i dream

Aloft a vibrant tree, I sat amongst the branches in quiet contemplation. It is here where I dreamt. The rain would trickle down through the monotone greens and softly fall around me. The harmony of the weather with my thoughts clouded over anything troublesome in memory. I would build large 3 story houses with decorated attics full of treasures. Walking through the neighborhood, I'd cuddle up in my coat in 70 degree winters in Southern California and pretend I was walking miles in 2 feet of snow. My feet would walk the thin wall behind my house and I'd imagine I was playing follow the leader with my 5 brothers and sisters.

If there is anything I learned from being an only child, it was to dream. When friends couldn't come over or it was dinner time, my house would become an imaginary play house in which I dictated the characters and colors of events. In some ways, I'm sure I could have built better tents with more people, but similarly I didn't have the competition of other children or the arguments over which sheet should be used. As an only child, I was free to dream in any which way they chose to flow no matter any concern of anyone else.

Because of this, I think I am a bit more idealistic, optimistic and ambitious than most. I see almost any positive mark as a sign of continued success no matter how small it may be. I see optimism in often sometimes awful situations. Some see this as a weakness, however, I see it as a better way to dream. So with that, I dream.

I dream of a time completely different than what this world is like now. I dream of owning multiple businesses. I dream of being a published author. I dream of completing multiple masters programs. I dream of being more beautiful than I am now in twenty years. More so, I dream of a day where I find peace - where this world finds peace and evil does not exist. And I dream of the day that I will finally enter heaven and I hope that my dreams will not necessarily be accomplished but that I at least dreamed. And knew that there would one day be a better day because huddled in the tree while rain falls around, there is a greater knowledge that the troubles of our world now really will disappear.

i guess i wouldn't mind being a bear

I realized last week I will be moving once again this summer. When I moved into our tiny room this year, my closet became full quite quickly. And I have continued to outgrow my closet, and my room, for that matter. My stationary desk serves as a night stand and location for newspapers and magazines I wish to read in the near non-ending future and my bookcase serves as a place for my jewelry and miscellaneous decorative pieces that I seem to collect.

But even though I continue to outgrow the space, as I've grown into my little, what I like to call, cave, I have grown to love the smallness. My joy of climbing into bed underneath the bunk bed above me, which has become a home to prayer requests and reminders (similar to my bunk bed freshman year at Biola), it's a place of warmth that I love. I like my little space where everything must fit just so, otherwise, the room will look a mess. And with this also comes creativity in arranging furniture, tidyness and comfort with a candle and mug of coffee.

So although, I will be moving again this summer which makes me sad, I will continue to enjoy the smallness of my space and know that when I look for a new home, bigger does not necessarily mean better. So, with hope, I will be in search of another endearing, quaint and cute cave.

I guess I wouldn't mind being a bear...

paree, anyone?

One of the many perks in living with 9 girls is the house is bound to have a few resident Martha Stewarts. Saturday morning, Meg and I found ourselves in the kitchen making a delicious breakfast, thanks to Megan's great thinking. Cooking an elaborate or simply delicious breakfast has become a somewhat new trend on Saturday mornings to my great delight and this weekend's delight, chosen by Megan, took us to Paris. We made crepes, which turned out to be easier than expected. Megan perfected the crepes while I hand whipped whip cream - talk about an arm workout. The end result was well worth it though.

les crepes:



the toppings:


Unfortunately, we ate the finished product before we could take a photograph. However, you should try making your own, in Megan's words: they are easier than pancakes.

Meg, the Model

She normally shies away from the camera and doesn't enjoy being in the public eye. In fact, many times she told me to put away my camera when people were coming our way. However, my roommate Megan, who I convinced to be a model for a day, turned out to actually be a bit of a model. 

It's been at least one year since I last really used my Nikon SLR, which is sad to say the least, considering I love photography! And I am completely out of practice unless you count my point and shoot. After viewing photography blogs, like Jasmine Star's and Shannon's, religiously the past six months, I decided it was time I pulled my own camera out and relearn how to use the beautiful piece of equipment. I enlisted Megan for a "portrait" session so I could test out lighting and not be horribly embarrassed if the photos turned out awful. I would say it was a success for my first time shooting in a year, although I do have a long ways to go. Here are some I liked. 

sundays

The early morning glow and overcast skies of Costa Mesa near Newport Beach greet me Sunday mornings as I drive to the 9 a.m. service at RockHarbor Church. I love Sundays. There is something about waking early when half the world sleeps and driving to worship. This morning at church, the worship set was longer than usual before the sermon and I was able to fully let go of my surroundings and bask in the love of our Father. 

I recommit my life almost every Sunday. I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. I ultimately become more grateful and realize, in a deeper sense, what it really means to be a Christian. It makes me, hopefully, a better follower of Christ. However, I wish everyday was like Sundays. 

I want to recommit my life to God each and everyday. I want to take time to know Him and worship Him more each day just like I do on Sundays. Everyday should be like Sundays since I am a follower of Christ seven days a week, not just one and sometimes being a Christian the other six days doesn't mean I'm following Him directly each moment. Here is to treating each and every day like my Sunday drive to church — quiet, reflective and worshipful. 

missing

As I sat comfortably on a settee in my own corner at Corner Bakery Cafe with a mug of coffee and plate of chocolate chip cookies on Thursday night, I felt a bit like a student again. I'm not sure if it was because that was how I became accustomed to study in college for four years, but I think I got more work done in my two hours at Corner Bakery than I do in half a day at work. This could be because I don't have people interrupting me at Corner Bakery, emails coming in constantly, and a phone ringing every once in a while, however, I was focused nonetheless. And I don't doubt a good cup of coffee, the rain, and jeans help me work more efficiently. Not to mention, the cookies.

On that tone, I miss being a student. Sitting and studying. Constantly learning. Late nights and no classes or work on Fridays. I sincerely miss sitting in lectures and being a sponge, soaking up information and hearing from people that are more intelligent than I may ever be. I'm hoping grad. school is in the future. Until then, I will enjoy working and I'll admit, I do love not having homework hanging over your head constantly and being able to sleep in on Saturdays. 

*Photo taken by Faith Martinez at Associated Collegiate Press Conference in D.C. last year. 

february & the kingdom

I'm in slight shock that we are already one month into the new year. Sheri, who I work with, told me the years go by quicker as you get older. This makes sense as I vaguely remember the time period of waiting to turn 10, 12, then 16 was incredibly long. Now, it seems like months go by as weeks.

Remember when you would start planning your birthday party three months in advance and it would seem like forrevverrr until you would actually get to eat your birthday cake at your 9th birthday Zoo extravaganza or whatever the theme may have been.

I'm not going to lie. I turn 23 in less than two months and it kind of scares me. I'm getting older. I know I'm not older. But I'm getting older. And if I'm perfectly honest, I don't view 40 as even being old, barely 50. In fact, the idea of being 80 sounds great. But it's all relative. When I'm actually growing deeper into the double digits of my twenties, it scares me. (When someone else is, I am excited for them.)

God, I'm good now. I have a full-time job, great friends and I'm 22. Do we really need to deal with aging, more bills, and the whole less time to live thing?

Unfortunately, I don't think God is going to stop the aging process and really I am working towards Him, not for myself. Therefore, if time is going to go quick, I better start using my time wisely, make stronger decisions and do my part in furthering the Kingdom everyday — not in the mindset of 'in the next year', because apparently that's comin' quick.