Little things that make me ridiculously happy

Doing something fun with my brother.

Eating cold crunchy grapes.

Gorgeous weather.

My kitty curling up next to me.

Playing guitar and having it sound the way I wanted it to.

Singing songs for God.

Playing family boardgames (that don't end in tears!). 

Snuggling up with a friend, especially when it's cold.

Writing something, then reading it back over and liking it.

Phone calls from my friends.

Taking pictures.

Having a clean bedroom.

Text messages that say 'I love you'.

Reading aloud, or being read to.

Long, long long, conversations with people I love.

When my shoes match my shirt.

Making someone smile or laugh.

Sleeping in.

Eating food Mom made.

Kisses.

Watching a good movie I haven't seen before.

Acting/performing and getting it so right.

Writing lovey messages on a friend's arm with a Sharpie.

When someone writes a sweet message on my arm with a Sharpie.

Watching a bad movie in good company.

Reading the bible.

Going away with friends.

Listening to a song and pretending it was written for me.

Reading my friends' blogs.

Knowing that even when I didn't have a good day, someone close to me did.

Hugs.

OH MY GOSH!!!

SCOTT PILGRIM TRAILER!! AHH I'M SO EXCITED!! :D

The final book comes out on the 20th of July. Kristen and I are pumped.

KYCK!!

KYCK is on in 11 days!

Ahem... Not that I'm counting or anything. :)

But seriously, it's going to be awesome!! Hundreds and hundreds of teenagers gathering together under Christ, hearing talks from Ecclesiastes, hanging with my SALT people, and making a cool video....

Although, there is one thing that I'm not looking forward to - Garage Hymnal is once again leading the congregation in song.

Now, I don't have a problem with them as a band. I listen to some of their music. It's their leading that I don't like. They plug their album between songs; in fact, a lot of the songs they did last time were directly from their latest album.
Prepare to feel awkward and confused the second their two singers start harmonizing. I don't know how this song goes, so which one do I follow?!

Yes, that's right - they do a whole bunch of songs half the congregation doesn't even know! And they're just ... not the kind of songs a huge group should be singing anyway. They're album tracks, ok?!

I wish they'd just do more regular stuff that we all know and love. They didn't do half of my favorite songs last year either. Very disappointing. Can't even remember what they DID do. Anyway, here're some of the songs I would love to do at KYCK:

 - God of Wonders

 - Indescribable

 - Mighty to Save

 - Take My Life

 - Holding Onto Me

 - Hallelujah to the King of Kings

 - We Belong to the Day

 - Never Alone

 - In Christ Alone

 - Bring on the Day

 - Rock of Ages

 - Blessed Be Your Name

 - Jesus Thank You

 - Shout to the Lord

I was going to highlight my favorites in bold ... but I love too many of them! A few of these are originally Garage Hymnal's. So that's hopeful :)

If you're going to KYCK, are there any more you can think of that you're eager to sing?

guitar...

Gah I wish I had a Maton so bad.

I have a new song list to learn, here it is:

Your Guardian Angel - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The One That Got Away - P!nk
Don't Look Anywhere Else - Revive
Say- John Mayer
If This is It - Newton Faulkner

Hold me to this! I should be able to play at least 1 by the time you see me next... so if there's a guitar around... quiz me. ;)

"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters." - Thomas Jefferson

And if I had one chance to freeze time and stand still and soak in everything....

I'd choose right now.

And if I had one night where sunshine could break through and show you everything....

I'd choose right now.

Stuff....

A list for people who know me. Here are 43 things you may not know....

