Update

1. So. Yesterday was my last day of work... and now the job hunt begins. I just need something part- time that allows me to sit down a lot... like secretarial or admin stuff. I'll have to see what's out there.
2. God is SOO good. He completely provided for my needs this week in a completely UNEXPECTED way. Wow! It was so incredible, I cried. And I am not a crier, not really.
3. School is amping up the homework.... again. Haha... at least I have more time for it now!
4. I am so thankful for all of the people in my life.
   
5. Just finished the book My Sister's Keeper, and it ended differently from the movie- not what I was expecting.
   
6. Sorry I've been such a slacker lately, but my life has been a whirlwind! Family in from out of town, National Honor Society induction, crazy work schedule, doctor's appointments, physical therapy appointments, Oh- Mesa City Band practice, and concerts- it's been hard to find the time to write lately.
   

Jazz

Epic. Fail.

I'm taking "Jazz In America" this semester online at ASU, and I found out today that I DESPERATELY need the cd's in order to do well in this class.

Well, now I know.

Today.

Today has been such a good day!

Cooking/ baking with mom and grandma, sneaking little bacon bits to the dog, then my little cousins came over and we watched Scooby Doo. You are never too old to watch cartoons. I am wearing my hand- made apron that I sewed myself, and I haven't done any homework today. And I didn't have to go to work!

Well, I guess technically I did some homework today... I did do a little reading for school. But I enjoy reading, and so I don't count it as homework really.

Anyway, the best part about today: it is filled with tons of family!! My grandma & cousins are all over from my mom's side, and later I have an aunt and her daughter + grandparents from dad's side coming over for a huge family dinner.

These are the best days, despite all the work. I am so blessed! :)

Hebrew

This year, I am in Hebrew 201, or the intermediate level. Yikes! Labeling parts of a sentence in Hebrew, asking for directions in Hebrew, and talking with correct grammar in Hebrew... eesh. Actually, "eesh" is the word for "man." But I digress.

I learned today that the Hebrew word for "Hebrew" or "ever" (עברית) comes from the verb meaning "to wander." So essentially, the Hebrews are wanderers... like when they were in the desert for years and years.

I find it interesting that they are still labeled the wanderers.... Israel is supposed to be their God- given land, but pretty much every other nation has been against that from the beginning. If Israel is destroyed, or taken over, at least they will still have a fitting name.

True Story

"Give me a new idea," I said,
While thinking on a sleepless bed;
"A new idea that will bring to earth
A balm for souls of priceless worth;
That'll give men thoughts of things above,
And teach them how to serve and love,
That'll banish every selfish thought,
And rid men of the sins they've fought."

The new idea came, just how, I'll tell:
"Twas on bended knee I fell,
And sought from Him who knows full well
The way our sorrow to expel.
SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS, great and small,
And give HIM praise whate'er befall,
In life or death, in pain or woe,
See God, and overcome your foe.

I saw Him in the morning light,
He made the day shine clear and bright;
I saw HIM in the noontide hour,'And gained from HIM refreshing shower.
At evening, when worn and sad,
HE gave me help, and made me glad.
At midnight, when on tossing bed
My weary soul to sleep HE led.

I saw HIM when great losses came,
And found HE loved me just the same.
When heavy loads I had to bear,
I found HE lightened every care.
By sickness, sorrow, sore distress,
HE calmed my mind and gave me rest.
HE's filled my heart with joyous praise
Since I gave HIM the upward gaze.

'Twas new to me, yet old to some,
This thought that to me has become
A revelation of the way
We all should lie throughout the day;
For as each day unfolds its liight,
We'll walk by faith and not by sight.
Life will, indeed, a blessing bring,
If we SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING.

A.E. Finn

I love this poem! By Samuel Taylor Coleridge, this epic poem tells the ghastly tale of a mariner who shoots an albatross and must do penance.

"The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared,
Merrily did we drop
Below the kirk, below the hill,
Below the light-house top.

The sun came up upon the left,
Out of the Sea came he!
And he shone bright, and on the right
Went down into the sea.

And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he
Was tyrannous and strong:
He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.

With sloping masts and dipping prow,
As who pursued with yell and blow
Still treads the shadow of his foe
And forward bends his head,
The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast,
And southward aye we fled."

-there's a lot more, it's pretty long; but that should give you a sense of the captivating rhythms Coleridge uses.

The poem was first published in 1798, anonymously in an anthology of poems by Coleridge and Wordsworth entitled Lyrical Ballads. Go read it!

Daniel + Tarantula = EEEK!

So, tonight Daniel comes home from youth group, and he walks through the door with a TARANTULA in a jar!!!

Yes, my mother & I freaked out. We took some pics, and he was then ordered to go release it- far, FAR away from our house.

We were so spooked because I've actually caught one in the house before... granted, it wasn't as big, but still!!! What if one crawls in my bed or something?! Yikes!

So much for getting sleep tonight.