Day 91 - August 13, 2010 - Chopin

“Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” -Frederick Chopin

Charles Schultz is amazing. I love reading peanuts comics because, really, Schultz and I think a lot alike. He's so interested in the complexities of childhood, yet he recognizes the simplicity of it as well. There's so much to learn when you are young. So many things you have yet to experience.

This particular comic strip reminded me of the first time I heard Chopin... and the first time that I began to appreciate classical music. They are two distinct events, yet they are related. When I was small, I didn't really understand classical music. I thought it all sounded similar. I had no idea!

Chopin is entirely different from Mozart. Mozart is different from Beethoven. Beethoven is different from Bach. Each one wrote from the soul. Chopin, for example, created short, specific, and beautiful scenes. He painted pictures with his music. When I saw this comic, it make me happy to know that Charles Schultz felt the same way about Chopin. You just have to hear the music; take it in. Just let the music paint a picture in my mind.

Day 90 - August 12, 2010 - Black and White

“The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.” - Alfred Hitchcock

It has been great having my aunt around recently. It has been so long since I've been able to hang out with her. I forgot how many things we have in common. One commonality we share is the love of black and white movies. We're both pretty much convinced that they just don't make movies like they used to and that men in old movies are much more handsome than current actors.

We watched a movie about Madame Curie the other night, and I've got to say, it was a GREAT movie. It was nice to share the experience with someone who is equally appreciative of old films.

Day 89 - August 11, 2010 - Monster Squash!

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." ~Og Mandino

My mother has decided to become a farmer this summer. Farmer Gail, my aunt has affectionately dubbed her. She's completely redone the backyard and added a small planter box where she has begun to grow vegetables. Squash has always been a staple veggie in my household. When I was little, my grandma would cook summer squash with onions, garlic, and olive oil. I have yet to taste a better squash recipe. My mother makes it too. Delicious.

Currently, we have about 6 giant squash plants taking over the wall. There's a tomato plant buried somewhere in the back. We've been trying to create space for it, but the squash is simply enormous! While my parents are away on their cruise, my aunt and I are responsible for caring for the monster plants. We found this lovely veggie after about 5 days of not harvesting (I know... we are BAD). We've dubbed it the "State Fair Winner" and we're probably just going to let it keep growing.

Good times.

Day 88 - August 10, 2010 - A Cuppa Tea

Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea. ~Henry Fielding

There's nothing better than a hot cup of green tea mixed with a little honey and lemon. Fantastic! It is particularly wonderful when your nose is completely filled up and your throat is sore!

Tea seems to be something that everyone around the world enjoys. I've been to a few places and all of them have different flavors and kinds of tea. From England to South Africa, everyone seems to like tea. So, what's the big deal, huh? It's hot leaf juice (as one of my friends told me). The big deal for me is the subtlety. Each kind of tea is a little bit different, and you really have to savor the drink to taste the variation.

Life is kind of like that too sometimes. Days can seem mundane, but if you give it a little time and thought, you can see the variations. Every day is different after all.

I think I'll go make myself some more tea!

Day 87 - August 9, 2010 - Sick!

“Only in America do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front of the store” - Anonymous

It would appear that I picked up a little souvenir while I was in San Diego... one of my room mates had a cold. Well, I managed to wake up with one today! My nose is plugged, my throat is sore, i'm starting to cough... how pleasant! Well, the good thing is that I managed to catch this cold before school started. I need to be in tip top shape for the first week. There's a lot of stuff to be sorted out... that's for sure!

I think I'll go back to napping now... ugh!

Day 86 - August 8, 2010 - Evangelists

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily." - Sally Koch

Harvest Crusade occurred this weekend. I had never been, so when Casey asked me if I wanted to go, I was certainly willing. I've heard mixed views from all over the map about Greg Laurie's preaching. I wanted to make up my mind for myself. It was no surprise to me that, as we approached the entry to Angel's Stadium, there were picketers with signs that said, "Laurie Leads to Hell." People are always critical of large churches and the preachers who serve them.

As I listened to Greg Laurie speak, I heard nothing negative or blasphemous in his words. Nothing whatsoever. He spoke from his heart about reality. The fact that I had to come to grips with: large events such as Harvest Crusade are highly emotional.

When I was younger, I would attend youth camps. I remember some of the speakers would tell highly emotional stories meant to call people to action. The sermons were meant to tug at the heart strings and cause people to believe. Several times, the emotional pleas reached to me and I recommitted my life. This isn't particularly a bad thing, but I'm in a relationship with Christ. When you are in a relationship with a friend or significant other, you don't continually say, "oh, I'm re-committing to you because I'm scared I might lose you." No. You talk to them. Communicate. Spend time with them. When you struggle or fight, you work it out. They don't just drop you because you are having a difficult time. God won't just drop you because you are going through spiritual difficulties. He doesn't say, "Well, Megan wasn't very nice to that person yesterday... so she's not a Christian any more." Certainly not. I cling to God and he clings to me. Struggles are a natural part of any relationship and they usually indicate growth.

Now, I'm not saying that people shouldn't follow their emotions when it comes to re-committing their lives. I'm just saying that our walk with Christ cannot be ruled by emotions. We have to know in our hearts that we are a in relationship with God, and that He is holding on to us in good and bad times. That isn't something I truly knew in my heart when I was younger. There were times I was afraid that if I did one thing wrong, I would have to immediately re-commit my life for fear of losing God's love. He has told me that is not the truth. Fight temptation as it comes because God is right there behind you.

