Shopaholic is almost here!!

So excited! If you haven't had the pleasure of reading these books, I strongly encourage you to do so. They are so witty, sarcastic, and surprisingly well-written for chick lit, and they're great for a beach read or if you're feeling in the mood for an entertaining but fast book. I'm a little disappointed they de-Britified it, because so much of the book's charm comes from the quirky U.K. jokes, but Isla Fisher is hilarious, and I'm sure it'll be great. So excited to go out with the girls and see it!

Yes, We Can!

I was able to watch parts of the Inauguration Day festivities between classes, most notably the swearing-in ceremonies and PRESIDENT OBAMA'S (yay!) inaugural address. The speech was fantastic, at once respectful but challenging, full of hope but realistic and sobering. Behind all of the hoopla - the parades, the songs, the trumpets and salutes, and the celebrations - there is so clearly a somber realization of what this moment means for American history, as well as an acknowledgement of the uphill battle we all face from tomorrow forward. As emotional as this is for me, I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like for those like Jesse Jackson or other civil rights leaders who fought with Martin Luther King and drank from separate water fountains. The pride, the joy, and the sad memories of those who didn't get to see this day were evident on so many faces, and I am so grateful and proud that I am able to witness this awesome, symbolic turn in the history of our country (and pretty dang jealous of my friends who were part of the 2 million plus crowd on the Mall today). 

Obama discussed America's relationship with the rest of the world, offering a message of peace and alliance to those who have become disillusioned and afraid of what our powerful country might do. He also talked about how our lives must reflect the opportunities and gifts we've been given, and how the progress our country makes is not just dependent on an administration, but on how each and every one of us decides to move forward, "roll up our sleeves," and live our lives in ways that speak to the peace and compassion our country should stand for. It's clear to me, from how the crowds and people across the world responded, that I'm not the only one moved by these sentiments. Most of all, it's so happy to think that the term "American" might no longer be something we want to hide or cringe at in fear of others' responses or reactions to what our country has done. In my lifetime, I haven't had one of these profoundly altering American moments (9/11 of course, but that's a different kind of event), and I'm so glad I know what that feels like now. 

This time, people from my generation can say they are proud to be Americans with emotion behind it, knowing fully what they are proud of, instead of just speaking words. Watching the tears, fist pumps, and flags waved by people of every color and background, I couldn't help but think, "This is what Americans should feel like, this is what our country is about." I've never considered what it means to be an American so carefully, and I don't think I've ever been this proud. 

And, I want this hat:

You rock it, Aretha!

Song Obession of the Week

A new year means new music discoveries! YAY! Love this guy.


Ray LaMontagne - "Let it Be Me"

Happy 2009!

New Years sometimes feels anti-climactic to me. After all of Christmas celebrations, dinners, parties, and services are over, sometimes I feel quite ambivalent about celebrating a new year...I mean really, doesn't it just mean that now we write 2009 instead of 2008? Not that exciting. Of course it's fun to celebrate with family and friends (and, if you're a Girgis, with a midnight family prayer session :)), to have a big dinner or go to a fun party, to toast and drink champagne. I think the reason it feels like a let-down to me is because I know that after January 1, the holiday season is officially over, which means taking down the Christmas decorations, the end of holiday parties, and a return to the real world of school and work. But really, it shouldn't be this way. After looking back on 2008 and reflecting about all of the great things it brought, it's exciting to think about what surprises, twists, and turns 2009 might hold. New friends, stronger relationships with current friends, progress towards career goals, learning, spending more time with family, facing triumphs and challenges with an amazing community of friends to fall back on, and, hopefully, a lot of growth.

I usually don't make real resolutions because I'm notorious for saying I'm going to make a big change, making it for about a month, and forgetting about it forever and ever. Oops. But I do think it's important to look at the next year of life with purpose and intention. So, in the optimistic spirit of New Years and a great start to 2009 so far, here are my resolutions:

1. Be more present. Instead of worrying about "next," instead of constantly thinking about the hurdles or challenges that I know are coming, instead of waiting for "real life" to start, simply living in the present and being intentional about each day, whatever I'm doing, whoever I'm with.
2. Stop overscheduling.
3. Get healthy. Period.
4. Continue to let myself be vulnerable with the people I love. I think I worked on this in 2008 but there is definitely progress to be made.
5. Read more! For fun. Break has been wonderful so far, one of the reasons being the fact that I've totally gotten sucked in to the ridiculous yet addicting Twilight phenomenon. Thanks, Hannah! I miss reading for fun.

That's it for now. A good start for a non-resolutions person, I think :)

Cheers to 2009!

My Top Ten of 2008

With 2008 coming to a close, it's inevitable that I reflect on the past year and think about what changes have occurred in myself, how my life has moved forward, and what experiences God has used to teach me. A more thoughtful post on all of that will probably follow at some point, but for now I'll stick to the fun things that made 2008 special. So for now, my top ten of 2008:

10. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Girgismelson household. People can grow so much in one year, and it's so exciting to do that together.

9. Discovering John Mayer's Where the Light Is album. Amazing, 'nuff said.

8. Starting grad school, as annoying as it can be at times. Starting my practicum at Jackson and realizing that these kids are my passion. Feeling a sense of purpose and realizing that this path is absolutely where God wants me to be.

7. Discovering the amazingness of scarves. Yes, that's right, scarves. I can put it on my top ten list if I want. They can make an old, boring outfit brand new!

6. Having to take my work schedule down to 10 hours a week because of school. Fewer pens to buy!

5. Making new friends from class; strengthening and deepening friendships I made in 2007. Especially those from house church, they're part of our family.

4. More frequent girls' nights!

3. Realizing that I do have opinions about politics, and for the first time being truly invested and excited about the democratic process that we SO take for granted. I guess Obama winning would make the list as well :)

2. Blogging!! And becoming obsessed with other people's blogs. 

1. Being challenged to rethink and re-prioritize my faith in totally new, unexpected, and more meaningful ways. Realizing what "love your neighbor" actually means, and seeing that churchy American culture doesn't always get it right. Constantly being challenged and pushed by people who live out their faith in exciting and revolutionary ways. Continuing to be amazed, surprised, and humbled by everything God has given and is teaching me through my marriage, friendships, career choice, and community. He continues to reveal himself in so many ways, reminding me that it's NOT about me, and He is so good. 

One more: developing my baking skills and becoming more adventurous with the baked goods. I heart cookies and tarts.

Here's to 2009!

A Very Happy Christmas

Last Christmas song post: Winter Song by Ingrid and Sara. Embedding has been disabled so I just had to link to it...but beautiful.

This Christmas has been so meaningful; although it's always an uplifting and heart-warming time, this year has been especially so because I've taken time in the days leading up to December 25 to truly think about what this holiday celebrates, and the implications that meaning has for my life and how I should live it. I'm aware that this is often an extremely painful time for a lot of people, which makes me want to cherish and hang on to these great moments even more. I'm so thankful for family, a beautiful Christmas Eve service, a quiet and unscheduled time to spend time with loved ones and laugh at silly things, and most of all, love. Christ came today so that we could experience real, true, authentic love. Love is alive, and it's a happy Christmas. 

Song Obsession of the Week - Christmas Edition

The Weepies, "All I Want." Cute Christmas song!