For the Record

Pray

Take risks

Time

Don't worry

Accept change

...lets see if I can take my own advice :)

More to come...

Apples and Oranges

A few classes and a couple hundred dollars spent on books later, here I am at a coffee shop about to blog my heart away with what is on my mind. I also hope that what I write inspires or touches whoever is reading this to understand what may be going on in their life. But first off...

School is going well. Not too hard of classes, but I don't want to jinx myself so we will just leave it at that! 

New Year's Resolutions: 

-Right now I am sitting in a coffee shop. I didn't drive! I walked, so there is my Go Green goal. I also bought awesome razors that are recycled from old hangers. I think they are so neat! They are from "schick" in a green package. See if you can find them!

-Right now I am going to do a Bible Study on the Tower of Babel in Genesis. I want to say it is Genesis 11. This inspired me because my boyfriend and I are from different areas of the world. I am from America, he is not. He speaks a different language and it is beautiful! I am slowly picking things up, but not as fast as I would like to be. 

-Being the light is just being happy. I can honestly say that the way I feel not only this year, but how I feel with starting off this semester has been easier and more joyful than ever before. I think that counts? This is the way I look at it. If I am happy, then I can give other people happiness. If I am not, I can't give people something I don't have. It's like giving them an empty "hand full." 

So here is life. I have realized that I have not even said much about who I am or where I have came from. Maybe later I will dedicate a blog to that, but here are a couple of things that I will say:

1. I don't like change. I am terribly afraid of it.

2. I constantly think about my future. Everything I do is intentional for security. It's what I live for.

   Now for a metaphor in my life. Mixing apples and oranges. In math class, the one rule that I was taught when moving into algebra is you can't mix apples and oranges (x and y). It doesn't work. I am learning that so many things in life are the same way. But people can try. Right now I am in that same situation. It isn't the fact that you CAN'T mix an apple and an orange, it is the fact that it is hard to. When an X and Y finish an equation and the answer isn't right, it just looks plain funny. It is the same with apples and oranges. You can't mistake one for the other, but technically you can put them in the same bowl. It is only when someone points out that it is wrong and they don't fit is when problems occur. They come from totally different trees, seeds, and benefit the body in different ways. Their purposes complete different tails in life. BUT this does not mean they are not sweet with one another. Opposites can form to do great things. Example, fruit juice. Put those two fruits together and they are totally healthy for someone. So what is stopping them from mixing and forming one juice? Life. There are things in life that if one person can't have an orange in there juice for certain reasons, they can only have apple juice (and vise versa). Even if together they taste amazing and compliment one another to perfection, there are still things in the world that separate them from being one. 

    So where in the world am I going with this? Basically, I am an apple with an orange mixed with perfection, but certain things in life might not like the taste. It might be confusing to read or think about, but it is what is on my mind and it is how I write at my best. Thinking and comparing. Researching and reading. Trying to find answers and defend my being. What is my answer to what is happening? I have no idea. This means that two things can potentially happen. 

1. A huge change can occur in my life that I need to accept. 

2. I can't see my future because anything can happen.

   So why am I making myself experience the two things in life that I am the most afraid of? Because the orange in my life is worth it. Even if there is only a .1% chance that this apple and orange can make juice, I will keep trying. And if not...then there is no chance in the world that I can look back and say "I wish we tried everything." 

That to me is worth it.

That might have been confusing or you might have completely understood it. Maybe it triggered something in your life that you are experiencing, or maybe it is something you will read and later remember. Regardless, that is a little bit of a window into my everyday life, and later, I will give you another glance into my glass.  

And Here We Go Again

Life is happening all around me.

First day of college classes for semester start tomorrow. I am settled back in school and I am ready for school and track. Already in the new year life has happened. Here are a couple things that have happened since I have been back these last couple of days. There will be a deeper blog when I have time to sort out my thoughts :)

Breakfast with the Gang!

 Buffalo Wild Wings with the Boyfriend and Best Friend!

So here is a question and a prayer request that I will leave you with: 

What is the hardest thing in life for you to understand and why?

Prayer request: 

Susanna's friend was diagnosed with Leukemia the other day and has started chemo therapy. Please pray for her family and friends. 

I will say so much more later, but it's time to get ready for tomorrow. Another big semester ahead of me, and it is another step into my future. 

