Give Me a Peace of that Good Life

I know in college it's really popular to plan things.  You plan your semester.  You plan your weeks.  You plan your days.  You plan your binge eating of Little Debbie snacks.  You plan the fifth time to brush your teeth. You plan your photo shoot for your next album cover.  You plan when you're going to water your cacti.  You plan on crying in the corner of the library, because you watch a way-too-emotional McDonalds commercial about McLovin' people, and there's beef jerky stuck in your teeth, and you're trying to communicate to the person next to you that you're alright, but while your trying not to not show your teeth or breath on them, you fail to realize they aren't asking if you're okay--they're asking you to shut up.  

Wait. No. We don't plan on that happening.  Yet, it still does.  Life still happens. 

Twenty-nine years old, single, head full of dreads, and standing at almost six feet tall, meet Morgan.  Morgan works nine months out of the year.  She travels the other three.  "I pack a backpack.  I pick a place to visit.  I recommend, Finca Magdalena de Ometepe.  And I find a couch to crash on--a friend of a friend's great-grandma."  So you just pack up and leave by yourself?  "Yep.  Submerge yourself in a new culture, and you'll grow in ways you didn't know were possible."

Besides traveling advice, what I really took away from talking with this new friend of mine, is this simple truth: everybody has a different path. 

If you asked Morgan if she thought she would be single and still traveling at twenty-nine, she would say no.  But she said, "I'm so blessed.  I have cheap living expenses and stable job that allows me to do what I love."  What about your relationship life?  "That's non existent.  But when I'm ready, I'll be happy with that lifestyle, too."  

She loves her life.  And some would look at it and say, "No way. not for me."  But that's just it.  It's not yours to have, even if you wanted it. And good thing, because I can think of about ten of my friends who would look horrible in dreads. Ew. Like I wouldn't be their friend anymore. Gross.(just kidding. I only have four friends.) But Morgan rocks it.  I'll still be friends with Morgan. Even though I don't know how to say her last name, and we will never see each other again.  

I've been studying the Fruits of the Spirit lately, and one thing I've found interesting is Joy isn't as close to happiness as we think. In fact, I've found Joy is closest to peace.  It's not saying "I'M GOING TO SMILE WHEN MY GRANDMA DIES! HAHAH YEAH! DEATH!"  Heck, Jesus cried even when He knew He would save Lazarus moments later.  It's saying, even when things don't go as planned, find peace and contentment in where you are now that's true Joy. 

Dreams are huge. And I'm not advocating "don't dream and have goals".  I've wanted to be in the Peace Corps since I was ten years-old, and I hope I do that.  (I met with them this week, and I'm on the right track!)  However, if it's not the Peace Corps God wants me to join or invest in, I will be content with whatever I am doing and whoever I'm doing it with--even (especially) if I'm alone. 

I would also like to take a moment to say: it's important to find people who support your dreams.  Even if they wouldn't want them for themselves, or if they don't think it's possible.  You should  surround yourself with people who believe in you, and want you to succeed in anything short of sin.  If it's glorying God and it's on your heart, friends and relationships should be the ones building you up and encouraging you along the way.  I have been blessed beyond comprehension in this area.  

For Christmas a few years ago, my sister gave me this ring to remind me to always go for my dream.  "Even if it's not the Peace Corps, Chloe, never give up on yourself.  I'm your biggest fan." 

Recap

You can't plan your whole life.

Everybody's life is different. Don't compare. If you don't like it; it's not your life to love. Do something else.  

Have Big dreams, because you're created by a Big God.

Support your friends and surround yourself with supportive friends. Don't get bitter towards the ones who don't.  Remember the ones who do.

Don't Talk

Randy Pausch was known for his inspirational words (and a lot more), "No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse."

(What a hunk.
Oh! This is my pal Randy)

And men and women, that is true inspiration.  Not the sweetest, happiest, or most encouraging thing you've ever heard.  However, so truthful.  You can always make things worse.  (trying emphasizing different words of that last sentence. *wow cool!*)

I've noticed something- I talk a lot. I'm not opposed to taking a joke too far and being the only one laughing ten minutes in, or lecturing my friend on "how eating five Oreos all at once reduces the calorie intake", or explaining to my siblings that I am not the weirdest sibling and that having opossum blood in a Walmart bag in my trunk isn't that creepy, or telling the officer who pulled me over all my talents, and how I graduated high school at the age of eighteen, and yes, I'm aware that's normal but did you know my mascot was the 'Redskin', and how it can be offensive, but you already know that... and please don't give me a $175 ticket...  I love ice cream and a ticket isn't sweet like chunky monkey which is one of my favorites flavors, but sometimes the chocolate chunks stick to my teeth and that isn't very good, like how the call to my parents will end up if you continue to write on that pad... (917) 514-2719... but please reconsider your decision because I am responsible... 832 Drummond hall Stillwater, OK 74074... and I brush my teeth three times a day and go to bed early(ish)... and yes, Sir. I will attend court, you have a nice day, too.  Bleh.

