sunny with a high of 75//

2009-04-03T16:43:00.001-07:00

meaganmaki.blogspot.com

memory

2009-03-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

I just read an old blog that reminded me of the time that we [Amanda, Talicia, and Cameron] were at the Isbells and being slightly louder than we should have been for that late hour, and David came out to tell us to quiet down. He was pretty much walking asleep... and while all of us kids were wide awake, sitting on the couches with the light on, he looked at Cameron and said, " Dont act like you're asleep!" Haha... I don't know why that was so funny, but I miss those days.
I am pretty sure that was after he encouraged us to go to the scary neighborhood where we were confronted by the police. I have the best role models!!!!!!! :)

its been a while.

2009-03-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

The sun is out! I am so thankful for that! Here is a slight picture of what I am up to at this very moment:

First off, I smell like sweet pea, vanilla, and coffee. Not the good coffee smell unfortunetly. I can smell my shampoo [the sweet pea], I have been constantly putting on lotion while here at the drive thru [the vanilla], and my work clothes permanently smell like coffee. The shop's scent itself reminds me of Christmastime. Coffee, chocolate, a variety of syrup flavors, and this hint of heater smell. I am not really sure if thats a good thing, but yes you can smell the heater.
It is SUNNY now. I am so happy! I feel like I haven't seen the sun in years! And that if it hadn't come out this morning, I would have just given up on ever seeing it again! There is snow covering the ground, weird for Washington in general, but definitely weird for the end of MARCH! Meridian is not too busy. Cars keep driving by with snow piled on the roofs and in truckbeds.
Its warm here inside [thanks to the above mentioned heater], and it makes me want to go to sleep. But as soon as I open the windows to talk to customers, the air is cool and crisp. And clean. If that is possible. I think it is.
I am currently listening to Love is Reaching by Candlefuse. Its streaming through my computer into the speakers of the shop. Its a sweet set-up. Soon though I will be interupted by a loud bell, informing me that a car is pulling up to the window. Right now its pretty peaceful, but as soon as I start someone's drink, the whizzes and clangs of the espresso machine start in. The loud bang of me dumping the portafilter's used espresso, the dings of the shot glasses banging together to get rinsed out, the machine itself's humming, and the sound of paper ripping as I steam milk all fill this tiny shop. After handing off the drink and wishing them a good day, the shop is quiet again.
Smell, smight, touch, sound.... taste! I wish I could explain some amazing drink I made myself, but thats not the case. I am being boring and drinking water. Therefor, I taste water.

So there you have it. My life right this moment. :)

lately the weather has been so bi-polar...

2009-03-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

That good old Relient K song is fresh in my head these days. As Washington gets snowed on, the sun shines and melts it away, it snows again, and then the wind blows it away, and then it rains.
That is all in the last three days. WHERE IS THE HEAT?

I could totally go for living in Georgia. Florida even? Mexico? I am freeeeezing up here. Scarves and gloves should be put away. Same with coats and boots. I am ready for flip flops and ballet flats, cropped pants and shorts, and SUNGLASSES.

And ahh lovely. I just looked outside again and guess what... its snowing. AGAIN. Stop, please. And thank you.

i truly love lists.

2009-03-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

Things I love about my life right now and want to remember in the future:

1. I am allowed to stay up as late as I want, and usually don't have anything going on the next morning so I can sleep in. But I prefer to go to bed around 11 [its almost here right now]... so I can get up early. I think I am getting old.

2. I am in love with mail. I have so many little cards and postcards and love sending letters and drawings and cards and chapstick around Puyallup and around the country! I also love getting mail... like the note I got from Hope, and the postcard Katie and I got from Derek!

3. Mount Rainier is no longer my favorite. I don't know why I didnt ever notice them in the past 19 years of my life... but the Olympic Mountains [you can see them from the hill if you look towards Tacoma... but only on SUPER clear days] are the most BEATIFUL mountains I have ever seen. There is an especially good view from Steilcoom. Ahhh... seriously. They are marvelous! I literally do a double, and even triple take everytime I look. When they are out... I find excuses to drive and look at them!

4. I didn't think I would like short hair as much as I do. I need a slight trim, but I love that it doesn't take me an hour to dry my hair. I can shower in the morning instead of HAVING to shower at night. My hair also styles eaiser and stays that way allllll day which is awesome.

5. I am becoming more organized everyday. And almost crazily organized. From my closet to my make-up bag to my folders on my computer. I haven't lost something in I don't know when. Its a good thing and a bad thing I think.

6. I can't read enough. My favorites are stories that take place during WWII and ones that are set in the south. Especially if they have real history in them. Like The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman. AH. That is my absolute favorite. Then To Kill A Mockingbird, which unlike almost all other school districts in the US... Orting did not HAVE to read. I first read it this year!

time for an update

2009-02-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at the shop... reading anything and everything I can about children's ministry. From leadership to service to connecting with parents and volunteers to craft projects and Bible lessons to VBS and even assessing your leadership traits.

My head is about as full as it can get, so I started reading about past and present Auburn football coaches.

Now its back to the kids stuff. I'm praying that God will literally make more room in my brain for this stuff. Back to reading...

2009-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

Some Mondays are terrible. Like when you go swing dancing till 1AM the night before, and then have to be at work at 5:45AM.

Or when you wake up and realize the outfit or work clothes you want/need to wear are still in the washing machine and you never switched them to the dryer.

Mondays stink when you have been on vacation for a long time, and then have to go back to a normal routine.

They can be really bad if you are sick, and still have to go on with regular plans.

And I must say that when you wake up to snow on the ground, and find out you STILL have to go to work or school are pretty terrible kinds of Mondays.

But....

When you go to bed at 6PM, and sleep for 11 hours before coming into work and making yourself a perfect coffee, Mondays aren't so bad.

I think they are probably better when you wake up in a playroom in Georgia and then eat mini blueberry muffins for breakfast.

Mondays are also enjoyable when the heat and brightness from the sun wake you up through the skylight in a tent in Idaho after you were up all night laughing with high school campers.

I also like Monday mornings when you have to get at 3:30AM but you don't mind because you are headed to an airport and flying somewhere wonderful!

Sleeping in till 11AM kind of Mondays are cool too. But so are the kind of Mondays where you have absolutely no plans, but still wake up early and have the whole day ahead of you!

When you buy something new, and wake up Monday morning with it laid out for you to wear... those are good Mondays.

Waking up to a text message from someone on a Monday morning makes the day nice.

copy and paste

2009-01-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

This was a thing on facebook where you write 25 random things about yourself, and then tag like 25 people and they all do the same and so on. Anyways... here it is! :)

1. My number one goal: to live a life that glorifies God.
2. I love fruit. Strawberries, pomegranates, grapes, apples, oranges, bananas, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit... do I have to go on?
3. I want to go to every state. So far these can be crossed off the list: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and Florida.
4. I absolutely LOVE roller coasters. With a burning passion. My favorite so far is Goliath at Six Flags in Georgia.
5. I can't stand white walls. When I have my own house someday, it will be beautifully painted. 6. My favorite disney princess is Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, but my favorite disney movie has always been and will always be Aladdin.
7. I can ride a bike with no hands. But I can't fiddle at the same time.
8. Chapstick=AMAZING.
9. I keep a lot of things to myself for fear of confrontation.
10. I want to go to a dance like the ones in Pride and Prejudice.
11. I graduated with a class of about 110... and I only keep in touch with two of my classmates. I am alright with that.
12. I am a picky eater.
13. Half of my heart lives 3000 miles away.
14. I once got a speeding ticket for going 108. On a back country highway in Eastern Washington where the speed limit was 70. I don't ever speed anymore.
15. I want five kids.
16. Call me crazy, but I LOVE the rain. Its so refreshing. I love the sound of it, and love to sit on the couch with a huge blanket and watch movies while it pours outside.
17. I also love storms. Summer storms are probably best because they are the most rare. Thunder and lightening. Ah! Wind storms are cool too, and snowstorms! Southern storms are probably the VERY best. Where the thunder shakes your entire house, and then the sirens start going off... haha.
18. Hymns are my favorite. The Solid Rock, Come thou Fount, Nothing But the Blood, Battle Hymn.
19. I had my first banana split of my LIFE this month. It was pretty good!
20. I enjoy meeting people and making new friends.
21. Coffee is so good to me. Same with acai bowls minus the granola. I could live on both.
22. I love to sing. To anything and everything.
23. I love cooking. Whether its something I've made a million times or I am learning it for the first time.
24. I am way too busy.
25. Spending time with my friends makes my heart happy. Pillow fights, cereal parties, dancing, going to the movies or dinner, driving around singing at the tops of our lungs, getting pedicures or manicures, cooking, staying up till 2AM while in Alabama, traveling, summer camps, winter camps, sitting on the floor of Parker's office joking about Michael and Alex's hair products... all are great. And I love how I just got super specific at the end. Haha!

there is a man laughing outside the drive thru at this very second and its creeping me out.

2009-01-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

Ut oh. I've got that feeling. God has definitely been preparing me for something different over this past year. I'm not sure at all what it is. But He has filled my heart with joy, and now He's moving me along [ha, from one of Michael's song, but it works perfect]. To what? I wish I knew. If you know, please inform me.

The feeling is so crazy. Its a change-my-job-change-my-hair-color-change-my-taste-in-music, move-away-move-my-furniture-around-move-my-car-to-a-different-parking-spot-right-this-second kind of feeling. What issss this?

your mom called... she stop being a loser.

2009-01-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Awww. Yes I am always the one to make a funny face as Katy pointed out. I don't know why, its just fun I guess. Anyways, for those of you in Georgia who refuse to come to Washington even for a short visit, this is a recent picture of me! Haha. It was at the Forza Christmas Party. On the left is my wonderful roommate Katie, and on my right is my amazing friend Taylor. Its kind of funny because together we make a blonde joke! Haha... So a blonde, a brunette, and redhead walked into the Forza Christmas Party... yeah.

My good friend Nate, and Taylor [pictured above], decided one night to draw most of the guys from Forza. They got a little out of hand with Drew W's hair... but a lot of them are very recognizable. MOst people first spot Drew K... then Bryan. [Clockwise from the left is Nate, Drew Konzelman, Bryan our boss, Alex, Daniel, Derek, and Drew Westerfield.]

Once upon a time I kept forgetting to update my blog.

2009-01-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, if you haven't noticed, and I am sure you have, I keep forgetting to update this thing. Right now the weather is cold and foggy. SUPER foggy. Foggier than I ever remember it getting here. No snow, but maybe soon! :)

Not much has changed since my last post. I still work at Forza. And a lot at Bethany as well. I am also applying to two bible colleges. Ecola and Timberline. Ecola is in Cannon Beach, Oregon and Timberline is in Colorado! I don't have a preference between the two yet, and I may not even go at all next year.

Let's see...

I don't have anything extremely insightful to say today/tonight. I do have a good idea though. I think David should make a new blog. If he did... I think I would like, not drink coffee for a month just out of pure amazement.

it started with a haircut...

2009-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

My hair went from being almost halfway down my back, to being cut above my shoulders, and I am getting the feeling this is only a small vision of what is yet to come. And I am not talking about my hair. [Although I really do love it, and as soon as I get a camera I will take a picture. :) And as for not being on the computer... no internet at the apartment, SLOW internet at Forza, I just don't have a lot of time. haha.]

I don't want to go into full detail about this possibly new change... but it is exciting. For me at least. Its definitely a big deal, and something I fully need to pray about for a while. So we will see if this is where God is leading me. :)

Sorry for the vagueness.

these are a few of my favorite things: part three.

