I need a new telefono...

My phone decided to crap out on me and it won't take a charge anymore. Luckily my upgrade isn't for another month (hence the sarcasm).
Don't be jealous that for the time being I get to use the Motorola Razr. I know you are all super jealous right now, but just stop.

I'm currently debating on what phone I should get next.I've been trying to avoid getting the iphone. I'm just trying to say NO to the pressure. I've been pretty good at it, since the iphone has been out for almost 2 years! Should I succumb to pressure? We shall see...

The only other phone I like is a samsung touchscreen. We will see.

this post didn't have much interesting info. i'm sorry that sometimes my life is boring.

In other news, i LOVE nights after work when i can go workout, and come home and have NOTHING on my agenda. feels good.

Weekends are too short.

I wish I had something more inspiring to say. I DO have a 4 day week, then 4 days off for Easter! yay :)

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I finally got to see Remember Me. WHOA. Such a great movie. I had no idea what is going to be like, but it far surpassed what I was thinking. And I also got to try out Terra Burger, and all organic burger place on the drag that I've been wanting to go to for forever. Laurin, my old roomie, was in town so she and I went! I was excited she was here because I knew she would appreciate it. It did not disappoint at all. It was a tad bit pricey, but that's what happens when you eat good, real food, and not processed cheap crappy food.

The end.

Rachael Ray's Feedback Party!

So for the second year in a row I've attended Rachael Ray's Party at South by Southwest. I'm not super big into SXSW, but this party is off the chain (yes, I just said that!) First of all, it's FREE! Free awesome music, free delicious food, and free drinks! Can things get much better than that? Check out the lineup above. The last band, She & Him, was freaking awesome! If you don't know the lead singer you might remember her when she was in Elf :) and had a great voice in that movie too! I had an awesome day with one of my greatest friends, Jaclyn. Despite the fact that it was 40 degrees all day it really was an awesome day. I will admit that I was a little starstruck when I saw Rachael Ray so many times up close. She was in line next to me in the bathroom! Ha! I don't have a picture with her because she was not doing any sort of that stuff and she limited her talking to fans too. I think it would have been too overwhelming otherwise. The event was held at Stubb's and there easily over 1000 people there. Here she is with her hubby who is in the band, The Cringe.

As far as food went it was so good yet again! On the menu were veggie roll up tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken quesadillas suisa, meatball subs, and free lonestars, pina coladas, bloody mary's, and margaritas all day! Overall it was a really fun day! She ended the concert with the fact that we should all come back next year! And I just might :)

Here is me and my friend, Jaclyn afterwards at Chuy's! We are going to be spring break buddies for life. We always have a huge laughfest over spring break! Last year we were in NYC but this year was fun too! Thankful for her :)

Spring Break Recap

If you take a look at a couple of posts ago you'll notice that I had a list of things I wanted to get accomplished over spring break. The funny part is that all of them got accomplished except for one. And that was #1. However, today I'm happy to report that I indeed filed my taxes (finally!) tonight! I'm proud of myself for finally doing this as I had put it off for so long.

Spring Break was truly one of the most relaxing weeks of my entire life. I winded up heading to Brownwood last Saturday afternoon and instead of coming back mid-week like I thought I stayed until Friday morning! I basically stayed until the very last second I could before needing to be back to see my friends before a few of them headed to Egypt for the week.

My week at home was fabulous. I mean, like really really awesome. Mostly because I got a TON of sleep. My schedule was as follows: sleep for a long time, wake up late, watch food network all day, go workout, eat dinner, go hang out with my sister and her family. Repeat. The first night I was home I got 12 hours of sleep! I slept from 10pm-10am. Apparently I was tired. This past Sunday during my Get Trained class I saw one of my best friends and the first thing she said to me was, "Wow, you look really rested!" I don't know if that is good or bad. I want to find a balance of my life. I am always on the go, but I know the benefits and the command of taking a sabbath each week. I have to get better at this concept.

Last Saturday afternoon I got to go to the Rachael Ray SXSW party. It was AWESOME. When I get some pics from my friend Jaclyn I'm going to write a post. Until now, just know despite the fact that it was 40 degrees outside, it was really really fun.

