End of another year...

Can you even believe it?!? This has been one of the most eventful, exciting, and crazy fun years of my life. I have literally traveled the world, adjusted to my new home, developed some new incredible friendships, maintained friendships with my california amigos, spent another year working for starbucks, bought my first brand new car, and created some memories that will never be forgotton. My Grammy and Poppy moved out here, Gramma and Grampa surprised us all for Dads 50th bday, had a fun girls night out at the irvine spectrum with my favorite cousins, bonded with my sisters more thru dance parties, game nights, cooking, shopping trips, fights that turn into tears and laughter, and now playing Wii games together, almost all of my favorite friends have come to visit me... wow. I am so thankful for each and every moment, good and bad and the ups and downs I have been blessed with. it has been quite a year, trying at times to say the least, but the good times outweigh the bad by far and as this year comes to a close I am excited beyond belief for what this new year holds. I have new friends to create new memories with, a few trips to look forward to, a second job to be thankful for, 20lbs of europe weight to lose, my friend Mike back on american soil...lots to accomplish and lots to look forward to!

Thank you to all of you for being such a big part of my life. Love you all!!!

Happy Monday!

Good Monday Morning blogworld!

What an absolutely FABULOUS and beautiful fall carolina day!!!! Its been a really good past few days...Working a lot, spending time with good people, reading some good books...
Yesterday I spent some quiet time in my new favorite place, Blythe Park...took a book and sat in the sun for a couple of hours by myself just enjoying the scenery and all God has given me. Then went to lunch at a nice italian place with Blake, caught up with Lauren at Starbucks and had a wonderful pasta/wine/baked brie dinner with Mayya, Jo ellen, and Veronica. I love my friends!

It has been a great week...bought my very own BRAND NEW 2010 toyota corolla!!!! Finally a big girl car!! Got the big girl bills to go along with it but hey, gotta grow up sometime right? Getting my financial ducks in order, working hard to pay the bills, and being oh so thankful for all I have been given. My soul feels refreshed these days, something in me has changed for the better and I love it :)

My friend Christina is heading to Africa in a few days on a mission trip...her generosity and giving spirit has really got me thinking that I would love to go to Africa someday. Hopefully someday soon! The heartwarming stories I have heard about the sweet people that live there would really be humbling and good for me I think. Prayers for her safety would be wonderful!

If you havent already, read Kristi's latest posting... (Kristibowers.blogspot.com) GOD IS SO GOOD! Get chills and teary eyed every time I think about what He has done in her life. Continued prayers for the health of her family is so appreciated, the power of prayer is more incredible than any of us know, and our family has gotten a firsthand glimpse of Gods power this week. Breathtaking!!!

Well I am going to lounge around for awhile with my pup before heading into work, I hope that all of you enjoy this pretty day, whether in carolina, california or elsewhere...Love you all so much!

My Everything.

Find me here, speak to me

I want to feel you, I need to hear you

You are the light that's leading me to the place

Where I find peace again

You are the strength that keeps me walking

You are the hope that keeps me trusting

You are the life to my soul

You are my purpose

You're everything

And how can I stand here with you

And not be moved by you

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

You calm the storms and you give me rest

You hold me in your hands

You won't let me fall

You still my heart and you take my breath away

Would you take me in, take me deeper now

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need

You're everything, everything

You're all I want You're all I need

You're everything, everything

(Everything by Lifehouse)

My God is so good. I cannot emphasize that enough. So amazing how at a time when I have every reason to be so down, He gives me peace, healing, comfort and a reason to wake up smiling in the morning. Really not anything that can be verbalized, just a peaceful feeling. A feeling that I am so incredibly thankful for and a feeling I want to share with everyone. Definitely needed to go thru everything I have to bring me back to my knees both literally and figuratively, to remember that when all else fails and there are worldly inconsistancies that One will be consistantly there.

Praying for my sweet cousin Kristi tonight, for a peace and relaxed state of mind as she has surgery soon. And, for her family to find healing from all the yucky sicknesses that are going around. Love you Kris!
Also for Mikey as he finishes up his tour, and all my friends who are struggling to get through school and find good jobs. I am missing home and all of you so very much, but really do think and pray for you by name daily.

For the first time in a long time, I have no idea what is next for me. I hope for a new career, more travel opportunities, to meet "Mr Right" etc etc...but I am doing my best to have patience and faith that everything will fall into place as it should. As it always does.

Opening in the morning, on that note, i am getting to bed early. Love you all so very much.

