There And Back Again

Wanderlust

2012-01-13T22:51:00.000-08:00

I've got wanderlust again... And right on schedule too, it's been over six months since Indonesia.

Ever since I was little, I have traveled somewhere every 6 - 12 months. First it was Mexico, then family road trips, Washington DC, Jamaica, Uganda, LA, New Zealand, Indonesia... and so on and so forth. It's amazing how easy it is for me to fall back into "wanderlust mode:" All it takes are little videos like this to give me sweet dreams of far off places.

Matt loves Christmas.

2011-12-22T23:34:00.000-08:00

Enough said.

One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor

2011-12-20T23:20:00.000-08:00

Even Google backs Boromir up on this one! I found this little gem of an easter egg on Google today. I have to say that the nerd in me is extremely happy. :)

Hmm.

2011-12-14T22:46:00.000-08:00

All of my best friends' exes are getting engaged. Is this just weird coincidence or is it just the new version of ring by spring? Maybe it's just a part of growing up.

(Edit on 1/3/2012: Just found out today that my ex has been engaged for 2 months.)

The Sith Who Stole Christmas

2011-12-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

The Grinch meets Star Wars. If this can't get you excited about Christmas, nothing will.

Address Is Approximate

2011-11-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

Back from Thanksgiving break in Sacramento... now it's back to the grind.

Food for Thought #8

2011-11-21T21:51:00.000-08:00

Source (and bigger graphic) here

Rainbows, Perspectives, and Promises

2011-11-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up in a dark mood. The wind was howling outside all night, my back was sore, I felt sick, and I was emotionally drained. The last thing I wanted to do was go to work. I fumbled my way through my devotions feeling out-of-place, confused, and desperate for answers. I left my apartment with thoughts of fear, worry and desperation clouding my mind. I got into my car pulled out of the parking lot. Then I saw this:

BAM. (double) RAINBOW.

It's as if God was like, "Honey, why are you so upset? I've got your back. I keep my promises... just as I was faithful to Noah, I will be faithful to you. I've got it under control."

Sometimes all it takes is a rainbow to put things in perspective.

Food for Thought #7

2011-11-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

How to handle stress like a dog...

If you can't eat it or play with it, then pee on it and walk away.

Halloween Dance Party

2011-10-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

So this one time, my friends and I decided to go to a Halloween dance at a Unitarian church. They had a live band that did covers of classic rock, swing, jazz, and blues songs. I'm also pretty sure we were the only ones there that were under the age of 40. It was awesome.

Make You Feel My Love

2011-10-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

Currently on repeat/ learning how to play on the guitar. Safe to say it's one of my new favorite songs. :)

The New A-P-T

2011-10-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ch-ch-ch-check it out! It's still a work in progress... let me know if you have any ideas/ suggestions! :)

Avocado Fest

2011-10-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Carpinteria had it's annual Avocado festival this weekend and naturally we had to go eat everything. It was really fun: Linden was blocked off and there were vendors everywhere, selling trinkets, arts and crafts, and of course, avocado-laden delicacies. Avocado ice cream, avocado pie, chips and guacamole, tri-tip with avocado, fish tacos and avocado... you name it, and it was topped with avocado. We decided to go out on a limb and try the avocado pie.

The guys are ready to try avocado pie!

Avocado pie... mmmm.

The avocado pie was actually quite delicious! It tasted a bit like cheesecake with a hint of lime. You could taste the avocado, but it wasn't overpowering in the least. It blended well with the other flavors, and I really enjoyed it.

We also had to get some chips and dip. I mean, what's an avocado festival without a heaping of guacamole? (Not an avocado festival.)

Yummy.

Matt enjoys his chips and guac...

...As do Dave and Mike.

That's a whole lotta guac!

Overall, it was a really fun experience. We stayed after dinner and listened to an awesome band who played covers of classic rock, swing, and funk songs. Of course, we attempted to swing dance... and then gave up and watched people rock out to their favorite songs instead. My favorite was a gentleman who was bald on the top of his head, but had long, wavy gray hair in the back and was rocking out to songs like "Sweet Child of Mine" and "Livin' on a Prayer." Classic moments like this can only be found at the Avocado Fest (or maybe a Bon Jovi concert).

Santa Barbara Month 1 Recap

2011-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Gosh, it's been a while since I last posted. It seems as though the blog got "left behind" in all the hubbub of moving and adjusting to a new life, so this is a little update post. Bear with me, it has lots of words and pics... And if you don't have enough time to look at all of it, I will give you a 10 second recap below:

I've been having awesome adventures and you should be jealous. Haha, just kidding. (Partially.)

For those of you who have more than 10 seconds of your time available to read this post, I will answer your deepest burning question. Which is of course, "What are these adventures Alicia has had?" These adventures mainly include being hyperactive and making friends:

Volunteering with church youth group! We've gone to the UCSB soccer game together, Yogurtland escapades, and had "fun nights" galore. My ping pong skills are slowly improving each week when I play the students - they are so talented! I've also been hanging out with some of the young adults from FMCSB... they are rad!
Joining a women's soccer league... and it is AWESOME to be playing again. Our team is in the "competitive" division but most of the time we "have fun." Each week brings new pain to my body as I attempt to "get in shape." This week, I got not one, not two, not three, but FOUR blood blisters on my feet. Lovely, but it's worth it!
Hanging out with Matt. Oh, this could take up an entire blog post, but to sum it up, I've had lots of fun doing "normal life" with him. And yes, normal life does include reading books together, throwing dinner together from "scraps" in the fridge, and going on walks around the neighborhood. (Also watching Dr. Who.)
Bringing rollerblading back into style. That's right. It's coming back!!! I went rollerblading down to Goleta Beach via the bike path with Yoda and it was awesome. A special ops team (aka my friends and I) are starting a rollerblade brigade. It will be awesome and we WILL make rollerblading THE mode of transport for all hipsters and college-aged people in the Santa Barbara region by 2013.

