a heart to heart with a dear friend.

{the blog got a facelift again...i know, i need to stop. take it as a sign of my indecisiveness.}

high expectations lead to easier disappointments. or at least so i've found.

is it a flaw to expect the most of people? to long for them to be all they can be?

i find myself often "fixing" people, and though i know that God has created each person uniquely and individually, i think that oftentimes people themselves don't see that. this life is not meant to be lived selfishly, but in constant awareness of those around us. what a scary place it would be if we all did as we pleased.

a part of me can't wait for heaven. i'm excited for all the adventure this life still has to hold, but when i get to heaven? oh what a beautiful day that will be. no tears. no fears. no jealousy. no insecurity. no pain. no suffering. no envy. no restlessness. no disappointment. no struggle. only love.

but for now, this world is full of all those things, and not enough love...love for ourselves, love for each other, love for God.

more than anything, it breaks my heart to see people sell themselves short. every heart holds so much potential, every life so much beauty. and yet, we can't see it in ourselves.

{& yes, this was inspired by a 2 hour coffee chat...hence the struggle to condense it into a simple post.}

in other news, it's time to attempt ice skating again...at least i will be surrounded by these beautiful ladies:

oh, my pensive heart.

i don't know what it is about december, but i am definitely adoring this whole blog yourself/read other people's blogs thing. maybe it's because it's winter, and for me, the season is about peace, rest, enjoying & cherishing time with loved ones, and serious reflection.

i cannot believe all this year has held, its challenges & joys, struggles & victories. and through it all GOD has been faithful. if i know anything, it is that in this past year, HE has proved himself faithful countless times, & i only love Him more each day (though i confess, i need to practice proving that to Him more).

christmas was wonderful, & i hope yours was as well. there's nothing like waking up bright & early, waking everyone else up, taking stockings down from the fireplace, opening presents, creating a sea of gift wrap & tissue paper around the tree, watching others open gifts, enjoying family time, delicious dinners, & dressing up...(only to completely vacuum & dust the house after everyone left, because i'm OCD like that, and well, it's my kind of therapy).

i adore quiet days at home, taking pictures, looking at pictures, writing, singing for all to hear, catching up with friends, drinking tea (& coffee), and baking. so my life sounds dull. maybe to some it is, but to me, it's perfect. i am so overwhelmed by God's provision, so thankful for this beautiful life i've been blessed with. the road hasn't been charmed, the journey not always easy. but after every bend in the road, God remained (& will always remain) the same. thank goodness.

2011 i can't believe you're almost here, but i am SO excited for all that's ahead. p.s. i am so thankful that i have found my identity in Christ. i hurt for the people who are still "trying to figure themselves out." i know that life still has much to teach me, and that i still have a lot to figure out. but for me, it's not a burden, it's an adventure, because i KNOW that in all of it, He will be there. i am loved, i am not alone, i am led...& i am grateful.

i was inspired by a friend of mine to say this: i am bubbly, and yet introverted; social, and yet a hermit; adventurous, and yet a homebody; open-hearted, and yet selectively vulnerable. through it all, life has taught me that your heart will always be at home, always with those you love most, those who teach you the most, challenge you, and those whom you will always cherish. friendships are not measured by their quantity, but by their quality. i have one best friend, few close friends, and yet i am blessed beyond measure by their hearts & their love. who could ask for more?

as we head into this new year, remember to love more, laugh more, and cherish & adore the things your heart holds close, because time changes, we change, but HE remains faithful. always & forever. may God continue to unveil his beauty to you each day, & may you find peace & rest in His loving arms.

merry christmas to all.

so...

a) the blog got a face lift. a much needed one at that.

b) my little sister just sleep-walked. legitimately. i wish i had a camera for moments like those.

c) a little part of me wants to take one picture every day for a whole year. ridiculous i know (but not really since my camera is basically just an extension of my right arm), but it would be a little fun don't you think? k, maybe that's just me.

d) i'm not as bad as ice skater as i thought i was. not great, but not bad.


e) i have discovered a new blog & i love it & i think you should check it out too: http://makeitmad.com/ (thanks again stumbleupon.com)

f) it's christmas eve, which in case you didn't know is my absolute favorite night of the year (new year's eve ranks a close second). what a beautiful night of family fun, memories, and awestruck reflection on what a glorious thing happened 2000 years ago. there is nothing more beautiful than hearing hundreds of voices reverently singing "silent night."

g) like i said, it's christmas eve, so that means movie & memory time with the siblings.

merry christmas. may it be a blessed one no matter how difficult things may be, or how much you may hate the christmas season (which is absolutely appalling, and if you do, i certainly don't want to hear about it). forget wordly woes and familial worries, and indulge in a day of giving (...& receiving), feasting, celebrating, reflecting, and rejoicing. it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

early to bed, early to rise, makes a man (girl) healthy, wealthy, & wise.

bucket list 2011:

