Monday, July 28, 2014

Mission: Impossible



            Hi All! Reporting in on our mission trip to the Camino de Santiago. We met so many amazing people who passed through our albergue, “El Fuente de Peregrino”, from all over the world. The United States was representing as pilgrims over in Spain and made us very proud! I even met people from Dallas and San Antonio. We met people from over 42 countries and 21 of those countries we were able to serve by housing, feeding, and sharing with one another.  Our daily routine (varied from which task you were assigned) was waking up around 7, breakfast was laid out for the Peregrinos “pilgrims” the night before because they would wake up as early as 5am to start their daily trek usually around 20-30 km but one determined guy was doing 60km in one day. By 8:30am we were open for business! We had a chalkboard outside for all the passersby to write their nationality, which was fun for everyone. Even had some guys leave a message for some girls they’d met, hahaha. Everyone made Camino friends and I’m pretty sure some found Camino LOVE. Depending on where they started, some people had been walking for 2 days and up to 3 months. If they weren’t family (and even if they were) they would not walk together. You start out together, but the different paces and personal journeys many people ended up walking alone and making new friends each day, at their pace. Some people would try and stay with their new friends and others kept going. Several people walked alone, people as young as 17. How I admired their courage and strength. Anyways, back to the day to day. So, from about 8am-3pm we would invite people in for sellos, baños, agua, café, té (stamps, bathrooms, water, coffee, tea). We were an official stamp albergue (hostel) along the way of the Camino. Each peregrino had to have a certain amount of stamps by the end of their journey.  While this was going on, the rest of the hard working team was either making sure the place was immaculately clean, laundry done, beds made, bathrooms in order or cooking away in the kitchen for our lunch and for our nightly 30 person dinner (13 adult volunteers, 7 kids, and 10-15 pilgrims). The hard work and love put into each activity was definitely felt by everyone whom encountered our place and by the volunteers Around 1pm we would start signing people up to stay for the evening. At 5pm outside we would read the previous day’s prayer requests left by the peregrinos with the new peregrinos and give them a chance to write their own, which we would pray over after they left. We would read Psalm 121, which perfectly related to their journey.  A volunteer would play the guitar as he did all throughout the day, which really brought everyone together. The power of God working through the music was strong. All throughout the day people would stop and run up to El Fuente and dance and laugh and smile and sing and film the happiness. It was amazing how even though we all couldn’t communicate in the same language we were still communicating.  At 5:30pm we would show a film about the life of Jesus. Both those things were optional and almost everyone came down from their bunks and attended. Dinner was at 8 and my favorite part. My plan to get skinny was thwarted by the gallons of bread but dinners were delicious. After dinner, during dessert someone would lead everyone in sharing what he or she had experienced on his or her Camino journey or why he or she were doing it. Again, it was optional and most everyone shared amazing things. Even if they didn’t know that “feeling” was God, we did and it was very cool. I wish I could follow up with them and see if and how their lives have changed.  A couple people had bad feeling about the albergues they were staying in and left and walked back to ours because they felt a pulled.  After dinner everyone would hang out and listen to music and play games in the yard until 11pm silent hour. We’d wake up every morning to amazing notes in the guestbook in every language on the love and feeling of family they felt while staying with us.

