also...

zach and katy smith
here are two wonderful people i've grown fond of, they just got married too.

observations

and so, this is what i've noticed lately:

-- people usually aren't thinking what you think they're thinking.
-- if you ask for help in doing something, you just might get it.
-- it's not that hard to just get up and DO what you're supposed to do. in fact it's WAY better than avoiding said tasks.
-- when you're busy doing life, you don't have as much time to blog.

lately, i've been battling some fierce anger and resentment, i suppose it's natural when you consider that recovering from a divorce and restarting your life doesn't happen overnight. something hit me over the head the last week though, it's an old realization that i'm convinced HAS to reoccur on a regular basis in my life.

it was this: when i'm far away from God, and far away from knowing how i really feel, i am miserable. those two things are so connected. for me, anger is this shield that i use to protect myself from ME. when i'm angry, i feel justified in it, and indulge myself completely in the process. (boy i wish i had that commitment in some other areas!) and, when i'm busy being angry and resentful, i don't have time to listen to God and i'm certain that i'm not a very attractive vessel for His Spirit.

the result of these realizations for me is a conviction that i need to carve out more time with God, and more time working towards a healthy life. so, at the moment i am sitting in the library recovering from a good workout and relishing a peaceful day that began with God and hopefully will end with Him too.

and in other news...

my hands smell like onions. i am making a roast with potatoes and other yummy things....

i made soap today in physical science lab...

my sweet brother chris bought me a desk for my birthday and put it together too.

aaand... that's all i have to say right now. i am blessed, and loved.

state of my nation

The Most Serene Republic of Innis Morgaine is a very large, safe nation, notable for its punitive income tax rates. Its compassionate, cynical population of 173 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Public Transport, Law & Order, and Religion & Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 64%, and even higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing.

An enormous health awareness programme is underway, citizens are encouraged to report friends, family members or co-workers who seem depressed to the government for "counselling", the nation's first space rocket -- sponsored by Pepsi and shaped like an enormous soda bottle -- is being developed, and there have been reports of people marrying housepets. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is well under control, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Innis Morgaine's national animal is the otter, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the innismark.

Innis Morgaine is ranked 23rd in the region and 44,895th in the world for Largest Trout Fishing Sector.

-- this is my very own nation state . right now Innis Morgaine is considered a "Father Knows Best" state with a reasonable economy and good civil rights but few political freedoms. of course, my nation is a member of the freedtopia region. don't ask me why, but i love this game!