Fun night at the UCSB soccer game

Go Gauchos?

Oh yeah, I've been working too. My grown up job is definitely teaching me how to grow up. I'm learning lots of new things and making mistakes more often than I'd like, but I love my coworkers and have fun every day when I come into the office. Plus, my cubicles is the least "grown up" cubicle in the office! Bonus points for sparkly fuzz balls and R2D2!

My cubicle at work

Wall-E and R2D2 keep me company!

I'm learning a lot about myself, my likes and dislikes, the way I think, about my faith, and about how I fit into this world. It's definitely an arduous process and I by no means have it figured out. But I keep learning a little bit more each day, so I'm growing constantly.

Anyway, that's the update. Until next time, be spontaneous and have some adventures yourself! :)

Internet

2011-09-21T23:23:00.001-07:00

I finally have internet in my apartment. Life update coming soon!

Life Moves Awfully (Awesomely) Fast

2011-08-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

At this time last week, I was living in Long Beach and hanging out with the youth group kids at Bolsa Chica State Beach wondering "WhattheheckamIgoingtodoafterthisinternshipisdone?" A mere 7 days later, I am living in Santa Barbara, moved into my first "grown-up" apartment, and preparing for my first day at my "big girl" job tomorrow. WOW! Life moves awfully fast. Except in this case, life moved awesomely fast.

Last Thursday morning, I interviewed for a job. Thursday afternoon, I found a studio apartment I liked. Friday morning, I was informed that I got the job and by Friday afternoon, I was told my application for the apartment was approved and I could move in whenever I'd like.

Most people would say "Oh, you're just lucky, sweetheart," but I believe that there was more than just luck involved. For months prior to graduation, I job hunted in SB and found nothing. I searched everywhere for apartments and found nothing. Then, just days after I complete my internship, I "just happened" to find a great job and a sweet apartment? Nah. I think the Big Man Upstairs wanted to remind me of how BIG he is and how he can make stuff like this literally happen overnight, No Big Deal.

Being in this situation reminds me of Moses and the Israelites. For close to 400 years, they were stuck in slavery under the Egyptians. They cried out daily for God to save them, but nothing happened. Then one day this dude named Moses (who used to be the prince) struts onto the scene. Ten plagues and a massive Red Sea exodus later, BAM! The Israelites are finally free, No Big Deal.

All this to say: God's timing will never make sense to me. Maybe I can look back on this situation years from now and understand why it worked out the way it did. But until then, it's reassuring to know that God's got my back and will provide for me... just like he did with the Israelites.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

Moving.

2011-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today, I am moving... again. But hopefully this time it will be the last time for a while. This transition is less scary than the last. Somehow, I am comforted by the fact that I have done this before... and I am especially comforted by the fact that I have already begun to build a community in my new town. I am definitely excited about lots of things like:

renting my own studio apartment,
having a "real-grown-up-job,"
being closer to Matt,
enjoying nature and the great outdoors once more,
getting involved in youth ministry with FMCSB,
and most of all, being settled in one place for a while!

But I am also nervous. I don't know what to expect, and honestly that sometimes scares me. Thankfully, I'm not alone in this journey and I know that God goes with me every step of the way!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Going Back To School?

2011-08-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Via Reddit

It could be worse.

(Nevertheless, I'm glad I'm done with school.)

On Growing Up

2011-08-21T18:51:00.001-07:00

Right now, part of me feels like this:

And yet, the other part of me feels like this:

My internship in Long Beach is complete on Wednesday and I don't know what my life is going to look like one week from today. Will I be in Santa Barbara? Will I stay in Long Beach for a time? Will I move back to Sacramento? I have no idea. Growing up can be scary...

...but mostly, I feel like this:

Yes, that actually is me and yes, I still get this excited about everything.

I am definitely excited what the future holds and I am extremely grateful to God for his faithfulness along the way. :)

Snow in NZ

2011-08-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Snow on Cuba Mall in central Wellington (HD) from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

The North Island of New Zealand has been experiencing a crazy winter (remember, seasons are flipped because NZ is in the Southern Hemisphere). Case in point, it snowed in Wellington, where normal weather is similar to that of San Francisco. Watching this video made me miss New Zealand and I must admit, I wished for a moment that I could be there playing with my friends in the snow. :)

Food for Thought #6

2011-08-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Via Etsy

Patience and the Tide

2011-08-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

I slowly strolled down by the waters edge, hoping to dip my feet in the icy sea and feel the surge of the ocean tide against my legs. I stood on the shore waiting for the rushing waves to come, yet the tide teased me mercilessly. It would come up, up, up, just inches within my feet and then cascade slowly back to the ocean. Patience is a virtue, though, I told myself.

I patiently waited for the tide to come, but time and time again, it never arrived. My feet began to burn in the sand, and I started to get frustrated. "Why won't the tide just come up here?" I thought. "Or maybe if I want to put my feet in the ocean so badly, I should just walk down there instead of waiting all day for it to come up here."

The tide made me wonder: Can we be be patient and still be proactive? Or by being proactive are you considered impatient? Can the two be reconciled?

