This Little Light of Mine....

So, as I was driving home tonight, I had a most interesting encounter with the guy driving the SUV next to me. Picture it: I'm in my little raspberry colored car (Ok, so it's not technically mine. Thank you, Nana, for letting me borrow it!!), all the windows rolled down (because we had the most perfect September weather today!), singing along at the top of my lungs with the song on the radio, which is tuned to the WordFM. I'm stopped at a notoriously long stoplight. Seriously. The kind of stoplight that would be created by an evil genius bent on revenge, because it stays red forevvvvvvvver and is only green for about a tenth of a millisecond.

Anyway, Guy in the SUV in the lane next to me must also have his windows rolled down. Now, let me just point out that, had I known this, I most definitely would have stopped singing. OR at least rolled up my windows. I do feel kind of bad for the innocent strangers who are forced to listen to me squawk, after all. However, I didn't realize it.

He, naturally, did. And he must have had exceptionally good hearing, because even with the sound of my squawks, he was able to discern the song I was listening to.



Guy in the SUV: Hey! Sounds like a good song! What station you listening to?



Me (after turning the music down and trying to pretend I have no idea where that awful squawking was coming from): WordFM....88.9!



Guy in the SUV: "Word"...sounds like one of those Godly Christian stations...



Me: It is. And it's pretty awesome. You should check it out!



Guy in the SUV: You know, I don't know that I believe in God....



Me: Check it out anyway. Maybe you'll hear something....maybe it will help answer your questions.



At this point, the stoplight must have sensed that we were actually enjoying ourselves and getting into a conversation. Naturally, being designed to bring everlasting frustration upon the world, it quickly changed to green, forcing us both to move. However, and I swear God was smiling, we hit another red stoplight a few blocks up. Once again, I'm stopped next to Guy in the SUV, and we both still have our windows rolled down.
And I hear the same songs I'm listening to in my car playing from his radio. And he's tapping his fingers along on the steering wheel. He looks over and notices me and says, "I might keep listening to this. Thanks." And I replied, "You're welcome!" and then we were off, going our seperate ways.

Even now, hours later, I can't even explain how blown away I am by this encounter. It was so completely unexpected and wonderful....but furthermore, it makes me aware of the fact that every part of my life is a testimony to God and His faithfulness. Every single tiny moment.

In Philippians, Paul writes: "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel..." [Phil. 1:2-28] We are called, then, to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Of God Himself. That is a hugely daunting order, isn't it?! But Paul doesn't just say that we should live this way "while you're in church" or "when people are watching you" or "during work hours"; we are to act this way all the time. Our whole lives. Every moment of my life, every little thing I do, from the way I dress, the language I use, the words I write, the choices I make, the conversations I have, the music I listen to, and the way I treat others around me all reflect the values that are central to my life. And those values need to be Godly ones!!

Sometimes I forget that my faith can influence people outside of Sunday mornings or my circles of Christian friends. Sure, it's easy to see how having deep discussions in Sunday school or praying together with friends is meaningful....but I really had no idea that the things I do or the way I act outside of those situations meant anything to anyone. But God's been making me aware of it lately, and I wonder if it's His way of encouraging me to be more aware of what my actions are saying about me (for better and worse).

One of the reasons I've had this renewed interest in blogging is due to a recent conversation. A few days ago, a friend told me that "Yours is one of the only Christian blogs I read." I am so surprised and honored by this! (I am FLATTERED, dear!!) She may not agree with what I believe, and yet, she reads it anyway. In some way, I might be influencing her life...God is using me for a purpose! It's a pretty amazing feeling to think that God Himself is using me for some part of His plan!

So, morals of the story?
1. Even the tiniest, seemingly insignificant parts of our lives might be changing the world and affecting people.
2. Stoplights might serve a higher purpose after all.
3. Always leave the windows down. Who knows what opportunities you might miss otherwise? :)

HAILSTORM
[written for a friend in need]

Hail-storms of hurt-words
Come barreling down;
Warm rays of sunlight
No longer found.
Unexpected and whirling;
Hardened and cold;
Invaded by dark clouds
Angry and bold.
A bruise here, a scar there
Salty rain-tears descend
Lord, strengthen me;
Lead me to the storm’s end.

The month so far...

Heh. Now that you've all gotten used to the crazy-frequent posting of January...make way for February the crazy-busy! Sorry I've been so quiet lately. We're only a week into Feb and already I'm exhausted!