2008-12-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

-Turtlenecks: When I was little turtlenecks were cool, then not so cool, and now I love them once again! I just got a new one for work so I can stay warm, and I want to wear it 24/7.

-Christmas Cookies: Don't get me wrong, cookies are good all year round, but something about making cookies at Christmas and sharing them with friends makes them all the better. Especially warm fresh out of the oven cookies!!

-Late Night Sledding: So last night may have been the first time I have done this... but it was AWESOME. The Konzelman's invited Katie and I to their friend's the Edstroms who happen to live on a 1/2 mile long, perfect grade hill. With all the snow, then freezing temperatures, the hill was like glass. This is not the kind of hill you can use plastic saucers on, no. Farah... you will be pleased to know that we used REAL sleds. Like the ones you collect!!!! :) Another wonderful part about this sledding adventure was that we didnt have to walk back up the hill!!! They had quads to tow us up, and a neighbor was driving truckloads of people back and forth as well!

-Snow: I really can't get enough of it. I don't want it to leave!!! [ And it looks like it won't for a while at least! :) ] I wish that this small amount of snow covering the ground would stay all winter long! It just makes everything look so pretty and clean! I especially like when snow piles up on the tiny sticky branches of leafless trees. AHH! Its beautiful.

-My job: This job is seriously PERFECT for me right now. I love making coffee, and cleaning. Which I do a lot of! I love getting to know customers, and then seeing them outside of Forza. I really enjoy my co-workers. Lately I have been working with Michelle or Sarah all the time at the drive thru, and we are always laughing. Like when Michelle told me Leavenworth has rams at their putt putt golf course, or when I sprayed the ceiling with water and accidently sprayed Sarah as well.

two and a half years later and i'm still trying....

2008-12-05T19:24:00.000-08:00

Washignton-named after the first president of the United States, George Washington-was admitted into the Union in 1889, making it the 42nd state. The Cascade Moutain Range [which includes from north to south: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams] divides the state in two: western Washington and eastern Washington. Western Washington has a 'marine west coast climate', with mild weather, wet winters, and dry summers. This part of the state also supports 'dense forests of conifers and areas of temperate rainforests.' Eastern Washington has a relatively dry climate due to the rainshadow effect of the Cascades. Washington is truly a 'land of contrasts': deep forests saturate the Olympic Peninsula, while the eastern part of the state is a semi-desert. The state dance, adapted in 1979, is the square dance. And while its no surprise that the state fruit is the apple, you might not have known that Washington had a state FOLK song-Roll on, Columbia, Roll on, or that the state gem is petrified wood.

2008-11-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

I have been sick for a while now, and on top if that, extremely busy. Which leaves very little time and energy to write a blog at the end of the day. Also, since we moved into our apartment... we don't exactly have internet. I usually only get online when I go to Adamo or Forza, and that's only for a short period of time because I end up talking to 20 people I know while I am there. ANYWAY... wow, Thanksgiving. 2008 is flying by. CRAZY. I know everyone says it, but I really have so many reasons to praise God this Thanksgiving. So here it goes:

First and foremost, I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to provide. Especially in these past couple months, with my car being killed [haha], and moving into an apartment... God has been so faithful with providing exactly what I need when I need it. Katie [my roommate] and I have been blessed with so many random things we NEED for our apartment. Money came from random places to get us all the basics, and we were even given a TV AND MICROWAVE! Woo!! Two things we did not expect to have at all! Besides these big things, God has provided in so many other small ways. Its been great to move out and become more independent in that aspect, but become more dependent on God. Seriously, great!

Secondly, I am definitely thankful for my family. Letting me live at home for free and borrow cars, moving all my furniture, letting me eat meals... haha. I could go on for years.

The last real thing I am going to say is probably an obvious third thing to be thankful for: my friends. I have developed so many new friendships this year, and it has been amazing. I love the age I am at right now. I can't remember ever having such thoughtful and loving friends. I enjoy every minute I spend with them. Whether we are playing Kidnap [yes its a real game and its kind of scary, especially when you get dropped off in the bad part of Tacoma, but ummm yeah I still love my friends] or Whoonu, working together and making coffee, or at a church retreat, I couldn't be more thankful for the people in my life.

Now a few random things I am thankful for:
-Dr. Pepper.
-lotion!!!!!!! [steaming milk, mixed with submerging your hands in Purocaff water making super dry skin!]
-my new found love for tea.
-sweaters.
-lower gas prices that allow us to play kidnap. ;)
-high schoolers.
-free wifi.
-target. [i got pretty much everything for my apartment there!]
-free text messaging.
-music. all music.
-coffee discounts.
-febreeze [so my work shoes dont smell up our whole house like coffee].
-CANDLES. ahh they are wonderful.

update for farah...

2008-10-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

still guarding my heart, still on the computer, still havent gotten any texts from you even though we both have verizon.

i miss you!

thats all.

okay YUP.

2008-10-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

darn. i have been engulfed by the forza lingo. my everyday language now includes phrases like "I'm having an AWESOME time!" and "Okaaaaay.... YUP!"I knew it would happen sometime, but ugh. My every response wants to be okaaaay yup or okaaaay nope. Then I am like, ughh NO! Anyway... thats only a sidenote.

i hope this doesn't sound too harsh, because its not meant to be. but i am so over it. SO over it. it being settling for less than what God has planned for me. i have had friends let me down before, as well as family. guys who treated me terribly. people who used me because i can't say no. and although all these things have hurt me in some way, God has used the experiences to shape me into who i am now. i have learned to be so much more forgiving, because it is one thing for someone to hurt you, but when you let bitterness stay in your heart... they continue to hurt you for weeks, months, even years. i've found that bitterness towards one person can hurt your other relationships as well. i've also learned the fine art of saying no. turning people down. it is probably one of the hardest things for me, because i always want to help. but spreading myself too thin was hurting me and in turn not producing any fruit in any areas of my life. even though i have learned a couple of these hard lessons, i still want and ask for things that might not necessarily be the best for me. whether it be material things like clothes or cars, or just plain money in general, or relationships... i have a limited perspective.

i can't remember which exact one it is, but there is a nooma video about how rob bell's son wants this cheap toy. but rob was already planning on buying his son this nice, new kickball. shiny... super cool. the ULTIMATE kickball. but his son didnt know that. all he knew was that this little cheap ball on a string was cool at the moment. it was all he could see. he wanted it soooo bad! he was in the mall crying and begging for it. but his dad knew better. he knew the string would get all tangled around his wrist and the ball would smack him in the face, and then break and it would just not be as fun as his son thought. he said that his son's perspective was limited. eventually, rob bell had to carry his son out of the mall... and took him to buy the new kickball.

the parallel obviously that we are like the son. i am like the son. i am like a 2 year old in the mall who wants that cheap toy so badly! i am begging and pleading and negotiating to get the stupid little toy. i think that having these clothes will make me happier, having this car will make me happier, if only that person liked me i would be so happy! but the toy will break. i wont enjoy it. it wont make me happier. unfortunately i dont know that, my perspective is limited. and God is saying, wait meagan, wait... I have something so much better for you. just trust Me.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" -Matthew 7:11

there are so many times where i have wanted one thing, and God said no. i didnt get it at the time, but when He finally revealed to me why He said no... i understood. He had something better for me! i know there are things in my life right at this very moment. things i am begging God to do. but i need to learn to fully trust that whether He gives me what i ask for or not, He knows what is better for me. which is weird to think. for me specifically. meagan marie maki. daughter of dan and jana, resident of orting, employee of forza coffee co, sister of jarvis, best friend of amanda, lover of rain, coffee, and coldplay... ME! He isn't just making an assumption based on popular vote. it is what He has planned specifically for this human [meagan].

i dont know if this all makes sense... i am kind of just writing it all down for myself to reread. but we'll see. typing is so much easier than writing stuff out.

ps- i met dino rossi today.

twenty

2008-10-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

so whoa, i am twenty. i have been for a while now, a month and some days? i'm not going to lie, there are things i already dont like about this age. i have bills. oh the bills! student loans, car insurance, car payments... not cool. but the blessings that have come with turning twenty far out-weigh my stupid bills. bills aren't important, you know? God will handle that. i have complete faith that He will provide the things i need. over the past month [or maybe few months, but i will just say past month to go with the theme of turning twenty ;)] i have gained, and strengthened, so many relationships. i have said it before, but my heart is overflowing with love. my friends are seriously WONDERFUL! i couldn't ask for anything more from them! these friendships are so much stronger than any friendships i have had in the past [with the exception of amanda, who i have been best friends with since 7th grade. dude, she rocks!]. my heart rejoices when they are blessed, and mourns when they are hurting. i can admit that in my life, i have a track record of inconsistency in praying for loved ones, but recently that has completely changed. i love nothing more than to pray for my friends. for amanda and her classes and homework and labs, and all the stuff that i am so thankful to NOT have to do. for julia and her job at the church, as well as her search for another job. for all my friends at work [because we all need extra, extra stregnth, patience, and grace at such a high stress job :)]. for the high school girls at fusion, and the high school girls that i see at work and around town that don't know Jesus. i find that i enjoy being quiet more than i ever have before because it gives me a chance to pray for all these things. which fills my heart with joy.

butterflies? no i think i have raptors.

2008-10-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

WOW.

WOW is an understatement to how my week has been. Words cannot explain my joy. I just had quite possibly the best week I have ever had [which is strange because its in the wake of my car being totalled... haha]. I love my jobs: being a barista downtown and interning at Bethany. I have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with SO MANY people. It blows me away everyday. I have the best friend I could ever ask for. She is always there for me [so cliche, but its true], and she also tells me when I am making a bad decision. I am so glad that God put us in each others lives! Amanda is awesome!! Beyond her, I have several groups of AMAZING friends. My heart is spilling over with joy. My stomach is full of raptors [and no Julia, I will not do my impersonation]. I am so excited to leave tomorrow and visit the people I, without hesitation, call family. I miss them terribly! But I know that when I am gone, I will miss everything here. Although it stinks loving people so much that are on complete oppisite sides of the country, I would rather be far apart than not have them at all!

look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love.

2008-10-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

remember this old picture? i love it so much! my huge smile and pure joy because i am hanging out with the two most amazing boys i know. dax is laughing with his hands in my crazy hair. and cole making a funny face... the one I usually make. oh man, i love these boys so much!! only 3 more days till i head to alabama and get to see them!! yay!!!

rootbeer floats and twisted metal...

2008-10-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Fusion yesterday was AWESOME! It seems like we always have a different feel on Tuesday nights... whether there are different kids or its just different weather. George kind of went over what he talked about last week, the life of David. Then we had small groups. Small groups are always my favorite, probably why I am the 'small groups intern'. haha. Anyway our discussions in the small groups were great, and I am loving building relationships with all these students. After Fusion... all the leaders go over to George's house and we have some kind of dessert type food, and watch The Office on DVD. This week it was really chill. Almost ALL the leaders came, which doesn't usually happen. We decided on rootbeer floats, and sat around in the living room with quiet music discussing the difference between Anberlin and Dashboard Confessional. Just as Aaron was imitating the lead singer of Dashboard... we heard this terrible crash. I swear it was in slow motion. We all kind of looked around at each other... and then RAN outside. Now, George, Alex, and Michael live on a semi-busy street in downtown Puyallup. As we made our way outside, we saw we at first we thought was an SUV, literally backing out of the side of my car... and speeding away down 7th. George ran after the car trying to get the license plate number, and Andrew jumped in his car and sped after the hit and run driver. My old, but well loved Pontiac... nicknamed Ariel by my small group girls because of its green color... was now, umm... basically dead. There was no more trunk of backseat... and the bumper was just chillin in the middle of the street. The police came, and about 45 minutes later they found the guy's truck [it actually wasnt an SUV] abandoned at an AMPM.