Times like these

So its been a crazy past week. Emotional ups and downs, lots of tears and hard work, but times like these really force you to take a look at yourself and dig deep, ya know? In the midst of dissapointment and stress I am proud to say I have spend a good amount of time with God and taking time to be selfish and work on myself. I am so very far from perfect as hard as I may try, and it is just thrown in your face hard sometimes that everyone messes up. I am very thankful for my great support system of family and good friends who love me unconditionally even when (especially when) I make mistakes and bad choices. Not to say anything lately has been a bad choice, I am very happy for my relationship, all I learned and the friendship(s) that was/were developed.

On another note, heard from Mikey! He gets home the first week of next month and I am so excited to catch up with him. So glad he has made it thru this crazy time safely and sanely as possible. His plans now are to go to law school and he says he wants to run for senate...if anyone can do it he can...gotta love the political man that is Mike Cicerone! haha.

Workin on planning my next trip, VEGAS and CALIFORNIA end of february with Lauren! ALL MY CALIFORNIA GIRLS...get your lil butts out to vegas and then help me show lauren a good time! Gunna do all the touristy stuff..Laguna, Hollywood, San Diego...etcetc. WOOWOO!

anyways, time for wine and cheese with my friend Jo Ellen...will try to keep up on this blogging stuff:)

love you all!!

Been Awhile...

I am so bad at this blogging thing. Ever since getting backf rom Europe its been one thing after another...getting really sick, my boyfriend getting sick, working too much, trying to catch up on sleep and sort out all the incredible things I experienced abroad...exhausting to say the least. I experienced a bit of post vacation depression, as you do with any huge lifechanging event and growing/learning experience. Part of the reason I haven't gone into much detail about my trip with anyone. It is frusterating to have experienced such incredible and breathtaking things and not be able to find words to describe the emotions I have felt. Its almost like Lindsi and I have this special bond through the experience we had traveling the world and it is our private special experience. Now ay to share what we went thru with anyone else as they werent there and couldnt possibly have experienced all that we did. So I apologize for the lack of what may seem like excitement, I am still pinching myself over this trip and wishing on a daily basis I could take a handfull of you all and go back and do it all over again. I would in a heartbeat.

Linds and I did great together, got along perfectly, had the best conversations and got so much closer thru the vacationing together. She is without a doubt my best friend and will be forever. So blessed to have her in my life!

Again, sorry I am having trouble putting everything into words. Its still just overwhelming.

Other than Europe and trying to pull myself together I am doing well. Just enjoying the changing of the leaves, new friends, and spending time with my fabulous boyfriend. Couldnt really ask for more! We are going to Myrtle Beach this weekend to spend Blakes birthday with his family...I wanted to throw him a party but he just wants to do something low key with his family and me. I think itll be fun regardless, we always have a good time together.

Oh and Grammy and Poppy moved out here! It is so cool having them literally down the street from us!

Prayers for my sweet cousin Kristi would be appreciated...she has been sick and dealing with a lot. Hopefully this will be a week of answers, but prayer for her that she would find healing and peace would be great.

Well I am off to work another looonngg day, makin that money money! Gorgeous day out today, hope you all have a great Monday!

Bon Voyage!

This will most likely be my last post before leaving for Europe...so much to do still and just praying that it all falls into place as planned.
I am so nervous/excited for all the traveling, growing and learning Lindsi and i are going to do this next month. I am blessed beyond belief to have this incredible opportunity!

I am going to try to send out emails as much as possible to keep everyone posted on our whereabouts...will not have a phone but will do our best to keep in touch!

I want to say thank you again to everyone who has made this possible with words of encouragement, early birthday money, and above all prayers. It is going to be the trip of a lifetime that I cannot wait to share with you all. Will miss my family/friends/Blake so much but its going to be amazing! As you can tell I am pretty pumped :)

Wish you all a safe, happy and healthy September! Please please feel free to send me an email at B_green927@yahoo.com to keep up on my travels!!!

love love love!

So much to do, so little time...

So much has happened in these past couple months, I really do not know where to begin. Should've kept up with my blog that's for sure...but life happens, you get busy...

Lets see, went to CA, had a great time catching up with family and friends. Little exhausting and a bit of a stomach bug hit me, otherwise was a perfect perfect trip.

I feel as if I have finally adjusted to this place, enough to call it my home. Its a scary thought really, and overwhelming to think of what has gone on this past year alone. More growth and change on my part in these past few months than I could've imagined. I am excited to report that my Grammy and Poppy recently bought a house out here and will be living about a mile from us as of next month! God is so good, this house of theirs was seriously made for them. So cool!

