Update

I feel like I have been neglecting my blogging lately, so for those of you who don't live with me (Caitlin) or see me every day (Steph and Laura) here's what I've been up to.
- Senior project! I haven't decided if that exclamation mark is there because of excitement or resentment...or maybe both, but it has definitely started. I decided to do it on the motivations behind several of the accusers in the Salem witch-hunt. Right now I have a stack of books on my desk as an ever-present reminder of what I should be doing.
- Espanol. I'm surviving, which is about as much as I can say for that class.
- Housemate love. I am loving getting to know my housemates and spending time with them. Last weekend twelve of us went down to Ventura for a housemate's photography show and it was so fun!
- Observing. I've been going into two middle school classrooms for the last few weeks to observe for an education class I'm taking. This has been fun and is helping me decide between high school and junior high.
- Baking. This is a very recent activity (meaning this morning). It's my housemate Keri's birthday today, so Caitlin and I spent all morning baking her a "triple chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse filling." Not only does it have quite the title, it took forever! Thankfully it is done and is waiting for her in all its chocolatey glory. Yumm!
And...Mom is here this weekend!!

Scary Movies

I am definitely not one for scary movies. After I watched The Ring I was scared to pick up the phone for a week, and I still haven't forgiven my dad for forcing me to watch Jeepers Creepers. But once in awhile there is something so fun about getting really scared. Last night I caved and watched a "not too scary" movie with some of my housemates. Let's just say I definitely needed someone to curl up with, preferably Laura, since she's so good at that kind of thing. As the only girl watching, I was jumping, gasping, and screaming all by myself as the guys dozed, snickered, and talked about how outdated it was. Apparently it wasn't quite outdated enough for my taste. Anyway, I made it through the night nightmare free and can now add one more scary movie to my list.

The One who sees me

Out of the many things I love about the Wesley house, one of my favorites has to be living with Anna. Not only is she fun and kind and wise, but she has a knack for pointing me in the right direction. Earlier this week she mentioned Genesis 16, and the story of Hagar. She had been mistreated and used and I can't imagine the desolation that she felt. But the Lord stopped her, telling her instead to turn around and return to her jealous mistress. Now I'll turn to the text since I feel like I'm failing miserably at this summary...
"The angel of the Lord said to her:
'You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery...' She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, ' I have now seen the One who sees me.'"
Just as the Lord saw the misery of Hagar, a misused servant who lived thousands of years ago, so he sees us. He sees all of me, my good moments and my ugly ones, and he loves me still. I think that's amazing. He sees me when I'm lonely and I feel like no one really sees me. That means I'm never alone. So I wanted to share this with you and encourage you that just as the Lord saw Hagar and just as he sees me, he sees you as well.

Rainy Days

I love rainy days, when the weather gives you an excuse to wear a sweatshirt all day, watch Friends reruns, and burrow in. I had so many plans for this weekend, like homework (for once) and a day trip to Cambria. It seems like the rain washed all of those plans away and brought long, cozy hours in the Wesley house, full of good conversations, games, and movies. It was the perfect long weekend, even if it was a little unproductive. But today it's back to reality, where rain means getting soaked on my walk to class, squeaky shoes and wet jeans. Wish me luck!

Slowing Down

This weekend has been such a nice time to slow down and take a breath. I feel like these first two weeks have been great but slightly crazy. There's so many people to catch up with, places to go, roommates to meet. So this weekend I'm trying to catch up on school work and spend quality time with the people in my life. So far this has looked like going to see Leap Year with some great girls, having a roommate date with Anna, picking cuties (the fruit) from the Cal Poly orchard, and squeezing in a couple (much-needed) hours of Spanish. And the best part? I still have two more days!

Girls

For those of you (which is probably all of you) who read Caitlin's blog as well, this will probably be a little repetitive. It's not my fault we're twins! Anyway, last night was "girl time" at the Wesley house, and it was so good. We all gathered in Anna and my room in the hope that by getting away from the boys we could have some good bonding time. The funny thing was to watch how quickly it happened. When you put nine girls in a room with lots of pink and red nail polish, something special happens. It was so fun to watch this group of girls, which has been friendly but not very cohesive, start to become friends. We laughed, cried, screamed...it was great. I am so excited to get to know each of these people, invest in their lives, and let them invest in mine. I'm starting to realize that God knew what he was doing when he put me in this house.

