Goodbye Minami Urawa

Today, I finished packing up my stuff at my old place in Minami Urawa where I have lived the past year and really since I moved here.

As I looked at the empty room I suddenly felt very さみしい and かなしい. A week ago all I felt was ready to be done with work and to move back home. But as I finished cleaning up my old room I felt so sad and lonely. Wondering when I would be back in this country and if I would ever live in Japan again (as of now, no). Each time I left America I was sad but I never cried because I knew I'd be back in a, relatively, short time. Not knowing if I'll ever be back made it hard to leave my apartment.

My roommate, Bernice, is the last of our group to stay in Japan. We both came to Japan on the same day, went through training together, and have lived with each other this past year. Leaving Bernice made me even sadder. To think that she's been a great friend and roommate and worried about how she would do living a lone from now on.

I know that God has clearly showed me what I'm suppose to do next and I am excited about starting my photography business and it will be great to be home. But I feel like I'm holding a bag full of emotions at bay until May 4th.

Part of me wishes I was going home tomorrow because I would be too busy to think but I have another 2 weeks of just relaxing before my parents and grandma come to Japan (5 days later my sister in-law will join us). It'll be great fun to have them here and I know that it will be good to be busy.

I find myself saying, "I can't wait to go home" or "I wish I was going home sooner" and these statements are very true but I also know that deep in my heart I'm really very sad about leaving this time of my life. I'm use to this lifestyle and to life in Japan. I don't know what life in America is like anymore.

I'm sad to say, "goodbye" but I know that it's time and I know that God is with me. I hold onto that. . . having His promise that He'll be with me through all these changes. This roller coaster. *tear*.

Mahala Rose Lewis

I am a auntie now 5 times over and am soooo happy.
My brother and his wife just had a baby girl today, in Oregon, March 26, 2009.

Mahala Rose Lewis (Sp?)
March 26, 2009
20 inches
8lbs 5 Oz's

Yayyayayyayay!!! My sister in law, Wendee, went in the night before and started to push today but the baby's heart started to slow down so they decided on a c-section.

I hate living so far away from home and not being able to see my nieces grow up and be born.

I actually was 100% sure Mahayla was going to be a boy because there are only nieces in my family and I thought for sure a boy was well past due but apparently I was, as usual, wrong. I am thrilled in my poor prediction.

Blessings Paul, Wendee, Dahlia (first daughter), and baby Mahayla.

Credit Card Debt

I just had to say an, "Amen". Today, I officially have no more credit card debt and it's all thanks to my Father in heaven!!!! Jehovah Jireh! My provider.

Thank You God!!!!

A small step closer to being debt free.

AMEN!

Moloka'i

About a year ago. . .over a year ago my mom sent me a book called, "MOLOKA'I" by Alan Brennert. My family was going to Hawaii for 2 weeks on a cruise and my mom's cute and likes themed gifts for our trips. Well, like an ungrateful daughter I took a look at the cover of the book (anyone in marketing please listen up) and thought it looked a bit cheesy. I never got around to reading it. Sorry, Mom, I know you have good taste in books. My bad.

Well, I started packing up my stuff to move next weekend and I packed up all my books. I had just finished, "Beauty for Ashes" by Joyce Meyers and I wanted to read something for leisure. I found this book again and picked it up. I read the first few pages and got into it. It was really good. Full of Hawaii history that I remembered from our time in Hawaii. The next night I ended up staying up till 1am reading. I love how it takes soooo much of Hawaii's history into it. It starts in 1901 and tells the story about the sad story of the leper colony in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i that King Kamehameha V decided to have designated for his people who were found to have Hanson's disease (leprosy). It is the story of a girl, Rachel Aouli, who at the age 7 finds out she has leprosy and is then shipped to Kalaupapa. It is about how her life changes radically going from a normal 7 year old life to one of being rejected by her country and her family. It's about her new life, new friends, and growing up in a leper colony where people are sent just to die.

The story touches on the US take over of Hawaii (aka the theft of Hawaii), the studies of Hanson's disease, Father Damien, and Hawaii's native beliefs that the early missionaries tried to banish.




Father Damien, who came to Kalaupapa in 1866 as a young missionary. He missioned at the settlement building most of the first houses and building there. He really fought to make sure that the patients of Hanson's disease could get better care all around. He died in 1889 from Hanson's disease serving for 16 years in Kalaupapa.


