Jet Setter

So I'm flying home to British Columbia for the Christmas Holidays in approximately six hours. It's 1 AM now and I need to be awake by 3:15 AM to get ready and be at the Philly airport by 4:30 AM. Crazy I know. Call me a glutton for punishment.

Waiting With Expectancy

As I anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth, this song has been near my heart as of late....

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1745

Musings

"Musings", so cliche-ish and a word that's often thrown around haphazardly in the blog world. I suppose I'm kind of in a musingish, reflective mode at the minute. It's 12:30 AM and while I really ought to be in bed, I'm sitting sitting in front of my laptop, hoping for the flow of creative juices to shift from my brain to the computer screen.

About two months ago I drafted a post reflecting on the season of Fall, but of course, never actually published it on my blog. So here it is in all its unfinished glory....

"I love the fall. I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

One of my favorite lines from that movie, “You’ve Got Mail”, which of course is so appropriate to this current season of fall. The vibrant colors of leaves, the crisp cool air, the warmth of butternut squash soup coursing down your tummy, and the many fall festivities taking place throughout the city, makes me want to break out in song and dance amidst the vibrant, colorful leaves. Cheesy, I know.

I am currently enamored by the small group of women that I'm doing Sonship with on Monday evenings. This sixteen week study has encouraged me to greater faith, repentance, and love. And these five women, that I have the privilege of walking alongside with these sixteen weeks, have been an incredible lifeline in my walk with Jesus.

One more week and I fly home for the Christmas holidays! Let's hope the meltdowns won't be to debilitating. Yeah, yeah.....just call me the resident drama queen.

Peace out.

I'm here! Really, I am!

Is November really over? I can't believe it flew by so quickly! And I cannot believe that I've slacked off with updating this blog. Well, I am alive and well, adjusting quite well to life here in Philly. While I do miss the familiarity of my old neighborhood, I do love living in Philly, close to everything: my job, center city, my church community, and good friends. It's super late and I really ought to hit the sack, but I just thought I'd write an entry to let those who continue to faithfully read this blog that I am alive and well, with hopes to continue blogging on a somewhat consistent basis. (Let's hope!)

God's Address???

I found this article online a few minutes ago: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27201871/?GT1=43001

Some idiot state senator from Nebraska filed a lawsuit against God because He has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha. Really? I mean, REALLY? What planet is he from? Someone is a little paranoid.

Since it's late and I'm still on a high from the Phillies winning the NLCS, I'll hold off on my rant.

Phillies are going to the World Series! GO PHILLIES!!!!

I'm Here! I'm Here! I'm Here!

It's been over a month since my last post and so I figured that I probably ought to let those (all one or maybe two of you) know that I am alive and well. The months of August and September have been relatively busy, settling into my new place and acquainting myself with the new neighborhood, which I LOVE! It's great to be so close to everything and everyone, giving me the freedom to walk everywhere. What's great is that I don't use my car all that much on the weekends since most of my friends live in the neighborhood, my church being a few blocks away, and there are a myriad of restaurants and bars within walking distance. I love being an urban dweller!!! Now if only my job didn't require me to drive all over the city, I'd ditch my car, join Philly Car Share, bike, and/or take public transportation. Yeah, just call me a granola girl at heart.

As much as I'd love to continue writing, I really need to hit the sack. I can barely keep my eyes open. Have good-night y'all!

DUN DUN DUN........

Because Zach says so......
My bad for keeping y'all hanging.

I got it.

Hello Philly!

Now the moving madness begins. Despite of all the stress and anxiety I've been through in the last two weeks, I must say that God is good.

I'll be back sometime in August with more details of the drama that took place about a week ago and with pictures of my new digs. So stay tuned...

So......

Two days. That's what she said. Two days until they make the decision on whether or not I get this place.

So the next two days will be spent in anticipation so..... the waiting, praying,nail-biting begins...

The big P.....

As in PROCRASTINATOR. I am the Queen of Procrastinators. Really I am. While I should be packing for the big move next week, this evening was spent in front of the TV watching MTV's "Made" (how sad am I?) , stalking friends on facebook, reading through blogs, and now blogging on my own blog. I think part of my lack of motivation is the fact that I do not have anything definite yet. Yes, I know, scary. There is one place I am hoping to get in Philly and am waiting word from the owner as to whether or not I actually have the place. I really, really, really, hope I get it! It's in the neighborhood in Philly where I want to reside and it is near most of my friends, my job, and my church. I'm praying! However I know I shouldn't put all my eggs in one basket so I continue with my search for a new home tomorrow evening after I get off from work.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

I'm trying not to freak out here, but how do you tell an individual with "control-freakish" tendencies to relax and calm down? This is definitely a faith-stretching time as I continue to surrender this madness God. I am hoping for the "evidence of things not seen" to come into fruition at the end of this month.

June???

Is the month of June almost gone already? And of course I have lapsed in blogging. It's been a busy month with friends visiting from out of town, a quick trip out to DC to visit with my best friend who was visiting with her sister's family, with more friends and family visiting over the next few weeks, and of course, looking for a new place to live.

I'm finally making the move into Philly.

