Update

What makes a home? Why does it take so long for a shelter to feel like home?

For the first time since I have moved to my new place, it feels like home. It has always felt cozy and comfortable, but it missed one huge element, the feeling of home when I walked in the door. It missed the familiarity of the place that you call "yours" feel like "yours".

I wanted this weekend to be a relaxing one. I chose not to make many outings with friends and I wanted to enjoy the time alone. I was in a bit of a nesting mode. I wanted to be. In the process of enjoying solitude, I realized that my home now felt like home. That was an important revelation for me. I've been anxiously waiting for my place of residence to feel like home. I must confess that it feels good. :o)

On a different note, I had a blast with Amy last Friday. Our first stop of the evening was at TGI Friday's. Next, she introduced me to a yummy ice cream shop in Frisco. It was housed in an old garage and it was decorated in fun colors. The shop had a fifties feel to it. We sat and watched the kids twirl on the swivel chairs as we enjoyed our ice cream. We then headed to Barnes and Nobles where we sat and talked as we drank our Starbucks coffee. Amy is one cool person.

Me

Me
Originally uploaded by Caryn_.

I had a great day! So, I'm posting a smile for you guys.

Fun Filled Day

Today I started my day off with a run, then I went swimming. I got my exercise out of the way first off. I have felt a bit drained and I am hoping that exercise will help rejuvenate my energy.

The fun began when I went to the baseball game tonight. My friend and I went to see the Rough Riders play in Frisco. It was a blast. They won and they had some great double plays in the game. We also had great seats. We were in the 8th row back nestled between home and first. The net ended one aisle from us. The stadium is sunken so you're almost on the same level as the players. I've never sat that close to a game before and I believe that it spoiled me. :)

Another neat experience about the game was that I was on the jumbo screen! We were singing the song, "Take me out to the ball game." I was into the song and my friend said, "Caryn, you're on the screen." I immediately looked over at the screen and it was weird seeing myself on it. I just continued to smile and sing the song. It was the strangest feeling being on there and for some reason I was on there for awhile, it was awkward. After the game we treated ourselves to ice cream and plenty of conversation.

Whatever...

I am an even keeled person and it takes quite a lot to get me upset. With that said, nothing gets my attention quicker then someone saying "Whatever" with negative verbiage. This word gets me riled because I think it's rude and full of dismissal. I sometimes have to watch my reaction when the word is articulated with attitude.

I found myself in a very awkward situation with this particular word. I spent some time with Julie and her daughter here recently. Her daughter had a friend over and he wanted to play in the garage. Julie told them that they couldn't and she gave them some choices of where they could play. His response....you got it, "Whatever." I used to be in a classroom and the teacher in me wanted to come out. I wanted to discipline the child and it took a lot of self control to let it slide.

It was weird because for the first time in my life, I was in a situation where I couldn't be a disciplinarian. It gave me a whole new outlook of parenting. A funny thing about this situation: maybe an hour before the incident, Julie was expressing how hard it was to have children spend time in her house. I was trying to be supportive, but I really had no idea what she was talking about. I'm not a parent. Once I was able to experience a small portion of it first hand, then I could empathize with her.

Untitled

Untitled
Originally uploaded by Caryn_.

Today, I went to the park and during the break from playing Volleyball the sky caught my eye.

Change of Plans

Friday, I was going to travel up to Denton to see Pinback play. Pinback is a pretty cool band if you're interested in Indie music.

I've found a very cool "radio" station on the web that plays only Indie music. To say the least I have been in heaven. It's so rare to hear bands like: Pinback, Billy Harvey, Straylight Run, The Comas, Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, Sugarcult, Yo La Tengo, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business, Built to Spill, The Shins and Blonde Redhead on a different format other than CDs. They also play more known Indie bands like Pavement, Modest Mouse, Spoon, Sebadoh and The Postal Service. The Indie bands also have fun names for their CDs. Examples: God doesn't make Junk, Winners Never Quit, Wave to Make Friends, Where You Want to Be. I love the creativity of Indie music. It makes me want to buy satellite radio for my car/home. It has been a breath of fresh air for me. : ~ )

Working the graduation at UTD, for my job, was more tiresome than I expected or I would have made the trip to Denton. It would have also been cool to see how much my Alma Matter has changed. Side note: I did enjoy working in the graduation. I was responsible for 32 students, making sure that they were informed for the procession. I worked with a great group of people who seemed very nervous. I helped calm them down and helped them with their regalia.