Wednesday flew by in a whirl of classes, homework, and interviews. Thursday was the Big Birthday. It was, by far, the greatest birthday I've EVER had -- THANK YOU to all the awesome people who made it so marvelous! Details soon. Friday - Saturday I was gone at a sleepover and attending another bday party; today the cuz had a wrestling match which lasted for a mere 6 1/2 hours. Now, I've got a crazy load of homework that needs to be done by tomorrow night, and I'd better do it now, because I'll be gone all day tomorrow at a college visit/interview (*GULP* prayers needed. It could lead to a full-tuition scholarship. But no pressure or anything, right?!?!?) and then a meeting in the evening.

Someday soon, I really WILL have time to think out a post. Pinky promise.

The Thought Process: Math Homework

• I want to play Guitar Hero.
• But I really need to do this math homework.
• I will NOT play Guitar Hero until this math homework is done!
• I really need a pencil.
• *digs through backpack*
• What IS this? Why is it sticky....? How long has that been there....?
• Maybe I don't want to know.
• Focus. Pencil.
• *dig dig dig*
• AHA! Found one!
• Aw, man, it needs sharpening.
• *look at desk, where there SHOULD be a pencil sharpener, but it is too piled with stuff to see the sharpener*
• Hmm. It'll be easier to go sharpen it downstairs.
• *go downstairs to den to sharpen pencil*
• *have pointless convo with Lil Bro*
• *go back upstairs to bedroom*
• Hey, it's the cat! Hi, Grumpy girl!
• *pause to pet cat*
• *back to bedroom*
• Oh, yeah. Calculator. I need my calculator!
• Where IS my calculator, anyway?
• *begin to search room for calculator*
• Hmmm...it doesn't appear to be anywhere up here...I did just use it recently...
• *snaps fingers*
• It must be downstairs!
• *back downstairs*
• Oh, there it is! On the kitchen counter!
• Hmmm, while I'm here, I might as well get a drink.
• Chocolate milk would be good.
• *makes chocolate milk*
• *carries calculator & milk back up the stairs*
• *sit down on bed*
• *open math book*
• Now, let's see...uh oh, I didn't write down which assignments I'm supposed to do.
• I have to go online and check the assignment website.
• *opens computer*
• Oh, look! I have new emails!
• Email from (college) about an interview? Better respond to that.
• Oh...an email from Very Best Friend about directions for tomorrow...
• That reminds me: I need to Google directions for tomorrow anyway. Better do it now so I won't forget.
• *clicks "print" for directions*
• I'd better go check and see if they printed
• *goes downstairs in den to check for directions.*
• Yay, they printed!
• *back upstairs*
• Ok. Math. Focus. I was checking the assignment.
• *goes back to site*
• *writes down assignment*
• *IM pops up*
• It's L! I haven't talked to her in ages!
• *15 minute convo with L*
• Ok. No more distractions. Math needs to get done.
• Wow...it's amazing how many times I've been distracted.
• That would make a good blog post, I think.
• *writes blog post*
• Wow, is that the time? I really better get moving on this homework...
• *does three problems*
• I'm really tired....
• I have to get up early tomorrow....
• Maybe I should go to sleep now....
• I do have all weekend to do these problems...
• They're not due til Monday....
• That's plenty of time!
• Yeah, I'll do 'em later.
• *gets ready for bed*
• Hmmm. But I'm not really tired.
• Maybe I could play just one song on Guitar Hero.THEN I'll go to bed.
• *plays Guitar Hero until much too late*
• Ooops.
• *yawn*
• I really should have done that homework if I was going to stay up so late.
• Oh, well.
• There's always tomorrow.
• Or the day after.

*confession*

I was the girl who swore she didn't need video games in her life.

I was the girl who swore she didn't have time for such trivial pursuits.

I was the girl who swore she didn't want a Nintendo DS, especially when all her friends told her how much fun it was and how much she'd love it.

I was the girl who was determined.

I am also the girl who caved.

I was the girl who may have gotten a DS, but decided she didn't need Guitar Hero: On Tour because it was just way too expensive.

I was the girl who thought paying $40 plus shipping for one game was ridiculous.

I was also the girl who saw aforementioned Guitar Hero game on sale for $30.

I was also the girl who happened to have $30 from grandmothers and explicit instructions to spend it on something UNpractical and UNeducational (yup. I'm that lame. I have to be forced to be spontaneous and impractical).

I am now the girl who owns the game she doesn't need and the Nintendo DS she doesn't need.

And I am now the girl who kicks major guitar butt.

