for no particular reason

Alas, I have nothing important to blog about. . . but it has been a long time overdue, and I'm in the mood to get my blogger fix. Some random tid-bits are in order:

To begin. . . I've spent the last week here in Redding, California for a long-awaited visit to see Melissa. My flight into Santa Rosa (Mel had attended a wedding there the night before) was an interesting experience. Although I feel it hardly worth mentioning, I indeed received my first "set of digits" from the fellow I sat next to on the plane. A sincerely friendly and polite senior from USC who was currently working towards obtaining his realtor's license, the owner of his own airplane (aside from the jet his father owned), and driver of a newer BMW, I must admit, it was charming and gave me a moment to relish in those "girly" feelings to have been considered a candidate to receive his number. Indeed, it is more the novelty of the occasion than actually possessing of the number that tickled me, and I thought it was a well-timed experience altogether.

Anyway, more importantly, it has been a very relaxing, nae, lazy week in which I've slept in longer than I thought was possible and have spent more time lounging than during the entirety of my summer. . . but I am in no way complaining! :) My most enjoyable day would probably be our visit to Burney Falls (speaking of "burn"ey, the entirety of Redding has been doomed to inherit the most horrendous blanket of smoke from the fires than continue to burn in the surrounding areas. It's like driving through a very thick fog at times. . . except that it's smoke and ash) . . . Anyways, an exceptional place, a kind of peaceful that is obtained through the roaring cascade of falling water, and the only little pocket of a considerably cooler temperature for miles in any direction. We enjoyed our picnic lunch at the base of the falls and then took a short, mile hike around the "Falls Loop." Aside from our trip to the falls, we also spent our week with a night of bowling, a trip to see Mama Mia, a handful of rented movies, and some intensely heated games of Rummy (I won't say who was often victorious).

Another review of mine which has been rekindled due to a recent viewing is of the movie, Charlie Barlett. In my opinion, the character Charlie Bartlet is a modernized version of Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (although I'd highly contest it to be an equal) and the movie possess artistic uniqueness and themes of human connection similar to that of Juno and Little Miss Sunshine. It has its traces of crude language and a brief moment of slightly discernible nudity, but overall, it's a summer flick that this novice movie critic would recommend.

As this final stretch of summer break closes in I am filled with mixed emotions. The time spent away from the fast-paced schedule of school and work has indeed been appreciated and I can tell it will be missed. However, I look forward to moving back on campus (into our cottage of nine girls. . . yikes) and beginning the boot-camp-like training for FOCUS. Thoughts and prayers for my group this coming semester have been a constant and it is beyond me to even comprehend what to expect. . . I think that's what makes it so exciting! I feel this summer has allowed me to makes significant changes and adjustments within myself at a non-pressured pace that will benefit me in the fall. This week in Redding has further opened my eyes to the beauty in pursuing my Christian womanhood and opening my heart up to the spontaneous wills and ways of the Lord. Although I still have so much to learn and accomplish, I am more determined to have a more central focus on the Lord, especially as I settle in for another long and demanding school year.