LA Light

2011-08-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

LA Light from Colin Rich on Vimeo.

Dreaming of San Francisco

2011-08-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Fresh baked sourdough loaves from Boudin's Bakery, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, hanging out with amazing people in the Tenderloin, going to Giants games at Candlestick and AT&T Park, eating at hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants, climbing hills every which way, making daisy chains in Golden Gate Park... This is San Francisco.

It's just, ya know, one of my favorite places in the entire world.

Tangled Dreams

2011-07-17T20:35:00.001-07:00

I love Tangled. Even though the possibility of walking into a bar of ruffians and getting them to sing about their dreams seems a little far-fetched for reality, I love the optimism found within the song. All of us, big or small, have some sort of dream we hope to see to fulfillment. Most of them are pretty BIG dreams, but they are attainable to some degree. I guess what makes a dream a dream is the fact that it's somewhat unrealistic, but it requires just enough ambition that it's plausible for us to make it a reality if we work hard enough.

For now, my dreams are somewhat vague. Some of my dreams include (in no particular order):

Traveling the world with people I love,
Owning a bakery/cafe that sells baked goods from various countries/cultures,
Getting married and having a family (in due time),
Finding where the world's greatest needs meet my deepest passion (aka finding my vocation),
And above, all I dream of living a Christ-centered, holistic, and joyful life.

Sometimes it's annoying that my dreams are so vague. In high school (and even in college), I had very specific dreams. Now that I am out in the "real world," my dreams have changed or diminished into vague dreams. I wish I had a dream to become a teacher, or a pastor, or a nurse, or an artist, or some cool vocation but honestly, I don't have those dreams. I don't have a dream to do any sort of specific work. All I know is that I want to love God and love people with my life. That's my life dream.

That being said, if you have a specific dream that you are SO incredibly passionate about - GO for it. If you know what is important to you, cherish it and do all you can to pursue that dream. Do not take this life for granted. Even if you are like me and you have vague dreams, always be looking to learn more about yourself and always be looking to help others. You never know when you may find the dream you've been waiting for. :)

Awake My Soul

2011-07-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

In these bodies we will live,
In these bodies we will die,
Where you invest your love,
You invest your life.

Words of Wisdom from 1938

2011-07-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Salem, Iowa
May 15, 1938

Dear Mildred,
When the golden sun is sinking,
and your thoughts from care are free,
when of others you are thinking,
won't you sometimes think of me.

May your life have just enough clouds to make a beautiful sunset.

Your sister, Marjorie

Food for Thought #5

2011-07-08T00:51:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

Amurricuh

2011-07-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is always fun when you're with my family! Parade + water fights + fireworks + awesome food + good company = an awesome time. :)

"Favorite pastimes/nerd" float

Food for Thought #4

2011-07-02T01:37:00.000-07:00

Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

On Wall-E and Loneliness

2011-07-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

“Loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named, not good.” - John Milton

I can't help it. Today I feel irrevocably lonely. Sitting in a silent house completely and utterly alone while trying to process life for an extended period of time can only make an extrovert like myself feel somewhat depressed and worthless. I have never been in this situation before because I have always had some sort of community to fall back on when times get rough.

Today, I feel like Wall-E. I am plodding along, discovering new things along the way while I do my job. Wall-E collects cool junk he finds; I collect memories. (I even have a small critter to keep me company. Wall-E had the cockraoch, I have BigMackDaddy, the obnoxious, yet lovable family cat.) Yet, I feel like I am alone, craning my neck and staring out into space thinking, "There's got to be something more for me... out there somewhere." I, like Wall-E, acknowledge the fact that something is missing and all is not right in the world. He is curious, as am I, to see what adventures the future will hold.

But in my book, an adventure is not truly an adventure unless it is a shared adventure (whether it's shared amongst robots or humans). For me, the joy of life is stripped away when it is not shared amongst others. And that is why I am struggling today. I am craving community and familiarity, both of which I do not have here... YET.

Final thoughts:
"It is not good for man to be alone." - Genesis 2:18
and still...
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

La Purisima Mission

2011-06-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Camping and Processing

2011-06-27T14:53:00.001-07:00

I have spent a lot of time this week thinking about the past. Not necessarily being nostalgic, per se, but I have been trying to get a handle on everything that has happened in the past 6 months. I feel as though I have had very little time to process all the exciting events that have occurred, and thus I feel very downtrodden and weary.

Why am I exhausted, you might ask? Well, let's see. There was my last semester of college (which, in and of itself was insane), planning a mission trip to Indonesia, being on Team Barnabas for Mexico Outreach Ensenada, playing on an intramural girls soccer team, and living in Adams Hall with amazing freshman women. In the midst of all that, there was job hunting, too. Things got even more hectic as school drew to a close. Graduation was May 7 and I left for Indonesia four days later. I returned from Indonesia on June 14, and started work at church five days later. Needless to say, I am mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. I am trying to process all that has happened while also trying to adjust to a brand new life.

I want to sleep for a month straight. No, actually, I want to go camping for a month straight. I just want to be out in nature: hiking, playing in creeks, picking wildflowers, and climbing trees. I want to cook food over an open fire, sleep on the ground under the stars, and get dirt on my jeans. I want to french braid my hair and not wash it for a week. I don't want to think about how I look or smell. I don't want to go on facebook, or check my email, or be distracted by things that aren't around me. I don't want to think about how insanely fast life is coming at me... I just want to be able to enjoy things as they come. But above all, I need renewal, and I need it fast.

My dream right now.

