Post-School Social Network

I spend a lot of time at work these days. (I know this looks like a house and it actually is - but it's not my home-house- it's my work house.) I guess in some ways I feel like I've become irrelevant because I'm no longer a student. Now this introvert with social needs has to create her own social network because the school structured one is gone.

People are hugely important to me, but too much interaction exhaust me. The effort of meeting people and maintaining relationships sometimes seems like too much, but I always regret it when I don't. But sometimes I feel like I have to choose between my sanity and my social life.

Any tips on how to survive a busy life and also have friends?



Happy Monday, y'all. God bless.

R<3

Watching Blimey Cow - Oh No, I'm Single! I'm Going To Die!

(Since I haven't posted on my 1000 gifts list in forever and ever, I'll begin again now.)

724 a collection of hymns

725 riding to church in the backseat with my little sisters

726 the way Esther's smile lights up the room

727 cinnamon gum

728 active cultures, both of them

729 watching my brothers overcome obstacles

730 a two-year-old's fearlessness

731 sunwarmed hair

732 efficient airline employees

733 perfectly spicy and hot Thai food

734 birthday dinner and discussion with Josa and Jak

735 the Wedding's The Sound, The Steel EP

Polka-Dots Made-up

So, I wanted to show you this cool thing I got yesterday. My friend Madeline custom-made it for me.

A purple, polka-dotted make-up bag! But wait, it gets better!

Check that out! Not only is it cute on the outside, it's cute on the inside AND it holds things! I digress. Too much excitement for one night. 

Seriously, though, if your heart feels strangely drawn towards this and you want something that looks like this (because you can't have mine, sorry) you should go check out Madeline's shop! There's other nifty things there too. 

Since we're here, my makeup/facial tools rundown, if anyone cares. I have Mary Kay bronze eyeliner and brown mascara, Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation (love this stuff!), Rimmel pink sugar blush, a Japanese set of eyeshadow and obviously, eyelash curler, eyebrow comb, shadow brush and blush brush. Niftiness, no?

Third and muchly cool, my amazing friend (and soon-to-be mommy!) Anna tagged me in a questionaire. Thanks, love!

1) When did you become a believer? 

I was saved at six, but came to a greater understanding of my sin at thirteen and because of that grew in gratitude and amazement at God's great mercy. My extended testimony is here.

2) What has been a very influential book in your spiritual walk? How?

I would say the Bible, but I think that's assumed. I would say Spurgeon's Morning and Evening has consistently challenged and encouraged me for a couple years now. I connect so strongly with his use of metaphors!

3) What is your favourite store to shop at?

For clothes, thrift stores. The bigger the better. For random foodstuffs and everyday upkeep, I would say Target.

4) you wear your hair up or down in general?

Lately, I've been wearing it down because I got a fabulous haircut from the magical Jak.

5) What city would you like to live in?

More like what city WOULDN'T I want to live in. That list would be shorter. Let's see. For now, Houston, Seattle, Chicago and New York are all in the running.

6) Who is one of your spiritual mentors?

Beth Moore. She's a woman who studies God's word with all her heart and shares her message of freedom with such enthusiasm. 

7) If someone gave you a large sum of money, what would you do with it?

I would find a bunch of friends and go tour Europe by bike. I'd give the rest away. Really, people don't talk about how much fun giving money away is.

8) Are you a night person or a morning person?

I am more wise and productive in the morning, but I sometimes have the most fun at night. Moshing at a concert or ten o'clock runs to Cub with friends? So into it. 

9) Starbucks or Caribou Coffee? Why? 

I like Starbucks because their coffee is stronger, but their tea is horrible. Caribou has weaker coffee and horrible tea as well. I prefer Dunn Bros. 

10) Do you enjoy long trips or dread them, whether in a car or a plane?

I enjoy long trips if they include people I like, great snacks and enough sleep. I love flying because my soul is adventureous. 

11) What's your favourite genre of music?

Probably rock. I like a huge variety of music. As my friend Vicki aptly said when asked her favorite song, "That's like asking which is my favorite molecule of air to breathe." 

That's all folks. Thanks everyone for your comments on my last post! Everyone who reads this blog is dear to my heart. I really do not deserve any of this and I so appreciate everything you guys add to my posts!

R<3

Listening to Plus One - I Will Rescue You (I even like pop music on occasion!)