I really like this story, even with my prejudices against the cover. The writing and how all the characters are written. The missionaries, the Hawaiians, and people in between. It's a very touching story and one that enlightened me more about Hawaii and the history of those islands and Hanson's disease. I then went and checked out some of the facts online and they surprisingly are accurate. Also it uses a lot of Hawaiian in it and I find myself googling the definition of these too (they say vaguely what they mean in the book but it's a good vague). It makes the reading that much more touching.

"Moloka'i" may not be a noble peace prize winning book but I would recommend it if you like a light read, Hawaii, or historical type books. Or all three.

Seriously, need to stop judging books by their cover. It reminds me of the Barenstain Bears where Sister Bear is learning about not judging people and Mama bear takes a beautiful apple and cuts it in half and it's all gross inside and wormy. But then she picks up a funky bumped apple that when she cuts it open is fine and delicious. And the moral of the story is not to judge people based on their appearance kids.

Thanks Mom. Good read.

Natto Salad

If you've been following my blog you know that I am trying to eat better. Over all. . not just calories and known junk food but also more balanced and understanding more of what is good for you and what isn't.

I know that most of you won't know what Natto is but if you like you can find it on Wikipedia so I won't really define it in depth. But it is a ferminted soybean and a lot of Japanese eat it here as part of breakfast or other meals. I eat it whenever. Today I had it for lunch with spinach, salad, carrots, and a bit of red onion. Very tasty and if you watch the calories it's very low.

Mmmmmm. . . natto salad. If you have a Japanese store near by you should really try this out. You will either love it or hate it. Natto definetely has its own taste and smell. But I love it.

Graduation

My 3rd year student graduated last Saturday. Very happy for them all but at the same time sad to see them go. Here are some pics of some of my kids and graduation day.



3rd year female teachers (minuse Hyuga Sensei who teaches English).






The 3rd year coming in

Recieving their diploma

At the end of graduation all the 1st and 2nd year students and parents make two rows for the 3rd year to come out through. We clap and at the end kids can take pictures and give gifts.

My girls



My boys



more boys



more girls



Toyota-kun




Sato-san

I am going to miss my 3rd year students. I really love them all. Even if they are stinkers and mean sometimes. I think I have the best students in all of Japan. I don't care if my school isn't some big name in Japan or that it's not in Tokyo! My school is amazing and full of talented young women and men.

God wants to bless you

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acing nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."

Galatians 6:9

Last night I stayed up later to talk to my parents in their morning since today, Monday, I didn't have to work because of graduation last Saturday.

I called them up and my dad answered a bit groggy. Apparently he had just been sleeping and I'd woken him up. But being a great dad as he is he cheerfully woke up and talked with me. My mom was still asleep even though he was talking to me. :)

My dad said that he had some good news for me. To be honest. . I knew that they had Jasmine, my sister's daughter, and he had just told me that she was sleeping between them. For some reason I thought. . .maybe Beth and Erik, my sister and her husband, were pregnant. I was wrong but he did ask me if I remembered about the class action lawsuit that was being filed against my old school, Brooks. Well, I'd filled out all that stuff over a year ago and I'd thought I'd forgotten some paper work. But of course I remembered the lawsuit. He said, "Well, you got a check in the mail." I was kind of surprised since I thought I hadn't finished all the paper work.
"What? 2 dollars?" I asked laughingly.
"Well, a little more then that." he said calmly.
"Oh, 3 dollars?" I said sarcastically.
"Would you believe if I said 6,000 dollars?" He said with a hint of laughter.
"What????? Really?" I shockingly asked.
"yeah." He replied not joking at all.

I was too surprised for this news. Not only because I never thought anything would come of it but because a few days ago on the eve of the 13th I lay in bed praying to God about money and stuff. I had soooo much pressure with different expenses. I had my loans I had to keep paying even after I stopped working since I couldn't defer for awhile more since I'd deferred so much already, I needed a new computer and photoshop since my computer died and I needed a new version of photoshop, I needed a car, I had credit card debt and stuff I owed my parents, and then my family was coming to Japan and that was a higher cost then I had expected (I'd never had to pay for my own trip costs before.). Just a lot to think about. And the economy back in the states and wanting to start my photography business (since back in the summer I had heard from God to start being a good steward of my talents) during a recession.

So I lay in bed trying to lay this at the feet of Jesus and trust in Him. Knowing He would take care of me and my finances. Well, that night something amazing happened in itself. Here is the entry I wrote the next day in my journal.

"

March 14, 2009

Last night I heard a voice. I was praying about money and the Japanese trip and a voice said, ' paid for student loans.' And suddenly my heart was filled with hope and it ached with joy and anticipation.

