Tuesday, July 22, 2008

My Last Two Days in Orange County

Monday: (*involved K Shan)
* Woke up and got ready...went to Target to get some last-minute stuff...
* Katie, Ron and Abby came to help move the couch, chair, bed and tubs...
* Lunch at Macaroni Grill...Katie Shannon met us*
* Drove to White Lotus to make a tattoo appointment*
* Back home to pack up some more stuff*
* Got a tattoo*
* Dinner at Ruby's*
* Back to my house to meet up with the boys*
* Slept with two blankets on the floor...

Tuesday:
* Up early for breakfast with my dad and grandparents
* Stopped at Starbucks on the way to and from breakfast (yep, two)
* Shopped for sandals and shampoo
* Went to the office to cut strips for my paper chain (to countdown until Ryanne and Katie visit)
* Came home to almost finish cleaning up
* Lunch with the Student Ministries team at Chipotle*
* Mamma Mia! viewing*
* Say goodbye to Ali and Erin
* Back to my house to finish cleaning up my house
* Drive to Tustin to record a song for the Fuel CD
* Dinner at Lucille's with the Edwards, the Witts, Bethany, Zack and Tim (my mom, aunt, cousin and grandparents were at another table)
* Yogurtland to say hello/goodbye to Gabe
* Drop my car off with my dad
* Back to my house...last minute clean-up...packing...hanging with friends*

And that brings you up to speed...
Crazy how quickly this trip came up...
I guess the next time I blog will be from Kenya...crazy!

Friends For Eternity

I got another tattoo today. That makes 5.
If I could, I would have gotten another today...but I guess I'll wait until I return from Kenya...crazy, right?

Here it is...
Marafiki Milele--Swahili for "Friends for Eternity"...Katie got the same one on her wrist...we are totally lame for getting matching tattoos, but I really love her guts and want to be her friend for eternity...

Saturday, July 19, 2008

You Turn Me Into Somebody Loved

Rain turns the sand into mud
Wind turns the trees into bone
Stars turning high up above
You turn me into somebody loved
--"Somebody Loved" by The Weepies

This song makes me cry every time I hear it.
When Sarah sang it at Brenna and Ryan's wedding, Katie and I were instantly in tears.
I bought it on iTunes the next day.

There were dozens of moments yesterday when this song came to mind:
As students, old and new, came with tear-filled eyes to say goodbye...knowing that when they left the conference we would not see each other again until February.

As I was given a support check from a Saddleback staff member...

As I was stopped in the halls of the office by a few other staff members who reminded me that they are praying for me...that they are so excited for what God will do...that they love me...even my exit interview was filled with encouragement and anticipation.

As the Jr. High staff and spouses sat around in Kurt's house last night sharing memories, affirming and encouraging me...when Ron tears-up, you know it's an emotional evening...

As I ran in to some friends at the Spectrum who were genuinely excited to see me and have a chance to say goodbye.

It's all of these moments that remind me that these people are what make me somebody loved.
I can't even explain the overwhelming emotions that come with knowing that I am this loved.
It doesn't seem fair to have so many people who truly care about me.
I'm so grateful for this knowledge...I think, if this is all I learn from this experience (and I know it won't be), then it is worth it.

So...if you are one of these people...please rest assured knowing that I love you too...that I had trouble forming sentences yesterday thinking about not seeing your face on a regular basis...that I want so much to be a part of your next school semester or your day-to-day adult learning or even simple inside jokes that are developed in the office or on my back porch...

I just read this over and I'm really hoping it doesn't come across as arrogant. I'm not trying to sound awesome, I'm hope to convey my heart of appreciation.

Oh, and two sappy posts in a row mean something really funny has to come soon...so be ready for that.

I Love My Mummy

My mom is my biggest fan.
My mom totally loves me...and she constantly tells me how much.
My mom is so proud of me...she alternates that with the "I love you" messages.

I love my mom.
I try to tell her I love her equally as many times as she says it, but I don't know if I can match it.
I am so proud of my mom...for being a great mom at a young age, for graduating college the year I graduated from high school, for being kind and loving, and for being willing to step out of her comfort zone and care about the world around her.

I was telling someone today that I am excited for Kenya because I know that my mom's heart is really opened to the idea of doing ministry in Kenya, not just watching and living vicariously through the ministry of others...

So, I love you mama. I'm really proud of who you are...and I thank you for helping me (everyday) become more and more of who I am and will grow in to.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Doug Fields On Leadership

I'm just getting home from Day 3 of the Student Leadership Conference.
It's been a very fun week...6 sessions (the seventh--and final--is tomorrow).

Today we had both on- and off-campus leadership experiences.
Doug wrapped up the on-campus experience with a few words on leadership...
I wrote this down on a scrap of paper in my pocket because I knew I wanted to blog about it.

"Leadership can be both fun and frustrating"

Such an appropriate statement in the midst of this conference...I have had gallons of fun and ounces of frustration, but they have each been present...

Wise old Fields...

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I Love Photography. I Love Architecture.*










*I did not take these pictures. I'm merely an admirer of the work.

I'm An Idiot

I was talking to Bethany on the phone and I found this headband sitting on my floor...
So I put it on.

Then, I sat and read email, checked myspace and blogs...all while wearing this headband.

Then, I thought, "I wonder how stupid this looks"...and instead of going to check in the mirror, I turned on Photobooth.

Thought I would share my stupidity with the entire world wide web.
In the words of Justin Timberlake (as Ashton Kutcher), "I'm Awesome!"

I Love New York

Did you know that?
I'm seriously considering moving there next year...
Would you like to come along?



Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Love. True Love.


Photograph by Katie Shannon

Ask Not For Whom The Bell Tolls...

