A proud announcement:

I have completed not just one, but two of the things on my "to do before I move" list. Some sweet friends and I traveled down to LA for a girls night done right. It began with a trip to the Farmers Market at the Grove for some dinner and ended with my first experience at Millions of Milkshakes, and as always there were a few more spontaneous adventures along the way.

Surprise, surprise.

I think the only time I find my way onto this little guy is when I'm stressing, or day-dreaming, about graduation, moving, and starting a very new and big season in life. Its as though I need to spill my heart out in hope that maybe, somebody will read and completely understand how I'm feeling. So fingers crossed, that one of you knows the excitement and anxiousness of moving on from something wonderful to a place equally as beautiful. I find myself no longer in worry, but instead, in awe of God's perfect timing, and how He has orchestrated all things good.

Well, if it hasn't been evident in previous posts, I like lists. They keep me sane. Since Im moving from the great state of California, I made a list of things I absolutely, positively, hopefully, will be able to do before I leave in less than a month.

Without further ado:

-Downtown Los Angeles: to partake in the eating of some lovely little restaurant

-Old Towne Orange: for exploring, antiquing, gelato, and a trip to Bruxie.

-Balboa Park/Downtown San Diego: for education and entertainment alike

-Balboa Beach/Balboa Island: to relive my childhood through rollerblades, tan lines, and balboa bars

-Medieval Times: its fun fun fun and I have free passes!!

-Disneyland: because my poor little annual pass wont get any use after May 10th, may it rest in peace

-Millions of Milkshakes: because somehow I havent been yet..

Its a Friday night.

And here I am, up to my elbows in craft supplies. My guy has opening night tonight and my roommates are nowhere to be seen, so its just me, cheesy movies, and the contents of my cherished craft suitcase. Therapy, that's precisely what tonight is. ONE month until I graduate from college, and I am feeling the pressure. I find myself having a hard time switching between the collegiate mindset and the one where I'm a thriving, passionate, about-to-be 22 year old. Papers, projects, fieldwork, research, blah blah blah. I dream about the day when a chunk of time that was once used for homework can be devoted to blogging, ah, the magic. And with a day that hit the 90's last week, it was almost more than I could bear. Today, however, is gloomy and drizzling, and for that I am thankful. Here's to a weekend of staying in and dominating my assignments. Aside from, of course, a trip to the Museum of Natural History in LA, for purely extra credit reasons, and possibly church on Sunday, because lets face it, I'm going to need that more that an extra two hours of homework.

Just a quick catch up..

18 days until my much anticipated to trip to Georgia
29 days until I walk across a stage in front of a terrifying amount of people and receive a diploma
& 32 days until I leave everything I've known to start my post-college life in Bend, Oregon

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's about time to go make a cake, because I can.

the daunting inevitability that is: adulthood.

"When I grow up I would like to be a combination of Lucille Ball, Martha Stewart, and Elisabeth Elliot. "

Yep, thats what I Tumbled the other day, and I meant it! Growing up, I Love Lucy was always playing on the living room TV. Lucille Ball has impecable style and a sense humor to boot. I certainly find myself amidst some crazy antics at times, but none quite as clever or far fetched as Lucy's. Martha Stewart, some may knock her, but boy do I have respect for that woman. She is so insanely talented! I just want to soak up all of her knowledge about delicious cooking, sewing, crafting, fabulous party throwing, gardening, oh my! Now Elisabeth Elliot, besides having a fabulous name, is a true inspiration. She is without a doubt one of the most influential Christian woman of the century. After the brutal killing of her husband in the mission field, Elisabeth proceeded to live with and love the very tribe responsible for his death. Showing them the true, tangible love of Christ and sharing the gospel with them. Ah, chills. If you aren't familiar with her story, I challenge you to read more about it, you will not be disappointed.

As I get ready to finish out my college career and start life in a different state, away from the things that have been steadfast and familiar these past twenty-two years, a lot of poignant things have been on my heart. Most importantly, continuing to find my identity as a woman, and find it in Christ. I came across this saved on my computer yesterday (and I could just kick myself, but it's source is unfortunately unknown). It's a sort of 'do's and dont's' list for the new year or just life in general, and while it lacks the direct correlation to a life lived for Christ, it has a lot of very valid and useful tips.