Ok, here's the point of that long, rambling entry. At the end of the service, as is customary at outreach events, there was an altar call. I'm glad there was! I support the calling laid upon the hearts of evangelists to tell the world about Christ. But, as I watched thousands of people crowding on to the field, I simply had to wonder: how many of these people are here to make a life change, how many simply need to communicate with their savior, and how many of them are following a mob mentality? I'm sure there were many who made real, lasting commitments to Christ. Others, it is hard to say.

I just wanted to write my thoughts down. My spiritual journey is different from any other, but much can be learned from sharing what we know. I know Christ has redeemed me and that he is hanging on to my heart as fiercely as I'm hanging on to Him.

That's all.

Day 85 - August 7, 2010 - Graffiti as Art?

"In the dime stores and bus stations, people talk of situations, read books, repeat quotations, draw conclusions on the wall." -Bob Dylan

Living near Los Angeles, I've seen a lot of graffiti over the years. Some of it is pretty trashy; a bunch of bright yellow lines intended to be a name or obscene word/gesture that, frankly, looks like nothing but a bunch of tangled lines. Other graffiti can look rather intriguing. I've often though to myself that if some taggers would look in to graphic design as a career, they might be relatively successful.

An artist that I was recently introduced to has made it his/her mission to make statements on walls. The artist is known by the name of Banksy and is supposedly from Great Britain. The artist maintains anonymity, but has left hundreds of marks around the world. Some of them are beautiful, others make a statement, and many are just plain bizarre.

I know this isn't particularly amazing artwork. It looks like stencil painting to me. I stumbled across it while walking around Young Hall around 7:30 AM today. I never knew it was there. It struck me as random. I wonder who did it? Certainly not Banksy... but it sure would be cool if Banksy DID tag one of our school walls!

Day 84 - August 6, 2010 - Becoming Real

"The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.

But the Skin Horse only smiled." - Velveteen Rabbit

Congratulations Rose and Douglas! I hope you have a long and happy life together.

I used to love the story of the Velveteen Rabbit when I was a child. I always felt so badly for the poor rabbit, but when he became real, I was over-joyed. I think I'm beginning to understand that story in a lot of new ways as I get older. It is funny how fairy tales teach us just as much in our maturity as when we are young. Perhaps they teach us more.

Day 83 - August 5, 2010 - Photography Runs in the Family

“I am the family face; / Flesh perishes, I live on, / Projecting trait and trace / Through time to times anon, / And leaping from place to place / Over oblivion.” -Thomas Hardy

Yes, I know I didn't "take" this picture, but I have a reason! I promise that every other picture on this blog (besides the ones that were OBVIOUSLY taken of me from afar... and i think there's only a few of those) were taken by me. Well, in this particular case, I wanted to write about the past few days with my cousin. Today, we went to the mall and tried on some dresses and clothes... just for fun. We really enjoyed ourselves. =)

Ok, the point about the picture. My cousin decided that she wanted to invest in a nice camera. I decided to do the same thing during my freshman year. I didn't realize that I would enjoy taking pictures so much. I am by no means a photographer... but I love photography! It would appear that she feels the same way. I'm very glad to see/hear that.

Something else that I learned while we were at the camera store: my aunt used to be in to photography. While she was in college, she took photos for the yearbook and was pretty good with a camera. I never knew that. I suppose interests and talents really do run in the family.

Hopefully my raw love of photography will continue to improve my skill!

Day 82 - August 4, 2010 - Leapin' Lizards?

“Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard's rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment - a little makes the way of the best happiness.” -Friedrich Nietzsche

Poor little lizard! He has the misfortune of being born in our back yard. Oh, don't worry; he's still alive, just stunned. My mother found him after Chloe managed to snag him by the tail. We held him and splashed some water on him. He was looking at us and breathing... you know, the most important vital signs. lol

Our dog has made quite a name for herself as a lizard hunter. All I have to do is say the word "lizard" in an excited tone, and she's out the door! This has proven to be very useful at certain intervals.

Well, this poor little guy was released back into the garden. Hopefully this will be a valuable lesson for him: stay away from dogs.

Day 81 - August 3, 2010 - San Juan Capistrano

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." — C.T. Studd

When you visit the California coast, San Juan Capistrano is a must-see in my opinion. It is truly gorgeous! Most people think of beaches, surfing, Hollywood, and San Fransisco when they hear the word California. Those of us who live here have a slightly different idea of what to expect.

San Juan Capistrano is part of what makes up California in my mind. It reminds you that Spain had a pretty big influence on the state. It also reminds you that California is a desert; not a watery-wonderland. It also makes me realize how relatively young U.S. history really is. The cathedral collapsed in the 1800's. To most U.S. citizens, that sounds like a long time ago. There are buildings in Europe that are older than that by about 600-700 years.

Well, ok, you've got me pegged. I actually care about history. I guess if you don't really care about anything but beaches and partying, then San Juan isn't for you.

We took my cousin to San Juan Capistrano today. It was quite enjoyable in my opinion. Perfect weather, good food, great company and great scenery. That's what day-cations should be about, don't you think?

Day 80 - August 2, 2010 - Let's Bake a Cake!

"Let them eat cake." -Marie Antoinette


I've come to discover I enjoy baking things. Why? Well, I've thought about that too, of course! When it comes to cooking, it always seems to require time constraints. You make food for a meal, and everyone is hungry! Baking seems to me to be about pleasure. Relaxation. Whenever I get ready to bake something, I know that I have time. I don't have to finish it in 1/2 an hour for a hungry mob. The oven, somehow, is less demanding. Items on the stove top must constantly be monitored. Once you place something in the oven, you can set a timer and check on it periodically to make sure it is setting up properly. Also, baked goods make people smile. I know good food does the same (and it is healthier and nourishing), but cookies and cakes are a splurge gift. A way to say "I love you; i made you something!"