Okay, before I go any farther, I promise that I am not going to go "Into the Wild" on you all, okay? I promise to remain a part of Westernized civilization (to some degree).

Sometimes I wish I weren't so busy all the time. Lately, I've realized that being busy (even with "Kingdom Work") is not always good. If I am going a million miles an hour all the time, how do I even set aside time for God? The fact of the matter is, I don't. Because of the culture I live in, I am conditioned to believe that who I am is what I do. In reality, who I am has nothing to do with what I've done, but rather, what He has done. Yet because of where we are, we become infatuated with doing things rather than being still and listening to the heartbeat of God. We become obsessed with the created beings, rather than the Creator himself. But even though we fail again and again, the Lord's promises remain:

"God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the LORD has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress."

- Psalm 46:1-11

Food For Thought #3

2011-06-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

"I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' rather he will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?" - Mother Teresa

One Year

2011-06-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

One year filled with...

the best adventures

the biggest smiles

the happiest moments

with the craziest people.

Matt, thank you for being the best adventure partner, confidant, encourager, and boyfriend in the world! This past year has been one of the best of my life. Happy anniversary... I love you! :)

New.

2011-06-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

New job. New city. New life.

I am back "home" from Indonesia... That is, if where I am now is considered "home." I know it's supposed to be home, but honestly, it doesn't feel like home just yet. "Home" will come with time, relationships, experiences, and familiarity. But for now, it just feels new.

This week, I begin my new job as an intern at an urban church in Long Beach. I will be an intern for the summer doing work with the children and youth programs. I am very excited about the opportunity that the Lord has given me, but at the same time, I am completely out of my comfort zone. I have never lived in Long Beach before, nor do I have any friends in the area. I know relatively little of what my job description actually entails beyond "work with kids and teens." To say that this undertaking is daunting is an understatement.

It makes no (worldly) sense that I would move to a city I hardly know, away from all the people I love most, to work at a job I know barely anything about.

However, in my short 22 years on this earth I have learned one thing: Sometimes the passions, desires, and callings that the Lord puts on your heart won't make sense. God has given me this indestructible passion for broken people, especially for those who are young. He has given me the desire to pour love into their lives and develop them into children of God who can claim victory over their circumstances because they have HIM on their side. Three things I know for certain: I love the city. I love people. I love Jesus. And now the Lord has given me somewhere, a tiny corner of this world, to let my little light shine brightly for Him so that others may come to know Him as well.

I have felt the Lord's peace through it all. It may seem crazy that I am jumping in feet first to this new life. I don't think it's crazy. Francis Chan spoke at chapel last year and he asked us a question that really stuck with me: "If you were to take your lifestory and put it in the Bible alongside the likes of Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Elijah, David, Mary, and Paul, would the Bible still be congruent?" In other words, are you living your life in a way that unveils the love of Christ, like theirs did? You see, the stories of people in the Bible are just about sinful humans... but they are stories of sinful humans who had a living, breathing, passionate, deep faith in a living God (which makes all the difference). Francis Chan challenged us to live our lives with the same passionate faith the 'greats' of the Bible did - because that is what "normal Christianity" should look like.

So here I go. I'm starting a new chapter in this journey and thankfully the Lord has gone before, with, and behind me every step of the way. I pray that I would work as if "serving the Lord, not men," and that I might be able to "restore the land" through Jesus' mighty, healing power (Eph 6:7, and Isa 49:8, respectively). Lord, I devote my work to you. May YOU be glorified in all that I do.

Food for Thought #2

2011-06-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

“Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. Beware of building your faith on experience, or your life will not ring true and will only sound the note of a critical spirit. Remember that you can never give another person what you have found, but you can cause him to have a desire for it.” - Oswald Chambers

Food for Thought #1

2011-06-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

"This is what I’ve come to believe about change: it’s good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it’s incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you right into the palm of God’s hand, which is where you wanted to be all long, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be.

I’ve learned the hard way that change is one of God’s greatest gifts, and most useful tools. Change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we’ve become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I’ve learned that it’s not something to run away from, as though we could, and that in many cases, change is a function of God’s graciousness, not life’s cruelty." - Shauna Niequist (Bittersweet)

Thailand

2011-06-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Insta-Indonesia

2011-06-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

Indonesia in Brief

2011-05-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

I've been in Indonesia for one week. It feels like I have been here for at least a month - so much has happened. I wish I had time to update this blog, but rest assured that I will share some stories with you here later (at a more appropriate time). For now, I will simply say that God is truly moving in Indonesia and I feel blessed to see His work in this corner of the world. :)

Graduation: Part Deux

2011-05-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

Gradumacation

2011-05-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

It's all done. Four years of hard work has paid off!! I'm officially done with school!!! :)

Team Indonesia Blog

2011-05-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

We leave for Indonesia in 10 short days! You can follow our team's adventures online at www.teamindonesia2011.wordpress.com!

10 Days

2011-04-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

I got my cap and gown today. It's really happening!!!

