More Perfect than Cookies

I feel like people have this image of God as a booming, scary, impersonal ruler. In most movies, that is exactly how God is depicted, so it seems that may have some influence over our impression. However, I'm starting to believe this image of God we have in our head (and see on the big screen) may be dead wrong. 

An Emergency Trip on Valentine's

I detest the very idea of Valentine's day. For years I have refused to let boyfriends buy me chocolate or roses, take me on a date, or plan anything that is out of the ordinary. And so, I planned to spend February 14, an ordinary Saturday in my opinion, hitting the wall to compete in the annual T-Town Pull Down rock climbing competition hosted at Alabama. There were 90 competitors set to dominate the fresh routes and show off their climbing ability. Once I acquired my super sweet T-shirt, checked out all the new routes, and poured over the score sheet, I too was ready.

Kind of.

I'm texting again....kind of.

I'm shocked really, just how quickly the fast actually went by. I can't believe it's over already, and how easy it was. People keep asking how I did it, how I could have possibly given all of that up for that long. I am baffled by this question. The answer is simple: I just said I would, publicly committed to it, and did it. It's really not hard, you just put your phone down, stop reaching for the sweets, and focus on other (more important) tasks.

It is said that it scientifically takes 21 days to form a habit. And after this fast, I'm starting to think it's true. I find myself reaching for the peanuts and fruit instead of chips. I left my phone in my car, completely forgetting about it's existence, and I still call people on autopilot, as if texting is a completely foreign concept to me now. I still have yet to log into my Twitter and I've been on Instagram once. I don't feel the need to eat chocolate every second or to fill the gap time I face standing in line or on the bus. I feel completely satisfied to be disconnected to the world for a while and just breathe and think.

Honey Sriracha Chicken

Now I know, this isn't much of a food blog. But I just had to share this amazing recipe. Ray and I made it yesterday and could not have been more pleased with how it turned out. You can either make it sweet or spicy, and since he left it up to me, we had a nasal-clearing kind of meal. I highly recommend this dish. It's delicious, sweet, spicy, and super easy! 

Why I'm Not Texting You...or Anyone

Many people having been asking me how my fast is going. Not just friends and family, but that random girl I met once and that guy who lives in my building and other casual acquaintances. I'm not sure if it's because they are concerned for me or because they are curious about fasting. I suspect it's a little of both. Honestly, I have found that the fast is easier than I thought it would be. Sure, it has it's challenging moments. There are times where it would be way more convenient to send a text and meals where all I want is to gobble up a big bowl of mint chocolate chip. But overall, I'm surprised at the ease I have already found in giving everything up. 

I think the part of my fast people are most shocked and curious about is the "no texting" policy. I've had questions from "How do you do it?" to "How do people contact you?" like it's a necessity and there's no other way to talk to someone. Of my fast, it is definitely the part that has impacted me the most, and while my friends may be annoyed that they have to actually pick up the phone and call me, I am really enjoying not texting anyone. I have begun to notice how much time it consumes in my daily life, and how much it distracts me. 

Walking across the quad, I could count on one hand the number of people not doing something on their phone. I walk past friends who don't see me because they are absorbed in a text message or liking a picture on Instagram. I look around at the natural allure and elegance of this campus, knowing that no one else is paying attention to the exquisiteness of a sunny day in Alabama. It's sad really, how much of the world we miss because we are constantly consumed by the world we create. 

Why I'm Throwing Away My Christmas Cookies

Ahhh, the new year. That big, glowing, sparkly ball dropped in Times Square and all over the world people decided to make a change in their life (at least for a few weeks). Now, I don't usually make resolutions, in fact I would usually tell you that I don't really believe in them. I don't think the new year is a time to make change, I think every day is. I think it's silly that people wait for another year to pass before deciding to lose weight or start a new hobby...why not start today? The list of things people make resolutions about goes on and on. The Journal of Clinical Psychology at the University of Scranton reported last year that the top ten New Year's resolutions were the following:

13 Tips for Your First Semester of College

Well, the first semester of my college experience has come to a close, and I can't help but think that in a few short months, college has completely astounded, befuddled, and shocked me in more ways than one. I have learned interesting, strange, and helpful things in and outside of the classroom. Here's a few snapshots from my experience, and a teeny bit of advice too.

