Happy Halloween

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin

- Linus Van Pelt in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Happy Halloween!

Twitter Humor

We do live in a crazy technological world....I guess this is just a sign of the times :-)

Quotable Quotes

The most difficult thing I have ever had to do is follow the guidance I prayed for.

--Albert Schweitzer

Sunday Morning Baking

Tiramisu Layer Cake made for a friend's surprise birthday party this evening :)

People Watching

As I was leaving the mall today, I was walking behind some parents along with their 4 kids ranging in all different ages. The mall was pretty packed and everyone seemed to be in a rush. The youngest of the kids was this sweet little boy maybe all of 4 or 5 years old who was trying to keep pace with the rest of his siblings. Every few seconds his father would look back to make sure his son was keeping up and ask "Are you okay bud?". At which, the boy would nod while trying to walk as fast as his little legs could take him. You could tell he was getting frustrated because he couldn't keep up, but was probably too stubborn to ride in the stroller his parents were pushing.

Finally upon looking back the 3rd or 4th time, the father stopped and scooped his son into his arms. To see the relief on this little boy's face was precious. He wrapped his arms tightly around his father's neck, laid his head on his father's shoulders, and closed his eyes with a little smile on his face. His body had completely relaxed within his father's embrace.

Seeing how safe and secure this boy felt in his father's arms, it made me think about how much more secure and loved I should feel in our Heavenly Father's arms. Sometimes it's so hard to fathom God's love.....but when I see love displayed with such purity among human relationships, I can only imagine and be amazed at what true love feels like from our Father in Heaven.

Good Eats - The Mission Grill

Dinner Tonight:

THE MISSION GRILL | PHILADELPHIA

1835 ARCH STREET (CORNER OF 19TH & ARCH)

[P] 215.636.9550

http://www.themissiongrill.com/

"refined casual Southwestern cuisine prepared by Chef Stephen L. Regosch"

2009 National League Champions !!

Exciting times for Philly again......next stop: WORLD SERIES :)

Old Words, New Meaning

"Emptied completely" was a phrase I heard during Sunday sermon this past week and all I could think of was "Oh boy, I've been there." Why does God bring us to those moments where the weight of life's burdens begin to crush us? I feel like more recently I've been having more of these moments and of course being human I question why. Why does He strip me bare, make me vulnerable, and empty me completely at times?

It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you're facing a challenge, but the beauty after coming out of these struggles is that His intentions and motives couldn't be more clear. God's love is so great that He cares for my eternal being, and forces me in those moments to not only walk...but run to Him, seek Him out, and to kneel at His feet. What an awesome and loving Father we have to call us back to Him knowing that He alone can offer us the guidance, comfort, and solace we sometimes desperately need.

In a book by Max Lucado called Travelling Light, and under the chapter titled "The Luggage of Life", he writes:

"Come to me," he invites, "all of you who are weary and carry burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). If we let Him, God will lighten our loads...but how do we let Him? May I invite an old friend to show us? The Twenty-third Psalm.

The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil.

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

I've recited this prayer countless times in my life, but a more personal revelation takes place when I recite this Psalm in the midst of a struggle. It offers an amazing comfort knowing that God will "redeem your life from the pit... (Psalm 103:4)" when you call on His name.

Brunch, Broadway, BFF's, & the Big Apple

I'm not a big movie buff or enthusiast, but there's something about live theatre that stimulates the senses and grabs my attention more than any Oscar-worthy movie ever could. Aside from one show I remember that was a little over-rated (Rent), I've enjoyed almost every theatre performance seen thus far.
After being told jokingly that "No 30-yr old should want to see The Lion King", I was finally able to make use of a very generous birthday gift and head to NYC to see the play this weekend. It did not disappoint! The show beautifully captured all of the emotion and drama the original movie portrayed.
When you pair a crisp autumn day in NYC with some great friends, some fine brunch dining, and a Broadway play to boot, you certainly couldn't ask for a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Quotable Quotes

If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, and doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, absent the dread of failure, rejection, and calamity. Can you imagine a life with no fear? This is the possibility behind Jesus' question: "Why are you afraid?" (Matt. 8:26)

--Max Lucado, Fearless

And so it begins....

Having entered a new decade of life this year, and having experienced much already in this lifetime.....I thought a few changes to shake things up were in order. Journaling has become more prominent in my life and entering the blogger's forum feels like a natural progression for me. I've been a lurker on blogs for far too long and so here's to mustering up some courage to start one myself!

I pray that as I do look back on my posts, it is evident that I am a work in progress: a person continually being broken, only to be remolded and reworked in accordance to God's will for me.

Soooo.......to get my feet wet, I thought I'd post something I did on facebook back in January of this year (with a few changes). An introduction of sorts if you will...

25 RANDOM THINGS

1. My favorite color has changed over the years, but more recently it has been white....the purity of it appeals to me.
2. My all time favorite TV show is Three's Company. I really wonder how I came to love it because I'm sure I didn't understand all the innuendo when I was a kid!

3. I am a morning person, I feel the most productive when I can get all my errands done before noon, and then have the rest of the day to relax.

4. My mom's obstetrician who delivered me was M. Knight Shyamalan's mother.

5. I am an Indian rarity in that I am almost never late, and usually have to be 10-15 minutes early wherever I go (annoying to my friends I know:)

6. I have developed a little bit of road rage after living in Boston (loved living there though!)

7. I love to swim and have been swimming since I was a child. However, I'm still more scared of getting into the ocean than most of my non-swimming friends.

8. I love looking at pictures and paintings of lighthouses and have had the pleasure of visiting a few of them. I could stare out over the ocean for hours, it gives me a sense of calmness and peace.

9. I love love love to travel and have been blessed with several opportunities, but I hate hate hate the actual flying part. I love visiting India and have been there 9 times. A few places I've been thus far are the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and South Africa. The places I most want to see next are Italy, Greece, and Thailand!

10. More recently I have been into reading blogs, and have been moved by some of the everyday things that people share. I am envious of those that can write beautifully.
11. I am a closet sports fan and pay more attention to sports than most people realize.

12. I can fall asleep through any movie no matter how action-packed or good it may be (ie. Gladiator, the Matrix)

13. My brother is probably one of the smartest people I know, and also the humblest.

14. The words and prayers of my mother are the only thing that can truly comfort me in times of pain and struggle.

15. The past 2 years have been the most challenging in my life, but the most rewarding. I've learned that God will speak to you clearly, you just have to listen and accept.

16. I have been blessed with amazing life-long best friends who've made my life so much fun to live. The stories and memories that have been created with them are almost unbelievable :) It can bring me to tears when I think about their friendships.

17. I'm mildly ashamed to admit that I know nothing about Hindi movies or the Bollywood scene :p

18. I was surprised that I became a workaholic when starting my career, but have since learned to balance things a bit better.

19. My favorite song is "Right here waiting" by Richard Marx. My favorite quote is by Max Lucado: "One of God's cures for weak faith? A good, healthy struggle." My favorite book..too many...I read alot!

20. I am a worrier....but apparently hide it well to those who don't know me.

21. I get embarrassed easily. No one can embarrass me like my father can...(well actually one other person and you know who you are :)

22. I love anything associated with food (who doesn't really). I love to cook, bake, try new recipes....I especially like cooking for other people. I could watch TV shows about cooking or cooking competitions for hours. My cuisine of choice these days are Latin/Mexican....and my new favorite ice cream is sticky toffee pudding by Haagan Daz...very yummy and addicting!

23. I am very uncomfortable in large crowds and parties, I prefer intimate settings.

24. I love kids and the birth of my baby cousin has added so much unexpected love and joy in my life. The thought of being a mother one day always gives me goosebumps.

25. I am surprised at myself at how little time it took to write these 25 things & that I am actually going to post it. It was actually interesting to do and a little therapeutic. :p