In case you haven't heard/seen pictures, I have an amazing boyfriend, Blake... My southern gentleman. He and I have the best time together, from vacationing at the beach, going out on the lake with friends, cooking together or just putting on PJs and renting a movie...its so great. He is such a blessing and I adore him.

My big birthday trip to Europe is right around the corner! Less than 2 weeks, I cannot even believe it. Hoping everything works out smoothly and we don't run out of money while we are there. Prayers for a safe and smooth trip are so so very appreciated!!!!!

So recap...Have the best family and friends ever, love my boyfriend, excited to travel, oh and got a tattoo :)

Continued prayers for Mike in Afghanistan are so needed, I hear from him every once in awhile, he is a trooper with such a great attitude.

Love you all and will try to be better with this bloggin stuff!!!

excited&BLESSED!

Another aamazingly gorgeous Carolina weekend, and can't help but be reminded of how incredibly blessed I am. God is SO good, words cannot even begin to describe. I have been given the coolest opportunities and and starting to develop some amazing new friendships, it is amazing what happens when you learn to just let go and let Him work. I am a completely different person than I was this time last year, a better, more mature, patient and more faithful person. Still incredibly flawed, but accepting of my flaws and able to be content letting God do His work in my life.

I bought the new Rascal Flatts CD, and theres a song called "Things that Matter" that I love. Download it/read these lyrics...

Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head
He can’t see past that mountain of deadlines on his desk
5oclock he’s that last one out of the gate
And he gets cut off flipped off ticked off out on the interstate
And he wonders why this world won’t leave him alone
Till he hears that little voice holler “daddy’s home”
Things that matter
Things that don’t
She’s held on to that grudge all her life
Had thirty years of anger
Since her dad walked out that night
She thinks of all the moments that he's missed
All the birthdays ballets first dates
That seems too much to forget
She gets that call that said he don’t have long
She walks in
He starts crying
The past is gone
Things that matter
Things that don’t
Time ain’t on my side
Don’t want to leave this world
With why didn’t I?
Why didn’t I?
Yeah why didn’t I?
Sometimes I take on this world by myself
Thinking I got all the answers
Don’t need anybody’s help
Well God was right there waiting for me all along
To fall down on my knees surrender all
Things that matter
Things that don’t
Things that matter
Things that don’t

Such a good song. And I am excited to be seeing them on August 1st here in Charlotte with my new friends! Going to be so much fun!
In addition to having that to look forward to, I am going home in about 2 weeks and absolutely cannot wait!!!!!! Going to be so good to see family and friends!!! Prayers that that trip goes smoothly..
Then a month of work work work, and then EUROPE with my best friend. Cannot believe it is coming up so quickly. CRAZY!!!
I am seriously so blessed and excited for all the awesome opportunities I have coming up. Takin life a day at a time and enjoying every minute of it.

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend, look forward to seein my CA/OK family and friends soon! LOVE YOU ALL!

Heads Carolina, Tails California...

MAN it has been a whole 23 days since I have last written...I know, I know, I am slackin! Keeping busy though which is good. Lets see what has been going on over here...
Well, my Kelley Anne came out and visited me! We had a great time...went to Lazy 5 Ranch, out tubing on the lake, went uptown for Taste of Charlotte and to a couple nightclubs. Then Justin came up from South Carolina for a couple days and we BBQd and went to the theme park out here, Carowinds. It was such a nice weekend with my friends!! Hangin out with them made me realize how homesick I am...how much I miss the beach and my best friends back in CA.
I have made some great friends here, finally got out and went on some dates, been exploring my new home and loving it. Got to be the Esthetician for another "beauty party" at my neighbors...building up my clientele doing facials and waxing! Yay! Have the opportunity to get an assistant manager position at a starbucks out here which I may take advantage of for the time being. Save some money, enjoy the south...who would've thought I'd end up country!
I booked a trip back home on a whim this week...going to be back in good ol OC mid-July for a week. I love California summers too much to stay away! Not to mention all my incredible friends. Having a beach day July 17th at Laguna main beach...Be there!
Well going to cuz this short, gotta catch up on The Bachelorette! (Priotities, ya know!?)
Hope y'all are doing well, will write more later in the week...
OH PS!
saw my first fireflies!!!! They are the coolest stinkin things ever!!!!!

Strength Will Rise As We Wait Upon the Lord.