I accept this promise in the Lord's name. He will help me with my loans and they will be paid in full and I needn't worry!

I feel with graduation here at Kamihira, I too am graduating.

As my Christian friends here would say, 'the next level.'"

The next entry was this

March 15, 2009

" I read an article by Joyce Meyers on fear and she talks about how God says 'fear not' but how it doesn't only mean to not fear but also 'don't run'. If we wait to move until fear has left us we may have to wait forever. God asks us to walk in faith and that doesn't mean He will always take the things we're scared of away or the emotion. It just means, go and walk in faith even if you're scared. We don't need to fear but we do need to obey if we love God and want to receive His blessings. "

We talk about doing and obeying God because it's best for us, we will be blessed, etc. But isn't loving God enough of a reason to want to obey Him? Is our love for God based on what He can do or give us? "

His love isn't based on what we can do or give Him. It is always here. We just need to receive it.

Both these entries mean a lot to me because before finding out about the blessing of 6,000 dollars God was speaking to me. To me this 6,000 is great but to me the greater blessing is to hear and experience God's love for me. Not just providing for me but encouraging me in walking in His promises. I know that I'm suppose to do photography( and that photography is to bless those around me and the bless God's name. I know He will do great things with my photography not because it's any good, trust me it's not that, but because He wants to use it for His kingdom. I'm just soooo excited that He has CHOSEN me to spread His kingdom here on earth. )

He has reminded me with this blessing not to swerve but to keep going straight. Not to go right or to go left but to boldly go straight. With my fears, worries, and questions but to step out. Imperfect and flawed but in faith. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) "And therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him." (Isaiah 30:18) I had a lot of fears about starting my photography business. Failure, rejection, etc. But last year God fully told me to be a good steward of my photography and to start my business. And before today I was kind of looking left and right with what to do when I first came home. I was thinking of getting a summer job to make some money to start my business which seems logical and the best thing to do but I realized I was looking left and right. God wants me to start doing photography and with this money He gently reminded me that that is again what He wants me to do and what is best.

As my seasons changes from Japan to America I feel I am at the beginning of a roller coaster. I know we usually use roller coasters for negative examples but for me I feel that it's a good example for my life now. In my spirit I can feel something is coming and that God is going to do great things in this new season. Not just in me but I know for certain in the Body everywhere (not just Japan or America) God is going to do amazing things in this next season. For me I think it will be crazy, fast, a little scary, and a little exhilarating. But God will be with me and I know that this is what I am suppose to do.

I'm very excited for this next season. God is sooo good and this time here in Japan recently has been SO very sweet. I have been able to spend soo much time with God alone and really press into Him. My focus is refocused on Him a lone and I think having this time of rest and less distractions in life is preparing me for the craziness of moving back home. I thank Him soooo much for this time right now with Him. (Psalms 23)

(I just thought of the old school song "You are my hiding place" based on Psalms 110:114

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE,
YOU ALWAYS FILL MY HEART
WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE.
WHENEVER I AM AFRAID
I WILL TRUST IN YOU.

I WILL TRUST IN YOU;
LET THE WEAK SAY,
"I AM STRONG
IN THE STRENGTH OF MY LORD."

To those who are waiting and are in a season of waiting, not being sure, having a promise but feel like it hasn't come into fruition, etc. . . to you all I say Galatians 6:9. Wait! God does amazing things in the waiting. For things to change and for things to come about it takes time. Wait. God wants us to preserver through the wait. Don't swerve. Don't look to the right or left. Go forward in His promises and know that He has a season and a time that is NEVER late and NEVER early. It's a perfect time and in that time He will bless you and you shall reap what you have sewn.

Don't let the enemy or the world steal your joy or blessing from the Lord. Don't trade what is heavenly for that which is earthly. Do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) Store your joys and happiness in God and not in this world where moth and rust can eat away at it. (Matthew 6:19-22)

God wants to bless you.

Galatians 5:5
"But by faithwe eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value(He doesn't look at the things we do, look like, etc. He looks at our hearts and soul. He looks at the person we are made to be and will be. It's only man who puts weight on the physical things we do and are.). The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

God wants to bless you.

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway

I've heard of this book in California when I was at Brooks. It's called , "The Heavenly Man" about a Chinese Christian man who was raised during the Cultural Revolution in China when Christianity was banned and all books were burned. He came to know Jesus through an healing experience with his father who was dying from cancer was healed from his cancer. Well, the story goes on to follow Brother Yun through his amazing life story of spreading Christ's good news through out a VERY communist China. It tells of the miracles, persecution, and travels of the amazing Christians in China who risked everything for Christ. Many died, lost everything here on earth, families rejected them, etc. but their love for God gave them strength to continue and the Lord blessed them.