If you're ever in a battle
And you just can't fight no more
I will rescue you
I will shelter you from the rain
I will dry your tears
Cast away your fears
And bring you to brighter days
Whenever you're lost and confused
Like a fairy tale come true
I will rescue you

Drama Daze

(credit)

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a drama queen. There's something dreadfully exciting and addicting about creating situations in my head and imagining that everything hinges on a single event. I go through my share of adrenaline.

It comes with costs, though. Sometimes the drama in my head blows situations with friends and aquaintances into something bigger than a hot air balloon. Sometimes it makes me believe things that would seem ridiculous if I could keep my feet on the ground. I've been learning to choose what drama I invest in. Hard lesson, let me tell you.

Despite mishaps, there are some things positive about drama. First thing, there really is a life-and-death, cement and grass world full of tearing and breakage. My awareness of drama is not unrealistic. Drama exists. People get sick. People need healing and restoration with God.

I'm thankful for drama because when it makes me feel like I'm on the razor-edge of something terrible, like I'm teetering on the cliff of forever-nothingness and then... then, I find God. He totally gets me and my drama. He feels huge emotions too, sweepingly strong love, desperately black hatred - what's more, he created those emotions. I can come falling and crawling and crying, full of drama and he can handle it. He listens and I once again find him to be everything I need him to be.

One of my favorite dramatic musician friends is Bebo Norman. One of his songs is called Can't Live Without You.

You found me here
I'm barely breathing
You picked me up
But I'm still wanting more


You're the ocean deep
I'm in up to my knees
Wanting desperately to drown
You're the one bright part
Of my languid heart
You're the love I cannot live without
I can't live without


I can't live without you
Can you hold on, because you hold everything

Sounds like drama, but it's all true. This kind of drama, this acute knowing how much I need God, this desperation - this is the kind of drama I need all day long.

R<3

Thankfulness + Pictures

Hi friends, as you know, I'm coming up with 1000 things I'm thankful for, by inspiration of Ann Voskamp. I'm a little over halfway and it's been a good experience to do. I added some pictures of some of the things this time! 

Today is actually a good day to be posting this because it was a rotten, stinking, horrible no-good day. I'll confess I was whiny at some points. Yes, I was. I'm not going to pretend to be perfect.

624 catching up with my lovely friend Anna

625 savoring the Psalms

626 having an easier second semester

627 earning how to encourage by trial and error

628 wearing the green scarf my friend Sarai brought me from England

629 extra moments with God

630 Pastor Jeff discipling/playing chess with my brother Andrew

631 pumpkin soup with Jak at her house

632 a dad who wants to be involved in my life

633 chilling with my little sisters <3 <3

634 when coffee shops start offering pumpkin spice coffee instead of blueberry

In that last picture, it looks like my hair is red, but I assure you, it remains a blonde-brown color. I've been considering going red again, though. :D 

Much love and welcome to any new readers! I hope you enjoy it here in my little corner of the blogging world. 

R<3 

Listening to David Cook - Life On The Moon (this song describes my life exactly sometimes...:P)

I Decide

Logging into my school site this morning, I found out that my "October" semester actually began September 26th. Goodie, now I'm a week behind. Cue stress-crying, panic sweats and multiple attempts to despair. I called my heart-friend Emily and seriously just cried. She told me to climb that mountain and do some crazy work to catch up. I totally love my friends.

Another encouragement was this song. I can choose what I am going to do. I can cry and whine and give up (I've done plenty of that, lemme tell you) or I can get up, strap on my spiked mountain boots and climb.

Hey what up, schoolwork, 

You're my mountain. Because of the love that will not let me go, I'm swimming out of this ocean of panic and despair. I will climb you in the morning. It'll be hard, but you're here for a reason. You stay right there. I'll be back tomorrow.

R<3

Sharing Vs. Spilling

Tonight, I have a question and I don't quite know how the answer could or will come, so maybe I'll just hang it out there to dry. Where's the line between a healthy vulnerability and complete oversharing?


Shout out to my friends Vicki and Erin. Seriously, you two are amazing and I love you.

