Sea-Town

Who knew how ridiculously hard this is to be dedicated enough to write a blog every day....I guess that is why they called it the "30 Day CHALLENGE". Ha!

Day #4
Picture of your favorite night

Let me preface this with the fact that Seattle is one of my favorite places in the world.  For those that think that New York and Miami and cool places like that are the top dogs.....I beg to differ.  Seattle is where it's at!   I have family over there, so there is a bit of sentimental value attached, but really the city just has it all.  They have a super mediocre professional baseball team that I'm completely infatuated with, skyscrapers, a beautiful waterfront, YUMMY seafood, all the big stores that Spokane doesn't have, Molly Moons, my dream grad school (UW...I know, that must be the cold medicine talking), and I could go on and on.  So good.

Anyways, my dad and I went to Seattle this last August to spend time with my Aunt and her boyfriend Lonny.  We caught the usual baseball game, ate the usual Ivars fish chips, partook of half of my weight in ice cream, and just enjoyed the time away from a busy summer of work.  I took this picture on what is probably my favorite night in a while.  My dad and I were sitting around my Aunt's house in Bellevue, and she had gone to bed already and being night owls, we were pretty restless.  It didn't take much convincing from me to go grab some Coldstone and make the drive into Seattle to do some night time adventuring.  We ended up spending about 2 hours getting completely lost in U District and Wallingford and ended up in Downtown Seattle, gauking at the city lights  It was the most perfect night.  I don't think my Dad realizes how much I love spending those random moments with him....and I think I definitely take him for granted.  Counting down the days for the next trip.

P.S.  Be praying about my decision-making process for grad school if you have an opportunity.  After working at House of Charity for 6 months now, I'm game for a second year to get further into the social work/case management side of my work there.  I am planning to move on to grad school once I get done here....God willing!  My heart is a little bit set on University of Washington at this point.  They have a concurrent degree in Social Work/Public Health, and are 5th in the nation for social work.  Doesn't get much better than that!  Plus there is the added bonus of in-state tuition.  I guess the only thing holding me back is the complete dread of being a poor college student again.  Sure I'm a poor Americorps volunteer right now, but its totally different.  You are actually advancing your career...tangibly.  Not just earning a degree (although I do realize that is also a form of career advancement).  I guess ultimately I struggle with the concept that eventually I would love to not have to advance my career.  Someday I'd love to be a mom and stay at home with my kids...but in the immediate future, I am not seeing any of those things happening!  SO....I'm going to faithfully follow after what I'm good at and what I'm passionate about, and pray that those things follow! 

Office Parties

Day # 3
Picture of the cast from your favorite show

I think this qualifies as the favorite for a lot of people.  I guess my dedication has dropped off over the years because I'm busy and barely ever watch TV on a regular basis....but this show still reigns supreme in my heart. 

I first got introduced to The Office when I was a junior in college.  Our friend Everett started having Office parties in my dorm every Thursday night....mostly as a ploy to pick up his beautiful (now wife) Carrie....and really all of us benefitted.  I love this show because it is smart...it doesn't rely on any of the normal tricks of mediocre sitcoms. All of the characters are so masterfully crafted...I can't get enough of them.  They could make successful (and funny) shows off every single one of them individually, and with all of them together...its just out of control.  I have to admit that I'd like to see it end sooner rather than later...I hate to see a show move past it's expiration date.....but it's had a great run!


In other news....I'm watching the Oscars.  It always surprises me how poorly the jokes are written for these award shows....Anne Hathaway and James Franco are good looking...but not comedians.  Good try though!

12 Years and Counting

Day #2

Picture of the person you have been the closest to for the longest!

Meet Tracey!  First of all, this girl is incredible...she has been a main piece of my support system since we were in the 8th grade when we had almost every class together.  I don't believe in coincidence...and I know God put her in my life for good reason.  She is dedicated and funny and incredibly intelligent and trustworthy...I laugh more with her than most people.  She has every quality I could ask for in a best friend...and I've been very blessed to have her all these years.  We went to college together for one year, when we were little freshman.  I went to WSU that year, and lived all the way across campus from her, but when I managed the trek over to her side of campus....we would have almost illegal amounts of fun.  Our main recreational activity was eating....especially at this little cafe called Flix that made killer milkshakes and had a steady flow of fries.  I remember one night Tracey, Molly (her roommate and another beautiful friend of mine), and I gorged ourselves on junk food at Flix and then stayed up all night singing Backstreet Boys at the top of our lungs. 

