I would change America to use the metric system

I think America should at least dual use the metric system. Only Myanmar, Liberia, and the US reject the system fully. All other nations use the metric...some in addition to other ways, but still!

Does this picture not look odd to anyone else?

Marathon runners already convert their miles into kilometers for races, so why not have everything dual listed? We have some signs that are primarily English with Spanish subtitles. I see nothing wrong with that as the US technically has no official language.

I mean, it's not like we have to do away with feet or inches, just let them share their glory. Maybe it's the pride of America in wanting to be one of the few left standing, but I know it'd be a lot easier to grasp directions foreigners tell me or find out the temperature when I'm in a different country if Uncle Sam would help me get used to the metric system here in American soil.
Let's start a metric revolution I say in this 53 degree Fahrenheit (12 degree Celsius) Texas weather!

Monday :: I like seeing my friends happy

I like to have influence. I like to have control. I remember the first time in the BATMAN ride at Six Flags, my friend Kristy told me how she gets on...telling herself she is in control. "I am moving my left foot now. My right foot will now step into the compartment.." and so on. If there is ever anything I can do for my friends I am more than happy to!

I love to give gifts, being of service or material. One of my favorite things to do is surprise my friends letting them know how I value them, and above all, God values them. This element of surprise may show up in a myriad of ways. I remember filling my friend's room with balloons as a few of us hid under them waiting to surprise. There was always Operation Texas snow in high school. Random trips across the country to spend birthdays together, or even planning a surprise party a month before the actual birthday!

But I think one of the greatest things is seeing people find the surprise in the Cracker Jack box. By that, I mean finding a beauty in what was right in front of their faces. The greatest gift I've ever been blessed to see a friend unwrap is not one found under the tree on Christmas morning, but in the manger. It's the journey that progresses through unwrapping the layers of our relationship with Christ so we grow nearer to the core. As much as I tend to like control, lately, I like not being in control. I like to know there is a sovereign LORD who has promised to complete the work He has begun in the lives of some of my friends and family. I like seeing clues as He draws them near and protects. Though I have nothing to do with giving the gift, I sure have enjoyed seeing the faces of individuals as they receive the gift! I like seeing them filled with joy!

I am so looking forward to next week!

In hopes I get over this small cold I am currently battling, next week should be absolutely amazing! You see, coming here, I worked every day up until Christmas eve! two straight weeks of labor intensive work...sundays included! This week consists of running around to all sorts of family affairs and trying to catch up with old friends...but next week! I'm going to Philly to spend time with amazing friends from places ranging from the happy heart state, to Greece, to Holland, to Portugal! I couldn't be more excited! My true vacation is coming at last!

My friend and I are going to run around New York for two days probably looking like a child the first time they see fireworks, just less crying involved. I can't wait to catch up and play with so many friends. It will be cold, allowing the excuse for stops for warm cocoa from random street shops and pizza the size of my head! I can't believe break is coming to an end so soon! so much to do still before school starts..like finding a job! lol. but alas, there is a week of serenity just ahead and i couldn't be more stoked for it!Watch out NYC! We're coming!

True Meaning

...Merry Christmas from this grateful sinner!

Tuesday :: Something I Would Change

I think one of the things I would change would be the educational system in America. I like the way the Europeans do it where you have 7 years to get your undergraduate courses completed for free from the government. Only if you do not get a degree do you have to pay. Why can't it just be that way? It bothers me to see my friends piling up in debt just in order to get a piece of paper that shows their educational endeavors. Tuition is ridiculous. That's all.

Dandelions

I love dandelions!
There is just something amazing to me about these multi-pored flower/weeds. I never liked blowing them to make wishes, but i did love to blow the seeds off of them knowing more would come the next season! I think my dad used to wonder where they all came from, but I confess...it was me! They were my favorite, how could I resist? I would view it as a challange to pick the few he would miss before he took weed killer to them and 'set them free' into the air. When you blew them into the air, their umbrella like seeds would float until resting upon their new homes in our backyard. The softness to touch and springy exterior was astonishing.

I miss dandelions in Arizona. And petting cacti just isn't the same as my friend taught me when she ran her hands into one once. Why doesn't Arizona have a dandelion equivalent? Maybe people would be happier and nicer to each other then! Why can't the world learn from Texas? :)

Please Tell Me I'm Crazy...

