So... I know that it has been a ridiculously long time since I have written anything here, and I will have you know that I really do feel quite terrible about that. However, it has happened before... and considering the fact that for two of those weeks I was on a bus without regular access to a computer, and that now that I am at home, my internet situation is different than it was down at school, it really isn't that big of a deal.
I probably should have warned you before I made that whole explanation, that this is not going to be much of an entry, however, I was online and decided that I wanted to update.
Update: I have graduated from CBU, and have completed my final choir tour for UCO (there will be more about that hopefully in the near future... possibly including an appearance by a particular stow-away. I am once again working in Pismo Beach, and enjoying it so far. This is going to be a crazy-busy summer!
Anyway, I have pretty much been tired for the last week and a half, so I am going to leave this post here, and go get some shut-eye, so I will update about my life in the near future... or I will try to. I'm sure you can't wait :-)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
An Ending... and A New Beginning
Today I turned in the last official assignment of my undergraduate college career. It is a little bit wierd to say that. Maybe that is because I have not had this experience at any point in the last 16-17 years (depending on whether or not you count Kindergarten). Every summer that I have had since starting my educational career has had another school year coming after it. Elementary school was followed by Junior High and then High School, which was followed by Community College and Univeristy. In short, there has always been another assignment, or paper that would need to be done. Another class that had to be taken in fulfillment of some requirement. Although some time in the future I may decide to pursue Graduate studies, at this point in time, there are no plans for another class that I have to take, or another paper that I have to write. It is an interesting feeling... and I feel like there is something that I should be doing. I know that I actually don't have anything that I should be doing right now, but I feel like I should.
It is very easy to understand why people jump right into a Master's degree program, the idea of stopping school and pursuing an actual career of some sort, having to actually become a full fledged adult who has big responsibilities and bills is an almost overwhelming concept. It takes a while to wrap your mind around that... I still don't know whether I have.
The future really is kind of an intimidating prospect. So many others that I know are heading off into careers where they know exactly what they want to do, and I am really excited for them. I on the other hand do not have a plan that is laid out in stone. On the one hand it feels like I should have a grown up job all lined up, or at least have some pretty solid ideas about the kind of job that I would like to pursue, but I don't. I have ideas of things that I could do, and opportunities that I would like to search out, but there are also dreams: travel, and life abroad, fluency in foreign languages, and some that can't even be spoken.
I don't know what my future holds. Only God knows that, and I really can't think of anyone that is better equipped for that knowledge. I don't know whether I heard this somewhere before, or if this is an original thought, but, maybe it is a good thing that I don't know everything that God has for my future, because if I knew, maybe I would be too scared to pursue it; perhaps I would become paralyzed by fear. Life comes a little bit at a time. God equips us for what He has for us. If we knew now what we will be doing years from now, it would probably be unfathomable...and horribly intimidating... but that is an exciting thought too. I am excited to see what God has planned for me!
I may not know what my future holds, but one thing I do know, is that for right now, there are no essays or exams on the horizon, and that is pretty much amazing!
It is very easy to understand why people jump right into a Master's degree program, the idea of stopping school and pursuing an actual career of some sort, having to actually become a full fledged adult who has big responsibilities and bills is an almost overwhelming concept. It takes a while to wrap your mind around that... I still don't know whether I have.
The future really is kind of an intimidating prospect. So many others that I know are heading off into careers where they know exactly what they want to do, and I am really excited for them. I on the other hand do not have a plan that is laid out in stone. On the one hand it feels like I should have a grown up job all lined up, or at least have some pretty solid ideas about the kind of job that I would like to pursue, but I don't. I have ideas of things that I could do, and opportunities that I would like to search out, but there are also dreams: travel, and life abroad, fluency in foreign languages, and some that can't even be spoken.
I don't know what my future holds. Only God knows that, and I really can't think of anyone that is better equipped for that knowledge. I don't know whether I heard this somewhere before, or if this is an original thought, but, maybe it is a good thing that I don't know everything that God has for my future, because if I knew, maybe I would be too scared to pursue it; perhaps I would become paralyzed by fear. Life comes a little bit at a time. God equips us for what He has for us. If we knew now what we will be doing years from now, it would probably be unfathomable...and horribly intimidating... but that is an exciting thought too. I am excited to see what God has planned for me!
I may not know what my future holds, but one thing I do know, is that for right now, there are no essays or exams on the horizon, and that is pretty much amazing!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tonight was a really great night. I got to hang out with a really good friend, and had a lot fun. First, we went to CPK and had pizza. I highly recommend the BLT pizza... seems kind of like a weird concept to have lettuce on a pizza, I know... but absolutely delicious never-the-less.
