Coffee?

I used to drink coffee quite often when I was younger. I remember when I spent a summer in Houston I would drink black coffee at breakfast. I was 14. But after that I would only drink it occasionally; maybe a cafe mocha or a caramel macchiato at the mall when I was 16. Then I started getting heart palpitations so started staying away from caffeine all together. I had also discovered a great coffee shop in my town that does tea drinks just like coffee drinks. Carmel Hoji = Caramel Macchiato, Tea Mocha = Cafe Mocha, Diana Mint is a wonderful refreshing green tea drink with a minty flavor. So I started drinking tea. All the time. But now that I've started going to college and working alot more I find coffee is the drink for me. I love Wawa coffee and I just made myself a tasty cup of french press. Mmmm. It's interesting how my taste seems to change so often. Oh, and I don't have any more palpitations either. So now I can just enjoy the wonderful tatse of a good cup o' joe.

World View

In sunday school we just finished a study on World View. How people see the world. Particularly how Christians should see it. We learned that each world view answers 4 questions: Where did we come from? What is our purpose in life? What's the problem with the world? And how do we fix that problem? Just learning those questions helped me begin to see how other people see themselves, others, and the earth. After becoming familiar with those questions and studying some different world views we talked about movies, art, and music and how we, as Christians, should views these types of mediums. I've really begun to see world view in alot of different places. I saw something in the subway a few months ago. Commercials say alot now. And music as well. But I shall give music it's own post. I just think it's interesting to answer those questions for ourselves. What do they say about your beliefs?

Ron Paul?

Politics. I don't really care for them all that much. Although, in America they seem exceedingly hard to ignore. I didn't vote this year and I never plan to do so. But I'm regretting it just a little bit. I really like Ron Paul. I think he's is an amazing canidate with tons of experince, he's not a war monger, doesn't belive in abortion, and has great views on all the hot topics. I really agreed with him on so many different things. Too bad no one knew about him or saw his cute little face. It's just really hard for me this election because I am finaly old enough where people ask me what I think and I can't, nor have the desire to, make up my mind. I like John Mccain. He is a hero. But, being a woman who belives in other women, I think it would be pretty cool to see Hillary Clinton win. Although I don't think I'd like all her choices. But that is why I choose not to vote. I don't want to have thr burden of bad decisions on my shoulders. If I voted for George Bush I would have to bear the burden of the fact that my friend is in Iraq. I can't handle that.... But I do like that Ron Paul.

Just about a year and a half ago my great aunt passed away. My aunt left behind one hell of a legacy; one of manipulation and deceit, among other things. It was the legacy of this woman, along with new editions to my family, that caused me to start thinking about what family really is. I have always thought of "family" in a very Italian mob, Tony Soprano kind of way. But in the past few years, especially the last six months, I've realized that is a weird way to think of family. Family are the people who call you just to say hello. They are the ones who celebrate when things go your way, or comfort when things don't. They are the people who speak truth to you, out of love, when truth needs to be spoken. They are the ones who except truth with love and try to change from it. If my sister and I never followed those rules of family we wouldn't have the amazing relationship we have. When I think about those things that constitute family I think of my parents, my sister, and her family. I think of my boyfriend, of my close friends, my pastor, my sunday school class, my church. These people are my family. We share a bond that runs much deeper than blood, although most Italians would argue that nothing runs deeper than your blodd. We share the common understanding and faith in the blood of Christ. And that runs much deeper than anything I've ever known. There is a woman in my church who was very vital to both mine and my sisters lives. She taught both of us sunday school for years, she has the patience of a saint and a heart of gold. When I shared with her that my sister was having her first baby, her eyes filled with tears and she told me that hearing that made her feel like a grandma. She is my family. And I know that one day the legacy she leaves behind will be one of love and the sweetness of God's grace. Isn't that what family is? Shouldn't we leave, and expect to be left, a legacy that is sweet and not one that is bitter?

Belated Birthday Post

This is terribly belated. I turned 20 almost a month ago now. But I had a wonderful day and Stephen got me the most beautiful presents! He bought me something I will cerish forever. An old edition of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He is by far my favorite author and Gatsby is my favorite novel by him. It is just one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I cried when I opened it. I was expecting it in a way since I had asked him for a copy but I had not expected something so beautiful. The condtion is almost perfect. It's just out of this world. I am a little afraid to read it but I want to eventually. I just have to work up the nerve.

I'm a Big Girl Now!

So I did it. I went to big girl school. I will admit I was terrified. But it really wasn't that bad. In fact I realized I'm a little smarter then the average bear. Math was... well.... ridiculous. Mostly because it's basic math and I don't know alot of it! English was amazing. My professor seems awesome so far. I'm so excited to really get into that class. I already had homework which I did most of already. And I'm just really excited to start learning again. Although the weirdest part of being in a classroom is that I'm used to being on the other side. And there are certain things I can't stand, like talking in class, and I can't stand them now that I'm a student again. It's just really odd to be a student after being a teacher these past two years.

Sick Day

I'm sick. Again. I was sick over Christmas and on Friday I sneezed and got sick again. I'm feeling better today then yesterday. Thankfully cause I thought I was going to rip my head off yesterday! I've been drinking lots of gypsy cold care tea and trying to get better for work tomorrow. Hopefully it passes soon enough.

I'm With the Band

My multi talented boyfriend is in a band by the name of MADELINE. I have taken on the role of "manager". It started when Stephen and Mitch (the bass player, co-founder, and best friend[pictured right]) couldn't find a drummer. They had been through a few but nothing stuck and it was starting to hold them back. So I just thought my little brain out until I thought of this kid I used to be friends with. Scott. I tracked him down gave him a call and he said yes! And he really completes the band. Makes their sound full. So now I call myself Big Al Powers and insist that I am their manager (not at all though). But at their latest show I did sell t-shirts and CD's for them. It was really fun actually I got to talk to some really neat people and had quite a few guys flirt with me (hey! it was for the band!). They actually have a management company interested in them and will most likely have a few more shows coming up. Oh! and the coolest part is they have an old friend who is an intern at Bennett Studios in NJ and recorded them free of charge! So they have a few new tunes on their myspace. Check them out! Tell your friends!

picture by Sarah Clark (shes amazing!)

The Legend of the Beard!

It was one fall day when young Stephen said "I shall grow a beard!" His girlfriend scoffed and said "Oh no! I don't like beards! Not at all" But the young Stephen grew one anyway despite her strong feelings. As time went on his girl grew accustomed to it. Even more time went by and she began to love The Beard. In fact she became so fond of it when young Stephen threatened to shave The Beard she strongly protested! He gave in and kept The Beard for a short while longer until one fateful night when young Stephen did away with The Beard. His girl was saddened but she did not weep for she knew one day The Beard would return to young Stephen and fill their lives with joy once again. But until that day the ghost of The Beard shall haunt her memory. Until that day...

Extreme Baking!

So I've finally become insane. I made Cinnamon Pecan rolls on Christmas morning (that's not the crazy part though). They were amazing! And really easy. I think I may have started a new tradition for my family. Ok now here's the crazy part. On New Years eve I went to a friends and didn't get back home till about 2:15am. Now most people would just undress and plop into bed. But not me. I got home and immediately opened my new cookbook and said "Oh! Scones!" So before even removing my coat I started making the mix so everyone could enjoy fresh baked scones the next morning. No actual baking was involved but I mixed the dry ingredients and left a note so someone could finish them in the morning.... I like being crazy like that.