Thank you, internets...

...For the adorable hilarity that is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Squeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Alexander: "Truth"

This song makes me feel so many different things (inspired, shaken, strong, lonely...) I had to share it. I think it's so honest and beautiful.

Heart at Work

Last week at work, the condensation from my drink dripped onto my call sheet. It formed the shape of a heart! I liked it. I picked it up to show my co-workers, that's why it has that drip from the bottom. Here's a pic:

Best Coast: Boyfriend

This song has been sloshing on the shores of my brain for a couple weeks, like some lazy late-summer wave. Enjoy!

Politeness

I really value politeness. I try to be polite to everyone, but I don't adhere to it at all times. I am a firm believer in the hand-written thank-you note, the timely RSVP, etc. So when was watching a rerun of The Office recently, I cracked up when I heard this quote by Andy Bernard:

You give me a gift? BAM! Thank-you note! You invite me somewhere? POW! RSVP! You do me a favor? WHAM! Favor returned! Do NOT test my politeness.

...Not so bad!

Yesterday morning, I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted. I was so nervous- not about the pain, but about the anesthesia. I'd never been "put to sleep," before! Jesse graciously came along to be my driver/ hand-holder/ caretaker. Beforehand, a surgical assistant explained post-op instructions, and gave a similar brochure to Jesse, explaining that I "probably wouldn't remember this conversation." She also cautioned him that I may be unstable on my feet afterwards, and would need a watchful eye walking back to the car.

She took my vital signs and hooked me up to a heart monitor. Dr. Scheideman entered, rocking purple scrubs and round tortoise-shell glasses. He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and told me I would take a short nap, and then it'd all be over. I barely felt the tiny pediatric needle to start the IV. I heard him say, "I've started the medicine, let's see how that feels." The ceiling began to ripple, and then I was out. Just as suddenly, I was awake again. I wasn't nauseous, dizzy, or in any pain. In fact, my entire mouth was numb. The nurse tied an ice pack around my jaw. They asked if I felt like I could get up. I did, still feeling fine! I walked, unsupported, to the car. I was pleasantly surprised at my own lucidity. (For some reason loopy-ness was one of my fears about this whole thing.)

Jesse, I've got to say, was awesome. He kept an eye on time (time to change gauze, to take more medicine, put the ice pack on/off). He got me anything I needed or wanted. He rubbed my feet! He definitely deserves a gold star.

And I highly recommend Dr. Scheideman and his whole team if you need to have any oral surgery!

So, long story short, this was another experience that I worried about for nothing. Who has two thumbs and is glad she got it over with?

THIS GIRL!

Thanks, Ma!

It is great how moms can teach you valuable lessons by not doing or saying what you expect!

On Wednesday or so, my boss decided we should have a potluck lunch this Friday. Last night, I was telling this to my mom. "But," I lamented, "I have no idea what to make!" This was her cue. I held my breath for her to say, "Why don't you come over Thursday evening, and we can make (insert usual crowd-pleasing dish here)?" No such luck. All she offered up was, "Make something you like," along with, "I'm sure you'll think of something great!"

I racked my brain. I scavenged the internet. I knew that I wanted to make something healthy and fresh, as well as some sort of sweet baked good. Finally, I settled on Quinoa Avocado Salad, and Pumpkin Angel Puffs.

When I returned home from Target today, ingredients in hand, it hit me: this might be a lot of work! Had I gotten in over my head? Would my co-workers even appreciate these foods? And, more importantly, were they really worth my buying an $11 bag of quinoa?

I shook off my doubts, turned on my Musica en Español playlist, and got to work. In no time, it seemed, I was drying the last of the dishes, with my potluck contributions stowed away in the fridge.

I learned the following from my culinary efforts this evening:

-Quinoa doesn't take very long to cook at all

-Wearing an apron makes me feel like a productive chef

-Angel food cake batter= very fluffy

-Things that touch the oven's heating element, including cupcakes, catch on fire

-Homemade whipped cream is not only easy to make, it tastes heavenly

So thanks, Ma! I never would have learned these lessons without, er, with you!

