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!