            Since the day I found out about the mission trip to Spain, I knew God had placed it in my heart and it was part of His plan for me. As the days drew closer I started to panic and have horrible anxiety (which if you know me is quite normal in most all situations). At first it was more so the flight and then it was the actual work with my always-increasing neck and back problems. I was going. It was a done deal. But I knew I could NOT do it. I barely leave my apartment more or less am able to go out and see my friends more than once a week. I’m not telling you this to feel sorry for me; I’m telling you this so you understand why I physically could NOT do this. The physicality was a huge part but it was also mental, spiritual and emotional. My cousin knew to a certain extent my limitations and was more than accommodating. I was able to do the least physical task of stamping Peregrinos “Pilgrims” credentials all day. This might sound simple but it was still hard on my neck and back and I was “somehow” able to push through it. By somehow I mean God. This trip was all God. It was so amazing to see him working through me in a way I’ve never seen before. Talking to the Peregrinos, smiling, getting to know them if even for a brief second I could do, but the Peace and Strength He gave me is hard to put into words. That was not me on the mission trip, that was all Him. Pushing me for 16 hour days when I can barley stand up for 10 minutes without being in pain. Giving me peace when waves of anxiety would hit me throughout the day. I had a since of calmness and peace I’ve never had before. I was able to take less anxiety medicine than before. The courage and bravery He gave me to let the other people know what was going on with my health issues; I would never have done. Most of you know me as the least shy person you’ve ever met; however, if I don’t know you I’m very shy and it is very hard for me to let people in and bare my soul. I became especially close with one of our Pastors and his wife, who were literally a Godsend. I know with Him I could have done it without y’all but I firmly believe he placed y’all on this mission trip with me to not only show others the love of Christ but also show me His love through each of y’all.  Through prayer his wife was able to lift burdens off of my neck and back that I didn’t even know I was holding. I should and did forgive people whom I’m angry with who did/do/don’t believe me about my neck pain. Also, going back and forgiving myself for other things. It was a true healing process and I am forever grateful. I am usually bed ridden 1-2 days a week in a dark room not moving with my neck and the Lord’s strength and peace ran through me enabling me to just keep pushing through the pain for TWO WEEKS. I’ve never fully just leaned on Him and had no control over a situation (I may or may not have control issues J) and it was amazing to see and do. I am SO much stronger than I ever thought I was or could be. I pray every day that His strength and peace and the things I’ve felt and learned carry over to my every day life, it’s invigorating thinking about it. I have a huge smile on my face as I write this. I’m so glad I went it was very tough on me but I’m so beyond grateful for what I have and it was so spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally rewarding. Colors are brighter when I look outside and around me. The “rose colored glasses” are real and they are God. I’m blessed by how much my parents do for me and how much I can actually do with God, myself. I will try and let what other people think of me go because God knows the truth and we are made perfect in His eyes.  I’ve never more firmly believed “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Happy Monday!

Xoxo,


B

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Two Episodes Too Late… THE PREMIERE

