so I got this hairscuttttt....

On Saturday I was noticing how insane my hair was (split ends, uneven ends... ish). 

So before I went to babysit I decided to stop by Fantastic Sams and get a trim.  Well... I also decided to get some bangos that I have missed dearly.

 After babysitting on Saturday.  I'm pretty proud of the bangs.

Took my shower.  Drinking Tazo Calm tea.  & Reading House on Mango Street.

I <3 you & I'm having such a better night.

<3R

exhausted. burned out. ...thankful

I drove to school today, weary, exhausted, and stressed out.

I am surrounded but such amazing friends that help distract me from the negatives in life, and I am thoroughly thankful.  By 6th hour, spanish, I was sleeping.  So tired.  

Then fifteen minutes into 7th hour we got early dismissal to go to Meadow Creek.  

The game went very well...we didn't win, but the girls played super hard.

Anyway, after a subway stop, we made it back to school.  I hopped in my car and drove home... and started to tear up.  To me, it was quite clear why at first I was crying.  I was just crying, and all of these people at stop lights were looking at the crying kid.  I soon figured out that I'm tired, stressed and super upset at one of my teachers.  I have this test on wednesday, and this teacher just decides to move on to the next chapter when we haven't even had the chapter 1 and 2 test yet.  So frustrating.  

That really was the factor of the outcome of my day; I was rather pissed off.

Anyway, i got home, took a shower, drank some soy milk, and calmed down.  Then, I pulled up one of my friends' blogs, and she listed some things she was thankful for.  This was kind of a reality check for me today.  Coming home from a super long day, stressed, and ticked off, this asked me what I could be thankful for today.
 -The beautiful sunset on the drive home
-All these encouraging texts from my dad today
-Friends who listen to you ramp on about how pissed you are
-A house to live in, and come home to.
-Warm showers, and herbal tea.
-A mighty God who can do what he wants- but also takes care of us.
There's so much to be thankful for... and I have missed the point today, until now.  Tomorrow I am going to start off more precise.

Now, I am focusing for an hour, and then going straight to bed.

Tuesday is coming, and Tuesday can be a better day.

<3R

SLOW DOWN.

God has this amazing way of making me worry, and relieving me... and reminding me that I need to calm down, slow down, and just take a few deep breaths, and go on with my day. 

Well, this morning I woke up to my mom's knock @ 7:25.  I should have been out the door at that time.

Thank the Lord I had my lunch, clothes set out, water in the fridge, ect ready to go.

Anyway, I brewed my coffee, took a banana & a power bar my mom gave me, and hurried out the door.

My mom followed me to the car and before I turned on the engine she said to me... "Just take a few deep breaths.  You will get there when you get there."  I told her I loved her, and shut the door and started the engine.  And as she said... I took a few deep breaths, and reduced my stress level.

I got to school with four minutes to get to class.  I put my stuff away, and hurried to chemistry.

Today went great... many laughs (rollie pollie ollie), and I got a lot accomplished.

The extremely rainy school day came to an end... with our game vs. Fridley canceled, and a group of 5 of us went to Caribou for a little while.  I did some homework, and went home.  I looked for my wallet... no sign.  I thought I had put it in my bag that morning, but no sight.  Gone.  Vanished.  I checked my car a million times, and no sight.  I checked high and low in my house, a million times.  None.  I started to cry... and I finally admitted to my mom I had lost my wallet.  I was expecting disappointment, and a lecture of how I lose EVERYTHING (I had pretty much assumed at this point that the thing had been stolen)...

Instead, my mom told me.... "Breath.  Take a deep breath.  Where do you remember last having it?"

I was blown away... and I calmed down.  I explained to her the scenario, and I started to look again.  I went back to my car, looked again, and I still didn't find it.  Just as I was going in my house, I looked to my left, and something caught my eye.  It was my wallet.  Left on my shelf of basketballs and other miscellaneous stuff in my garage... there was my wallet.  Left alone.  I must have placed it there last night after I had parked the car way too far over since my mom's car wasn't there... and so I got back in the car to re-park.  And must have left it there... That all to say, I need to slow down.  Calm down.  And be a little more responsible and less distracted.  

