Ready.... Set....GO!!!!

Spontaneity makes me happy. I'm not typically a spontaneous spur of the moment type of girl. You see I thrive on plans, organization, and overly packed suitcases. I do well with advance notice and proper itineraries. But this weekend changed me. After an hour of sitting on Elise's couch complaining of the horrid mood I was in, my dear friend had clearly had enough. As she desperately offered suggestions of things to do, I swiftly and effectively shot down each and every suggestion. I then began to grumble about the stink butt weather called "summer" in Arizona... heat is clearly not my friend... it makes me grumpy. And hot. And annoyed. Then she said it. The five little words that would change my weekend.
Elise: "Lets go to San Diego"
Me: "Right now?!?!"
Elise: "Yes. Its only Saturday- we totally have time for a spur of the moment turn around road trip"
Me: "Do you think we can be ready in 30 min?"
Elise: "Absolutely!!!"
Me: "Lets do it!"
Six hours later Elise and I pulled into beautiful 70 degree San Diego. *SNIFF SNIFF* ahhh the sweet smell of fresh salty sea air- nothing like it!

Here are pictures of our glorious weekend....

Ok so its not the most flattering shot of me- but Elise insisted on getting a picture of me singing. Just be thankful you can't hear me.

What a pretty girl!

Our picnic site. Not a soul around. Just good food, good conversation, and lots of lush green plants.

I was very excited to finally see greenery- anything besides a cactus makes me happy these days.

The drummers were amazingly talented.

Got lost in the jungle...

We loved the architecture in Balboa Park

Nothing like relaxing on a blankie in the park

My dear friend and I- Thanks for the spontaneous trip Elise!!

Hormonal Fluctuation Stinks!!

All I really want to do right now is sit down and cry a little.

My uterus wont stop cramping, I'm as bloated as a sea monkey, there's too much crap floating around in my mind, my apartment is slightly messy, my dog pooped under the table, I smell like baby urine and apple juice, I look as if I just got in a fight with a raccoon- and he won, my toes need serious pedicure attention, my sweat pants feel tight, I have no food in my fridge, I'm fresh out of wine, something smells in my laundry room, I dont understand what I'm learning in my anatomy and physiology class, I feel disgustingly needy and insecure, there's a big bug bite the size of Texas on my foot thats itching the crap out of me, I have no gas in my car, and my list of "to do's" is far too lengthy for my taste... basically, I'm a hormonal raging emotional mess at the moment and my blog is the only one who lets me purge the crappiness I feel. So there- thats how I'm doing.

How are you today?

My Many Contradictions

I'm secure in who I am in Christ, yet I'm constantly insecure in who I am as a woman.

I desire less, yet I crave more.

I'm smart and capable, yet I doubt my own abilities.

I make people laugh, yet I'm dull and boring most of the time

I desperately seek after the Lord daily, yet I feel my attempts are somehow never enough

I love others easily, yet constantly question the love of others

I strive to be an eternal optimist, yet I'm the most pessimistic person you'll ever meet

I'm content with my life, yet I want my life to mean more

I'm energetic and always up for anything, yet I'm the biggest hermit this world will ever know

I trust the Lord's plan, yet I fight Him for control daily

Concert recap

Now I know I'm about to bum you all out by telling you I have not one single picture from the amzingness that was the Flogging Molly concert, but its the sad truth. You see- the mean volunteer security guards, who all take their jobs far too seriously in my opinion, refused to let cameras through the front doors. I was totally bitter and angry about this, but the sweet sound of Carolina Liar playing in the background and the smell of yummy burritos and fresh cold margaritas totally distracted me from my misery. I think I can officially say I am a concert junky. Ok ok so I've only been to one concert in my entire life, but after concerting it up for 11 consecutive hours yesterday, I became addicted. Nothing gets better than amazing music, cheese and jalapeno casadias bigger than my head, blazing hot direct sunlight- which gave me an oh so lovely shorts and tank top tan, and of course some serious people watching entertainment. Ahh what a magnificent Sunday afternoon it was indeed.

Are Those Irish Bagpipes I Hear?!?

Whats that??

What am I doing this weekend?

Oh I'm so glad you asked!

