Tuesday, November 22, 2011

things i'm loving right now

the zoo...where the kiddos and i explored a few days ago...the audubon zoo had me at hello when i heard there were sea lions (my absolute favorite without a doubt)..
satsumas..they're quickly becoming my new favorite fruit (in case you never had the chance of tasting these delicious things..it's kind of a cross between a tangerine and a clementine) one word...yum!

my new tutoring challenge....which involves ACT prep with one of the seniors that attends the church where i'm working

the bean gallery..a coffee shop that is quickly winning my heart with their perfectly blended frozen mocha coffees and outdoor seating..(which is also the back drop for my ACT prep tutoring sessions)
a spur of the moment visit...from a dear friend
my hammock..where i take the best naps (usually accidental ones)..have the best thoughts..and enjoy the best trees

"after all the ups and downs and shuffling around..i have found my home away from home..and i couldn't be more happy..excited..inspired..thankful..blessed"
peace & love
jillian

Sunday, November 13, 2011

clarity

"all journeys have secret destinations of which the travelor is unaware"

a little bit ago my roommates and i packed up our things and headed to austin, texas for our fall retreat..we stayed at austin presbyterian theological seminary and were joined by the san antonio yavs and americorps volunteers living in austin this year...those few days brought many things.. fun.. laughter.. clarity..and bliss..
exploring the capital building and the city itself was one of my favorite things along with looking down on lake austin and experiencing the austin powwow..
i enjoyed the atmosphere austin had to offer and felt rejuvenated when the weekend drew to a close..it reassured me that i was in the right place this year..
all in all it was exactly what i needed..even though i didn't know it quite then..and that's kind of what god does..stays a few steps ahead of you..and all i have to remember to do is trust..

peace & love
jillian

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

chit chats

the past few weeks i've noticed that it all comes down to the interactions we have with one another..people often can surprise you and usually have something wonderful hiding up their sleeve...now anyone that has stayed in new orleans for more than a day or two has discovered that new orleanians love talking and sharing stories..and these past couple of weeks have lead to some amazing ones..

the children i tutor always have a way of brightening my day..their curiosity often leads to chatting about those simple joys in life that we tend to overlook...and how i've forgotten how undeniably wonderful it is to read a story with someone.. 
                     
i've been able to establish more relationships with the seafarers..those conversations always broaden my horizons..i am constantly learning new and interesting things about their culture and how it has had an impact on their view on life and their faith..and more times than not it reminds me how thankful i am to have my loved ones just a phone call away..
a few weekends ago a couple of my roommates and i enjoyed live music and delicious food at the crescent city blues and bbq festival..while enjoying the gorgeous weather (yes i'm still wearing short sleeved shirts and flip flops) and the lovely tunes we stumbled upon some amazing art..one artist in particular, Holly E. Sarre, spoke with us until it was time to shut down..giving us the inside scoop on mardi gras, restuarants to check out, and some good advice on life..
at the end of that night we were all sitting down on the lawn soaking up our contentment in the city when a man was pushed up to us in his wheelchair..he asked if he could free style a poem for us..saying we were pleasantly surprised is an understatement..he came up with the most moving poem i've had the pleasure of hearing..it was all about three queens that wanted to explore the world for a bit..the part that stayed with me the most was when he said "i just want you to know you're beautiful and full of light" the entire poem brought tears to our eyes..after he was finished he simply wished us a beautiful night and left...it surely was a night i will not soon forget..

"maybe it's all utterly meaningless..maybe it's all utterably meaningful..if you want to know which..pay attention to what it means to be truly human in a world that half the time we're in love with and half the time scares the hell out of us..any fiction that helps us pay attention to that is religious fiction..the unexpected sound of your name on somebody's lips.the good dream..the strange coincidence..the moment that brings tears to your eyes..the person who brings life to your life..even the smallest events hold the greatest clues" frederick buechner

peace & love
jillian