that is one MONSTER of an APPLE!!!!

meet my Israel roommate...

This is Kim...and this is what we do in our Israel preparation class...

before I die...

I want to ride in a sidecar. Aviator cap, large goggles, and scarf flying behind me. It must happen.

Maybe not so much like this...

Ever since Indiana Jones, the thrill and danger and ridiculousness has been so attractive. Where can I do this? You don't see them around much anymore. Perhaps I shall have to go to Germany. There's a lifelong dream to be fulfilled!

Am I now well-rounded?

We register for spring classes next week and I was just perusing the schedule of classes. I know what I want to take for my FINAL class. I only have to take one next semester. I just added up all my units again and double checked all the requirements (just to make sure I'm not destined for some colossal disappointment when meeting with a graduation counselor - think I'm supposed to meet with one this month) and I am SO CLOSE to being ALL DONE.

I just made a list of all the classes I've taken over this long road...it's kind of interesting to look at the list and try and remember what in the world I learned in each one (just kidding). But overall I think the program is pretty well-rounded for ministry and I loved my personal emphasis on Biblical Studies.

Here they are, in the order I took them over the last four glorious years (humor me):

Hermeneutics
New Testament Survey
Old Testament Survey
Theo 1: Revelation & Nature of God
Personal Foundations of Ministry
Theo 2: Works of God, Angels, Man, Sin
Evangelism & Follow-Up
Theological Research Methods
Exposition of Genesis
Elementary Principles of Biblical Languages
Spiritual Mentoring Group
Theo 3: Christ, Salvation, Spirit
Arranged Course: Matthew (My Bible Study curriculum)
Theo 4: Church & Last Things
Life of Christ
Arranged Course: Joshua (Bible Study curriculum)
Exposition of Daniel & Revelation
Historical Theology Survey
Educational Ministry in the Church (Christian Education)
The Church & Society (Ethics)
Biblical Theology of Leadership & Community
Apologetics
Bible Lands Trip (Israel, leaving December 27!)

In the spring I hope to take a seminar on spiritual warfare and then I'll be peacing out. Oh if only it were already May... :)

bye bye

Helped moved Ramesh & Janell out of their apartment today (this is them waving goodbye from the old living room) and into a new place. It's a good and needed change! Thankfully (for me!) they only moved down the street. They aren't next door anymore, so I'll actually have to drive, but they're still close.

TGIF

Thinking about my sister and her husband today, who are in the midst of some tough career and financial stuff. Feels like my family is going through the ringer right now, from all sides. I have a hard time not carrying other people's burdens too heavily myself too...

Thank God it's the weekend, I think I'll be sleeping for about 24 straight hours.

Memorial

My grandma said that she never heard my grandpa say anything bad about ANYONE, as long as she knew him. They were married 62 years. I'm not sure I can even get through a week (a day...).

A charicature done by someone at the nursing home last year...looks just like him!

Tonight after the service we went through a big box of old pictures of my grandparents and their family (my mom's family) from the last 60+ years. I snagged a few to take home with me. It's been good to piece together different puzzle pieces of his life over the last few days.

tired

What a loooooooong day. We gallavanted around Seattle all day long like tourists. It's fun to see cousins we haven't seen in a few years. Tomorrow is the memorial service; we spent some time today talking with each other about our memories of our grandpa, realizing how we got to know this strong man in the weakest time of his life, when his illness had taken over his body. But such character and grace that he showed even at the end of his life was cultivated over a lifetime. I'm looking forward to hearing from those who his life touched tomorrow.

my widdo bwudder

Travis turned 23 today...SO OLD! (Maybe in another 7-8 years you'll catch up to how old you actually look.) :)

embracing my blackness

Enjoying the fall colors here that we don't have in Cali...

off for clearer skies

Heading up to Seattle tonight, YAAAAY. It's been about 5 months, not long in normal life, but seems like ages with everything that's been going on with family. The memorial service is on Tuesday, and Mom gets home from England on Monday, but in the meantime there will catching up with cousins we haven't seen in years, shopping with my sister, my brother's birthday, etc. etc. I'm sighing contended and anticipatory sighs today. :)

rockabilly

Shoot, I didn't really want black...and I wanted my bangs BELOW my eyebrows...but hair grows and color fades and I guess this is me for now!

