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2010-12-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Journey's The Thing

2010-04-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least. Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp. Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age. Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions. Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself. LIfe is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks. Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, twi business and two health goals for the next 1,5, and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer. Visualize your eventual demise. It can have an amazing effect on how you live for the moment. The pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness. Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to. Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life. Do one thing a day that scares you. Take various vitamins, you never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health. Dance, sing, floss and travel. Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters or floors. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter. Creativity is maximized when you're living in the moment. Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them. Friends are more important than money. Don't trust that an old age pension will be sufficient. Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water, Vancouver will do nicely. Stress is related to 99% of all illness. A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress. Observe a plant before and after watering and relate these benefits to your body and brain. SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin. What we do to the earth we do to ourselves. The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought. Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of every word. An agreement is an agreement only if each party knows the conditions for satisfaction and the time is set for satisfaction to occur. Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocrity is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life. Successful people replace the words 'wish', 'should' and 'try' with 'i will'. The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement change will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW.

I'm not saying I believe each statement is true, just interesting thoughts that I liked.

"We are not human being son a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a Human journey."

Steven Covey

Christmas Tree Fau Pax

2009-12-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

After we had been driving into the mountains for well over half an hour, Lauren begins reading the printout from the forest service... she looks up and says "Oh! We can actually only get permits on weekdays... also it's "recommended" that we have an all wheel drive vehicle.. isn't your car all... and we don't have anything to tie the tree down with"

After a few wrong turns, stopping at an automotive shop to get bungee cords and convincing the fire chief on duty that he really should give us a permit even though we are slackers, we finally hunted down a tree and successfully brought the first ever Dexter Family Christmas tree home!!!

NRC Gallery, First Friday Art Walk

2009-12-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Maybe 3 months ago I met some friends at an Irish Pub to go on the first friday art walk, I mentioned wanting to intern with a photographer to start learning about the art. They said we'd swing into a gallery and meeting one of their friends. I met Neil Corman owner of the NRC Gallery in the Highlands and met with him a few times to talk about just such a thing. Neil has been kind enough to let me put my photography in his gallery for this First Friday Art Walk. It's on 42 and Tennyson from 6-10 December 4th. What an honor, it blows me away that I'd have this chance. Stop in and see everyone's work, it's really great.

Published Photographer :)

2009-11-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

My very first photo was published today!! Hoooray. Ok I know I'm still a total amateur at this but how exciting to have anything want to use my photo. Go check it out if you are so inclined.

Uptown/City Park

www.schmap.com/denver/introduction_neighborhoods/p=2018D04/i=2018D04_23.jpg

Maroon Bells

2009-10-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Our last chance to glance at the Autumn amazingness.... and it had already come and gone :( The bells were still awe inspiring and we had a great hike. This big blue jay kept following me up the trail, he was gorgeous and I caught a snap of him. We toured the farmers market and took a walk in search of colors... eventually just headed out and some yummy Himalayan goodness in Frisco.

Moab & Arches National Park

2009-09-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

Another adventure with the girls! We left Friday for Moab Utah... We camped with a bunch of other people right on the Colorado river. Saturday morning we got up and headed for Klondike Bluffs. Caylan wanted us to go ahead and so Lauren and I took off up the slick rock, looking at so called Dinosaur tracks :) and in search of the flinstone house. We veered right and headed up to the trailhead at the rear entrance to arches. No one behind us had seen Caylan so we decided to hike and thought we'd meet her back at the car. We hiked out to the overlook into Arches and took pictures etc.. We headed back down and Lauren kept crashing. When we got to the car there was no Caylan or a note or a bike... nada... we started to panic!! We just left our friend in the desert, with a bike that shouldn't be out there, and only one water bottle hanging from her handle bars!! I checked my phone and she had left a message that she was lost but was with a tour group and they were bringing her back! So she got a free lesson and we got our friend back safe and sound. Close call!

We then headed to Arches National Park and hiked to several arches. Our favorite being the Pine Tree Arch. We were going to go for a dip in the Colorado but the temperature dropped and we watched some eagles instead. Cooked up some killer fajitas the 2nd night and had to move our tent because the nearest tent was snoring like a chainsaw! Sunday morning we left bright and early, visited Moab and the cute love muffin cafe. On our way home, going through Glenwood Canyon we stopped and hiked Hanging Lake which was fantastic!! Bright green water, and waterfalls, fish and changing trees everywhere. Amazing. Was glad to shower when I got home.

Felicity

2009-09-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

It's become a tradition in our house... I was so resistant at first, I mean come on a coming of age series from forever ago.

Eventually I knew what was happening just from being in the house and wanted to spend time with my roommates, slowly I got sucked into the drama....

And now, we watch felicity together at least once a week. We rent it from the Library and laugh and just enjoy each other and this fun series.

Call me crazy for watching it or sentimental for loving this time with my roommates so much but I won't soon forgot these little things, it's part of what makes our time together so special. All the little things we do together. Love you girls sooo much!

Veer Zaara

2009-09-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

My first true Bollywood movie!! For those of you who don't know Bollywood is like Hollywood only in India! They actually produce wayyy more films than we do in the states and are very famous with the rest of the world, just not so much in America.

This movie was fantastic!! Although there is a lot of singing and it is quite fun to laugh at all of the cheesy dialogue etc... I loved every minute. The story was so great and I loved the cinematography and colors and dancing...

I don't think this will be my last.

Fishing At Fairplay/Eagle Rock

2009-09-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

I went to the little town of Fairplay Colorado which is very close to South Park where the cartoon got it's start. The drive over the pass was so amazing, the fall colors against the brilliant blue sky were breath taking and I had to stop several times to take pictures.

Lisa and I fished the lake all day, I learned to drop a nymph off of a wet fly and caught my first two brown trout! I caught 11 small fish the whole day and just had a fantastic time. It was so good to go fishing again, I have a lot to learn about Colorado fishing but it reminded me I just need to get out!

I also saw the cutest little German Shepherd/Husky mix puppy who was 7 weeks old and I wanted to take it home!

Tour De Fat

2009-09-19T21:15:00.003-07:00

The New Belgium Brewery puts on a tour each year and everyone dresses crazy and rides their bike to the event. There is a parade of all the costumes on bikes and then they have many entertaining things to watch and be a part of, such as a conglomeration of random bikes that are very hard to ride in a ring. You can go and try to ride them or just watch everyone else and laugh. Spur of the moment a group of us threw on some crazy clothes and headed over. It was a wonderful time... The best outfit was a guy in a wedding dress :)

Steamboat Springs

2009-09-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Lauren, Caylan, Sejal, Renee and I all went to Lauren's aunt's house in Steamboat Springs Colorado for the weekend.

On the way up, we stopped in Idaho Springs which isn't much outside Denver and got some beverages, I got hot tea and as we drove away I was playing with my phone and not paying attention. The tea spilled in my lap because I was holding it between my legs... it was scalding hot and I was screaming and trying to get my jeans off. My legs were badly burned and blistered and I had to sit for 3 more hours in the car on a wet seat with no pants on with a burning leg :( Good news is, it's almost completely healed and can't tell much happened, it was very traumatic though. I can guarantee I won't be putting hot tea between my legs ever again!!

We spent the weekend mountain biking in aspens, having lazy days reading books and watching movies, we went to italian food at Mambo's one night, and we cooked mexican another night. We visited a waterfall and the best of all we went to strawberry hot springs just at dusk and spent the night talking and laughing and playing games.

Camping In Nederland and Tubing Golden

2009-08-23T19:02:00.003-07:00

Caylan, Lauren, Rachel and I decided to do a camping trip after work on Friday. We headed out to Nederland to find a spot. As dusk was approaching we pitched our tents and started a fire. I haven't been car camping much, but I haven't been with a more prepared bunch of girls. They had fire starter and wood, gourmet sweet potato chips and organic cheese crunches and totally decked out for reeses smores... not to mention the loads of Corona LIGHT!! We cooked gourmet burgers over the fire, laughing the night away and looking at the fantastic stars. The next morning we cooked bacon and eggs over the fire and headed for the river to clean up. We tubed a stretch of river in the middle of golden and got all the ash and dirt off of us. The water was freezing but well worth the fun.

