus act

And the lights up in the distance

are the things keeping me on track

Driving towards an answer

I've needed for quite a while

now I can't stop this feeling

that I'm going out in style

You've made me feel like this too long

and I won't go home til it's done

The road is burned behind me now

Well, this final goodbye

is the ending to a reckless day

Won't be driving your road

Mr. Half Hour Away

The southbound lanes are wider

leading me away from you

And I won't count the miles

of road because we are through

I can see the sunshine

burning the clouds in the sky

All the signs are pointing to

my road, my journey, my life

Now all I need is my own tune - sweet. Coming right up.

In Honor of St. Patty's

2009-03-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

For Ballydowse and Ireland ... charge!

Bruce

2009-03-15T14:51:00.001-07:00

(titled after the dog I almost got but then couldn't, experience which inspired this poem/song)

Believe me, you'd have wanted him too :)

I'll pose this thought to you

reply perhaps you'll do

why is growing up

all broken up

and I'm right there with it too?

Walking down the street you'd see

I talk and dress all old

but growing up

is all broken up

and there's more to it I'm told.

My nails aren't done just painted on

and I can't stand the news

I guess this grown-up thing is more

than just some high-heeled shoes.

I eat salad and run alone

my decisions are my own

yet growing up

is so broken up

And I'm always calling home.

They've all seemed to have made

it through this crazy game

of growing up

though broken up

Wish I could find the way.

Clark No More.

2009-03-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Now Parisi. Canis (to whom others might refer to as Candice, but I have never and will never pronounce her full name as a way of claiming that special bond of friendship which comes with the bestowal of nicknames) is now Canis Parisi, no more Canis Clark.

It all happened at approximately 4:40 pm this last Saturday, March the 7th. The venue was decorated, the guests were seated, and she walked down the aisle to her now-husband Dominic Parisi.

Okay, enough of that. So I would be lying if I was to say that I'm not going to miss being her roommate. Although we have lived through separation before, this is definitely more permanent, with no coming semester of late-night procrastination and mac 'n cheese with sausage dinners. Neither of us regret the lack of semester, of course, we are both ecstatic beyond anything that we are done with school - but here she goes and gets married and just changes everything. Not to be dramatic or anything.

I don't want you to get me wrong - I am so extremely happy for the two of them. They're married - they have a house - (though they don't want any for a while) I want them to have kids!! - yeah - excited. Got it? But there's like this Canis-shaped hole, a sort of loss if you will.

Well, here's just to show you how happy and beautiful and amazing she looked. Gorgeous. I lurve her.

For those of you who don't know, "Lurve" is what you say when Love just doesn't quite cut it. Of course, the Southern accent you say it in only adds all the more emphasis. Practice it sometime - it's fun. You'll find it fits when nothing else will. Kind of like a Canis in a Canis-shaped hole.

Congratulations my friend!

Bodysnatchers

2009-02-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

I found this on someone else's blog - I deleted a couple of them that were just dumb, but I thought the rest were really fun!

RULES:

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds.

(4. I added partial lyrics just for fun!)

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY,' YOU SAY:

"Live to Tell"

Geoff Moore and the Distance

Take my life and let it be

a reflection of you for the whole world to see

the God, who is alive and well

I will live to tell

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF:

"Once Upon a December"

Anastasia Soundtrack

Dancing bears, painted wings

things I almost remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL:

"Mister Cellophane" - oh, that's sad

Chicago Soundtrack

If someone stood up in a crowd

and raised his voice way out loud

And waved his arm

And shook his leg

You'd notice him

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY:

"Free Fallin" - so perfect!

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

And I'm free, free fallin'

Yeah I'm free, free fallin'

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE:

"Someday You Will be Loved"

Death Cab for Cutie

You may feel alone when you're falling asleep

and everytime tears roll down your cheeks

But I know your heart belongs to someone you've yet to meet

Someday you will be loved

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU:

"Now We Are Free" - nice

Gladiator Soundtrack

(Don't understand any of it - it's in Hebrew)

Anol Shalom

Anol sheh lay konnud de ne um

Flavum

Nom de leesh

Ham de nam um das...

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN:

"Hanging by a Moment"

Lifehouse

Desperate for changing

starving for truth

I'm closer to where I started

Chasing after you

WHAT IS 2+2?

"Live Like You Were Dying"

Tim McGraw

I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter

And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying

and he said someday I hope you get the chance

To live like you were dying

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND:

"Gotta Be Somebody"

Nickelback

'Cause nobody wants to go it on their own

and everyone wants to know their not alone

There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere

There's gotta be somebody for me out there

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO:

"In the Waiting Line"

Zero 7

Do you believe in what you see

motionless wheel, nothing is real

Wasting my time, in the waiting line

Do you believe, in what you see

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING:

"The Point of No Return" - HAHAHAHA!!!!!

Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack

(so many perfect lines but I'll just put the last part down)

Past the point of no return, the final threshold

the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn

We've passed the point of no return

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL:

"Meet Virginia"

Train

Well she wants to live her life

Then she thinks about her life

Pulls her hair back as she screams

"I don't really want to live this life"

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW:

"Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

Dean Martin

The fire is slowly dying

and my dear we're still goodbying

But as long as you love me so

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE:

"The Mob"

Gladiator Soundtrack

(There are no words - ha!)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR:

"Reggae Got Soul"

Toots and the Maytals

Reggae got soul

got so much soul

Listen to the beat

move your dancing feet

Rock your bodyline

Move in time

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET:

"Grease (remix)"

Grease

I got chills, they're multiplyin'

and I'm losing control

'Cause the power, you're supplyin'

it's electrifyin'

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP:

"The Show"

Sanctus Real

And I'd give anything to hear the sound of the spirit

Coming down

And the praises they sang

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS:

"Bodysnatchers"

Radiohead

I've no idea what I am talking about

I'm trapped in this body and can't get out

The Island

2009-02-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

This one might be a stretch, but, after repainting it several times my roommate exclaimed that it looked like a submerged island. I still don't know if I see it, but I liked the idea of every other picture I'd tried being buried under layers of paint. So, I wrote a poem about it, to make it make sense.

Her island covers all her dreams

Lying there half-sunk in seas

Sandy shores with white-capped waves

Nothing in sight for days and days.

Yet deep below there lies a girl

The reddest hair in all the world

Pale-white face with a stubborn jaw

Deep blue eyes I couldn't draw.

Then a pink flamingo underneath

The islands' waters now they keep

It's life, it's flight, it's painted wings

All kept still by painted seas.

Beyond that an abstract thought

The orange, the purple lines they fought

An idea of chaos somehow designed

by an intricacy of my mind.

And at the bottom lies four trees

Gnarled branches bereft of leaves

The piano stands upon the grass

Soul-bared melody unmasked.

Upon all these my island sits

With nothing left but what it is

A wispy shore, sinking deep

With all my dreams drowned beneath.

Then Once to Speak

2009-02-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

(same Stream of Consciousness that brought you the title of this blog)

Her feet are dancing as her arms are lifted

in time with the music she hears

Songs sung as she moves to the tune that she plays

the rhythm of her falling tears.

I try to imagine what she sees with closed eyes

shut so tightly to keep them in

those hopes and those fears shut up in her heart

a full day she can't help but relive.

As barefoot she stands in the mud of the road

seeming ready to run and stand still

racing with all the thoughts moving through

her mind, her body, her will.

Her stretched fingers curling around the thin air

as her arms they possess all the strength

to lift her right off of those bare feet in the mud

no emotion seems ever to stay.

The tears that I mentioned, those tears full of music

streaking patterns of black down her cheeks

the notes being played by the sun on her face

causes me then once to speak.

"Why this joy and this sadness together,

I'm not sure what's making you cry.

The tears, and the smile, must come from some reason?"

I stop and await her reply.

Turning and turning she heeds not my question

though laughing she pauses to say,

"All of these days, yet all that we waste,

Have you lived enough for today?"

The Gipsy Girl

2009-02-19T22:54:00.000-08:00

Painting inspired

by Ralph Hodgson's poem

"Come, try your skill, kind gentlemen,

A penny for three tries!"

Some threw and lost, some threw and won

A ten-a-penny prize.

She was a tawny gipsy girl,

A girl of twenty years,

I liked her for the lumps of gold

That jingled from her ears;

I liked the flaring yellow scarf

Bound loose around her throat,

I liked her showy purple gown

And flashy velvet coat.

A man came up, too loose of tongue,

And said no good to her;

She did not blush as Saxons do,

Or turn upon the cur;

She fawned and whined "Sweet gentlemen,

A penny for three tries!"

- But oh, the den of wild things in

The darkness of her eyes!

Big Bear with the Family

2009-02-16T11:03:00.001-08:00

Have you ever had those weekends that you just don't want to end? There is so much fun had that you can't even imagine having that much fun ever again? Or been caught thinking that fun ceases to exist when the weekend ends? If so, you'll enjoy my story.

Thursday afternoon the cars were all packed up with Doritos and Hot Chocolate, among other things to eat. The four of us in the van had our animal hats on, ready for some adventure. I, naturally, was wearing Hippo with Dog driving, and Elephant and Polar Bear in the back seat. So perfect. The Beatles accompanied us all the way up the mountain - "Here comes the sun, do en do do."

As the driveway was snowed over we carried the loads of necessities (like Scrabble and snow pants) up the newly-shoveled stairs to the perfectly placed cabin that overlooked the lake. Very nice to have seven people to help. Actually, very nice to have the guys suggest that Kels and I stay in the cabin and unpack the food while they proceed to carry everything from the cars to the stairs to the kitchen.