1. I'm an introverted extrovert ... if that makes sense. I might be the quiet one of the group sometimes, but trust me I wouldn't be anywhere else for the world.
2. My favorite foods are pizza, chicken and potato. Yum.
3. I adore Shakespeare. Macbeth is my favorite tragedy and A Midsummer Night's Dream my favorite comedy. 
4. I can't wait for Heaven!
5. I won't say no to chocolate
6. I hate the way my nails looks and I wish I was brave enough to buy nail polish and paint them ... but people would make a big deal out of me wearing nail polish so I won't....
7. I've always wished I had an older brother.
8. I already wish I wasn't 17....
9. I wish my family played more boardgames
10. I wish I didn't spend so much time on the computer, but due to TAFE it can't really be helped
11. I always sleep with about 3 or 4 pillows
12. I get nervous around big dogs
13. I haven't owned a pair of sunglasses in like 3 years :(
14. I pretty much can only drink milk when I have some form of chocolate to go with it (or milo), but I will occasionally get a random craving for the stuff and down a glass in seconds
15. I love talking about God, the bible, or anything related to Christianity; I'll love it if you start a conversation about it :D
16. I used to dislike getting random hugs from people, but a few certain friends have shaped me over the years and now physical touch is one of my two loves languages (the other being quality time).
17. I can make really awesome chocolate chip cookies from scratch from a recipe I've memorized
18. I basically can't cook anything else!
19. I used to love Pokemon. Don't play it anymore, but I certainly won't diss you for playing it even if you're over 14. Gotta catch 'em all! :)
20. I like looking at people's shoes, and I will often remember what pair of shoes you were wearing on a particular day rather than the rest of your outfit. Weird, I know...
21. I had two rings up til recently ... one I lost down the back of the couch, looked for it it but never found it ... and the other I've misplaced. And now I'm sad.
22. If I'm comfortable enough to bag you out in front of other people it actually means you're one of the people I love most! Sorry. :)
23. When I have a boyfriend he won't have any hoodies because I'll have stolen them all ;)
24. I'm way too picky about the kind of music I listen to ... but maybe that's because it costs so much to buy music these days >.<
25. What makes the most angry is when you pretend like you know what I'm thinking ... how could you know?!?
26. I wish I could play the cello
27. I hate math and can barely do anything mathematical past a year 8 level....
28. I love it when I've spent the day with you and when I get home I can still smell you on my clothes :)
29. If you hand me a Sharpie I promise I will write on you! Hehehe....
30. I hate it when people shorten "I love you" to ILY. There is no meaning in that. If you really love me, tell me, please.
31. I love to eat things for breakfast that aren't breakfast food, ie, cold pizza, leftover macaroni, apple pie....
32. I might complain when we end up staying at your house far longer than we intended because our mums didn't stop talking, but really, that homework can wait ... I don't ever, ever want to leave you!
33. Toy Story, to this day, is my favorite movie EVER.
34. Don't chew gum around me. I hate, hate, hate that stuff. But I guess that's lucky for you because I'm probably one of the few people in the world who won't ask you for a stick of gum. ;)
35. If you ever find yourself saying to me, 'Gee Erin, why're you so quiet all of the sudden?' If I'm not showing signs of sheer exhaustion, this is your cue to realize something is very wrong. I'm either really mad at someone (possibly you) or something's majorly upsetting me.
36. French Toast and grilled cheese sandwiches are the greatest things you can make that include two slices of bread.
37. I consider myself a converter, not one who gets converted, so brownie points for you if you get me into a band/tv show because I'm pretty picky when it comes to that sort of stuff ... blah sometimes I hate my own choices. Anyone have any bands they can suggest to me?? I need new music...
38. I like hanging things on my walls to make my room pretty :)
39. I can't wait for the final Scott Pilgrim book (July 20th, people!!)
40. I can't wait to go to the US but I'm afraid I'm going to get very, very lonely during the six weeks we are gone... pray for me?
41. If you're reading this, I love you :D
42. I love taking pictures
43. I wish a certain someone was here so I could hug them!

"I'll put you in front of me so everybody can see my love."

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

"Come in motherbird, come in motherbird, Mom has pulled a surprise present from the closet ... it's a big one...."

Today was rather mad.

It started with a tiring morning taking Juliette to basketball and back. She's a clever kid. We play games on the bus, and today it was pictionary. Guess the picture one person is drawing before they finish.

So, Juliette draws this:

And I'm like, 'Okay, that's a snail?'

