Sweet Home... California?

So it's been a while- and it seems like I always start posts that way. :-) Oh well, eventually I'll learn...
A lot has happened- I'm home from school now, it seems crazy that Christmas is just a few days away! I survived my first semester and I have never been so happy to be home! I have to say that it is going to take a bit to get used to. I've gotten used to the control and freedom of being "in charge" of myself and my responsibilities, and I don't get quite so much control at home. But, as a good friend of mine pointed out- it's just preparing me for the future, because "tide down and controlled" is what marriage is- though, I imagine it to be a bit more pleasant than that sounds- but- I could be wrong. I've not been there yet.
Speaking of marriage- I've come to the conclusion that the reason that so many people get married at The Master's College is because- so many people say that everybody gets married at The Master's College. There's nothing in the air or water that makes the place romantic (well, there are lots of roses actually...) it's just a state of mind that the students have been given before hand. And it works! There was a time when I was so terrified of marriage that I couldn't stand the idea of me being married one day, but now... well, I'm still terrified, but some of things that we're scared of turn out to be just wonderful... While we're on the subject- remember that hat making project? Well, Charity- the girl in charge of it all- wrote to some writers (John MacArthur, CJ Mahaney, Joshua Harris, Carolyn Mahaney, John Piper... and a few others) and asked them to send her some books, so that she could encourage people to make hats by offering a few prizes to the most creative, most durable, most unique... and a few other things. During the last week of school, she sent out the books in the mail. I helped her package the books. While we were working on this I noticed that one of the books was entitled Feminine Appeal, I thought that sounded rather... sketchy (?) especially for a student at The Master's College to have, so I pointed it out. Charity told me that I had won a prize and that I could have it or any other book if I wanted. So, I made a joke about making sure that I avoided Feminine Appeal and Boy meets Girl (by Joshua Harris). But God is sovereign... after all of the books were chosen for each of the other people who won... the only two books left... were those two. Charity thought that she would heighten the irony of the situation just a little bit more and gave them both to me!...God has some sense of humor doesn't He?
So, I'm going to finish this post and then dive into a book on Ga subject my heart probably doesn't need to hear any more about right now... but God is sovereign, right? :-)
Oh, I almost forgot to tell about the newest thing on my To Do list... though it actually seems horrid to say it that way, because it is not on my To Do list- it is on my heart. While Charity and I were trying to convince people to make hats- i went online and research statistics on the condition of living for orphans in Ukraine. It's heart breaking. I'll have to do a post later and write them all down for you- but the point is- I wish I could do something!! and then I realized that I can. I have my whole life ahead of me and God has given me so much- there has got to be something that I can do!- so if that means going overseas- so be it. If that means staying here and raising support for them- so be it. But I've go to do something! I just don't know where to start...
Anyway- that's the really, really, really short version of the speech that I normally give- but it's the idea of the thing... well I should go... see you around.
Samia

The Fire

http://emmaleighphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/fire_06.html

This is a video that a friend of mine put on her blog- it is so good, so true, and so convicting.
I am going to live for Christ today.
and tomorrow.
and the next day...



Samia

The World is Backwards...

Just thought that I'd share this interesting information- I think it's kind of funny. :-P

Boy- "You should become a communication major."
Girl- "Okay, well, what do you guys do?"
Boy- "Nothing!"

-----------------------------------------------

Boy- "So, what's your major?"
Girl- "Home Economics"
Boy- "oh. what do you do?"
Girl- "Everything!"

-----------------------------------------------

So which is the more respected / recognized major?
Communication.

Why?
I have no idea! It makes no sense to me.


Lol- :-D

Samia

James 2 Project

This is called "dove tailing" or "clustering"- using an assignment for a class to tell everybody about something that I am becoming more and more excited about everyday!

Wanted: Big, Brave, Buff guy.

For one of my classes I have to do a podcast- on anything that I want- anything. I just have to be talking a majority of the time. I've decided that I'm going to do it on the James 2 Project and I'm going to do video, not just audio. I'm going to record it tomorrow morning before it get's to hot or the sun is too high. I really don't know anything about making movies but I do know that pictures turn out best for me when their taken in the morning or as the sun is going down. So that's what I'm going to do. I really don't have any time to figure out which would be better- the podcast is due on Monday morning...
Anyway, so for part of it I need one (or more) athletically built men/boys/guys... but they have to be brave. (Brave= not afraid to go against the stereotype.)
So, that's what I'm doing tomorrow... hopefully when I get it finished I'll post it here. I'd like to paste some "behind the scenes" clips together just to show you what I did... but we'll see- that's not a part of the assignment and the assignment is a little bit more important, so it'll be the priority.
Alright, it's late- actually compared to last night and the night before, it's early- but it's 11:30pm, so:
I'm going to get ready for bed- :-)
See you later!
Samia

Lois Lane! Daily Planet!

