Taking the Long Way Around

Hi Friends

2008-01-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

So I am into my 2nd week of the second week of school. This week has been really fun and busy. Many of my good friends came back from abroad last semester, some from SF to Italy and all over. It is great to have everyone back (even though some friends left) and we all went out to dinner to celebrate my friend Kristen's 21st birthday! Although it will be a challenging semester, my goal is to constantly take inventory if I am surrendering myself to God. It is so easy for me to try and take control, which is stupid because God is always leading me (in the right direction too haha). Hope you are having a blessed week, this weekend was so nice here--I played beach volleyball on Sat with some friends, and then ran by it on Sunday.

Happy 2008!

2008-01-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

This is just a random comic I think is funny from one of my old favorite guys, Asher Sarlin. So, it is 2008, and I can't believe it. When I was little, I thought we were going to live on the moon and ride around in spaceships by 2000. It's good to know that Earth is still doing it's job to house us..for the most part (which is our fault). Anyways, my Christmas vacation is coming to a close.

The first week of break I worked at my aunt's stained glass store in Berkeley. It's fun to work there because the employees are unique and refreshing to be around. Other than that, I have been hanging out here with the family I live with (especially my sister Kerry-well family friend, but we seriously are like sisters haha). My parents are nice to be with also, and Christmas proved suprisingly nice when my Dad didn't have to work. :) Half the day was on the boat, and it was so cozy. I'd have to say my favorite present was an expresso machine which I have used 1-3 times daily since I got it. A close second is my portable dvd player, but it doesn't compare to making lattes.

Besides a wonderful Christmas (playing a lot of apples to apples all night), the highlight of the break so far was seeing Juno with Elise. I hadn't seen her or any other friends for the whole first week of break, and it was great to laugh at this offbeat comedy (just my style). We have hung out a lot since then, one night making collages with Lisa, a couple others watching the show Arrested Development and shopping. New Years was fun because we went to Katie Perry & Co.'s house. Elise's mom made little smokey sausages that were soo good, along with 10 kinds of soda.

I guess I'm thinking about this last year and the year to come. This last semester has brought many highs and lows. A couple of my really close friends were studying abroad, and a few more were off campus or became R.A.s which meant it was harder to see all of them. Even though I felt a slight loss with that whole situtation, God blessed me in so many areas by continued friendship even when people were farther away, a new, additional roommate named Megan, Elise came to Westmont :) and I met a ton of new people in my dorm and classes. God also provided a much needed small group that meets weekly to talk more honestly and openly than I ever have before. Even though some situations have been really tough this semester, and are still unresolved in some areas, I trust that He will be faithful in the upcoming year, and for long after. I pray to surrender and trust Him to guide all areas of my life. Hopefully you all had a great New Years. Here is a pic of the women in my small (it is small) group.

Having a Hard Time

2007-11-23T15:28:00.000-08:00

So I am home for Thanksgiving which has been SO wonderful :). Things have been so hecktic though, and out of my control (not that they ever are in my control). I just feel like everything that was stable is now being shaken upside down. All I can do is thank God for all of the things that are unchanging, including His love and mercy. I'm praying for kindness and patience, which is not coming as easily sadly.

I hope that your holidays are wonderful, and that you let the people you love and valuable most know that you do. Everything can change in an instant, and I am experiencing that right now. I'm going to try to live in the moment, and be thankful for for those beautiful moments God gives me.

Changes!

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

So was a very good and interesting day. I met with the head registration guy of the school and filled out a plan to graduate early, after I take 2 summer school classes.
I'll be living in Santa Barbara with a couple friends anyways, so it won't be a problem to take a couple classes. :) Anyways, this is amazing if it all works out, because it will eliminate paying for a final year of tuition here at Westmont, which my parents are so happy about. I don't know where the next chapter will take me after that, or where I will go.

If I went home, I wouldn't really have a place to live, and would probably just work when all my friends would be finishing college. Please pray that God will direct me for future plans there after. The good news is that I will still graduate technically with my class in May 2009.

Another cool thing today is that one of my bestest friends came to visit today (she is going to school in SF this semester). Anyways, we have been reunited at last. I am also going to see my friend Donna this weekend for her birthday bonfire in San Luis Obispo!

Well, a lot of changes are going on, but God is faithful, and I can't wait to see where he will take and use me :)

Oh-and this is a picture from my cousin's wedding in Septemer :)

It's Been a LONG time!

2007-10-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been almost 6 months since I was able to post anything because I lost my password, and just realized which email I needed to reactive the account haha. Sorry it has been sooo long, but I'm back in action.

