Last night a dear and adorable friend of mine shared a new music video with me, and we both agreed we want to be this girl....

She's so darn cute... its rather annoying to be honest.

Its that time of year again.... finals time (yuck!).

And while I should be busy studying various types of bacteria, viruses, and mixed cultures, my poor brain is begging me to stop. I keep day dreaming of sitting curled up in some cute coffee shop with a good book in one hand and a hot cup of black tea with steamed soy milk in the other. Although I love nursing, I swear my microbiology class is going to be the death of me.

"Only two more weeks"... that's what I keep chanting over and over in my mind, but somehow it brings little comfort. Instead I've been finding subtle little ways to procrastinate- like blogging for example. But no matter how hard I try not to study or think about studying, the weight of my looming final exam simply won't dissipate. I guess I must suck it up and get it done....

Wish me luck (I'm gonna need it!)

PS. Forgive me if my blog posts are few and far between during these next two weeks. Once finals are over my normal blogging maddness shall resume.

I Heart Design

Two years ago God unexpectedly reached into my life and changed my world. Among those changes was my future career path. You see, as I left home for college four years ago, I thought I had my life completely planned out. I was and always have been moved by the arts, and therefore it made perfect sense I would declare my major Interior Design. Growing up, I was always redecorating and rearranging my room to fit my current mood, and I couldn't wait to spend my life doing it for other people. Little did I know I would eventually change my major to nursing and follow in the footsteps of my mom and sister. And while my heart for nursing grows bigger everyday, my passion for design still burns deep inside. My humble little Arizona apartment has now become the canvas on which I paint. My home is filled with things that inspire me, colors that brighten my soul, warmth that emanates to all who enter, and a crazy ecclection of nic-knacks that each tell their own beautiful story. My apartment is much like me in that it is forever changing and morphing into something new- but it will always remain the place that makes me feel "at home" in the chaotic world I live.

Here are a few pictures of rooms that move and inspire me....

Maybe its because of PMS.

Maybe its because I love food.

Maybe its because I'm a woman.

Maybe its because I find it comforting.

Maybe its because I'm addicted to sugar.

Or maybe- just maybe- its because they're so very pretty to look at.

What ever the reason may be, I LOVE pastries!!!

And I'm craving them a crap load.

"Well-behaved women seldom make history"

I love this quote. I love it not because it gives women the freedom to behave badly, but rather because it encourages and empowers women to go against the grain. Joan of Arc, Ruth, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, and Emily Dickinson are just a few among thousands of women who dared to be different. They were women who embraced who they were, walked in full fledged confidence, and humbly refused to make apologies for the actions they took. I highly doubt they were well liked or popular in their time. Their works were criticized, their words trashed, their purpose misunderstood, and their vision unshared... but they stayed true.

Have we somehow lost sight of the fact that Jesus too was a radical who changed history? He loved the unlovely, extended grace to the sinners, broke all the rules, and spoke truth in the face of strong opposition.

No- I dont want to be a "well-behaved" woman. I dont want to be afraid of others disapproval of me. I want to be authentic and true. I want be unashamed of the choices I make. I want to live, speak, and write what God puts on my heart. I want to encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to be used by God. I'm not looking to make history or gain popularity. I don't need praise or applause. When its all said and done- this quote says it all:

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.

~Anonymous African Pastor

No, I am not a well behaved woman... are you?

A few gorgeous home libraries to drool over!

Its a little piece of heaven.

Let the Countdown Begin!

Ok so I may seem a little crazy... a bit obsessed... and totally weird... but I dont care. I've officially started the countdown to seeing Joan Jett in concert on July 4th!!! And in spirit of the countdown, I've decided to show various videos of her live performances on my blog every so often. This first video is of her performing one of my favorite of her newer songs called "Naked" (I'm including the lyrics below as well- read along if you can)

Naked: Nissan Live Sets On Yahoo! Music @ Yahoo! Video

Built a house of cards around your heart
Show yourself to no one
Wear a mask
Didn't think you'd tear it all apart
Didn't know you had the nerve for that
Every bit of trouble that I've cherished
Every bit of truth that I let perish
Every little bit of me is naked
I am naked now
I am naked now
I am naked now
Yeah

Close your eyes and wonder why it's dark
Built a house of cards around your heart
Act surprised when you keep fallin' down
Something about you is like a spark
Didn't think you'd tear it all apart

Yeah you burn all other life down to the ground
Every bit of time that I have wasted
Every bit of truth I never tasted
Every little bit of me is naked
I am naked now
I am naked now
I am naked now

Every bit of trouble that I've cherished
Every bit of truth that I let perish
Every little bit of me is naked
I am naked now
I am naked now
I am naked now
I am naked now
I am naked now
Naked now
Now
Naked now
Now
I am naked now

Not So Normal

The day began as any ordinary day would-

Get up

Take a shower

Eat breakfast

Drink my much needed cup of coffee (sometimes tea)

And skedaddle my butt off to work.

Most days I roll into work with nothing more than yoga pants, an old t-shirt covered in dog hair, and zero make-up. I figure the kids could care less about how I look so why should I?? And with all the running around, bending over, sitting in chairs much too small, and lifting kids up onto changing tables or in and out of car seats- it's simply not convenient to do such tasks in tight jeans, heals, and a frilly top. Besides, I typically consider myself lucky if I make it through a day without getting snot, food, juice, or pee somewhere on me. Lets get real, being a nanny is a messy job.

But today I decided I would actually make an effort to look somewhat presentable. And so I threw on my favorite pair of jeans, a funky printed T, a trendy little jacket, and ballet flats. I felt totally put together for once in my life- and with a little extra bounce in my step I left the house to go to work.

The day was busy as I ran errands, dropped off the eldest at pre-school, and entertained the baby most of the morning. I thought it was strange that my jeans kept feeling like they were on funny, and so for hours I kept twisting and pulling, adjusting and re-adjusting, until I sat down and crossed my legs indian style.... it was then I noticed it..... a giant- and I mean GIANT- hole in the crotch of my favorite jeans!!! Not only was I bummed my best pair of jeans had a hole, I was beyond embarrassed that I had obliviously spent the entire morning walking around town with a massive split down my pants!!! Holy cow!! Who doesn't notice that kind of thing?!?! ME - thats who!!

Sometimes I wish my life were more normal than this....

but lets face it, I'll never be "normal"- its time I embrace it.

Yes I know what your thinking- I'm guilty of serious blog neglect. I think its been over a week since my last post, and boy does time fly by when your busy! As a matter of fact, I'm just about to head off to work and then class, but I figured I should write a quick post letting you guys know I'm still alive. I'll try and stay committed to posting on a more regular basis, but unfortunately its finals time and my schedule is crazy busy so please forgive me if I appear to be lacking in the posting department. As soon as mid May hits, I'll be a free from school- which means lot of time to blog. So until then- I leave you with a video of my latest favorite song.....

In honor of the release of Zooey Deschanel's new album (band name= She and Him), I'm including some adorable pictures of Zooey- who I think has super cute style- and a video of her latest song "In the Sun"

Enjoy!

She & Him - In The Sun from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Music is like breathing- I simply can't imagine my life without it.

I may never become a rockin' guitar player, but regardless I live to feel the music.

It's near impossible for me to say I have a "favorite" artist. In my mind each and every artist is talented and extraordinary in their own way.

Here are a few clips of two guitar playing women who inspire me to continue my own musical journey. Their talent is simply amazing.... prepare to be blown away!

Orianthi

Janet Robin