I know this whole thing sucks... I mean, I don't have a car, Krystle and Alex's cars are banged up a little [they were parked in front of me so my car kind of ran into theirs as well], but I am not going to lie, its kind of cool to see a wrecked car up close when you know no one was hurt at all. Its just a car, you know? Like... it costs money but its just a car. I am not even really sure where they took it.

After everything was over though, my car was towed away... the police left, we went inside to just chill and watch the Office [yeah we might be addicted]... and the music in the house was still playing. Want to know what song was playing when we walked inside? Crash into me by Dave Matthews Band. haha. Oh man, I laughed pretty hard.

these are a few of my favorite things: part two.

2008-09-30T00:27:00.000-07:00

-long sleeved t-shirts: yes thats right. tonight was perfect long sleeved t-shirt weather. cool, but not cold enough to need a coat. long sleeved tee's are so comfy. i feel so perfect in them... and they go with basically anything. tonight it was black converse. they are especially good in movie theaters, and to wear to bed. i dont know why. but who agrees that they are awesome?

-puyallup forza baristas: i really do have the best possible job for where i am at in life. and my number one reason for loving my job: my co-workers. katie and i were planning on seeing a movie together, when some of the guys from work texted us to see if we wanted to meet them for a different movie later. it was at that moment when we ran into michelle... another girl from work... and we all ended up going to lakewood to see eagle eye. it was a huge forza party! its great that we love each other so much that even after work is over we want to hang out together! haha.

-old navy: old navy never fails me when it comes to that random clothing item i actually NEED. a random pair of shoes that match an even more random shirt? old navy has them. socks that match my eyes? old navy has them. in today's case, it was a dress to wear for matthew and courtney's wedding. yes, they had the dress! and what's even better? the item you need is ALWAYS on sale at old navy. woo!!!

-chapstick: fall is just sneaking in around here... and i can already feel the chapped lips beginning. but oh how i love chapstick! so soft and wonderful and the vanilla flavor smells so good i just want to eat it!!

-fall: i dont think words can describe how much i really do love fall. football. fog. crisp air. red, orange, and yellow leaves. leaf piles. rain. jackets. hoodies. rainboots. gloves. heat in the car. caramel apple cider. warm pajamas. socks. blankets. scarves.

sunday nights.

2008-09-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

i just love sunday nights. i am like, on a high from the entire weekend. my whole week builds up to sunday. its like the end of the week... you know? i get really pumped for church and stuff, and afterwards i am just like... AWESOME!!!!! especially tonight. do you know why? of course not, that is why i am about to tell you...
I HAVE TWO FULL DAYS OFF WORK AT FORZA!!
i love love love loveeee my job, but i also love sleep. which i havent gotten enough of for the past 10 days. my energy level is so low, and it makes me sad. i am giving 100 percent at work, to my friends, at the church... and i just need to sleep for like 12 hours. which is what i am about to do. 10pm to 10am. then its off to adamo in the morning for coffee with julia and miles. oh miles oman. he is such a funny kid. i am excited to get some coffee and watch him drink his 'chock-lit melk'.
which reminds me. i seriously just love kids. they are so awesome. i talked to sloan tonight at church. she's 3... and like, a genius kid. like dax when he was 1. haha. she showed me her tatoos on her hands, and then invited me to her school again. then i spun the norris kids around until i was so dizzy i almost fell over. easton is easy to spin. he's 5. lee is a little harder... and i pretty much failed at spinning jane. her knees drug on the gym floor. i told her she was too tall. haha. and playing and talking with all these kids makes me SO EXCITED to see dax and cole and emily and corey and to meet peyton and just... ahhh i cant wait!! only ten days till i leave. but for now... sleep.
ohhh i love sleep. i am just happy to sleep right now. yay.

comcastic?

2008-09-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

whoaaa, i just had a revelation: my life is comcastic. ahaha. you know... like high-speed? and comcast is high speed internet? oh geez i am such a loser but i just cant make myself backspace that thought. its too great. anyway...
12 days till i head south for a week... i don't even know what to say. okay i do, i am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but i am also a little nervous. i am not ready at all, and i have so so much going on here that i feel like i will come back to a hurricane of craziness. it is definitely worth it though.
tonight was our 5th quarter party. i am going to have to go with: it was awesome! ha. i had so much fun, and met a lot of high schoolers i didnt know. which is my job, and i love it. aaron and michael did a parody from flight of the concords. it was amazing! they did it tuesday night too... but i think they perfected it tonight. "... of course not! we adopted! it was a very difficult process i cannot believe you don't remember it!" we have some very talented people. lets see: i DIDN'T get roped into making coffee.. which i was happy about. the epsresso machines at the church are just too confusing. too much work. too much thinking. my brain is seriously empty right now. my facebook status [and yes these are serious around here] says it best: mentally and physically drained. i really should be sleeping. ugghh.
a random thought: chalkboard paint... has anyone used it? does it actually work? like the stuff you paint on the wall and turn the wall into a chalkboard? i need to know ASAP. :)
goooooodnight!!!!!

the twenty-fourth.

2008-09-24T22:19:00.000-07:00

When did it become September? When did the high schoolers go back to school? When did I turn twenty? When did the fair end? Where did this fall weather come from? I am going to Alabama and Georgia in how long? WHAT??

wow, finally.

2008-09-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

i have been so busy lately i don't even know what to do!!! our shop bought a drive-thru forza up on south hill... and since then [september 1st], everyone at forza has been scheduled non-stop! its crazyness!!!
i am trying to think of whats new in my life to update everyone on. i will make a list because that always works best for me!
-i am still learning how to swing dance. haha. i am not a pro yet, but i know i will be. its pretty much the funnest thing you could ever do for 7 dollars.
-i am STILL trying to move out. it is such a difficult process!!!
-the launch of bethany's new campus was a HUGE success!! we had over 550 people!! God just blew us away.... i don't even know what else to say! besides all the people, the music rocked, pastor george's message rocked, set up and tear down went smoothly... it was better than i could have ever imagined!!
-my room is unbelievably messy. its so weird for me to have a mess. i am so organized. but i am never home, and so clothes go in one pile, work clothes in another, shoes in another, mail on top of books on top of magazines, and any and all blankets, pillows, and books i am currently reading go on my bed. its so strange!!
- it is starting to look like fall here. just barely though. all of september it has been hot!! uggh!! i am done with summer!!! bring on the chill and the rain and the clouds!! i want fall clothes and sweatshirts and coats and boots!! flips flops should be gone! i want to buy new sweaters! i cant concentrate on football season if it still feels like summer out! whoa, lots of emotion in that. haha. i just like fall, okay?
-okay now for some random pictures taken this month:
[first picture: maddy, matia, and me at the konzelman's concert at the fair... david, derek, drew, and darien. we made some sweet shirts and they had to have a picture with us! haha.]
[second picture: my sweet new backpack which i love!! i feel like a kindergartener going to school with her first backpack. it has all these cool pcokets and clips and stuff, and a place for my laptop. the thing that sold me though was that its green!! woo my favorite color!!!!]
[third picture: my sweet henna tatoo i got at the fair the same day as the konzelman's concert. i pretty much love it.]
[fourth picture: 8 of the orange county chopper's theme bikes were on display at the launch of bethany south hill.]
[fifth picture: a latte art heart i got that i want to learn how to do because it is so darn cool!!!]

reason #471 why i love my life: do the puyallup!

2008-09-08T22:09:00.001-07:00

i love the fair!

this weekend i was thankful for...

2008-08-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

1. air conditioning.

2. my best friend manda.

3. time spent with new friends.

4. the elevator at the church.

5. getting back to work after being gone.

6. my awesome co-workers.

7. my song lyric knowledge.

8. patient swing dance instructers :).

9. high schoolers.

10. sunshine, lightning, and thunder!

to sum up the weekend, it was SOOOO hot! air conditioning in my house and in the car was WONDERFUL. i hung out with amanda just about everyday, but whats new? we also helped put away all the camping stuff at church... and the elevator was so helpful! then george took us, and our new friend krystle to get some ice cream because it was so hot! i worked again, and missed my co-workers so much! saturday night forza had a concert, and most of us ended up out in the park playing and watching frisbee with the concert in the background. it was glorious! then a couple of us went to seattle for a late dinner. sunday almost EVERY student who went to camp was at church, it was awesome! and we had our final launch party for bethany south hill, and well... it was probably the most amazing time ever. amanda and i ALMOST bailed on swing dancing, but shane and the konzelmans talked us into it by giving us a mini dance lesson. swing dancing is so cool! on both drives to seattle we had sing-a-longs, and last night we watching lightning flash in the sky every couple minutes! so beautiful! God is good!

words dont work here....

2008-08-16T01:28:00.000-07:00

I don't believe I have ever been this joyous. God has filled me up past the top, and the joy is spilling over the edges! A smile in constant on my face. Even as I type at 1:30AM. My stomach has the best butterflies, better than the butterflies I get when I talk to attractive men (I am trying to sound more like an adult, and I figured cute boys would not fit there... haha).
This past week is undescribable. I guess I could explain a little before I get into the unexplainable. Sunday morning I, along with about 40 students and 15 or so adults, headed to Farragut State Park in Northern Idaho for the first ever DeepWater summer camp. The campgrounds are nestled in the forrest at the southern part of the beautiful Lake Pend Orielle. This is our high school pastor's first summer camp with Bethany, and I am pretty much blown away.
We were blessed to have wonderful cooks, the Staggs, cooking gourmet food that I, the pickiest eater ever, can't fully apprieciate. Some of our meals included steak and potatoes, stuffed chicken breast, homemade breakfast burritos, biscuts and gravy, pancakes, eggs and sausage, briskett, and my favorite... HoneyNut Cheerios!! They worked so hard, and everyone was grateful!!! We also had 3 boats to take kids out tubing and wakeboarding. Along with skilled boat drivers [and crazy ones!!!], and a beyond awesome bus driver... who could turn a bus around easier than I can turn my little car around. We spent an entire day at Silverwood, riding the coolest coasters, and splashing around in the waterpark.
But all that awesome-ness is nothing compared to what went on inside of the students. Bethany has gone through a few different high school pastors over the past couple years... leaving the youth group separated and disconnected. Of course this is where God comes in. He blessed us with an amazing group of staff that just LOVE these kids. Each one of the staff members is completely different. An english teacher, a math teacher, a couple college students, a few baristas, some married, some just working. But it is obvious that God placed all of us together specifically for this group of students. Aaron and Alex put on the funniest set of skits I have ever seen at church. They played a couple wannabe Irish leprechuans: decked out in all green, even green hair! Their accents and crazy dialouge were hilarious! The kids absolutely loved it!! Caleb, a friend of George's, spoke so relevently to the kids. You could see his words stirring up the students hearts, and totally feel God working through the entire camp. Michael and the rest of the band led worship and it felt like the music spread beautifully through the enture camp. The small groups were alive. Students were opening up to each other and to their leaders... by the last night of camp, every social wall and group were broken down. I saw students talking and just enjoying each other's presence... even ones who had never spoken to each other before.
My favorite part though were the small groups. We met every day and talked about the message from the previous night. And on the final night, we took our tiki torches out and had one final debriefing. The girls in my group [as well as all the other students, I heard from the other leaders] took so much away from camp. And it was interesting because they each learned something totally different, and had completely different perspectives on the same things. In such a good way though!
We went to camp with a couple tight cliques, other random kids and friends thrown in, and a couple kids no one had even met. But we came back as ONE. I am so excited to be a part of what God is doing in the hearts of these kids.

