Since I won't be updating the Biola website until next week, I will use this as practice as if I was writing for an online newspaper, but will also have some personal elements that I wouldn't normally post for obvious journalistic reasons. Each post will be posted at the time designated and I will republish the blog each time I add something. This will be like a Twitter feed, not an actual article.
*So I did the above spanning the time I arrived on campus (3:00) to when I left the media room to go the "spin" room (7:00). If you saw my blog during that time, it read like a timeline and was awesome. However, it took up the length of a football field. Therefore I will edit and condense my notes in case anyone actually wants to read them and republish this post tomorrow.
ps. Being part of the media at this event was amazing! I loved it and can't wait to write about it. God handed me a gift without me realizing it.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
lemon-aide
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...right? But what about when everyone else has imported mangoes?
I worked the past three or four weeks to get tickets and media credentials for the civil forum tomorrow night with Obama and McCain. I was approved for media credentials and two VIP tickets, however, I will not be in the sanctuary. I will be with media in another venue with a live feed...just like I could watch from the comfort of my own home. Two others will be using the VIP tickets and it is not possible to get a third.
Then ABC eyewitness news wanted to interview me outside the church. I politely said they may not want to interview me because I am part of the media for tomorrow nights event. They smiled and agreed. Who does that? Who suggests they shouldn't be interviewed (besides South Dakotans*)! I was kicking myself for that. I could have been on national television and I said no. Ridiculous. Not to mention, this could have been a publicity tool for the university.
Then to top it off, I got an email from my Mom who said her friend had an extra VIP ticket so she will be attending the civil forum tomorrow.
God, I need some lemon-aide right now, because I am not very happy with my lemons. This is starting to become funny. Or not funny at all. I think God is teaching me to be grateful for what I have. He's still working apparently.
*The South Dakota reference is thanks to Michelle. :)
*updated to add: I saw today as a group of lost chances. However, after thinking a bit more intelligently and a bit less emotionally, I decided today was not a group of lost chances at all. It is simply a group of other opportunities. Therefore, I will take my lemons and find my other opportunities. Who likes mango nectar anyways?
I worked the past three or four weeks to get tickets and media credentials for the civil forum tomorrow night with Obama and McCain. I was approved for media credentials and two VIP tickets, however, I will not be in the sanctuary. I will be with media in another venue with a live feed...just like I could watch from the comfort of my own home. Two others will be using the VIP tickets and it is not possible to get a third.
Then ABC eyewitness news wanted to interview me outside the church. I politely said they may not want to interview me because I am part of the media for tomorrow nights event. They smiled and agreed. Who does that? Who suggests they shouldn't be interviewed (besides South Dakotans*)! I was kicking myself for that. I could have been on national television and I said no. Ridiculous. Not to mention, this could have been a publicity tool for the university.
Then to top it off, I got an email from my Mom who said her friend had an extra VIP ticket so she will be attending the civil forum tomorrow.
God, I need some lemon-aide right now, because I am not very happy with my lemons. This is starting to become funny. Or not funny at all. I think God is teaching me to be grateful for what I have. He's still working apparently.
*The South Dakota reference is thanks to Michelle. :)
*updated to add: I saw today as a group of lost chances. However, after thinking a bit more intelligently and a bit less emotionally, I decided today was not a group of lost chances at all. It is simply a group of other opportunities. Therefore, I will take my lemons and find my other opportunities. Who likes mango nectar anyways?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
the pink plaid said it all
When I turn 55, I earnestly hope that I do not have a mid-life crisis. I never really thought about this before today, however, that was before I saw the man in pink plaid.
This morning as I drove along the 5 north, a silver 2008 BMW convertible whipped past me going well over the speed limit. The top was down revealing his balding head and pink plaid button down. He looked around 55 and as I continued to watch him skip through lanes cutting a few people off, I had three thoughts.
1. That's interesting to have the top down at 8 in the morning when it's still overcast.
2. Is that pink...and plaid?
3. MIDLIFE CRISIS.
This morning as I drove along the 5 north, a silver 2008 BMW convertible whipped past me going well over the speed limit. The top was down revealing his balding head and pink plaid button down. He looked around 55 and as I continued to watch him skip through lanes cutting a few people off, I had three thoughts.