I met the love of my life today...but it costs forty-nine dollars!
Look how beautiful! I went to Barnes and Nobel today, because my old journal only has two pages left. It's only had two pages left for the past few days because I don't want to finish it until I have a new one! So today I went to go look. In most cases, I am intimidated by new jounrals...this is the first time I have ever finished one and it took me two years to do so! So it's a big commitment for me. I want one I'll love looking at and will be easy to close and write in. I don't want it having dark lines so I can't occasionally draw, but no lines with my handwriting is not a good match either! The large journals with 500+ pages are just so huge and would be a decade commitment for me! But this beauty is perfect! it's the same size as my Bible so it fits good in hand. It has greek imprinted so it reminds me of the new testament. The clasp is amazing and isn't an annoying wrap around that comes undone, but closes oh so nicely. It is a smooth leather so nice to the touch, not a rough leather that is scratchy and turns one away from journaling. It is inviting...it wants me!

So please tell me I'm crazy and shouldn't spend 50 bucks I don't have on this journal. I stood in there for 40 minuates and after looking at the price on this one, I couldn't find another journal I was willing to commit to.

...journals intimidate me!

Friday :: Something I Look Forward To

Oops..I'm 15 min past Friday! I realize I am looking forward to Christmas! The lights and lit candles dancing around the room in merriment as families sit down to share a meal together. It's a lovely image. My sister Diana is coming home for a whole week too and I can't wait to catch up with her! One of the greatest parts about Christmas is no school! It's a chance for me to clear my head, pray for next year, and even earn next month's rent by working for Santa! One of my joys is always meeting up with a few heart friends and visiting Marcus HS to see Herbst.

I love working for Santa too...gotta love the stuff kids come up with to ask him. My favorite this year is a boy named Dominic who was asking me to get the inside scoop from Santa on how he could grow up to be Buddy the Elf....not be like..but he wanted to grow up to BE an Elf! Even after passing out in the mall today, he was released from the hospital and went back to work 4 hours later...now that's dedication from Santa!

And then I can't forget Portuguese Black Death! Christmas Eve we always go over to my Aunt Angie's and Uncle Al's place for the meal. My Aunt Angie is an amazing cook! Truly! SO she makes typically 7-8 desserts for 12 people! One of these desserts could feed us all easily! SO we each die just a little sampling a piece of each. But it is an amazing tradition. Then my dad comes home and watches Scrooge...a different version every year.

Bring on the Merriment! You can keep your egg nog, but leave the rum cake and portugese friojsh. Bring on the family! Bring on the Scrooge! Just leave the Bah-Humbug behind! And if even for a day, find joy in even the red and green combination! :)

Thursday :: Something I Miss

The Puppy!

It is nice to be at home knowing if you drop that piece of food on the ground, Vegas will be right there to pick it up. Don't want to turn on the heater to save some money? Summon Vegas over to sit on your feet and warm them! She'll even sit there and shake...we'll, until something shiny distracts her at least!

So puppy, don't feel lonely! I'll be back in January!

Don't give Kim too much trouble! ;)

Wednesday :: Something I Dislike

Segueing from yesterday, I also cannot stand Christian bumper stickers! I do not put one on my car because I know I do not always drive in a manner worthy of displaying Christ's love. I even find myself saying, 'ah, those Christians!' as a mom with a fish on her minivan cuts me off! There are maybe only two people I have met who I approve of them displaying them on their car...but overall I feel they do more bad than good! So no more Christian bumper stickers in production would be ok with me! And if you have some, maybe put them on a nalgene instead of a car!

So no white minivan, I will not wish I had Jesus stickers, I'd rather share through good actions and not the occasional sinful driving. Thank you.

Tuesday :: Something I Would Change

The first and foremost thing I would change would be the Arizona Driving test! It must not be too complex or of much quality seeing the type of people who drive on the Arizona highways everyday!

It's kinda like having a bunch of monkeys driving on the roads! I mean, do you really need to cut across five lanes of traffic just to pass one guy as you realize your exit is in two miles?

Turn off your cell phone! Turn off your blinker that's been on for the past 537 minutes! Maybe turn your blinker on when you are changing lanes! Just maybe?!?

Get a new license system so 65 year-olds don't have the same picture as when they were 16. Just gain some common sense and courtesy! If I think you are a bad driver..you probably are, so get off the road already!

