My first time in a wedding!

On November 22nd, I got to be in my close friend Doreen's wedding. It was my first time as a bridesmaid, so it was quite an experience! From getting our nails done the night before...

To waking up at 6am to get our hair and make up done...

...to hanging out before the wedding...

...to the amazing banquet at the reception...

...to just simply being part of Doreen's special day...

It was so much fun! A long day, true, but really really fun. I loved sitting at the head table. One of the neat things about it was that I got to hang out with the bride and groom ALL DAY LONG! (Typically, at weddings, you don't really see the bride and groom, because they're busy talking to everyone.) So that was awesome.

I am so blessed to have Doreen in my life. Love ya! Congratulations! Roland is getting a special girl!

Clouds

A random fact about Liz - I love clouds. Clouds, and sunsets. I will very often whip out my camera at random places and take pictures of the clouds. I will take pictures out my car window -and just a couple of weeks ago, I pulled over so I could take a picture of the sunrise. I have actually regretted not having my camera on multiple occasions (hence, why I carry it around all the time now.)

Why? To me, clouds speak of God's beauty. Someone (can't remember who) described sunsets as "extravagant wastefulness" - God is willing to give us so much beauty and power, and then have it drift away a few minutes later. That's one of the reasons why I like to capture it on camera - it reminds me of Him. I remember one time when I was young (13, before I was a Christian), when I saw these clouds. The sun was shining through an opening, and to me, it looked like I could walk through that opening straight into heaven. I believe that God was speaking to me at that moment - showing me Himself, through His creation.

So, here are a few of my favorite pictures of clouds, sunsets, and the like. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

My new latest obsession

So, okay, I got up early this morning, and I'm now at home watching my team lose. I should technically be planning for my week of school. But, I don't really feel like it. So, I thought I would share my latest YouTube obsession.

I heard about this in my Entertainment Weekly magazine (which came to me free at first, and which I now subscribe to. It's way better than my free Rolling Stone subscription - but the jury is still out on Glamour. I do feel my brain cells leaving my head when I read Glamour. Anyway.)

Take on Me - one of the greatest (and cheesiest) songs and videos of the 80s - has been spoofed. In the spoof, someone sings what is LITERALLY happening in the video - but to the melody of the original song. Huh? Trust me. You need to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9OQ4FnkQ

Magic frame!

If you like that, watch this one, which is a spoof of Tears for Fears, Head Over Heels. I would love to hear which one you like better. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TYun-Nq1Q&feature=related

"I'm acting really bashful while I'm singing to you." :)

Praise update!

Yay! Some stuff is going well. Thought I'd fill you in.

-Because gas prices are going down, I've saved an extra $20 this month!
-My personal trainer agreed to do 1/2 hour sessions instead of an hour, so we can still meet twice a week and be consistent - AND it saves me money!
-I get to teach music. Although I complain about my job, I love what I do.
-my band kids are a lot of fun.
-I finally click with the 8th graders. They are quirky and bizarre, but I love 'em.
-I love going to weddings, and there are lots of them right now!
-I have a great coworker who is one of my closest friends.
-I'm actually having some time to myself.
-I DON'T live at home - something I am thankful for everyday...
-I am working on my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
-I have great friends who support me and all my decisions.
-I'm having fun - for other reasons... :)

Yay for life! Things are good.

A very fun weekend!

Yay! Fun weekends!

On Friday, I got to hang out with my good good friend Becky, who I adore. (You may have seen her in previous posts on here, haha). We went out to dinner at this great Mexican place called Miguel's (yum, enchiladas...). We also went shoe shopping at Payless, and went to a fruit market, where we got super super cheap fruit! NICE! What's awesome about our friendship is how we're both trying hard to make time for each other. It's hard with life and everything, but we are making the other a priority. I love Becky!!!!

(this picture is from our road trip - over a year ago - to the Gorge to see Dave. AMAZING!)

On Saturday, I got to go to a UCLA football game with my boyfriend Rich. We left the house around 10 and made it to the Rose Bowl in 45 minutes! We got to meet up with some of my friends from band and also have lunch with my parents, and we sat with my brother and his girlfriend in the stands. The game was horrible, until the last 2 minutes, when all of a sudden, we decided to actually PLAY - and won the game! Very exciting stuff!

On Sunday, my close friends Julianne and Michael got married! That was really great, because I've known them through their whole relationship. The wedding was really beautiful, Julianne looked gorgeous, Michael looked handsome. :) Phil and Jeanna gave amazing toasts - some of the most sincere and nice I'd ever heard! There was great food, dancing...it was really fun. Lots of good conversation and good times had by all.

Now it's Monday, and I'm sick. Woohoo. Oh well - I'd do that weekend again anytime! :)

From my devotional

I thought this was nice, so I'm sharing it with you. It's from "A Day's Journey" by Jon Courson.

(October 19)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; was me and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. - Psalm 51:7-8

As a shepherd, David understood the meaning of broken bones. You see, when a lamb would stubbornly and rebelliously continue to wander away from the flock, the shepherd would break its legs and place the lamb on his shoulder where it would remain until its bones were healed. When the lamb could walk again, so bonded was he with the shepherd, he would never stray again.

Like sheep, we all go astray (Isaiah 53:6). Therefore, in His love, the Good Shepherd breaks a bone or two and carries me while I whine and cry and wonder what He's doing. But as the days and weeks and months go by, I find myself closer to Him than I had ever been previously, and all I can say is, "Thank you, Lord."

Chick flicks are amazing

They make you sigh, and make you want to hang out with a significant other. They give you a glimpse of what God intended romance to be. They are so inspiring.

I love them!

And, for your enjoyment, here is another picture from Palm Springs. :)