I've always had a connection to music. I think I'm a very audio-visual individual. I gravitate towards pretty much any kind of music--I've blogged about it plenty. Song lyrics are like candy for my brain, since I'm usually munching on them and dissecting them. I appreciate talented musicians...as I've said before, music is what feelings sound like.
Music is a basic way for someone to display emotion. It's like getting to know a person, but just from what you hear.
Not all singers/guitar players/other-instrument players should be called musicians.
(EXAMPLE: auto-tuned disney pop stars. Brittany Spears.) But that's best saved for another post.
So, I have a friend who is lending me quite a few CD's.
I'm pretty sure my itunes library is going to be doubled by the end of this process. It's a good prospect.
It's exciting, because I love getting new music, though my computer is being funny--it won't recognize the song titles.
{cue Track 01, Track 02...}
...which is actually turning out to be even more fun for me. This process of listening, guessing, then googling (if I give up), is reminding me of a game my dad and I used to play when we were driving. We'd turn the radio on and play "guess the band"
It would go like this (if such a simple game needs further explaining):
Turn on the classic rock station.
Wait for a song.
"Makenzie, do you know who this is?"
"uhh, do you, Dad?"
"Think about it for a minute..."
there would be lots of finger-snapping and incorrect guesses. If my dad remembered he'd wait for me to guess.
"oooh, uhhh, it's that band...with that guy...he has that funny voice...OOH! ROBERT PLANT! LED ZEPPELIN?"
*nod from Dad*
"YESSS." (okay, admittedly, everyone knows what Robert Plant sounds like, but this is an example, okay? In real life I'm kinda-sorta-ish better at guessing)
We tried to get to where we would guess the song and band before the singer came on (because singers are usually what's associated with the sound of the band. People don't often think about the uniqueness of drum patterns and guitar riffs as much.)
If we didn't get it right before the singer started, we 'lost' and it didn't count.
I love music trivia. I have a lot of trivia from the 1960's - 1980's scene, thanks to my dad.
And now I'm playing "guess the band" with my itunes.
...but I get to cheat by searching google. Shhh.
ALSO, I have a HUGE MUG OF COFFEE. My happy cells are awake. My typing is getting faster thanks to the coffee. Yay!
Showing posts with label ponderings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ponderings. Show all posts
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
True Beauty
I was strolling through the interwebs, and I came across this poem by Sam Levenson. After all of the junk one might read in a beauty magazine, this is refreshing.
Fun fact: it was also one of Audrey Hepburn's favorite poems, so you know it's got to be good.
"For attractive lips,
Speak words of kindness.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge
you'll never walk alone.
The beauty of a woman
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.
[The flower pictures are from my latest romp to capture the spring.
...I love flowers.]
Speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his or her
fingers through it once a day.
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his or her
fingers through it once a day.
For poise,Walk with the knowledge
you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things,
have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
Never throw out anybody.
have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
Never throw out anybody.
Remember,
If you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older,
you will discover
that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself,
the other for helping others.
If you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of your arm.
you will discover
that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself,
the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman
must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a womanis not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman
with passing years-only grows!"
the passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman
with passing years-only grows!"
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
a basic truth with radical implications
I woke up with a terribly simple thought on my mind.
So simple, like Sunday School basic, yet my little brain couldn't grasp it very well.
I'll attempt to elaborate.
I'm sure everyone out there has a person who has hurt them/annoys them in some way. At least, you might have someone that you don't like very much at all.
(If you don't, well, great for you! You don't need to read this. You can leave.)
Sadly, I have some peoples of whom I am not a fan. They're like burrs in my shoe (don't worry, it's not you). God has been working on me ever-so-slowly.
I'll use an old example:
So simple, like Sunday School basic, yet my little brain couldn't grasp it very well.
I'll attempt to elaborate.
I'm sure everyone out there has a person who has hurt them/annoys them in some way. At least, you might have someone that you don't like very much at all.
(If you don't, well, great for you! You don't need to read this. You can leave.)
Sadly, I have some peoples of whom I am not a fan. They're like burrs in my shoe (don't worry, it's not you). God has been working on me ever-so-slowly.
I'll use an old example:
Friday, March 04, 2011
Books...and bookwormishness
So, my posts have been really long as of late.
I don't mean for them to be so overwhelmingly detailed and rambly, I assure you. I'll work on keeping them to the point.
I'm just assuming you're a fast reader, that's all. It's a compliment.
