It's been a year since I posted a recipe creation/adaptation of mine, so here you are! I made this yesterday for my parents and some long-time family friends who are missionaries with Wycliffe. It turned out better than I expected! Maybe if I get REALLY bored planning my lectures this week, I'll add some of my previous attempts at mole sauce, homemade chili truffles, black bean stew, gazpacho, and whatever else I've come up with since I've moved back to Seattle!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
3-4 large chicken breasts
3 T olive oil
4-6 cloves of garlic (minced)
2 chopped onions
cumin and chili pepper to taste (I used several teaspoons of each, it just depends how flavorful you want it)
2 cups of chunky salsa (I used 1 cup of hot and 1 cup of medium salsa)
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 can or half of a frozen bag of corn kernels
1 can black beans, rinsed
1/4 c lemon juice
~80 oz of chicken broth (more if you want it to be less thick)
for garnish/side:
tortilla strips (I recommend Mission brand)
Monterrey jack and cheddar
sour cream
salsa
limes
1. In a large stockpot brown chicken breasts in oil (if you're short on time, you can cut the chicken in to smaller pieces), but don't worry about cooking them through. With the heat still high, add garlic and onion and saute until they start to brown as well.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
3. Remove chicken breasts (or pieces) and shred them with two forks. Add shredded chicken back into the soup, turn off the heat and stir well.
4. Serve soup with cheese, sour cream, salsa and lime to garnish. Tortilla chips can be added to the soup, or you can put a handful at the bottom of the serving bowl before adding the soup on top. Either way, the corn chips will take on some of the liquid and will taste great in the soup!
Serves 8-10 for a main dish or more if it's a side. I served the soup with more chips/salsa on the table and with warmed hand made tortillas from Trader Joes. It turned out very well! Just the right amount of broth/substance ratio for my taste, and was perfectly spicy (for me who likes a little fire).
Enjoy!
12.29.2008
12.24.2008
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
(an email I received from Sojourners today...I thought I would share it with you)
'It has since become our Christmas tradition, kind of our own Charlie Brown
Christmas special, if you will. With the ongoing conflicts raging during each
passing year, it remains tragically relevant.
Silent Night, by Stanley Weintraub, is the story of Christmas Eve,
1914, on the World War I battlefield in Flanders. As the German, British, and
French troops facing each other were settling in for the night, a young German
soldier began to sing "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht." Others joined in. When they
had finished, the British and French responded with other Christmas
carols.
Eventually, the men from both sides left their trenches and met in the
middle. They shook hands, exchanged gifts, and shared pictures of their
families. Informal soccer games began in what had been "no-man's-land." And a
joint service was held to bury the dead of both sides.The generals, of course,
were not pleased with these events. Men who have come to know each other's names and seen each other's families are much less likely to want to kill each other.
War seems to require a nameless, faceless enemy.
So, following that magical night the men on both sides spent a few days
simply firing aimlessly into the sky. Then the war was back in earnest and
continued for three more bloody years. Yet the story of that Christmas Eve
lingered - a night when the angels really did sing of peace on earth.
Folksinger John McCutcheon wrote a song about that night in Belgium, titled
"Christmas in the Trenches," from the viewpoint of a young British solder.
Several poignant verses are:
"The next they sang was 'Stille Nacht,' 'Tis 'Silent Night'," says I.
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky
"There's someone coming towards us!" the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one lone figure coming from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
As he bravely strode unarmed into the night.
Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeeze box and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men.
Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night
"Whose family have I fixed within my sights?"
'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone for evermore."
My prayer for the new year is for a nation and world where people can come
out of their trenches and together sing their hopes for peace. We here at
Sojourners will carry on that mission, and we invite you to continue on the
journey with us.'
I hope that you are with family and friends during the holidays. Join me in praying for peace, understanding, love, acceptance and action in the coming year. A better world is possible, and to prove this, we only need look to the baby born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. He is the reason I celebrate.
Merry Christmas!
12.22.2008
It was a long and dark December, from the rooftops I remember there was snow. White snow.
~Coldplay (Violet Hill)
Perhaps when it is not my choice to be at home, I get less done because there are no deadlines, the days sort of blur together and I quickly fall into lazy complacent-ness. Ick. Get me OUT of here. I've got two days until Christmas. It's time to forget about the weather and focus on Jesus' birth and all of the joy, thankfulness and meaning this event carries. Maybe when I do that, I'll have something worthwhile to blog about.
The upshot of all this snow is that people should complain less about the rain when it comes.
Meanwhile, check out these two sites. Disclaimer: you may wet yourself.
FAIL Blog
Overheard Everywhere
Arctic Blast 2008. Seattle Snowpocalypse. The worst snow storm in 12 years.
Whatever you call it, it sucks to be in the Pacific Northwest right now. I remember a time when I anxiously awaited every dusting of snow in the hopes of canceled school and sledding down our insanely steep hill. In 1996, the other bad Seattle snowstorm, some idiot neighbor kids waxed a surfboard and asked for trouble. I vividly recall one of them smacking square into the back of a car parked at the bottom of the hill and sliding under it. My parents always said the same thing: "the snow is fun to look at, but such a pain to drive in!" (which is semi-funny because I think my mom has driven in snow about twice in her life)
After living through two winters in Bend with my rear-wheel drive vehicle and never having to put on my chains, I thought nothing could stop me in Seattle! I was wrong.
After a dusting of snow two Saturdays ago, followed by fairly intense ice the next morning, I hoped that was the sum-total of the Seattle "wintery weather." Ah, the pain of wishful thinking. Wednesday, all of the local schools canceled school in anticipation of a storm that didn't come until Thursday morning. Right when I needed to head to work. At 6:30am, we already had an inch at my house and my best efforts to make it up our hill failed. I called into work, went back to bed, woke up several hours later and was shocked to see over five inches on the ground and snow still falling. It went on like this for a couple days, with, of course, some wind and continual sub-30 temperatures. At this point, I haven't driven my car in five days, missed two days of work, missed seeing a camp friend from this summer get married, had to cancel a much anticipated trip to Portland, and am so sad to hear of friends and family not able to make it home for Christmas. We've probably amassed over a foot in a few days, and apparently more is on the way.
So, am I jaded just because I'm an adult? I don't remember being so stir-crazy in 1996. Part of that probably has to do with the fact that my brother isn't here with me. He's always a good source of entertainment and laughs. I should be happy. The snow is beautiful if you have nowhere to go (which I don't, really), Christmas is rapidly approaching, I'm already home (so traveling here isn't an issue) and I went snowshoeing for the first time in my life yesterday which rocked my world. So awesome.
I've had a tough time with Christmas this year. I get so sickened and frustrated with the to-do lists, the obligations and obligatory gift-giving, the busyness and the lack of focus on the true meaning. Granted, I think it is important to completely separate commercial/american christmas from Christmas, but still, I can't help but shake my head when I see TV commercials, overhear stressed-out housewives or realize that I myself have done little to embrace the advent season.
Being stuck at home is a weird thing. Some people (my mother) are excited to have an excuse to stay home (though cabin-fever is setting in and she just started to play the piano for the first time in about 10 years), while others (my father) look for anything they can do to combat idle hands. My dad has shoveled the stairs more times than I can count, taken care of every chore imaginable, has gone on a couple of walks with me, and went into work today not because he had to, but (I wager) just to get away. I'm in-between. As I've written about before, I've been slowly turning into an introvert over the last couple of years and heartily enjoy a day to lay on the couch in my fleece robe with some tea and an amazing book. However, apparently when I'm at home against my will, things get ugly. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent on the internet (I think I should give up Facebook for Lent this year), how many movies I've watched and I'm sad to report that all of these free days have resulted in exactly zero hours of work on my chemistry lectures for next quarter. Professor Klug needs to get her ass in gear. I did bust out the sewing machine to make my parents legitimate stockings and a running hat for myself to replace the one I lost at the finish line of the Seattle Half Marathon last year. Yay productivity!
Perhaps when it is not my choice to be at home, I get less done because there are no deadlines, the days sort of blur together and I quickly fall into lazy complacent-ness. Ick. Get me OUT of here. I've got two days until Christmas. It's time to forget about the weather and focus on Jesus' birth and all of the joy, thankfulness and meaning this event carries. Maybe when I do that, I'll have something worthwhile to blog about.The upshot of all this snow is that people should complain less about the rain when it comes.
Meanwhile, check out these two sites. Disclaimer: you may wet yourself.
FAIL Blog
Overheard Everywhere
12.07.2008
Gigantic, a big, big LOVE
~Pixies ("Gigantic")
Transportation in Panama consists of an insane amount of taxis who LOVE to rip off gringos, some personal cars (often utilizing the hazard lights for no apparent or logical reason), and these lovely works of art. Diablos Rojos (red devils). Look familiar? When school buses in the US are decomissioned, they are apparently sent to Panama. Paint them insanely, write the destination on the front window, charge $0.25, and that's your public transportation. Needless to say, I was strongly advised not to ride one, though I wish I had.
Those of you who know me are aware that I have a fairly large distaste for being a "tourist." I much prefer going off of the beaten path and meeting locals. But, since my days and transportation were limited, I decided to hit a few of the high points in Panama City. This, my favorite picture from the whole trip, is part of the ruins of a church in Casco Viejo, the old French Quarter near the canal (the French actually began the construction of the canal before the US took it over). My trip to Casco Viejo was fraught with hilarity. I woke up that morning with a terrible cold, but was determined to do some solo adventuring, so I set out on foot from my hostel through some fairly seedy parts of town to arrive at my even seedier destination. I think everyone should experience (at least once) being the only white person in a crowd of thousands and being one of the tallest (this wins you double-stare points), while simultaneously being cat-called in English and Spanish, trying to figure out where exactly you're going and protecting your belongings. It was FUN. The best part of the day, bar none, was on my walk to Casco Viejo when two police officers "pulled me over" in their van and told me that I should not be walking on the street I was on because (and I quote): "the bad guys will get you on this side of the street." Hmm. Luckily, Casco Viejo (where several parts of Quantum Solace, the new Bond movie, were filmed) had some very pretty views of the Pacific Ocean. Below, you can see the end of the Causeway (three islands connected to the mainland with earth from the canal excavation) and the plethora of ships (dotting the horizon) waiting to enter the canal.
The Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal was an interesting experience. I think the excitement came more from having to walk around the museum with all of my luggage than seeing two gargantuan cruise ships leaving the canal, but it was still pretty cool. The canal trip takes roughly 24 hours to travel 50 miles (and wait a whole lot), and involves three locks. Miraflores is the first locks for a ship entering the canal on the Pacific Ocean side. They just passed an initiative to widen the canal, so I got to see some rock-blasting in progress. Perhaps the most shocking figure is the toll. Up to $240,000 for a large freight ship. Holy crap! Doesn't that water look yummy? 
