first snow

Snow makes whiteness where it falls,
The bushes look like popcorn balls.
The places where I always play,
Look like somewhere else today.

Author: Mary Louise Allen

So our first snowfall came and went and now everything is absolutely covered in snow here. It's so amazing how different a place can look when covered in snow, even as you look at it every day. As I wade thru piles of snow and scrape my windshield with a plastic cup from Jimmy Johns, I'm still amazed at how fast the roads can be cleared and still struck by the magic of snow. I feel like a child these days (in all the best ways) and I may or may not have been seen multiple times around town standing out in the snow with my head tilted back cathcing snowflakes on my tongue.

My friend Tom often shakes his head at me and utters, "oh you are so southern." Oh and no one here knows about snow cream. WHAT?!

So I owe you an update on my fall commitments that we discussed over caramel apple and coffee:

Short and sweet: I'm feeling good. I loved fall and I'm living and loving winter (as evidenced above). You can still find me on Thursdays drinking beer and covered in clay. I've still got a long way to go. I'm almost there, but I'm still here.

INTERACT: How are you? Have I told you lately that I miss you?

a lifetime of turningpoints

I've had a few experiences recently that I truly feel will eventually change my life.

My friend MK would often say something like, "We never know the impact that this experience has on people down the road of their lives."  I have a strong sense that one day I will look back at my time in Lafayette, IN as not only a formative time but also an immensely magical and shifting time in my life.

I'm not really ready to share the details (mainly because I don't know all of them yet, but I want to acknowledge out loud that there's something out there, "down the road of my life," and its going to be good.

I'm also consistently reminded that when congruence is a valued discipline and utilized strength, every day and every moment can have a significant impact on shaping who I am and who I am becoming.

I think its high time for a list (oooh I love a list!).

Possible Life-Changing Happenings:

• Presented at the Indiana Women in Nonprofits Leadership Symposium and met some amazing thoughtful women.

• Started the "unravelling process" with about 140 other women around the world by joining them in this Susannah Conway e-course that I have been eyeing for awhile.  

• Walked through a magical paper lantern lit path to a Tator Fry, laughter and love at Warren Piece.

• Learned from the wisdom of labor union organizers in hospitality at a Unite Here site visit. 

• Spoke with Cornell West about Ella Baker and participatory democracy in a last minute lecture sneak-in.

• Decide to start a community V-Day Campaign in the local Lafayette area.

INTERACT: What is happening right now that (might) change your life? 

let's slow things down a little

There's nothing that a coffee pour-over and chocolate covered caramel apple can't fix. That's what I always say.  At least that's what I'm saying these days.  This past weekend as I sipped my coffee at the perfect patio spot and graded papers, I waited for a rain storm to come in and I breathed.

I decided that I need to slow down.

Here are some commitments I made to myself to help me take more moments to breathe.

#SacredThursdays. I've been taking pottery classes at here for about 3 months on Thursday nights and meeting up with some folks after for drinks and laughs.  I love that the clay requires me to unplug and be present, physically and mentally.  I've come to value the friendships made in the class and really appreciate what I am learning about letting go of control and perfection from the craft and my classmates.

#MondayNightMadness. An old habit in a new town.  I know myself too well to commit to walking out the door when the clock strikes 5.  However if I commit to one night a week of working late and barreling through tasks, I'm sure to ease my anxiety and guilt from the nights when I'm hanging with friends.  Best part about Monday Night Madness? A few of my student friends join in on the fun and set up post to study in my office.  Lots of laughter on those 5 min breaks.

#JustOneThing. I will do one thing every day towards my decision to choose to live. Inspired by this post When I am overwhelmed with how long the list is, I have decided to do JUST one thing instead of freezing.

#ExperienceFall. I absolutely love fall and I haven't gotten to enjoy it in the last 8 years in Texas.  I do not want to miss it because I am running from one thing to the next or sleeping in on weekends.  I'm committing today to NOT miss it, but to LIVE it.  

When we get our first snow, I will check in again with an update on how I'm doing with these.

Interact:  Do you need to slow down?  What will you do this fall to ensure that you take a moment to BE?

this place is starting to feel like, well, you know, home.

This green chair has been with me in all of my homes post-college: Jackson, Waco, Ft. Worth and now West Lafayette.  Its the only piece of furniture that can claim the honor.  I am often reminded of a family that gifted it to me along with their love and I am thankful.  I surround myself with things that remind me of those places I am homesick for and the lessons that I learned in those places along the way. But its really important for me to call THIS place home, physically, emotionally, spiritually. It feels really important for me right now to remember that this place, home, will teach me even more lessons and continue to shape who I become. 