Food unpacked, hot chocolate made and blanketly-wrapped - the next activity had to be playing games. Thus a highly volumized game of Pit commenced. Before we knew it the last, and final, car of family members arrived. Role call: Katie, Matty, Ben, Jeff, Max/Andrew, Tayla, Kels-oo, Jordan, Josiah, Kaylin, and myself. All present. Family time.

Sleep. Sunrise. So early. Sledding. Snowball fight. Sledding. Several naps. Some games and some food. Sinking Battleships. Snow storm. Sunset. Serious Rummikub-ing. Salinger stories. Sleep. Sunrise.
Between cups of Hot chocolate with dirt particles from the melted snow (since the pipes broke and then froze over once they were fixed) and semi-cleaned dishes as there was no water to wash them with, Kels pointed out that we were just building up our immune systems.

What other fun was had, you ask? Are you in for a treat. Pink snow bibs, creeper Dude-Bro (the snowman, as seen in picture below)Dance-party film shoots, Luge-ing Chaos and going over the side of the sled-run into the trees, 5 pairs of socks, moral supporting the heck out of Max/Andrew's pipe-fixing (see below)Boombox left hanging from the tree, Coke and snow snacking, Valentine's dinner made by the guys - so good, by the way, Happy Hippo dancing, and any other fun you can think up, we probably did it.

All of that to say, the trip home went by way too fast and we were unpacking the van and packing up our animal hats way too soon it seemed. Who's up for Round Two?

Life Burrito

2009-02-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

I've made mine with music

Some of it in time

Then added a little vocab

to make it sweet with rhyme.

I'm adding daily to-do lists

with plans I'm trying to make

And sometimes there's lonely

but always a lot of faith

There's writing and coffee

and covert-op schemes

I've filled it with interesting

friendships and dreams

I'll admit that inside there's fear

and, more often than not, doubt

Every time I make it

I can't seem to leave these out.

What's in your Life burrito

what is it your eatin'?

What would you leave out,

what flavors are you needin'?

Who needs lettuce and tomato

and your choice of three meats?

You put what you like in your Life burrito

And once it's filled up, you eat.

This was inspired after talking with a friend about what was going on in my life. I told him a list of things and then said - "Yep, all of that is rolled up in my Life burrito. It's what I'm eating right now." That spurred a discussion as to whether someone else could eat my life burrito... and of course I told him that my burrito had a special force field around it. Maybe I'll add that verse.

Now this burrito of mine,

life-stuffed, if you will

Is mine for the eatin'

not for any old Bill*.

There's no getting around

the laser force field

It's guarded and protected

Not just anyone's meal.

Only I, of course,

can turn off this device

and usually to add

some new-fangled spice.

Like big rings on my fingers

or red hair on my head

I wish one of these days

I could add a job instead.

Well that's the story

of this burrito of mine

Now go make yours

Though you don't have to rhyme.

*The name of my friend has been changed for privacy reasons and because it didn't rhyme.

These Blues

2009-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

So I wrote this yesterday laying outside on the trampoline, wrapped up in a sleeping bag. This is still the first draft - I feel like it needs more, but I wanted to post it anyway.

Today I realized

that these eyes of mine

took too much sky in

They were once the color

of a morning grey

now the afternoon blue is in

Can't seem to help

this wide-eyed curiosity

I don't mind taking color from the world I see

but what will it take from me

I wonder if I waited

would tonight's sky bring

the reds and golden hues

I wonder if I looked

too hard and long

would I lose these afternoon blues

I Had to Have this Talk with You

2009-01-26T15:38:00.000-08:00

I am currently still searching for employment opportunities - that's basically how I spend most of my day, or at least try to. I've applied at quite a variety of jobs: flight attendant, receptionist, substitute teacher, office clerk. If you hear of any openings please let me know!

But, as to more exciting news, Long Beach and I are becoming friends. It was a rocky start but we had a couple DTR's at several local coffee shops and turns out we are going to work through our differences. I mean, we never really had problems, just a lack of knowledge about each other that kept things at a distance, you know? I now have a favorite thing about this place - Viento y Agua. It's a coffee shop about a block and a half down the street from my house and, for just that alone, it's incredible. No, really though, why I really like it is the low-key, laid-back atmosphere - and that every single piece of furniture is different. I still haven't tried the couch and table by the big front window but I've had my eye on it and hopefully next time I'll get the chance.

Last weekend (not yesterday's weekend but the one before that) I went out to Omaha, Nebraska for my friend Morgan's wedding. It was the most beautiful thing ever. She was the most beautiful ever. I'll admit I fell in love that weekend: with Omaha - well, the Old Market section. If I moved there I would live in that one area and never leave. Except to visit my other love - the Lindstroms. I've never met more generous, kind, and loving people (besides my own parents of course!) I had a blast getting to know them, the area, and just hanging out with fun (new and old) friends.

Here's a picture of Charissa and I doing what we do best: staying out of trouble... maybe not so true, but at least we are in this picture!