Hi!
So next Saturday is the Fall Thing.
Anyway, it's pretty much our version of a Fall formal and Halloween mixed into one.
This year's theme is Prime time TV.
It was done GGYRAD- (Girls Get You Roommate A Date) So my friend made sure that my good friend talked to my roommate and got me a date before it had even really been officially announced. Fun times.
We'll be going as Clark Kent and Lois Lane- and we're not the only Lois and Clark that's gunna be there, but I've got my Lois on now and I'll be enjoying it for the whole next week!
I have to admit that it certainly is awkward going with someone that I only just met... not to mention- we have a Yenta on our wing... well, two actually.
I have a podcast due on Monday morning. I've never made a podcast before... it should be fun to figure out... :-o I'll be introducing a project that a friend of mine started (the same friend that talked to my roommate) It's called the James 2 Project. Instead of repeating myself for like the sixth time I'll just give you the link to her blog:

http://girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com/

yep, I've pretty much become the spokesperson for that... so take a look and get involved! She says that the goal is 400, but I think we should shoot for like 500...
we'll see how it goes.

Well, it is very late and I'm very tired... so I'll see you all someday, somewhere over some rainbow...
Samia

I won the Lottery!!...

The World History with Prof Jensen Starbucks Lottery that is. lol. Every week Prof. Jensen (of World History class) collects names in a cup and draws out four to take to Starbucks with him later that afternoon. So, this afternoon when Ruth and I got to class we saw the cup out and pretty much ignored it. She said she needed a nap and shouldn't go and I figured that I wouldn't win it, besides- I don't like coffee. We get to our seats and I laugh and decide, "I'm going to do it- just because I know I won't win it- it's a fun thought." So I go down to the front table and put my name into the cup. When I got back to my seat, Ruth said, "You're going to win" I reminded her that I "never win anything" and she told me that I was going to win, just because I said that. He he. The Prof. came in and did the announcements, returned our last quiz to us and then picked up the Starbucks cup. Ruth leaned over and reminded me that I was going to win. I laughed and whispered back, "You know what's funny? I don't even like coffee"
"Samia!" Jensen said. "Our first Starbucks Lottery winner."
I had hardly even finished what I was saying. I was so shock I just said, "Seriously?", it was kind of weak and embarrassing. But that's okay- I won the Lottery...! So this afternoon at four thirty I meet Jensen and three other students and we went to Starbucks and then sat in the conference room and talked.
-For those of you who know Prof. Jensen- Yes, he is the same outside of the class. He's just an all around excited guy, I guess.-
So, like I said earlier- I don't like coffee. So what did I drink at starbucks? Something almost as good as mint chocolate chip ice cream. I'm not sure what it was called. I went onto their website before we went and looked to see if they had any coffee-free drinks. I think it was a... Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip Creme, with Whipped Cream... whatever it was... like I said, it was almost as good as ice cream and I hold ice cream in pretty high regard. Good job Starbucks!
Well, I just got back from a worship service where we were reminded to be focused on God and not put Him on the back burner- so, I'm going to go and read my bible and then do some homework... I'm so excited, I don't have anything due tomorrow, but I am going to try to get ahead anyway...
Tomorrow is Friday and so I love today, because it means that tomorrow is Friday, and Friday means that it's almost the week end...
Samia

"What's the name of the guy who's hand I held at lunch?"

GOTCHA!
lol! This week the entire school campus was involved, whether they wanted to be or not, in a game called Gotcha. Basically, anyone who signed up last weekend received a bouncy ball and the name of another person in their mailbox. The goal of the game is to find that person- they may not know them yet- and tag them with the ball and say, "Gotcha!"
The tricky part of this game is that there is someone chasing you, while you are trying to chase someone else. There are also "safes". Monday- to be "safe" you must have been sitting down (except for in the cafeteria- you must be standing) Tuesday- you must have been holding hands (Heehee) Wednesday- you must have been wearing an eighties outfit, Thursday- you must stay on the grass and Friday (tomorrow)- You must yell, "Hello my name is Inigo Montoya- You killed my Father, prepare to die!" I'm looking forward to tomorrow. :-)

So, anyway, the title- I didn't play Gotcha, but I did joke with a friend about wearing a T-shirt that said- "My hand is free for you to hold- For Gotcha ONLY" But I didn't. lol. I did end up holding someone's hand at lunch because he was playing and didn't know who was chasing him yet. I'd met him once but I couldn't remember his name- so later I was recounting the days event and I turned to a friend and asked, "What's the name of the guy who's hand I held at lunch?" I can remember his name now... :-D Lol!

Well, I have to go, my Mom came to hang out for a little while and now she wants me to walk her to her car... so I'll tell you more later this weekend sometime,
Falling in love,
(with this school Heehee)
Samia
<3

Fire Drill!!!