My hostel deserves its own blog post. Hostel Mamallena, though not in the most convenient or safe area of the city, had a surprisingly helpful staff, nice accomodations and story-worthy folks. My first night, I got a photoshop lesson from a Scottish photographer while inhaling intense amounts of his second hand smoke (the whole pack, I might add). The second day, while minding my business and eating my morning pancakes, I met a Colombian guy who took to making very specific observations about me ("you look young," "you're a very happy person," "you're cute," "you seem innocent," and it gets better...). So, for the rest of my time at Mamallena, I took to reading and relaxing on the front porch to escape the chain-smoking club, annoying drunk Americans from the south who thought they were God's gift to foreign and economic policy, CRAZY old Canadien men, the coke-twins and the Colombian. But, he kept finding me and instead of taking the hint when I went back to reading, started laying on the "compliments" even more, which culminated in "why are you so beautiful?" At this, I had to get up and leave before I barfed. The next day, exclaiming "suerte!" (what luck!), he gave me a kiss on the cheek to say goodbye while clutching a well-wrapped package (I'm guessing it was weed) to mail to himself and offering me a joint. Luckily, Al (a radical Irish cyclist who loves Beirut) dissolved the weirdness by asking for a kiss too. Thanks, Al.
But, of course, the best part of the trip was seeing my good friend Rachel marry her now-husband Horst Martens on the beach at Coronado following an intense drive through flooded zones and washed out bridges. I met so many special folks at this wedding (Colombian, Panamenos and American) whom I will always remember. Rachel had Dengue Fever the two weeks prior to the wedding, but was a trooper and either really was almost healed on the wedding day or was amazing at faking it. It's amazing to think of how the average bride would react to contracting a disease that could threaten not only her "big day", but also her life, but this woman is far from average. I always enjoy a wedding that comes together perfectly, but is done simply, smart and sans stress.
It's 2am. I should be asleep, but I'm full of sweets and coffee since I worked late tonight. So, I figured it was time to update all of my faithful followers on the latest travels to the Central American country of Panama (though, I never did really write about Europe, which I still should do at some point).
So...on to Panama. In short, I'm really glad I went, though my first foray into traveling by myself was a bit different than I pictured. It was a trip of many mixed emotions, varied experiences (some laughable, some enjoyable, some barely tolerable), huge amounts of sweatiness and hardcore cankles (what's up with that?)! After five days of sun and high 80s, the mid-40 degree days we're having in Seattle right now was a huge shock to the system! Sadly, I took fewer pictures than I meant to, and most of them are underwhelming at best. But, I found a few that will go along nicely with some stories from the trip!
Transportation in Panama consists of an insane amount of taxis who LOVE to rip off gringos, some personal cars (often utilizing the hazard lights for no apparent or logical reason), and these lovely works of art. Diablos Rojos (red devils). Look familiar? When school buses in the US are decomissioned, they are apparently sent to Panama. Paint them insanely, write the destination on the front window, charge $0.25, and that's your public transportation. Needless to say, I was strongly advised not to ride one, though I wish I had.
Those of you who know me are aware that I have a fairly large distaste for being a "tourist." I much prefer going off of the beaten path and meeting locals. But, since my days and transportation were limited, I decided to hit a few of the high points in Panama City. This, my favorite picture from the whole trip, is part of the ruins of a church in Casco Viejo, the old French Quarter near the canal (the French actually began the construction of the canal before the US took it over). My trip to Casco Viejo was fraught with hilarity. I woke up that morning with a terrible cold, but was determined to do some solo adventuring, so I set out on foot from my hostel through some fairly seedy parts of town to arrive at my even seedier destination. I think everyone should experience (at least once) being the only white person in a crowd of thousands and being one of the tallest (this wins you double-stare points), while simultaneously being cat-called in English and Spanish, trying to figure out where exactly you're going and protecting your belongings. It was FUN. The best part of the day, bar none, was on my walk to Casco Viejo when two police officers "pulled me over" in their van and told me that I should not be walking on the street I was on because (and I quote): "the bad guys will get you on this side of the street." Hmm. Luckily, Casco Viejo (where several parts of Quantum Solace, the new Bond movie, were filmed) had some very pretty views of the Pacific Ocean. Below, you can see the end of the Causeway (three islands connected to the mainland with earth from the canal excavation) and the plethora of ships (dotting the horizon) waiting to enter the canal.
The Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal was an interesting experience. I think the excitement came more from having to walk around the museum with all of my luggage than seeing two gargantuan cruise ships leaving the canal, but it was still pretty cool. The canal trip takes roughly 24 hours to travel 50 miles (and wait a whole lot), and involves three locks. Miraflores is the first locks for a ship entering the canal on the Pacific Ocean side. They just passed an initiative to widen the canal, so I got to see some rock-blasting in progress. Perhaps the most shocking figure is the toll. Up to $240,000 for a large freight ship. Holy crap! Doesn't that water look yummy? 
My hostel deserves its own blog post. Hostel Mamallena, though not in the most convenient or safe area of the city, had a surprisingly helpful staff, nice accomodations and story-worthy folks. My first night, I got a photoshop lesson from a Scottish photographer while inhaling intense amounts of his second hand smoke (the whole pack, I might add). The second day, while minding my business and eating my morning pancakes, I met a Colombian guy who took to making very specific observations about me ("you look young," "you're a very happy person," "you're cute," "you seem innocent," and it gets better...). So, for the rest of my time at Mamallena, I took to reading and relaxing on the front porch to escape the chain-smoking club, annoying drunk Americans from the south who thought they were God's gift to foreign and economic policy, CRAZY old Canadien men, the coke-twins and the Colombian. But, he kept finding me and instead of taking the hint when I went back to reading, started laying on the "compliments" even more, which culminated in "why are you so beautiful?" At this, I had to get up and leave before I barfed. The next day, exclaiming "suerte!" (what luck!), he gave me a kiss on the cheek to say goodbye while clutching a well-wrapped package (I'm guessing it was weed) to mail to himself and offering me a joint. Luckily, Al (a radical Irish cyclist who loves Beirut) dissolved the weirdness by asking for a kiss too. Thanks, Al.But, of course, the best part of the trip was seeing my good friend Rachel marry her now-husband Horst Martens on the beach at Coronado following an intense drive through flooded zones and washed out bridges. I met so many special folks at this wedding (Colombian, Panamenos and American) whom I will always remember. Rachel had Dengue Fever the two weeks prior to the wedding, but was a trooper and either really was almost healed on the wedding day or was amazing at faking it. It's amazing to think of how the average bride would react to contracting a disease that could threaten not only her "big day", but also her life, but this woman is far from average. I always enjoy a wedding that comes together perfectly, but is done simply, smart and sans stress. One of my favorite memories from the trip was when Rachel was asked at her bachelorette party (somewhat in jest) what her favorite physical trait of Horst's was. Her reply: "I dunno...his face I guess?" It was very clear to me from her answer to this and other questions that Rachel doesn't give two hoots about that crap. She loves Horst for Horst. It's not infatuation with fleeting good looks, success or riches. They are companions, best friends and lovers. It is so obvious how deeply their love runs by observing their interactions. That's a big, big love!
When we went hiking in the jungle my last day in Panama, between breathing heavily and sweating through my shirt, I asked Rachel what her favorite part of marriage so far was. "I love not having to leave and night and waking up next to him in the morning," she replied. Waiter, I'll have some of what she's having.
Felicidades, mis amigos. Dios les bendiga.
Felicidades, mis amigos. Dios les bendiga.11.24.2008
The sun risin', dangle in the...Golden and fair, in the sky
~Fleet Foxes (Sun it Rises)
I should be working on homework as the quarter is on its way out. But, instead, I finished a book this morning while sipping green tea in the sunlight and beauty of Lake Sammamish. My tea is cold now and, while I sit at my desk with no view and no sunlight, I don’t want to write a paper on my philosophy of education: I want to write about the book.
A friend of mine, Holly, recommended Through Painted Deserts to me at camp this summer. It was one of those books that she hugged herself and closed her eyes when she talked about it. I thought I should give this one a try if it meant that much to her. So, I went and picked it up at a bookstore before I left for Europe, not knowing the interesting parallels it would have to my life in real-time.
The book chronicles the pilgrimage of two guys in their young twenties, road-tripping from Houston, Texas to Oregon and their experiences along the way. I started it on the plane to Germany and thought it funny that I was leaving home (though my home has been transient for years now in some sense) as the two men in the book. One had never seen Oregon, and the other hailed from Oregon but had roamed around the country with no money, a crappy VW van and no timeline, priorities or agenda. He did whatever he wanted and allowed himself to meet and get to know people along his journeys, working odd jobs for cash, living in the woods and climbing mountains whenever he got the chance. Sometime I think that taking a year off and doing something like that could be a very important experience for me. I would do it in a heartbeat.
I have wanted to hike the Grand Canyon for a long time, and found myself in the pages of their painful, exhausting and awesome experience, wanting to go even more. I talked to my friend, Andrew, that night and we penciled in the end of September 2009 to make a trip all the way down the canyon. I can’t wait. Throughout the trip, surviving on pocket change, benevolent mechanics and free meals, the guys have many important and somewhat profound conversations in the absence of a car stereo. They also begin to realize that God has things to teach them through coincidental occurrences.
As they arrived in Oregon and the author beautifully describes the terrain and smells, it made me feel as though I had never left. They stopped for gas in Eugene, continued on to Portland in I-5 and over to Sisters via highway 26 through Gresham and Sandy on their way to work at Black Butte Ranch, which was less than an hour from where I used to live. I have traveled these roads numerous times and enjoyed reading his impressions of Mt. Hood and central Oregon in all of its late-spring splendor. He names each of the mountains that I saw every day on my drive into work, and experiences the high desert view of the stars. Breathtaking, I can tell you.
It made me miss Bend a bit. But, more than that, it made me grateful for the experiences I’ve had in the last few years. I am lucky and I need to remember that, especially in the midst of putting off the piles of homework I need to do, realizing how much weight I’ve gained in the past year, commuting to Seattle too much, fighting feelings of interest in a boy who will probably never return my feelings and learning how to live at home again. I am blessed. I live in a beautiful place, have been privileged to see and learn many amazing things both in the US and abroad, and most importantly, have met outstanding people everywhere I have roamed. How much more impacting are those relationships and experiences than my souvenirs and photos, or all of my possessions sitting at home?
