check out this blog post...

subversivere formation

joy.

I know this is a little preemptive since it's still August (and because it stays hot in LA until November)...but I so excited for fall to get here :)

image source : crooked tooth

M-W's word of the day.

whirligig

Definition

noun

1 :	a child's toy having a whirling motion
2	a :	one that continuously whirls or changes
	b :	a whirling or circling course (as of events)

ps...'Bromance', 'Cougar' and 'Tweet' have been added to the dictionary. What is the world coming to?!?

super mario

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXgZhPjMQLQ

Check it. This guy is awesome.

on waiting...

We are taught from day one that we need to push forward in life. We need to be motivated, have a plan and take action so that we are able to get places. I'm like this. Sure I have my lazy moments, and they are more often than I'd like to admit, but for the most part I need a plan and I need to understand everything about that plan before I can even think about taking action.

Sometimes situations just need space to breathe. I find it extremely challenging to give over to the pauses in life. I want to take control and figure out exactly what is happening next. But what would it be like if I could simply rest in a moment with no expectations? How could my life be fuller and richer? I am learning to just be present and take in an experience even if it makes me uncomfortable. And I think, in the end, and maybe even in the beginning, it will make me a better and more whole person.

Wouldn't it be beautiful if we all were able to rest in the uncertainty we experience?

mmmm, watermelon

I've recently become slightly obsessed with watermelon. I haven't always loved it as much as I do right now, but ever since watermelon came out this season, I can't get enough. I even bought a whole giant watermelon just for me and I couldn't be happier.

ever wonder if you were born in the wrong decade?

I've often thought that I don't belong in this decade. Perhaps the 1950s would be more suitable? Now don't get me wrong, I love the freedom I have as a woman and I'm pretty sure I couldn't live in a society where women were looked at for the most part as homemakers. But, I do love how everyone seemed so nice and the music was so fun! I just feel like I'd fit in better in a decade that wasn't so driven by capitalism and greed...but alas, I'll have to settle for trying to change the world.

Hallmark Hall of Fame presents...

Beyond the Blackboard... 4/24/11 on CBS.

Tonight we had a screening for our last film of the season. It's a beautiful story about a teacher who invests in the lives of homeless students. The movie is based on the real life journey of a women named Stacey Bess, who I actually had the privilege of meeting.

I am very proud of this film, so be sure to check it out this Sunday night at 9/8c on CBS. I hope that you are inspired to take steps toward serving and helping those in need.

parenthood

I really like this show. I don't know the last time I watched a drama that was well written and that I deeply connected to. And I should probably mention that I tear up during almost every episode. Now to make life even more exciting, I saw Monica Potter (who is on the show!) at Trader Joes a few days ago. I had just watched the most recent episode during my lunch break and a co-worker and I had been discussing her character, Christina, on the show! I even talked to her about melons :)

eyes and ears

Right now I am thankful for sunsets and fresh cut grass.

I am thankful that my eyes allow me to experience moments when the sunset takes my breath away. I am thankful for the cut grass smell in the cool air because it makes me feel like I'm sitting in my parent's backyard on a cool summer night.

I am thankful for these gifts.

on hold.

I've been on hold all morning waiting for someone to pick up over at good old AT&T. But you know what makes it better? When they play the theme song from Titanic.

"I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go!"

Check out this website for a 30 second bunny reenactment of Titanic http://www.angryalien.com/0604/titanicbunnies.html

headlights

When I turned my car on last Saturday morning, I realized one of my headlights was out. I've been dreading this, but knew this day would come. With the help of a friend, I found an Autozone where I could purchase the necessary headlights for Sammy. I would have love to put off the actual installation of the lights to a later date and time, but I had no desire to be pulled over by the cops for a violation of only having one headlight. I opened the hood of the car, figured out where the headlights were, and while looking at my owner's manual, proceeded to change my headlights. It wasn't with out a little struggle and a few phone calls to my dad, but you wanna know how and why I did it? Because I am awesome. And self-sufficient. Boo ya.

the king's speech.

I think I am a better person for having seen this movie. I highly recommend this film to anyone.

My favorite quote and moment:

Lionel Logue: ...Why should I waste my time listening?
King George VI: Because I have a right to be heard. I have a voice!
Lionel Logue: (Pauses)Yes, you do.


Bravo. Well done.

you complete me...

...you had me at hello.

a little story

On Sunday night I was out with a friend for dinner. I hadn't spent time with this friend in couple months, so I was very much looking forward to catching up with her. We were waiting to be seated, and standing next to us were 3 dudes waiting as well. I sawthem look at us, and let's be honest, check us out. I took note of the extra attention, and then we were led to our table. After looking over the menu for a few minutes, my friend and I start talking and getting into what has been going on in our lives. I was mid-sentence when one of the guys came over to our table and proceeded to tell me that he thought I was pretty and wanted to give me his number. I was completely taken aback. I mean, what?! That has never happened to me before IN MY LIFE. So flattery, mixed with confusion made it an awkward conversation, that my friend later told me I handled it really well. I laughed, played it cool, made a comment about how my friend and I were talking but if he wanted to check back in with me later he could. Looking back on that reaction, I probably could have done it a little better, maybe acted more interested or something. Because after my recent experience with putting myself out there to someone, I know how hard it can be. But, I honestly was scared and wasn't sure if I was actually interested or not. When he left, he just waved and didn't come back over, so maybe I hurt his pride too much. Whoops. I'll do better next time.

All of that to say, I got asked out. It was the most interesting experience I've had in a while and hopefully my reaction will be a little better when it happens again.

my friend james

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

james 1:2-4

facebook

Have you ever quit facebook before? I did, today.

sammy.

As I walked out to my car last night, I realized I was looking at it like I would an old friend. I've thought things like this before, but in that moment it became very clear to me that he's not just a car, Sammy is my friend.

I'm not crazy, okay? I understand that my Mazda Protege is just a hunk of metal with wheels. But Sammy has been with me during almost every experience I've had in Los Angeles. He has driven me to meet people I was anxious to meet, dragged me to events I didn't feel like going to, put up with my crazy singing and dancing, and provided a place of comfort for me to be alone and process through some of the hardest things I've had to in my life.

So here's to you Sammy. May our friendship continue to grow deeper as time goes on.

Thank you for everything you've done for me!

untitled.

There is so much death in this world, in this life, and my small capacity for understanding tragic loss and suffering is rapidly approaching overload.

Being a human is hard. We aren't meant for this world, we are eternal beings. But death isn't something we easily comprehend. It doesn't make sense when someone dies, when a life is lost. It doesn't make sense that one second they are breathing and their heart is beating, and then next it's not. It just doesn't make sense. And when a person dies so much is lost. That person was created with a unique intent for their life. Never again will someone walk the face of the earth with the same purpose. When a life is lost, it matters, because they mattered. That human being was a part of shaping the course of human history. Whether the part they played was large or small, without them we would all be different, and we are different when they are lost.

a TED talk.

A co-worker and I were having a beautiful conversation about life and self discovery. She shared with me a TED talk that I thought was most definitely worthy of sharing.

Check it out. It might change you.

the power of vulnerability