Domesticated

Domesticated - v. - The act of being domestic. "Look at you being all domesticated and such," Taylor said.

Admittingly so, I go through phases of being domesticated. I'm not exactly sure how they come about, but when they happen it seems all I want to do is just craft, cook, beautify and clean (sometimes) things. This happened a few weeks ago, and T got a few nights of home-cooked meals and desserts out of it.

Exhibit A:

BBQ baked chicken, steamed broccoli and au gratin potatoes.

Exhibit B:

This isn't my recipe (I wish...), but Bakerella posted it and I'm in LOVE with the recipe. It's so easy and you literally just mix, pour and bake. Always a crowd pleaser.

I made this for Taylor the day he signed his full time contract with Northwestern Mutual! If you need financial help, help a girl out and use Taylor cause he's saving for something particular at the moment...cough.

Then, I made this little gem-

Meet Exhibit C:

The always appreciated fruit pizza.

This was a first attempt for me, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. Fruit pizza's are also a really simple thing to make, I've found. Cookie dough, cream cheese/powdered sugar and fruit! Simple!

I served this when we had dinner with Taylor's family one night and they loved it! I'll admit, I was trying to impress them a little. His mom is such a wonderful cook, I feel the need to let them know from time-to-time that I'm capable of feeding their 6'5 boy. Though, I'll never fill her shoes I'm sure.

This week will be a busy, but much awaited week. This is my last week at my internship- but there might be some job prospects, so cross your fingers! Then, Reagan and Tiffany get married this weekend, which has been much awaited (I'll be doing the guestbook. Whoop!) and I'm sure it will be absolutely beautiful!

This is where I become nerdy.

For this post I'm going to actually be an actual adult and reference a news story, then give my two cents.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/16/facebook.skin.lightening.app/?fbid=XzwfqFwFnhp

For those of you who didn't read the link to the article, which I'm sure is all of you, it goes a little something like this:

Vaseline introduced a new product specific to India's male population claiming it whitens skin. A social media campaign was launched in the form of a Facebook application. Users of the application would upload pictures of themselves, then virtually apply the cream to the uploaded photo and see how their skin would appear after use. A test sample application, if you will.

What's the big deal?

Well, I'm sure you are smart enough to think of a few ideas. I won't discount your intelligence merely because you choose to read about a young lady that manages to lose her keys on a weekly basis, but that's neither here nor there...

But my true questions is, why is it so bad? Michael Jackson did it, right? (bad example, sorry. still too soon.)

While the application wasn't created by Facebook (as many thought), Vaseline had the right motives, though it appears to a western audience as cruel or even racist.

The Indian culture values pale, fair skin as beautiful, just like American's view tan skin as beautiful. Get my gist, yet?

I say Vaseline made a smart move. This is clearly a market in India that Vaseline needed to tap into, just like the hundeds of thousands of sunless tanning lotions, foams and whatchamacallits available over-the-counter in America.

Vaseline is standing their ground on the creation of the product, (Who would seriously sue Vaseline?) and I think that's smart of them. I think they have the research to back up their product creation.

If India only knew people paid a ridiculous amount of money to resemble their country's natural skin tone. I guess the grass is always greener.

In any case, my pale skin would be a big hit over there. Anyone want to hop a plane to India with me?

-End marketing nerdiness-

Big Mac

I heard this news yesterday and become so overwhelmed I started crying while sitting at work haha

But here it is in an e-mail my dad sent to some friends and family members-

I had an appt. with my oncologist yesterday and he gave me some really good news!

When I first was diagnosed in early May, some bloodwork was done and it was determined that I had a 'cancer marker' at a very high level of 1,739. Normal is just 4.

After 3 rounds of chemotherapy, that number has already dropped to 24.

The doctor said that in his entire career, he has not ever seen this number drop so quickly.

Praise God ! And thanks to all of you who are praying for me.