Team Indonesia Update

2011-04-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Our team leaves for Indonesia in one month!!! Our team is so stoked about the trip and what the Lord has in store for us. As  Team  Indonesia  2011,  we  will  be  working  alongside  the  Bixler  and  Surjono  families,  who  are  full‐time  servant workers  in  Indonesia.  Our  main  focus  will  be  to  continue  building  relationships  with  those  living  in  Jakarta and Central  Java  while  serving  and  supporting  the  church’s  work.   We  will  have  the  opportunity  to  live  with  Indonesian  families,  learn  the  Indonesian  language,  teach  English  at  a  local  college,  work  alongside  the  church,  host a sports camp, and  volunteer at an orphanage.  Above  all,  we  hope  to  build  God  honoring  relationships  with  all  who  we  come  in  contact  with.  At  our  team  meeting  we  created  the  following  mission  statement,  “As  a  physical  witness  of  God’s love,  Team  Indonesia  2011  wishes  to  integrate  ourselves  into  Indonesia’s  world  to  bless  and  be  blessed as  we  teach  and learn  through  service  and  Spirit‐filled  action.”  How  can  we  accomplish  this?    Through:

Prayer  Support: Your  prayers  are  a  vital  component  of  our  trip.  If  you  can  lift  our  team  up  in  prayer  as  we embark  on  this  journey,  it  would  be  very  much  appreciated.  Please  pray  that  our  team  will:

• Share  the  radiant  and  transparent  love  of  Christ  with  those  we  meet.

• Be  unified  through  the  Holy  Spirit  and  be  protected  by  his  presence.

• Walk  alongside  and  encourage  the  long‐term  workers  and  Church  in  Indonesia.

Networking:  Know  of  a  church,  individual,  or  business  that  could  equip  us?

Financial  Support:  If  you  feel  led  to  give  financially,  we  would  love  your  support.  Right now we have about 40% of our funds raised.   You  can  donate  online  at  www.apualumni.com/owmgive.

Just  as  God  has  provided  for  every  other  area  in  our  lives,  there  is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  that  He will  provide for our trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post, or email us individually. We’d love to explain more in detail about the trip. Thank you for your endless love and support!!

Love, Alicia and Team Indo

Life Means So Much

2011-04-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

One month until graduation.

34 days until Indonesia.

73 days until I start my new job.

Life is rushing towards me at break-neck speed. Some days, I want to slow it down. Others, I wish I could speed it up even faster. But ultimately time will pass as it always has - deliberately.

One of my favorite recording artists, Chris Rice, captures the essence of time beautifully in his song "Life Means So Much." Here is an excerpt:

Everyday is a bank account

And time is our currency

So no one's rich, nobody's poor

We get twenty-four hours each

So how are you gonna spend

Will you invest or squander

Try to get ahead

Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days

Teach us to make the days count

Lead us in better ways

Somehow our souls forgot

Life means so much

Lord, teach me to make these last few days of college count... whether I encounter good or bad moments. This life you have given me is precious, and I choose to use it wisely. :)

Spray Paint and C3PO

2011-03-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

This was found spray painted on the back of a campus directory. Nerdiest thing I've seen on campus this week. Hooray! :)

Senioritis

2011-03-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Symptoms include (but are not limited to):

craving naps regularly
spontaneous socializing with friends
excessive procrastination
researching things of interest that are necessary for post-grad life
longing to watch Pride & Prejudice frequently

In that case, I have a bad case of senioritis. The cure? A heavy dose of Graduation.

Too bad the prescription won't come in until May 7. :)

Signs of Spring

2011-03-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

happy tulip trees

beautiful days

big sunglasses

bright flowers

sunny walks

I adore spring. There is so much new life and growth everywhere you look! :)

Children of Afghanistan Offer Support For Japan

2011-03-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Via BuzzFeed: "The residents of Bamiyan, Afghanistan held a vigil in support of Japan. The children, in particular, were eager to offer help. Kids say the darnedest things that melt your heart and reaffirm your faith in humanity." :)

Things I See on Facebook

2011-03-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Subtle, Andrew.

Greatest idea for a kid's name, ever.

Let the eye-rolling commence.

My friends are pretty ridiculous and I love it. :)

Kids' Letters to God

2011-03-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

Precious.

I Love My Sister.

2011-03-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Breathtaking

2011-02-26T00:25:00.000-08:00

Sunset after the rain. Pure.

Snow.

2011-02-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

This is what winter ACTUALLY looks like (and what happens when a bunch of Southern Californians play in it for a weekend.)

Intergalactic Love

2011-02-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a week late for Valentine's Day... but I just found a super cute one worth posting. And of course, it's Star Wars themed, did you even have to ask? :)

Source

Magnificence

2011-02-15T23:13:00.000-08:00

I saw this on my afternoon walk today and was amazed by the magnificence of the sunrays. It was absolutely breathtaking... and I wanted to share it with you. :)

Sigh No More

2011-02-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,

It will set you free

Be more like the man you were made to be.

There is a design,

An alignment to cry,

Of my heart to see,

The beauty of love as it was made to be.

The Playgrounds

2011-02-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

Just north of Santa Barbara, there is a nice little place called "The Playgrounds." There are huge rocks to climb, hop, and jump on - and the view is unbeatable. It's definitely one of the prettiest panoramas on the coast. Here are a few pics from the outing. :)

Something to Ponder

2011-02-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

First Indonesia Team Meeting!

2011-02-08T23:53:00.000-08:00

I'm officially stoked about our trip and the work that God is doing in Indonesia! :)

Youth Ministry Retreat

2011-02-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

The Practical Theology department had the annual retreat this weekend at the Pala Mesa Resort just south of Temecula. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend full of fellowship and fun times. Here are some pics! :)

1 John 4:16-19

2011-02-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:16-19

Mission Santa Barbara

2011-01-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

Chewie and Han

2011-01-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

Source

Ack! So cute and yet so genius. :)

Snow in SoCal

2011-01-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

Snow in SoCal rarely happens, so I decided I needed to document the special occasion! Okay, well maybe snow is more likely to happen in the Grapevine than in Irvine, but still... it is breathtaking! :)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." - Isaiah 55:8-12

Laundry Fail, Entertainment WIN

2011-01-13T23:49:00.000-08:00

You know how laundry disasters happen in the movies? It usually goes along the lines of someone putting too much soap in the machine or forgetting to close the lid for some inexplicable reason...