On Fire

Another day of smokey air and ash...between the crazy wind and the thick brown air, it's hard to be outside! It smells like a giant burning junkyard. This is what it looks like from space (from this site). Seems worse this year than normal? With so many houses and other landmarks burning, we know people who have been evacuated this time and people who have been affected by homes or other buildings that have burned. Not good.

I saw the sign

(and it opened up my eyes...)

Body knows best... It occurs to me that last year about this time I tweaked my knee and couldn't run for a couple weeks. I remember becoming close with the stationary bike it the gym (eww). My roommate remembers too; when I mentioned last night that I think I've done it again, she recalled that I did this to myself last fall too. This time I can think of the moment I did it. I was simply standing with my foot planted and turned weird and it just...tweaked. That was several days ago, and I've been running on it, but last night it said STOP! And today walking is an issue.

Why does it always take me an injury or an illness or some sort of major something to slow me down? Here again, I've found myself physically on the brink of a cold, emotionally on the brink of something resembling hysteria, sleepless, behind, and since those obviously have not been enough, now I am apparently being forced to chill. My human trafficking event thing was canceled for tomorrow, giving me an entirely free day. So I guess I just need to heed all the signs and STOP for a bit. Blah.

see, I am totally organized

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

lord willing and the creek don't rise

My grandpa passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday around 6pm. He had battled multiple scleroses for most of his life, and was almost 90 years old. He has lived in a nursing home the last 4 years and has gotten pretty sick more and more frequently, but always pulled through. He called himself "Sitting Bull" (their last name is Bull) because he was wheelchair bound for the last couple years, and he liked to say, "Getting old ain't for sissies!" He never lost his sense of humor and continued to bless and minister to people even when his illness dictated his lifestyle. He was in a coma all day yesterday, and my mom was able to get there and say goodbye in the morning. My grandma said that the last thing he said to her, the day before as she said goodbye and left for the day, was what he frequently said when you said goodbye: "Lord willing and the creek don't rise." :)

"Poppi," Christmas 2005 at our house in Washington

I remember when I was very young, he had to start wearing velcro tennis shoes because his M.S. caused him to not be able to tie his shoes anymore. I always criss-crossed the velcro strips whenever I saw him. So he started criss-crossing them on his own and did that for the rest of his life. I was so proud. :)

Last Christmas, 2006, he wasn't able to leave the nursing home so we visited him there.

I'm feeling sad today remembering him and that he will no longer be there when I go home to visit. At the same time, he now has a fully functioning body and I can only imagine his joy where he is. :) It was so clearly his time to go, and I'm thankful it was peaceful. My grandma prayed for some time that when it was time, he would just "go to sleep," and that's what happened. I imagine that he is up there walking and using his hands and thinking, "It's about time!" :)

I had to do it, especially since I should be writing a paper...

The family version...

Jib Jab

This is seriously the best thing I have seen in a long time! Made by my friend Kim, starring her, me, Jonny, Bobby, and Janell.

sleep deprivation

This morning on the way into work I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a cake and some other items for a coworker's birthday we'll be celebrating this afternoon. I didn't realize how tired I was until I picked out a cake (and then a different one), and the woman asked, "What would you like written on it?" I stared at her for a minute, thinking, and then replied, and spelled out the name...incorrectly. She looked at me and repeated back to me what I had just said. I looked at her for a second again, and shook my head, saying, "Sorry, I'm having problems. That's totally wrong" and respelled the name, which she repeated again, just to be sure. Sheesh.

running and walking

1. I ran 10 miles Friday night. I felt really good, although my knees bothered me a little for a day or two afterward, mostly on stairs. I like running. I am still indecisive about doing a half marathon because I can't figure out why I like doing this to my body. I can practically feel the cartilage in my knees wearing down. It's unfortunate really, because I think if it weren't for my actual body, I'd do marathons or longer. :)

2. I'm going to Israel in December & January. We've begun meeting every week with our group and doing weekly homework assignments (which I have yet to complete, but nevermind that). When we first signed up, we got a letter about the basic preparations we needed to start doing, passport stuff, dr. appointments, school paperwork, and...practice walking. It really said that. ...