I made cupcakes the other day. Today I made a "devil's food" chocolate cake. This one wasn't from scratch... although I enjoy making things from scratch better. It seems to taste better that way, don't you think?

Day 79 - August 1, 2010 - A Rose by Any Other Name...

“But he that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.” - Anne Bronte

Flowers are one of my favorite things found in nature. I guess that is the case with a lot of women. I like orchids, daisies, lilies, irises, pansies, fox gloves, sunflowers, tulips, roses... well, really, you name it and i probably like it.

Roses are interesting, though. Arguably, roses could be called the flower of literature. It is almost cliche to compare love to a rose... it has been done so many times. Authors and play writes have written about roses. Many poets have written about roses. There are songs about them. They are considered to be the default "romance" bloom. What do you buy for your girlfriend on Valentine's Day? Red roses.

They certainly are beautiful, but I often wonder why popular culture has gravitated towards them so much. There are hundreds of types of flowers all around the world. It isn't really a question I know the answers to... just an afternoon's pondering.

Perhaps, like so many other things, roses should thank Shakespeare for their popularity.

Day 78 - July 31, 2010 - Bonafide Bookworm

“Let every bookworm, when in any fragrant, scarce, old tome he discovers a sentence, a story, an illustration, that does his heart good, hasten to give it” - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Behold: my stack of text books for the upcoming semester. If you look closely, you will see that a large number of these books are in fact Shakespeare's plays. Although I do enjoy Shakespeare from time to time, I am hoping that I can keep up with the reading load for this class! It will be a great challenge, certainly. I expect to become a better writer/teacher along the way. What better place to start than with the man who revolutionized English story telling as we know it?

It is still going to be quite the challenge, though. I'll hang in there!

Day 77 - July 30, 2010 - Time Winds and Unwinds

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” - Stacey Charter

Time has a funny way of winding up and down. As soon as one phase of life ends, another begins. This particular clock requires winding to work. As soon as it begins to slow down, the clock must be re-wound in order for it to keep working. Life kind of feels like that now... in this transitory phase. When one thing ends, I must rewind the "clock" and start over. As it ticks away, I know that, when it is unwound, I will be at the next phase and must rewind my "clock" and continue living.

This is by no means a bad thing. It simply means I have a certain amount of time in which to grow and learn in each phase of my life. I can't sit around a listen to the sound of the clock ticking, but when it is time to start over, I must embrace the future.

Day 76 - July 29, 2010 - The Way Art Speaks

"I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious." -Andrew Wyeth

When I close my eyes, I can be literally anywhere I wish to be. I can see the cliffs at Dingle or the Tower Bridge in London. Perhaps I will recall the streets of Chennai (and the smell might come back to me as well...) or my backyard in Texas. I could be sitting next to my grandparent's silver, retro Christmas tree or fishing at the lake with my Papa. Maybe I'm at the top of the Washington Monument or resting under a cherry tree in Tokyo.

But there is something profound about the imagination. I can also visit places that I have never seen; places that don't actually exist. I can create them; build them from scratch in my mind. Certainly, they will resemble places on earth and the physical world, but they are entirely my own. This place in the imagination is where art is born.

Not everyone loves art like I do. I can respect that, I suppose. And in all reality, I don't like every piece of art that I see. But sometimes, I see something that an artist has created and I realize something. Our minds are of one accord. I understand what the artist saw in his or her mind. Maybe I've even been to that place in my own mind; in my own way.

My aunt bought this piece of art at Michael's the other day. I was the one who found it, actually. She loved it as much as I did. I've seen a place like this one in my mind. The artist's skill brought it to life.

Starry Night by Van Gogh is one of my favorite painting. Take a look at it and see what you find. I was captivated.

Day 75 - July 28, 2010 - Room Number 9

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense." -Thomas Edison

Ah, Room 9. I've been working with kids in this room and on the playground all summer. Really, I have had an extremely enjoyable summer. I feel like I have learned SO much working with the kids. All of it is invaluable to my future. There is nothing like hands-on experience with kids to teach you how to be a teacher. I am discovering a side of myself I didn't know I had. I'm confident, but I know I still have a lot to learn.

This week has been exceedingly interesting. It has tested my growing skills and taught me even more about teaching! Unexpectedly, the administration dropped 25 Korean exchange students into our laps. I think it is great that they are visiting the United States, but MAN! There's just not enough of us (the workers) to go around. 50 kids is insanity when you are trying to organize large group games and crafts. My boss was also forced to take the week off (administration again...), so Casey and I were left with absolutely no plans and no direction.

We hung in there, though... and worked together! Monday was simply a mess. Rather than allowing the same situation to occur again, we went out for sushi after work and planned out games and crafts for the week. We also went by the dollar store and picked up several useful items: tennis balls, a baseball bat (plastic), some bubbles, and a beach ball. These have proved to be extremely helpful thus far.

Although it has been frustrating at times, I'm thankful for the challenge. I know it only gets harder in the professional work force. So, why not learn and try out new ideas while there's less pressure?

Day 74 - July 27, 2010 - Reunited!

"Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams." ~Mary Ellen Kelly

Finally! After nearly two weeks in the shop, I picked up my car today! They waxed it for me and everything. It looks brand new and I'm so so SO thankful for insurance right now! You can see my aunt's car in the background over there. That's another exciting thing that is occurring right now. My aunt is here in California! It has been wonderful to see her and to talk with her. I hope she enjoys her time out here with us, even though I know that circumstances are not the best.