After wandering around the Plaza for awhile, we went into Cherry on Top and got frozen yogurt... actually, she got frozen yogurt... I got a bowl of fruit that I added to Greek Style yogurt from Vons. Yummy!
My Yogurt/Fruit concoction is the one on the left, Sam's is the other one. We decided that it sort of looks like what you'd think the lights at a rave would look like. 
This was another source of big fun for the night. I bought a pocket-sized Edward Cullen. We plan to take many pictures in many different places. The plan is to bring him with me on choir tour to the pacific northwest... Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Montana... sounds like a plan to me! Monday, March 16, 2009
Re-Reading Amazing Books
One of the wonderful things about this particular Spring Break is that I do not have a ridiculous amount of homework to do during the time off from school. Therefore, it gives me lots of time to read books. Right now I am re-reading one of the best series I have ever read The Mark of the Lion series, by Francine Rivers.
The series really challenged the way that I look at and think about my own faith, as well as the way that I look at service.
I have been looking forward to re-reading this series for the last two and a half months... and am seriously enjoying them now that I am able to read them again. These are books that I would recommend to anyone to read.
Another awesome bit about this Spring is that I get to spend time with my Dad.
The series really challenged the way that I look at and think about my own faith, as well as the way that I look at service.
I have been looking forward to re-reading this series for the last two and a half months... and am seriously enjoying them now that I am able to read them again. These are books that I would recommend to anyone to read.
Another awesome bit about this Spring is that I get to spend time with my Dad.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
It has occurred to me that it has been well over a month since I last blogged.
I would say that this is unacceptable, but realistically I have sat down multiple times to blog, and just not known what to write, so I have not written anything. I really do have to feel at least somewhat inspired in order to actually post anything.
I was looking through some old pictures on my computer, and decided that I miss the times that <-- this picture reminds me of.
Don't get me wrong, I love where life is right now. And I absolutely love my roommate; but these were good times. Life at the Celestial Dock was so incredibly different than life in Cottage 4 is. The Celestial Dock involved friday night cooking parties, and 'family' dinners, included frequent updates to The Wall of Über excellence, included random dance parties, and fabulous escapades. I miss those days. To be more specific... I miss the roommates. I miss my friends who are no longer at school with me. I love the people I live with now. I love my roommate. I still miss them.
Anyway, I know this is random for a blog, but that is ok.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Working Hours
It has occurred to me as I am sitting here at work that I really shouldn't have been at all upset by the fact that I thought I was only working until 6 o'clock tonight, but found out right before my shift that I was in fact working until 8 o'clock, because in fact, God is just taking care of me.
For the last few weeks or so, I have been a little worried about the fact that I have not been getting very many hours at work. Quite honestly I have been fretting about that fact, and had even seriously considered looking for another job to supplement the hours. I wasn't very thrilled by the idea of a second job, and decided that I would just stick it out a while longer before really considering it.
So last Sunday as I was making out my tithe, I was very seriously considering the possibility of only doing part of my tithe right now, and making up for it later (since I wasn't sure that I would really be getting paid much in the near future). However, I decided that I needed to have faith that He would provide all my needs, so I decided to write the check for the full amount.
I had a tutoring appointment the next morning, and while very sad about the time (9am) because I had stayed up late the night before, I recognized that at least I was getting some time, and tried to be happy. When I got to work I discovered that I had two more appointments for that afternoon that I hadn't known about the day before. To me it seemed apparent that He was watching out for me.
A few weeks ago one of my co-workers asked me to cover a Friday night shift (tonight), and a Saturday morning shift (tomorrow) which I ageed to. So all day today I have known that I had a few hours of work tonight and tomorrow. Shortly before the shift tonight I became aware that the shift was actually for two hours longer than I thought.
Here is where I started to lose sight of God's blessing. Rather than recognize that God was providing me two more hours of work (on a night when I had no other plans), I started to be a little upset that I would have to be here until 8. Why? I have no idea.
During the last few hours of my shift I have thought about it. Sometimes I am so dumb. I ask God to deal with the situation of me not having work hours. I tell him that I am going to trust Him to provide. And then when He does, without even realizing His blessing I start to be upset that my "free time" is being taken from me... when normally it would be a bummer that I have so much free time. God provided for me. He even provided me extra work hours during a time when all of my friends, the people that I would be spending time with anyway, are busy. They are all doing other things right now. I would be sitting at home alone, likely doing nothing, but instead I am at work getting more hours... which I asked Him for anyway.