3. On the mountain biking trail that I ran on Friday, there are various parts that have a flatter trail alongside a more challenging one for bikers. Some of those alternate trails are pretty steep (and much more fun for biking, not running). So Friday night as I started to run I saw a group of 40-50 people gathered around in a circle. I did a little loop a few times that night, and I saw them embark on a walk together, with hiking shoes, walking sticks, backpacks, brand new outfits from REI, etc. In Fullerton. On the loop. Most of them took these alternate steeper bike trails. I am sure they must be practicing for some sort of trip! So people actually do that!?

4. I have considered going on more hikes or something to prepare, but I guess if I can run 10, then walking a couple isn't going to hurt me. I guess if I have a hard time once I get there, I'll just run.

Forget the missing "N" ...

What happens if I park for only 10 minutes?

Conflict of Interest

So either the Mariners win, which I always hope for (being from Seattle and a former die-hard fan reduced to fair weather following), or the Angels clinch the division. By the end it was exciting that Seattle was in the lead and all, but I really wanted to be at that clinch game. Didn't happen. But Seattle won! I guess it was a win for me either way.

reflections on my degree (not yet completed).

Several people have asked me lately about my degree and my time in school...do I feel like I need this degree? Do I ever feel like dropping out (a frequent question the first few weeks of school and "syllabus shock")? Was it the right decision to attend grad school?

When I graduate in May it will be 4.5 years. As a whole I've enjoyed my program, but I've come to the realization that I've been here for a lot more than the degree. I think God's used it to keep me here. 3 years ago at the end of an engagement, with no place to live and no job (at the end of a year-long ministry in L.A. for which I raised support), the only thing that kept me here was that I had just finished my first semester at Talbot and I really felt like I was supposed to be there. I realize now that it could have been the fact that I don't really quit anything that I've started, but God uses that too. Whatever the reason, I'd started a program, and I was going to continue in it. Gradually my heart healed, I found some great roommates and a job. Soon school will be done, and the next journey will begin.

But I really think that this time has been so much more about the other things than school. The relationships, the ministry opportunities and roles, the new skills I've learned...teaching bible study and writing curriculum...working with a professor on the notes for a new study bible...valuable friends, mentors, surrogate families :) ...and some pretty significant personal growth and learning. There's more. And the degree is valuable too. But I believe God has used the time for so much more than just school; that was in many ways the thing that kept me here for so long. (I think I'd be long gone if it weren't for that.) There have been a lot of things to learn.

So...yeah, the degree is useful; I've already used it and will definitely use it in the future. Is it absolutely essential for what I want to do? Probably not; I could have done a lot of personal study and reading on my own. But I won't ever regret having it. And I can't say the thought has ever crossed my mind to drop out, surprisingly. Finishing was never a question for me. Like I said, I think God has used that. Was it the right decision? What do you think? :)

Some California friends...on a California beach...ah California... :)

Yep...uh...that one's my roommate.

So, undoubtedly, Kristin was just minding her own business and thinking about the day ahead of her as she got out of the shower on Sunday afternoon, when suddenly I barged into her peaceful reverie by banging on her bathroom door shrieking something about cutting my hand really bad ("stabbed" is actually more accurate) and not knowing what to do. She had the piece of mind to wrap a towel around herself before opening the door, saw my hysteria (and the bloody towel), and said calmly, "I'm getting dressed, and we're going to the hospital." I screeched and wailed and cleaned up my blood and put the turkey burgers back in the freezer and ate crackers so I wouldn't pass out and in no time we were in the car, calling my mom to find out when my last tetanus shot was (10 years...dangit).

So there she is...in all her gold ringed glory, the one to have around in an emergency, and in fact my emergency contact, my roommate, Kristin. 3 cheers...