"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so
stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one
baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and
is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with
Oneness." -Ephesians 4:4-6

this just stinks

2008-07-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

how can i love two completely different places SO much at the same time? on one hand i am so in love with washington. the rain, the trees, the MOUNTAIN, the coffee, my friends, my family... and so much more.
then on the other hand i feel the same way about alabama and georgia. the complete different-ness, auburn, my friends there, my FAMILY there... geesh.
why cant washington be in the middle of alabama and georgia? my life would be perfect.

so I had a dream I went to England... and worked at Office Max. Yeaaah right!

2008-07-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to update this like 15 times since my last post, but I don't really know what to say. I think I will just post this so you people across the country [Farah, Karen, Bryan, Crystle] know I am still alive. I will probably add a new post like... Saturday, because the next three days should be pretty busy and full of excitement! haha. Mine and Amanda's high school small group is meeting for the first time outside of church... tomorrow afternoon. We found we have three things greatly in common with them... we all love Forza, bagels, and... well... the other one is a bit top secret. Anyways we are planning couple really cool things that I will post about AFTER we meet. Then Friday night we are having 'Dinner and a Movie' at Bethany for the high schoolers. This is like, full on dress-up catered steak dinner, with chicken alfredo for those who don't like steak [like me]. Then a bonfire and a movie out on the back lawn. SOOOO EXCITING! A little sad because Amanda won't be there, and we really are the same person. haha. Joke, but kind of not. Anyways... hopefully tons of high schoolers will come. I can't wait!! So after all that excitement I will update. :)

my first week as a forza barista

2008-06-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

There you have it... my new place of work. On the first floor of some new-ish [to you Farah] Puyallup condos, and next to the senior activity center. [Sidenote: the senior center has a hula-cising class. Exciting? Looks like it... according to one lady, anyone, any age can take the class. SWEET!] I don't really know when this picture was taken, I just randomly found it online... but yeah, there it is. Beautiful huh?

So this Wednesday was my first day. I also worked Thursday and Friday. All days were training days. Unlike the boring books we went through training at Starbucks... Forza was fun! Like I think I said in a previous post, two girls I met in the interview process also got the job, which I am really pumped about!!! Actually there is a total of five of us... but yeah. Here are some of the highlights of this work week:

-My co-workers [new people just hired like me, and the people who have been there forever] are awesome. Most I know from just around town, Forza [before I got the job], Bethany... you know. But it is exciting to actually get to know them!! Everyone is so funny. I laughed so much at work, I couldn't believe it. :)
-I was taught how to pull the perfect shot... which is a pretty cool process. I also had to taste the difference between a 'good' shot and a shot that has gone bad. I am not kidding when I say the bad shot taste like my guess of what it would be like to chew up a cigarette. Ewwww. haha.
-I memorized the recipes for soooo many different drinks. More than I ever thought I could memorize in two days! [Someone test me... I should be a pro by now!]
-I re-learned how to properly steam and foam milk. I discovered that I might be a bit short for the bar. I was on the tips of my tip toes to see what I was doing while steaming the milk, so I might need to get some taller shoes or something! haha.
-I met some new people! Customers actually. I think this might be one of my favorite things... meeting people. I can't wait to get to know all the people who come into Forza!!

I can't really think of what else to say without writing out every conversation and situation that went on. I am so so so pumped about this job! Can you tell?

2008-06-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

so so so so many things are going on right now. everything that i thought i would be doing right now is completely the oppisite. i cant even think of words to describe how amazing life is right now, and how much God is moving. its unbelievableeeeee. with that many e's. and i am not joking. in my life. in puyallup. everywhere.

ohhhh man!

2008-06-21T00:56:00.000-07:00

i got the job. woo! thats right, starting wednesday i am an employee of forza coffee co in puyallup. i am so so so so excited. i met a couple girls during the interviewing process [katie, who is 19 and from south dakota, and megan who is 16 and from puyallup] and they both got the job too! we are really excited to all work together. i cant wait. seriously. so excited. cant sleep. oh man. gooooooood first day of summer. God is great!

interview numero two.

2008-06-18T10:45:00.001-07:00

i have my second interview today... wooooo!

friday the 13th, truly filled with excitement...

2008-06-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

and just when i thought life couldnt be more exciting...

after that post yesterday, i went to my interview. which went amazingly well i think, and i have been praying about it just about every second since the interview ended. i really believe that is the perfect job for me right now. we will see i guess!! :)

so i came home... and just kind of chilled here by myself. alone time is good when you have spent every minute of the week with other people. this is where the first curveball came into play.

no more apartment. yeah. crazy! but in a way, its a good thing. amanda found out that PLU doesnt allow student under the age of 20 to live anywhere other than campus or their own house. if PLU found out that she lived in an apartment, they could drop her classes. yeah, not cool PLU. haha. i was pretty bummed but could also see a lot of good things coming out of this. example: i can afford to pay my dad for my car insurance, pay my mom back for my plane ticket in october, save up for a newER car! yay!, be less stressed about school and such, be able to get some new jeans [mine are all ripped! haha]. none of that stuff even crossed my mind when we were getting the apartment. all i could think about was living on my own! i guess it will happen someday.

okay so curveball number one turned into an alright situation when i sat back and thought about it. but i was having a really hard time falling asleep, for many reasons. the job interview, the apartment, this whole "oh my gosh he knows my name" thing... my mind was running like crazy. it was like, 1:15am [so technically it was saturday, but just pretend it was still friday because i never actually fell asleep] and my dad came into my room. shawn's house got broken into and he had to go up there to meet the police. flipping scary. i texted amanda and we ended up talking on the phone for two hours until my dad got back. i was crazy scared that someone was going to break into our house now! but after my dad got home i finally fell asleep. at like 4AM. geesh!

2008-06-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

i dont think it is possible for there to be any more excitement this summer. summer itself is usually pretty exciting anyways... hot weather, late nights with friends, driving the golf cart, no school, you know... the usual. but this summer is like, BAM! WOW! AMAZING!
the official first day of summer, june 20th, is also the official move in day for amanda, katy, and i. thats right, a week from today we will be moving all of our stuff into the apartment. from then on my life will be totally different. no tv... but 24/7 music. which i am excited about because i hate tv noise. which is ever-present in our house. its spongebob all day followed by the news and sitcoms all night. i turn that thing off every chance i get! which is when no one is around. which is never. okay ANYWAY.
today i have an interview which i am not going to write a lot about because it is my number 3 dream job and i really want it. [after being a mom or working at bethany or mlc. :)] so yes in 3 and half hours i will be at my interview. which hopefully it will go amazingly well. more updates later.
in about two-ish weeks... we have two weeks of VBS! woo! i am so excited, i can hardly stand it. the first week i am leading a group of 4 year olds. right up my alley right? i thought so too. the second week is sports camp! and i am leading a group of 5-10 kids around all day, doing small groups with them, and then our entire group will be participating in... you guessed it... soccer! haha. just kidding how could you guess soccer? since it is just about my least favorite sport and i have never played. but hey it seems easy enough right? better than football or basketball.

then after that... i dont know. i will countdown to september 24th when i have to go back to school. blahhhh. i love summer.

our dishwasher sounds like a frog right now...

2008-06-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

so far today has been sucky. i hate to say it, but it has.
i woke up earlier than i expected due to a text message. i was in that completely peaceful sleep... and my phone went off! grr. i got over it quickly though because really, it was eleven o' clock.
so i walked out towards the kitchen and guess what? ITS OCTOBER OUTSIDE. rainy rainy rainy and colllllllld. where is summer?
so i got over that too and decided to wash my face and brush my teeth. i was just about to rinse out my toothbrush after brushing when i accidentally dropped it, and watched as is fell in slow motion off the counter and straight into the toilet!
as you can see... today is not off to a good start.
but, as you cannot see, because if you are reading this you are not here, i am still in a great mood! it is monday! yay! haha. i am almost done with my teacher assistant application and resume, i am going to forza with amanda in a few hours, and i think the day will get better.
we move into our apartment in eleven days! eleven!!! woo!!! so excited!!!

its funny how things change...

2008-06-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

a year ago, this is the very LAST place i imagined myself. i thought i would still be in alabama, georgia maybe. working and going to school and all that jazz. [i say that way too often, but i think it is from my daffodil experience last year].
i never figured i would once again live in washington, and love it. i didnt think i would be jobless [except for wonderful babysitting jobs], that i would be a member at a church other than riverchase, or that i would ever develop a crush on someone with black hair. who knew, right?
well update on meagan's life here in the great pierce county WA:
i still don't have a job, although i am applying and praying about this job as a teacher's assistant next school year at cascade christian. i meet all the requirements and such, so i am hoping and praying that this is where God is going to take me job-wise this fall. its full time, 8AM to about 3:30pm... so i am pretty excited.
i also decided against UW of tacoma. at least for now. since gas is so expensive and stuff... i changed my focus back to pierce. i will be able to walk there from the apartment [crazy i know!!], and it is cheaper.
lets see... i still babysit for one of the coolest kids ever, benjamin. seriously... he cracks me up. he is one and a half, and he just learned to say ut-oh! and he says ut-oh! about everything!!! i also started volunteering at bethany during the week... getting art supplies together for the early childhood classes on sunday mornings. i already work in there on sundays... and my first week as the actual 'teacher' is june 15th. i am a little nervous, but not too much. amanda is my assistant teacher :).
in my spare time between working up at bethany, babysitting, and running millions of errands, i love love love forza. thats another thing. a year ago, i would not have thought that i would banish the word starbucks from my vocab and replace it with forza. a year ago i didnt even know what forza meant! haha. [strength of life... its on the cup]. which is also why i am naming my pet goldfish forza.... hopefully it will live for more than a week. woo!!

so i am out of updates and things to say. i miss farah. come visit!! :)

2008-05-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

so, now that amanda is out of school... i feel like i am out of school. of course i didnt have any exams or classes to go to, but her schoolwork was really getting in the way of our friendship. ;) oh i am just joking, but here is a list of things i have recently learned:

1. you should probably have a real job when applying for an apartment.
2. nanny-ing is not a real job.
3. forza eats money. lots of money.
4. the song 'falling in love at a coffee shop' thoroughly explains my life.
5. i actually love my car, with all its weird noises.
6. my dad knows a little bit about pushing wheelbarrows, okay?
7. michael doesn't.
8. amanda gets un-cranky when you feed her and let her take a nap.
9. parking at PLU sucks.
10. cafeteria food at PLU is not that good. besides the yogurt and granola.
11. but the food in the store at PLU is awesome!!
12. i dont like wooden walls.
13. everyone knows everyone in puyallup.

its been a while...