Bierstadt

2009-08-23T19:02:00.001-07:00

Mt. Bierstadt is one of Colorado's 14 thousand foot peaks. I suckered 4 girls into going up it, early in the morning... even the crazy Beagle came with us. We had a great start and then the altitude and vertical hit me like a sledge hammer. I felt like I could barely move my legs and just kept telling myself, one foot at a time to the top. It was a fantastically beautiful day and hike. Lauren and I were the only two to summit and as we waited for the others, we despaired of them making it. We headed back down, running and shimmying over boulders and found the disgruntled pair at the bottom. My 3rd 14er and a huge success. Note to self, not everyone likes 14ers :)

Climbing Clear Creek

2009-08-23T19:01:00.004-07:00

Lauren, and I went for a climb just outside of Golden in Clear Creek Canyon. Both of the routes I did had small overhangs, not what I am super good at. Although I attempted and conquered both. The second one took me a while longer, and much angry words and hanging, once I surpassed the overhang it began raining and the rock became very slippery. I had to hang out for a while until the rain stopped... needless to say I was over it by then. Always good to push myself and go with people who far surpass me.

Rapids vs. Chivas

2009-08-23T19:01:00.003-07:00

My first MLS game. We went to Dicks Sporting Goods Park where we play our own intramural games and watched the Rapids play the Chivas. Rapids won 4-0! It was a really windy night and the hot dogs tasted like Ramen noodles but I had soo much fun. Before we got in, I made a mistake as to which night we were going and had to stand in line at customer service while they figured it out. We missed the first goal :( The Chivas then played Spain the next week and were giving them a run for their money... way to go Rapids :)

San Fran IACA

2009-08-23T19:01:00.001-07:00

Went to San Fran with the new office, Incredible Smiles. Had a great time with them, we wandered around the city, went down to Pier 39, took a red bus tour, and mostly listened to dental lectures. My family came and picked me up for an afternoon and we went to Golden Gate Park and saw the cliff house. It was stunning, it's where an old pool house had been and an impressive cliff house from horse drawn buggy days. It had burned in a fire and the pools had crumbled in an earthquake but all of the ruins are still there.

Redecorating The Room

2009-08-12T14:38:00.003-07:00

I decided I finally wanted a room! I only had a few mattresses tossed on the floor and the rest of my house was so much "home" that I had to do a transformation. I decided to invest in this and worked extra days. I sold my desk on craigslist and got to work. I got a mirror and duvet cover, a bed, a few plants, a new desk, curtains, shelves, art work... and the hardest of all a huge world map which I had mounted that takes up an entire wall!! Tomorrow I get the map as the finishing touch and then I will post a pic. Never thought setting down roots could feel this good.

Paddle Boating Wash Park

2009-08-12T14:38:00.001-07:00

The big D for Danin and J-rad for Jerad took Mckrai and I out paddle-boating at Wash Park and we had a blast! Danin was stoked about our sun roof on the vehicle and I was more concerned about not getting the nasty water on me. We didn't last long as we soon discovered it's a bit boring, then we played some frisbee where I decided it was a good idea to step on a bee!! Grand finale, Sushi!!! Great day!

MON......TUCKY!!!

2009-07-29T10:05:00.004-07:00

The Bonus trip was off this year, but never fear.... I planned on doing it anyway. My fearless roommie Lauren and I hopped
in the car and made the gruesome drive from Denver to Kalispell. We stopped in Bozeman for a bit of climbing with the Ochsners and visited Plonk while
enjoying the amazing company of old friends. The next day we stopped in Lakeside for the end of the Awaken gathering.

Then the trip really started.... we got all our gear sorted in the parking lot of West Glacier and biked the first 16 miles of our

trip with around 25 lb packs on. We stopped at Lake McDonald for Huckleberry ice cream and views and camped at Avalanche, where we saw a bear! We slept without a tent that night bc we didn't have room for one.

Bright and early we headed up Going To The Sun Pass. Another 15.7 miles from the campsite to the pass, 7.8 of which were a steep climb from the loop to Logan's pass, with an elevation gain of 3,493 feet!! At the loop we decided climbing with the heavy packs was too difficult and we off loaded our gear to a nice elderly couple with a red truck. They took it to the top for us but we had forgotten to take water or food with us! When we got to the top we were exhausted and famished. I scarfed large amounts of food and fell asleep on my belly in the sun while tourists stared on in disbelief. The lovely melody of swiss alpine horns lulling me to sleep. (The results of this sleep I am still paying for with triple tan lines on the backs on my legs, not to mention the severe burn I had the rest of that week). When we woke we were far from finished for the day and though a bulk of the next 18.2 miles was downhill I was over it and so was my rear! When we arrived at rising sun the road began a gradual up and down again requiring us to use energy we didn't have. And so at the end of the trip my bikometer read 53.9 miles! 37.9 of which were all in one day and al 53.9 back to back, mine were all on a Mtn bike, which was just stupid!

When we finally arrived at Saint Mary we had another pass to go over and I was dead, I couldn't pedal one more pedal. So we got more huckleberry ice cream and hitch hiked! Lauren's first time :) It didn't go so hot to begin with, a drunk indian with no teeth tried to pick us up, he insisted that he get us something to drink and came back with a 6 pack that he intended to drink while driving us over the pass! We bailed as I tried to throw the bikes and packs out of the back before he drove off. Another great couple picked us up and drove us all the way to Browning and onto Doug and Karen's buffalo ranch. We had buffalo burgers and a hot tub and the best sleep I think I've ever had.

The next morning Jake came to get us bright and early and we headed to Dawson Pitamakan to finish what we have tried so many times to conquer. A 19 mile hike around Rising wolf mountain and over both Dawson and Pitamakan passes. The last 3 miles were excruciating for me, I was so tired from the previous days and my legs were just simply giving out. We finished off and finally conquered Dawson/Pitamakan with a little Serrano's.

Spent the next few days wandering around Whitefish at the art festival, goin

g to Mambo's, hanging out at the lake, toured the brewery, played pool at the northern and checked out the whitefish lake lodge, etc..

I really wanted to take Lauren down the whitewater on the Middle Fork and convinced her that we wouldn't die in duckies (funyaks). Great Northern let us jump on their bus and we had a blast getting soaking wet and cold in the class 3 rapids. Then we did a little fly fishing and called it a night.

For the 4th we went to Matt's cabin and grilled Kabob's and

learned to wake surf. We headed back to Bozeman that evening and watched the fireworks from the

road. And on our final day back to Denver, we stopped in Sheridan to see where I used to work and go to school and we met up with June Biss my old professor whom I love!

What an epic trip, Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible by housing us etc.. and to Lauren for being up to the challenge!

The DCB

2009-07-29T10:05:00.003-07:00

I also picked up my clarinet again, wow, I seem to be packing my schedule tight these days. I began performing with the Denver Concert Band, how I soo missed music. I'm last part, last chair and loving every minute of being a band geek again. We practice at the Central Presbyterian church every monday and do performances all over Denver during the summer and one large performance in the winter. If music be the fruit of life, play on, play on!

Jury Duty

2009-07-29T10:05:00.001-07:00

My first experience and all I have to say is yuck :( For the sake of not boring you all with how much I hated this, I'll suffice it say that they treat you like cattle and have you sit in a room for 4 hours and then just dismiss you without having done a thing, as if it were all a joke. Come on, were intelligent, figure out a better way.

Jazz In The Park

2009-07-29T10:04:00.002-07:00

By far one of my favorite things about Denver. Almost a thousand people each sunday show up in City Park to listen to free Jazz. The pavilion lawn is covered in blankets with little picnics and grills and vino set up. Dogs abound and frisbee and the smell of a bbq. There is excitement in the air and the weather and sunsets make it all that much better. The bonus is that it's not even a mile from my house!