This summer was pretty amazing, I was able to go on a trip beginning late May to Europe with about 25 people from my major at school (and 2 professors). God was so faithful in revealing himself in magnificent places, and people who didn't even speak the same language. Hiking in the Swiss Alps allowed me to see the beauty of God reflected in His creation more than any other time I think.

After I got back from that in mid-last June, I only had about 2 months left of summer (not that I'm complaining or anything haha). I spent a lot of it with family and friends, and took a little trip up to Portland to visit my auntie :). We had a blast, then I came back to Westmont in the nick of time when Elise was moving in! What a blessing, and demonstration of God's faithfulness and goodness.

I will update more on what has been going on, this year has had some trials so far, but I joined a small group, and the honesty amongst us is truly incredible. Love you all :) Happy almost Halloween

Brian Regan

2007-05-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Oh--I forgot that I wanted to put this clip up of Brian Regan. He is a hysterical comedian. I love him because he is not crude and uses material from everyday life. Here is one about the doctor...

It's Over

2007-05-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

!Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Well this semester's classes are over and I'm SO excited. I have to move to the top of campus tomorrow which is lame so I am packing today-it takes much longer than I expected. We are taking one class for 2 weeks here in SB and then we fly to Rome May 19. I have no idea what to pack for that trip, but we are supposed to pack REALLY light since we are constantly on the move. Hopefully I will be able to condense it down really small :).

It is weird because I am not that excited yet. I am really burnt out and just wish the 2 weeks could be at home before the trip. Once I am moved up to the other dorm room, it will be more real.

Michelle's sister is here visiting from Washington. We made dinner last night that was really good from Trader Joes. Gotta love TJs. We have class for 3 hours a day, and the rest of the time I will probably be downtown at my fav coffee shop or at the beach. It isn't a bad way to spend 2 weeks haha. I am really looking forward to going home though at the end--my sisters, VBC, softball, late night movies, etc...

Well, hope all is well, and above is a picture of my roommate Kellie while we were trying to rearrange our stuff back to the way it was in the beginning of the year. Her face sums up how we felt if you an see it haha.

The Home stretch!!

2007-04-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hey--I haven't really been writing lately because it is the last week of classes, hooray! Last week I had a 15 page research paper due in phys, and a 7-10 one due tomorrow in psychology of movement. I am def. procrastinating on finishing it.

Next thursday is my last final, and then I have to move to the top of campus for 2 weeks to take a class, lame! But after that, I'm leaving for Europe for a month. It honestly doesn't feel real even though I have wanted to do it my whole life, and have been preparing for this trip for a few months now. I think it is just all the preparation beforehand: finsihing finals, moving, and packing. I know God will help me get it all done. Prayers of safety for the group (about 30 of us from school) would be most appreciated. I really want to look for opportunities that God is showing me to be a witness, or at least a pray for people we encounter. Also, I think it is kind of funny that we are called to be his ambassadors (in this case it will be literal since we are in another country) but I was also thinking about when we are home. California, or the US isn't our final destination, we are just passing through with a purpose (to tell other people about where we are headed).

Oh, and also a fun little memory was that I went to my friend Amanda's house this weekend, and it was soooo relaxing. We did not stop eating or relaxing the whole time haha. Here is a picture from when we went to 21 choices in Pasadena for frozen yougurt. It was really fun even though all the stores started to close becuase we got there kind of late. I enjoy having someone equally weird and crazy in my life for adventures (though I can def. think of a few other friends like that).

Kellie and I picked out our room for next year, and we will be living with our friend Kristen (if she doesn't wind up going to Italy next semester). You should come visit, because it is gorgeous down here, and I need an excuse to go down to the beach to show someone. :) Hope all is well with you.

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

Lovely

2007-04-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

Our campus paster was talking today about his friend from Texas that looks at scenery and says in her thick accent, "There God goes showing off again." Now if you can picture it with the accent, you might be semi amused like I was.

But the reality is that God's creation is beautiful, but not as much as he is. At times we are so focused on his creation, we don't acknowledge the pure beauty of our creator. I think I overlook both at times.

This picture is from a day a while ago when I enjoyed a lovely day at the beach with my friend Melody. I like to think about God creating each sunset for EVERY day there ever was, and then think about how much more planning he put into each of our own lives. I'm kind of stressed right now about planning for the rest of college, classes to graduate, if I should go to a semester in SF etc. I know that God is in control though, and know he has crafted some plan that is way better than one I could ever come up with. The hard part is actually remembering this daily and trusting him. We'll see what happens I guess :)....

2007-04-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to some of my random thoughts, ideas and discoveries.