*wink*
I don't mean for them to be so overwhelmingly detailed and rambly, I assure you. I'll work on keeping them to the point.
I'm just assuming you're a fast reader, that's all. It's a compliment.
*wink*
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
coffee and philosophy
I had a dream...
A dream in which everything was realistic, unlike my normal dreams. It was realistic to the point of confusion; it took me a few minutes to figure out what reality was when I woke up.
It reminded me of the story of the man and the butterfly.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
from one grasshopper to another
An oft-quoted verse:
"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
This is a fantastic verse, and I love to feel refreshed by it, but I've realized it is much more powerful in context. (Isaiah 40) Recently I read this chapter, and I was floored.
Isaiah 40 starts off with bad times coming for the nation of Israel. The Israelites are going to be oppressed (again), because of their king's foolish mistake.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
concerning hiking
Well, that epic post will come sometime, but in the meantime, I've been mulling over a few thoughts.
They are by no means exemplary, but anyways, here we go.
Memories.
Have you ever heard a song, smelled a scent, or seen an image that triggers a flood of fond reminiscence and emotion?
This has happened to me many times recently; I guess I'm becoming more sentimental with old age (if such a thing is even possible. I don't think I'm supposed to EVER age. My grandparents laugh.)
When I was out running the other day, I took a route that led by a patch of fragrant ferns and evergreen trees. Their smell reminded me of happy summers in Washington. (Boy, do I ever have stories to blog about from that golden place.)
Shall I tell you one? I shall, since I feel nostalgic.
Well, one of the summers, when I was 11, I went on a backpacking trip with my Dad and Uncle Robert. It was in the Olympic National Rainforest.
Here are the trail stats:
Ecosystem Type: Montane forest, subalpine forest, subalpine meadow
General Elevation Trend: Moderate
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation Change: 500 ft. to 3200 ft.
So there you have it. 6.9 miles in and 6.9 miles out. It was long and steep. It was also beautiful.
We backpacked.
Dad and Uncle Rob had the huge packs full of food and shelter.
I remember in my pack I carried a flashlight, bandana, water bottle, compass, a loud whistle, clothes, and a Guinness World Record book.
Just the basic essentials.
(Oh, I think there was hand sanitizer in there too. Germs are everywhere...)
It was a light bag at the head of the trail, but by the end of the hike, it was the heaviest bag I had ever carried.
I vividly remember the huge trees and ferns feeling like a fairy tale, and I was like a wood nymph. Or an ent. Or maybe an Indian (oops, Native American).
I remember feeling like the trail would never end {especially when the grade increased} and Dad telling me it wasn't much farther (for about three miles).
After hiking interminably, we made it to the alpine meadow (excuse me. sub-alpine meadow) that was our campsite. We were the only humans for leagues. There were mountains on all sides of the site. It was beautiful.
The site were were at was called "Three Lakes".
We had brought fishing poles.
Where there's water there's fish, right? Well, these "lakes" were actually shallow ponds of crystal clear water.
No fish.
No matter, there was a back-up plan.
We fried bacon.
Hotdogs were sauteed in the bacon grease.
That meal ranks in my top 15 of all-time.
Food is amazing when you've hiked all day.
ESPECIALLY that hot bacony goodness.
I explored, and as it got dark, I read aloud from my world record book and drank hot chocolate.
The sky was beautiful that night, and I slept really well.
[aside from a slight fear of a bear attack. Signs were up every now and then warning about bears. We even had a bearwire for our food. I knew a few things about bears:
1)Bears like bacon.
2)Bears like hot dogs.
3)Bears like little girls.]
In the morning, we were all still very much alive. I was exuberant.
The hike back to the trailhead was not so bad.
I felt like a hobo/mountain girl when we reentered civilization. I was happy to see running water.
We stopped somewhere to eat, and I felt pity for the people who stayed in air conditioning and only saw nature on some TV special.
Poor people, you miss out on so much beauty and happiness.
Anyways, I love hiking, and plan on doing it frequently in the future. A few months ago, we hiked in the Pisgah National Forest. I ran down most of the Mt. LeConte trail. There was extreme vertigo to be had. I loved it. Strangely, I did not fall on the jagged rocks as I hurtled down the trail. (I already blogged about that experience in October...) Here's a picture from the top of the ridge:
...what is wrong with me? I'm not even 30, and I'm thinking about the good old days.
What was it Solomon said in Ecclesiastes?
"Do not say, 'Were the old days better than these?'
