I AM THE ONE


You are Neo, from "The Matrix." You
display a perfect fusion of heroism and
compassion.


What Matrix Persona Are You?
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My brother called from Germany in the middle of the night (: HE'S COMING HOME!!! BUT, he said it would be easier if we didn't try to come down and see him since it's a holiday weekend and travel will be a nightmare AND he would like to spend some quiet time with his gf. My parents understand completely but it's KILLING us that we can't see him yet!! not only THAT but I leave tomorrow . . . I won't get to see him for 1-3 weeks. ): Life is so weird. Anyways, I am soooo happy that he's home. (: Really happy. And he'll be out of the military in 90 days! civilian again. I hope he's ok . . . ok, well, had to spread the joyous news. (:

I've had some fun these past few days (: I spent the day with my dad yesterday. I know some of you know of his crazy religious journey, but yesterday we focused on the Catholic side of things and his attempt to become a Carmalite Monk. It was so fun to hear. We even visited a monastary. Anyways, mostly we had lunch and a long drive. Talked Watchman Nee and CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein and all those good fellows. Then my cousin and his gf came over for a barbeque that evening. I hadn't seen my cousin in years and never met this girl. But I've not had a more delightful evening in a long time. Celina (gf) and I talked a lot--she was really precious (: And my cousin turned into quite a guy! My dad and he ended up being great pals by the end of the evening--even went golfing together at 7AM! I seriously had a lot of fun . . . family can be such a blessing. And then today was my little brother's half day at school, so when I got back from my interview, we headed to X2! YAY! I was so happy to finally see it (: Was too fun going with james. you just gotta see that kind of a movie with a little bro. it's the rules. So I feel happy and refreshed. Really dealing with feeling like I can't leave home right now--too much at stake. I could get this awsome job and start right away. My dad is excited for me either way, but my mom says that one will always have a job. The oportunity to enjoy a college course, like I'm looking forward to doing, will not always be available. I really do look forward to applying myself to this course and relaxing in my own room--quietly studying and reading and listening to loud asian tunes and dancing to 80's rock and having parties and . . . I digress. Anyways, God is so good and I am excited about life (:

Neen, I miss you too ): Jen, I hope trainging week went better than you could have dared to imagine. Vieve--WAAAAAAA you are almost gone to india ): I am praying hard for you. mike--stop reading my blog. Dad--I can't believe you remembered the URL. Chris--stay cool. All you other freaks and weirdos who read my blog without me knowing about it, take it from the master-stalker and KEEP AT IT NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY!!! WE'LL NEVER GO DOWN!!! jk love you all (:
mary

Halle Berry is a mutant--no one can be that pretty naturally. And Priya was right--Ausie guys rock.

Yearbook

I was looking through my first Simpson yearbook tonghight and was suddenly full of gratefullness. I've finally been there long enough to feel secure in who I am. I can remember being in awe that some people even talked to me. I can remember the day-to-day discomfoirt and awkward outcastish feelings I lived with. I couldn't handle that for an hour now! Sure I grew, but I am so glad to be through that (: I was everyone's friend and even more people's slave. (: I wanted to be accepted and joyful and never EVER let down my guard. It was not my home--I was simply allowed to stay here by these beings of a higher order we refered to in hushed tones and whispers as "upperclassmen." It's like I didn't deserve my own self-esteem--I had to earn it along with the right to call that school my home.

Spending the last few days with really old friends made me realize that that's how I'd lived my life. I'd never felt like I fit or that people were accepting me simply because. I was always trying to make them feel better about themselves. That's why my closest friends are in my family. They were the only one's who I allowed to love me simply because they loved me.

I suppose it was hanging out with Neen and Jen last weekend when I suddenly realized that now I have friends that are my friends because we are friends. (: We know each other's faults and weeknesses and we don't always like each other! I can't tell you how happy that makes me (: I love that I have been a creep around them and that there are so many reasons they have for not being my friend. (: I love that I know their faults and love them anyways.

And then when I look through a yearbook full of faces that I know, I'm suddenly not intimidated anymore! I suddenly feel that it is my school too and I can be me there. I don't have to sacrifice and suffer just for the sake of being accepted. And you know what? In this freedom is the freedom to really pour myself into others. It's not all about me making them feel good. Now it's about me doing God's best for them if He calls me to do so. It's about Him working in me whatever way He chooses. And it's especially about me letting Him bless me with the most precious family of friends ever (:

My mom is prejudiced when it benefits her to be so. I found that out today when my dad was telling me about a guy that wanted to meet me. My mom broke in and said, "but Mary! He's WHITE!" (:

SOME thought it wasnt "fair" to have just a photo of Jennie up, so, after much deliberation and without permission from the others, I have decided to post some snap shots of us--not including Jennie sice you already saw her. Here they are.

Snapshot #1

Snapshot #2

Snapshot #3--we were in Interpretive Dance 101 together

Snapshot #4--us durring cultural-awareness week--trying our hands at butter-making?

Enjoy (:

Tonight Neen made a breakthrough--she attended the first JJA meeting--held every night, online. Jamba Juicaholics welcomed her and she told a sad, sad story of her struggles to get back on the wagon and go strait. As a success story that moved the rest of the group to tears and snores, we encourage neen to start her own blog for others who are Juicily challenged. So what do you say, neen? Will you or will you not answer the calls of your fans and START A BLOG?? *points mic to crowd"

*NEEN NEEN NEEN NEEN NEEN*

Lemme use this time to give a shout out to all my peeps and homies in Training Week right now. WUDDUP DAWGS--YOU GO GIRLS (and guys)

live it for da girls back home, g's (: We luv you.

My roommate (: Jennie Baumeister. Don't ask, just enjoy the pictures. ):<