Khadija, Kenya, Grace, Design, Cassius, Shadow Puppets, Elbow, Amy, Etc.

I'm supposed to be blogging more.... shame on me! But, today, I actually have a lot to share.

Ok, so, this last week has been pretty awesome. I mean, yeah, I've had my ups and downs, but, overall- it's been good.

First off, we sponsored a little girl from Kenya to go to school. Her name is, Khadija. And....... I get to meet her in September! Yeah, that's right. I'm GOING TO KENYA!!!! I can't believe it. It's been my biggest dream since jr. high school. I mean- going to help people out over there. I'm going on a 2-week short-term mission trip through my church. I have no money to do it- but, I've prayed about it and God is saying, "You get ready and I'll provide the way." So, that's what I'm doing- getting ready. I go to an info meeting on Monday evening at church. I can't wait. So, if anybody reading this feels the Lord prompting them to help sponsor my trip, any help would be much appreciated. You can e-mail me at trish777(at)gmail.com and let me know how you would like to help out.

Ok, the next thing. We've been struggling to find the right church for us since 2003. Yeah, that's a long time. We finally found our home. Man! It is the most awesome feeling to know you're where you are supposed to be. We are becoming members of Grace Community Church in Tempe this month. I'm really happy about it... so are Andy and Ayanna. It's a great church full of some really awesome people. I am absolutely humbled that God has blessed me with such a great church family. I keep meeting more and more people there- they are really open and REAL!!!! I love it.

Yeah, so, another thing related to Grace... I am starting a volunteer position next week at church. I really have no idea if there's any kind of title for it- but, I will be working on web design and whatever other design/film/motion graphics stuff they will let me get my little hands on. I'm really looking forward to learning as much as I can from the guys I'll be helping out. Their names are Charles and Pete. They are really down-to-earth guys who seem eager to teach me whatever they know. I just pray that I'll be able to perform well for them- I don't want to be a thorn in their side. I have a lot to learn about graphics.... so, hopefully God will "bless the work of my hands" and let it be a blessing to others. I can't wait to get busy on some cool new projects.

On the music front.... anybody heard of "Foals", "Elbow", or "The Last Shadow Puppets"? asdlfjaspodfiaioreghak;dhdgf;asdfhja;lskdjfa;ksdljkf < -------- that is how these bands' music makes me feel. Let me do that again: asldkjfas;dfljkasld;fjkas;ldfkjasdl;fkjasdf..... ahhhh.... yeah, that's how it feels alright. There aren't words to describe it. I'm totally diggin' all their stuff right now. Foals have this awesome song called, "Cassius". It totally gets stuck in your head though... I wake up thinkin it... I fall asleep thinkin it. lol :) They also have this other song, "Red Socks Pugie." I LOVE it. Totally awesome. Anyway, their c.d. rocks. As for Elbow's new c.d. .... are you kidding me? Unbelievable group. Just too cool. They have a real bluesy sound on much of their stuff (not all)... love them. And last, but definitely not least.... "The Last Shadow Puppets". All I'm gonna say is: you MUST hear this c.d. (download from iTunes, whatever). Ok, no, that's not all I'm gonna say, because I can't shut up about them. HOLY! This band is good - frontmen from Arctic Monkeys and The Rascals... plus the London Metropolitan Orchestra. Wow. So '60s.... so cool. My favorite right now is: "Standing Next to Me".... but, I have a feeling that could change the more I listen to the c.d.

Oh- another thing. I just wanted to mention how my friend, Amy (and I know she'll see this here... lol), came over yesterday and hung out with me. We talked WAAAAAAYYYYYY too long (as we usually do).... but, we had a really good visit. She is awesome. I'm glad her husband lets her come over and play... even though we play too long! lol Anyway, she is a great friend and I wish everybody had a friend as good as she is to me. :)

God is good.