Monday :: Something I Like

There is nothing I really enjoy more than sitting by a lake, campfire, or with friends in the middle of nowhere worshiping God. I wish I could play guitar at all or sing better, but I absolutely love random worship times with friends. I remember once a couple of years ago, the ASU Navs went to the 24 hour praying event at ASU and some of us ended up singing praise for almost three hours! I remember at a Pine Cove No Agenda retreat, Kayla and I sat on a fence post for a while singing "You Said" over and over again. Jason, Katy, and whoever else was lucky to be sitting in the back of a truck with us would bust out in song on numerous occasions freshman year.

There is just something about the body of Christ coming together to sing his praise. Even in Holland at the retreat in Belgium or the car rides with my team in New Zealand coming home to Palmy from Wellington...I'll always remember singing "never let go" as the lightning bolt struck while thinking of God's power silenced us all.

selah

Texas has a lot of football fields

Starting tomorrow...I'm stealing my friend Gabe's idea for blogging. Though my reasons aren't the same as his, I appreciate the thought to force myself to blog daily for at least a week. It;s good for me to just get my thoughts out there and so on...so starting tomorrow, here's what I'm blogging.

* Monday is something I like (mostly just to get in a good mood for the week)
* Tuesday is something I would change (because after Monday there’s always something I would change)
* Wednesday is something I don’t like
* Thursday is something I miss
* And Friday is something I’m looking forward to


Today; however, I've been thinking about Hebrews 11. It is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible as the first verse states, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I like that thought...that even though I may have no idea where God is leading in life, I can trust in him by faith that He will see me through. The chapter then goes on talking about the Biblical celebs and discussing how they "by faith" overcame great trials.

I was talking about love with a good friend over lunch and how she felt she can't fall in love ever. We also discussed love being an action instead of a series of words. I was thinking about this passage though, what if instead of putting "by faith," it read, "by love." These people displayed their love for God through their obedience to God. No matter how scary or how much opposition they faced. Thinking about this passage through a lens of love encourages me as I seriously consider future options. I'm 80% in one direction and this is as a result of what I've seen God do so far and trying to figure out how I can best glorify him.

Friends, PLEASE

By love push through this economic crisis.
By love, live a life above reproach.
By love, spread the good news through your life and (when necessary) with words.
By love, pursue Christ first, no matter what others say or do.
By love, reach up and out.
By love, live.

wanderings

i like to wander.

When I think about life, be it pas, present, or future, i wander. I could drive for hours just singing along to my radio and processing life. Be it that I'm broke and gasoline costs something foreign to me at the moment referred to as money, I went to walmart the other night just to wander.

There is something peaceful to me about people watching...maybe that's creepy. But i like to make up stories about people based on their purchases or attitudes. It's fun to watch two teenagers play Bon Jovi's "wanted" song on rock band caring less who all is standing around watching. I enjoy the smiley sticker as I enter the store. I always wonder if the lady in the fabric department does much of anything after 8pm and if she really enjoyed her job. I watched the loneliness in the night stalker's eyes as he dropped the frozen chicken onto the floor. I felt for the couple in the checkout line in front of me as they had their newborn with them. I can't imagine being in the financial situation where the only time you can go shopping is at 11 at night and you can't leave your newborn at home.

i like to wander.

things that make me smile...

Proof of God's Presence

I made a new friend at a lake the other day...

...I call him Howard.

stagnant movement

ik fint
ik hop
ik ga
ik loop
ik ben

the basics are what spiral around
starting over
empty canvas

start from scratch
relearn to function
do not pass go

ik fint
ik hop
ik ga
ik loop
ik ben

the brain tells the hand to move
the wind shifts direction
voltage forces movement

forgotten how to move
only the volt can know
back to basics

ik fint
ik hop
ik ga
ik loop
ik ben

a waste of printing ink and air time

do you know why I'm glad this election is almost over? propaganda.

I can't stand the political bashing on commercials or the surplus of signs on a street corner. Does David really need 6 signs within 2 inches of each other saying he is running for AZ senate? I'm done...my vote is in....vote how you will, I'm not gonna tell you how to vote. I'm not even going to tell you how I voted! Let's get it over with!

I Am Not Ashamed

>God gave us His Son,
The sinless One to be sin for us

That we might be the righteousness of God.

Your Kingdom has come, we’re being changed into Your likeness

Children of light, it’s our time to arise

I am not ashamed, I know whom I’ve believed

For God Himself has come to me,

Now Jesus is my destiny.

I know I am changed and all You’ve given me,

This hope, this love, this life,

I can’t deny Your power within me

So here I am,

Send me.

Verse 2:

Now we are in You and you have given us Your message:

To tell the world be reconciled to God.