- do not get a parking ticket.
- yell at drivers less...cultivate patience.
- laugh more, worry less.
- sleep more.
- go to bed at a reasonable hour.
- don't waste a precious minute.
- cultivate reliability: text people back. respond to messages. keep in touch.
- confront issues.
- vote as often as possible, and politically educate myself.
- stay up to date with the news: podcast.
- learn to lead worship playing either guitar or piano.
- study for tests, keep up on class readings.
- use the shuttle less. bike/walk to class more often.
- ride the bus to work.
- ride my bike to run local errands.
- blog more.
- take a photography class.
- spend time outside every day.
- read (at least) a chapter of the Bible every day.
- wake up, & talk with God.
- go to bed, talking with God.
- go on a road trip.
- be spontaneous.
- balance friendships & to-do lists.
- listen more, talk less.
- pray more, gripe less.
- impress others less. impress God instead.
- save & tithe consistently.
- buy only what you love.
- eat out less, be health/money-conscious about meals.
- don't eat after 7:30pm (except Yogurtland, of course).
- drink more tea, less coffee.
- cherish friends, family, & love. always.
- visit Les in Hawaii.
- continue to trust in God's plan, & live life for its eternal purpose.
- study abroad.
- do not talk behind people's backs, even if others are doing it.
- do something different.
- listen to Jesus music more, & pointless music less.
- write a song.
- don't forget anyone's birthday.
- reclaim straight A's.
- give gifts randomly.
- pray, & then be impulsive.
- say what you mean, always mean what you say.

twothousandeleven, i can't wait to see what you have in store...

one decade. a million changes.

this is mind-boggling. check it.

morning glory.

doesn't the idea of running through new york city in high heels & a pencil skirt, rambling on your blackberry, dodging taxis, and all the while looking fabulous sound fun? the answer is yes, yes it does.

for a single girl, THAT sounds like the life...and there's a piece of me that kind of hopes i get to experience that. to be free. no strings. ready to move to a crazy job in a big new city, one that requires hard work, wit, late nights, new relationships, and results in an extreme sense of satisfaction.

who knows what God's plan is...i'm just saying, i would be ok with that, for a little while...right before i learned the "people are more important than your career" lesson. then i'd be ready for the next chapter.

simplify.

stumbleupon.com is by far the biggest time waster i've ever come across...but i found this...

in this day & age, life is far too complicated & fast...these few gems are, in my opinion, priceless bits of advice:

Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple,
and the simple thing is the right thing.
- Oscar Wilde

1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds. Don’t make other people try to read yours. Communicate.
2. Be polite, but don’t try to be friends with everyone around you. Instead, spend time nurturing your relationships with the people who matter most to you.
3. Your health is your life, keep up with it. Get an annual physical check-up.
4. Live below your means. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Always sleep on big purchases. Create a budget and savings plan and stick to both of them.
5. Get enough sleep every night. An exhausted mind is rarely productive.
6. Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches.
7. Get off your high horse, talk it out, shake hands or hug, and move on.
8. Don’t waste your time on jealousy. The only person you’re competing against is yourself.
9. Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at.
10. Organize your living space and working space.
11. Get rid of stuff you don’t use.
12. Ask someone if you aren’t sure.
13. Spend a little time now learning a time-saving trick or shortcut that you can use over and over again in the future.
14. Don’t try to please everyone. Just do what you know is right.
15. Don’t drink alcohol or consume recreational drugs when you’re mad or sad. Take a jog instead.
16. Be sure to pay your bills on time.
17. Fill up your gas tank on the way home, not in the morning when you’re in a hurry.
18. Use technology to automate tasks.
19. Handle important two-minute tasks immediately.
20. Relocate closer to your place of employment.
21. Don’t steal.
22. Always be honest with yourself and others.
23. Say “I love you” to your loved ones as often as possible.
24. Single-task. Do one thing at a time and give it all you got.
25. Finish one project before you start another.
26. Be yourself.
27. When traveling, pack light. Don’t bring it unless you absolutely must.
28. Clean up after yourself. Don’t put it off until later.
29. Learn to cook, and cook.
30. Make a weekly (healthy) menu, and shop for only the items you need.
31. Consider buying and cooking food in bulk. If you make a large portion of something on Sunday, you can eat leftovers several times during the week without spending more time cooking.
32. Stay out of other people’s drama. And don’t needlessly create your own.
33. Buy things with cash.
34. Maintain your car, home, and other personal belongings you rely on.
35. Smile often, even to complete strangers.
36. If you hate doing it, stop it.
37. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
38. Apologize when you should.
39. Write things down.
40. Be curious. Don’t be scared to learn something new.
41. Explore new ideas and opportunities often.
42. Don’t be shy. Network with people. Meet new people.
43. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.
44. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, and likeminded.
45. Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive.
46. Drink water when you’re thirsty.
47. Don’t eat when you’re bored. Eat when you’re hungry.
48. Exercise every day. Simply take a long, relaxing walk.
49. Let go of things you can’t change. Concentrate on things you can.
50. Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
51. Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
52. Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
53. Set priorities for yourself and act accordingly.
54. Take it slow and add up all your small victories.
55. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. Accept this simple fact.
56. Excel at what you do. Otherwise you’ll just frustrate yourself.
57. Mature, but don’t grow up too fast.
58. Realize that you’re never quite as right as you think you are.
59. Build something or do something that makes you proud.
60. Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along.

Oh, and enjoy life's simple pleasures. They’re free and better than anything money can buy.