2008-05-27T15:00:00.001-07:00

my laptop is broken, and i am a little sad about that. buy the joy in the rest of my life greatly surpasses the stupidness of a broken laptop. i am so so so so happy right now that i dont even know what to do. so many things are just amazing right now. God is incredible.

its coming.... september 14th

2008-05-18T17:43:00.001-07:00

i am so pumped about bethany south.

right now, i am so glad that God has put me at bethany [north? the 1st? i don't know... haha]. i love mosaic and listening to joel on thursdays. i love love love my class of 3 year old wild children sunday mornings. i am always excited to work during the week on our art supply job [katy and i put together the art supplies for the early childhood classes], and i am always up for any other ways i can help out, like our sweet vbs camps. i love meeting all these new people, and now recognizing and talking to the 'new people' that are becoming friends. i just really feel like i am growing here... its awesome!

so now our church is starting a satellite campus at stahl jr. high called bethany south. we had our "baby shower" for bethany south today... where pastor george laid out the plan for the new church, as well as introduced us to south's staff [most all are familiar faces]. although the 'grand opening' services won't start till september 14th, there will be sports camp vbs in the summer!

so what am i so pumped about? first... the thought of a 'new' church reminds me a lot of riverchase. the 'gift registry' included a covered trailer, music equipment, and kids stuff. one the staff members for bethany south is pretty much what i would call the 'tear down/set up' chief. ummm sports camp. its just crazy how familiar all this was this morning! second... unlike when riverchase first started, i will be able to be a part of the beginning of bethany south! i was always sad when people would say... "oh, well i was at the FIRST service we ever had at riverchase." or "i was at the FIRST 222." i was always thinking, darn... i missed out! but now i get to be involved!

so yeah. i am basically just pumped to be a part of this... and see what God has in store for bethany south!

[i feel like there should have been a 'dude' somewhere in that post. thats how excited i am!]

sunny with a high of... 79!

2008-05-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

i think the word to describe washington today is glorious. or brilliant. i dont know. or amazing.

i do not have a liar voice... just to set the record straight.

2008-05-14T00:27:00.000-07:00

today was an eventful day followed by an eventful night. katy and i started off by going to work at the church for a couple hours. it actually only took us an hour to finish what we started yesterday... so that was cool. then we tried a new coffee place. it was bittersweet, haha. i felt a little like we were cheating on forza... but caffe adamo was pretty good. then the most exciting part of the day... amanda, katy, and i got an apartment!!!! yes! we move in on june 20th! woo!!! i am so excited i can hardly stand it. once we move in an decorate... there will definitely be pictures up. we spent the rest of the night planning furniture and paint and decor... all that stuff. then we decided to get some candy at about 11, followed by a quick visit to talicia's house, and an hour long phone conversation with tyler [mostly amanda... but katy and i had some input in the conversation]. now we have calmed down off the candy high... and are about to go to sleep. some good quotes though.

"why are we talking about drew?"

"mine just started out as a small crush and now its full blown love!!!!"

"i really wanted to punch you, but then after i talked to him... i wanted to hug you!"

-all from amanda

"mmmmmmmrrrrrrrrr."
-katy
"no... mmmmmk?"
-me

october 9th-16th: its official.

2008-05-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

unless the world ends, airplanes disappear completely, or some other strange circumstance occurs, i will be in alabama from october 9th through the 16th. and i must say, i am extremely excited. i am sure it will be a very, very busy week. of course there is matthew and courtney's wedding! there are many good things about that: #1 is that i LOVE weddings. any wedding. #2 is that they are my first friends to get married. woop woop! haha. well i guess bryan and karen were the first, but matthew and courtney are like, closer to my age or something. i dont know. its just cool. okay so besides the wedding i am just stoked to see any and all members of the isbell family. i could list them all but hey, you guys know who you are, and you're just about the only people that read my blog. i also get to see kristen and tyler, basically my only friends from when i lived there. haha. i will get to go to my old work [starbucks!!!] and see some old co-workers. what else? maybe i will go to georgia, who knows. i dont really know. i am just excited. who else is excited?? :D

the 'big sister reflex'. ha. catchy.

2008-05-05T00:06:00.001-07:00

i have a theory. that no matter how old your younger sibling is, no matter how much taller they are than you, no matter how much more they weigh than you: as an older sibling you always have the reflex to want to jump in and save them. you can make fun of their crooked nose your entire life, but the moment anyone ELSE mentions it, they will wish they hadn't. you can argue and fight and brag about how much better you are than them, but the moment someone else is putting them down, watch out. they could be COMPLETELY wrong in an arguement, and deserve to be at the losing end, but as an older sister you still want to defend them. they can throw all your stuff in your sink, tell you that all your friends hate you, mess up your room, take you stuff... and yet, you will still feel the need rescue them the moment things are looking down for them. younger siblings might not feel the same towards older sibs... but then again this whole thing is just a theory anyway.

"stars, thats where you'll find Him."

2008-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

i love sundays. today we had nachos and taquitos [although i ONLY liked the nachos] and salsa for 'quatro de mayo'. and also because jake locker, the QB for the huskies, came and spoke at all three services. so everyone hung out outside in the front roped off part of the parking lot, eating nachos and hanging out with jake locker. not to mention, it actually feels like spring today! sunny and warm!! i had to turn on my AC in the car!! amazing. another good part about today... my three-year-old class. they are awesome! caleb, one particular three-year-old, told me that i smell very nice today. haha. and pretty much every kid runs to me when they are crying. i feel bad for the other teachers, because i am pretty much the favorite of my class. :)

these are a few of my favorite things...

2008-04-26T20:25:00.001-07:00

1. small, live, local concerts. there is nothing better than going to a free concert, hanging out with friends, and listening to beautiful music played by people you know [and will someday marry ;)]. t and i went to the "mosaic fiji mission trip benefit concert" at that brick church on pioneer last night. there were four bands [michael rabb (and band), danielle henry (and band), the bryan reynolds band, and the redemption band]. i had heard all but danielle play before... but they were all AMAZING last night. definitely worth standing for 2 and a half hours. :)

2. chicken teriyaki. not only is it cheap for a full meal [5.99 for plenty of chicken, rice, and salad], but it is amazingly delicious. one of the greater things available in the northwest!

3. garage sales. it is the beginning of garage sale-ing season here in washington, and we [my fam] celebrated by having a HUMUNGOUS garage sale at my cousin bri's. sale items included stuff from myself, bri and phil, my aunt sandy, my grandma, cousin jami, and a few neighbors and family friends. it is so much fun to hang out with family and think of all the memories of your old stuff. as jami put it, "there goes my childhood!" [about a boy who bought one of her favorite stuffed animals]. i also think it is fun to bargain with people. the best part about this particular garage sale was the weather! bright and sunny two days in a row!!

4. text messaging. whether i am texting katy who is currently in california, or getting a text from stacey who is a few feet away from me at a concert... i love texting! haha.

5. loud music!!! i am so excited for summer to come [since we got a taste of it these past two days] because i can roll down the windows of my car with loud music. it really doesnt matter what you are listening to, as long as it is loud. today it was candlefuse... a crowd favorite. yesterday it was taylor swift. the day before i was blasting 'bagels by the sea' while driving to babysit. loud music just rocks!!! if i werent babysitting with a sleeping child upstairs... i would probably be jamming to some music right now!

6. new friends. over the past oh, month or so... i have made so many new friends! it is wonderful! forza friends, mosaic friends, younglife friends, new people i babysit for. you get the picture. new friends are wonderful!! and i love them!

7. learning. dude, [ha!] whether i am picking something up that joel teaches us at mosaic, something from pastor george at church, or discovering something new on my own... learning is awesome! that moment where everything clicks... i love it! it is making me even more excited to start school in the fall. although, i could do without the homework.

8. being broke. it sounds weird, but i kind of like being broke. haha. i have no money 95% of the time... but God always comes through with just enough for what i need, and i love it! i need gas, and God is there with a big babysitting job [yes i said a big job... you know gas is like 4 dollars a gallon. a two hour babysitting job just doesnt do it. haha], i need clothes, and hey! my mom says, do you want to go shopping tonight? i need food, and what do you know... there is 14 dollars in my bank account when i thought there was only 2. it is just amazing. now if only i could afford an apartment/rental house on this budget. ;)

9. being a girl. talicia and i were talking about it is fun to be a girl the other day. i like curling my hair or straightening it. painting my fingers and toes pink. doing my make-up. and wearing girly clothes. it is just fun. being a girl is cool. sorry to all the guys who are missing out.

10. looking forward to something. i haven't started a countdown yet, but i love looking forward ti big events. example: going back to the south in october! i am excited to buy a dress to wear to matthew and courtney's wedding, excited to see all the isbells!!!, and excited just to go somewhere. the countdown will probably start in the mid-summer... so be looking for it. :)

a little update

2008-04-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

-it is STILL cold in washington.
-i had my first meeting with my younglife team, which was awesome. they are pretty cool, a little sarcastic, but i love it.
-i am housesitting/babysitting/petsitting for katy right now. because she is in san diego for calebs graduation.
-i have mosaic tonight which i am excited about.
-amanda and i discovered if we had our own tv show or video blog on youtube, it would have very high ratings.
-we also discovered we like to look at ourselves in the mirror which is kind of weird, but funny because we make the best faces.
-i have a real life caffiene addiction. i seriously get headaches without caffiene which i am sure is bad, but the cure is forza or a dp... and both those are nice :)
-me and katy explored our new church. it is probably the best place for hide and seek and/or sardines. although the 3rd story is a little scary... especially if you turn off the lights before the elevator gets to the top. ha! its out of a scary movie or something.
-i am looking for a house to rent in puyallup. so far not much has come up. but then again, i have no money at the moment, so i guess its alright.

that is about all i can think of right now. but yeahhh. cool. i know. more to come later. prob after mosaic tonight or something. maybe a random quote. who knows?

stop this madness!!!

2008-04-21T14:48:00.001-07:00

I just got off the phone with Farah and am still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. Cole talks like... like.... A KID!!! Dax can READ! I would probably cry if I wasn't in a public place! How is this possible?? Cole said, " Hi Meagan Maki!" Next time I see them Dax will have his own kid and Cole will be getting married. [Dax would already be married if you didnt catch that]. How is this happening? I am a little sad and kind of miss them being babies.

isnt it strange...

2008-04-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

how once i moved back from alabama, i now regularly babysit for TWO families who are from the south. both families have southern accents, and jackson calls me miss meagan. :) benjamin cant talk yet, but it is still funny to me. both houses always have sweet tea in the fridge. its just funny to me. it makes me miss you isbells. call me when you need to me to babysit, i'll fly down asap. :)

2008-04-14T18:16:00.001-07:00

i think i discovered the reason i moved back home.

viva la forza!

2008-04-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats correct. I am live from Forza as I type this lovely blog. I just finished filling out a very long YoungLife application, which I am very excited about. And I also just finished my coffee... which I am NOT excited about. I wish it was still full. But okay back to YoungLife, I have an interview tonight. I am pretty stoked about it. :) I am not the kind of person that gets nervous before interviews. In fact, I get fired up! Hahah. I had an interview somewhat this mornign for a coffee stand, and it looks like I will be working there on the weekends. Pretty amazing if you ask me!
You know what else is amazing? SPRINGTIME! Today was a definite wear-your-sunglasses-turn-off-the-heat-in-your-car kind of day. Jarvis actually turned on my AC, but I think it was because he was wearing a sweatshirt and long pants. Still though, no heat! The sun was heating up my car PERFECTLY.
Now that I am done with my application, I think I am going to go home and chill for a while till my interview. I am sooo sooooo sooooo excited. And tomorrow? MOSAIC. Great week so far. :)

live from the corner of pioneer and 2nd

2008-04-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

I am back. I had to run some errands in between posts, going to UWT, Forza [where I am now located], and Mit Oddle's house. I guess I can't really explain what is so awesome about life right now. It just is amazing. Any uhh, specific questions? Just ask I guess. I cant think of any life details. haha.

You fill my heart with greater joy!

2008-04-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

I can't remember being this happy in so so so long! Not that I was ever really unhappy, but lately I am joyous. 24/7. If you see me, you probably also hear me singing or humming a nice little tune. I have to leave now, but I will add more later. :) :) :)

he's SO famous!!!!