That is what these two road-trippers come to at the end of the book. They decide that maybe the answers to life are much simpler than we think they are. Maybe life is all about taking time to breathe, enjoy and experience God’s creation and goodness and love the people he has put us on earth with. And, letting ourselves be loved.
Oh, and yes, the book is by Donald Miller.
But don’t take my word for it...
I should be working on homework as the quarter is on its way out. But, instead, I finished a book this morning while sipping green tea in the sunlight and beauty of Lake Sammamish. My tea is cold now and, while I sit at my desk with no view and no sunlight, I don’t want to write a paper on my philosophy of education: I want to write about the book.
A friend of mine, Holly, recommended Through Painted Deserts to me at camp this summer. It was one of those books that she hugged herself and closed her eyes when she talked about it. I thought I should give this one a try if it meant that much to her. So, I went and picked it up at a bookstore before I left for Europe, not knowing the interesting parallels it would have to my life in real-time.
The book chronicles the pilgrimage of two guys in their young twenties, road-tripping from Houston, Texas to Oregon and their experiences along the way. I started it on the plane to Germany and thought it funny that I was leaving home (though my home has been transient for years now in some sense) as the two men in the book. One had never seen Oregon, and the other hailed from Oregon but had roamed around the country with no money, a crappy VW van and no timeline, priorities or agenda. He did whatever he wanted and allowed himself to meet and get to know people along his journeys, working odd jobs for cash, living in the woods and climbing mountains whenever he got the chance. Sometime I think that taking a year off and doing something like that could be a very important experience for me. I would do it in a heartbeat.
I have wanted to hike the Grand Canyon for a long time, and found myself in the pages of their painful, exhausting and awesome experience, wanting to go even more. I talked to my friend, Andrew, that night and we penciled in the end of September 2009 to make a trip all the way down the canyon. I can’t wait. Throughout the trip, surviving on pocket change, benevolent mechanics and free meals, the guys have many important and somewhat profound conversations in the absence of a car stereo. They also begin to realize that God has things to teach them through coincidental occurrences.
As they arrived in Oregon and the author beautifully describes the terrain and smells, it made me feel as though I had never left. They stopped for gas in Eugene, continued on to Portland in I-5 and over to Sisters via highway 26 through Gresham and Sandy on their way to work at Black Butte Ranch, which was less than an hour from where I used to live. I have traveled these roads numerous times and enjoyed reading his impressions of Mt. Hood and central Oregon in all of its late-spring splendor. He names each of the mountains that I saw every day on my drive into work, and experiences the high desert view of the stars. Breathtaking, I can tell you.
It made me miss Bend a bit. But, more than that, it made me grateful for the experiences I’ve had in the last few years. I am lucky and I need to remember that, especially in the midst of putting off the piles of homework I need to do, realizing how much weight I’ve gained in the past year, commuting to Seattle too much, fighting feelings of interest in a boy who will probably never return my feelings and learning how to live at home again. I am blessed. I live in a beautiful place, have been privileged to see and learn many amazing things both in the US and abroad, and most importantly, have met outstanding people everywhere I have roamed. How much more impacting are those relationships and experiences than my souvenirs and photos, or all of my possessions sitting at home?
That is what these two road-trippers come to at the end of the book. They decide that maybe the answers to life are much simpler than we think they are. Maybe life is all about taking time to breathe, enjoy and experience God’s creation and goodness and love the people he has put us on earth with. And, letting ourselves be loved.
“I’ve learned, too, that I don’t really know very much about
anything. I mean, I used to have all these theories about life. I
thought I had everybody figured out, even God, but I don’t. I think the
woods, being away from all the clingy soot of commercialism, have taught me life
is enormous, and I am very tiny in the middle of it. I feel, at times,
like a droplet of water in a raging river. I know for a fact that as a
grain of sand compares in size to the earth itself, I compare in size to the
cosmos. I am that insignificant. And yet the chemicals in my brain
that make me feel beauty when I look up at the stars, when I watch the sunset,
indicate I must be here for a reason. I think I would sum it up this
way: life is not a story about me, but it is begin told to me, and I can
be glad of that. I think that is the why of life and, in fact, the why of
this ancient faith I am caught up it: to enjoy God. The stars were created
to dazzle us, like a love letter; light itself is just a metaphor, something
that exists outside of time, made up of what seems like nothing, infinite in its
power, something that can be experienced but not understood, like God.
Relationships between men and women indicate something of the nature of
God – that He is relational, that He feels love and loss. It’s all
metaphor, and the story is about us; it’s about all of us who God made, and God
Himself, just enjoying each other. It strikes me how far the commercials
are from this reality, how deadly they are, perhaps. Months ago I would
have told you life was about doing, about jumping through religious hoops, about
impressing other people, and my actions would have told you this is done by
buying possessions or keeping a good image or going to church. I don’t
believe that anymore. I think we are supposed to stand in deserts and
marvel at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to sleep in meadows
and watch stars dart across space and time. I think we are supposed to
love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful, calming why
of life. I think life is spirituality” (244-245).
anything. I mean, I used to have all these theories about life. I
thought I had everybody figured out, even God, but I don’t. I think the
woods, being away from all the clingy soot of commercialism, have taught me life
is enormous, and I am very tiny in the middle of it. I feel, at times,
like a droplet of water in a raging river. I know for a fact that as a
grain of sand compares in size to the earth itself, I compare in size to the
cosmos. I am that insignificant. And yet the chemicals in my brain
that make me feel beauty when I look up at the stars, when I watch the sunset,
indicate I must be here for a reason. I think I would sum it up this
way: life is not a story about me, but it is begin told to me, and I can
be glad of that. I think that is the why of life and, in fact, the why of
this ancient faith I am caught up it: to enjoy God. The stars were created
to dazzle us, like a love letter; light itself is just a metaphor, something
that exists outside of time, made up of what seems like nothing, infinite in its
power, something that can be experienced but not understood, like God.
Relationships between men and women indicate something of the nature of
God – that He is relational, that He feels love and loss. It’s all
metaphor, and the story is about us; it’s about all of us who God made, and God
Himself, just enjoying each other. It strikes me how far the commercials
are from this reality, how deadly they are, perhaps. Months ago I would
have told you life was about doing, about jumping through religious hoops, about
impressing other people, and my actions would have told you this is done by
buying possessions or keeping a good image or going to church. I don’t
believe that anymore. I think we are supposed to stand in deserts and
marvel at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to sleep in meadows
and watch stars dart across space and time. I think we are supposed to
love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful, calming why
of life. I think life is spirituality” (244-245).
Oh, and yes, the book is by Donald Miller.But don’t take my word for it...
11.19.2008
it was not my imagination?
~The Cranberries (Just My Imagination)
Signs of the apocalypse. Let me set the scene for you: January 5, 2009, around 10:30am, this girl will (perhaps) realize that she is about to step into a college general chemistry course at SPU for the first time. "What?" you say. "Katie, you took general chemistry in 2002 at SPU!"
You're right. But this time...I'll be teaching it. Oh holy night. In some strange twist of fate and/or gross overestimation of my skills, I've been hired as a full-time adjunct Chemistry professor at SPU for winter quarter and for one class spring quarter. I have an office. A computer. A teacher's edition of the textbook. A barf bag on hand for when I come to my senses and realize I'm going to be responsible for about 75 university students in less than two months while also taking my own university courses. My professors, now peers. My peers, now my sheep to herd. The universe may implode.
A view of the registration options:
..and, get this: they're trusting me to teach an upper division PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY course! It's going to be quite an eleven-week cluster#%*@.
Join me, if you will, on this six month adventure as I learn to teach high school Chemistry while concurrently teaching university Chemistry. You thought I dropped off the face of the planet while I was in graduate school in Oregon? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Signs of the apocalypse. Let me set the scene for you: January 5, 2009, around 10:30am, this girl will (perhaps) realize that she is about to step into a college general chemistry course at SPU for the first time. "What?" you say. "Katie, you took general chemistry in 2002 at SPU!"
You're right. But this time...I'll be teaching it. Oh holy night. In some strange twist of fate and/or gross overestimation of my skills, I've been hired as a full-time adjunct Chemistry professor at SPU for winter quarter and for one class spring quarter. I have an office. A computer. A teacher's edition of the textbook. A barf bag on hand for when I come to my senses and realize I'm going to be responsible for about 75 university students in less than two months while also taking my own university courses. My professors, now peers. My peers, now my sheep to herd. The universe may implode.
A view of the registration options:
..and, get this: they're trusting me to teach an upper division PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY course! It's going to be quite an eleven-week cluster#%*@.
Join me, if you will, on this six month adventure as I learn to teach high school Chemistry while concurrently teaching university Chemistry. You thought I dropped off the face of the planet while I was in graduate school in Oregon? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
11.11.2008
Do you want to see the world? Do you want to see the world in a different way?
~The Kooks (“See the World”)
It’s been quite a year (or two) for me in terms of re-evaluation self and calling, mixed with attempts to simultaneously move forward towards that ever evasive “person I’d like to become.” It feels closer than ever before. My beliefs, politics, lifestyle, perspectives and perceptions of myself have all come under intentional attack this year. Even my hobbies and interests are different now (I had a hard time recently getting my friend Jason to believe that I just don’t care as much about sports as I used to!). Helped along my journey by amazing friends/mentors, experiences, some amazingly poignant books and speeches, I have changed profoundly. I sometimes joke with friends that if I had actually found someone to marry in college, he wouldn’t recognize me anymore. I have so many people to thank for their contributions to this woman ever in search and need of progress.
If you’ve been a reader of my blog since its inception in 2006, you may recall my struggles with the harsh reality of living alone when I was in graduate school in Oregon. It’s easy for phrases like “we were created to be in community” to enter one ear and quickly exit stage left, but it’s harder to ignore when it’s being lived. Reduced to my two Chemistry courses, my Tai Chi class, knitting and watching an unhealthy amount of movies (thanks to the modern phenomenon of Netflix), I found myself locked up in my personality-rich ancient studio apartment the majority of my six months in Eugene with very little personal interaction. Thank God I didn’t know about YouTube then, or it would have been worse!
As much as I have wished to live alone again at times in the past two years and find that I am becoming more of an introvert, I always recall this experience and will forever use it as a metric for evaluating unhealthy levels of solitude, especially when I’m not using that solitude for personal growth. Community is an amazing gift and, even when it’s slightly-to-extremely uncomfortable at the outset, getting involved and being truly known are human responsibilities and rights.