This week has flown by!

Over and out.

I'm moving to New York City!!!

Yup, it's official. I'm moving to this great city to pursue my degree in Urban Ministry from Alliance Theological Seminary. I've known for a while that this is where I was being led, but it took a while for me to finally want to officially say it. I guess owning up to it makes me realize that indeed (Lord willing) it is indeed going to happen! I'm overjoyed. I have a huge heart for the city of New York, for the nations of people that dwell within it, and for the potential for ministry. It's going to be awesome.

Here are answers to a couple of questions you might have:

"When are you leaving?"- My plan right now is to move around September 1st. School starts September 8th, and last time I checked NYC is not cheap, so I can't really afford to be there any sooner. Plus I want to spend as much time in Texas with family/friends :)

"Where are you going to live?"- Right now I'm still praying that God would open up the door for this. A dear friend of mine from Dallas is also praying about moving to the city, and we've talked about potentially living together, but nothing it set it stone. You can be praying for me about this! My seminary is located right in Manhattan, actually right by Chinatown, so living right in the city is something I really desire.

"How long is seminary and how long are you going to be gone?"- Seminary is approximately two full school years, so I will at least be there until June or July of 2012. However, I have NO idea what God is going to do with me in regards to ministry. J.R. Vassar said they moved to the city with "no exit plan", so that's my heart right now too.

"Can I come visit you?"- YES! YES! YES!

Dream. Priscilla Ahn.

I was a little girl alone in my little world who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees, and fed my houseguests bark and leaves, and laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest swing.
I had a dream.

Long walks in the dark through woods grown behind the park, I asked God who I'm supposed to be.
The stars smiled down on me, God answered in silent reverie. I said a prayer and fell asleep.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest tree.
I had a dream.

Now I'm old and feeling grey. I don't know what's left to say about this life I'm willing to leave.
I lived it full and I lived it well, there's many tales I've lived to tell. I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now to fly from the highest wing.

I had a dream

what's your dream?

I have not forgotten about you, blog.

I just took a sabbatical from blogging because I basically took a sabbatical from life last week for Spring Break.

The verdict?

It was GLORIOUS.

I had a wonderful, wonderful, spring break of relaxation.

I'll continue with my daily posts tomorrow!

goodnight.

Stamp of Approval: Food Edition

Mootopia Skim Milk: In the picture above it's chocolate milk which is not what I got, but that's the only picture I can find. You can find this lactose free, reduced sugar, high protein milk at HEB. And it tastes delicious. It's 90 calories for one cup! Got get some today!


Lorna Shortbread Cookies 100 calorie pack: I know, I know, I know I shouldn't be eating packaged stuff like this. It doesn't have any nutritional value at all, but you know what? They taste good. So sometimes at night when I want something sweet I have a package of these and a cup of skim milk. And that my friends is better than having that 800 calorie (yes I'm serious) slice of cheesecake at dinner.


Healthy Harvest Rotini Pasta: Whole wheat pasta can be realllly crappy. Don't ever get the regular size whole wheat spagehttti. It's just awful. However, this rotini is actually really really good. Pair it with a 1/2 cup of low sodium spaghetti sauce and you are all set! Pasta has a ton of carbs, and is super calorie dense, but when I make this stuff I feel like it's worth the calories.


Naturally More Peanut Butter "What Peanut Butter Should Be"- This stuff is GOOD. Yes, in all caps. Everything in it is good for you, peanuts, wheat germ, flax seed, egg whites, honey... what else can you ask for? It honestly tastes just like most peanut butter does except it's not made with artificial anything or vegetable oil. So next time you are looking to buy some peanut butter let me suggest this kind.
Field Greens: so simple. I decided I would start buying this in bulk at HEB instead of in the prepackage that costs 4 or more dollars. Instead I'll put it in a bag, and pay about 2 dollars! You can always wash it at home on your own. I ate this stuff all week and it costs me TWO dollars. Think about how much you spent on one salad if you go out to eat.