For it is not wise to ask such questions."
I agree wholeheartedly with his statement. I am eagerly expectant for the future.
I really think the old days are just as good as the new days. Because the new days will eventually be the old days and the new days bring the greatest days closer and closer.
I do love scouring my memory and reflecting on happy times.
There are some memories that I do not like reflecting on. {For obvious reasons.}
But sometimes I shock myself when what used to be a emotional wound has now healed up nicely when I revisit it (okay, maybe there is still some scarring.) So, occasionally I'll check up on myself by seeing how I feel when I think about certain memories.
Like the time when my goldfish, Buggy, died. I was 9.
...no, I can't revisit that one yet. Just so you know, high-heels, softball, and fishtanks DO NOT MIX. Ever. I don't think I need to delve into that. (His death was unintentional.)
How about that time I fell flat on my face while walking?
...ouch. I have both physical and emotional scars from that one.
{Note to self: Never bring that up again. I will never recover.}
I think I need to stop revisiting memories now. Since I'm not pleasantly surprised at my emotional healing.
I will post something epic. Be ready for it. It might be a few weeks, but it will come.
Also, if you're bored, or feel like watching me be a goof, check out my youtube channel. Click on kikithenut, if you are so inclined.
They are by no means exemplary, but anyways, here we go.
Memories.
Have you ever heard a song, smelled a scent, or seen an image that triggers a flood of fond reminiscence and emotion?
This has happened to me many times recently; I guess I'm becoming more sentimental with old age (if such a thing is even possible. I don't think I'm supposed to EVER age. My grandparents laugh.)
When I was out running the other day, I took a route that led by a patch of fragrant ferns and evergreen trees. Their smell reminded me of happy summers in Washington. (Boy, do I ever have stories to blog about from that golden place.)
Shall I tell you one? I shall, since I feel nostalgic.
Well, one of the summers, when I was 11, I went on a backpacking trip with my Dad and Uncle Robert. It was in the Olympic National Rainforest.
Here are the trail stats:
Ecosystem Type: Montane forest, subalpine forest, subalpine meadow
General Elevation Trend: Moderate
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation Change: 500 ft. to 3200 ft.
So there you have it. 6.9 miles in and 6.9 miles out. It was long and steep. It was also beautiful.
We backpacked.
Dad and Uncle Rob had the huge packs full of food and shelter.
I remember in my pack I carried a flashlight, bandana, water bottle, compass, a loud whistle, clothes, and a Guinness World Record book.
Just the basic essentials.
(Oh, I think there was hand sanitizer in there too. Germs are everywhere...)
It was a light bag at the head of the trail, but by the end of the hike, it was the heaviest bag I had ever carried.
I vividly remember the huge trees and ferns feeling like a fairy tale, and I was like a wood nymph. Or an ent. Or maybe an Indian (oops, Native American).
I remember feeling like the trail would never end {especially when the grade increased} and Dad telling me it wasn't much farther (for about three miles).
After hiking interminably, we made it to the alpine meadow (excuse me. sub-alpine meadow) that was our campsite. We were the only humans for leagues. There were mountains on all sides of the site. It was beautiful.
The site were were at was called "Three Lakes".
We had brought fishing poles.
Where there's water there's fish, right? Well, these "lakes" were actually shallow ponds of crystal clear water.
No fish.
No matter, there was a back-up plan.
We fried bacon.
Hotdogs were sauteed in the bacon grease.
That meal ranks in my top 15 of all-time.
Food is amazing when you've hiked all day.
ESPECIALLY that hot bacony goodness.
I explored, and as it got dark, I read aloud from my world record book and drank hot chocolate.
The sky was beautiful that night, and I slept really well.
[aside from a slight fear of a bear attack. Signs were up every now and then warning about bears. We even had a bearwire for our food. I knew a few things about bears:
1)Bears like bacon.
2)Bears like hot dogs.
3)Bears like little girls.]
In the morning, we were all still very much alive. I was exuberant.
The hike back to the trailhead was not so bad.
I felt like a hobo/mountain girl when we reentered civilization. I was happy to see running water.
We stopped somewhere to eat, and I felt pity for the people who stayed in air conditioning and only saw nature on some TV special.
Poor people, you miss out on so much beauty and happiness.