Patience. A daily struggle for me. I sit here typing on a brand new laptop because I dropped my trusty toshiba (RIP ALL my pictures, music, school stuff... sad face..) and could not wait to get another computer. I didn't have the patience...didn't have the patience to share my family computer a mere 20 feet from my room...didn't have the patience to save up for the macbook I reallllyy wanted. Patience, as you can tell, is not at all my strong suit. Oh well. I will continue to work on it...

I love the Chris Tomlin song "Everlasting". Download it if you haven't heard it. It is like a breath of fresh air. A reminder that patience pays off, and that God will be there forever and ever, regardless. A nice peace to have knowing that when everything else is fleeting, there is one and one alone that will never be broken down. I have been faced with the challenge of losing friends this past year, as well as learning to trust new ones, and it is tough stuff. But striving to be more Christ-like in my daily life really has made a difference in my relationships and the way I view people; individuals. It is really cool and inexplicable.
I was over at my friend Ambers apartment the other night, sitting around the community fire pit with an array of different people of different ethnicity's and upbringings...and some of us got into God conversations, topics of upbringings came up, and hearing these stories and testimonies just got me thinking and verbalizing how astonishingly thankful I am for my functional family. If you haven't had the pleasure of getting to know my family, you are missing out. My parents are hands down the best parents anyone could ask for. I can say this in retrospect after years of temper tantrums, "i hate yous" and arguments. I can honestly say my parents are my best friends, and it is because of the love they have for God and eachother, and the morals they committed to instilling in my sisters and me, even when being the "cool parent" would've been so much easier. They didn't give up. They didn't give in. THAT is what makes all the difference.THAT is what is so rare to find these days, THAT is what I want. I want someone who loves God with all that they are, someone to hold accountable and pray with, someone to pray for the family at the dinner table and lead a life that is one to be proud of. I am so thankful that because of my parents and the faith they have shared with me, the bar has been set higher. SO thankful.
I just got distracted...remembered I need to go write some thank you notes...Mike sent me the softest blanket ever from Kyrgyzstan (SP?!), and his mommy sent me some pictures of him all dressed up handsome in his uniform...He's such a trooper.
Man, another scatterbrained and less than eloquently written post...forgive me as I have been up since 4 am. About bed time for me!

If you are reading this, I really appreciate you taking the time to read about my random ramblings. And if you have been given this site by me, please know that you are extremely important to my life, whether living 5 minutes or 5 days away. You are a blessing to me and I love you!

:)

Good luck to you all as the summer approaches, whether you are finishing up school/teaching, or just preparing for a full summer of work or being home with kids...praying for and thinking of you.

3 Months and Counting!

Just a little over 3 months til my big Europe trip with Lindsi! Words cannot express the excitement and nervousness I have about this trip... I have traveled a bunch these past couple years without my family/with friends. But going on a month long trip to many countries with my best friend...going to be the trip of a lifetime without a doubt. I CANNOT wait!
I am most nervous about packing lightly, those of you that know me well know that I like to look cute and match and all that girly stuff...definitely not going to happen on this trip. And you know what, I am going to learn how to be just fine with that! :)
Bought a gown for formal night on the cruise though, it is GORGEOUS. Definitely flatters my body type and is all black so i can dress it up fun...will post a picture below with a bunch of pics of the places I am going that I googled!
So heres a basic summary of the trip...
Sept 2...Fly from Charlotte to Reykjavik Iceland...then Iceland to London on sept 3
Enjoy London for couple days
Cruise from Sept 5-19th to....
Amsterdam(Netherlands),Brugge(Belgium), Paris(France), Cork(Ireland), Santiago de Compostela(Spain), Lisbon (portugal), Gibraltar(UK), Barcelona(Spain)Cannes(France)Florence/Pisa(Italy) then land in ROME!
Spend a few days in Rome...Vatican City, Coliseum, Pantheon..all that awesome stuff.Then going up to Florence/Chianti Valley for a couple days...
Then overnight train ride to Munich! Traveling Germany, Austria maybe Switzerland for a week while staying with Lindsi's friend. Spending my 21st birthday at Oktoberfest in Munich!
Flying from Frankfurt back to Charlotte on Sept 29th..
Then hopefully having a lil bday cookout at my house to show off my pictures and share foreign wine and chocolates with my NC friends :)
I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity. God is so good!
Heres some pictures I googled of a few places I am going...*BIG BIG SMILE!*

















As you can tell I love food. That is probably on the "top 3 things I am most excited for" list.
If any of you have been to any of the places I am going, I would absolutely LOVE any tips/pointers/info you have to offer! :)
Hope you are all having a great week!

