Rocky

I watched my cousin Carey today. She was walking around with a baby doll dangling by its neck tucked under her arm. I asked her what its name was (My default question for any child carrying anything. I like to hear what they think is a suitable name for whatever object they are carrying). Her response was "Tammy." I found this humorous, not only because she said it so plainly and in a matter of fact way but mainly because I think of Tammy as being a name straight out of the 80's (no offense if you like or if your name is Tammy). Being that my cousin was born just 4 years ago, (which is mind boggling in itself that a person born in 2004 could be walking, talking and naming things...because 2004 seems like it was this morning) it is just funny that she picked that name. I don't know why but 1998 and 1999 seems to have happened yesterday to me. So when I say that my car is a 1994 Honda Accord I feel like I just drove it off the lot and I say it with almost a bit of pride...

Dear Drama, I am done with you. Actually I never formally invited you in my life, you just seem to sneak and weasel yourself in unwelcomed. Stop coming around. I don't want to see even the slightest hint of you ever again. It is hard though because you seem to attach yourself to so many of my loved ones and it is not fair. I think I will be filing a restriction order on you if your stalking habits persist. I bid you adieu. -Rachelle Okay I just had to get that out there and clear the water. sheesh. This past weekend has been great. I have been at a youth retreat to the Lake of the Ozarks, which I believe the lake is actually 90% urine, 9% fish matter, .5% saliva and .5% water...sick. So I pretty much just enjoyed the murky green water from a distance. I was not the only one who was excited that I was at the Lake this weekend...1 billion mosquitoes also enjoyed my presence and 1 million ticks as well. Normally I would see myself as a person who enjoys nature and believes that insect...

I like...ahem...am slightly obsessed with making lists. When I am stressed I will make a list of everything I need to accomplish and will catagorize everything. It tends to relieve some stress...well depending on the length of the list that is. I will also mix in some easy-to-accomplish things to the list as well so I can have some things crossed off. Here are a few ongoing lists (that are continuously changing) that I like to add to: Countries I’ve been to: 1. United States 2. Canada 3. Mexico 4. Japan 5. Thailand 6. Germany 7. Austria 8. Slovakia 9. Czech Republic 10. Poland 11. Hungary 12. Ireland 13. United Kingdom 14. Philippines Countries I want to go to: For Fun- Italy Greece Portugal Spain Brazil China Japan (again) Israel (the Middle East in general but esp. Israel) Turkey New Zealand Egypt Morocco South Africa France Ethiopia Scotland Argenti...

This weekend I drove to Chicago with a group of friends from church to do some scouting. We are planning on taking a missions trip to Chicago with our student ministry during Spring break. We will be working with a Hispanic church, a low income neighborhood church, and a ministry who works with the homeless. On top of our scouting we went to Wrigley's Field, Navy Pier (and sailed on the lake), Giordano's, Portelli's, went to the beginning of a jazz festival, Jesus People USA and Chinatown. Basically this weekend was amazing, and full of amazing people. I had so many photographic opportunities...some I captured, some I missed, and some I missed on purpose. It is hard to take portraits of those who you do not know. You have to judge between whether it would be an issue of beauty, exploitation, the greater good, human dignity...etc. If I shot the portrait of the man standing with a sign wearing a crude eye patch in the middle of a swirling crowd, would I be stealing from his ...