Do not attempt to break apart frozen turkey patties with a steak knife.

3 stitches, 2 numbing shots in the palm, and one tetanus shot later...guess I'm not going mountain biking this afternoon :(

hotness

what I'm learning

• i'm not feeling motivated to start doing homework again.
• it's ok to be "in process." no one expects me to have it together all the time.
• living in southern california means there are a few weeks a year where you are just going to sweat all the time. no one can remain "fresh feeling" when it's 105 degrees.
• how to be real. i think i've never really allowed myself to be real to people, sharing the good and the crap. i haven't believed people would accept me still. in fact people value me and my relationship with them more when i share my true self with them.
• unconditional love creates trust and more boldness to share myself.
• i need york peppermint patties regularly.
• i have good friends, and i have lots to learn from them.
• it's easy to fall into old habits and turn down opportunities to teach when asked! sometimes i need to just say yes to stretch myself.
• i can run a half marathon.

party!

Sarah was one of my first friends upon moving to California just about 4 years ago. Lots of fun, growing, and going through life together. She turned 30 this weekend! She really gets hotter with age. :)

my new defense

Think I could use this line? I think I might try it sometime:

"Meanwhile, over the weekend, [Britney] Spears was pulled over in Los Angeles for speeding. However, after a brief conversation, she was let off with just a warning after reportedly telling highway patrol officers she was speeding because she was being chased by the paparazzi."

Fall

Classes started this week, it's that time again. I forgot about buying books until the night before; I just was having such a good time being OUT of school mode! Including our Israel preparation class, I have three classes this semester. This should be interesting.

Fall is always exciting, with school starting, ministries picking up again, and there’s a flurry of activity both at school and at work. This feeling of newness and excitement usually lasts me about two weeks. :) The relaxation of summer is over, new commitments are starting, with many opportunities to pick and choose from. The last two years I’ve been teaching women’s Bible studies, which I won’t be doing this year. This was intended to let me focus on my last semester of school with my three classes. Plus with quite a bit going on personally I’ve been unsure what my capacity would be to be able to give in ministry. (I know, I know…we minister out of our weaknesses or something like that, but really it’s a LOT. I was resigned to taking this semester to work through things, and then start with the lay counseling training in January.)

But here and there little opportunities begin to present themselves that sound good. Working in the high school, which I’ve been praying about, and doing some mentoring there. Continuing with the late night pr0stitute outreach, which I intend to do. Joining a small group of some people my age at church. A prayer ministry. How quickly our time can become filled, with many good things, but again I must practice the discipline of saying no! No! NO!!! :) Fall seems exciting and new and overwhelming and busy all at once. I welcome the new routine and the feelings of accomplishment and purpose, but I sure will miss that summer feeling of having no responsibilities hanging over my head...it's been SO nice, and here's hoping that not too much of my brain turned to mush.

Number Crunching

No, not accounting...thank God. It's these kinds of numbers that keep me occupied throughout the day (not to mention the little notebooks filled with them...). I may have become mildly obsessed, but I just prefer to think of it as "health-minded"...

Today:
Special K ~ 200 cal.
Quakes (rice crackers) ~ 70
2 hardboiled eggs ~ 156
Lean Cuisine ~ 270
peach ~ 50
apple ~ 100
yogurt ~ 60 (=906 cal)
8.2 mile trail run ~ (864 cal burned)

Now we are baking fresh tilapia, brown rice and some vegetables and somewhere I gotta find about 800 more calories to eat. :)

It felt good to be back out there on the trail again (Fullerton Loop). I'll probably be a little stiff tomorrow; lots of hills and uneven ground, not to mention the layer of thick dirt I am covered in...

