Already June??

So, my initial hope with this blog was that I would post about my school year and the things in my life throughout that time. When I started it in September/October, I felt that I was ready for the year to end. Come January, I was QUITE ready for the year to end. Come April I stopped doing work on a regular basis (my bad.....). Come May I felt like I NEEDED TO BE DONE.

And, now I am.

:)

I look forward to my many adventures this summer, which include a trip with the Leeks to the Bahamas (thank you!) and a trip with them to Decatur again (always a highlight of my summer) and Apple Tree Day Camp (we are SO excited for our 7th camp!) and hopefully a visit to California to visit my cousins and HOPEFULLY speak solamente en español... and many relaxing days in my backyard hammock before I leave for school August 12th! Yes, so SOON! Orientation starts the 15th and classes start the 25th. I am so excited and ready for the next four years of my life.

I plan on starting another blog once I get in college, so I'll keep you posted.

Summer is here! But you wouldn't know it based on the rain outside... That's Portland for ya!

THE GREEN SMOOTHIE- Aka unsolicited health advice

The secret to not getting sick: the elixir of life:: the green smoothie. I promise it doesn't taste as bad as it may sound. I actually enjoy the taste.

THE STORY:

So I started making myself green smoothies at the beginning of this year after being told by both of my theater teachers how it has changed their lives and all the wonders it works. A few points:

• If you do nothing else in the day that is good for your health, but you do a green smoothie, you will have better health.
• Having these vegetables ground up for you makes them much easier to digest. Having them raw means you are getting ALL the nutrients, no question. Plus you don't have to think of new recipes all the time in order to get these vegetables.
• Taking in these vegetables, vitamins and also protein in the morning will give you energy first thing in the morning that lasts throughout the day. (When I first started drinking them I felt too antsy in first period because I had so much energy. WAY better than caffeine in my opinion.)
• Most people do not eat this amount of these types of vegetables on a daily basis. They are amazing for you. Your health will improve and your immune system probably will too aka you won't get sick as easily or often.
• One of the things I love about this green smoothie thing is that its NOT a gimmick to lose weight or diet. It is simply doing a great thing for your health.

THE RECIPE:

-Water or juice of some kind (Or Amy and Brian's brand coconut juice with lime is supposed to be the best for this thing and it can be found in the yellow can at New Seasons)

-Some sort of protein powder (I use hemp protein because I prefer it to soy or whey)

- 6ish leaves kale without the stem (or more! go for more!) 

- 1/3 of a bunch parsley

- Whatever frozen fruit you have on hand (I use a mixed bag of frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, mangoes, peaches etc. Anything works. This is about taste but blueberries are GREAT antioxidants)

-banana (optional- I prefer the texture of it without a banana)

Blend in a blender. You can add as much of anything you like, just make sure you have all of the greens! That is the important part. You can add ice and more or less fruit or more or less liquid depending on what consistency you enjoy most.

Drink one every morning for breakfast and not only will you have energy for the whole day, you will also get in ALL of the vegetables for that day. Both of my theater teachers swear by these to never get sick. Come over and I'll make you one.

Adversity. Diversity, Immerse Me: My Three Trips to Mexico

{{This is what I wrote for my college application essay}}

How do you say ‘plunger’ in Spanish? Had I known, I wouldn’t have been forced to play Spanglish charades with a family I was building a house for in Tijuana. “Um.. es para.. plunge.. plunge.. en el bano..?” I motioned in an odd up and down manner. Eventually we came to the understanding that our group had clogged two toilets in the neighborhood, and no one had a plunger. After I apologized to the families in every way I knew, our site leader returned with a flimsy plunger from a store nearby. Without hesitation, I started plunging--and thinking. My Spanish skills were advanced but why was I plunging a toilet while everyone else was heading home for dinner? But no importa. I was splashing toilet water all over the bathroom and I needed to discover the word for soap inmediatamente.

I never thought it would be while I was plunging a clogged toilet in Tijuana that I would realize the value and importance of helping others. But I’ve come to understand that the lessons that hit you when you are least prepared are often the most memorable and rewarding. I was with a church youth group in Tijuana building four houses for Mexican families in need. On this occasion I was chosen to help translate the problem to the family and the solution to my group leaders. I put on my gloves, swiped the hair out of my face and smiled. This family needed my help and I was determined to treat their toilet (one of the only flushing ones in the neighborhood) as if it were my own.

