2014

[photo I took the afternoon we chopped our Christmas tree down... over 2 months ago?!]


Well, hello! It’s been quite some time. Here’s what we’ve been up to since last time around…

- I traveled to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving. Will ended up having to work unfortunately, 
but he was kind enough to still send me on our planned trip, and I had a wonderful time.
- We hosted my brother and sister-in-law from San Diego for a few days here in PA, 
and they joined us for the aforementioned tree-chopping.
- I had nine days off around Christmas and we didn't travel anywhere. It was so amazing and lazy. 
It consisted of lots of things around the house, sleeping in, and 7 full seasons of How I Met Your Mother. Judge away!
- We had a super relaxing Christmas day.
- Climbed some rocks.
- We visited some dear friends from our church in MA who have recently moved to State College, PA. So good to see them!

It seemed like I was barely getting my hands around 2013 and it slipped away. We were just reminiscing about where we went for dinner last Valentine’s Day and the memory is so clear. Could that honestly have been a year ago? How does this happen? I had so many hopes about what I wanted 2013 to look like, and before I knew it, I was stuck in a routine that I couldn’t get out of: work, home, dinner, TV show, bed. Sure, we occasionally strayed from this formula, but more often than not we were stuck in it. I hate that.

After looking back and feeling a bit dismayed about what 2013 became for us, I came across of list of forty things (ambitious, I know) that I wanted to accomplish last year. And you know what? I actually did twenty of them! Maybe one needs to make an unreasonably long list so that when one only accomplishes half, it’s still twenty things completed! Probably not the best advice for the everyday list, but for a barely-addressed-year-long-to-do-list? Why not.

Some of them were bigger feats than others: pay off vehicles, boost up savings account, start planning a trip. But it’s nice to even acknowledge the small things: buy a new bath mat, hem some curtains, paint some furniture. After analyzing the twenty things that we did accomplish, I realized 2013 was a year of slow and steady progress, moving ourselves in the direction we want to go. Did we do anything incredible that friends and family should know about? Not really - particularly noticed when I was scrounging for Christmas card material. But we did steadily propel ourselves toward the next chapter of our lives, and that is not a wasted year. 

One goal that I’m particularly proud of achieving last year was to read more fiction. In early January, I made an account on Goodreads, compiled my lists of books, set a goal, and read 15 books last year! That's a big deal for me! Granted - not all were fiction, but like I said - baby steps in the right direction. Now, I’ve developed reading as more of a life habit and continuously have a book out from the library. The even babier-baby-step that got me here was when I decided to just read for 15 minutes every night before bed. That practice helped me to just be in a book, and then more regular reading came from that. 

I came across this list of questions to reflect on the past year, and I’m considering pondering over them (sorry - can’t remember where I found them!). I emboldened the ones that strike me most.

1. Where in my life do I feel stuck?

2. What am I most proud of in this last year?

3. Am I passionate about my job, or career?

4. What have I learned this year?

5. What have I been an example of?

6. How have I been open minded?

7. What new experiences, people or places did I experience?

8. How did I express myself creatively?

9. What projects did I start? Did I complete them, or procrastinate?

10. Did I get in my own way and make excuses?

11. In what ways can I restructure my time?

12. How have I been a good and supportive friend/spouse?

13. Have I been unfair to anyone?

14. Who do I need to forgive in order to move forward?

15. What (or who) do I need to let go of?

16. What old habits am I ready to get rid of forever?

17. What habits would I like to integrate into my life?

18. Am I healthy in mind, body and spirit?

19. What do my finances say about my life?

20. Am I spending my free time in healthy and productive ways?

What do you think of these questions? Do you spend time intentionally analyzing the past year? 

If you do, I'd love to hear how. I hope 2014 is starting off on the right foot for you all! :)

that elusive thing called time & the best Friday ever.

what breakfast can look like when 

you've been given the gift of time.

green tea, grilled english muffin with strawberry jam, kiwi, and
french vanilla yogurt with granola and chocolate chunks.

It's official - I'm now only moderately employed. While most people might be stressing their brains out, I couldn't be more pleased with the flexibility of my new schedule. Although my last day of full-time work was a week ago, I still feel like life has been pretty busy! I taught class on Monday and Wednesday, planned for class on Tuesday and studied for a ropes course certification exam I had Wednesday (which I passed!), had a meeting Wednesday night...