I can almost hear the cheers and "it's about time!" from my Philly friends. For the last 5 years my life has literally been in Philadelphia - work, friends, and church. Georgie's vet is even in Philly! Don't ask how much I spend on tolls on a monthly basis. Nonetheless, my neighborhood in Camden has kept me from moving into Philly. My landlord decided to sell the house I currently reside in and the new owner wants to move into where my roommate and are living in. So with all that said, I am in the process of finding a new home as I need to be out of my place by the end of July. It's a crazy time right now but I'm leaning hard and resting in Jesus through all this. And as my dad always likes to remind me in these times of insanity, "And this too, shall pass.".

This Makes Me Smile

Discovery Channel: I Love the World

Random Musings....

So a few things...

Last night I finally switched to the new Blogger layout. Seriously, WHAT WAS I THINKING IN WAITING SO LONG TO MAKE THIS SWITCH??? So much easier than dealing with the damned HTML thingy that made my blogger life a living hell. Thank you Blogger!!!

Another thing, I just want say that dogs are not accessories. They do not belong in a purse. I was at the mall with a friend this past weekend and saw a woman with this tiny canine resembling more like that of a rat. She had this little frou-frou dog in one of those purse carriers. Later on that afternoon I was at the grocery store where this woman had her little frou-frou dog in a purse sitting on her grocery cart.

Really? I mean, really?

Dogs are not meant to be carried around in stupid $500 bag, decked out in a diamond studded collar. So wrong! Alright, rant finished.

One of my closest friends is getting married this July out here in Philly. She's one of my "Iron Sharpens Iron" friends whom I love so dearly. Anyway, she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding soon after she got engaged. My friend has seven bridesmaids in her wedding and naturally, we are all of varying shapes and sizes. Yeah, can you imagine trying to find one dress that will suit all seven of us? Talk about a dress shopper's nightmare! My wonderfully thoughtful friend knew this would be an issue, therefore told us to just go out and buy a knee length, black dress that would serve as our bridesmaid dresses. Sweet idea, right? Well, it took me almost two months to find the dress and I won't even bother to delve into the gory details as it stresses me out when I think of even trying explain it here! However tonight I went shopping with a friend and fellow bridesmaid at the King of Prussia Mall where I finally found the dress!!! Yeah, yeah, I know....curious minds wanna know. For your viewing pleasure, here's the link to the dress: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=39292&pid=564243&scid=564243002
I am so relieved!!!

Alright, I'm finished now with my random musings and am heading off to bed. Good night!

Confession Of The Day....

I'm addicted to "A Different World" re-runs on BET.
There. I said it.

As Promised.....

I recall sometime in March I promised to post pictures of some ooey, gooey, yummy goodness from The Naked Chocolate Cafe. My friend Julie and I were in chocolate heaven that evening!

The Naked Chocolate's Signature drink to eat,
"The Drinking Chocolate".
This hot chocolate is no Swiss Miss. It's far more intense than your
run-of-the mill hot cocoa. It is pure, molten, unadulterated bliss.

It's The Naked Chocolate's signature dessert called the
Chocolate Nudo. It's a new, funkedified kind of brownie!

Long Time.....

So we're coming into May and I know I have been a certifiable slacker with posting in here. Haven't I shared this before? I'm a self-proclaimed lazy ass when it comes to blogging. This really needs to change! The sad thing is, I haven't even posted about my trip home to Vancouver/Surrey, BC in March!

I am anticipating some changes to take place in the next few months, changes that I do not look forward to. What is it with this battle that I tend to have with change? Why can't I just accept change and gracefully transition into what I know will eventually be good for me? Sometimes I wish I knew what God is doing as He "conducts" this grand orchestra called "my life". As I ponder this, I am reminded of Isaiah 55:9:

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I guess that pretty much says it all, huh? This is reminding me that regardless of how difficult these changes may be, He is worth following, trusting, and leaning on when life takes these crazy turns and twists. In these moments, there is nothing else worth resting in.

Pictures to follow. Enough said.

Quickie

Just wanted to let my readers (if there are any left!) know that I am back in the East Coast. I arrived Thursday morning after taking the red-eye flight out of Seattle. Albeit uncomfortable so, I slept for most of the flight back to Philly. Then slept for most of the day when I got home. One of the best sleeps I've had in a while.

I am definitely back into the "swing" of things out here. What with work and even more work today (it's a freakin' Saturday), along with a trip up to north Jersey for a friend's housewarming party, I honestly haven't had any down time. To top it all off I received an unexpected phone call that's left me somewhat perplexed. Arggghh!!!

Anyways I have pictures that I need to upload and will post very soon so stay tuned.

Sunny Surrey

I've been home, visiting my family since last Wednesday. It's been a mixture of laughter, tears, and frustration. In all honesty, I'm counting down the hours until I fly back to Philly tomorrow night.

Anyways, I'm taking my two god-daughters to high tea in about half an hour and so I better get going. Will post more about my "exciting" adventures here in British Columbia soon.

Toodles!

