Colors of a Cowboy's Cliche

I was driving home today and I had one of those moments. One of those moments when for a split second it feels like it's just me and the world and everything is absolutely perfect. It was one of those times when I wished I had a camera with me to capture the sunset and the scenery although I don't think that even a camera would have captured how perfect this moment was. At times like that the John Mayer song "3x5" always runs through my mind..."Didn't have a camera by my side this time...hoping I would see the world with both my eyes..." (Yeah, yeah, yeah...give me a hard time because I like John Mayer). Anyhow, it was just perfect...

Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when
I'm in the mood to lose my way with words

Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
Are next to mountains anyway

--John Mayer "3x5"

And for some reason, it made me start to think of all the things I want to do or learn. And I've decided that I need to start a list so I don't forget anything. And apparently I like to start sentences with the word "And" even though my English teachers in school always told me not to. They also told me not to end a sentence with a preposition like I just did. Obiviously I didn't listen very well. But I digress. (I don't think you're supposed to start a sentence with "but" either...ai yi yi...this post is quickly turning into an English lesson...I've never really been one to focus easily...)

So here you have it. The start of Kristi's List. I'm sure many things will be added to it with time.

1. Learn to play golf
2. Go black water rafting
3. Go rock climbing (Like real rock climbing...not a fake wall)
4. Complete a triathalon (not an ironman...I'm not that crazy)
5. Learn to play the guitar
6. Write my own song (complete with lyrics)
7. Write a book (I don't know about what...I'll find something, I'm sure)
8. Travel to every continent...except Antartica (For some reason I just don't find Antartica appealing--and this item alone contains so many sub-items--like I want to travel down the Amazon River, visit the Eiffel Tower, ride an Elephant in Thailand, eat Sushi in Japan, walk along the Great Wall of China, zip line in Costa Rica, kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, take a gondola down the canals in Venice, traverse the countryside of Tuscany, explore Christian roots in Israel...and oh sooooo much more. I should probably do a single list on this alone).
9. Ride in a hot air balloon
10. Go on a missions trip to Africa (help with Clean Water Initiatives)
11. Build a house that is made from environmentally friendly products
12. Own a hybrid car
13. Learn a second language (I'd like to learn either French or Spanish)
14. Re-learn American Sign Language and become fluent
15. Go white water rafting
16. Plant my own garden of vegetables
17. Teach a college course

Okay, that's a good start. I ended on lucky number 17...what? Never heard 17 being lucky? Well, it is now. Anyhow, if you have suggestions for me to add to my list, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I really just need to find a job that pays a lot and gives a lot of vacation so I can fit all of this in. When Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel quits her job, I'm totally ready to take over for her. Or the crazy Disney girl...I can be the crazy Disney girl.

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 1st, is the National Day of Prayer. In a world full of so much conflict, we need prayer now more than ever. With the war, the elections and politics, human rights issues here and abroad and so much more, we have plenty to be praying about.

We spoke recently at small group about what kind of fingerprints we're leaving. While we continue to think about how we can ensure that the fingerprints we are leaving our positive ones, we can also be praying for our nation that we as as a nation can leave positive fingerprints on the world. We're a nation with so much influence on the rest of the world and we have the power to decide what kind of influence we're going to have. In this way, it's important that we pray for God's grace and guidance over our nation that we may be given the clarity to make decisions that honor Him and pray that He would provide the leadership and the resources we need to be a great nation in his eyes.

So I encourage you to find what events are going on in your community for the National Day of Prayer. If there aren't any, gather a group of friends and family and pray. Check the National Day of Prayer website for more information.

Catching up

Tonight was really good. I spent the evening catching up with a couple of friends. Greg and I met up for dinner at DTD. I haven't gotten to really talk to Greg in a good long while, so it was nice to catch up on each other's lives. Funniest part of the night might have been this:

Me: I have to go to the bathroom.
Greg: There's one over here.
(We walk towards the bathroom)
Greg: I'll wait out here.
Me: Okay...haha...That's probably a good idea.
Greg: Yeah I thought so!