(In case you wanted to know.. .
the opossum blood is from an opossum-road kill
for a prank.)

But sometimes I need to shut up.

When it comes down to it, Pausch was right.  Words are a perfect example of how you can make something worse. 

I think specifically girls (and some guys) tend to "vent" a lot.  "Oh, LET IT OUT! IT IS NOT HEALTHY TO KEEP THAT IN! *shoves five Oreos down their throat* (it's healthy that way. like eating broccoli or something like that).  "Oh, I'm just sharing, because I'm worried/concerned" and "it just really hurt my feelings, and I needed to tell you"  And to be honest, one turns to ten.  Venting to a person in the same group of (people) friends isn't venting; it's looking for affirmation or comfort in the wrong places and in the wrong way.  It's so delicious, though, and if you say it's not- you're lying to yourself, or you've prayed about this, too.  One of my youth pastors growing up said he never complained about his wife to another person, because speaking those words to somebody other than his wife isn't being loyal or respectful.  That always stuck with me.  If somebody hurt your feelings telling another person isn't going to fix it.  "Well, it's not that big of deal. I didn't think I needed to confront them." Well, then don't share it.  If you're truly concerned about a person, talk to that person.     Sometimes it's so much healthier to just let it go. It's hard.  And trust me, I haven't reached perfection in this area, and I probably never will. But it's amazing to see how my group of friends have begun to practice this- going straight to the person and not talking about issues if the person isn't in the room.  It has healed, strengthened, and encouraged all us immensely.

In the Bible (Matthew 18:15-18)  Jesus describes how to confront a person who has hurt or sinned against you.  WE DO THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.  We are told to talk to that person one-on-one, and if it doesn't work than get more help.  But what is popular?  We'll tell six people.  If the person we talked about finds out- THEN we talk to them... sometimes not even then.  With our words, we can make anything worse. If that's the case, we should be able to make anything way better. 

(Like here, in 8th grade, somebody should have told me straight bangs were NOT a good idea... but instead, I continued to sin against my head shape and all eyes of humanity. )

I challenge you to watch the words that come out of your mouth.  Is it uplifting?  Is it going to benefit somebody? This goes for yourself.  You're still a piece of creation, and you shouldn't always put yourself down. Invest your words into helping people, and you'll realize letting those stupid things go and speaking when it helps, will make you less stressed and more joyful.


And tust me I haven't gotten it down.  I just yelled "SCREW YOU" to somebody I care about deeply, and hung up the phone.  Needless to say, I'm working on it. :)

Focus on Your Toes

Focus on Your Toes

I’m an extremist.  It’s in my blood.   If you call it a “disease” and I will say, “hold still, let me cough on you, BECAUSE IT IS SO FUN LIVING THIS WAY”.  Now, if mentally stable is more your style, that’s good, too.  We need both people in life.  Being an extremist let me tell you about the best Valentine’s Day ever. 

12:30 am

Text:

My friend showed up ready to feed my adrenaline.  I know I could have easily gone to bed, but when I get an idea—I have to do it. It’s a symptom of Extreme Personality. And this idea happened to come to me at 12 in the morning. With my red one-piece swimsuit on, earrings out, and heart pumping, I got in his truck ready to make a memory. Now, I’m not a fan of illegal substances (despite the nose ring and thrift shop clothing) or intense partying (with the exception of birthdays, bar mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, and Wednesdays) wait, what was I talking about? Oh, yeah. So I try to be responsible with my body, but I’m an adrenaline junky, and I have to satisfy my cravings. So, we went to the lake.  We jumped in, and whale-flopped out.   We couldn’t feel our bodies, and we didn’t care.  Looking back, this was a good thing.  We took off running.  Not like, a little stride here and there, I’m talking full out- open field nothing in the way, run faster and fart harder- running.

Straight. Into. A. Metal. Pole.