I'm pretending it will help me play my real guitar better :-D


P.S. Have y'all taken note of how many times I've posted already this month?!?! This is a new record here in Mismatchedville! It's unheard of!!!

Just Keep Swimming...

Life is overwhelming. Plain and simple. Often we find ourselves consumed by situations and, more than anything else, we just want OUT! It's so easy, when we feel like we're completely surrounded by "yuck", for our prayers to focus on ending suffering or showing us a way out of a stressful situation. And yet, I think sometimes God gives us these tough times in our lives so we can learn just how determined we are; so we can see how much strength and endurance He gives us.

TWO FROGS IN CREAM

A poem by T. C. Hamlet

Two frogs fell into a can of cream,
Or so I’ve heard it told;
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
“O, what’s the use?” croaked number 1,
“Tis fate; no help’s around.
Goodbye , my friends! Goodbye, sad world!”
And weeping still, he drowned.
But number 2, of sterner stuff,
Dogpaddled in surprise,
The while he wiped his creamy face
And dried his creamy eyes.
“I’ll swim awhile, at least,” he said.
Or so I’ve heard he said;
“It really wouldn’t help the world
If one more frog were dead.”
An hour or so he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter,
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,
Then hopped out, via butter!

For the love of random, unedited poems that just flow...

15 Jan 2009
10:15pm

This Is Me

Snowflakes in my hair
Stars in my eyes
Dreams in my heart
Worries on my mind.
Voices in my head
Polish on my toes
Pencil in my ponytail
Freckles on my nose.
Music in my ears
Bracelet on my wrist
Chocolate in my mouth
Tension in my fingertips.
Wandering imagination
Devoted soul to Christ
Tears of joy and sorrow
This is me, this is my life.

One Little Word

Megan from the amazing Bloom Blog published a really neat post earlier this week. She talked about a project, of sorts, that she's taking part in this year called One Little Word, and I love it! I'm going to participate, too.

I don't make New Year's Resolutions, because I think it's a totally meaningless tradition that most people just do because everyone else is doing it and they feel like they should, too (much like matching socks. These aforementioned reasons are precisely why I DON'T wear matching socks. Or shoes. Or gloves. You get the idea.). I mean, seriously? So many New Year's resolutions are very vague promises that people make and then forget about or give up on by the end of January. If you ask me, a resolution means nothing if it's just made as part of a tradition. There needs to be a true committment; an underlying passion for it to be successful. But that's an entirely different rant. :)

And yet, don't get me wrong; I certainly believe that there's always room for improvement in life! (Especially my life!) And I really like the idea of One Little Word: choosing one word to define you and the year 2009. I toyed around with a whole bunch of ideas before finally settling on one. (Did you all take notice of that? I, the Indecisive One, made a decision. YEAH! There should be thunderous applause coming from the audience right now!)

*drumroll*

My One Little Word of 2009 is genuine. My goal for this year is going to be to live my life as genuinely as possible. I think this word has particular relevance to my life lately because I've really be struggling with being genuine on so many different levels.

According to my dictionary, genuine has three definitions, and all three apply to my life and my goals right now.

1. authentic; real
I have a major tendency to try to please people, and a direct result of that is that I often try to act in a certain way to measure up to their expectations. My best friend recently confronted me about this and we talked about how, not only is the "acting" not necessary, but it's not true. It's not real. It's not genuine. Our discussion really made me aware of the many ways that I'm not being "real" in so many aspects of my life and I am determined to change that!

2. free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere
Sincerity has been a big focus of mine over the last few months, and I want to continue to make it an important part of life in 2009, too. I really believe that it's important to be honest with people and tell them how you feel. The two people in the world that I most enjoy talking to and being around are the two who I know will be brutally honest with me, no matter what. Whether this means confronting a friend about a touchy issue, asking how someone's day is going or saying "I love you", it all means nothing unless the intention is truly sincere. It drives me crazy when people ask me "How are you?" but clearly don't care about my answer!

3. descended from the original; pure in breed
When I read this, the first thing I thought of was one of my favorite passages from I John.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
--1 John 3:1-2

I love this passage because it reminds me that I AM a child of God; that I was created by Him for a specific purpose. My life has meaning and value and even when I can't see what He's got planned for me, I can trust that He is leading my life and knows what's in store. Especially in this crazy year, when I'll be facing so many changes and new situations, these are thoughts I need to keep in the front of my mind. Part of being genuine, of being pure is remembering WHOSE I am. When I do that, all my doubts about self-worth and worries about the future disappear.