March Madness

Is it March already? This year is already starting to fly by quickly and next thing we know it, Christmas will have arrived! Alright, I suppose I’m getting way ahead of myself here. The last few weeks have been relatively busy with work, church stuff, and of course a little bit of socializing here and there. I’m looking forward to flying home to the West Coast to spend the Easter Holiday with the family. I leave next Wednesday! In all honesty, I’m a bit burned out with living and working in the city. I am so looking forward to some lovely fresh air (as fresh of air that one could get in Surrey) and of course, the peaceful quietness of my parents’ neighborhood.

This weekend is going to be a busy one, what with working tomorrow morning and then going wedding/bridesmaid dress shopping with my friend B in the afternoon. Then heading out to The Naked Chocolate Cafe tomorrow night in center city Philly with my friend Julie for an experience that I am sure to remember! Stay tuned for pictures of ooey, gooey, yummy goodness!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Really? I Mean Really?????

Words cannot even begin to express my disgust at the depravity of this world.

http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/1712069.php

Yesterday a 16 year old boy was having a friendly snowball fight with friends in the Olney section of Philadelphia. During the course of this snowball fight this teen hit a neighbor in the head with a snowball. This neighbor's response? He came back minutes later with a gun, then shot the 16-year-old snowball thrower in the head and fled. This was on the day of his birthday. Now this precious sixteen year old has died. I grieve for this boy's family.

Has it really boiled down to this? To have children dying because of being whacked in the head with a snowball? It makes me sick that a popular childhood past time such as snowball fights could result in a tragic and nonsensical death. I hope the authorities find this guy quickly and I hope to God that justice is swiftly served.

V-Day Rant

I'm being very bad right now and blogging when I'm not supposed to. Over the weekend my laptop decided to go kaput on me and so I haven't been able to do much online at home. Yes I am blogging from work right now however I am justifying it by saying (to myself) that I worked through lunch therefore I am allowed this teensy, weensy, "blog break". (Yeah, keep telling yourself that J!)

It's that time of the year, once again, where we are inundated with the commercialism of Valentine's Day - overpriced flowers, fancy 5 star restaurants, chocolates, jewelry, etc. I am often bemused by this one day that sanctions individuals to declare their "love" to their special someone. Why this one day? It's pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I mean, what is so special about February 14th??? (I could go into the history of "St. Valentine's Day", however I'll spare you all with the details.) Why can't love be declared on any other days of the year? Buy a dozen roses on say, June 26, for your special someone or send a card stating your love for him/her on September 1st. The bottom line is this: everyday should be Valentines Day. Celebrate your partner, celebrate your friendships and family.....heck, even celebrate your pets!

No, I'm not an embittered singleton! In fact, I'm heading out to the store after work to pick up a bottle of my favorite white wine, some chocolates, cheese, and baguettes, to prepare for a celebration of life, love, and friendships.

Happy Valentines Day everyone......everyday!

Virus

So I've been been sick with some "unamed virus" for the last few days. According to my doctor, there is this virus going around and I'm one of the lucky ones to be hit with it. I won't go into any gory details of the pain, hacking, and feverish chills I've been experiencing over the last two days. But do you know what the icing on the cake is??? I now have laryngitis. Lovely.

Manna

Matters of the heart bite. I just finished composing a difficult email and do not know how the other party is going to react. It's all in God's hands. For now I think I need to just step back and lean hard on the One who promises that He is the One who is sufficient. I just wish I could see the big picture that God has for me, however I know that He has called me to trust the "manna" that He provides for me on a daily basis. Because He has promised to give just enough on a daily basis I don't need to worry about yesterday or tomorrow.

Father Let me Dedicate - Matt Redmond

Father let me dedicate all this life to Thee
In whatever worldly state Thou would have me be
Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim
This alone shall be my prayer, glorify Thy name

Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?
Can a Father's love refuse all the best to give?
Let my glad heart, while it sings, There in all proclaim
And, whate'er the future brings, glorify Thy Name

Be glorified in me, be glorified
Be glorified in me, be glorified

Kindred Spirits

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

These girls are my sisters....my lifelines....my best friends....

I am so incredibly blessed.

In With The New.....

I know this place has been pretty dead and I won't even come up with the usual lame-assed excuse of "but I've been soooo busy!" The Christmas holidays were fairly busy, but not so much where I couldn't have sneaked in a blog post or two. Nonetheless, I'm here now and hope to be a more faithful blogger this year.

Spinner wanted an update on Georgie and so here it is. My "not so pup anymore" is doing well. She bounced back fairly quickly after that traumatizing weekend when I left her with Iowagirl. She was in a new environment without me and so she kind of freaked out a little bit. Iowagirl was amazing with her that week!

So much is happening right now and the last few weeks have caught me unawares. Matters of the heart can be so confusing at times, but I have decided not to be in angst. Instead I will cling to this truth:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Definitely an area that I struggle with, but looking back to past experiences, I believe that I have a God who is in control of every area of my life. I have many prayers for this upcoming year, but the most important one being that God's glory will be revealed in everything I do. I want to have faith in the unseen and unknown. I want my life to be an example of where Jesus turns water into wine, of where He feeds the five thousand with a few loaves of bread and fish, and of where He tears down the walls of Jericho at the trumpet's sound.

Happy New Year my friends.