4.28.2009

Selah!

The way Lauryn Hill sings about God is the way I feel about God. I live and breathe this everyday, and it has made me a better person. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free...






I posted this because sometimes it is very difficult to explain spirituality. This clip doesn't use wordy paragraphs to explain, it just shows. And it makes me tear up (and I don't ever cry during movies, I'll have you know).

**Selah, by the way, is thought to mean "praise and meditation" or "focus on this verse." They don't know the exact definition, but it is found all over the book of Psalms.

4.27.2009

Back on Track

I feel as though I've been incredibly lazy after my spring break excursion into San Jose. Guess I wanted my spring break to extend a bit longer.

I also blame Cutie with the Glasses for showing me this website, after finding out I share his passion of relentlessly trying to figure out the meaning of songs. ARRRRGGG!! I've looked up, like, a GAzillion songs!!!! Procrastination is indeed my middle name.

Things I have been procrastinating from, that I need to get finished/do more often:
  • Working Out!!!! Must get in shape! MUST. It is sad when I run after kindergartners for all of 3 minutes and start to lose my breath. To my defense, those munchkins are fast. I have worked out the last couple days, and I want to keep it up. Nothing too rigorous, just a daily workout to make me feel more awake, alert and healthier.
  • Learning Turkish. As much I yearrrrrrrnnnn to learn Turkish, this language is DIFFICULT with a capital D (and I capitalized all the letters, haha). So learning it from the Rosetta Stone is cool and all--except that it's hard to discipline myself to sit down and do it!! There is no professor to tell me to do my homework, I have to tell myself.
  • Apply for more summer jobs. I loathe applications.
  • Look into loans to go on my summer vacation to Ireland/England/France. I'm really really really hoping that I can pull this off!!! Europe is calling my name (it is always calling my name).
  • Getting ready to take the CBEST and start the journey to becoming a teacher. Working with kids is indeed my calling, I've found out.
Yeah, those are the main things. SO I will not allow myself to be lazy...NO MORE LAZINESS!! And I will limit myself to looking up only a few songs per week (hehe).

***

THIS WEDNESDAY I AM GOING TO SEE DEATH CAB IN CONCERT. SO CLOSE!!! YAYYYY!

4.22.2009

I Only Speak the Truth

So I was tagged by another Ashley (there are a lot of us, and one day we will take over the world!) to fill out this Honesty thingy. So I will do it. The rules:

The Honest Scrap award comes with a caveat or two. First, you must tell your readers 10 true things about yourself that they may not know. Second, you must tag 10 people with the award.


1. When eating chips, I always go for the ones that are folded over on themselves (kind of like a taco) because they are the crunchiest and funnest to eat.

2. I am not an OCD person, except when it comes to editing grammar, spelling and punctuation. I had to stop myself from editing text messages, because I realized how nerdy that was.

3. I can get really really shy and nervous around boys I find cute or like. A trait of mine I wish I could grow out of, but I never really have. And, oh, how I hate that I blush!

4. I would be fine with having an amethyst engagement ring instead of a diamond one. Some girls find this weird.

5. I still have a slight fear of my closet; a fear carried over from childhood. The closet door MUST be closed!

6. I keep singing to the music in my car even when the person next to me is looking.

7. I have been skinny-dipping twice. haha, bet you didn't expect that one. (but it was with all girls).

8. There is a stuffed Curious George toy sitting on my dashboard. I have always had a stuffed monkey of some sort in every car I've owned...and I will have to keep that tradition forever!

9. I always prefer handmade gifts over store bought. Always.

10. I haven't had stress in my life for months because of a spiritual healing of sorts. I still over analyze--I am a chick, after all--but for the most part, I just brush it off my shoulders. I have been reformed through giving it up to God.

Alright, do I even have 10 people to tag? ha. I tag:

1. Anthony
2. Donnie
3. Frankie
4. Rachel
5. Jackie
6. Jay
7. Coley
8. Toast
9. Thomas
10. Rubber Soul

4.17.2009

That's The Way Love Goes

Like a moth to a flame burned by the fire...

Some stories I've been hearing this week have gotten me weary on the idea of love: betrayal, backstabbing, carelessness, unrequited love...

All stories that equate to heartache. And through all of it, is anyone looking for true love anymore?

I'll let you in on one of those stories: My friend Beth broke up with her boyfriend just this week. So she went on a date about a day later (yes, first mistake). She thought she had a fabulous time with the guy, only to find out a day later that her roommate/friend had secretly been talking to him/ready to snatch him and took the guy away. Very shady. They both screwed Beth over, basically. Of course, the guy is texting her now, asking "Hey, why don't you want to go on a date with me anymore?"

What is the point of it all? Insecurity plays a role. But is anyone honest anymore? Do people even care about love anymore, or is it more about getting attention?

*breathe*

Now, I'm not so jaded. Remember, I told you guys I was healed of past heartache, and I do believe in a thing called love, to quote the Darkness. But I wonder sometimes...what is wrong with the world?!?

Maybe if people stopped acting like idiots, they would realize that there is so much more to live for. So much.

If I believe in a God, I have to believe there is a genuine love out there...

4.14.2009

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

I do! I do!