On previous trips, I found satisfaction in seeing the look on the families’ faces when we handed them keys to their new homes. I felt strong when I helped build a wall or complete a difficult task, though what I enjoy most is speaking and playing with the children. They are the reason I have helped build nine houses for families. They are the reason that I wake up at 6:45 most mornings of my spring break. I work my heart out eight hours a day in exchange for their friendship and gratitude.

The children of Tijuana are my friends. Pedro told me he loved me, picked me all the flowers in the neighborhood, danced like Michael Jackson and asked me to marry him. Maria de Jesus hugged me, taught me words in Spanish and spun me around in circles. Her siblings made me feel welcome, gave me a tour of their home and introduced me to their mother. I’ve walked down dirt roads, hand in hand with Pedro, Maria and their friends, and marveled at their ability to just live. They know no life other than one where every dog is visibly starving and covered with giant ticks. A world where sewage runs through the dusty pothole-filled roads, and houses are made out of scrap plywood, tarps and cardboard. But even though their living situation is difficult, their ability to shoulder adversity makes me respect them immensely. I admire that they aren’t too proud to ask for help. They are my friends and I love them and am determined to do everything I can to help them.

I cannot think of a better way to spend a week. Serving in Mexico has changed every aspect of my life and I plan on serving in similar ways in the future. Because of these experiences I’ve learned to value my education, my family and my home. I’ve realized how important diversity is to me, and I want to be immersed in other cultures. These trips have also helped me to realize my love of speaking and learning Spanish, and every moment that I can learn new vocabulary or just have a conversation is special and important to me. Knowing Spanish means being able to communicate with people in many different countries with different lifestyles. Being able to communicate in three or four languages is paramount in helping us to build a global community of understanding. To some this may seem difficult, or even unrealistic, but after building houses without using electricity I see that in my life nada es imposible.

Mexico turns into Bend!

I was very disappointed when I found out that I wouldn't be able to go to Mexico for Spring Break to help build 3 houses for families in need. This is truly the trip of a lifetime, and after going on it three times, I know the effect it has on the Mexican families, my group, and me. It truly is amazing.

However, it is okay. There is obviously need locally, too. So, about half of us are now going to go to Bend to build for Habitat for Humanity. We will build a foundation for one house, and do finishing touches on another house and dedicate it to the family. Obviously since we're in the U.S. there are many more building codes and such that must be attended to and we can't just build a house start to finish in 4 days. But we can, and will, help out.

So I will be leaving tomorrow for this adventure. Everything about the trip will be different, except the aspect of helping others will still be there. I am glad that I can still do something worthwhile with my Spring Break, and I really to think that when one door closes a window opens? Ha, well cliches aside, I am very excited. I'll update you all (all 2, 3 of you) when I'm back.

Lots of love,

C

Disappointment

The Mexico Mission trip that I take every year during Spring break has been cancelled due to drug related violence at the border. I am sad, frustrated, really sad, and wondering what is going to happen to the three families who thought they were getting new, sturdy houses in two weeks.

More later on this. I don't even know what to think right now.

I'm Saving Up!

I have always been weird with money. I think weird is a great word to describe it. I used to hide money anywhere I could. I would months later find $20s and $5s in bibles, hymnals and random books around my house... not to mention under my mattress and who knows where else. Well, I guess once I started "realizing" the value of money, I started to hide it in less obscure places. I got a "safe" aka tiny lock box, of which my parents also had a key, and would keep my money in there. I went through a phase where I recorded all the money I made and all the money I spent in a month's time.

Well, I have been saving money in a custodial account since 1st grade. They used to have this Washington Mutual program at school where once a week or something you could put change into your account, while at school, and would get prizes. Lets just say that money has added up over the past ten, eleven years. All the money I would get for birthdays or fiddle competitions or Christmas or whatever, I would deposit in my savings account. I think the only time I took out money was $100 towards painting my room in 5th grade. Its been awhile. Anyways, uh, I just found out my parents won't let me touch this money. Dumb. But, I've never wanted to spend it before now, which proves I've always been pretty responsible with my spendings.

