Flowers

I know it makes me super girly, but I really like flowers.  I like looking at flowers, receiving flowers, smelling flowers - just flowers.  My very favorite are sunflowers, but really I like them all.

When I would get really sad and homesick in Barcelona, Yago would buy me Sunflowers to cheer me up...and it worked.  John and Brandi got me some on my 27th birthday there as well.

I've usually get lots of flowers on my birthday, which always makes me happy.  This year Seve gave me one of the best bouquets I've ever gotten, because it combines three of my favorite things: sunflowers, wheat, fall leaves (you can't really see the leaves in the picture, but they're there).

Today I was reading my tea box (I was that bored at work), and it had a great quote on it, "Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower."  I thought that was really great, and would totally be happy with a bouquet of leaves right now, with as gorgeous as they are!

Also, Maggie and Kassie's bouquets at their wedding on Saturday were probably the most beautiful bouquets I've ever seen in my life.  Flowers just make such an impact!

It's the little things that bring me joy, I guess.

Fall

My very favorite season is fall, and I have been reminded of that - full force - this year in Kansas City.

Fall doesn't really exist in Barcelona because palm trees don't really turn beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows.  And last year I moved back right after Fall had finished falling.

This year has been absolutely breathtaking though.  I had really wanted to go up north, like to Maine, to be able to experience fall up there, because you always hear about how great fall is in the northeast, but I just really can't imagine it would have been any better than what we've been getting here.

I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful city.

Art

I think this is something that we as a society don't value enough.  My art history and knowledge are very lacking, but I can still appreciate and admire it.

At First Fridays a couple nights ago here in KC, there was an entire Dali exhibit.  My mind was blown, as I was expecting to walk into a room of local KC artists, and was instead greeted by an entire gallery full of Dali's works.

I also went to an event yesterday called "Crafts and Drafts" and appreciated all the beautiful art that was for sale there as well.

I love that my church is also an art gallery and that I get to soak in God's word and love each Sunday morning, in a beautiful, creative space.  I'm lucky to be at a church that truly appreciates art and understands its importance in everyday life and faith.  My pastor has even written a book about it.

Here's a photo of a piece of art I bought at KC's first "Crafts and Drafts"

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is kind of like a double-edged sword.  I love it and I hate it.  But no matter which emotion I'm feeling towards it at any given point in time, I'm grateful for it.

It has afforded me the ability to get my undergrad at KU, and to currently work towards my master's.  It also made it possible for me to get a much-needed laptop, this week.  Without financial aid, none of these things would have been possible.

And though many people may think I'm irresponsible, or silly, or maybe just plain dumb, it is probably what will be helping me pay for my trip overseas this spring.  But it's my money and I can do what I want.

Day 30(ish): Writing

I love writing.  I was so proud of myself the first few weeks of this blogrimage.  It wasn't always easy to sit down and focus, but I was always so glad when I did.  And it's not like the posts were anything super special, but just getting into the habit made me feel more productive.

I've been reading a lot lately - some books about writing, some books not - and it seems that no matter what I'm reading my mind ties it back to my need to write.  I think it is something good for me and something I need to do.  Not just for me, but for something bigger than me.  But I don't feel like I'm ready.  Then again, I won't be ready unless I practice, practice, practice.

Even though I always recognize how much more valuable something is after it's had to be fought for and earned, I still always want things to come easy.  I get mad when I'm not immediately good at something, so I just don't pursue it, no matter how much I want it.  I will not let writing be like this.

Resistance is getting me down and I need to overcome.

I've spent the last couple weeks trying to figure out if I should do another blogrimage or start a permanent blog that has a purpose and direction (unlike my xanga), or both.  And if I do either or both of those, what will I write about?  Many times I feel like I need to have everything totally and completely organized before I can begin, and life just doesn't allow that.  Sometimes you have to cook dinner with dirty dishes all around or you won't eat til midnight; sometimes you have to just start replying to and deleting emails or you'll forever have 1266 messages in your inbox (true story); sometimes you have to just take the 15 minutes your mom can spare to talk or you'll have to wait another week.  The conditions will never be perfect or exactly as I'd like, but I need to keep focusing on doing what I can with what I have where I am.  And luckily, writing is something that can be done anywhere.

Stay tuned for my future blog decision...

Day 29: My iPhone

I've never wanted an iPhone.  I always thought they were stupid.  I hate touch screens and always type the wrong buttons.  But for Christmas, my boss gave me his iPhone 4 since he got the 4S.  I was kind of reluctant to use it at first and kept my old phone as well, but once I got the hang of the iPhone, I've decided I adore it.

I can:
-Skype on it.  I don't have to be waiting in front of my computer for a skype call now!
-Listen to sermons on the metro from Beggars Table in KC.
-Read my kindle books on it...especially handy since my 1 year old kindle just crapped out!
-Talk to my brother and other friends in the US for free through the Viber app.
-Use Whatsapp to text here in Spain, thus avoiding text fees.
-Always have a flashlight handy.
-Play words with friends with Melissa!

The words with friends is what really got me appreciating my iPhone this week.  It's a fun game, but it also helps me stay connected with my cousin.  I don't feel so far from her now since we continuously have a game going, and can text messages through it as well.  She even used it to tell me that everyone was alright during the tornado yesterday, so I appreciated it A LOT!

God bless technology!

Day 28: Royal Tandoori

Yesterday Yago and I went to one of our favorite restaurants.  It is a small Pakistani restaurant about a 5 minute walk from our house.  I don't even remember how we came across it, but once we did, there's been no turning back.  We've converted Yago's sister and her b/f too.  And then they converted their best friends...we're starting a Royal Tandoori revolution.

Aside from the food being AMAZING, the fact that they make it all from scratch as you order it, it is RIDICULOUSLY cheap, and super close, we like it because of one of the workers.  Usually when we go - which is always at dinner time, we're one of only two or three tables.  This always worries me, so I always pray that their lunch crowd is really good.  But I think it's because of the slow business that the main waiter recognized us as early as our second visit.  He got a really big smile on his face and shook Yago's hand and asked how we were.  The next time the same thing and gave us a free appetizer.  Another time a free dessert.  He's always so happy and friendly!  I love him!  There were a couple times in a row we went and he wasn't there and I was sad and thought maybe he left, but yesterday he was back.  He said he went on vacation to visit his family in Pakistan.  I was relieved.

I really like having "a place."  In Wichita I always had Outback, and in Kansas City I had the Foundry.  It's such a great feeling to find a place that you can call yours, and go to and know the names of the employees and they know yours too.  Before I worked at the Foundry the bartenders even had a special drink just for me!

I've been pretty homesick/family-sick lately, so our little trek to Royal Tandoori made me feel a little better yesterday; a little bit like I have a place here too.