Pen, Paper, and Peace of Mind

Sleep... My name is Lisa. How do you do?

2009-08-25T21:54:00.001-07:00

So, usually I always feel that I should be getting back into the "swing of things" (sorry to be so cliche) the week or so before school starts, but lately, I just can't bring myself to wake up at 7, especially if I don't have anything to do until 5 pm. Why not stay in bed until 11 and let the sun rise and fall with the hours? But the thing is, every time that I do, I feel that I wasted the day. And when I do get up pretty early, I don't do anything anyway, so it's a roundabout way of saying that I am one lazy little freak.

Woohoo!

Rant #1: For All of You Who Think You Know Better

2009-08-10T05:40:00.000-07:00

One thing that irks me a bit right now is the lack of consideration for other people and mother earth. I absolutely hate how pretty much NO ONE can be courteous while driving, NO ONE says thank you anymore, and some people can't wait to put a bottle in the recycling bin at their house and feel the need to throw it out of their window while driving away from their parking spot. Of course, the last one I encountered was at the King of Prussia Mall, where people are a bit snooty for my taste. If I would have caught her doing that a little sooner, I would have thrown the bottle at her car. Then, most likely, she would have stopped her car and started yelling at me. Probably have called me a tree hugging hippie (like that's a bad thing), and tried to call the cops on me. First of all, a bottle is not a lethal weapon and cannot hurt anyone, especially if it is empty. And second, she would have probably gotten a fine for littering instead. Bad part on her end.

Another thing that's been bugging me a bit is that fact that some people out there (I will not name names, although it would be pretty awesome to slander such a "good name") think it is all right to open your son's mail, your 20 year old son's mail, just because you don't like who it came from. Hmmm... isn't that a felony punishable by fines and jail time? I am half tempted to write him a letter, address it to him, but the letter on the inside is for his mother telling her about how she could go to jail for what she did. This woman has caused so much trouble if she would just keep out of his damn business.

Also, fathers, mothers, even siblings, your teenage daughter/son/sister/brother will NOT listen to you if you are not supportive of what they do. If you invade their privacy and yell at them all the time, if you don't listen to their side of the story, if you don't talk to them as though they are a loving and treasured part of your family, then they will not listen to you and not care about what you have to say, and do what they are doing anyway. Just think about this: they may have the support of their aunts/uncles/church relatives or friends. They will listen to them more than they will listen to you. You are kind of scary with your neck veins bulging. You need to "chillax" and treat them as though they are growing women and men. Remember, in medieval times at 13, young girls were married off to 30 some year old men. So, 3-4 years isn't that bad, huh? My own neice is 21 (I'm 22. odd, huh?) and she is married to a 31 year old man. My grandmother was 18 (?) when she got married to my grandfather (30?). A good friend of mine was dating a guy at 17 who was 20-some years old. Ha! Not that bad, when you think about it. You can't control their lives. The best thing you can do is support their relationship and do all you can to encourage a good relationship between them. Cousin, she's 16 years old and not going to have sex until she's either out of your house or married. At that point, you do not need to worry about what she does with her life because it is not yours. You need to stop reading her diary and just let her be a 16 year old. She's doing a lot better than I was at 16.

Wii!!!! Look What I Can Do!

2009-07-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since my last post (months and months and months!), but nothing really interesting has happened lately. One thing fairly interesting is this: Wii Fit. I am so in love with that thing! I am not one to exercise. In fact, I HATE exercising. The Wii Fit is such a treat if you are not big on exercising. I guess you can call this a review on it. I am very self conscious about my weight and my body, so going to a gym is not an ideal situation for me. The Wii Fit lets you hide your information so others can't see your weight, your BMI, or anything else. It has a variety of fun and fit exercises that you can do by yourself and some you can do with others, such as a running exercise. Thanks to the Wii Fit, I feel a little bit better about my body, and might even go for a jog tomorrow morning!

Another thing that has happened in my life is the realization that I am a biblioholic. I have way too many books to read and I still buy more without finishing a few of the ones I have stashed away. A new book I recently bought is called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. A great twist on the classic novel, but with zombies! I have never read the original Pride and Prejudice, but I'm sure if I did I would be laughing my butt off at ever page.