Anywho, I'm sure I'll be driving like a little, old grandma for the next few weeks. Thank God for car insurance!

Day 73 - July 26, 2010 - What's in a Smile?

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. ~William Shakespeare

Seeing someone smile can be one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Every smile is certainly different. I've come to discover this while working with children. It is a simple gesture to express happiness and pleasure and making others smile is one of life's great joys.

So what happens when a smile becomes more like an accessory than a genuine expression of emotion? I'm as guilty as anybody of smiling to hide how I'm really feeling. Some people are better at masking their emotions than others, but it is usually easy to tell when there is something going on behind a smile.

There are times I smile through pain and sadness. Sometimes I do it because I am trying to heal. Often, I don't want people to worry about me. I am supposed to be strong all of the time... or so I feel. Like it or not, I become sad, angry, confused, and scared sometimes. More than some, I tend to wear my emotions out in the open, but I cannot deny that I sometimes use a smile to placate people.

Those who know me well can tell the difference.

Day 72 - July 25, 2010 - You Bridged Love

"He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven" ~George Herbert

This is my home church. It is reasonable to say that I grew up here, but also that this church has grown as I have. Over the years, it has had quite a major face lift. Arguably, it would be unrecognizable to someone who hasn't visited in 10 years. The style of music has changed. People have come and gone. The core people of this church are different than the people who were 10 years ago. Its focus has changed as well; just like its name.

When we first came to California, my dad took a job at Bloomington Church of the Nazarene. If I remember correctly, the name was changed around 5 or 6 years ago and I can hardly imagine it being called anything else. There was a lot of debate over whether the name should be changed or not. Some people thought the notion ridiculous while others thought it the only way to progress. In the end, everyone settled on "The Bridge." Building a Bridge of Christ's Love; that is exactly what our church does. Perhaps the least judgmental and most loving congregations I have ever encountered, the Bridge has shifted its focus to outreach and ministry. They are like a family; my family, in many ways.

I'm proud to call The Bridge my church family.

Day 71 - July 24, 2010 - A Day in L.A.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
~Maya Angelou

Today, Chelsi, Annmarie, and I spent the day in West Hollywood at the Grove and Farmer's Market. It was a good time. We had originally planned to go hiking in the mountains, but my car is still in the shop. I'm the only one who has driven in the mountains, so we decided it would be a better day to head into Los Angeles.

We had lunch in the Farmer's Market. Apparently, there was a world-wide photography something-or-other going on today. People were walking around the entire market with huge, fancy cameras. What's weird: we had our picture taken at least 6 times. Twice, we were actually asked to be in a photo. The other times, people were trying to get candids of us. It was strange. Flattering, but strange.

I don't know if this is true or not, but we have a theory for why people were taking so many pictures of us. We are all 3 of different races. I know it is 2010 and that equality is on the rise, but apparently, we are still an interesting sight. This theory could be wrong.

The thing is, I don't think about it at all when we hang out. Hopefully, my generation will be more and more like that. We're all different and we're all beautiful! Thank God for that!

Day 70 - July 23, 2010 - My Siblings

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

I am an only child. This has proved to be both a virtue and a vice throughout my life. Recently, I've often thought that I wouldn't mind coming from a large family. Family means a lot to me. It hasn't always been easy. That's all I can say.

Although I don't have an actual blood-related brother or sister, God has blessed me with other people in my life. My cousin and I are like sisters. I know the argument; we don't live together so I couldn't possibly know what I'm talking about. I know it isn't exactly the same, but the dynamic between us is pretty much that of siblings. To me, that's a good thing! I have some friends that I consider to be like my siblings. Casey is one of them. We've been through a lot of good and bad times together. VBS has been a good time.

I hope all of my friends know that I want to be like a sister to them. I'll take the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly... and I want to be there when it is all said and done.

Day 69 - July 22, 2010 - A Light in Dark Places

"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
— J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)

I love contrasts. I think they are beautiful. You know, the kind of contrasts that define one another. Without hot, we wouldn't know what cold was. Without high, what would low be? If we weren't sad sometimes, would happiness be so special? No contrast is so beautiful as the difference between light and dark. Light is the absence of darkness and darkness is the absence of light.

We tend to associate darkness with evil and light with goodness. I don't think that is always an adequate way of looking at light and dark. They are different. Light allows us to see, but darkness forces us to use our senses. I can't say that I like one more than the other, really.

I was never afraid of the dark as a child; only of what I couldn't see. I suppose that is the root of everyone's "fear of the dark." We are frightened because we can't see what is around us or what is coming. But what is there to fear beyond this? What about our senses? We can still hear and feel. There is always a way to find our way around in the dark.

These lanterns are on our patio. They are a nice contrast against the night sky; like fireflies or stars. Well, maybe not quite as nice as fireflies and stars... but still nice. =)

Day 68 - July 21, 2010 - Getting Involved

“If you're not actively involved in getting what you want, you don't really want it.” - Peter McWilliams

This week has been very interesting. Every night, after work, I go to VBS and volunteer to be involved somewhere. On Friday, I'll be in a skit for the kids. That should be fun. But really, it has been interesting to come and see who is getting involved as well. Over 70 adults and teens have volunteered to help make VBS a success... I never would have guessed! There were tons of people there to help and spend time with the kids. Some people surprised me; I didn't know they liked kids!

I guess, for me, VBS is another chance to learn and grow towards my goals. I enjoy being around the kids and helping them to learn, but the are helping me too. It seems like every time I get involved and hang around kids I learn more about what it means to be a teacher. It's not going to be easy all of the time, but it will be worth while when I walk into my first class room.