Source

Well, let's just say Jess and I had our own laundry adventure tonight. Adams got new washing machines but we had not used the new machines yet and had no idea how to make them work. We added detergent, swiped the card, and somehow the door was shut... without clothes in the washer. The cycle began and we frantically began looking for ways to stop the load from running. Two minutes later, we gave up, sat down in front of the washer, and waited for madness to ensue.

All bubbles + no clothes = laundry fail.

Thankfully the cycle ran its course without spilling over the top a-la "Just My Luck" style. When time was up, we were left with a washer full of bubbles. That was when madness ensued.

All bubbles + no clothes = entertainment WIN.

Sudsy goodness.

Bubble beards, anyone?

Fair warning: In case anyone has the urge to eat laundry detergent bubbles, don't do it. The aftertaste will stay with you for days. Plus it tastes like soap. Hehe. :)

Last First Day Of School Ever.

2011-01-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

Weird. And slightly scary... But all together wonderful and exciting. :)

T-Sweezy

2011-01-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

I'll admit... I'm a fan of Taylor Swift. I like to think that if I knew her, we'd be pals. We could have guitar and piano jam seshes and play dress up together! (If you're having trouble imagining this, I've included photographic evidence of what our relationship would look like below.)

See? BFFssssssss!!!! I'm stoked... Obviously.

Anyway, I enjoy Taylor's music as well. Her songs are catchy, clean, and fun to sing in the shower. But something caught my attention today as I was listening to her album in the car. Have you ever realized how many of Taylor's songs mention the wee-morning hours, specifically 2am? I'll prove my point:

Breathe: "It's 2am, feeling like I just lost a friend/ Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me."

The Way I Loved You: "It's 2am and I'm cursing your name/ You're so in love that you act insane/ And that's the way I loved you."

Mine: "I remember that fight, 2:30am/ And everything was slippin' right outta my hands."

Mary's Song: "Take me back to the creek beds we turned up/ 2am, riding in your truck and all I need is you next to me."

Last Kiss: "I still remember the look on your face/ Lit through the darkness at 1:58."

Enchanted: "The lingering question kept me up/ 2am, who do you love?"

Conclusion: Taylor is a night owl. So... Maybe we be friends and play dress up at a sleepover instead? :)

Why I Love: Penguins

2011-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

1. When they are babies, they are precious and fluffy fuzzballs.

Source

2. When they grow up, they are decked out in tuxedos.

Source

3. They waddle when they walk.

Source

4. Penguins are loyal.

5. Happy Feet.

Source

6. Penguins are happy... or at least one of them is! :)

Pixar = Genius

2011-01-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

I Can See Clearly Now

2011-01-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

...the rain is gone!! And look at how gorgeous those clouds are! :)

Ancil Hoffman

2011-01-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Trampolines

2011-01-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

Trampolines... They're basically the funnest thing ever. Even my parents got in on the jumpin' action! No one can resist a good trampoline! :)

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

May your new year be filled with many joyful moments, fireworks... and Guitar Hero! :)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-12-28T23:54:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit to Anthony Zepeda

Tonight, I got together with a few of my friends from high school for dinner. We had a lot of fun reminiscing about all the good times we had together. It's also so weird that you've known these people for ages, but at the same time, you really don't know what's going on in their lives at all. It's amazing how time works: gaps of years are filled within mere minutes of talking to each other. Needless to say, it was a great evening. :)

Christmas Festivities

2010-12-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Dancing to Christmas music in the kitchen

Anxiously waiting to open presents

Dad displays his new robe

Mom and Grandpa open presents

Wearing bows and ribbons from opened presents - a family tradition

Fire in the fireplace

Family visiting!!

Merry Christmas! May you and your family be blessed this day! :)

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

2010-12-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.

Hallelujah Chorus Flash Mob

2010-12-20T23:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight, our family went to the local mall to participate in a "flash mob" singing of the Hallelujah Chorus in the food court. We arrived to find that word had leaked out - it turns out more than 5,000 people wanted to see the performance. As the performance time approached, we were abruptly ordered out of the mall by local police. Apparently there was fear of structural damage to the second story. The mall was promptly evacuated, but Christmas cheer could not be defeated. We performed the chorus (along with other Christmas carols) outside the mall on a grassy knoll while a helicopter circled overhead. In spite of the event not going according to plan, it was an eventful and memorable evening. :)

Here's a video of the caroling post-evacuation :)

...And a view of the traffic after the evacuation. Ha!

Signs of the Season

2010-12-17T21:40:00.000-08:00

Snowflakes falling...

Stockings hung...

Ugly sweaters...

Anxious children...

Christmas carols...

Jazzy piano music and beautiful lights...

...And awkwardly shaped cookies.

Those are just a few of the signs of the season that I've encountered in the past few weeks! What are some of the signs of the season that you've seen recently? :)

Magical Christmas Lights

2010-12-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

Every year my best friend Emily and I go look at Christmas lights together. This year we went out to Rancho and were mildly surprised by the crowds of people that lined the streets. The homeowners took advantage of the crowds and set up little booths in front of their houses to hawk hot cocoa, popcorn, candy apples, and churros. (I think they use the revenue to help pay for their ginormous electric bills, haha.) Nevertheless, it was so fun to look at all the beautiful lights and see everyone's reactions to the magical displays. :)

Julia's Graduation Photoshoot

2010-12-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

One of my dear friends, Julia, is graduating this month! She asked me to do an impromptu photoshoot for her announcements. And of course, wanting to take a break from homework, I happily obliged. Here are my favorites. :)

Congratulations Julia (and all you other APU December grads)!! I am so proud of you all! :)

Gummy Bears...