I guess that's it for today. Hopefully I will be a bit more committed to writing more often.

Namaste

2009-03-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Light within me honours the Light within you.

So, after much deliberation of what to write next in my blog I decided to use a more enlightened tone to begin again. I want to apologize to anyone who I have hurt or forgotten recently. I am feeling very selfish lately, though I shouldn't. If you feel that I did that, please contact me immediately, and I will apologize in person, or as close to person I can get.

I want to tell you about my days in college, how the stress always makes me selfish and depressed. Whenever I have so much on my mind and so much to do, I don't necessarily want to do any of it. I always will do something else and do what needs to be done at the last minute. I am one of the biggest procrastinators of all time. It really irks me that I am like that, but I guess that's the way it will always be with me.

I wonder what I should do next semester, when, most likely, I will be living out of my parents house, holding a part time job (30 hours) and going to school full time. I will still need time for myself, at least an hour a day, where I focus on me and only me. Oh, the joys of stressful times.

La Chica Solitaria

2009-03-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hola, lectores. Me siento muy solo ahora. No sé por qué. No creo que nadie se preocupa por mí. ¿Estoy siendo paranoico? Por favor, deje un comentario. Yo realmente aprecio.

External Moonlight of the Spotty Spirit

2009-03-19T18:29:00.001-07:00

So, I just got done watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind... again. One of the most amazing movies I have ever seen! I am a sucker for dramas that deal with love, conversation (or lack thereof) and anything that has an amazing cast. (Jim Carey, Kate Winslet <3<3<3, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood) This movie makes me think, like a lot of movies do, all but for the grace of the good ol' Aqua Teen Hunger Force and the like.

What if you could actually erase somebody from your memory? Who would you erase? Why? Me personally, I don't think I would erase anyone from my memory because I treasure all of those memories, the good, the bad, the semisweet, the romantic, the hatred. It would be too risky, anyway. Think about it. You could never forget someone. How could you? They have written a page in your book that you cannot rip out. All of the journals I have, I wouldn't throw any away, even the ones that are filled with the memories of J*****. Even the memories that are filled with K****. Even the memories that are filled with the boy who abused me.

When you think about it, they do make your composition up. Every person has left a fingerprint on your heart. Some of them may be smudged, but when you find that one person to wipe it away, then you know that it is perfectly ok to remember.

"Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun, like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But, because I knew you I have been changed for good." - For Good from Wicked

Just a Thought, Really

2009-02-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

A thought. A memory. A hiccup in the subconscience. Why is it that we go back in time to our happiest times and our heaviest times? Is it that we are masochistic creatures who enjoy the torture or is it because Freud said so? Why do we look back on those whose lives have interrupted our own and have changed ours, if only by the flicker of a flame, and want them back in our lives, even if it would hurt us in the end, just knowing they are there, that you can rely on them to do something other than forget? What is life, but one long misunderstanding of the past, looking back on it, wanting it back, never wanting it back, hating it, loving it, loathing it. Bumping into people who you used to know like the back of your hand, what do you do when you realize that that person doesn't even know himself? Thoughts. Memories. Hiccups.

Day 7...

2009-01-27T19:41:00.001-08:00

This is one day that I can't tell what I did. It's a little too personal. Only my mind knows the truth.

Day 8: Addiction Free's the Way to Be!

2009-01-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

Today's task was to cut out all addictive substances for the day. They say that you are supposed to feel purer after that one day.

The only thing that I am addicted to comes in cans, cups, sometimes pills, and a few other things, like gum, and water... specialized water. It is the loveliest thing in the world, next to love and sex. Caffiene. Oh, my beloved caffiene. I didn't have my morning coffee today, so I was a bit cranky and a little bit on edge and... very... very... sleepy. I do NOT feel purified. I do NOT feel like a new person. I just want my addiction back tomorrow.

Day 6: This is the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

2009-01-25T19:25:00.001-08:00

The task for today was to create the opening sentence of your debut novel.

This is mine:

I could tell it was just going to be one of those days where something didn't seem quite right in the routine, but all was well in my mind.