R<3

Listening to Semisonic - Closing Time

thankful with Ann -

604 that even permenant hair dye is temporary

605 reliable coworkers

606 chocolate chips and chunky pb

607 parents who sing together

608 a four inch tall pizza creation that involves the whole family

609 the color saturation in the early morning sky

610 the bass drum

611 purple hands from biking around when it's 34 degrees

612 wrong way signs

613 "renown" toilet paper at church ;)

614 George Swinnock

615 spearmint flavored floss

Thankful For The Sky

(credit)

thankful with Ann - 

569 malfunctioning internet

570 that the Father's mercy encompasses the farthest extent of my life

571 the front lawn of a gardener, flowers filling every space

572 that the sky is always there to be looked up at, to fill me again with awe and humility

573 glimmery wet grass

574 party in my room with six of my siblings and my friend Emily

575 texting Jak late at night

576 steamy pots of cinnamon apple tea

577 my friend Erin giving away her Bible to a girl she witnessed to

578 free food

579 my sisters unintentionally recreating a Chariots of Fire scene

580 how each season has a soundtrack

581 fresh flowers from the farmer's market

Happy Saturday! 

R<3

So Much Beauty

Tonight, I'm just thankful. There is so much beauty and love in my life. For those of you who recently started reading my blog, I'm over halfway through an awesome challenge that Ann Voskamp began. She even wrote a book about it - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are. I started my own list of 1000 gifts in Thanksgiving of last year and while I'm trying to list them and post regularly, part of me doesn't want this list to end. (Who knows? Maybe it won't. :D)

I have seen my heart developing thankfulness and I'm more aware of how blessed I am. It's exhilarating and humbling. I've found that no matter what nasty situation I'm in, I can usually find something I'm truly grateful for. I recommend starting a list like this.

Have a blessed night! I love all my amazing friends and readers in the blogging community! You guys are a big part of #546. :)

R<3

Listening to Mat Kearney - Closer To Love

536 knowledgeable staff at my school

537 a mom, dad and their little girl all outside drawing with sidewalk chalk

538 the smell of peaches

539 lanterns along a garden pathway

540 the rhythmic peace of walking alone

541 lots of people staying after the service for prayer

542 my resident's ability to make conversation in awkward situations

543 white flowers in bright red window boxes

544 midnight bike ride with moonlight and crickets

545 this stage of life with so many opportunities and possibilities

546 the inspiring people around me who dream freely

We're Going To Start Off With "Bye!'

(credit)

Prepare for a lovely, jumbled post. :)

School

• gives me a valid excuse to chain listen to David Cook and House of Heroes songs
• adds some much needed stress to my life (I kid, I kid)
• kills my social life (sorry bible study group...)
• excuses me to soak up some good ol' vitamin D while reading textbooks
• helps me stay huuuuuuumble... 'cause at one point, I thought I was a proficient writer...
• best of all - creates reasons for me to bullet-point in a post - OH JOY

Well, that's all for school talk. I suspect it bores you to hear about it as much as it bores me to do it. *scandalous*

My family was leaving for a day-cation and my clever sis wrote me this note.

We the people, to Ruthiey,

we're going to start off with "Bye!"

"We love you," for the middle. :)

and in closing; "See you soon!" Love, Esther

It still makes me smile.

I also wanted to share this piece from Spurgeon. I promise you, when I meet him in heaven, I'm going to give Spurgeon a big ol' hug. He struggled with gout and depression and had very difficult times in his ministry as a pastor and his everyday life (his wife was very sick), but he pressed on. Because he saw the big picture, he faithfully wrote a lot of beautiful things that have blessed, encouraged and convicted me, not to mention all the other people in times past. That being said, if you ever get a chance to read Spurgeon, take it. It is worth it.

I like him because he uses metaphors and since I liveandbreathe metaphors, he's right up my alley. :D Some writers from past time periods are hard to read, like... taking it three pages at a time is still mind-explosive and you have to re-read five times - Spurgeon is not like that. He's a clear and passionate writer. This is from his little book We Endeavour.

There is far too much teaching, nowadays, that will not comfort a mouse. You might hear it to all eternity and never be relieved of a single ounce of the burden of life. You might come in and out of the house of God and you might perhaps say, "Yes, it is very pretty." but what is that to a man who has the burden of life to carry and the battle of life to fight?

But when you hear the glorious gospel of the blessed God, it lifts you up out of your discouragements and makes you say, after all, "It is worthwhile to live, it is worthwhile to suffer, it is worthwhile to press forward; for we will see the great love the Lord has towards us and what good things He has laid up in store for them that love him." The Word of the Lord is like a fire, for it warms and comforts the hearts of his people.

Pray that blessed you like it did me! Anyone else excited for Friday tomorrow?!

