East Coast Trip-Part 2-New York

brace yourself for a TON of pictures!

This was my first time ever to NYC-i've been upstate a lot because some of my dad's family lives up there but i had never been to the hustling bustling city-I LOVED IT. i would never want to live there--a little too busy for me--but an amazing and diverting place to visit.

this is the view of manhatten from staten island

it was so windy-we couldn't help but laugh at this photo!
statue of liberty in the background
staten island ferry boat and the lady
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Ellis Island-my grandparents came through here!
the brooklyn bridge
first glimpse of the city coming out of the subway

famous dessert and coffee shop in a lot of movies
my American pride ran strong while in this big city

ok, so when we were little American Girl dolls were kind of a big deal. there happens to be a store entirely devoted to them including a hospital and hair salon-it was a little bit overboard but laura and nicole were especially attached to their childhood memories of them--so we ventured in. AND we each took a picture by our favorite one-ha!
look at the architectural juxtaposition of St Patrick's and the skyscraper behind

in the middle of the main aiselway-loved it!
this store is coming to seattle this summer-SO EXCITED...but it was definitely a madhouse

crazy window display
Yankee Stadium!!! i've been a lifelong yankees fan because my dad is from new york (yonkers)-this is the last season they are playing in this historic 1923 stadium-a memorable moment indeed!the little girl in the background with the overalls and big black bow was hilarious. she had something different smeared all over her face each time we looked back-ketchup, cracker jacks, ice cream-livin' the stadium food dream!
james has also been a long time yankees fan :)
the yankees were playing the mariners (how perfect!)-this is seattle's pitching warmup area

Grand Central Station-it really is as beutiful as the historic photos make it out to be


the outside of it with the Chrysler Building illuminated in the background

Times Square at night


my favorite part of the city was CENTRAL PARK-just gorgeous

old men playing chess

james' lookin' debonaire as usual

others were enjoying the sun too!
beautiful large trees
close to the boathouse
i don't know why but i love large plaza's like this...maybe because it has a fountain, and i love fountains :)

all these older men were out rowing their wives around-really cute
The Met (metropolitan museum of art)

some African relics

the man drawing was so gifted- i was mesmerized

after walking around so much in shoes that hardly resembled walking shoes (you have to be fashionable in NYC, ok?!)-we came back to the apartment and gave our feet a spa soak and scrub-they loved us for it, too :)

(image source)

This morning at work, I made some tea. In rushing to get back to my desk, I had simply thrown the tea bag into the water and left it alone. Glancing over moments later, I noticed that all the spicy goodness had seeped out of the teabag but it was hovering at the bottom of the mug. The aroma of the tea also had not begun to waft up. After tugging at the teabag string a few times, the water became dark as the spices and hot water assimilated. It was only after this tugging that I began to smell the aroma of the tea (Awake Tazo tea, in case you’re wondering).
Instantly, I thought of relationship with Christ. If we’re not engaged in relationship with Him (tugging on the string)…He becomes compartmentalized in our lives. The water stays eerily clear. Without the tugging, the sweet aroma isn’t released.
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 2:14b (NASB) But thanks be to God, who…manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
This morning was a good reminder to start (or keep) tugging; He’s big enough to handle it; He reveals His love through it; it will change your life.

life update

i'm still very very strongly leaning towards moving to the LA area at the end of the summer (late august). the Lord has really solidified in my heart that this is time for a change; making me more confident of what i believe to be a call to work in disaster relief, specifically shelter/infrastructure.

there's still things left to be settled before it's official though. the position i applied for at Relief International was filled :( i did hear back from a guy in HR today though saying that he was going on vacation until June 9th but that he was really interested in following up with me upon his return! so encouraging to hear that, SO HARD TO WAIT. i'm ready to just make some decisions. i was supposed to chat with my friend Anna, who lives down there, about living situations this week but we haven't been able to connect- i'll update as soon as i know.

side note: i know this is another strange fact but i'm totally ok living by myself. i think i would love it, actually. don't get me wrong--i would be thrilled to live with Anna and i really hope it works out-that would be ideal. but if it doesn't--i would survive :)

ACK-3 weeks ago i wasn't really considering anything outside of seattle. now i'm about ready to start packing. the Lord has just propelled me forward out of the period of searching and wrestling (i will always be searching and wrestling with how i can follow Jesus more thoroughly but the agonizing side of it is wrapping up-Praise God!)-i'm ready for action. my heart is so ready for the change. it's hard to hold back excitement but i must because some things haven't fallen into place. i don't want to rush things because i need to know for sure that i'm following Jesus' guidance to go down there.

it's an odd juxtaposition of confidence and peace vs. lingering details and decision-making. continue to pray with me that Jesus would be in the midst of this "merger". there is also a strong collision between the sadness to leave the community i'm sooo blessed to be a part of up here vs. excitement for a fresh opportunity to be changed by those i encounter. what a beautiful flow this journey has, as we walk with Christ!

i don't know if any of that made sense but pretty much the gist of what i feel beyond excitement is "hurry up and wait"...

