bliss.

this weekend was one of the best i have had in a while. james and i drove up to chico to visit paul. my parents and matthew met us there and my high school friend breanna lives up there so we spent the whole time with her and her boyfriend luke. add that up and it was a pretty big group.

we ate, walked around the chico campus, saw downtown chico, went to a yoyo museum where we saw the world's biggest yoyo [it was as tall as me], ate some more, reminisced, laughed so much, played games, got wet [it was raining], went shopping, and just hung out.

it was so great to see paul doing well and i know he enjoyed seeing us.

it was wonderful to visit with breanna! she is one of those friends that when we get together it seems as if nothing has changed.

the drive was soo long, about 7 hours each way, but the time went quickly because james drove the whole way and of course i never run out of things to say to him [probably to his dismay].

i am trying to hold on to all the wonderful memories, but school is making it hard for me to pretend like i am still on vacation. i am just thankful to be able to have had time to spend a relaxing weekend with my family and friends.

i'm ready!

to party it up in chico this weekend with my family!

after i rock this midterm.

etc.

inspiration hit me yesterday in spanish class and i thought of a super cute idea for the chalkboard in our dining room. then i told ellen about it and she said she could help me make a movie out of it. now i am very excited about it.

i stole a piece of purple chalk from the engines lab yesterday.

the weather is gloomy and i like it.

i need to wash my hair.

i am making tacos for dinner tonight!

right now i feel semi inspired to do creative things. if only i didn't have school to interfere with all my brilliant ideas.

i ate cheesecake for breakfast and danced to christmas music this morning.

tomorrow i see my crazy little brother!

today.

i went to work.

i went to my classes.

i breathed.

i took a shower.

maybe tomorrow i will do something greater

but for today

this is enough.

happy birthday.

my dear friend james was born 23 years ago today. okay, he is my boyfriend. but he is also one of my best friends and i would like to write a post as a tribute to his wonderfulness.

here are a few things i like about james:

1. he is fun and i am usually laughing at... i mean with him.

2. he is cute.

3. he has a fang that makes him look like a vampire.

4. he washes his hands a little more often than is normal.

5. he puts up with me.

happy birthday, james. thank you for being born and being wonderful.

perspective.

okay, so clearly, yesterday was not the best for me. but today, i have gotten some sleep and am feeling a little better about everything.

here are some blessings in my life:

1. jesus. he is here for me even when i don't feel him, and when i don't deserve him [which is always].

2. stephanie, caitlin and bailey. they are so encouraging to me and are some of my best friends.

3. my parents. they have so much faith in me.

4. slo. i love living here, even if i take it for granted sometimes.

5. james. what i would i do without that boy.

6. i found a $20 bill in my pocket today!

7. oh thank you jesus for your grace.

warning: i am in a bad mood.

in my mind:

i am on a beach tanning in the sun and my biggest problem is i am getting a weird tan line from my bathing suit.

i am traveling around the world with everything i need in a backpack.

i am snowboarding in the alps.

i am anywhere but here, in my real, unglamorous, stressful life.