Oh, and you can see my red hair too! I really am enjoying the change.

Life After College: A Continuing Story

2009-01-10T19:00:00.001-08:00

Before the event I felt that graduating would be like walking over a cliff backwards - wow - turns out it is.

I'm over the edge of the cliff now and repelling myself down the face.... it's nice to know my rope will never break or run out, but there doesn't seem to be a bottom. I don't mean to sound pessimistic - I'm not really. I have every hope that I will eventually get a job, whether that means substitute teaching like I've been planning on, or at the local coffee shop up the street from my house. And patience is at the heart of hope.

Other news: I've purchased a Macbook computer, and it's amazing - fast Internet loading, fast everything, in fact. It's definitely helped with the whole job-searching thing.

I've painted my toenails pink - a shiny, bright pink.

My hair is red - or a shade of red which can sometimes be mistaken for light brown, but I refuse to listen to those naysayers who say such things.

I'm reading "Nicholas and Alexandra," a biography on my favorite ruling family.

I have pictures to post from Christmas and New Years - spent with my family who is amazing and I love them and miss them already - but, as I don't have my camera cord with me right now, you will have to wait in suspense for them. My apologies.

All I Want for Christmas...

2008-12-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's official. I'm a college graduate.

It's also official. I hate being sick.

I graduated from Biola University on December 19th, 2008 with a degree in English/writing, and a minor in Biblical Studies. After 3 1/2 years here I was really excited to finally be done with homework and papers and schedules and classes and everything.... now... well, I still am.

I'll miss walking from class to class, but I won't miss sitting in class. (Of course, there are exceptions, like Jesus' Life and Ministry - I'd sit in that class again)

I'll miss eating around the big round tables in the caf, but I won't miss trying to find a table with the 1,200 new freshman already occupying every breathing space.

I'll miss sitting next to the fountain where the sun always shines brighter reading for class, but I won't miss required reading when I can read for fun.

Part Two:

I hate being sick. I hate feeling like someone is stabbing me in the throat every time I swallow. I hate not being able to eat. Hah! I'm so hungry!

I started feeling sick Sunday after church, which, all things considering, is a good thing since I wanted my family to go to my church so badly. I think they're going to go to the Christmas Eve service today too - the 12:30 pm service of course, with the free In-N-Out... that's the way my church does it! Haha!

I feel really bad that I'm sick because I haven't been able to entertain my family while we've been stuck down here. Our flight to Seattle got cancelled on Monday morning because of the blizzards we've been having up there. So our next chance out is Christmas Day... let's hope the the storms allow for us to come in. We, none of us, have any presents for each other so I guess it all works out. Besides, the only thing I want for Christmas is my health back - that would be awesome.

So they're all leaving to go to the Christmas Eve service and I'm sitting on the couch writing this blog drinking Clove Tea - my sister recommended it.

That's my life up until now. Graduated. Sick. Everything great and everything bad rolled up into one. Lovely.

Merry Christmas though!!! Well, almost.

Bah.

2008-12-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

Finals.

Almost done.

Paper - finished.

Sacrificed: sleep.

Only two hours last night.

Need coffee.

Done.

Twilight as Emotional Porn and Other arguments Against the Series

2008-12-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

I have so many thoughts on this.

First, let's start with a basic definition of what pornography is and what it does. It is, as I have come to define more metaphysically than explicitly, an "idolatry of a perversion of reality" and it makes those addicted to it dissatisfied with real life. If you disagree with this idea please let me know, because I'm open to understanding and incorporating other viewpoints on the matter. This is porn in general terms. But now we must come to an idea of "emotional" porn. Immediately, upon incorporation of this emotional aspect, the thing itself becomes inherently subjective. Let me explain.

One's emotional drive and make-up is dependent on numerous other characteristics of a person: one's own sense of their identity, character: morals and values, as well as their childhood experiences that shaped them, and in a sense, some aspect of genetic nature. I believe what weighs most heavily in this issue of "emotional porn" is self-esteem and identity. Where you start on the "dissatisfaction with life" spectrum before you are exposed to an alternative reality determines, to a large degree, how it will affect you.

Now, for my own release, I will speak my indignant mind. In light of this last paragraph please allow me the intelligence and confidence in my own identity that I possess to speak for itself. You who know me, know me to be a logically-minded individual with strong character and contentment in the reality that God has provided - who just so happens to like Twilight. Does this last clause really cause such a detrimental fault to my intelligence as your rolling eyes (not directed at everyone, but those who have recieved my declaration with such) suggest? If so, I'm sorry you think so little of me. If you are hesitating in answering that last question, good - I've made you pause long enough to introduce some food for thought.

I will agree with you that emotional porn is a very real issue that girls face today. I say girls, because we are the ones who are being implicated in this debate - though there is a danger for guys as well. I will also agree that Twilight can be a part of this issue. But I want to make it very clear that the inclusion of anything to this category of emotional porn is based on individual experience and varies, however slightly or exponentially, from person to person. I would like to state, though, that, in as much as this perversive reality looks closer and closer like reality itself, one is all the more decieved and less likely to see the deception. Clearly there are worse things for girls' sensibilities than a vampire novel.

