FLORA & FELICITY

Something is amiss. The person who forgot for a time that she had a blog is now posting two weeks in a row? I know. Feels funky to me too..attention needy or boastful perhaps.. Well you all can't stop me now! (Literally. You're hours too late to stop me from writing this post) There are so many lovely things around me that I have felt the need to share them //because I am needy and want to blab about all the excellent things that happen in life!

Let's start by talking about how gorgeous these hydrangeas are. There is no shame or hesitation on my part when I admit that flowers are a weakness of mine.

Perhaps it began with the far off summer spent working at a friend's flower shop, which was essentially getting paid for hours of messing around with all types of florals and calling them "arrangements". Since moving to the desert the availability of wild florals (or any plant life) has been scarce so I have made a point to bring flowers up every weekend to bring life and inspiration back into my space. There's something beautiful in their monotonous pattern that keeps my gaze...and makes my eyes go wonky.

Remember that Vacationers concert that I mentioned in my last post? IT WAS MOST EXCELLENT. Yes, the all-caps was necessary because unless you were also there to experience the endless #chillvibes that emanated forth from this band then you wouldn't quite understand. If you are into music that you can jam to while simultaneously feeling like you're at the beach then this group is a serious recommend. Thankfully you can find both their albums on spotify, youtube, etc... so go listen..now! The entire concert was a great way to kick off the new week- eclipsed slightly by all of the drunk dudes who lost comprehension of the personal bubble but even they couldn't stop the waves of music. [also... SHOUTOUT TO LE'ANNA & GREG who also went to the concert]

Last thought for this week: I'm choosing joy. One would think that joy isn't necessarily a choice..until you notice that it seems to be lacking. Reflecting upon this past month, it seemed to have lacked some joy but I was reminded of this verse:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the tesing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Nothing can downplay the joy and freedom given through Christ. Difficulties will always continue to arise from school, family or relationships and there's nothing wrong with me or my life, because God has greater plans in life with a more beautiful purpose for this gawky person. Hosanna. 

lots of love

God likes donuts

It is Monday morning. Unlike normal people with normal schedules, Mondays are kind of my day of rest and recuperation. I am fully aware that the weekends are usually the time for those things but recently my weekends have been quite eventful- though enjoyable not necessarily restful. Although Sundays is a day of spiritual rest sometimes the hustle & bustle of church makes one forget to be still. That brings us to Mondays. With no scheduled class or clinical rotations, a house to myself after the family goes about normal schedules and an ample fridge (thanks mom & dad for letting me come home if only to let this poor student eat) I let myself enjoy a time of reflection.

This particular morning gave rise to some interesting thoughts...

• God likes donuts...and coffee. For sure He likes naps in the park under the warm sun. Trust me. I like donuts, coffee and naps in the park under the warm sun- so He probably does too! Why? Because best friends share your interests and know you. In the past month it has become increasingly evident to me the extent that God is more than just Lord in my life but also a best friend.  

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You understand my thought from afar.

3 

You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

4 

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

5 

You have enclosed me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it." Psalm 139:1-6

I'm so thankful for the blessing and freedom given to me through Christ knowing me, because that means He will always have the best for me in store and in Him I can always find acceptance. 

• I really miss fishing. My family would go every summer when we were younger and it was not always something I looked forward to. Being younger and getting woken up at dawn, putting on lots of clothes in the frigid cold, and sitting next to a lake for hours without a tv was not necessarily fun. The best part was eating hot chocolate & ramen while throwing marshmallows into the lake. We haven't been for a few years since my dad's shoulder surgery. Now that I'm older (more used to waking early) I can see that there is something very peaceful about the entire experience....maybe even fun?

•  Live music is the best. The energy of the band and the crowd is an experience. Last week my sister and I got tickets to see St. Lucia at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood and it was the best way to end a stressful week. As much as I love jamming/ awkward dancing to music in my car, there is something so much more enjoyable jamming/ awkward dancing around strangers in a concert. Next week we are going to see one of my new favorite groups, the Vacationers at the Roxy, so if you also happen to be there come be awkward and chill. 

