Tuesdays Quote of the Day

Today's quote is from one of my favorite literature series. I love it when fiction works mirror our own Christian values in a clever and pithy fashion. So... from Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery:

We must have ideals and try to live up to them, even if we never quite succeed. Life would be a sorry business without them. With them it's grand and great.

My Yiayia..

Wow. well, what a Christmas 2008 it has been! My yiayia has now been in the ICU for one week. The doctors still don't know what she has. They think it might be cancer, but they are afraid that if they put her under anesthesia for a biopsy she won't wake up. My parents are in Arizona with her, and they say that she is doing the same. She's had some good days (and some bad days.. yesterday she introduced her daughter, my Aunt Susie, as her niece Stacey), but really no change. It's crazy to think that she might be dying. She took care of me while I lived with her most of 2008... to think that 2009 she might not even be with us. I know i shouldn't be thinking these thoughts, but...

Please pray for her.

Dealing with Annoyances

This evening I had the most wonderful conversation with my dad. I have been struggling with this one person for a while now, and I am just having a really hard time loving them and accepting them for who they are, with no judgments, no pre-conditions, nothing. So, my dad gave me the whole you can only change yourself shpeal... which is so helpful, but then he said something that really struck me as kind of amazing advice. I had asked, so what do i do tonight when this person annoys me; do i ignore them... what? He just looked at me and he said: see every "annoyance" as your fault.. of course I retorted: but it's not my fault.. and he said: of course it is, the fact that you can be annoyed is a reflection of your own sinfulness, your own passions, your need for repentance.

I just thought that was so helpful. Just think of every annoyance as your own fault. Genius!! I always wonder how one can learn to be humble.. it seems that if you can stop blaming other people and start blaming yourself you are well on the road toward humility. Anyway, just thought i'd share! :)

Tuesday Quotation of the Day

One kind word can warm three winter months-- Japanese Proverb

Speak sweetly today!! :)

Snow and Stock Day!

Mmmmm... there's snow on the ground, a fire crackling, and stock simmering... could there be anything better??

It's the Happiest Season of All!!!!!!

Wow. What a blessed time this Advent season has been for me thus far. I have been incredibly busy, tired, and at times absolutely overwhelmed, but the peace and joy of the season and the grace of God have helped me through it.

I have been really struggling with my insane dietary limitations (full story to come), especially with all the fast and feast days we are blessed to enjoy as Orthodox Christians, but I think that it has really helped me realize what the point of all this fasting and feasting is. It has taught me to lean more on God; I have no other choice, and in my struggles I am learning how absolutely helpless I am on my own.

Finals are at last completed!!! Wohoooo... I am done with school until 2009. My chemistry final was quite disastrous, which is a real bummer because I enjoy the class so much.

My last huge responsibility is the Christmas program at church. I have been a little stressed out about it. The production turned out to be more challenging than I originally anticipated, but I pray it goes smoothly.

On a different subject, I just got back from Anthony's first basketball game this season!!! SO CUTE!!! He scored 8 points, blocked 2 shots, set an awesome pick, and had a great time!!!

Until Next Time...

Monday, Monday... so good to me

Today was such a beautiful day! On Mondays and Wednesdays, my mom's and I are both downtown for the day-- her at work, me at school. So instead of wasting gas, we get to carpool on those two days. It's so wonderful! I wake up early with my mom and we head out the door at 6:45. It's so nice to leave the house that early. The air smells like rain, everything is quiet, damp and dark. I love it!! This early morning time is also great one-on-one time with my mom. With our busy schedules a day can easily pass us by without our even seeing each other. It's so nice to have a half hour of uninterrupted "catching up" time.

Another great thing about carpooling with my mom to school/work twice a week is it gives me an opportunity to explore Portland. I generally get out of school about an hour and a half earlier than my mom. I love it, because I take the street car to an interesting looking stop downtown, get off and explore for a good hour before I hop back on the street car, get off at Everett and walk the seven blocks to my mom's work. Portland's beauty and delightful uniqueness never ceases to amaze me!

Anywho.. I suppose there was nothing special about today.. I just really enjoyed it. Hopefully Tuesday is just as great!

Filters...

Is anyone else on the lookout for filters? I already have a bunch... filters for my coffee, water, swimming pool, etc., but I seem to be missing the most important filter... a filter for my mouth!!! Seriously... it's a huge problem. I totally speak without thinking... like ALL THE TIME!! It seems the second my foot comes out of my mouth from one mistake... I make another... and the foot goes right back in.

So... what am I doing about it? To be honest... not a whole lot. Every morning I wake up deciding to take a vow of silence, but if you know me you know that vow has yet to stick. So, I need to think of more practical, doable things... baby steps. Does anyone else struggle with this lack of filter problem... and if so where can I find one?

Let the blogging begin...

Alright... well everyone in the world seems to have their own blogs these days, so I thought I would join the blogging community. It has really been a whirlwind year and a half; I have learned so much and have tons and tons of lessons yet to learn. This seems like a nice way to share the happenings of my life with loved ones near and far. I have no clue what to call this blog... so please share any suggestions!