Randomness

Sometimes I wish I could understand myself better. That being said, this I do know: I have come to understand that every situation is different and not to expect the same thing twice. Perhaps I'm too nice, perhaps I'm too understanding, but this is who I am and I like being me. I am dedicated and loyal and passionate and willing to give people many, many chances. I am constantly learning how to take confidence in these things. Pain and disapointment are just as important to progession as happiness is.

I am reminded of the hymns "Be Still, My Soul" and "How Firm a Foundation" because they give me peace and strength as I move forward. What specifically comes to mind is "be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake/to guide the future as he has the past/thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake/all now mysterious shall be bright at last" and "In every condition...as thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be." This simply reminds me to look at the blessings in my life, that God has a hand in my life, and that I am promised joy. What more can a girl ask for?

A few of the things I'm grateful for:

random notes/texts from friends, answered prayers, work, crying, laughing, unexpected trips, geting lost, leaves changing color, accomplishing things on my list, alone time, finding things I'm passionate about, steadfast friends

Zero Solitude and a Mill

Yay for 3 day weekends and for accomplishing things on my list! I'm so excited to be getting these done. It's teaching me to make time to do things that I always think about doing but never do.

On Saturday, thing #9 - Hike Old Rag - was accomplished! John and I headed out before the sun was up to get to the trail before the crowds. The 3 miles to the summit includes two miles of switchbacks and the last mile is a rock scramble to the summit. After lunch at the summit, we hiked the 4.5 miles down the other side. It was a fantastic day! ;)

Thing #21 was to visit George Washington's Grist Mill. This was a tour of how Washington made his living by growing wheat and corn and turning it into flour, feed, and whiskey.

outside the Grist Mill

Jenny is finally taller than Amy

The workings of the Mill

(Current Tally: 19 done, 5 started, 3 to do)

Soccer and Pottery

Thing number 23 was to see a professional soccer game. This took a little bit of coordination - unlike baseball where you can pretty much see a home game any week of the season, it seems the soccer teams only play a few times a month, even fewer times at home, and mostly on Sundays. But as luck would have it the LA Galaxy were scheduled to play in DC on a lovely wet Saturday. With even more luck our seats were under the upper level, so we didn't get wet. It was a great time with noise makers, drums, jumping fans, and of course, David Beckham! (Coincidentaly, Beckham's number is 23.) Unfortunately, our camera battery ran out and we didn't get to take many photos of him, I mean the game. ;)

Josh with some noise makers.

Matt, Nicole, and me

Jenny with the noise makers

(they give them out as you enter the stadium)

David Beckham is second from the left.

Thing number 5 was to take a creative class. Before graduation, I signed up for a summer pottery class, afraid I would be bored without having any classes (which turned out to be a silly thing to be worried about). But I think, so far, I have learned the most from this thing.

Pottery and I had a rocky start. I didn't really like it, mostly because I had no idea what I was doing and I was the only beginner in the class. But as the the class progressed, I really started to enjoy it. Pottery requires complete focus, patience, and feel. I found that as I only thought about the clay, feeling and guiding the clay to create, and not being in a hurry to finish, I could create somewhat decent pieces. This is something I am working on applying into other aspects of my life. It makes a huge difference. In the end, I was sorry not to be able to continue classes this fall; perhaps in the future.

A few of my pieces are here. I have a couple more to pick up this week. The red bowl is my favorite (the pictures don't do the colors justice).