I guess that's how things typically roll. Whenever you feel like you've been blessed with free time, it gets filled with something else before you even have time to relish in your excitement about the time you thought you had. The nerve. When my life starts to spin out of control like that (which is almost always), I try to keep this quote in the forefront of my mind:

Isn't life always filled up? What an aggressive war we wage just to create space for God. Even chatting with my best friend last night, we realized that life can be filled with good things and still be so full. She's involved in tons of great things - a small group, helping with high school youth group, pre-marital counseling, wedding planning, she's in a play, her day job - right?? All good things! That's why keeping your life from being filled up can be so tough.

And that's also why I wrote this post a few weeks ago. I was really starting to feel convicted about how my time was spent. Now that I've been given tons more time, I want to be sure I use it wisely. 

You know that verse, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10? Yikes... let's just say I hope I can be trusted with this "much" that I've been given these days.

Step 1: Have a good quiet time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Right now I'm in a place where I feel like studying God's Word is a little chore-like. And I hate that. I had started an in-depth study of 1 Peter (a book I love) back in December, so I hope that picking that back up will help. 

Step 2: Train for a 5k to get your lazy butt back in action. I can't be trusted to exercise on my own right now. You know when you get so out of shape that the thought of the hard work to be fit again is a massive repellent? Welcome to my brain. That's why I'm using this chart from Fitness Magazine to help! Five days in and going strong :) This isn't my first 5k, but it sure feels like it.

[via]

So I pray that you're encouraged. Take hold of your schedule and let God know that He's a priority. Whether you have 30 free hours this week or 2, I pray that especially this weekend, you are able to delight in all who God is. 

Today is Good Friday. Didn't seem very good at the time, huh? Christ was being beaten, bruised, jeered at, spit on, harassed, and ultimately was crucified. But like all things, with time and faith, it became good. God the Father knew that He was working out the ugly and the cruel into something marvelous and beautiful. Something that would save us all. 

Rest in the knowledge that what happened on this day, while horrific in thought, was wonderful in the end. Be disciplined this weekend to dwell on who Christ is, what he did, and create space for Him to act in your life.

How can you show God your love for Him with your time?

a new "series" of sorts

There's a book out right now that I bandwagon-ed a little late on, so forgive me if I'm like 10 years behind the eight ball.

The book is called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Ever heard of it?

image from the author's site

After this book was handed down to me from my mom-in-law, and recommended by two or three friends, I finally decided two months later that I'd start reading it. I think if a book is recommended that I know nothing about, I'm kind of like "yeah, whatever." But as soon as I heard more about this one, my ears perked up.

It was November, nearing Thanksgiving and I was feeling a little jaded. When I learned this book was about learning how to be thankful for all of the truly beautiful moments in life, I knew I needed it.

The concept of the book revolves around the term eucharisteo, which when translated from the Greek is a deep thanksgiving consisting of both grace and joy. It's the kind of thanks that Christ gave at the table for the Last Supper. Voskamp calls it the central symbol of Christianity. Eucharisteo is a type of thanks that we should give whenever we can, for everything. Voskamp encourages readers to try and foster this spirit of thanksgiving throughout all of the seemingly insignificant and mundane things in life, to experience a true and lasting joy that only Christ can bring.

She does this by accepting a challenge to keep a record
of 1,000 gifts - the small and the simple things that bring her joy.

Overall, I think I'm liking it so far. I'm only a few chapters in, but I've already been able to delight in 363 gifts she's shared, like "hot oatmeal tasting like home" (55). There are some things that are annoying - like the inordinate amount of sentence fragments. I understand adding the dramatic effect from time to time, but it can be over the top.

Aside from that though, her writing can also be so vivid and raw. She'll come out with things like, "Yellow marbleizes into indigo dark" to describe nightfall - and I do appreciate illustrations like that (69).

So as I continue reading, I've decided that I'm going to start documenting my own "thankfulnesses" to help me further connect with her goal in experiencing eucharisteo. No matter how outwardly trivial these small joys may feel, she encourages readers to live more fully in the moment by taking the time to experience the joy in everything. What a valuable lesson in slowing life down. I'll be tagging my little joys as "gifts".

