Category Archives: The Simple Joys in Life

Independence Celebration

1 Reply

It’s that time of the year. The time for fireworks! It’s that time when we lay outside looking up at the array of falling lights and listening to the ground shaking bangs and booms. I love fireworks. They never cease to amaze me.

This year, my neighborhood fireworks show was even better than years previously because of the joy that a good coterie can bring. It was an incredible night.

It took many trips to and from the house to get all the necessities to watch the fireworks (i.e. blankets, tarp, music), which only added to the comedy of the whole thing.

The fireworks themselves didn’t disappoint, but we still felt the need to commentate, rate, and name them. There was a very fantastic “hipster” firework.

After the show, we all danced to classic Frank Sinatra and smooth Michael Bublé because what’s a good time without dancing? I’ve actually been able to dance lindy-hop with several people since they have learned. It makes me happy. Then late night walks over bridges, throwing pebbles in the pond, and — at home —  cheese cake, tea, and Psych waiting for us. All in all, a fine night.

[portfolio_slideshow]

Farther Along

Leave a reply

Farther along we’ll know all about it/Farther along we’ll understand why 
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine/We’ll understand this, all by and by  

IMG_0594

Tempted and tried, I wondered why/The good man died, the bad man thrives  
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both/We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes 
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope/In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen 

Where did I go wrong, I sang along/To every chorus of the song 
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates/Leading mice and men down to their fates 
But some will courageously escape/The seductive voice with a heart of faith 
While walkin’ that line back home 

So much more to life than we’ve been told/It’s full of beauty that will unfold 
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son/That deadweight burden weighs a ton 
Go down into the river and let it run/And wash away all the things you’ve done 
Forgiveness alright 

Chorus 

IMG_0576

Still I get hard pressed on every side/Between the rock and a compromise  
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul/And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown/More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on 

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall/I’m free to love once and for all 
And even when I fall I’ll get back up/For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough/Broke down my levee and my bluff 
Let the flood wash me 

And one day when the sky rolls back on us/Some rejoice and the others fuss 
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess/That the son of god is forever blessed 
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests/So put your voice up to the test 
Sing Lord, come soon 

Chorus

-Josh Garrels

IMG_0567

A little while ago, I was confused. Really confused about everything. I didn’t understand what was going on in my life or why it was happening and I was questioning the person I was becoming. About that time, I was introduced to Josh Garrels a wonderful artist and
I listened to this song.

What relief. I listened to this song a lot. I made it my prayer. While I was on my vacation I was talking to God. Okay, I was complaining to him and spilling out all my worry and asking him what to do. I had an idea of what I needed to do, but I was scared of doing it.
He told me to take that leap of faith and everything would be okay.

IMG_0574

IMG_0596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But that wasn’t good enough for me. I wanted to know if I would be happy. Again I heard Him telling me that if I took that leap of faith everything would be perfect. Alright, Lord,
I promised I would do it, scared that I was.

I do lots of plays and sing in front of people a lot and I don’t really get nervous, but let me tell you, I had major butterflies while taking that leap. I was shaking; I could barely walk.
But I jumped. And God is so faithful.

Everything got better. Literally everything like my relationship with my parents and my sister. I was way happier. I got motivated. I don’t worry anymore. I trust God a lot more.
And the confusion is gone.

Directions

Leave a reply

Madison, I love it. If you’ve never been to Main St., you’re missing out. Coffee shops, boutiques, stores, thrift shops, a gelato ice cream parlor, and even a high end hat store. I recently went again with the mother, my brother and cousins. And what a marvelous time we had! Smiles around.

1017261_551177318254358_345176658_n

But what I really like about Madison is the feeling it gives me. I can walk the streets aimlessly with my head high. I can decide what road  to take and feel independent — like I’m in control at least for a little while of the direction my life will take.

430111_551177538254336_127554136_n

I know it’s just a feeling, but it’s a good one.

Becoming Hipster and Starting Summer

Leave a reply

Well, there really isn’t one event that turns one into a hipster, but this event is pretty close.  My last day of school was on Friday (hurray), and also on that day, I went to The Union in Naperville to see The Vespers in concert! You’ve probably never heard of The Vespers, but they’re one of my favorite bands. The joint was a small old church building refurbished into “a venue for social change”. The concert had a house concert feel with only about a hundred people there. Oh, and did I mention that there was a coffee shop in the back? Yeah, like I said, it was totally a hipster shindig. The Vespers were amazing, of course. I can’t wait until they’re in the neighborhood again.

And, we got to meet three of the band members after the concert! I definitely felt “in”.  One of The Vespers even invited us to chill out with them later. So cool. We even got labeled as homeschoolers, but it’s okay because so was the band.

Throw in some great friends, dip cones, and swingdancing and it was pretty much perfection. I don’t think I could think of a better way to start my summer!

{sidenote: I looked up the word “hipster” in the urban dictionary. It’s worth reading.}

[portfolio_slideshow]

Red: Risk, Energy, Determination

1 Reply

Red is my favorite color. It’s just “my” color. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I own only red lipstick, red nail polish — for a while — only red dresses, and red pants. I’ve heard many things about red: like a person is likely to look at you five seconds longer if you’re in red, red speaks adventure and vigor, etc. And so today, I looked up what the experts say about the color red. Surprisingly, it’s what the public believes: red shouts risk, energy, and determination. No wonder this is my favorite color. And it seems like the perfect color for summer too!

Yes! Summer is almost here. I have one week left of school, and I already feel as though I am free (probably due to the great 85 degree weather, the amount of partying I’ve been doing and being done with geometry). Several months ago, while skyping a friend, we decided to make a summer list, for summer is not a time to be wasted. Summer is a time for risk, energy and determination. So now with summer arriving, we started to check some things off our list — and to have a wonderful time!

[portfolio_slideshow]