Community, in many varied forms, has inspired, spoken truth, challenged and encouraged me into significant change. A recovering legalist from my teen years, I have been so blessed to be in conversation with folks that have called into question the stereotypically held “Christian” views on marriage, life, science (this, obviously, has been a big one for years, since I’m a scientist), following Jesus and, most importantly, emphasized an imperative quality of a Christ-follower: thinking for oneself! There is a big movement among certain groups of Christians that desires to be told what to believe, how to act, what not to do and how to vote. This scares me. I don’t believe this is Christ’s design for the church. We need to learn to discern, think, study, converse, debate and wrestle with the tough issues, not just take what our pastor or someone else we deem “smarter” or more “godly” says as the final word.
Oftentimes, though, it’s hard. It feels like a burden and I get unmotivated very easily. So, I have learned that the best way to force myself to continue running toward single-mindedly following Christ is to place myself in situations and around people that require me to face the person I am and come to grips with the sickness, pride, idolatry, self-centeredness and emptiness in my life and my utter need for Jesus. Not to say that I try to make myself feel poorly just for kicks, but I do try to be real and consider what needs to be done to “point this ship in the right direction.”
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This is getting long and I didn’t even broach any of the specific topics I’ve been pondering lately. Perhaps another day.
It’s been quite a year (or two) for me in terms of re-evaluation self and calling, mixed with attempts to simultaneously move forward towards that ever evasive “person I’d like to become.” It feels closer than ever before. My beliefs, politics, lifestyle, perspectives and perceptions of myself have all come under intentional attack this year. Even my hobbies and interests are different now (I had a hard time recently getting my friend Jason to believe that I just don’t care as much about sports as I used to!). Helped along my journey by amazing friends/mentors, experiences, some amazingly poignant books and speeches, I have changed profoundly. I sometimes joke with friends that if I had actually found someone to marry in college, he wouldn’t recognize me anymore. I have so many people to thank for their contributions to this woman ever in search and need of progress.
If you’ve been a reader of my blog since its inception in 2006, you may recall my struggles with the harsh reality of living alone when I was in graduate school in Oregon. It’s easy for phrases like “we were created to be in community” to enter one ear and quickly exit stage left, but it’s harder to ignore when it’s being lived. Reduced to my two Chemistry courses, my Tai Chi class, knitting and watching an unhealthy amount of movies (thanks to the modern phenomenon of Netflix), I found myself locked up in my personality-rich ancient studio apartment the majority of my six months in Eugene with very little personal interaction. Thank God I didn’t know about YouTube then, or it would have been worse!
As much as I have wished to live alone again at times in the past two years and find that I am becoming more of an introvert, I always recall this experience and will forever use it as a metric for evaluating unhealthy levels of solitude, especially when I’m not using that solitude for personal growth. Community is an amazing gift and, even when it’s slightly-to-extremely uncomfortable at the outset, getting involved and being truly known are human responsibilities and rights.
Community, in many varied forms, has inspired, spoken truth, challenged and encouraged me into significant change. A recovering legalist from my teen years, I have been so blessed to be in conversation with folks that have called into question the stereotypically held “Christian” views on marriage, life, science (this, obviously, has been a big one for years, since I’m a scientist), following Jesus and, most importantly, emphasized an imperative quality of a Christ-follower: thinking for oneself! There is a big movement among certain groups of Christians that desires to be told what to believe, how to act, what not to do and how to vote. This scares me. I don’t believe this is Christ’s design for the church. We need to learn to discern, think, study, converse, debate and wrestle with the tough issues, not just take what our pastor or someone else we deem “smarter” or more “godly” says as the final word.
Oftentimes, though, it’s hard. It feels like a burden and I get unmotivated very easily. So, I have learned that the best way to force myself to continue running toward single-mindedly following Christ is to place myself in situations and around people that require me to face the person I am and come to grips with the sickness, pride, idolatry, self-centeredness and emptiness in my life and my utter need for Jesus. Not to say that I try to make myself feel poorly just for kicks, but I do try to be real and consider what needs to be done to “point this ship in the right direction.”
11.07.2008
"I was playing some stinky, filthy, manky chops..."
"...Jemaine: you had some rotten mutton on the grill
Bret: just some off rhythms, really
J: you had some decomposing flesh on a skillet
B: just rancid grooves, i was layin' on 'em
J: the...skanky...beefs beats you were laying down"
~Flight of the Conchords (spoken word)
A girl sitting at home with a bad cold found this on the interwebs today. It brought her much happiness. (It's long, but really worth it. Their banter is better than their music, I think)
Anyone who has known me in the last five months knows I'm a bit of a fan of Flight of the Conchords from New Zealand. I blame it on my coworker in Bend, David, who played Business Time for me at work in May...I then proceeded to watch pretty much all of their stuff on YouTube that day (at work) and form a slight celebrity crush on Jemaine (like about a million women on this planet). At camp this summer, I found several fans of the group and we had all sorts of inside jokes involving lyrics to various songs. The theme of the summer with me and my good friend Sonja was from their song The Most Beautiful Girl (in the room): "Lookin' round the room, I can tell that you are the most beautiful girl in the...room...and when you're on the street (depending on the street) I bet you are definitely in the top three..."
Sonja and I, along with two other friends from camp (Jenni and Andrew) came up to Seattle for SubPop's 20th anniversary show at Marymoor. We didn't get tickets because they were sold out, so we spent the afternoon dodging police officers and security personnel telling us to go across the street (what the heck? they're sold out - let us loiter!), all to hear the Fleet Foxes, Iron and Wine and Flight of the Conchords. Well worth the almost getting arrested part. I'll post my one video from my favorite song, Jenny, later.
Fast forward to last week, when all of my hopes were dashed: Jemaine got married in August and his wife just gave birth to their son, Sophocles, a week or so ago! What? Jemaine - I thought we really had something...Blast :) I'm "over" it now, but I am considering forming a support group for all the women who are quite disappointed.
A couple of days ago, I found their first TV appearances in New Zealand in 2000 (two years after they officially formed). Let's just say, they've really come a long way with their banter, humor, comedic timing, musical abilities and songwriting in eight years.
I recommend them highly, especially if you just need to smile.
Bret: just some off rhythms, really
J: you had some decomposing flesh on a skillet
B: just rancid grooves, i was layin' on 'em
J: the...skanky...beefs beats you were laying down"
~Flight of the Conchords (spoken word)
A girl sitting at home with a bad cold found this on the interwebs today. It brought her much happiness. (It's long, but really worth it. Their banter is better than their music, I think)
_____________________________________
Anyone who has known me in the last five months knows I'm a bit of a fan of Flight of the Conchords from New Zealand. I blame it on my coworker in Bend, David, who played Business Time for me at work in May...I then proceeded to watch pretty much all of their stuff on YouTube that day (at work) and form a slight celebrity crush on Jemaine (like about a million women on this planet). At camp this summer, I found several fans of the group and we had all sorts of inside jokes involving lyrics to various songs. The theme of the summer with me and my good friend Sonja was from their song The Most Beautiful Girl (in the room): "Lookin' round the room, I can tell that you are the most beautiful girl in the...room...and when you're on the street (depending on the street) I bet you are definitely in the top three..."
Sonja and I, along with two other friends from camp (Jenni and Andrew) came up to Seattle for SubPop's 20th anniversary show at Marymoor. We didn't get tickets because they were sold out, so we spent the afternoon dodging police officers and security personnel telling us to go across the street (what the heck? they're sold out - let us loiter!), all to hear the Fleet Foxes, Iron and Wine and Flight of the Conchords. Well worth the almost getting arrested part. I'll post my one video from my favorite song, Jenny, later.
Fast forward to last week, when all of my hopes were dashed: Jemaine got married in August and his wife just gave birth to their son, Sophocles, a week or so ago! What? Jemaine - I thought we really had something...Blast :) I'm "over" it now, but I am considering forming a support group for all the women who are quite disappointed.
A couple of days ago, I found their first TV appearances in New Zealand in 2000 (two years after they officially formed). Let's just say, they've really come a long way with their banter, humor, comedic timing, musical abilities and songwriting in eight years.
I recommend them highly, especially if you just need to smile.
11.05.2008
Here as the caves of my memory fade, I’ll hold to the first one
~Fleet Foxes (Drops in the River)
It has come to pass. In many ways, I can’t believe it. In others, I’m not surprised.
It has come to pass. In many ways, I can’t believe it. In others, I’m not surprised.
(Picture courtesy of Getty Images)
So many thoughts ran through my head while I witnessed the elation at Grant Park in Chicago last night and the impassioned, poignant and inspiring speech by President Elect Obama, where at least two of my friends stood watching. I received a call from my good friend Katie in DC where, at 12:45am, she was outside on a busy street celebrating, yelling and dancing with many of her fellow Americans. Another friend of mine has already purchased a plane ticket to DC for Obama’s inauguration on January 20th, 2009. Memories like those will last a lifetime.
Because my dad’s birthday fell on Election Day this year, I ended up at home last night. A quieter but still very meaningful celebration took place. I do not cry often, but I found myself tearing up (and dancing around) several times as I watched the coverage and considered the impact of such an evening.
In my life, there have been several memorable and historical moments, both negative and positive. I just saw the remnants of the Berlin Wall that fell when I was only five years old firsthand two months ago. I can tell you exactly where I was, what I was doing, what I was wearing and how I reacted to the news on that morning of September 11, 2001. What will I carry with me the rest of my life about yesterday? What will be impressed in your memory? What will we tell future generations about November 4, 2008?
Yet, simply a memory of a historically significant election is not why Obama ran or was elected. I think people are getting so caught up in the fact that racism got one huge slap in the face last night, that they may fail to realize that it is not obliterated, nor is slavery, sexism, persecution, and a whole host of other problems still sadly present in our world. In all of the excitement that the election of Obama brings to many in the world (and to me), I think it is important to realize that what he said last night is so very true:
“I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctors bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”
This will be an uphill battle for Barack and the country. Things will not go perfectly. I cannot believe that anyone, let alone TWO people, would volunteer to be president in such turbulent, unsure and, frankly, worrisome times. But, I am honored, inspired and hopeful that change will come in time because of our new President’s hard work, humility, encouragement and unmatched inspiration.
Let us remember, as so many of my wise friends have already penned in their blogs, that Christ was, is and always will be sovereign and our savior no matter who our Commander in Chief is. No woman or man can fill those shoes, and we should not expect them to. What is required of McCain and Obama supporters (and the rest of the country) alike is to stop the bashing, the regretting, the insinuations, the disrespect, the attacks, and learn how to voice and act on political opinion in a mature and useful manner while giving Barack Obama and his administration the opportunity and support to bring about change we need.
May we be as involved, interested and passionate in the coming four years as we were this last week.
And, read this beautifully written article.