1:00 am

“Chloe, get up! Let’s go!” “Ugh… help. Hahaha” “Wait, are you okay?” “I think my nose is bleeding”

1:03 am

*In the car*

“Holy crap. Chloe, don’t look. You’re not allowed to look at your face”

“What? Hahahaha why!!! Let me see, I’m sure it’s fine”

 “I’m taking you to the E.R.”

“Hahahaha I’m sure I’m fine! We’ll just put some butterfly Band-Aids on it.”

“How do you feel right now?”

With blood coming down my head, I said, “my toes hurt”

“Haha okay Chloe, just focus on your toes”

1:10 am

 I called my mom and got some advice.  I think the best advice was, “Chloe, I know your personality, but the nurses don’t.  You will have to clarify you have not been drinking and that you are always laughing.  They will be concerned of blood thinning.”  So we went to the E.R.  And it was a blast! They asked me how much I was hurting, I laughed, “My toe really hurts!”  The P.A said, “Okay, just focus on those toes”.  The nurse, P.A, and doctor were amazing! The nurse with three kids and glitter all over her face from wearing a wreath on her head, was like an older sister encouraging and laughing with me along the way! Epically when I told them to pluck my eyebrows while they were up there.  They didn’t.  I forgave them. The P.A was O.C.D and gave me 14 stiches on the 14^th day of the month (he never denied the accusation that he did it on purpose).  The doctor was the most socially awkward guy I have ever met.  Asking me, “What have you been drinking?”  “Nothing, Sr.”  “Why are you laughing so much? Is this normal, or caused by the injury” Thank goodness my friend was there to back me up. “No, sir. I’m high on Jesus Christ! I guess it’s funny how things like this work out.  Great memories, right!?”  Tired from seeing what he referred to as, “stupid freshmen getting hurt”, he didn’t laugh.  But I did.  The P.A said, “I misjudged you two a lot.  One-piece swimsuit and no alcohol. I guess I supposed drinking and naked at 12 am on the weekend.” And that was the best compliment ever. 

God’s shown me so much with these stiches. 

1.     After getting over a cold sore, a bad acne breakout, and a minor cut on my face, I was feeling pretty good about myself. Then this happened.  And again, I have been reminded that beauty is the heart, and I am His.

2.     Serving the homeless in Oklahoma City, I was overwhelmed with how selfish I am. They were more concerned with my head than their living condition.  How the culture tells us we are “allowed” to be self-consumed when something interferes with our normal appearance.  When in reality, we are called to be more than our image. 

3.     You don’t have to be drunk and naked to do something really stupid.

4.     You need really good friends that will take you to the E.R., laugh at you, encourage you, poke your stitches, look at your eyes when you talk, eat too much with you, pull pranks with, and argue until you’re laughing.

5.     With fourteen stitches on your forehead, you can’t go up to kids in Subway and say “Hi, little girl! I love your dress”

I was able to laugh the entire morning of and days after.  I told my friend (as I am holding my towel drenched in blood) on our way to the E.R., “If I could do it again, I would”.

I believe God has been showing me life isn’t about living perfectly; it’s about living honestly.   

Viewer Discretion is Advised

I have zits, the occasional cold sore, smelly feet, and I sweat a lot.  That's gross, huh?

I have thoughts about my weight comparing thighs and arms to other women. That's gross, huh?

I think about my personality being too much for people, and wishing I could be the cute mysterious art major girl in the back of the class room, who has a dark clothes to match my personality.  And I wear cool retro band t-shirts, and I "forget" to wash all my eye makeup off, because that's so grunge. All because I want people to see me with more depth.  That's gross, huh? (and slightly too specific)


Today,  I woke up with a cold sore.  It's not a big deal, but on top of only three hours of sleep, and a very full day ahead of me, I wasn't looking forward to the stares.  (which is funny, because people don't really care.  They think, "glad it's not me", and move on with their life).  Anyway, as pathetic as it was, I tried everything.  I wore lipstick that looked like Barbie's Fairytopia dress.  That lasted about two minutes, before my friend (who I am very grateful for), said ever so sweetly, "nah".  I started smiling an obscene amount, because if I stretched my lips it was harder to noticed. I was overwhelmed with this. This minor imperfection.  So small and temporary.  It's not me.  None of this was-- the energy put into my appearance or even the imperfection itself.


Anyway, this blog isn't about my cold sore, though, it wouldn't be the weirdest thing I wrote about.  Really it's the message behind it.  I spent a whole day feeling gross, and even referring to myself as a "piece of peperoni pizza" to my sister.

