(no title).

wearing many hats.

working in someones house is a very interesting thing. because there isn't one main thing i do. there are a lot of things i do. so it's not a "normal" job in the sense of my gmail is always up or i am constantly next to the phone or i even use a computer at all in a day. i actually love the days that i don't the most. when you're working in someone else's house, and your goal is to help them complete daily tasks of living and create home, often times responding to an email or writing notes doesn't seem like the priority at a given moment. and those things are important (i don't want anyone to think i'm not responsible. i am completing the logistical aspects of my assignment) it's just that finding an old box of hats when you help someone organize their room calls for trying them all on and taking pictures in sepia. because it's just more fun that way. and when you work in someones house, you can't be all business. which is such a gift to me. in those little moments it reminds me why i'm here. it reminds me why i said yes to this often frustrating role - because it's not all about me. and in my discomfort and in the challenges i face, that is what it always boils down to. it's not all about me. we think it's all about us, but it's not. and it's really hard to give that desire up and let it go and have it be about other people and the experiences we share with them. because we are wired to think "me, me, me." and in the few moments that i actually live that truth out, i am continually reminded of how rewarding it is to do what i think we were made to do - embark on this journey together.

my 'companion' in L'Arche... isn't she adorable? :)

we've sprung.

although in terms of the weather in syracuse it is not technically spring yet, in my mind - we've sprung. and i guess that's all that really matters. i've sprung in every way possible. it's still cold out but my winter coat is collecting dust in the closet. and i've let some sunlight into the blog and my roommate is making sweet tea. usually in the spring i feel the urge to cut off all my hair. i'm not sure why. if you've ever cut a large amount of your hair off before, i'm sure you can relate to that "i just lost five pounds, weight-off-my-shoulders, freeing feeling" that comes with it. to say goodbye to winter, i give myself a lighter step into the next season. shed some of the winter blues and suffocating feelings of being trapped inside during blizzards. i also don't cut my hair much, so this is also probably why the timing always lines up.

this year in my attempt to spring myself forward, i left the hair as is (loving it & it's not long enough to donate yet) and on a whim, pierced my nose instead. my dad is worried. he thinks i'm going to want a tattoo next week now. dad's are funny when they worry about their daughters. it bugs me sometimes but mostly it makes me laugh. i'm still the same. still me. still dre. still (kind of) his little girl. the only difference is there's a very small diamond on my nose. i like it - just a little shimmer. a little something.

and what i've learned in my short 23 years of life thus far is that sometimes it doesn't take much for someone to feel like they shine. all we really want is to be around people who make us shine a little. and there's nothing wrong with that. we all embody something in us that is light and free and joyful and good. when our insecurities kick in and we convince ourselves to push that down rather than radiate it outwards... well, that is when we get ourselves into a pickle.

you should watch this. put the volume up loud. it's a happy and sunny song/video. perfect for springing forward...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

be you. be free. and most importantly, don't be afraid to shine.

i am a somebody.

my friend fell on her face. sometimes it happens. and people pick us back up and we keep going. her knee gave out and she slammed her face on the pavement outside the salvation army. and she's feisty and cute as it is - so with double black eyes she's even more adorable. i didn't think that was possible. so after a crazy week/weekend, including a 5 plus hour trip to the er, i am glad to be watching a special on the oprah network on maya angelou. about life and poetry and learning and the importance of home. and that our purpose is to live from our center and out of love. i love sunday nights. and being alone upstairs in this house. just the other day i was thinking about how "my house" is handicap accessible. oh, how cool.

this morning in church a woman who i didn't recognize (which is unusual - i often recognize the lector since i'm always there) talked about how we are all somebody. we are skilled and gifted and loved and good. pretty inspirational yet wonderfully simple. the 4 year old girl in this video was part of the woman's motivation...

http://wimp.com/amsomebody/

the grey-green eyes that lock with mine every sunday as we sing the our father looked a little different today. at first glance, they were swarmed and surrounded by an army of bruises. and then, they were soft, kind, and begging for acceptance. and as much as a person or a situation can frustrate, upset, and challenge me... it's never anything that a powerful stare (especially when accompanied by the piano) can't 180. and i love when life turns things around for us. in a small moment. we fall, and we get back up.

heading to... wrestle mania. (i'm serious)

with certain jobs, there are certain perks. for instance if you work for metlife, you may get to go golfing with important people and eat important meals. if you're a teacher, you get the summer off. if you're a work-out instructor, you are more fit than all your friends (most of the time). and if you're me... you get to go to madison sqaure garden in nyc to a live wrestling show.

i love the city and the hustle and bustle of people, all with different stories, all on different missions. it just feels so exciting. but in the past when i've been in nyc i've taken in the sights, walked around central park with light snowfall, eaten wonderful food, watched the rockettes at christmas time, and always been suckered into buying stolen bags and scarves from street vendors. this time - i think my journey will be very different.

when i was hired for this position this past summer, in my 'interview' one of my lovely supervisors told me that part of the job entails accompanying core members to events or activities in the community... sometimes this is a movie or a family dinner. or something of that nature. sometimes it's even a vacation. and sometimes it means doing something you'd never do if it were up to you. because all of our interests are unique. i vaguely remember thinking this was kind of funny and pondering an example. "what could she possibly mean?" well, now i know.

so wish me well. myself and my 70 year old pal (yes, she is 70 and yells at the tv when wrestling is on) will venture into that wonderful buzz of nyc in serious hopes to get backstage with the rock and stone cold steve austin, respectively.