2010-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

...Bouncing here and there and everywhere!! High adventure that's beyond compare, they are the gummy bears! :)

A hearty "thank you" to Layla, who ever so generously bought me gummy bears to help me focus on my senior thesis. Instead, I took pictures of them. :)

Affirmations For A Child of God

2010-12-11T01:54:00.000-08:00

I'll be honest: I've been abnormally anxious as of late. The toxic combination of stress from finals, Senior Seminar, and life in general has made me very self-centered these past few weeks. I've been focusing on my issues and problems rather than kneeling before the Almighty King in surrender to Him. Lord, forgive me for my pride.

Yet even though I am tired, weary, and slightly hormonal (yay for living in an all girls dorm!!!), I know that God has promised certain things for my life. Today, I choose to rest in these promises. Here are a few I found tucked away in my Bible that give me hope and peace for my life. I hope you enjoy them and are blessed through them! :)

I rest securely in God's loving care. I know he has an awesome plan for my future: plans to prosper me and not to harm me. - Based on Jeremiah 29:11

I've made it my goal to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. - Based on 1 Corinthians 15:58

I know nothing is impossible with God. He is able to transform my life from the inside out. - Based on Luke 1:37

I remain calm no matter what happens. I keep a clear head in all situations because I trust God to provide for my every need. - Based on Isaiah 26:3

I am one of God's treasured possessions. He handpicked me to be his own. - Based on Deuteronomy 26:16-19

I trust in God and he shows me the way I should go. - Based on Psalm 143:8

God has called me to serve others. I fulfill that call enthusiastically in the power of the Holy Spirit. - Based on Isaiah 61:1-3

When my emotions go haywire, I turn to God's Word and it revives my soul. - Based on Psalm 19:7-8

When someone asks me how I am, I say,"I am richly blessed," because that is always true - no matter what else is happening in my life. - Based on Proverbs 28:20

Joy is not a result of what happens to me; it is a result of how I respond to what happens to me. I choose to be joyful. - Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Christmas Cookies!

2010-12-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

I can go on and on and on about why I adore Christmas. But one of my favorite traditions is baking Christmas cookies. Mere, Matt, and I got together to bake and spread Christmas cheer. 'Twas a lovely evening. :)

Making the dough...

One of the happy baking elves. :)

A mischievous baking elf attempts to salt the cookies.

Out of the oven and ready for frosting!

Survey says: they taste delicious!

Dead Week

2010-12-06T23:24:00.000-08:00

At my university, the week before finals is known as "dead week." They call it dead week because there is nothing happening on campus. However, I believe it's really called dead week because everyone dies due to stress during this particular 7 day period... Including me. Pray for me, friends. :)

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

2010-12-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

Reflection in bulb

Joy!

Glass Heart

My favorite ornament: I made it when I was 5.

Our beautiful tree

Christmas Tree Hunting

2010-11-28T22:12:00.000-08:00

Our family goes up into the foothills and cuts down a Christmas tree every year. It's a tradition we've had since I was an infant. We usually end up hiking for a while, finding a tree, deciding it's not perfect, playing baseball with sticks and pinecones, singing Christmas carols, going back to the tree and deciding it's okay, before eating candy canes and drinking hot cocoa. This year was no different.

And we're off!

This one is perfect, says Alicia! Not so, says Bethany.

Cutting the tree

Frosty leaves

Icy design

Peek-a-boo!

Thumbs up for Christmas!

Precut trees for the faint at heart ;)

Christmas in the foothills

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

2010-11-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

but the fire is so... delightful?

It's on days like today that I miss New Zealand. Current weather here: 45 degrees and raining. Current weather in Tauranga: 75 degrees and sunny.

Tauranga Harbour

Well, who am I kidding? I actually enjoy autumn very much. Wearing peacoats, scarves, and mittens can be rather fun. And although I do miss my friends and family in New Zealand, I am always eager to jump in puddles. Please excuse me while I go up to Target and buy a pair of polka dotted rainboots. :)

Why I Love: My Family

2010-11-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

Giants fans since the beginning, woot woot!

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for my family who:

encourages

supports

laughs

mentors

plays

lives fully

and bleeds orange and black.

I love you all! :)

The Sheep and the Goats

2010-11-17T14:12:00.001-08:00

I cannot stand goats. Really, truly. You may look at me and think, "Really, Alicia? I thought you loved animals!?" Well, it's true that I do love animals. That is, all animals except for goats. I attribute this hatred of this goats to the fact that I ate goat every single day when I was in Uganda in 2008. Since that time, I can barely look at a goat without a wave of detestation flowing over me.

Do NOT be deceived by the goat's cuteness!!!

Why do I not like goats? They are slow. They are stupid. There are over 450,000,000 of them on this planet. This means they could logically have a goat uprising and take over the United States!! However, they do provide some entertainment when they faint.

When I understood how foolish goats were, I realized it was hilarious that Jesus compared us to sheep and goats in the Bible. Here's what it says:

"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,

I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,

I was homeless and you gave me a room,

I was shivering and you gave me clothes,

I was sick and you stopped to visit,

I was in prison and you came to me.'

