Ah, a kitchen.

A college girl's dream: a kitchen.

I'll be learning my way to relatively clean, simple, fast cooking for one. And cheap. Let's not forget cheap.

Mornings: smoothies in my new magic bullet :) I'll have to get creative with those! But, a simple strawberry, spinach, protein powder, and frozen banana smoothie should do for a few days :) I'll be testing out some other recipes--one including mango and cayenne pepper! I'm excited for that one!

Lunch: Salad or sandwich at Cathacart. (Unless perhaps there is something desirable on the hot line.)
and apple sauce--with lots of cinnamon. I don't know why I love applesauce so much, but I do.

Snack: apple, banana, protein bar, or almonds...

Dinners... (I only really need 2 or three! plus maybe a small post-workout snack)
       omelette with peppers, avocado, and a wee bit of cheese :)
       salad with chicken, feta, raspberry vinaigrette dressing and maybe chop up some apple on it.

I bought some oatmeal, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds to have on hand. First of all I love oatmeal. Second of all I love pumpkin seeds in oatmeal. Third of all, sunflower seeds are pretty cool in salad.

Time to build my kitchen repertoire. I bought a few seasonings too :) I already had cinnamon because....I love cinnamon. But I also got Italian seasoning and cayenne pepper! Figure I'll buy one or two every once in a while. Kind of expensive stuff in such a tiny jar, but I suppose it lasts a really long time too :) And a small bottle of olive oil...

$40. I'd like to get that number down once I get the basics stocked. Since I'm not having to eat at home a bunch (still have the normal meal plan) I don't need to buy too much stuff. So if I just work on getting some basics and buy a few seasonings here and there so I can actually do something other than a smoothie ;) But hey, it's good good. I just put some chia seeds in it too ;)

A New Chapter

This weekend, I'm moving into a new home! No more college dorm. Hopefully will solve whatever was causing me to look like an alien in the morning ;) God worked things out so smoothly and has provided in such a great way!

With that, I'm sad to leave my roommate and unit. As well as campus life and the conveniency of living on campus. Also, some new responsibilities will come in--cooking for one! Have to say, I'm pretty excited about that one. My goal will be to have basics on hand that I can food prep once a week to make meals easy. Want to keep my eating simple and clean--oh and cheap! Other areas of organizing my life--gym time, study time, boyfriend and friends, etc. Should be fun :)

I believe it will also be a time for me to grow spiritually in a different. I will be removed from all my friends and that will remove (well, alter) my temptation to constantly be on the go. I really have to guard against getting too busy in my life. I can be such a Martha--constantly doing something, saying something, worrying about something. But, I desperately have to remind myself to slow down and breathe. 

I'm really having to force myself to remember God's goodness, faithfulness, promises, and sovereignty. 

I often say, I take at least an hour to actually settle down to do homework or spend time with God. 

Sad, I know. 

I took this week off from the gym because I haven't been feeling too strong and thought it would be wise to give it all a rest. Sure, my body feels okay with the break. But, my heart and soul are so refreshed. I often have to keep it all in perspective as sometimes I allow the gym or my body to become idols to me or to measure my worth. Balance is so important!!

Well, now hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep :)

Here's to a new chapter!

Christ is enough.

Passionless Pursuits

Right now, I'm in my junior year studying psychology. Today I wanted to give up. I wanted to quit and go somewhere that I felt I would matter, my niche. 

After finally getting my new military ID, eating some chipotle, and crying and not being very nice to my incredibly patient boyfriend, (maybe the ANOVA calculations got to me, or maybe it was just my weekly breakdown) it was time for my experimental psychology class. 2:15-4:30, twice a week, in a cold room, with a very peppy and intense professor. 

After a 35 minute lecture on page 1 of chapter 3 we had a 5 minute break before a special speaker was to come. Of that five minutes I texted my dad and was questioning my major, my direction in life, and all my frustrations regarding such decisions. 

Once my five minutes was up, I entered the frigid room sat down and God renewed my spirit.

The woman explained her dissertation and it inspired me. Finally! Something that mattered! 

In the tedious monotony, vision fails. My zeal and passion waned. On top of that, my purpose, my "niche," is still yet to be determined. I don't know where God will take me; I'm still discovering my passions and what roles they will play. 

However, God is sovereign and knows the end. He will lead me and I must follow in faith.

Also, I have a mission now. My mission is to do my work joyfully. I am to serve others now. I am to love and seek Christ and give praise. 

Right now matters. 

Today should not be a passionless pursuit, but a stepping stone-- a day filled will thanks, service, growth, joy, and excellence.