One year

Kristin and I celebrated our one year anniversary living in the Nut House on Saturday! Yay us.

mirror, mirror on the wall

The perils of power napping

I’ve been really dragging a few times in the last couple weeks, so I’ve tried out the whole “power nap” thing on my lunch break. I only have a half hour, so there’s no way I could sleep more than 30 minutes, which I believe is a stipulation for such a nap (usually 20-30 minutes). Mind you, I don’t have much luck with naps in the first place…I am a really bad sleeper, so if I take a nap at all during the day I will NOT sleep that night (even a few minutes). Also, it usually takes me so long to fall asleep (hours) every night that naps are just comical – there’s no way my body will even begin to think about getting to the point of being able to fall asleep in 30 minutes. But others herald the benefits of short naps, and everything I've read swears that if it's no longer than 20-30 minutes, it won't affect your sleeping that night. (Yeah right.)

Last week, my first attempt, I had not slept AT ALL the previous night, lying awake until at least 3 am and waking up at 5 and being unable to fall asleep again. I was hurting…so I tried to nap. I was so tired, falling asleep on my desk all day, but the moment I laid down I was…not wide awake, but not sleepy enough…? I laid there for 30 full minutes, awake. It did not help me through the rest of my day to save my life. I have better luck falling asleep while typing a blog or driving. Plus my neck was sore for the rest of the day. Power naps are a cruel joke, I thought, nodding off later with my cheek on my desk.

Today I was a little sleepy so I thought I’d try again. Went to the leather couch in the high school room this time (this might be my new hiding place for breaks!). I even brought reading material so as to coax my eyelids into getting heavy and maybe I’d fall asleep. Fast forward 45 minutes. I’m back at my desk. I am so groggy, I have a headache, and I had some weird dreams in my half-sleep that never allowed me to actually get to the bona-fide napping place. I staggered back to my desk when my cell phone alarm went off (after pushing snooze once) and stared at my computer in a daze for about ten minutes until the phone rang and I answered it somewhat audibly.

“Power napping” is a joke!!! By the way so is Tylenol pm, benadryl, and melatonin. Those things do nothing for me.

It's not the shoes.

My new running shoes have been feeling really good on my feet while I run. But as for the other aches and pains that they're supposed to be helping...not so much. I've still had a bit of knee pain, and yesterday I ran a 10K and was keenely aware of my right hip, left knee, and left ankle. I feel like an old person. I wasn't expecting magic healing, but they told me it would help. Who knows, maybe it would be worse without the shoes.

my feet hurt

Joaquin & Jessica got married tonight, yay! Congratulations! :)

night before the wedding

My 4 to 8 Year Plan

I don't do 5 year plans or 10 year plans...when all calculated this equals 4 to 8. And besides, whose long term plans actually come to fruition exactly as they planned anyway? Mine never have. (Most likely because I've never had one. And I'm not sure why I do now, except that with the end of school in sight, perhaps it will appease some people who are wondering what I am going to do next. Because in my opinion, it will get taken care of whether I have a 5-10 year plan or not.)

• I will be completely finished with school in May 2008 (was supposed to be December 07 but don't get me started on their scheduling).
• In Jan or Feb 2008 I am interested (interested!) in going through a lay counseling training program (this is 6 months to a year).
• In early 2008 begin applying to mission agencies.
• Whenever all that pans out, begin raising support...
• And then go.
• (Where? Turkey, Greece, I don't know yet. I do know that I'd like to be doing some sort of outreach/human rights work. I've mentioned the ministry in Athens before, I'll be exploring that more and possibly even visiting in the summer of 2008).
• Stay at least 2 years. Maybe 4. Maybe 10, or forever. :) There is this little statistic that single women burn out faster on the mission field; the average is 2 years. I may be single and I may not be and I have no idea how long this season will last. Let's say 2-3 years, for the sake of our Plan.
• Return, for at least two years, and complete a Master's in Social Work (MSW). This is 2-3 years.
• The Plan ends here. There are obvious trails and opportunities that would follow here, but getting this far has taken a lot out of me. :)

That was kind of fun though.

beautiful people

Sarah & I one or two summers ago in our "twin tops" :)

I had lunch with Sarah yesterday...how my soul feels such a rest and peace when I'm with her. :) There is something about being with those friends who just GET you, each complex layer, and have the capacity and the space to allow you to be who you are in joy or in pain, and to inject joy and encouragement into your life. I needed this; it's been a long and somewhat lonely summer. Sometimes I need to be reminded that I do have people to walk through my valleys with me. :)

my first angels game

At least the Dodgers win whenever I go...I borrowed Ryan ("the funny beard man") from Janell for the evening and Bobby back there was thinking about how to improve his Bill Cosby impersonation.