The Crawl, Learning To Lap Swim

2009-07-29T10:04:00.001-07:00

I've always wanted to learn to lap swim, I love the water and have just never had the luxury of learning. Several of my friends swim and offered to teach me, so Caylan and I headed to the pool and I had my first lesson. I've been swimming a couple times a week to get rotation in my shoulder and help lessen the pain from work, and I love it!! I do get a little claustrophobic with my head underwater though :)

Ballz O' Fury

2009-07-29T10:03:00.003-07:00

I've only played soccer for 3 months of my life prior to now. I tried a women's city league some time ago and played outside back. It was such a wonderful memory that when Lauren asked me to play again, I jumped at the chance. I'm on a co-ed intramural league that is wayy beyond my skill level, but again I have really enjoyed playing. No thanks to me we are undefeated going into finals and won our 1st game last night!! Looks like I'll be playing indoor this winter.

Farewells & Piha

2009-07-29T10:03:00.001-07:00

It was very hard to say goodbye to so many wonderful friends we had made, our host families and Dan's family. I really did feel like family before I left. Our last day we went to Piha before we boarded the plane, and we climbed Lion Rock with a fantastic view of the sunset on the ocean shore. It was bittersweet as I knew I was headed back into the summer sun in Denver!

Lady Don't Hurt Me... & The All Blacks

2009-07-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had never seen Rugby before our trip to NZ, and loooved it. What a great sport, I loved how it was constant motion, no stopping like in American football, it was just go go go... Unfortunately France creamed the All Blacks the night I was watching but it was a good time. And of course you can't go wrong when a bunch of rugby players start things off with the Haka!!! On the way to the festivities we got a little rowdy ourselves and here is our own rendition of "Lady, don't hurt me" :)

Pinnacles And Hot Pools With A Side Of Fush N Chups

2009-07-29T09:58:00.004-07:00

Our Kiwi friends got us all up at the crack of dawn and we loaded up in a van and headed North of Auckland to the Pinnacles. It was a pretty muddy wet hike as it threatened to rain on us all day. As we reached the hut it began to pour and rained only long enough for us to have lunch. It let up and we were able to successfully summit the Pinnacles with an amazing view of the ocean on both sides!! The mountains were covered in lush green jungle (looking very Jurassic Park) and we were shrouded in a fog. We waited it out until the wind that was whipping up there would clear a view for us. After we finished the hike we headed to the Coromandel hot springs andwarmed up and then I had the best fish and chips of my life.

The NZ Teaching Team

2009-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was by far the best team I have ever been on outreach with!! We showed up in bits and pieces and left the same way we came! It was comprised of Dan Lake, Heather Ryan, Michael Brown, Jon Mark Heaner, Basil McLaren and myself.

Dan prayed about what topics we should teach and I ended up with Discipleship, Fear of the Lord and The Father Heart of God. I knew nothing about teaching topically nor did I know how to prepare for these. I had a few days each week to prepare and then I had to teach a few classes sometimes morning and evening. On the weekend we would all work together to teach the Inductive Bible Study method.

It was a lot of studying but the thing I realized was it forced me to come to God and ask him some really hard questions that otherwise I wouldn't have. It took my relationship with him to a whole new level and I think I learned more than my audience as I prepared.

The team was very involved with each other, and was the most encouraging, mature, and willing to humble themselves that I have seen, I was challenged and encouraged.

The church also was amazing, I have yet to find another church (except in Africa) that will willingly welcome and accept a group of young, un-credentialed bible scholars and let them give all that God has given them to give. I also have not seen such hospitality and love, I was impacted by their heart to know God, however he chooses to reveal himself to them.

Do The Hokey Pokey

2009-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

My favorite ice cream in NZ!! It's pretty much like vanilla with little crunchy toffee bits but it's amazing.

Auckland (Girls Day)

2009-07-29T09:40:00.001-07:00

Jilly Bean, Ann, Kim, Heather and I took the ferry from the Devonport Wharf across to Auckland. We walked to the Sky tower and took it up to the top, where we watched the bungee jumpers stop before big glass windows before plummeting to the target below. Then we saw the revolving restaurant at the top and had a cuppa and biscuit over looking the bay and Rangitoto while hearing about Jillian and Herbs love story :)

As we were looking down from the tower we saw 4 boys dancing in unison on a roof top, they had backed their car into the vacant lot and opened the trunk to hear the speakers, we think someone was film

ing them. We also spied a mexican restaurant and went to down to have a bit to eat.

Jillian led the way back to the ferry with a sprint!

2009-06-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

PihiaBayOfIslands

For our first weekend Dan took us on a roadtrip North of Manly. We drove along the coast and stopped at all sorts of beaches (all with really weird names like uretiti) We had ch

ip buddies at Goat Island whilst fighting off roosters and finally arrived in Pihia that evening, dying to eat something other than pineapple lumps.

We were allowed to stay at the club Pihia... which was a huge blessing. There were spas every few hundred feet and it's right near the ocean. We stopped in to see the Maori festival and then drove down to the historic treaty site and watched the boat being ceremonially re-laced. We took a boat ride out to "hole in the rock". It was a wild ride with sea water spraying in our faces, we had two layers of rain coats on and still got wet, and we had to be seat belted in!!

The next day we had a look around Russell and spent the evening at Dan's dad's house having a BBQ!

2009-06-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

MiniDTS

A team of young people from AWAKEN (see chapter29.net) flew into New Zealand to teach a variety of courses at a baptist church. My friend Dan grew up in this church and felt to bring this teaching to them. They willingly opened their doors to us and we will have been teaching for a month.

We have been teaching topics such as The Father Heart Of God, Fear Of The Lord, Discipleship (also Prayer, Worship and who is the Holy Spirit), Intimacy, Hearing The Voice Of God, Passion For The Word, The Inductive Method, Ephesians, Philemon, and Titus... and so many more. I have been blessed just sitting in these teaching and have learned a lot in preparing them as well. Our audiences have ranged from zero people to about 25.

2009-06-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Manly(Whangapaora)

I arrived in New Zealand on the 26th and had lost a day during travel, due to crossing the international date line. Whitney picked me up at 4:45 in the morning. I saw Auckland in the dark as we drove north. It appears I'm living in a town called Manly on the Whangaparoa peninsula.

I went for a run straightaway to ward off jet leg, and found that I hadn't packed my shoes (I had to borrow my host sisters) I failed to get directions or a phone number etc... just went running off. I found my way down to "Big Manly Beach" ha ha.. seriously that's it's name and just enjoyed hearing the ocean again. I figured I would take a shortcut and ended up getting terribly lost. I had to backtrack to find my way home.

2009-05-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

ColoradoColfaxHalfMarathon

A group of girls in my church decided to train together for a half marathon. For 12 weeks we ran alone during the week and together on the weekends. Towards the last week our mileage was up to 23 miles a week. Yesterday was the big race and I don't know if it was nerves or bad food but I had the "runs" the day before the race and the day of. I ran 13 miles holding it in, the course was a gradual uphill, plateau, uphill, plateau for the first 7 miles. I was pushing myself as hard as I could go because I wanted to beat my previous time of 2:00:06!! by mile 10 I was so tired I wanted to stop and as I slowed down to put my head phones in, I heard someone yell my name. As there was no one on the course who would have known me, I jumped, startled. It was a hygienist I work with, she inspired me to keep going and with the help of the Kings of Leon I pushed that last 3 miles sooo hard. At least that's what I thought bc when I crossed the ten mile my time was 1:33:36 so I figured even if I ran relatively slow I would beat my time. When I crossed mile twelve however, the time read 1:51:58!!! I had to run the last mile in eight minutes and my legs were totally dead, my stomach was growling for food and the lower half of my stomach churning in protest.

The finish seemed to get further away instead of closer as I could still see heads of runners trailing out through the park. As I neared the finish I sprinted the last .1 of a mile in hopes of doing a sub 2 hour half marathon. Close but no cigar. My net time was 2:01:56... what a bummer.

I then proceeded to spend the rest of the time in the outhouse with the "runs". I had major fever chills and almost passed out in the shower. It took me most of the day to recover enough to leave the house.... I have no idea what that was all about, I felt fine after my last 1/2 marathon.

