Day 2

Day 2: a person/people with whom you have remained the closest for the longest

Of course, the people who I have remained closest to the for longest are my family members; particularly my wonderful sisters. They are easily the most important people in my life and I love them more than anything.

However, I have a plethora of non-familial people who I have remained close to throughout the years. I cannot pick a single person because I am blessed with phenomenal friends who have remained close to me throughout the years.

With that being said, here are just a few.

(from Left to Right) Annie Haslam, Jenny Smuin, Karliann Ence, Rachel Pennock, me
            These girls were my main posse throughout highschool. We spent almost every night together giggling about anything imaginable. After highschool we all went in different directions but the connection we shared in highschool remains. Now, we may not talk on a daily basis but these girls remain near and dear to my heart. I love each of these girls and am excited for what their futures hold!

Nikola Pehar - my all-time favorite Bosnian. I knew the moment I sat down next to this kid on the first day of math sophomore year we'd become best buds. Our friendship got off to a rocky start when he would never study and test into the high 90's and I on the other hand, would study for hours and was lucky if my score broke 70. I've learned to forgive him for his brilliance but it has not been easy. Just kidding. Nikola is the most accepting and genuinely sweet person that I am honored to know. Through his example he constantly reminds me that it is not my place to judge but to give everyone a fair chance to prove themselves. Our friendship has lasted through many different trials and I am incredibly grateful he has stuck by my side through thick and thin. You're the best, Nikola!

Now, this gal, Summer Ludlow has been a best friend since 6th grade. In many ways we are exact opposites and other ways we are basically the exact same person. One aspect about Summer that I absolutely adore is her passion for life, and particularly music. She is an incredible pianist and guitarist following her dreams at the Berklee College of Music, a very prestigious music program. Summer's love and passion for life is contagious. Summer has been the most supportive friend in encouraging me to follow my dreams and to now allow ANYONE to hold me back. She's beaten the odds and is living her dreams. Summer, I love you and thank you for improving my taste in music. Don't forget me when you're famous!

(from Left to Right) Mary Campbell, Kylee Williams, Leah Neerings
Alright people, need I say more? Just looking at this picture describes how wonderful these girls are. Towards the middle of my senior year of highschool I began to get close with each of these girls. We planned our senior trip and embarked on the journey of a lifetime. I have never laughed so hard in my life. These girls are my best friends and I would be lost without each of them.
    Mary - has taught me how to face life head on. She's shown me how to move on from mistakes and create a future with limitless possibilities. She will soon marry the perfect man and I could not be any happier for her. Mary Moo, thank you for showing me that I do not have to be perfect to be happy, because after all, being imperfect is perfectly wonderful!
    Kylee - has the sweetest heart ever. She has so much love for other people and animals that I am amazed her heart hasn't exploded from love overflow. I admire her easy ability to love everyone. Not only is she athletic, gorgeous and smart, she is an amazing friend. Her loyalty as a friend has been a great source of comfort to me and I know that she will always have my back. Ky, thanks for laughing at all my dumb jokes. It makes me feel better :)
    Leah - aka Humphrey Anne. Leah is the best because she has no problem coming down to my level and doing childish things with me. We always have the best of times because she is quick to laugh, easy to forgive and has a beautiful personality. Oh and she has an incredible gift with hair, make-up, and style. Leah and I have many plans for the future and I am ecstatic to be able to embark on each of them with my Humphrey. Thanks for the weekly videos, Leah. I would not have survived without them.

love always,
      Christine

Day 1

Day 1: a recent picture with 15 facts.

1. I believe shoes are an accessory and my favorite is a pair of red-hot cowgirl boots.
2. I am studying neuroscience in college with a minor in sociology.
3. I must have pressure on  my feet and hands when I sleep.
4. I do not like ice and drink my water warm.
5. I love to read (anything but fantasy)
6. I have been known to sleep with eye-patches. What? I like it dark, okay?!
7. I absolutely love the stars and find inspiration in the sky.
8. My hands are severely disproportional to my body. I like to call them holdable.
9. The number of pillows I sleep with is in the double-digits (no, I will not tell you exactly how many).
10. I have a unique ability to remember dates; as in days of history.
11. I like doing homework.
12. I love to argue over politics.
13. I am very morbid, I enjoy blood, guts, and gore. I can handle almost anything bodily.
14. I think dog-tags, sweat and suspenders are ridiculously sexy on men (no, not all at the same time!)
15. I think if Harrison Ford were president then the US would be in wonderful shape!

The 30-day Challenge

I am going to go to be cliche; and embark on a thirty day blog challenge. I never ever thought that I would give into the pressures of the blogging/facebook world but I weak sauce and caved. I am going to give this challenge a chance, so please give me a chance. Read along, or don't, either way the next thirty days will come and go and life will go on.

love always,
      Christine

The 'Owsting" of Osama

"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done." -Fmr. President Geroge W. Bush

There a few events in my lifetime that I will remember exactly what I was doing, where I was and who I was with when these histric events unfolded. The first, September 11, 2001 and recently May 1, 2011. I shed tears on both days; tears of heartache for the 3000 lives that were brutally ended and the happy tears for the later date when justice was served to the 3000, their family and friends.

I've given a lot of thought to the death of this man, and whether it is okay to celebrate it. Some have even gone so far as to say that celebrating his death is "a violation of human dignity."

Really, people?

The problem I have with the quote stated above is that it is impossibly hard for me to consider Osama bin Laden a member of the human race. To place-him!-on the same level (in any respect) as the seven billion souls he shared this world with is a concept that jars me. 

There truly are a few people who the human race is better off without. 

From my Christian opinion, that is not to say that they are not worth anything (D&C 18:10) but let's get real: Just because a person is worth something does not mean they are or did work towards the betterment of mankind. To look at a man who actively  worked against that and to call him "human" is unsettling. 