2008-04-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

haha. :)

the weather here is finally starting to feel like spring!!! sunny skies, temperatures above freezing. i LOVE it! driving without the heat on, and with sunglasses is the best!

"you have an actual relationship with the person you love..."

2008-03-25T23:23:00.001-07:00

these past couple weeks have been completely amazing. i have never laughed so hard, felt so close to my friends and family, or been so in sync with God. i have never loved a coffee place more than forza, spent more nights driving aimlessly around puyallup, or met so many new people in the span of a couple weeks. quotes and inside jokes want to come pouring out of my brain right now. like the fact that myself, and every one of my friends will one day live on pioneer way in puyallup. the fact that every single thing we see is "a sign". or that talicia, katy, amanda and i are the BIGGEST redemption band fans in the entire world.
i have found my REAL sister. i have always called amanda my sista, but she really is my sistER. its amazing. i cant explain how we read each others minds, but we do. playing cards, pictionary, even pointing out taco bell. its strange but wonderful.
i keep realizing why my best friend IS my best friend. talicia makes me laugh so hard. her hair is always getting shorter, and she never knows how. she is always singing and listening to music. and it makes me so happy to be her bff.
katy helps me out so much. she is the biggest stalker ever but its awesome. her and stella, her future mom in law, are so funny. i love chillin at katys/calebs. i am here now and even though is negative 12 degrees, i couldnt be happier.
i also realized these past couple weeks that my jaw pops in and out when i chew. weird. and that taylor swift knows my life story.

bahhaha. great night :)

2008-03-21T00:51:00.000-07:00

"joel! we have been looking for you for the past twenty minutes!"
"oh, well man i was in the hottub."
"what? ...."
"yeah man its like 80 degrees in there!!"

haha.

some cool new things...

2008-03-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

- katy, amanda, t and i are learning to longboard. its pretty amazing, but would be better if we could pick a night where the ground isnt wet. :(

-this thursday will be our 4th time going to mosaic, and i couldn't be more excited. i am starting to recognize people from previous weeks. its so weird to go to a church in a place you have lived your entire life, and not know one person. but i am starting to be like, hey i saw them last week! i should probably start making friends. thats my goal this week.

- this sunday i am starting working in the 3-year old class at church. yes thats right, my first day is easter sunday. i guess you could say i am slightly nervous.

-we [katy, amanda, talicia, lauren... so on] discovered a coffee place that is better than starbucks! and i guess you could say we're addicted. the name: forza. the location: downtown puyallup.

-speaking of downtown p-town... it has become our new favorite hangout, perfect for: driving around downtown on the confusing one-way streets, going to forza, central perk, or the coffee bar for concerts, and even longboarding.

-in may my dad is moving into our house until it sells, and me, my mom and jarv are moving into probably an apartment or smaller house. i am really hoping we move into the beloved downtown puyallup. haha. or possibly up on the hill... because it would be so much more convinient. you know?

-i dont have a job yet, but have had multiple interviews and should be hearing back within the next couple days. if only starbucks weren't so slow. in the meantime, i am continuing babysitting benjamin in village green. he is seriously one of the funniest kids ever.

am i leaving something out? [katy, amanda??] i cant think of anything to add. but life is great!

rad.

2008-03-13T23:28:00.000-07:00

i love the word rad. i am pretty sure joel said it about 50, 000 times tonight but whatev. its cool.

life is weird right now. some things are BEYOND amazing, and keep me smiling 24/7. but then some things are worse than ever. and it stinks. it makes me just want to give up and say "oh man..." [like cole]. but i am not 2 years old, so that doesn't really work.

i am kind of obsessed with my song on myspace [diamonds and pearls by candlefuse], and the acclaim [random washington band]. hahah. they are constantly on repeat on my laptop.

it all starts with a high five....

2008-03-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

i can't wait to see where this is going.

P.S. [I need some help]

2008-03-04T22:40:00.000-08:00

I want to stencil something above my closet, but I am not sure what. A verse, a quote, maybe just a really good word. Any ideas?

I guess you have to go away...

2008-03-04T22:26:00.003-08:00

... to realize how amazing Orting actually is. I have been all over the country, and nowhere compares to Orting. When I think about every other place I have visited: the beauty of Auburn, the pretty "mountains" in Georgia, the huge green fields in Florida... none come close to Orting. I looked out the window babysitting tonight, as the sun was going down, and the mountain was GIGANTIC. It had some dusty clouds near the base of it, but the rest was clear against a pink and blue background. It was amazing. Where else can you find that? The trees lining the trail into town are starting to get buds on them, indicating an even more beautiful season is on its way... spring. Spring in Orting is perfect. The smell of freshly cut grass fills the air, which is a perfect jeans and t-shirt temperature. You can see all the baseball and fastpitch and track teams practicing as you drive into town, and the trail is decorated with bikers, rollerbladers, joggers, and dog-walkers. The trees are all bright and blooming, on the golf course, in town, everywhere. Everywhere you go, you can hear the birds and kids playing outside. And the river is finally starting to warm up [from icy to almost tolerable] for summer rafting and tubing. ITS WONDERFUL. And I am not exaggerating. It may sound like a scene from Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives, but its not. Its better. And the best part is showing it off to people who have never been here before. Last year when Kristen came to visit, I couldn't wait to show her everything around town. And although Mt. Rainier hid behind cloudy skies for a few days, it came out just in time for Kristen to see it before she left. I love love love love it here.

70 dollars!??!?!?!

2008-02-27T23:12:00.000-08:00

... yeah you heard [read] it right, i am abou tto get 70 dollars. and so is amanda. correction, 70 dollars TWICE a week! i know it is not a lot, but seriously who knew your plasma was worth that much? maybe i will be able to go to georgia sooner than i thought ;)

new year, new blog layout! [its about time, right?]

2008-02-21T23:00:00.003-08:00

i know that it is already almost two months into 2008, but so what i am a little behind :)

anyways so far this year i have already read two whole books! for those of you not too good at math, thats one per month [about]. so after completing the previous two [90 minutes in heaven and the notebook, both great] i decided i would go with the four loves by c.s. lewis for the month of march. but as i read the first page... i discovered this might be the book for march, april, may... ect. its looks small enough right? well yeah it is, only 140 pages. i can handle that. but it is so darn confusing. i will definitely have to re-read the introduction three more times before i have even a slight clue about what he is talking about. it might be the book of 2008 if i even finish it by 2009. :)

as for some news about me... i am trying to get this job at starbucks right? i swear managers there are either SUPER busy or SUPER lazy... because i have called so many times, and they always say... oh yes we will look at your application tomorrow. anyways today the assistant manager finally told me she looked at my application and, after looking it over AGAIN with the regualr manager, would call me for an interview. [it has been about three weeks since i took my application in]. the good news is the job they are hiring for is monday-friday... open to 12:30pm. that is full-time, but i will be off of work by lunchtime!!! and have a good schedule to fit in afternoon classes at pierce and such. so farah, and anyone else reading, please please please pray that they call SOON for an interview, and that the interview goes well. if i dont get this job, i may never be able to visit georgia again!!! :( :( and that would be sad.

2008-02-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

so i built this desk farah, what do you think? i bought the wood and stained it super dark... then just sat it on two stools.

2008-01-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

5 random/weird facts about me

1. On New Years I learned how to play Guitar Hero [mostly from Jordyn Osborne's amazin' skills]. But anyway I can play on medium... which is really cool for me. And random.

2. I have painted my room a total of 4 times since we have lived in this house [7 years]. First there were BRIGHT colored squares on the white walls, then it was yellow, then dark brown, and now it is a tan color [Farah I think you would like it] with one wall still brown.

3. I LOVE storms!!! Snow storms, windstorms, thunderstorms... gosh they are all amazing.

4. After driving across the country... I think the only places I would want to live [besides Washington]... are Georgia/Alabama or Arizona. All the other states were boring. Besides Las Vegas, but I wouldnt want to live there either.

5. I don't like pizza very much. Everyone in the world seems to love it, but I only like it when I havent had it in a LONG time, and it is super hot just cooked. haha.

5 top places on my “want to see or want to see again” list

1. Hawaii.

2. The Caribbean.

3. New York.

4. Las Vegas [again].

5. The San Juans [again].

to the lovely and amazing farah isbell, as well as the rockin' and gallant daxton isbell...

2008-01-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

maybe i'll be the next eve... you mean mary? ahaha.

2008-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

So its 2008 and I have no idea what to blog about. We'll just see where this goes.

I am back in Washington and I LOVE it. Everything about it here is just amazing. I do miss Alabama, and being able to drive to Georgia frequently. I totally miss living at Bryan and Karen's, even if it was only for 11 days. haha. And I miss David and Farah and the boys like this much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! times infinity. haha. I dont know if that is possible but in my mind it is. Here is my plan... you guys listed above should all just come visit!!!! I don't know just a thought. You could stay at my house, or if you stay in a hotel me and T will come stay with you guys. haha!! AND we could go eat teriyaki!!! Which by the way, David and Farah, teriyaki is SO GOOD when you havent had it in so long.

Let's see... about the title, random conversation with Talicia about babies. Yeah she is still my best friend. She is sitting on my couch right now doing homework because she is still in high school. I don't have homework until I start at Pierce in the spring. Which I am pretty excited about.

AHH yes, mine and Dylan's trip!!! It was pretty awesome except from 6pm-9pm. haha. We stayed with Nathan and Jamie in Oklahoma... and I forgot how much I totally miss them!! They are coming to visit Washington sometime in the next... I dont know... while. haha. They said they were though, so thats good. Um we saw the biggest cross in the western hemisphere, and stayed in Arizona with Gene and Jessica. Then we went through Las Vegas which was so sweet. Minus the weird guys trying to hand you cards... aha. The fountain was awesome, and so was the Luxor. Its weird how HUGE the hotels and casinos are. I mean, they look big from the outisde, but not THAT big. geez. haha.

I think that is all for now. :)

2007-12-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

i cannot even think of how to explain how much i love these boys. they are just amazing. their tiny smiles make my heart happy! their laughs are contagious. my conversations with them will be with me forever. one excited hug from cole makes all the time he disliked me worth it.["MAKI! DIEGO! WATCH!"] and the joy dax gets from me playing candyland with him is well worth the time spent playing the game ["meagan maki, if you win this one, i will cheer for you."]. i am so glad to know these two, and to be able to be a part of their lives. they just make my days happy ones. :]

grrr.

2007-12-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

my knee is like... the size of a cantelope. haha. not even joking. so it was hurting and swollen and i was like hey dylan look at my knee. and he was like whoa you should probably go to the doctor or something. and i was like, you think? so then i went to his cousin sarahs and when i woke up dylan called and said we are going to lake city to the hospital there for my knee. finally... right? no the place stinks. haa. of course the ER took FOREVER. and after all that time all they said was, well when you get to washington you should get an mri to figure out whats wrong. then they handed me some crutches and a knee brace and sent me out. lol. so now i am like, just icing my knee and about to call my boss and tell her my knee situation. you cant really make coffee with a HUGE knee brace and crutches. psshh. oh well. soon soon soon i will be home. :]

:)

2007-11-25T12:33:00.000-08:00

your life is an occasion, rise to it.

-m.m.w.i.
[not going to attempt to spell the name, haha.]

