My new place, check it out!

Hey everyone! My blog is changing locations, you can now find me at searhymedreams. I have a lot of reasons for changing my blog, one I've run out of picture room here and honestly I've had this blog for a little over two years. There's good stuff here, but I'm moving into somewhat of a new season in my life now and it seemed appropriate to start a new blog. I know I haven't written much here lately, hopeful a new setup will also inspire me to post more.

So! Come visit me at ...

Sea Rhyme Dreams!

Drenched

Really Ridiculously Grateful

I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am, and thank the Lord for saving the life of my best friend today,  my life would never be the same if things had gone differently. And I know there are so many others who would be equally effected. So today at the top of my thank list, is the life of a friend.

Beginning of the Advent Season

My brother and I use to get these Chocolate Advent calenders every year, I'm a bit old for it now, but I had to get one, just one last time :) They don't have these in China 

Princess Syndrome

This song made me smile and laugh so much!

Bakelite!

I discovered something new today, something I never knew existed. That something is Bakelite! Apparently it was an early form of plastic invented at the beginning of the 1900's. I found a few old bracelets in a box of stuff someone was throwing away, so I went on google and typed in "Bakelite jewelry" you should try it! So many beautiful things came up! I particularly like the ones in this picture!

Virtual Closet

If my Pinterest Closet was Real!

Aerie Today

I went to Aerie today, and I bought some pretty little things because I believe, it's importent for a girl to feel pretty in her undies even if no one but her gets to see them.

Cold, Windy, Days, where Confusion Flies

It's a cold wet rainy day, life can be a bit confusing but it's all good when you are trusting in God, he is our rock and our firm foundation! Today has been spent talking to my sweetie, praying a lot, organizing and cleaning my room (trying to find papers), not to mention contacting English schools in 成都 and the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.  But I refuse to be overcome with doubt and frustration, it's easy to forget in difficulties that that really is our decision. And though it may be hard and I may falter I am choosing to trust in my heavenly Father and not worry about things I have no control over. I am excited for the chance to finally start making efforts to go back to China. I'm excited to be going back

to the man I love. And I am excited for a new adventure in a new city. Of course we plan to marry in 哈尔滨 see all our old friends, catch up on good time and visit his family in 海林.  But I know that God has such amazing plans for the future! My mom showed me the below picture today and I couldn't resist adding it and a little song from my Fiance! Enjoy!

Little song from my sweetie!

My mind is so busy with such a number of things

I've been keeping myself, at least mentally busy. I'm looking at flowers and drinking (to much) coffee. Trying to get in shape and figure out wedding plans. Needing to get rid of stuff and needing to find a job.  Talk to my sweetie every day and trying to listen for the Fathers leading.  Learning Chinese and practicing patience. Life is good, life is crazy, life is busy, life is beautiful, life is sad,  life is unfair, life is amazing, and God is good! So as I ponder and wait for the still small voice, I will drink some more coffee and take a break from my exercising ( yes I realize those last two are semi-counterproductive, however I don't have a solution at this time {except to stop drinking coffee which would be completely unacceptable} if you have any great ideas feel free to share ;)

P.S. I'll try to post more.

Adventuring we'll go

Had a fantastic time at the Renaissance faire with my friends, and my friends, other then being sick in the afternoon :P
I love dressing up and I love road trips, and being around people who are as silly and crazy as me!

Ren Fest Weekend

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures this time, as it may very well be my last.  Heading up to Philly later today with my "besty-lefty" where we'll meet up with my big sis and head across PA to the fairgrounds tomorrow, it'll be awesome! I'n the meantime! I found this cute J-pop song, catchy and sweet :) Not exactly renaissance material :) but I like to mix things up. Enjoy!

Back to the Sea

Since I've been back I haven't been down to the beach much, it takes me all of a minute to slip on my shoes, grab my jacket and walk there. I use to go everyday, watch the sun rise over the sea listen to the waves crash and the gulls cry. But now it's not so easy to just go there, it feels so open, and empty. So exposed with nothing to block the view, so lonely with nothing but the birds and mournful whip of the wind over the water. But somedays I make myself go there,  so I don't forget who I was, and what it all meant to me.

DIY Cork board

I really love Cork board because it makes for easy pinning of notes and whatnot's. But I mean, lets be realistic... cork ... not that pretty. But why leave it a nasty shade of brown? Why not paint it? So here's my quick DIY pretty cork board tutorial!

1)

 

Take some plain cork board, large grade/small grade, old/new, whatever size you like!
(this is just some old ugly cork I had on hand)
                  
   2)

Take  some primer sealer and slather it all over your cork,(try to fill in  as many  of the holes as possible), let dry.

 3)

Finally choose a design and colors, sketch it out and start painting!

Hang your final project on the wall and start pinning things!

I like using geometric designs but you can do just about anything, treat it as a canvas you can stick pins in!

The Worst

The worst homesickness occurs when you're already home and well, it just isn't home anymore ...

That's a little how I've been feeling.

&

Then my sweetie whispers I'm right here with you and somehow I know it's all okay.

Lemonade Love

I don't know about you but I love lemonade, and I love trying new delicious things! That said, here are 10 delicious looking Lemonade ideas from Burlap + Blue! Can't wait to try these!

Malatang

(I didn't take this photo,  but it looks almost as good as the stuff I remember)

What I wouldn't  give for a bowl of steaming , spicy, eyewatering, malatang soup. There is an amazing little shop down on 和兴三道街.Oh how I wish I could grab my bag, hop on a bus, and go there for dinner with my sweetie!

Back in Half Swing

Not feeling 100% myself yet, but definitely doing a lot better. I bought these pretties at the store yesterday on my way home. Because hey! I like flowers ;) and I like the color and they were not already dead. Anyhow, I've been back stateside four weeks today, and honestly I new I would miss it in China, but I didn't know I would miss it all quite as much as I do. I'm trying to find a job, but in the meantime, I'm talking to my sweetie everyday, getting rid of a lot of junk and studying Chinese.  Also cool story made a sustain pedal for my keyboard (tell you about that later). Life is pretty okay most days.  

Sweet video, still remember the first time I saw it while riding the 83 down a backstreat in Harbin.

No Longer the End of the Story

So！ For the past twelve months this blog was entitle ...
I Know The End of The Story!
~  I come up from the desert leaning on my beloved!  ~       {my new life in China}

Well that year is finished now and I did come up out of the desert, and leaning on my beloved, though it wasn't exactly like I had expected. In fact! It was nothing like what I had expected. It wasn't even good most of the time, strange as it may seem though, God is really good at working our not so good times into his great and glorious plans. So I don't really know where I am going at this point, but I do know ... that the Adventure is just beginning!

Chinese Lessons, Duets and a Sweet Fella

Three reasons I love skype, don't know how well I'd be holding up without it right now. As is I've been spending free time on skype with my Honey. Here is todays homework, we made it through the first verse :) and I can't wait till I can really sing it with him. Maybe at KTV with friends ... yes it's true I am missing China.