Thursday: it was a pretty long day I guess. I went to classes (NT survey, Intro to Music and Art- which I absolutely love by the way- and History). For my Home Ec class there was an assignment due Friday morning, so after classes were over, I went to dinner with some friends and then headed back to the dorm to do the assignment- I ended up doing the bulk of it with a friend from down the hall and we got talking about it and lets just say that instead of taking me an hour, maybe, to do it, it took us about three hours! By the time we were done it was close to eleven o'clock- My roommate usually goes to bed pretty early, but we kept her up- so the three of us were so tired that we could hardly keep our eyes open. So we each crawled into our respective beds and easily fell asleep.
But the day was not over yet...
In the middle of the night the fire alarm went off. I have never, in my entire life, heard a fire alarm so loud as ours. But I was so tired that even though I heard it- I didn't think anything of it (scary). So the ARA (assistant to the resident director's assistant) from one room over come in yelling for us to get out. I got up and she hollered for me to grab a sweatshirt as I began to do so she realized that it was in the closet behind the door and she told me to forget it and just get out. So I go out into the hallway- people are pouring out of thier rooms and heading for the emergency exit. The lights by the fire alarm on the wall are flashing like something out of a movie and the siren was sounding right there as well. Without thinking I covered my ears as I ran past- I'd like to be able to hear when I'm old and covering my ears when something is loud has become a habit. Anyway- Right about when I got to the emergency exit, somewhere in my half asleep mind, I thought, "Oh, yeah! we can go through this door- we don't have to go all the way around!"- yeah, I guess I get slightly... oh I don't know, young when I"m sleeping... anyway- I was the first person to the door and down the stairs somehow- we were all directed into the parking lot and I think that's right about when I realized what was going on (I finally woke up). We all got into groups of our wings and our RA's made sure that everyone was there. After they made sure they had everybody I realized that I was in my pajamas and barefoot. And it was slightly chilly outside. So, I sat down on the ground and wrapped my arms around myself and a few other people followed me. I have no idea how long we were out there- it wasn't very long- it was just a drill- maybe ten or fifteen minutes, tops. After however much time it was, we were told that we could go back inside and back to bed- so we did and that is were day ended- crawling back into bed at twelve forty five and wishing that I had stayed up a little longer before so that it wouldn't have been so hard to go back to sleep.
Oy.
Samia

Labor Day Weekend

My goodness, today was fun!
Yesterday was fun...
and the day before that was fun!
So here is what my weekend looked like:
~Friday~
I woke up at about eight thirty (we were up late the night before labeling CDs at chapel media) I skipped breakfast and went to chapel, which starts at nine o'clock. Chapel to Spoken Communication, then Orientation to Home Economics (I'm a Home Ec major, btw, I don't think I've ever said that here...) Went to lunch at the caf. and then did homework until one forty-five, at which time I headed over to the chapel media building to go to the weekly meeting- stayed until two forty-five and then left the meeting early to go to work. I got to work five minutes early (next time I know I have until two fifty... :-) worked until five and then went to the caf., sat with chapel media people then went back to the dorm and did some more homework... then the weekend started! :-)
That night a bunch of us went to chapel media and watched The Great Escape on the big screen- it was fun, I haven't seen it in a long time and it's a fun movie. After it was over we spontaneously watched a new episode of Psych, which happened to be a creepy episode... Haha... then I went to bed...I think it was about one o'clock
~Saturday~
I woke up at eight o'clock when a friend came in to wake me up- we were going to go hiking but I decided that I should get some more sleep and then get some homework done... so I did. When everyone got back from hiking we went to chapel media and watched Psych-the first season. I watched one episode and then went for a swim with a friend when I got back they were still watching! they were on their fifth episode! After it ended, we all went to dinner... crazies... lol
A wing mate asked me if I wanted to play ultimate frisbee down on the soccer field- I don't like ultimate frisbee, I'm not bad at it, and I do participate when I play, I just would rather be doing something else- So, I was polite- okay I hadn't played in a long time and I wanted to see if I still didn't like it- so I went, it was okay, I would still rather be doing something else, but it was fun to hang out with some new people- not that the old people are getting boring, on the contrary!! They could never be boring! but meeting new people is good for the social skills :-P
After that my friend and I headed back to the dorms to play Maffia- only to find out that we had hung out on the field just long enough to miss it... :-( So instead we went up to our brother dorm and hung out in the lounge for a while (a few people were watching the football game and it was fun watching them!) After a while some one suggested a movie and we ended up moving all of the furniture in the lounge to create (sort of) a movie theatre and we watched The Fiddler on the Roof on some one's seventeen inch computer screen. It was fun, I've never seen it before, so it was nice to finally see this movie that so many people rave about. One of the guys brought out two tubs of homemade cookies that his mommy had sent with him to school (and a bag of marshmallows! I love marshmallows!) and we ate them all! there were probably four cookies left when the movie was over. I was surprised at how many guys watched it! I always assumed it was a chick flick. I guess not. :-D
Half way through the movie, my best friend came, and so after the movie, we went back to the dorm and stayed up until two o'clock talking!
~Sunday~
We were soooo tired the next morning! I even drank coffee out of desperation to stay awake in church! I never drink coffee- I was wide awake for the rest of the day... After church I went to My best friend's house and we hung out and I did my laundry in their machine. We played the piano for a little while- she just learned the basics of playing the guitar, so I showed her how to play my most recent song and we sang together! It was so cool!
I went to bed pretty early that night, a friend did my hair in an inside-out braid before I went to bed, it was neat.
Oh, I have also now been nick named The Green Egg. Because I am Sam... Sam I am, and I have drawn green eggs and ham on my white board... lol
~Monday~
Woke up at seven and ran to breakfast and then back to our brother dorm to go hiking, We went to Vasquez Rocks- it was a lot of fun and I am going to be super sore tomorrow. We lost one of our guys and everybody was kind of worried for a while, but he was found, he has a twisted ankle but he is okay. When we go back we went to lunch right away because they were cleaning up the BBQ at one and we got back at about twelve thirty. We hung out and played some frisbee too, for a while and then headed back up to the dorms to get ready for school tomorrow. On our way up the hill we passed the pool and it just looked so good, so cool and refreshing that my friend and I took off our shoes and ran and jumped in to the pool with all of our clothes on! It was so fun! and it was very refreshing.
We stayed little longer than we had planned to, but it was great. So now I have showered and am doing some class reading...
Ah, it's been a good weekend.
:-)
<3
Samia