What lies beneath it, who knows?

Day 4: Rose Tint My World/Day 5: Out of Order

2009-01-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

Day four was a bit fun, considering I got to do one the more fun things I enjoy... coloring! It was World Coloring-In Day. The task at hand was to fill in country by country: Green if you've "been there, done that", Blue if you intent to go there this year, Yellow if you plan to go there sometime before you die, and Red if you would be happy to never set foot there in your whole life.

Mine was mostly red. I realized that I didn't really want to see the world too much. I was fine with just looking at pictures or checking out the art museum. If I want to go there, I'll save up my money and go there sometime.

Day five, alas, was not something I could do at the time. Ironically, my body was a bit "out of order" since I was pretty sick. The day's task was to put an Out of Order sign on something that wasn't out of order and see the results. I thought of the best thing to put it on: a bus stop sign. How many people's lives would I affect if I did that and they believed it?

Crazy, ain't it?

Day 3: Bye Bye, Birdie

2009-01-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

Today's Task: Throw away something that you like.

Today's task was, again, a bit daunting for me. I have many things that I like, a lot more things that I love. Since I am not at home but at the apartment where I live for school, not all of my "favorite things" were in my possession. I thought about throwing away a favorite candle of mine, a "hippie" candle, as I like to call it. Never been used. Floral. I thought about throwing away a stuffed animal I had, an elephant, but he keeps me company during my lonely nights. I thought about a book I had, but being an English Major, that was nearly sacriledge. So, I decided on a necklace I had that spoke on of my many views, a simple silver-like necklace with a charm on it: Think Green. Ironically enough, I threw it in the trash without a second thought.

Day 2: Be Still, My Beating Heart

2009-01-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

Task of the day: Today, gaze at everyone wondering whether they might be the one true love of your life, the one destined for you and you alone, and whether you might be passing them by forever... Act in consequence.

This day's task was a bit daunting for me, since I believe that there is more than one true love per person. I did not act in consequence, alas, but I thought a lot about the fact that I might be passing up the love of my life and not even notice it. There were only a few people that I would considering sharing my life with, them being my beloved boyfriend, a few of my friends, and a few random people I thought were fairly good looking as I passed them. The weirdest one that I thought of was my Mass Media Ethics professor, Dr E____a. He's an old black guy from another country (don't ask me where). Today was the first day that he actually looked at me straight in the eye. I thought of what it would be like to wake up to him every morning and it scared the crap out of me. I don't think I could ever wake up next to someone like him, just so... anal. Another thing that kind of freaked me out today was the thoughts of my friend V_____. He came to meet me at my college today since we haven't really hung out in about a year or so. I didn't really tell him about the Book, so I kept my thoughts to myself. Plus I couldn't stop talking about my boyfriend, that amazing man. If V_____ was the love of my life, it would be a weird, awkward, relationship. I'm sorry if you are reading this and don't like it, but it has to be written down for the sake of the blog! I realized that the love of my life does not lie in a first glance at anyone or thoughts that are repressed in my memory. The love of my life... who knows? Maybe it's you.

Day One: This Blog Will Change Your Life

2009-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

Since the new year has begun, I have not thought about any type of resolution, because all the resolutions I have tried on for size have slipped through my fingers. Instead of taking one thing that I think would be a great thing to quit (biting my nails, losing weight, exercising 5 times a week, etc.) I'm taking a book that I had been contemplating buying for about 2 years now and using that to my advantage. The book is called This Book Will Change Your Life. It has 365 tasks that you do, 1 each day that will have people thinking differenly about you. Today, well, tonight I will start this book and see what comes of it, trying my luck at all the different tasks the book has for me to do.

Day One: Since it's the first day, warm up by doing something that will only change your life a little bit.

I chose to decide which toe is the prettiest of all of them.

The toe next to the big toe on my right foot!

Pretty, isn't it?

Had enough yet, Jed?

2008-12-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Semester! Be gone with you!

Semester over yet?