This place is lonliness, excitement and unknown.  This place is smaller yet bigger and mysterious.  This place is single, transitional and dancebreaks.  This place is opportunity, self reflection and small kitchen.

I told a student once, "Sometimes you actively live where you love and sometimes you actively love where you live. But it's always home."

So as I moseyed down main street last Saturday and watched the belly dancers do their thing, I realized, "I love where I live, because I am home."

INTERACT: Where are you home?

the most beautiful meal of the day

source: http://simplybreakfast.blogspot.com/

I wanted to take a picture of my breakfast this morning, becasue I had this amazing blueberry and ricotta crepe and a yummy latte from Greyhouse Coffee Co. But atlas, it was so delightful, I inhaled it before I remembered it was photo worthy. So intead I will include an image from one of my favorite blogs that inspires me to not only eat breakfast, but to be more creative with my breakfast options.

Simply Breakfast is one of my all-time favorite go-to blogs. Upon visiting I am struck with the urge to get to my sewing machine and stitch up some beautiful table linens and napkins.  From the about page:

"...food and lifestyle photographer living in Brooklyn, NY. I grew up in the South eating grits and biscuits. Breakfast is my favorite meal and coffee is my favorite way to start the day. I keep this blog as a way to add a bit of creativity to my everyday and to keep me shooting photos just for fun. Sitting down to a meal in the morning helps me to be present and allows me to think and to set intentions for the day ahead." 

My favorite breakfast is chocolate gravy; I mean I dream about that stuff poured over crumbled biscuits.  Who says breakfast can't be more than a bowl of cereal sitting on the back of my toilet whilst I blow dry my hair?

Talkback: What did you have for breakfast today? What do you WISH you would've had? Tell me in the comments.  

now i'm just some blogger that you used to know...

I've been gone for a while, but soon you will be hearing from  me again.  A lot has changed since my last post.  Instead of catching up, I say we just fall in.

But you know, we should probably take things slow.  How does that sound to you?

Sorry for treating you like a stranger.  It wasn't you; it was me.

Skype has changed a few of my relationships...

It's really great to be able to see those you love while you are talking to them. Ideally this would be across the table at a coffee shop, but these days its usually through my computer. In these kind of moments and in weeks like this one, I LOVE technology. Thanks, world for finding a way for me to remember (in a concrete way) how interdependent we actually are on one another.

Thanks, Stefi and JT for letting me "hang out with you" on the interwebs...

Cow Town: Moo-ve In Edition

Last Thursday and Friday, I headed up to Ft. Worth for a training at TCU with my future supervisors. It was a really great time and I had an opportunity to see what may day to day might look like and to get to know the campus itself a bit better. I stayed Friday night in Denton with my college friend, B. Which meant that I was not able to be present in Waco to load up the U-Haul. (This is a good things for the help, b/c I am not a fun person to move with.)

Anyway, I have never felt so loved as I did on Saturday. Marianne, Kristen, C Mack, and Jonathan met JT at 7am at my house and then at the storage unit to load up a 17 ft U-Haul. (Anndrea & James tried to come but the load up was so fast they got left behind). JT was on the road (along with C Mack by 8:30).

B and I drove down from Denton to meet them, David (JT's bestie), and David (B's friend) at my apartment. We waited around for a while, got the keys and unloaded in 25 minutes!!! Matt was coming in from Frisco and he came in as soon as we finished unloading. Here is what that looked like before we went to lunch.



We went to lunch at a Mongolian restaurant and then B loaded me up with cleaning supplies at Target. We unpacked the kitchen and living room.

On Sunday, JT and I went to IKEA and got a bed, dresser, night stand, etc. Put it together until 1am. We also had a chance to go to this Episcopal Church where I met someone my own age and got her number for coffee. We cleaned up and came back to Waco on Monday.

Check out pics of the apartment by clicking here.

I'm really pumped about living here. It's a great place and I so far love those at my work. I'll keep you updated.

INTERACT: What do you think about my new place?

Cow Town Is Coming: Prepare for Branding

alternate title for this post: "This one's for you, Candice."