Your favour is here in this day of salvation,

Now is the time, let Your glory arise!

Bridge:

Purify us, Lord

So we’re spotless and pure

As we hold our Your Word

To this generation.

How can they hear,

How can they believe,

How can they call on Your name

Unless we tell them? (2x)

donuts

Why are spare tires referred to as donuts anyway? Is it because with donuts you are not able to go as fast? Or that although not a healthy meal, donuts get the job done?

Anyways, my day is filled with one donut. There is a large screw lodged into the side of my rear tire. I had to change to me spare donut and go t Discount Tire so they could order me a new one. These are to make my dad proud.

(you can see the screw on the bottom of the tire
in the trunk photo on the right)

Thus, the shiny object distracted snail gets blocked by a cyber stick that transports him through a wormhole and thus he is unable to move the centimeter he was supposed to today. The week drags on.

life...for sale as is

I feel like the week of midterms runs by so quickly, the following week feels as if it must move as a snail distracted by a shiny object just to make up for it. My co-worker and I thought it was Wednesday all day at work today...wishful thinking i suppose.

I was reading Ecc. 9:10 today that reads, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." I'm working two jobs currently on top of school and my ministry with the Navigators. I started off making $7/ hour at one job with no responsibility and after 3 weeks got a $1.50/hr raise! I started my other job making $9/hr and yesterday got a raise to $13 an hour and a higher position. I thank God that whatever job I have i tend to advance quickly. I'm a hard worker...my parents trained me well is what my bosses always say. I enjoy doing my work well.

These two women, one from Texas, the other from Hawaii but both vacationing in AZ, came into the Halloween store today. They both were very amiable and offered me numerous job options they thought i would be successful at due to my personality. It was cute. I don't know them, but they encouraged me to do well in my classwork and to move to either Texas or Hawaii after graduation.

And thus, monday is almost over...bring on the weekend!

friends

With my friends, i tend to categorize different songs or colors or dance moves to them in my head...so as I was thinking about that tonight, i thought I'd list a few...

• Diana (sis) - She's a Rainbow- Rolling Stones (also anything from MXPX, slowly going the way of the buffalo)
  
• Brent- Honey- Moby
• Ariel- For these moments I feel faint- Relient K (also Oops I did it Again- Brittany Spears)
  
• Alexa- Engage- Pax 217
• Alissa- Paralyzer- Finger 11
• Katy- For Good- Wicked (also Forever by Papa Roach and any country song ever basically)
  
• Ms. Escalante- We didn't start the fire- Billy Joel
• Marcel- Bad Day- Daniel Powder
• Janeen- Phil Collins- the song with the gorilla on the drums ;)
  
• Jean- Doom song- gir
• Kayla- you said- shane and shane
• Immanuel- Texican Style- Los Lonely Boys
• Dad- Copenhagen- Robert Earl Keen
• Billy- You're So Vain- Carly Simon
• Peggy- vamos a la playa
• Boo Boo- Lo -Flo Rida (also the techno song sandstorm)
  
• Sarah S.- the way you move- outkast
• Mariam- geek in pink- Jason Mraz
• Brad- "doctor, doctor i've got an emergency..."
• Sarah B.- Newsies
• Laura- Suckerpunch- Five iron Frenzy (also, raindrops keep fallin' on my head)
• Mom- wouldn't it be lovely- My Fair Lady
• Andra- Ms. Jackson-
  
• Andrea- the office theme song
• Amber- Let's pretend we live in Antartica- Of Montreal
• Christa- Satan is my Motor- Cake
• Nurge- Places you have come to fear the most- Dashboard
• Sonia- Sunrise, Sunset- Fiddler on the Roof
• Diana A. - ghetto- from Hardball
  
• Joran- All Star- Smashmouth
• James- Crash- Dave Matthews Band
• Lauren M.- gold digger- Kayne West
• Bethany- Extreme Days- Toby Mac
• Jeremiah- she will be loved- maroon 5
  
• Jordan- You gove love a bad name- Bon Jovi
  
• Emily C. - Barracuda
• Alissa- School's Out- Alice Cooper
• Josh B.- Sweet Child O Mine- Guns and Roses
• Josh M.- Beverly Hills- Weezer
• Amy- Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
• all my NZed friends- I am not ashamed
• Krystal- That's How you Know- Enchanted soundtrack
  

I know there are people and songs I am forgetting...but it's bedtime! Are there any songs you think of when you think of me?

is there such a thing as a cursed blessing?