Time has made us slightly more sensible...it has also changed our relationships and our schools and our jobs and our lives, but our friendship has remained strong!  This picture is the two of us at Tracey's graduation from Med Tech school at Sacred Heart in Spokane.  Now Tracey is living in Olympia and works at a HUGE hospital in the lab!  She also is getting married this summer to the love of her life, Matt!  I'm so proud of who this lady has become and I'm looking forward to the rest of our lives as friends!

30 Days (give or take a few)

I've had other friends do it...and I've been inspired.  I'm doing the 30 Photo Challenge...but considering the fact that I'll be leaving in two weeks for a magical excursion in the land of the leprechauns....it will take me longer than 30 days to finish.  Call it the 45 day challenge....

Day#1

A Picture of Me!

I dressed up as Avril Lavigne for an event that we did during CA training my senior year of college.  I was skeptical that I could embody it, but I found that somehow, my inner Avril wanted to come on out.  I still have those capris and often think of wearing my Cons with them again....but then decide I'm not nearly alternative to handle that outfit on a normal day! 

And 10 Facts (to go along with the photo?)

1) I used to have a major crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas....which is so cliche that I almost can't stand it.  That's like having a crush on Justin Bieber....

2) I will be attaining one of my lifelong dreams (seeing the Eiffel Tower) in 3 weeks!

3) I'm proud to be born in the 80s...the movies are genius...the clothes are fantastic....the hair...oh the hair.

4) I officially feel like I've made it since I own one piece of furniture I love and have matching place settings.

5) I hate paying money for anything but chick flicks or intense dramas in theaters....if I'm going to an action movie...I sincerely hope someone else is paying.

6) I have had the flu and 3 or 4 colds since starting my job in September....and I'm currently catching another one.  My immune system is slowly failing.

7) I have never owned an I-Pod....an I Phone or an I Pad.  "I" guess "I"'m not that cool!

8) I can't paint the nails on my right hand to save my life.

9) I failed Statistics in college....phew....I'm glad I got that off my chest.

10) I think stargazing, flowers, and cute notes on your car are three of the most romantic things ever...but not necessarily all at once.  That would get weird.

# Juan in Lake Tahoe

Is it possible to find your "favorite place in the whole world" when you are still in your early 20s?  I have pondered this a little bit, because I'm just now really embarking on my lifetime of travels (considering this is the first time in my life that I've made traveling a priority over whatever the heck else I had made a priority financially (expanding my closet...watching a lot of movies...going to every concert I could get into...etc...).  And although I'm excited to start these adventures and see new places....I'm head over heels in love with someplace already.  That's right....I'm having a bit of a love affair....

With Lake Tahoe.

I was just looking through a friend's photo album from his ski trip to Tahoe, and I'm realizing how much in love I am with it and how much I miss it.  I went and lived in South Lake Tahoe, CA for 2 months with Campus Crusade for Christ a couple of summers ago and this was the start of it all.  We lived in this little shanty town of cabins that Crusade owns about a mile from Pope Beach.  Never heard of Pope Beach? 



This is it! 

Anyways, it was an incredible summer....I grew more in my relationship with God in that summer than I have in my whole life and I made some of the most incredible friends ever.  Too bad they all live in California, Boise, North Carolina, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, and every other far reach of this long and drawn out country!  But you can keep in touch with friends....you know what you can't keep in touch with?  Lake Tahoe!  I haven't been back since and I'm thinking that a return trip is in order for this summer!  You should probably consider visiting there as well.....  Why you say?



Into skiing?  Heavenly is world class and probably has the best view you'll be able to find ever.  I had friends that worked on the top of Heavenly and took pictures of happy tourists as a job.  Pretty amazing little office space.



