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.

well hello 2011.

there are 40 minutes left of the first day of the new year, and I already feel ridiculously blessed and excited for what these next 12 months will hold.

but alas, my resurfacing is a short one due to immense exhaustion. tomorrow starts my rekindled relationship with my little blog and I couldn't be more excited.

until then,

be joyful.

i am still convinced that i need this.

so the more i have thought about this swanky little bike, the more i am certain that this is not just an extravagant want, its a need. I am moving post graduation to the wonderful state of Oregon. people there embrace the world of biking in many ways, including day to day transportation. sadly, i dont have a car so biking would be quite practical for me. but then what happens when i need to grocery shop..? how on earth will i carry my bags? thats where this comes in handy..

fidgity.

i think that may be the best word to describe my tuesday. today was a sick day, on a day when my to-do list consisted of 21 important things. yet, even though i have next to no energy, every forty five minutes or so my body will allow a solid five minutes of productivity. and i am proud to say that i completed a whole 7 things from that list. thats one third, i'll take it. today has been full of netflix ADD, emailing, tea, and toast. toast that, in fact, was only made possible by my sweet boyfriend who surprised me at my front door with his toaster in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other. the day has also been filled with american pickers, my newest guilty pleasure. is there any chance of finding rusty gold in the backroads of riverside? doubtful, but one can dream. i somehow feel as though its mid november already, my mind is getting a little ahead of itself, but you see, im just so excited. this semester promises wonderful things, and i cant wait to journey through these next three months.

also..

here are some photos that make me smile, some old, some new.

a wonderful roommate who lets me call her silly nicknames

a family that i miss ever so dearly

& a friend who makes me laugh like nobody else