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."
-Anne Morriss

as i did a little spring cleaning tonight, i found this quote that had been cut off the side of a starbucks cup probably more than a year ago-crazy, how time flies!
she does such a poignant job of giving structure to all the loopholes and roundabouts we go through in our heads about decisions; i like my head :) and i love thinking about things, but she's right-there comes a time when you just have to go for something (it could be anything in life) and make your head stand to the side so your heart can come marching through with all it's spunky passion and drive...

East Coast-Part 1-Princeton

laura and i flew in late on wednesday night; so after a lazy morning around the house Thursday, we spent the day walking around Princeton. first of all, this is an ivy league school. i kept forgetting that everybody around me was probably way more brilliant than i'll ever hope to be. second, the buildings on campus were gorgeous--old architecture laden with detail and screaming of fine craftsmanship


these are dorm entrance doors-i would love to feel like i'm going into a gothic castle everytime i went back to my dorm room-ha!
this castle building is a dorm-again, awesome.

the chapel on campus



Princeton is kind of touristy in the main part of town with lots of little shops and boutiques. the bent spoon, an ice cream/cupcake shop, has a dessert called Banana Whip--it will knock your socks off...so summery and good!

back to life, back to reality...

i'm back, by the way, and i must say i'm pretty impressed with Continental Airline's service-very good (but i don't recommend the sandwich part of the on-board meal-bleh)

i was talking to my sister on Sunday, while seated in the Greek & Roman Gallery at the Met (in NYC) staring at a beautiful sculpture, bemoaning the fact that i had to go back to work on Tuesday. i suggested that i could get really used to vacations (sounds logical to me!)...and in the older sister sort of way she responded with, "em, get used to it; life is full of a lot of work and you just gotta do it."

SO, that's what i'm gonna do :\

although, i did want to put up one of my favorite photos from the whole trip, as a teaser-enjoy!

Grand Central Station

headed to the East Coast today for almost a week to see Nicole and James!! can't wait :D
thanks for those of you that responded to the last post...you all have been so encouraging!

change and courage

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." -Alan Cohen

i really love this quote for a number of reasons. first, as i think about all the ways that my life could change right now, it's always easiest to default back to what i have going on now. it requires the least effort logistically. yet i believe the Spirit is often squelched in stagnancy. i refuse to be stagnant. it's suffocating.

second, the corporate dream has never been my career vision. to be honest, i'm not really a career sort of girl-there are only 3 things that i want to do with my life: love God, love people, and serve. i know that sounds broad and seemingly vague but i think you have to create space for life to happen, for this journey we're on, which only means that it will manifest itself differently as our stories continue to unfold over the years. regardless of what it looks like, my prayer is that i am motivated by those 3 things, always. after a year and a half in the corporate scenario, i see how easy it is to start depending on the security and consistency of it. these changes will take courage.

last, i love this quote because it's a reminder that we were created with the capacity to be driven by something meaningful. we aren't just going through the motions. we have choice. each of our hearts beat to different drums and our response to His call is what gives life meaning. it's not about us anyway. the sooner we realize that, the more rich our life will be.

so with this being said, i am happy to announce that I'M SO READY FOR A CHANGE-ha-as if you didn't see that one coming... :D

fittingly, just as spring is finally showing up here in the NW (we're a little behind schedule, i know), i have this almost irrepressible urge to do a little 'spring cleaning' in my life. i need a clean slate, a fresh start, a new opportunity. i'm not really sure if this is odd but i'm not one for routines. change is invigorating for me. i get bored when life is too predictable and contained. i'm certain that in my past life, i was probably a gypsie ;)

as with any other major life decision, this doesn't usually happen overnight. it takes planning, the right opportunity, and a confidence in being led in a certain direction. along with all those qualifications, it also requires courage. i forgot about that until yesterday... no matter how ready, or not ready you are-it is still a step of faith.

on a scale of 1-10, i'd say i'm about an 9.725 on excitement for a change. the other 1.275 points (i hope i did my math correctly) linger with questions about finances, job security, finding community and a place to worship.

i bring this all up because to be honest, i am very seriously considering relocating. i just need a breather; a new street to get familiar with, a new beach (or mountain) to fall in love with, a new place to discover during my free time. it makes me tear-up to think about leaving seattle and the community i have here. this city has touched my soul and allowed me to blossom in my own awkward and quirky way.