Jennie-O Turkey Burgers: These are by far my favorite thing to eat. One package costs just over 3 dollars at HEB. For the past two weeks I've bought these and eaten one with mustard, and field greens everyday for lunch, no bun, but I get my carb fill on Pop Chips or Baked chips of some sort. The ones I get have natural seasonings, and the sodium content is less than 200mg a patty. That's unheard of almost. The natural seasoning is actually pretty good, the only thing I add it just a tad bit of pepper, but no salt! I grill these up on a george forman in about 5-6 minutes.

So this week I hate 2 dollar field green and 3 dollar turkey burgers. Lunch for FOUR days cost me 5 dollars. How much did you spent on lunch just today if you ate out?

Happy eating!

Spring Break!

Starts today after work!!!!!!!!!!!! So looking forward to having NINE days off from work. Nine days to do whatever the heck I want. I think one reason I'm really looking forward to this spring is because I was basically sick for the entire two weeks off of Christmas break. Not I can't move sick, but the sinus/sometimes fever/achey sick. I spent Christmas Day taking medicine, and I spent New Year's Eve feeling awful, and I spent the ENTIRE day of New Years day in my bed. That's when I watched LOST Season Five all day (no complaining about that) Here's to hoping my body will stay well for the next nine days.

Things I need/want to do:

1. FILE TAXES! I can't believe I haven't done this yet. I'm getting money back. Obviously I don't want it that bad or I would have already filed these.

2. READ! For fun. I'm currently in the process of reading FOUR books. I am ashamed. I hope to make a dent in at least a couple of them.

3. Get my inspection sticker (lame). I'm a week late, BUT I'm waiting to go to Brownwood because it only costs like 12 dollars there and here in Austin it's like 32. I'll save 20 bucks. I'm not a cheap person unless it comes to stuff like this. Who wants to spend 20 dollars if they don't have to.

4. Eat at my favorite restaurant in Brownwood, Steve's Market and Deli.

5. Go to Rachael Ray's SXSW Party next Saturday! yes, please. Last year it was SO fun.

6. SLEEP! Sleep in, take naps, relax.

7. Spend time with my family at home. The months of my time in Texas are flashing before my eyes (or so it seems) so I gotta spend as much time with fam as possible.

I'm sure there are more things but those are all I can think of for now.

Yay no work! Yay getting paid for not working! :)

Also, since I was five years old there has only been ONE year in which I did not have a spring break and that was in 2007 when I was working at the law firm. And if memory serves me correctly I actually winded up taking a couple days off that week too. I am also guaranteed spring break for the next two years since I'll be back in school. I hope you're jealous. Ha, just kidding.

Happy Almost Spring Break!

Waste of time.

.... Facebook.

Today on my way to work I just felt convicted (for once) about the amount of time I spend browsing the popular social networking site. So, I decided that for today I would not log on at all for the next 12 hours. That was exactly 12 hours ago as we speak. Do you know how refreshing it's been to be away from that site? I don't think you have until you have tried it. Today I got much more accomplished at work, felt more focused, and actually when I had a few spare moments I spent them TALKING with coworkers, instead of stalking. Yes, don't act like you don't stalk. I know that I do. When was the last time you talked to most of the people that you stalked on facebook today? If you are like me, it's probably been a while. Here's the point, I'm not saying never to log on to facebook again, that I'm closing my account, etc. What I am saying is that I personally felt convicted over the amount of time my mind spends dedicated to this site. (Does anyone else think in facebook status lingo?) It can even be an idol. First of all, it's completely narcissistic. Think about it. Everyone gets to post what they are doing every second of the day, everyone gets to post their accomplisments, their engagments/marriages, their new job promotions, etc! And while those things are fine what winds up happening is that you (I) covet those things or feel jealous. If you are a girl and you are single and all of a sudden your not-even-close to you friend posts pictures of her perfect engagement to the man of her dreams... don't you often feel a little jealous? Or how about the couple that you envy because they got to buy a new house. Or the family that's having a baby when you and your husband can't get pregnant. Or you're married and you get to read about all the fun that your single friends get to have because they don't have commitments like you. This list can go on, and on and on.