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY …. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SEASON 4B PREMIERE….4 MORE EPISODES TILL ARIA FINDS OUT EZRA IS A. Okay, now that I’ve calmed down just a bit, let’s dissect the ep. I’m always only and forever team SPOBY.  SORRY Ezria and Haleb. Hanna is going to go to Ravenswood this season to get Caleb back. I don’t know which ep but all you Caleb fans still have hope. I also don’t know if it will be another crossover episode or we will actually have to watch Ravensdick. Are any of y’all actually watching that?! From what I can see all the kids are dead but alive. So um like is Caleb Patrick Swayze and Hanna Demi Moore #ghost The new kid is HOT. I want Hanna with new kid now. Okay, I just figured out his name, TRAVIS. I’m team TRANNA (shit that name won’t work). I was thinking Ashley Marin was taking her daughter to a shooting range to get her anger out, but no, not only is the town rampant with lesbians, it has some Greek plate throwing ranges. Yeah, cool, makes sense.
            Okay, this is hard for me to admit but I do believe that Spencer fucked up. And us Hastings’ girls don’t do that often. If she’s not in control she can’t handle it. I don’t think she was completely in the wrong though. Who were we to know that Shauna actually has been Alison’s closest friend since age 3? Spence was protecting Emily, because yes Emily is the fragile lesbian after all the attacks on her life and Spencer wanted to make sure she was okay and ended up scaring Ali. Obviously, Ali will contact Emily again, or the show would end, but it never will. I don’t know how  anyone will get anymore Ali info via Shauna since Ezra looks like he will be killing or critically injuring her in a fire (last scene ripping the pic of Ali and Shauna and lighting it on fire, he also would be the only one with access to the closed school). Back to Spence, I do understand Toby wanting to lay the mom saga to rest, so painful and wanted it to end BUT Spencer is completely right. There is a complete cover up. My theory: Mr. Hastings went to Radley in order to let them know he was going to close the place down, digging deeper into the death of Toby’s mother. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Dilaurentis knows the patient or was the patient that threw Toby’s mother to her death and has some dirt so deep on Mr. Hastings that her threats made him back down like a baby bitch. WHAT IS SHE HIDING? IS SHE REALLY TOBY’S MOM’S SISTER? IS SHE A MURDERER? WAS IT JASON WHO PUSHED HER AND HAS NEVER BEEN TO REHAB JUST KILLING PEOPLE AT RADLEY INSTEAD? Another thought…IS JASON IN RADLEY HIDING NOW AND BY CLOSING IT DOWN IT WILL EXPOSE NOT ONLY JESSICA BUT JASON AND THE FACT THEIR WHOLE FAMILY IS CLINICALLY (literally) INSANE. Spencer needs to keep investigating on both fronts but behind the scenes or else she’s going to lose not only her friends but her boyfriend. Last season was enough for SPOBY, let someone else take the reigns (Hanna) or at least think they are taking the reigns while you put all the pieces together quietly girl.
            Em clearly still loves Alison and Alison is right she can’t trust anyone but Emily. BRUCE WILLIS IS BAD. HE/SHE HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE, but if Emily now knows she can’t even trust Spencer I think her suspicions will be on high alert against everyone. Brings me to my next question: is anyone really a lesbian? Because we all know those ratios are outta whack. I think everyone’s box bouncing for information and Emily is the only true blue homosexual in the game. YOU GO EM. BE TRUE TO YOU GIRLFRIEND!
            Finally, Aria. I still think she is part of the A team. Just not knowing Ezra is A. But she is one DUMB team member. Every excuse Ezra has from the $50,000 pay off in season 2 for information (that Ezra claimed was money he sold for his old car) to thinking Jake would ever mislead her. He got her a freaking BROACH for heaven’s sake. Cause every 17 year old loves to sport broaches, CLASSIC ARIA. I don’t know why they zoomed in on the box (actual box) that the jewelry from Jake came in, but you bet your ass I took a picture of it to figure it out. Thank you for further proving Jake was right about you Ezra because that was smart and not obvious, right after you gave Aria the warning about Ezra and his flip out, you hide Edward Scissorhands in his boxing bag that he’s had since he was 15. UNLESS, it was Aria telling him to STFU and throw him off, but no I’m pretty sure Ezra the lunatic did that little scissorhands move on his whip cream break. Watch it Aria that mongo brownie is gonna go straight to your ass. I’m not sure who Ezra was talking to in the car, at first I thought it was Cece but I got a closer look and it didn’t look like her and I’m pretty sure Ezra hates everyone including Malcom. We shall see. Maybe another friend from that summer on the coast. WHAT A MONUMENTAL SUMMER. COAST 2K10!?!?!
            Can’t wait for next week to see if Shauna lives. If Mona is blowing Ezra to be part of the A team, praying that Mrs. Hastings gets home (from probably seeing Melissa and her illegitimate child) and starts kicking ass again, DOWN WITH MR. HASTINGS AND MRS. D. OH, AND how there are no nurses or dentists around while a hooded man dressed in all black walks casually into their offices and gives Hanna a lethal dose of laughing gas in order to implant a tracking device in her tooth. I mean did the dentists think she just passed out? Did they not look into her mouth for whatever procedure they were doing? Did Hanna think a piece of corn was stuck in her mouth from her TEETH CLEANING?!
            SO MANY QUESTIONS AND I CAN’T WAIT TO FINALLY GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD. LET’S DO THIS.

xoxo,


b

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Pretty Little Liars Winter Premiere “Who’s in the Box”




“Who’s in the Box” … your sensitivity to Ali’s grave at the Mausoleum is overwhelming. Really? Calling it a box? Who’s in the box? Jack.  Jack’s in the Box. That is an appropriate title for a fast food restaurant commercial. I’ll get over it but I mean seriously, person in charge of the 4 words to summarize the episode into a title, you should be fired.

Hellllo Hellllo Hellllo! Per usual, we were given NO answer and really NO new material. The sick sadistic way I. Marlene King keeps us coming back for more, by giving us NOTHING. I can’t not watch. It is like a beautiful train wreck and that is a horrific statement because train wrecks are tragic NOT BEAUTIFUL. 

SPOILER ALERT: For everyone, who was hoping next season (season 5) would be the last, King said in an interview that the season 4 spring finale basically opens up a whole new world for the liars. Your questions will be answered but there will of course be more new unanswered. She sees the show now going on to surpass the original planned 5 seasons. I DON’T want it to end but I DO. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? I NEED ANSWERS and I needed them yesterday. I don’t know how much more of this I can take, but if it does ever end I will spiral into a deep depression only curable by having Spencer Hastings herself come over and trick me out of my already pre planned depression.