I thought about how deeply concerned we are with making sure every small imperfection is hidden.  Just the gross subtle and small things.  The big messes in our life?  Those are fine to talk about, because they are stages in our lives, a mere event. A broken arm?  Put a cast on it and have people sign it.  Stitches?  Pull the Spider-Man band-aide off and brag about the story. But the small stuff?  The daily things?  The flaws in our personalities and the demons on our shoulders.  Our subtle insecurities.  Zits? Cover them up, that's embarrassing. Balding? Plugs and toupees.  Cold sores, look like a over zealous Barbie clown.  (okay, that one might just be me).

But do you get it? How people try to hide their small imperfections.

Any way, I was thinking about how comparison is the thief of joy.  And that's been my statement this school year.  I dwell on it.  Oh,  I could could personify "comparison" in very colorful language, but I'll refrain.  However, it really is a thief of joy.  It's so cowardly.  It's so manipulative.  It takes so much from you.  And the worst part-- it does so, but only with your permission.  Comparison only has the power you allow it.

After a good cry with my best friend about how I felt tired and ugly, she encouraged me, and we watched "New Girl" and said goodnight.

I looked in the mirror and I saw this.  (I'm going to regret this later). Well, there you go.  No makeup, no Barbie lipstick, no cute clothes to distract, or fancy jewelry, or filter.  (#nofilter).  Just me.  Basking in all that I am.  A freshman in college with a  night dress on and goofy socks who hasn't brushed her hair.  And zits.  And a cold sore.

 After I had said goodnight to my friend, I walked over to the mirror and started crying.  I felt Jesus hold me and I leaned back into Him.  He said, "look again".  I did, and instead of my blistering lip or couple of minor imperfections, I saw my eyes.  I didn't see me, but I saw art.  His art.  A person. Not me. But a person that God created.  I saw His time and love and purpose and I thought, "Chloe, you're a moron.  I mean, c'mon! You are so beautiful.  I MEAN SO HOT!! AMIRITE?? LIKE, I WOULD SO DATE ME." Okay, not really. But I felt like I saw myself the way He sees me.

I want to be vulnerable, and not in an "teenage angsty" way, but in a "I am human, too" kind of way.  Sometimes, the best way to share God's love is to be real.  And this blog is what I have.  So, I'll use it. Anyway, I don't have a great way to end this, being so last minute.  So I'll end with this:  comparison in the thief of joy.

Entries of a Traveler.

November 30, 2014 

Entries of a Traveler 

11:00 am 

I’m currently on my way home.  We’ve all heard, “home is where the heart is”.  I used to think I didn’t have one place to call “home”, and in a traditional sense, I guess that’s true.  But flying and traveling this thanksgiving season, I have come to the beautiful conclusion that I am perfectly okay with that.  I think I have a big enough heart and enough passion to share it with many states.  Maybe, even a few of which I have no relational ties with. 

Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, and some times (on a good day) I’ll give my heart to Michigan, too.  They can all be home to me, because they all have my heart.  Would it be a piece of my heart, or is it possible to have and share at the same time?  I will allow each home to have all of it.  Just like F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice.”  I love all of my homes, each of which are different, but no one less than the other.  (Except Michigan.  I could love Michigan less and probably make it share with some other state.  Nobody really loves Michigan.)  

12:00 pm

“You’re not from here, are you?”  Asked by pretty much every stranger I encounter while traveling.  What gives me away? Is it the collecting of leafs on the sidewalk?  Is it the photographing of what seems like an average building?  Is it the speaking too quickly and accidentally letting a light southern accent peak through with random words?  Is it the buying of postcards and stickers?  Is it the lacking of personal space?  (Though typical behavior for me anywhere.)  Whatever it may be, I could answer rather quickly and relatively accurately with a quick, “No, I live in Oklahoma”.  But after some thought, I have decided to answer with a question, “Where do you think I’m from?”.  To what ever their guess is, as crazy as it may be, I will answer with a big fat grin on my face, “YES!”  Though impossible to magically change the history of my homes, I will say, “YES! I am from there.”  And for a few seconds I will have lived in a state or city I haven’t had the privileged to live in, yet.  Because if I could fit there, I’d love to be there.  (It makes sense if you don’t think about it.)