Recently I've made a rule of thumb in my life. I don't like to spend more time on things that are temporal over things that are eternal. For example, sometimes I catch myself wanting to spend longer than one hour at the gym. I reason that if I can just burn X more amount of calories it can make up for the X thing I ate earlier I shouldn't have, or something like that. I made a rule to myself that I would not stay at the gym longer than what I would spend with the Lord. Because if I have 2 hours to spend at the gym, and a rushed 30 minute quiet time, something is just wrong with that.

I'm NOT trying to convict you for how you decide to spend your time. Maybe you can do it all, but I know that I can't, and that's why I needed to write this post. Does this mean I'll never be on facebook again? No, it doesn't. It just means that I'm continuing to evaluate things in my life that don't matter in the long run. Facebook serves as an excellent way to network, and to get information out to all your friends. But it just can't have the stronghold in my life that it has right now.

When I get discouraged, I'm going to come back and read this post.

SPRING BREAK STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Community.

I'm really thankful for community. I'm thankful that I have a great group of close friends who know me. Not the I see you once a month me, but the I see/talk to you multiple times a week me. It's SO refreshing to sit around a group of people and not have to complete catch up on what you've been doing for the past however many months. Honestly, that's not community at all. I am so thankful that I have friends who care about me, and when they ask me how I'm doing, or how my week has been, they actually mean it. I've found recently that I become very easily frustrated with superficial "community", in fact when people who I don't think honestly care ask me how I'm doing, I typically just say I'm fine and end it there. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh, but I just don't like being fake. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm not trying to be mean to anyone. I'm just trying to be honest with how I feel. It might seem like I have a ton of friends, but honestly I have very few really good friends who know me intimately. I don't mind having lots of friends, but I also can't pretend like we are super close if we go months without talking/seeing each other. You make time for the people you love, end of story.

I'll end with the fact that the community I do have is great, and I'm so very blessed by them.

Over and out.

P.S. Spring Break starts in less than 2 days and I'm not sure if I've ever wanted something so badly then that.

LOST

Spoiler Alert: If you are not watching this season yet and still trying to catch up, DON'T read this post. (Camille, that's for you!) Unless you want to know some of the crazy stuff going on this season!


Here are 10 things that are just NUTS to me about Season Six: The Final Season of LOST.

1. How the crap have we not known that Jack had a son? Who is like 12 years old too!

2. I am so confused about Sayid and his lady friend. I was really confused that she's married to his brother? What?

3. Where did Desmond go after Jack went to the bathroom on the plane? Was he just a figmant of his imagination?

4. How did Rose/Hurley not recognize each other on the Island if Hurley was the owner of the company that she works for?

5. What have the people of the Temple been doing this whole time?! What a boring life.

6. Ben is apparently a school teacher. And he's still creepy.

7. Claire is totally freaking me out. I'm really hoping she doesn't really kill Kate.

8. I am REALLY ready for the Kate/Jack/Sawyer trio to end. Kate, choose Jack, and be done with it. Was anyone else surprised when Sawyer completely rejected her? He really loved Juliet.

9. Speaking of Juliet. I don't think I realized the hell and back this character had to endure. (Until I rewatched Season Four the other day, stop judging me) Chances are we will see her again in Sideways life. I hope so. She's one of my favorites.

10. Sideways life. Enough said.

There are only TEN more episodes left. And I am going to confess that I am really glad. I just want all of this to end so I can go on with my life and stop being so confused.

The end.

Oh wait, PS: I STILL cannot stand Locke, or the Black Monster he is now. Ugh, this character has annoyed me since day 1 when he was sitting on the beach!

I've always been a sinner.

This is me when I was little. My sister repeatedly told me NOT to stick my finger in the cage or the bird would bite it. What did I do? Stuck my finger in the cage and got BIT!

So yes, even at that young of an age I had a spirit of rebellion in me. At that young of an age I rejected counsel from someone who just wanted to not see me hurt. Thankfully now when I stumble I understand God's grace in my life, but that doesn't mean that I still don't "stick my finger in a cage" from time to time.