Emerald Bay is in South Lake and was about 15 minutes drive from where I lived!  Summer projects in the past had students try to swim from the shore to the island in the center....apparently with some failed attempts, because we weren't allowed to.  Not that I would.  My floatie wings might pop on the way out there!



Into biking?  Yeah....you should probably go to Tahoe.  They are very environmentally conscious and love the outdoors, so biking is pretty commonplace.  Some friends biked all the way around the lake, and after see how bad of shape they were in that night, I decided that I would never attempt that.  Mollie and I did bike from camp to Heavenly and back again though....with a lunch break at McDonalds!



Beautiful huh?

And for those of you who are a part of my experience in Tahoe....I miss you and you are in my heart!  Dreaming of this place will never get old!

 

My Space

Gosh it has been a busy week this week!  I just moved into my first apartment by myself.  To say that I love it might be an understatement.  There are a number of reasons why I love it....

1) I have my own space and it is GLORIOUS!  Not only do I have my own space, but it is starting to become decorated exactly how I want it and it screams "Dani"....which I love.

2)  It is bright and white and cozy.  I lived in a basement before...and it was none of those things.

3) My kitchen is INCREDIBLE!  I have so far made a killer salad, a California omelette, and some cupcakes that were pretty heavenly.  I enjoy cooking a lot, but considering how dark and dirty my old kitchen was all the time, it didn't give me much reason to explore it.  Sure part of the mess was mine, since I never did dishes....but I have overturn a new leaf, and am making it a habit that regardless of the situation, dishes get done once a day!  NO EXCUSES DANI!

4) When I get back from Ireland, I am getting a cat.  I know...cats are an unpopular choice of animal.  However...I don't care.  I love them.  And I can't wait to have my own.  I've always had cats and I understand them and I love just having that little warm body as company. 

Not saying there aren't a few glitches.  There are no electrical outlets in the bathroom which means I'm banished to the bedroom area if I want to dry my hair or do anything else electrically based.  There are also no open outlets in the kitchen after my microwave is plugged in....so I also have to toast and blend elsewhere too.  Awkward.  The front door to the building sticks really bad and my key doesn't really work...and when the person upstairs takes a shower...it somehow drips into my shower........Speaking of showers, it takes 10 minutes for the water to warm up to an exceptable warmness level.  I'm definitely not going to be saving the ocean this year.  Despite all these things though (they can mostly be chalked up to it being an old building)....my overwhelming feeling is that I'm totally infatuated with this little space, and I'm excited to have company. So come visit! (but not before I clean it all up.....unpacking takes a lot of time when you work full-time and have to sleep at some point too!)

In other news....half marathon training started this week!   We are starting a running program at work to train for Bloomsday, so I'm going to be helping to lead that as well!  It is a pretty sweet idea that one of my co-workers came up with....sort of a positive lifestyle reinforcement for our clientele....which is much needed.  I've discovered that the neighborhood that I've moved into is great for running....I'm so close to Riverfront that its not even funny!  Not that Riverfront is the safest for running alone, so I have to be aware of that.....but when do I ever err on the side of caution for stuff like that? 

Also, the countdown for Ireland is almost to the 3 week mark!  I never in a million years thought I would get to travel to Europe as I wasn't brought up in a family that could ever afford to do something like that!  But the pipe dream is coming true and I'm realizing that this is just one of those huge blessings that God heaps on you at various times in your life.  Maybe there is great deeper purpose in it, or maybe its just to experience his beauty and this world we have been entrusted with...but regardless of the reason, I'm pumped to go!  Spectacular life opportunity and something I can't wait to do with my best friends! 

7:45 and I'm wiped....but I have a few more hours of unpacking ahead, so I must return to my post!

Dani

P.S.  Pictures are to follow soon of the new apartment, but I'm not taking pictures when it looks like a Level 5 Hurricane just hit.

Hate is a pretty strong word....

It sounds like a familiar Christmas tale....

"the boxes are packed in the living room with care"....
"as nightmares of moving dance in my head"

Ha.

I hate moving.....

