The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 3)

1. Oh my goodness. I'm obsessed.
2. One of my new favorite TV shows. Why, hello. I think you're fantastic.
3. Also, thank heavens for this. Without it, that stupid Indiana Jones theme song would still be stuck in my head.
4. Love this book. There's so many wonderful things in this world. 
5. I'm out of things to say. But I guess I'll always be grateful for this wonderful thing. 

the initiated woman

the initiated woman has bled. 
she's bled from poor decisions that sliced her esteem wide open; and from unguarded boundaries being obliterated; and she's bled willingly because that's what you do when people you love are anemic or have been hit by life -- you give them your blood. Here, I have lot's, it's fresh and warm. I'll make more.

She has gone through the eye of a needle, stripped, shed, pared down to the pure pith of her power. The few people who have seen her so naked will never speak of that beauty to anyone else.

She knows that when people are ready, they're ready, and they're never ready before they're ready. Still, she holds the light for your readiness, because she knows how sweet it is when the time is right.

She's modest, but bold to the depths. She knows that initiations are waiting for everyone to claim them. Courage is key.

She's asked people to leave her house because they were consistently rude.
Now, she asks after the first offense -- she knows where things are going.
If you don't respect her, there's not much to talk about.

It's usually a succession of rigors, (rarely a lightning strike) that earns her the license to teach. Her lessons can be precise, like the diamond that cuts diamonds. Essentially-focused.

She knows that playing nice perpetuates irresponsibility, but that kindness is wildly fertile.
She's mindful of the how and the who in her bed, because it's always more than that.
She doesn't spiritualize immorality, but she understands it.
She has no time for excuses, but all the time in the world for intentionality.
She reveres accountability, which includes using the sword of justice, and singing operatic praises for things done the good way -- or even attempts at the good way.

Scarred. Faceted. Radiant. Wide.

She's so tender she prefers to whisper about her true nature, or write a poem. Abstract. Protected.

When the intiatated woman tells you that "everything will be okay," you tend to believe her.

She uses compassion like a a lever to see what's really going on.

She applies willfulness sparingly, like gas to fire. ('cause, she is the fire.)
She awaits, but gets on with things.

She can tell you with calm and certain sympathy that love is the shortest distance between you and me.

And that there are no shortcuts to initiation.

Danielle LaPorte, http://whitehottruth.com/

I don't have to be "cool."
I don't have to be silent.
I don't have to be her. 
I don't have to be loud.
I don't have to be loved by him to be okay.
I don't have to be happy all the time.
I don't have to agree to be accepted.
I don't have to hide.
I don't have to have the answer.
I don't have to be perfect.
But I do have to be me.

The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 2)

1. Away We Go. One of my all-time favorite movies. Definitely in the top 5. 
2. Obviously Diet Coke. 
3. Dizzy Dean said, "It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." Well, I can SO back this up. I make the best chocolate chip cookies on this planet. 
4. To Make You Feel My Love, as sung by Adele. I honestly think this version is the best version of this song ever sung (though my step-dad would just say, "Oh, another world record. Great.") 
5. Strawberries with brown sugar and sour cream. My roommate recently introduced me to that lovely treat, and it is to die for. 
6. CHI's 44 Iron Guard spray. How else do you think I keep my hair this soft?  :)
7. My mom ROCKS. 
8. Bath & Body Works' White Citrus spray. It's divine.
9. Chalkboard spray paint, a cheap foam board, chalkboard markers, scrapbook paper, and a bottle of Mod Podge. A great craft night. 
10. Across the Universe. Also in my top 5 favorite movies.

Happiness

I was making pancakes yesterday...my favorite. And I was totally lost in stirring and smoothing the batter, smelling the vanilla, and feeling the warmth of the stove. Then I realized, at that moment, I was truly happy. And I thought about all the other times I have been truly happy, and those times are almost always when I am cooking (or handwashing my beautiful turquoise Paula Dean pots & pans set). Somehow, no matter what is going on in life, whether I'm worrying about the electrical deposit, budgeting money for milk, or thinking about when I need to do my laundry or clean the shower, I know that I can always stir flour, eggs, and vanilla and I will have delicious pancakes. Sour cream and brown sugar are delicious on strawberries. Boiling butter, cocoa and milk on the stove and adding oatmeal will always give me delicious no-bake cookies. It's cut-and-dried, it's logical, it's consistent.  It's effortless, straightforward, and uncomplicated. I have complete and utter control. It's a few minutes of priceless and exquisite peace. And nothing else compares in this universe.

"Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music."  -Julia Child

apartment!

Here's some pictures of my lovely apartment.  :)

We'll start here...

as we go down the hall...

This is our living room! That couch is amazingly comfy.

I love our kitchen!

Cute color scheme, huh? I think we accidentally continued that throughout the apartment.

My room. My bed is on the left :)

My side of the room! Desk, posters, and all :)

We think we might submit our apartment to Better Homes & Gardens magazine. As far as college apartments go, ours is pretty darn stylish. But this bathroom (one of two) is our crown jewel.

Pretty, huh?

The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 1)

I love lists. So here's one, of everything and anything and everyone I'm currently nursing a healthy obsession of/crushing on/can't get enough of. 

1. Why is this so emotional? I swear, somehow this band has a link to my brain and my emotions. But how is that possible?
2. Wow, I love this movie. I could watch it over, and over, and over, and over again.
3. I can't get over the beauty of this poem. It's simultaneously joyful and gut-wrenching. 
4. Sexy (adj.): highly appealing or interesting; attractive. Should be used sparingly. See also: I want this man.
5. Also.............wow.
6. More tomorrow. I really need some of this.

The idea for this post came from my new favorite site. Check it out if you have a few hours, because trust me, you'll want to browse for ever.