Here is a bit that really spoke to me.

"I didn't suffer for Jesus in prison. No! I was with Jesus and I experienced his very real presence, joy, and peace every day. It's not those in prison for the sake of the gospel who suffer. The person who suffers is he who never experiences God's intimate presence." (Pg. 187,188)

I have never experienced such persecution in my life. As an American I was blessed with the freedom of religion but then again I've never experienced the blessings or miracles that Brother Yun had.

In Joyce Meyer's book "Beauty for Ashes" she talks about a completely different topic but it reminds me of Brother Yun. She talks about how we need to live our lives believing God is always with us (because He is).

"Can woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted you on the palm of My hands."

Isaiah 49:14-16

He is always with us and He is lovingly watching us. Joyce talks about how we can either do things to please the world and get our reward here on earth or we can live our lives to bless God (because we love him) and knowing that we will recieve His amazing rewards in His time(maybe here on earth maybe not). She says,

"Do not trade God's reward for people's reward" (p228)


"Instead of their shame my people will reieve a double portion,
and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritane;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs."


Isaiah 61:7



"Am I now trying to win the approval of men or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men I wouldn not be a servant of Christ."

Galations 1:10

Goodbye to the 3rd Year

Last Thursday our school had their goodbye ceremony for the 3rd year. It was kind of sad. Many tears but fun had by all. . . well, maybe not the 1st and 2nd years who got in trouble for not singing well enough for the 3rd years. It was fun though. Here are some pics.



At the beginning the 1st and 2nd year did a skit about a boy who was a ghost and the girl he had died to save. She could see him but no one else could. At the bottom of Mt. Fuji compasses go wako and you can't follow them and so from that Japanese myths say there are spirits there.

The band played some songs which were really good. Seriously my students are sooo talented.

Above the 1st years sang a song to the 3rd year





Above are the 2nd year sang their song

And last the 3rd year students which was pretty funny to watch. The song they chose to sing is a pop song where as the 1st year students and 2nd year students all sang 3 part songs that any choir would sing.



Next the 3rd year teachers did a really funny skit. The story was about the head 3rd year teacher. It's about his life from Elementary to adulthood. It's funny. There are 4 women teacher and 4 men teachers so they all took turns in a different scene.



Actually, not really from Elementary to Adulthood. . . . more like different scenes/ and situations. In this image he's a farmer I think :) hahhahaha. Oh, and it's a romance kind of. . . In each one he kind of hurts a girls feelings towards him ;)



Here he is a business man with a lover. Hahahha. If you knew Mr. Osawa (the head teacher) you'd think it was funny. He's the most gentle, loving, and kind old man.



Some of my 3rd year students



These 3 girls are some of my favorite English students. All 3 finished a point card system I did with the 3rd year to get them to talk to me outside of class. In English ofcourse. I gave them a prize at the end.Watch for the girl in the middle (hard to tell with her mask). She will someday go to the Olympics in swimming or become someone very famous. She's very smart, a great swimmer, and ambitious.

I am going to really miss Kamihira Junior High School. it's a great Jr. High!!!!

Temperary Address from March 29th to May 3rd

Hey everyone!!! Just to let you know if you want to send me stuff that will reach me from the end of March to May then please send it to this PO box and if you're in the States it's the same price as sending it in the US.

PSC 473 Box 398

FPO AP 96349

So please send me stuff here. You can even start sendin me stuff there from now on(unless you're my mom and you're sending me my last package :) hee hee hee. )

Thanks for keeping up to date with my life here in Japan. I hope to keep it going for my friends all over the world when I move back to the US. Well, depends on if anyone besides my family read this. . .and Rob Wang. Thanks Rob.

Saba/ Mackerel

Since I found that eating soy everyday and using it as a replacement for meat I've decided to re-evaluate my eating habits and have decided to eat soy 2 days, eggs 2 days, fish 2 days, and chicken 1 day or changing that up in different ways. Well, today I bought some Mackerel. Mackerel is "Saba" in Japanese. I like white fish and even though Mackerel can get a bit fishy if it's older I still like it. I've never cooked fish before so I was a bit nervous. When I opened the package of fish my stomach gave a bit of a turn. Ugh. . . raw fish. . . slimy. . yuck.

