Thoughts for the Day...

.: Self :.

2008-11-05T22:07:00.001-08:00

Having a blog to write about myself seems a little narcissistic. I'm taking a new spin on things... Please see ishowerdaily.blogsot.com.

.: Whirlwind :.

2008-06-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

So... about a month and a half just disappeared into thin air. Did May really happen? Some highlights... (reconstructed memories through photographs... a fun journey through May!)

Lake Tahoe (end of April) - MH staff retreat!

Every spring, the full-time MH staff get to go on a sweet retreat- this year we went to Lake Tahoe! We stayed at Zepher Point Presbyterian Conference Center (in Zepher Cove, NV), where we run a week of family camp when the JEMS are at Mount Hermon. It was amazing! Ingrid (who's hubby wasn't able to make it this year) was a fantastic roommate, and everyone just had a great time.

Tyrone Wells & Jason Reeves Concert in SF

DISNEYLAND!!

Sunny CA days

.: Today's Worship Set :.

2008-04-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Infinite Divine - Ish

Infinite Divine
With all my mind I praise You
God I thank You
Lord of ancient days
To You I raise my hands
To worship You
For all my days
Your name I'll sing
To give all glory to my King

Lord of all that's right
With all Your might
Please hold me
Father take me into Your arms
Save me from harm
Be Thou my God
Keep my steps right
To Your glory
I will live by Your word only
Bound to Thee

(Repeat)

Song of Hope - Robbie Seay

All things bright and beautiful You are
All things wise and wonderful You are
In my darkest night, You brighten up the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know that You are near is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

All things new
I can start again
Creator, God
Calling me Your friend
Sing praise, my soul
To the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know You and be loved is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

Hallelujah, sing
Hallelujah, sing
Hallelujah, sing

Everything - Chris Tomlin

With rain, with sun
With much, with less
With joy, with pain
With life, with death

The only things that satisfy come from You
They come from You

Everything that's beautiful
Everything that's wonderful
Every perfect gift comes from You

Your grace, Your heart
Your voice, Your touch
Your word, Your peace
Your hope, Your love

A thousand words could not explain
A thousand worlds could not contain
Every perfect gift comes from You

It comes from the Father of Lights
It comes from the Giver of Life
It comes from the Heavens above
It's coming straight from Your heart
To the people You love

.: Brian Regan :.

2008-04-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

The man is funny.

Emergency Room Part 1

Emergency Room Part 2

Doctor

Food Labels

Pop Tarts

Working Out

Moving - UPS Boxes

I Walked on the Moon

Walkie Talkie

Airports Part 1

Airports Part 2

Airports Part 3

Horses / California / Driving / Bilingual

Etch-a-Sketch / Baggage Claim / Greeting Cards / Dora

Reading to Babies / Butterfly / Dinosaurs / String Theory

Antiques / Golf / Politicians

Kennedy's / More Politics

.: Disney! :.

2008-04-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm a sucker for Disney movies. I loved all of the princess movies growing up (my favorites being Beauty & the Beast and The Little Mermaid, of course)... one of my new favs is definitely Enchanted.

This song is stuck in my head (which I think I'm okay with).

Me gusta mucho!

.: Coffee Worth Paying For :.

2008-03-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday. Berkeley. The Western Regional Barista Competition.

My taste buds will never be the same. Have you ever tasted a latte and thought to yourself, "meh." Not acceptable. Some coffee shops consistently offer better quality coffee and service than others. I have officially become a "coffee snob". If I can't order a Cappuccino and thoroughly enjoy it without thinking "well that's a little bitter" or "the milk's not very creamy (I'll give a little grace w/ soy, which doesn't froth nearly as well as milk)" on a pretty regular basis, chances are I won't be ordering coffee there anymore.

Part two of this train of thought...

I spend a ridiculous amount of money on coffee in any given month. I have recently been challenged with many social justice issues. We live in a very broken world that needs help, and I choose to spend my money on not-so-great to downright crappy coffee. What the heck!

One thing I really appreciated about the WRBC was the emphasis on the origin of the beans. In many developing countries, coffee is a main source of revenue. Many job opportunities exist in this industry; farmers grow the coffee cherries and hire people to pick them, then extract/dry/prepare the beans to be exported to other areas. One really cool program that was featured is called Bikes to Rwanda. Their goal is to "improve quality of life in these communities through a bike workshop and maintenance program that provides transportation resources for basic needs and enhances production of quality coffee."

Seeing things like this prompts me to really look at what I support simply by living life the way I do. Being patient and seeking out quality is important. I can feel good about going to a coffee shop that supports farmers in these countries and is willing to pay them a fair price for their beans. I appreciate the Baristas' willingness do their best to produce a great cup of coffee that will make customers want to support their business and prove that it is worth it to provide quality product and service.

I am challenged to think twice about what I choose to purchase - is it really worth it?

Shameless plug - check out the Verve Coffee Roasting Company in Capitola. They're great!

.: Affection :.

2008-03-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Gosh, who would have ever thought that adding the "C.S. Lewis quote of the day" to my Google homepage would wind up being so thought-provoking?

Today's quote:
"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives."

Profound on several levels. I was having a conversation with a friend today and she is one who LOVES physical touch/affection. I have always considered myself to be on the opposite end of that spectrum - I don't like to be touched. As we discussed this, she said something really hit me; she never feels quite as safe and happy and at rest and at home as when she is being held by another person. I suppose this may be true of all people (after all, there is that whole study about the chimps who gravitate toward the soft cuddle mom-robot with no food over the stark cold mom-robot who provides food... as well as other studies).

What I realized was that she and I are actually very similar in this way - I do get a safe/happy/restful feeling from physical touch - but only with a select few trusted individuals. Our differences come in frequency and variety.

This is not to say that physical touch is the only form of affection, but it is the one that comes to mind most readily.

Anyhow, that was my thought-of-the-day.

.: Cabin Time :.

2008-03-19T00:12:00.000-07:00

I should have posted this one a while back but... oh well.

(P.S. Thanks for your help w/ this Austin!)

.: August Rush :.

2008-03-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is amazing....

My favorite part of this movie.

.: Dear Mr. Sir :.

2008-03-18T00:20:00.001-07:00

First off.... this blog is solely for the amusement of Amanda Mackay (and, apparently, maybe Jenna... and Adam?).

The reply that would have been sent if only, if only...

"Dear Mr. Sir Lloyd,

Clearly, you are on crack. I sent the email to my own personal email address, and it worked fine (not to mention that no one else reported having an issue with this "jibberish" you speak of; by the way, if you are referring to the email's content, consider yourself excommunicated from the community entirely). You should plan to update your obviously crappy system immediately to prevent further delay of important (and dare I say well-written) information.

Thank you, have a nice day.

- Amanda"

.: Mr. Lewis :.

2008-03-11T00:24:00.001-07:00

C.S. Lewis never fails to surprise me with some little nugget of wisdom.

On my Google homepage (get one, you won't regret it), I have a widget (I think that's what they're called) that gives a C.S. Lewis quote every time you log in.

Today's quote:

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one."

I love this for a variety of reasons. Several friends lately have blown me away with similar stories/experiences/feelings that I thought no one would really understand. It amazes me how God can bring two people together at any given moment to share life and enjoy each other's company.

.: Daylight Saving Time :.

2008-03-09T21:05:00.001-07:00

This observance is probably my least favorite thing about calendars. We should all be like Arizona and Hawaii and just say forget it. The following are reasons why DST should not exist:

1. Confusion.
- "Spring forward, fall back" - sounds simple... not so. Try adjusting a small child's sleep schedule to an hour time difference. Then there's always those conversations that go something like...
"Wait... spring forward... so we gain an hour, right?"
"No, we go forward an hour, we lose the hour."
"So when it would be 6:00 AM, it's now 7:00 AM, so I have to get up earlier... but when it's 8:00 PM, it's really 9:00 PM, so I need to go to bed earlier?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
(side note - the only legitimate fight my mom and I have been in was over DST.)

2. Lack of sleep.
- "Just go to bed earlier the night before," they say. Not that simple. We stress so much about whether we set our alarm clocks right that we don't sleep well for half the night, then go into a deep sleep and over-sleep...

3. (I feel like there should be 3 reasons, but the first 2 are good enough for me.)

.: Recap :.

2008-03-09T20:56:00.001-07:00

Dang, it's been a while. Recap:

January:
- It's been too long and I don't really remember.

February:
- I re-joined YoungLife.
- I turned 23.
- I LOVE going to the snow. Cabins are amazing. I have some pretty rock-awesome friends.
- Men's groups (those from churches who attend retreats at MH that I have worked with) can be surprisingly high-maintenance.
- High winds can lead to javelin-like branches shooting through ceilings and into closets.
- I discovered that my cell phone has a calendar feature, which reminds me of important things I need to do.
- I have a mentor - she is amazing.

March:
- I discovered that I quasi-enjoy dancing.
- I have sworn off drinking (again).
- I really do have some pretty amazing friends - they are totally a gift from God.
- Wild Oak's front lawn is pretty much one of my favorite places on earth.

