God's will

I am now, finally, really beginning to understand this. Thank you, Lord.

http://odb.org/

oh, to be an adventurer.

For some reason, this story just made my day. It's quite delightful!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42467925/ns/world_news-americas/

new year, new songs

Some are old friends, some are new discoveries. Happy 2011!

1. Between Sheets - Imogen Heap

2. Borrow Mine - Bebo Norman

3. I Like It - Enrique Iglesias (feat. Pitbull)

4. I Would Die 4 U - Prince

5. I'll Never Leave You - Rogue Wave

6. A Lack of Color - Death Cab for Cutie

7. Lean Like a Cholo - Down

8. Let Him Fly - Patty Griffin

9. Man-Revolutionary! - Rogue Wave

10. Modern Man - Arcade Fire

11. Not Alone - Patty Griffin

12. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

13. When It Don't Come Easy - Patty Griffin

day of unsatisfying shopping

I would like a pair of affordable lace-up boots....

....very badly.

good weekend

This Labor Day weekend, I made a trip to Nashville. It was the best weekend I have had in a long time. It was full of good coffee and talking into the wee hours of night with my lovely friends and seeing flannel shirts on bearded young men around every corner. The weather was so nice - fresh fall air, crisp and cool. The people are warm, and the environment, relaxed. I can easily see myself living in a city like this. If I had to move anywhere at this moment, Nashville would be the place. But it is not time.

Among the things we did:

The Shakespeare Festival in Centennial Park: Love's Labour's Lost (a lesser known, but of course delightful, comedy from the Bard). And it was free!

Stood in line at The Pancake Pantry for one hour, passing the time with complimentary coffee and ducking in and out of a cute little store and chatting.

And it was totally worth it. Michelle with old-fashioned buttermilk, Lauren with sweet potato.

A treat from Las Paletas, a dessert popsicle shop. I had chocolate strawberry. Yum.

I was sad to leave!

something good i read and something good i found out today

Daniel 3. And to accompany it:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

Isaiah 43:2

And what did I discover?

Sufjan Stevens. The Tabernacle. Atlanta, GA. November 6th.

Tickets went on sale today.

Do you have those musicians that you simply must see perform live in this life? Sufjan is one of those. I was fortunate enough to see the only other one I really have (so far) last year, that is, Coldplay. And they did not disappoint.

I will be there.

cool beans

I was walking around Books-A-Million tonight and stumbled upon one of those "fun summer reading" tables. I found four things I really wanted to purchase....but didn't.

1. A Rosetta Stone "Learn Spanish" Box Set

Pretty much the moment I arrived in Guatemala, my interest in the Spanish language was reawakened. I just love the sound of it! And, why not be bilingual? It can only help you. I know my experience there would have been even more rich if I wasn't always having to communicate with the people through a translator. Have I made any effort or taken any steps to expand my high school Spanish knowledge base? Well, not yet.

2. "A Very Short Introduction" from Oxford University Press

I have never heard of this book series, but I'm so intrigued. They are these thin little books that provide a thoughtful, reliable introduction to everything from "Film Music" (which really intrigued me!) to "Animal Rights" (hmm..). And they have pretty little covers (though I know we shouldn't judge them by that...). I wanted to buy them all.

3. My Listography

I have seen this book before, and every time, I want to get it. Obviously, I like lists. This notebook gives you the opportunity to record your life in lists. "10 Superpowers you've always wanted", "Nice things you've done for other people", "Favorite Games". I would just love to sit around all day....and list.

4. A brand spanking new copy of The Catcher in the Rye

I've only read it the one time, back in the 10th grade. But I remember loving it (if you don't like it, you're a phony!). It's just a classic, and I think in honor of the recently late J.D. Salinger, it's time for a reread.