But I pulled myself togther and reached in and washed off the fish. I bought a little grill thing you put on your burner. Soo. . I started to heat it up and I squeezed lemon onto the fish. I then proceeded to put them on the burner. . but then I realized. . .HOW LONG DO YOU COOK FISH FOR! And. . . when do I know they are cooked through. So I quickly jumped on Skype and called my sister, Brandie, who told me it should only take a minute or two on both sides. I quickly got OFF Skype and went to flip my fish. In the end I got a nice pair of fillet. One was a bit crisp on one side but they both turned out well.

I then washed some spinach and cut up some strawberries and made a nice salad. No dressing needed since the fish's oil came out and mixed with the lemons to make a nice dressing.



May not look pretty but it was and it tasted good too. A bit fishy for me but I do want to eat better so I will just get use to that bit of fishiness. I won't eat Salmon. Even the smell makes me want to gag.

I've started to pack up stuff/ throw stuff out/ get rid of stuff that I don't need anymore. It's sad because I got a good collection of books here and I just can't jusify paying a bunch of shipping costs to send them home when I know it will cost just as much or cheaper to buy them at home at Powells or some used book store. So I will leave a good bunch of books here with my roommate or sell them at a used book store. I am taking a lot back though. But so far I've packed up all my just random stuff like books and trinkets and have only filled 2 small boxes. I need to go through my clothes which will take up a lot of what I'll be taking home but those too I'll have to leave a bunch behind. Sad.

Me procrastinating packing.

The evils of Soy

Okay, I swear that everything I love to eat is bad for me! I thought I'd found a healthy food for me that I really liked eating but now I find out Soy is BAD for you. . . it can lead to thyroid issues, cancer, and blocks the actual absorption of the protein. . . and it's just not that good as a replacement for meat. It's not that bad if you eat a bit of it but it shouldn't replace meat. I'm soooo bummed because I eat it everyday. . . and not just tofu I eat soy in general like crazy over here. Soy milk, tofu, natto, etc. It's everywhere and in everything. And the meat here is expensive and not all that good either.

Now I'm on a search for a food I like that is a good protein to eat. I love nuts but they are way high in fat and I would only be able to have a few before my calories would be maxed out. I don't like fish which is sad and I may just bite the bullet and start eating it. What I loved about tofu was that it was fast to cook, low in calorie, and it tasted nice and refreshing.

I wonder too if I did switch to meat if it would be all that much better for me? The beef here isn't all organic, free range, or what not. I'm pretty sure they are all living in some closed pen being sprayed with preservatives and other things that are bad for us.

I like watching what I eat and being a good steward of my body but to be honest I'm kind of wondering where to draw the line. Obviously I'm not going to eat tofu everyday for 2 meals but how far do I take my eating with health? I think I eat pretty well. I eat a long of fruit (at least 3 servings a day) and I eat a bunch of seaweed, I eat muesli for my cereal (it doesn't have any sugars added.) I do eat white rice but there isn't much getting around that here since that is what they eat here. and then I eat a lot of tofu. . but I eat 4-5 times a day in 3 or 4 hour incraments. I eat around 250-350 calories a meal (time). Depending on what I eat for the other times of the day. I don't eat past 6:30pm at night. I drink more then enough water. I do drink coffee at least once a day. But really. . . I could be doing worse. . and I was. And to be honest it's 100 times harder to eat healthy here in Japan then it is in America. In the US they have so many huge grocery stores with all ranges of healthiness available. It is a consumer friendly world in the US. Here I eat what is in season and really I eat what is available.

mmm. . . I'm soooooo bummed Soy isn't good for you. Oh, and if you're feeding your kids soy it's really not good for them. Please go to my friend, Camille's, blog. I have it on my site so you can just click on it. Or you can just google, "truth about soy" and there is a lot of info about it online.

next they'll be telling me apples and bananas are bad for me. I eat apples and bananas everday.

If you can't tell I'm really bummed. Ignorince may be unhealthy but I was happier ;)

"Beauty for Ashes" by Joyce Meyers

I'm reading a book by Joyce Meyers called "beauty for ashes". Have you read this? If not it's very good. It's about healing from abuse (not just physical but she does talk alot about it because she was abused by her father). She goes through the process of forgiveness, healing, self identity, rejection, not loving oneself, accepting God's love, etc. If you haven't read this you should.