More to come...

.: Back :.

2008-01-21T23:08:00.001-08:00

So... I moved back to this Blog from my Wordpress one... it was too fancy. I like this one better. :o)

.: Goodness :.

2008-01-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

So, there are a lot of things I have been processing through today. This is all over the place, bear with me.

The day started off well, with a really good conversation with a friend I haven't really talked to in a long while. I had no idea what to expect from our coffee date but it became obvious very quickly that God brought her and I together for a specific purpose. In talking with her, several things came up that I realized I have never really processed through, and that lack of dealing with these things is making current situations difficult to work through.

Rainy afternoons are good for doing laundry, making cookies, and being with people you care about.

Young Life. Some things will never change, and some things will never stop changing. I actually have no idea about anything, I haven't been consistent with it at all, but I just have thing feeling about it...

Church. God is good. I have been taking the Spiritual Life classes at Faith Community Church in Santa Cruz and it has been an amazing experience. Passion is contagious. It's one thing to go to church and listen to a message and sing songs; it is quite another to talk with your pastor and hear his heart for the change he wants to see in our community.

Friends. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life right now.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the sovereignty and wisdom of the Lord our God.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all the is in the heavens and the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all." - 1 Chronicles 29:11

.: In the Drink :.

2007-12-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

Funny Story Time!

Last night after work, I decided to go to Taqueria Vallarta in Felton for dinner (always a good choice, right?). The conversation in my head went something like this:

"Um, I don't really need my purse, I'm just going in for a second."

(I proceeded to put my keys in my purse like I always do, and shut the door. I went inside, ordered my dinner and went to leave...)

"Oh crap! Well I have a spare set of keys at my house... I'll just start walking and call people on the way to see if someone can give me a ride back... I'll cut through Redwood Camp, my house is really close if I go that way."

(I walk to Zayante Road, then realize that there is no shoulder on this road and it's really dark.)

"Oh well, it's a short stretch of road..."

(I make it to Redwood Camp and then realize there are no night lights on because we don't have groups in, so it was REALLY dark and I kept hearing things so I just started running. I made it across the new bridge (almost home!) and it was pitch black and I could faintly see the yellow leaves on the ground. Then all of the sudden...)

"OH CRAP!"

(I fell in the creek, about 8 feet down off the trail. I was soaking wet as I crawled back up the side of the trail and (very carefully) made my way home. I called Rachel up at the Front Desk at Mount Hermon and she gave me a ride back to my car after I got my keys from my house.)

And there you have it. :o)

.: Disneyland, Take 2 :.

2007-12-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh. I LOVE Disneyland at Christmas (or any time, really)!

Check out my pictures, they are here:

http://ewu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019249&l=47e6b&id=44502649

Have a great day!

.: Nothin' Better To Do :.

2007-12-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

"Mama said, idle hands are Devil's handy work
Oh, the trouble you'll get into
When you got nothing better to do..."

- LeAnn Rimes

.: Thanksgiving & Christmas :.

2007-11-28T21:45:00.001-08:00

This is easily my favorite time of year. Not necessarily Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day... but that time in between, affectionately known as "Christmastime." Highlights?

Wine Tasting with the Girls

(Cheryl, Ingrid, Sara, Gretchen, Me, & Brenda)

(Sisters)

(Gretchen's cute little house)

Thanksgiving with the Browns

(Andrew, Hilary, & Joshua)

Thanksgiving Family Camp at Mount Hermon

It was SO WONDERFUL to hang out with my Child Care friends and the kiddos - I miss them all!

(Bethany... I miss this lil girl!)

(Landon came to Child Care!)

(America - she's precious!)

The day after Thanksgiving - as tradition since I moved to MH - we decorated for Christmas!

(My Christmas Tree!)

(Home Sweet Home)

Probably One of the Sweetest Things Anyone Has Ever Done For Me...

After community night at my house this week, my AMAZING friends made paper snowflakes and tried to sneakily (I caught them) string them up in my window so I would see snow when I woke up in the morning - all because they know I really miss the snow! :o)

(Mark, Eric, & Heidi - my heroes!!)

(Snowflakes outside!)

(the next morning...)

Decorating Day at Mount Hermon!

A few of us were recruited to decorate a specific room/area at the Conference Center - I had Youth Memorial (meeting room where the continental breakfasts will be served during MH's Christmas Concerts & Buffets). Afterwards, we headed over to help Sara in the dining room.

(Youth Memorial Fireplace)

(Marci!)

(Me!)

(Youth Memorial Christmas Tree)

(Landon in his adorable hat...)

(Sara!)

(Rec Crew - Dan & Jon - stringin' up some lights?)

(This would be a good Christmas card - Jon (Recreation Supervisor) and Sara (Dining Room Supervisor), strung up in harnesses in the dining room. Fabulous.)

(Danny Kern - on the "outdoor lights" crew)

(Scotty Gullick - He made the majority of those white bows - he's a pro!)

(One of our trees in Ivy Dining... Fabuloso!)

All in all... it has been a great holiday season so far. I love Christmastime! :o)

.: Holy Buckets :.

2007-11-20T20:25:00.000-08:00

(That's a phrase I have heard a lot of lately, and I really couldn't think of another name for this post.)

Now, please tell me, what is more ridiculous than this article you are about to read?

Thieving monkeys 'out of control' in northeast India

Sat Nov 17, 12:12 PM ET

Troupes of monkeys are out of control in India's northeast, stealing mobile phones and breaking into homes to steal soft drinks from refrigerators, lawmakers in the region have complained.

"Monkeys are wreaking havoc in my constituency by taking away mobile phones, toothpastes, sipping coke after opening the refrigerators," Hiren Das told Assam state's assembly.

He said the primates were "even slapping women who try to chase them".

"It is a cause of serious concern in my area, with more than 1,000 such simians turning aggressive by the day," fumed Goneswar Das, another legislator representing Raha in eastern Assam.

Assam's wildlife minister, Rockybul Hussain, said the state government has formed a panel to study the problem.

Because of shrinking forest cover, monkeys have increasingly moved into cities elsewhere in India as well.

Last week, around two dozen people were hurt after monkeys rampaged through a New Delhi neighbourhood.

Last month, the deputy mayor of Delhi died when he fell from his balcony after being attacked by monkeys.

Efforts to drive out the animals is complicated by the fact that devout Hindus view them as an incarnation of Hanuman, the monkey god who symbolises strength.

True story. From Yahoo! News. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071117/od_afp/indiawildlifeanimalmonkeysoffbeat_071117080843

.: New Blog :.

2007-11-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

Not to be a traitor or anything but...

I have a new blog. Check it out -

http://carolanncallahan.wordpress.com/

.: Just a Ride :.

2007-11-05T18:15:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the songs written by many different artist throughout the course of history (or at least the past 30 years) can pretty accurately describe my mood/outlook on life at any given moment. Seriously. Have you ever noticed that no matter what you are going through, there will be a song that totally sums up your feelings? It's kinda cool. Here's today's -

"Just a Ride" - Jem

Life, it's ever so strange
It's so full of change
Think that you've worked it out
then BANG
Right out of the blue
Something happens to you
To throw you off course
and then you

Breakdown
Yeah you breakdown
Well don't you breakdown
Listen to me
Because

It's just a ride, it's just a ride
no need to run, no need to hide
It'll take you round and round
Sometimes you're up
sometimes you're down
It's just a ride, it's just a ride
don't be scared
don't hide your eyes
It may feel so real inside
but don't forget it's just a ride

Truth, we don't wanna hear
It's too much to take
Don't like to feel out of control
So we make our plans
Ten times a day
And when they don't go
our way we

Breakdown
Yeah we breakdown
Well don't you breakdown
Listen to me
Because

Slowly, oh so very slowly
except that
there's no getting off
So live it, just gotta go with it
cause this ride's, never gonna stop

Breakdown
Don't you breakdown
No need to breakdown
No need at all
Because

It's just a ride, it's just a ride
no need to run, no need to hide
It'll take you all around
Sometimes you're up
sometimes you're down
It's just a ride, it's just a ride
don't be scared now
dry your eyes
It may feel so real inside
but don't forget enjoy the ride

.: Only in Santa Cruz - Part 2 :.

2007-10-27T13:11:00.001-07:00

Only in Santa Cruz will you find Ukulele-ists playing down by the beach in their Hawaiian shirts every Saturday morning - and today one was dressed as a clown.

.: Personality :.

2007-10-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

It seems like people are on a never-ending quest to learn about themselves. Today at work the Myers-Brigg Personality Test, one that I have heard of and probably taken a few times, was brought to light. The discussion went as far as "Googling" said test and taking an online version.

Here's what I learned about my personality today...