2008-11-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sung to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas

One the first week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

syllabi that killed a tree

On the second week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the third week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the fourth week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

four quizes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the fifth week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (all due on the same day!)
four quizes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the sixth week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

six points extra credit (yay!)
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (all due on the same day!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred book
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the seventh week of classes my proffies gave to me:

seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit (yay!)
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (all due on the same day!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the eighth week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

eight more days of Shakespeare (for all you english majors out there)
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit (yay!)
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (when are they due again?)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the ninth week of classes, my proffies gave to me:

nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (What?! I thought there were only four!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the tenth week of classes my proffies gave to me:

ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days fo Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (better get started on them, shouldn't I?)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the eleventh week of classes my proffies gave to me:

eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (They're due tomorrow?!?!?!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
tw0 hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the twelfth week of classes my proffies gave to me:

twelve moments of sadness (counceling center, here I come!)
eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (crap. I forgot the mla formatting)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the thirteenth week of classes my proffies gave to me:

thirteen tasks on Blackboard
twelve moments of sadness
eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit (Lord knows I need them)
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (I also forgot to date them! Ugh!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the fourteenth week of classes my proffies gave to me:

THANKSGIVING BREAK (but I still have to write a fourteen page essay on ecofeminism)
thirteen tasks on Blackboard
twelve moments of sadness
eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE RESEARCH PAPERS (great. now they're all rewrites.)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the fifteenth week of classes my proffies gave to me:

Fifteen common colds caught (it is December)
THANKSGIVING BREAK (but I still have to write a fourteen page essay on ecofeminism)
thirteen tasks on Blackboard
twelve moments of sadness
eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE REWRITE PAPERS (nearly done!)
four quizzes due
three headaches
two hundred books
and syllabi that killed a tree

On the sixteen week of classes my proffies gave to me:

SIXTEEN FINAL ASSIGNMENTS (including papers, quizzes, and a cumulative final exam!)
fifteen common colds caught
THANKSGIVING BREAK (but I did have to write a fourteen page essay on ecofeminism)
thirteen tasks on Blackboard
twelve moments of sadness
eleven discussion questions
ten more minutes to take that stupid test
nine reading assignments
eight more days of Shakespeare
seven days of tutoring
six points extra credit
FIVE REWRITE PAPERS (All A's! Yes!)
four quizzes dues

three headaches

two hundred books

AND SYLLABI THAT KILLED A FEW TREES!

El fin.

I Survived Revolve OH EIGHT!

2008-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Revolve Tour OH EIGHT! What a weekend of madness, craziness, and world changing words. For those who don't know, Revolve is a conference for ALL GIRLS; no boys allowed on this one! Unless you're a leader, then I suppose you are welcome among us. And if you are Hawk Nelson! My ears are still not working properly from all of the 10,000 girls who screamed so much; plus my throat is still a bit sore from screaming my own head off! A sore throat can be an amazing thing, if it was recieved at an event such as this.

Unfortunately, I wasn't around much to listen to Chad Eastham speak, but what he said was still amazing. Guys Like Girls Who... (are born!) Woohoo! That's all I got from him.

One thing I want to bring up that had been said SOOOOOooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOO much in the program was this: you are a world changer. It IS possible to change the world, whether it be to one person, or many, or a whole neighborhood, or a country! It is possible. Just check out what this guy, Austin, did. He is, I swear, not even old enough to shave yet, and he has built a school for kids in a third world country. How did he do it? Hoops of Hope. Check out the website: www.hoopsofhope.org.
Another way you can be a world changer: sponsoring a child through World Vision. I plan to do this sometime soon, probably when I cash my check from work. For $30 a month, you can sponsor a child in an impoverished country, such as Ethiopia, El Salvador, many countries in Africa, and so many more to choose from. You learn about the child you are sponsoring and get to write them letters, send them gifts and such, and just be there for them in their life, a little like you adopted him or her. I will keep everyone posted about that when the time comes. You can do this at www.worldvision.org.
At Revolve, there was a little competition with the city who sponsored the most children from World Vision, which was Sacramento. They sponsored about 198 children. Well.... Philadelphia sponsored............................................................................(awaiting drumroll)..................................... 384 children! Go Philly! That's more than my graduating class!
So, when someone tells you that you cannot change the world by yourself, you tell them, "Psh! Whatever!" God will do great things in your life. Don't you forget it!

check out all of this at these websites:

www.revolvetour.com
www.hoopsofhope.org
www.worldvision.org

Frazzled?