We got great seats for free (just show up around game time or a little late and hang out by the entrance for all those season ticket holders who weren't able to fill their seats), it was $1 hot dog night, and the Angels lost, HAHA (I really could care less).

when the day seems long...

I have had this song in my head for weeks...

Rock of Ages, when the day seems long -

from this labor and this heartache, I have come.

The skies will wear out, but you remain the same.

Rock of Ages, I praise Your name.

Rock of Ages, You have brought me near.

You have poured out Your life blood, Your love, Your tears,

to make this stone heart come alive again.

Rock of Ages, forgive my sin.

Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages,

Bind Your children till the Kingdom comes

Rock of Ages, Your will be done.

Rock of Ages, when in want of rest

My desperate need for such a Savior I confess.

Pull these idols out from my heart embrace.

Rock of Ages, I need Your grace.

Rock of Ages, broken, scorned for me,

who am I that You would die to make me free?

To give me glory, You took the death and pain,

Rock of Ages, my offering.

Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages,

Bind Your children until the Kingdom comes.

Rock of Ages, Your will be done.

Rock of Ages, "It is Done!" You cried,

The curtain's torn and I see justice satisfied.
Now write Your mercy here on my heart and hands.

Rock of Ages, In faith I stand.

Rock of Ages, my great hope secure,

Your promise holds just like an anchor to my soul.

Bind Your children with cords of love and grace,

Rock of Ages, we give You praise.

Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages,

Bind Your children until the Kingdom comes.

Rock of Ages, Your will be done.

sandra mccracken

what a difference a shoe makes?

Well, whaddaya know ... turns out I've been running in the wrong shoes, and not JUST the wrong shoes, but the wrongest possible shoes. I finally had to break down and buy new running shoes (only about 6-8 months too late), and I decided to go into the Running Lab in Orange for a proper fitting. My friend who works there has been insisting that I'm running in the wrong shoes because if they were the RIGHT shoes, I would not be having my periodic knee pain, etc.

I believe him. I really do. But knee and hip pain runs in my family and no shoe is going to make that go away. But I knew that the proper shoes could at least slow the process of whatever is happening to my poor body. So, my beloved Nimbus = the WRONG SHOE.

After all their measurements and tests and footprints and touchy feeling and observations, turns out my right leg is secretly a fraction longer than my left leg, my joints are loose, and I pronate way more than I thought I did. At least, way more than the people at the OTHER running store noticed. So I got my new shoes, Saucony, and we'll see if they stand the test of time. Not too much time, though, these things don't last very long, and definitely not as long as I like to make them last.

How was that for a completely scintillating blog?

Well I am 28 years old, almost finished with a master’s in theology and biblical studies, and I have finally narrowed it down to the three things I wish I were doing with my life. None of which involve a bible degree. 1. Social Worker; 2. Counselor; 3. Nutritionist. Each of these would be in the context of working with underprivileged. I always knew about the social work thing; my undergrad degree is in sociology. At the time I could not see myself doing that and just floated along with my useless liberal arts degree. But with the things I am interested in now, I’m wishing I had continued with that.

I don’t think I’d trade my Talbot degree; I have enjoyed being there and I feel like what I’ve learned has been (and will be) extremely valuable. And I’m taking comfort in the fact that I have felt all along that that is exactly where I’m supposed to be, and what I’m supposed to be doing during this time. So there’s that. :) But the more I study into the human rights things and different ministries I’ve been interested in, I’m seeing how valuable this MSW would be… and in the context of overseas ministries, any of these 3 career choices would be of great use.