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,

I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

I was homeless and you gave me no bed,

I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,

Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward." Matthew 25:31-46 (The Message)

A thought: Christianity isn't about what Jesus can do for our lives, our family, our futures. Instead, it's about what we must do for Jesus with our lives, our family, and our future. This includes surrendering our lives to the will of the Father and being his disciples in the world. It is scary to think that those of us who claim to be "Christians" are in actuality disobeying God when we do not put our faith into action. When we keep ourselves in a bubble and do not minister to the outside world, we are directly disobeying God's commands... Plain and simple. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I consider myself to be a Christ follower?

If yes, then am I serving the poor, widows, orphans, imprisoned, and broken?

Am I sacrificing anything for the sake of the Gospel?
Based on Jesus' classifications, am I a goat or a sheep?

If I am not a sheep, what do I need to change?

Since the end of my college career is rapidly approaching, I have found myself asking these questions on a regular basis. However, these questions are extremely convicting. It is my prayer and deepest desire that when I graduate (and even now while I am still in school), I will find opportunities to serve the Lord... even if it requires sacrifice. You see, I don't want to be a goat. I leave you with this thought:

"In my judgement, the Christian faith does not lend itself to much preaching or talking. It is best propagated by living it and applying it. When will you Christians really crown Jesus Christ as Prince of Peace and proclaim Him through your deeds as the champion of the poor and oppressed?" - Mahatma Ghandi

:)

Queen Mary

2010-11-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

My university puts on a dance every fall where the girls ask the boys (a la Sadie Hawkins style). This year, I thought it would be appropriate to ask Matt again. And of course he accepted, like a good boyfriend should. :) Here are a few pics of the night's escapades on the Queen Mary.

Long Beach reflection

A happy couple

Stimulating conversation

The Queen Mary

It was a memorable evening. We walked around and explored the ship most of the night. Although... One of my favorite memories of the night was when we noticed two people had climbed up on top of the smokestacks. Way to keep it classy, college students! :)

Star Wars Marathon

2010-11-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought I couldn't get nerdy enough... I hosted a Star Wars marathon. A bunch of my freshmen buddies came over to watch the original trilogy (IV, V, VI). We also played Star Wars Trivia and ate Wookiee Cookies, Yoda Soda, TIE-fighter ties, and R2D2 Treats.

Galactic Goodies!

Some of the attendees

Some of the participants had never seen Star Wars before, so it was really exciting to share our enthusiasm with them. Others (my sister, ahem) could not stop quoting the movies... so we had to put a cone of silence on them. In the end, the "noobs" were won over to the Dark (aka nerd) Side and a new appreciation for sci-fi was forged. :)

Aftermath of Halloween

2010-11-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

Remember how I made this legit pumpkin a few weeks ago?

Well, you should meet R(eady)2D(isintegratein)2(seconds). Formerly known as R2D2.

This is what happens if you carve a pumpkin before Halloween Day.

Mmmmmmmmm. Mold. It's what's for dinner.

Halloweenie

2010-11-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

Halloween is awesome. A few of the girls in my hall decided to dress up as Star Wars characters for Halloween. Not only did we dress up as these characters, but we drove around town to share our nerdiness with the world. As we were driving, Darth rode shotgun and pretended to force-choke people at the stoplights. The reactions we got were hilarious and all of us nearly died laughing at how ridiculous we were.

Our first stop was our hall, where a lightsaber fight ensued.

A fight to the death!

Noooo... Luke!

The second stop was In-N-Out, where Darth broke some unexpected news to a surprised worker.

NO, I am your father!!

Darth Vader prefers Coke.

From L to R: Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Luke, Yoda (hidden) and a Star Wars fangirl

Darth and Leia get their burgers

The last stop was at the university apartments, where we attended "the Event."

Darth instigates a fight with a random Jedi at "the Event."

Adams 3rd Central girls :)

Basically, it was the best night ever. :)

Why I Love: Autumn

2010-10-25T14:54:00.001-07:00

1. Cooler weather! It rained all last week in L.A., hooray!

2. Being able to wear jackets and scarves!

3. The semester is half-completed!

4. Pumpkins and Halloween!

Matt finds a suitable pumpkin

Leesh's pumpkin

Pumpkins galore!

My R2D2 pumpkin! Hehe, nerd alert!

Kissy, R2D2, kitty, and haunted house pumpkins!

What do you love about autumn? :)

Poem of a Homeless Woman

2010-10-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

I was hungry,

and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.

I was imprisoned,

and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

I was naked,

and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick,

and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless,

and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely,

and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy, so close to God

but I am still very hungry-- and lonely-- and cold.

- an excerpt from Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Major Issues for a New Century by J. Stott

A Real Life Paul Bunyan

2010-10-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is an actual conversation that took place while tree climbing with Matt.

A: I am so jealous that you are tall... It makes tree climbing so much easier! [pouts]

M: You know, I actually used to be 7 feet tall. That was before I shrunk.

A: [chuckling] What were you, a regular Paul Bunyan?

M: Yeah, I had the giant ox and everything, too.

A: Ha! How'd you manage to get rid of him?

M: Oh, you know, just put him up my ass.

A: What? Of all the places... why there?

M: Well, [pause] it's my butt-ox.

[Bah-dum-chhhh. Cue Alicia rolling on the floor laughing for approximately 10 minutes.]

This, my friends, is life. And I wouldn't change it for anything. :)

Adventures in Long Beach

2010-10-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Tranquility

Greedy koi

Soothing waterfall

Crazy people

Twisty tree

The monkey strikes again!