I also want to point out that, if a concept of an ideal is created which presents trusting relationships and faithful dependence within that relationship, without creating that dissatisfaction with life, yet replaces the meaningless dependency and distrust that is all some girls expect in life - I'm for it. Of course this is hinged on her own identity that will ensure the balance of these - I don't want you to think I'm straying from my earlier stipulation.

Okay, there are some arguments I have heard that I would like to discuss.
"Stephanie Meyer uses the thesaurus button way too much."
First and foremost, I never claimed she was an excellent writer. I never demanded her canonical inclusion. So, if your sole reason for loathing the Twilight series is her style of writing, your argument is purely subjective, based on your personal literary taste so I would ask you to stop trying to force your disapproving glare to dissuade my love of the novels.

"I can't value a book that was written for 14 year-old girls."
Well, if this is because of your insecurities as a man - then that's your problem. (I say this because I heard this argument from a guy). Harry Potter was written for the same age level - does your adult sensibility get offended here? Dickens wrote his novels entirely for monetary conpensation - does this offend your Romantic sensiblities? Also, if your interpretation and view of the content of the Twilight series is conceptually limited to your predisposed opinion of it as a book meant for 14 year-old girls, then you are apt to miss a deeper understanding of the difficult issues dealt with within the book such as the complexity of moral dilemmas, sacrificial love, faithfulness and trust within relationships - to name a few.

I guess I've gone on for quite a long time now. I'll stop, though I could go on. These are just some things that I've been wanting to articulte for a while. So now, when I mention Twilight, please have more to your argument than a smirk and a rolling of your eyes.

To Grandma

2008-12-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

I wrote this on the 25th after my mom had called the night before, letting me know that Grandma might not make it through the night. Later on Tuesday my dad called to suggest I call her and say goodbye. They put the phone next to her ear, I'm not sure if she heard, but I got to tell her I loved her. My grandma passed away on the 27th, Thanksgiving morning. She's in heaven now and I'm thankful.

Memories, Thoughts - Scrambled.

Will I mourn? She will be whole.
Swimming with the jellyfish -
Wishing I was with her now.
I can't separate myself from the want to wipe her brow,
hold her hand and stand next to her bed.
Nights spent at her house
Falling asleep, her stroking my head.

Sparkle shirts, trips alone -
I got to have them to my own.
But then he left and she was left
but so much left to give.
Will she die, yet while I live?
How much longer - this world in pain
I hear her calling out my name,
the same greeting she gave as I jumped into her arms -
So young, now not so young, but still I long to be that young
to have that jump again.

I refused the spinach but accepted tea
My sisters, crimped, standing there next to me.
(Three states spread apart, still connected at the heart)
She had that couch,
the orange-colored sort -
yet couch it was not but grandma's "davenport."
(Wait, she plays tennis) I didn't understand,
but now I'm older, I've grown older
while she held onto my hand.

She taught me, brought me to school and now
I can't be with her in the end.
Please forgive me - I love you so -
can you hear that - know it when you go.
It's better there, she always knew that.
She'll stand there smiling and waving back.
Hand in hand with Grandpa too -
Grandma - I love you.

Procrastination and Vampires

2008-11-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

I'm apologize for my lapse in posting - I have been so busy that it's been something I've been meaning to do but haven't. Busy? You ask. So you're not now?

Contrary to how my first sentence sounds, no, I mean, yes, I mean, I'm still busy. But now it's progressed to procrastination and so unending amounts of time have been made available for posting, figuring out new ways to put on eye shadow, picking out an outfit for school tomorrow, staring at the wall, and so on and so forth. It's quite incredible what can be done in that time between time of having everything and nothing to do. "Everything" being literal and "nothing" being metaphysical.

I've had loads of metaphysical time over the last weekend in which I've gotten to read the first two books in the Twilight series. Groan. I know, I know. Though they appeal to girls between the ages of 10 and 16 there has to be something to say for a novel that can capture the attention of college graduates and beyond, for its not just myself that has been caught reading them. Granted the writing is very basic but I find it very ironic, in the best possible way of course, that a book about vampires - who are meant to be captivating and entrancing creatures - is entrancing in itself, and I would go so far as to say - it should be.

There have been questions over the "emotional porn" that they are said to represent, but, though I do think that there are novels and movies that exist to this affect, there are much worse than Twilight. I personally have been fascinated with anything of a vampiric flavor (small joke) since I was young and so this has just been added to my reference list of intelligentsia (however fictional and unrealistic this knowledge may be). Vampires represent an inversion of immortality that I find interesting. Eternal life was meant to be existed in God's presence and to have that sentence (taken for it's negative exchange) be carried out on earth produces a creature consumed in a battle between his tortured soul and his freedom. I use the term "freedom" loosely here, being a human definition of the word, not free in the sense of being complete and whole, which is what I believe true freedom will one day be.

