New Depths

This quote says everything...so excited to see what depths and heights God brings me to this year.

2013. It's officially here, and I am so excited to take in all that this year has to offer. Lots of people start the year with resolutions of what they want to do, achieve, or improve in the new year to come. I'm not so much about that, since I end up dropping whatever it is I've set out to do 3 weeks into the year. This year I'm making one promise...to go deeper. I want to love deeper. I want to explore this life to the fullest. I want to get wrecked by God's love. I want to be bold and meet new people, do new things. But even if I fail, even if I don't do all that I anticipate for this year, I want to at least say that I went all in this year. I put myself out there. I let people know who I was -all of me. That's what I want out of this year...to be ever present and taking every opportunity to live the amazing life I've been called into. Are you in?

Here are some things that I am seeking/praying for this year:

1. Diligence as I study and prepare to take my MCAT in spring. 
2. Exploring my home town of Slidell/ New Orleans, Louisiana. Meeting new people and gaining a new appreciation for the town that raised me.
3. Finding a spiritual and life mentor to help me walk through this new phase of my life.
4. A trip to India and Cambodia to explore God's love for his people. To experience the work that great people are doing to promote health and education for young girls in these countries.
5. Doing more -exercise, eating well - to take my body seriously
6. Listening better
7. Mentoring youth around me so they realize their power to do great things
8. Recognizing that I can feel the gravity of God's love everywhere - even better when you experience it whilst on top of a mountain or falling through the sky. (adventures to come!)
9. Remembering the insane amount of grace God shows me, and giving that to others without hesitation.
10. Trusting God in the process of who is making me to be and all the great things and people he has in store for me to share this adventure with.

The best is yet to come and I am so ready.

D.

Another Magic Thursday

Got to see the Macy's Christmas Tree Lighting last week in Union Square...and it was magical.

I had a teacher in 7th grade  (maybe 8th grade. My mind seems to stop remembering everything between  elementary school and high school, which is probably on purpose since middle school was an extremely awkward phase for just about everyone.) Anyway, back to this teacher. He would start every Thursday class by saying, "Another Magic Thursday." We all had no idea what this really meant or where it came from but we thought it was cool, so it caught on as things do in the 7th/8th grade. You know, just like slap on bracelets and punk rock. (No? This didn't happen to you?...Just me? Like I said, it was an awkward time which I have tried to block out of memory.) Anyway, now I realize that it was probably just a coping method, a bit of a self-help mantra, to get through another Thursday, especially one filled with awkwardly pubescent preteens, and on to the weekend. So now Mr. Beale, I finally understand. Another Magic Thursday it is. (minus the awkward preteen stuff. that I will never understand.)

On to the links. See whats happening around the interwebs.

1.Life is pretty much perfect right now, maybe not for Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum though.

2. A great reminder. When you think you're having a bad day, there's probably someone who's having it worse.

3.Sometimes we need that real Real Talk.

4. I can't even take you right now. This is happening.

5. Speaking of donuts, I ate these donuts and they were bomb. I tried the maple bacon (I know.) and the passion fruit milk chocolate (my fav.) If you're ever in SF definitely check them out.

6. This book is amazing and has helped me think about the way I live this one wild life. Thanks for your spirit and whimsy, Bob Goff.

7. I just bought a new computer with Windows 8 and it makes close to no sense to me. But, I might understand how to use it a little more after this.

Alright. Onward to your magical Thursday.

D.

This one's for You

Well the time has come again, as it always does, unwelcome and without invitation. This ones for you fellas. Consider this little anecdote as a little piece of advice for whatever womanly relationships may be in your future. I'm talking about the little  "time of the month" as women's health magazines like to say, trying to make it sound all cute and innocent. Let's get this straight. Its not. It's not cute at all and it sure as heck isn't little. We're talking a week long biological pulverization on your own body, by your own body, without your consent. Oh and the way it comes is like having your boss show up to you place on the weekend, its awkward and unexpected.

The realization that this biological tornado is ready to whip through your body once again is a slow one, at least for me. It's starts after I've shoveled 5 chocolate bars into my face at work before 10am. (I blame this on all the office mommies who decided to steal their kids Halloween candy and force it upon us) Ahh you're here. Before I know it, I'm on a hormone induced roller coaster of emotions. Everything is emotional. And I mean EVERYTHING. The whole world is conspiring against me, and its not my fault, and oh my goodness  if you even look at me right now, I. will. cut. you. It can get pretty extreme.

What then is the remedy, you ask. If you're thinking buckets of ice-cream novelties and romantic chick flicks, try it. I dare you. That stuffs for the faint of heart and light of period. No, what I'm talking about is hour-long marathons of Ultimate Ninja Warrior and fried chocolate things. I don't even know what type of chocolate things. Just anything, bring it. There's a scene in the movie "No Strings Attached" where Ashton Kutcher, brings a pmsing Natalie Portman  a box of cupcakes and a CD of songs along the lines of Leona Lewis-Bleeding Love. Cute. Bring the cupcakes. Heck, bring the Leona Lewis CD.  I could use a good cry. But for your own welfare, drop the goods and leave. Trust me.

