Connecting and reconnecting.

So this weekend I went on a roadtrip to Denver with a few friends to see a hockey game -- the Colorado Avalanche. It was, oddly enough, the quintessential college roadtrip. That's what one of my friends and I decided. We drove hours to get there, got bumped up to better seats (CRAZY cool), saw an absolutely stunning victory (overtime AND a shootout!), stopped and took some random pictures along the way, and now I'm in the midst of an all-nighter to write a paper. So worth it. =o)

On a random note, I'm sick of not having the courage to listen to my own heart and do something about it. Now's the time for that to change. What fun are regretful "what ifs"?

I've been touched again by "First Time" by Lifehouse over the past week, especially after this weekend, so how 'bout some lyrics?

We're both looking for something
That we've been afraid to find
It's easier to be broken
It's easier to hide

[Chorus]
Looking at you, holding my breath,
For once in my life I'm scared to death,
I'm taking a chance letting you inside.

I'm feeling alive all over again,
As deep as the sky, under my skin
Like being in love, she says
For the first time
Well maybe I'm wrong,
But I'm feeling right where I belong
With you tonight
Like being in love
Can feel for the first time

The world that I see inside you
Waiting to come to life
Waking me up to dreaming
Reality in your eyes

[Chorus]

We're crashing
Into the unknown
We're lost in this
But it feels like home

[Chorus]

Like being in love she said for the first time
Like being in love can feel for the first time

Fall(ing).

I adore this season. I always forget just how much I enjoy inhaling that unmatchable smell of the leaves that are lying on the ground in wait, just inviting everything from being raked to being crunched under shoes. The colors and the way they creep in and merge and coincide with one another, slowly seeping into unsuspecting green leaves, leave me in awe. I love the blemish-free blue skies, freed from the patterns of intruding white clouds. I almost hesitate to use the word "crisp" to describe things outside of the food realm, but the breeze truly holds a crisp aspect to it as it whisks through my hair while I walk around campus. I can't help but take a deep breath and smile, relishing the splendor that is autumn.

I've come to the realization that I am afraid to fall again. Wait, no, that's not it. I'm afraid to fall for the wrong thing again. I don't want to put my heart on the line even in the slightest bit anymore if it's not going to be worth it. It goes deeper than not wanting to be hurt anymore though by somebody who turns out to be a jerk; I don't want to be a jerk to any guy again. After some conversations with a few close friends, I've come to understand a little bit more about myself though, and my dating tendencies, and I don't know what's worth it any more and what's not. I keep praying for God's will here, but I can't help but hope that I don't end up having to wait years for the guy who is worth it. I've given up my idea of being engaged by the time I'm out of college, but it'd be nice to at least have something by graduation so I don't feel like a total failure at this game.

~"In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds morning, and is refreshed." [Khalil Gibran]~

Little kids and love.

What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . .

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.


A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think.


'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.

So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.
'

Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.

You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.
'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.
'

Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.
'

Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.
'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.
'

Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.

My Mommy and Daddy are like that.
They look gross when they kiss'

Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
'

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.
'

Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.
'

Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.


He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.
'

Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.
'

Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.
'

Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.
'

Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.
'

Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.
'

Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.
' (what an image)

Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.
'

Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.
'

Jessica - age 8

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.


Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.


When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

'Nothing, I just helped him cry'