I am constantly reminded of slowing down... my first grade teacher, Mr. Meyer's always told my parents that I rushed through things.  What a wise man... I do need to slow down.  I do need to practice being calm.  Things don't get solved over hyper-ventilating or reacting out.  I just need to bring it down, and God will always have a plan under it all. 

Anyway, I'm done with homework.  I'm going to relax & get ready for Friday, go to bed early just because I can, and write back to Susan.

I <3 you!

a way to tie up a weekend....

I tell you, hanging with the O'Connell boys is a way to put the perfect tie to the end of a weekend.  We played football practically all night, outside, with Nolan only in his spiderman underwear, and Gavin beasting, and Cullen wearing his huge winter coat.  Kate and I played on opposite teams, and we attracted many neighbors... it was highlarious! Loved tonight.  That's all.  And the sun was setting.  I'm ready for Monday.

Battle wound.

So last night, I was babysitting and I loved it! I love the kiddos I was with and everything... and then for some reason I took a stupid step and face planted.  This resulted in much blood, and going to the er to get stiches.  Which now, I am fine.  But... I have to say, this battle wound is pretty legit.  Pretty much.  Here's some pics my friends.

When the guy was putting in my stiches... can't you tell I'm legit calm? hahaha.

my end result... 5 stiches, and some other random battle wounds.  And I wear a band aid with ointment constantly on there.  Highlarious, I just laugh when I see myself in the mirror.  I'm pretty excited to see a scar, too... :)

Anyway, I'm ready for sleepy... then teaching Sunday school then service then cleaning & school work & BABYSITTING THE OC'S!!! So much to look forward to! 

<3R

This weekend in view...

Today:
-KATE'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
-School
-Soccer prac
-Babysitting straight from school
-Go straight to jess's
Tomorrow:
-Go to school & set up
-Get ready for the game at fall festival!!!! (Bring it, Princeton)!!!!!
-Work at a little jumpy thing for kids
-Go home and FINALLY see my parents, and my dad whom is getting home today from China.
-Babysit @ 8:30
Sunday:
-Teach Sunday school
-Go to service
-Come home & do homework
-Babysit the O'Connells!!!!!!

I have a filled weekend.  Can't wait.  BRING IT.

I love these mornings.....

So I woke up to a thunder storm around 4:50 this morning (luckily falling back asleep for another hour), and then getting all my alarms, doing my hair, doing my make-up, eating, brewing coffee and then... this morning I got time to spend time in the word.  I wish I was able to do this more often, because I came across many things this morning.
-Be direct with what you need to God
-If you obey, you will be blessed
-Forgive others BECAUSE you have been forgiven by the PERFECT Heavenly father....

All these things touched me in different ways this morning... and I realized I can do all these things through prayer.  Ask my needs through prayer, listen to what I need to follow on through prayer, and ask for the strength to forgive others through prayer. 

All in all... pray.  I know I talk a lot about this topic, but take the principles you're learning and apply them to prayer.

I hope you have a beautiful Wednesday!

<3R

Today recap.

I woke up this morning.... with 15 minutes before I needed to be out the door.  

I got myself ready, ate grapes for breakfast, got a mocha, and scrammed to school to get math help because my teacher had a staff meeting so I had to get there earrrrrlyyyy.  I got my stuff answered, and went on with my day.  I had a rather great day, with a combination of laughing, a great friend BRINGING ME CHOCOLATE, having soccer practice, getting my teeth fixed, and cried on the phone with someone... it was great combination.  Great combination, and it just pulled my whole day together.

It's Tuesday, and I'm tired on this Tuesday, but this week is only going to keep getting better I can feel it.  Today was a BIG step better than yesterday, and it's going to keep getting that way.

