hawaii | one month down

And many more to come.  I've been here a month and it's been a challenge, but a good one.  It has also been a fun adventure of hiking, swimming and exploring.  I've met cool new people, but I miss the old and constant.  I have explored remarkable mountains, but crave the hills of home.  

But remembering, thanks to a lovely note from Jen friend:

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure."  Psalm 16: 5-9

nashville

fun areas to live:

- 12 south 

     steven foster apt: unique and cute
- belmont
- hillsboro
- sylvan park

- green hills
- west end 

     chowning square apt: huge | best for 3 room/ppl | right next to bus stop (which is free for vandy staff)  i live here and LOVE it!

- east nashville

     a little further away, but it has a ton of character if that is something you are looking for

coffee shops:

we have a lot of independent coffee venues in town.  most notable are fido, bongo java, and crema.  if you prefer starbucks, you won't have to look far.  they are everywhere.  also, if you prefer to make your own, a great local roaster is drew's brews (found in many stores here, and DELICIOUS).

eat your way through town:

- 12 south: tap room, burger up, edley's bbq, las paletas

- hillsboro village: fido, jackson's, boscos, pancake pantry, dog of nashville, zuma (sushi)

- sylvan park: local taco, star bagel, sylvan park restaurant (meat + 3)

- east nashville: marche, silly goose

- other: samurai sushi, baja burrito, woodlands indian, calypso cafe, kalamatas, loveless cafe, etc.

beer:

12 south tap room | yazoo brewery | jackalope brewery (started by two vandy students) | blackstone brewery, boscos

parks + hiking:

- radnor lake, percy warner park, edwin warner park, centennial park, richland creek greenway, to name a few.

music is everywhere:

mercy lounge, the basement, and the ryman are all great places to see a show.

this is by no means a comprehensive list, but it's a starting point!  hope you all enjoy this town!  i know i do!

you're beautiful

nature has always been a source of awe and inspiration in my life.  it's the place i see and experience God most clearly.  if that experience were able to move from my heart to a song, this would be it.

take heart

John 16:33 (NIV)


“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


I was reminded of this verse Thursday night when I went to see Hillsong at Lipscomb with the Medders and Jules.  It is so powerful and so encouraging!  It doesn't promise ease in this life, but it does promise peace through Jesus.  Triumph!  Victory!  More simply put...Love.

love created me: to relate

I am so thankful for these ladies. Each different. Each strong. Each vulnerable. Each loving. Each willing to share these pieces of themselves with the other.  Each part to form a whole. 

ooooh, i like you....

bind my wandering heart to thee

oldie but goodie. the perfect prayer for today. thank you, sufjan, for the reminder.



lyrics:

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

a little squirrelly

this made me laugh and laugh and laugh...

from national geographic picture of the day

all about chemistry

1. mix 4 talented musicians in a beaker.
2. add 2 amateur but amazing nerds.
3. place beaker on bunsen burner and turn on the heat.
4. slowly pour in 2 video masterminds, 1 stylist, 2 wives and a security guard.
5. after all above elements have been combined, remove beaker for cooling
6. add a dash of laughter and friendship
7. enjoy the refreshing compound known as "gentle giant"



a product of the nobility

an apple a day

I just read this article on NPR. Now, I've never been a huge fan of Steve Jobs (Chief Exec. of Apple), or at least his business practices. However, he is a human being, not a company. And as such, his privacy is just as important and relevant as everyone else. So, lay-off, you crazy shareholders! Give the man some prayers and encouragement...not rotten apples.

spanning time

national geographic picture of the day - 061209

sweet couple holding hands after all these years. love love.

i've always wanted a parrot

new career opportunity? i think i would look good with an eye patch.

i miss you...

kauai, hawaii (feb 2009) - sunrise

putting the "recess" back in recession

Me, Jen and Jerry had a joint birthday party. We are all now in our 30's, so we decided to have a 1930's themed gathering. Here is our "serious" group shot. So fun!


photo by jen mcdonald - jenmphotography.com

birthday ecards from dear friends

tanner


alicia


david


jerry


foyster


jen


mindy

don't monkey around

or he will get you...


a mandrill monkey from central africa

from national geographic's "picture of the day."

salvage mission

i watch this almost every day. i don't know why. but i think it is a super neat video and song. hope you like it!

i want to eat you

because you look like an ice cream cone!

seriously, how awesome would it be to see this in person? so neat!

st. basil's cathedral / moscow, russia (by j. cobb)

the amazing grace

in o holy night. one of my favorite christmas songs. i can almost never make it through the song without tearing up. ridiculous, but awesome! the words are so powerful and so amazing.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

if you need to reach me, i'll be under that rock over there

this guy, karl fisch, puts these information videos together. sony adapted one for their executive meeting in rome this past year. wowzers!