i'm not saying that i'm leaving for sure because nothing is set in stone, and i have no idea what kind of things the Lord has in store. but my heart feels like it's been propelled forward and my mind/body are trying to figure it out and keep up. as you all know, i have applied to 4 jobs-1 of which is here in seattle, 3 of which are not. now that my view has expanded beyond seattle, i've been praying for the acutest level of discernment and sensitivity to the avenues through which Jesus reveals himself to show the next step.

the word that keeps coming up in association with my life scenario right now is 'provision'. provision for guidance, provision for wisdom, provision for finances, provision for courage to step out in faith and make a career change at the ripe old age of 24...

like i said several months ago, i have no idea who reads this or how many people read this (it's probably like 2, but we don't need to talk about it!)--but in light of how much i value community and how much i value the opinions of those that i know read this, i'm just going to ask for your opinion.

first, do you think i'm stupid for wanting to leave seattle? it's not like i can't ever move back...

second, of all the other places (portland, san francisco, los angeles) my heart is most strongly leaning towards LA for a couple reasons. [1) i can't deny that sunshine 350 days of the year sounds like it would improve my quality of living immensely (i promise to wear sunscreen, mom) 2) my dear friend Anna, who i've wanted to live with since middle school, has opened the door to potentially make that reality if we both feel like the Lord is leading that direction.] i know it's completely opposite of what i'm 'used to' but i don't believe that we're always called to live in the most comfortable places. valuable, rich things can be gained by a diversity of experiences...

i know it's easy to get lost in our own ideas which is why i would love to hear how this strikes a cord with your heart...some of you know me intimately, some know me well and others may only know me a bit--all insights are welcome :)

camping at Ft. Ebey

this weekend i went camping with my small group to Ft. Ebey, on Whidbey Island just south of Deception Pass. it is probably one of the most beautiful places i've ever been and we had PERFECT weather!

this is at the mukilteo ferry terminal

on the ferry
the beginning of an amazing view that was about 50 yds from the campsite
traces of the sunset

look at the way the light reflects off the water! with jenny
anna warming by the fire
tim-fire master

campsite

this is a littel blurry but the moon was SO BRIGHT and the reflection on the water was awesome...it was way cooler than it looks, in person :)
roasting marshmallows for s'mores
kenny and tim and their headlamps

this is a whole stack of pb&j sandwiches...and summer sausage...YUM

anna and i represent for CO and MT-hardcore
ok, so as indicated by my last post, i chopped my hair (i'll explain that later) and this trip was the first time i put it in a ponytail...HA...it's such a baby, stubby sort of ponytail

(tara has one too!)

tara-love her
the gals ready to conquer the trails!

our favorite meadow
just before a steep descent to the beach

blazing trails
tara holding a crab she found in a tide pool
Depection Pass

guess what...

excited, scared and freaking out...

i've officially applied to Disaster Relief Organizations in:
Seattle (World Concern)
San Francisco (Architecture for Humanity)
Portland (MercyCorps)
Los Angeles (Relief International)

Whew-excited to finally be moving forward on something; still not entirely certain about my life direction; thrilled at open possibilities; totally scared to step out in faith-YIKES and YAY all at the same time!!

i definitely don't have my hopes up because i'm starting from scratch here, people...
yet at the same time, i am desperately hopeful because i think this is what makes my heart beat...

apparently i love my job...

(don't really remember when this was taken but that's where i sit for 8 hours a day in case you were wondering :D)

SUNsational-part 2

cruisin' out to santa barbara...

i am sooooo excited for the BEACH!!
strolling on state street
if i lived there...i would have been playing :D
great big ball of fire

the Getty Art Museum-an amazing and inspirational place
landscape gardens overlooking LA

(more pictures from the plane ride home-taken while flying over nevada)

Sunny SoCal-part 1

thursday night, i flew down to valencia, ca to see my beloved friend, anna!!

since 7th grade, when we met on the track team, we've been making each other laugh, challenging each other's thinking and most of all, just being our ridiculous selves. this girl is a gem...


after grabbing a bite to eat and getting caught up, i found some coffee right away :) Bella Via became the coffee shop of choice for the next 3 days...

anna worked on friday, so i spent the morning sleeping in, going for a bike ride along the paseo, and decompressing into vacation mode. her lovely roommate, cat, dropped me off at town center and i spent the afternoon wandering in and out of shops, admiring palm trees, and just generally enjoying the splendor that is southern california.