1. You're going to miss home. If you haven't gone to college yet, you probably think I'm crazy. How could I possibly miss having to check in with my parents every 10 minutes or my mom nagging me about homework? Once you move out though, you'll realize how amazing it is to have someone care about you that much. You'll miss your mom's chicken noodle soup and loving hugs when you're sick and her advice when you don't know what to do. You'll miss kisses from your puppy and playing golf with your dad. You never know what you have til it's gone. I certainly took everything I had for granted.

A Divine To-do List

Recently, I had an old friend email me and ask me about passion. Specifically about my passions. And since I typed it all up for her, I thought I would share it with you as well. 

What is Elsie passionate about?

The truth hurts, but it's just a slap in the face

We have all experienced it...that time when someone tells you the truth and it feels like a bag of bricks just hit you in the face. It hurts. Everyone realizes it. And that's why so many times we are afraid to speak the truth. We hemm and hah over it and just think "well, if I don't tell them, it will be better". And then we begin to rationalize our thinking with other 'supporting' thoughts like "there's no point in telling them the truth, it will just hurt them" and "it's awkward, I don't want to talk about it" and then you're left with spinach in your teeth or a dress that indeed does make your butt look fat or a relationship that's all wrong. Even worse, you're left with a friend who is lying directly to your face, so they 'don't hurt you'.

freedom is a misconception

It has been quite some time since I have written, and honestly that's because I have been so incredibly busy. College has definitely been an adventure already. I must say, I like college. I do. But I feel there is a common misconception about college.

Before leaving home, students always say "I just can't wait for the freedom". I've even had people ask me about how it feels to be on my own, how all the freedom feels. If you're a future college student, standing in your kitchen, talking about this, I promise you are bound to be disappointed. Because all that freedom you anticipate feeling, it doesn't come from college.

Vida en Viña

¡Me encanta Viña! Las últimas semanas han sido increíbles. Aprendí mucho durante mis clases y en mi casa también. Mi clase favorita es lingüística porque es muy difícil, nuevo, y interesante. Todos los estudiantes y mis profesores son muy cómico y simpáticas. También, mi familia es perfecta para mi.

Mis días están llenos con muchas actividades...incluyen cocinando con mi familia, bailando, cantando, corriendo con amigos en las calles, zumba con mi mama, y muchas aventuras. Durante clase de baile nosotros aprendimos bailes de la Isla de Pascua, la cueca (baile oficial de Chile), Cacharpaja, y otros danzas. Este clase es muy divertido :)

Una Nueva Mundial

¡Estoy en Chile!  Este país es muy diferente.
Vivo en una casa con mi mamá, papá, dos hermanas (Coni y Bea), una chica de la programa (Lindsey) y un hermano de Connecticut (John). Tengo un otro hermano pero no vive en mi casa. Él asiste escuela militar y tiene un bebé. 
Me gusta este ciudad mucho. Es muy muy bonita y el océano está cerca de mi casa. El tiempo no es malo aquí. Los primeros días llovió por dos días sin sol o parar. Hizo frío y no me gusta. Pero ahora es más mejor. Hoy llevé una camiseta y pantalones cortas. El sol es más fuerte aquí. 

3 Días

No puedo creer que me voy a Chile en tres días. ¡Es loco! Estoy muy emocionada pero muy nervioso tambien. Viviré con mi neuva familia...un madre, padre, dos hermanas, y un hermano. Mis hermanas son 14 y 16. Mi hermano es 22 y asiste una escuela militar. 

Este sitio será mi diario mientras estoy allí. Escribiré una vez por semana. Deseo incluir fotos. 

¡Por favor revise con frecuencia! ¡Muchas Gracias!

Countdown.

85 days until I leave!

My Next Adventure...

I am so very excited because today I discovered I have been accepted to the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language. I will be living in Vina del Mar, Chile this summer for 7 weeks to study and volunteer! What an amazing opportunity for me! I can't wait!