Okay, so I think I've written enough to refocus, though perhaps I've caused you confusion, and for that I apologize. I tend to write stream of consciousness. Deal. If, it turns out, I have not written enough to refocus you can expect another post in relatively 10 minutes or so.

Da da da dum da da dum...

2008-11-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

What is that called?!?!

I think I might go crazy... literally. You know when you can't think of the word for something, or the movie that a quote is from... well this one is the bane of my existence.

What is it called when a singer sings "da da da dum da da" or "la li la li" or "do doot do doot doot do"... as in "Bubbly" by Colbie Callait, or in "Romeo" by the Kin (thought nobody would really know that one). Or Nemmy - in "Seize the Day" - "li de di de di, li de di de di da di..."

AHHHH!!! Please help.

Lesson 1 - Place One Foot in Front of the Other

2008-11-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Realizing that I'm less than two months away from walking backwards over a cliff - the cliff being graduation, and the walking backwards correlating with the fact that I don't have a job, a place to live, or any clue in either direction - I should be getting nervous and sweaty and all those other lovely things that accompany sheer terrifying situations. Class, were you paying attention? Should. The inference being - I'm not. Very good. Gold stars.

Naturally, one might assume some super-human strength or courage that permeates my very core in which would inspire tales of my wonderful childhood with feats of overwhelming risks and conquests, maybe even an interview with my parents or sisters of some sort. Naturally, if this were the case, I would decline any such offers of monetary award for the secret of my undaunted bravery, but would willingly play the lead character in the movie adaptation, after such would be other endorsements and action-hero squeaky dolls as to create stir enough to force me into early retirement and seclusion from all human contact. I would then wither away from all known society leading to a dissipating life of loneliness and disillusion with the world. Naturally, fortunately, this is not the case.

The truth is I have an amazing God who is in charge and has a complete and perfect plan and purpose for my life. Other than that I know nothing about my future.

Besides, of course, the fact that I will never condone action-hero squeaky Mindy dolls.

If you have any complete and serious suggestions, or not-so-serious would be fine as well, about life options, please Class, do speak up.

Life Beyond the Gray

2008-10-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

I'm smoothing out on every side
this shirtsleeve where my heart resides
gonna need it for today

Packing up and shipping out
the suitcase stuffed with all that doubt
don't need it anyway

What of control and what of before
the fights and designs
this one heart's looking for more
Lying isn't dying for a cause
anymore than crying ever was.

There lies a road, there goes a path
a way that's lined with aftermath
what use is it to wait

I'll leave behind the smallest me
the one who only falls in me
a life beyond the gray.

(My attempts at putting music to these lyrics have been unsuccessful to this point - maybe someday)

The Kin: Rise and Fall

2008-10-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

[This is the day we come to say
All of the pain has come and gone away

This is the ONE WING DOVE
Today we come TOGETHER]
- The Kin

Last night Heidi, Joel and I went to the Roxy Theater in Hollywood to see The Kin, a great band - two brothers from Australia whose harmony, lyrics and sound are incredible.

Isaac is on the left and Thorry on the right in this picture. After their set we got to talk to them for a little bit about their music. Really nice guys.

It was so much fun to just stand right in the front, sing along, dance, and not even care about anything; just listen and enjoy. It was an experience of beauty, really. The theme of hope runs throughout several songs, and my favorite is New Day (though it is hard to pick between that and Together, and really all the other ones as well) in which there is an amazing harmony on the repeated line "War is over..."

At one point they came down off the stage and asked everyone to make a tight circle around them, which we all did, then they sang "Abraham", a song about the war between the sons of Abraham. Well, when Heidi was singing along, Isaac, as he was standing in front of us, turned around and encouraged her to sing louder... nice. So she did. You can actually see it in the video posted below.

To check them out got to www.thekin.com or their myspace at www.myspace.com/thekin

Hope you enjoy their music as much as I do!

Walking Barefoot

2008-10-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

(So this is the "This I Believe" project I ended up doing)

I know that sometimes shoes must cover my feet
There's sometimes someone the world wants me to be.
For example: a party and I must put on heels;
Don't get me wrong I love them, but it’s just not as real
As walking barefoot across the grass or the sand,
And I know that myself is exactly who I am.
No cover, no limit, no facade and no front
No "yes world" and "no world" - no "I'll be who you want."

When I go to the gym, I'm healthy, I wear tennies.
When I go to my job, I wear heels, I save pennies.
When I'm a daughter, I wear what fits the occasion.
When I'm a sister I borrow and lend with patience.
Yet barefoot I am me, I can stretch and let loose,
In that moment no persona or form I must choose.
It is in these moments that I believe
I can open my mind and my heart is set free.

