since we last met

It's been too long since I've stopped by here. It's ridiculously early in the morning & I should be finishing up packing for India & try to catch a few hours sleep, but I decided I'd rather stop by here instead since I will likely be without internet for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

Much has transpired in the last month. Here are some of the more notable happenings.

- was sick for much of my final 2 weeks in Los Angeles--the apex of which was a bout with tonsillitis. I'm happy to say that I won, but not before a trip to the worst doctor ever, $60 worth of Chinese herbs being pushed on me, tears of pain & frustration, and finally a prescription for an antibiotic which cleared things up almost entirely after only 2 doses.

- moved from Los Angeles to Texas. Said goodbye to some of the most amazing people in the world and embarked on a new life chapter. I'm still kind of waiting for the full reality to hit me. Prior to the move there were 3 tear-filled moments--telling the staff for my church's cafe that I was leaving, telling my roomie, and telling one of my best friends. But there haven't been any tears since I left. On the one hand that's great & helps confirm that this is the right decision. But on the other hand, let's face it, I'm a crier so it's bound to happen sooner or later, after all as good & right as this move was, it's still quite a big life change. In pursuing one path & a new set of opportunities, I have made a decision to close the door on another, to miss out on certain events & moments with beloved friends, to leave a wonderful church, and to step down from a ministry that I helped build. Given how busy this time of year is, however, I don't think the processing of this all will really happen until sometime in January. We shall see.

- speaking of busyness--India. starting over in Texas presented me with a unique opportunity to travel to India with my dad as I do not have to ask for time off from anyone. Since it is already Sunday morning, we leave tonight. My oldest niece (who is nearly 7) is going with us. This will be my first trip to India in nearly 16 years. It has been far too long. I am not particularly looking forward to the flying part--I dislike flying & the flight is far too long to even contemplate--I am very excited to get back to India. I'm told much has changed in my family's hometown. I'm curious to see it. I hope it has not become too Western & too unrecognizable.

- Prior to leaving LA I got to see Flyleaf with my dear friend Dan, my brother, and new friend Shanna. It was such an amazing show & a great way to cap off one of my last nights in town.

- I've been in TX for about 2 weeks now. It's been wonderful getting to spend so much time with my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces & nephews. It's a bit loud & crazy at times, but I couldn't imagine anything better.

Alright, I've taken more than enough of a break! I will be back from India in early December. I will do my best to post quickly upon my return. If you're lucky, you may even get a photo update. :)

is Obama planning to commit treason against the US?

the familiar flavor of fall

It may be a million degrees in LA right now, but I can say for sure that fall is here! Starbucks says so . . . the pumpkin spice latte is back! hazaa! :) Certainly one of my favorite yearly events. I enjoyed my first psl of the season tonight & many others will surely follow. mmm :)

I hope to never see Brad Penny in a Red Sox uniform again. What a pathetic excuse for a pitcher. There's absolutely no excuse for having a starter who can almost always guarantee a loss. So glad to be getting Tim Wakefield back this week. If you know me well, you know that's saying A LOT as I'm not particularly a Wake fan. That just goes to show you how absolutely terrible Penny is. Now let's just hope Penny is the one ousted from the rotation.

In other Red Sox news, we took Yankee pitcher Burnett for a ride this afternoon! Few things delight me more than my boys beating up on Burnett. Not sure why, just really dislike him. And our baby starter--Tazawa who's 23 & was pitching in only his 3rd major league start--shut out the Yankees for 6 innings!

This was a fantastic turn of events after losing all of our last 5 matches against the Yanks including last night's horrendous (hopefully last) outing from Penny. Let's hope that was our last loss to the Yankees for 2009...

Nearly 4 years ago I had a dream about the frustrating dance that can be male/female interactions. A friend on whom I had a crush at the time and I were the starring players in this dream. At this point I don't remember many specific details save for the following as I had made note of it at the time.

I was startled awake from the dream just as my friend shouted, "I'm in love with you and I'm terrified!" Quite a thing to try to wrap your mind around upon waking. Of course not having transpired in reality there's no particular need to parse out the meaning of such an exclamation. But now so many years later having run across what I had jotted down about the dream at the time, I do have thoughts on it. And guess what, you get to hear them! I know, you're feeling very lucky right now. ;)

I genuinely desire that kind of love. A love that is so strong and amazing that it can also be completely frightening. And not in a bad or immobilizing sort of way, but in a way that you are so filled with it that you daren't screw it up. A love that is willing to take on the responsibility of what it really means to be a provider for a wife & eventual family. A love that says I will work for you, fight for you no matter what it takes--blood, sweat, & tears when necessary. A love that recognizes sometimes all 3 will be necessary & stands up mightily regardless. A love that reflects agape as much as is humanly possible. And it is a love I greatly desire to return.

Being the one inside my subconscious I can tell you that is how it was meant in the dream, even though it never did & never will translate into real life with that particular man. I hope that God will not take too much longer to bring me to the man He does have in mind for me.

Dear football, please go away!

In a perfect world football season would only be 2 months long and would not overlap baseball season. Actually in a perfect world football would not exist, but I'm being kind(ish) to my football loving friends. Is it just me or does football keep starting earlier & earlier every year? All I know is that it's not even September yet and we've got plenty of good baseball left, so football can just shut it & go away for awhile (or forever). Thanks.

If heaven had a flavor it would be Red Velvet Cheesecake. Wow. Get thee to a Cheesecake Factory & try some today!