redefining life

doug scott, a friend who used to work for axis and who is a GENIUS, just got back from traveling the world for a year. he put his memoirs together into a movie that i just saw again tonight.

there's a lot to internalize... it's like you went with him and yet you can't begin to comprehend where he went.

all i know is that i have a new "favorite movie". a movie that makes me want to rediscover my life and redefine who i want to live - all under the scope of love.

more thoughts to come.

when someone you love is loved well.

today i joined my friend beth at a retreat she was having for the coaches and small group leaders she leads. the topic of the retreat was "leaning into love". when she told me about it, i said that i would love to be there and she made the arrangements for it to happen. i know how hard she and her team worked at it and how excited she was that more and more people were showing up...

the day was beautiful and the experience amazing.

at the end of the day, the phrases you heard across the room and directly to beth were along the lines of, "you are the perfect leader for our ministry. god's love for you and your love for god has transformed us. thank you."

now that's powerful.

i met beth about 5 years ago as i was trying to figure out if moving to chicago was what i wanted to do. knowing that she would be moving at the same time that i was made it feel like i already had friends up here. and i wasn't wrong. she and her family have become my "surrogate" family, and for that i'm so grateful.

and one of the best feelings in the world is when you witness someone you love being loved by those she loves and leads.

i'm so thankful i took part of today.

THE SHANIA TWAIN SONG!!!!

re: previous post

"love the way you love me" was the song on the radio as i drove home from the grocery store... i do know almost the whole thing...

and so do you...

random ranting about culture

ok, here's a few things that i'm feeling about tv and the such... very random... you've been forwarned...

AMERICAN IDOL

what the crap is the scott guy still doing there?!?!?!? america, learn to recognize talent and vote for them.... it's almost like i need to vote for everyone BUT the person that sucked... they should change the premise... at least til he's gone, we need to be voting not for the best, but for the person who needs to be casted out... and what's up with vonzell being in the bottom three?!??!!? she is not my favorite AND i agree that every week she gets better, just like nikko, except that we won't be able to see where he could go because america chose to keep someone who gets worst and worst every week. and what's up with nadia being in the bottom three for two weeks in a row?!?! in the words of napoleon, "GOOOOHHH!!! IDIOT!!!!!!"

SHANIA TWAIN

i was driving home from the grocery store last night (thank you moorhouses for your vehicle!) and one of shania's song was on the radio - i really can't remember which one right now. i started singing along... i was impressed at how much of the song i knew by heart. i've never considered myself a shania twain fan. and then it dawned on me: i secretly love shania twain... and so does everyone else!!!! i don't think many people will admit to it. i don't think i still would, just like how i keep telling everyone i don't watch the apprentice anymore because it's dumb but secretly await thursday nights!! but when one of her songs comes up on the radio - everyone in the car will sing along, you will have a difficult time changing the station, both men and women!!! and if you've ever helped plan a wedding - even if you don't really consider it, one of her songs pops into your mind as a possible song to play during it. face it, we all love shania twain and her humble origins in canada as she lost her parents and raised her family basically on her own (thanks E! and VH1!!!)

THE OFFICE - THE SILENT NARRATOR

i LOVE the new show on nbc "the office". the boss is not intentionally an asshole, he just happens to be one! part of the genius is it's documentary style. and i love the documentary style!! from christopher guest to scrubs, where jd is the only one aware of the camera, to arrested development where the narrator has a third point of view and no interaction (LOVE ron howard!) here's the twist of the office. the narrator is the camera... they never say anything - and they are all aware of their presence. from pam saying this week, "oh, would you like for me to repeat the messeages that i told you early for them" as she compicously looks at the camera to the awkardness of well timed silent pauses... the show is pure genius. i was a little apprehensive after the pilot. i thought it was funny but didn't really see the potential of this lasting for seasons... but as a former member of cube farm now i know there's so much more from where that came from... if you haven't seen this show, think of it as the movie office space meeting the show arrested development... pure genius.

I STILL AM IN LOVE WITH JON STEWART!!!!

that's really all i have to say about this one - very intellectually and sexually attracted.

that's all i have for now... i'll keep ranting later...

it just makes sense

i got back from denver yesterday, about 36 hours after i was supposed to. missing a flight by 3 minutes, only flight available next day at 6am, that being delayed for three hours, "el" train delayed as well... seriously, i should've driven home :-D

we found an apartment!! it is official, we're moving may 31st!!! it's extremely exciting and nerve rocking and sad all at the same time. i will miss my friends here, i will miss barrington (not their police department, they suck!!!), i will miss chicago. did i mention my friends?

the best part of it all is that in the midst of the tornado (to use this past weekend's analogy) there's so much peace. this next steps feels good. it just makes sense.

i can't describe it. it just does.

so, the next 8 weeks are all about being with my friends!!!