Day 67 - July 20, 2010 - Frosty Fries Go Great with Friends

Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.” ~Oscar Wilde

Nothing goes farther with me than a good conversation. It tells me that you're not afraid to reveal yourself to me. That's what relationships are all about, isn't it? Letting others into your life and allowing them to see you for who you really are. It is not always easy, and not every person we come in contact with on a daily basis is worthy of such an honor. I guess that is why it means a lot to me. I can tell when someone is having a genuine discussion with me or when they're not telling me everything. Call it creepy; call it a gift; call it what you will. I'm pretty good at reading people. Their eyes, face, body language, and what they say are all revealing factors. It is interesting how some people hold back in words, but reveal themselves entirely through subtle actions. I tend to be the former, and I enjoy and respect people who are honest and straight forward. I consider them a breath of fresh air.

Tonight, my friend Annmarie and I went to Wendy's and bought some snacks. The traditional frosty and fries was a perfect conversation snack for me. Simple and kinda quirky. We talked for a long time about nothing in particular, but she's never been afraid to reveal herself to me. Likewise, I've never been afraid to tell her my thoughts either.

A penny for your thoughts?

Day 66 - July 19, 2010 - VBS... VERY BUSY SCHEDULE!

"Always gotta keep busy or the voices start telling me to do wild things." ~Steve Brown

Today is the first day of VBS, which stands for Vacation Bible School. We have a pretty successful kids program at our church. I believe we have about 75 - 100 kids coming to the event for the week. The whole "camp" is supposed to be set in Roman times when Christians were being persecuted and the church was in hiding. I volunteered to be a part of the skits and to help out with the craft booth. It has been a lot of fun, but I can already tell this week is going to be quite busy. Tomorrow, I will be going on a field trip with the day camp kids, tutoring, and working at the VBS. Luckily, these are all things I enjoy. The kids are typically fun to be around as long as they're listening.

This picture isn't particularly amazing, but it definitely shows what we were up to. My hair was a mess and my "toga" needed a few alterations. But it doesn't really matter. The evening was fun and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

Day 65 - July 18, 2010 - Tempura Time!

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity." ~Voltaire

I know this doesn't look particularly appetizing... but MAN was it good! One of my best friends is 1/4 Japanese. The cake isn't Japanese, but the tempura certainly is. Nothing beats deep fried vegetables and shrimp. What an oxymoron!

Thank goodness for best friends and second-mothers. Her mom is always trying to feed me... and I rarely protest. It is an amazing feeling when friends become like family. That doesn't mean that you never have difficult times or struggles together. It just means you love them enough to deal with whatever happens. Really, those are the kind of relationships we all want to have; those are the relationships i strive to have. So, I know when I get a take-out box full of home made tempura and cake, that I am supremely blessed. Mm-mm, I think I'll go have some more!

Day 64 - July 17, 2010 - Only 5 minutes... Promise!

"I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific." ~Steven Wright

You know, I'm not really a crazy shopper. I'm normally a bargain hunter and a trip in to Macy's leaves me feeling depressed and kind of poor. Who knows why I decided to go into Macy's today? Well, I do, actually. I love their dresses and I was considering spending a little bit of my tutoring money on a nice once... but once I saw the price tags, my stomach turned a little. Jonathan and I were walking around Victoria Gardens, an outdoor shopping center near my house, sipping on a couple of coffees. I said, "Oh! Can we just dodge into Macy's for five minutes? I just want to see the dresses. I promise I'll be quick!" Good thing I have an exceedingly patient boyfriend. I certainly spent more than 5 minutes in the store... more like 20. I guess that's not so bad, but I hate dragging men into clothing stores. He even gave me his opinion! Sheesh, I'm spoiled!

Day 63 - July 16, 2010 - A Rose by Any Other Name

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck." ~Emma Goldman

Nature is something I greatly respect. I've seen a lot of wonderful man-made places in the world, but none of them compare to the natural wonders; like the cliffs at Dingle. Nothing compares or feeds the soul quite like nature. One of my favorite things about nature is flowers. I guess that makes me seem like a typical woman.

Flowers are alive; that is part of their charm. They wouldn't be half as beautiful or amazing if they weren't so fragile and fleeting. Think about it. You put a vase full of flowers on your kitchen table and they'll stay fresh and beautiful for a week. Even when they're left on the plant, they don't last forever. But there is something awesome about having a flowering plant. Even though the flowers go away, you know that, as long as the plant is alive, more flowers will open up eventually.

I guess green thumbs run in the family. My mom and grandma love to garden. =)

Day 62 - July 15, 2010 - 87 Years Ago

“You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle.” ~Paulo Coelho

87 years ago today, something pretty significant for my life happened. My grandma was born in Waco, Texas to Sam Pinto, a recently immigrated Italian man who had brought his wife and son from Sicily to New Orleans. My grandma is the youngest of 9 sisters and 1 brother. She was also the last child born to my great grandmother, Paula, whose maiden name was Moreno. Her mother died when she was 3. I really enjoy listening to my grandma's stories about her youth. It reminds me that she and I are not really all that different. The only thing truly different is our stage of maturity. Not much else.

My uncle sent my grandma these flowers, and we bought her some gardening supplies. She loves to garden. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Day 61 - July 14, 2010 - The Silly Fish

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca

Here is another object I realize that I use a lot that I picked up while traveling. When Abby and I arrived in the Bahamas, we went to the straw market to do a little shopping. I had no intention of buying something, really. We were supposed to board the MV Explorer the next day to depart on Semester at Sea. Yet, I spotted this little guy. Silly, perhaps. Abby certainly thought so. At any rate, I bought it and used it for all of my spare change on the trip. By the end of the voyage, I was 100% glad I had spent all of $2 on it. It still resides in my purse and carries my loose change.