School Year of '09 - '10

Hmm, I just had a thought- I keep complaining to myself about how the blogs that I follow have not put up new posts in a long time... When was the last time that I put up a new post? -A long time ago.
By the way, here is a list of my favorite blogs:
http://www.lukasvandyke.com/
http://beckajaynephotography.blogspot.com/
http://ckvphotography.wordpress.com/
http://emmaleighphotography.blogspot.com/
I'm not computer savvy at all, so I don't know how to make them into links- you'll just have to explore them the old fashioned way...
So, I am now officially a college student, at a real university, with legit professors, and good cafeteria food!
This is my first weekend and it also happens to be a three-day weekend. Some friends went hiking this morning. I was going to go, but I've been up late several night this week with these same crazy people (<3) and I knew it would be wise to do some extra sleeping today- so, I turned my alarm off. A friend told me that she would wake me up, but she forgot. I suppose it is God telling me to get some rest and maybe get ahead on some homework/projects. I would still be in bed, but I can't go back to sleep! and it's really bugging me that I'm missing this hike... Oh well, next time.
So I am taking Biblical Fundamentals, New Testament Survey, Spoken Communication, Introduction to Music and Art (love it!), Orientation to Home Economics, and World History. I am also in Opera Scenes (so fun!), Collegiate Singers (maybe) and Chapel Media (sort of). I am doing work study in the Teacher's Education Department, as an office assistant. I'm living in the best wing in the college, I LOVE my RA (resident assistant). We have a "Qoute Wall" in our wing (not my spelling) and even though this is our first weekend- it's already pretty full. I can't wait until open dorm so that everyone can see them and hear the stories! Lol! I love my friends!
I hate stairs... there are lots of stairs here, and it is very difficult to avoid them. I'm not to sure about all of these PowerPoint projects and podcast that I have to do this semester. I really don't want to ask a guy to Fall thing, I REALLY don't want Charity to ask one for me, I still think that copy machines are out to make me look bad, I've never had sunburn so bad in my entire life, I don't have quarters for laundry this weekend, and I think that only two people are going to show up to the pool party that I and a friend "planned" for today...
This school is so freaking awesome! I love it!
I've discovered that college students talk different than the rest of us. They say things like "That's gnarly" I don't know if that's how they spell it, or maybe they don't spell it at all, I don't know- it's funny. :-D
Right before I left home, my best friend gave me a book of music note paper and told me that even if it takes me all semester that I have to finish and right out (using notes, scary!) the last song that I wrote. So yesterday I asked some friends if they knew anything about using the music practice rooms and I was told that you have to pay to use them... So I think I'm going to ask one of the music Professors if I can just use one of the class rooms when no one is in it. I don't know if they'll let me. I'm sure they don't let all the students do that. I'd better find a piano to use somewhere soon, I might not be able to keep it all in my head much longer.
Speaking of keeping things in my head- I have to remember eighty countries, how to correctly spell their names and where on the map they are, for my first History quiz. Fun, fun, fun.
Well, I want to play the piano, and I also have some stuff that I could be doing... so I'm going to go... See you around more often I'm sure!
Samia
<3

Perpetuum Jazzile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw

Good stuff! Even without the rain at the beginning (which is the best part ) it's still fun to listen to.
So...
a lot has been going on.
This could end up being a little choppy- I'm chatting with another freshman on Facebook and when it comes to computers I'm not that great at multitasking...
I have decided!
I want to have a store. A store with a cute little name like... The Little House... or something like that. I'd like to produce and sell sturdy, attractive, and yet affordable home goods. Such as hand made (machine sewn) women's and children's clothes; Home made soaps and candles; Curtains and table cloths, napkins, pot holders, ect. I'm excited about Master's because I'll learn all I need to know.
Three weeks!!
I'm getting more and more excited!! I think I'm going to write a letter of introduction to my future roommate. Oh, I hope it's not someone who's really OCD... I can handle anything but that... well maybe I could handle that, but it might be a little difficult.
Well I should probably head to bed sometime soon...
I've got to remember to look into textbooks in the morning... and a computer...
oy.