In fact, it is in my top 10 things that I hate the most in life, because it mainly consists of one of my least favorite things ever.  Lifting heavy things.  I really just wish I had a fortune and could pay people to move my stuff for me.  There are a lot of reasons I hate lifting heavy things.  First of all, I'm not strong and never have been.  I struggle to lift the bar when I'm bench pressing.  I also currently I have pulled muscles in my ribcage and have avoided all forms of exercise for the last month.  I am so out of shape. 

As I was thinking today of how much I hate moving and lifting things, I also began to calculate my list of things that would be included in my top 10 hated things.  I figured I would forclose these on here, just in case you ever decide to subject me to one of them.  I'm terrible at pretending that I'm enjoying something, so now you won't be surprised when I'm crabby.

1) Cilantro
Seriously the most terrible edible substance in the whole world.  I would literally rather poke my eye out than eat a whole dish with this in it.  It has been proven that if you hate it, you are genetically predisposed to that.  Those that hate it think that it tastes like soap.  I'll never forget the first time that I had it...because it changed my view on Mexican food forever.  I really hate hating this because it makes me feel super high maintenance....I hate being one of those people that has to ask about ingredients at restaurants....gosh.

2) Death Metal
That's not music....that's yelling.

3) Road Kill
I love animals, so nothing puts me a worse mood than driving past a dead one....  If the day ever comes where I hit something myself, I may be too devastated to continue driving to my destination.  Also don't be surprised if I cry in the car if I pass by something particularly sad....it has happened before.

4) Hunting
This is somewhat in conjunction with #3....again we are dealing with dead animals.  I absolutely hate hunting.  I hate guns and I love Bambi.  It would be one thing if the animal was being shot only for food, but I am not convinced that is the main reason for most hunters.  I think its mostly for sport, and then the food aspect is an added bonus.  I think it irresponsible.....and I'm not sure I could be convinced otherwise.  Now you may be wondering why I'm not a vegetarian.  If I thought more about it, I might be....but I like beef and pork too much to linger on the subject for too long.

5) Confrontation
I'd almost rather hold a small grudge internally forever than confront someone.  I've recently been convicted that this isn't a healthy way to go about things, and I've gotten braver.  But it is still on my Top 10.

6) Lifting Heavy Things
(as mentioned above)

7) Being Prone to Motion Sickness
This affliction is one of my least favorite things about myself.  I so very much wish that I could experience theme parks, plane rides, car rides, boat trips, etc...like my friends can.  This summer I happened to look down at my phone for about a minute at the beginning of a car trip back from Seattle and I was completely nauseous the rest of the way home.  I even stopped to get medicine and those little wrist bands with the pressure points, and to not avail.  It is the worst....it is completely indescribeable if you've never experienced it.  TERRIBLE.

8) Political Overactivism
I'm political and I definitely hold my opinions.  However, I also understand that not everyone wants to hear my opinions on a constant basis, especially if they don't agree with them.  Facebook has made political overactivism too much of a possibility.  I need a break....it's not even an election year.

9) Being Cold
Wow...this should be higher up on my list.  I hate being cold.  I'm seriously considering a move to a warmer locale at some point in life.  Its not even just the wintertime though, I also hate air conditioners and fans...and I wear sweaters and sleep under blankets all year.

10) Being far away from the people I love...
I met some of my favorite people in the world during my college years....whether that was in college, at Tahoe, in Moses Lake, etc...  Unfortunately, now that college is over and those experiences are over, a lot of my favorite people live far away from me now.  I feel like pieces of me went with them....I hate it.

There you have it....don't feed me something you hunted and please don't season it with cilantro.

I'll come back with an upbeat "10 Favorite Things" next week!  :) 

Shot through the Heart

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching.....not my favorite holiday.  Not that I don't enjoy most of the fundamentals of the day....I'm a big fan of romance...I love flowers....chocolates are my favorite.....only problem is that I never have any of those particular elements show up in my Valentine's Day!  This year my Valentine's Day is going to be dominated with moving heavy boxes up a flight of stairs!  At the end of the day though, I'll have the greatest Valentine's Day present ever.....my first apartment.  I'm blessed and shouldn't complain!  I also wouldn't complain if flowers mysteriously showed up in my beautiful new apartment.... :)

Anyways, in honor of the holiday....I figure I should blab a little bit about the men that get my heart racing.  My new friend Delynn from my bible study wrote a blog last week about the celebrity crushes she had...and I loved it so much that I decided to write up my own edition.  Here goes!

