“What more, you may ask, do we want? … We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words—to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.”
July 9, 2009
Beauty from ashes.
A tear-stained garment of praise.
New from old.
Restored ruins.
Life from death.
Strength in surrender.
Spring follows winter.
The seed grows.
Blossoms unfold.
Sunshine breaks the clouds.
Moonlight streams on dark waters.
Timid delight.
The whisper of peace.
Fragile hope.
But hope nonetheless.
July 8, 2009
“For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
July 7, 2009
May the strength of God guide me this day, and may his power preserve me.
May the wisdom of God instruct me;
the eye of God watch over me;
the ear of God hear me;
the word of God give sweetness to my speech;
the hand of God defend me;
and may I follow the way of God.
Christ be with me, Christ before me,
Christ be after me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort, Christ in the chariot,
Christ in the ship,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
July 5, 2009
Chairs in rows
A simple school gym
A house of praise
Empty seats slowly fill
As the people trickle in
Music playing
Singers singing
Dancers dancing
Freely
Hands raised
Lights lowered
Body, mind, and heart align
In worship
Truth spoken
Witness given
Goosebumps on my arm and neck
Listen.
Hear.
Follow.
“How lovely is Your dwelling place
O Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You”
“For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings”
“One thing I ask and I would seek
to see Your beauty”
“My heart and flesh cry out
for You, the living God
Your spirit’s water to my soul”
“I’ve tasted and I’ve seen…”
July 3, 2009
Sunset in the west
rolling over the hills.
Water lapping at our feet.
Sand soft between the toes.
Smell the salt in the air
Feel the ocean spray.
Moonlight glimmers
On the rippling waves.
June 30, 2009
I realized that I never shared anything about the weekend the ‘rents came to town!
My mom and dad came up for graduation and allowed their daughter to play tour guide for a few days following. It was fun to show them a little bit of the sights and sounds of the city that has been my home for the past 2 years.
Day One.
The fun began on Friday with an airport pickup and battling some good old LA traffic.
I think one of the highlights of the weekend was my dad saying he was impressed with my driving. A huge compliment considering that my family has a saying: “you’ve pulled a Toni!” whenever a vehicle is damaged 
A tour of campus was next and my parents were able to watch the “Finals Sprint” in which students make the final run for the office to turn in papers & assignments before the office closes at 5pm.
Having made my own sprint earlier in the day, I quite enjoyed being on the spectator side!
Strolling through Old Town and dinner with the roomie followed.
Day Two.
Saturday was graduation day. An early start for everyone followed by many pictures, smiles and poses.
And yes, I wore a dress and heels.
A yummy lunch of Thai food followed.
That evening we headed to the beach and mom and I splashed in the waves while my dad watched and held our bags. Thanks dad!
After the beach we went to the Griffith Observatory. Seeing the city lights at night from the hills has become a new favourite of mine.
Day Three.
Sunday was “take the parents to presentation” day. We went down to MacArthur Park and the ‘rents got to hear some of the stuff I’d been working on all quarter.
Evening was a stroll through South Pasadena through my favourite park and gawking at some of the incredible houses.
Day Four.
Monday began with a delicious breakfast at Marston’s.
It became a bit of an improv day as plans for the Getty were put on hold due to the tour guide forgetting that Monday’s the Getty is closed…
Instead we walked down Rodeo Drive and drove through Beverly Hills.
Then we made our way to the Huntington Library & Gardens. I’d never been so I was excited! We were not disappointed. There was something for everyone. History for my dad. Art for my mom. Nature for me. Actually, I think we all enjoyed all three!
Wanting to give the full “student” experience, happy hour at Yardhouse was next.
Day Five.
Tuesday we rode the metro into downtown and explored. Pershing Square, the Public Library, the Financial District, Grand Central Market where we enjoyed some delicious pastries.
We hopped back onto the metro to hit up Hollywood. Not the star-struck type, I think we spent less than 5 minutes tracking stars and handprints!
We took the metro back to Pasadena and then it was goodbye.
We had fun. Laughing. Talking. Just spending time together.
It was good to catch up.
My parents have given me so much. They encourage me. Challenge me. Believe in me. Dream with me. Remind me of who I am.
I am thankful.
June 30, 2009
“Instead of hating the people you think are war-makers, hate the appetites and disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed – but hate these things in yourself, not in another.”
June 29, 2009
Happy sigh.
Sitting with the door open, letting the evening air cool the apartment after a warm day.
A good day.
Sunshine.
Children playing with supersoakers.
Laughter.
Work.
Rest.
Ice Cream.
A good book.
Repeat happy sigh 
June 27, 2009
I’m upset.
Sad.
Discouraged.
Frustrated.
Confused.
Angry.
At the world, for just not caring,
At f**ked up people who mess up the world for others
At God for His silence.
Why wasn’t more done?
Why wasn’t it stopped?
She was just a girl.
And when she acted out after school, they just gave her more meds.
Obviously, she was the messed up one…
No one thought that it could’ve been something else, someone else.
No one thought to point the finger at others.
No one thought to because they were supposed to keep her safe.
She was supposed to be kept safe.
A broken home wasn’t enough, God??
You had to throw this mess into the picture too?
I’m proud of her for speaking up.
She dared to say something.
How many remain silent?
Keeping it all inside?
Thinking it’s all their fault.