So even though my dear Patriots royally blew it last night, there are still many reasons to give thanks.
Absolutely no promises that I'll make it to one thousand, but here goes:

warm towels out of the shower.

They remind me that I'm blessed to have clean textiles
and the running water that millions don't have access to.


Happy Monday, friends. Give thanks on this day.
And remember, pitchers and catchers report for spring training soon.
Go Red Sox!

10 tips for sanity at your boring job.

Inspired by... well, my boring job, here's my advice for those locked in to a desk and computer all day. This is primarily for those who don't have loads of important tasks piling up. Enjoy!

1. Start a blog. If you're reading this, there's a high likelihood that this is something you're already doing. Go ahead. Reward yourself with at least one creative outlet in your day. Make a "you" space! Blogger.com can set you free.

2. Healthy snacks. A lot of times I feel really bored because I'm tired, and I've realized that the more I snack throughout the day the more alert I feel. So obviously you can't choose Skittles and chips every day because your waistline would hate you, but it also won't give you the energy you're hoping for. On my menu today was oatmeal with blueberries, dark chocolate dusted almonds, banana chips and peanut butter, yogurt covered pretzels and a big yummy chai tea. It helps hunger, boredom, and gives you something to do with your hands besides needlessly surfing the web. Pack ahead and it will keep you healthier and wealthier (avoid the vending machine rip off).

3. Get a space heater. Okay so it can't speed up time, but it will certainly make you feel cozier, creating the clever illusion that you are actually home snuggling with your husband. Alright, not quite that good, but I'm warm and it's a vast improvement.

4. The three P's. Pandora, Pinterest and Polyvore. You gotta have good tunes to motivate you and a reliable procrastination tool or two. Done.

5. Catch up on emails. We've all got 'em. They sit there and intimidate us with their length, but if you set small goals then you can chip away at them slowly. Sorry to my friends who I keep waiting too long. I scare easily.

6. Fling rubber bands at your boss. Careful here. Use your judgement. Only for certain times of day or moods, but be on the lookout because it's an opportunity for a battle you don't want to miss.

7. Talk to your boss about sports. Or insert his/her topic of peak interest here. If you've done the appropriate research, this could result in 15 minutes of the coveted human interaction of a desk job, and also time not spent staring at a computer. The subject matter may also get him riled up and maybe tip #6 can be applied later in the day due to the excitement and potential rivalries created.

8. Meet friends for lunch. You need to have something to look forward to! Especially since human interaction is probably minimal at your desk, like I said in tip #7. Today I'm meeting with the same friend for the second day in a row. How lucky am I?! Also, I take lunch at 1PM instead of noon so that when I get back at 2, the afternoon literally flies by. A good tactic if you have that flexibility and have your healthy snacks on hand.

9. Hydrate. I feel like it's all inter-related: boredom masquerades as hunger and hunger masquerades as thirst. If you feel bored you might be hungry, but first, check if you're thirsty. Dieticians say that a good way to lose weight is always drinking a fair bit of water before reaching for a snack. A lot of times, this will fulfill the craving that you thought you had. And if you keep it up at a good pace, this will also fill your bladder giving you an opportunity to leave your desk. Double win.

10. Plan "standing" time. During the summer, our office is usually filled with that starchy cold air conditioner air, and I feel like I can't even wear a skirt to work because it's so cold. So my supervisor and I, the nature-lovers that we are, alternate taking walks outside. She'd go for a few laps and I'd go when she returned and we were both better for it and more "productive" (like on those emails I mentioned) when we returned. It's a bit harder in the winter so we've joked about an office calisthenics routine to get everybody moving. What can I say - we're really the office cheerleaders. "We can do this people! Only 40 more minutes til quittin' time!" I recently read in Fitness Magazine that it's very hard to undo the damage done at a desk job in a typical evening workout session. It's so deadly to be on your behind on day! Our plans during the winter are to run more errands instead of using departmental mail, send fewer emails and deliver messages on foot, office stretches, and hydrate more to lead to pee breaks. We're accepting more ideas.

And if none of these seem to help your dismal situation, there's secret tip #11, if you dare - find a new job.

