Engage the Dialogue

Check out this post… some really interesting thoughts on street preaching.

http://thejamble.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/the-guitar-and-the-bullhorn/#comment-45

Home Again, with Some Common Sense

My bags are still packed and I haven’t put away anything that I left out before I hopped on the plane, but I wanted to blog, so here I am.  Today I was blogging in my head, and I started wondering why people don’t have common sense.  Ok, so this is a blog that has been taking place in my head for a long time.  Common sense.  Why don’t people understand it’s not ok to stare incessantly at people on the bus, despite the fact they are looking back at them?  (friendlybanter.blogspot.com).  When you borrow something and happen to break it, you need to either get it fixed or replace it.  When a serious relationship ends, you need some time to heal…mentally and emotionally.  Don’t put your mouth on the drinking fountain faucet.  Picking your nose in public is not attractive.  When I put earphones in my ears on an airplane, that means I don’t want to talk to you.  Ok, you get it.  Where does it come from?  Why is it? How do we solve this world crisis?  Well, I am guessing that its from modeling…that is the only way to learn this type of common sense.  By observing others (usually your parents), you learn these little life secrets.  So, who was the crazy that was the first to do each of these and start a line of common sense-lacking people?  I don’t know, it doesn’t matter.  If I write a book, I want to write one…”Common Sense for Dummies” or something like that.  It would be my service to the world.  Maybe if I become rich one day I will give it out for free.

 

Well I am home from Portland and I am pooped.  However, I have half of a hat knit, a new skein of yarn, some new beads, and 2 new books:  ”She’s Come Undone” (Wally Lamb) and Siddhartha (Author unknown to me at this second, I dont want to have to walk over to my bag).  Successful weekend.  Thanks for helping me get up there, Bob and Denise.  Katie, awesome play, I can’t wait to see more.  Annika, you were awesome…congrats on your first goal.  Sam, maybe I’ll see you at Thanksgiving and I’ll have something fun to say

A friend mentioned the other day that instead of saying “Amen” at the end of prayers, he is going to say, “thats wassup”.  Yeah, funny.

Once You’ve Hit the Bottom

I just finished my final “Substance Abuse” class of the Fall term, and I feel like I barely learned anything, the scope of this topic is so huge.  The most profound thing about being an addict is that you will never be able to begin recovery until you hit the bottom–like rock bottom.  Until you lose something, someone, or you have a revelation, you will never be able to quit your cycle of addiction.  You have to admit that you are completely powerless and surrender to the higher power.

It is the same thing with sin.  You will never grasp the love of God or exit your self-deprecating cycle of sin until you hit rock bottom, realize you are powerless, completely sick, and allow God to take control of your entire condition.

It is the same thing with almost all things in life.  You will never realize __________  until you hit rock bottom.  Until you are able to completely erase self and fill your eyes with God, you will never __________.  Fill in the blank.

I am completely sick.  Praise God.

 

Wisdom from “An Uncommon Drunk” by Jeff Herten

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and will never be again.  And what do we teach our children in school?  We teach them that 2 and 2 makes 4 and that Paris is the capital of France.  When will we also teach them what they are?  We should say to each of them:  Do you know what you are?  You are a marvel.  You are unique.  In all the world there is no other child like you.  And look at your body…what a wonder it is!  Your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move!  You have the capacity for anything.  Yes, you are a marvel.  And when you grow up, can you harm another who is, like you, a marvel?  You must cherish one another.  You must work – we all must work – to make this world worthy of its children.”

-Pablo Casals

The Murder at Anonville Manor

For those of you that may not have seen the pictures, here is a sneak peak into our Halloween Murder Mystery Party.  Themed “Murder at Anonville Manor”, we decorated our apartment as somewhat of an abandoned mansion.

Hanson(s)

It is 2:00am, and I am having a hard time to getting to sleep because…. I JUST GOT BACK FROM A HANSON CONCERT.

He he he.  Thats right, Hanson.  Anna and I went tonight to see our friend Nate play in his band, Sherwood.  Awesome show, they sound just as good live as they do on their album.  Then we were able to see some of Hanson play at the end (about 5 songs).  Let me tell you, this was a flashback to 7th grade.  I was shocked at how many old songs they played (which means I was shocked at how many I knew). 

For those of you Hanson fans out there, they did not play “Lucy” which I believe to be a favorite of my sister Kelsey and myself. 

So to answer your question is YES, they did play MmmBop, and YES, I did dance to it, and YES, I also sang alot.  Did I enjoy it?  The answer to that is YES.

How It All Came Together

After having spent the past few years making a visit to Portland possibly once every six months, the routine has changed.  Not only do I get to come home for Christmas this year (flashback: terrible Portland storm, airport closed, flight cancelled, crying, drive to Turlock), but I get to spend Thankgiving with my family.  The last time I spent Thanksgiving with my family was in High School, probably thanksgiving of 2002.   IN ADDITION to that, I am flying up to Portland 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. 

See… I always tell myself that in my next life (ah-hem), I will invest my high school years in drama, and developing a talent of acting.  From a young age, I assumed that everyone wanted to be famous, a celebrity, sing and act with the rest.  I learned I was wrong…not everyone desired (or still desires) that.  So, when I realized that my cousin Katie made the beautiful decision to try out for the next play at my alma mater, Portland Christian High School, I told her that if she got the part I would fly up just to see her.  Sure enough, she did it.  My aunt Denise has been extremely generous and has contributed towards my trip up there to see the play.   

(deep breath out)

So…I am going to Portland 3 TIMES within the next 2 months.  Alot to handle.  Parents… get ready, we may need to mutually build up all the patience and grace we have within ourselves as I will be spending alot of time with you at home.  (Just Kidding….kind of). 

Now I will leave you with this.

Jewelry Giveaway

I have been exploring Etsy alot lately, but haven’t bought anything.  My friend’s company called Nursery Love is having a free jewelry giveaway, and these creations are so beautiful!  Check out the giveaway at http://www.facebook.com/NurseryLove?ref=mf&v=wall!!

Making the Switch

Sorry, blogger.

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.  Every time I visit a blog at wordpress.com, I get a little bit jealous.  Easier navigation, less cheesy colors, and spectacular themes.  Today I found out it was free (for some reason I always thought it cost money…didn’t it?)…so I jumped on it.   Here I am, at wordpress.com, bloggin away.  I would like to begin by telling you this awesome story:

The other day I was hanging out with a few friends.  After a long, extended pause, one of my friends suddenly began a thought with “today I was blogging in my head…”

“Um…. what?”

(Roaring Laughter)

“What did you JUST say??”

“That is called THINKING!!!”

Best moment ever.   However, I too began blogging in my head the other day.  I thought of a great idea for my next post.  Until then, you  too, should pick up this new habit of “blogging in your head.”  Lets change this country…one blogger at a time.