And she says, 'No....' And draws a line from the bottom of the swirl down, thus making it an obvious lollipop.

1 point to Juliette. If she wins, she gets to draw again. So she starts out with this:

So, thinking I was going to win this one I said, 'It's a candy cane, right?' Because she'll often draw things in themes.

But no. She giggles to herself and keeps drawing, til we have this:

A walking stick. Woo hoo ... I lose again.... Clever kid :)

Took Juliette home and walked on to Officeworks to get some stuff printed. Expected it to take a ridiculous amount of time, but the guy there was friendly and quick. Epic win! Got out of there in 15 minutes. Total awesomeness. (There's that word, Beth! :D)

Anyway, saw Kristen today and we got into a great convo about heaven. I can't wait for heaven!

Justin's birthday party was this evening. I'm exhausted, but it was heaps fun. Might blog about it later in detail when I'm less tired. Loved hanging out with Jessie :)

Something that just popped into my head - my current favorited-and-overused word is 'ridiculous'. I've just realized how often I've used it the past few days. Yeah.


In other news ... I have a huge fake tattoo on my arm that slightly resembles the Dark Mark. I'm thinking I should scrub it off before church tomorrow.....

P.S Brownie points for you if you comment on this and tell me what movie the title quote is from.

Charlieeeee

 I love it when he sings!

Non-existent drool-worthy food....

Feeling stressed again ... why is that my stress is always accompanied by loneliness :( And also hunger, at the moment ... *sigh* I would kill for a good steak right now. Hahaha....

And the number of the day is... 8. Even though Justin actually turned 14.

Here is our day of randomness, teddy bears, flowers, swinging, doors in the sky and the number 8. Today was Justin's birthday.

Happy birthday Justin. I hope you had a fantastic day. I did.

Photoless.... :(

I have decided my blog does not have nearly enough of my own photography. From now on, I shall take more snapshots! No more taking my camera around places and then forgetting to capture any photos. Be prepared to see more pretty pics around here ... I hope... :)

Lilly :)

My beautiful girl Emily has a new pet ferret! She is so, so cute. Her name is Lilly. And she is in this picture :)

I love country trains....

Feeling really good today after hanging out with Keira, Jayden and Michal. Gosh I missed them! We had a swell time down in Woy Woy, playing Scattergories and wandering along the beach and through the mangroves. Definitely an awesome way to spend a Saturday. A holiday was just what I needed, even if it was just for the day. I was having such a good time that I didn't take any photos, even though I brought my camera. Sorry about that. But don't worry, Keira took some :) So I shall upload some later, perhaps. For now, to bed I go.

My heart and flesh cry out, for you the Living God, your Spirit's water to my soul

I love the Psalms. There is a psalm for every emotion one can ever experience. And if for some reason there doesn't seem like there is one for the way I feel, I read many and then piece together my own from multiple verses.

Hear my cry, O God;

 listen to my prayer.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, 

 For I am lonely and afflicted; 

The troubles of my heart have multiplied; 

 free me from my anguish. 

On my bed I remember you;

 I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help, 

 I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you; 

Your right hand upholds me. 

My soul finds rest in God alone; 

 my salvation comes from him. 

He alone is my rock and my salvation; 

 He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. 

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

 For you alone, O Lord, 

make me dwell in safety. 

- Verses from Psalm 61, 25, 63, 62, and 4.

My song is love

So, as I've said, I'm now seventeen. My birthday was completely wonderful, thanks to all my lovely friends, and my family.

What I haven't really said is that being sixteen was perhaps the best year of my life. So I thought I'd write a little list here to show you why. Not to mention that I just like lists :)

1. A new house.
In January of 2009 our family relocated a few suburbs closer to the city. One can hardly call where we now live a 'suburb', as there is nothing very burbish about it. We live about as close to the city as you can get without actually being in it. But I love that. I love the busyness of my life, the vibrant streets of newtown and enmore. I love that TAFE is walkable from my house. I can also walk to the movie theatre, cafes, many-a-take-away-food-shop, the grocery store, the library, the newsagent, and most of all 7-11. Yeah it's pretty awesome. And the best part was that I was old enough to start wandering about a bit on my own.