Yes, it's true that walking barefoot through life
I'll cross different paths, some of joy some of strife.
The joy feels like carpet deep and so soft
And the strife feels like sharp gravel or rock.
Yet I yearn and I seek to walk only straight
To not veer from the course God's called me to take.
And walking straight I want to feel all that I may,
Of the hurt and the pain and the joy and the gain,
With no regret in those moments that I've walked my own way.

My bare feet may be dirty they may be scrubbed clean
But they're there to tell part of the story of me;
Of where I've been of what I've been through,
Of all that I've done and have still yet to do.
No shoe will cover that, if I can help it.
If I walk through it I want to have felt it.

I guess what I'm saying, the only way it can be put
Is that “I believe in walking through life barefoot."

Dinner Conversation

2008-10-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

Mr. Manning told me that there is someone special out there for me, and I will meet him soon.... So, I'm excited.

This I Believe

2008-10-12T11:17:00.001-07:00

I'm taking an American Literature class this semester and Dr. Van Zandt is one of those teachers that motivates you to really do your best. She has actually been added to my list of teachers that encourage my love for writing and literature. This week we have a project entitled "This I Believe". We can choose any form of project - paper, picture, song, dance - to present something we truly believe in. One of hers is joy, she believes in doing the things that bring her joy. For instance, her job. She loves teaching and talking about books and interacting with her students.

I have a lot of things I believe in. I, also, believe in joy. I don't think I could ever do something with my life that I don't get joy from and bring joy to others. That's why I love writing, it's not just for me. Here's a few more.

I believe in life. I believe that every child has the right to it.
I believe in laughter. It heals where nothing else can.
I believe in quilts. They are very comforting.
I believe in rain. That sometimes we just need to go out and stand in it.
I believe in smiling. You can make anyone's day better by just smiling at them.

There are a lot of things I believe in. It's funny too. There are so many things that we think we need, or can't live without. But what really brings us joy and hope are those things that we can't buy. I know this seems like an old concept and, of course, it's not the first time I've realized it, but there are moments where it really hits me. Like when looking at my Happy List (which, by the way, I will update soon). The majority of things on there are those simple things that most of us take for granted. Myself included. I love getting caught off guard by this realization. I believe in those moments where I truly am content. Like now. Papers, graduation concerns, relationships - all of it matters, of course, but stressing out about it won't make it better... or easier.

I believe in trust. That it is inseparably linked to hope and patience.

I believe in stream of consciousness, which this blog definitely possesses.

Where my thoughts go, there I write
to speak those words that have taken flight.

Firefly Memories

2008-10-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Out to the field you and I went walking one night
it was cold yet we both wore coats
There weren't any stars but somehow it seemed right
and neither of us spoke.

As we came to its edge we kneeled in the grass
the dampness seeping through our jeans
but we didn't care as our gaze was held fast
to the firefly memories.

You point out the first one, its bright and fast
I watch my first love dart and play
it is brighter than the rest but doesn't last
and flits and flies away.

I spot the next and its flying steady
our friendship through the years
I grab your hand and you let me
and you don't even mind the tears.

The next we both see together, two alike
side by side we watch them awhile
together they make the brightest light
the realization makes us smile.

Walking back from the field hand in hand
we wouldn't give up on our dreams
the ones that we've had the ones that still stand
as twirling firefly memories.

Freedom!

2008-10-03T13:38:00.001-07:00

So, this post is directly a result of my friend Melissa's post.

I want to go back to Scotland. I want to be cold yet warm in layers of clothes. I want to walk the road from the train to the William Wallace Monument. I want to swim in Loch Ness (which I didn't have the guts to last year in October). I want to see green hills. Lots of them. I want fall with orange and gold and yellow and red leaves. I want to spend hours and hours in the used book store in Inverness.

Here's a little of what I'm missing.

"What would the world be, once bereft of wet and wildness?
Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet."
Gerard Manley Hopkins

Pressure: Not Conducive to Genius

2008-09-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to write about. My roommate Candice is forcing me to write a blog right now because she says I'm falling behind.
Falling behind whom, you might ask.
Why, what a great question, I would reply.
Behind the other blogs she reads, which just so happen to be the two that I follow. You see, she gets on to mine and then gets sucked into the vortex of blog reading that has permeated the online world - and I will mention that I use vortex and permeate in the best possible senses, I love blogs, hence this ones' existence. That's not the point.
I'm being forced now to write something that clearly no one will find interesting or informing and, in being both dull and dumb, will turn my readers so off from anything else I might endeavor to create that my career as a novelist will be eternally damaged.
A novelist? you ask. What have you written?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I will dodge your question, as there are a number of novels I have thought but never written... a theoretical, figurative, metaphoric connotation to the word novelist is what I was aiming at really.
Ahem, what was I speaking on before?
Your readers.
Thank you. Now, I know that up to this point, my faithful readers have followed my writings with such persistent excitement as to what I will "come up with next" that such mere wordling meanderings and senten-sical nonsense will come as quite a shock to those most loyal, which by the way I mean Candice herself. She is actually sitting right next to me and has no idea but that I'm writing a fantastic piece of modern literature with that ongoing hint of comedy tinging the edges. I guess the comical part I cover quite well through sarcasm but I'm not sure she'll say the same. Perhaps I should post and have done with this.
Perhaps you are right, you say.
Thanks, I like to think I am every now and then. Just my little portion of the unequal distribution of intellectual capital.