2007-10-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

i never really blog. sorry. i AM learning a lot. but when it comes to transferring these thoughts and feelings to my blog... i am like. ehhh. dont feel like/dont want to/it never makes sense. haha. i sit down to write a blog, start it... then it confuses me and goes nowhere... so i delete and get back on myspace to talk to dylan. haha. story of my life. ANYWAY... what to say what to say?? i love going to journey church. its pretty amazin'. my 2 year old class is funny. we have this little girl olivia... who gives me this look that is like, ha, i am about to do something wrong and you have no idea. and then she runs off... off to do something mischevious of course. and then corey!!! gosh that boy has my heart. he yells my name from across the room, and when i go over there to see what he needs, he says... i see you meagan! haha. what a funny kid. there is also this great thing about living here... i get to see dylan more!! its fun hanging out in florida and seeing all these places where dylan works and shops and eats and used to live when he was like... a kid. haha. and i can see the isbells!!! maybe cole will start to love me like dax does! haha. [no such luck last week... except he did ask me to hold him a couple times... maybe he will start to like me soon]. starbucks is pretty much the best. i love working there. and school is... well... who likes school anyways. i am owning it. lol. does that make sense?ummm i dont know what else to say. so thats all.

2007-09-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

as you can probably tell, i am not too hardcore about posting lately. BUT... i just have a couple things to say.

ummm first i love auburn. and everything about it.

second, next weekend is going to be freaking amazing.

and third... tuesday the 9th, um i kinda cant wait for that day either.

that is all.

a weekend home... sort of.

2007-09-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

ever since i moved for college... i haven't had that "home" feeling. it has been a really cool, fun, CRAZY experience so far... but i just don't have that "home" feeling. anyways... this weekend, being at david and farah's is like being at home. it definitely is not, and could not ever be my real home. obviously its missing the essentials... my mom, dad, and jarvis [and dewey if you want to count him]. but after them... this is home. my pictures are here. i am in a frame on the table in the kitchen [along with other... kind of weird if the frame was just of me, haha]. the people i love are here... obviously david and farah and the boys. and not only are they here... but they constantly remind me of home back in washington. with them, we are always talking about... remember when, fill in the blank. its really nice, and i love it. but also bryan and karen are here. even though they didnt ever live in washington... my first memories of them are there, so they remind me of home too. just hanging out at their house watching the auburn game feels like home. i have even made memories here that remind me of home... with dylan, with talicia, with amanda, cameron, and andy... they are all from washington. and when i walk up the driveway and remember them walking with me, or sit down on the couch at spin and remember sitting with them... its almost like they are here too. it is so weird to be so far away... to a place i have only visited 3 times... and feel so great about it. i basically love it... if you dont get the picture :)

and wow dylan... if you ever read this... thanks for making me addicted to doing the [...] thing. grrr.

:)

2007-09-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

This song is just amazing. I love it. The words, the music... its awesome.

Captivated - Shawn Mcdonald
When I look into the mountains I see Your face
When I look into the night sky it sparkles Your Name
The wind in the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to You
Chorus:
I am
I'm captivated by You
(You know that You do)
I am
I'm captivated
When I wake unto the morning it gives me Your sights
When I look across the ocean it echoes Your might
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
That's what draws me to You
Chorus x2
The wind in the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
The blood in my veins and my heart You invade
The plants how they grow and the trees and the shade
The way that I feel and the Love in my soul
I thank you my God for letting me know
Chorus x2
I am... (synthesized)

...

2007-08-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

david isbell is the lamest blogger of all time... just putting that out there.

2007-08-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ahh!! Who knew moving across the country would be so stressful? If you do not know me [which I am sure you do] I absolutely love planning, down to every little detail. Planning my wedding will probably be the highlight of my life, haha. Ask me what I am doing at Christmas time, my spring break, next summer... I know them all. I plan things so much ahead of time, its crazy. And besides planning, I like everything to be in perfect order. And for everything to be in order, I usually have to be in charge. Talicia says I'm bossy, but I prefer the term "leader". :)
Anyway, I have a feeling this obsession with planning and perfection isn't necessarily the best thing for me. When things aren't planned out nicely and perfect, I get really worried, nervous and frustrated. Obviously those things aren't very healthy.
I got extremely nervous when my tuition payment was due, I didn't have a car, and I only had enough money for one or the other. I am upset that I don't have money for clothes or other things I need... but... obvious answer coming... God has it all in control!!!
With my tuition and car issue... I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed!!! It was either pay for classes and have no way to get there, or get a car but have my classes dropped!!! THAT NIGHT... Karen texted me and asked if I still wanted their car. I told her I would have to talk to my mom, and hopefully get back to her. Then in the morning, my mom called with a plan about the car and tuition... and Karen said it would work! I couldn't believe it... I went from thinking life was over [yeah a little dramatic], to having just the things I needed, at just the right time. Now I have completely renewed faith that He will provide the other things I have been worried about getting. God knows what He is doing!! I love it.
So tonight, I went to Good Hope's youth group with Kristen, and Tim is out of town. A couple boys were speaking since he was gone, and what was it about? Matthew 6:30-34. I had heard these verses many times before... but never had it hit me like it did. It completely addressed all the things that I have been recently dealing with!!
I have read and re-read it many times tonight. It is very hard for me to focus solely on today and what God wants TODAY... right now. But I am going to try. I'll keep you updated!!! :)

Anyway...."If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. " -Matthew 6:30-34 [the message]

2007-08-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

WOW... I haven't posted something in so long. I don't even know if anyone still checks this!! I am currently living in Millbrook, AL and going to school at AUM. Which I am pretty sure anyone who reads this already knows those facts. Besides that, it is SUPER hot here. Not unbearable though. I like being within driving distance Dylan and the Isbells. Even though it is kind of a long drive... haha. Anyways hopefully I will have some more cool updates soon. :)

last day of high school...

2007-06-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

Today is my last day of high school EVER. Monday is my check out day, which includes an assembly and an early release. Today I take my last two finals, and then YAY I am done. I am so happy, I will be able to sleep in for a long time this summer :]

my version of farah's blog

2007-05-31T21:44:00.000-07:00

these strangers came to my bus stop with hot chocolate and now i am moving to alabama.

thanks!! haha.

dancing with the stars

2007-05-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

i am feeling a bit random. no one has updated their blogs in like 5 years. school is a bit boring. i have no work to do, all my stuff for graduation is done... and its been that way for a while. after those blogs about re-arranging furniture a while ago, i decided to re-arrange my room and its pretty awesome. i love doing that kind of stuff. like when i am bored... my mom walks in my room and is like, "meagan?!? what is all this stuff?" and i am just like, " welp, it all came out of my closet. i'm just organizing." and i feel like my closet needs organized pretty soon. haha. sooo uhh, i am walking at graduation with my dear friend amanda otis. even though that means i cant sit by her. so i will be sitting by my other dear friend jessica. haha. this is so random. but yeah, graduation. its in like, 3 weeks. which means dylan and kristen will be here in LESS THAN 3 weeks. wow. crazyyy. and i am going camping without my parents for the first time EVER this weekend. talicia, amanda, kelsey and i are going to ocean shores for memorial day weekend [this weekend]. i am pretty stoked. and i just felt like an update, so there you go. [[farah, david... you guys are a bit behind. you should, how should i say this.... UPDATE your blogs? great idea. i love it. :) ]]

fort something or other. i know you're all jealous. :)

2007-05-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is the reason I am the coolest babysitter and someday going to be the coolest mom. I can build awesome forts. This one comes complete with bedding storage [for a maximum of 4 people], two cell phone charging spots [with a stool to set your phone on], an ipod radio, and Christmas lights for when it is dark outside. The front door also closes so no one can see in.

Basically it was T's idea to sleep in the empty dining room, and I took it a bit further by building our fort [which does not have a name. So Amanda, T, Kelsey and I slept in there last night, and will again tonight. Its pretty amazing.

now all i have to do is show up...

2007-04-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

On Monday, I passed my CP [culminating project], which you have to pass to graduate. Its kind of a joke, because it is so easy... but I am glad I passed. Now all I have to do is pass my CWP class [required for seniors, and VERY easy], and I am good to go. Basically I have to show up for school, not fall asleep in class, and I will be graduating on June 12th, 2007 at 7pm. I am so excited.

PS- I just spent like 30 minutes trying to make it so there was a song on my blogger... but grrrrrrrrr its not working. How annoying, right?

four hour plane rides= lots of thinking time

2007-04-18T01:33:00.000-07:00

my newest raddest best ever goals:

1.] Go to college.

2.] Go on a long distance-ish mission trip. *

3.] Go to an Auburn Football game with David and Farah.

4.] DRIVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

5.] Go a whole day without saying a word. **

6.] Have my dream job. :)

7.] Fly first class.

8.] Go to the Tulip Festival in whatever city it is in.

9.] Eat at waffle house really late at night/early in the morning.

10.] Touch EVERY ocean.

11.] Read the entire bible front to back without skipping around.

12.] Run a mile in 6 minutes. ***

13.] Eat a grilled cheese sandwich in New Zealand.

14.] Aquire a tatse for food other than chicken, pasta, and salad.

15.] Cut my hair short. ****

16.] Get married.

17.] Get along with my brother for more than 10 minutes at a time.*****

18.] Stay at least one night in every single state.

*Costa Rica.
**Could be difficult.
***I don't enjoy running.
****Very unlikely to EVER happen.
*****ha. hahaha. ha.

kajdlkajd

2007-04-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

I was just randomly thinking how weird it is to compare the first time you meet someone to how your relationship is right now. Some examples. When I first met my brother back on January 5, 1991, I never thought that one day that cute little baby with no hair that was sort of really fat would grow into a still really fat [hah joke], annoying, taller than me, louder than me brother who I would want to kick in the shin. I mean, he was a somewhat cute baby right? When I first saw these creepy people standing at my bus stop, I thought they were going to kidnap me. It was COLD, and foggy, and somewhat sprinkling. Who stands at bus stops at 7AM besides kid-knappers right? Little did I know David and Farah would become two of my best adult friends, who I admire sooo much. When I first met Talicia, did I think I would one day bring a couch into my room because she basically lived with me? Nooo. The thought of dating didn't ever even cross my mind when I first met Dylan in the most boring amount of wasted time in my life [drivers ed], and I should seen it coming, when we sat outside of Drivers Ed going over all the cute boys in her old yearbook, that Amanda and I would spend so many nights up late talking about, what else, boys.

I am not really sure what my point is. But I guess its just a cool thing to think about.

spring!!!

2007-03-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

Today, the beautiful day outside inspired me to redo my sweet awesome blogger. Now it is all spring-ish and beautiful. If only I had something to blog about that people actually cared about... hmmm. Too bad.

HOW CAN THIS BE?!?!

2007-03-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Its March 2oth?!?! You have got to be joking. It was JUST the begininng of February, and I was at the mall estimating how many jelly beans it would take to fill a DP bottle... and now it is almost two months past that?? It is almost spring break. Then my CP presentation. Then graduation. What is going on?!? But I have to admit I kind of like it. I am sooo done with high school.

On another completely random note... my TV is so strange. It makes weird clicking and beeping noises when my phone or T's phone is about to ring. The even weirder part is each phone has a distinct sound. So my TV starts a deep fast paced clicking sound and I pick up my phone, stare at it, and 2 seconds later it says incoming call. Then my TV makes a quick beeping sound and Talicia looks at her screen, and 2 seconds later she has a text message. Its so weird. But sometimes it makes the noise and no call or text comes. Then we get kinda bummed out. haha.

2007-03-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

Random things I am thankful for this week so far:

1. WASL testing which equals LATE ARRIVAL!!! [10:45AM]

2. Random trips to Oregon with my best travel buddy, to see my other best long distance friend :]

3. My voicemail that is actually a rap Katy and I performed, and peoples reaction messages after they listen to it. :] If you want to hear it, I won't answer between the hours of 12AM and 7AM because I am sleeping. haha.