2008-09-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well, since I'm going through some crazy times in my life, I've decided to let you all into it and see what's going on.

1. School. Ugh. School. I'm behind in almost all of my classes.

2. Work. I just started working at CVS. It's fun and it's the only time of the day that I don't have to think about school.

3. SHINE. I love SHINE! I love all the girls in it and my coleader, April! My Tuesday nights are devoted to it.

4. Family:

a. cousin - recently, she's been feeling crappy, which makes me crappy. I try to help, but it sometimes doesn't work too well.

b. aunt - My Aunt Laurel is in the hospital now because her heart stopped. They resusitated her, but now her organs are shutting down. We don't know how much longer she has.

5. Pets. I have to find a new home for the snake because I'm going to be living on campus next semester. He's not even mine. Anyone interested? $100!

6. Boyfriend. He's taking up time also, but I love it!

Where is time for me? It seems that I don't even exist anymore. My life is just a schedule. So, what am I going to do?

::::BREAKDANCE!::::

Just kidding. I'm going to take control!

10 ways to beat stress: http://www.healthexpressions.com/stress_busters/10_ways_to_beat_stress.shtml

1. Create a peaceful moment.

Whether you're parked in your car or sitting at your desk, take five or 10 minutes to empty those stressful thoughts from your mind.

2. Write it down.

Make a habit of carrying a small journal or notebook in your purse. If things get too stressful, jot down those fears and emotions on paper.

3. Think big.

So much of life is taken up by the details—such as paying bills or checking email—that it's easy to lose sight of the big picture. Take 30 seconds to look out a window and focus on a point far away.

4. Phone a friend.

Use your next afternoon coffee break to reconnect with an old friend. Make it a point to enjoy the time you have to catch up.

5. Plan downtime.

Flip open your calendar and find time in the next week to hang out with yourself. It can be as simple as an hour of quiet time alone.

6. Drink up.

The next time stress takes its toll on your energy level, skip the caffeinated soft drinks and head for the water fountain.

7. Say thank you.

Reward favors—large and small—with a genuine "thank you." It only takes a few seconds and adds more gratitude to your life.

8. Sing out loud.

Stuck in traffic? Switch to your favorite radio station or pop in a CD, and sing along with some upbeat music.

9. Get a secret weapon.

Arm yourself with something to give you an extra boost of confidence on days when everything seems to go awry. It might be a special lipstick, perfume, or scarf—anything you can put on quickly to switch gears.

10. Step outside.

There's nothing more soothing than the natural world. Steal a few minutes to step into the great outdoors when stress strikes. The fresh air and open sky can do wonders for your state of mind.

If you are going through some stress right now, try these lovely tips from healthexpressions.com. Woohoo!

This Just In!

2008-09-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

The most interesting thing happened to me this morning. I was driving to school, a one hour drive mind you, listening to my favorite morning show. Now, the morning show has a number you can call that sends you directly to voicemail where you can rant and rave all you want, as long as you don't use last names and company names. They play the good ones on the air at breaks. Well, at 8:20 am on Monday, September 29th, Lisa's voice comes over the radio! I called the number and did a little rant about how my dream was the best one I ever had and Monday made it disappear. What a beautiful morning!

The funny thing is... nobody knew it was me!

:P

Suicide is NOT an option

2008-09-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

A close family member of mine has been going through some rough times. I try to help her as much as I can, but sometimes, it's not enough... no. She didn't commit suicide, but she did say in one way or another that she just wanted life to end.

I'd like to take this time to tell all of you who read my blog that SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION. Yes, life can kick you in the butt repeatedly, and you may want it all to end, but really, in the end, your life is cherished. Just think... you may be the world to someone. Your life has impacted so many already. You may be 11; you may be 65; you may be 21 and just realizing that life has just started. To all of you who feel down, who feel that it's not worth the effort anymore... it is!