All in all it was a great race, beautiful day, great friends, and I am left with the question of why do I do that to myself? I think I'm going to start doing other sports such as swimming and biking that are less impact sports.

2009-05-13T13:55:00.001-07:00

TheBapo

I am headed to New Zealand next week, the 26th of May 2009!! My friend Dan Lake is from Auckland, NZ and his church is welcoming us in for a month. We get the great privilege of speaking on a variety of topics from discipleship, fear of the Lord, and Father Heart of God to teaching the Inductive Bible Study on Titus and Philemon. I'm excited to learn from this church as well as they seem very passionate and uncompromising about their search to follow Jesus with their whole hearts! I will keep this blog and FB updated regularly if you are interested in following the trip! I'm sure they'll be plenty of adventure to be had outside of teaching.

2009-05-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

365

I decided to do something called 365. It's a photo journal of every day of the year. One photo for every day. I've only been going for 24 days and wow is it hard first of all to remember to capture something and second to find something new and interesting everyday. It's been a really fun challenge and I am enjoying it. Check out my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/daylenesadventures/ Or on my facebook! Hope you like them.

2009-04-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

vandalism ona snowyday

It was a dark morning at the end of a long week... 5:30 am and I had attended a friends concert at wash park the night before and didn't get to bed until 11 (which is late for me). As I reached over to place my purse on the passengers seat there was a weird reflection and as I looked again I saw it was shattered glass! I looked up and realized my passenger window was smashed and as the scene set in and I began to look around, my cd player had been ripped out also. I looked around to see if someone was in the car and sat in stunned silence for a few minutes. Snowflakes drifting heavy and fat as I thought about what to do.

I didn't have a choice I started driving to work in an ever worsening blizzard. The day didn't progress well from there, it was a hard busy day at work and I had to find time to tape trash bags to a wet door... doesn't work well... and call an auto shop who wouldn't come on site but scheduled me an appointment for after work.

Again, I drove across Denver with slush and snow splattering in my window and onto me. Paid 250 bucks to get my window fixed and while I was waiting, got some news that the bank had accidentally closed my saving account and couldn't re-open it. I broke, and hot tears started streaming down my face. My previous emotions of vulnerability and violation turn to anger and frustration.

I then started to think about the wise words of my counselor and the lesson I think God has been trying to teach me this week about provision, and security, and trust. I don't have control of everything even though I like to convince myself that I do. In my head I know that God cares about me and the details of my life and that he is taking care of me and will no matter what happens, but when I actually have to put it into practice, where it doesn't depend on me at all.... it gets sticky.

Frankly I don't feel that anyone will take care of me if I don't, not even God. I believe he can but not that he would and that if he wanted to I don't deserve it because I'm not working for it. Security is an illusion that I chase everyday of my life even when I'm running from it. I want to know that I'll be taken care of, I'm so consumed with it that I can't focus on others and their hurts and needs. I've made security and idol and it comes in many different forms and I didn't even know I was on my knees bowing down.

Again that evening as I was pushing the wet heavy snow from my car, my neighbor decided to chat my ear off, snowflakes covering my hair and coat.... and he was still telling me how, when trees get wet they can break and smash my car! (not in reference to the vandalism.. just random thoughts of a stranger) I spun a 360 in the road on my way to get Caylan... but the fun wasn't over yet, as we pulled into parking lot B at the Pepsi stadium we had to wade ankle deep through ice water with floating ice and slush to get to the game, I had high heels on (like an IDIOT) and my pants were so long they were in the water, I was soaked and all I could do was giggle hysterically because it was that or start crying again.

Finally, some relief from a very long day, my first Lacrosse game, the Mammoth vs the Rush. It was a blast and a sport right up my alley because they are allowed to hit each other and push and shove and steal the ball etc... Very fun, energetic night and for the first time a team from Denver won their game when I was there!!!

2009-04-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

snooze

Caylan took me to her favorite breakfast place for easter brunch. In true Denver fashion it was artsy with a fun and stylish atmosphere and amazing food. So don't snooze or do, just go to Snooze!

2009-04-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

sunriseredrocks

Lauren and I decided to get up at 5 am and see if we could make it to the Easter sunrise service at Red Rocks. We barely rolled out of bed in our sweats and hit the road. Traffic was pretty backed up around red rocks and we parked and walked to the amphitheater. There was a choir and lots of different pastors/priests from different denominations. They released doves over the crowd etc... Lots of organ and singing and I had flash backs of church as a kid. Then they sang Jesus super star and I was kinda done with the service after that. My only thought being, "man if this were the one time a year that I had an experience of church and church people, I wouldn't go either" We had to leave anyway (luckily) and the sun didn't come up bc there was a thick layer of fog and it's been raining all day. O well, church was amazing and Jesus is alive and all is well.

Dexter St. Madness

2009-04-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

My roommate Susanna and I have birthdays 5 days apart and we also just moved into a new home with her sister and another friend. We wanted to have a huge celebration for everything and invite all of our friends, and the weather was perfect for grilling, so we planned it, and then her grandfather fell ill and they flew to California to be with him when he passed. So we had a makeshift bbq where people attempted to burn my house down ( I won't mention names :) So we rescheduled and the weather started blizzarding and there was a blizzard predicted for the night of the bbq, tons of people showed up and we were all crammed inside, it turn into more of a kitchen party and then people kept showing up, the house was packed and it turned into mexican night somehow. But, we had our party and we had a blast.... Here's to a year at Dexter st.

Fireworks

2009-04-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wes celebrated his birthday by taking all of us to the Colorado School Of MInes fireworks show.

I forgot how much I love fireworks, they are spectacular and breathtaking and sooo much fun :) I felt like I was in college again with the young rowdy, (drunk), spring break college crowd. And of course, since it's an engineering school the fireworks show was engineered, ha ha.. it was amazing and the comments rifling through the crowd.... oh wow!!

The last bit of the show before all the loud bomb explosions they lit off a bunch of tiny but loud star like fireworks that were making a cloud of smoke from detonating in the same spot. As they burst inside the cloud it lit up gloriously and was so bright I almost couldn't look.... I was just staring in awe, and then the thought occurred to me..... this is just a few small fireworks, what will God's glory look like compared to this?? WOW

Afterward we went to a ROOTBEER kegger, complete with rootbeer in a keg and vanilla ice cream. Caylan and I felt a little out of place so we retreated to the uninhabited kitchen and shared a smore.

Denver Concert Band

2009-03-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

"the clarinet, the clarinet goes doah doah doahdet"

When I was a sophomore in highschool my dad bought me a clarinet... but the story begins much earlier. 5th grade actually, that's when all the kids began band. Except me. We didn't have money for an instrument so I sat alone in the classroom with the teacher while the other kids were in band. My babysitter was just graduating highschool and she felt bad for me so she gave me her Bundy clarinet. I began playing in 5th grade and fell in love with it. I played all the way through elementary and highschool, and my sophomore year my dad bought me a silver plated buffet crampon clarinet from paris.

I played through college (even though it wasn't for credits), I played when I moved to Switzerland in the Harmonie Busserach, and then..... I quit. I quit for almost 5 years!!! I don't know what happened.

I've been thinking about playing for a long time, this whole past year I've been considering doing it and then finally something snapped and I got in touch with the community band here and started playing. I'm horrible :( I'm last chair :( Oh well, my ambusher is super outta shape so i gotta ease into this gradually.

My concert is at the Central Presbyterian Church on 17th and Sherman on the 25th of April at 7 pm if anyone wants to come.

Goodbye Sarah

2009-03-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

My friend Sarah owns a women's boutique near wash park. She's had it for three years and they have done well, I got the awesome privilege of being able to be in their modeling shows for spring and fall. Sadly they are closing and were losing the best boutique ever. I'm so sad there will be no more memories in Sarah, no more shows and champagne and strawberries afterward, no more hair and makeup and trying on incredible dresses that our out of our price range but that we get to be beautiful in for one night!

I've been working to help them out during the hectic going out of business sale. Women and shopping, it's crazy. I got to rifle through all of the boxes, hanging things, tagging them, steaming, and doing inventory. You are amazing Sarah and one heck of an awesome business woman, we'll miss the great thing you created and all the style you brought to our lives.

