everybody hold your breath 'cause we're gonna be sinking soon

Meg and I went to an extremely strange play last night. It was called "Popcorn", and it played at the haymarket theatre- I was glad that I took her becuase she's very open minded when it comes to the arts.... :)

It's a good thing I brewed my suntea yesterday because today it is CLOU-DY! very cloudy. very rainy.

I'm meeting my good friend, Scottie, for coffee this morning. If you haven't already done so, you should check out his blog- he's a daily blogger...that's right, every single day. Way to go, Scottie B.

I'm off for the day. Coffee and books....what a great day!

Let us not take these things for granted

When I walked into my apartment last night, after the worm episode, two of my roommates were sitting at the kitchen table doing homework- looking at me with a bewilderment and excitement that i hadn't seen in a long time. I stopped dead in my tracks, and looked at them out of the corner of my eyes, thinking, what are they looking at? Turns out, they had been listening to music and heard me OVER all the noise of the apartment....laughing, out in the street.

Incidentally, I received a phone call from my friend and neighbor across the street, Leslie. She was wanting me to clarify- was it real or just a dream? "I heard you laughing in the street- hysterically. Like the laugh you used to do to be loud and crazy- that kind. Was it real?" I probably was blushing from embarrassment, wondering how many other people were awoken at 1:15 this morning to my conniptions in the street. I apologize to everyone for the volume level- but do not take back my actions, as they were completely cleansing to my heart....it was a glorious kind of laugh and I wouldn't return it for the world.

This day is.....beautiful. It's warm, sunny.....and I don't have any plans, except maybe attending a play tonight at the Haymarket theatre. I hope to get some work done- at a leisurely pace this afternoon, so that I don't feel overwhelmed late this week, and may even trick myself into thinking that I enjoy doing homework if it isn't crunch time. If those attempts fail, I do have lots of laundry and "home things" to accomplish, which I thoroughly enjoy- really. So...either way, I'll be here, in my loungy clothes, soaking up suntea and loving this season.

i'd forgotten how slimy worms are...

I'd forgotten how difficult it is to pick up worms. You really have to own them- show 'em who's boss....I threw one on martha's windsheild tonight as she was dropping me off. She then honked for a good minute or two as I was buckled over in the middle of the wet street, yellow streetlamps illuminating the windsheild, laughing with gut-wrenching joy......it was simply marvelous.

The good things that a spring rain can bring.....

life's like an hourglass glued to the table

"Let me tell you I am better acquainted with you for a long absence, as men are with themselves for a long affliction; absence does but hold off a friend, to make one seem him the truer"- Alexander Pope

A continuum of medleys
for her
as she drives late
and he's remembering her,
dreaming her into his
world of neglected sleep
and overanalyzed self.
and they intertwine.

This beautiful weather continues to inspire me to do many things. To love more, work harder, be more efficient, make extra time for relaxing and spending time with people who are very important to me....it makes me want to sing more, read more, write more, create amazing things...go for walks, open all the windows as wide as they go, and hang laundry outside.

Today I've set out a jar filled with water and tiny leaves- waiting for that moment of freshly brewed- still warm sun tea...

And as I wait, I sit quiet, very contemplative of my life, my goals, things that are important and things that aren't worth as much worry as I give them. And it seems to me that life often brings us full circle and all of a sudden, I'm standing here wondering how and when things happened, and at what point did I become so oblivious to the world around me? My world around me- the people, places, situations I love- and I had no idea life was continuing; that people grow and learn and change...and come around again. And why do I feel so completely unprepared for this? How am I at the same exact point I was yesterday, the day before, and the day before that...

And yet, I've been growing so much the past couple of months- and I can see it. I can feel it, and I love it....but then every once in a while, something comes up and all of a sudden you find yourself feeling a little lost again.

As I continue to pray and visit with my Father, I seem to be at a point of silence. And so I'll wait. I'll watch as life continues, as people grow and learn and love. And hopefully this time, I'll be able to really see them. To be a part of these changes- these moments that make up life.

I leave today encouraged. Confused. Excited. I'm eager to see the next chapter- and I'm joyful in this season that I find myself in.

You are loved more than you could ever know, more than you can imagine.

wherever you are in the light in the water that we made

Another beautiful day. I slept wonderfully last night- not so much because I slept "well", or the entire night, but because I was snuggled into newly laundered sheets, with my windows wide open- waiting for and welcoming the thunderous clouds that swept through my street. I woke to a loud rumble early this morning, smiled and understood that today was going to be wonderful. It's those early morning decisions that change the rest of the world for a day-

My parents are in town for a husker baseball game-we met for coffee this morning...it was very good to see them.

I've got to do some work before I head off to the bookstore.

Be good to yourselves today.

it's time, meet me on the sunny road.

We're back at it. Over spring break, I was incredibly fortunate to have such ample amounts of time to spend with my roommates- enjoying each other's company. Now that we're back to reality, I realized this morning that I will lose them again this weekend, as I do every weekend. I lose Sarah to Norfolk, Melissa to the studio, and Amber to Aaron. *sigh* Life.

I was called to come into work for an earlier shift today- I'm not in any state to go to work now, so I'd better run.

Do something you really love today....

P.S. Martha really DOES love her mother-in-law.....they just don't get to talk very often. :) Also, stay tuned for a new blog by none other than....Martha Thomas, herself!!!!!

i'm protecting my heart truly

Great news! I've been tutoring my little guy now for a good couple of months. When we started, he was at a 1st grade reading level- which is significantly low for Cody, who is a 6th grader. Well, today when I was walking him out to the car, his dad let me know that his resource teacher and his regular teacher had both called that week- very excited because they had reassessed Cody this week and he has improved 2 levels! That's so great- I am SO proud of him....and it's really encouraging to see his improvement.....he's been working really hard, and it's paying off. It's also great to see that all the time I put into lessons and finding new ways to help him with his reading is actually helping.....I left the reading center today, gleaming. Just gleaming.