 As ridiculous as it is, one thing's for sure, despite the ups and downs of this biological thrill ride you realize how fabulous this female body really is. With the back-aches, the cramps, and the sheer inconvenience of it all, there comes a certain strength to deal with other things in life (like you- our periodless friends of the world.) In all seriousness, I do believe a woman's strength is unparalleled.  It's different from a mans strength in that's less about doing and more about being. About enduring. And it probably has something to do with this monthly event and maybe bringing forth life out of your insides. Anyway, at the end of it all you realize that indeed you are fabulous, you're strong. Its several days after the chocolate, spicy, Ultimate Ninja cravings and the world is all right again. Everything makes emotional sense and you've kicked this thing in the pants (till next month.) That, or you're 65 years old, kicking it on a skateboard, with no periods attached. Why? Because you're fabulous.

So that's it in a nutshell.

D.

pms. I hope that's me when I'm old. Straight chilling.

Monday Funday

Monday Funday? I'm convinced that if I keep repeating this over and over again, it might actually turn out to be true. Clearly Mondays need a little motivation for me. Who am I kidding? Monday's need a lot of motivation. The subtle dent I've made in my bed this weekend from the extra hours of lounging calls me back as soon as Monday morning sets in. Which might explain why I've been late to work...

Then again, sometimes all you need to do is just start...which requires getting out of bed when the alarm rings the first time and catching the 1st bus to work not the 5th. One step at a time folks. Anyway..here's a little motivation for your super fun Monday. (believe it, ok?)

• This website will surely be your Monday salvation. What's not to love about free full-length movie audio recordings. If this doesn't ease your mornings, my friend I must say there is little hope.
• Last week I meet a sweet lady on BART who works at probably the coolest restaurant I've ever heard of. Its called Opaque/ Dining in the Dark. Basically is a totally sensory dining experience. You dine in complete darkness and are served by a waitress or waiter who is either partially or completely blind. I'm not entirely sure how everything works out (for example finding your way to the bathroom) but it looks amazing, if you can afford the $99/person price tag! Talk about feeding the senses. (see what I did there?)
• Very excited for this conference on Thursday and Friday on Human Trafficking. It's hosted by Not for Sale, a great organization out of the Bay area. So many great speakers that I can't wait to hear from, i.e. Francis Chan, Bob Goff (whose book I just bought, coincidence...no.),Leila Janah, and the Duchess of York (nbd.)
• I'm gonna eat you.
• This is a cool website with cool things. 
• Happy Birthday Bob Ross! Your show was my jam back in the day.
• Here's some inspiration for your Halloween costume. I'm loving the Ron Swanson one, of course.

D.

Huzzah!

It lives. On the day of my 23rd trip around the sun, I'd like to return my heart to one of its truest loves; writing blogging. It's been a while since I've been here, and with all the changes happening, I figure, what better time than now to take record of all life's happenings. Thus, this blog. My literary bay-bay of sorts.

Since moving out here to the city so much has happened. So many lessons learned.  Let me tell you. Like:

• Where not to park you car in the city. And inadvertently where the SF auto return is located. By now I can take you there with my eyes closed.
• How you can't go knocking on people's doors at 10pm at night asking for an electric drill like they're your dorm neighbors from college. Usually this is not well received from your asian neighbors.
• Standing over a stove and making food like a grown person is the TRUTH. Sometimes cooking something is exactly what you need to clear your head space.
• How phone calls with friends just might be the best medicine ever. Even when we haven't talked in ages, I love how hearing the voice of people you love can be that true and swift validation no "thumbs up" icon can give.
• Sometimes being domestic/ a homebody on a Friday and or Saturday night is my jam. It's not that I'm not down with the get down (do people still say this or am I actually 60 yrs old?) It's not that i dont want to hang out with my girls and paint the city red. It's just that sometimes, all I want is my couch, a blanket, the latest episodes of Parks and Rec, Parenthood, or the Colbert Report and Corinne Bailey Rae. Corinne is always a good idea. Always.
• Craigslist is my jam. For all the times I've hated (rightfully so, there are some sketchy people out there) you have proven me wrong by the overwhelming generosity of strangers willing to sell me their stuff for mad cheap.
• Your mom can be the greatest wisdom and truest friend in your life. Love her.
• When all else fails, cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner does the trick. Delicious and nutritious.

The list can go on. The point is, with all the bills, the trips to auto return, the frustrations of working, I'm learning. I'm learning that loving what you have is far better than lusting for what you don't. I'm learning that I'm blessed to share the company and know some of the silliest, craziest, tell you the truth when you dont want to hear it, call you at just the right time blessed friends and family this side of Heaven. And crazy things too, like how crushed red peppers are not crushed red bell peppers. (For a non-spicy food girl from New Orleans, this matters a lot.) And most importantly, how magenta lipstick looks dang good on these lips. Watch out.

On this 23rd birthday of mine, my heart smiles because I have and continue to learn so much about myself, about life and love. Sometimes it hurts. A lot. And sometimes, God rocks your world with so much good lovin all you can do is sit back and smile that wild beautiful smile right back.

So that's me right about now. Learning and smiling, laughing and lovin. And it's all good.

Onwards and Upwards.

Doris