- On My Mind -

This post was inspired by my friend, Laura. Her inspiration was found in InSyle Magazine (naturally), and where they found their inspiration, well that's a mystery.

Things that I currently "cannot" live without:

1.) My journal. I actually have two, one for writing more of a general overview of my life and the other for being more candid with. The latter, being a recent gift from my friend which she put in my school mailbox.

2.) Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds. Isn't the fact that I polish off a 17 serving, family- size box in seven days indication enough of my love?

3.) My Ipod. Running, studying ... yeah, that basically covers it, but seeing that I do A LOT of both, it's pretty much a life saver.

4.) The Dear Frankie soundtrack, solely for the piano music which always calms me after a stressful day.

5.) My passport. Yes, I realize I haven't gone anywhere recently, but the fact that I have it, waiting to be stamped again, makes me very, very happy.

6.) Ok, this may be an odd one, but my long hair. It took awhile to grow it out, and now that it's long I can twist it into a long spiral then make a bun on the back of my head. I love just sitting in class and twisting it -- makes me very glad to be a girl.

7.) Juice Stop smoothies, #27.

8.) My nine dollar Target "kick- it" shorts. Paired up with a white tank, these shorts bring comfort to evenings and Sunday afternoons that I never knew possible.

9.) Wednesday night dinners with the London girls. Experiencing a home-cooked meal, consistent friendship, and lots of laughs comes at a perfect point on Wednesday. My time with them is truly a blessing.

10.) Dreams. This may sound cheesy, but bouncing ideas in my head about where life is going to take me next, what it is I really want/what God has for me, and all the possibilities that I consider everyday, gives my life just the hope and spice it needs.

If I could grow up and be anything I'd be a piano player. I would sit at a smooth black piano with my hair in an elegant bun, my dress would be striking and black with a swooping back, and my earrings would tease the eyes of the audience as they flickered in and out of the stage light. The audience would sit calmly and dream their dreams, review their tragedies, or perhaps lean their heads back and drink it in. Words in that moment would speak to some -- it is true -- but piano music, the unsuspecting ripples and twists of the ivory keys, could capture all; a language all in its own.

It has been said that life is a dance, but to me, life is like piano music. Only does the composer really know where the song is turning next, and though the avid listener may guess, the composer can always change the next beat. This is like God with the rhythm of our lives.

Unfortunately I cannot play the piano -- not really. But, Naturally, in my daydream this is not the case. :-)

As inspired by Mindy Jane's post:

Random Things That Make Me Happy

1.) Going to bed with wet, clean hair.

2.) Really good salad.

3.) Cuddling and telling secrets with my best friends.

4.) The sound of wind or rain at night.

5.) Poetry.

6.) The way you feel after a really good run.

8.) Having the kind of conversation with someone that is so interesting you loose track of the world.

9.) Imaginations.

10.) The smell of pumpkin spice or warm vanilla sugar.

11.) Sunshine.

12.) Running in the rain.

13.) Piano music.

14.) My grandparents house.

15.) Shopping with mom.

16.) Loosing sleep over a good book.

17.) Traveling.

18.) Planning future trips.

19.) Big dreams and people who encourage those.

20.) The good kind of butterflies in your stomach.

21.) The whistle of a tea kettle and huge mugs of Chamomile tea with milk and sugar.

22.) Writing stories.

23.) Swings.

24.) Late night road trips shared with good company.

25.) Wearing an apron, listening to Christmas music and baking.
26.) Laughing so hard you have to leave the room to get away from the person making you laugh.

Paradox

Yesterday my professor made a comment that touched upon the idea that life is full of paradoxes. Perhaps I have gone through life for the past 21 years unappreciative of this truth, but fully sinking in the reality that paradoxes are part of life makes the "complicators" and "puzzlers" in my life, ironically, much simpler.

A place where paradox is seen vividly is in the Bible. A quick example of contrast that I'm thinking upon in this moment is the truth that Jesus calls himself both "the lion" and "the lamb." Can one be fierce and soft? Soft-spoken, yet roar wildly? Strong, but still gentle? On a deeper level, can you love and still hate? Fear, yet be excited? Care, but crave apathy?

Yes.

Such paradoxes in human nature are all the more a testimony of God's great complexity. Being formed in his image we have a hint of this complexity, in our fallen human nature we have a taste of such a perfect, awesome creator. This, I suggest, is one of the -- if not the -- most profound paradox in humanity.

Welcome to the house ...

Top of the line New Balance running shoes: 88 dollars
The most uncomplicated pedometer I could find: 15 dollars
Half marathon: 80 dollars
Training: Priceless?


In an attempt to put my ten year love affair of distance running to use I have decided to do a half marathon. I figured with my somewhat recent broken foot injury (last winter), my inexperience, and the stress that comes with the last semester it wouldn't be sensible to sign up for a full marathon. And though I don't pride myself on sense alone, it had weighty merit in this decision. With that said, December 13th 2008 I'll get to put a big red check mark on my "list of things to do before I die," executing the bullet point entitled "half marathon" with style.

Though 13 miles is no physical feat, training has been interesting. Thankfully I unknowingly trained fairly hard this summer, as being bogged up in a desk all day tempted me to accomplish 4-6 mile runs about 5 times a week. But now, the real game has to come into play. This morning I ran 5 miles in about 90 degree heat (because I slept in too late). I came home about ready to pass out. I thought running was suppose to make one more energized, and though this has usually been the case, my body is already feeling the training. I look as though I've been riding a horse for hours or am a victim of chronic back problems as I walk to class, but I will persevere.

I'm going to be honest, I love a challenge, and this whole new "half marathon project/challenge of 2008" has been refreshing. So, here's to youth, "Girl Power" (the slightly embarrassing coin phrase of the Spice Girl era), and good health! Wish me luck :-)