I'm ready now, do what you will.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful thunderstorm. I love thunderstorms, especially when I'm sleeping. There's just something comforting about the sounds.

Life lately has been very busy. It was a refreshing change for a while, but I am ready for a break. This coming week is my break between summer classes, but I still have to work. So it doesn't really feel like a break. I guess I could try to pick up some extra shifts and at least make some extra money. Maybe it'll be nice enough to make a trip out to the beach this week.

deep within my soul is rising up a song here in the comfort of the faithful one.

In spite of the busyness of my life, everything is going really well. I'm finding time to meet with friends. That in and of itself is such an encouragement.

and I will lift my hands in praise for all you've done, and I will worship you, my faithful one.

A few weeks ago I sat down with a friend of mine who is a financial advisor, and he helped me set up a budget, and really just get a hold of my finances before they really spiraled out of control. It was getting pretty bad there for a while. Now I've got everything in order, I have a set plan for paying off my debt, and I'm being faithful in my tithing and am really seeing the blessings from that.

take me and pull me through, 'cause I can't move without You.

I'm really being pushed out of my comfort zone. It's terrifying, yet exhilarating. I'm really working on finding the things that I'm passionate about, and the things that I'm really good at. I graduate soon, and am trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I have no idea, and it gets overwhelming worrying about it. So I'm not. Right now I'm focusing on passing my class this summer, and then in the fall. Then I have at least 4 months to figure out what I want to do, and I can work so that won't be a big deal.

The storm is over, and the skies are turning blue. Today might not be one of those "stay in the house and enjoy the rain" kind of days after all.

I should shower.

Mmm pasta salad.

I'm so grateful my family was never one of those that went out to eat constantly or ordered in when I was growing up. Granted, we did go out to eat once in a while, but mostly my mom made fantastic down-home food. Pork chops and mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, green beans, and if we were really lucky a pie for dessert. Our family gatherings are always around food. While eating lunch, we will discuss what we are having for dinner.

I'm reminded of my mom's cooking today because I made lunch for myself using a recipe that she always used. It's not one of those ridiculously complicated recipes (though I love those too). This is just a simple pasta salad. But it brings back so many memories. Memories of summers up north, with the sliding doors open, and the smell of barbecue coming through the house. There weren't many days during summer that we stayed in the house very often. The raspberry/blackberry bush was ripe for the picking. There were 10 acres on which the possibilities were endless.

It's neat how a simple dish can evoke so many memories.

The rain is my background music.

There is something comforting in the storm. Something calming about the mixture of the lightning and thunder. I hope it stays for a while.

I find it very symbolic of my day. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, just a long, tiring day. I'm thankful for the reprieve. I should be in class now, but I'm thankful I didn't go. I got out of work late, so I was automatically late for my class. Then as I was driving towards campus, I saw the lightning and decided it would be a bad idea to make the 10-minute walk in the lightning. I feel like my brain is in overdrive. I'm so glad for this little break in my day. I have the sliding door open, and I'm home alone. I love the smell of the rain. Plus the sound of the storm is calming. I don't even need music.

I feel like I'm perpetually busy. Some days it's a wonder I even have time to breathe. If I had gone to class, today would have been one of those days. I love being busy. It keeps me on a routine, I have a lot more energy, I feel productive, and I feel healthier. I don't like it when I can't remember the last time I had some time to spend with friends without worrying about being late for something or having to be up for work the next day. I mean, friends are an entirely different issue, but I'm just saying.

I don't know about you, but I have a list of things going on in my life that I'm trying to improve. I recently added "finances" to this list. I have a friend who works with an investing company, and he sat down with me and set out some steps for getting my stuff in order. It's a daunting task. I worry that I can't do it.

My job is going well. I really enjoy it, and the people that I work with are great.

I'm tired all of a sudden.

I can't be bothered to miss you anymore

I'm sure you were all awaiting my return with baited breath. (All 3 of you?) Well here it is, and I can promise you that it is not very exciting. I could give a very detailed description of the events that transpired between the last post and this, but quite frankly it takes too much energy to even remember them all, let alone talk about them.

So instead I'm going to continue to eat my (entire box of) macaroni and cheese while I procrastinate studying for my German class. Luckily, there isn't a test tomorrow. Though I do have to do the homework so I can keep up.

Also, I'll talk about my Sunday so far, because I happen to love Sundays. My boss has been consistently giving me every Sunday off, so I'm appreciative for that. Sundays are busy enough without trying to fit in a four hour shift at work. Especially since joining the choir. Now I have to stay for the entire first service, and about one-third of the second service. Anyway. So I did that this morning. Actually this morning I stayed for the entirety of both services. Then I came home, made macaroni and cheese, and now I'm just sitting here. I had a point with this, and I forgot what it was. Story of my life.

I want to go to the beach.