I don't know if this post really makes any sense or not. But for me it is important to realize that God is taking care of me. I would see it better if I would open my eyes.
I was just struck by a thought. How many other blessings might I be missing because I'm not looking?
For the last few weeks or so, I have been a little worried about the fact that I have not been getting very many hours at work. Quite honestly I have been fretting about that fact, and had even seriously considered looking for another job to supplement the hours. I wasn't very thrilled by the idea of a second job, and decided that I would just stick it out a while longer before really considering it.
So last Sunday as I was making out my tithe, I was very seriously considering the possibility of only doing part of my tithe right now, and making up for it later (since I wasn't sure that I would really be getting paid much in the near future). However, I decided that I needed to have faith that He would provide all my needs, so I decided to write the check for the full amount.
I had a tutoring appointment the next morning, and while very sad about the time (9am) because I had stayed up late the night before, I recognized that at least I was getting some time, and tried to be happy. When I got to work I discovered that I had two more appointments for that afternoon that I hadn't known about the day before. To me it seemed apparent that He was watching out for me.
A few weeks ago one of my co-workers asked me to cover a Friday night shift (tonight), and a Saturday morning shift (tomorrow) which I ageed to. So all day today I have known that I had a few hours of work tonight and tomorrow. Shortly before the shift tonight I became aware that the shift was actually for two hours longer than I thought.
Here is where I started to lose sight of God's blessing. Rather than recognize that God was providing me two more hours of work (on a night when I had no other plans), I started to be a little upset that I would have to be here until 8. Why? I have no idea.
During the last few hours of my shift I have thought about it. Sometimes I am so dumb. I ask God to deal with the situation of me not having work hours. I tell him that I am going to trust Him to provide. And then when He does, without even realizing His blessing I start to be upset that my "free time" is being taken from me... when normally it would be a bummer that I have so much free time. God provided for me. He even provided me extra work hours during a time when all of my friends, the people that I would be spending time with anyway, are busy. They are all doing other things right now. I would be sitting at home alone, likely doing nothing, but instead I am at work getting more hours... which I asked Him for anyway.
I don't know if this post really makes any sense or not. But for me it is important to realize that God is taking care of me. I would see it better if I would open my eyes.
I was just struck by a thought. How many other blessings might I be missing because I'm not looking?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday Night
I love Fridays. They are wonderful because it means that there are two whole days of weekend in front of me before I have to go to my classes again. It is even better when the Friday comes before a three day weekend.
Speaking of classes, they are great so far! Good news on the textbook front! So far, I have actually been keeping up on the reading for my Church History class, and it is really interesting! One text book, "131 Christians Everyone Should Know" is really interesting, because (as the title indicates) it is basically a collection of short essays on the lives and works of really important and influential Christians throughout the history of the church. So far we have read the section on the martyrs, which was a really interesting section. It is sort of intimidating to read about all of these people who boldly faced death for their faith, and makes me even more aware of just how easy I have it as a Christian in America, and on a Christian University campus no less! Sometimes it makes me wonder whether we as Christians in America are missing out on something crucial, because we dont' face anywhere near the same amount of opposition has other Christians have throughout history. Then again, I should not be at all surprised by the opposition that we do face, and will not be surprised if and when it gets worse.
Anyway, this last week of classes was really good. I think that all of my classes are going to be really good, and I am looking forward to them a lot.
Now, it is Friday night, before a three day weekend! My roommate and I are hanging out tonight. Dinner at Panera Bread and an evening of "House"... sounds good to me!!
Speaking of classes, they are great so far! Good news on the textbook front! So far, I have actually been keeping up on the reading for my Church History class, and it is really interesting! One text book, "131 Christians Everyone Should Know" is really interesting, because (as the title indicates) it is basically a collection of short essays on the lives and works of really important and influential Christians throughout the history of the church. So far we have read the section on the martyrs, which was a really interesting section. It is sort of intimidating to read about all of these people who boldly faced death for their faith, and makes me even more aware of just how easy I have it as a Christian in America, and on a Christian University campus no less! Sometimes it makes me wonder whether we as Christians in America are missing out on something crucial, because we dont' face anywhere near the same amount of opposition has other Christians have throughout history. Then again, I should not be at all surprised by the opposition that we do face, and will not be surprised if and when it gets worse.
Anyway, this last week of classes was really good. I think that all of my classes are going to be really good, and I am looking forward to them a lot.
Now, it is Friday night, before a three day weekend! My roommate and I are hanging out tonight. Dinner at Panera Bread and an evening of "House"... sounds good to me!!
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