Buffalo Soldier

Gospel choir. Sounds fun, right? I know when looking at me, one would assume that my tall, lanky, caucasian self couldn't possibly contain the rhythm or soul required to be a member of a gospel group. However, as 6 pm rolled around, and I prepared to begin my journey as a 'soul singer', I was feeling preeetty excited. My music counselor made the performance group sound like a blast, and assured me that I would be a "perfect addition". Well, you can see how flustered I would feel when I entered the classroom, found myself to be the only caucasian member, and was told that I would have to sing Marvin Gaye or Bob Marley for my audition. Let's just say that my straight-laced, white booty was out of that classroom before you could say ' Buffalo Soldier'!

Reflections on the old year....

It is 2009. And now, as I sit in my empty apartment after returning from a solo hike in the foothills, I am pondering the past year, which has been the one of biggest change and growth in my young life. If you know me at all, or ever have read my blog, you know I have a special attachment to lists. So, here is a list of important highlights in 2008. 

1. Completing the Citrus Singer program.

I have only the most affectionate sentiments attached to the Citrus Singer Program. That 3 years of my life was hands down the most fun I have ever had. Wonderful people were met, beautiful music was made, and my soul has been molded by my experience there. I will always look back at my time at Citrus with loving nostalgia for the way that it changed my life.  So, much love to all the pivotal people there (singers, and non)- you know who you are.

2. Losing loved ones.

Over the course of 2008, I have lost several people that I love dearly; one through death, and a few through circumstance. When something once important becomes missing, it is assumed that you will only feel a void in the places where it once belonged. However, I have learned that grief is an overarching emotion that, once experienced, becomes woven into every fiber of our beings. As C.S. Lewis says, a loved one's absence is "like the sky, spread over everything". 

4. Settling Down

As my transition into "real school" has become more settled, I have really put roots down here in the foothills. This is now home to me- my roommates and our little apartment, my church, my work, and my friends that are like family. My heart is definitely divided among people in other locations, but is is nice to have that familiar and cozy feeling again.

5 . Fooooood!

This year I have fallen in love with food! I have always had a wide awareness and appreciation for all types of food (thanks, mom and dad), but my passion for food is now driving my ultimate career goals. I want to work with food everyday and am super excited about what the future holds for me in the field of hospitality management.

So much more could be added to this list... 

New Haircut?

A Few of My Guiltiest Pleasures

I am creating this blog at 2 AM for several reasons. One, I fell asleep on top of the sheets and with my jeans on (I hate that), and woke up with a start. Two, I am now kept awake by my neighbors' shrieking infant. Three, my side-job as a blogger has been experiencing some major slackage. So, as I lay in bed, I think about my schedule for this (busy) upcoming week. My life is practically managed to the minute by my very detailed palm pilot. But luckily I also have some "guilty", but necessary pleasures that keep life sweet. Here's the inside scoop.

Trader Joe's Peppermint Jo-Jo's

The Grand Avenue hill

Facebook

Coffeemate Creamer (I'm ashamed to say that I daily give into a few grams of hydrogenated fat to make my AM enjoyable)

Monthly mani/pedi treatments

LOST

Food & Wine magazines

The baby's cries have subsided, and it's now time to give in to my guiltiest pleasure- sleep!

Goodnight all. 

The Annual Mitchell Gingerbread House Making Competition

We dominated!

Stop, Drop, and Roll!

My beautiful place of work- what a tragedy:

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_11256629?source=most_viewed

Martha or Mary?

This passage re-struck me this week:

Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Although I can identify with both women, I tend to exhibit the characteristics of Martha more prominently. I try to juggle the "ball" of Christianity with the countless other "balls" of responsibility I seek to balance in my life, rather than putting on the uniform of Christianity that will transform the way I play out on the court.*** This story is a much needed reminder to stop the hustle and bustle, and come kneel quietly at the feet of our Lord.

***This original metaphor was created by Sarah.

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

.... My true love gave to me....

12 drummers drumming

Did you know this refers to the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed?

A Newly Discovered Comparison

"Ab mats at the gym are like sand at the beach". 

For clarification: 

Tonight, Sar and I went to the gym for a bit of exercise. After about 30 minutes of actually working out, we spent the rest of our time at the gym (probably another 30+ minutes) lying belly down on the ab mat, people watching, chit chatting, and giggling. That glorious 30 minutes truly felt like an afternoon of leisure at the beach, and I think our giggling gave my abdominal muscles a better workout than the actual sit-ups did.

Oh, the joys of friendship :)

The Sounds of the Season

Why isn't all our "praise and worship" music as jubilant as that of the Christmas season? I love listening to Christmas tunes all year round because of their praise-filled and glorious (i know, i'm nerdy) lyrics. Here is a compilation of my favorite Christmas song lyrics:

'God and sinners reconciled' ... 'For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'... 'Born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth'... 'Jesus, Lord at thy birth'... 'Rejoice! Emmanuel will come to thee O Israel!'... 'Glory to the newborn king'... 'He knows your need, O Praise His name forever!'... 'The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him'... 'And at last our eyes shall see Him through His own redeeming love'... 'Gloria, in excelsis Deo!'

He's the reason for the season!