INFJ

Introverted (vs. Extroverted) - how I relate to others

(introverts need time alone to "recharge their batteries" while extroverts feel more isolated when alone)

iNtuitive (vs. Sensing) - how I take in information

(intuitive people look at the "big picture" while sensing people evaluate the "here and now")

Feeling (vs. Thinking) - how I make decisions

(feelers base decisions off of emotional connections while thinks look at the facts of the situation)

Judging (vs. Perceiving) - how I order my life

(judging people approach the outside world with a plan where as perceiving people approach it as it comes)

The Portait of the Counselor (INFJ)

The Counselor Idealists are abstract in thought and speech, cooperative in reaching their goals, and enterprising and attentive in their interpersonal roles. Counselors focus on human potentials, think in terms of ethical values, and come easily to decisions. The small number of this type (little more than 2 percent) is regrettable, since Counselors have an unusually strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others and genuinely enjoy helping their companions. Although Counsleors tend to be private, sensitive people, and are not generally visible leaders, they nevertheless work quite intensely with those close to them, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes with their families, friends, and colleagues. This type has great depth of personality; they are themselves complicated, and can understand and deal with complex issues and people.

Counselors can be hard to get to know. They have an unusually rich inner life, but they are reserved and tend not to share their reactions except with those they trust. With their loved ones, certainly, Counselors are not reluctant to express their feelings, their face lighting up with the positive emotions, but darkening like a thunderhead with the negative. Indeed, because of their strong ability to take into themselves the feelings of others, Counselors can be hurt rather easily by those around them, which, perhaps, is one reason why they tend to be private people, mutely withdrawing from human contact. At the same time, friends who have known a Counselor for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that they are inconsistent; Counselors value their integrity a great deal, but they have intricately woven, mysterious personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.

Counselors have strong empathic abilities and can become aware of another's emotions or intentions -- good or evil -- even before that person is conscious of them. This "mind-reading" can take the form of feeling the hidden distress or illnesses of others to an extent which is difficult for other types to comprehend. Even Counselors can seldom tell how they came to penetrate others' feelings so keenly. Furthermore, the Counselor is most likely of all the types to demonstrate an ability to understand psychic phenomena and to have visions of human events, past, present, or future. What is known as ESP may well be exceptional intuitive ability-in both its forms, projection and introjection. Such supernormal intuition is found frequently in the Counselor, and can extend to people, things, and often events, taking the form of visions, episodes of foreknowledge, premonitions, auditory and visual images of things to come, as well as uncanny communications with certain individuals at a distance.

Some famous INFJ's... Mohandas Gandhi, Sidney Poitier, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Emily Bronte, Sir Alec Guiness, Carl Jung, Mary Baker Eddy, and Queen Noor.

So, that's probably more than you ever wanted to know about me... you can take the test for yourself - leave me a comment stating your personality type and so I can know you better too!

Take the test at - http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

.: Only at Costco in Santa Cruz :.

2007-10-10T23:28:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to Costco. This is exciting enough, but wait - it gets better!

I was walking back to my car, groceries in hand, when something caught my eye...

This kid (couldn't have been more than 16 years old) bolts out the main door of Costco holding a Costco-sized (aka huge) bottle of Jack Daniels. The kid was running for his life. Close behind him was a (pretty hot) Costco employee guy. The kid drops the bottle of Jack (which shatters - sad day) and keeps running, only to be tackled to the ground by hot guy.

Now that's something you don't see every day ...but I do. (<--- That's a Disneyland joke and if you don't get it you're lame.)

.: What! :.

2007-08-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Shocking discovery of the day - Justin Chambers (aka Alex Karev from Grey's Anatomy) plays Mossimo in The Wedding Planner.

.: New Phone # :.

2007-08-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi there... I have a new phone # ... it is 509-834-9630 :o)

.: Joy :.

2007-08-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today I found an iTunes radio station that plays all Irish music, all the time, and it brought me joy.

.: Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream... :.

2007-07-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

I am definitely "high on emotion" right now... I really can't believe that this morning, I woke up in my bed in my room at my home in the Nile.

As a communication studies major, I have taken multiple classes about how people interact with other people. Part of the way it all goes down lies in how we form a sense of identity... in many cases, where people are from (aka hometown) plays a major role in identity & therefore, how they relate to each other.

Last night I realized I will forever be a "Nile Girl." I can't really describe what this means; you either get it or you don't. Nile Girls understand their role in almost every aspect of life, as long as we remember that we are indeed Nile Girls, and think to ourselves, "how would a Nile Girl handle this?" That train of thought is so incredibly helpful when attempting to make decisions (which, as we all know, I am not that great at). I wish I could say there was a rulebook or manual to follow to make this easier, thank the good Lord for grace!

It blows my mind to think that last night I was surrounded by some of the closest friends I have ever had (not all, of course, but a good majority)... and the crazier part was that they were from all different times in my life and yet it all came full circle and tied in on ONE DAY. From the Merritts, Fikes and Williams, who I don't even remember meeting because we were so young, to friends I met throughout the years (the entire Simmons family, the Forsmans, the Harris', Brandon, Phil, Shane and a bunch of Nile folk) - in high school to friends Nicole & I met in college - and the ones that were there every step of the way (Frieds, Medranos, Lawsons, McIlroys...).

All this is to say that I'm feeling very satisfied and very worn out at the same time.

.: Laundry, part 2 :.

2007-07-18T19:45:00.001-07:00

Today's activities:

- Work
- Tour of the Chaminade with Jen Cope (I love Conference Services outing days!)
- Laundry
- Homework at Coffee Cat

Let's focus on laundry for a moment. As you may know, I have been desperately seeking my favorite laundry soap at local shopping centers, to no avail. I finally broke down and bought a different one, hoping it was simply an updated package/name for the kind I loved, but no such luck. It's not horrible though, so that's good. My laundry is all clean. :o)

.: Laundry :.

2007-07-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

(I am on a role today with this blogging thing...)

I LOVE doing laundry. Seriously. I like sorting... and loading... and switching... and folding... and ironing... it's kind of ridiculous, really. What I love most is the smell of the laundry (post-washing, that is). On that note...

What the hell happened to all of the purple All laundry detergent!?!?!

It was my favorite detergent, cleaned and softened...I bought it at Nob Hill (grocery store next to the laundromat where I washed my clothes one day), because I forgot my other stuff. OH MY GOSH. I fell in love with it. Now, when you only wash for one, you don't run out of laundry soap all that quickly. (Segue to a fun-filled night...)

One crazy spring night, I decided to do some laundry (I was out of clothing). Not willing to settle for just any laundry soap, I took some friends on a fun little adventure to figure out where the heck I bought the stuff to begin with. After hitting up Rite Aid, 2 Long's Drugs, 2 Safeways, Walgreen's and Kmart, we decided to try one last place before taking our quest into Santa Cruz. "We have a winner!" The joyous shout was finally proclaimed after an hour of this madness... let's just say my poor poor friends were relieved that I finally found it at Nob Hill... and made my buy 2 bottles so we wouldn't be doing this again anytime soon.

Now, imagine my disappointment the last time I was at Nob Hill, only to find that they no longer carry "All Cleans and Softens" (in the opaque purple bottle). It was devastating. I bought the regular kind, but now it's almost gone again.

Today I decided to solve this matter once and for all. I went on All's website. I searched and searched, but to no avail. Then I noticed that they are on this "small and mighty" kick...and one of them has fabric softener in it. Could it be? Does my favorite detergent simply have a newer, smaller, more potent look?

More to follow...

.: Summer :.

2007-07-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Things I love about summer at Mount Hermon...

- The friggin' rock-awesome weather
- There are always people around and things to do
- Monday night BBQ's
- Beach days
- Visitors!
- Summer staff
- Kids at camp
- Otter pops
- Midnight movies
- Hilarious speakers
- Kodak moments
- Long sunny days
- (things I can't mention because of a bet w/ Crabs)
- Gardening

There are more... I'll probably update this list.

.: A Perfect Saturday :.

2007-06-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

So you may be asking yourself... what exactly makes a perfect Saturday? I am here to answer this question. The key components are as follows:

- Good friends
- Good music
- A little roadtrip action
- Some sea life
- Tidepooling
- Coffee
- A good movie

Dang. It was a good day. May I just preface this by saying I live in one of the most amazing places on this planet? (I also love that the Nile population is now 3 strong in Santa Cruz... do you part, move here.)

So... we started the day last night by deciding to make a Saturday Monterey trip (a summer staff tradition, really...) I (Nile-ite #1) renewed my MB Aquarium membership and was ready to roll. Jordan (Nile-ite #2) came over about 10am and we headed to Coffee Cat for a little AM jump-start before the mini-roadtrip south. On the way, we decided to do a little shopping - we missed the Watsonville Target exit, but there is one in Seaside so that was handy. We found a nifty parking spot and headed down to meet some friends (Crabs, Duchess, Guido, & Ducky) who were already inside. Bonus points - we had an awesome mix to listen to on the way down!

May I just say that I fall a little more in love with the aquarium each time I go? It really is amazing. The jellyfish are my favorite - muy bonita!

After a while we decided to snag some lunch, and were serenaded by the ever-talented keyboard player who seems to be in the same place, playing the same songs every time we head down to Cannery Row (remember him, Dory?)