"So from now on we regard no one from a worldy point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer." II Cor. 5:16

Friends, I am learning to not only ask for a cup of water from God but I am learning to recieve the cup and drink of it. For too many years have I been asking for water and thirsted for it and when the Lord gave it to me, I didn't drink of it. I am learning more about finding my self worth in Jesus and not myself or others and what that means. Even now my mind has a hard time wrapping it's thoughts around that. To know that I am loved by God in a river and flow that never ends and that in that I don't need to compare myself with others. For the Lord doesn't compare us. It is like comparing an apple to a car or one object so far appart from another object. You are you and I am I. And we are both made in Christ's image. Perfect and without error. He made us this way. You with your talents and mine with mine so that we may bless eachother with our gifts from God but not to withhold our gifts in fear or selfishness. I am recieving His love. . not just asking for it and in His love I am finding healing and wholeness. I am becoming the best me I can be.

In her book, Joyce talks about a story of a man in Europe who goes into a silver and gold shop to purchase some items. While he was shopping he didn't once see the shop keeper. When he was ready to buy his things he noticed that the shop keeper was in the back and actually he was the man who made the items for sale too. He was in the back near a fire refining some gold. When teh man asked if he could step away and help him the refiner said he couldn't. Not for a second because if he did and the fire got too hot it would ruin the gold and if it got to cold then the gold would harden with impurities. He needed to watch the gold untill it was finished. The man asked when that would be done. He said, "I will know it is finished when I can look in the metal and see my reflection very clearly."

"therefore I do not run uncertainly. I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But I buffet my body and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit. " I Corinthians 9: 24-27

Friendship or Facebook

I have officially quit Facebook and am back to emails, snail mail, and blogging.

Living in Japan I do a lot of snail mailing and enjoy that way of communicating. If you didn't know my best friend, Aubrey, is down in Paraguay with the Peace Core. She and I left around the same time 2 years ago and decided to keep in ouch via journal. My sister in-law, Wendee, had told me her and her best friend have down this for years. I know for Aubrey and I we both love it. We can draw, clip art, and of course write tons in it to eachother.

The strange thing I found was that even though Facebook may be accesable at the click of a finger it doesn't mean you're necessarily keeping in touch. Even if you write to these friends of yours it doesn't mean they will respond and if you have hundreds of friends it's very likely you don't even keep in touch with 50% of them. .. or even 90 percent of them. I found that I kept in better touch with my friends who I snail mailed/ emailed better then 95% of my friends on Facebook.

I like blogging for 1 really big reason. . . people who want to keep in touch with you and keep up to date with your life will come and read your blog. And if they don't. . .they won't. Which is fine and it's life. :) But I do know my family enjoys this so that's a good enough reason for me to keep updating. (Ps. Mom, you can just comment now. I deactivated the need to sign up with Blogger to comment. Anyone can now. So please. . .do :) )

here is the disclamer. . .I'm not against Facebook. For whome it works, GREAT but for me it started to just feel meaningless in a way. And that is just me.
Either way, Facebook good. No Facebook good.

But we should understand that we won't stay in touch with everyone and that's life and it's okay.

AUSTIN

I am going to see these two BEAUTIFUL girls in about 2 months and 2 weeks!!!!

I will be heading to Austin for 2 grand weeks from May 14th- May 29th!!! I am tooo excited about getting see these girls who have probably changed soooo much! I will have not seen them for about 9 months!!! Oh, this email is filled with EXCLAMATION!

Thanks to Brandie and Scott for helping me out :) You guys have blessed me so very much. I can't tell you how excited I am to come and see you guys.

"Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop" by Landon Pigg

Sweet song I heard on the radio (streaming online)

Bowls or Bowels

The other day I was talking to my mom about how I had been talking to my roommate about my bowel movements. My mom shockingly said, "Mel! Why are you talking about that with your roommate!" (or something to that effect) I laughed and said it was normal convo in our house.

I've come to realize that talking about your poo is a pretty common thing for me to bring up with good friends. I think one of the first convos I had with Nathan Wieggand (a high school friend) was about our poo. Hahhah, but then again I think within the first week Nate had also bit my finger randomly in history class. He's just weird.

No, but really friends who care care about eachother's movements.

In our school right now we have a poster showing happy poo and sad poos. Above is a poster one of the students made at the beginning of the year about how poo will come out happily.

Since most of you who read this are my close friends or family (or complete strangers) I just want to let you know that my bowels are good and I have at least one movement a day. And it's always happy poo. . . though when I first started to eat seaweed everyday it did come out a bit green.

Love you all


Ps. Hope you all thought that was funny and not just plain crude. hahahhaha.