Bethany, Leo and I had lunch at Taco Bell on Friday.

As we were eating, an elderly couple came in, ordered, and sat down to eat.

I watched them, feeling as though they were really out-of-place; she in her orthopedic wedge heels and he in his day suit.

Then, I realized it: grandparents don't eat Taco Bell...not alone.
They should have been at Mimi's or Coco's or even Lucille's...not Taco Bell.

Hold off on the Crunch Wrap Supreme until your grandchildren are with you...
Otherwise, you are making this world a confusing place to live.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Persepolis

I really enjoyed it.
The animation is brilliant, the storyline is not at all light-hearted which I had thought it would be (I'm not sure why I had made that assumption)...but all-in-all, I am so glad I bought it.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Come On Barbie, Let's Go Party...

Obviously, I'm in process of moving; moving things from my house to my mom's, from my house to the church, from my dad's to my mom's, and on and on.
This morning, Luke and I went to my dad's to move my Barbie collection to my mom's, so she can sell most of them while I'm in Kenya. My Grandma started the collection for me when I was nine...since then, I have accumulated over 200 Barbies of various prices...X-Files Barbie, Barbie Loves Frank Sinatra, Share a Smile Becky (who is in a wheelchair), South African Princess, March of Dimes Barbie...Blossom, MC Hammer, all five members of NSYNC, and all five Spice Girls.

We filled Luke's car and drove away...At the first red light, I was attacked by Freedom Barbie, but I put her in her place.

Luke kept saying, "This is like the beginning of a really scary movie."
Then he said, "You're like one of those people that never throws anything away..."

So, if you're looking for any Barbies...I know someone who is trying to get rid of a few...priced to move.

Where's Waldo?

This week he's at the Student Leadership Conference in The Refinery.
Will you be there, too?
I will...

One More Try

I haven't been able to pack this last tub because people keep coming over to attempt to get inside. I actually put things in it and someone took it all out to get in.
It's really funny to see such ridiculous competition.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Saddleback Student Ministries...Creating New Bloggers One At A Time

We have a new intern coming to the Saddleback Student Ministries Team.

Her visit (for her interviews) inspired her to blog...

Read it...Love it.

Want To Move To Kenya With Me?

Today, Katie and I went to pick up my car from the shop. Ryan wanted to come along, but was too busy.
So, he drew a picture of himself so that it would be like he was with us...
I told Katie it was like Flat Stanley, so then we took a picture of him everywhere we went.
In my car:At the mall:
At Starbucks:
He also was in the house while we made cupcakes tonight, but there is no photographic evidence of this.

I was thinking, on my way home from Crave, that this could be a really fun Kenya thing...

SO...


If you would like to make a "Flat [Insert Your Name Here]", I will take you to Kenya with me and blog about our African adventures a few times.

Submit your entries soon...as I will only be in this country for 13 more days.

Oh, K Shan

I love this:
Have you read my Kenya blog?

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More Photos From Gurly

The trip leaders:Then this girl tried to jump in...we were not happy.
Me and my friend Ryanne...whom I love...

Gurly By Numbers

47 girls
8 leaders
2 trains
4 metros
2 shuttles
12 hotel rooms
1 leaky air conditioning
2 "leader-only" meals
1 set of twins
3 of the quints
1 giant room at Buca di Beppo
1 1/2 games of bowling
1 movie
5 hours of free time spent at Starbucks
5 caramel macchiatos
2 chocolate chip cookies
7 hours of sleep
1 new shirt

More pictures to come...




Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I'm Not A Player, I Just Crush A Lot

We're in Hollywood with 47 Junior High girls for a few days...
It's been fun, but VERY exhausting.
I don't think I've said "Hey! Be aware of your surroundings!" more in my entire life.

Thankfully, we had a leader table at dinner...
We played a few rounds of MASH, and then drew some caricatures of one another.

Then we made a list of all of the boys I have had a crush on in my life...it was so much to have Katie, Ryanne and Alanna at the table since they could remember boys from Junior High (and a few from High School) that I would have otherwise forgotten.

I wish I had my camera cord so I could take a picture of this list...it really is amazing. (I'll post it when I get home). Ryanne wanted to be sure I wouldn't type the list out here (which of course I would not), but I said everyone on the list is well-aware that I had a crush on them...

Final count: 53

Awesome...

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

Katie tried to fit in the tub in hopes that I would take her to Kenya with me...
The boys were jealous that she could fit...

SamGabe and Luke were so proud of how flat the lid could be with Sam inside
Luke was pretty close, too
Sorry Gabe...
Anyone else want to try to come to Kenya with me?

Monday, July 07, 2008

More Cinespia Photos



FACT: Geckos Hate Water

David brought Luke outside under the guise of taking a group picture.
No big deal, I'm just setting up the shot...we're waiting for Bethany.
David knows what's coming...he's out.
Run Luke, Run!
Not sure what's happening? Come by the Refinery...we'll show it to you...

Cinespia--Blue Velvet

Last night a few of my friends helped me cross another item off of the 25 Things To Do While I'm 25 list...See a movie in a cemetery.

That's right, we drove up to LA to Forever Hollywood Cemetery, parked a few blocks away (an amazing parallel park-job by Bethany), and enjoyed the experience of a movie in a cemetery.

Everyone brings food...and blankets and lawn chairs...so we brought a small picnic: sandwiches, chips, cookies, sodas...
It was a little chilly at the end of the night, but not too bad...
Definitely a creepy movie...and one that I would have a difficult time recommending to anyone other than my dad and brother, but I really can't wait for next summer when I will be there as often as possible enjoying the company of hundreds of other people while watching classic films.Here's Gabe walking back to the car...looking awesome.