So, upon hugging me goodbye (for what may be the last time for a while), my friend requested that I put more personal updates on my blog. While I think we definitely have a difference of opinion about what is personal, i know what she means. She wants me to update more on the goings on in my life..which is understandable. SO, since I do not have pictures of my unborn children to post, I shall tell you the update on my upcoming move to Ft. Worth. So without further adieu, Candice, this one's for you:

Habitat:I have found an AWESOME 1 bedroom 625 sq ft apartment 10 minutes from campus for a phenomenal price of $399 a month (300 of which will be paid by TCU). This apartment find is a RELIEF and while I always like myself better when I have a roomie (I like the idea of being forced to be considerate of another), I have decided to live alone. I think its a good choice for the current season and I really look forward to quiet contemplative times of being, as well as Pizza Nite 3.0!

Up Next:I will be headed up to Fort Worth on the 6th and 7th of August for an Orientation to my position type of experience. I'm really looking forward to this b/c I have the opportunity to meet Kate, my new Americorps colleague and recent TCU graduate. It will also be really enlightening to speak with Amy (the current VISTA) about the day joys and challenges of the position.

The Big Move:JT and friends will be loading up a UHaul with many of my personal belongings that I have not seen in a year and bringing those things to my apartment for move in. I look forward to spending that weekend unpacking, reuniting with my matching dishes that Hannah bought me, writing lists, visiting a church I have been cyber-stalking, and settling in, before I go back to Waco to crash before my work officially starts.

The Oath:August 25th, I head to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend Americorps* Public Service Orientation, to learn some things, make some friends, and take my oath of service. Following my oath, my year of service will officially have begun..da da duuuuuum...what do you think about them apples?...mmm I love apples...

COMING UP IN THE BLOG: Tales from a Birthday Scavenger Hunt...
here's a teaser photo taken towards the end of my birthday evening...

We need to talk....

So, I took a hiatus from the blog for a while so I could FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS on my job search. (more on that later) I apoligize to those of you who have been dropping by to see how things are going. I am back to blog with a vengence.

I have spent quite a bit of time in Tennesse recently (for my brother's college graduation and some family visits from Germany) and that has been great and rejuvenating. My brother graduated college with a degree in chemistry after 10 years! I was so proud. My boyfriend graduated with his Masters after three years of heard work studying (while working full time). Again, I was proud. I have had a lot of interviews lately and some clarifying moments with myself (amidst some really confusing moments with others).

I think I finally understand what it means to be "centered."... but more on all that later.

I just wanted to stop by to tell you I'm sorry. It wasn't you- it was me. I want you back, readers. So, if you change your mind- I'll be around.

Here's those two special guys in my life-

So, what's new with you?

It has been a whirlwind month, but I have been doing A LOT of thinking and I thought I should clue you in to what's new in my life these days. I will limit my list today to 3 of the things that I am really trying to focus on right now.

1. PRACTICAL- I am still job searching, so I am applying and praying. I am also trying to take advantage of my free days to encourage others, spend time with my boyfriend, and to really reflect on that "next steps" of my life beyond just "getting a job." I have really beend blessed with a few little hundred dollar jobs at just the right times to get the minimum bills paid and to keep my spirits up. Free housing is also a definite plus.

2. CREATIVE- Along the lines of future and money, I have decided that I really want to start selling my crafts online. This is something that I have wanted to do for a while, and I have already secured an online shop for this purpose, but it is really hard for me to justify buying materials if I don't have comitted buyers. Then a few weeks ago- I was inspired by my friend, Cheryl. I noticed that she has some of the CUTEST accessories and I asked her if she wanted to have a consultation to design her some personalized accessories. She agreed and we are meeting this week! That will be so fun and hopefully she will like some of my ideas and be a model for my online shop for some of her inspired items.

3. SACRIFICIAL- I am heading up a weekly service project to make these things called ugly quilts for the homeless. These are essentially sleeping bags made by no cost materials that are hand sewn. We have met twice and have already had a lot of fabric donated...so we are on our way as you can see in the picture below. If you want to donate, we are looking for fabric, t shirts, blankets, linens, curtains, table cloths, jeans, etc. This is such a fun project because it combines my ideals of community involvement and crafting. For more on this nation wide trend click here.

my own two feet have their own blog

I have created an additional blog to chronicle my life through photographs of my feet. I hope to also have guest posts of my readers' feet as well. Take a moment and visit my own two feet and comment. Check back often for photo snippets of my journey through this life of mine.

my own two feet blog

I will definitely continue to post on this blog, however I strongly suggest that you check out the new own as well for a fun supplement.

Blog Action Day is October 15

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion. The 2008 issue is poverty. I will be participating and posting. Will you?