Right now I'm listening to John Mayer, Michael Buble, and Derek Webb.  Best combination in the history of life.

I love you very much.  

<3R

"And remember, ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

Nothing can hold me back...

Here are oj thoughts with Rebecca C. Vold tonight!

So today, I had this day where I felt like holding back.  I felt that I wasn't good enough.  I will fail, when I try, and there's no hope.  I had this day... and it didn't bring much hope.  I'm not sure if it was Transgressions on a Monday or if it was satan getting in my head.  I was stressed from top to bottom.  

I drove home from a hard night... and while I was driving I flipped on KTIS.  Now this was my last resort, which sounds horrible, but the song that played was "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher.  I had heard this song like once in my life... and I listened into the lyrics as I was stuck on Vicksburg for many reasons.  "And love will hold us together, make a shelter in the storm, and I'll be my brother's keeper, so the whole world will know that we're not alone.  This is the first day of the rest of your LIFE, cause even in the dark you can still see the LIGHT, it's going to be alright..."

This was a comfort for me today.  Nothing can hold me back, I can only do better if I keep pushing forward, and thus, I will do.  Now that I'm done with my oj, I'll shut up and take a shower.  

<3R

Amazing weekend!

On Friday:
-I went to out to breakfast with my class.
-Got texted from my parents they had FOUND MY WHITE CARD (WHAT A BLESSING)!!!!
-Super nervous all day
-My dad left for Thailand/China
-Took my drivers test & I passed!
-Then I babysat the Virginia's and I drove! Loved it!

On Saturday:
-Went to the soccer game to cheer them on!
-Went to Caribou while wearing my Heritage wear & got 50% off!
-Babysat the Wang's & I drove!

Today:
-Woke up late to a txt msg (what a blessing).
-Went to Starbucks & church & drove.
-Out to Lunch @ Lee Ann Chin's with a Friend
-Went shopping with my friend
-Came back, showered
-Got picked up by the same friend & babysat the O'Connell boys!!!

Such an amazing weekend... I'm pretty stoked about the whole driving thing... and I'm driving myself to school tomorrow! Bomb! Anyway, I love you! (PEACE AND BLESSINGS, PEACE AND BLESSINGSSSSSS).  Ha hahaha!

First day of school. mixed emotions.

sooo today was my first day back at school.  I loved seeing everyone! Being back at school was nice... and it was a swell day! We got fired up for the soccer game... but it quickly turned sour.  Which is okay, because it's a learning block, but it didn't set the mood for my night.  I'm quite sad, almost done with homework, going to take a shower, drinking hot cocoa... and getting into the swing of things.  I hope tomorrow is a fun and great day! I love you! sorry for how short this post is. 

Great afternoon/evening.

So this girl, Nicole, came to my house this afternoon.  We painted our nails orange for tomorrow... our toe nails, too.  Love it! She's a hilarious girl... she just cracked me up with all her stories.  She stayed for dinner, which consisted of my mom's home made pizza.  It was great, and we had some watermelon.  Then, we youtubed a bunch of stuff.  It was so fun.  What I also like about Nicole is that she's a freshman.  Starting at heritage, and she's absolutely mature.  Nicole also is straight-forward.  She let's her "yes" is yes, and her "no" is no.  I love when people are confident in their decision... especially since I am the type of person who is COMPLETELY indecisive.  I think of all the possible scenarios, and come up dry and can't decide.

Right now I am putting the finishing touches on my papers, making my lunch, & getting ready for JUNIOR YEAR TO START TOMORROW.  And also... preparing to yell during tomorrows game against Providence!!! GO EAGLES. 

Tomorrow calls for coffee & much water to keep me awake.  I love you!