P.s. I made The Dean's List again! :) 

Day 1 of 365.242199 :)

Happy New Year! 

So it's a new year, a new time, and new experiences are to come. This last year has been a complete turn around. Instead of writing about what has happened this past year, I am looking past it and floating into the future. Don't run; I don't want to pass what I am supposed to see. This past year has been the largest experience of my life. Now lets start off the new year, and continue through it, with what I have realized.

Learn from others and don't fall behind because someone has made the same mistake (and if you do, get back up and fix it...don't live that mistake forever). 
Strive for success and don't let anything stop you. 
Love who is in your life. (Learn from them, and when it is time for them to leave, let them go).
Embrace every moment. (Good or bad. Life is too short to dwell). 
Realize the meaning of family, and hold everyone close. 
Let life happen.
Don't try and control everything. (It won't work...and if it does it won't last).
If something looks wrong, feels wrong, and seems too hard to handle, it is wrong. 
Stressing about something IS NOT worth it. It accomplishes nothing and takes away from today's happiness.
O my gosh there is just so much...I can just go on and on. 


So how did I start of my day? I prayed. I prayed my heart out. How do I do this? Anywhere. Anytime. And I am still growing with my relationship with God so being comfortable with this is getting stronger. This morning when I was on my way to the gym, I was in powerful prayer. Praying to God for a better year, for blessings, for me to change lives, for the power to bring light, for anything that is in his plan for my life to happen. Just for the POWER of GOD to take over my life and alter it in any way it needs to be altered. 

New Year Resolutions?

Okay, so I have NEVER had New Year Resolutions. I think they are silly BUT of course I have 3 this year. Never say never...right? 

3..2..1--->Here is to 2012! :)

1. Read my Bible! All of it.

    When I say read all of my Bible I don't mean in a certain amount of time. I think that when a time limit is set, it almost takes away from the focus on what is trying to be accomplished. I want to know why I believe what I believe. There are so many different interpretations of what being a "Christian" is and I want to find out the meaning behind my heart. I am going to feed my mind, soul, and spirit with my faith. 

2. Be the Light. 

    Bring light and happiness to people's lives. Don't be the reason they are upset. Be the reason they smile. Don't let the situation influence me. Let me influence the situation. 

3. of course....GO GREEN. 

    This does not mean taking away showers or ride my bike (I drive a truck...so I need to make up for the damage I do!) My goal here is to just be aware of my surroundings and how I can use less. Not be the "typical American" with the attitude of "I want new because I am bored with what I have." Use less, be aware of what I use, and buy more environmental friendly products. 

My Plan: 

I will try and blog about what I do and how I am keeping up with my resolutions. Sounds okay? :)

Lets see how I do. 

2012 I hope you are ready for me, because here I come. 

Now, what did I do to welcome the new year? Dad and I made dinner, baked a cake, and relaxed at home. It was so much fun! Here are some pictures to share our moments. Enjoy!

In case you wanted to see that my dad and I are kind of normal... :)

Goodbye 2011.

Hello 2012, my name is Christi. 

For the Love of Little Things

One, my days home are still wonderful. I am learning that staying positive during your days help; even when everything goes wrong.
Some of you are thinking "Okay, yeah right. Life is not always so optimistic." And YES, I completely agree, trust me. But if someone can control their mood and help the situation, it is so surprising what change one person can do.
Here are a few methods to my "madness" :)
    1. Don't be the first to get mad.
        Now, I understand being upset. There are times when it is totally necessary to have your voice be heard and stand up for something. I believe in not letting someone walk all over you, BUT if being in a situation that someone has no control of, why not make the best of it? If someone makes you mad, evaluate the situation before you react. Don't be the first one to raise the problem, and don't be the first one to raise your voice. This sounds a little overboard, because there are times when your opinion needs to be revealed. I am totally for that. But if someone is having a bad day, or you're stuck in a situation, don't add to the fire. Be the water to cool it down and put it out.
    2. The time will pass...eventually.
        No matter what happens, the time will pass. Small, medium, or large; no matter how big something seems to be, it passes. Why waste time being bogged down? Don't let something effect your mood too long. Enjoy what is around you. Compliment your life, don't conflict it. Another thought...as harsh as it may sound, maybe if something is bringing a lot of unhappiness to someone's life, it might not be meant to be there. That seems obvious, but it is much easier said then done.
    3. OF COURSE, just pray about it :) 
         Knowing that your life is in God's hands and knowing that he will guide you through any situation that comes your way is an amazing feeling. He will NEVER put his children in a situation they can't handle, and when one door closes, another one will open. It just takes courage and trust.

