Our tasks in the slums is to bring the hope of Christ into places of despair, the joy of Christ into communities of catastrophe, the healing of Christ into people of pain, the life-giving economics of Christ into material dispossession.
- Viv Grigg, Foreward of "Quest for Hope in the Slum Community"
If I could get one person in my life to start a blog, it would be my brother. In reality, it would be a pretty boring blog. He hates writing, he doesn't spend tons of time on the computer, and he's very introverted and quiet. But if I could get him to write a blog full of feelings and introspection, I would love it. I can never figure out what's going on in his head, what he thinks about the world, or how he is doing. Ahh, I guess that's just the ways with little brothers.
My dream restaurant would most certainly be an authentic Mexican restaurant. Monday night Chrissie I went to La Parilla, a restaurant in East LA on Cesar Chavez Avenue. Never in the United States have I ever been somewhere so authentic. Both of us nearly teared up we were so happy. Chrissie put it best, "I want to go to Mexico and skip hand in hand down the streets." It was that good. I can't wait for October, when we make a trip to Mexico City.
Accent: I don't think I have one.
Booze: Yes, please, but not too much.
Chore I Hate: LAUNDRY!
Dogs or Cats: Neither. I don't like pets.
Essential Electronics: Cell phone, computer, iPod. I'm a techno lover.
Favorite Perfume: Clinique Happy in Bloom.
Gold or Silver: Silver.
Hometown: Longmont, Colorado.
Insomnia: Almost never. Except last night. Ugh!
Job Title: Web Marketing Specialist
Kids: Nope.
Living Arrangements: Two roommates in a two bedroom apartment.
Most Admired Trait: Mercy.
Number of Significant Relationships: Only one is worth mentioning.
Overnight Hospital Stays: Zero!
Phobia: I don't even like the word, and I especially don't want it on my blog.
Quotes: Right now I really like the quote, "God's love for us transforms our economic behavior. Mercy, not accumulation, becomes our new yardstick for measuring success. Generous giving replaces conspicuous consumption. Loving God with all our hearts means loving our neighbors as much as ourselves."
Religion: I love Jesus.
Siblings: One sweet little brother, Logan.
Time I Usually Wake Up: Although I'm notorious for sleeping in, I try to roll out of bed by 6:30 at the latest.
Unusual Talent: I don't think I have one. Any talent I have is very ordinary.
Vegetables I Refuse to Eat: I really don't like green peas - especially when they are mixed with carrots or corn.
Worst Habit: I constantly touch my face causing oh-so-gross pimples. Yuck!
X-rays: Two summers ago, I had countless X-rays to my right food. It was broken and I was in a boot for four months.
Yummy Foods I Make: Since I rarely cook, this isn't a great question for me, but I'll go ahead and say beanies. Beanies are our name for black bean and cheese burritos. See, I said I wasn't a cook!
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Maybe I'm just no fun, but I would never choose playing an instrument over speaking another language. The question is not really even comparing similar things for me. I think if I could I'd speak Mandarin. I'd be able to understand what is going on around me at work.
My favorite candy when I was kid was Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip. In late August, when my mom was getting ready to go back to work at Hygiene Elementary, my brother and I would go to school with her while she got her room ready. The days (probably only two or three but in my mind it was at least two weeks) were spent catching frogs on the playground and walking to Clark's Food Store, down the shoulder of North 75th to buy Fun Dip.
Hygiene is still one of my very favorite places. My parents got married at the Lutheran Church there, my mom had countless cheeseburgers at the Hygiene Cafe when she was pregnant with me. Despite my love of the big city and all things urban, I have a very soft place in my heart for Hygiene. Here is a beautiful set of pictures I found on Flickr.
Wow, reminscing on childhood candy made me homesick. I guess I'll have to console with my favorite candy now, licorice.
I'm a "pop" girl myself. But since I drink Coke about 99% of the time, that's usually what I say. I'm drinking an iced tea right now from Starbucks, but just thinking about Coke makes my mouth water.
The highlight of my weekend was being with my cousins - Shawna, Sydney, Emily, and Audrey. They came down to LA to go to Disneyland and the American Girl store. I was able to be with them on Friday evening and Saturday morning. It was wonderful! My very favorite part was waking up on Saturday morning and they had crawled into the big hotel bed with Shawna and I. As I slowly awoke, I heard their whispers and giggles. It was also so good to talk to Shawna - I don't think we've ever really done that. All in all, an excellent weekend.
My favorite drink is a Coca-Cola Classic. If calories had no bearing on our bodies, I would always have a Coke in hand.
And on the topic of alcohol, my favorite drink is Strongbow Dry Cider. It's a delicious cider from England. Yum. It's on tap at my favorite bar and is really a mouthwatering drink.
Before the year is out, I want to have read more books, read more of the Bible, become better friends with Marta, get to know my neighbors better, know more of Jesus, and do a better job loving people.