1. That's interesting to have the top down at 8 in the morning when it's still overcast.
2. Is that pink...and plaid?
3. MIDLIFE CRISIS.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
fight or flight?
I wish I said I chose to fight in dangerous situations, rather than flee. However, as much as I try to fight, my instinct to flee kicks in way too fast to even think of holding my fists up and say 'bring it on!'
I'll never forget the church party I was at in seventh grade when the bounce house I was in began to deflate. As I saw my impending doom of suffocation, I dove - literally - head first out of the entrance sliding past my friends. Did I stop and ask them if they were okay? Oh no. I just made sure my flight from the scene was swift. Although I made it out safely (as everyone else did too), I was also laughed at for my fear of the deflating bounce house was a bit exaggerated.
So when the 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit a week and a half ago and I felt the building shake, what did I do? I fled. However, remembering the bounce house incident, I told everyone in my path to 'get out' of the building to safe ground. (Yes. I know they teach you to go under your desk, but I have my own tactics.) I also walked instead of running. I see this as progress.
Although I was quiet enough to not embarrass myself, I did feel slightly bad when one of my co-workers tripped on his way to the door after I told him to leave the building. That is a story that will be retold for quite some time. The next day he was asking people if they had seen me shove him to the ground. I promise I was a full three feet away from him and his shoes had no traction. Unfortunately, I tend to laugh too much in order to defend myself since the idea really isn't that far off.
I'll never forget the church party I was at in seventh grade when the bounce house I was in began to deflate. As I saw my impending doom of suffocation, I dove - literally - head first out of the entrance sliding past my friends. Did I stop and ask them if they were okay? Oh no. I just made sure my flight from the scene was swift. Although I made it out safely (as everyone else did too), I was also laughed at for my fear of the deflating bounce house was a bit exaggerated.
So when the 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit a week and a half ago and I felt the building shake, what did I do? I fled. However, remembering the bounce house incident, I told everyone in my path to 'get out' of the building to safe ground. (Yes. I know they teach you to go under your desk, but I have my own tactics.) I also walked instead of running. I see this as progress.
Although I was quiet enough to not embarrass myself, I did feel slightly bad when one of my co-workers tripped on his way to the door after I told him to leave the building. That is a story that will be retold for quite some time. The next day he was asking people if they had seen me shove him to the ground. I promise I was a full three feet away from him and his shoes had no traction. Unfortunately, I tend to laugh too much in order to defend myself since the idea really isn't that far off.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
sweet kylie
I was finally able to meet Kylie Capri Wood a few weekends ago when I went to visit Cristina and Brian in Northern California. Kylie was born in April so I was so excited to finally meet this precious baby girl. The trip was extremely fun. I always enjoy getting to see Cristina and Brian's life in NorCal and catch up in person rather than through email and the phone. Here are some photos of sweet Kylie and my trip. I had a hard time choosing, as you will see, Kylie is always adorable and photogenic!
I couldn't get over her tiny hands and feet.
I love this.
Beautiful Half Moon Bay. We took a picnic lunch and walked on the beach.
Jacob being cute.
Cristina graciously let me hold her most the weekend.
In downtown Danville.
I couldn't get over her tiny hands and feet. 
I love this. 
Beautiful Half Moon Bay. We took a picnic lunch and walked on the beach. 
Jacob being cute. 
Cristina graciously let me hold her most the weekend. 
In downtown Danville.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
reflections on restoration
"Gosh, you look gorgeous!" she exclaimed.
I was a bit taken aback and shocked at her statement, but I politely said thank you rather than say my thoughts of "No, I don't!"
She then asked, "What have you been doing?" I took this as a compliment. However, I must reflect upon the fact that at the age of 22, this is not a common question. Why? Because normally at 22 you are young enough that you don't need to "do things," or add face creams and such to your beauty diet. I figured this was a question that would be asked of me at age 55 when I finally lose my baby weight and have money for clothes after all the kids are out of the roost. (That is assuming, I find a rooster.)
I graciously accepted her compliments and we finished lunch. But I knew. I knew why she said those things. She hadn't seen me since graduation. I don't think I had realized either before today what has happened in the last few months.