Jesus is a great savior and I am a great sinner.

The Gospel.

For I delivered to you as of freest importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in the accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The Gospel is good news not good advice. It's the good news that: Jesus lived the life that you should have lived and died the death that you should have died. So that God receive you, not on the basis of your record but because of Jesus'.

You've been accepted, therefore you obey. You don't obey to be accepted.

I needed to be reminded of the goodness of the Gospel tonight. I never want to grow tired of it. I never want to grow content of what Jesus did for me. I have to recite the Gospel to myself each day in order to try to live for the sake of it.

I am a BIG fan of this Get Trained class I'm taking with Fabs this semester. That girl brings a ton of truth into my life each week. She's challenging me to think outside the box. She's challenging me to live out what I say I believe.

Over and out.

5 days till Spring Break.

My heart is happy!

Stamp of approval: Restaurants in Austin, Texas (Unhealthy Edition)

Hut's. Oh Hut's, how I miss you. Despite my desire to eat healthy, and stick with a pretty strict eating plan, I won't lie and say that I don't STILL crave a good hamburger. I hadn't eaten any hamburgers in months until I went to California and ate half (another story) of one at In-N-Out. Hut's is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than In-N-Out. I will (yes, yes I will) eat this before I leave this great city. I might be sick afterward, but it's worth it. My favorite (no pun intended) is actually the Hut's Favorite: Bacon, Cheese, Mayo, Lettuce, Pickle. Um... delicious. Did I mention they have awesome fries/onion rings. Well they do. AND really really good shakes! Yikes. I need to stop thinking about this place right now.

This is pretty much a staple for Austin. Any tourist we have in this town goes there. It's on the lake, it's a cool atmosphere, it's good food, it's decently priced. Why not? If you go, do yourself a favor and order the pipeline enchilada or chicken flautas with a side of rice and beans. They have the best rice and beans next to my mom's (and that is saying ALOT!). I havent been here in a while, but it has never, not once, disappointed me. There entire menu is great.


The above pizza place has to be the best place for pizza in Austin! It's basically authentic NY pizza right here in the capital of Texas. These slices are thin, and huge! I am not really eating pizza right now ( the last time I did I was sick for over a day, true story), but this is for sure my favorite place to go if I were. If you are a pizza fan, especially thin, then you HAVE to try this place. You can get "by the slice" before 6pm or after 9pm and that's the best deal in my opinion.


Let's just say if you have never had a breakfast taco from the place above, the you have never had the greatness that is breakfast tacos! While these days I take mine on corn tortillas and typically no meat, this place has a taco called the "Don Juan" which equals greatness. It's a mountain of egg, potato, bacon, and cheese. It's delicious.

There are lots of these restaurants throughout Austin and it's quickly became one of my favorite place to get fajitas. They are always delicious, and they have some awesome corn tortillas (I'm told the flour ones are great too). They have good prices, good service, and great food. Go try some!

... and I'm officially hungry.

Happy Weekend!

It's ok to be jealous.,,,

... that in 113 days this will be my view for 12 days!

sunshine. tan. blue water. friends. good times. cute kids in the DR.

YES!

La Republica Dominicana, yo te amo!!!


In other news: It's Friday! It's Payday! And we only working half a day! Yay!

The Fantastic Four.

The Fantastic Four: Me, Mandy, Tonya, and Candace.

We are four friends who met in college in the Fall of 2004, through our sorority, Phi Lamb. I wish that I could fully articulate what our friendships have been like, but just know that God has been good to us. We all come from small towns (Tonya and I actually grew up about 30 minutes from each other). Two of us are single, two are married. Tonya and I are one year older, then both Candace and Mandy. The younger ones are married! It was such a joy to see them find their husbands, and then see them on their wedding days. I'm thankful that Tonya is single, and we can share about what God is teaching us through singleness. Two are teachers, and while I work at a school and Mandy is a business girl, we sometimes find it difficult to understand how Tonya and Candace teach kindergarten (and do it well) everyday! We decided we'd keep our sanity :) The Lord has perfectly designed our friendships. We have been through a lot together. We have all seen the best and worst of each other. We've gone through seasons of happiness and sorrow together. I think because we've seen the worst of each other, we understand grace even more. God has restored our friendships when they suffered, and He has so evidently had His hand over our lives. These girls are my community. These girls are my confidants. These are the girls who have been my biggest supporters though my journey to a "healthy me". These are the girls that I can laugh or cry with. These are the girls that I know I can ALWAYS count on. These are the girls that love me despite seeing my faults. These are the girls that offer grace.These girls are the girls that I will miss IMMENSELY when I move. I'm so thankful for them. I love them so much!