2. NIDA
Some of my best and worst memories of being sixteen come from NIDA. I will name a few of each. 

The best:
- Meeting some fantastic young actors
- Having the privilege of being taught by Paul Caesar
- Learning to be comfortable performing a group dance
- Perfoming on a full stage with music, lighting and set design
- Absolutely LOVING what I was doing
- Having a great time with some people completely different to me
- Learning how to share my faith in small bites with non-christians

The worst:
- Missing out on being in the SALT band, and having to leave church early
- Feeling afraid that I wasn't doing the best I could for God

Definitely more good than bad there.  :)

3. Open Uni
Just a small thing here, but sixteen was the year that I sort of finished home schooling. A neato accomplishment. I took the next step forward in my education :)

4. Coldplay.
Oh my gosh. I need to find a picture to accompany this later. AMAZING. I can't believe this was a year ago. I would see them again right now if I could. And again and again again.

5. Commedia dell'arte
The highlight of homeschool drama that year. I had been dreading it for a very long time, but now it's up there with my best acting moments. Whaddya know. I'd do that again for sure.

6. My friends
Yes, this means you! This includes my family too. I don't know where I'd be without any of you guys. You all mean so much to me, more than I can say. I am so happy to know that you are always there for me, and I love every minute we spend together and I only wish I had more time to spend and more love to give to each and every one of you, because you deserve more than I could ever give you for being such amazingly wonderful friends. I am excited when I know I'm going to see you, I am joyful when we are together, and I miss you when you are gone. If I had room for you all I'd just bring you back to live in my house so I could see you all the time; because I can never get sick of any of you! I love love love love love you all! And this message barely even touched the tip of the iceberg in how much you all mean to me. Don't ever go away. Please stay in my life forever? I just want to keep on writing about how much I love you, but it's starting to get a bit repetitive and hard to read now so I'll stop. xoxoxox I rate you all 5 stars for being top friends. Other people should be jealous of your awesomeness, and I know they wish they had friends like you!!

7. SOC
Not all of this was good. But, seeing as this is a list about the best moments of being sixteen, I will most definitely be focusing on the amazingly good moments/things God gave me at SOC. So here they are:

- God showing me that he always works for the good of those who love him.
- A fantastic speaker who gave us excellent talks from Luke. Dave Miers, you are awesome. You can visit his site here.
- Taking 2,000+ photos on my SLR camera over three days. No joke. That was awesome.
- Having a fun time hanging with all my SALT peeps, and doing ninja secret stuff for people. Plus this epic banner I made for Jono :D
- And most of all, I gained a beautifully strong friendship with Katherine. We've been friends for a long time, but God did something incredible to us over that weekend. Katherine, you bring such joy to me and I love seeing your light for Jesus shine brightly. You are such an encouragement to me and I feel so blessed to have you in my life. You spur me on and excite me about the day that Christ will return, and I am so, so glad to know that you will be by my side for the rest of my life, and into the eternity that we will spend with our beautiful savior Jesus.

8. Baptism
I confessed my faith the year I turned sixteen. I know that I grew far more in Jesus that year than ever had in the rest of my life. Lord, you are my Rock, and my Redeemer. You fulfill all my heart's desires, and I know that with you in my life I will never need anything else. I cannot wait for heaven! The joy I have in knowing you while I am in the world can only be greater when you return. I eagerly await the day, and pray that I can love you and serve you with all that I have in this world, and that this year I can grow even more to know and love you.

So yeah, those were some of the highlights of my sixteenth year. There were many more, but 'tis a tad late and I am rather tired and the little light in my brain is beginning to fade from lack of energy. So I shall say farewell for now. xxx

Well, I'm seventeen now. And I think my days with Peter Pan are well and truly over.

All children, except one, grow up.

They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day, when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried 'Oh, why can't you remain like this forever!' This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.

We're all mad here....

I have the most wonderfully beautiful friends. :)