I don't think I can fully describe what happened the last month and a half of my senior year at Biola, nor can I fully explain what I was feeling during that time, except to say that I was highly emotional. Between finishing some of my most difficult classes, working nearly 30 hours a week, preparing for graduation, grieving the idea of leaving Biola, trying to keep my friends, attend social events, be a bridesmaid, taking 18 units, dealing with family crises, my irrational fears, and attempting to keep my room clean so my roommate wouldn't kick me out (thankfully she would never do such a thing) was one of the hardest times of my life. It is an experience I never want to experience again. I learned a lot those weeks, but there was no stopping point, no time to breathe, no time to just sit and relax. It was go, go, go and GO! Or else..I felt as though I would die because there was not time to not go. I wanted desperately to stop and breathe. I wanted to just sleep and not do anything. And yes, there were a few Saturdays I was able to sleep in and maybe a few nights of relaxing, but for the most part relax was not in my vocabulary. For about three weeks straight, I was constantly on the verge of tears. There were quite a few people who experienced those tears as well and I am thankful for those who listened and for those who looked away when they knew I needed to silently cry because I was too tired to do anything else for a bit.
Today when Roe told me I looked gorgeous, I don't know how much of it had to do with the way I looked, but I know I feel different. My body and soul feel restored. I have energy and to be honest, smiling is so much easier now than it was a month ago. It's not that I didn't have fun at some great events the last few weeks of school, but it's that I have time to breathe. I have time to talk to my friends and really listen. I have time to talk to God and sit with him.
As I am finally processing these things, there will probably be a few more posts on this. Thanks for reading if you actually reached this sentence. :)
I was a bit taken aback and shocked at her statement, but I politely said thank you rather than say my thoughts of "No, I don't!"
She then asked, "What have you been doing?" I took this as a compliment. However, I must reflect upon the fact that at the age of 22, this is not a common question. Why? Because normally at 22 you are young enough that you don't need to "do things," or add face creams and such to your beauty diet. I figured this was a question that would be asked of me at age 55 when I finally lose my baby weight and have money for clothes after all the kids are out of the roost. (That is assuming, I find a rooster.)
I graciously accepted her compliments and we finished lunch. But I knew. I knew why she said those things. She hadn't seen me since graduation. I don't think I had realized either before today what has happened in the last few months.
I don't think I can fully describe what happened the last month and a half of my senior year at Biola, nor can I fully explain what I was feeling during that time, except to say that I was highly emotional. Between finishing some of my most difficult classes, working nearly 30 hours a week, preparing for graduation, grieving the idea of leaving Biola, trying to keep my friends, attend social events, be a bridesmaid, taking 18 units, dealing with family crises, my irrational fears, and attempting to keep my room clean so my roommate wouldn't kick me out (thankfully she would never do such a thing) was one of the hardest times of my life. It is an experience I never want to experience again. I learned a lot those weeks, but there was no stopping point, no time to breathe, no time to just sit and relax. It was go, go, go and GO! Or else..I felt as though I would die because there was not time to not go. I wanted desperately to stop and breathe. I wanted to just sleep and not do anything. And yes, there were a few Saturdays I was able to sleep in and maybe a few nights of relaxing, but for the most part relax was not in my vocabulary. For about three weeks straight, I was constantly on the verge of tears. There were quite a few people who experienced those tears as well and I am thankful for those who listened and for those who looked away when they knew I needed to silently cry because I was too tired to do anything else for a bit.
Today when Roe told me I looked gorgeous, I don't know how much of it had to do with the way I looked, but I know I feel different. My body and soul feel restored. I have energy and to be honest, smiling is so much easier now than it was a month ago. It's not that I didn't have fun at some great events the last few weeks of school, but it's that I have time to breathe. I have time to talk to my friends and really listen. I have time to talk to God and sit with him.
As I am finally processing these things, there will probably be a few more posts on this. Thanks for reading if you actually reached this sentence. :)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
the maples
My good friend Megan married her prince charming, Craig a few weeks ago. I was honored to be a part of the wedding party and it was one of the best weddings I have been to. She had the lovely colors of persimmon and a deep red which adorned the reception and ceremony in bright gerber daisies, our bridesmaid dresses and other details. Triplecord Photography did an amazing job and was so fun to work with. One of the photographers actually goes to Biola so it was fun to see him as well. Here is a link to the slideshow Triplecord put together. Megan looked absolutely gorgeous.
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