today

there are days that are so absolutely full and crazy that
you don't have time to stop and think about how
simultaneously wonderful they were until you're
sitting at your kitchen table, taking a break for water
robe and slippers on, hair pulled back
and someone poses a simple question:
best part of your day?

and suddenly the day is replaying in my head
and all the best parts come rushing forward
a day that was reserved for class, midterm studying, paper writing, work
now creates for me a list of wonderful moments
that make me realize that today was a great day

things i learned today

1. flexibility in leadership is essential.
2. the ymca does amazing things for the world.
3. i love kids more every time i get to work with them.
4. jamba juice is always the best way to start a day.
5. sometimes Jesus wants you to be vulnerable in ways that you are not prepared for.
6. you grow the most in challenging situations.
7. 40 days of veganism might leave me hungry.

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer,
it sings because it has a song."
--Maya Angelou

squishy

for those who need clarification:

{dedicated to taylor}

(this is a half joke...)

i can't tell you how many times i've used this term to describe a new (or ongoing) crush, or my ideal boyfriend/husband. it's weird that we talk about it, but it's sad that more people don't use this term more frequently. here we go...

squishy: a term used to describe a particular body type and/or way of life

squishy is: a term of endearment, such a good compliment, exactly what every guy should aim for

squishy is not: an insult or a flaw

if someone is squishy, he is:

in shape and healthy, but not too firm or musclely

gives great hugs, good at cuddling

[never like hugging a rock, which is painful and (obviously) a deal-breaker]

usually quirky, always kind, slightly dorky

awesome without knowing it (or, at least he is very humble)

{for further clarification: examples!}

people who are squishy:

quirky, kind, dorky, cute, cuddly :)

people who are not squishy:

too buff/toolish/gross...

obviously, taylor and i are the ultimate experts on this term and we make the final decisions about a person's squishiness...if you have questions, or would like to do further comparison, please...comment away :) :)

now, there can be no more confused faces when this comes up in everyday conversation (and it will)

p.s. this makes me dorky and weird, and i know it...

today, i love

today, there is no shortage of love in my life.

i hold out hope for the love that i have waited a lifetime for
for a love that is, at this moment, unfathomable
a love that gives me butterflies and sweet rest
a selfless love, a love that requires all of me--a gift, a compromise, a constant dying to self
a love that creates beauty and community
the source of unconditional kisses
i hold out hope that i am one minute closer to stumbling upon it,
falling into it, giving myself to it completely


"love me and the world is mine"--David Reed


but, today, i do have love.
lots and lots and lots of it.

to my parents, who made me, shaped me, adore me, encourage me, support me
to my gram, who hugs me, kisses me, shares her life with me and teaches me
to my big brother, who makes me laugh, think, be better, who believes in me
to miss jennifer rosin, who is the best friend in the world, a constant source of laughter and adventure, counsel and challenge
to my roommate, who lets me sit in bed with her and blog, loves giraffes and life, and brings me so much joy
to my san diego people (my friends who are family, my mentors, my professors, my work, my world), who i couldn't survive without (and wouldn't want to), who are brilliant, hilarious, constant, so loving, have shaped me and challenged me and encouraged me during the most important years of my life
to my home people (the friends with whom skype dates make my day and visits can't come soon enough), who listen to me, encourage me, have journeyed with me, who inspire me, ask questions and whose answers i trust and respect, who define fun, and make home worth it
to jamaica, who taught me, changed me, challenged me, grew me, tanned me, taught me to dance, taught me to love
to san diego, the place where my life changed, enough said
to jesus, who heals me, changes me and loves me in spite of my skepticism, who is good and just and exactly who we need him to be




a hundred hearts would be too few to carry all of my love for you
thank you, and i love you.

senior year

there are a billion things that i love about my senior year in san diego:
1. i live at the beach.
2. i spend every bit of spare time with people that i love so much.
3. i have some sort of idea where my life is going.
4. i love my job.
5. i finally know my way around the good restaurants of the city.
6. my classes are incredible.
7. i like the person that the last three years has shaped me into.
8. i no longer crave san ramon. i feel at home.
9. dinner parties.
10. sleepovers.
11. it feels good to be older than twenty.
12. i spend every bit of spare time with people that i love so much.
13. i spend every bit of spare time with people that i love so much.

there is one thing that i hate:
1. senior year means that may is the end.

there is a list of things i still need to accomplish:
1. vegas.
2. spend every bit of spare time with people that i love so much.
3. new restaurant every week.
4. go to a play. (Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company: Self, The Remix)
5. go back to jamaica.
6. dinner parties.
7. fall in love.
8. stay out all night.
9. zoo.
10. bike rides along the beach.
11. balboa park. world beat center. art museums. people watching.
12. spend time at the OB People's Co-op.
13. go sailing.
14. spend every bit of spare time with people that i love so much.

(notice a theme??)

happy birthday, brother

today, my brother turns 25

which is old
but i still love him


happy birthday, brother
i love you!

eating animals

"[I was] a child, ignorant of the world's workings.
Until I wasn't.
At which point I had to change my life."

--Mr. Jonathon Safron Foer, from Eating Animals
(a book that EVERYONE should read)