Wheat Ridge Dental Group

2009-03-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

I finally did it. After a year a three months of a being a temporary hygienist, I finally took a full time position in one office. I've been having panic attacks ever since :) I was offered a 4 day a week position in a wonderful office with a Doctor who is full of personality and knowledge and 3 other hygienists who are close to my age and so nice and fun to work with. The facility is amazing and I am so excited to start! I'd love for all of you to come and see me for a cleaning!! You can check out the website at www.wheatridgedental.com

Cracker & Dizzle

2009-03-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Graham came to visit over spring break! We hiked the Flatirons after a great meal at Zulu. On Thursday we went Snowboarding at Copper and caught an Avs game when we got back. They were horrible as usual and the Oilers creamed them. Friday we went up to Fort Collins to Check out Grahams master program, and visited the New Belgium brewing company. I would highly recommend that tour to anybody, it was amazing!! My favorite beer was the one they let you test in the tour called LaFolie. We went to the vine for a burger and called it a night. Saturday we checked out Red Rocks and took a day to see Denver, 16th street, tattered cover, and had lunch at Dixons. Saw REI and had some ice cream at little man. We had a BBQ at my house that night and about 15 people showed up, we had such a great time and the boys almost managed to light my house on fire!! Sunday was the last day and we went to church spent the afternoon in Wash Park and I made Graham try some sushi before he flew out :) It was a fun week off to show someone all the things I've grown to love about Denver.

Madcap Hilarity

2009-03-15T08:46:00.001-07:00

Our church had a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity on Sunday night. We went to an improv comedy theatre called Madcap. It was the first time I have done this and I LOOOVED it!! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time and it was much needed. I couldn't believe how talented and quick witted the actors were, at one point I had to go on stage bc it was my b-day and I started to cry a bit bc I hate being on stage. It was the bachelor dating game, where I have to have my back to the actors and choose one.... One of the questions I had to ask, which I could barely read because I was laughing so hard, was "If you were a superhero what would your name be and what would your power be? The guy I picked said Carlos (that was his name) and Sexy, ha ha with a hispanic accent!!! It was an amazing time and such a great thing to do for my b-day. Hope to do it again soon.

Blueberry Pancakes

2009-03-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

It was my 28th birthday today!! Whoo hooo :) The girls woke me up by making me blueberry pancakes, what a treat!! Lauren and I went to church and then a bunch of friends met us at home for grilled chicken salads, and Liza brought a bunch of little cakes over from whole foods!! Then we went to an improv comedy night in the evening and laughed so hard I cried. I have a feeling it's going to be a good year, I'm gonna try and make it that way... Feeling younger everyday! ha ha...

The Bitter Root

2009-03-07T21:50:00.003-08:00

I step in, heart beating rapidly
already stirred, revved..

It's the same, it doesn't change
The room starts to collapse

I try, I try, FIGHT IT!!
O the Anxiety, the fear

And then the rush of emotions
the hot tears, the only other option
defense

which at least is my choice right
I push them away,
sooo much better than them not having room.

I am not the center
to learn this, possibly healing

Tell me there's hope, tell me it's changing...
Soften me, teach me

A Deceitful Heart... Two Sides

2009-03-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?

I'm torn in two and I'm the one tearing
It doesn't work anymore, it's broken and I can't use it ...
I just give up and recognize it and cry

A BIG STEP

Daylene, my heart says, you want this, yes.....
and then 5 min later, no this is not right

Then it's a yesno

I can't have everything, I can't have it both of my ways
I'm left wondering who I am

Where is that other girl, the one I left behind?
She's not here anymore for better and for worse,
I miss her, I didn't want to be her when I was her and now..
well I wish I was her

Maybe that's the issue I'm always wanting what I don't have

EVEN THOUGH WHAT I HAVE IS AMAZING!!

I want to breathe in the deep fresh mountain air
I want to exercise for work, I want adventure and a wide open place where my soul can spread it's long long arms wide and breathe and smile.

I want a community, and grounding and permanence and familiarity...
I want to be known

They oppose each other

A little bit of the soul I was given, the bit of life that was loaned to me, the little piece that makes my heart turn and dance and sparkle... that really makes me alive ... It left ... I want it back.

I've learned submission, I've learned the choice of contentment
but I YEARN for more

This thing that beats in my chest; I don't understand it... It's mine, I control it, I am the ruler, I say what we feel, and yet
that's not the case, it tells me things I don't think, It confuses me and twists me into knots until I can't tell up from down.

I lie to it and it lies to me until neither of us know what's going on and yet we are connected forever and can not get away from each other.

First Signs Of Spring

2009-03-06T10:28:00.001-08:00

Our Garden is starting to bloom in this fantastic weather and there are the prettiest pink blossoms out front attracting the butterflies!! Can't wait for summer.

Cooking With The Girls

2009-03-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

My new roomies are cooking fiends!! I love it, I'm gonna learn so much and eat so well :) The only thing I've learned so far is how to make Dolmas. They are a little zesty but I liked them a lot and snacked on them this whole week. We kind of created our own so we chopped up onions and walnuts and made brown rice, we stirred it all together with some lemon and feta and wrapped it up in grape leaves and put them in oven for a bit... YUM!! The other shot is of Mimi's "fast" pesto pasta. I love food, and the only thing better than eating it, is knowing how to make it so you can eat it!!

God's Goodness Is Extravagant

2009-03-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

"No work this week" seems to be a more common occurrence than not.

If It's in my power to control I want to
It' not

Where is God's extravagant goodness in this?
It's in everything around me and in me

He has already provided, he has already given me above and beyond what so many others have
I have more than I could have hoped for or imagined
My heart is full, I am so happy, I don't want for anything

And yet fear grips my chest when I think that I'm not saving and planning
When I'm not earning and striving and towing my own weight.

I want excess, I want security, I am greedy!
I have all I need for now, and that IS God's extravagant goodness to me

I praise you... The words of what or why can't convey

I CHOOSE to rest in you, to let you have control, to not beat myself up, and to be content with enough and not more

LOST Season 5

2009-03-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

I haven't followed the show all the way through, which I know is an apparent "sin" and at times I'll have to admit I am kinda lost myself....

but I enjoy it and it's a fun thing to do with friends to veg out. Liza and Andrea came over and since we just got tv on wednesday we were scrambling to plug it in and get picture and volume before it came on. We had sushi and brussel sprouts and had a fantastic night.

Even though it's tv and it's amazing how certain shows will mark certain eras of your life and bring memories flooding back in

My Favorite Things #20 Kombucha

2009-02-27T16:48:00.001-08:00

Little Fermented
Gotta Get The Divine Grape
Juice That Keeps You Going

Gold Starred Front Tooth... ON A DENTURE!!!

2009-02-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

What?!?!

I had a patient come in and hand me her upper denture and the front tooth of the DENTURE was gold plated with a cut out star in the center!!

ha ha ha ha ha.......

Never thought they'd put grills on dentures but hey!!

2381 Dexter St. Denver Co 80207

2009-02-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

It is so amazing when you see God move... you can try to make anything work on your own and almost force it to happen and the pieces won't come together. And then when God is ready to make something happen, it comes together in a way you couldn't imagine and of course "better than you could ever imagine"

It's been a long search for roommates and a "home". I couldn't get a loan to buy bc they don't consider my job permanent enough. I decided to rent for a short time, while I try and figure that out. Within a span of 2 days I found 3 amazing roommates, and within the span of a week an amazing house that I am so excited to spend a year in.

If anyone wants to come and visit you are more than welcome.... Thank you God for being so involved in my life that you would handpick and perfect place and wonderful people for me to live with.

Ps... these pictures are not our furnishings :)

Wheatridge Cyclery, Women's Night

2009-02-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

The cyclery shop I bought my bike from had a women's night....... I wasn't sure what a women's night a at a cycle shop would look like but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Turns out it was one of the coolest, most well done things I have ever been too. There were waiters with hour d oeuvres, wine and margarita tables, banquet tables with cheese and veggie platters, amazing chocolates, and on the tables they had glass vases with a single orchid and a bike part, sprocket or gear, chain etc... So cute!!!