***** (Kitty) Ramones!!!! Live at CBGBs!!!! *****

I used to hate being alone. Now, I welcome time to myself. The husband is at work and the daughter is at a slumber party. It is nice to just be here, sitting quietly alone. Well, I do have a somewhat ominous looking poster of Duran Duran in front of me. So, I guess I'm not all alone. The guys are all staring at me as if to say, "What are you doing? Get back to work." :)

Oh- and I forgot about my gatos. They are here with me too. I have three of them. Rio, Winnie, and Tink. All of them share the same last name: "Ramone". I think we should get a fourth cat so that they can form a Ramones cover band. That would be so awesome. I could just imagine a kitty Ramones band. They would play so well. You ever seen a cat bat its paw at something? They can do it really fast- just like the Ramones when they were playing their guitars/drums/whatever. I'd like to see my cats in some jeans, white t-shirts, and leather jackets. lol They would rock!

Anyway.... so, I'm sitting here thinking, "I never know what to do when I actually do have time alone". I mean, when I'm not alone, I can think of a million things to do if I had some time to myself. Now, I have time to myself and I don't know what to do. I've even made lists of what to do when I have alone time. But, I always lose them. :)

I think I'll just listen to some music and draw. My brother has been drawing some cool stuff lately. He's got me inspired. So, yeah, I guess I'll do that. I'm out...

Beyond Mother's Day

I think being a mother definitely affects one's perception. Prior to being a mother, I felt differently toward my own mother. Being a mom makes me appreciate mothers more than I ever did before. As my own daughter grows, I appreciate mothers even more than I did when she was small.

Some of us are blessed to have children who treat everyday like Mother's Day. But, I can honestly say that I have not always honored my mother in any great fashion on Mother's Day (or any other day of the year, for that matter). I guess you don't realize how hard something is until you're in the midst of it. Sometimes, you don't realize it until after you've been through it. Women tend to devalue themselves/their work anyway. Unfortunately, so do many of those around them... often because we (as women) tend to play down much of what we do and others just follow our lead. Mothers are prime examples of this.

Anyway, I find it particularly sad that men often don't recognize all that the women in their lives do. It's especially disturbing when those women are good mothers/wives. Thankfully, we know that God recognizes the work we do.

With all that said, I got the sweetest card from my daughter this Mother's Day. She always makes them by hand... which is always so special. I have such a lovely daughter.

I love that although we look very little like each other... we are very similar in personality/taste/etc. That makes things fun. I love that we can shop together and we both know what will work and what is a definite, "NO way!" lol I love that we have similar facial expressions. I love that we are extremely close. I thank God for that... I know it is a rare gift... though one that I think can be had by many. I think most people just don't recognize the gift they've been given... and so they do not cherish it/cultivate it/etc. I'm thankful that both her and I recognize that gift and do honor it. I hope that never changes.

Mother's Day

I'm not sure Mother's Day is such a great thing... it should be... but,
I don't think it is. How can you possibly do anything to truly say, "Thank you"? I mean, just taking someone out to eat doesn't really quite show enough thanks IMHO. How do you thank the mothers in your life properly? I mean, it's a lot that mothers do for their families. How do you show you care in an appropriate way? Sorry, but flowers and chocolates don't cut it.

Maybe it's best to make everyday Mother's Day. Maybe start taking some of that motherly advice, see where it leads. That could be a step in the direction of making a mom feel appreciated. Maybe help them by doing your chores without having to be asked. Maybe take it upon yourself to plan to do something with her that she wouldn't expect.

I could be asking too much... or am I?

Welcome to Trishology 101...

So, today is our first day together here in Trishology 101. As noted, this is a crash course in mystical spontaneity and paranormal living.
If you haven't figured it out already, that just means that you are
going to be learning about me- Trish... and my ways of flitting somewhat unpredictably through life in ways which seem contrary
to the norm. Sometimes, this is due to pure silliness. Other times
it's just my way of following wherever I feel the Lord leading me.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." - Jesus (John 3:8)

I look forward to many enjoyable sessions here in Trishology 101. Please feel free to leave comments/feedback/love notes, etc.