To keep with tradition, after leaving downtown Monterey we went to Asilomar Beach (in Pacific Grove) to do some quality tidepooling. I have decided that this is easily one of my favorite passtimes... a little mild rockclimbing, the thrill of the catch (of the mini crabs), and just enjoying the ocean. I got a little lost (or at least took the REALLY LONG way back), but we made it back to Santa Cruz just in time to meet up with Tessina (Nile-ite #3), get some dinner, and watch one of our favorite movies from our high school summers - Extreme Days.

All in all... it was the perfect Saturday. I have pictures, look!

Asilomar Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - best tidepooling ever

The thrill of the chase...

Me & Jordan - childhood friends, reunited for the best summer ever!

Mr. Crabs - imparting his crabish wisdom to one of his own

The Duchess - always down for a good time...

Guido - la chica muy bonita!

Ducky - sittin' pretty

.: Bigfoot Museum :.

2007-06-08T00:55:00.001-07:00

After 4 years on summer staff and an entire year-round experience in the Santa Cruz Mountains, I finally did it. I visited the Bigfoot Museum in Felton.

So what, you may ask, finally prompted this adventure? Let me tell you. My good friend Jordan Fried is at camp this summer - he arrived today. In anticipation of his time here, I decided to write him a summer "to-do" list. As I suspected, visiting the Bigfoot Museum was on the top of his list of things to cross off said list.

As convinced as I was that it would be closed, I took the Highway 9 route to Santa Cruz on the off-chance that the museum would be open - if nothing else, he could see the outside. You can probably guess what we discovered as we approached...

It was OPEN!

For those of you who haven't set foot inside the Bigfoot Museum, it's an interesting experience. The owner (pictured above) claims to have personally spotted Bigfoot at 5 years of age and has been fascinated ever since.

Anyway, within a few short hours of arriving at Mount Hermon, Jordan has completed an item on his list. (yay!) It's gonna be an amazing summer! :o)

.: Procrastination at its finest :.

2007-06-01T01:17:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in the last 24 hours, May 31 disappeared. I did several completely meaningless, and several very meaningful things during these hours. I would put today's productivity at about 43%. (I love making up statistics like this.)

Work: Today FLEW by... I kept asking myself what day it was...
Homework: Didn't happen today. Needed to, but didn't.
Friends: Are amazing - I highly recommend them to anyone.

I also watched "Step Into Liquid" tonight and now I want to learn to surf - minus the fact that I hate sand, am terrified of drowning, and break easily.

Today my finger is done being broken. End of story, it gets no choice. No more cast for you, finger! Easier said than done.

This is my last weekend hosting at Redwood Camp... I will finally be down to one job and (maybe) can have a life again (but you all know I wouldn't have traded it for the world!)

.: All Moved In :.

2007-05-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

I am now officially all moved into my new house, hooray!!

This is the bedroom-half of my main room...

And this is the Living Room half....

Front door...

Kitchen table...

The rest of the kitchen...

There will be a BBQ/party of some sort soon... I'll keep you posted :o)

.: Prank War :.

2007-05-25T21:17:00.001-07:00

Guest Services vs. Audio Visual '07

It's here. As most of you probably know, this can only end in fits of laughter. I'm stoked. Now lets get this party started! I need ideas! (preferably fairly harmless but really funny ones)... suggestions?

.: My new casa!! :.

2007-05-07T22:39:00.001-07:00

Sometime in the near future I will be moving into my new house! It's a cute little studio-style house; I am the sole occupant and it's going to be great :o)

I have more pictures too if you want to see... and there will be a new house party soon as well! Hope y'all are having a wonderful day :o)

.: Oh, the Children :.

2007-05-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

My grandma sent me this, it's pretty funny...

If you need a laugh, then read through these Children's Science Exam Answers.

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? (brilliant, love this!)
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized?(e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does "varicose" mean?
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome

Q: What does the word "benign" mean?
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight

.: San Francisco :.

2007-04-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I feel the need to blog every time I go somewhere. This one is about an impromptu trip to San Francisco to visit Dory. Well... she came home for the weekend and I basically followed her back to school... good times :o) Although I did not get to see Meagan (her roommate) this weekend, that worked out well for me because I had a bed (had I not had a bed, I most likely would not have gone). Highlights from this sleepover include: sleeping in, riding the bus downtown, and shopping! I love the Old Navy in San Francisco, you should go there if you get the chance. Anyhow... the end.

.: Pictures, Anyone? :.

2007-04-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of pictures in my Facebook albums.

If you want to see them, please visit by clicking - HERE -
Enjoy :o)

.: Graduation ? :.

2007-04-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

I am considering this a graduation of sorts.

The last year or so, MySpace has taken up much more of my time than I am really willing to admit. I am not planning on deleting my account, but I feel as though this is a very transitional time in all areas of my life.

First of all, I am graduating in a literal sense - from college. My four years of service are over as of August 2007. The details of my education are a bit messy but if you are really interested, read on. I began my college career at Eastern Washington University in the Fall of 2003. I hated it. As a result of my disdain for my new surroundings, I moved back to Yakima and attended Yakima Valley Community College for a quarter, taking Psychology online. I learned a valuable lesson about moving back home after you've been away - don't do it. Back to EWU I went, where I remained for the next 2 years. A series of events following those years led me to move to Mount Hermon year - round and host at Redwood Camp. I continued to take classes at EWU, online, as well as attending one at Cabrillo College, and one at San Jose State University. I will be finished with classes in June my technical graduation date is August 2007. There you have it.

I am also reaching a "graduation" milestone in life - my first full-time job! God has had this plan mapped out for me for a while and the way He is choosing to unveil it has been one of the greatest adventures of my life thus far. After a year as Redwood Camp host, I will be transitioning into a more permanent position at Mount Hermon as the guest group coordinator for Redwood Camp and some of the Conference Center groups. I have started training a little bit for this job already and I am LOVING every second of it.

And there you have it.

.: Welcome to Adulthood :.

2007-04-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have exciting news!

I have been offered a full-time job here at Mount Hermon! My role will be in the Guest Services Department as a Conference Coordinator. We have three different sites – Redwood Camp, Ponderosa Lodge, and the Conference Center (more details can be found atwww.mounthermon.org) I will be coordinating all of the Redwood Camp groups and some of the groups at the Conference Center. The girls in our office are amazing, it is so clear that God has brought us all together - our personalities compliment each other so well.

So far, my summer schedule is looking something like this...
I will be finished attending classes in May and finished with my online classes in June, with my actual month of graduation being August after all the transfer paperwork is finalized. I will be finishing up my four years with a B.A. in Communication Studies from Eastern Washington University and an Africana Studies minor. My current hosting duties at Redwood Camp go through the first weekend in June (1-3). I will probably stay through the following week and work on moving/office hours. I will be driving up to Washington sometime mid-June for Emily & Andy's wedding on June 30th. Shortly after that I will be returning to Mount Hermon and start working full-time. I will work a Monday-Friday schedule during the summer and return to Washington mid-July for Nicole & Chris's wedding (the weekend of July 21). Our guest group season kicks off again in September; I will then switch to a Tuesday-Saturday schedule.

So, there's the big news! Come visit me sometime, it's beautiful here :o)

.: Ranch Kids :.

2007-02-27T01:03:00.000-08:00

Now, I know that I didn't technically live at the ranch, but I spent the majority of my childhood there :o)

"You know you lived at the Flying H Youth ranch if...

You threaten your kids with a white card

You hate day old donuts because you ate so many of them

You know how to build secret forts out of hay bales

You automatically do the sniff test on all individual sized chocolate milks

You ever hunted skunks at the pig barn

You didn't worry if your kids were out in the woods for hours

You wish your local public school had a rock pile

You know what a slop bucket is

You carefully inspect all forms of bread before consuming

You've ever hunted cats

Your favorite sweatshirt is a back room special

You understand what Hit the Loop means

The thought of going on an 8 or 10 day Survival Hike with food seems wimpy

You ever rode a snowmobile in your slippers

Your favorite gospel song is There is a Light in the Window

You didn't care if your kid shouted Mom, I'm going to the river.

You still have a stash of Y2K wheat and beans

While running baseball bases you keep an eagle eye out for cow pies

The sight of an elk hanging on a swing set while children play inspires joy

You bang the door loudly before going into a back storage room to scare away the cockroaches

Please feel free to forward to any past or present Flying H staff or staff kids or residents. If you think of another one, email me with it and I'll put together a part 2!

Blessings,

Rebecca Roberts"

.: Breathe :.

2007-02-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

My new favorite song.

Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
Can you help me unravel my latest mistake,
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just a day, he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But my God it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer
Inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
And breathe, just breathe
Woah breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe.

.: Psalm 116 :.

2007-01-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

The other night, I was having a rough time and my good friend Jenna directed me to this AMAZING chaper of Psalms... just thought I'd share :o)

I Love the LORD
I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
The LORD preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I spoke,
"I am greatly afflicted";
I said in my alarm,
"All mankind are liars."
What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

.: Shel Silverstein :.