R<3

Listening to House Of Heroes - Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da

thankful for -

508 emails from my babysitting kids

509 biking on fresh blacktop

510 discovering I like country music

511 school calenders

512 a hot day with cool breeze in the shade

513 waking up in a good mood

514 that little time between getting into bed and sleeping when I tell God things

515 getting my shift covered so I can go to a friend's wedding

516 pool hair

517 the way my mum calls my little sister 'babycakes'

518 beautiful earrings from Bialy

519 confessions, herbing and fly soup with Vicki

520 Jak having a safe motorcycle ride

Pick Your Spot

Ever thought about how loving people puts your heart in a really, really vulnerable place? I haven't thought about this often, but it's not called 'opening your heart' for nothing. Yesterday, someone close to me did and said something seemingly little that hurt me enormously. I had to struggle to put it into perspective and not react in my blind hurt. Because that person is so close to me, they have the ability to affect me like that. I wrote a poem about it just now.

here, here's my heart

I opened up my chest

go ahead, pick your spot

and remember it

when you tear me apart

because that staked-out

bit of my heart is

with you, for you

*********

Guest posting over at Vicki's blog today! I miss her and Erin lots! They're off on a missions trip and hopefully coming back soon. :)

Check out this amazing blog. Miss Elaini is wearing the same dress everyday for 100 days to raise money for orphans in India. She's almost done - onto her 92 day tomorrow and still needs to meet her goal. (And yes, I'm sure she washes the dress... that bothered me for a little while too :D).

R<3

Listening to OneRepublic - All This Time

(I cannot seem to get enough of this band! Aghhh, love them!) (photocredit)

A/C Reality

(credit)

dreams and reality

meet occasionally

at stoplights,

say 'hi' as they wait

for the signal, then

go their separate ways

you determine which

one you follow,

home

-brian miller at waystationone

***

Not much to say tonight, but I love that poem and the picture reminds me of Owl City, which always makes me happy. I have very little to say besides, I'm living in a TROPICAL CLIMATE. It's so humid here that I have never sweat so much in my life. Helps that our A/C is in disrepair.

I keep thinking, rather ironically about this hymn. Am I soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb... and must I be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas? If broken A/C is the trial I'm called to right now, then so be it. I'll try not to use the heat as an excuse to bite my sibling's heads off.

R<3

thankful for -

496 a present of fresh bread and bananas from our neighbor

497 orange tiger lilies in the morning sun

498 hugs from my oldest brother Daviey

499 waiting to go to brunch with Courtney

500 a haze-blue sky above quiet trees

501 a well-received risk

502 examples of humility

503 beginning a new journal

504 people who keep me grounded when I'm flustered emotionally

505 how pets understand when you're sad and try to comfort you

506 slowly learning that it's okay to be a slow learner

507 pineapple-blueberry fruit medley

Love People. Make Them Tasty Food.

I love the people in my life. I also love food. I have found a genius way to combine these loves that explodes in an tremendous display of joy. It all started with a bumper sticker.

Love People. Make Them Tasty Food.

(The period is important. We're not making people into tasty food - we're making tasty food for people.)

Because I was invited to a lovely dinner party last night, I made a very naughty and tasty dip that I found on Katie's lovely blog. It's called Blondie Batter Dip, but we called it Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. Somehow, I don't think she'd mind. ;) I added some of my own touches like, molasses and instant coffee which help it develop a deep carmel flavor. Here's the fun part, though. Pairing it with fresh fruit, Jak and I refused to tell everyone what the "secret ingredient" was until they'd all tasted it. They all loved it and couldn't guess that it was chick peas! We finally told them.

I love these people. Therefore I make them tasty food.

And then this morning, I made more tasty food. I made Barefoot Contessa's Mac and Cheese. It's delicious, hot and cheesy, with nutmeg and tomatoes! I don't know about you, but fresh tomatoes in pasta dishes make me swoooooon. Guess which peoples got this tasty food?
Yes, my family! They are back! I made them breakfast because they'd been driving all night. Yay! I'm so glad the house is busy and noisy again.

R<3

Listening to Relient K - Devastation and Reform

Celebrating

(photo credit)

There are lots of reasons to celebrate tonight. Here's just a few.

1) Every day of faith is a day of the supernatural work of the Spirit in our lives. -Josh Harris

2) My friend Courtney's birthday is today. Happy birthday, love. You are a light and a treasure.

3) N.D. Wilson made a movie of his book and it's fabulous. Blister your hands. Tend to the ants. Sing. Live the Story.

4) Cupcakes exist.

