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.

my absence

My absence from blogging is really my addiction. An addiction to remembering high school, the cliques, the good kids, the Christians, the jocks, the drinkers, my love/hate relationship with my high school boyfriend, being a cheerleader, the ups and downs, and the list goes on. Really, I don't like remembering high school all that much. I loved high school when I was in it. I cried at my high school graduation because I didn't want to leave — remember I tend to become attached to places. But all that changed after I left.

The summer after I left, it was no turning back. I had good times, but that part of my life was over. In fact, I don't even like driving by my high school unless I have to. I think a lot of that comes from the fact that high school was such a different time and a different mind set, a slightly less developed one.

However, I can't help but laugh with joy and cry with resonance (and enjoy it) when I watch Friday Night Lights, the NBC television show which I quickly embraced as an addiction after two episodes a week or so ago after reading Brett's post. I actually ignored life to a slight extent last weekend so I could catch up to Season 3 (Thanks to Hulu).

Friday Night Lights is a great rendition to what life was like in high school. It's not the everyday high school drama broadcast on television. To me, it actually depicts what life was like in high school — everyone competing for something, wanting something more and in a sense as much as there are cliques and stereotypes, there are always those breaking them. The one difference is this small town is obsessed with high school football and I can tell you from watching the last two seasons I think I understand the sport more now than I did in two years of cheering for a bottom of the barrel losing team every Friday night. So even if I am spending my time watching television, at least I'm learning something about football, remembering high school positively or receiving wisdom from the high school guidance counselor, Tami.

one more thing...

I want to blog more! 

So expect more to read because I want to make this blog more of a priority than I did last year. Not to mention, I wrote the same amount of posts in half the time in 2007. Think I was a bit busy last year? Yes!

lookin' up the road

With the new year comes a renewed state of mind and also a new set of personal goals...or renewed goals! :) I wanted to make sure my New Year resolutions were practical, realistic and fun! Here is what I came up with, hopefully, they stay resolute.

1. Journal every day for one year: Journaling and documenting one's life is very important to me. It's not only fun, but is also a great writing exercise. I actually started this back in November. So far, so good! Also, yes, I use an actual journal. As much as I love blogging, I'm a paper person.

2. Create a habit of working out: This is something that has been inconsistent in my life since I quit cheer in high school, unless I was in a PE class in college, but I can't really do Gospel Aerobics without an instructor, can I? So, my plan is to start with twice a week and move on up after that. And my goal isn't to lose weight, just to feel healthier and be in shape.

3. Freelance for a magazine: Really, I would like to be published in a magazine by next year. I've been published in the Whittier Daily News, but besides that stint, I have not been published outside of a student publication. I want to branch out as a writer and have something to build my career upon besides my current job.

4. Brush up on my French: I've taken approximately 5 years of French classes and have never been fluent. A main reason: it is uncommon to find someone that speaks French! However, I want to brush up so when I move there in the next few years, I'm not completely lost.

5. Talk with God everyday: This is something I went to spend more time doing. Most people call it quiet time. I just want to take time and talk with God or sit quietly and make an effort to grow in my faith and more towards being Christ-like each day.

6. Have more craft time: Last year, I spent barely anytime making cards and doing crafts. I used to never give a store bought card, now I find myself always giving store bought cards - which are great and fun for the occaisonal note to someone, but I want to make sure I spend more time doing crafts and what I like to call art therapy. :)

refreshed

The photo above of the Potomac River at Mount Vernon is from my vacation in Virginia. It makes me feel calm and reminds me of my current state of mind - refreshed.

That is how I feel - refreshed. Ready for a new year with new challenges, new adventures, and new happy moments. Usually starting a new year is bitter sweet to me. It is a time that is exciting but both sad that the year is over. I think this past year was one of the longest years I've had and because of that, I am ready for a new one.

As is every year, my life was full of many trials and adventures that produced growth in my life. I finished college, adjusted to life as a graduate who is financially independent, saw many friends walk down the aisle or get engaged, and join the working force - full time. 2008 was filled with many, many memorable moments - one's with more joy than explainable and one's with more sadness in the same token. It was a good year and it was a hard year.

However, unlike many years before, I am fully ready for the new one. I am ready to say goodbye to the challenges I faced last year and I am ready to start my life again as it feels as though it stopped at some point in the fall. I hit the restart button on the computer and now I feel refreshed. I feel as though I can look back on last year and truly say I know who I am and 2008 was good for me, but I want to step forward in a new pace with a refreshed spirit and mind.

a little late on a rainy day

It's eleven p.m. and I really should be tucked warm in bed, but the house is just a bit too warm with the heater on and the Christmas tree was just a bit too inviting. Christy and I decorated the house for Christmas this weekend and it looks absolutely lovely.

The charlie brown tree we have turned into a beautiful masterpiece..well, almost masterpiece, after we adorned it with extra ribbon, garland, bows and baubles. The mantle is now decorated with garland and Christmas bulbs and there is a green wreath hanging on our door with lights - lights that took half Saturday evening to figure out how to plug them in and resulted in the use of lots of duct tape. Nonetheless, the house looks too pretty to not be appreciated on a late evening with a hot cup of cocoa topped with whipped cream.

I think part of me doesn't want today to be over. I woke up to the pitter patter of rain on the roof. That is a sound we don't hear often in southern California and something I wish I heard everyday. I'm one of those people that can grimace when the sun shines through my window rather than lovely gray clouds. I enjoy the sun, but the silvery cloudy skies energize me. I may be one of the few that would love to live in Seattle or Oregon.

One day, I will move to a place with different colder weather that makes me feel warmer. And one day, I will most likely return and say it was nice but that California really does have the best weather. I would never admit that to anyone in person, but I think, deep down, I know it's true.