There were women modeling the clothing and vendors from all the companies were there, handing out free gel's and giving away huge prizes...

So much fun, yay for free energy goo

Cool Shots

2009-02-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

Love 146 Fundraiser & Cohens

2009-02-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

Aleta and Mike came into town and shared a wonderful dinner with us at the wash park grille!! It was so great to see them and share stories of our adventures. Mike had a flat tire and so we saw them off by shining the flashlights of our car on their tire so he could do a quick swap.

Then we went to see Andrea Ball play her new music for the Love 146 (stopping sex trafficking) fundraiser.

Bela Karoli For V Day

2009-02-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

Met a great bunch of people at Pho Duy for dinner and then went to the Hi-Dive to see Bela Karoli play. The opening band Elin Palmer was amazing, some sort celtic group, Elin was playing the accordion and somehow made it very attractive. There was an interesting middle group that I won't mention who had an interesting taste in fashion style and music style. Snow bibs, I think he was wearing.

Then Bela Karoli, very cute little v-day outfits and very lovely voice!! Enjoyable night....

Colfax 1/2 Marathon

2009-02-11T15:27:00.000-08:00

I started training for the Colfax 1/2 Marathon that is coming up in May! Although, I don't know if I'm really training or just running more than NEVER.

It's been really fun running with Kate and Andrea along the Platte in the morning. We meet at REI and run for about 45 minutes at this point. The weather is perfect for it right now, Denver has been mild and beautiful this winter. I hope I can adjust and learn to run at 5280 feet! It's not going to be easy.

Lime XS

2009-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Small Group And 1$ Taco Tuesday... What a combo!!!

We had so many people we didn't all have a place to sit and we were taking up the back of the restaurant, it was so loud I literally could not hear the person next to me! We had so much fun.

The chips are to die for, warm and the kind that you get at whole foods, you know what I'm talking about! The tacos were some of the best I've had, ahi tacos, yum!

This is definitely a Jewel of Denver!

Be Careful What You Wish For

2009-02-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

Caylan and I went to see Coraline the very "nightmarish before christmasish" movie!!!

They gave us 3D glasses and I felt like I was watching a movie for the first time again.... It was incredible.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and... the little girls sitting behind me :) Their comments were hilarious, although not a movie I would recommend taking children too.... ha ha.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

OH Wow!! My favorite movie of the year and definitely goes straight to the top of the all time favorites.
This movie was done so well in all aspects, I couldn't say enough good things and can't wait to watch it again...
Almost felt like I was overseas, what a tragic and amazing story.

GO WATCH IT!!!

Joel & Sally Moylan

2009-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Joel and Sally are an amazing couple that were dating during my DTS in Australia. Joel is from Australia and both of them were on my outreach team to Egypt. Joel Proposed on the Nile in Egypt and I haven't seen them in 3 years since DTS finished.

They came for a snowboarding trip for a week to copper and I was sooo lucky to be able to go and meet them at copper and tear it up. They ran me into the ground, Sally was so excited to ride that she was ready to finish lunch in a half hour and get back out there. I was sooo sore the next day. Sally challenged me to ride trees more and I had such a fun day with Chelsea leading the way :)

Sally made us Pasta dinner and we had a fun time catching up. Miss you guys, so glad you came!

My Favorite Things #19 World Market

2009-02-01T09:26:00.002-08:00

Treasures and Goodies
From All Over The Great World
Fun Colors Shapes Smells

My Favorite Things #18 Blackened Tuna

2009-02-01T09:26:00.001-08:00

MM MM MM MM MM
Spicy Tender Rare Fish Steak
Falls Apart In mouth

My Favorite Things #17 Thai Iced Tea

2009-02-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

Orange Sweet Thai Tea
Creamy Heavenly Nectar
Favorite Tea Treat

Himalayan Food!

2009-01-31T09:27:00.000-08:00

A gorgeous day at copper has been the norm this year. Almost like spring skiing with better snow and I have been so fortunate to get to go on Tuesdays as to avoid the traffic and crowds. For Joshua's b-day we went snowboarding and again the day was clear beautiful blue skies, and warm weather. We stopped at lunch to celebrate, and then again after the lifts closed to have some appetizers. We had some amazing organic chocolate killer cake at the condo and then went into Frisco to have some Himalayan Cuisine for my very first time. It was phenomenal!! I fell in love straight away and started eating the crackers with caroway seeds right away, I ate the entire basket actually. Then we got the amazing garlic chipatti bread.... I was full before my meal came and although it looked small it was very filling and delicious to my taste buds, packed with flavor. I hope to have this food again very soon!!

My Favorite Things #17 Monte Dolack

2009-01-29T15:43:00.000-08:00

Jewels Of Denver

2009-01-29T15:14:00.001-08:00

TO BE CONTINUALLY UPDATED:

D NOTE:

TOOTSIES:

LITTLE MAN ICE CREAM:

STELLAS:

CONFLUENCE PARK:

REI:

IZAKAYA DEN:

KUULTURE:

Summit Stories

2009-01-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

A long long time ago, I worked at a nice health facility called the summit. I have such great memories of working and working out there.....

One of my favorites is of me and my friend Anna Lundgren. Almost every night after college we would go climbing for hours on end on the gyms rock wall. We were in such good shape and pushing 5.11 routes inside.

The other day my friend Matt showed me that they re-did their website and their new site had me at age 21 plastered across their opening page. I checked it out and started laughing. Sooo funny. I don't even remember it being taken.

My Favorite Things #16 Lychee/Rambutan

2009-01-25T13:18:00.003-08:00

Spiny Bright Red Fruit
Slimy Like Eyeball In Mouth
Sweet And Juicy Treat

My Favorite Things #15 Pocky

2009-01-25T13:18:00.001-08:00

Colorful Crunchy
Sticks Of Sweet And Salty Yum
Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun

I Shoulda Been A Cowboy

2009-01-25T13:04:00.002-08:00

Went with a Group of 25 friends from the Arvada Vineyard to the Denver Coliseum to watch the rodeo again this year. We got all dressed up and I stopped by the dollar tree to get some guns for the occasion. It was your typical rodeo, funnel cakes and burgers included. The best part of the whole night was the mutton busting, it wins every time..... If you don't know what it is I included a video for your pleasure..

And Yes the cowgirl on the horse in the 1st picture is me :) A long time ago.

My Favorite Things #14 HI-Chew

2009-01-25T13:04:00.001-08:00

Chewy Sweet Foreign
Treats From Across The Seas, Taiwan
Little Cubes Delight

Gran Torino

2009-01-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, There was A LOT of cussing in this movie. And a lot of racial slurs as well, none of which I condone. But, again the message of this movie was profound, especially to our culture I think. I loved the movie and the acting.

It was the idea that when we are old and or lose our spouse our lives are all washed up and we are useless, also that once we are a certain way, we can't change. The thing I loved about this movie, was that he did change and his heart was opened to accept things he thought he hated. To the point of sacrificing what little was left of his life to better someone else's life, who had the whole thing to live and how much that sacrifice changed one person, but beyond that a whole way of life, for a lot of people.

My Favorite Things #13 Haagen Dazs Mango Ice Cream

2009-01-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

Creamy Tropical
Delight! Refreshing, Smooth
Reminds Of Summer

Montana Girl Takes Cali Girl To The Mountains

2009-01-17T17:13:00.000-08:00

Brittany flew out for her 2nd annual trip to visit me. It wasn't the most ideal week for me to be having company but I wanted to see her before school started.

MONDAY: We woke up to a blizzard, and started the journey from Lakewood to Westminster, the traffic was back up on 6 and 25 and 70 so I detoured and took Kipling. There were wrecks EVERYWHERE!!!!! It took me 1 hr and 45 minutes to get to work and I was late and a little steamed. We also spun 3 doughnuts on the road an were lucky not to have smacked into anyone else. We had some Pho for lunch. I dropped Brit at Flatirons mall to hang while I finished working and after work I met up with her. We had some delicious fish and chips at Gordon Biersch and wen to watch Benjamin Button. I know I'm always saying I love movies but I Loved It!!!! It was so interesting to watch how he gained wisdom and had it at his youth, I also love the part where he says if you aren't happy with what you are you can change it. I was cracking up the whole time at the lightning strikes.