Having said that onto the episode, they gave us 12094182049 clues the yes your beloved Ezra is in fact A. His reading assignment to the class, “Jekyll and Hyde”, is a direct reference to his bipolar character. When Mona approaches Ezra he is reading a book of 3 books in one, the 3 books are “Rear Window”, “I Married a Dead Man”, and “Waltz into Darkness”. The background book in this scene is “Evil Under the Sun”. Like okay, we GET IT.  Thanks so much for the subtle hints…
During Ezra and Mona’s conversation they discuss fear. I think Mona is especially hurt by Hanna and has nothing else to lose. She has no other way to get friends other than to get back in the A game. So, she goes directly to the HBIC, Ezra. Yes, Ezra is a bitch. Cool threat at the end of the scene Ezra. Your metaphors are so hurtful. We learn about Ezra and Mona’s past relationship this season…

Now, in regards to this whole Radley situation Mr. Hastings sure pounced on the chance to take down Radley as fast as he could. Why? I don’t know. My theory is he has secrets there and he wants the secrets demolished with the building. He’s already fathered Jason Delaurintis so who knows what else he’s done. One theory that Mrs. Cavanaugh and Mrs. Delaurintis are related, comes to me when I think of Radley. Does Spencer’s dad know about this and want the secret to die before his daughter finds out or is he really just protecting himself and his own indiscretions? Spencer seemed like she’d be happier to see Ian back from the dead than to destroy Radley. Why? I think Alison has been living in Radley and she wants to protect her friend. Now that they know all the “dreams” they saw her in were actually her, Alison was really walking around in her nightgown in the abandoned part of Radley that night Spencer was snooping around. She even showed spencer where the nametag of “Cece Drake” was, and it looked like it was a collection of Alison’s things. Ezra would not have access to Radley and no one goes to the abandoned wing anyways. Spencer is either protecting Alison or has her own secrets there as well, maybe more answers to solve this really realistic show, with no lights, no protection, and no real parents or policemen.

I 100% think Aria is a part of the A team but has no idea that Ezra is A. SPOILER ALERT: Ezra tells Aria he is A or whatever he is, in episode 20 of this season on a ferris wheel. She is apparently very upset, which she should be but I don’t buy that she is genuine. In past episodes the books by her bed, like Ezra, were all about death and mental disorder. There are so many signs Aria is apart of the A team I’m too tired to name them. One being several things in A’s lair are Aria’s from her magazines to pictures. Secondly, the night Ali goes missing Aria is the last one we see drinking out of a red solo cup with her stuffed animal “Pigtunia”, which she apparently takes everywhere. Never.noticed.the.pig. Pigs are a big clue throughout the show… who knew? NOT ME. OINK. In the following scene Jason finds a red cup in his backyard, so one of the girls left the sleep over and was in the Delaurintis backyard at some point. When the girls wake up, Aria’s cup and pig are gone.  I’ve thought Aria and Ezra were bad from day one, but not necessarily together.

Finally in the last scene, A aka Ezra aka bitch, comes into his house in the cabin, which he clearly states to Aria that there is no cell service, television, and complete silence (great for doing A things or holding hostages), opens up his hidden basement into the black abyss. What is down there? My guess is either Cece Drake hiding out or Jason Delaurintis being held hostage.

One final SPOILER ALERT: as we saw in this episode Hanna was on her A game. No double entendre intended. Since her and Caleb are on the outs, she will thrust herself into finding out who A is, and she is going to be the one that figures out Ezra is A, FIRST. You go Hefty Hanna! I’m so glad you and Mona dressed like you were extras in Zenon the Zequeal tonight. It looks like Stevie Wonder chooses your wardrobe. Never change girl. I have read one conflicting report that says Spencer will of course be leading the pack, but I’m gonna go with the Hanna Banana Marin theory.

