It has begun again, only this time at 10:00pm.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into when I moved in with Cassandra Childs...weeks and weeks of running. ;) My pavement pounding has begun again. As much as I love to start out my day exercising, it just so happens that I have an early class, and I'd rather not get up at 5:00am, so we go in the evenings now. Tonight, as we ran, I could feel that my body was stronger than it was two weeks ago. I felt like I could go forever. As if by magic, it started to rain right at that moment. Cassie and I both just lifted our heads up and let it come down on us. It was such a beautiful, spontaneous moment. I am so blessed to have a roomate who motivates me to push myself and who helps me to become a better person in every aspect of my life. College, bring it on. Cassie and I are on the run. 

18 years of a beautiful life.

When I was little, I helped my mom grow cabbages twice the size of my head. Sunset was the end of my day, and sunrise was the beginning of it. I loved riding in the car when it was dark, and when it rained I would choose two small raindrops and pretend that they were racing each other, excitedly watching for which one would reach the bottom of the window first. I had indian-dark skin and white-blonde hair. Discovery park down the road was like a whole new world; so many nooks and crannies to hide in. My brother and I would spend hours and hours building elaborate hot-wheels tracks. Forts were our first sleeping choice, but not necessarily my mom's. My dad would give me one scoop of ice cream each night, and then brush my teeth before bed. I have lived 18 years of a beautiful life, and I hope that I live many, many more. 

Inspiration given through a cello goddess.

I walked outside last night and just sat on the curb for a while. I was just sitting there, thinking about life and everything else along with it. I started to question my motives, my future, my reasoning, my decisions. I felt like I was sinking into a dark hole full of question marks and confusion. However, today my cello professor, the cello goddess in this case, (during our lesson) gave me some fantastic words of musical wisdom. Not only did they correct some problems in my playing, but they gave me a sense of peace when it came to all of my questions that I had running through my head last night, too. She said (not necessarily word for word), "The problem with teaching is this: too many times we fall into the 'giving instructions and following them strictly' pattern. Instruction is good! It is useful in so many ways, but you have to remember that this is YOUR voice. The instruction I give is to simply help you find that voice. Ultimately, your playing needs to express what you want it to and convey the message that you want it to."
What an amazing woman. Little did she know that she was solving my life problems by telling me that I needed to phrase my music how I wanted to. It is times like these that I treasure the most because they always come at the most needed times. College is big. There are boogie men, so many buildings, intimidating grocery stores, and so many other things out there to get me. ;) But, this is MY voice. It is my time to take instruction from those around me, but use it how I will and turn my college experience into something that will enhance my life and express me. I may only be 5'2", but I know that my voice can be  Thank you, God. 

I'm still a child, and this is my prayer.

Father, tonight I found out that a friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia three weeks ago. I went outside and cried for a while. Why does there have to be so much hurt in the world? Could she please live? I think that her family and friends would miss her beautiful radiance and light that she carries with her everywhere.
Father, would you please bless all of those who are serving our country tonight. They are sleeping in tents on the ground while I am in a comfortable bed, safe inside my apartment. Please let them return to their families. What courage they have to leave and go so far away to keep me safe. I wish I could thank every single one of them in person.
Father, would you watch over the small children in Africa tonight? They have so little, and they probably have nothing to eat. I may be a poor college student, but I have a house and plenty of food in my pantry. Please bless those beautiful, orphaned brown faces who are out in the dark tonight, scared and alone. I just wish that I could go and hep every single one of them.
Father, aI know that I am not perfect, but please help me to try my hardest. Please help me to bless the lives of those around me with love and compassion. Please help me to serve my roomates, friends, and family in any way that I can. Please help me to smile at those around me. I love it when others smile at me. Please help me to be genuine in everything that I do and to always be strong and stand up for what I believe in. Thank thee for my life, health, freedom, and safety. I am so blessed.

Two tears and a smile.

I'm not sure what to write tonight. I wish I could just convey what my mind is thinking in a beautiful, powerful, emotional way. I watched the movie Radio tonight with one of my roomates, and I am amazed to say that it is the only movie I have ever cried during. Two tears, but it was still crying. :) Why is it that we condemn those who are different than us; those who have mental and physical problems. As I sat here tonight, I was overwhelmed with a sudden realization. Those people do not KNOW how to do wrong. They are perfect, beautiful spirits trapped inside of crippled, non-functioning bodies here on this earth. They are celestial. Why do we tease and judge those who are so pure and innocent? What beautiful, beautiful spirits they have. Their spirits are not tarnished in any way. They do not have the capability to intentionally hurt, tease, and wound people as we do. I came away from this movie with a tear streak down down my face and a smile on it too. We have a few things yet to learn from those who have the greatest lessons to teach us. Open your eyes and seek those lessons. They are not hard to find. Most of the time they come at you with open arms and a smile on their faces. 

Angel sent to room #204. :)

She has beautiful, long blonde hair, and invisible angel wings. She sings with a celestial voice, and her smile is always-present. Lucky for me, she gets to be my angel for the next 9 months, informally known by the title of roomie. :) When I didn't show up early last night, she came to check on me, because I don't have a phone. She always knows how to lift my mood, and she brings a blissful, happy air into our apartment. We have spent every single night staying up talking about the cutest boys in our building (most common topic of conversation...), recent struggles, and future recipes that we newly-formed homemakers are going to try-out. I am blessed beyond belief, and I find myself wondering more often than not, "Why me?". :)

God bless us. :)

Our dorm walls? Brown with layers of dirt.
Food? Delicious, but the kitchen is a disaster.
Heaven help my roomates. They brought way too much stuff. ;)
We have already proceeded to spill an entire bucket of water and microwave a METAL CAN OF GREEN BEANS.
I almost cried today when I discovered no one had a pastry brush. Shush. I was spoiled in my last kitchen.
I might think that my RA is slightly attractive. Don't tell him that. ;)
No air conditioning. It's fine. Sweating is good for your pores, right? Cleans them out. Totally.
Laughing hysterically and trying to get the command hooks to stay on our walls. Beyond priceless.

Let's just say, I love college already.