TUESDAY: Got up early and hiked Green Mtn, and slid all the way down :) We stopped by Sarah's shop on Gaylord to pick up some clothes for my interview. Had lunch at Heidi's Deli and I interviewed in Highlands. I took Brit to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Brit had fun doing arts and crafts in the hands on room while I contemplated why I didn't know what I was passionate about. Later that night we went to worship and a meeting with my church.

WEDNESDAY: Met with Andrew and Kristin for coffee at Stellas! Did a little shopping and went to counseling. Headed back to Wash Park and got manicures at Tootsies and then went to the Wash Park grille for happy hour, drinks and appetizers. Shopped at Sarah's and the mall and then I headed to Equip while Brit went to a movie.

THURSDAY: I had a dental convention most of the day and then we headed to the mall to get our eyes done at M.A.C and used our tickets from Sarah to go to the girls night at Landmark, to see New In Town.....We met up with Caylan later but I think I'll forget that night.

FRIDAY: More dental convention :( Then Brit and I went to Boulder for some Hapa sushi and hiked the Flatirons which turned out to be the highlight for me. Brit wore her Keens and it was sooo icy and windy!! She made it to the top and I am soo proud of her. On the way down I laughed the whole time, not out of spite, but it was hilarious watching her try to get down the mountain. We decided to throw in the towel after that and grabbed a Papa Muphy's pizza and watched Bella before we crashed.

There's nothing like a girlfriend who will stick with you through anything, who knows you inside and out. See your ugly side and calls you out. Disagrees with you and loves you anyway. Teaches you new things and encourages you to grow and stretch. I am so grateful for you Brit, thanks for being all these things and more.... so faithful. I'll miss you!

My Favorite Things #12 Sour Patch Kids

2009-01-09T10:29:00.002-08:00

Sugar Coated Bears
Favorite Treat At Movies
Tongue Is Always Raw

Marley and Me

2009-01-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

Loved Loved Loved this movie!!! I went by myself bc I thought it would be cheesy and no one else would want to go. I laughed the first half and then my emotions switched which was a surprise. I bawled my eyes out the rest of the movie, snot and everything. Totally needed a Kleenex. I think the thing I loved the most was how they showed that their plans for their lives may have not been met they way they expected but their family was worth more than that and actually it was better than they could have planned it, even though they had to sacrifice. I love how it showed that investing in people and going through the hurt and pain that comes from sticking by their side through thick and thin is better than disassociating yourself from all of it. And of course it killed me that they lost their friend and pet :(

My Favorite Things #11 Audrey Hepburn

2009-01-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

Reflecting on 2008

2009-01-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Looking back makes it so easy to romanticize things. I'm sure this year will turn out to be this way one day but at the moment the stench of it is too strong in my nostrils.

I convinced myself I fell in love this year, I even prayed about it a ton (9 months), he was even a Christian!!! The first Christian boy I had ever liked. Being the bold girl that I am, I told him..... enough said, he ran the other direction as fast as he could like any self respecting man would. Being so sold on him, I waited around hoping..... ah yes, hope, the word I clung so tightly to this whole year.

Well, AWAKEN called and asked me to pray about moving here to work with them on a project. I came on a great road trip with a great friend to a wonderful new CITY, my first CITY!!! The excitement was high and the expectation great, I may have even got the two confused with each other. January began with a bang, all of our friends gathered in a condo in the mountains to seek God!! WOW!!

Reality, as always, set in. I was alone in a city I didn't know, liking a guy that didn't like me. It get's worse. Earlier, in the end of 2007 there was a tragic accident at YWAM Denver and 2 amazing lives were taken. My roommate was best friends with one of them and good friends with the other. It was her other friend who was shot in the neck and had lost his fiance in the shooting. I came to my new home, a house of mourning. Then I get troubled phone calls from a friend who is an alcoholic (in denial) but then isn't that what an alcoholic is.... driving drunk and calling me......So being the "great friend" I am, I tell her to come live with me and we'll do whatever it takes to get her help. She comes.

I've known her for 3 years and lived with her for most of them. Traveled all over the world with her and thought I knew everything about her, obviously I was deceived. A girl who stole my heart, I loved and love her more than I thought I could love someone who wasn't family or a spouse. There were plenty of nights spent bawling my eyes out as I drove home, lost, wondering how I could help, and learning what it feels like to watch someone you love change into someone they are not. Nights when she wouldn't return until 2 am running into doors and puking in the toilet. Dating a bar tender who encouraged her drinking habits. And eventually watching her leave our home for his ...... standing there with my heart on the floor, a failure who lost her friend.

The grieving continued in the house as more of them moved in, my house inhabited by 4-5 people, in disarray. Despondent people incapable of pursuing friendship or involvement in my life, video games........ Then as if I were to learn what loss was like, I realized I'd lost another friend. We could no longer have conversation or interaction bc of her grief. She left and replaced herself with a friend. A friend who quit taking bi-polar meds and was as much of a wreck as I was. The two wrecks left in the house to hack it out alone.

I dedicated myself to helping this ministry. I worked 2 days a week to support myself, and worked on the project 3 days a week. We were attacked by Satan, trying to tear us apart as friends. We pressed on and then again, lost a fellow friend and co-worker abruptly. Struggling to figure out how to start something from the ground up and wanting to do the best I could, and glorify God instead of being bitter. Knowing that before God and him alone I stand for judgement and wanting to finish what I started with correct motivations and heart.

God began pulling at my heart, all those broken pieces. I told him I was hopeless, too shattered. There was no sense gluing all the little pieces back together....... Then as only God can, he whispered to me about mosaics, and how they are glass and fragile and have been shattered and then glued back together and are a work of art and more beautiful than before they were shattered.

The year ended by me weeping on the floor of my apartment bc I was the only one there trying to clean up after everyone's mess, left to take care of keys and forwarding mail and ending internet service, scrubbing the house and feeling so deserted. Not being loved well by my family in Christ.

Now I say all these depressing bad things first bc really that's what first comes to mind. I felt like I was just barely keeping my head above water the whole time. Isn't this when God moves though? So it was a year of expectation and I learned that I can't expect anything from people but I can from God and I even need to expect less from myself. I am not perfect and cannot be.... I need to learn to be ok with failing.

The most amazing family (outside of my flesh and blood), that I could imagine was brought into my life. They show me so much about God and they teach me what It's like to live for him and with him and like him here in the "world" not on a missions field or in a Christian bubble but in life. They walk with me through all my messes, and desire to see me whole and happy and in community.

I fell in love with the city of Denver. And the sunshine :)

I heard God tell me I am worthy of being pursued...... for someone to know they want me and to come after me. I don't have to sell them on the ideas of why I would be a good deal. And came to peace in my heart to wait for that.

I learned God's here in Denver and so are people who need love and don't know him.

I learned I can stop running......... scary thing!!!

I went to counseling to unravel the mess that is my heart and mind and soul and body. To cry and to heal and to understand the lies I believe and learn how to stop living out of them. To stop letting my insecurities define who I am.

And in-between all that I lived, really felt life, the good, bad, painful, wonderful feelings that have to go hand in hand.... I stopped trying and quit for once in my life. And I was Daylene, the best and worst of her, not even knowing who she was.

So here's to a year of learning. To a year of feeling, learning, and letting go. My analogy of this year is to that of Alice in Wonderland, I felt I was chasing a white rabbit down a hole into an alternative world where everything was not as it seemed, I grew and shrunk and was surrounded by people I didn't know or understand.... ha ha....