11.03.2008
Don't teach me about politics and government: just tell me who to vote for
~Derek Webb ("A New Law")
This is another appropriate song for today
I cannot express how much I am ready for tomorrow. Ready for change. Ready for history to be made. Ready for inspiration and excitement about the future of politics. Ready for new ads on TV.
I have been ecstatic at times this past year how people of all races, creeds, ages, perspectives and political leanings have decided not to vote for party, but for issues and individuals. My pastor gave a good sermon last night on the need to be interested in politics all four years of a term, not just the two months leading up to the election. This resonated heavily with me. I'm no politician, but I need to care enough to keep tabs on what my government is (or isn't) doing for my community.
We see it every election - people impassioned to the point of losing friends (and respect), writing terrible things on public forums, and using religion to justify or ostracize. Enough! It's time for us to see our continual role in politics and to walk the walk on issues we talk a LOT of talk about in October. Some Christians (and hopefully non-Christians too!) are starting to realize that Jesus was not white, middle-class, Republican nor Democrat. The Bible speaks to issues of abortion and homosexuality less than 15 times, but poverty and caring for the poor over 2000 times. Pastor Eugene also made the point that scripture tells us Jesus WAS involved in politics. He called us to be independent, thoughtful, intelligent, respectful and mature in our voting.
That's the key point I'm seeing in all of this: respect. I've been harping on my parents since I got back from Europe in September because they were (and may still be) undecided on the presidential race. It's so easy for me to say: "what are you thinking?" and rant about the insanity of the election, but when it comes down to it, what matters is that each American votes. And by vote, I don't mean showing up at the polls and making pretty patterns out of your chads, I mean thinking long and hard, wrestling with issues of belief, morality, community and future. I mean reading, listening, discussing and caring about the election enough to put more energy into research than is expended complaining about the situations of the past eight years.
There is no right or wrong party. There is no perfect candidate. I have close friends voting for both candidates. I love them all. We don't need to move to another country if our pick doesn't come out on top. What we need to do is be ready for change, get involved and support our president tomorrow, no matter who it is. "Change you can believe in" and "Country First" are great mottos, but let our motto now be "Whatever happens, we're in it together!"
In less than 35 hours, we will be able to move forward. It is my hope that we will do so as a united community that can learn to love despite disagreements.
Now it is time to go put my ballot in the mail.
This is another appropriate song for today
I cannot express how much I am ready for tomorrow. Ready for change. Ready for history to be made. Ready for inspiration and excitement about the future of politics. Ready for new ads on TV.
I have been ecstatic at times this past year how people of all races, creeds, ages, perspectives and political leanings have decided not to vote for party, but for issues and individuals. My pastor gave a good sermon last night on the need to be interested in politics all four years of a term, not just the two months leading up to the election. This resonated heavily with me. I'm no politician, but I need to care enough to keep tabs on what my government is (or isn't) doing for my community.
We see it every election - people impassioned to the point of losing friends (and respect), writing terrible things on public forums, and using religion to justify or ostracize. Enough! It's time for us to see our continual role in politics and to walk the walk on issues we talk a LOT of talk about in October. Some Christians (and hopefully non-Christians too!) are starting to realize that Jesus was not white, middle-class, Republican nor Democrat. The Bible speaks to issues of abortion and homosexuality less than 15 times, but poverty and caring for the poor over 2000 times. Pastor Eugene also made the point that scripture tells us Jesus WAS involved in politics. He called us to be independent, thoughtful, intelligent, respectful and mature in our voting.
That's the key point I'm seeing in all of this: respect. I've been harping on my parents since I got back from Europe in September because they were (and may still be) undecided on the presidential race. It's so easy for me to say: "what are you thinking?" and rant about the insanity of the election, but when it comes down to it, what matters is that each American votes. And by vote, I don't mean showing up at the polls and making pretty patterns out of your chads, I mean thinking long and hard, wrestling with issues of belief, morality, community and future. I mean reading, listening, discussing and caring about the election enough to put more energy into research than is expended complaining about the situations of the past eight years.
There is no right or wrong party. There is no perfect candidate. I have close friends voting for both candidates. I love them all. We don't need to move to another country if our pick doesn't come out on top. What we need to do is be ready for change, get involved and support our president tomorrow, no matter who it is. "Change you can believe in" and "Country First" are great mottos, but let our motto now be "Whatever happens, we're in it together!"
In less than 35 hours, we will be able to move forward. It is my hope that we will do so as a united community that can learn to love despite disagreements.
Now it is time to go put my ballot in the mail.
10.30.2008
Of the places I've laid down my [car], I think of two I regret
~Fleet Foxes ("So Long to the Headstrong")
I tell people that I have two vices: swearing and speeding.
Apparently, I need to add a third item to the list: being a complete imbecile.
Today, while working my third shift in downtown Bellevue for my new traveling barista job, I, in typical dumbass form, parked in a strip mall lot because I'm afraid of the cost of skyscraper garage parking.
Of course, a $25 parking ticket hurts worse. Much worse. This is my second in as many months. Yep. Now do you see why I need to add that third vice to the list?
So, let's do the math:
3.25 hours of work @ 10/hour = $32.50
1 parking ticket = $25.00
Gas = $3.00
Taxes = the rest (maybe more)
Perfect, just perfect. Although, on the upside, I got to overhear Financial Advisors talk all day about how manic the market is, how everyone should sell Starbucks stock, how this is the perfect time for ME to invest, how the bailout is a brilliant plan, how redistribution of wealth is unfair (easy for them to say) and other political hot topics. Intriguing. Even though this parking ticket makes me want to rip my hair out, I really like my job.
I tell people that I have two vices: swearing and speeding.
Apparently, I need to add a third item to the list: being a complete imbecile.
Today, while working my third shift in downtown Bellevue for my new traveling barista job, I, in typical dumbass form, parked in a strip mall lot because I'm afraid of the cost of skyscraper garage parking.
Of course, a $25 parking ticket hurts worse. Much worse. This is my second in as many months. Yep. Now do you see why I need to add that third vice to the list?
So, let's do the math:
3.25 hours of work @ 10/hour = $32.50
1 parking ticket = $25.00
Gas = $3.00
Taxes = the rest (maybe more)
Perfect, just perfect. Although, on the upside, I got to overhear Financial Advisors talk all day about how manic the market is, how everyone should sell Starbucks stock, how this is the perfect time for ME to invest, how the bailout is a brilliant plan, how redistribution of wealth is unfair (easy for them to say) and other political hot topics. Intriguing. Even though this parking ticket makes me want to rip my hair out, I really like my job.
10.28.2008
Just a puppet on a lonely string, oh who would ever want to be king?
~Coldplay (Viva la Vida)
I'm back! It's been so long since I've blogged that I'm in one of those "is it even worth writing anything?" moods. But, I'll fight through it. So much has happened in the last five months worth recording and sharing, and though it will most assuredly be out of order, it will be good to write down memories from my time at camp this summer, Europe, and thoughts from the present craziness in the world and my life.
In a somewhat turbulent time of elections and significant trouble for America, and many big (but less noticed because of our own issues at home) international happenings, I keep wondering what I will remember about 2008. My big 401K obliteration? I think I'll be able to buy some saltines when I retire. That'll be nice. The amazingly interesting and questionable turn of events in the Presidential Race the past few months and the sad but unfortunately imminent questions of how some of our country will deal with a President who is a minority (yes, I'm calling it. deal.)? Or, will I be self-centered enough to remember only that 2008 has been the most random, exciting, busy and growth-inducing year of my life thus far? Admittedly, I am old enough now that forgetting any of it should not be permissible.
I watched Charlie Wilson's War with my parents last week, and while my mom and dad couldn't look beyond the nudity and profanity to admit that it was a good movie, I really enjoyed it. Without forging into a full-on review, I'll say this rather ashamedly: I had no idea that the events portrayed in the movie (the US involvement in Afghanistan in the late 80s-90s) had occurred. Granted, I was in preschool when it all began, but I am still surprised that we did not study that relationship and how it deeply effects the history of the past eight years in high school, especially because September 11, 2001 was the second week of my senior year. This realization is also timely because I am now a graduate student again, this time to obtain my master's in teaching, and I keep thinking about the school's responsibility to arm students with the knowledge and understanding of past and present. History and politics were always difficult but interesting subjects to me - how can students realize that understanding their world is so crucial? I was hit with this again just recently when I visited two formerly communist-controlled cities: Berlin and Prague. I learned quite a bit about their history and have a thirst to understand it more fully. Would American students take more interest in and ownership of their education if their country's history was staring them in the face daily in the form of patched up buildings, memorials, political graffiti, and other reminders of what their families have endured in the last few decades?
In one of my classes this quarter, we talk about teaching styles, philosophies and theories. I know I won't fully develop mine until I am in the classroom and have some experience, but the passions I brought in for teaching have only become more strong, even as I realize how difficult it will be to feel I have creative freedom while being told exactly what to do by the district, board and parents. My biggest hope is that I can present science in a way that students will be able to make connections to the world around them, figure out things for themselves, ask questions and realize that learning is the key.
This presidential race has been quite a rollercoaster and promises to deliver surprises in the last week. Oh, how I long for next Tuesday to be over and for our country to start moving in a new direction - united, I hope! One thing is for sure, I would not take that job for anything. I admire and appreciate that there are individuals who are actually willing to take the helm in one of the least desirable times in recent history.
Change is afoot. They think so in Britain, at least.
(I took this photo in a tube station in London in September...this was everywhere!)
9.12.2008
The World is Your Oyster
~ The Cranberries
A snapshot of my time in Berlin and Prague so far. So much to say. 700 pictures might be a start.
9.05.2008
And Berlin is so ugly in the morning light...
~Beirut ("In the Mausoleum")
We'll see, Zach Condon, we'll just see about that.
After a three-month blog dryspell while I was working as a counselor, I'm off to Europe tomorrow until the end of the month!! I'm really excited, but very much in that mood of "okay, what am I forgetting?" and "30lb weight limit for baggage? seriously?" and "just how badly am I going to get screwed by the exchange rates?" and "i hope people in europe care less about the election in Europe than BBC would imply."
Armed with some radical new music to listen to (I love Easystreet with all my heart), hardly any clothes, four camera batteries, very hairy legs (I figure, why not?), 2 pairs of shoes and 5 GB of digital memory, I'm about to take eight plane flights and see Berlin, Prague, Venice, Stockholm and London in a mere three weeks! I'm atrophying money at an insane rate, but, these are the perks of saving and being single, so they say.
Stories and photos aplenty will fill this blog either during or after the trip...I can't wait for the randomness and weirdness to ensue!
Look out, Europe, here she comes...
We'll see, Zach Condon, we'll just see about that.