2006-12-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

I think this is one of my favorite poems :o)

How Many, How Much

How many slams in an old screen door?
Depends how loud you shut it.
How many slices in a bread?
Depends how thin you cut it.
How much good inside a day?
Depends how good you live 'em.
How much love inside a friend?
Depends how much you give 'em.

- Shel Silverstein

.: Let's Recap :.

2006-12-30T03:15:00.000-08:00

This is a survey for you to look back and see what happened over the last year [2006]

** JANUARY **

1. Where did you spend New Years Eve?
At the convention center in downtown Spokane

2. Did you have a new year's resolution that year?
I think to be more motivated for school...

3. Does it snow where you live?
Heck yes!! (well, if you count that as the Nile... not in Santa Cruz though)

4. Do you like hot cocoa?
Indeed I do

5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
Nope

** FEBRUARY **

1. Who was your Valentine?
No one in particular

2. When you were little, did you buy valentines for all of your classmates?
Lol heck yeah I did!!

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
No

** MARCH **

1. Are you Irish?
Flamingly.

2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day?
Of course.

3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2006?
Some friends were in town & we went to a Kutless/Falling Up/Stellarcart concert.

4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?
I like all the seasons, so when winter is done I am ready for spring, but I really like winter.

** APRIL **

1. Do you like the rain?
When it's pouring, yes... but only on occasion.

2. Did you play an April Fools joke on anyone this year?
I think I tried...

3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?
Not tons, but Peg usually makes us Easter baskets.

4. How did you spend your Spring Break?
I don't really remember... I either came home or stayed in Cheney... nothing exciting.

** MAY **

1. What's your favorite kind of flower?
Lilacs & Gerbera Daisies

2. Do you like the spring?
Yep, it's beautiful!!

3. Finish the phrase "March winds & April showers..."
... bring forth May flowers.

4. What is the first color you think of when you think of Spring?
Pastels in general

** JUNE **

1. Did you graduate highschool yet?
Yes, almost 4 years ago.

2. Did you realize nothing special happens in June?
What!?! June is fun because in June, summer staff starts and I get to go to California!! :o)

** JULY **

1. What did you do on the Fourth of July?
Went up to the top of the hill by Pondy and watched fireworks over Scotts Valley.

2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?
No... unless you count summer staff as a vacation.

3. Do you blast the A/C all day?
Naw.

** AUGUST **

1. Did you do anything special at the end of your summer?
Came home for 2 weeks for Rachel & John's wedding & to visit, then moved to California for the year.

2. What was your favorite summer memory of '06?
Oh my gosh there are waaaaay too many. (Child Care, the Octagon, Dory/Flo fight night 06, the "mangos" devo, retreat... I could go on and on...)

3. Did you have a sunburn?
Probably... let us re-visit my flaming Irishness...

4. Do you go to the beach a lot?
Yep

** SEPTEMBER **

1. Did you attend school/college in '06?
Yes I did... good ol' EWU

2. Who is your favorite teacher?
Jane Baker. She was AWESOME.

3. Do you like fall better than summer?
Meh. They both have their good points.

** OCTOBER **

1. What was your Halloween costume?
Fairy princess!!

2. What's your favorite candy?
I don't really like candy... but I like dark chocolate

3.What did you do for halloween?
Went to Trinity's church, then on an expedition to find a fishbowl for her new fish, then downtown for a bit, then grabbed a bite to eat and went back to my house.

** NOVEMBER**

1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
Mine!! We cooked and it was amazing!! :o)

2. Do you love stuffing?
Heck yes!!

3. What are you thankful for?
So many things... God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams!!

** DECEMBER **

1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
Indeed I do!!

2. What is your favorite (Christmas) tradition?
Christmas tree cutting!! It's an all-day event with several families... we go up into the woods and find the perfect tree, snowmobile some, sled some, and just have fun in general. I missed it this year though.

3. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
I have been hugged under the huggle-toe :o) (Emily knows what I'm talkin about!!)

4. Your plans for New Years Eve?
Well.. if I'm in Naches, I'll probably be home or with friends... If I'm in Seattle, who knows!!

AND... SOME MORE QUESTIONS :

* How did you earn your money?
Workin' at the bookstore in Spokane and summer staff and Mount Hermon in the fall...

* Did you have to go to the hospital?
Only once

* Did you have any encounters with the police?
Umm... just one

* Where did you go on holiday?
I went to Bend, OR with my family over Memorial Day weekend.

* What did you purchase that was over $500?
Tuition?

* Did you know anybody who got married?
Sheesh, it seems like everyone is getting married these days!! Rachel & John, Jaime & Karly, Leslie & Dave... I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I went to.

* Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, a family friend.

* Have you run into anybody you left high school with?
Quite a few of them, actually :o) Weddings are great!!

* Did you move anywhere?
Yes!! To California!!

* What sporting events did you go to?
A hockey game in Spokane... some kiddie soccer games...

* What concerts/shows did you go to?
Kutless/Falling Up/Stellarcart... Gran Bel Fisher/The Duhks... I think there were more but I don't remember.

* Are you registered to vote?
Indeed I am

* Where do you live now?
Mount Hermon, CA

* Describe your birthday.
My 21st!! It was Super Bowl Sunday, so I hung out with some friends after church, drank a little at Daniel's... then the next night was Daniel's 21st so a bunch of us went out for the "21 run"... it wasn't too crazy, but fun!!

* What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2006?
Moved 3 states away from home.

* What has been your favorite moment?
There were lots of amazing moments :o) Fall was great.

* What's something you learned about yourself?
I need to let go of control and just let things happen.

* Any new additions to your family?
Nope.

* What was your best month?
October and November were really fun.

* What music will you remember 2006 by?
Oh, there is so much (and Cassie, don't forget to we need to make our life's soundtrack, one day at a time!!)

* Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Danny... definately. Kahlua & wheat pancakes for life!! lol (or Margaritas and Grey's Anatomy...)

* Made new friends?
So many. Summer staff will do that do ya :o)

* Best new friend?
Danny... we were friends before, but more so now.

* Favourite Night out?
Michael's on Main with Trinity. That was just a great night. Or the 21 run. Or girls' night at Ella's and the Davenport.

* Any regrets?
There was some heartache I wish I had gotten over faster.. but nothing really other than that.

* Which season was the best?
I'm gonna go with fall.

* How many nights out of 365 days did you not remember?
Lol... I have a horrible memory...

* If you could would you re-do the whole year?
Do it again the same? Pretty much.

.: Duhking Awesome :.

2006-12-09T22:06:00.000-08:00

It was a Thursday night. I had just finished babysitting and realized that this was the first thursday in ... a very long time ... that I didn't have to work!! My plan? Watch Grey's Anatomy of course!! I finally found the right channel and ... it was a RERUN!! What the heck!! Just then, Danny calls, saying he is at this amazing concert in Felton. An amazing concert in Felton? Riiiiight ... but the guy who was playing did just have a song on Grey's Anatomy (which does have an amazing soundtrack), so i thought i'd check it out. By the time I got there that guy (Gran Bel Fisher) had finished and the Duhks were heading up to the stage.

The Duhks - an amazing band from Canada of all places!! (Bob would be proud...) - put on an amazing show!! Seriously one of the best concerts I've been to. They are definately one of my new favorite bands.

So yeah, there ya go. :o)

.: May I Just Say :.

2006-12-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

I love the first weekend of December. Why, you ask?

- It usually snows.
- Everyone gets all Christmas-spirit-ified and puts up Christmas lights and plays Christmas music.
- School is wrapping up, kids bring home fun Christmas projects, and the countdowns begin.
- Starbucks turns red.
- Oooooh lights... need I say more?
- Christmas tree cutting.
- Snowboarding season is here!!
- When you're decorating your house in Christmas lights, you can decorate your friends with Christmas lights too. It makes for fun pictures.

.: My Wish :.

2006-11-10T21:57:00.000-08:00

I found another favorite song...it pretty much sums up how I feel at the moment...it's also my profile song, so you can listen to it. Enjoy!

Rascal Flatts - My Wish

I hope the days come easy and moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
all the ones who love you, and the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more than you take.
But More than anything, Yeah, more than anything

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

.: Country Music = Therapy :.

2006-11-02T00:49:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: this is not really intended for city-folk. In fact, it's not really intended for anyone who isn't from the Nile... but read on if you wish.