Today, was very nice. I spent the day studying and then I went over to my friends and ate dinner with her. After dinner we walked in the park and had deep discussions about life. We were also comparing where we are now, to where we were a year ago. It was amazing how much we have seen and experienced in such a short time.

Tomorrow will be great too! I wish that the weekends were three days long instead of two. My cousin, Taylor, is a writer and she worked four day weeks when she lived in New York and that looked like a perfect schedule to me. Now, just to get the rest of the world to conform to that.

Amazing

Tonight, I studied Colossians. I've read it before, but it hasn't hit me like it did tonight. I love it when the Holy Spirit is with you, guiding you through passages. Colossians is written with such passion and love for Christ and it carries over to his love of people.

Paul amazes me, he is one of my most favorite people to study in the Bible. It fascinates me that he wrote Colossians while he was bound in chains. He was imprisoned for his beliefs, but his hope and purpose kept him active while he was suppressed.

I wish that I had the time to write all of the scriptures that touched me tonight on this medium. I did write down each scripture that touched me in my journal. I love it when God moves in a big way. He has been moving in my life with such a gentleness here recently. Each gentle whisper moves me in a very profound way. To sum it up God is good.

I will close with some scriptures.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

A heart at peace gives life to the body. Proverbs 14:30

The Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

This and That

"A welcome to my friends:
This house is a home and a home's where I belong
Where the feelings are warm and the foundations are strong
If my soul has a shape, well, then it is an ellipse" - Stephen Malkmus

Some goings on....

My mother and father came back safely from Hawaii. My camera on the other hand did not. I let them borrow one of my favorite cameras. The interesting thing about my camera is that my mother fretted over my reaction of the news of it's destruction. When she told me what happened, my response was, "It's alright, it's just a thing." This blew my mother away. She said, "You're right. It IS just a thing." She then proceeded to tell me that I taught her something on that day. That's was a humbling experience, hearing my mother tell me that I taught her something. That set me back. It is true that we get hung up on material things when what matters is people. What mattered more to me was that they were back home safely.

Last Friday, my friend Amy and I went to see a play. I had a great time! The play was very good and I loved the set. The acting was splendid. I must admit that the lady who played the mother impressed me. The whole play was fascinating because it's success depended on four actors. They each were able to hold their own and blend well to create a story of loss and abuse.

Amy, I want to thank you for directing my attention to the GRE prep course. After thinking about our discussion I took the initiative and registered for the class today. I'm really looking forward to the course because I know that it will help me with my anxiety towards the math portion. I also want to thank you for your insight and advice for my Master's. It is truly appreciated. It's such a nice feeling when you have a goal and the steps are in motion to reach it.

On Saturday, I spent the day at the zoo with Julie and her daughter. It was amazing to see how much her daughter has grown. It blew me away because it wasn't that long ago when I last saw her. Her daughter was so independent and wanted to do things on her own. It was funny watching her and talking to her because she is so analytical. Example: While we were eating, she wanted to eat away from us and Julie was ok with it. She wasn't far away and she was in perfect viewing area. Her daughter wanted a sno cone and Julie wouldn't let her have one until her food was finished. The conclusion in her mind was to throw the food away so that Julie wouldn't be able to evaluate how much she had eaten. Unfortunately for her, the plan didn't work. Julie bought her some more food and then she had to eat with us. It was a very nice, relaxing time.

Today, I had a very pleasant conversation with a student who was from Oregon. She had just transferred from Oregon State University to our college. It was nice because I am fascinated with Oregon, I would love to live there one day. I was talking to her about some of the locations that I have researched and she was very knowledgeable. We even discussed my concern of the heavy precipitation, she did say that it rained a lot but it was worth it. Ahhh, one day... if not to live, definitely for an extended visit.

Until next time.... : )

Work

Work has been stressful here recently. My job is like the waves of an ocean. When the ocean draws back it is times of peace and connectedness with my co-workers. When it slams into the shore it is chaotic. It can be overwhelming at times. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for my job, it's just really busy right now.

During this time of stress I lean upon this verse: God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8. I wake up everyday thanking Him that his grace is sufficient for me. I know that He provides me strength during these times of heavy volume. I am forever thankful for Him.

Stretching Onward

Stretching Onward
Originally uploaded by Caryn_.

Some photos from todays adventures.

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Untitled
Originally uploaded by Caryn_.

Another one.