I'm So Dirty, I Had To . . .

This is one of my friend's photos that I just had to share. ;) Nothing like college life . . .

One Of My New Favorite Verses

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:26-27, NIV). Nothing to fear! :D

Gettin' Into . . .

Bonsai! The whimsical, coastal look of bonsai has sucked me in. In planning a future back yard, I decided I would love it to mimick the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco. Looking forward to the apartment I will more than likely have (woo hoo!) in May, I have decided upon a very whimsical, San Francisco, Japanese flare while light and airy. One way I plan to pull this off is with bonsai (I know how to keep it humid around the plants)--my dad bought my first bonsai plant and pot for me this weekend. :) It is a beautiful purple blossomed serissa that I will be able to shape myself. How exciting!

P.S.

I'm sure I'll post a photo when it takes shape.

Top Flicks

As I sit here spooning apple raspberry sauce into my mouth, I am surprised at the movies that I ended up penning onto my Top-21 Favorite Movies list, surprised that movies such as Pirates of the Carribean, Spiderman and You've Got Mail did not make it on--though they are still very high on my ultimate list. :) Here's what I came up with:

Top-21 (in no particular order):
1. Love Comes Softly (which a friend of mine is in :D)
2. The Goonies (ah! I LOVE it!)
3. Princess Diaries I (oh, San Francisco . . .)
4. Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea (oh, so whimsical)
5. Meet Me in St. Louis (what a beautiful dream turned reality--and fun songs!)
6. Newsies (the perfect combination of history, journalism, songs, dancing and, when I was in high school, cute guys!)
7. A Walk to Remember (moving story and music, I actually know someone w/ a similar story)
8. Extreme Days (so very COOL, fun, wish I could do something like that!)
9. Little Women ('90s version) (inspirational for me as a writer--tho I vow to chng. the ending!!)
10. Tammy and the Bachelor (what a sweet love story . . . )
11. White Christmas (FUN! I just love the Kaye/blonde girl couple)
12. The Sound of Music (I cannot say enough . . .)
13. The Parent Trap (original--always wished I had a twin so I could trick people like that!)
14. Wives and Daughters (way more fun and relateable than Jane Austen)
15. Pollyanna (always was compared to Haley Mills--and I've always wanted that pos. attitude!))
16. Christy (w/ Kelly Martin--what a sweet and inspirational story, love that time era, too)
17. Pearl Harbor (what drama, what music, what history, what cute guys!)
18. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (my first PG movie ;) )
19. Sweet Home Alabama (there's just somethin' about it)
20. Bambi (did you collect the happy meal Bambi character figurines??)
21. An American Tale (ahh! gotta love Fivel--and the colors)

-I'm also amused that two of these movies were directed by Steven Spielberg and two are Christian Bale flicks. Guess I definately no dramatic when it comes to movies--I'm enough of a dramtic naturally, for goodness sakes. ;)

Some of the Tops I believe everyone should watch:
1. Passion of the Christ (to understand Christ's sacrifice in a fuller way or for witnessing)
2. End of the Spear (to catch onto a Christian passion--though there is native nudity :( )
3. The Raid (3-6= for a better understanding of history, what a government can do to its people and what our freedom really means)
4. Swing Kids
5. Saving Private Ryan
6. Blackhawk Down
7. The Greatest Game Ever Played (to be inspired give seed to your dreams that they may bloom . . .)

My Week Was . . . Like an Erupting Volcano

In my story book of life I would have to include the last two weeks. No matter what horrid event occured, another one took its place 5 minutes-1 hour later--no real rest, no peace. I went through so much shock that I literally began crying and shaking uncontrollably. I haven't learn the trust God method all the way yet. :) In fact, I think this is paritally why all this occured. I had to pass an exam without taking a the class for it--MAJOR STUDY TIME!! Pass or fail, baby. Talk about pressure. Then, my graduation was nearly taken away after already well into my graduation countdown (BIG, GIANT, COLLOSSAL mess I had to sort through while essentially taking 23 units), then I nearly lost (through financial aid confusement) all my money with no real answer of how to pay pay my bills, or even more important, how to buy food and not starve. Then a couple other things happened after those. The first three, however, lasted long periods of time--and with conflict--which I hate, loathe and DESPISE. Overall, it took me a good 3 or so days to recove after the storm passed over. On Monday, a thunder storm approached my life, and I nearly couldn't handle it (due to the shock I had already endured), but my mom quickly reminded me of what God has shown me over the past two weeks. And, God, quickly reminded me that He is here with me and is calling.

A volcano erupting during one wave of my life . . .




Looking back at these concerns, I see the value through all the rubble of turmoil and confusion. God never left me in any of it. There were times that I did not spend with Him when I should have, but He stayed with me, and got me through EVERY situation. EVERY one--in fact, He reminded me, there has never been a situation that He has not brought me through with amazing results. He has never brought me to a point where I felt like I was hanging over the cliff's edge and left me there. *selah* :) And, not only was HE there for me, but He also brought around my amazing friends. This showed me just what kind of friends I have -- a friend (math major) who gave me as much time as I needed to help me study to pass my big pass-or-fail math exam. Another friend took time to type out and send me a Bible verse she thought would help me. Some friends took time to pray with me and offer their support in any way possible (e.g., time, financial). Another friend who knew I had a hurricane room that was stressing me out, came in, without me knowing it, and cleaned it for me. What a blessing! I cannot begin to thank them--and especially cannot begin to thank God for all of His blessings through this time--not only for bringing me through and for bringing me real friends and a MAJOR supportive and loving family, but also for shaping me and drawing me closer to Him. :D Praise God.