sunrise... sunset

I really don't have anything to write about but someone once told me that if you want to develop your writing skills you should write something everyday. Don't laugh now because I think that person was a grade school teacher. I guess I did learn something at the good ole Drippin' High School.

This is something surprising.... I saw the sunrise this morning. But lets be serious... me witnessing these spectacular colors painted across the sky was against my wishes and the idea of my puppy. You see Chaco, still being the 2 year old pup that he really is, has to be around all of the action and action started at sunrise this morning when Hobie and Splash, two of our friends dogs, woke up and like the good host he is, Chaco had to greet them. I then realized that the day was breaking right through my window... so I got out of bed let Chaco out of my room and stomped over to my window to close my curtains. The split second before sealing my drapes from the waking sky I saw some pretty miraculous colors. And for that split second I thought I might want to wake up early more often and then I realized that I can see these same alluring colors when the sun sets too.. and that my friend is much more conducive to my sleeping schedule.

That's What Christmas is all About, Charlie Brown!

Does it really take a cartoon to remind all of us what Christmas is all about? The famous Peanuts Christmas movie has brought warmth to all of our hearts for years and years. Yet some people still forget that Christmas is about giving and giving and giving, not just giving presents but love.

Sometimes giving love is hard. Family dynamics and differences may be difficult to deal with but for one night and one day they can be put aside to let the love shine thru. Traveling may be long but letting someone over could make all the difference in that persons holidays. Shopping can be a hassle but searching for the perfect gift will bring a smile to a friends face. There are a lot of way to show your love this season and all year long! How will you give yours?

Jada

Coming home to bad news is never fun. It's actually something I fear. But when Matt and I got back to San Antonio, Jada was gone. Matt has had Jada for 5 years and is needless to say very attached to the little princess. She's just so cute lovable!! She is also some what of an escape artist and likes to dig out and spread her love to Matt's neighbors.
As soon as we got to the house, Matt, DJ and Chris were looking. I walked around the neighborhood to ask if she had been seen. 2 hours later there was still no sign. It got dark and still no sign. Matt sat on the front steps for a while whistling for her.. but mainly he didn't want to break down in front of his roommates.
We spent the majority of the day putting up signs and calling local animal shelters and around 4:30 today Matt got a call... a woman had picked her up yesterday and had Jada at her home. God protected her and guided a loving soul to take her in and bring her home.
First thing we did was take her to the vet and got her micro-chipped!!

The Wait is Over

I checked my e-mail on my phone once every half hour today for anything concerning the TOMS Vagabonds Roster. The day went by and nothing.

I studied all day, went for lunch with a friend and took a restless nap . All the while this little voice in the back of my head was chanting: "they will call, they will call! remember it's 2 hours earlier there!" This was something I had to remind myself when I started checking my e-mail at
8 AM... "umm hello Ana..it's 6 AM in Santa Monica... No one at TOMS was even awake yet!" So, by 6 o' clock PM my time (4 o' clock PM Pacific time) I had convinced myself that I would get a friendly e-mail sometime tomorrow thanking me for the time and effort I put into applying but, regretfully, positions have been filled.

8:08 PM rolls around (6:08 TOMS time) and I get a call from a Cali number! I get this call when I am in Starbucks (which is always a little quieter during the weeks of finals) studying with my friend Hayley for our final tomorrow and I can all but help from screaming YES YES YES! All I gotta say is Jesus was on my side and they listened! :)

"dog" is God spelled backwards

Sylvie had a sleep over for her birthday last night and it looks as though Chaco stayed up with all the girls. He's asleep like a rock! I miss having him in San Antonio with me. He just makes me so happy!!! Angela and I always joke that Chaco is the only guy that will never leave and will always love me!

My brother had a great analogy about dogs. He said that dogs were created in a more perfect image of God's love. You can yell at them, take their chew toys away, ignore them and leave them. Yet, when you are ready to come back, they run to you can lick you across the face just like you never left.

You can curse God, keep your heart from Him, ignore His words, and leave Him behind. And when you're ready to come back, he is waiting for you with open arms.

Winter Warmth

Being a Texan, it takes a while for me to get used to the cold. I don't really like being cold but there are a few things that I love about cold weather, like the little places you find warmth all season long!

For example, I love bundling up in sweaters, coats and boots. NOT UGG BOOTS.... It doesn't snow in Texas therefor no reason to wear them. But that is an entire blog in itself about things i don't like about Texas Winter... and i'm talking about things I love about Texas Winter! So anyway, Winter clothes are my favorite!!! Leggings, fuzzy socks, House shoes, scarfs and matching hats.. OO .. ear muffs and mittens! My favorite kind of mitten in particular are the ones that are half gloves and half mittens... you know the ones that cover half your fingers and then have the mitten attached to flip over your exposed fingers!!! LOVE IT!

Another thing that is fantastic about Winter in Texas is how the sun still shines through and warms the inside of your car. The air is so cool and crisp outside but when you get back in your car, the Texas sun has kept you car seats warm and toasty inside!

Fires! Fires make your home feel even more cozy in the winter! But the best fires are the ones found at little hole in the wall coffee shops or restaurants! When I was younger, my dad used to take me to La Madeline and in the winter I would want to sit by the fire and eat my potato soup!! SOO GOOD!

I just love being Warm in the Winter!

TOMS Update

Soo it's December 5th and I was supposed to find out if I got the internship or not... I did get an e-mail about the status. My e-mail said, "Congratulations!! If you are receiving this e-mail, you are still being considered to be a TOMS Vagabond!..."

I will know for sure by December 11th... meaning more waiting. So for now my life plans are still up in the air! I think this is good for me, I have no control and no plan. This kinda of makes me a little crazy 'cause I love having control and I LOVE plans! Just gotta put my trust in Jesus and try not to drive everyone around me crazy because of my lack of control and my sketchy, ever changing plan. AHHH!