I've taken Megan's suggestion and posted pink post-it notes all over the place (my mirror, in the bathroom, on my computer, on the fridge, on the radio in the car, on the cat) to remind myself of this new goal. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of God's help for me to truly implement this in my life this year, but hey, I'm determined!

I strongly encourage you guys to take on this challenge too; I'm quite curious to hear what your One Little Words are!

It's Always the Monkeys

Hee hee...for those of you to whom that title means anything, I love ya! Oh, the memories..... :)

Alright, so maybe it wasn't entirely the monkeys. My long, unexplained absense was partially my fault...Whew! Sorry, guys, I've really been intending to post a lot over the last few weeks, I really have! Pinky promise! But, as I'm sure you all can relate to, Christmas "break" was anything but. I was gone more than I was home (not that I'm complaining; GOOD TIMES, man!) and the time to write out posts just didn't exist! Anyway, I do promise that posts are on the way.

Sit tight.







(Alright, I'll probably regret asking this, but does anyone know where the term "sit tight" came from? What the heck is that supposed to mean, anyway?!)

One Life to Love

So...one lesson I've been learning a lot lately is that life is short. As you know, I am workaholic and a perfectionist to boot -- it's SO easy for me to get consumed by making sure every little detail is not only perfect but above and beyond expectations. This translates into doing intense amounts of extra credit homework, doing double assignments, studying and restudying obsessively...you get the idea. And while that's all well and fine, I'm finally starting to learn that there's more to life than striving for perfection.

When I get to Heaven, and Jesus asks me what I've done to further His kingdom, do I really want to be saying, "Well...um...well I DID get all 100's while I was in school! Perfect A's, every single year! And check out all the extra credit points I racked up!" Somehow...I don't He'll be that impressed.

My goal this year has been to shift my focus to the things that really matter in life. Don't worry -- I'm not saying school isn't important. I know that God wants me to work hard and get an education, because He's going to use that to His glory in whatever situations He places me in later on. I'm going to need that. (So even when Algebra seems pointless, I remind myself that somehow, this WILL glorify God, in the end...!). What I AM saying, though, is that priorities are important. I'm learning that sometimes, you have to skip a class to go vist your amazing youth leader Amy, who needs a lift. You might need to skip the extra credit homework assignment because your friend has just called you, sobbing. You might need to give up studying that chapter for the 13th time because your brother's club needs extra volunteers at a bake sale. Life is about loving; above all, we are to glorify God and spread His Word and His Love to all whose lives we can touch.

I'm learning that being so wrapped up in my own goals is selfish. I'm learning that I don't need to worry about the "what ifs" because if I'm following God's will, I know it's all gonna be OK. I'm learning that this is our one chance to spread the joy and life is too short to squander it on things that won't matter.

Will my SAT scores matter 10 years from now? Heck no. Will the fact that I was there to help my best friend out when she needed me matter? Oh, yeah. You bet it will!

When I get to Heaven, will God give a hoot about all the study hours I put in? Maybe. Maybe not. Will He be more concerned with the time I spent serving others, loving others and leading others to Him? Oh yeah, baby.

This song has been influencing my thoughts a lot lately, too.

I'm now officially midterm-free! HOORAY!!

*throws study guides and papers in the air and does a happy dance of total joy*

Life is very good right now!

But exceedingly busy, thus the uber-short post!

Ta-ta!

"...but GOD IS FAITHFUL."

For all of you who have been praying for/thinking about Amy -- thank you.
She received her diagnosis yesterday. She filled me in today. She does indeed have lymphoma (a type of cancer).
PLEASE keep praying.



Amazing how God works. I found this email in my inbox after I received the news:


"One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear. For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful."

-- Bodie Thoene

*drums fingers on table*

I. Don't. Like. Waiting.

ARGH! I don't like the way the clock goes so slow it's practically going backwards and I don't like how no matter how hard I try to distract myself I can't focus on ANYTHING else and I just don't like waiting!

Then again, I suppose nobody does....

*sigh*

OH JOY!!!!!!!

I am in the world's best mood today!!!! YAAAAAAY!

I tend to be pretty jumpy and rather delirious when I get in moods this good; so this is going to be one of those wonderful disjointed random BRILLIANT posts that we all know and love so well :)

REASONS FOR THE TOTAL JOY:

• MY BEST FRIEND FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY GETS HOME FROM VACATION TOMORROW, WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

• I had the GREATEST MOST FABULOUS weekend with my youth group this past weekend; we went camping and amusement park-ing and it was AWESOME! If I have time later I'll post more on that topic; but it was a grand adventure!!!