What's in store for 2009?? It appears more of the same and I say bring it, as I keep dreaming and hoping

2009 Makes Me a Rock Star!

2009-01-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

Went to Emily and Alli Browns for New Years. They had made a bunch homemade pizza and other goodies. We played rock band well into the night and then headed downtown as a group. We walked to 16th street mall to watch the fireworks and then Kristin and I headed home to sleep :)

Back to D town

2008-12-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

Leaving Chico is always sad. This time I was an idiot and packed lots of liquids in my carry on :( What was I thinking?!?! I miss family and friends as I leave and yet know that I have a family of friends waiting for me where I've made my home. This time I was filled with dread walking back into the unknown and lots of work cleaning and moving out of the apartment.

It was as I guessed. My roommates left me high and dry and I had to clean the apartment alone and take their stuff to the goodwill. I cleaned and moved alone for two days and collapsed. Irish and Toby are amazing, they are the married couple I am living with. They have two boys, Noah and Eli who are almost 3 and almost 1. I am trying to get a loan to buy a condo or townhouse now. Pray for me!

My Favorite Things #10 Candy Canes

2008-12-29T10:29:00.000-08:00

Holiday Treats
Can't Savor Them, Must Chew Them
Refreshing Candy

Lost Frisbee Golf Discs

2008-12-27T11:07:00.000-08:00

The boys and I headed up to Bidwell on a fairly nasty day. We hiked into upper Bidwell almost under the Frisbee Golf course. Graham brought his disc and when we reached a cliff, Grant and I convinced him to throw it off, with good intentions of retrieving it. It ended up we explored a bit to much and it was going to be too dark to find the frisbee by the time we were done.

Black Crowe

2008-12-26T11:21:00.000-08:00

The boys dressed up and took us out to dinner. We played the five game and ended it with 5 pet peeves. A little tense after that :) We got some Jon and Bon's even though I was freezing and headed to the pool hall. Grant and I got whooped every game.

What Happens at Brits Stays at Brits

2008-12-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

Brit and I had a girls night. Unfortunately the only vehicle my parents had to let me get to town was this old toyota that my brother had fixed up. It has big tires and a tiny little race car steering wheel. The worst part was it doesn't go over 55 and there is traffic backed up behind me for miles and also no power steering!!

We had some sundried tomato brie, and some smoked gouda with bread and crackers and some white wine (menage trois). Then we rented What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas and laughed all night. Love you Brit, your amazing!

Later that week I used the tweetybird truck to go and help Brit take her Christmas tree down. We forgot something to tie it in with and it almost flew out of the truck as I was driving down the freeway :) ha ha....

Pj Party? Yeah Right...

2008-12-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

My mom told us that Kev and Bri were having a Pj party Christmas day as our multiple families met together. The plan was Lasagna etc... and when we showed up everyone was dressed to the 9's. I was so embarrassed, I hadn't even showered after my run. So I hopped in the shower and threw on some of Brianna's clothes. It was so great to see the Kelly's and catch up. Of course the wii is also a family tradition at Christmas now and I had to challenge uncle Mike to the shooting game. I won :) I think Bethany could have schooled me though.

Christmas Eve @ Grand Wilson's

2008-12-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

Turkey with a bunch of Turkey's, that's what this should be called. Well I made it outta there with a green sweatsuit for my mom and a baby doll.

The best part was my dad wearing the fur hat and looking like a Russian. Then of course my brother had to get a basket and act like a China man. Turkey's....

Brunch @ Jared & Joanna's

2008-12-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Everyone made breakfast type dishes and Jared read us the Christmas story. The boys opened their presents that Jared and Joanna had bought in Jim and Colette's place. We played skip bo, and pit. The boys played rook. Then we put together a few puzzles.

Finger Food @ Aunt Claudia's

2008-12-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

I made deviled eggs for my first time to bring to Aunt Claudia's finger food night. There was so much delicious food there and she homemade chili and tamales. There was deer salami with Jalapenos in it. And a Berry Torte. WoW! It was also Grandpas Birthday so we had a cake for him and presents, and then he did a little jig for us in his new clothes!! Ha Ha.. had me rolling on the ground and I can't believe I caught it on video. The little boys got some presents and we spent the night playing sequence and I played some operation with the boys.

My Favorite Things #9 Cats

2008-12-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas @ Kev & Bri's

2008-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

Went to my Bro's house before Christmas! It was the first time our immediate family only has been together in a long time. Mom put together a basket of goodies and let us all pick out what we wanted. Bri got us such cute gifts as usual. We had some pistachios and as is the custom in my family we played Mexican Dominoes.

2nd Annual Tahoe Trip

2008-12-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

Got the Chico Crew back together with a flurry of excitement and gear, hopped in the subaru and started the drive to auburn. Brittney's parents had offered for us to stay the night there and continue on to Tahoe the next day so the drive wouldn't be so long. The iPod plug was passed around as we shared our music, and sadly Graham got a bad headache. I got a tour of Brittney's house which was amazing!!! We all crashed in preparation for the trip ahead.

I had to help Jen Ken drive her car in the snow and we finally arrived at North Star. Our first day was amazing snow and fairly clear of people. We got some midday drinks at the lodge, mine being a "beautiful backside". We finished the day Whooped and went for some round table pizza where we all guessed the artists of the 80's music that was playing. Then our group of 4 headed out in search of a few drinks. We ended up at Pianetto, the cutest little Italian place in Truckee, with great ambiance and good conversation we ended the night in style :) The 6 of us packed into our little hotel room and tried to figure out who was going to get the short straw and sleep on the floor. The boys were gentlemen and took the short straw.

On Saturday Britt didn't feel well and stayed back while the rest of us hashed it out in not so great snow and crowds. We tried to eat the veggie pizza for lunch but it was frozen solid from the boys leaving it on top of the car all night. As we got back to the car a random guy who was de-gearing was getting his groove on for the shuttle!! When we got back to Britts she made us an amazing dinner of tri-tip, corn and au-gratin potatoes. We played Balderdash and hot tubbed and then I crashed.

The next morning held breakfast at the airfield in the rain and our sad goodbyes to another great trip!! Love you guys!

The copper slide

2008-12-18T16:22:00.001-08:00

Had another scary ride on the way to copper.

Last season Nate Noe began to slide all over the pass on the way down
into silverthorne in his subaru imprezza. It as heavy weekend traffic
and were lucky we didn't slam into someone else, however we slammed
into the cement divider and cracked Nates bumper.

On Tuesday David Grauberger and I had a repeat. His Toyota truck began
to whip across the icy freeway and we came inches from slamming into
the wire divider. We got stopped by the deep snow and stuck. We dug
out the tires and I tried to push, then we swapped and he pushed.
Luckily we made it out and on to copper safely.

I'm am extremely proud of my Neon now :).

Daylene

Incubus, Smile Lines

2008-12-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

"Insecurities are about as useful as trying to put the pin back in the grenade."

Fray In A Blizzard

2008-12-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

Spontaneously I decided I wanted to go to the Fray, In Vail, Outside!!! I jumped on Craiglist and spent a few hours tracking down some last minute tickets, found some for 17.50 a piece, A Steal I might add!!!

Andrew got off work a little early and we started the long drive up to Vail, just chatting and listening to music. I was so excited I think I could have thrown up. About 20 minutes prior a friend called a told me of a really bad storm coming in over Vail pass and the foothills in about an hour!! I threw my chains in the back of the car and we took off to have an adventure anyway.

We were a little late getting to the concert and missed Meese. As we bolted from the car and ran down the snowy trail, I suddenly realized I didn't have our tickets or the camera, so we had to race back to the car to grab them. At this point I was already worn out and thought the Fray was playing so we took off running again. It was snowing so hard and lines of people zig-zaged across an open field of deep snow to get to the gates. Everyone was decked out in Beanies and down, beer was frozen in cups and it was quite the sight.

Snow was coming down so hard I could eat it off people's jackets and then in 5 minutes I could eat another handful. It was wet and began to sink through my 3 layers and I could feel water building up in my elbows. My hair was in ice dreads (no joke) and Andrew lost feeling in his feet!

We waited until they played "be my baby" and "how to save a life" and then we split for the parking lot. Enjoyed some cinnamon graham crackers.... or "cookies." And 2.5 hours later we finally reached the Morrison Exit!! Crazy fun, I don't know that I'll every see another concert that way.

*adventure*