After a three-month blog dryspell while I was working as a counselor, I'm off to Europe tomorrow until the end of the month!! I'm really excited, but very much in that mood of "okay, what am I forgetting?" and "30lb weight limit for baggage? seriously?" and "just how badly am I going to get screwed by the exchange rates?" and "i hope people in europe care less about the election in Europe than BBC would imply."
Armed with some radical new music to listen to (I love Easystreet with all my heart), hardly any clothes, four camera batteries, very hairy legs (I figure, why not?), 2 pairs of shoes and 5 GB of digital memory, I'm about to take eight plane flights and see Berlin, Prague, Venice, Stockholm and London in a mere three weeks! I'm atrophying money at an insane rate, but, these are the perks of saving and being single, so they say.
Stories and photos aplenty will fill this blog either during or after the trip...I can't wait for the randomness and weirdness to ensue!
Look out, Europe, here she comes...
8.02.2008
take this sinking boat and point it home
~Falling Slowly (from "Once" - you should see it)
it's been a while. a LONG while. it would take days to recap what has transpired since my last post, but suffice to say, WOW. after deciding to return to SPU for my Master's in Teaching in the fall, i got a weird idea which involved forfeiting the tens of thousands of dollars i could have made all summer at my job in Bend and leaving a beautiful town early to be a camp counselor at the horse camp my brother Alan and I grew up attending.
a camp counselor, katie? isn't that a job for 19 year olds? in a word, yes. but, i went for it anyway. i figured i would just be the camp grandma...
i hadn't set foot at Cascades Camp in Yelm in 9 years when I arrived in mid june. and, having just moved from bend four days prior, my mind was reeling as i wondered what the hell i had just gotten myself into and what i had just left behind: friends, an amazing church and junior highers, a cool job, independence, and one of the most beautiful places to live in America. many things about camp have changed. many are the same. some of my anticipations were spot-on. others were painfully off.
i have just completed seven weeks here at camp. four cabins of girls have come and gone, three to go. one week of family camp, one week of kitchen duty, and one week of training have filled my other weeks. there have been wonderful highs and frustrating lows. i have cleaned bathrooms and cabins more times than i can count, eaten more chicken nuggets than i care to admit, seen more horses defacate than i wish to recall, worn dirty jeans for three weeks in a row, done a million lice checks it seems, still haven't gotten in the lake, and got bucked off of a horse when i was riding bareback on Thursday.
yet, you'll often find me with a smile on my face and a peace in my heart i have never before experienced. to be sure, i'm often exhausted, in desperate need of alone time, or craving adult conversation that will last more than five minutes. but when i came here, i asked the LORD to kick me in the butt - to teach me, challenge me and convict me about the way i will live my life from here on - and HE has been faithful to bring some serious ass-kicking in my general direction.
i started out the summer by learning some things about me -my personality, the ways i work well (and don't work well with others), what i need daily to survive, what energizes me, what brings me down, and what is important to me. "is that ALL i'm going to learn this summer, God??!" i asked two weeks ago, "can't you REALLY bring it and show up?"
it deserves a post of its own, but the nine wide-eyed, beautiful, energetic, passionate, and curious 9th graders that showed up at my door two sundays ago changed my life. God has and will continue to answer my prayers to work in and through me, and to show me what a life lived fully for Him can look like. i want it more than ever before, and that's both exciting and extremely scary. it's crazy to think that i asked Jesus to be in my life 16 years ago and i've only begun to realize what He is all about these past few years. sometimes, in the midst of several amazingly mature 19 year old 'kids" here at camp who are much closer to God that i am, i have the tendency to feel like i've been missing the proverbial boat. feelings of inadequacy and embarassment creep up.
but, i am determined to be thankful for these inspiring examples in my life, for the friends i have met, for the challenges i have faced, for the times my pride has been crushed, for the times the LORD has touched my heart with words from kids and coworkers, for the beautiful nature i am surrounded by daily, for the pure beauty of a child deciding to follow Jesus, for the conversations i have had, and for the realizations that no one but God is doing the real work here - it is my job to love, be obedient, listen and work with a humble and positive attitude while trusting He will do amazing things.
i choose my attitude, my priorities, my words and my actions every day. may i take this once sinking boat of a life and faith and point it towards the only ONE who lasts. my home. my strength. my endurance. my hope. my whole life.
it's been a while. a LONG while. it would take days to recap what has transpired since my last post, but suffice to say, WOW. after deciding to return to SPU for my Master's in Teaching in the fall, i got a weird idea which involved forfeiting the tens of thousands of dollars i could have made all summer at my job in Bend and leaving a beautiful town early to be a camp counselor at the horse camp my brother Alan and I grew up attending.
a camp counselor, katie? isn't that a job for 19 year olds? in a word, yes. but, i went for it anyway. i figured i would just be the camp grandma...
i hadn't set foot at Cascades Camp in Yelm in 9 years when I arrived in mid june. and, having just moved from bend four days prior, my mind was reeling as i wondered what the hell i had just gotten myself into and what i had just left behind: friends, an amazing church and junior highers, a cool job, independence, and one of the most beautiful places to live in America. many things about camp have changed. many are the same. some of my anticipations were spot-on. others were painfully off.
i have just completed seven weeks here at camp. four cabins of girls have come and gone, three to go. one week of family camp, one week of kitchen duty, and one week of training have filled my other weeks. there have been wonderful highs and frustrating lows. i have cleaned bathrooms and cabins more times than i can count, eaten more chicken nuggets than i care to admit, seen more horses defacate than i wish to recall, worn dirty jeans for three weeks in a row, done a million lice checks it seems, still haven't gotten in the lake, and got bucked off of a horse when i was riding bareback on Thursday.
yet, you'll often find me with a smile on my face and a peace in my heart i have never before experienced. to be sure, i'm often exhausted, in desperate need of alone time, or craving adult conversation that will last more than five minutes. but when i came here, i asked the LORD to kick me in the butt - to teach me, challenge me and convict me about the way i will live my life from here on - and HE has been faithful to bring some serious ass-kicking in my general direction.
i started out the summer by learning some things about me -my personality, the ways i work well (and don't work well with others), what i need daily to survive, what energizes me, what brings me down, and what is important to me. "is that ALL i'm going to learn this summer, God??!" i asked two weeks ago, "can't you REALLY bring it and show up?"
it deserves a post of its own, but the nine wide-eyed, beautiful, energetic, passionate, and curious 9th graders that showed up at my door two sundays ago changed my life. God has and will continue to answer my prayers to work in and through me, and to show me what a life lived fully for Him can look like. i want it more than ever before, and that's both exciting and extremely scary. it's crazy to think that i asked Jesus to be in my life 16 years ago and i've only begun to realize what He is all about these past few years. sometimes, in the midst of several amazingly mature 19 year old 'kids" here at camp who are much closer to God that i am, i have the tendency to feel like i've been missing the proverbial boat. feelings of inadequacy and embarassment creep up.
but, i am determined to be thankful for these inspiring examples in my life, for the friends i have met, for the challenges i have faced, for the times my pride has been crushed, for the times the LORD has touched my heart with words from kids and coworkers, for the beautiful nature i am surrounded by daily, for the pure beauty of a child deciding to follow Jesus, for the conversations i have had, and for the realizations that no one but God is doing the real work here - it is my job to love, be obedient, listen and work with a humble and positive attitude while trusting He will do amazing things.
i choose my attitude, my priorities, my words and my actions every day. may i take this once sinking boat of a life and faith and point it towards the only ONE who lasts. my home. my strength. my endurance. my hope. my whole life.
5.07.2008
oh God, hold them now
~David Crowder Band
May 2nd: what were you doing?
May 2nd: what were you doing?
On the other side of the world, a cyclone hit Myanmar (Burma) with a force I still cannot fathom. Yesterday they estimated 22,500 dead and 41,000 missing. Two Million people are displaced. Today, sources say they believe the death toll will reach 100,000. One Hundred Thousand Human Beings. God cares about them and loves them just as much as you and me.
I think we, as Americans, who are still shaken by Hurricane Katrina (which killed 1,900 people), cannot begin to understand the horror of this situation. I am deeply saddened, but I know I'm nowhere near being able to grasp the suffering that is occuring and will continue to go on until Myanmar's government fully accepts international aid and the whole world comes together in this time of unbeliveable tragedy.
So, what can you do? PRAY. GIVE to the fullest extent possible, then give more. And, please, don't turn your back just because it's overwhelming or because you have no idea where Burma is - these people need our help NOW.
A few organizations to choose from:
Save the Children
Quest Church
World Aid in Seattle (no website)
Global Giving
Check out:
BBC
Associated Press
"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray...You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil...spread your protection over them..." excerpts from Psalm 5
3.11.2008
it's the dawn of our age, it's the birth of courage, now's the time to flourish
~malbec ("dawn of our age")
It is time to plug a very important conference going on in Portland, Oregon on April 12th. If you're anywhere within traveling distance, PLEASE come. Bound: The Global Slave Trade.
The global slave trade is an issue that is now receiving more attention than it has in the past, which is encouraging. Yet, very few can actually grasp how horrible things are in all parts of the world - the US included. This is a huge issue that I can't even begin to explain on my blog, but it is well worth your time to do some research and figure out how you can help the thousands of innocents daily forced to provide goods, sex, labor, et cetera to a world that simply turns its head and fails to acknowledge how evil these deeds are.
Take time. Inform yourself. Pray. Get involved. Don't ignore this immensely serious issue. Join me at the conference on April 12th if you possibly can.
A few websites to check out:
Garden of Hope
International Justice Mission
Oasis
Stop the Traffik
World Vision
Viva Network
Amnesty International
Please comment and add more helpful links!
It is time to plug a very important conference going on in Portland, Oregon on April 12th. If you're anywhere within traveling distance, PLEASE come. Bound: The Global Slave Trade.
The global slave trade is an issue that is now receiving more attention than it has in the past, which is encouraging. Yet, very few can actually grasp how horrible things are in all parts of the world - the US included. This is a huge issue that I can't even begin to explain on my blog, but it is well worth your time to do some research and figure out how you can help the thousands of innocents daily forced to provide goods, sex, labor, et cetera to a world that simply turns its head and fails to acknowledge how evil these deeds are.Take time. Inform yourself. Pray. Get involved. Don't ignore this immensely serious issue. Join me at the conference on April 12th if you possibly can.
A few websites to check out:
Garden of Hope
International Justice Mission
Oasis
Stop the Traffik
World Vision
Viva Network
Amnesty International
Please comment and add more helpful links!