• But now that it's over, summer is really feeling over and done with (HALLELUJAH! I hate summer!), which is an AWESOME FEELING! I've been working really hard this week on school and gold award (for girl scouts) stuff and I'm making major headway (not to be confused with major headACHES, though I've also had those this week) which makes me pretty darn giddy, too!

• School starts on the 25th. College classes, baby; I'm PSYCHED!!!!!!!!

• Preschool open houses next week; it's the official beginning of the preschool year which is just plain WONDIFEROUS!!! It means I managed to survive the over 100 days of blasted summer!

• College visit next week which also includes a sleepover at friends' house which is AWESOME!

• I RAN THIS MORNING...after WEEKS of putting it off and making excuses I finally just did it this morning and yeah, it hurts, but I feel so GOOD!

THE RANDOM SONGS I AM CURRENTLY SINGING OUT AS LOUD AS I POSSIBLY CAN:

• My Beloved Monster-- Eels
• Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen
• I'll Make a Man Out of You -- from Mulan
• Dance with Me -- Jump5
• Hallelujah -- Krystal Meyers
• I'm a Believer -- Smash Mouth
• Paperback Writer -- The Beatles
• Brown Eyed Girl -- Van Morrison
• No One Like You -- BarlowGirl
• Livin' On a Prayer -- Bon Jovi

Camp again!

Yep! Off on another adventure! This time to a Christian camp up north-ish. I think. Actually, I'm really not sure which way it is...I'd like to say North. Maybe north-west-ish. AH, well...Daddy's driving, so I really don't have to know anything :)

This one is a REAL camp, though; meaning: tents. No A/C. Mud. Bugs. Algae-infested lake. FIRE!!! Hiking. Lack of showers. Etc.

I AM PSYCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Packing was bad. I successfully put it off ALL DAY yesterday and got home from church today just about an hour ago and managed to crazily throw everything I could remember or thought I might need into my duffel and it almost closes. So I have no idea if I have what I need, but I hate packing enough that I don't even care to go double check. I'll "rough it" for a week :)

We leave VERY SOON.

I'll be back Saturday....!

Honey, I'm hoooooooooome!

Ok, so really I've been home since Friday, but no matter; I've been too busy to post until now :)

Camp was AMAZING FANTASTIC AWESOME INCREDIBLE FABULOUS WONDERFUL EXCELLENT UNBELIEVABLE and MORE!!!!!!!!

Short version: decent cafeteria food, air conditioned dorms, EXCELLENT classses & speakers, street witnessing, reunions with old friends, ultimate frisbee, "TALLY HO!", LOTS of pictures, meeting new friends, evil cafeteria chairs, a stalker, "Ready cowgirls? YEEEE HAW!", a deceptive stop sign, card games, passing the final exam (only 1 question wrong, woo hoo!), the Spamley Cup (even if we did lose...), nightly worship services, singing, the cup game, and TONS more!!

The classes were positively incredible. Some of them were repeats of basic classes we did last year, but that was great, because apparently I've forgotten A LOT of stuff!!! It was excellent to have that review. I took so many notes and pictures and I definitely think that many of the things I learned/talked about this past week at Worldview Academy will be future topics on this blog. So watch out :)

Life continues to be crazy as I prepare for an interview, get ready for a bunch of meetings this week and register for college classes, gah!

Packing:

abhorrent, abominable, alarming, appalling, atrocious, awful, bad, beastly, contemptible, cursed, deplorable, depressing, despicable, detestable, dire, disgusting, distressing, dreadful, fearful, foul, frightful, ghastly, grim, grody, gross, gruesome, grungy, harrowing, hateful, heinous, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrific, horrifying, nasty, obnoxious, odious, offensive, repulsive, revolting, rotten, shocking, stinking, terrible, ugly, unpleasant, unsightly, very bad, vile, wretched.

Packing.

Gah.

[Who doesn't love Thesaurus.com???]


I leave for camp in 20 hours. I've packed nothing. I really should get to it. But I happen to harbor a hatred of packing. Now, don't get me wrong; I am SO PSYCHED!!!!!!! for camp, but the packing is always somewhat of a challenge, due to my abhorring the whole process and all. *sigh*
But my bed is totally covered with a variety of things I want to bring with me, so I really do need to transfer it all to the duffel, or else I shall be sleeping on the floor tonight...... and it could very well take me hours just to get upstairs to my room to begin the bed-cleaning-off process. After all, my procrastination skills are pretty darn amazing.

