Monday, June 29, 2009
sunny with a chance of rain
Sunday, June 28, 2009
la vita e bella
Friday, June 26, 2009
bucket list
Thursday, June 25, 2009
is this real life?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
step by step
"So I’m back from Kanakauk, this 2 month gap in time that I feel like changed my life forever. Kamp was probably one of the hardest and one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, which sounds completely bizarre. Kamp pulled me completely out of the world for a while. I mean we literally had no phones, no television, no internet, etc. My only means of contact with the outside world was through snail mail. I was blessed enough to have letters come in daily, which I held like treasure. It was my only piece of my life outside the red gates of K-Kountry. And I think being pulled out of the world like that makes you really realize just how worldly you are. I think I had grown really complacent in my walk with the Lord. I thought, “I go to this Christian school, I’ve put in my time on leadership, I do this, and that,” and a million other things that only led me to the “bad as” road where I justified my sins by comparing them to the sins of others. The first two weeks of kamp were rough. I had this huge personal conviction of how dependant I was on people and how worldly I had really become. It's almost as if I became self-conscious about it, more reserved, guarded. I have never been so broken and yet felt so loved by God. He helped me to realize that He doesn't NEED me to do His work, and that it's not about me. I had rough days and I had some of the best days, but everyday I woke up I knew I couldn’t get anything done without the strength of Christ. On my so-called "worst day" of kamp 6 girls from my cabin ended up receiving Christ on the front porch of Barn 5. God sent a daily reminder of His love for me in some way, shape, or form - be it a rainbow in the sky, a chocolate chip scone for breakfast, or through the salvation of one of my girls. One night after our director Pete gave the gospel message we found my 9-year-old kamper Maggie bawling (like favorite pet died, alligator tears, can't breath crying) and when we asked her what was wrong she simply said, "I just can't understand how one person (Jesus) could do that (die for our sins)" I was brought back to the reality of my faith on a daily basis. We read through Philippians during my time at kamp which I thought was kind of ironic - Paul found joy in a jailhouse and I couldn’t find joy at the coined happiest place on earth? God answered my prayers at kamp. I had been praying consistently for about 3 years that I would become completely dependent on God and not people...so He takes me away from everything I know and leads me to this place, perfect for me to grow. I can’t get mad at God for answering the prayer I desired for so long. God also immediately showered me with people I did not deserve. My co turned into a lifelong best friend, my UC an amazing mentor, and my fellow "kitchies" were some of my closest confidants - all people who loved me at my absolute worst, at my weakest. I was not the same person walking out of those red gates as I was walking in. I've changed for the better."
summer solstice
Friday, June 19, 2009
mc meets lc
Thursday, June 18, 2009
tut tut, it looks like rain
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
a tear on tuesday
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
life. or something like it.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
wednesday
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
beanie weenies
Monday, June 8, 2009
tastes of times square
After work I met up with Katie and her friend Melanie for "Tastes of Times Square." All of the restaurants around Times Square set up these vendors where you can try different samples of their menu items. We were in heaven! I tried a crab salad cone (it was jumbo lump crab meat, avacado, and mango puree) from The View, cheese pizza from John's Pizzeria (who could resist John's pizza?!), and watermelon soup from Bourbon Street Bar & Grille (good, but a little weird). Overall, everything was delish! Enjoy!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
little girl. big city.
So I’ve been up here in the Big Apple for a week now and I thought a blog would be a much more convenient way to keep everyone updated on my everyday adventures.
Around this time last week I fought back tears as I said goodbye to my dad, aunt, and sister. After spending the previous day in the city in full tourist fashion (including trips to FAO Schwarz & Serendipity3) we woke up last Sunday to move me into my summer apartment in Midtown. Floor 25. I’m in trouble if there’s a fire, but at least I’ve got a great view.
I share an apartment with 3 other girls – Amanda, Tara, & Alexa. Amanda is from South Carolina and is interning with a PR company called Harrison & Shriftman, Tara is from North Carolina and is interning with MTV’s Nickelodeon On-Air Productions (she got to watch episodes of Spongebob for work the other day!), and Alexa is from Michigan and is interning with a finance company called Black Rock. They are all really fun and we have had a great time together.
As for me? In case you didn’t know, I’m interning at Shape Magazine in the PR department. I work directly under the PR Director, Samantha Trenk. So far, I love it. I work on Park Ave. on the 10th floor. It all seems so surreal sometimes. I mean here you have to have security cards, clearances and codes for everything – including the bathroom!
Already, I’ve had some of the coolest experiences. Last week I got to write up interview questions for LC (she is going to be on the September cover), attend a TV segment at the Good Morning America set, and help come up with a promotions campaign using Twitter. I usually work from 10 to 5ish and use my lunch breaks for trips to Herald Square with Lizzie, the other PR intern.
When I’m done with work I can usually be found eating out – my expensive new hobby. I have already fallen in love with the cupcakes at Crumbs Bake Shop, crepes at Melt, and just about any overly indulgent sugary treat you can find in Manhattan. My friend Katie gave me the idea of starting a food journal where you record the places you eat, rate them, write a little description, and include a business card/menu - which has become my latest endeavor. See for yourself…
Other than that, I try to keep myself from becoming too jaded while I’m here. Although I was initially intimidated to live in the city, I’ve surprisingly adjusted well to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I call my parents almost everyday and thank them for the sacrifices they made to give me such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although I stay busy and my phone conversations are typically short and sometimes rushed, I truly love and appreciate any phone calls, e-mails, and texts I get from family and friends. The kind and encouraging words have truly kept me grounded and brought lots of comfort. Thank you!
“Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which God has called you.” – Ephesians 4:1 (NCV)