Come back, summer.

Sometimes I wish I were riding on a moped around Paris, admiring the townsfolk & flowers, but alas, this picture is from Universal Studios. Oh well.

It still hasn't hit me that my summer is coming to an end & it will be my last time anticipating the upcoming school year as an undergrad. These are sweet times, knowing that the things of the future are coming into fruition right before your very eyes. Scary, but exciting. I'm in this stage of ambiguity where I have absolutely no idea what I'll be doing once I graduate. Really. No idea. I'm still on the hunt for an internship & applied to a few more yesterday. I may or may not be working, I may or may not be going for a Master's, I may or may not... be preparing for other new chapters in my life... Haha, but I really don't know! This is a pretty interesting (for lack of a better word) season of really trusting in the Lord. After all, His plan reigns, not mine, right? "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

It also helps that I'm still in the recovery stage. To recap, I had appendicitis exactly 2 weeks ago so I've been slowly, but surely, healing & admiring my stitches. I'm limited in activities but also limited in budget! Even cleaning my room is somewhat forbidden because I'd get in trouble for lifting objects (even though I've told people that 10 lbs is my limit-- but since I'm at my 2-week mark, I can now advance to 20 lbs!). Regardless, I have yet to do some school supply shopping & grab a few groceries. Sometimes I feel lazy. Sometimes I AM lazy. I do a lot of reading & eating & movie watching & talking with people. I wanna be active! I hope this desire doesn't fade away once my 4-week mark comes; I'm told that I should be at 100% by then.

Anyhoos, I just found ants in my room. Well... almost. They're climbing from my backyard to my windowsill. Those crazy ants. My baby succulent is sitting there trying to get as much sun as possible & I guess ants are attracted to that?? I don't know, but I just sprayed them all with this bug spray of death & placed my succulent plant outside where it should be, I suppose.

Ha, that's one way to end a blog post!

Home edition.

It's easy for me to covet.

There, I said it.

I was trying to think of a way to build it up somehow, but it just seemed better to say it upfront. I've mentioned this before, I know. Over & over & over again! :( I was window shopping yesterday (a coveting trap!!) & found myself looking at miscellaneous home items: furniture, dishes, mirrors, cookware, mugs, chairs. Goodness, I don't even live in my own place! I like looking at these things more than clothes (although I do love a good thrift find). Anyways, the interior design blogs got me again. I've already stopped following a few blogs, but the remaining posts still stack up & all sorts of photos are saved to pretty much swoon over in the near future.

I found out that I'm a big fan of natural light. Rooms that bring in a lot of natural light are almost automatic winners for me. I like neutrals & soft tones but I also like pops of color & personality. Oh, & fresh flowers/plants-- except I'm not very good at keeping them alive. I'm partial to patios. A cozy home feel definitely beats a fancy art studio feel. I like house parties... The ones that involves fellowship over good food & good conversations.

Sigh.

Aside from this stuff, I do covet other things. No bueno. Please pray for me!

I must be content with what I have... especially since I have salvation through Jesus Christ, of course! I should be joyfully proclaiming, "Hallelujah, all I have is Christ" because this world will disappoint & will never completely satisfy. Praise the Lord for His love & grace!

Last thing... Wouldn't it be so lovely to dine here?! AHH okay okay. Must stop. But seriously.

[source]
Oh yeah, Ate Ging & Micah: it's called a pergola. 

July.

Unfortunately, I don't know the original source to this image!
But I still think it's worth the laughs :)
P.S. Man, ice cream sounds good.

Hi friends!

It's been a month since the last post. I was doing well with 3 posts within a week, but we all knew that it wasn't going to last. Alas-- time to move on! 

The past month has been full of wonderful events & experiences, which includes Resolved Conference weekend, a beach trip, outings with the parentals, a wedding, internship hunting (a humbling experience, to say the least), lots of fireworks, playing barber, random July rain, Vegas family vacation with another family, Jesus Only conference, Spiderman & Batman, ministry shenanigans, & not nearly enough Boggle games (man, that game is fun). 

Before summer ends, I wanna do some reading at the beach again. That was so relaxing! Why is the beach so far? (Okay, Seal Beach is 20 minutes away from me-- but still.) I have settled for a neighborhood park. Mmm.

Yeah, nothing too important over here.

That image above was pretty much the only thing I wanted to share. Heh.

#RE12

Taken @ my 1st Resolved Conference in 2010!

Resolution #28: Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. (Jonathan Edwards)

Please pray for the last Resolved Conference this weekend, as well as for the speakers & attendees! May it be glorifying to God!

No live streaming this year, but there are same-day downloads (or so I hear).
Learn with us & be encouraged! :)
http://www.resolved.org/

"...And a sun hat!"

"I decided I wanted A SUN HAT."

Reflecting on my day today, I remembered my conversation with the homie & realized that I probably sounded really ridiculous. It showed in the way she reacted (which was just pure laughter-- like, throwing your head back kind of laughter). Nonetheless, I was convinced that a sun hat would finish off my imagined outfit & quite frankly, it's an accessory I really don't need & will probably never buy. Doesn't it sound fun though? Especially for the upcoming summer days! AH. (P.S. Can I have my camera back? Please? At least take some good pictures while you have it!)

My goodness, it was warm today! I can't imagine how hot it will be in Palm Springs this upcoming weekend. One thing's for sure: it'll be worth it. RESOLVED. Is it okay to be this excited? What about THIS excited? 

You get the gist. I'm pretty much

really, really excited.

The kind of excited that makes you dance around in your room to no music or even the kind that makes you smile in front of your laptop as you think about it. That kind of excited. Have you been that excited? Yeah? Then you just know.

There's nothing quite like sound preaching. Add on to that a room full of people who agree-- like, hundreds! Seriously!-- & will endure 100+ degree weather for 4 days for it. It's easy to want to stay there forever but man, it also pumps you up & makes you want everyone to hear about what you learned! Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing everyday anyway? Shouldn't we be so moved by the Gospel of Jesus Christ that it oozes out of us? Oh, the imagery... but I hope you get the idea. Sheesh, that hits me. My God truly is amazing. This song has been playing in my room & in my head lately. Actually, that whole album. Yeah.  

Rock of Ages, when in want or rest
My desperate need for such a Savior I confess
Pull these idols out from my heart embrace
Rock of Ages, I need Your grace
Rock of Ages, broken, scorned for me
Who am I that You would die to make me free?
To give me glory, You took the death and pain
Rock of Ages, my Offering

This is already a long post, so I apologize. I also wanted to say that I found this recipe & I'm really curious to try these baked goods, although I know that the only thing I do in the kitchen is make breakfast & bake, so I probably want to steer away & work on other foods (especially since this treat is baked AND typically for breakfast). Not too long ago, I wanted to have a cooking party: fellowship time with my sisters while developing some cooking skills! Actually, I just wanna throw a party in general. Invites & pictures & pretty decorations & delicious food...... GAH.

On another note, Micah's spending time with his dad tonight & I think it's freakin' cute. I spent time with my dad today by watching the NBA Finals with him & falling asleep during the 4th quarter. Sorry, Papa! I cooked rice for the family afterwards though... Have I redeemed myself? Haha, happy father's day, folks. (Well, dads.) Good night!