Soo... I had a little realization today. I can really truly handle anything. Why? Because, I know who I am and where I came from. I am, indeed, a "Nile girl." It seems so trivial to stress over little details... not that those details aren't important, but really... what matters? How my hair looks today or what so-and-so thinks of me? No. I come from a land where there are certain truths that may only be known to those who live there. I know how to drive in the snow, chain up my car, operate a wood splitter, start a fire, put one out, avoid ending up in the ditch, shoot a gun, re-load ammo, jump off a 30-foot cliff and land in a deep enough spot that I won't break my neck, "surf" in the river off a bridge, ride a snowmobile without getting stuck, fix all kinds of random things, weld, fix my car (within reason), cook enough to be satisfied and basically problem-solve anything. These are basic survival skills. Having fun is part of surviving, too. When "going to town" is a 30 min. drive and usually an all-day affair, you really learn what you can live with and what you can live without. Don't get me wrong... I love "fancy" sometimes, but realistic more. What the people in my life look/dress like matter so much less than the wisdom and life experiences they provide. We might look ridiculous trying to get 6 people standing on 1 rock in the middle of the river, but that's one of my favorite memories. Camping in the woods (no campsites, no roads, no toilets, no electricity, no running water...honestly, most people don't understand the meaning of the word "camping"...) and not showering for 3 days and smelling/looking horrible wouldn't sound appealing to most people, but again... one of my favorite memories is from doing just that, spending quality time enjoying God's beautiful creation with the people He has put in my life (if you have never been to Bumping Lake, you must go). To people who don't enjoy snow I ask, have you ever woken up in the morning to sunshine on a freshly blanketed field, all sparkly and just plain beautiful, just begging you to come outside and play? People need to play more... after basic survival needs have been met. All this is to say... I listened to one of my favorite country mixes this morning and I love life again :o)

.: I've Learned :.

2006-10-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

I've Learned...

...you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. ...the rest is up to them.
...that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
...that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
...that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
...that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
...that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do but to the best you can do.
...that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
...that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
...that no matter how thin you slice it,there are always two sides.
...that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
...that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
...that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
...that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
...that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
...that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
...that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
...that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done,regardless of the consequences.
...that learning to forgive takes practice.
...that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
...that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
...that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
...that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
...that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
...that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love
...that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
...that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
...that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
...that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.
...that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
...that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
...that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
...that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
...that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.
...that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
...that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
...that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
...that it's those small daily happenings that are so spectacular.
...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
...that to ignore the facts doesn't change the facts.
...the easiest way to grow as a person is to surround myself with those who are smarter than I am and learn from them.
...that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
...that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances: when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.
...that the less time I have to work with, the more I get done.
...that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
...that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
...that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
...that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.
...that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.
...that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
...that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
...that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
...that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.
...that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
...that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.
...that although the word "love" can have many different meanings, it loses value when overly used.
...that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

.: S.L.O. :.

2006-10-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

So… this trip deserves a blog.

I just got back from an AWESOME 4 days in San Luis Obispo, visiting Lucky, Pierre, & Squirt. Highlights include:

Coffee at Linnea's
Class cancellations on Monday for both Pierre & Lucky
The Avila Barn
Pirate's Cove
Squirt coming up from Santa Barbara
Our loooong chat on Monday afternoon
The Guardian
Hanging out/doing homework till 4:00am at Pierre's (and only dozing off a few times)
"Breakfast" at Subway
THE ATASCADERO ZOO (basically… a tiger and some birds)
In-N-Out
Target<
Planning our Child Care New Year's REUNION!! Woohoo!!
Decorating Squirt's Myspace
Discovering my new favorite CD (Imogen Heap, anyone?)
Applebee's (and Squirt's bucket-o-rum drink)
Jonah at Lucky's

Visiting is fun… y'all should try it. I have lots of extra beds. For real. :o)

.: Smurf Got Served :.

2006-08-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

So... funny summer staff story. If you are in Child Care, you know the story and don't need to read this part - just enjoy the pictures :o) otherwise, read on...

As you may or may not know, in child care this year we have a massive game of "boob tag" going... we went on our retreat to whisper canyon last weekend and one fateful night, around the campfire

I tagged Dory SO HARD it was incredible, let me just tell you. Closed-fisted punch. Now, Dory, not being one to just sit there and take that kind of a beating, plotted and planned all week (a quite terrifying time for me). Her accomplaces (who, if I HAD such a list, would now be on it) helped her plan a move of ALL MY STUFF into the loading zone one Thursday afternoon while I was helping at VBS at Trinity's church. So when we pull into the Loading Zone, I see this:

I cried. But just a little. It was all in good fun!! Anyhow, I just thought I'd share that bit of goodness with y'all. Have a great day!!

.: Passion :.

2006-07-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

so i heard this song... and i LOVE it. it's called "Elias," by Dispatch. apparently, they wrote it after being in Zimbabwe.

kasiwa i
makasimba ere
ndakasimba kana makasimba ow
ndakasimba

you raise your head, you beat the sun
but your boys they lie so close to you
do you dare get up and wake the two
oh elias, I see you there at work in the day time
do you think you could answer all the questions in the world
in just one word- I think you could

CHORUS:
'cause if you die will I get word that your gone
or will I hear it in passing conversation
or will I stop short and fall to the ground
distance is short when your hand carries what your eye found

hold my hand just one more time
to see if you're really going to meet me
hold my hand just one more time
to see if you're really going to meet me
honest and manuel, well they're at school now
given the chance that their father's never seen
to see what's beyond section 17
and in ten years when you look back at your boys
well you know they've grown way taller than the tallest
sugar cane in the field

CHORUS

I see your wife she stands stooped over by the fire outside
and I see your boys and when they look up
you know I think they got their mother's eyes
'cause she looks so proud she looks so happy
she looks so proud she looks so happy

CHORUS

If you get the chance, listen to the song. it is so full of passion... amazing. Anyhow, just thought I'd share :o)

.: Psalm 22 :.

2006-06-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

Psalm 22

This morning at Bible study we got into a very interesting discussion about ... well, all kinds of things, but the part that really made me think was when we were talking about God turning His back on Jesus when He was on the cross... "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) Jesus was a traditional Jewish teacher, a Rabbi in every sense of the word. Back in the day, they didn't have Bible references such as Mark 15:34. Instead, they would quote the first line of the passage they were referring to and people would automatically know what they were referencing. Now what is interesting about this is Psalm 22. It starts off by saying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It goes on in verses 16-18 to describe the events that took place that day, piercing the hands and feet and casting lots for clothes, all things that didn't actually happen to Daniel but were actually a prophecy. I just thought that was interesting. Maybe Jesus wasn't saying that God actually turned his back, but was trying to comfort his mother and others who were watching? Esta posible...

.: Summer 2006 :.

2006-06-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

So this was sent as an email... and a myspace bulletin... i am covering the bases here by also posting it as a blog :o)

Hello Everyone :o)

So.. some of you I don't get to talk with very often and some of you I get to see/talk with every day :o) I just thought I'd give y'all the scoop on where I am and what I'm up to these days... I just finished up my junior year at Eastern Washington University (go Cheney, haha).. well I do have a spanish final on monday, but after that I will be completely done. I'll be heading home for a few days on Monday/Tuesday, then flying down to Santa Cruz for another fun-filled summer at Mount Hermon Child Care, yay!! I am excited for the sun and the beach and the kids and all you amazing people I will be seeing there :o) I will miss the rest of you dearly!! I will be there until the end of August (return date pending...), then I'll be in Naches/Cheney until school starts at the end of September. Then, I'll be working hard to finish up so I can be an event planner!! (so if you know of any conference centers/hotels/venues that will need an event planner/guest group host in about a year, let me know!!) Anyhow... I am interested in how all of you are doing also, so write back if you get a chance!! Have a great day :o)

- Carol Ann Callahan / Smurfy

I like real mail... my summer address is:

Carol Ann (Smurf) Callahan
CC Summer Staff
General Delivery
Mount Hermon, CA 95041

And when I get back to Cheney, my address is:

Carol Ann Callahan
215 W. 3rd Street
Cheney, WA 99004

Hint, Hint... :o)

.: James 1:27 :.

2006-04-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

This verse has always been one of my favorites. It seems to be such a clear explaination of God's will for His followers; a real gift in a world that is so full of uncertainty. My excitement about this command was renewed on Sunday in church when an announcement was made that the Invisible Children Movement is coming to all the universities in Spokane, including EWU. I am hoping to get more involved... if you haven't heard of this organization before, here's their "mission" part of the site:

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMission/ourMission/

The screening at EWU is on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 12:00 pm in Showalter Hall... so anyone who's interested should go!! The website has more info also on what happens at the screenings. I'm stoked. Hope to see y'all there!! :o)

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
- John Piper -

.: Well, That Was Fun :.