As much as I would like to erase parts of my memory, I cannot. Sometimes I cherish my photographic memory, especially in times of testing or photography. Other times I wish I were blind.

I still remember introducing the two. A bond formed so quickly the answer to who came up with the idea alludes all of us in the story. I had a best friend and a new friend I thought would fit in perfectly. They fit great as new best friends; my old inside jokes and memories just were not enough anymore. I was ditched and these two girls explored a new territory I was unwilling to go to. One introduced the other to new friends of cigarettes and tequila. In return, those friends introduced her to Heroin and Ex.

I would be more involved in work and keeping up with the friends she turned away from, instead of biking across town to her house anymore. After the incident, I would find myself driving past her house on my way home from work praying as I passed and thanking God I had enough gasoline in my truck to make it home most nights.

I still remember her face thinned more with drugs than age had ever done before. Her fingers wavered ever so slightly as her yellowish nails struck the lighter to ignite the flame. She offered both explanations and apologies for her betrayal of my friendship and trust, and like a pressured customer at Walmart I bought the blue light sale item as soon as I recognized the deal. When I was driving home, I remember thinking if I should keep the purchase or return the as-is item for something else. I kept it. And along with it I kept the trust I thought I could give to another best friend for a very long time. No matter how much we both wanted things to go back to how they were, she didn't want to leave behind her new friends. And I knew with my whole heart I could not accept them. It would be 2 years before God blessed me with amazing friends I felt I could trust. I still cherish them so incredably much.

You only get out of something what you put in I've realized. If I put in no trust, how can I expect any in return. But to be lied to and betrayed was a feeling I had to deal with between the painted blue nails and those yellowed ungroomed ones.

She left the drugs and years later we are now in communication again. I suppose tonight, I just had a snipit of my photographic memory come back, and I'm wondering why. Where do I go from here?

pondering

NAV ATTACK in New Zealand before glowworms

NAV ATTACK in Arizona on camping trip

...some things are universal! :)

Alicia doesn't believe it is fall unless there are actual trees with leaves that change color around. if i see one more green palm tree...

I feel gypped by fall in Arizona. Where are the leaves to be crunched?!?

It is technically autumn, but there is no trace of it in the 100 degree heat and eye-glaring sun. I miss having seasons. Where's the fun in knowing everyday is going to be bright and sunny and when you get to school your back will be filled with sweat from biking. It's gross I know! Maybe I keep sleeping through my alarm because for even just a moment more I'd rather stay in the cool house dreaming about the fall days I remember from my youth. How do kids her have any creativity without leaves or ice to play in? There are somethings I'll never understand. Here's to my last year (hopefully) living without an actual fall.

run, run, run

I feel like now that I'm working I've started running to catch up with life again. SO remember that post about my alarm clock? It came back to attack me like a caged wildebeest who had been prodded one to many times before it's release. Yesterday, I missed two out of two classes -and an in-class quiz to boot- because I just didn't hear it! I even turned it up as loud as possible the night before so i could hear it! False. No success, which leads to my now messed up sleep schedule. I woke up for work today which was good, but now after not doing as well on an online test as I had hoped, I linger for tiredness to befall me so I can attempt to wake up for my classes tomorrow.

I feel like I should start one of those paper chains counting down the number of days until winter break. As desperately as I want out, I don't. I wish I knew what God wants me to do next year! Maybe I'll start claiming that I'm a sophomore or freshman so people stop asking what I'm doing next year.

Also, I needed (yes, needed) a Chai latte from Starbucks on my break today. As I swiped my debit card, I realized that my $4.16 was approximately 35 minutes of work time earnings I had just spent. Needless to say, no more Starbucks for a while.

Spirit Halloween

So I started my new job today at the halloween store. Funny how i keep finding seasonal jobs! Who knows, if Vikki is doing it, maybe i'll work for Santa again too! Anyways, I was just realizing how odd our conversation would sound to others.

"Hey, i need more blood hand prints over here!"
"Has anyone seen a sexy nurse?"
"Here's a few more skeletons for display."
"If I find one more unattached mullet!"
"I have an unarmed officer here, anyone seen the guns?"

That, along with cutting open hundreds of boxes never knowing what you'll find in them made for one interesting day! From a box of nice pumpkin buckets to a light-up throbing heart, I was kept on my feet! Needless to say, first test of the year in art history tomorrow! Bible study last night was amazing as well! Thanks for the prayers!

God reminds even fools.