So it's 1:30 in the afternoon... I've been up since around 8:30.  I picked up a lot of stuff, loaded a lot of stuff in the dish washer, put my bag in the washer, hung it up to dry, put my sheets in the wash... then I made some coffee, drank it & ate a banana for breakfast.  Then I showered, and also cleaned my shower.  I worked a little bit on my journals... getting close to done.  And now, my t.v. is for some reason on golf, and soon I'm going to Ridgedale because my mom has to, and wants me to go along (besides, who can pass up a shopping trip)? So i'll do that.  Then I'll finish up all I need to get done... then go to bed in clean sheets and great READY FOR SCHOOL TOMORRROOOWWW.

THE SCARLET LETTER - DONE.

it's official.  i'm done with the book.  SUCH A GOOD BOOK.  SUCH A GOOD ENDING.  Love it!
Tonight's dinner date with Kate & Sunni was a win.  We went to Bayside Grill (I spent $11 on 5 pieces of shrimp... which was good but a RIPPPP), and then we went to Licks on Water St. in Excelsior! Such a great night!

 Today I tore out my scarf from Nordstrom rack! Love it! And I only paid $9 on sale for that baby! so proud.  I love the season of fall...

I am EXHAUSTED.  time for lights out.

<3R
TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER.  Love hate, you know?

the adventures of xi gua's...

yesterday my mom bought a MONSTROUS watermelon. 
today we decided to cut it.
and it totally reminded me of my chinese friends!

i love watermelon.  so juicy.  so delicious.

my chinese friends told me i had a watermelon stomach.  i sent them these pictures.  pure love.
today is the epitome of a perfect Sunday.  i've read.  i've drunk delicious drinks.  eaten delicious food.  felt the breeze of fall.  parallel parked with the sun roof up.  and enjoyed every moment of it... tonight is a dinner date in Excelsior!

<3R

Can you figure out this one?

Now off to Church I go! Hearts on this Sunday!

<3R

Currently

Drinking: Water
Eating:  sunflower seeds
Itching: BUG BITES!!!!
Listening to: Pandora- Breakeven: The Script
Admiring: Amazing friends.
Loving the sight of: The trees nonchalantly starting to turn...
Ecstatic about: MY RUN!!!
Craving: A deep tissue massage.

<3R

like I said... transgressions to a happy day!

Today definitely was a great day.

I read.  I cleaned up a lot of my stuff.  Organized a bunch of stuff.  Then I ate delicious lunch.  

Then I read more.  Ate a delicious dinner with my mom... while my dad tried to fix something? Haha, then my sister called.  My dad and I talked to her, handed the phone off to my mom, and then my dad and I hopped outside to go parallel parking.  I initially hopped in the tahoe, but my dad convinced me that you can see out the murano, and I gave it a shot.  My dad sat on the curb at this church, where there was no one in existence, and I just kept on parallel parking.  I hit the curb a few times... but I mastered it! It was nice to have the camera right in front of me when in reverse, and then look back, and see the cones poking out of the slanted back.  I loved it! It was great to just keep working on it... because MY TEST IS COMING UP. I got home.. tried to send a text, and figured out that I had no service... ANY WHERE.  I was about to murder AT&T, and realized I should turn off my phone, and pull the battery out, put it back in, and power up.  Yeah, that helped (thanks Kate).  I got a bunch of msgs, and a voicemail (no call).  The voicemail entitled... "LADY WHY IS YOUR PHONE OFF.  YOU NEVER PICK UP YOUR PHONE.  I need help cleaning my room... I have cake!  Call me back."  --That was from Ashley.  I called her back imediately, and told her of course I wanted to come help clean her room.  I went over to her house, ate a banana with peanut butter, and drank a glass of orange juice, and helped her clean! I love her, her mom, her dad, and her sister (who is away at college), but nevertheless, I had a blast.  I gained a shirt, and a ring, and a picture, and a box from it.  Oh, and my coffee mug (which was washed the whirlpool.  Hahahaha).  