BUT. Here I am. :) For a reason. I’m still pursuing a ministry to prostitutes in Athens that I would love to spend some time with in the next few years. Prostitution is legal in Greece, and many of the girls there are brought in through sex trafficking. This is a huge “industry” in Europe where girls are lured with promises of nanny and waitress jobs, and it has found its way into the United States. I was horrified to read the other day that at any given time, it is believed that there are 20,000 - 30,000 “sex slaves” in the U.S. alone, toddlers through early 20s. Most of these “operations” are run through homes in middle class neighborhoods. Here is a good article with a lot of information on it if you are interested. I’m trying to do more research, educate myself a little more, and look for more opportunities to somehow DO something. (Why did I not do social work???) Perhaps in the future more school will be on the agenda but I am really done for now.

Side note, you should really read this book… I haven’t been impacted like this by a book in a long time – still, even now, some time later. War, death, killing, tremendous loss, and eventual rehabilitation from the perspective of a 12-15 year old child affected me really deeply. Seeing the author speak now (he’s on the board of Human Rights Watch I think among other things, and SO well spoken) is a testimony to the resilience of humanity and also the love of people who are willing to sacrifice much for the lives of others…

Blah blah…I’m changing desks and jobs today within the office…I hope it’s a good change…

Birthday Celebration/Fattening Gorge Fests #3 & 4

Birthday lunch at Alicia's Cafe...yum.
(brownies for my birthday...YUM.)
Dinner out again...yum. Good to see my Dad, who came up to take me out to dinner tonight.
(Ran 4 more miles today...HOT. Gotta keep up with all the celebrating.)

I think that will about do it. I've been full for two straight days. It's only once a year, right! Well, plus Christmas. And Thanksgiving. 4th of July. Easter. And other people's birthdays. And bridal showers (tomorrow). Not very often.

28 glorious years of living

woohoo. :)

Perhaps I will try this conversation today, from The Office, which cracks me up every single time I see it or think about it:

Michael: Happy Birthday, Jan!
Jan: It's not my birthday.
Michael: Oh really? Because I thought we shared a birthday.
Jan: (pause) Happy birthday, Michael.

:)

Birthday Celebration/Fattening Gorge Fest #2

Yesterday I biked 20 miles and the day before ran 4 miles and the day before that ran 6 miles, just in case you were wondering. Because right now I am SO FULL. But it's my BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Celebration/Fattening Gorge Fest #1

I heart Costco cake... celebration #1: (ok it was just in our staff meeting at work today, but I had my favorite cake ever and they sang to me, so it counts.)

Birthday week officially commences.

my American birthright?

Funny quote from an article in the July Runner's World Magazine:

"I've always monitored my body weight closely, believing I have an American birthright to obsess over it, just like Oprah, Jared, and millions of others."

Haha. Maybe I've just gotten all the justification I needed. :) I don't think it's a problem to monitor, especially to find (and stay at) your healthiest weight, and when racing, your fastest or most productive weight. I know I may be at one, but not the other. It's just too easy to make it an obsession...like Oprah and Jared the Subway guy...but it's also easy to turn a blind eye and let a few pounds sneak on. Ah, striking the healthy balance...

It's true that Americans battle with these health issues and are probably the most obsessive about them of any other nation. (A visiting friend from England, after eating at a few restaurants exclaimed, "It's true! The portion sizes ARE enormous!") Does that mean we earn the right to obsess about our bodies just by being born here, just like we are born with our citizenship? :)

waiting for the fireworks...

working for the weekend

My cheeks are pink, my hip bones and ribs are bruised, and my sinuses are cleared from the blunt force of salt water up my nose... yay, it's surfing season! :)

Actually I didn't do a whole lot this weekend besides sleep and beach and read...kinda like my vacation I just had. I realized that my 4-day work week is just a blip until I can get to the weekend. If I can power through those four days I'll do whatever I can to stretch out my 3 days of summer vacation each week.

At this point my job feels like just a job that I endure for my sustenance. The real living happens Friday through Sunday, and frequently after 4:30pm on Monday through Thursday. At times I have looked at my work as ministry, which it is...but right now it is just employment, my job. It's definitely more fulfilling when viewed the other way around, but jobs and ministries have their ebbs and flows I suppose. For now my flows are on the weekends. :)