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. - Jim Stovall

Maybe, if you feel that your life doesn't matter, take a step back. Look around you. See all the people in your life that love you, that care for you. And then, look at all those people who you help, who look up to you. There is a reason for your being here on Earth.

Sometimes, it is a selfish thing to feel that you are the only one in the world that feels lonely. When you feel like that, maybe a good thing to do is to call a friend whom you haven't talked to in a while and tell that person that you miss them and that you care about him or her. Soemtimes, all it takes is a kind word to someone else, the feeling of knowing that you are in someone's life to get you out of a rut.

And if that doesn't work and there are still doubts that you don't belong on this Earth, there are people who want to talk to you.

First, there is me. If you feel that you aren't special, you call me up and I'll tell you that you are.
484-948-5132. Give it a call.

Second, there are counselors who want you to talk to them. They may seem like they don't want to, but they really do.

Third, (but actually he should be first) there is always big guns upstairs... God. He's always there, ready for you to come to him with your transgresions, to complain to him, to ask him for wisdom, guidance, whatever you feel, to yell at him (he accepts that too). But one thing I want you to know... whatever it is that is really crappy in your life, God put it there for a reason, whether it be to teach you something you need to know for the future, or to help someone else. We learn from experience, so maybe this is your experience from where you learn from.

If all else fails, and you're at that moment in life where you can't take any more of it, I want you to take this hotline number. These people will try the hardest to help you:

1-800-SUICIDE (1 -800-784-2433)

So, to all who read, I tell you now that your life is cherished. That you are cherished. You are loved.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:5-6a

Class has begun. Please put your social life on hold.

2008-09-03T05:24:00.000-07:00

So, starting school again has been... an interesting experience, for the most part. I'm uberbusy with 5 classes and all of them take up way too much time. I barely have enough time to blog! Hence why it has been about twenty days since my last blog. (yeah! Hence!)

I have to give a shout out to my school, Westchestah! Woot! Go, Golden Rams! O.o

Anyways, my one class is sooooooo awesome, but it's going to be so hard. It's called Written Rhetoric: Power, Politics, and Environmental Writing. Sounds fun, don't it? I'm not much of a politics person, but I think I can get into this one if I try. We are reading a book called Enviropop, which deals with Environment in popular culture: on greeting cards, movies, television, how we use environment to sell things (would that be considered "rape of nature"?)

In other words, and I know it's a roundabout way of saying it, to make a long story short (I HATE SAERKRAUT! - if you get this, you are my friend for life!) I have no time.

Indescribable

2008-08-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

I love those moments when something happens and you realize that it's just God's way of showing you that he is there and listening. A few days ago, there was a meteor shower. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it, but I was outside anyway with my Bible and journal late that night, just hoping for a glimpse of one stray meteor. I was looking up at the sky, the stars twinkling, it seemed, just for me. I started to pray, thanking God for all of his beauty. Then, I saw it. One meteor. It made my day. God really does listen to your prayers. It may not seen that he is, but he will answer them it his own time.

Livin' La Vida Loca

2008-08-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

So, these last few days have been quite... blah! Our computer decided to poop out on us (don't know why) and I've been without internet for the last fiveish days. I don't mind it, really, because that just gives me more time for me and less time on the evil addiction of the web.

Another thing that happened this week that has been making life a little blah: our hot water heater kicked the bucket. So, I've been like a shower nomad, going to different peoples houses to use their facilities. So, I've been a little primative in my living. Don't be surprised if I start a whole "Ooga Booga" dialogue with you.

What else... ummm... oh yeah! School starts on the 25th of August. AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been procrastinating the test drive there and getting my schedule from the website... and buying my textbooks. Scary.

Ooga Booga!

Not Quite Walking Away

2008-08-06T09:26:00.001-07:00

I know what I was missing; I just didn't want to admit it. I thought I was doing ok, being strong with the crazy schedule and mixed up world. I thought I was fine where I was with myself, my boy, and God...

I was wrong!

Last night, during our prayertime after **SHINE** (that's the middle school all girl small group April and I started), I broke down and told her that I felt that I was walking away from God. Yes, it was because of said boy, but not because of him, if you get my drift. It was all my doing. I was being lazy and not setting my boundaries, not taking time to talk to God, not telling my "acountabilibuddy" about what's on my heart. And it's because of this that I was questioning, that I was becoming sad, the way I was when I didn't know Christ. I needed prayer and wasn't ready to ask for it, at least for myself.