Learn more Here

Hospitality and house guests.

This is Mallory.

She and I have been sharing a room for a few weeks now. "What?" you ask. Yes, I said it....we are sharing a room. thirty Things Thursday paid off and with a little help from a friend (thanks, KB) I have rid myself of half of my life and I'm loving it!!!! Mal's air mattress fits snugly under my loft bed and she will be living with me for the month of June so she can take classes and I can get a little money towards rent.

A week before Mallory moved in I transformed my room (and my life) to fit around her needs and what a cool way to consider the implications of hospitality. I made her space in my closet, cleared off the bathroom counter, gave her some shelf space for books and a fan in case she gets cold on the floor.

You see, I have a LOT of free time on my hands these days and I am really enjoying getting to know who I am OUTSIDE of my identity as a student. God is really helping me to understand that even though I admire great things in other people, sometimes its important to figure out how to do things on my terms.

My friend Sarah told me that when she lives with someone, it reminds her that she has to be intentional about not being selfish and forces her to not only help people in her "free time."

I am enjoying having Mallory invade my space. My room has never been cleaner, and I really enjoy talking about our days and decorating cupcakes. Its fun to come home and see 4 people I don't know sitting in my living room with their bikes propped up against the wall. (That couch sits empty all day when I am gone.) Most of all, I am really enjoying finding creative ways to serve my new roommate in my own way, because hospitality should be personal. Now if only I could figure out how to plug my cell phone in after she's fallen asleep without hitting her in the head with the cord.

I broke up with a job today...

Today I turned my first and only job offer down. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. I've been praying about it for about two weeks and I have no peace about the position, the location, the money or really my future in general.

This is a sad place to be. I am thankful that my family (along with my boyfriend) is not disappointed in my decision to say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

I'm still waiting to hear about another job. If not, then it's back to square one on the job prospects which is CRAZY. I've been at this since March and I'm so tired. I can't wait until I get to just...rest. To all my other friends out there looking and waiting...I pray that the peace of God which passeth all understanding would keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

oh and one more thing.....ROLE CALL!!!!!

If you read this blog...ever - show yourself! Comment with your name and your location, b/c I'm begginning to think Tiffani is the only one.


Keep praying for my future.

I'm a Master...

I have Graduated from Baylor University with my Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration! (Click below for photo albums of my hooding and graduation.)

I have yet to secure a job, although I have a few strong leads. This has been an amazing journey and I appreciate all of your support throughout. I look forward to blogging about my future. It's so bright you know, -I gotta wear shades.

Any and all graduation gifts are gladly accepted. Ha!




Hooding Ceremony Photo Albums:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five

Graduation Ceremony Photo Albums:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Video Chatting

I talked to my best friend (Stefi) all day today as we tried to use Skype to video chat. Due to her older computer, Sype kept kicking us off when we tried to upload her video. Then we found some other methods, but MY camera wouldn't work.

Here's what we decided on:
We spoke on our cellphones on speaker phone andd turned off the sound on the computers;
I logged onto to Skype and called Stefi so she could see me;
and She logged onto imo.im and messaged me so I could see her.

Here's what it looked like from my end when we finally got it all working:



We're not really good at look at each other. We get stuck on looking at ourselves and fixing our hair for the camera.

How fun to talk to your best friend about NOTHING at all for hours on a Sunday! It was almost like we were ACTUALLY hanging out.

I can't wait til we get to hang out in person in April.

Still to come:
*Brad Pitt
*Job Search
*30 Things

My car got the boot.

This is what I came out to my car to find stuck to the window. I was not not surprised, because as I approached my vehicle I noticed an orange accessory on my left back tire. Parkking services has given my car the boot!!! I guess those 11 tickets FINALLY caught up with me.

So now, a few days later I have a paring decal ($100) and 3 parking tickkets to pay ($100). I am ridiculous. I had a supspicion that the tickets were being put on my student bill. But alas, I did not investigate, however parking services did.

So yesterday was the first day of my graduate career (with less than 50 days left) that I legally parked on campus. Bummer, if only I could have held out.

Final thought: As I waited for Parking services to pick me up, I noticed that a student on a bike had stopped to take a photo of my boot. "Don't take a picture of my sorrow!" I thought as I channeled my best friend. (That is sooo something Stefi would say.)

More to come:
*Blog tag from Lyndsy
*Job search Update
*Brad Pitt Sighting
*Graduation announcement