I'll be back Friday. If I remember and am feeling particularly loquacious, I'll try to preschedule some posts; however if it is bizarrely quiet here for the next 6 days, well, now you know why :)
I expect to come home to plenty of comments telling me how much I was missed!!!! :-P


[edit: Sunday 8:15am: Well now. Apparently my procrastination skills are much more well-developed and unbelievably amazing then even *I* thought. I managed to waste the entire evening last night. The stuff on my bed? Still there. I slept on the floor last night. I now have 15 minutes of packing time before we leave for church (which I am squandering away here, online, instead of upstairs with my duffel. Hmm.) and, if I'm lucky, there will be a whole hour in between church and leaving for camp in which I can eat lunch, change, and finish packing.
Yep. We're cooking now.]

Hmm

I am currently experimenting with the layout of the blog, though really, I don't know how much it matters since most of you are probably reading this via the bland black-and-whiteness of a feed reader anyway....but at any rate, your thoughts are most welcome :)

I am exhausted. Three parties in 30 hours is a lot for anyone; I think my (very limited) social abilities have been completely depleted. I need to recover from excessive amounts of mingling and cupcakes, so I am off to spend the rest of the night curled up in bed with my three latest library finds: Always Grace, by Tim LaHaye, because I love his writing and because this is much different the the usual apocolyptic fiction of his so I'm curious and because even I need a gooey romance story that makes me sigh happily every so often; Poetic Meter and Form, by I-don't-remember-but-it-looks-interesting-and-it-has-that-wonderful-old-book-smell-that-makes-me-swoon; and River Secrets, by (as most of you probably know) Shannon Hale, because Anilee and Somnite got me hooked on the BoB (haha, look at me, using Bayern-related acronyms!).

Ta-ta!

P.S. Check me out! This is post #10 this month. That's right folks, TEN posts this month; that's the most EVER. We're talking wowness of a record-breaking magnitude, here. AND!!! I still have nearly 27 hours before June is officially over, so who knows?! I might even EXCEED 10!!!

Taking q's advice

[q told me to write. "It doesn't even have to make sense"...well...]

It was so hot in my house yesterday that the chocolate chips, the chocolate chips that were sealed inside their yellow Nestle bag inside a drawer under a countertop far, far, far away from the dishwasher and the sun and any other heat-producing source...the chocolate chips melted. Into one big gooey glob. Chocolate chips aren't supposed to melt inside a drawer! Is there no safe haven left?!

So what did I do? Well, there's only one thing you can do with a bag of gooey chocolate chips. There's no hope left for them; obviously they'll never be the same again. Their sanctuary of the dark drawer has been invaded; suddenly there's no where left for them to go.........

I ate them.

There's nothing like gooey chocolate chips to make the monotony and dreadfulness of summer a little more tolerable.

Poetry Series: Week 1

Hmmm. I've been thinking, lately....I've decided that I'm going to try posting a poem every Monday...I mean, seriously -- what better way to start out your week?! And it might not necessarily be an original poem; they could be well-known favorite poems or perhaps completely unknown poems by random obscure poets that just happen to jump out at me at the time...or maybe something in between. Who knows...I'm still in the brainstorming phase. I'm hoping, though, that this will help me post more regularly and keep things at least a tad bit more interesting around here...

I still need to come up with a name for this little series, though...ideas, anyone? Alliteration is fun but I've already ruled out "Meditative Mondays" (sounds too sleepy) and "Metaphorical Mondays" (has too many syllables) and there aren't any fantastic "p" adjectives to pair up with "poetry"...although, in my defense, it is rather close to midnight and there's a fantastic chance I'm just not thinking straight.

So, seeing as it's Monday (at least, it is if I post this within the next 19 minutes...!), here is the very first entry of...whatever it is that I'm going to name this series.

*ahem*

Sandcastle Promises

Sandcastle promises
Built on uncertain shore
Beautiful to look at
Yet good for nothing more.

Lacking a foundation,
Made up of tiny grains;
Bits of rock soon washed away
Until not a single one remains.

Hopes, once packed together
Now quickly fall apart
These sculptures have no meaning;
They’re momentary works of art.

Their existence is soon shattered
By waves of reality
All my sandcastle promises
Have eroded completely.

So have I based my life
On all the petty things?
Or do I live with purpose,
Does my life have meaning?

Do I believe all that I say,
Am I willing to take a stand?
Or am I simply building
Fragile castles in the sand?


Hmmm.. I was going to post my thoughts on this poem but I changed my mind. How about if YOU guys tell me what YOU think??