So then.. I ate the amazing chocolate cake.  While I ate this chocolate cake, this lady had wise words for me.  Wise words... from a wise lady.  I am blown away by you, Ash.  just so you know.  

Then this beauty drove me home in the dark night, giving me encouragement for my upcoming drivers test! Eek! And then we discussed how school starts on Tuesday.  Gag (sort of).  Anyway... I'm going to bed.  Well, reading this great book, The scarlet Letter first, then sleeping.  Then waking up, going for a run, getting my comp back (which has 500 GIGS NOW, HALLELUJAH), anddd then.... enjoying my Saturday.  I love you.  Oh and my goal for running tomorrow:::

2.5 miles in 25 minutes.  Think I can do it?

We'll find out....

<3R

Yesterday's transgressions, Today makes up for it...

This may sound stupid, but I'm starting to get up a little earlier (or trying to), to get used to getting up for school.  It's pretty much what my mom made my sister and I do growing up, the week before school started.  Great life.  Anyway, I don't quite mind waking up early, to be honest.  I made my coffee, turned on the Early show, and my mom came down.  She told me she had found the spider I had been flipping about a day earlier, and she said she released it outside.  I was so happy.  I couldn't find it anywhere in sight yesterday (which made me neurotic).  Anyway, so to the title, yesterday was a bit of a rough day.  But I must say... today is making up for it!  (Even though it's FREEZING BUTT OUTSIDE).

Something, though, that was cool about yesterday is that it rained really hard, thundered/lightning-ed, the sunset shone brightly, and then... a rainbow was right out my window.  I first went outside to stand out in the hard rain (because I love being out in the rain), and then came back inside, went downstairs, looked out my window and saw this BEAUTIFUL rainbow.  It definitely reminded me of God's true promises.  Things are going to be okay, when life is crashing and burning... Eternal life is coming if that's the only hope that you have.  There is always that hope we need to keep.

Anyway, I'm ready for Friday! -Lots of reading... I'm determined to finish the Scarlet Letter today.  Then write my Great Expecations report//do my journals for the Scarlet Letter.  We'll see how far I get (I may need a few breaks to focus... haha).  I love you!

<3R

i'm feeling like a star, you can't stop my shineeee

Happy Thursday!

I awoke to some AMAZING storms at 3am last night.

Literally lightning and then the thunder right after.  A way to spend an hour & to fall back asleep :) I loved every moment of it!

I am currently reading The Scarlet Letter for school- I just finished Great Expectations (GAG ENDING, HATE IT)! but honestly... I love the scarlet Letter.  such a good book.

Today was soccer practice.  The team ran the mile, and I ran around the perimeter once with Emma's sweet watch/shoes which tell you how far you've gone.  It was pretty sick.  Then Emma and I wrote down everyone's times (Emma went to cross country and ran 3 before and has a meet tomorrow), dang she's dedicated.  Soccer & Cross country.  I don't know what we'll do with her.  Then I joined in the practice after that... I love being manager.  Bomb.  Although, I really do miss playing during games.. but I'm pumped for what this season will bring.  It will be amazing.

Then I had my two teeth fillings at this new place by Lunds that we go for our dental work now... LOVE THEM.  The guy was so nice and kept telling me what he was doing.. honestly, I took a nap while they were filling my teeth.  Hahah.  Then he went out before me cause I had to pee (haha what a joke), and talked to my mom, and asked my mom if I did babysitting.  so pretty much, I have a new babysitting job with the guy who works on my teeth.  Score!

My face is ALMOST un-numb now, HALLELUJAHHHH, because whenever I smiled it was crooked because it was the right top part of my face, and the lower left.  Yikes.  I'm praying for no more cavities because I'm way to cavity prone.  Gross.

Anyway, I'm listening to ridin' solo by Jason derulo (hence the title), 

and I'm ready to chew some food, and keep reading the Scarlet letter! I love you guys! 

Have a bomb night!

<3 REEEBS