Until I got a debit card.

Wow, debit cards make me spend money without thinking about it. I got a debit card for traveling to Mexico by bus, so that I wouldn't have to use cash to pay for 14 meals there and back. And I needed it when I traveled to Scotland/London for two weeks. It was necessary. As evidenced by my previous days, I do not have a good history of holding on to cash. Anyway, debit cards are good and bad. At least its not like a credit card and I'm going to go into debt before I'm twenty. No, no no! However, debit cards make it seem (or at least to me) like everything I pay for with a debit card is very cheap or free or something because I am not physically holding the money in my hand. That, is bad. And, causes me to spend more money on things.

Okay, I'm not talking about crazy, wacko purchases. I'm mostly referring to spending money on my two favorite things: tea and food. Okay the tea thing has gotten bad. My best friend Alice and I have taken to going to Townshend's teahouse on Albert, at least once a week. The drink I get costs $3.25! To people who have steady jobs this may seem like no biggie. But I mean, I have no real source of income except babysitting (thank you Heather and Bob for employing me there!).

But heres the thing. I really despise spending money. Well I mean I love it, but hate it. I love to get the things money buys, but I wish everything was free. The cheapest aspect of my life would be clothes. I RARELY buy new clothes. I consider a pair of jeans costing over $20 to be overpriced. I feel bad about spending money on a $17 haircut. It seems like a waste. But I understand that there are some things that just have to get done. I wish I had more clothes, considering half my closet was at one point my moms, or is over 2 years old or was bought second hand. But actually that is a good thing, considering I don't like spending money!

Anyway the direction in which all of this is heading is to my absolute love of music, my new obsession and newfound knack for guitar and my deep, deep desire to be the proud owner of a Martin brand guitar. My mom has a Martin (although my dad has kind of banged it up a bit) and they are just great guitars. I really, really want one. And I would definitely use it everyday. Uhm, since this no-facebook thing... I've been playing guitar for an unhealthy 5 hours a day somedays.... and others more like 2 hours. 

So I really want one. A guitar of my own (because its not like my family doesn't already own three guitars or anything...). My parents gave me like $250 towards a guitar for Christmas. And I put some more money from selling fiddle books and babysitting (I love self employment hah) into my fund and I now have $357 towards a guitar. But the guitar will cost a minimum of $500.. .and realistically more like $700 where I'm leaning towards.

So this is big. I'm saving, saving, saving. Don't let me spend money. I need to take all the saving money out of my debit card account and put it into savings. I cannot get tempted. OH did I also mention I'm saving $150 towards my Mexico Mission trip? And possibly $500 towards a senior trip to Mazatlan? And possibly another $150 towards senior beach weekend? I mean those are tentative, though.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have to go contribute to society, and get a "job". What a scary thought. I never thought I would have to pay taxes... be one of those people. Well, I may just need to face it, because my life is getting needy and expensive and my parents aren't having it. Wish me luck!

40 Day Facebook Fast

Facebook is addicting. Anyone who pretends it isn't obviously is not a student. Facebook is the ULTIMATE procrastination tool. There is so much to look at, update, add, read, type, think, talk about on facebook. You can connect in some way or shape with tons of your friends.

It wastes time. But it is also a good way to connect with people. 

BUT I spend way too much time on facebook.

So, this Lent season (okay I'm not Catholic or Christian however I view Lent as the prime opportunity) my friend and I are not going to go on facebook. We're giving up facebook for Lent. And Mackenzie is giving up TV (her ultimate distraction).

I hope this works out. I hope I have the will power to stay away from this social networking procrastination tool. Because, you see, I made a list of things I could be doing instead of going on facebook, or things I'd RATHER do than go on facebook. Turns out my room needs to be deeply cleaned, I could run/walk more, draw pictures, read books, do my laundry and do my homework INSTEAD of going on facebook.

Please please send good thoughts my way so that I can be strong and accomplish this goal. To anyone who isn't addicted to facebook this probably seems really really petty and stupid, however, seriously, it gets bad. It wastes time and I'm done with it. 

Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, and so can I (even though I bet Jesus was wayyyy stronger than me in terms of will power. Did I mention I'm not Christian? haha).

Whew. And now it begins. Wish me luck.