Hahaha. Funny kid.

Then I finally got to catch up with Dan. It usually takes us a good couple of days...weeks...okay sometimes even a month or so to get time on the phone because our schedules are so crazy. Little background...Dan and I dated in high school and have just kept in touch through college and now post-college. I like talking to Dan because he's very logical and intelligent. Seriously, he may be one of the smartest people I know. He's never been the type to just accept what someone tells him as the truth, rather he investigates and researches and forms his own opinions on things. It's always interesting to hear what he has to say because I know that he's put a lot of thought into it. Dan's really good about helping me put things into perspective and I truly value his opinion on things I'm dealing with. I'm thankful that God placed Dan in my life during high school and that Dan and I have been able to continue to stay in contact and support each other as we cross new endeavors.

Anyhow, it was a good night of catching up with people I care about.

P.S.--For all of you who were desperately concerned about my iPod, for now, it is better. I was able to listen to some good tunes at work today, so all is well.

Sick...

My iPod is sick...this is not a happy way to start a Monday. I'm attempting to cure him. Oy vey.

Let's Recap

The evening started with dancing and ended with dancing...Let's recap.

The first round of World's for Dance were tonight at Epcot. Erika talked me into going with her and we went and watched some crazy ridiculously good hip-hip performances. Erika and I got really good at picking out the girls that couldn't stay on beat, but there were some groups that totally knew their stuff.

Afterwards, Erika dropped me off at home and Hilary and I headed out to the movies. We went to see Baby Mama and it was seriously the funniest movie I've seen to-date. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are amazing. Seriously, this movie was like an extended version of SNL at its absolute finest. I will own this movie when it comes out on video. And to be honest, I may even see it again in the theaters. It was THAT funny that I may just pay another 9 dollars to see it...Call me crazy.

The movie got out around 11:30 and Hilary and I decided that was perfect timing to head to PI. Best decision of our lives. I don't know what was funnier--the movie or the dancing. Upon walking into Motion we spotted an older Italian man who had conquered the front corner of the dance floor. He was shakin' his thang like he just didn't care. And his white booty shorts were oh so hot (sense my sarcasm?). Hilary and I then decided to go check out the other side of the dance floor where we came across 2 middle aged couples. One couple was super preppy and totally getting into the dancing. It was like mom and dad finally got a night away from the kids and were reliving their college glory days. They were cute (although I don't know if "cute" is necessarily what you're going for at a dance club). Hilary spotted the second couple. The lady was trying to grind on the guy, but was more just bumping her butt around as they guy stood there pretending to dance. It was very awkward. Right on cue, the Cha-Cha slide came on at midnight and we totally hit the dance floor. We then found some of Hilary's friends who can hip-hop and break dance crazy awesome. And not much later I found out that my roommate's got moves too! Hilary was busting it out and even caught the attention of a couple of the guys. I think our favorite part of the night was when Mr. Moneypants came out to dance. Mr. Moneypants started by wearing one of those eye covers that you wear when you sleep and dancing with it on. We're still not sure why we should be impressed by this. He then just started pulling money out of his pants and throwing it around while continuing to grab his crotch region. I may not be the world's hip-hop expert, but I believe I know enough to say that this definitely doesn't qualify as dancing...unless you're Michael Jackson (according to Hilary). It seriously was like watching a car accident...you want to look away, but you just can't! Anyhow, Hilary got in a few dance offs with her friend and another kid we met. All along, I mocked some of the people I saw dancing for good laughs and then broke out a few moves myself...I know I know...you're all impressed. Hahaha. We decided it was time to head out when 2 semi-strange guys tried to cut in when Hilary and I were dancing and we had to ask her friend to save us....Thanks Hilary's friend.

It was a good night. Hilary and I both decided we're old though--me more than her, probably--as I'm complaining about my hip and knee hurting afterwards. Hahaha...darn arthritis.