Good Looking Man #1)
Zach Gilford



This guy is top on my list and all of my friends know it.  I bring him up at pretty much any opportunity that I deem even slightly appropriate to bring up attractive people.  I first saw him in a movie that came out right after I graduated from college called Post Grad.  I wanted to see it because it seemed relevant to my life....after seeing it, I was smitten. I did a little stalker research after that movie came out to discover that this guy is pretty legit and works at an outdoor adventure company during his time off from making movies.  He is an outdoor guide for kids who are involved in the program.  One of my best friends Christie is an outdoor recreation major and I definitely threw out the idea that she should try to get hired with his company and then introduce us.  No luck....unfortunately.  As for now, he is in a new show called Off the Map which is a jungle medical drama that is made by the same creators of Greys Anatomy.  Watch it....it's corny, but I'm willing to waste an hour of my life once a week on it.

Good Looking Man #2)
Chris Pratt



Chris was in one of my absolute favorite TV shows of all time, Everwood.  They wrote him a role as a funny guy/player who eventually falls for the new girl in town who is a total prude and kind of a huge nerd.  My mom and I used to watch it every week and call each other to talk about what had happened and how cute they were together.  I was fully invested....which is embarrassing, but what can you do. Now he is in this show called Parks and Rec (which I'm not in love with, so I barely ever watch it)....but he is pretty talented and very funny.  He is also getting married (or is already married?) to Anna Faris, who is ridiculously funny.  I can just imagine what a day in their household looks like....it has to be out of control!

Good Looking Man #3)
Joel Pineiro



I've had a raging crush on this guy since the early 2000s when he played for the Ms.  You almost don't even need an explanation....just look at him!  But if you feel like you need one, here it is.  He is athletic...he is foreign....he has expertly sculpted facial hair....there ya go.

Good Looking Man #4)
Ashton Kutcher



I feel like you have to have a super cliche crush on your list or it just isn't complete.  If you catch me going to an Ashton movie....it is almost certainly for alterior motives.  I was looking through pictures at Gram's house about 6 or 7 years ago and happened across a picture of my Aunt Amy at the Kentucky Derby with her friend.  They were all dolled up with their big floppy hats, and at first all I could think was how crazy it was that they were at the Kentucky Derby....that has to be pricey to get into!  Then I reeled my thought process back in and realized who was standing in the picture with them.  ASHTON KUTCHER.  Ridiculous.  Take a looksy the next time you are at my house (I inherited the picture, thank goodness!)....it's amazing!

I now feel like a ridiculous high schooler...I feel like once you hit a certain age, it's uncool to admit that you have a crush on a celebrity. Thankfully I never claimed to be cool.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  (Especially those of you who don't have a special person to spend it with.  Don't let a Hallmark holiday get you down.  It's not worth it.)

Ramblings

"People who are homeless are not social inadequates.  They are people without homes." 
Sheila McKechnie

I saw this quote this afternoon and have been thinking about what it's saying and reflecting on how I honestly believe that a majority of the people that I know wouldn't agree with this statement.  The worst part of my believing that is that a majority of the people that I know are Christians....people who profess to follow Jesus.  The same Jesus that cared more about the poor and downtrodden than anyone else.  He came to save these people just as much as he came to save any of us.  So why is this social stigma so present in our minds and why is that I walk away discouraged so many times when I talk about my work to people I know?