I think way too often we get in the habit of hearing and not listening. Redundancy is important. Too often we hear the same things over and over and over, but they don't actually sink in. Like, I love you. Just because someone tells you that everyday doesn't mean you get it.

I started thinking about this because this morning I didn't wake up when my alarm went off. I got so used to the noise that it didn't affect me anymore. It became a clanging I could just tune out.

The beginning of another school year always seems to affirm me of Christ in my life. My old pastor wrote a book on the Bema seat and around a decade ago i went to a Teen Mania production of the book. Recently, i found a revival Teen Mania did of this play just last year and have been watching it online. It is such a good reminder of the power of God. You see, however human we are, when we walk in the Spirit, God will use however much we give of ourselves for his glory.

One of the things I love most about it, is the reminder that our struggle with sin will one day be over! I've never been imprisoned by some court here in the U.S. or elsewhere for that matter, but I have felt the bondage of sin. I imagine my first breath of free air being like that f the Count of Monte Cristo when he escaped his wrongly imprisonment and stood on that cliff side breathing in deeply.

I learned a lot in New Zealand, but part of me was thinking a lot about the 1000 years we'll all be back on a perfected earth. I was thinking of how I want to take my family to hike fox glacier and see bluer waters than I had ever before imagined. I was thinking about how I want to go with Mai to see Tokyo as she could show me where she lived and I was thinking about how I could retrace Paul's steps all over Europe with him and he could retell his story of God blinding him. Sure, the mountains and everything I experienced in New Zealand were beautiful, but it was nothing to the beautiful hearts of the people I met there.

There is a line in the Teen Mania production that struck me coming from the main character to his school mate, "I realized, that becasue she loved him, she had loved all of us." I only pray that I could do this reflecting Christ to those I meet.

What a difference one day makes.

my habit

My roommates think I'm funny, but there is just something about fresh, clean sheets that I love!

I feel like I sleep better. And knowing how much I love clean pillows, I decided to wash my sheets a couple of nights ago yet again. Nevertheless, I feel well rested!

Love it!

gefeliciteerd!

ariel's reception is in Holland this Sat. I was honored to be there in person! congrats again Kontz family.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I don't feel ready for my first class in the morning. I already took 4 online quizzes for my 2 online classes and have until Sept. 18th to read two chapters on Elvis and the Beatles. I want more of a challange.

I feel like this summer has flown by so quickly. I haven't even had time to process! I'm trying, but anxious to see what God has in store for this year. I hate misunderstanding, and sorting through this summer's events has been mentally draining for me.

I need a job. This is probably on top of my need list. Rent is due the first of the month and my tuition stipend has that covered, but then October will be close.

I am a senior. I don't know what I want, or what God wants of me after I graduate.

I just wanted to type. Somehow writting out my thoughts makes them seem more real.

*Breathing*

I'm Back!

America, America. "Welcome home," said the passport controlman at the L.A. airport.

Thank you passport man. Thank you.

World Cup- nope

My team is GONE! Goodbye Netherlands. I can't believe we lost again! At least it wasn't to the Portugese again! Next time. Orange unite!

adventures

i depart tonight for New Zealand. 14 hour flight! Pray my luggage stays with me this time. I had some difficulty with my Phoenix to San Fransisco flight and had a 5 1/2 hour delay in the desert. Katy, thank you so much for waiting so long to pick me up! Anyways, this morning I finally got my luggage from that friday flight, just in time to leave again! but m mom taught me well, i packed all my california clothes in my backpack just in case. Turns out it came in handy! Be sure to check my NZ blog at www.aliciainnewzealand.blogspot.com for updates while I am abroad!

I may not have internet for a week, so happy birthday Randy and Brad! I value your friendships so much!

i could have danced all night...

Tonight I was able to see the Broadway Revival of My Fair Lady! It was one of the musicals my mother and i would watch when I was younger. The others were The Music Man and the Sound of Music. I paid my $10 (yay for student pricing!) and took my seat. As i looked through my playbill I noticed a familiar name from my survey of musical theater class. Mrs. Higgins (Henry Higgins mother) was to be played by Marni Nixon!!!

In case you don't know who that is...it is this woman!

Sister Sophia from The Sound of Music. The one singing about how perhaps Maria isn't a problem after all but a "A will-o'-the wisp!" She also was the voice of Maria in West Side Story and sung for Aubrey Hepburn's part in the original My Fair Lady film! She has other credits, such as, Grandmother Fa in Disney's Mulan and the voice of Deborah Kerr in The King and I. At the age of 78, she was still a joy to watch on stage.