It has only just begun…

Until next week.

xoxo,

B

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Dare to Dream: I Dreamed a Dream


Before I begin, I want to ask y’all, specifically my one guy reader ( +Trey Freeman  ) if y’all would read a football piece I blog about? #Humblebrag I want to point out that I got this week’s BCS top 5 in order, exactly right. 1) Alabama 2) Florida State 3) Ohio State 4) Stanford 5) Baylor … before it was announced. Holt and I make predictions every Sunday. I have knowledge, you want it? Comment below if you want this girl’s college football knowledge J

Anyways, back to today’s topic. DREAMS. Not analyzing your nightly dreams (mine are far too weird to disclose), but your life dream. Not things you want to accomplish or wacky bucket list activities, which I am all for, but your one dream of your life and how it will/would/could/should be. I know we all imagine when we are younger what our future will look like, but when you are at the point or past the point of when YOU think things should already be in place, what do you do? I, personally, feel like I am past the point for my life dream. Feeling this way, yet still wanting it beyond words gives me the sense that I’m drowning and makes me want to give up, not on life (don’t be too alarmed).

Some would say there are no expiration dates on dreams, but in today’s society pressure of having certain things (marriage, babies, dream job, etc.) by a certain time leads us to settle. This is not to take away from the people that are beyond happy in their lives, careers, marriages, and families. I only wish to experience their true happiness someday. But I definitely believe that more people have settled than have gone for their dreams, 100%.

My question to everyone that has the feeling that they’ve settled, is WHY did you? Unless, your current status in life is part of your big picture dream, then WHY are you doing what you are doing? WHY aren’t you working toward your goal? Whether it be saving money or constantly checking up for open position in your dream job or making sure you and your significant other are on the same page in the pace of your relationship. I don’t know everyone’s dream. When I say this I’m talking about THE dream. However you picture your life as truly happy. Whether it is with a husband/wife and kids. No kids. Or Han SOLO forevverrr. Living where you’ve always dreamed. Doing what you love. One collective big dream.

I’m on the verge of settling and it makes me sick. I DON’T want to settle and I don’t support my own decision, if that is the way the cookie ends up crumbling. I want to have not only God’s support and guidance for my future endeavors, but the support of the ones I love. As a Christian, I am here on this earth to fulfill God’s purpose and that is my ultimate dream, but I pray that he can guide me through my life dream on how to serve where I can be a blessing and fulfill his purpose.  My dream to live and work in Europe and to fall deeply, madly in love anywhere in this world has not changed, and isn’t that far fetched. The only thing holding me back is dolla dolla bills yo. Well, and experience. India only proved to me that though I’m scared to travel, through prayer and support, I can do anything. I will be back, I hope, if I haven’t settled.

I think I’d rather have failed attempts than regret not trying for the rest of my life. If I can get over the fact of my age (yes for me that is a factor, for some people it is not) and where I am currently in my life, then I will keep on after my dream, THE DREAM. Here’s to the lives we’ve always wanted to live, that we don’t give up until our goal is achieved, and that our focus IS what will truly make us happy. NEVER settle.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

xoxo,

B

Thursday, November 7, 2013

FRIDAY FIVE DAY: TOP 5 RANDOM THINGS FROM THIS WEEKS NEW I LOVE


BACON DEODORANT
ANYTHING Bacon makes you instantly more attractive. I have special taste in men. I have IMPECCABLE taste in bacon. Lather up boys! I suggest you invest in everything else offered in this article by our weird soul mates at the Huffington Post.




SLUTTIEST TV AD … AND ITS FOR AN E-CIG
            I mean bravo, kept me watching. LIKE WHAT? There is a male version as well. The British are comming……





NAKED MAZE PARTY
Students thought to be of a near by university in west Wales, used an actual full size maze to party NAKED in. Sounds like we missed out on a killer party. Should we move across the pond?!  #lewdlabyrinth


LOVE TO HATE: TWO TRASH GIRLS DRESS UP AS TWIN TOWERS UNDER ATTACK
LOVE this because I’m now reminded why we live in America and not the UK. These two hoes are so shameful and disrespectful, that they dressed up as the north and south tower with planes exploding into them and people jumping from their costumes, the twin towers. Here’s the link because these disgraceful humans will not receive a picture on my blog. #godblesstheUSA




YOUNG BOY JOINS POPE ON STAGE… FOREVER
Get your 15 minutes of fame boo. If he wasn’t trying to cause a scene, this is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. A young boy held on tight hugging the Pope Francis during his address at the Vatican for an event. Once he was done with his lengthy hug, he posted up in Pope’s chair. Best seat in the house.






Cheeerrrrrs to tha freakin weekend!

xoxo,

B