Here's one of my Pumpkin Angel Puffs:

4th of July

Today my brother's sweet fiancee sent me a pic of Little Bear and I from the 4th of July. I love how she described it, that he looks like he's admiring me, "secondary to the fact that his eyes are closed." I thought the color, composition, and overall feeling of the pic were great- I had to post it here. :)

A Song & Verses for This Evening

Hi friends. Sorry I haven't written in so long! Things have been very busy up here in the treetops. I will try to write more later. But for tonight, I'll leave you with a song and some verses.

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time...Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Tim 1:8-9, 12

Hallelujah!

I'm an award-winning nest-maker!

So, remember my post about my nests appearing in an exhibition? Well, the art show in which they debuted has won an award! Common Ground at Artes de la Rosa was voted Reader's Choice for the Best Gallery Art Show of the Last 12 Months in the FW Weekly's Best of 2010 Awards! See for yourself here! I am feeling like one proud bird.

Jam of the Day (Yesterday)

Matt & Kim's Cameras. Enjoy!

The prettiest things I've seen all day...

...Can be found right here. Swoon!

Last Night's Dream: An Apple, A Flood, A Supper...and A Nosebleed

So if you know me, or have just read the title of this post, you know that I have very strange dreams. But this one was especially strange, and especially vivid.

I dreamt that I was working in a school, and got a wicked nosebleed. (In real life I got them all the time as a kid, and now I still do occasionally.) I went to the school nurse, who, strangely enough, gave me a pill to take. I was concerned that it was an MAOI drug. (Really? Who dreams about this kind of stuff?) Would it interact with my prescriptions? I guess I wasn't that concerned, because I took it anyway.

The bleeding stopped, and I went back to class. I found that all the students had been taken to the gym, because there was a flood! I helped get them onto their buses to go home, and then boarded one myself. It was something between a bus and a big rig.

When I got on, I found it was filled with my family, friends, and co-workers from current and past jobs. They informed me that we were all going to my apartment for a dinner party! Initially, that made me excited. Then I thought, "Oh crap! My apartment is a mess!" As we rode through high, muddy water, I visualized a plan to run ahead of everyone, dash up the stairs, and at least tidy up the apartment.

We arrived, but everyone climbed the stairs right on my heels. Almost immediately, it seemed like people were having a fantastic time. Everyone sat at one long table, each guest placed next to others to produce great conversation and laughter. Pleased with the event, I rose from the table. I grabbed an apple from one of the edible centerpieces (?), taking a bite as I walked away. Then I choked on it! I stood with my back to the crowded table, trying to pull the pieces of fruit from my throat. All I could grab onto were tiny shreds of its peel.

That's when I woke up, coughing and gasping. Crazy, huh?!

So here's what dreammoods.com says about some of this dream's elements, some of which are pretty spot-on for me right now:

Choking

Choking dreams are often a fearful experience and it is not uncommon for dreamers to awaken from them. To dream that you are choking on an object, suggests that you may find some advice/remarks/situation hard to swallow or difficult to accept. Alternatively, you may feel that you are unable to completely express yourself in a situation. In particular, if you are choking on food, then it may be an expression of self-guilt and unnurtured feelings. If you are choking on smoke, then it indicates something you are unwilling to confront.

Flood

To dream that you are in a flood, represents your need to release some sexual desires. If the flood is raging, then it represents emotional issues and tensions. Your repressed emotions are overwhelming you. Consider where the flood is for clues as to where in your waking life is causing you stress and tension. Alternatively, the dream indicates that you are overwhelming others with your demands and strong opinion. Still another interpretation could be your desire to wipe everything clean and make a fresh new start.

To see a gentle flood in your dream, indicates that your worries over a certain matter will soon be swept away.

Nose

To dream that you have a bloody nose, means that your character is under attack. If your nose is stuffed up, then it suggests that you unable to freely and fully express yourself.

Party

To dream that you are at a party, suggests that you need to get out more and enjoy yourself. If the party is a bad one, then it indicates that you are unsure of your social skills. If you dream that you are at your own birthday party, then it represents appreciation of the life you have.

Beautiful

I happened to be in the car at times so that I heard this song (Mercyme's Beautiful) twice yesterday. Brought me to tears both times, so I figured I'd share it.