May the world despise and leave me...

May the world despise and leave me
They have left my savior too
Human hearts and looks deceive me
Thou art not like them untrue

Oh, while Thou should smile upon me
God of wisdom, love, and might
Foes may hate and friends disown me
Show Thy face and all is bright

I went to Summer Camp this past week. It was really good. The theme was the cost of following Christ- "And He said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever will save his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for My sake will save it.'" -Luke 9:23-24

God is so good. I am amazed that He would love me at all, and yet even when I am a horrible person He looks at me and He sees Christ- No matter what I do!
I can honestly say that I would that the world should leave me- or better- that I would leave the world behind so that Christ is all that I have, for Christ is all that I really want! Oh, what a savior! that He should grant me the love with which I love Him!

Billing

I just transferred money from savings into checking so that I can right a check for school! Then I just have to drive over to school and give them the money and my shot records and then just wait for the week of welcome package in the mail! Yay!
I've been cleaning out my room this week- I don't think I realized how much I have! and yet I am slightly surprised that I've gotten rid of a lot of old things. Ha ha. I'm going to keep maybe three small boxes here in my parent's garage, get rid of a lot of things, and then take the rest (which isn't much) with me. One of the things that has surprised me the most is the amount of candles that I have! I have a small- okay I'll be truthful- HUGE obsession with candles and I've been collecting them for quite a while now. I rarely ever light them, I just like having them sitting around. I use them a lot for parties too. I think I'm going to have to leave them all here; I don't know how my roommate (someone I don't know) will feel about scented candles...bummer.
I'm getting sooo excited!!
My Mom made me a quilt when I was little and she has just recently hired someone else to finish up the actual quilting (she can't do it because of a pinched nerve in her neck) I can't wait to see it! I talked to my Aunt on the telephone the other day and she said that I should be expecting to get something in the mail this week- she said that she had thought about getting "...the hot pink one..." but then she decided it would be safer to go with the light blue one (I'm glad- I don't like pink) She said it's for the bathroom- but she didn't say what it was...another thing to look forward to this week in the mail. :-)
Well, I'd better go, I need to read the student hand book and it's all online...fun...
*giggle*
Samia

Children

I just began reading Elizabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity last night. I highly recommend it. While reading it I've realized a few things, things that are very important. But first- Ms. Elliot wrote many quotes from a notebook that she has kept over the years in the book. She said that a teacher in the chapel at her college suggested it. She keeps it as a journal of spiritual progress, of battles and victories, of desires and blessings. I am going to find a empty book- or maybe I'll just go buy one at the Dollar Store- and I'm going to follow suit. I'd like to get something large enough that I won't run out of paper soon, but small enough that I can carry it in my purse or book bag, or whatever I tend to carry the most.That way I can open it whenever I need and write in it whenever I feel.
Also- Ms. Elliot wrote about a time when Jim came to her- before they even hinted at feelings for each other- and he confronted her about her lack of evangelism. That made me stop and think; If someone I know now came to me to confront me would it be on that issue- YES!
-Most importantly, I should not wait for someone to confront me, I know that this is something I must work on and yet I don't! This must change! I would never consider myself a courageous person, and yet I have proven to have the courage in evangelism- on a "Missions Trip"- so why not all the time? Perhaps I'm looking at it the wrong way, perhaps the issue is not lack of courage, but lack of motivation, due to lack of awarness. I ought to spend more time considering how I could be a witness rather than when.-
For the sake of argument, if I did wait to be approached on this subject what would my response be? Would I be open to the confrontation and encouragement to righteousness, and would I humbly seek to right this wrong- or would I respond pridefully with "I know, it's tough, y'know." and brush it off and completley forget about it? I don't think I want to wait to find out.
Lastly- (but most definately not least) I must state first- Contrary to what I tend to say, I have always felt as if God has been preparing me for marriage and family my entire life. Growing up, my Mom always had extra children in the house, whether it be daycare or a ministry to someone in the church. There was always some way for me to be helping with the younger kids. I love kids, I work with kids now and I love my job. Recently someone asked me how many chidren I wanted and my response was, "Well, I've never actually thought about it, whatever God gives me I guess, but eight sounds reasonable." No. I'm not kidding. I wasn't when I said it either. Sometimes I think that children will be the easiest part of having a family. (I will learn other wise I'm sure.) I love cooking and baking and occasionally cleaning, ironing, gardening, orginizing, etc. I think you can see why I would assume that God has a family in store for me.
But maybe I've misunderstood.
God has given me the gift, I believe, of understanding and caring for children. I have a heart for the children, some might say. I sponser a little girl in Albania, I work with children, my heart aches when I hear of children who have been neglected by their parents and stuck into the system to go from one family to the next and rarely, if ever, meeting someone who really loves them. When I was a kid I was completely convinced that I was not going to have any children of my own, because there are already enough children without parents in the world and what if something happened to me? there would be even more children without parents. (I cannot comment on this specific subject anymore- I often wonder at the joy that new Moms and Dads feel holding thier own little ones in their arms- I still have a heart for the orphans, but I also want to feel that joy- I am torn...)
Perhaps God means for me to use this gift in a place other than a home, with a husband and children. Perhaps He means for me to stay single, maybe even to become a missionary, to minister to the children in other countries. I cannot know for sure. I will not know for sure until He makes it clear to me. Patience is so hard.
I begin classes in a little over a month. The beginning of four whole years of classes. Four years of constant reminders of God's presence. Four years of encouragement toward the glory of God. But also, four years of friends reminding me that 98% of Home Economics students at this particular college get married. I'm a Home Economics major. Four years. Oh, how I hope and pray that God would keep me focused on Him alone. I want to be completely oblivious to anyone else until I can be oblivious no longer. I want to focus on God and what He wants of me in the moment rather than on what I hope will happen.
Here is a quote from Ms. Elliot's notebook that I really like. This is the second half- I shall keep the first half in my heart.

