The snow is falling outside, the temperature has warmed up a little-to 30°F- but I'm cozy inside Postmark, my new favorite cafe in my new neighborhood! I wake up every morning amazed again that I get to live here. Everything is so good! Incredible roommates! Soon-to-be-gorgeous apartment! Rooftop access! View of downtown! Perfect location! Now I just have to find a way to pay for it...

we're working on doing up the apartment as often as we can afford it but I'll try to get some photos or video up soon.

One great thing is that I visited a new church! yesterday. I've been in a bit of a struggle lately about where I'm going to go. It's been so long since I have been actively involved in a church. It's kind of strange actually. I'm not 100% yet but I did really like this place and could see myself finding a home there. It also doesn't hurt that it's just a block away!

The wife of the pastor was preaching and she was talking about Esther and how the bible says she was in that place and time "for such a time as this" to save the Jewish people from destruction. It was a challenge then about why are we in this place and time. Why am I alive and here in this moment? I know the general reasons, love God, love people. but what are the specifics? She reminded us that just the fact that we are here means that we are wealthier than 80% of the planet. I can get so focused on how "poor" I am! And while I may not have any extra money right now, I still have so much. I have to stop looking at what I don't have and see instead what I DO have and how I can use it. Like Israel, I have been blessed to be a blessing. (I'm thinking maybe we both need a little more understanding about the second part) Anything I have has been given to me so that others can benefit from it as well. Just a little bit of what I'm thinking about these days......

Because Siri made fun of me...

During a beautiful, silly, deep, stupid, dreaming, laughing, chip-eating, coat-modeling, two and a half hour long skype chat with one of my favorite Norwegians today, it was mentioned that my New Years Resolution was a little lame. SO just in case anyone else thought that my only goal for the year 2009 was to blog more, for your consideration...

A song I'm loving these days...

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercy for me every day
Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

The wind is strong and the water's deep but
I'm not alone here in these open seas
Your love never fails
The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good

New Years Resolution? BLOG!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
I got to ring it in with style this year at the annual Horton New Years Slumber Party....although I have to say I'm a little disappointed that no one actually slumbered at my very first HNYSP. Molly already said many of the lovely things I have to say about this group on her blog (scroll down past the wedding with the sword (?) to check it out plus amazing pics of our Christmas party and more of their awesome work) but I will echo how nice it is when that line between friends and family gets so blurry that they seem the same.

My most deliberate New Years resolution? BLOG MORE! I have heard the cry of the people and I can't hold back from them any longer...hahahaha...I'm not promising everyday or anything but I'll try to be better. I know I'm starting to sound a bit repetitive with that one but the intention is true! anyway, it shouldn't be to hard now that I'm unemployed! I can just blog all day long! (any chance I could get somebody to pay me for that?) BUT I'll be honest, it gets a little boring if there's no response, faithful readers, so how about you? what's your New Years Resolution? And be creative! I don't want to hear about those 10 pounds you want to lose...Dream bigger!!! If you're looking for inspiration, how about some awesome Swedish knitting "graffiti"

P.S. Follow that Bird!!!

Ok... just go with me for a second here... does anyone remember the 1985 Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird?

well, I do. And I loved it! And at work, the stage management team just went around making everyone muppets and I'm Big Bird (apparently it has to do with how I'm so lovable....aw....)
And on your left you'll see a little button that says "Follow this blog" If you click it, you'll let me know just how lovable I am....so..... Follow This Bird!!!!!

A Pumpkin Carving Party!!!

Fall in New York City!!!

It's one of the best times to be in one of the best places to be... especially when you have awesome friends like Janet organising all sorts of festive events! Check out her blog, Brooklyn Living (link on the side) for more-- and

undoubtedly better-- pics! A few of us got together last night at their apartment for tacos, pumpkin carving and German apple crumble prepared by an actual German (pictured above tearfully murdering a pumpkin...it was her first time!)

Bini, Sharon, Janet, Me

and pumpkins

And as if that weren't enough, Bini and I walked home together and had a big super-good long chat about all kinds of stuff.... God, friends, prayer, New York, the kind of good conversation that both of us have really been missing lately. It's so cool how God drops people into your life! I don't think I've mentioned how I know her actually. Bini was on my DTS (that school I did in England about 5 years ago) We lived in different rooms and our different responsibilities kept us from really spending much time together but she was one of the people that I really regretted not getting to know so when she emailed a few months ago saying that she and her husband were moving here, I was so excited! They ended up staying with me for a couple of weeks and we spent that time finding that friendship that we missed in England. And last night, we got the idea to get together once a week or so in the morning (ok.... early afternoon...) to pray and be with God together.... something I have been craving like crazy! So we start tomorrow!!!!! I'm so thankful that out of that experience we get this one! God has the best ideas!

I know, I know, I said I'd be better...

but I've had a couple crazy weeks to fill you in on! I'll just go with some of the highlights....

A few weeks ago, my friend roger sent me the greatest text message of my life.... it was something along the lines of "we have an extra ticket to the New Kids on the Block concert on tuesday." So... to New Jersey we went!!! We were looking down our noses a little at all the people-sorry all the girls- on the train with us until Roger of all people reminded us that we were in fact just like them...we got there and settled in to wait... after the fabulous Natasha Bedingfield finished her set, the energy in the room was buzzing.... we knew what was coming next! As the lights went down and the screens started flashing, suddently the 10 year old girl in us all came screaming out our mouths... we danced and sang our way through the next couple hours, and after three encores, we all agreed that we would have happily stayed through the whole thing all over again... As shannon said "This is historic. I mean, some people have seen segregated drinking fountains and the possiblity of a black president in their lifetime. We have seen New Kids on the Block. Twice." It was maybe the most fun I have EVER had! And yes, that is Joey McIntyre on a piano...
A few days later I went to one of the last games to ever be played at Shea stadium (and the last game the mets were going to win this season..) and officially overcame my fear that I was in fact bad luck when they won awesomely at the very last second. I was sick and it was freezing but it was still so much fun! I'm not the hugest baseball fan or anything but I guess it's kinda cool that I've been to both a Yankees and Mets game this year when it's the last time they'll be playing in those stadiums.... i guess.... maybe when I'm old I'll think it's cool....