Pay it Forward.

Imitating Christ's Humility

¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

We studied this in church this morning. It really stuck out to me...this is how I WANT to live my life. I WANT to be that light...to fully embody it, exude it, and put others needs above my own at all times. And not just when it is convenient-I want to do it when it is most inconvenient because that is what Jesus did for me. I am sure it wasn't on the top of his "what I'd like to accomplish today" list; to die a horrible painful death to save you and I, but he did it. I feel like for the first time in a long time, no, the first time in my entire life, I can fully say I surrender ALL and mean it. I can fully ask for forgiveness for ALL of my sins, even the deep dark ones I have been hiding afraid to expose, and say take me, love me, use me for Your will. There is no better feeling than making someones day with a random act of kindness. That is what I will strive to do every day, put a smile on when I don't feel like it and go out of my comfort zone to serve others, just as Christ did for ME.

The Greek word "Chara" means to have joy and a calm delight, and the word "Phroneo" means to have a single minded focus and attitude (On GOD). And the word "Doulos" literally means to be a slave/servant. Those words mean so much more when put like that...we hear the words joy, serve, attitude on a regular basis, but when tied together and the root word exposed, along with the passage above...It has such a deeper meaning. My pastor, Mike, did a great job explaining this concept today. There was a story I heard at chruch...a couple was out walking together and got stuck in the middle of a massive downpour. And instead of being grumpy, they looked at eachother and laughed, and enjoyed eachothers company while walking in the rain. The analogy that was given is that we are all facing storms at some point in our lives, and sometimes its best to just let it happen, understand you can't fight it, find something to smile about. I can honestly say my cousin Kristi has done this and been the best example of what it means to strive to be like Christ in difficult and trying situations. (read just a bit of her blog and you will see what I mean...Love you Kris!) THATS what I want to do...

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...

Unwritten.

I really love the lyrics to this song...

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

<3

Lots goin on!

Man it has been one crazy and awesome past week!! Went to my first NASCAR race! I must say, I am a fan now. I know, ME?!? Lil Miss make fun of those nascar lovin' hicks?! Yup. At least, being there is awesome. It is quite a rush, hearing the cars, watching the people, meeting new people..so fun!
I was running all over the place, went with Amber and her friends and then saw my friend Jordon for awhile...Dad and Tiff were there somewhere too but didn't end up meeting up with them. Was a great time!!!!

Got an informative email from Mike today, it is very intense and things are going to get crazy for our troops quickly here...Considered posting it for prayers, but I believe it is too much info to just be posting online. Sent out an email to some family, but if you are interested in specifics and what to look out for and pray for, feel free to contact me and I can pass along what he sent me!!

Its another gorgeous day...gunna grab some food and catch up on some shows. Heres a couple picstures from the race saturday...Will write more when I am not so exhaustedd!

Have a great week!

Beautiful day at the Biltmore!!

I had such a wonderful day today!
Jo Ellen and I went to the Biltmore House in Asheville...it was amazing! Weather was perfect, not too crowded, got to tour the amazing house with an audio guide, spent hours in the garden, hiked beautiful trails to a waterfall, went to the winery and learned all about the wine making process, then ended the day with an amazinggg dinner at the Arbor grill. Its seeing things like I saw today, the natural beauty and the architecture that has withstood decades, that just confirms my faith for me yet again. How can one see the beauty of this world and not believe in the Creator?
My God is an awesome God.
Take a look at a few of the breathtaking things we got to see today...

Things I love!

Jesus.
Music.
Dad. Mom.Tiff.Nat.Brooke...Family.
Calamari Lillian.
Beach.
Sun.
Trees.
Lindsi. Kelley. Jacqueline.Mikey, Garrett...Best Friends.
Letters in the mail.
My bed.
The Bible.
Writing.
Amber, Kyla, Christina, Jo Ellen, Nick....New Friends.
Laughing till your stomach hurts.
Simply Cuddling.
Carolina Winters.
Makeup.
California Summers.
Green tea lemonades&Iced coffee....starbucks.
Hawaii.
Forehead kisses&big bear hugs.
Random acts of kindness...giving and receiving.
Traveling.
Marilyn Monroe.
Food.
Martini Glasses.
Cooking.
Tubing on the lake.
Feeling pretty.
A good workout.
Giving massages.
Water.

Random? Yes. Just thought I would share some things that I love love love!