Oh, yeah, I forgot one of the best parts. While walking through the parking lot after the movie before we went dancing (I needed to drop stuff off in my car), Hilary was leading the way while I was on my phone texting. She couldn't find my car so I looked up to find it. Right after I found my car and we were walking towards it, I looked back down for a second and then ran right into a car. Yeah, we were 110% sober...I'm just that much of a klutz. At least I made my roommate laugh :)

Now I need to go work on my dance moves in front of the mirror...

The Mocha Club & Ginny Owens

Being part of change is so easy. My favorite cause that makes it easy to make a difference is The Mocha Club. For just 7 dollars a month (the equivilant of giving up your Starbucks or coffee shop run twice a month), you can aid Africa by supporting projects such as child mothers, education, HIV/AIDS relief, job creation, orphan care, Sudan regrowth and more. The Mocha Club sponsers mission trips on occasion as well so you can have the opportunity to firsthand see where your money is going and the influence it is having on an entire continent.

What I think is really cool about The Mocha Club is that it's supported and promoted by musicians all across the nation. I first heard of The Mocha Club at a Matt Wertz concert. The next time I saw Matt Wertz in concert (with Dave Barnes), I felt really convicted that this was something so simple that I could do that was going to have such a huge impact. No matter what my income is, I can give 7 dollars a month. To a culture of seemingly forgotten people, 7 dollars reminds them that they aren't forgotten. They are loved by God and they will be restored. What an amazing movement and something that I believe God is calling all of us to. No longer can we live in the bubble of our American lives complaining that we don't have this or that when there are people all over the world who have gone without their entire lives. Just 7 dollars. That's all it takes.

Even more exciting for me, I now have the opportunity to give back again. I received an email from The Mocha Club yesterday asking for volunteers to help run their table at concerts for Matt Wertz, Dave Barnes, and Ginny Owens. Ginny's concert just so happens to fall on a Friday night not far from where I live, so I jumped at the opportunity. I want everyone to know about The Mocha Club and how easy it is for them to be the change and an extra bonus, I get to hear Ginny sing! I'm not super familiar with all of Ginny's music, but I've heard a few songs before and she is truly a phenomenal artist. Her story in itself is amazing. Ginny Owens is a blind musician who hasn't let anything stand in the way of her dreams and her mission to fulfill her purpose. My favorite song of hers is "Free." Check it out.

Turnin' molehills into mountains,
Makin' big deals out of small ones,
Bearing gifts as if they're burdens,
This is how it's been.

Fear of coming out of my shell,
Too many things I can't do too well,
afraid I'll try real hard, and I'll fail--
This is how it's been.

Till the day
You pounded on my heart's door,
And You shouted joyfully,
"You're not a slave anymore!"

"You're free to dance-
Forget about your two left feet
And you're free to sing-
even joyful noise is music to Me
You're free to love,
'Cause I've given you My love,
and it's made you free

My mind finds hard to believe
That You became humanity
and changed the course of history,
Because You loved me so.

And my heart cannot understand
Why You'd accept me as I am,
But You say You've always had a plan,
And that's all I need to know.

So when I am consumed by what the world will say,
it's Then You're singing to me, as You remove my chains

And this is how it went...

I was talking to Phil last night and we were discussing one of the soccer teams he coaches. He was telling me about a player on his team who is really good. The conversation went something like this...

Phil: Yeah this kid is really good. He's probably better than I was at his age.
Me: So you're saying that someday you may be taking lessons from him?
Phil: Maybe. But you never know what's going to happen. He could get burnt out and not like it anymore. Or he could get into drugs...or girls...
Me: HAHA. Hold up. Did you really just compare girls to drugs?!?
Phil: Yeah, you know, they're a distraction...
Me: Yeah, but I hardly think that girls are at the same level as drugs!
Phil: Well, just take it as a compliment that you all have that affect on guys...
Me: Oh boy...

What would I do without him? Seriously. Never a dull moment. Never.