I'm really glad I went to the theater tonight!

Abee and the Screaming Monkey

Tejas..the sightseeing that matters

I hadn't written about my Texas trip yet...but it was good!

(sorry mom...you are in the back of dad's cripple pic, but it's hard to see!)

to whom it may concern...

I really like minigolf and visiting friends!

Goodbye Cruel World!!!

Today I lose an amazing roommate and friend. Alissa showed me a little bit more on how to accept love from others and aided in God's breaking down my pride through finances. She listened when I needed to tell things I couldn't share with others and allowed the occasional rant. We laughed at the same spots in movies and ate our body weight in Popsicles. I've never rocked out in cars so much or seen her car swaying in the wind. We walked to class together and took Costco trips primarily for the free samples. We sat indecisive for long periods of time and sat avoiding homework on our laptops for even longer periods of time!

Alissa...thanks for being there for me this semester! Hopefully I'll get to see you and the Cubbies in Chicago soon! Drive safe and ticketless!!!

what an amazing day!

This was my day.

• wake up
• go to church
• lunch
• help Maggie move in
• swim for hours with friends
• play baseball with a boofie board in the pool as a bat
• shower
• pizza
• hours of Mexican Train dominoes
• cake and coke floats
• 27 dresses
• *smiling*

So glad summer is officially here!

no substitute

There is just nothing like the smell of rain. No replacement whatsoever. There are a lot of things i miss living in Arizona. I miss water being around and lakes to sit by. I miss sitting on a dock reading or writing in my journal. But one of the things I miss most is the smell and feel of rain.

I'm sitting in my sister's house with the windows up letting in the cool breeze the rain has supplied. I am embracing this sensation as long as I can before I start heading back out west in the morning.

I think Abee likes it as much as I do.

I see the fire in your eyes...and I hope for the world that it never dies...

Well, I'm now in Austin. My time in North Texas was really made precious by the time I spent with my parents, grandma, and 5 amazing friends i got to chat with individually and catch up with. (Kayla, I'm sad it didn't work out for us!) Anyways, for those asking, my dad's knee surgery ewnt well, but I ended up staying an extra day in town nonetheless.



Now I'm in Austin with my sister and brother-in-law. We saw an AMAZING rendition of Much Ado About Nothing at Zilker Park. It is pretty much my favorite free outdoor theater ever! I saw West Side Story here a few years ago which began my huge Musical Theater interest. Well, that and a good friend I met in college who did high school musical theater. I still feel as if I'm on Arizona time!



Happy memorial day...and thanks to all of you serving or who have served. Erik, thanks for your sacrifice bro. You deserved the purple heart and I'm praying for a swift recovery and delayed time away from the line!

Congrats Neil & Sara!!!

Goodbye Junior Year!

This is the Nav Year end video I made for our Navigators at ASU. Enjoy! It is divided into three parts for uploading purposes.

one more day of finals...

i am an art major, but I'd rather have a real degree! Nevertheless, I love this song!

Laying in bed with lights off for almost three hours until now and still no sleep

self diagnosis :: Delayed sleep phase syndrome

this has been going on for at least a month! I've tried nyquil, reading, waking up ridiculously early the next day so as to 'fool' my body to sleep early the next night..all sorts of things and no luck! I'm getting tired of this! I want my zzzzz's! at normal times! not 5am-3pm!

what happens at asu?

I am now a wallbanger! (racquetball player!)

Soo..today i sold this book back...




And was able to buy this!!!

Can today get any better? I submit that it can not!!!

SInce When Did I Become Nocturnal?

I feel like life right now is being lived on the border. Much like our boat race the other week. I'm at the edge of sanity with finals looming in the next week and a half as well as working at keeping my scholarship once again. I've been sleeping a lot lately. Too much I feel like.

I haven't found something out here is Arizona to do to relax. No special place by Grapevine lake to sit or no hilltop in Heiloo with an amazing view of the stars. Tonight I tried driving around, bike riding, going to the dollar theater...and yet no luck. I feel like I have no place out here to call my own. I would really like to find one here before my time is up!

Twenty dollars for 30 allergy pills?!?

