some things we just never grow out of...

Saw this photo somewhere and it cracked me up. so true. love it.

beautifully spoken*

by a beautiful lady.

Who am I, just a kid who knows he's needy.

Chick Flicks.

Wikipedia:

Chick flick is a slang term for a film mainly dealing with love and romance designed to appeal to a female target audience.^[1][2] Although many types of films may be directed toward the female gender, "chick flick" is typically used only in reference to films that are heavy with emotion or contain themes that are relationship-based (although not necessarily romantic as many other themes may be present)

 

Haha, I have a friend who calls them woman-porn. I can see what he means. Something about how we tend to build up in our minds what love is and then get hung up not having it, living vicariously through chick flicks. I like to think I don't do that...but they can be very emotionally manipulative. Like I said about books, they draw you in, you enter into the life of the movie as if it were your own. It can be a dangerous thing, but I also feel like that's what makes a good movie (unless you thought it was going to be an action movie or something...but even those ones have to draw you in and make you feel connected to the characters in some way). Roger Ebert once said, "It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it." A movie can be about just about anything in life, but how it's presented is key. Not to make myself out to be some pro movie critic, these are just my thoughts:P I also quote these people as if I'm a huge fan of their work or something, but I really just looked up quotes to support what I'm thinking and make my blog post sound more whimsical. Anyways, another quote: "A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later." - Stanley Kubrick

I'm sure some would disagree, but I mean there are many situations that I have never experienced or could relate to, but I have experienced loss, grief, fear, regret, lust, guilt, joy, pain, confusion, frustration....the list goes on. I love scenes that present human emotion well. when you can feel the awkwardness, tension, and fear in a moment. Humanity across the globe can relate to this - we just may experience it differently. We are all wired with similar emotions. We are all wired with similar longings. The greatest of all being for love.

 As humans we all have this overwhelming desire and need to be loved. and we chase after things that fulfill that longing. along with our longings for abundant life, and adventure, purpose, and fulfillment.

 I read a book for one of my courses and throughout it he continued to reiterate that Jesus was the fulfillment of our longings. that they somehow have been warped or misunderstood or used for the wrong things. 

I have experienced that this is true, for I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good while living in the world. 

The more sappy I am only reminds me of my need for further grace.

And all I see
It could never make me happy
And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing
...
And I feel stuck
Watching history repeating
Yeah, who am I?
Just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
And let that be enough 

*Let that be enough by Switchfoot

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ― Stephen King

I really love reading.
Although I don't actually do very much of it.
If reading were a friend of mine, I think it would feel neglected.
I went into Cafe Voltaire/Books and Co. the other day, and I felt like I'm not reaching my potential in life because I don't read enough. I love the way the books are set up so that you look at them as you ponder what drink to order. There's something to be said about a cute coffee shop and a good book. I think C.S. Lewis would agree because he once said,  “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” He also said that “we read to know that we are not alone.” James Baldwin  said something similar, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”
Reading connects with your inner thoughts and feelings and beliefs in a deep way that no media, however captivating and powerful it may be, will ever be able to. I feel like I can get into most books, even if I don't think they're that great because you still get hooked. In some way you feel like you are the character. It can be so enlightening to peer into the life of another, all the while realizing more about your own.


"Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul.”
Joyce Carol Oates

skirts and no snow

For those of you who read my post at the beginning of winter may recognize this photo :)
Hooray!
Springtime is here, and winter is over at last.
Someone asked me the other day what I had done for spring.
I said wearing skirts.
I've also been hiking.
Both of them a rediscovered joy.

Perspective

So my dear friend Emily constantly reminds me (although she may not know it<3) to find joy in everyday life. Another friend of mine once sat down and said, "You know when you have an incredible day? My whole life is an incredible day!"
Love it.
You know what else I love?

earl grey tea
Moulin Rouge
hot Showers
my most comfortable bed :)
my blankies
Nigel, my stuffed duck
getting mail from friends
chocolate
crayons
people who smell good.....yeah I have most likely sniffed you to see if you are one of these people:)
free coffee
hugs
laughing
cooking. when im in the mood.
when my body wash makes the whole bathroom smell good.
listening to music
holding babies
pinterest
baking
funny youtube videos
hiking
my cute comfy tank tops i wear all. the. time.
talking to myself
pretending to be a ninja
talking like im ganster
singing. and dancing. all the time. everywhere.
things that are cute
the lake
word games
putting clothes on when they come out of the dryer
walks
disney movies
the smell after it rains

and don't even get me started on God and all the amazing people he put it my life which put everything I just listed to shame.

My life friggen rocks.

soon to be commonplace.

There is something about traveling that is so. so. life giving.
Even if home is the only place we want to live. The familiar can be incomparable. But familiar gets claustrophobic.The familiar can hold us back.

so I'm depleting my savings and going to Europe.