here ye! here ye!

Time is a tickin'. Posts will not be as frequent as I'd like them to be this month, but...it's for good reason! :) I have all but ONE (!!!!) week of undergrad left...Dang. I truly can't believe it. Crazy. Crazy...Phew...I'll probably be soaking that fact in more after this is posted. Anyway, what was this time like for you? Would love to hear.

Well, after this coming week, I'll be traveling to Thailand for another two weeks with some folks from my church :) We'll be teaching English in both Bangkok and Hat Yai to about 40 kids/teens. Sooooo looking forward to it! Expect an update from a neighborhood computer cafe half-way around the world while I'm there :)

Just in case you're like me and have never visited Thailand before, here's a glimpse of what it's like...

by tayser

by hn

Mostly, I'm looking forward to meeting the people. People like these.

by nick rain

by Pixel Packing Mama

David and his Thai friend that I'll probably be meeting very soon! :)

This photo was taken by my buddy, Eunice, last year on their trip.

a Thai English camper :)

also by Eunice

Please be praying for me and the people of Thailand. Love wants to get even more acquainted with us ;)

Well, that's all for now! You'll be hearing from me sometime in the next couple of weeks! Or...maybe sooner if I need a study break. Hehe :) Goodnighttttt!

the ruins of detroit

Hey all!


My dear friend Michael sent me a link filled with photographs of the ruins of Detroit, Michigan. He's currently in his first year of his two-year commitment with Teach For America where he sees homes and buildings like this DAILY. It amazes and saddens me how a whole city actually could decline. Take a look for yourself. I've posted a few of the photos, but I'd suggest looking at the actual site and reading the captions. They'll speak volumes. To me, these photos really urge me to pray for the people living in Detroit and for the people who no longer live there but were still greatly affected by the unfortunate "failing" of its car industry (the main sustenance for the city's economy at the time). It also urges me to continue to take part in freely and joyfully giving.


Lol. And kind of a side note...Another thing it awakens in me is the practical ways someone might be able to help Detroit's economy and their own personal finances! Not sure if this is actually plausible, but many, and I mean MANY, people love vintage stuff! Wouldn't it be awesome for you and them if you could buy (maybe from the city itself) their old things like organizers, desks, chairs, chandeliers, and use them to sell at your very own vintage furniture rental store?! or...for some DIY projects?! or...selling on your very own Etsy shop?! The possible uses could go on I'm sure...hehe :) Anyway, back to being serious...what do these photos speak to you and your soul? I'm very curious.

Bagley-Clifford Office of the National Bank of Detroit

United Artists Theater

Biology classroom, Wilbur Wright High School

Waiting hall, Michigan Central Station

East Methodist Church

East Side Public Library

Offices, Highland Park Police Station

photoshoot: Parents To-Be

The Jacobs' first family portraits! Jesse and Des, so honored I could be the one to capture these moments for you guys :) Thank you. Thank you. Totally looking forward to meeting little Mr. Jacobs.

A little more intimate...

And...my favorite! Not only is it of a genuinely special moment, but it's a really good portrayal of their love for one another. Can't you just tell their little baby boy is gonna get some good lovin'?! :) Yay!

photoshoot: Dylan & Daphne

Oops! Didn't mean to tease you all for as long as I did! Been quite busy. Anyway, here are the long awaited pictures! Enjoy :)

Hehe. I really liked placing these next two photos together because it paints a funny story of Daphne poking Dylan, but in actuality they play so well together especially as the "pilot" and "lookout" :)

See? They were fighting the bad treasure-stealing sharks :)

Have a great night and a great day tomorrow whether you are celebrating Valentine's day or not :)

diy: Valentine's Day

"Everyone says flowers are like the cop-out gift, but no.

I wanted to change that & let people know

that flowers could be full of thought too!" -Margaret

Good morning everyone! Today we have a special treat from my buddy Margaret. She'll be sharing a very quick do-it-yourself flower project that you can make for a friend, your home, or that special someone in time for Valentine's Day! Each flower will only take about 5-10 minutes and my favorite thing about it all is that...all the supplies are things most probably laying around your house! :) Ladies AND gents...here we go!

supplies you'll be needing:

1. Using the razor, cut a small hole in the bottle cap.

2. Twist the straw and push it through the hole with the bottle cap facing up.

3. Apply some glue to the brass fastener and stick it into the straw.

4. Cut the paper towel (or napkin) measuring the length according to the perimeter of the cap.

*Tip: You can use food coloring or watercolor paint to change the color & design of your paper towel.

5. Now cut fringes (or strips) leaving about 1/4 of an inch uncut. The width of these strips can be cut according to how big you want the petals.

6. Round the tips by cutting the tips of the fringes in a curved fashion.

7. Glue the paper towel onto the cap.

8. Repeat Steps 4-7 with your desired patterned paper.

*Tip: Varying the height and width of the strips adds layers to the flower.

9. Using your fingers, gently spread and flatten out the strips of paper.

10. Cut a strip of green paper that can wrap around the straw.

11. Using tape, adhere the paper to the straw.

All done! :)

Thank you, Margaret! So great having you! Hope you all enjoyed her creativity just as much as I did :) Amazing days to you!

thank you!!!

Oh, wow! I am so humbled. Over 100 views all in one day. I went from at best 8 to now 100. Thanks everyone!! Loved having you stop by :) Hope you received something of value during your visit!

teaser: Dylan & Daphne

Had a really great day today tagging along with my uncle and his two cuties on their Saturday Daddy Time at the local park. Thanks guys! Catching up and playing with family = good times :)

It's getting late, so I'll decide which photos to post later and leave you with this teaser. Tehehe.