Let Hope Rise.

Summer seems to already be winding down. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been in Austin all summer that made time fly by, or if there was some other factor I’m unaware of, but I can’t believe my summer is nearly over. I have one day of work left at my internship at the ARCH, which I’m really going to miss. It was a bit chaotic and messy at times, but working there has been one of the most edifying and rewarding experiences of my life. The people I worked with are some of the most dedicated in this city and the clients are some of the most hopeful people I’ve met. It was a true joy working there, and I’m so grateful I was called to stay in this city.

This weekend was the last one of the summer in Austin, and it was a strange one indeed. Vanessa and I got lost and basically took a road trip through central Texas on Saturday but it was a great and fun mess. Today was an interesting day of new places and faces, and lots of little reminders that God isn’t ignoring my prayers.

I leave for San Diego for the Fourth Estate in a few days, and it’s crazy to think the time has already arrived! I remember getting ready for the 25 event on April 25th, and seeing the Fourth Estate video for the first time. I thought there would be no way I would be accepted, but I was. I thought there would be no way to pay for it, but there was. And now I’m packing to go on this conference. I’m stoked to learn about all the teachings they have to give us and to go back to Cali after a long 12 years of departing it. It’s going to be an experience of a lifetime I’m sure, and I hope to bring back ideas and plans for the future.

There are a lot more things I want to say but can’t find the words to write. The main point I want to get across is this: people will always fail you and there are times when you feel like the world is literally pushing you down into the ground and it’s black all around and no one cares about you and there is nothing but bad things left for you. But God will never fail you and when the world feels too heavy He takes the weight for you and when you feel caught in a dark abyss He is there to bring in the light and bad can’t even exist because the Father is there watching out for his children. But God. Such a simple phrase and one that changes everything. It’s so so so easy to focus on the negative, the bad, the extremely horrible things of this world. Society shapes us into seeing the bad and taking the good for granted. I challenge you to only notice the good things, to always be happy even when it’s a struggle, and to know that through it all, there is a better and brighter day ahead. Nothing can stop you from being happy, except yourself. So let the love of the universe fill you up and the evil of the world have no place in your heart. Love is good, and love is real.

It’s Good to Be Home.

Weekend:

Wait outside Polvo’s in the cold for two hours.
Southside after failed attempt at Polvo’s.
Getting fancy with Dirty Third.
Fun night. Lost phone.
Wake up. Brunch.
Reminisce.
Condo hunting.
Found phone.
More fancy times with Dirty Third.
Brunch. Dojo’s. Reminisce.
Five hours of homework.
ASCC. Huddle.
Coachella plans.
Good talks. Good friends.
Classes. Homework.

And repeat.

The LRA, tennis, and high standards.

I’m astounded of what happened yesterday as The House discussed the LRA Bill. They passed it unanimously, finally giving all of us who have been praying for it to go through. I personally went to my representative and a Senator to discuss why they should co-sponsor this bill, and it is miraculous to see my efforts producing results. I watched C-SPAN live as representatives across these states supported this bill and talked about the electrifying organization that I am so passionate about: Invisible Children. Everyone has worked so hard to get this bill (and war) noticed and for people to act on their apathetic feelings. I grow more and more in love with IC’s work and the people involved in it. The roadies are back at headquarters and the Ugandans are all back home. I truly love those guys and gals and I hope to see them again someday. The times we hung out and stayed up late talking about who knows what, going to Deep Ellum and tattoo shops, eating Indian food and going to Inwood… Those six people will always hold a special place in my heart because their drive, passion, and spirits are so unique and inspiring. I love each one of them. I also love all my friends who have helped out with any IC work and to those who have attended screenings and benefit shows (and the artists who performed). I cannot say it enough, but I am immensely grateful. I cannot wait to continue the IC journey at St. Edward’s in the fall.

In other news, the athletic banquet was the other night and of course, once again, tennis was not invited. The three time district champ tennis team is not considered as part of athletics, because apparently tennis is not a sport. As much as I love Texas, I truly despise the lack of enthusiasm for other sports and the atrocious love and attention American football receives. (I will never forget how my principal went to the JV football game last fall instead of coming to the first IC screening I hosted). But maybe that is just me setting high standards for people.

I find that I set unreasonably high standards for my friends and those around me. Maybe I just expect a lot out of people, but as Mike Dsane once said, I believe a person should have passion in everything they do. Without passion, there is a lack of care, and to me, that is no way to live life. My family has always expected only the best out of my sisters and I, so I took that into the world outside my household and found out to be quite disappointed. Maybe Austin will prove to be different.

I leave you with this quote that I heard Anthony Bourdain say on his show while eating in Japan:

“I went to brush something off my cheek, and it was the floor.”

We Could Be Heroes.

Berserk, ballistic, haywire, CRAZY. I applied for an internship with IC in the communication department a few days ago. For those who know me, you know that this has my name written all over it. I’m a journalism freak PLUS I bring up IC in every conversation, even though most of you get sick of it. I am a relentless fool and I hope it will be beneficial for me. I have have have have have to get this internship. No lie, I’ve been wanting this since last summer. I can feel myself being in San Diego right now, with a bunch of other determined souls like my own right now, working with IC to achieve what needs to be dealt with: ending the war in Uganda. I know I’m right for this job and I’m nervous for the competition I’m up against, but I know if I’m meant to get it, I will. I’ve been counting down the days until I find out about it…73 more days!

Applications make me nervous. I wish all applications could be with human contact, face to face. How can you like me through words on a piece of paper? Hopefully I’m a decent enough writer to have some sort of impact on all the things I’ve applied for. It’s such a game, trying to be accepted into colleges or jobs or scholarships, or whatever it may be. Life just seems to be one massive game, and humans play along unaware of how demeaning it can be.

