Just some things on my mind...

Life has been good lately. I like living.

I am in the orchestra for West Side Story, which is a lot of fun. I love that I spend the majority of my waking hours making music. I have also just decided to run a half marathon, which makes me excited. Honestly, I just run so I don't get fat (and I like the endorphins) but I get bored running 2 or 3 miles a day. So, it is nice to work for something greater.

Recently, I have taken great interest in religions other than Christianity. I was very much born into Christianity, and I have chosen to believe it as the truth, but I just want to know about what other people think. I have definite reasons to follow Christ, but I also want definite reasons NOT to take part in other belief systems. I've been reading about the basics of other religions, talking to some teachers about them, and I have recently started reading Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias. It is nice to hear another Christian's very reasonable explanation of why he follows Christ.

Oh yea, I have decided to keep learning as much as I can. I get more excited every day about going to Azusa Pacific. There are so many sweet opportunities there, such as living in LA for a semester, with a very poor family, and working with some organization. Also, I have to (and really want to) go out of the country for 5-7 months for my global studies major. I also have the opportunity to live a bit south of Yosemite in the wilderness for a semester. Professors and about 40 other students will live there as well. I just imagine hiking all the time and reading in trees. I am also very pleased that I will be close to lots of live music (and excited about making lots of music).

New experiences that make me very uncomfortable are always good for me.

oh, one more thing: Blindness by Jose Saramago is a great book. Great. It says a lot about humanity. it made me very uncomfortable, yet made me question a lot.0 (It also made me really scared of becoming blind while reading it)

mad poetry skillz of a 9 year old

Smiley

There once was a very, very happy face
Who loved to wear beautiful lace
Her smile was huge
She liked riding the luge
And he lived in a very big case

by Whitney

a bit o' reflection

My life right now is incredibly solitary, but I am okay with that. My life is filled with love and reverence. I guess there are just times when life should be filled with people, and times to be alone for growth and perspective.

Some times I make myself believe that normal high school things would be fun and worthwhile, but then whenever I take part in them I am bored and disappointed. I am glad that I have chosen to fill these last four years with reading, art, music, and learning even though that made me a bit more solitary than if I had made as many friends as I could have, played sports, and gone to all the school stuff.

I had such a perfect weekend. I am glad to rest now, drink some tea, read a book, and make some music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w--2CksJqkE

when I listen to some of this guy's music, I often find myself bouncing up and down and smiling.