4. Late afternoon naps after a bad/boring/tiring day.

5. Funny videos of the president saying "Warrrrrrrrrr Eagle!!!" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN16FOotQmo]

6. Evan no longer being "in love" with me and instead following around Katy.

7. Being able to paint a lovely masterpiece in annual instead of stressing over yearbook page deadlines.

8. An amazing God that is leading me through this crazy mess called 'choosing a college'.

life alert

2007-02-20T22:43:00.000-08:00

Well today I did my job shadow. Not too exciting considering its not the job I truly want to pursue, but it was alright.
The teacher was explaining to her kindergarteners that I was a senior in high school. Now think... kindergarteners dont know what freshman, sophomores, juniors, or seniors are... so they were a bit confused. I know this because after she said that and let them begin working, a cute little red headed boy told me: "Senior citizens need to wear Life Alert." [pointing to his heart.] So I mean obviously I am not a senior citizen but he didn't know what a senior in high school is. Pretty funny. Random day.

update #463

2007-02-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

Okay so maybe its not 463, but its close. Blogger blogger blogger. I love blogger. Maybe I am just really tired, or maybe I extremely bored... but for some reason I think this is funny:

OKay so just over a year ago... no one really had a blogger. Then David got one, and of course he came to church and was like, "Dude, I got this cool new thing called a blogger, go check it out." Everyone was like yeah David... pshhh thinks he's cool. What the heck is a blogger? Then after a week or so... other people started getting bloggers. Next thing you know... everyone has one and updates regularly. Now... back then I really didnt see the point of it. I mean, everyone lived within 5 miles of each other, and most much closer than that. We could all easily walk down the road and say what we posted on our blogs.

But THENNNN... people sorta moved. The tigers moved out to like, a million miles away from Orting, David and Farah moved numerous places until just recently landing in Georgia, Amanda went off to college, as well as Andy, Justin started college just in Puyallup, and Dylan moved to Florida.

Now blogger is a little more important, and more interesting. Now its not just the lives in Orting, but from all over. Although we all see the same picture of Sydnee and Sammy for MONTHS at a time, and re-read other blogs for weeks before there is an update... it is still pretty cool that everyone has one.

As for me... still praying about college and not sure where I am going. Recently became addicted to Grey's Anatomy, and baby carrots for some reason. haha. Can't get enough of either of them. And I am working hard on all my senior stuff: job shadow, culminating project, portfolio stuff, my classes in general, figuring out where the heck my class ring is, and applying for billions of scholarships. Exciting I know...:]

ahhh no

2007-02-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

I want to go to Auburn SOOOO badly. Ask Mr. Tarry, I read and re-read their website, every little fact, every day in Journalism [When I should be doing ARTCLES... ha! Articles are overrated.] I check the mail every day [sorry mom I stole the mailbox key] for anything from Auburn, but since they are such a big school, it could take a while to get any sort of response.... you know?
But THEN... I come to Corban. And truthfully, I don't get that excited feeling that I do when I am at Auburn. But it does make me miss Amanda. And Mindy. And everyone else I have met here. And then I think of how fun it could be to go to Corban...
And thats where I get stuck. Ewww. I hate this. But I guess I will figure it out in time. :]

to the wonderful and magnificent David Isbell [again]...

2007-01-27T23:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday in 15 minutes our time... three hours ago your time. Miss you guys!!!

"You may just start a chain reaction."

2007-01-26T15:55:00.000-08:00

Usually assemblies are the worst. They are boring, kids are loud and won't be quiet, and its usually crowded and hot in the gym. So on Monday morning, I was not looking forward to this assembly I knew pretty much nothing about.

Once we got there , my mind was quickly changed. The presentation was given by Craig Scott, brother of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. Not very long before the shootings happened, she wrote an essay challenging the reader to show kindness to everyone. In one part she says:

"I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."

After learning more about her life, and how she showed kindness and compassion to everyone she encountered, our school was given the challenge, which included five main points:

1. Eliminate Prejudice by looking for the best in others.
2. Dare to Dream [set goals, keep a journal].
3. Choose your influences [input determines output].
4. Use kind words.
5. Start a chain reaction with family & friends.

During the assembly, I began to notice something different about my classmates. Everyone was quiet [and not because they were sleeping!], people were engaged in what Craig was saying, and even the guys who are usually loud and obnoxious were focused during the entire assembly. Afterwards, you could really see the difference in our school. Walking back to class, every single student was talking about it. Everyone was being nice to each other, and even the toughest of tough guys were saying how great the assembly was, and how much it affected them.

That night, Craig Scott was doing the presentation again for parents and students who wanted to return. Our counselor, Mr. Matz, had said he would be happy if there were 30 parents and students. Man was he surprised to have the gym filled with more than 500 people from around Orting!!! [Instead of having youth group, everyone that usually goes to the Besseys, including Buzz and Robin, went along to the night-time presentation.]

So... now if you visit Orting High School, you will definitely see a change in the students.

Dedicated to Bryan and Karen Isbell...

2007-01-14T21:38:00.000-08:00

...because not only do they NEVER post, but they probably don't read these too often either, otherwise they would post something. And although this post actually has nothing to do with them, I just want to say that I actually check to see if they write anythign new... and, well, they haven't since September. SLACKERS. :]

ANYWAYS...random little post for ya:: I am starting to very much dislike cold. I used to love cold weather, ice, and snow... but not anymore. It is so cold that after being outside for even a couple minutes... my insides start to hurt. Then I get inside and look dumb because my cheeks are pink, my teeth and chattering, and I can;t stop shaking!!! Now, I am all for snow and missing school and everything, but I wish it snowed at like... 45 degrees. That would be nice.

Now I am about to go completely contradict what I just said about hating the cold by going to watch a movie in the Reeves downstairs. I promise it is almost as cold as outside. But as long as I am with friends I will be good. I don't know the movie yet, but I am sure it will be good. :]

COMPLETE CRAZINESS

2007-01-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

Okay not really but it got your attention right? So today was a pretty routine day: woke up, got ready for school, my car ran out of gas [yes that is routine for me], went to school, craved Starbucks, Amanda bought me Starbucks, and then I cleaned my room. Sounds normal right? WRONG.

See by that little description you would have never known that I actually woke up at 7:15AM, five minutes before I need to leave for school... and that getting ready for school consisted of running around the house as fast as I could trying to find my jeans [which I still got the wrong pair]. Then as my car was running out of gas, my brother was complaining on how he was going to be late to school... and how I shouldn't sing in the car because it annoys him. Once at school [my mom drove me], I realized I forgot a lunch... AND didn't have breakfast, so not only was I craving Starbucks... I needed anything to eat. ha.

Now, don't think I had a bad day... because actually it was great. In 6th period, my last class aka Annual, I started a painting [because the annual room is connected to the art room, and we share a teacher]. The painting is actually pretty brill [brilliant]. Then Amanda Otis... my wonderful friend and lifesaver... bought me a double chocolate chip frap from Starbucks!!!! Just when you thought my day couldn't get any better, my room is spotless. Unlike many people... I LOVE cleaning [I think that may be the sole reason Shea wants me to live with her?? hah.] I don't know what it is but being home by myself with the music super loud just makes me want to clean.

So... it that weird how in the first part my day was just plain... but once I started explaining, it was actually a complex day. I think I get that ability to explain every detail from having to do it to Farah all the time. I say I went to the movies... and she says: What movie? With who? Was it good? It is actually kinda fun. :]

new year...

2007-01-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

So whoa it is 2007. I have 6 moths till I graduate, 7 months until I go to college, and about 15 mintutes until Amanda and Katy come over. :]

So far 2007 has already been pretty eventful.

I spent the first part of it [the 1st and 2nd] in AL visiting David and Farah. We did a bunch of random stuff including going to Auburn... my love. Sadly we oculdn't get out and walk around because of Dax and Cole, but I could still enjoy the greatness that is Auburn from the backseat window.

Then I had to go back to school and realized that there is this little thing I am supposed to do called a senior prject. Mine was scheduled for next Tuesday, but because of copnflicts with my job shadow... and an important feild trip, it got moved to April [I am not complaining].

OKay so that takes us to yesterday... Dylan moving to Florida. Or was it today? I don't know really late last night/ early this morning. Anyways we went to Famous Daves for dinner, then hung out at the Reeves, then went bowling [some people got lost on the way home], then went back to the Reeves... and finally home. It was a pretty long night. After we talked and said goodbye to Dylan... Katy and T stayed the night and I got a full 10 hours of sleep!!!!!! That is a first for this year. :]

:]

2006-12-31T21:24:00.000-08:00

i love and miss these boys...

grandpas

2006-12-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with three completely different grandfathers. My mom's dad, my dad's dad, and my dad's step-dad. Each one is not even a bit like the other, but all are [were] able to show me very important things in life.

My grandpa Butch passed away when I was about five [I think... I was young so I don't know]. He was my mom's dad, and although my only memories of him are from when I was young, they are all very clear. Almost everyday he came to our house to have coffee with my mom, which is where I argue that I got my coffee addiction. I had tiny tea cups, about the size of a tablespoon, that he would fill with coffee. I thought I was so grown up drinking coffee. :] Besides that, I specifically remember a time when he brought us a huge first aid kit [since Jarvis and I always seemed to be getting hurt]. I am almost 100% positive that is why I love band aids so much. I also can't remember a time when he was not smiling, and I believe that rubbed off on me too.

My grandpa Jim [my dad's step-dad] married my grandma when I was 10. Actually ON my tenth birthday. I am pretty sure that I am not known as a quiet person. I love talking, carrying on conversations, and I am almost positive I even talk in my sleep. My grandpa Jim has sorta taught me the opposite, without even saying anything. He is the sort of man that is quiet. Not mute, just likes to listen... you know, take things in. During times when our family is together, he is usually pleasantly sitting in a chair, or on the couch... just taking in all that God has given him. Without saying anything [obviously] he has taught me a very simple principle, that for me is very hard: "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Lastly, my grandpa Larry, who is humorous without even knowing it. He is the protector... telling me ALWAYS to be careful. Drive carefully. The wear-a-life-jacket-at-Wild-Waves-when-you-are-15 type of careful. But I love him to death for it. Besides the constant "Be careful," he saves a special part of this protection for my girl cousins and I. Up until about... well tonight [Christmas Eve 2006] no girl in our family [there are only 3] have ever brought a boyfriend [or actually even a friend] to a holiday event that my grandpa was at. Not because they [we] are embarrassed by our grandpa, but basically out of protection for the guy. My aunt puts it like this: There is a reason God put grandpa in your lives, to teach you who not to marry. He is definitely not shy, and says exactly what he is thinking. For example tonight, my cousin brought her fiance Phil to my grandma's house. As my grandpa was leaving, Phil shook his hand and said, " Nice to see you." My grandpa answered, "I wish I could say the same." Basically it was the funniest thing ever, and thankfully Phil is tough and didn't start crying [joke. like a guy would do that. hah.] But to get my point... he is protective.

I don't know how to end this. My grandpas are cool? Yeah that's good... my grandpas are COOL. :]

This week I am thankful for...

2006-12-09T00:15:00.000-08:00

1. my mom putting the finishing touches on my painted room.
2. herbal essences shampoo [mmhmmm smells goooood].
3. the song "how to save a life" by the fray.
4. my brother's old cell phone [mine wont charge!!].
5. contact lenses, and knowing how to put them in and take them out.
6. friends that are willing to drive me home from school.
7. great conversations with BOTH amandas. :]
8. waitresses that let me order off the kids menu.
9. people that bring me starbucks at school.