(here's a couple shots i took on the way out of seattle-these clouds were the most cotton fluffy kind i've ever seen!)

soakin' up the rays in southern california!!! :D

Myanmar Cyclone

As many of you probably know, Myanmar was hit with a devastating cyclone on Saturday and 22,000 people are reported dead with many more to be discovered in the rubble of buildings, i presume.



"Since a military coup in 1962, the former Burma has sealed itself off from the outside world in what was once called the Burmese Way to Socialism, and that barrier has grown higher in recent years with the imposition by the West of economic sanctions for human rights violations." source


this disaster was awful-no one would deny that; YET it is causing them to open the door, after nearly half a century, to help from international relief agencies. this is HUGE because now we'll have a much better idea of health and poverty issues going on in the country. those in dire need of help will finally get the exposure necessary to begin to make it possible.

(pictures source)

World Relief, World Vision and others are already sending aid-how inspiring to have open doors to help these people!!

bottle caps

i have a slight obsession with bottle caps that have sayings or interesting facts on the inside of them. take for instance, Snapple-i used to collect these tops because it seemed to me that there would come a day on which i might need one of the random factoids; turns out, years later, that my collection was more of a laboratory for dust rather than knowledge, so i kicked it to the curb.

nonetheless, i am now in the habit of looking on the inside of bottle caps to see if there is anything printed there. Nantucket is another one that always has intriquing bits of info about that region of the U.S. (i think i've had so many that i've started seeing them twice though-whoops).

so yesterday, i went out to lunch with some coworkers at a new cafe that just opened up and i had a Jones Soda. well, lucky me, they had a 'horoscope' of sorts on the inside of the cap. it said: "you would be wise to postpone changes until the next month." since i was out on business lunch, i immediately thought of my work situation and decided to turn a blind eye to this one :D

just this once...

Sunny Sunday

this morning, after i almost fell out of bed because i'm SO SORE from ultimate, i met up with elizabeth, bree, and meg for breakfast and frolicking in the sunshine. we headed to Volunteer Park where they have vibrantly green open spaces, a greenhouse/arboretum and the Asian Art Museum. i ended up with a bit of a sunburn-glorious :)-that means the ball of fire in the sky was out!!

there's a crazy beautiful variation of orchid behind the bars, if you can see it...
the flower below is my favorite color of pink :D

Ultimate soggyness (is that a word?)

today was the first ultimate frisbee game of the season! last year, a group of us started getting together regularly to play for a couple hours each week-it is definitely a highlight for me! what's not to love about sprinting down the field, faking a defender out, cutting this way and that way, diving and perfecting the art of tossing the disc?! LOVE IT.
today it was raining outside but 6 of us nonetheless came out to shake the dust off and pay tribute to the amazing sport; we had a blast!! soggy shoes, soaked clothes, slip sliding and all...i think i might invest in some cleats.
i forgot my camera but after i got home i just had to document how sopping wet i was...this was the result of a handful of dives and the inevitable water-laden nature of things after you've been frolicking around for an hour and a half :Dit's a good thing we don't melt and this girl couldn't be happier...

i know i've posted a lot of serious stuff recently but...

...this book is rocking my world and i need to share a bit more:
"Nobody finds anything wrong or strange with attempting to help people who are visibly lacking the basic necessitites of life, and it appears quite reasonable to try to alleviate suffering when this is possible. But to leave a successful position and enter freely, consciously, and intentionally into a position of servanthood seems unhealthy. It is a violation of the most basic human instincts...Here we are touching on the profound spiritual truth that service is an expression of the search for God and not just of the desire to bring about individual or social change...Radical servanthood challenges us, while attempting persistently to overcome poverty, hunger, illness, and any other form of human misery, to reveal the gentle presence of our compassionate God in the midst of our broken world...The joy of those who follow their Lord on his self-emptying and humbling way shows that what they seek is not misery and pain but the God whose compassion they have felt in their own lives. Their eyes do not focus on poverty and misery, but on the face of the loving God."
this is good stuff...

compassion

i'm reading Henri Nouwen's book Compassion and i loved this section:

"Here we see what compassion means. It's not a bending toward the underpriviledged from a priviledged position; it is not reaching out from on high to those less fortunate below; it is not a gesture of sympathy or pity for those who fail to make it in the upward pull. On the contrary, compassion means going directly to those people and places where suffering is most acute and building a home there. God's compassion is total, absolute, unconditional, without reservation. It is the compassion of the one who keeps going to the most forgotten corners of the world, and who cannot rest as long as there are still human beings with tears in their eyes. It is the compassion of a God who does not merely act as a servant, but who expresses the divinity of God through servanthood." (italics mine)

(image by Michael Yon, 2005)