Last Friday, I found out that I was accepted to be an RA for Clark next year. Heyyyooooh!
I can't express how pumped I am to see where God's going to take me for another year in good ol' Clark. I'm anxiously awaiting to hear what section I'll be assigned to. I've already been brainstorming door decs, section events and oh my goodness I cannot wait to get to know 30 new women! STOKED!
Friday night, my community group had a 'film night' as Charlie calls it. We watched 'Centerstage' and ate pizza and cookies and I baked some Snickerdoodle cupcakes with vanilla bean icing from scratch to take over. (be impressed and disappointed that you're not up here to sample this amazing stuff)
Saturday, the rentals came up. We did the whole tourist scene at Fisherman's Wharf and went to the Marina.
That night, I was walking upstairs from the basement and ran into Sara Chao who was on the program last semester. She's a senior at Westmont, I've never seen her before in my life, but we got to talking, made some tea then she asked me if I wanted to go ride the cable cars.
So there we went, around 9:30, riding the cable cars up and down the hills of San Francisco with the freezing wind blowing on our faces as we dangled off the sides. I can't express how cool this experience was, with one foot on the side of the cable car, one arm wrapped around the bar and the rest of me hanging into the street with the wind blowing through my hair and the Bay Bridge alight in the distance. so breathtaking. We stopped at Grace Cathedral (on one of my earlier posts, in Nob Hill) and she showed me that they had a labyrinth outside next to it. Can I just say a labyrinth at night is one of my new found favorite things? Definitely going back ASAP.
And if you don't know Sara Chao, go find her, she's pretty great.
Sunday- I took the parents to Reality, then to Irving Street Cafe, the zoo, the mall and a steakhouse. On the topic of anteaters, have you ever seen one? Not like a cartoon one, like in real life. Such strange looking animals.
That night I spent some quality time in the laundry room working on homework, as there were far too many people in the house (8 extra people for the weekend). I thank God everyday that I'm on a semester with only 10, my introverted self would not have been able to deal with 25 other people roaming around. Anyways, laundry room. I love the smell of clean laundry, and the rumbling sound of the machines operating, perfect homework spot for sure.
Monday, breakfast with the parents, then I took off on my own adventure once they left. I went to Goodwill in downtown and found some sweet deals. 2 VHS's for the house, a book called 'The Quotable Saint', a coffee mug and a member's only jacket all for $11.45. Then I found a pair of nike free running shoes on my walk home. I know, I know, used running shoes sitting on the side of the road, gross Jessica! No hear me out. They're in super good condition, they're blue and they're only 1/2 a size too big. I washed them on heavy duty and put a ton of Tide in, so they look pretty darn new. So if you're still grossed out, oh well. Awesome find as those shoes run close to $100. Got to love SF 'freebies' on every corner.
Tia and I went to see a movie at the Roxie. It was called 'Without', for the SF Independent Film Festival. It was interesting. We went to Mitchell's afterwards, this amazing ice cream place in Bernal Heights.
Tuesday all the busyness of the weekend caught up to me and I got sick. blah. I did manage to grab breakfast with Kristyn, Katie and Rachel around 11. Chai latte, chocolate croissant and granola from this french cafe in Hayes Valley, La Boulange Bakery. yum.
Then I slept until 6pm, but don't worry, I feel great today :)
Wednesday.
For those of you who didn't go to Chapel today and are out of the Christian community bubble, it's Ash Wednesday. I went to a service this morning with Maddie, Kelsey and David at 7:30. It's been awhile since I've been to a Catholic church service, but it was a great way to start the season of Lent with this liturgical, structured service and with the reminder of ashes placed on my forehead.
So this year for Lent, I'm following a devotional that Not For Sale has created. I found out about it from this amazing woman, Saskia, that stayed at the house the first week we were here. She works for NFS in Amsterdam. Anywho, here's the plan if you're interested, I know it'll be a struggle, but a good one. :) Oh and Saskia's blog is also something I recommend checking out.
Today's devotional addresses Isaiah 58 on 'True Fasting' and I just wanted to share this part that Eddie Byun says:
"In God’s eyes, true fasting happens when
we give up our right to take care of ourselves by taking care of those who are oppressed
and in need. True biblical fasting is giving up the bread I would have eaten, and instead,
giving that bread to the hungry. The fast that pleases God is when we use our freedom to
fight for the freedom and justice of others. The greater blessings of God await those who
learn that true fasting is about loving God and others."
I really miss chapel, honestly.
"Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross."
All day, that's been stuck in my head. Lauren Martin, I'm dying to hear you sing it.
Whether you participate in Lent or not, I hope you take the time this season to prepare your heart for what God has planned for you.
This past week, I've really been taking in opportunities to explore and just people watch. I love people watching. The Sociologist in me comes out too often in this area. Often times, when I know I have time to kill, I'll let my bus pass by (sometimes more than once) and just watch the people walking by or the people sitting near me. We had to write a paper for English last week, and mine has to do with one of my experiences:
The Bart Station
Grey, cold cement encompasses the long narrow platform. They wait. Scattered about on benches, leaning against poles, holding up walls. Standing, sitting, shaking; silently, they wait. Cigarettes are lit, smoke engulfs the air. It billows up, then down and disappears. They stand next to each other, share the same bench, bags touch, yet distance has never been greater between them. A humming comes from down the platform, the ground begins to shake, an ear splitting rumble consumes the air. Yet no one looks up. Heads stay bent, focused on the object in their hands. Glazed faces, deep dark eyeliner, pale skin, downturned mouths. Hours, weeks, years appear in their faces. A past not yet told, but so clearly felt. An unspoken weariness takes over. A thick blanket of stillness encloses the air as time slows, as thoughts form behind dark eyes. They sit, they stand, they stare. Silence.
Dark coats, jackets, bags, shoes. A blur of neutral tones: blacks, browns, beige, tan, navy. A yellow hat catches the attention in this sea of gloom. Tattered, worn and stained with a stripe of brown across the top, it bobs in between large black umbrellas, floating across strong currents of heavy raindrops, drowning beneath the weight of darkness, then pulling towards the surface, like a light in an abyss. Carts, suitcases, oversized bags, backpacks strewn over laps. Wheels rattle on the rocky sidewalk as belongings are dragged after feet running. The stillness is consumed by the rush of time, the flash of reality approaching, the weight being lifted from the air. The Bart accelerates toward the station, rumbling the tracks as car after car pass by. A stream of silver and black rush past. Behind the glass they form a large blur. Dark coats, arms reaching for dark bags. Faces begin to form as the vibrations taking hold of the ground soften and the cars lurch to an abrupt stop. They file out, pushing, moving in haste towards the platform, towards reality. Pigeons scatter, bringing a gush of wind sweeping over the cement block. Dirt, plastic wrappers and smoke fill the air. Their feet flock after a departing bus.
One of them stares, not moving. Sitting, watching the collision of feet, wheels and boots along the concrete, funneling into the car ahead. He takes out a small bag of crackers and slowly raises his hand to his mouth. Chewing he takes a few more, scattering them onto the cement in front of him. The pigeons furiously flap their wings in desperation to come to the man’s feet. Pecking in haste at the crumbs offered on the cold cement.
The man rises to his feet, grabs his cart and pink umbrella and gradually makes his way to the departing bus.
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