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September, 2010

  1. do you need to leave, louissa?

    September 30, 2010 by louissa

    i never know what kind of calls to expect as i sit in the office day after day.  today i picked up the phone to be greeted by a friendly voice belonging to a girl i met about a year and a half ago.  she asked at the beginning of it all, “do you remember me?”  i assured her i did.  the following conversation ensued:

    her:  so… you’re still there.
    me:  uhh… yup, i guess –
    her:  i mean, i thought… well, you see — didn’t you get married?
    me:  (much laughter) maybe you’re thinking of a sister?  but nope, no marriage and i’m single.  and yeah, i’m still working here at the church.  i’m on year three actually.

    few second pause (which always seems like an eternity when conversing)

    her:  do you need to leave?  go somewhere else?
    me:  (even more laughter and trying to figure out how to respond)  umm… why?  you know a good place with more fish in the sea?

    she told a personal story and then we went on to more official church business.  i hung up and my coworker just looked at me.

    “what was that about?!”  she exclaimed.
    “apparently it’s time for me to leave and get away from this place,” i replied.

    my life is full of awkward randomness.


  2. another love of sugar.

    September 29, 2010 by louissa

    i don’t care what people say — one of the best ways to end your day is a bowl of ice cream.  i don’t know about you but it’s a sure way to put a smile on this face.  heavenly goodness at 10:15pm.


  3. “they don’t call it “the amazing race” for nothing.”

    September 25, 2010 by louissa

    BAHAHAHAHA!


  4. tomorrow is saturday.

    September 24, 2010 by louissa

    tomorrow i shall brunch with friends who make movies and a friend who’s an engineer and a friend who’s a schoolteacher a few states over and friends who are students.  i said i would bring some food with me and a smart one told me what to bring so veggie omelets shall be had.  we’ll drink juice and coffee and be loud and boisterous in a house that used to be occupied by all her darling cute things.  fun shall be had.

    tomorrow i shall pack my car with people who want to join me while i set out to the nearest state park to wander through the woods.  i didn’t think nature walks were quite so popular but the number has grown and grown and grown.  hop on board if you want.  we shall be at higley flow state park and i shall be thoroughly enjoying fresh air, leaves turning, and the wonders of moving your legs in a walking motion.

    tomorrow i shall eat pizza at our favorite spot with eleven family members.  we shall order pepperoni, cheese, and margarita (that’s a pizza) like always and tell the same family stories that are always brought up because we find them so funny.  we’ll finish our greasy goodness and mosey on over for a musical concert.  we’ll watch a woman sing for two hours who inspires my very soul every single time i see her.  she’s a favorite.  i own her cd.  these are the kinds of concerts i go to.  while all my friends discuss the concerts they’ve seen — dave matthews band, red hot chili peppers, billy joel — i boast of classical and jazz.  anyone else seen diana krall?  well, i have.  and this shall be my third lisa vroman concert.

    but all of this is just to say that tomorrow shall be a saturday.  a for real saturday.  it shall really be a day of rest.

    and i am so excited!


  5. sometimes i dream of places and being.

    September 23, 2010 by louissa

    “Dreams are necessary to life.” – Anais Nin

    <via>

    they’re necessary in my world.


  6. huh.

    September 22, 2010 by louissa

    i was asked what my weekend plans are tonight. i answered with, “i’m going to wander some woods saturday during the day, have no plans friday, and have a date with my family saturday night.”

    a  date with the family?  although writing that brings warm fuzzies to my heart and i’m so excited about an evening dinner and concert with the people i love most, i can’t figure out if admitting my schedule by using those words equals totally not cool or really sweet — you must have an awesome family.


  7. and there are some things i could watch over and over again.

    September 20, 2010 by louissa


  8. a pause

    September 15, 2010 by louissa

    every minute of every day has been claimed and it’s as if the hands on the clock are going around faster than they’ve ever gone before.  at least that’s what it feels like.

    but although i feel like i’m not aware of my surroundings from my busy schedule and i wouldn’t know if your face passed by me recently, please tap my shoulder and tell me to pause for a moment when the leaves start to change colors.  i can’t bear the thought that because of the way i’m currently living i may miss one of my favorite things.

    a shot taken on a quiet being sort of day last fall.


  9. morning office thoughts.

    September 14, 2010 by louissa

    “just another day in the office,” i thought as i walked into the dark room trying to psyche myself up for emails, cleaning up of two classes that took place last night, taking care of details for a conference happening this weekend, and a dose of good ‘ole numbers that have to do with finances.

    but after turning on the light i noticed our messages bulletin board for the staff which is hardly ever used held a message for me.  the message?  a handwritten note from a dear soul of a friend.  it was a thank you note really — thanking me for teaching him about friendship and the ways i apparently bless those around me.  my immediate reaction is that of anyone else:  if only he really knew me.  then he wouldn’t be saying this.  i’m not a good friend, i’m not joyful, i don’t inspire.

    but he knows that.  he knows i’m not perfect.  he’s seen my imperfections.  and yet somehow he’s seen the good in there — the Christ in me.  it may have been a simple card but the fact that he took the time to write this and leave it in my envelope gave me a bit of encouragement to keep loving those around me and offer grace & joy whenever i can.

    suddenly it wasn’t just another day to try to endure and somehow persevere through.  it became an opportunity.  everyday, through my hours and hours of work in this little blue office, i interact with so many people.  and like this friend, i have the chance to speak words of life — words that empower and embolden — that will, like this card did, give confidence that although you might feel like you’re a lousy failure at life, i see where you’re excelling and i can encourage to keep going.

    you may be thinking to yourself, “it’s just an office job, louissa.”  and you’re right — it is.  and you may work at burger king but you also have this opportunity.  you have co-workers and friends and family who you can encourage.  i’ve just come to realize that my job may be a bit unique.   i have “relationships” with an entire congregation and people i didn’t used to have any interaction with i find myself conversing with on a weekly basis.  opportunities for me to bless with kind and gentle words abound in my life.

    have i mentioned that i rather like my job?  oh, i have?  well, i guess this proves that i really do.

    now i’m gonna go clean up some classrooms.


  10. burlington adventure.

    September 12, 2010 by louissa

    yesterday i went on an adventure with this darling creature:

    she’s the “new girl” — or at least that’s what she’s referred to by most around me.  although she’s technically been in the area and a part of my church for two years, she’s recently started working part time in the little blue office with me.  eventually she’ll stop being “the new girl” and start being a regular ‘ole “office girl” like me.

    we went to a place that had water and sailboats

    and a tall tower of filing cabinets

    and a large green bus.

    although the start of the trip was a bit rocky (you’re curious so i’ll tell.  i received my first speeding ticket on the way)

    once we got there and found a treasure of a thrift store, all frustrations were quickly forgotten.  excitement abounded in such measure that i couldn’t even focus the camera on our entire faces!

    a bag full of bargains came home with me but my favorite purchase was this $1 sweatshirt purchased at Salvation Army in Burlington, Vermont:

    although i’ve never had any sort of urge to wear green and yellow and support the nearby university, i couldn’t pass up the opportunity to snatch this “vintage” Clarkson apparel.

    GO KNIGHTS!!!  or whatever it is i’m supposed to say now.