Marth and I came to Scooters tonight to have coffee and catch up. We ran into a couple of friends and visited with them for a while, and when we finally sat down to chat, her mother-in-law called.....that was over an hour ago- and they're STILL on the phone. Good ol' Suzie. :)

This week was really great. Over spring break, I learned a lot about myself and came back fully rejuvinated and very encouraged...ready to take on the last 5 weeks of my college career. I've got new goals, new perspectives.....love it. LOVE it.

Martha's off the phone. I'd better chat while I have the chance.

we'll never stop this train

One down, three to go. Tuesdays are always very interesting- mostly because I go from 9:30 am until 10:00 pm with a few short breaks and lots of running between campuses.

What if death fell in love with you and wanted to take you home? Would you run?

My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room.

Please, clarify your intentions once again.

Please.

I really must go. I've got to keep going. I'm off to create a masterpiece.

always one foot on the ground

Hello to my long-lost friends....or perhaps I'm the one who's been lost. In any case, I've had a wonderful week of Spring Break visiting family and friends in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas. It was so great to see them....and although things change drastically in our lives, it's nice to realize that we generally have a very special place in our hearts for those people who are so important to us. I'm convinced that it's impossible to ever stop loving certain people. The important thing is to not dwell on past memories and experiences, but to come to a peace about where we are now and know that things always work themselves out.

I've been very encouraged in the past few weeks- and I'm beginning to see a theme running through my life. I'm in a season now where I'm focused on character and integrity. Things keep coming up, people share books, talk about certain character traits, determination, etc..... and it all revolves around character. I'm learning to search for and understand what I want, why I want it and I'm seeing that certain areas of my life need to be developed in a way that is more focused on the good of other people- rather than myself.....it's been interesting, exciting and very encouraging. And I've been seeing examples of both strong and not so strong character and am very thankful for both. This helps me make choices and decide what I want to stand for.
I'm off to study and drink lots of tea.....it's a great tea day.

Here are some photos from the trip......

This was at a "French history museum"......lots of big tanks. It was a walk-through museum with rooms from different wars.....very lifelike...a great "emotional" experience.....(inside joke)
This was St. Patty's Day....(obviously!) People were EVERYWHERE....and EVERYONE was wearing green. Amber and I both had green shirts on that you can't see.....except for my sleeves. :) This cow was on the street...on wheels. Very strange.
Here we are in Millennium Park- taking photos like foreign people....peace sign, waving, and thumbs up......very nice.
I couldn't believe how GREEN the water was.....and all the people. LOTS of fun!





Understand that you are magical.

telephones and hammering

I'm visiting my mom's preschool class this morning. It's early in the day yet, so they're still learning through play- girls are on telephones across the room giggling to each other, and numerous boys have joined in an effort to hammer every inch of the room. Others use the computer, "cook" food for everyone with plastic chicken legs, donuts and corn on the cob- and still others lay in the outline of the cross on the floor -a reminder to say "thank you Jesus" for dying on the cross. This is a very busy place.

"clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere. clean up, clean up, everybody do your share"..... time to clean up. :) It's been a lot of fun to meet all of them- they've been working on introductions and hand-shakes. So, already today, I've met and shaken hands with at least 15 very small boys and girls- said, "it's nice to meet you too, my name is Heather" at least that many times. I've watched them practice writing their names, attempt to get Andrew's ring out of a very small hole he stuck in through in the slide, and now forming a line at the door for a bathroom break. Very, very busy. My mother is a saint!

I'm sitting here with my window open; spring pressing into my bedroom. The promise of a new season brings an incredible amount of joy to me this morning....

and when you fall apart and am dying from a broken heart, i'm there too.

Hello.

It's been a long, long time. I'm officially on spring break and not feeling quite as relaxed as I had hopped. I came down with some nasty head cold/flu/sinus/crappy face disease and had to take wednesday and thursday off of school and work- which leaves me feeling overwhelmed with make-up work that needs to be done after spring break. bahhhh!

breathe.

Last night I was home watching a movie and coughing/sneezing/sniffling my mind out when i heard a knock at the door. I was a little creeped because when I looked out the peep hole, no one was there. So, I locked the door and went back to my movie. When my roommate, Melissa, came home, she brought in a Campbell's chicken noodle soup, an apple and a burnt CD- she said they were sitting outside of the door. I knew exactly who they were from. I have an amazing friend who is fantastic at taking care of people. He loves to serve and has been one of my greatest examples of what a man of integrity looks like. He takes wonderful care of me and respects me...he is amazing.

I leave for home tomorow evening. I haven't been back to see my parents since christmas break, so i'm very excited to go. I'll be back here to leave tuesday morning for chicago/milwaukee for spring break. Very excited about that.....I'll be looking at schools with my uncle for next semester and visiting some great friends in the chicago area. Rissa and Bama are coming with me....and we'll get to see the green river on st. patty's day!

Snow day!

It wasn't even supposed to be a big storm, but this morning, UNL announced a closure for the day. And now, I'm STILL sitting on my bum......finally showered, but still very unproductive. I'm watching "stranger than fiction" -one of my favs.

Sometimes when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, we can find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin or a kind and loving gesture, or a subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort......