The Prayer Of The Farm Worker's Struggle

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people's plight.

Free me to pray for others;
For you are present in every person.

Help me take responsibility for my own life;
So that I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others;
For in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience;
So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;
For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;
So we can change the world.

Amen

Written by César E. Chávez, UFW Founder (1927-1993)

news-like things

Some art happened

Self Portrait number 2

me, Jessyka, Mikayla

I have two new nieces! I got to spend some quality time with them on Christmas break, going to see Tangled and making gingerbread houses.

This Friday I am playing my harp with Scott's band (Nighthawks At The Diner) at a teen center show. I am pretty excited, I think it's going to be really fun.

I am starting to volunteer with Quest's children's ministry in the toddler class! Can't wait to start. There are SO MANY freaking babies at Quest. That's the true reason why I go there.

The end.

Wow January

This morning I was so warm in my bed.. Took me forever to force myself to get up and get ready for school. It snowed today! Not sticking on the ground though. I wore: underarmour, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and coat, tights, warm socks, jeans, and warm winter boots and I was still cold. Even inside my classrooms I was cold. I think I have low tolerance for the cold.

It might snow tomorrow. Then the buses will freak out.

It has been quite a while since I have written on here. I guess because since I am not at Mission Year now, most of the people who cared about my blog now can see me in real life. But I guess maybe my team mates (who I majorly miss) would like to read it. Or maybe some other people.. Or maybe no one.

There is this t shirt that I love (from threadless.com the bane of my clothing money) that says "Ironic, Self-aware Narcissism Is Still Narcissism". Haha hipsters, bloggers... Haha me.

My first quarter at SU was fantastic. I got a 4.0 and my classes were interesting. Social Work is so good. Sometimes a little secular (if that's the word I am looking for, which it isn't really).. but I am a reasonable and rational person and I can handle it.

This quarter I am taking two less credits, and yet I have more reading to do...

Every anniversary type day (my birthday, Christmas, New Years, etc) I think of where I was last year. How Rachael stole Malfoy from the toy drive toys for me for my late night birthday celebration the night before Christmas break. "Everyone needs a pillow baby sometimes!". Rachael, I love you.

How we came back from break to a freezing house with no heat or running water. Bananagrams on the hotel room floor. Tara, I love you.

It's been a long time since Mission Year. Life is different. I miss having three other girls all up in my business all the time. I miss all of us riding in that 15 passenger van together all the time. I miss Joseph making awful puns. I miss Andrew.... but not him using my towel (that will never be forgiven). I am poorer now than I was last year. That stipend sure is looking good now.

Peace out. To anyone who actually reads this: enjoy this random assortment of current thoughts.

Rugby

Not the clearest picture, but you get the idea. Yay for contact sports!

Best Books In The History Of Time....

So I was feeling a little nostalgic (along with wanting to avoid my homework) last night, and I decided it was time for a re-read of my favorite books of all time: The Queens's Thief books by Megan Whalen Turner. YES!

There are several reason why these books are awesome, but the main one is her writing style and ability. The most nuanced and sneaky plots (especially in the 3rd book), the funniest dialogue, and the most clever main character of all time. Did I say of all time already? Well, it's true. And I am a book person. A very critical book person.

LOVE.

Sometimes my heart is broken.

Sometimes I think about how screwed up the world is.

Sometimes I think about becoming a socialist.

Sometimes I think about trying to ignore the burden of injustice.

Why did I choose this subject to study? It makes me cry. It makes me feel helpless and small.

Sometimes I think about Elia and the Longview trailer park.

And my Kindergartners, who are now First Graders.

And I want to change the world, even though that sounds dumb.

conservative "facebook friends" and the things they post sometimes..

Kimberly Icebreaker Rixon can feel the feminism, socialism, and (probably not really at all) righteous anger bubbling up inside her... that means that it is time to get off facebook and instead watch Dr Who.

(See the post somewhere down below about not being able to communicate post-Mission Year ideas...)