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did in 2010.
7. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
8. Sleep for 7 hours.
9. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

1. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
3. Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
6. Dream more while you are awake.
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
8. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more.
14. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

1. Call your family often.
2. Each day give something good to others.
3. Forgive everyone for everything.
4. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
5. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
6. What other people think of you is none of your business.
7. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

1. Do the right thing!
2. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
3. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
4. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
5. The best is yet to come.
6. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

God is so faithful and I'm reminded of that by two verses in particular these days as one season is coming to a close and a new one is beginning.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

Ephesians 3:20

"The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps"

Proverbs 16:9

25 before 25

Well, here it is, the infamous list of things I hope to accomplish in the next 3 years. Yikes, talk about pressure. I crave adventure, and while some of these things may not seem daring or exciting, I guarantee I will be ecstatic each time a new one is completed. And, I solemnly swear to share some form of documentation of my joys.

Without further ado:

1. Ride in a hot air balloon

2. Restore a piece of furniture

3. Learn how to properly use a sewing machine

4. Journal through the Bible chronologically

5. Get a tattoo..yikes

6. Have a vast collection of cookbooks

7. Own a prestigious amount of globes, all different colors and sizes

8. Learn to flawlessly tie a bow tie and neck tie

9. Create a line of stationary

10. Visit the east coast

11. Visit somewhere in the 10/40 window

12. Learn how to knit with ease

13. Meet a PENGUIN

14. Plan/throw/coordinate a successful party, or a hundred

15. Build a teepee

16. Jumpstart a so called Random Acts of Kindness campaign

17. Perfect the art of carving rubber stamps

18. Finally have my own furry, yet lovable companion

19. Have my very own neatly organized and impeccably decorated creative work space

20. Cultivate my very own vegetable, fruit, and herb garden

21. Keep a daily photo journal [must first own camera, ugh]

22. Eat out of a two sided ice cream cone

23. Paint something significant with chalkboard, like a wall, a door, or a globe even

24. Stay at a bed and breakfast and/or take a road trip in a vintage Airstream

25. Play outside significantly more

(source)

On another note, I came across that picture this morning and I feel that it describes beautifully the hope that is found in Christ.

saturday.

Hmm, well people, it is indeed the weekend, thank the Lord. Today promises relaxation and giggles. Truthfully the relaxation has already commenced. And for the curious, here's a bit of insight into my day:

As always, Friends serves as the background noise for my apartment, today it's Season 4.

I cant stop perusing this lovely blog. This woman is seriously inspirational. Sheesh.

I've rediscovered the beauty and versatility of the hard boiled egg, which I'll cook perfectly from here on out thanks to this clever contraption.

A pair of these would be ever so loved by my feet, honest. Elden in olive please.

I fully intend on supporting this cause by purchasing one of these to around my neck.

I am determined to eat at one of the many prestigious food trucks in LA before packing my bags in May.

Today I will be starting a long overdue inspiration notebook of sorts, in which I will record brilliant ideas and lovely things as they make their way to my brain.

Well, other than tying up the loose ends of my online class, I will be spending time with dear friends, dying hair, playing with a puppy, and catching up. This is where the giggling comes in.

since we last spoke

i embarked on a delightful little road trip with my guy and our dear friends caleb & ashley. it was mighty adventurous to say the least. a six hour drive in a almost hilariously tiny kia rio and a total of 24 hours of train rides made for various muscle cramps, spasms, and an array of body parts falling asleep. still, the view from the window and a constant intake of junk food maintained equilibrium until we finally made it to blissful bend, oregon. we were privileged to attend an utterly convicting and inspiring justice conference. we stayed with some of my favorite people, ate the most delicious food made with locally grown ingredients, drank kombucha, and made life-long memories. our trip came to a close with some valentines day bargain hunting and a last meal around the reynolds table with a classic game of 'freeze'.

only 70 days until i make that sweet little place my home.

also...

we made a pit stop in san fran, saw a banksy original gasp, ate at boudin, and walked about 45 blocks.