5) You read my blog. Thank you. You are very appreciated by this rambler. <3

R<3

Listening to OneRepublic - Apologize

Best Day Forecast

I started out the day of my big Marketing Communications test on the best foot with new socks (thanks Esther!), a cup of coffee (thanks Mum!) and journalling.
My dearest Mum drove me to my test. Funny fluke, my license had expired four days earlier and even though the likelihood of my getting pulled over was low, I still didn't want to drive. The test itself was surprisingly chill. I think I'd done my hyperventilating yesterday. I took a little over two and half hours to fill out thirty multiple-choice questions and seven essay questions. Although I won't know til it gets graded, I'm pretty confident I passed.

Then, Mrs. C picked me up and I got my license renewed. Yay, I won't have my eyes shut on my driver's license anymore! (Another story for another time)

After that, Emily and I hung out. I love this girl so much. I can't help it. She gives me my nose-crinkle smile. You know that person you can tell anything to? And those big, terrible secrets and fears you've been holding so deep just slip out when you're around that person? Emily's that person for me. I love you, babe!

Now excuse me as I try to convince Vicki to take up cooking. Fingers crossed! Thanks everybody for the prayers on my test. It was a good day.

R<3

Listening to After Edmund - Clouds

421 not hearing what people yell at me from their cars when I'm biking

422 sister dates

423 that He is able to make me who He wants me to be

424 the little nods runners give as they pass each other

425 warm downs after exercising

426 P90X

427 Ryan Kelly's voice

428 being able to choose gratitude

429 cleaning to techno music

430 Techno-Logic

431 my friend Adrienne and her taste in music

432 curly chimney smoke on a gray morning

433 spilling only half a glass of OJ

434 knee wraps

Happy Birthday, Kari Jo

I love my friend Kari Jo very much. She's beautiful, loyal and compassionate. Her birthday was yesterday and she took the entire birthday party over to having a packing party at Feed My Starving Children. She's a nurse and is planning to go work overseas eventually. Kari is someone who cares to know people, not just know about them. I remember good times going shopping at Cub late at night and all the texts we send each other and how when we're both old, with Alzheimer's, I'll be a Hoarder and she'll be a Wanderer.

I love you, Kari Jo and I know God does too. I'm glad you're around.

R<3

Listening to John Piper - War

The Glamour Of A Good Fight

"And of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand." ~Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

My dear friend Vicki shared this quote with me as a pep talk for my math. There's something raw and human about struggling. It surely would be dull if I were tremendously talented in every area. When I stop and think about it, I'm relieved to be somewhat stupid in math.

Wow, never thought I'd say that.

R<3

Listening to RushJet1 - Forgotten Planet

314 cloud shadows
315 words of hope
316 buttery-soft gray leather airplane seats
317 seeing the stars and moon from an airplane window
318 getting a new book from amazon.com

319 attending two weddings in one weekend
320 the sound of rain on the top of a car
321 the sounds of the house where I work as it's waking up - the rustling of the newspaper and the hum of an electric shaver
322 making strawberry pie with Abbie and Jak
323 having no internet for the evening
324 my brother Daviey's compassionate heart

Back On The Thankful Train

Remember when I said I was going to list 1000 blessings that I have in my life? Well, the ten a day counting didn't work so well, but I'm back on track, moving a little slower this time. I'm determined to keep posting. Being deliberate about thanking God makes for a much happier Ruthiey. ^_^ I have a big collection of ones that I've gathered over the past months, but I'm posting fifteen right now and I'll put little blurbs of ten or so after my coming posts.

My friend Tessa just asked me to be guestbook attendant at her wedding. I'm so excited! Hope you're having a fabulous day!

R<3

Listening to Enrique Iglesias - Amigo Vulnerable

131 fast and furious card games
132 waiting
133 coconut bonbons
134 Joseph being home
135 the song Evenstar
136 long snowy walks with frosty hair and chilly noses
137 christmas carol remakes
138 chocolate in general
139 my mug which survived a semi crash (I wasn't driving the semi :P)
140 indie boys with neckkerchiefs
141 youtube.com
142 notes from Oma
143 having my own laptop
144 christmas music at work
145 good communication with my bosses

Interview With A Vicki

Here ya go, folks. The thrilling interview with my dear friend Vicki. Here's her blog, if you wanna go stalk her. I highly recommend it. Sorry, I forgot to ask her about her two jobs, but enjoy the rest of her highly fascinating replies.

R: First off, what are you wearing?