Thanks for sharing in my Monday morning. We should do this again...but right now there's a midterm waiting for me with my name on it...

lots of love

pause

[Currently drowning in pathophysiology and staring out the window thinking about the etiology of my current malaise...]

Please don't let this cheesy photo fool you- I was even more excited hiking through the Zion Narrows in Utah than my thumb and wide smile could express. During my last week of summer freedom a few friends and I squashed ourselves into a rental and drove to Utah. Between work, school and events we gave ourselves 4 days with a loose plan to see 3 of the National Parks and travel time worked in. It was an amazing whirlwind of hiking, hilarious camping, running from flash flooding, nautical twilight star gazing and the most awe inspiring views of God's creation cramped into a modest 3 days. 

a stormy welcome from Zion our first night

drenching hike to the Emerald Pools to kick off our time in Zion

unforeseen thunder + lightning + torrential downpour = night 1 dinner eaten in rental 

Day 2 hiking the Zion Narrows // running from flash flooding

river hiking can be tiring..

Day 2: First glance at Bryce Canyon at sunset

Day 3- Bryce Canyon : home of the hoodoos

Day 3- catching sunset at Cedar...followed by star gazing sprinkled with shooting stars

Day 4- One last look at Cedar before heading home

A magnificent break being fully immersed and still in nature (thank you canyons for making phone reception nil). Coming into another semester of nursing school with my head and heart in the right place- refocused and refreshed. 

Now back to thinking about electrolyte imbalances...

lots of love 

birthing knowledge

Who taught you everything you know? I admit that I don't know much. If the universe was a box then I know the amount of a dot within that box..if at all. However I do know that almost everything I know is from my mom and my grandmothers. On Sunday we got together to celebrate my mom and the other mothers in our lives by showing love the best way that we know: cooking for them.

A meal for the sweltering heat based on the fresh produce of the season and trying to keep it light. Oh and our insatiable love for cheese. yes we are mildly lactose intolerant.

fresh strawberries and cherries

spinach and strawberry salad with candied walnuts

our favorite brie with crackers appetizer

potato, spinach, and mushroom fritatta

homemade sangria

ratattouille tart

Recipes will come later because these dishes are too simple and delicious not to share! But back to the main event: family

Thanks mommydearest for teaching me about everything from the science of cooking and baking to the reason why we worship such an amazing God. In the midst of our food coma after lunch we talked about what it was like to birth 4 children, and if I didn't appreciate her enough before I most definitely love her now. Happy Mother's Day to the greatest woman in my life.

lots of lovee

SPRUNG

Happy Spring! I love this time of the year because everything is blossoming, the weather is getting warmer, and its the last uni quarter standing between me and summer. As much as I enjoyed the chill factor of last quarter I am very happy to be in spring and to have had a chance to recharge my batteries over spring break a few weeks ago.

In honor of the break I took some time to visit a friend and road trip up to San Francisco to spend a few days of pigging out, shopping, and good ol' bonding time. Here are some highlights:

 can never resist a sweeping mural (remember this wall)

 Some of the best soul food in the heart of the Tenderloin District at Brenda's. Not to mention hands-down the most delicious crawfish beignet I've ever had.

 beautiful weather & a beautiful friend at the Union Square hearts

 seeking food coma rest and refuge at SFMOMA

"oh you blend in with the wall!"

Ending off the trip with pear ginger agave sorbet & mexican chocolate ice cream in a black sesame waffle cone from Tara's and gorgeous creation on the drive home

Despite grim weather reports we were blessed with clear skies and ample sunshine, which almost tricked us into forgoing coats...until we remembered: this is NorCal. Thankfully I have been practicing the art of "layering" which helped to keep the chill at bay only to have gusting winds blow right through me. Thank goodness I gained a solid 10 pounds in those few short days...not. More pictures of my adventures in SF on my Instagram.