Anyways, I love hiking, and plan on doing it frequently in the future. A few months ago, we hiked in the Pisgah National Forest. I ran down most of the Mt. LeConte trail. There was extreme vertigo to be had. I loved it. Strangely, I did not fall on the jagged rocks as I hurtled down the trail. (I already blogged about that experience in October...) Here's a picture from the top of the ridge:
...what is wrong with me? I'm not even 30, and I'm thinking about the good old days.
What was it Solomon said in Ecclesiastes?
"Do not say, 'Were the old days better than these?'
For it is not wise to ask such questions."
I agree wholeheartedly with his statement. I am eagerly expectant for the future.
I do love scouring my memory and reflecting on happy times.
There are some memories that I do not like reflecting on. {For obvious reasons.}
But sometimes I shock myself when what used to be a emotional wound has now healed up nicely when I revisit it (okay, maybe there is still some scarring.) So, occasionally I'll check up on myself by seeing how I feel when I think about certain memories.
Like the time when my goldfish, Buggy, died. I was 9.
...no, I can't revisit that one yet. Just so you know, high-heels, softball, and fishtanks DO NOT MIX. Ever. I don't think I need to delve into that. (His death was unintentional.)
How about that time I fell flat on my face while walking?
...ouch. I have both physical and emotional scars from that one.
{Note to self: Never bring that up again. I will never recover.}
I think I need to stop revisiting memories now. Since I'm not pleasantly surprised at my emotional healing.
I will post something epic. Be ready for it. It might be a few weeks, but it will come.
Also, if you're bored, or feel like watching me be a goof, check out my youtube channel. Click on kikithenut, if you are so inclined.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Math math math
Math math math math.
I wish the lie that was prevalent in 1950 held true today...
Seventeen magazine said that math wasn't a girly subject. "Math is best left to real brains."
Ha. Hah.
.
...Oh wait.
That would make me....the inverse of "real brains"??
Uhmmm. Perhaps math is a wonderful thing!
I take that wish back.
No magic lamps around? Whew.
I wish the lie that was prevalent in 1950 held true today...
Seventeen magazine said that math wasn't a girly subject. "Math is best left to real brains."
Ha. Hah.
.
...Oh wait.
That would make me....the inverse of "real brains"??
Uhmmm. Perhaps math is a wonderful thing!
I take that wish back.
No magic lamps around? Whew.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
He's not finished with me yet...
Today I had that Brandon Heath song "Wait and See" stuck in my head...
I want my heart to be set up on those heavenly things, not the temporal things that will fade away.
Matthew 6:23 is convicting to think about:
As it says in Colossians 3:1-4:
It doesn't always make sense, but I know that what God has in store is SO much greater than anything I could plan out for myself. I know that I can trust Him.
Time after time, after time, after time, He has shown Himself to be faithful and never has He let me down.
I'm glad, exuberant, joyful in the fact that I am His daughter, His princess. He's my Friend, my Brother, my King. Hallelu!!
...I just finished another week of counseling. I promise that at some point I will post about the fun and craziness of two weeks of counseling. The week was wonderful.
There are MANY funny stories that I could tell. (8-10 year olds are very joyful. They can be goofballs, but they also teach much...from the mouths of babes and all that)
...as for right now, I can say that whatever my lot,
He has taught me to say
that it is well,
it is well with my soul.
There is hope for me yetI'm trying to wait and see what His plans are. He knows them all of course, but to me, it is a mystery. I guess that's a good thing. God knows what I can bear. If I knew all about my future, I'd go crazy. Life would lose some of its spice and excitement... anticipation is half of the fun.
Because God won’t forget
All the plans He’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet...
I want my heart to be set up on those heavenly things, not the temporal things that will fade away.
Matthew 6:23 is convicting to think about:
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."I want to have what God wants in my mind. The things of men fade away. They don't last long.
As it says in Colossians 3:1-4:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.I am dead. My life is in Christ. I feel joy in the thought that God has got me.
It doesn't always make sense, but I know that what God has in store is SO much greater than anything I could plan out for myself. I know that I can trust Him.
Time after time, after time, after time, He has shown Himself to be faithful and never has He let me down.
I'm glad, exuberant, joyful in the fact that I am His daughter, His princess. He's my Friend, my Brother, my King. Hallelu!!
...I just finished another week of counseling. I promise that at some point I will post about the fun and craziness of two weeks of counseling. The week was wonderful.
There are MANY funny stories that I could tell. (8-10 year olds are very joyful. They can be goofballs, but they also teach much...from the mouths of babes and all that)
...as for right now, I can say that whatever my lot,
He has taught me to say
that it is well,
it is well with my soul.
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