Again, my mini-trip to the Bay Area was SPECTACULAR. Here's some pics to show the immense fun I had with one of my best friends, Rachel:



We ♥ You.


Santa Cruz Boardwalk


The Big Dipper. Rach and I went on this ride. Scared the HELL outta me.


Capitola. SOOOOO cute!


Drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz. Lovin' the trees. Should I mention that Rachel and I listened to Savage Garden on the way up? haha.


On the Merry-Go-Round...ballers!


This crab is so gangsta.


We are damn cute.


Frisco bay!


Hiding behind the kickass Wisteria.


hahaha. Do I have to comment on this? It speaks for itself.

I got back to San Diego too soon. Truly, I wish I could have stayed longer.

Funny story: When I got back, my dad was preparing Easter Dinner. I asked if I should make a fruit salad to go along with dinner. He replied, "Yeah. Yeah...and since you just got back from Frisco, you'd know how to make a great fruit salad."

Ohhhhh, Dad.

4.13.2009

Always the Procrastinator

Oh, it's been a lovely week. I had TOO MUCH fun in San Jose with my buddy Rachel (we also went to San Fran and Santa Cruz...AWESOME). I'll post pictures of the trip soon.

What else did I do this week? I went to a line dancing bar, which was NOT EASY. What the hell? I thought line dancing was supposed to be simple! haha. I still had fun though, Cutie with the Glasses showed up and we danced together...and laughed as we realized that we both really sucked.

Overall this week has been relaxing and rejuvenating (I woke up at 10 every morning), now that's the good life!

This morning, it was back to the grind of waking up at 6am, and I made myself chocolate chip waffles as a reward for getting my butt out of bed that early.

And the reason for the title of my post...I have to still do my taxes. AHH!! I hate taxes. And I always leave them till the last possible minute. Alright, I better go do those soon...

4.08.2009

MmmHmm.

I always tell myself that I won't write about these things on here, because maybe they are a bit personal, and more importantly, I feel that I don't want to jinx myself. But I just can't help it, cause when a girl has a bit of a crush, she has to talk about it.

For now, I'll call him the Cutie with Glasses. Because he is, and he does wear glasses, which I have always found adorable. And he's funny. In a quiet kind of way, like I didn't expect him to be funny...and then we talked, and his humor showed through. The funny ones always get me. always.

Ok. That's all I'm saying. I had to get it outta my system. So there.

***
Thursday I'll be going to San Jose to visit one of my best friends, Rachel. I'll be gone a few days. Rach and I will paint the town red, and any color we damn well please. Oh, and we'll probably sneak a Twilight viewing in there. ha. So if I don't post tomorrow, bye for now, my loves!

4.06.2009

He Just Spoke to My Heart.

Excerpts from Obama's speech to my favorite country in the whole world. Yes, Turkey:

Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an important part of Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand together — and work together — to overcome the challenges of our time...

At the end of World War I, Turkey could have succumbed to the foreign powers that were trying to claim its territory, or sought to restore an ancient empire. But Turkey chose a different future. You freed yourself from foreign control, and you founded a republic that commands the respect of the United States and the wider world.

And there is a simple truth to this story: Turkey's democracy is your own achievement. It was not forced upon you by any outside power, nor did it come without struggle and sacrifice. Turkey draws strength from both the successes of the past, and from the efforts of each generation of Turks that makes new progress for your people...

The ties among our people have deepened, as well, and more and more Americans of Turkish origin live and work and succeed within our borders. And as a basketball fan, I've even noticed that Hedo Turkoglu and Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good basketball games (OH OBAMA, hahaha)...

Turkey's greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West divide — this is where they come together.

In the beauty of your culture. In the richness of your history. In the strength of your democracy. In your hopes for tomorrow.

I am honored to stand here with you — to look forward to the future that we must reach for together — and to reaffirm America's commitment to our strong and enduring friendship. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.





So, obviously I love this speech. And of course I have a greater respect for Obama because of it. Because Turkey is my heart. This makes my heart happy :)

4.05.2009

Emerged in Sunday

I love sinking myself into Sundays. They are, by far, my favorite day.

I become a daydreamer on Sundays. My mind expands. I feel the wind and sun tickle my skin--and all the elements surround me.

Everyone needs a day like this. A time to get back in touch with the earth, a time to get in touch with the Creator of everything.

Don't let drama get in your way today. Stress, that's not the topic of my thoughts. Not on Sunday. I'm breathing as easy as a breeze today.

A day of meditation. A day of prayer. A day to be renewed.

2 Corninthians 4:16-18

4.03.2009

Rockin'

Just found out that Incubus has a new single, and I am ecstatic.

I love those boys...and I love that they are still making music.

YAY!

It's called "Black Heart Inertia." I love them, I love them, I love them.

4.01.2009

Snapshot

I was at a coffeehouse a couple weeks ago and a friend took these pics. They are awesome, and she is a good photographer. So I thought I would post them to share. The first one is a sneaky little candid. And isn't the mirror one great?

Hand me my Kleenex, please...

Watch this performance from Danny with the knowledge that he lost his wife recently (yes, as in she DIED). And then tell me what you think.



I think he blew it outta the water!!