Ah. Prayer. It's the one thing that can get me out of a rut, get me out of a bad mood, get me out and about again. Just knowing that God is there to listen 24/7 to anything that I tell him amazes me. How can it be that something sooooooooooo big can have time to listen to something that I say, someone so small and a bit messed up?

I keep reminding myself that he is there, that he cares, that he loves me so much. He hasn't given up on me, so I'm not giving up on him. I'm not quite walking away. It was only a few steps back that I took. I'm ready to move foreward.

Loving NYC (Center of the Universe)

2008-08-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

On August 2nd, 10 of us from CCV drove (at 6:30 AM) to New York City to visit our sister church, the Forefront Church! What did we do there? What any loving Christian community would do... we loved New York! We weren't the only church there to help out with this escapade. There were about 6 or more churches (give or take) from around the area to help pass out water bottles, granola bars, and packs of gum to the lovely New Yorkers! How much did we ask for each of these items? Absolutely nothing! Each group had a corner where they passed out these items with cards that have information about the church on it. Our corner was 28th St. and Park Ave. I just want to give a shout out to my group, Jeff, Mark, and Ernie! (These guys rock!) This is how the first conversation went: Lisa - Hi there! Would you like a free granola bar? Person 1 - No tha... wait. Free? Lisa - Yep. Completely. Person 1 - What's the catch? Lisa - No catch. Just showing God's Love. Person 1- Thanks! ::takes granola bar, but is reluctant to take card:: Lisa - Have a great day! It was a lot of fun, servant evangilism. Even though it was raining bullets for a good half an hour, we smiled through the rain and had a great time! I met a number of people, even though our conversation was limited to about two to three seconds. And let me tell you, I would do it again and again and again! God bless Manhattan!

For more information on the Forefront Church or CCV, check out these websites:
www.Forefrontchurch.com
www.moviechurch.com <-----this is CCV, the church I attend!

Lazy Lady and Her Freedom

2008-07-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

So, I got up at noon today, something I hadn't done in about a year or two. I still feel dizzy from too much sleep. If that has ever happened to you, you understand the feeling I'm talking about. If not, then, congratulations. You deserve a cookie. On a good note, I got to sleep past my usual 7:45 wake up time for work... woohoo! My last day of work was on Saturday, the 26th, and I was so happy about it. The day itself sucked like you wouldn't believe, but I have broken away from the Hell that is Regal! In fact, the last time I clocked out, I had my friend Salesha witness it. I slowly slid my time card down, and when Kronos read: OUT- LISA CAMAHO, I threw my time card in the air and yelled, "FREEDOM! FREEDOM!!!!" And here is where I remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!"

This is the End, Beautiful Friend, the End

2008-07-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

07/16/08
To whom it may concern:
Although my time at the Regal Cinema Marketplace 24 has given me a lifetime of fun and character building experience, I regret to inform you that I must conclude my time here. The 28th of July will be the my last day. It has been wonderful. Thank you so very much!
Lisa Camaho

Work... why must thy name be Misery?

2008-07-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is more of a testament of how much I loathe this job and also a sort of accountability thing. It's a little nerve racking when you have people who haven't been there long enough to know how to do pretty much anything worthwhile telling you how to do your job when you have been there for about two years. Silly children who whine and moan about having to do something they knew was in the job description! If you don't want to do actual work, then why did you get a job in the first place. The least you can do is to stop making it miserable for those who have seniority over you and act your age.

So sorry about the ranting. It's on my mind and it won't leave until it has had its fair share of the spotlight.

Another thing that has been bugging me about this job (other than the low pay) is the fact that they hire all of these new people and then those of us who need the hours get thrown around like we don't matter. Two words, my friends: pay cuts. I'm supposed to be working five days this week, but I am only working three and two of them are only four hours long. If this isn't a sign that I need a new job, I don't know what is.

So, I say, see you later, Regal! I'm moving on to better things... hopefully.