No real big plans.

It's basically going to be a low key weekend filled with sleeping in, studying at coffee shops, and cleanin' ye olde apartment (*cough* hint hint)

Ok ok enough beating around the bush.... can I have a drum roll please?!?!

This Sunday I will officially be spending the day at Tempe Beach Park's Fall Frenzy Concert!!!!

Who will be there you ask?

Hmm- lets see:

1. Social Distortion
2. Ben Harper and the Relentless 7
3. The Bravery
4. Airborne Toxic Event
5. Carolina Liar
6. (and my personal all time favorite) Flogging Molly (click to listen)!!!!

That's right, I'm spending the day with friends listening to fabulous music, eating totally junky concert food, drinking fresh cold beer, and of course spending some serious time people watching!

*SIGH* what a grand weekend it will be indeed!

.... pictures of the concert coming soon

Tirzah is a terror

Oh she may look all cute and innocent, but below the surface of her precious puppy exterior, Tirzah is no more than a crazy phsyco dog who seeks to make my life a living H-E Double Hockey Sticks. If you know my pup at all, you'd know that she is a freak of nature when it comes to jumping. She may be a skinny ten pound nothing, but she can clear the kitchen table like nobodies business. Its as if she's this bizarre cross between chihuahua and kangaroo- hmm I should have known she was trouble from the beginning. You see, when I first brought Tirzah home she was all sugar and spice and everything nice.... but I'm afraid the mask has since come off. In the past week or so Tirzah has managed to:

1. Drink out of the toilet bowl more times than I actually use the toilet


2. Eat an entire block of cheese I had sitting on the kitchen counter


3. Hide her so called "leftover" pieces of cheese all over the apartment for me to find after its begun to decompose and smell of... well rotten cheese. *Gag*


4. Make a poopy under the kitchen table- right after I took her on a walk where she had JUST POOPED!


5. Jumped up into the kitchen sink, scratched through a tied up kitchen bag, ate 8+ buffalo wing bones, and of course shredded a napkin so my floor looked as if it had snowed


6. Knocked over and shattered my pretty glass table sconce filled with fake fruit.


7. Hid treats between each and every couch cushion.

And those are just to name a few. I'm exhausted- and "this close" to giving her back to the animal shelter where I found her. Ugh. Darn dog. I dont have the patience for this crap.

God is in control- no if ands or buts about it

Life can be an odd mixture of pain, heartache, joy, and indifference. But today- today life is simple. This simplicity doesn't come from the events of the day or the pleasant moments that come my way. No, for me simplicity of life is knowing God is in control. It comes in knowing He has a glorious plan for my life, for my day, and even for this moment. I may experience disappointment and frustration, but ultimately my soul is at peace knowing these bumps in the road are not for nothing. Difficult seasons only aid in refining me and molding me into the stronger more beautiful woman of grace God so desires.

*Thank you Lord- with all my heart, thank you!*

Quote of the Day

"All the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights. They try to shine in through your curtains—you’re too close and too bright. They try and they try but everything that they do is the ghost of a trace of a pale imitation of you."

~ Josh Ritter (from the song "Kathleen")
click here to listen

Procrastination

I think "procrastination" should be my middle name. You'd think with the knowledge of a huge exam looming over my head I'd be spending my evening study or reviewing or freighting over lame anatomy jargon. But its actually quite the opposite. I've managed to waste massive amounts of time showering, cleaning, cooking (and I use that term loosely- ie: I munching on crackers and packaged pre-sliced cheese. No judging), watching the presidents speech, falling asleep during said speech, looking up said speech to find out what I missed, and talking on the phone. Besides, I already feel prepared for the exam so I figure I might as well waste my night doing things of little importance. Its fun. You should try it. And its not as if my night was a total waste- I learned I dont like Obama's health care plan, I do like crackers and cheese, and I really like late night phone calls. Its grand. So there ya go... I am officially the epitome of procrastination, and I love it!!