One of the important distinctions that I believe was overlooked by the press was that people were not so much celebrating the death of OBL as they were celebrating what his death represented. The same could be said for those who cheered with the Twin Towers fell. For them, it was not necessarily the deaths of innocent thousands that made them happy, but the triumph of their disgustingly perverted interpretation of "Islam" that 9/11 represented. 

For those who cheered at Ground Zero and at the White House, it was not necessarily the death of Bin Laden that was cause for joy, but the symbolic achievement of justice (not revenge), and of nearly a decade of sacrifice by so many courageous American servicemen and women. That while those who fight in the name of Freedom may suffer battle wounds that will never been seen, never be treated, and never heal, the cause for which they so valiantly fight will prevail.

On both 9/11 and 5/1, cheers erupted for a cause that was advanced, rather than for deaths that were incurred along the way. The difference was that those who died on 9/11 were innocent. Osama bin Laden was a mass murderer. And unlike the victims of 9/11, Osama bin Laden received a proper burial according to Islamic belief and tradition. 

So yes, I am happy that Osama bin Laden is dead. I guess I do celebrate the death of some people. And if you think that is sick and twisted or not very Christian of me or a violation of human dignity or not something that Martin Luther King Jr. would approve of (by the way, that quote that every is using in retaliation is not real) then so be it. 

And if you think it is stupid of me, and thousand of other Americans to celebrate OBL's death publicly because it will tick-off terrorists, guess what? We killed the sucker and they are already ticked-off, our actions are irrelevant to their psychotic brains. 

"Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, Al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity." - President Obama

The world is better-off because Osama bin Laden is dead.


Love always, 
  Christine

 

Happy Mumsy Day

"God could not be everywhere, so He created mothers." ~Jewish Proverb

Listen up kiddos. I have the most fantastic mother ever! This year Mother's Day kind of just snuck up on me and I was not terribly prepared to shower my sweet mom with trinkets and gifts; and because I am a poor, startving, college student. However, thanks to my mom's delicious homemade cooking I'm not starving, just poor :)

I did spend the majority of the day thinking (shocker) about my mom, Sarah. I've always had this weird naiveity about the role of mothers. I never fully understand until I moved away and suddenly I had to do ALL the household cleaning, laundry, and cooking for myself. I had to pay bills, fill the gas tank, and budget so that I could afford rent and food. I loved every second of it but more importantly, I began to understand how hard my mom works to keep our home a happy and healty atmosphere. And she does it day, after day, after day. This Mother's Day I was able to empathize with the role that mothers' take upon themselves. It truly is a full time job, with few breaks, and under appreciated by the world today.

I am constantly amazed by the wisdom my mother offers. I have learned mos to life's most valueable lessons from her example; a few of which I will elaborate upon. Growing up, every Saturday morning us children were assigned a series of chores that had to be completed before we spent the reamainder of the day as we pleased. From this I learned not only how to clean but how to clean well and regularly. From a young age, my mom stressed the importance of financial independency. With her help I had a consistant job at fifteen and was expected to pay for any extracurricular activitites. I understand the value of budgeting and money. Basically, my mom taught me how to work hard- so that I could play hard. Sarah enjoys her play time and is a blast. She loves to travel, play cards, take pictures, laugh, go on adventures, spend time freely with those she cares about. Now I work hard to play hard.

Those are just a FEW of the lessons I have learned from Sarah. My mom is turly a wonderful example to me and I am incredibly grateful that she is my mumsy. I love her with all my heart. And I feel bad for you cause she's not your mother. Better luck next time, eh?!

Love always,
     Christine

Marriage, that Blessed Arrangement

"Love is a symbol of eternity.  It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end."  ~Author Unknown

It seems to be the season to become engaged and or married. Late Saturday night, my best friend sent me a picture of her newest accessory; a perfectly crafted diamond adorning her left ring finger. After a quick phone call complete with happy giggles and, perhaps, a tear or two I hung up and could not seem to wipe the small off my face. I have to admit, it kind of weirded me out. It is not like I was the one who had just recently become engaged, yet I was blissfully happy. Naturally, my blissful attitude got me thinking about why I would be so ecstatic for someone else's marriage. 


My conclusion - 


Love gives me hope for the future. My best friend has fallen in love with an amazing guy and she is the happiest I have ever seen her. Her eyes twinkle, she smiles constantly, and giggles like a schoolgirl. She and I are only three days apart, yet she is matured enough to be able to handle marriage; she will thrive. I, however, am still way too immature! I have decided that love hits when it is least expected but when it strikes almost anything is possible. It happens at different times for everyone. For my best friend, this is her time. I know that I would not be able to handle marriage at this time and I must accomplish certain goals and dreams before I will be capable of making a man insanely happy.

This is a change of opinion for me.


I used to not be the biggest fan of marriage. I honestly thought that marriage provides a paper certificate that simply states a couple has chosen a life together and that was all. Now keep it mind that I am not a hopeless romantic. I believe myself to be realist but I do believe happy ever afters do occur and can occur for anyone. Marriage provides a paper certificate that binds a couple together; it is a obligation to work together to create a happy marriage. Marriage declares two people love each other so desperately that they are willing to take legal action to guarantee they will be together forever. Of course, legal action can be taken to dissinigrate a marriage but this is not a post about divorce. Hear me out. 


Basically, I am looking forward to one day (far past the current horizon) to fall in love with one man and spend the rest of forever with him. I am looking forward to falling in love with a handsome man, growing in his love and growing old is his arms. To all those who have found love, congratulations! Never give up on love, because once you find it then it will never give up on you. 


love always,
     Christine


P.S. To my best friend- I love your ring and I will one day probably copy it :)