I'm not about to say that I don't have days at work where the people that I'm serving frustrate me and wear right down to the very last nerve I have in my body.  Sometimes they don't have the normal social cues and they don't know when they are pressing someone's buttons.  Either that or they don't care.  But regardless, I think it's really important to remember why it is that they are in that place in their lives....what brought them there.  The very first month of me working at the House of Charity revolved around training us on homelessness and making sure that we were equipped to handle people who are suffering due to trauma in their lives.  I love listening to my co-worker Edward take junior high kids on Urban Plunges at work...because his "trauma talk" always comes into play.  Edward gets the idea of trauma more than any of us....he understands it and he doesn't forget the trauma that people have dealt with when he interacts with them.  That person that doesn't know how to interact with his peers and with authority figures, that person who can't seem to quit drinking or using, that person who can't hold down a job or can't pick himself up off the ground to even look for one.....that person almost always has a reason for being that way.  And its usually more difficult than we can understand.  I think people who have grown up in solid or even mildly functional homes forget that life isn't as neat and tidy as that all the time. 

I think what I've learned more than anything working where I do is that I'm no different from or better than any of these people.  So I graduated college, grew up in a great home, have managed to maintain a pretty stable mental state, and have my health.....but I'm two steps away at any point from losing my job, losing my family, alienating my friends, having a mental breakdown, or facing any other kind of disaster.  Upon any of those things happening, the most comforting thing could be alcohol.  Or sex.  Or drugs.  It would be a lot harder to make my way to that point considering the support I have and the people who care about me, but I know that I work every day with people who never ever imagined they would find themselves in the spot they are finding themselves in.  So what makes us better?  Just that we haven't reached that point?  Or that we may never reach that point? 

We've been talking a lot in church lately about the poor and organizations within our city that are serving them.  I'm really proud to be working in an organization that is serving people who desperately need the assistance.  I love House of Charity's no strings attached attitude....I love that I get to go to work every day and be reminded that I'm not as cool as I think I am....and that I have a lot of learning to do.  Loving people who are hard to love is really difficult...and I definitely miss opportunities to show Christ's love.  They say social work has a high burnout rate, and I can vouch for that. By about noon all of the generosity in my bones has left....but God reminds me continually that this is important to him and that every person is important to him.  It's a continual struggle to remember that and implement that, because selfishly...its hard.

Just on a little update about work, I am planning on being at House of Charity basically until they kick me out!  I have experienced some really hard moments, but overwhelmingly, I am very much enjoying my job.  I'm not sure it would be accurate to say I have a knack for it, I just love the challenge and I feel like I'm growing.  I guess when I quit feeling like that, it will be time to leave!  I have officially given word that I'd like to return for a 2nd year as an Americorps, and then I'm hoping and praying that a job will magically appear once I'm done doing that!  Also in the job realm, long term I'm looking to get my Masters in Social Work and continue to work in this field.  I can't say I'll stick with the homeless population forever, as its top of the line on the difficult scale, but its been a great experience.  I'd give my right arm and right leg to work with College Bound again....so maybe by the time I get my Masters someone in that program will be looking at retirement and want to give me their job?!  :)

Hope all is well with everyone! 

In completely unrelated news, I'm moving....into my first apartment all by myself!  To say I'm excited is a pretty gross understatement.  I've been wanting this for quite some time, and I'm just ready to make the space my own and take a more active role in my own life.  I feel like living alone forces you to gain a real sense of independence and comfort in your own skin.  Also equally exciting....I'm flying to Ireland in exactly a month.  Be praying that I don't lose my mind with the busy-ness of work and moving houses and packing for Ireland....it will be a challenge.

Trenta what?

In case there was any lingering question as to why Americans are so overweight....Starbucks, you have reminded us all once again. 



Yuck.  Where does the excess go?  Out your eyeballs?! 

In other news for today, I am officially moving into my OWN place next Monday!  I just signed the lease today on a cute little studio apartment in this cool (and semi creepy) old building near Downtown!  Apparently it used to be a home for "wayward girls"....and it was run by nuns.  Hoping none of those nuns like to hang out in the halls still!  mwahahahhahahahhaha! :)  Regardless its about time for me to be living on my own, and I'm really excited about it!  Although I thrive on social contact....I'm not sure that necessarily extends over to my living situation.  Especially now that I am working full-time...when I come home, I just want to come home to peace and quiet!  SOOOOO excited!

Lots to do in this next month.....Ireland in almost a month and moving and cat sitting for my parents and LOTS of work.....and lots of birthday and lots of fun! 

Thank goodness for a full February, because all I want is for March to get here!  :)