Here are some pics of us throughout the years!

Us At Mandy's Wedding


Us at Mandy's Rehearsal Candace's Wedding!

Halloween 2005!

Phi Lamb Closing Ceremonies 2006

My 24th Birthday

My birthday!

Tonya's Birthday in 2007 (I think!)

I love:

I got inspired to make a list of all the things I love ( in no particular order) :

Sunsets

Airplanes

Gap Jeans

New York City

Gold's Gym

The Texas Longhorns

Egypt

Sperry's

eating healthy

Marc Jacobs Purses

Scarves

my NorthFace Jacket

Nike Running Shoes

JESUS

Starbucks on a cold day

TV in HD

Reading Blogs

Skim Milk/Cereal

V-Necks

Gmail

The Austin Stone Community Church

Going home to see my parents

My bible

lunches with old friends

Memories from freshmen year at UTA

Sigma Phi Lambda

The Fantastic Four

Discipleship time with Christie Bonham

The Egypt Girls

Turkey burgers

Apostle's Church sermons

Brunch

working out

my red Jetta

grocery shopping in every isle

Austin, Texas

Blue Dahlia Bistro

Kidstuff at the ASCC

The Dominican Republic

laughing

cupcakes

Alamo Drafthouse

weddings

peanut m&m's

LOST!

the Middle East

my ipod touch

Whole Foods

maps

Caribbean ocean

Chanel perfume

Moonshine Bar & Grill

... and many others things/people/places.

Jet setting!

I really really really really like to travel! I don't think you you quite understand (or believe) how much I like being in airports and being on planes. It's actually quite strange, because I like it so much. Maybe I missed my calling in life and should have been a flight attendant. Maybe? Anyway! Last year I only went on TWO trips all year long, but it was to my beloved city, New York City, and the other was on a trip with my church to EGYPT. I am not complaining! It was almost a year later before I got on another plane which was just a few weeks ago to California. My next trip is scheduled for this May in going back to my beloved, yes, NYC! I'm going for a long weekend over Memorial Day weekend with my great friend, Jaclyn! Should be a good time. And in less than a month after that I'll get on yet another plane to my beloved country, of the Dominican Republic. So here's to traveling.

I have a feeling over the next few years jet setting to a from Texas will be on my list of favorite things to do. Hopefully there will be some jet setting from my friends who all come and visit me in the Northeast. I say "Northeast" because I haven't made my final decision on seminary just yet. But that's coming in the next couple of weeks. Get excited. I'm going to be updating you on seminary plans very soon. Maybe even tomorrow.

A list of all the cool places I've gone in the past couple of years:
May 2007- New York City
June-July 2007- Dominican Republic
January 2008- Colorado
March 2008- Dominican Republic
June 2008-July 2008- Dominican Republic
October 2008- Philadelphia
November 2008- New York City
December 2008- Mexico
January 2009- Cairo, EGYPT
March 2009- New York City
February 2010- California
May 2010-NYC
June-July 2010- Dominican Republic

I live a hard life.

I like American Airlines.

I like free drinks on planes.

I like people watching in airports.

I like reading on airplanes and journaling about my upcoming trip.

I love to travel.

Just a pic.

In January I went to watch Mandy's little sister, Brittany, play basketball for Houston Baptist University. It was so fun! I have been friends with Mandy since Fall of 2004, and have loved getting to know her family throughout the years. They are great, and so much fun! I love the Barton's!