4:00 pm

On a plane and up in the air.  (Unfortunately, not with George Clooney.) Window seat of course.  It amazes me how many people get the window seat and close the window cover.  It’s not that the window closers are wrong, it’s just they are difficult to understand.  I understand you are tired, but I don’t understand the sleep.  Not on a plane.  Okay, well, I’ve fallen asleep on a plane.  It’s just why? When it’s day time!  When you can see!?  “I’ve seen it all before.”  “I fly all the time.”  That’s what the window closers say. But they haven’t.  There's no way they have seen this cloud on this day in this sky before.  I get it, “Chloe, you’re being a bit romantic aren't you?”  And I suppose I am.  But I can’t help it!  I’M IN THE SKY! I can see how a cotton blanket of clouds can get a bit redundant, but (and this may be my coffee speaking) I can’t shut my eyes.  If not out the window, it will be the two lovers next to me.  The blond hair and blue eyed girl, who I hate to admit, might be more outgoing than I.  And her brown hair scruff’d compliment to my left.  Or a mom’s bundle of joy behind me.  Who, she swears, is “a genius! The doctors told me themselves.  He’s just the most observant baby alive.  AND he plays the drums!”  And at eight months old, I’m sure he’s better than me, no doubt. 

6:00pm 

Almost home.  I met Iza and Mark.  “Iza like Liza but without the L.”

Iza:

Green eyes

Bolivian 

Thick Portuguese accent 

Small face 

Big heart 

Dolphin Lover

Cares more about the people she loves than matching her fanny pack with her windbreaker 

Mark:

Tall 

American 

Quiet 

Speaks three languages 

Intelligent 

Cultured 

Observant 

Loves his wife so much he couldn’t keep his hands off her for the entire flight

They met online “DreamCatch”.  “I saw his picture and thought he was very handsome.  I said, ‘Okay’. ha ha ha.  Minutes later, I sent, ‘hello’. And that’s how it started.” They talked for two months before meeting.  “We dated for six months.  Engaged for two weeks.”  She looked at her finger with a simple silver band.  Sparkles in her eyes she said, “before I knew it, I look down at my hand and ring on my finger!”  Though her accent thick, her expression said it all. I asked how the wedding was.  Was it big or small?  Where did you have it?  She said, “at a park on a Monday at five pm.  Who go to a wedding on a Monday!? Ha! Nobody! Nobody, but we make it work!” Smiles at her husband.  “Yes, we make it work.  My brother made…. What did he make?”  She waits impatiently for her husband to answer quickly so she can continue her wedding tale.  “Barbecue, Darling.  Barbecue”.  “Yes! My brother make barbecue for my wedding.  And! And everybody looooooved it.  They really did.”  She smiled contently.  Too curious and enthralled, I asked about her dress.  She said, “I found it in two hours!  My mother in town and I had two hours before work, and I said, ‘Ma! I have two hours before work.  I get the dress now.  You come now or don’t come.’  I tried on two dresses and hated them.  Both.  Then the third dress.  That was it.  The one.”  I asked her to describe it to me.  Although she showed me with great gestures-swinging and poking the air with both hands- and vibrant facial expressions, I’m afraid I could not understand exactly what she was saying.  But I do know, no matter what she was wearing, be rags or diamonds, she looked stunning. She said, “I never get married. That’s what I told myself.  I was thirty-three and no boys around.  First dates, sure. But not the serious kind. How old are you?”  “About to be nineteen, m’am.”  “Well, you wait.  Wait like me.  Find a man who treats you like this,” she points to mark holding her bags.  “You’ll make a great teacher. But love.  It will come.  You wait.  Wait for special.  You have personality.  You will be great at teacher.  You are special.  Do not settle.  Wait for a man who carries your bags.”  I laughed and said I wasn’t in a hurry.  Now married for thirteen years, you can find Iza jabbering in Mark’s ear as they hike and observe waterfalls (“I love the waterfalls”) in Rapid City, South Dakota.  She said, “My advice to you:  travel, study, and have fun.”

And that is why I like to travel.

The Five Senses of Autumn

OSU Stillwater, OK
Feat. a stranger called Cole

The n is silent

When the leaves are singin’

People are quieter

In whisper season

Pianos are being played

        But they don’t mind

Heat on the tongue

Spices demand attention

Coffee wears sleeves

Because cold’s pretension

Popular Cucurbita pepo

      Because it is prettier

Smoke fills lungs

Bonfires perfume clothes

Cider’s fragrance crawls

In secrets fall enclose

The essence of nostalgia

            And it is sweet

Cozy is familiar again

Leather pages read

Fluffy warm pillows

Thrown on trundle beds

Cuddle is acceptable

            Yet over due

           

Dust acknowledged

The vibrate leaves glow

Fabrics, textures, colors

Dress human chateaus

The vision of chills

            For the polaroids