{via}

Happy Friday!

2012?!

Aren't we all supposed to be floating around in hovercrafts by now? I feel a little mislead...

Happy New Year friends! What an incredibly long blog break I took! Sorry to those who kept checking back to find nada, but it was so joyous to be without the internet for that long. But alas, I'm back at work and the booty I spent time toning over break will quickly return to administrative mush.

Did you all have a good Christmas? I hope it was fabulous! I know that ours was. It was so incredibly relaxing to just spend time together at home and stay in pjs all day. I'm easy to please. We made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, had cocoa, opened presents, made our delicious roast chicken feast for two, played Scrabble, watched Elf... it was such a relaxing day. No need to travel or entertain, just enjoyed the day and contemplated our Savior's birth. Did anyone start any new traditions or have any awesome tried and true ones? We're accepting ideas :)

Will gave me so many thoughtful and creative gifts too! I got some things I asked for, like 500 Days of Summer, but he also picked out some great things I never would have thought of. He made a light fixture like these ones on Design Sponge because he knew I loved them, and he got me these bad boys because, well, you know...

Let's just take a moment to applaud my hub for knowing his wife well enough 

to get her playing cards designed with the most beautiful font on this planet.

{standing ovation}

Thank you dear, they are gorgeous.

He's just so clever and creative. And I also made some artwork for him! I needed to stay up til 2AM the night before because I'm a major slacker, but they were a hit. I'll take some shots of them and showcase them soon.

So after a week of vegging with the hub and the dog, watching movies, watching maybe a little too much of The Twilight Zone marathon, playing five games of Scrabble, two games of Yahtzee and eating WAY too much junk food, we've made it successfully into 2012. It's time to turn over the leaf of gluttony and get into healthy practices again!

Will and I don't have any super concrete 2012 goals yet, but I'm working on some in my little cranium - another game we should have played over break. I'll update soon with some 2012 goals, but for now, here are some good ones to get the goal-juices flowing...

{via}

I concur.

Do you have any new year's goals that you're particularly excited about?

featured!

Today I was featured over on my friend Em's blog, Tales for Karina Marie! While Em has been blogging for a while, she recently redesigned her mission after her best friend Karina tragically passed away in a car accident in September. Now she retitled her blog and writes her entries in honor of Karina, to keep her filled in on the goings on down here. I think it's really sweet :)

She asked me to write about life as a newlywed, so check it out over here!

Hope you're having a lovely week and enjoying this Indian summer weather if you're in the northeast!

A Tale with a Tip.

Here we are, alone at our table but inundated by the people and noise swirling around our sparse two-by-four island. Brett is pushing words against the stopwatch he has set to keep him on track. I think his paper is due today. The woman to my right is ten inches away, a mother I think, facing away from me but toward two of her friends. I'm sitting here with my eyes locked on one screen and then the other, and then diverting to the diverse string of people at the counter in front of me. Should I buy a drink? I should get working like Brett. 

The women next to us. Some or all three of them are mothers and I know this because their little ones are impossible to miss. Two of them are as of now in the back hallway, running from side to side and then flopping onto the floor. Now they're scooting around in the highchairs. Now all three of them are back there, as noisy and as wild as they've been all morning.

Earlier they were running the length of this Starbucks, front door to back door and back again. And after some time, one of the mothers finally got up to retrieve the purse that had been dragged out to the middle of the track in order to serve as a hurdle of sorts for the runners. Then another of the mothers stood up and headed towards the back door to retrieve the rambunctious offspring. With one held in her arms and the others by the hand, she began the arduous journey back to her seat at the table that was at this point on the far side of us. As she passed, she taught us a simple lesson in the form of a quiet question:


"Is this good birth control guys?"

From William's experience at Starbucks this morning. A funny and vivid scene. Thanks for sharing this moment so well, Will.

Give more than just thanks.

With this holiday season upon us, let's give thanks for everything in our lives and then expand to think outside of our immediate spheres. Here's an amazing, inspiring video that challenges and prompts a radical change in lifestyle. 

I'm game, are you?

Advent Conspiracy

In the spirit of simplifying.

This seems to be a hot topic in my life as of lately.

