My Best Deal Ever

Ohhhh Ladies. I have dipped my toes into the fabulousness that is Ebay.
I have just purchased something that is worth over $350+ for just
twenty five dollars. Yes. You have heard that correctly. And what
did I buy? Something that I have had my eyes on for quite some time.
A Bobbi Brown set of makeup brushes. Swoon.
Let's just put it this way: there's twelve brushes in the kit that I bought.
They're worth $20-40 a piece. There's no way that a starving student
like me would be able to afford them.

Normally, I try to avoid math like the plague. But when I calculated my savings (93%!!!)
via Ebay, the offer was too good to pass on. For reals. Math doesn't lie. This purchase
and subsequent glee officially establishes me as one of the girliest girls ever.
But, it's a label that I'm pretty okay accepting.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Brushes. 

Please bear with me while I squeal in girlish delight because:

A. I got something that I really wanted 

B. I got an amazing deal (!!!!!!)

C. I wanted a "I'm almost over the hump" present for myself as a reward finishing my finals, 20 page papers, (yes. plural.) and other miscellaneous academic torture devices. 

So there you have it. Ebay. My first time using it. Now, definitely not my last. 

Reverb10: Let Go

Prompt for today:
Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

Wow. This prompt really hit close to home, almost too close. I'm not so sure that I feel comfortable saying this on a blog or even really talking about it too much these days. But let's just say that some relationships and friendships aren't meant to last forever, as much as you'd like them to. There is pain, there are tears. But more than that, I think the Lord is teaching me patience and that He has my ultimate best in mind.

It really doesn't matter what happened or who said what, but I know that my future is secure because of what Lord is doing in my life. I've gone through many dark days in this past year and I've been healing in wonderful ways. God has been using his Church and the saints to minister to my weary heart. And for that, I really am so very thankful.


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Reverb10: Wonder

Prompt for today:
Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

I think that this year, I decided to savor every moment. To be honest, my time in Los Angeles is coming rapidly to an end. I realize that these blessings that I currently enjoy won't be around forever. I'm taking time to enjoy the small things: my church, my friends, the city that I love. And this turns into a sense of wonder. I become thankful for all of the ways that the Lord has worked mightily in my life. I even find joy in academics, as difficult as it might be at times. My life doesn't seem so small and my problems don't appear as unconquerable.

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Happy Hanukkah!

I'm just gonna break up all the "sharing" and "emotions" of the current blogroll

to show you guys a pretty funny video. In honor of Hanukkah, I'd just like to

wish all of my Jewish readers a wonderful holiday! And eh... that kinda includes

me! But I'll be celebrating back at home, making Latkes and Matzo Ball Soup with

my dad. Hopefully, I'll be able to share these recipes with you guys. Yum!

Since I'm not home yet and since I'm not really "celebrating" Hanukkah,

I thought I'd bring you a little holiday cheer via this parody. I laughed,

hope you will too!

Happy Hanukkah!

Reverb10: Moment

Prompt for today:
Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail.

To be honest, I have had many "alive" moments during this year. Most of which happened in the context of academics. There's little to compare with the satisfaction of a job well done, or an excellent meeting with a professor. Some of my "alive" moments occur when I walk home, listening to my iPod and enjoying the sunset or beautiful day. To be honest, feeling alive doesn't always have the connotation of happiness or light. Sometimes what makes us human is the ability to feel pain or loss.

But one wonderful moment in particular happened in London. I remember it for a few reasons. This particular moment was one of anticipation and optimism in the purest form. I was in England for a study abroad trip. At this particular moment, I had finished my final. It was my final day/night in London. I handed in my final to my TA and decided to take a little walk. The streets were busy and bustling, as it was midday. I took a deep breath and took it all in - the sights, sounds, colors, texture of this city. I realized that my hard work was behind me, for the time being. I also knew that my trip to Paris would happen the next day. I remember that moment because I felt so free and so optimistic. All of the heaviness of the past just seemed to evaporate. There was no sorrow, no pressure, nothing at all. Just peace. I knew that good days were ahead.

And, to be honest, they were. The good days continue even still. I think this is because I'm looking at the things that are to come. And the future seems so much brighter than my past.

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Reverb10: Writing

Prompt: Writing. 
What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it?


To be honest, there isn't too much that's special to write about in my life. I mean, I blog about my school work, my recipes and cooking, videos and the like. Unlike many successful bloggers, I haven't found my niche. I've been lurking on the sites of mommy bloggers, wedding blogs, natural birth activists, and ladies who promote biblical womanhood. The difference between those guys and me is that they all have a topic, a common theme that permeates all of their entries. I'm pretty sure that in the future, I'm going to have something to write about. After all, there's a possibility that I'll be moving to France next year. If that doesn't say "niche", I don't know what does. But as for my consistent blogging, I think that I'm pretty decent. So... there's no "reason" that I'm not writing as often as I'd like. I just think that I need more time. As far as daily inspiration, I have no idea. Life is going to unfold and this blog will, hopefully, reflect that.

Reverb10: Change & Rebirth

I signed up for a blogging challenge for the month of December at Reverb. Basically, the premise is that they give you a prompt each day of  December and you blog about it. Sounds cool, yeah? I'm going to give it my best shot! 
Here's the prompt for today (December 1): 
One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?


2010 - Change. 
This year has completely turned my world upside down. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone in so many different ways, academically, spiritually, relationally. The things that I thought were solid, weren't. I've gained friends, I've lost friends, I've traveled to Europe, I've written papers, I've cried more than I ever have in my entire life, and I've laughed so hard that I've cried. But through all of it - the sleepless nights and early mornings, the Lord has been faithful and merciful to me. I have been able to see true joy. There is something precious that comes with pondering and meditating on the salvation that I have been given through Christ. Even in my darkest hours (and there were many), I have seen the peace of the gospel and the lovingkindness of the Lord. So yes... change definitely describes my 2010. It's been a difficult transition, but one that I'm ultimately thankful for.


2011 - Rebirth.
This may sound like an odd term, but I believe that my life truly is going to change within this year. I'm graduating from UCLA, I'll be (Lord-willing) moving to France, applying for graduate schools, etc. So many key pieces of my life are going to be moving. In a way, I feel as if my whole existence is going to be shifted, reborn. I'm can't wait to see the way that the Lord provides for me as my future unravels. It's exciting to anticipate all the changes, as big and scary as they may seem. I'm confidant that the Lord will guide me in the right directions. He is a wonderful Father, and I am a beloved child.