Man, I suddenly have the strange urge to hop in the car and drive to Canada or Mexico. Ok, maybe Canada would be safer for my car... lol

Day 60 - July 13, 2010 - Useful Reminders

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

Whenever I return from a trip, I often go through a period of re-entry "depression." I don't really get depressed per say, but I desperately want to hop on a plane, boat, or train and immerse myself in a new place. It is an itch... a drive that is hard to placate. People often refer to it as the "travel bug." An illness. I prefer to think of it as delicious food. Once you've gotten a taste, you're always hungry for more.

When I first started traveling, I used to pick up a lot of trinkets. Don't get me wrong, I still pick up a souvenir or two when I go somewhere, but I try to make them more practical. Something I will use in my every day life; like this hair pin. I purchased it in Sri Racha, Thailand and I love to wear it in my hair. For a while, I didn't know where it was, but I found it in my drawer the other day and I've been wearing it a lot lately. Just a small reminder of a place that I can use regularly.

Day 59 - July 12, 2010 - More than You Know

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

You know I've had a long day when I wake up at 4 AM and start writing a blog. Plain and simple. I'm glad to move on from today, but it will definitely take me some time to feel better about what happened. I was in a fender bender this afternoon. I don't say wreck because I know it could have been exceedingly worse... and that's the most painful part to think about.

A lady cut me off while I was driving home. My temper has been short over the past few days. Recently, I've really had control over my road rage, but a monster took over... that's for sure. I started driving recklessly. There's no excuse. Before I knew it, I had rear-ended an SUV at a stop light. My whole body was shaking; I've rarely loathed myself so much. God is so mysterious though. I didn't hit the lady that cut me off. I happened to hit a family from our church. That sounds horrible, I know... but really it's a blessing in disguise. My car sustained most of the damage, and the woman driving was extremely understanding. I hate that it happened, but at least I could offer her my insurance and my deepest apologies.

So, why a picture of my grandma? When I got home, I didn't want to hear much of anything. I knew I was in the wrong. I didn't want to be chastised or comforted, really. I didn't want to talk about it all that much. I simply couldn't stand to think about what I had allowed myself in anger to do. It took me a long time to feel any comfort at all, frankly. It is funny, though. Comfort needed to come through a different medium than words. I went outside to sit down and get some air and my grandma followed me outside. At first, I was a bit resistant to her approach. I had previously had a difficult week with her. Yet, I didn't stop her. She sat down next to me and put her hand on my arm. The only thing she said, over and over, in her cheerful way, was, "It's ok!" I didn't need more than that. She was such a blessing in that moment. She doesn't even know it, really. It is hard to explain why, but thank God she was there. Thank God.

Another page turned. Another lesson learned.

Day 58 - July 11, 2010 - Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Poets are like baseball pitchers. Both have their moments. The intervals are the tough things. ~Robert Frost

Dodger's Stadium in the Chavez Ravine of Los Angeles is a place i dearly love. I've been going to games here since I was 10 years old and enjoying the atmosphere, the games, the snacks, and occasionally a dramatic fan or two. It is a place I associate with family and friends. In my opinion, there's no better place for a ball game in the world. I know that is very subjective, but nowhere in the world would feel the same! It's been around since the 1950's and is the 3rd oldest stadium in the United States. That says something about the age of pro-sports... that, or "progress." Many other cities have fancier, newer stadiums, but somehow I think the charm of Dodger's stadium is found in its simplicity. It's one of the few stadiums that doesn't have a corporate logo slapped on the side of it. Need I say more?

My family and I took my boyfriend, Jonathan, to his first baseball game. I'm glad we got to share the experience. I can remember the first few times I went to baseball games. I hope it was as memorable for him. =)

Day 57 - July 10, 2010 - Leyendo y Aprendiendo

Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

My greatest summer reading challenge yet: Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Spanish! Let's just say I haven't begun fully tackling it yet. I just started reading the first chapter. Although I am by no means a fluent Spanish speaker, I was fairing decently. Perhaps it is because I've read the material before. Perhaps I am simply good at guessing. Either way, I am excited to see some growth in my Spanish comprehension, however small that may be.

My views towards native Spanish speakers living in the United States have changed drastically over the past year. I attribute that to volunteering in a Saturday school classroom that consisted entirely of English language learners. I am constantly hearing that Spanish speakers belligerently speak only Spanish and that they don't want to learn English. Those voices couldn't be more wrong in about 90% of cases. Each of those kids was trying exceedingly hard to keep up with their regular class during the week; a class full of native English speakers. They were in no way belligerent. They wanted to learn as much and often more than regular classes of students. Hard working, but confused, they would light up whenever I spoke even simple Spanish phrases with them. It just showed them that I was trying to span the learning gap; the divide between their understanding and mine.

It's not about making a point, it's about helping people grow and succeed no matter who they are or where they came from.

Day 56 - July 9, 2010 - Not too Shabby!

“Spending is quick, earning is slow” - Russian Proverb

It is good to have a job and be working with kids this summer! Tutoring has paid off in many ways. As you can see, it certainly isn't too shabby a job in the monetary sense, but it has paid off in so many other ways I can hardly keep track. The experience is simply invaluable for what I want to do later on down the road. The fact that I can earn a little money while doing so is just icing on the cake. Very, very sweet icing!