Vicki: I am wearing a gray knit dress with a white fairisle pattern on the sleeves and embroidered flowers on the left side and red and pink striped tights. It's actually going to be my next Trendy Tuesday outfit. I'm also wearing dance shorts.

R: Where does your style inspiration arise from?

Vicki: The murky mists of the black lagoon! Actually, I like to wear things from different countries. Like, today is supposed to be Scandanavian and I also just like combinations of black and pink.

R: If you ruled a kingdom, who would be your second in command?

Vicki: Erin [my sister], because when there's a a decision to make, her heart is almost always right and my mind is almost always right. When we can't decide whether we should do something we've thought of, if her intuition agrees with my logic, then we know we should. Conversely, if my intuition says yes and her logic says yes, then we probably shouldn't, because her logic is bad and my intuition is bad

R: Do you really want the job as ruler of a kingdom?

Vicki: Nope, not at all.

R: If all the world's a stage, where does the audience sit?

Vicki: On the moon.

R: If you had to pick two musician's life work and two author's complete works to take with you on a desert island what would they be?

Vicki: I would bring C.S. Lewis and Solzhenitsyn. C.S. Lewis because he's my favorite to read and Solzhy because I want to write like him and for the music - that is really hard - probably Sibelius and Bach.

R: What is your most prized possession?

Vicki: Can it be collective? It would be my books. My language books and dictionaries.

R: So you can communicate to foreigners?

Vicki: Just for learning.

R: You're such a homeschooler.

Vicki: Oh, that's right, I'm not on a desert island anymore. I forgot and thought I still was.

R: Haha! No, now you get a $10,000 shopping spree to one store. What store would it be and how long would it take you to spend it?

Vicki: Well, I could probably spend $10,000 at a Barnes and Noble on books and music, but it would take a while. Maybe a year.

R: Pick a hair color for the entire population of the world.

Vicki: Blue.

R: Your favorite place out of doors?

Vicki: On top of a mountain, any mountain, but mountains in the southwest are better than in the east, because there are fewer trees and more rock.

R: What have you learned recently about God that means the most to you?

Vicki: That He really does sympathize with our weaknesses.

R: Tell me the story of your life.

Vicki: Well, I was born on Labor day and all the doctors thought it was funny and Mom didn't so much, but it's a really convenient birthday, because I always get a three-day weekend. Almost my whole life I've played the piano and taken some sort of dance lessons. I took voice lessons in Jr High too, but only for 6 months. I sang in a choir part of college, but now I just accompany kids' choirs. I wish I still sang in a choir.

I was always homeschooled, except I learned around with different people in high school. No, it was not hard to transfer from homeschool to college at all, because college is like homeschool more than it is like high school. At least, from what I've seen of high schools. I have two majors. I had to audition twice to get in for the music major.

R: And was that terrifying?

Vicki: Yes. Let's see what else... I have a doppelganger and people always mistake me for her. She also has blue streaks in her hair but my blue streaks are fading away. ...this isn't really the story of my life :P

R: What's your favorite flavor of icecream?

Vicki: Chocolate.

R: If you could have any pet, what kind would it be and what would you name it?

Vicki: Well, I used to have a bird, a cockatiel and his name was Kolo-kolo, but if I got another pet it would be a boa constrictor and I don't know what I would name it. Chompy, or Squeezy. There was a lizard named Slava once. Maybe I would steal that name.

The end! Enjoy! I love everyone who reads my blog and I am thrilled by every comment! And yes, the name of the post is a spin-off of Interview With A Vampire, but I was kind enough to not reference Tom Cruise. Oops.

R<3

Listening to Taylor Swift - Back To December

Revamping The Blog

Every time I put a new header photo up and start to reform the design of my blog, I always stop and ask myself, "What on earth were you thinking?" I never believe it's going to look good again and my blog will forever be in shambles. Yet somehow, it manages to come together every time. Check out the new design!

In other news, I did something brave today. First off, I went out for icecream with Mrs. C. That was a little brave in this cold weather. She was talking to me about friendship and said, "I've been praying and reading a lot about this lately and one thing has really stuck out to me. Christian brothers and sisters need to live in unity." Her words were an answer to prayer.

I've needed to talk to a friend about an issue we've had. I've been in this painful limbo for months, praying that God would either take the issue away or show me what to do. Mrs. C's words helped me decide that avoiding the issue wasn't helping. So my friend and I talked. It didn't fix everything, but we're on our way.

Furthermore, nothing and everything and tomorrow and the next day. ^_^

R<3

Listening to Brian McFadden - Almost Here