Set Thou our faces as a flint of stone
To do Thy will. Out goal be this alone.
Oh God, our hearts are fixed. Let us not turn.
Consume all our affections, let Thy love burn.

So I offer up all my affection and my hopes and all my desires- for He gave everything, ought not I to give everything in return?

We're off to see the Wizard...

So I don't know if I ever mentioned being in the Wizard of Oz- but I was. Our last show was on Sunday night, and I have to say that the last show is always the best. It took me all of production week and two out of three shows to be sure that I knew all of the dances. Haha, I can be a little slow sometimes. But I got it all right in the last show. It was lots of fun, but I'm glad it's over. Now I can focus on other things- Packing for college, planning a party, working on my music, staying sickness-free... etc... :-)
I just found out that I'm not going to lose my Cal grant this year, so I'm all set financially for school this year.... I'm getting excited!
Well I better go...
:-)
Samia

I am: Resolved.

Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood

This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
He took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh, to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Every bitter thought, every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
He took the blame and bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as it's Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
Finished the victory cry

This the power of the cross
And Christ became sin for us
He took the blame and bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh, to see my name written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death and life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

And this the power of the cross
Son of God, slain for us
What a love, what a cost
We stand forgiven at, we stand forgiven at
We stand forgiven at the cross

~*~

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Your glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Spread His praise from shore to shore,
How His love is never-ending,
And it changes nevermore;
How He watches o’er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He’s interceding,
Watching o’er them from the throne.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Love of ev’ry love the best:
‘Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
‘Tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
With You evermore to be.

Ouch...

Hahaha! I just noticed that on my last post I asked if it was "inappropriate for a girl to invite a single married guy to her wedding"! I meant a single guy. :-) I'm so tired that seems hilarious to me!...
We had our first dance rehearsal for the Wizard of Oz tornado scene last night and I am so sore I think I'm going to be stiffer than oak tomorrow morning. I was so worn out last night that I went to bed at like ten and then missed my alarm clock this morning, making my little brother late to school. Then when I got home I fell asleep for like and hour and a half and it felt like two minutes, because I was even more exhausted when I woke up. After that I had my advising appointment for college classes and now I'm all registered and set to go!! Yay! Now I just have to come up with $5,000 more and I'll be all set!... I'm still waiting on one more scholarship so we'll see... hopefully I won't have to get a loan. :-( It's been a long day.
I keep getting distracted- I'm chatting with people on Facebook... :-) something I don't do often.
I got to come home from work early today. My Mom got a ride home for my little brother so I didn't have to wait around for him to finish up school. It was really nice.
Well, I guess I'm not good at multitasking with blog and Facebook- so blog is going... See you freaks in my next post!
:-)
*hugs*
Samia

Response by my Bff :-)

Two random things first:
1.Just a thought- is it inappropriate for a girl to invite a singe married guy to her wedding? What if he doesn't know the groom?
and
2.I've just noticed that I have a "Follower" - that excites me! I didn't think anyone wasted their time reading any of this! (Well, except a few friends when I tell them to :-) )
"And now for our featured presentation-" (I'm in a good mood)

"Samia! I got to the part of your blog where you wrote about what you saw in D.C. Ahhhh! I had to answer. Samia! The Bill of Rights is the amendments. You probably saw the Constitution. Sami, how could you forget the Constitution?