Whether it be because my days as a student as numbered, expenses are mounting, or because a certain loved one is immensely passionate about the subject, the facts remain the same: simplifying your lifestyle is healthy for your mind, restful for your body, compassionate for the world, and gentler on your wallet.

Wondering how? Here are some small and applicable things we can all do to consolidate and move forward into a life of simplicity. Be sure to read the comments on this article too, because many readers contributed their helpful tips!

Quick updates & Humbling realizations.

All things considered, this summer has been... well, not great. I don't want to go on a whiny tirade about it, but I've been having trouble having joy amidst trying circumstances. However, I can shine light on these updates.

- Time with Tyson and Dayna Fischer was absolutely wonderful. I feel so blessed that they went so drastically out of their way during their visit to Pennsylvania to rent a car and come to Massachusetts for four whole days. It was a blast getting to spend more time with them and introducing them to my family and friends. I truly feel spoiled. What great friends I have in these Aussies :) I miss them terribly. Hopefully I'll see them again very soon.

- I just got back from spending the weekend in Connecticut with my dear friend Anya! She was my best friend at Gordon, but then she unfortunately transferred after our sophomore year to Western Connecticut State. I understand her choice, but I miss her dreadfully. Still best friends though! The weekend was so restful and pleasant, and I can't wait to see her again in less than one month!

- The hair is dreaded. I love it but no, I won't be posting pictures. They need time to form into their mature state - then I'll post pictures. It'll probably be mid-September. Until then, they're just kind of a handful and require constant upkeep.

- John Mayer, see you in four short days, darling.

Those things are the bright side. I keep trying to dwell on the bright side because other things are driving me up the wall. But today at Anya's church, the pastor's message was convicting and then I also read this little tidbit from my friend Oswald Chambers...

“Wait on the Lord” and He will work (Psalm 37:34 ). But don’t wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself, just because you can’t see one inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotion to “wait patiently for Him”? ( Psalm 37:7  ). Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing, but it is learning to do what we are told. These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize."

Ugh. Fine. I'm annoyed - extremely annoyed - but I'll wait. I just feel like I can't catch a break this summer. I'm trying so hard to stay positive and remain faithful, but I'm running out of "bright sides," or so it feels. I'm confused as to why I'm being forced to withstand hit after hit, but I'll try to suck it up and take it.

 I definitely feel like I can't see one inch in front of me (even more so lately!) but does that mean that I shouldn't wait patiently? No. Does that mean that God doesn't have a master plan? No. But do I feel like I'm being told to do something? No! If God was telling me to do something, I'd do it, but I'm not being told; I'm just being thrown around like a leaf in the wind. I want stability in my life and with the absence of that, I'm growing impatient.

I'm not recognizing "the facets of His ways" right now, but I guess I'm not always entitled to that am I? I will continue trying very hard to seek peace and be patient.

Priorities, Meaning & Simplicity.

The other day, I was utterly flabbergasted by something I heard on the radio. There was an annoying Giant Glass commercial on 98.5 Boston Sports Hub, so I think I flipped it to Kiss 108 and heard something dreadful.


When I heard these lyrics, I literally yelled out in disgust:

"I wanna be a billionaire so f***ing bad,

buy all of the things I never had.

I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine,

smiling next to Oprah and the Queen.

Oh everytime I close my eyes,

I see my name in shining lights.

Yeah a different city every night, oh I swear the world better prepare

for when I'm a billionaire."

Now wait a minute. I don't typically listen to music on the radio unless it's Country 102.5, so seriously? Is this for real?

Above anything else, this made me sad. This is what the world has come to. People are so discontent with the reality of their own lives that they wish for money, hoping and assuming that being a billionaire will make everything better.

And how incredibly selfish and vain! I want to buy all of the things I never had, I want to be on the cover of a major magazine next to my new pal O (because we're equally wealthy), and all I think about is what the world will be like when people basically worship the ground I walk on. This is almost deplorable. I'll travel everywhere and people will fawn over me. And the world better get ready -- For what? For your massive ego to explode?

The song goes on to explain how he (Travie McCoy) would buy his wishlist, have a show like Oprah, adopt tons of kids like Brad and Angelina, play basketball with President Obama, have his own theme music, and also he put down FEMA for not doing enough about Hurricane Katrina. And he would also be frivolously throwing a few million in the air and single-handedly solve our recession. Awesome. What a guy.