The Happy List - Part I

2008-09-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

So my genius sister told me to write a Happy List. She showed me hers: a hundred things that make her happy. Now, this happy list can range from serious happy, or joy, all the way down to plain-jane happy, like bringing a smile to your face. I've been working on mine and am currently on 73 - hundred is quite a lot and I want to get it right. So this here is Part I, meaning numbers 1-25. And no, they aren't in order from greatest to least, or vice versa, just happy as it comes.

1. Holding hands
2. Baby laughs
3. Getting mail in my mailbox (or better yet, a package!)
4. Laying on the beach in the sun
5. Taking a nice long shower after a day at the beach
6. Playing games with my family
7. Hearing a song that, even if I tried to, I couldn't help but dance to
8. Clear skin - no zits on my face
9. Finding a pair of jeans that fits just right
10. Hugs from my niece and nephews
11. Holding babies (happy ones)
12. Getting soaked in the rain
13. Feeling pretty - like, really pretty
14. Climbing under layers of quilts when I'm cold
15. Running when you float (i.e. you don't feel every step)
16. Brushing my teeth after they feel particularly dirty
17. The feeling when I finish a huge paper or project
18. Laying on deep carpet
19. Writing a good poem
20. Hearing Les Miserables music
21. When a guy I like tells me he likes me
22. Laughing
23. The Mufasa joke
24. Stretching after a hard workout
25. Playing the quote game

That's it for now. I mean, I do have more, but I figure I'll keep my avid readers in suspense - you know "Tune in next week as Mindy's Happy List moves on to number 26..." Sorry, lame.

I am a Triathlon.

2008-09-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

Gas: $8
Sleep Before: 5 hours
Completion Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Continental Breakfast: Fo' free
Three Naps: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Finishing my first Triathlon: Priceless.

LTD
Living The Dream.

I won't lie, turning back crossed my mind after swimming 100 yards. Let's just say I'm not a swimmer. I was pleasantly surprised by the biking - I thoroughly enjoyed it, even considering that the bike seat was too high and all up in my business (sorry, if that's too much information). I didn't even fall down once (well, that is if you don't count transitioning between the bike to running, when I tried to do the latter before I was completely off the former). Running, big fan. Especially when Toth - who had already finished, of course - ran with me the last mile and encouraged me to pick up the pace. "Tie an imaginary lasso around that girl up there and draw her in." The last quarter-mile I felt like throwing up and was pretty convinced I never wanted to feel like that ever again. But crossing that finish line - with my heart pounding, my body drenched half in sweat and half in ocean, and the blisters on the insides of my sock-less feet burning - was the most painfully joyous moment I've ever experienced. Now I can't wait for the next one.

I guess, first, I'll learn how to swim. That might help.

Have You Ever Run One?? No.

2008-09-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's like Christmas. Only I've got pain, sore muscles, and exhaustion to look forward to. And I guess on Christmas morn I don't get so extremely nervous that I feel like throwing up. So maybe not so much like Christmas. But the excitement factor is there. Tomorrow I'm running a sprint Triathlon down in Coronado, CA, near San Diego. And no, I've never run one before so, hence, all the emotional turmoil.

First, the race starts with an 800 meter swim out in Glorietta Bay, which, of course, I haven't trained for. I mean, I went to the beach last week - so, check. Next, it moves onto an 11.5 mile bike ride along the Silver Strand. Now my beach cruiser gets me most places and I'm pretty comfortable on it - so good thing I'm riding a complete different bike that I fell off of last night trying to get onto. Finally, the race finishes off with a 3 mile run, and considering I work at a fitness center and get to look at treadmills all day - done-zos. Just kidding, the last part is where I feel comfortable, but who knows after the events preceding this part. Oh, did I fail to mention that the course is not closed to traffic so at the same time I trying to breath and live I have to focus on not getting killed (which to some people may see as the same thing - though it is quite different). Good.

Wish me luck!

So Here Goes Everything

2008-09-08T21:42:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure who will read this, and I don't know if they'll like it. But what I do know is that I enjoy writing so hopefully others enjoy reading. My sister has a blog and I've really enjoyed getting updated with things that she forgets to tell me in her emails - or otherwise just tells me to look here. Please don't hate me if you're bored, it'll get better I promise. Thanks anyways for just getting this far, I'm proud of you.

There once was a girl who just knew,
to write was what she should do.
So she captured her thoughts and plots and what-nots
and wrote them down here just for you.

Enjoy!