More of God

What happens when you begin to realize you are more than the clothes you wear, the number on the scale, and the quarks you posses? You see, I'm no longer defined by the money I have or the body shape I've been given. I'm a child of God, and I wear that title proudly. Ever inch of me is imperfect, stained, and flawed in every way- and yet I have much to offer this world. I may not speak eloquently or write impeccably. I may not be the most domestic or well rounded of women. I may burn half the food I cook and shove trash under my couch cushions from time to time, but I have a heart that seeks the Lord. I desire for my life to be a mirror of God's love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and mercy. I want more. And like always- I wont stop till I get it.

Here is my favorite Statement of Faith made by an anonymous African Pastor...

The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won.t look
back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands. I am
finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, the bare minimum, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, frivolous living, selfish giving, and
dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I
don.t have to be right, first, the best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live
by faith. I lean on Christ's presence. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with the
power of God's grace.
My face is set. My gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my
companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I
will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the
table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid
up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give until I drop, speak out until all know,
and work until He stops me.
And when He returns for His own, He will have no difficulty recognizing me. My banner is
clear: I am a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

Quote of the Day

"Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I shall end up an old maid."

~Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice)

Happy Birthday Bri

Many friends, boyfriends, and best friends have come in and out of my life over the years, but nothing compares to the sweet bond I share with my sister. No one loves me, accepts me, laughs with me, challenges me, frustrates me, pushes me, or lovingly listens to me quite like she does. No one will ever know the secrets we share and the joy we experience being sisters. Today, September 4th, marks my sister's 27th birthday- reminding her once again that indeed she is getting old *giggle giggle*. But in all seriousness, lets raise a glass and toast this amazing friend, mother, wife, and of course sister....

Here's to you Bri!!

I love you and hope you are having fabulous birthday!!!

I am greatful

BLAH!!! Long day. Its as if my life is one giant long exhausting day. But instead of moaning and groaning about the never ending "to do" list permanently etched on my mind, I'm going to focus on the positive in my life. So here is a list of all the beautiful things that happened to me over the past week:

1. After a bad day on Tuesday, a friend of mine unexpectedly showed up at my door with a hilarious card and a bottle of wine. Fabulous friends are hard to come by- I'm truly blessed.
2. As I sit here typing and listening to Johnny Flynn, a beautiful monsoon filled with thunder and lightening is underway right outside my window. Its a glorious moment.
3. I got a new nanny job, proving once again that the Lord will always provide.
4. I found a fabulous new gold jacket at a thrift shop this week (pictures soon to come)
5. I just finished a yummy dinner I made consisting of teriyaki chicken mixed in with steamed broccoli and sugar snap peas... oh and a glass of red wine of course!
6. I've recently become obsessed with songs like this, this, this, and this.
7. My apartment is spotlessly clean and all laundry has been washed, dried, and put away leaving me feeling totally organized and at peace.
8. I'm content with my my body today.
9. And finally, I'm going horseback riding on Sunday- who knew?!?

Acne Can Take a Hike

Alright so I may not always dress like an adult, or act like an adult, or manage to regularly bathe myself like an adult... but gosh darn it I am an adult!! So why in the heck am I breaking out all over my face like an awkward pre-teen with braces?!? I paid my do's in the acne department. Isnt this supposed to be the stage in my life where I at least have clear skin? Isnt it bad enough I have bills to pay, school to attend, a job to work, and zero money in my account? I hardly think a clear complexion is asking too much. *ahem- you listening God??* Adult acne should never exist. And to make matters worse, why in the heck do people feel the need to let you know you have a break out on your face?? Dont you people think I look in the mirror?? YES- I know its there!!

All I wanted to do today was buy a new foundation primer (to help prevent breakouts when wearing concealer) at Ulta. I walked in, no make up on, sunglasses, and ratted hair. I had zero desire to speak to or make eye contact with anyone- I was on a mission. As I was perusing the make-up isle minding my own business Ms. Annoyingly Loud and Obnoxious Ulta Employee Lady waltzes up to me to see if I need help. I politely say no thanks and continue on my way hoping she'll get the hint I'm not in the mood to be helped. But no. She follows and insists on helping me pick out the proper primer- suddenly we make eye contact and she says, "oh dear you have acne... here use this one." I wanted to hit her. No actually I wanted to push her down, pull her hair, point out all her flaws and then tell her to mind her own darn business. But since I love Jesus... I refrained.