2006-03-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

.: well that was fun :.
Current mood: amused

*TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey*
Name:	Carol Ann Callahan
Birthday:	February 5, 1985
Birthplace:	Yakima, WA
Current Location:	Cheney, WA
Eye Color:	green/brown/hazel/blue... they're quite the thing
Hair Color:	dark brown (with gray!!! ahhhh!!! lol)
Height:	5'6"
Right Handed or Left Handed:	right
Your Heritage:	I think mostly Irish and German (haha i AM hitler!! lol just kidding..)
The Shoes You Wore Today:	flip flops!!
Your Weakness:	doubt
Your Fears:	all stupid stuff... God's got my back so really, i have nothing to worry about...
Your Perfect Pizza:	CHEESE... canadian bacon.. and green peppers.. Mmmm
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	be completely satisfied with God alone
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	ROFL or LOL in all caps so my computer laughs :o)
Thoughts First Waking Up:	oh gosh, what am i late for??
Your Best Physical Feature:	eyes i suppose
Your Bedtime:	lately it has been around 4:00 but usually between 12:00-1:00
Your Most Missed Memory:	playing on the hill behind NCS...good times, good times..
Pepsi or Coke:	no me gusta... ginger ale??
MacDonalds or Burger King:	no me gusta
Single or Group Dates:	well i haven't had much experience with either lol...
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	i think lipton
Chocolate or Vanilla:	chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	um...cappuccino is coffee... but Sugar-Free Irish Cream Soy Latte, please :o)
Do you Smoke:	no, no me gusta
Do you Swear:	only sometimes in my head and i really feel bad about it
Do you Sing:	indeed i do :o) well? not so much..
Do you Shower Daily:	for the most part
Have you Been in Love:	i just might have...
Do you want to go to College:	i am IN college, foo!!
Do you want to get Married:	YES
Do you belive in yourself:	sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	not usually
Do you think you are Attractive:	not particularly
Are you a Health Freak:	a little bit
Do you get along with your Parents:	mom yes, dad no...
Do you like Thunderstorms:	LOVE them :o)
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	haha yes, yes i have (what are 21st birthdays for??)
In the past month have you Smoked:	NO
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	define "drugs" (no...)
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	define "date" (again, i'm gonna go with no)
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	nope
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	i wish!!
In the past month have you been on Stage:	yes, but not performing anything
In the past month have you been Dumped:	nope
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	no its cold outside!!
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	nope
Ever been Drunk:	nope
Ever been called a Tease:	nope
Ever been Beaten up:	yep
Ever Shoplifted:	nope
How do you want to Die:	old, but not alone
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	an event planner... or something along those lines
What country would you most like to Visit:	Ireland or Austrailia
*In a Boy/Girl..*
Favourite Eye Color:	doesn't matter
Favourite Hair Color:	probably dark
Short or Long Hair:	shorter
Height:	taller than me
Weight:	doesn't matter
Best Clothing Style:	doesn't matter as long as it suits him :o)
Number of Drugs I have taken:	again, define "drugs"
Number of CDs I own:	oh my, lots
Number of Piercings:	just my ears
Number of Tattoos:	none
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	umm....
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

.: First Day of Spring :.

2006-03-20T20:54:00.000-08:00

"It was said that people are often content to stay in the city making mud pies, when God wants to take them to the seashore to make sandcastles. I hope I'm not one of those people."

-C.S. Lewis

I love this quote. So often we sell ourselves short when we really need to remember whose image we were created in. Today I read a story by Max Lucado at work (may I just say that I love working in a bookstore?). The main character, Punchinello, is sad because the Wemmicks don't like him and put dots on him. He goes back to the toy maker and asks what is wrong with him. His creator simply tells him that he is wonderful in his eyes. He made no mistake when he made Punchinello. It's so comforting to know that this is how God feels about us. He knew what He was doing, and God doesn't make mistakes. As Mr. Lewis points out, sometimes we cannot see past our current surroundings. Mudpies can be great sometimes. However, we are failing to realize that God has created something even better for us to enjoy, the sandcastles. "Don't let the good get in the way of the best." I don't know who said that, but I think they have the right idea. Always remember that God sees the big picture, so what seems like a bad situation or failure right now just might be a stepping stone for what's to come.

So I suppose that's the end of my ramblings for today. God Bless.

.: Photograph :.

2006-03-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

"Photograph"

All The Right Reasons - Nickelback

Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey's head?

This is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneakin' out

This is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must've done it half a dozen times

I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them, I wouldn't let me in

Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say
It's time to say it
Goodbye, Goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for

It's hard to say
It's time to say it
Goodbye, Goodbye

We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we'd know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel

Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since God knows when

I miss that town
I miss their faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it
If I could relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change

Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
Every time I do it makes me

.: A Word to the Wise :.

2006-02-26T19:10:00.000-08:00

ok so i have never really understood that phrase... if you are wise, you should already know whatever it is that i am about to tell you.. anyway... so this morning as i was showering, i touched the wall, and was mortified to find that i was slippery!! now we are not talking about your average slippery tile wall, no no... there was most definately some sort of bacteria involved. it was at that moment that i realized that one of my greatest fears is bathroom scum. literally. i was terrified. i nearly screamed and ran out of the bathroom. ok so you get the picture, and this story does have a point, i promise. upon my shocking discovery of the grossness inhabiting the very place i am to go to get clean, i set up shop and went to work to detoxify the bathroom. i had my checklist: bleach, rubber gloves, tilex, mildew remover, flipflops, paper towels, garbage bag, confined space. wait, what? no ventilation? meh, not a big deal, i can do with a few less brain cells i suppose... well i ran the showercurtain through the washing machine with some bleach... removed the mold from the ceiling that you couldn't really see but i know it was there... the scum from the walls and faucet/handles... went around the rim of the tub... and thats about as far as i got before realizing that my face/neck/arms were beat red, my nose was burning, and i couldn't really breathe all that well. so i have abandoned the mess for the time being until ALL the little spots in my vision go away and i feel semi-normal again. and the moral of the story is... do not, under any circumstances, allow bacteria/mold to live in the bathroom every again. :o)

.: Princess :.

2006-01-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

hich Disney Princess Are You?

Belle

You are bookish but incredibly pretty. Belle was first seen in Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

.: Thank you, Mr. Lewis :.

2006-01-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

I read the following the other morning and found it to be quite insightful, just thought I'd share.

"I remember once when I had been giving a talk to the R.A.F., an old, hard-bitten officer got up and said, 'I've no use for all that stuff. But, mind you, I'm a religious man too. I know there's a God. I've felt Him: out alone in the desert at night: the tremendous mystery. And that's just why I don't believe all your neat little dogmas and formulas about Him. To anyone who's met the real thing they all seem so petty and pendantic and unreal.
Now in a sense I quite agreed with that man. I think he had probably had a real experience of God in the desert. And when he turned from that experience to the Christian creeds, I think he really was turning from something real to something less real. In the same way, if a man has once looked at the Atlantic from teh beach, and then goes and looks at a map of the Atlantic, he also will be turning from something real to something less real: turning from real waves to a bit only of coloured paper. But here comes the point. The map is admittedly only coloured paper, but there are two things you have to remember about it. In the first place, it is based on what hundreds and thousands of people have found out by sailing the real Atlantic. In that way it has behind it masses of experience just as real as the one you could have from the beach; only, while yours would be a single glimpse, the map fits all those different experiences together. In the second place, if you want to go anywhere, the map is absolutely necessary. As long as you are content with walks on the beach, your own glimpses are far more fun than looking at a map. But the map is going to be more use than walks on the beach if you want to get to America."

(This was from C.S. Lewis's book, Mere Christianity.)

.: Narnia :.

2005-12-21T01:33:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's funny what God shows you at 1:30 in the morning. I can't sleep, due to some horrible dreams that have taken place in my mind the past few nights, including tonight. I am constantly reminded of things that I wish never happened. Even so, they did happen and God is sovereign. Nicole and I want to see the Chronicles of Narnia last night and when we came home, our front door was open...nothing was missing and no one was inside, but it was rather unnerving, as Nicole is sure she locked the door when she left. So someone was in our house...there's one of my biggest fears coming true. So tonight I am sitting here and I keep thinking about that movie. Those kids were in danger throughout most of it, and yet they knew that ultimately Aslan would protect them and things would be okay. It wasn't the first time I have heard the story but e gads and little fishes, the parallel of Aslan/Jesus and all the other Biblical references really hit me hard. It pretty much took a children's story for me to realize yes, God lets bad things happen, but ultimately He has it all under control. Aslan knew better than the witch what would happen through his sacrifice and for cryin in the night, if a fairy tale character can be wise enough to see further and outsmart the enemy, how much wiser must Jesus be? So with that realization in mind, I am going back to bed now. Hopefully my dreams will be filled with better things.

.: Things That Are Pretty Awesome :.

2005-12-11T00:42:00.000-08:00

Things that are pretty awesome...

I just thought I'd share some places I have found joy today.

old friends
new friends
finally finding sheet music for "Carol of the Bells"
learning how to play the song
married people
single people
seeing my parents happy together
REUNIONS
weddings
a friend's new lil baby girl
HUGS
a 4 year old running across the room cause she is so happy to see you
volleyball
worshipping with friends
"getting it"
coffee
crazy stories
being real with people/them being real back
a race to see if it's faster to find the words in the book or "google it"
pictures
being with people you are totally comfortable with
christmas music
planning roadtrips
mr. wildschut's red car that takes the new couples away to their honeymoons
filling an entire church to the brim with wonderful friends

I hope this brought a smile to your face :o)

.: Rachel Got Run Over By A ... :.

2005-12-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of...well if you can't figure it out...oui)

"Rachel Got Run Over By A Semi"

Rachel got run over by a semi,
when the car broke down at Many's,
you can say there's no such thing as loggers,
but as for me and Donna, we believe.

When the nurses gave her morphine,
they knew she couldn't feel a thing.
She has so much medication,
she saw Bin Laden in her wallpaper.
(oh wait, that was me...)