Ready or not...

I feel like this weekend went waaay to fast. I'm not caught up yet! Nevertheless, I feel like I'm going into this week much more prepared than the last. The house is clean, the laundry folded, I actually know the people I am living with, and I won't have to carry around a schedule when I go to class. Life is good.

Beautiful

God is so beautiful! I forget that so often, but when I remember it is overwhelming. I'm reminded of it in the beautiful sunsets, night after night, that light up the sky between Madonna Mountain and Bishop's peak. I saw it last night as I shared my heart with my roommate and she shared hers with me. I hear it in the honest, loving laughter that doesn't come at someone's expense. Most of all I see it in the life of Jesus. This was a man who invested in people selflessly, who loved the people who were hard to love and spent time with those who were ostracized, not accepted. He got angry with the pretentious religious leaders but showed compassion to the tax collector. How refreshing! When I remember God's beauty I remember that I am not giving my life to a church or a cause or a pastor. I'm giving my life to the beautiful Lord who gave everything for me.

Honestly...

I want to write an honest blog. After having a great discussion with my new, wonderful roommate Anna, I feel inspired to let you all know how this whole "re-entering" process is going. Part of it has been so easy and good. I feel that the Wesley house, although a challenge, is just where God wants me. In addition, it has been so so good to see my friends again and have that community back. Another side of me is having a harder time with this transition. It's not that I miss Ireland terribly or that I want to go back. Instead, it's that I've grown unaccustomed to parts of my life here and accustomed to my "normal" in Ireland. Part of this is the Christian culture here. In Ireland, the Christian group I was a part of was very small and very imperfect. That is to say, we weren't cool or well dressed or popular. We didn't get together every week because it was expected of us. Instead, we did it because we desperately needed fellowship and encouragement. Here, it's different. That's not to say that Christians in SLO aren't genuine. I just think that we all (myself included) get caught up in our own sub-culture. We hang out with Christians, talk like Christians, dress like Christians. I miss the hodgepodge mix of believers in Galway, where following Christ meant looking different, not the same. I feel like I don't fit in this Christian culture any more, and I'm not sure if I want to. Does this make sense?

Early Mornings

Just ask my Dad and you will know that I am not an early riser. On my lazy visits home I will get up bright and refreshed...about five hours after he does. But there is something about my Wednesday morning meetings (6 am!!) that I love. After the initial painful separation between my bed and I, it gets progressively better. This morning, as my first one in so many months, was extra special. It was so good to see these friends! After lots of hugs and questions, I snuggled in on the couch, listened to some great teaching by Pastor Steve, and got to hear what the rest of the team has been up to. And the best part? I still have time to take a nap :)

Overwhelmed

To be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed by the 14 roommates to get to know, by the book I have to read by Thursday, by the slow realization that I don't get to go back to Ireland and Colleen. The things I had grown so used to, like no studying, cold weather, and my new friend, seem to have disappeared. But I am also overwhelmed by good things. SLO has never been more beautiful than it is right now and I have never loved my friends more. I'm daunted by all the people to meet, but also so excited about all the friendships I get to form with my new housemates. So yes, I may be a little overwhelmed, but some of it is in a very good way.

I'm back!

I'm back in SLO, and it is so good to be here! It started with FINALLY seeing Stephanie and Laura, which was pretty much the best reunion ever. We are still giving spontaneous hugs. Everything else is going well too. It's like the town decided to woo me back to California, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's warm outside, smells amazing, and the hills are still a beautiful green. The Wesley house is just what I expected as well. My roommate Anna and I have a big room to ourselves and share a bathroom with Caitlin and her roommate Lauren. Everyone I've met has been really nice and helpful and I am so excited about all of my new housemates! It will take some getting used to, but I can tell it's going to be a great two quarters. I am just hoping that my classes today continue the trend...I'll let you know!