So my last few days!
Tuesday=all morning with Kelsey (the best horse in the world. We sure do miss Sunny). Then it was a great movie day with a great friend Tarana! She is more like a sister to me. Watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days while drinking hot coco totally hit the spot. Later that night, I went to a Bible study at a House Church with Mariah. We then continued to karaoke night with a bunch of friends, including Tarana. It was a BLAST! When midnight hit, of course the seven of us didn't have ENOUGH fun, so we then went to Ihop. On top of the chicken caesar salad, a mini-hamburger, sliced potato appetizer, 1 fish taco, and a Shirley temple, I then needed a short stack of pancakes at 1:00 in the morning. Who doesn't need that..right?
 YES, I can eat..a lot.

Tarana (left) & I

Steph (left), Mariah (middle), & I ***..and it all started in elementary school!***

Wednesday morning came fast. A lovely day with my twin cousins was on my agenda. Nail party and movie day anyone? That's exactly what we did. Later that night I spent the night at my mom's and had a wonderful dinner with my sister, Vanessa (We also sat with Stephanie and Mariah! They were also at Applebee's for the second night in a row!). 

Again, morning came fast. That seems to be happening a lot! I can't believe there is only about a week left of Christmas break. It's nuts. Today I had a great start to my morning with Susanna (best morning!) Blue Sky Bagels for breakfast and her house for some relaxing time. Picked up Mom that afternoon and met Dad at her second job (Mom has two jobs. She is very hard worker and has done everything in her life for my sisters and I. She is amazing. AND Dad is here from Cascade for a few days!) Dad and I went to the track to do my track workouts. It was so much more fun with Dad running with me. Mom used to be able to, but ever since her motorcycle accident my senior year of 2009/2010 she can no longer run (That of course does not stop her. She goes to the gym with a personal trainer and does her own personal workouts. Nothing stops my mom). The workout today? 4x400 and 4x200 (My workout defiantly helped me run off Applebees and Ihop..just saying). More workouts this week to come. Of course Dad and I were hungry so we went to our traditional dinner spot, Sizzler. We always have great talks and catch up on just plain life. 

So what now? Now it is time for one of my favorite things at home; hanging out with my grandparents and dad in the bar (the mini bar in our house) blasting Poker Face by Lady Gaga. Granny Debbie made me a virgin margarita and I get to catch up with my readers! It is what I love to do. 

A few things before I publish: 

This is my Christmas present from Sus!

1. When you dream, pay attention..I believe they mean something :) 

2. Some prayer requests:

    My mom: Her stress level is way too high.

    Alija's Grandma: She is feeling sick today.

    Mariah: She got a call for a new opportunity in her life.

    My sisters: Let life start falling positively in their direction. 

3. I see in my stats and followers that I have readers from not only the United States, but also Russia,   Germany, Brazil, and Thailand! Thank you for reading :) I hope you enjoy.

The Day After CHRISTmas

Christmas Eve was the party, Christmas was church and family, today was crazy shoppers around here! 

Let me just say I found great sales with Susanna and Liberty.

Home is still WONDERFUL :) 

It is sure great to remember where I came from and remind myself how I came to be me. 

Tonight Gramps gave me his 50 year old picture Bible. This will come in handy later...and you'll understand that with a later post!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you are also ready for the New Year! Lets make 2012 better than any other year

Home Sweet Home

Okay, so I am home!
That means waking up this morning in amazing Idaho.

Mariah surprising me last night by calling and saying "There's something in your yard! I have to pee...come out side!" is my reality. Now that is a welcome home!

Mama picked me up from the airport, Granny and Gramps are very excited I am home, Kelsey is nice and fuzzy with her winter coat, and Dad coming into town for a couple of days to his little girl back from college. I am very relaxed with the sense of just being here. It's a great feeling.

It's the end of 2011, and 2012 is soon to come.
Our annual Christmas Eve party is right around the corner (holy cow) and I can't wait.

Memories are in the midst of life's happening, and I am ready!

break starts...NOW! :)