3.04.2008
maybe we can see a movie or maybe we can see a play, on saturday
~Jill Scott ("A long walk")
On a daily basis, when I sign out of hotmail, I'm redirected to MSN, which offers all sorts of dating/singles articles about how to land a date with your crush in the office, or once you've secured said date, how you might not act like a complete imbecile in order to ensure a second.
Today, I found the article more amusing than usual. Decently wise (especially the parts about cologne and texting) and very witty even. Too bad the advice is for dudes... The lists of "to dos" and "to don'ts" always makes me wonder if the traditional pressures of A [perfect] DATE causes guys to ask girls out less these days...maybe so. Or maybe there are a host of reasons, including the fact that girls need to do some of the work, too.
What ever happened to arranged marriages? They really cut out all the stress.
On a daily basis, when I sign out of hotmail, I'm redirected to MSN, which offers all sorts of dating/singles articles about how to land a date with your crush in the office, or once you've secured said date, how you might not act like a complete imbecile in order to ensure a second.
Today, I found the article more amusing than usual. Decently wise (especially the parts about cologne and texting) and very witty even. Too bad the advice is for dudes... The lists of "to dos" and "to don'ts" always makes me wonder if the traditional pressures of A [perfect] DATE causes guys to ask girls out less these days...maybe so. Or maybe there are a host of reasons, including the fact that girls need to do some of the work, too.
What ever happened to arranged marriages? They really cut out all the stress.
2.25.2008
it's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight
~Survivor ("Eye of the Tiger")
three of my absolute-favorite funny-men in one clip...can't go wrong. i needed this tonight!
three of my absolute-favorite funny-men in one clip...can't go wrong. i needed this tonight!
2.22.2008
we're ONE, but we're not the same, we get to carry each other
~U2 "One"
"A lot of people are happy with pie in the sky when they die, but I don't think that's our purpose. Our purpose is to bring Heaven to earth...in the macro as well as the micro. In every detail of our lives we should be trying to bring Heaven to earth. Have the peace that passes understanding, but DO NOT be at peace with the world, because it is not a happy place for most of the people who live in it." - Bono
Lately, I've become a YouTube junkie. Mostly to see live performances from my favorite bands, but the other day, after watching a myriad of U2 videos (I'm seeing U2 3D tonight...why, God, WHY can't we have an IMAX in Bend?!?!), I ran across Bill Hybels' interview with Bono for his 2006 leadership summit. My mom has been to a couple of these things via videocasts in the past, but basically this summit is 70,000+ pastors/church leaders all gathered to learn, challenge and grow. Pretty amazing. Anyhow, this interview is 8 parts on YouTube, but well worth the hour it'll take you to watch.
Why? Well, let me tell you. If you have any musical taste at all, you're at least willing to admit U2's epic run has been (and still is) one of a kind, and that they can still rock. Hard. I can take it further and say that I really love their music, especially the earlier stuff. But, I've always been interested in their technique of marrying faith, secular music and social justice. It seems a lot of their songs can be interpreted "religiously" or "romantically," which makes figuring out how serious they are about Jesus difficult (as if that's MY job somehow). Watching this interview between Bill and Bono changed my mind about him, and even got me a little fired up. If I had to choose a "type" of Christian I like, Bono fits the bill quite well. He was wary at first of Christians, which is why it took him a while to buy into the whole deal, even though he liked Jesus from the start. He also started and shares his passion very effectively about the ONE organization, which is doing astonishingly cool things. It is so refreshing to see notable individuals using their celebrity for good and global change.
The quote from the interview I posted above makes a LOT of sense to me, and is right in line with my current passions, but interestingly, I've heard that this week from more than one source, which always gives me cause for reflection. Bringing the Kingdom of God here to earth right now and doing all we can to combat human suffering, injustice, poverty (and I'll throw in my personal love of saving the environment in the list too, even though people are the first priority, definitely), et cetera should be a main concern of those who call themselves followers of Jesus' example. Chrissi, my friend, fellow youth leader and also the pastor's wife at my church, put it well this morning at our women's Bible study: "if we aren't trying to make this world a better place in Jesus' name right now, we all may as well go straight to heaven so I can stop getting up at 5am for this!" (that's a paraphrase, but hopefully you get my drift)
We're working on 2 Timothy 3 right now, which discusses the "end times," and how horrible people will be then. We've all heard the view that the end times are far in the future and that the level of depravity at that time will be unfathomable even to us in this day, BUT that we should just let it happen, because in order for Jesus to come back, scripture has to be fulfilled. WRONG. The end times started the minute Jesus ascended to Heaven, and even though there's plenty of evil right now and we can't fix it all, I'm willing to guess if everyone who was in line with Jesus' mission actively loved, advocated for and served others sacrifically, Heaven would be a lot closer to earth than it is now.
So, let's DO it!
"A lot of people are happy with pie in the sky when they die, but I don't think that's our purpose. Our purpose is to bring Heaven to earth...in the macro as well as the micro. In every detail of our lives we should be trying to bring Heaven to earth. Have the peace that passes understanding, but DO NOT be at peace with the world, because it is not a happy place for most of the people who live in it." - Bono
Lately, I've become a YouTube junkie. Mostly to see live performances from my favorite bands, but the other day, after watching a myriad of U2 videos (I'm seeing U2 3D tonight...why, God, WHY can't we have an IMAX in Bend?!?!), I ran across Bill Hybels' interview with Bono for his 2006 leadership summit. My mom has been to a couple of these things via videocasts in the past, but basically this summit is 70,000+ pastors/church leaders all gathered to learn, challenge and grow. Pretty amazing. Anyhow, this interview is 8 parts on YouTube, but well worth the hour it'll take you to watch.
Why? Well, let me tell you. If you have any musical taste at all, you're at least willing to admit U2's epic run has been (and still is) one of a kind, and that they can still rock. Hard. I can take it further and say that I really love their music, especially the earlier stuff. But, I've always been interested in their technique of marrying faith, secular music and social justice. It seems a lot of their songs can be interpreted "religiously" or "romantically," which makes figuring out how serious they are about Jesus difficult (as if that's MY job somehow). Watching this interview between Bill and Bono changed my mind about him, and even got me a little fired up. If I had to choose a "type" of Christian I like, Bono fits the bill quite well. He was wary at first of Christians, which is why it took him a while to buy into the whole deal, even though he liked Jesus from the start. He also started and shares his passion very effectively about the ONE organization, which is doing astonishingly cool things. It is so refreshing to see notable individuals using their celebrity for good and global change.
The quote from the interview I posted above makes a LOT of sense to me, and is right in line with my current passions, but interestingly, I've heard that this week from more than one source, which always gives me cause for reflection. Bringing the Kingdom of God here to earth right now and doing all we can to combat human suffering, injustice, poverty (and I'll throw in my personal love of saving the environment in the list too, even though people are the first priority, definitely), et cetera should be a main concern of those who call themselves followers of Jesus' example. Chrissi, my friend, fellow youth leader and also the pastor's wife at my church, put it well this morning at our women's Bible study: "if we aren't trying to make this world a better place in Jesus' name right now, we all may as well go straight to heaven so I can stop getting up at 5am for this!" (that's a paraphrase, but hopefully you get my drift)
We're working on 2 Timothy 3 right now, which discusses the "end times," and how horrible people will be then. We've all heard the view that the end times are far in the future and that the level of depravity at that time will be unfathomable even to us in this day, BUT that we should just let it happen, because in order for Jesus to come back, scripture has to be fulfilled. WRONG. The end times started the minute Jesus ascended to Heaven, and even though there's plenty of evil right now and we can't fix it all, I'm willing to guess if everyone who was in line with Jesus' mission actively loved, advocated for and served others sacrifically, Heaven would be a lot closer to earth than it is now.
So, let's DO it!
1.18.2008
i've no idea what i am talking about
~Radiohead ("bodysnatchers"...NOTE: the new album is AMAZING!)
As if this day needed more stress or negativity...
i returned home from a rough work week to open an envelope detailing my first quarter investment returns, since i just started my first 401K in October. i know, i know....i'm an adult now! Apparently one who is totally screwed when it comes to investment....
i saw $(6.55) on my returns, and for some reason thought that because i didn't see a negative sign, i was in the clear. Oh, innocence. Okay, losing 6 bucks isn't too bad, but because each and every one of my directives cost me money except for my 30% in interest, this was a good incentive to get online and take a look at what i'm doing with my large chunk of change i'm setting aside each month for retirement.
Then, the shit hit the veritable fan. Apparently, for those of you who follow the stock market as little as i do, the market is a complete disaster right now. According to my dad, whom (i have to admit) i called immediately, our country is heading towards this little thing some call a "recession." i thought $6.55 was bad? Try $90.96 in the hole now. Blast. That means i've lost almost $85 in TWO FREAKING WEEKS.
What a way to start 2008. i ended up changing everything, in a move my dad defined as "chasing gains." Hopefully this quarter, i won't be seeing the evil parentheses. If i do, at least i know where i keep my beer.
As if this day needed more stress or negativity...
i returned home from a rough work week to open an envelope detailing my first quarter investment returns, since i just started my first 401K in October. i know, i know....i'm an adult now! Apparently one who is totally screwed when it comes to investment....
i saw $(6.55) on my returns, and for some reason thought that because i didn't see a negative sign, i was in the clear. Oh, innocence. Okay, losing 6 bucks isn't too bad, but because each and every one of my directives cost me money except for my 30% in interest, this was a good incentive to get online and take a look at what i'm doing with my large chunk of change i'm setting aside each month for retirement.
Then, the shit hit the veritable fan. Apparently, for those of you who follow the stock market as little as i do, the market is a complete disaster right now. According to my dad, whom (i have to admit) i called immediately, our country is heading towards this little thing some call a "recession." i thought $6.55 was bad? Try $90.96 in the hole now. Blast. That means i've lost almost $85 in TWO FREAKING WEEKS.
What a way to start 2008. i ended up changing everything, in a move my dad defined as "chasing gains." Hopefully this quarter, i won't be seeing the evil parentheses. If i do, at least i know where i keep my beer.
1.08.2008
it's a bad day...it's a snow day
~Lisa Loeb ("Snow Day")
Every 2 weeks, my roommate and i switch off in the garage. As lack of luck would have it, this is my week to be outside and i'm pretty sure little red isn't too stoaked about it:
If you can't see it in the photo, let me paint a picture for you: two foot plus snow drifts, crazy wind, at least a foot of powder on the sidewalks and no plowers anywhere in sight. According to the newspaper, they plow neighborhoods if we have 2 or more inches....hmmm. This is the closest to a blizzard i've ever experienced: three days of almost continual snow and wind. "Luckily" i got a little sick last night, so staying home wasn't hard to justify. i'm pretty sure this winter storm will cure me of dreaming for a white Christmas ever again. Weirdly, i don't even feel like going outside and making a snowman!
i guess this is what you get when you live at almost 4000 feet...
i guess this is what you get when you live at almost 4000 feet...