Oh. I just read about going away and nobody noticing. I'd miss you. And frankly, I don't see how anybody could like me either. I think people just know themselves better than their friends know them. Can I live with you in that Victorian house. I'm not good at fixing things but I can clean and I am good at problem solving. I'll get a cat. We can be the two crazy ladies down the street in the old haunted house with the killer dog and the scary cat. They would probably think we were sister witches living with our familiars. Though I never heard of a witch having a dog for a familiar. First time for everything!

And your most recent blog. Who thought you were getting married? Interesting conversation. And I know what you mean about 8 years. It does seem like a long time. Let me give you some advice that I rarely follow. Go to Pluto. Figuratively, not literally. Back up until you get a perspective on eternity. You probably won't even be able to see yourself. But it's nice to know I'm not the only Wendy around. "I don't want to grow up." I like this line: "I've been avoiding being a girl when it comes to boys my whole life." Duh. You live in a house full of boys. That has to have some affect.

When you feel childish or immature, just think of me. I live with a Junior Higher. That definitely has had an affect.

I love you Samia.

We need to get together and go on a Sugar high sometime. Bring brownies."

Well, I've got to go- the familia is watching Bedtime stories and it's a familia thing so Later Dudes!
Samia

Six to Eight Years from Now...

Today I had some one jokingly ask if what I was doing and if I was working on my wedding invitations.. (!!?!!)
Yeah, it was interesting.
My first response was 'What?!'..."What wedding?"
His reply- "Oh (haha) aren't you getting married?"
"No."
"Oh, (*smirk*) I thought you were getting married."
"Don't worry I won't leave you out, you'll get an invitation in like six to eight years when I get married."
"Ouch"
"Yeah." -what was I thinking? eight years?! I don't want to have to wait that long! Maybe I said that because deep down I'm afraid it will be that or longer... Which is probably caused by a lot of my peers (that means people I know that are my age) getting married, which is just plain scary, (seriously, cut it out people) in two ways. 1. I'm the marrying age! Agh! I don't want to be the marrying age! Why can't I just be a kid forever? and 2. They're getting married and I've never even been asked out, or told that someone likes me... Scary.
And then I think 'This is terribly silly, I can't believe that I'm even thinking this' but you know what, I'm a girl, I think it's about time that I : 1. Give myself some slack (I've been avoiding being a girl when it comes to boys my whole life) and 2. Grow up. 'Nough said.
I'm feeling a little off today- hence my blog is all over the place right now (I hope it's entertaining- I like it when people laugh) and I think I'm a little sugar high... I just ate a three serving bag of gummy bears that I had bought with the intention of sticking them in my purse and making them last all week...yup, all over the place.
I think I'm going to go lift weights. It's been a while... like eighteen months or so... good times.
:-)
Samia

Spring Break

Well, I promised that I'd write about NY and DC so even though I'd love to write about something else, I will be self controlled and keep my word.
So we flew to NY. We had two layovers and the last plane we took was super small and it was so hot in there- because I couldn't figure out how to turn on the AC unit above my head. Of course someone showed me just as we landed. I have an excuse that most blonds don't- I'm dyslexic. I know, that's cheap. :-)
Anyway, the snow in NY was beautiful. I haven't been that cold in a long time. It was somewhere around 20 degrees when we got there and it was snowing. Big fluffy beautiful flakes of snow!
However, contrary to what I've always believed- I got tired of the snow. It took about two weeks, but I did get tired of having to put on my shoes every time I went outside. Don't have to do that here in California, unless it's raining- which doesn't happen very often. I'm a big fan of bare feet. :-)
We stayed with my Grandmother most of the time we were there. She paid for us all to go, so we owed her. I think the payment was well worth it. I had my own room. :-)
After Christmas we drove down to DC and spent three days exploring our nation's capitol. We saw the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and ... I can't remember, but we saw one other really old document... amendments? I don't know. We almost missed the bus because the line was so long. When we got on, the driver made sure to ask if we'd stolen the Declaration of Independence- My brother did happen to have a copy sticking out of his back pack. :-p
We saw the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space. That was fun. They actually had one of the first planes that the Wright brothers had built on display. It was pretty neat. We saw the Natural History Museum- The Hope diamond -not so impressive as they had made out (I thought). We saw Smithson's crypt in the Smithsonian Castle. I was disappointed, the inside of the castle was totally modern- at least the part they let us regular folks see was. I was very dissappointed.
We saw all of the major monuments. We saw the National Cathedral. Now there's a place I would love to go see again. Amazing! Next time I'm going to take a camera with me...and know how to use it in the dark.
When we got back to NY, I got to spend two days with my best friend. It made me realize how much people change and how much I've always been against it. I'm working on that- it's time to grow up- people change, I've changed, and I need to get used to it. Anyway, it was good to see her, she needs to come out here and visit me. Maybe this summer I can convince her to come out for a week or something.
Anyway, that was my trip to NY and DC- with a lot forgotten and just unmentioned. Oh, now that I'm thinking of it- that last post I did while I was there (January 1st I think)- well I was a little drugged. That last week there was a bit much for me I think. :-) Just wanted to clear that up- for myself mostly. I'm not crazy. I keep trying to convince myself.
So, I applied to the Master's College (which is like the most expensive christian college that I know of) and I was accepted! Yay! :-) I put in my application for financial aid in a few weeks ago and recieved my award letter last week. They're pretty much paying for me to go there.
*dramatic pause*
Isnt' that amazing!!? God is so good! I doubted that I'd even be accepted- and God did so much more for me than that! I'm waiting to hear about one more financial aid opportunity and if I get that than I'll only have to pay $500.00 for college this year.
:-D
I'M GOING TO COLLEGE!!!!
and I'm living on campus!! I'm going to be sharing a room like always- but not with a boy!! I won't have to wake my little brother up in the middle of the night to take him "potty" any more! I'm going to have a structured life for a little while! I love structure!
I'M SO EXCITED!!!
anyway, I should go now- it's almost eleven o'clock and I'm still in my pajamas- yay for spring break! I don't have to work at all this week!
:-)
I'm all smiles.

