unexpected joys

There are many times when we anticipate certain outcomes in situations and we're surprised by what actually happens.

This morning I went to prayer at Rock Harbor and I expected to leave "feeling" a certain way. I had entitlements that got in the way and after leaving disappointed and thinking for a while I realized that God had something a little bigger than a "feeling" in mind for me.

This afternoon I had scheduled to meet a friend for dinner and was not really looking forward to it because the last few times we've hung out it was kind of awkward. After dinner and great conversation I left realizing that in her I have a good friend, so good in fact that we made a commitment to travel the world together if I'm not married by the time I turn 30. haha

Then tonight I got lost for a while because I made a wrong turn onto the freeway. I was 10 minutes behind schedule and frustrated. Finally I turned onto Irvine Dr. and at the stoplight that sits right before you start the curvy glide past backbay Sufjan started playing through my stereo. The windows were rolled down, "Chicago" was blaring, a dark backbay and glowing Orange County lights passing by me as I twisted down the road as the only car. It was a marvelous drive that made me thankful for life and wonderful cold air in my lungs.

That's all.

no more thanks.

Thankfully I haven't had a day like today in a very long time.

I left work a zombie sucked dry of any real energy and running on reserve. After two days of having an overwhelming amount of kids in my after-school class due to one teacher who moved to Hawaii and one who's out sick, I feel completely wiped out. (Remember that I want to be a special education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities so I will have a max. of around 10 students) Add to that the pressure I feel to meet expectations in my relationships and writing my graduate school statement of intent...

I wrote most of it on Saturday and stayed up until 1am last night to finish it. I was pretty proud of myself that I finally did something I had put off for.... I don't know... the past 8 months. Procrastination is an understatement. As relieved as I was to have finished it, I vainly hoped that I wouldn't need to change it after friends and family edited it.

After a day as ridiculous as this one my family called and my parents both took turns telling me what was wrong with my paper and my writing. I believe they said something to the effect of it was not college-level writing. That made me feel really special. I guess the past few months post graduating only writing emails and blogs didn't do much to keep up the standard of my academic writing. (If anyone wants extra reading you can have a chance to rip it apart as well)

Anyway I appreciate the criticism because I want to send in an amazing statement, but it was just too much after today.

So now I'm trying to catch my breath and I'm reminded of the words "Mama said there'll be days like this, there'll be days like this mama said..."

deliciousness

This is an amazing cafe in Long Beach. At some point in the next few weeks I'm going to enjoy some French-American cuisine there.

But for now I'm going to try to stay in my pjs as long as possible.