1.06.2008
You see, I just gotta have a tostada, carne asada, that's right I want the whole enchilada
~Old School Weird Al (so awesome)
Good cooking runs deep in my family, and well before my brother started rivaling Emeril every night, i enjoyed playing hostess in college while trying new recipes or making my own. i love cooking for other people, but, like most people, not so much for myself so these last two years have seen less inventive cooking...until this weekend!
i hosted youth group leadership meeting at my place and instead of getting takeout for 14 people, i decided to do a little mexican fiesta (replacing churros with snickerdoodles, which were an INSANE hit)! so, i thought i'd share the recipe that i adapted from a few others i found on allrecipes...it was very tasty!
Chicken Enchiladas
(serves 10-15 people, depending on side dishes and appetites!)
saute 3 medium onions, one green and one red bell pepper, several cloves of garlic, parsely, oregano, and black pepper (i did it in a wok to hold the huge volume) until veggies are cooked and slightly blackened. add 6 cooked (boiling works well) and shredded chicken breasts to the veggies. in a seperate bowl, mix several cups of salsa (i prefer chunky) with a large can (28 oz)of enchilada sauce...go as hot as you dare. to the meat/veggies, add 4-6 cups of sauce mix and stir until everything is mixed well. keep on medium heat and slowly stir in shredded cheese (the mexican 4 cheese blend is phenomenal) until the mixture is thick and cheese is melted. i found i needed to add some water because there was so much chicken, and i probably used 4-5 cups of cheese, which admittedly was a bit much (although it tasted wonderful)...so, add as much cheese as you want. this sauce can be made the night before and refrigerated.
preheat oven to 375 and spray the bottom of a large casserole dish with non-stick spray. add 2-3 large spoonfuls of the meat/sauce/veggie mix into a 10 inch flour or corn tortilla (i prefer flour, and they're easier to roll up) and place seam down in dish. i fit 9 enchiladas in one 9X13 casserole dish, and made 24 total with this much chicken mixture. when all enchiladas are rolled and ready, top with the leftover sauce mixture and the rest of the cheese. cook about 30 or so minutes uncovered. cheese will brown and the enchiladas will be perfectly crispy on top after cooling. serve with pico, sour cream, lettuce, chips, whatever you want. they turned out awesome for me and were a huge hit, although a bit too wimpy (yet still very flavorful) for me since there is not HOT enchilada sauce in oregon...
Enjoy!
Good cooking runs deep in my family, and well before my brother started rivaling Emeril every night, i enjoyed playing hostess in college while trying new recipes or making my own. i love cooking for other people, but, like most people, not so much for myself so these last two years have seen less inventive cooking...until this weekend!
i hosted youth group leadership meeting at my place and instead of getting takeout for 14 people, i decided to do a little mexican fiesta (replacing churros with snickerdoodles, which were an INSANE hit)! so, i thought i'd share the recipe that i adapted from a few others i found on allrecipes...it was very tasty!
Chicken Enchiladas
(serves 10-15 people, depending on side dishes and appetites!)
saute 3 medium onions, one green and one red bell pepper, several cloves of garlic, parsely, oregano, and black pepper (i did it in a wok to hold the huge volume) until veggies are cooked and slightly blackened. add 6 cooked (boiling works well) and shredded chicken breasts to the veggies. in a seperate bowl, mix several cups of salsa (i prefer chunky) with a large can (28 oz)of enchilada sauce...go as hot as you dare. to the meat/veggies, add 4-6 cups of sauce mix and stir until everything is mixed well. keep on medium heat and slowly stir in shredded cheese (the mexican 4 cheese blend is phenomenal) until the mixture is thick and cheese is melted. i found i needed to add some water because there was so much chicken, and i probably used 4-5 cups of cheese, which admittedly was a bit much (although it tasted wonderful)...so, add as much cheese as you want. this sauce can be made the night before and refrigerated.
preheat oven to 375 and spray the bottom of a large casserole dish with non-stick spray. add 2-3 large spoonfuls of the meat/sauce/veggie mix into a 10 inch flour or corn tortilla (i prefer flour, and they're easier to roll up) and place seam down in dish. i fit 9 enchiladas in one 9X13 casserole dish, and made 24 total with this much chicken mixture. when all enchiladas are rolled and ready, top with the leftover sauce mixture and the rest of the cheese. cook about 30 or so minutes uncovered. cheese will brown and the enchiladas will be perfectly crispy on top after cooling. serve with pico, sour cream, lettuce, chips, whatever you want. they turned out awesome for me and were a huge hit, although a bit too wimpy (yet still very flavorful) for me since there is not HOT enchilada sauce in oregon...
Enjoy!
1.05.2008
Happy Birthday Sweet 16
~Neil Sedaka ("happy birthday sweet 16")
On a whim last night (yeah, you could say i was a little bored), i took the RealAge test for fun. i was on pins and needles (but not really) all night to find out if i was "older" or "younger" than my chronological age due to health, hygiene, life risks and family history. i was surprised to see this evening when i checked my email that my age was indeed younger. How much younger, you ask?
15.9
Wow. At the ripe old age of 23.5 (yes, i still celebrate my half birthday every New Years Day, shut up!), being 7.6 years younger than i really am is hardly something i can get pumped about! All my friends who are nearing 30 keep telling me to enjoy being so young, but every birthday, i can't help but wonder what it will be like to be one year older - i'm always looking forward, i guess you could say. Maybe it's because i've always felt that i have to wait until things really take off in my life. i'm beginning to see that's silly...
Anyhow, i found this amusing and thought i would share. Some things keeping me young (according to the test)? Vechicle size, no ovarian cancer in family, flexibility training, education level, and medication use (in that I use absolutely none). Things making me older? Social network and stress, driving speeds, flossing habits (hey! i floss now!), and low unsaturated fat. One thing that was refreshing to see on the lists of positives was "Ideal BMI." Even though we all know that BMI is a bunch of hogwash, since it seems i'm continually striving to be more healthy and thin, it's good to know i'm pretty healthy even now...
Anyways, i'm so excited for my sweet 16 party - it's going to be super neato! Maybe my parents will have Justin Timberlake come sing Happy Birthday to me! Or, even better, SexyBack.
On a whim last night (yeah, you could say i was a little bored), i took the RealAge test for fun. i was on pins and needles (but not really) all night to find out if i was "older" or "younger" than my chronological age due to health, hygiene, life risks and family history. i was surprised to see this evening when i checked my email that my age was indeed younger. How much younger, you ask?
15.9
Wow. At the ripe old age of 23.5 (yes, i still celebrate my half birthday every New Years Day, shut up!), being 7.6 years younger than i really am is hardly something i can get pumped about! All my friends who are nearing 30 keep telling me to enjoy being so young, but every birthday, i can't help but wonder what it will be like to be one year older - i'm always looking forward, i guess you could say. Maybe it's because i've always felt that i have to wait until things really take off in my life. i'm beginning to see that's silly...
Anyhow, i found this amusing and thought i would share. Some things keeping me young (according to the test)? Vechicle size, no ovarian cancer in family, flexibility training, education level, and medication use (in that I use absolutely none). Things making me older? Social network and stress, driving speeds, flossing habits (hey! i floss now!), and low unsaturated fat. One thing that was refreshing to see on the lists of positives was "Ideal BMI." Even though we all know that BMI is a bunch of hogwash, since it seems i'm continually striving to be more healthy and thin, it's good to know i'm pretty healthy even now...
Anyways, i'm so excited for my sweet 16 party - it's going to be super neato! Maybe my parents will have Justin Timberlake come sing Happy Birthday to me! Or, even better, SexyBack.
1.02.2008
let's get it started in here!
~Black-Eyed Peas (i know, it makes me cringe too)
Well, here we are in 2008. i may have to do my typical "year in review" blog at a later date. But, for now, suffice to say 2008 has already been quite surprising to me!
With all the busyness the last four months, i had given up on the possibility of applying to a Masters in Teaching program in time to start this year. But, some family members helped light a fire under my ass and yesterday at work (yeah, I had to come in for a bit on New Year's Day...whoopie) i spent about four hours checking out the specifics of applying to Seattle University's MIT program and figuring out how i can accomplish references, transcripts, essays, applications and other paperwork in less than a month, and then as quickly as possible take all the teacher tests in March. Whoa.
So, it's all but official: i'm applying to SU and hope to be in Seattle by the beginning of the summer! i need to make stuff happen this year or i'll go crazy! The only sad part is thinking about leaving my awesome church and new friends, but i've realized that contentment isn't enough and it's time to do this teacher thing. i also started applying to be a horse camp counselor for the summer at the church camp i went to my whole childhood...why not, right?
There you have it. Change is on the horizon and while nothing is certain, i'm pretty excited! Except the whole being back in school thing. Hopefully that'll grow on me.
I leave you with a hysterical paragraph from SU's online info about their application process:
"Both the autobiograhpical statement and the writing sample are evalluated on the basis of conent and prooper use of grammatical conventions. Here is a handout outlining some common MIT student writing errors."
Please tell me that was a joke.
Well, here we are in 2008. i may have to do my typical "year in review" blog at a later date. But, for now, suffice to say 2008 has already been quite surprising to me!
With all the busyness the last four months, i had given up on the possibility of applying to a Masters in Teaching program in time to start this year. But, some family members helped light a fire under my ass and yesterday at work (yeah, I had to come in for a bit on New Year's Day...whoopie) i spent about four hours checking out the specifics of applying to Seattle University's MIT program and figuring out how i can accomplish references, transcripts, essays, applications and other paperwork in less than a month, and then as quickly as possible take all the teacher tests in March. Whoa.
So, it's all but official: i'm applying to SU and hope to be in Seattle by the beginning of the summer! i need to make stuff happen this year or i'll go crazy! The only sad part is thinking about leaving my awesome church and new friends, but i've realized that contentment isn't enough and it's time to do this teacher thing. i also started applying to be a horse camp counselor for the summer at the church camp i went to my whole childhood...why not, right?
There you have it. Change is on the horizon and while nothing is certain, i'm pretty excited! Except the whole being back in school thing. Hopefully that'll grow on me.
I leave you with a hysterical paragraph from SU's online info about their application process:
"Both the autobiograhpical statement and the writing sample are evalluated on the basis of conent and prooper use of grammatical conventions. Here is a handout outlining some common MIT student writing errors."
Please tell me that was a joke.
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