This morning I was a little scatter-brained as I woke up and got ready for class. This was in large part due to the fact I woke up only ten minutes before my bus! But I made it! I swiped my sun devil bus pass and began to take off my backpack to sit down. I must've been moving slower than normal due to my drowsiness, but as the bus driver took off with a jerk, I remained with my arms tangled in my backpack. Trying to grasp what was happening I lost balance and began to fall. I pulled the back off and tried to regain balance, but it was too late. I fell halfway onto some other student/stranger's lap and quickly moved back into my seat apologizing! We both laughed about it and put our ipods back into our ears.
So ends the tale of my crazy bus ride.

LEATHERHEADS

THIS IS AN AMAZING FUN, CLEAN FILM! A MUST-SEE! AND JOHN KRAZINSKI KNOWN AS "JIM" FROM THE OFFICE IS IN IT. FIVE STARS!!!

-ALICIA D. GARCIA

did you know Xena is in Spider-man about 55 min. in as a "punk rock girl?"

The other day, my roommate told me a story about

racquetball

it is the only sport where you can be staring at the ball an hit it on the back of your head simultaneously! And man do i LOVE it! I got to play Ultimate last night for the first time in a while too! But racquetball!!! I want to buy my own racket now!!! but that can wait until i have money!

What is a tree's favorite type of fruit? - a PINE-apple!

I've been in a weird place lately. Not necessarily spiritually, but thinking about a certain situation a lot. Sometimes I start imagining how things could work out a certain way or fall into place. I know...i know...we make plans and God laughs right? But, sometimes it is nice to dream. I feel like there is a lot going on around me lately. Like a cyclone is all around me and i am in the calm eye seeing it all occur. I want to jump in and be in the game with everyone else but fear stops me. I'm afraid to be hurt. I push away when all I desire is to be drawn in.

But here I stand in the the center with my dreams, thoughts, and schoolwork while the drama swirls around. My dreams begin to be sucked into the drama and yet I want to keep them here far away from corruption and someone being able to steal them away. My vision gets foggy as the cyclone whips across my face and I squint to still be able to see clearly.

I love the fact Solomon was the wisest man ever and the first thing he talks about is dealing with the opposite sex! Psalm 118:9 says, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." Though talking about political leaders, I like to think of it as a reminder of the old christian cliche that 'a woman should be so lost in God that a man has to seek God to find her.' So that's what I'm working on...getting lost in God. I pray one day God has a future husband who seeks Him and isn't afraid to pursue me!

Cassavettes

You know how you always say you want famous friends? These three Texans were on newspaper staff with me! Glenn was our editor. I think they sound awesome..just wanted to share!

kindergarten

what happened to the good 'ole days when life was easy and less complicated? Boy had cooties and girl's status were ranked by Lisa Frank stickers and Beanie Babies? I miss the simple days. Can we go back, even if just for a week to de-stress and eat some glittery paste?

Acts 20:22-24

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the LORD Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Jobs That Are A Joke- Weatherman in Phoenix!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PBXSAFIjge8

I couldn't embed the video because it is a public service announcement...but it cracks me up! This is life (and weather) in Arizona! Enjoy!

(be sure to watch it until the end)

Easter '08

There's no better way to celebrate the ressurection of Christ than with my brother and sisters! (both present and over the phone!)

Rom. 8:39-40

far away

Today was the first official day back at school since Spring Break. I say official because most of my Spring Break consisted of homework for school. I would much rather still be in California...even with the Dinosaurs.

some things are universal...like Texans

Over the weekend on the drive out to Irvine, there was an SUV with Arizona plates. Next to the plates was a Texas flag sticker! The driver made an extra effort to pull up next to my Texas plated Honda and gave a simple nod of approval. In the parking lot at the Rangers/Cubs game was the single most Texas plates I have seen n the same spot since moving out here to Arizona. You know what, I love the Texan pride. One day, I yearn for my kids to understand the pride and experience it themselves. I miss that here. As I think and pray about my future and where God will lead, I feel he wants me away from Texas for at least a while...but I wouldn't complain if I ended up back there someday. As the speakers in the Rangers Spring Training stadium blared...

God blessed Texas.

I'm going to New Zealand!

http://aliciainnewzealand.blogspot.com/

dad, i missed you at the game.

So I am in the middle of my Spring Break thus far. This is what I've accomplished::

• washed and waxed the car
• worked on my papers/misc. homework
• cleanedthe car interior and filled with gas
• address fundraising letters
• cleaned my desk
• slept in
• rented a movie
• did laundry
• payed the electric bill
• went to my first spring training game
• met Fergie Jenkins and Ron LeFlore!
  

i wanted to buy this hat on the top left!


Ron LeFlore!

Fergie Jenkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOF 1991.