My City...

I'm at this very moment on a bus taking me back to the most amazing city in the world, Washington, DC. The city I love more then anything with the people I adore. There is nothing like leaving home for a little bit to help you appreciate it more when you return. Do you know that feeling when you're missing somebody special and you're apart for a long time? When you finally see each other, you hug, but your special someone hugs you so tight and you KNOW they missed you just as much. You feel so wanted, it's almost worth being apart just to feel that. I missed my city, so much I want to hug it tight when i get back.

I'm so proud to live in a city full of such rich history. The people who walked those sidewalks have shaped our country. They have had a hand on each and everyone of our lives today, some good and some bad, but all beneficial to our future. Those men lying in Arlington have given us our life as we know it. One by one they fought for a higher purpose. They understood that freedom isn't free. Freedom is a bloody long exhausting path. Even young boys at the age of 12 in the 1700s understood the cost for freedom. They picked up arms and fought beside their fathers for the liberties we take for granted. When you walk around DC you start to understand the impact these men had on this nation. From the Capitol to the Lincoln memorial, you'll see just how much has been given to all of us. It's sad because we're such a ungrateful nation, full of takers not givers. Like JFK said in his inaugural speech, "ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Are we doing that? Are we asking, what can I do for my country? Or are we asking, what is this country going to do for me?

Between the bailout and everything else, all I hear is me me me. Our new president asked for a call to service today. I couldn't agree more. Serving each other today will shape our country tomorrow. As a Christian nation we shouldn't have to be asked. We should be actively getting our feet dirty, not just for our neighbors, but for future generations to be inspired by. Just like we are inspired by walking around DC and learning how our former leaders put their country first. We can say to our children, follow our lead. Teaching them to put others above themselves and to embrace the truths our Heavenly Father has given us. The thing I love most about my city is that it has my Father's stamp all over it. His hand is and always has been on this great nation. He has stood beside those brave barefoot 12 year old boys during the Revolution, He brought our country back together after a civil war, and He destroyed the enemies of the world in WWII. It's His might that has given our fighters strength and courage in the mist of death. He is the orginator for CHANGE. And it's because of that great truth, that I can dare to hope for HIS change to come to my Washington, DC.

New York, New York

It was a day like any other when I woke up this January 17th, but today was different because I’m heading on an adventure to New York City….the Big Apple. Of course, I was super tired because I stayed up until 1:30am and got up at 6:30am. It’s my own fault..I was so excited, it was hard to settle down and go to bed. Also, if I’m being honest I was watching some of my favorite DVR’d shows. :-) So, I’m packing up last minute items and running out the door with my puppy. My roommate was sweet enough to drop me off at the metro AND watch my puppy for the long weekend. Chewy came along to drop me off at Dunn Loring and I’m finally I was on my way. I got into the zone, the metro zone..of reading my book (Marley & Me), then listening to music when I transfer lines. Carley and I met up, then we’re OFF in a Bolt Bus to New York City. Now, Carley decided to take a nap right away, but I decided to finish my book. It was the last 30 pages, but they were the most difficult. It took me 2 hours to finish 30 pages because I was reading, crying, reading, crying, reading, crying, etc..until I finished. I went through almost a whole pack of tissues. Warming…if you’re going to read a book about a dog READ AT HOME. After popping a few Advil’s from the cry headache, I was ready for New York City!!

It only took 4 hours to get there and they dropped us off pretty much in the middle of Time Square. First thing was to meet Carley’s sister Elizabeth at the hotel, check in, and get lunch. It is FREAKIN’ FREEZING in the wonderful city. I made the decision on Friday that thermals were going in the suitcase and it was obviously the right choice. Of course, because things can never be perfect my thermals are too big and I kept having to make big steps to keep them up. We went all over Time Square, and then grabbed a cab(thought I was going to DIE) to this book store with 18 miles worth of books. Yeah…it was a big store. Carley was in Heaven! We decided after that to grab dinner and head back to the hotel. We have a huge day tomorrow and needed the rest. I mean we walked miles today, but tomorrow we’ll be walking probably three times as long. I couldn't be happier. I love this mini adventure. I’ve never spent days exploring New York, it’s a little scary, but very liberating. So, we grabbed a New York style pizza and are totally chilling for the rest of the night.

Its days like these that really make me appreciate being young and single. To have this amazing freedom to go where the wind blows is thrilling. Living in the moment is what this weekend is all about and I’m embracing it with both hands. :-)

LOVE YOURSELF..

So, I'm sitting here watching American Idol and these people are cracking me up. They honestly believe they have what it takes to be a star. To everybody else in the country we're like, do you hear yourself, but in their head they're awesome. I can't help but wonder..do I do that?!? I think I do...you know those moments where you're looking through old photos and you're wondering WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?! But you know EXACTLY what you were thinking at the time...I look HOT!! Yeah...I can't help but believe everybody else was thinking DOES SHE HAVE A MIRROR?!? I'm a girl that likes to take fashion risks. I'm a firm believer that people should be able to see your personality through your individual style.

So...I say PEOPLE don't be afraid to be one of a kind. You might get some funny looks, but being true to yourself is priceless and in the end it's all about making yourself happy. I personally will never regret the red lens sunglasses, sailor hat, or Juno Jeans, because they've made me one entertaining chick. And let's be honest I'm sure my fashion mistakes are not over OR at least I hope not, because how boring would that be. ;-)

The song dedicated to this blog is CIRCUS by the Legendary Britney Spears!! One girl that definitely dances to her own drum....

My little reminder...

So, some of you will never understand this feeling, but I wish you could. The feeling of loving something so much it hurts. You feel tears coming if you start to think about being without this special creature that fills your heart with unconditional love. My special creature is my dog Chewy. I don't think anyone besides another dog obsessed owner could understand this love. He gives WAY more to me then I ever could to him. When I'm feeling beaten & broken by daily life, I come home to my little ball of joy, who only wants to be with me. He's content with watching me make dinner, sleeping beside me on the couch, or playing with his toy. He follows me everywhere and gets very upset when I leave him for any random amount of time. If I yell at him for any reason, he doesn't care. He's just begging to stay right beside me. He loves me unconditionally. Me and that little poodle have been through alot over the years, but we always had each other. It's amazing how much strength I've gotten from my little dog. I can't tell you how many times I've been crying and my sweet poodle will cuddle up next to me and try to cheer me up. It always seems to work too...

He's my little reminder from God of how much He loves me. That unconditional presence that He's here, waiting to be noticed, and begging for attention. It's hard to imagine God begging for our attention, huh!? Why us...we're a broken needy people. But no matter what you say or do, He still longs to just be with us. So...this morning as I woke up to a sweet puppy laying across my chest trying to wake me up, I was reminded of how blessed I am. Blessed to have a million daily reminders of My Father's love for me, especially my favorite little reminder Chewy!!