okay so. im apparently really into support networks online. i love to learn about the creative ways people are helping others while using the internet.

Anyway. so i joined this website called Big White Wall and its been pretty legit. You can make a..."brick"...and design it with photographs or words or...well whatever you want really. I think its a great place to share what you're feeling and possibly encourage others.

so. if you're bored check it out. you might even see my secrets. :)

of all the things in the world to lose...

i lost my Phase10 cards.

right before two camping trips.

come ONNNN self. stop being lame and losing everything with importance. :)

who is up for a bike ride???

naked gas protest

these people clearly make a statement. my favorite line is...

"the 100 or so riders want every tom, dick, and harry out there to know depending too much on oil is nuts."

hahahahahahaha. ohhh where to begin giggling at that statement.

a few of my favorite things

1. pop rocks
2. drive in movies
3. jack johnson
4. photographs - err...maybe the ability to hold onto moments
5. sunflowers
6. bike rides
7. bff's
8. dreaming
9. the moon
10. summer

because i have so much free time this summer, i have decided its time to get back into reading. i used to LOVE picking up a book and going at it. i loved visualizing who the people were and reading in detail these fictional lives.

at the end of this spring semester i thought i knew for certain where i was supposed to be in this world. and now, everything feels a bit jumbled. my social work teacher had written a beautiful note on the back of one of my papers just affirming me in so many ways. she also gave me a list of books to read over the summer. i didnt think much about it until i realized just how much extra time i have.

first on my list is There Are No Children Here. Kotlowitz writes with such descriptive words, it makes the boys lives come to life. and truthfully, as tactfully written as it is, i still want to skip over the middle and find out what happens in the end. i guess i'll always be that book cheater person who wants to skip it all.

anyway. if you're up for a read. borrow this book from me.

Luke 19:40

But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting
praise."

30-day notice

Reno Puts Time Limit on Tent City Residents

you have 30 days to find a job. but not just a job. to find housing. somewhere that will take you even though you dont have a bank account, you dont have extra/any money, and no/bad credit history. hmm. 30 days to fix all that. throw in not having a shower or proper clothing. but in 30 days...there will be "results"

its unrealistic to say that in 30 days someone can transform their lives to that degree. please do not get me wrong...people ARE capable of change...but if you look at the homeless population and see that many of them have disabilities, whether they be physical or mental, and because of that disability it makes it very unlikely to meet your own basic needs.

welcome to hell. i've never met anyone who has wanted to beg for money. eat from a trash can. and not know if they were going to have a place to stay. contrary to popular belief...i do NOT think people choose to be homeless...i think homelessness chooses them. there are many resources for people seeking help, but its not as easy as people think. they have to jump through hoops too high for many of them to even touch. so as you may not have sympathy for the person because they are "choosing" the lifestyle...i'd like to see you jump through hoops for the impossible. welcome to hell.

a tent city is nowhere NEAR a solution for homelessness, because as you can see, there is still no home. there is no basic human need being met. BUT...it is a start. i know it was a temporary cross over from the winter shelters, but at the same time, i dont know how you can open something and expect extreme results in 30 days. and lets not even begin to touch on the job market right now. i dont know...i dont think tent cities are such a horrible idea. its just like transitional housing...and i would LOVE to see transitional HOUSING housing. where people have an actual building to live in. with sinks and showers and a place for food. not permanent...although i know people abuse that too.

there will ALWAYS be people who abuse the system. ALWAYS. no matter if its in the homeless community or even the job you have. its just life. its life. and its not a reason to say bah...lets not do that.

call me idealistic. but shouldnt everyone have a place of home.

at the feet of jesus

at the feet of jesus
Originally uploaded by loveunfailing

mexico was amazing. i love how rich in culture and family it is. i think a lot of times america has everything backwards - but what do i know. im still just a spoiled american kid.

i had some time to reflect and rejuvinate on this trip, which is not something i have taken time to do in a LONG time. i was afraid that the optimism in me had really died. but it turns out i am still just as optimistic and goofy as any other day.

i go through whims. i'd like to say. where everything is squeaky clean and then everything is filthy. i wish for once i could just sit at the feet of Jesus and be fully comfortable knowing who i am and who He is.

i guess i'll just keep truckin.