Day 55 - July 8, 2010 - Outside the Box

"When you think outside the box, the box goes away." - Anonymous

"Oh, Miss Megan. There you go again. Thinking outside of the box," my 3rd grader exclaimed today as I was teaching her about adjectives. I made up a sentence about an angry platypus punching a fish. I can't imagine what she was talking about! I think that is part of the reason she likes coming to tutoring, though. I've tried the whole, "write a paragraph about such-and-such" method. It's not nearly as fun as what we did today. We also drew pictures of some of our favorite sentences that we created. I drew the platypus and colored it purple. She kept laughing at me. I don't understand why!

When you're teaching, thinking outside of the box is necessary. If you don't do it, you'll never capture the child's attention or imagination.

Day 54 - July 7th, 2010 - Scraps and Memories

"Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better" - John Updike

I pulled out my travel scrapbook today and started working on my British Isle pages. It's just a fun way to sum up a trip for me. A couple of pages with my favorite photos and a little added creativity make me smile. There's nothing expensive or over-complicated about my scrapbook. All my supplies probably cost me $20 tops (minus the photo prints, that is). I never got into scrap booking before I started traveling. Maybe that's because I wasn't really into photography before I started traveling, either. I'm not that amazing, but it is still fun! Those little interests we have are part of what make life entertaining and smile-worthy from day to day.

Day 53 - July 6th, 2010 - A Strange Role to Play

"Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home." -Mother Teresa

Today has been a little bit strange. My parents left town for a short vacation in San Diego, and I am looking after my grandmother. I'm used to taking care of myself by now... but I must admit it is a little strange having my grandma solely in my care. She can be more of a handful than I imagined. You see, I can tell she's a little resistant to me being in charge. I'm her grand child. My entire life she's been taking care of me, and she's used to thinking of me as a little girl.

We've been having trouble for a while getting her to take her medications. She won't really do so on her own. I definitely had my difficulties today, but she took them. Hopefully she will help me out on the medications over the next few days and just take them when I give them to her. All I can do is try to see the situation from her perspective. I wouldn't necessarily want to be taking orders from someone who is 66 years younger than me either. Oh well. *sigh*

Day 52 - July 5th, 2010 - Welcome Back! I Missed You...

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius

Prior to today, I had not been able to speak with my aunt Taryn in over a year. I missed her so much. It was simply incredible to hear her voice on the phone. I know why we hadn't heard from her in quite some time, but that needn't be discussed. It had nothing to do with fighting or discord between us. All I can say is the news I heard made my heart soar!

My aunt called us today to inform us that she will be moving back out to California to take a job in the Upland School District. God works in mysterious ways. I know it isn't the reason He's allowing her to come out to California, but I'm sure He knew how much we missed being with her. I hope I can fill her life with a little bit of sunshine now and then. That would make me so happy!

Day 51 - July 4, 2010 - Sparks May Fly

"As in an explosion, I would erupt with all the wonderful things I saw and understood in this world." -Boris Pasternak

Happy 4th of July! Another holiday has come to the IE and everyone on my block has somehow managed to procure illegal fireworks! Except us. We've got the regular, tame fireworks. They're still fun to look at, and I can't lie... I like a good (contained) explosion. As always, what I like best about the 4th is getting out on the street and enjoying the scene with the neighbors. That, and grilling. And explosives. I can't lie, I REALLY like the fireworks. I like that holidays make us slow down for a little bit. No matter who you are, you can't possibly resist the smell of gunpowder and the sound of firecrackers out on the street. Ok, maybe you can, but I can't. Just goes to show, I guess. I love to be around people.

Day 50 - July 3, 2010 - Sowing Seeds

"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed." -Robert H. Schuller

The word "Vittana" means seed in the Indian (NOT Native American) language (I'm guessing Hindi, because there are over 300 Indian languages). I came across an interesting program today. I'm pretty sure God has sewn a seed in my heart. I just need to do some praying about it and a little bit more research. I've never been one to rush into things, be that good or bad.

Perhaps we are only able to see one tiny, insignificant seed, but with a little water, sunlight, and time, only God knows what will become of that seed. Only God knows how much fruit it will produce if given the change to grow.

Day 49 - July 2, 2010 - Little Leaper

"A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart."
-Author Unknown

All right, I know what you're thinking. Why take a picture of a little plastic pony with a chewed up ear and dingy yellow hair? Well, here's the deal. I talked about all the crazy things I was finding in my closet in a previous entry. Here's something I found in one of my drawers that I simply could not part with. I doubt I ever will. Funny how silly little things like this mean so much to us. Here's the scoop, though. My grandpa Charlie bought this for me when I was about 3 years old. You'd think it would have gotten pitched long ago seeing as grandparents typically shower their grand kids with little trinkets and such. But, there's a lot more to the story here.

You see, "little leaper" (as I affectionately dubbed him at the ripe old age of 3) is the only thing I have left that my grandpa Charlie gave me. In fact, I remember when he took me shopping and bought it for me. I doubt it cost more than $3. He also bought me a bag of peppermint candies. I think that's why I like peppermint so much. That shopping trip is one of the most distinct memories I have of my grandpa Charlie. Some of the others, I'm not so fond of. He passed away when I was 4. One of the other distinct memories I have of him was when he was in the hospital. But, you know, when I think about that moment, his smile sticks out the most in my mind.

So, yes, "little leaper" has a chewed up ear and mangy hair, but I love his story. Where he came from, that is. Who he came from.

I'm gonna go find myself some mint candies now!

Day 48 - July 1, 2010 - Nothing Like the Sauna

"Sometimes the cure for restlessness is rest." - Colleen Wainwright

A day at the spa... so refreshing! I would have taken pictures at the hot springs, but I didn't want to worry about my camera all day. After all, a day at the spa is supposed to be stress free, no?