Haiku: To the Audible Breather Next to Me in Spin Class

I pedal so fast

But it is not fast enough

To shake your whistling

Moments

There were moments this weekend that seemed like jewels. They were so beautiful, but, being moments, they were fleeting. I think that makes them seem even more precious.

-Hanging out with a new friend, even though the movie we saw wasn't that great
-Joking, laughing, talking, snuggling, etc. with my sweetie
-The mellow, yummy feeling of a birthday brunch
-Riding in the car with my sweetie: windows down, sunroof open, Miles Davis on the stereo, and my head on his shoulder
-Coming home to a tidy treehouse stocked with groceries and clean laundry for the week
-Celebrating my church's 30th anniversary with great music and an inspiring sermon...and cakeballs!
-Catching up with a friend I haven't seen in a loooong time

I hope I can keep these in mind as my week gets underway. What are some of your weekend jewels?

One of My All-Time YouTube Favorites

A friendly reminder to enjoy the simple things in life, like this lil' guy:

To Trust

I am learning more and more lately what it means to trust God. This is a struggle for me, as I'm quite the control freak. Not only do I need to know when, where, and how things will happen, I also would prefer to have a role in deciding these factors.

I realize the ridiculousness in such a mindset, and yet it's proving very hard to break away from. However, as God is in the business of making believers more like Him, He's given me quite a few opportunities for growth in the past year or two:

-Unemployment: After I was laid off, I could no longer count on a job. It really was God who provided for me financially during that time (through my savings, unemployment benefits, and my generous parents). When I worried over money, there was always a solution.

-Anxiety: If you've ever had a panic/anxiety attack, you know that your thought process quickly turns into an irrational spiral of what-ifs, I-shoulds, etc. Things feel surreal and icky, to say the least. To know that there are times when I can't rely on my thoughts has brought me closer to the Lord. I have learned that at all times, I can rely on His word, and His promises for me. They are far more steadfast than my flawed mind and body.

-Any change: From a new workout routine to a new career, God has challenged my adaptability in matters small and large. Will I be flexible, or will I break? When I lean on Him, turn to Him, and seek the counsel of other believers, I can stretch much more easily.

For me, I've also noticed that trusting God becomes easier when I recall the countless times He's "come through" for those in the Bible, and for me in my own life. He is so faithful. It's part of His divine character!

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock Eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Wow. I want to shoot for that.

Busy!

Whew! This week has really helped me relate to all those people I hear saying, "There just aren't enough hours in the day!"

Work has been busy, in a good way. Last month, I moved 6 loads. This week I've already done 5! I love all the little details that go into doing my job. I enjoy my boss and my co-workers so much. I love talking to the customers, the dispatchers, even the truckers! Yesterday I had a customer- a crusty Noo Yawker, no less- tell me "You did a good job" with a difficult load he had to move. I also had a trucker tell me to "put a gold star by [my] name" for giving him directions to a location. Everything happened according to plan. I even made enough in gross profit to earn a tiny commission, for the first time ever!

After work, it's exercise, dinner, a never-ending supply of dirty dishes, and a to-do list lacking the satisfaction of having everything crossed off. I try to make progress on a painting for my brother. I get out my stationery, determined to answer a letter from a sweet friend. I open my Bible, to prepare for my small group meeting this week. But- but- it's so late! And the morning comes so quickly. Dirty workout clothes litter my floor, tangled with my heels worn to work. My trash is full, so I smush it down to try to fit in just one more little thing....

And then the weekend arrives. I celebrate by making a frozen pizza and watching one of my favorite DVDs, Eagle vs. Shark. This morning, I ran 4 miles. Along the way, I found a cool old wooden crate someone had put out for the garbage! I washed my car, and filled up the gas tank. I cleaned my apartment. I did a little shopping. And tonight I'll get to hang out with a new friend! Tomorrow will be a day for laundry, family, church, and games. As for Labor Day, I don't know what I'll do...but I will definitely appreciate the extra day off to relax.

Christian Mental Mash-Up

Do you ever mix up 2 similar-sounding songs in your head? Today I realized I did that with these 2 songs: Nichole Nordeman's Holy, and Natalie Grant's I Will Not Be Moved. I love them both, but the melodies sound too alike for my brain to keep separate. Enjoy!