Hi..(I know, so original :-)

So this is just a quick update- my little brother is waiting for his turn on the computer, and he's already gone to Mom for back up.
So I haven't written anything about my trip to New York and D.C. yet. Or seeing my best friend, whom I haven't seen in over three years. But I will, have no fear.
I also haven't written anything about the really great experience I had in doing The Music Man with a local children's theatre group. But I will, eventually... it may take a while but I will.
Oh, I haven't written about how I painted my room and how messy it has been since then... I'm going to go clean that now.
Oh, I'm not sure if I told how I got accepted into the Master's college and how I am currently looking for a second part time job, working evenings, so that I can save up for college and, hopefully, come out of it all without debt...
Okay, I'm going now, really I am...
I think I'm forgetting something...
My little brother is now standing over my shoulder. Waiting. Ouch, slapping me, ouch again... lol
Now he's giggling... everybody should hear him giggle. That's my favorite sound in the world... :) I should figure out how to record it and post it at the bottom of this page...
Later... he's still waiting... :-)
Samia

God said "No"

This is a really cute email that I received recently. I hope that copy and paste didn't mess it up too bad, I suppose I could just delete this post if it does.

I asked God to take away my habit.  

God said, No.  

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

  

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. 

God said, No. 

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. 

I asked God to grant me patience.  

God said, No. 

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned. 

I asked God to give me happiness.  

God said, No. 

I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you. 

I asked God to spare me pain.  

God said, No. 

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

  

I asked God to make my spirit grow. 

God said, No. 

You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. 

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. 

God said, No. 

I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

  

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. 

God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

  

Hello 2009 - Goodbye Everything Else

So, it's the evening of the first day of the year two thousand and nine.
"This is the first day of the rest of my life." Indeed.
I have to say that this has been quite the trip. I don't think I've ever learned so much about myself as I have in the last week and a half. I've said this many times before, but I can only hope that I can change from all this. I hope that this coming year, and years and years after this one, that I would work harder, be wiser, hope more, and never give up. I'd like to be quicker and more decisive, so that I can be a more effective person. I guess that there has always been a selfish reason for wanting to change myself, it's simple - I don't like myself, I never have. Frankly, I don't see how anyone else could like me either. I've wondered, because I could ever have the courage to do anything more than wonder, if I went away, just up and left, what would life be like for those I left behind? Would anything change at all? In fact just last week I wondered what I would do, if I left. Could I go live somewhere, in the middle of nowhere, all by myself? I've always felt that life without people would be so easy for me, but could I really live without people (besides the mailman, the occasional friendly neighbor and grocery clerk, of course) and not regret having left?
I might buy myself a dog, to keep me company, hypothetically speaking of course, a very large dog. I'd like to buy an old Victorian maybe and restore it. I like working with my hands, I'd like to learn how to fix things in an old house, I think I'd enjoy that very much. But I'd be liable to become the creepy person on the end of the block that everyone thinks is crazy- the lonely old lady with a killer dog, maybe she's an ex-convict! Ha ha. I could definitely see that happening, you see, I like cemeteries, it sounds silly, I know, but I like to read the names on gravestones and look at how many people related to them are buried there. Maybe even try to imagine how they died. I like walking by myself too, I wouldn't surprise myself to find myself walking through a cemetery at night. With my killer dog. :-)
Well, that's enough silliness, I'd better go back to the room and get into bed. Oh, by the way, I'm in Washington D.C., at a hotel. :-)
Later,
Samia