Visiting St. Edward’s at the end of the month to hopefully persuade my parents to let me go there. I love Austin. Love love love. I’m reading a collection of Kurt Vonnegut’s short stories and man, they’re terrific. A good book can always solve problems temporarily. Also, I’ve become re-obsessed with Moulin Rouge. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack every second of the day and pretend Ewan is singing to me. Elephant Love Medley, Your Song (originally by Elton John), Come What May. Greatest love songs ever written.

Life is hard.
Life is good.
God is good.

Let’s Get Physical!

I finally joined a gym (thank you mom and dad for paying for the membership).
People on my tennis team will most likely laugh when reading this because I am one of the most lazy and frail people they know. But all this is going to change. My nickname Hulkoni (given by Riz who is the only one that can call me that) is going to slowly become true.
Besides my new workout regime, the gym is becoming my new favorite place. Sure it stinks, it stinks really bad, but everyone is there for the same reason; to be healthy. This thought should probably stay in my head with all the other voices, but I’m going to say it: there are too many overweight people in this nation and I’m tired of looking at them. There I said it. And as amazing as Texas is, it’s disappointing to know that we are the fattest state in America. Teensy bit horrific. But back to my point, the gym is marvelous. I love being able to be on the elliptical and watch the news or tennis or soccer, and do weights and challenge myself. The only thing that worries me is sanitation. There are so many sweaty hands over all the equipment. I feel like bringing a Lysol can with me and spraying each thing I touch before I lay my hands on it. Especially those vinyl seats. Hundreds of peoples sweat is just absorbed in there, ready to attach to the next person. But the thing about the gym is observing everyone doing their little routines. There are the big meaty men who are in the back, lifting weights twice the amount of their body weight, looking at themselves in the mirror, with a puddle of sweat around them. My question to these guys is the same as comedian Kevin Hart: What do you with all that muscle?  The only reason someone would need to be that big is if they are competeing in the Strong Man competition or if they are in training for UFC. Otherwise, the excess amount of muscle is useless. If you have the much muscle and you’re a cell phone tech, you’ll most likely crush the equipment with your absurd muscles (I love Kevin Hart, please watch his I’m A Grown Little Man sketch). There are also woman versions of these types of men. These ladies are ripped enough to pass off as a guy. This lady was leg pressing 900 pounds. Why, why, why. I also love seeing people sitting on weight machines, just looking around, swinging their legs and arms like a little kid. The majority of the time they are either 1) bored and don’t want to try anymore 2) did too many reps with too much weight and are now realising it was a bad idea 3) clueless on what to do. Gym people are always interesting. I truly love it.

So I just got back from seeing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and it was decent. IMAX theatre was nice but being in a normal theatre would have sufficed. If you don’t know by now, I hate Megan Fox and to have to watch her in this movie, with her horrible acting and fake lips, was very difficult. The comedic relief was at a high percentage, and Shia LaBeouf was bombass. I still like the first one much more but this was a fairly good sequel.

Going to Austin tonight and coming back around midnight the next day, then one more day in Garland, and leaving for Virginia on Tuesday. I’m very very very very excited. Very.

I think it is quite funny that I still have faith in people, especially those who have broken all bonds of trust. I need to be smarter when it comes to people, because they love to find a fool, use them until they’ve torn them down bit by bit, and leaving the broken pieces and pretend nothing is wrong. People, please don’t fall for others’ tricks. People are tricks. Girls and boys both.

I would like to take a poll and see what people have to say to this question:
Is Katy Perry prettier than Megan Fox?

Austin.

I love our state’s capital. The most eccentric place in Texas that I can think of. Yesterday was extremely lengthy and tiring, but we got a lot done. My sister’s new apartment is ready to be moved into after many signings of legal documents. As I type, I’m sitting in our hotel room looking at downtown Austin’s skyline. So beautiful. Even though last night there was a nasty storm, it was still magnificent. Yesterday included our four hour drive, meeting with crazy Christina and getting apartment details finished, chilling in our hotel, driving around Austin, eating at Chuy’s, going to little knick knack stores and boutiques, then walking through crazy winds and driving back to the hotel.

One particularly funny story includes a golf cart and ibuprofen. My sister’s new apartment is very far from the leasing office so they insisted taking us on the golf cart to see her place. On the way back, our very crappy driver was going over a speed bump and my sister fell, ney, FLEW off the back end and landed on her bad ankle in a near-splits. Horrible, painful, yet knee-slapping hilarious. Only downside is that she’s all bruised now.

My sister will be living here for at least a year, which I’m happy and sad about, because for the past five months she’s been at home she’s become my best friend and we’ve done nearly everything together and now that she’s not gonna be home, I’m not quite sure what I’ll be up to. Interesting summer ahead of me….

Austin is gorgeous, and although I’m an Aggie at heart, I love Austin. I’ve been wearing my Aggie gear and I don’t plan on changing it just because I’m in a Longhorn environment. If I get jumped, so be it. Just kidding, no one would ever purposefully hurt me.

Congress Avenue is beautiful. I love how it looks as if you’re driving straight into the capital building when driving down it. Amazing restaurants, scenic views, and even the people look interesting. I nearly took a picture of an adorable elderly couple, the guy who looked like Christopher Buckley, and the woman who was half the size of him.

One downside from this trip is the Rot Rally going on. Thousands of bikers gathering for some event involving their love of motorcycles. It is rather intense, and quite bothersome. My sister would pick the one weekend that they are having this annual collaboration.

Bikers and golf cart accidents aside, I love Austin. If I had to live anywhere in Texas, it’d be here. End of story.

P.S.
Everyone please watch Hangover and Terminator: Salvation. Incredible films.