Some might think I'm being too critical and this is just the way pop culture is now, but I have a different idea in mind. Here are some lyrics to one of my favorite songs by the incredible folk duo The Weepies, with an entirely different message being conveyed...

"When I get up in the morning, put the kettle on

Make us some coffee, say 'hey' to the sun.

Is it enough to write a song, and sing it to the birds?

They'd hear just the tune, not understand my love for words.

But you would hear me and know,

That I want to live this,

I want to live,

I want to live a simple life.

I dreamed you first, but not so real,

And every day since I found you, such moments we steal.

Like little fields, we rub our hands,

And hold our hearts between them...

... Move on, move on, time is accelerating.

Drive on, all night, traffic lights and one ways.

Move on, move on parking violations waiting.

Turn off the car, breathe the air, let's stay here.

I'll kiss you awake, and we'll have time,

To know our neighbors all by name, and every star at night.

We'll weave our days together like waves, and particles of light.

I want to live this,

I want to live,

I want to live a simple life."

Here's the difference, and I resonate with this so much more.
- I want to wake up and make tea or coffee.
- I want to greet God's beautiful creation.
- I want to sing for joy.
- I want to be with someone I'm madly in love with and have dreamed about all my life.
- I want to enjoy little, innocent moments with that person, and all those important to me.
- Time will pass on like normal, but I want to make note of the little things along the way.
- I want to have a peace that allows me to say, "let's stay here," not constantly desiring change.
- I want to invest in a community where I know all of my neighbors.
- I want my days to be intertwined with those around me.
- I want to live a simple life.

Travie McCoy and pop culture, please be content with a simple life. Money can't buy happiness, and the old adage is true -- the best things in life are free. There is beauty all around in the littlest things and you're going to miss it if your mind is only focused on the green.

That's all. I think I'm done ranting for now...

The End.

We leave for the airport in a few minutes. It’s so difficult to wrap my mind around, because I’m feeling so many different emotions. They warned me this would happen, and I thought I was above it. Yeah, right. There are so many things to say and so many lessons learned. Here are some points of interest, all of which have their own story to tell…

• No matter how far you travel, you can’t run away from matters of the heart.
• “I have found the answer is to love You and be loved by You alone.” - Shane & Shane
• Living the gospel, like, really living it, is attractive to the world. If you do so, people will take notice.
• Your life is telling a story.
• Seek to be knowledgeable about things that are foreign to you - don’t be ignorant.
• The internet can grow to become an idol so easily. Fast from it whenever you can - life goes on.
• After a certain amount of time, even the most romantic and exotic of places become just places.
• Earthly beauty is a relative concept.
• Jellyfish suck.
• You are only responsible for your own attitudes and actions.
• Everyone is searching for something.
• Americans have accents, and apparently people around the world seem to like them.
• There is grace and it’s so mind-blowing. His is sufficient.
• The easy way out pales in comparison to the hard way - take the road less traveled.
• Being a nomad or a vagabond is not romantic, it’s lonely. Roots are good.
• Pine-scented candles are superb.
• When you don’t have your friends, your family, your job, your responsibilities - who are you? You are you. And who is that, really? It’s not always what you expect, and it’s not always pretty.
• Heaps of free time does not always help you prioritize. Take responsibility for your life.
• I don’t think I’ve seen one person every single day of my life since I was about 5 years old. Now I have and I feel like we’re married. Love you Natty, couldn’t have done it without you, mate.
• A fresh start can occur anytime, anywhere.
• Family can be a relative concept.
• I want to live simply.
• Bugs at home are wimpy.

The time passed so quickly. It wasn’t what I expected in so many ways, but what a blessing this trip has been. I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t wait to share my stories with you all and reconnect in the northern hemisphere. Thanks for reading, for praying, for commenting, emailing, writing and even calling! I have really appreciated your support through all of the ups and downs. I’ll probably keep blogging as I adjust to life back home and unpack more of the things God’s been teaching me. I’d love for you to keep reading, but my ordinary life might not be as exciting as these past four months, so bear with me! Please pray for our safety, and I’ll see you in a few hours! Until then, cheers.