I've come to realize that one of my favorite things to do at the spa is lounge in the wet sauna. It's a singer's dream! Ten minutes in the steam room and your sinuses and nose are completely clear! Not to mention, the warm air feels super good! They even scent the air with eucalyptus. Total tension melter. I wish I had a sauna in my dorm room. THAT would be wonderful! Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?

Day 47 - June 30, 2010 - Wonder of Wonders! Miracle of Miracles!

"If you went to your closet today, would you pull out the same outfit you wore 10 or 15 years ago? You wear feelings and faith differently as well." -Amy Grant

Yes, I literally did burst into a Fiddler on the Roof song when I finished my closet! ALL of my clothes fit into it and I no longer have an avalanche of things waiting to expel themselves from within the bowels of my closet! It took a lot of elbow grease, but it is so refreshing to open my closet door and be able to see everything inside! I didn't realize how much of a pack rat I was; how much stuff I was holding onto that I didn't need. The rest of the room is sure to follow suit. I'm determined!

Cleaning my closet out was a strange experience. I came across things that I hadn't seen in years. A lot of memories were buried in there, both good and bad. Perhaps that is why it feels so refreshing. I know that all the good and bad things from my past have been sorted through and taken care of. I mean that metaphorically. Who I am now is ready for the future and my closet (how corny does this sound!) reflects that.

Day 46 - June 29, 2010 - Dusk in my City

“Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Recently, I've been waking up early to go to work around 6:30. Twice a week, I open the day care with one of the other workers. The sky and mountains look about like this when I leave the house. It's really rather calming. There's nobody on the roads and I can listen to some John Mayer, Ingrid Michaelson, or Chris Tomlin. The morning has a very different feeling than the evening, though. It is a feeling of expectation. What needs to be done? What will happen?

I also close once a week on Fridays. This is what the scene looks like when I arrive at home. I'm pretty sure the sun lights the sky in this way to allow us to relax. Like mood lighting. It sits on the edge of the horizon in the morning expectantly to wake us up and lazily sinks below the mountains in the evening, leaving a trail of soft light behind to send us off to sleep.

Day 45 - June 28, 2010 - The Traveling Tutor's Trunk

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” - Chinese Proverb

My trunk has slowly become filled with a variety of things over the past few weeks. Books, curriculum, worksheets, crayons (which managed to melt in the box), paper plates, flash cards, a tub of plastic bugs... the list goes on. I started tutoring a couple of students again this summer. I've been enjoying it much more this time around.

Last summer, I tutored two kids in language arts. Needless to say, I was inexperienced. Don't get me wrong, they learned and did well on the exercises, but I'm having way more fun this time around. For some reason, I've decided to let my creativity into the mix... and it has yet to fail me! Just ONE education course and I feel like I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was last year. My third grader actually told me she didn't want to leave! My kindergartner gets SO excited when I pull out the bugs to teach him counting. To see them having a good time and learning something is the ultimate reward. I'm amazed at how gratifying it is, and how much I learn from them every time I sit down for a session.

Day 44 - June 27, 2010 - The Grill 2.0

"I still love making hamburgers on the grill. I guess whenever I eat them childhood memories come up for me." ~Bobby Flay

Oh, what an interesting time we had putting this grill together! It wasn't exactly easy, but it was worth it! We've already grilled chicken on it and I'm pleased to say it was delicious! Our old grill was a charcoal grill that belonged to my great grandfather. We still have it, but it is unfortunately passed its prime. I remember my grandpa used to have it out in his backyard. When my grandparents moved, they asked us if we would like to keep it. We were glad to oblige. It definitely helped us cook some great meals, but it deserves a rest... and so do we I suppose. We've been trying to get it to work adequately for some time now.

Here's to summer time barbecues! Mmm, I'm hungry already!

Day 43 - June 27, 2010 - A Picture's Worth

"A picture is worth a thousand words." ~Napoleon Bonaparte

The disaster zone that is my room is slowly beginning to look substantially less cluttered. I've started the arduous process of going through my closet and drawers. I'm more frightened of my closet by far. It looks like a wild bear was set loose inside of it!

I found these pictures (and a lot more!) in my night stand drawer. Some of them date back to my childhood in Texas while others were taken more recently. They span all the way from 6 years - 16 years. They're really interesting to look at... well, for me at least; particularly the pictures of my friends. Some of them have changed so much. Others I have lost contact with, which I find sad. Some of them have even had children and gotten married since these photos were taken! It is hard to believe. Many of those pictures were taken over 10 years ago, but others were just taken in High School! Graduation wasn't that long ago. How rapidly things change.

Each of those pictures is worth a thousand words and more. They tell stories that only exist in my memory. In my friend's memories. That's why I love old photographs. My mom's pictures from when she was young astound me. My grandma's photos are fascinating. They know when and where they were taken, and the stories they tell.

Day 42 - June 26, 2010 - The Little Things

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” - Robert Brault

Tonight, my friend and I were supposed to go salsa dancing. We didn't. Don't worry, I'm not bothered by it at all! I got all dressed up and was pretty excited about it, but, unfortunately, she got held up at work. I know she felt bad about it, and I wish she didn't. We went out and got coffee instead and talked until midnight. In my opinion, it was a fair trade off.

It doesn't really matter what you're doing when you're spending time with friends. Their company is enough. My friend works at Chevy's, and they had a person making balloon shapes for the kids in the restaurant that evening. She brought me this flower. She might be embarrassed that I included it in the blog. lol, Love ya Chicka! The little things are what put a smile on my face.