Forgive me if I have missed the "art,"

but I've never understood why some people get a kick out of watching cooking shows.

I mean, it's cooking.

You see it.

But moreso, you can't smell it.

You can't EAT it.

Looking at it seems like cruel and unusual punishment, yeah?

"And now I'll throw in a dash of paprika..."

*crowd cheers*

"Oh no, it burnt!"

*crowd cries or boos*

...

I mean, really?

What is so great about it?

I guess the only exception to creating food items on television would have to be Cake Boss.

I mean, those cakes are PRETTY.

Aesthetically pleasing, some would say.

And if I get a hankerin' for something sweet,

I usually have a can of frosting in my fridge, so if I need some sugar after watching it, I'm totally set.

Cake Boss, Cake Boss

bakin' up a storm.

Cake Boss, Cake Boss

Your cakes surpass the norm.

I watch you from my dorm.

I want to om-nom....norm?

Ok, I'm done.

Dreams

are so.....

frightening

ridiculous

inspiring

lovely

funny

odd

sad.

I love the unconscious and how it scrambles together and manifests itself in my dreams.

It makes me happy.

It makes me laugh.

It makes me cry.

It makes me feel loved.

It makes my heart beat faster as I run from the scary dragon while wearing a rubber duckie floatie.

It makes me think.

So I roll over and dream some more...

I believe

in staying fit.

In working out.

In running and lifting until you are exhausted and you feel the endorphins circulate through your body.

I also believe that it makes you feel better about yourself;

your commitment

your figure

your posture-

your attitude.

Today as I rode in a van, we passed another vehicle. Bored as I was, I looked into that van to see what kind of people resided inside.

What I saw made me very sad.

I saw a mother, a father, and a son in a booster seat.

The two parents were noticeably obese.

Not only were they obese,

it appeared that the boy had just woken up

and so the mom was getting out the travel dvd player

to entertain him for the rest of their journey.

Sick. Sick to my stomach.

How can it get that bad?

Parents are supposed to run around with their kids,

throw them high in the air,

chase them and play games.

How can they?

If you care, you'd eat better and exercise.

Be there for more of their lives.

You also set the example for how they will live.

You teach them of foods (nutritious and not) and activity. Be a good example.

Also-

parents should also take an interest in their children.

Talk to them.

Talk WITH them.

They are only young so long.

They are only around so long.

You are only around so long.

Take part. Give heart.

Now can be the start.

Long day?

Find comfort here.

And calcium.

Hey post-snow.

Though you're obnoxious and make me have to cuff my pants-

I'm glad you're here.

Because, well, you're a sign that warmer weather is coming.

That bulky winter coats will eventually be shed.

That sunlight will dance on my shoulders once again.

I will trade in these boots for bare-footedness.

Yes, bare-footedness.

Dear Lord, bare-footedness, You are good!

Bring the sunshine, bring the flowers, bring a new spirit within me.

New experiences, new adventures, new life.

Newness.

Notification:

I wish had more time to watch the Olympics.

All those people who are suspiciously good at things.

Hrumph. :P

So much sadness,

brokenness, surrounds me.

Where has your smile gone?

Why do the tears continue to flow?

Does he treat you right?

Does your past haunt you with every corner you turn?

Have you lost hope?

Have you no hope worth looking forward to?

Reach out. Don't let yourself be consumed by your circumstance.

There will be better days.

Hold onto me- you are amazing.

As for these days of sorrow,

This Too Shall Pass.

Believe.

There are songs

that I can't listen to anymore.

They may not have a certain significance

but they take my mind, my heart, to another place.

I place I yearn for.

Or a place that was so good

and is no more.

I want a new soundtrack.

Love me with melodies.

Love is my foundation.

And it's a beautiful, open thing.

I'm still figuring out what it means.

It hurts my heart

in the best way.

"In Louisville, on the corner of 4th and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I was theirs. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun." - Thomas Merton

We are all connected. We all possess good. We're not alone.

Find it. Cherish it. Feel it. Love it. Live it.

Can we please just

?

This may sound really odd

but here goes.

Sometimes, in everyday life, someone will say something to me

and I have a strong urge to respond.

In dance.

I want to stomp it out.

Tap with joy.

Roll and pivot and shimmy to no end.

Throw my hands up in joy and spin in circles.

Beat the ground then reach for the Heavens.

Spin like there's no tomorrow and throw it down.

Because I want to feel it. I want you to feel it.

Words make messy. Movements speak wonders.

I think it may express my feelings much better than words.

Which I am using less.

Because they just fill the atmosphere with raucous.

So.

Let me show you how I feel.

Bring it on. Whatever it is. I want it.

"May you be blessed with passion, and may you follow it all your life." - Sr Helen Prejean

"This is something I can't not do, for reasons I'm unable to explain to anyone else and don't fully understand myself but that are nonetheless compelling." - Parker Palmer

"I dwell in possibility." - Emily Dickinson

A lovely thought

brought up during my Christian Ethics class:

Jesus as Rule Maker

("Obey my rules")

VS.

Discipleship

("Follow me")

...Have we lost the correct perspective?

Apology for being redundant, but

food that is good for you is good for you!

I've made a point to eat a bit healthier
and I can feel the appreciation from my body.
I don't feel so "bleh" and weighed down like I do when I just eat nasty (aka, animal crackers dipped in frosting, pizza at every meal, etc...)

And also- I don't eat quite as much.
I minimize the snacks.
I rarely am fully full- and it has a nice feel to it.

I actually know what "being hungry" is now when meals roll around.
Go me.

And working out is such a beautiful de-stressor.
Even if I AM doing readings for classes- I'm still relaxing a bit.

Try it. Do work.
Your body just may applaud.

Confession:

I've always wanted to dress up as a mascot.
How much fun would that be?

You can look excited, happy, sad-
all with your body language.

Plus, you can do crazy dances and hug the kids that aren't crying in fear at the sight of you.
Good times!

--------

I can hardly wait

for the world to hear my voice.




I am finding the words to say.

We must throw off the everyday.

My life

has become a schedule.
A nasty configuration of homework, activities and sleep.

But my motivation is waning.
My eyes bore into the back of my professors' heads
as I try to concentrate on their jargon bibber-babber.

Slow dooown.
Let's walk outside.
Show us a movie.
Don't write tests that are meant to fail us.
Share your passion to inspire us.
Otherwise it'll just be another night of reading
of writing

of dying a little inside.

I allow you to hold too much of my existence in your hands.