3 months

I cannot believe it has been three months since I got back from India. Three months in which I have dwelled on the experiences I had. Three months in which not a lot has changed. I went on a mission trip, and I expected my whole life to change, and yet, as much as I wish it did, it didn't. My heart changed more than I could ever explain, and yet my life, to someone outside looking in, looks exactly the same. I play golf; I go to youth group; I am attentive in school; I am kind, caring, and considerate, yet I pick fights with the people I care about most; I am still ungrateful for what I have.

That is the hardest thing for me to swallow of all. Let's face it; I am very spoiled. My room is full of things I don't need. The cupboards are always full, my refrigerator keeps things cold, I have an extensive movie collection AND a really nice TV to watch them on. I have at least 15 pairs of shoes, when I can only logically wear one pair at a time. I promised myself that I would never again be ungrateful for what I have, and yet I came home, and I went right back to being spoiled. Every morning, I go through a routine that shows that I am blessed beyond belief. I debate over which pair of pants matches my shirt the best, when there are people who only have one pair of pants. I debate over what pair of shoes to wear, when other people work barefoot. I ponder which bow would look the cutest in my hair, while girls in other countries cry because all their hair was cut off. I skip breakfast, because I can, while children go without it while their stomachs rumble, just like they did yesterday... and the day before that. I complain about teachers and homework and school, when there are people who don't get to go to school, and would love to. I complain about reading a book and writing a paper for English class, while other people find jobs that require neither, because they never had the opportunity to learn how.

I have so many blessings in my life, and I have only noticed them in the last three months. The least I can do is be thankful for what I have, be grateful for what God has blessed me with. 

A Thought

After all this time, there is still one question that resounds in my head. One question that I can't seem to forget. It keeps me up at night. I can't stop praying about this one question. 

"How could YOU, the almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, creator of the universe, let this happen?"

Today, God slapped me in the face with an answer. It's not, how could HE let this happen, it is, HOW COULD I? Because I sit here, in my wonderful home with everything I have ever wanted, and I'm doing nothing to stop what is happening. I am doing absolutely nothing to prevent those children from being in the situations they are in. Who am I to judge God, to ask Him why he does nothing, when I sit here, and I do the exact same thing I'm accusing Him of. 

Returning to Normal

I still don't understand things. I still have trouble being in America. In fact, I hate it half of the time, but I'm beginning to understand some things, and it is getting easier.

One of the hardest things has been to return to the life I knew, to return to the things I had planned, and realize that those things hold half the importance that they once did.

I've always thought about how there are people starving in the world. It is something that would flit across my brain, would stay in the center of my thoughts for a minute, and then would disappear as quickly as it had come. It's different now though. It's not something that occurs to me every once in a while, but instead quite often. It is no longer an image of an emaciated child with no face, but instead the face of a child I can see, clear as day. The children I saw on the streets there, the eyes that begged for anything to make their life better. I can no longer ignore the fact that there are hurting children throughout the world; those children now have faces; they now have names.

I have prayed and prayed, not knowing what I can do, but only knowing that I must do something, anything. I hope that God will lead me in the right direction, that sometime in the future, he has something planned for me that will help change those horrid facts. 

Interesting

If you will recall, I posted this after my first day in India:

"Tonight, Berea asked me a question that was extremely hard to answer, yet I knew that it was something I needed to think about. She asked me:

If you could ask God one question, what would it be, and why? 

Finally, I came up with my answer. How could He, the maker of the universe, the All-power, All-mighty, Omniscient God let this happen? What makes one child more cared for than another? Why do I live in complete comfort, with everything I have ever wanted or ever needed, when there are children who are starving. Why are there children in India who are cared for, and loved, and then there are others who live on the streets, wondering if they are going to eat tonight. It just doesn't seem fair, and I don't understand it."

I find it interesting, because after all my days in India, after all the experiences, the way I answered this the first night, is the way I would answer it now. 

I can't even begin to describe how I feel. Basically, 

It sucks.