The trip was a success and one that I would gladly do again but the perfect end to my spring break was Good Friday and Easter celebrations. Renewing my spirit always satisfies more than anything no matter how much I eat. With that in mind I am sprung for this season and pumped for what lies ahead.

Have a blessed week!
lots of lovee

on a lighter note

Why yes I am still alive. After much consideration, Uni finals week was kind enough to let me survive with only slightly impact on my sanity and stress limits. Anyways now that I have a terrible amount of free time on my hands I decided to dream of warmer days in LA when if the sun came out it meant warmth. If you can't tell by other posts my native SoCal self can only dream of warmer days during these winter months.

Much love and luck to my friends taking their finals this week. YOU GOT THIS.

lots of lovee

worth the rest

Have you ever felt too busy to take a break but when you do it's obvious how much you needed a rest? I had that. Two weeks ago I was in the midst of preparing for uni midterms, applying to transfer, trying to figure out my volunteer hours....blahblahblah. I was up to my head in stress and things to do with little to no time being given to my bible study fellowship or quiet time with the Lord, so when the time came to sign up for EPIC Fall Retreat I was burdened. Do I go as a leader of my fellowship and just forget about all my worries? Or do I stay home that weekend and work on these things to lessen the stress later?

Needless to say, I went. God was working in my heart to make that decision, because I learned to have worth in myself again through God. The quiet time I had with the Lord was such excellent rest for my mind because there was nothing I had to worry about up there except "how many jackets should I wear in this cold?". When I came home Sunday night I was so renewed in the Father that I saw how these worries weren't as big as I made them. My priorities were skewed. God is so good.

Oh and hammock time is always a good time.

lots of lovee

take a walk with me

"Come on, take a walk with me..."

Tell me you don't love Passion Pit. I might have to tell you we aren't virtual friends anymore...that would be too sad. Love their music and I will love you too.

Recently the ridiculous movement of LA weather from one extreme to the next within a week has left my voice hoarse and my allergies in overload. Therefore I am taking this time to not study for uni midterms to reminisce warmer days.

Delicious Mafia deli sandwiches from Pulciano's in San Gabriel to celebrate Pop's birthday...

watching gazelles basking in the heat of the day at SD Zoo Safari Park

Oh to dream of warmer days

lots of lovee

down to Urth

The Sunday that I left on vacation to Japan some girl friends took me out to brunch at Urth Caffe before church. Since it first opened I have been curious to go could it possibly live up to all the hype but I had yet to venture out and try it because I am a poor college student. However I was delightfully impressed with their fresh menu choices and strong coffees. On their sustenance side, I recommend their heirloom breakfast potatoes, paninis, and brioche bread with jam. As for their coffee I was very pleased with their Thai Red Tea Latte and Divine Spice Chai.

After being in Japan for the past 3 weeks I am still trying to recover from jetlag, which has offered time to download all of my photos. Sadly the heat induced sleepiness laziness has taken away my energy to sort them, but with unforeseen rain and the weekend I am now ready to share my trip with you all. Anticipate!

lots of lovee

{photo diary} Thailand weekender

weekend trip to an Akha village

quickly turned from sunshine to storming downpour

the whole group with some Akha girls in traditional wear

playing around after Sunday school

cute kids from the village

one of the Akha women in traditional garb

In between our two weeks of teaching at MoPoSo we were given the chance to visit a local Akha village up in the mountains. It was such a blessing to meet the people there and their hospitality and generosity was amazing despite their limited resources. We attended their church and worshipping with other believers was so refreshing in a country that is almost entirely Buddhist. A small bonus was the incredible food and hilarious children that we played with all weekend.

Still more to come...

lots of lovee

p.s. leaving for Japan in exactly one week? MADNESS.