Emily got phone duty,
when she got home at five AM
she wasn't very happy,
when people started calling in around eight.

The later she went to see Arson,
who was doin pretty well,
and although she won't admit it,
she saw Osama just as well as I did.

Oh she wasn't very happy,
when the rumors started up.
Things just got so stinkin crazy,
it ticked off the entire family.

They say the Blazer caught on fire,
and Rachel dove for her dear life,
and when she hit the highway,
the logger goin 50 broke her legs.

We know lots of people love her,
she got tons of teddy bears.
And an allergy to flowers,
would have killed within just a couple hours.

Hailey really made her smile,
with that masterpiece of art.
She said not a single word,
but ate that cookie like she'd been starved.

Then there was this kid named Tony,
who was there when she got hit.
Good thing he's cool with trama,
he also witnessed gma's accident.

When Jake heard he hurried over,
poor kid forgot his socks.
Good thing the hospital has extras,
A fashion statement? no, but who really cares.

Rick and Dave told us some stories,
we just couldn't quite believe.
How could there be snow in summer,
and one hundred eighty nine degree heat?

Oh and then came time for dinner,
Jess helped her with the jello,
Should have had a bib to catch stuff,
all those crumbs fell on her clean nightgown.

Twas Ricky's job to bring his gma,
to the hospital.
Got there just in time for dinner,
fifteen minutes before nurses kicked us out.

So today Rachel and I found this song tonight... we laughed so hard!! I hope y'all find it funny and aren't too confused...I'm not sure what I was smoking when I wrote it, but yeah...enjoy :o)

Du Mon and Arson

.: Life is Precious :.

2005-11-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

You really never know what tomorrow holds. Be sure to make the most of every moment you spend with friends and loved ones, you never know if you will see them again. Life is precious, we need to remember that. We miss you Troy.

.: We use love like what? :.

2005-10-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Ok so at life group last tuesday we read an excerpt from one of my favorite books, Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller. We were discussing love, and as pointed out in the book, we use love a lot like money. Here is a quote from that book that I thought was very interesting:

"Mr. Spencer [a man who was speaking at a conference] then asked us about another area in which he felt metaphors cause trouble. He asked us to consider relationships. What metaphors do we use when we think of relationships? We value people, I shouted out. Yes, he said, and wrote it on his little white board. We invest in people, another person added. And soon enough we had listed an entire white board of economic metaphor. Relationships could be bankrupt, we said. People are priceless, we said. All economic metaphor. I was taken aback. And that's when it hit me like so much epiphany getting dislodged from my arteries. The problem with Christian culture is we think of love as a commodity. We use it like money."

A few pages later, another truth was pointed out:

"Nobody will listen to you unless they sense that you like them. If a person senses that you do not like them, that you do not approve of their existence, then your religion and your political ideas will all seem wrong to them. If they sense that you like them, then they are open to what you have to say."

So anyway I thought that was interesting...

.: Good Friends, Good Times :.

2005-10-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Gosh what an amazing weekend this has been...and it's only half over!! I think one of the best things in life is having friends that you can go without seeing for months but catch up with in a few hours and just truly enjoy each other's company. Really, i am very grateful that God invented friendship...I was so good to see you all this weekend (roo, lucky, mandy, kelly, and kyle!!) and I really pray that God is doing amazing things in your lives...have a wonderful day everyone!! hopefully more reunions will happen soon :o) have a wonderful day everyone!!

.: SC :.

2005-10-07T01:31:00.000-07:00

May I just say that I can identify with almost ALL of these ...

1. If you surf or have at least 3 friends who surf.
2. If you can name three of the towns up in the hills.
3. If you know that "tranny" is not refering to transexual
4. If you can name at least 3 beaches on the eastside and 3 on the westside.
5. If the difference between Pizza My Heart and Pleasure Pizza is obvious.
6. If people walking around with extremely high lacy underwear sticking out rapping about a nickel doesn't alarm you.
7. If the difference between longboard and shortboard is obvious to you.
8. If you can get fresh sushi from your grocery store.
9. If you are/know a Vietnam War veteran who hates George W. Bush.
10. If you don't say bro, you say dude.
11. If your favorite bands are bands that your parents like.
12. If winter clothing consists of jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie sweat shirt that says SC on it.
13. If a $1.5 million home on the West side doesn't surprise you.
14. If you are or know someone who is vegan or vegetarian.
15. If you know someone who has gotten into a philisophical argument over whether or not cows have feelings. (or something similar)
16. If you own more than one pair of flip flops.
17. If dressy shoes for you are sneakers or fancy flip flops.
18. If when you walk down town you see more than 5 people asking for money on the same block.
19. If you know what the "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" shirts are talking about.
20. If you have been or know someone who has been in Junior Lifeguards.
21. If you know where the best place to see elephant seals is.
22. If you know why Ano Nuevo is not a popular swimming beach. (besides the distance)
23. If you know what the Wharf to Wharf is.
24. If you can name at least 3 surf shops.
25. If you think that seeing a hundred foot redwood is not unusual at all.
26. If you know what it means to be anti-urban.
27. If casual wear for a day on the town could easily be bikini top and shorts.
28. If there are so many VW hippy vans that the local car workshop specializes in Volkswagons.
29. If you know where all 3 locations of Marini's are.
30. If you know what SLV stands for.
31. If you know the difference between Seacliff and Seabright beaches.
32. If you've visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium more than 3 times.
33. If you think of the Big Dipper as something other than the constellation.
34. If you know what brings tourists to Natural Bridges in the Spring and Fall.
35. If you have at least 3 articles of clothing with SC on it.
36. If you think of the word typhoon as something other than a monster wave.
37. If you know someone who wants to run their car on french fry grease.
38. If you are used to a select group of women who don't like to wear bras or shave, but it still disgusts you.
39. If you know of at least one supposedly "nerd school" in Santa Cruz.
40. If you know who robert is.
41. If you know a homeless person's name.
42. If you can name at least 2 health food stores downtown.
43. If you know where the Metro is, and go there every now and then.
44. If you can easily distinguish the tourists from the locals.
45. If you are able to completely ignore the noise of the street performers downtown.
46. If seeing people wearing clothing from every single decade in the last century in the same block doesn't surprise you.
47. If you've been to the Boardwalk at least 5 times.
48. If you know people who go to UCSC and/or Cabrillo.
49. If when someone tells you to meet them at the lighthouse, you know exactly what they mean.
50. If you know what downtown is like on Halloween and First Night.
51. If you know when a big swell is coming through even if you have nothing to do with the ocean.
52. If you know what the orange flowers that cover the hillsides in spring and summer are.
53. If you know why local surfers aren't tan.
54. If you can't give directions, but you could walk directly to somewhere.
55. If it's freezing at 40 degrees and hot at 85 degrees.
56. If a water temperature of 60 degrees sounds balmy.
57. If you know what brussel sprout fertilizer smells like.
58. If you wear wear flip flops, not sandals.
59. If wearing a mini skirt or boardshorts in the middle of January is normal.
60. If you know the difference between sushi and sashimi.
61. If you can name at least 2 Taquerias.
62. If you know what UCSC's drug reputation is.
61. If you know a street performer by name.

.: Peace, yo :.

2005-09-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Ok so tonight I was looking for a verse that I really cannot get out of my head...you know, like you know one line of a song but can't remember the rest or what it's called or who it's by? Yeah it was sort of like that. So I did what any college genius would do - I Googled it. Google is an amazing thing, really....put quotes around anything and you're sure to find where that saying is from. Ok now back to the point, which is God. The line I had been searching for was "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" and is found in Colossians 3:15. I have been praying that God will calm my heart and give me peace a lot lately, about various things...and I thought this passage was a good reminder of how to keep our priorities in check and helps give us the peace that we are after. Just before this verse, Paul instructs us on how to treat others, telling us to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. He tells us to bear with each other and forgive each other, and above all to love each other. Then he says, "and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful." This sounds like a pretty good set of instructions for a peaceful life...Paul tells us what qualities to attain, the result (peace), and then reminds us to be thankful to God who makes it all work out. It's amazing how God makes things work out just as they should. And that my friends, is why we can have peace...He's got it all under control.

.: Send Us With Fire :.

2005-06-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

Ok so tonight was one of those, "Lord, this is why I am here.." nights. I have been thinking a lot about this song we sang, "send us with fire to go love the world"...its actually called sending, by charlie hall...i was thinking about what a profound statement/request that is.. asking God to send us with fire - in our hearts, in our lives...amazing... and to go love the world, what in incredible task we set out to do!! sometimes i have trouble loving some of my friends, it would be absolutely amazing to love the whole world and yet thats exactly what He wants us to do!! May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts....

.: Some good quotes i've come across lately :.

2005-05-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.
-Henry David Thoreau

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."
-C. S. Lewis

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.

If you take it easy and enjoy life, Love will find you.

It was said that people are often content to stay in the city making mud pies, when God wants to take them to the seashore to make sand castles. I hope I'm not one of those people.
-C. S. Lewis