Love Ya All,

David

Once again, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the prayers and support. So many loving people have gathered around my family at this time and it's been one of the biggest blessings of my entire life.

There have been times that I have physically felt God's presence when people have prayed over me for and about my dad. I can't even describe the feeling I got, but I knew God was there.

Please continue to pray for the rest of his recovery and chemo treatments.

When my mom called me yesterday she said my dad ate an entire Big Mac the previous day, which is so wonderful to hear. His appetite is looking up!

Free Snow Cones After the Game

Last weekend, Taylor, Tiffany and I ventured down to Dallas to watch my first major league baseball game!

We left early Saturday morning - maybe not early for some people, but if it require me waking up within the six o'clock hour, believe me it's early - and headed to Southlake to stay with Reagan's family.

It was such a fun weekend, though a little tiring. We ran around the Dallas area and headed into Frisco so I could visit Ikea for the first time.

Let me tell you- I'm sure I don't, though - Ikea is a life changing experience. It's like Disneyworld for home furnishings. And I'm not exaggerating.

We meandered around there for a few hours and finished up in time to hit up Sonic's happy hour.

My first MLB game was a success, except for one thing: the Rangers didn't win. Oh well, I did get a free hat and fireworks show, so it didn't matter much to me!

Taylor's aunt and uncle were wonderful hosts and it was so much fun to spend time with Taylor's extended family! The more I spend with them, the more I like them, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

And though Tiffany isn't my family, I really think that we are just beginning a wonderful friendship! It was great to get to know her a little better this weekend. She and Reagan will marry in less than a month, so it was fun talking about the wedding/life things with her (and her MIL to be) this weekend.

Next weekend we are heading up to Wichita to visit my family! I'm super excited! Taylor hasn't been up since last Thanksgiving, so I hope he's ready for some Kansas fun.

Dad update:

Dad goes in on Wednesday for another chemo treatment. This time he will be meeting with his oncologist to talk about how he is progressing.

Though I'm not a doctor, I really think the chemo treatment is working for him! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but in the past few weeks he has been doing a lot better! He's even gained a few pounds! So thank you to everyone who reads this and prays for my dad - your prayers have been such a blessing for my family!

Happy Father's Day

To a dad who...

Taught me:

to explore.

my ordinal directions.

to ask questions.

to dissect words in order to find out their root and eventually its meaning.

to watch the Food Network (which my friends made fun of me for in

middle school).

how to check my tire pressure.

how to travel.

how to fold a fitted sheet.

Helped me:

complete school projects I procrastinated on.

did my Geography homework once in 6th grade, I think.

shop on countless occasions.

never give up.

beat middle-aged men in Buzztime Trivia at a sport's bar.

Let me:

mess up.

take chances.

dictate our vacation spots (Boot Hill in Liberal, KS - really, Dad?).

sleep in his bed after I saw "The Ring".

pour my high school heart and soul out to him in a Taco Bell.

And not to mention attended every play, concert and spring sing performance.

And who still:

teaches me, helps me and lets me be me every day.

I love you, Dad.

Gratuitous Amounts of Non-Related Stuff

Remember on Xanga when they had that "currently watching" or "listening to" thing you could do? Well right now I'm watching "Across the Universe." I still have my Xanga account active, in fact.

I read it sometimes and laugh at my high school self. I was interesting back then, we'll just say. Now I'm perfectly well adjusted and awesome.

Right? Right.

Lots has happened since I blogged last. Life does that sometimes.

I have lots of things I've grown addicted to. I'll list them to be fun.

1. Netflix. If you don't have it you need to get it. It's changing my life and it's only been less than a week. I've been able to relive my childhood through their instant movies and television shows. It's been wonderful. I've already watch "Hello, Dolly!", went through seasons 1, 2 and most of 3 of "The Hills," and half of a season of he A&E hit reality show "Airline" (which none of you probably know existed, but I used to watch it with my dad and loved it. It's hilarious).

Side note: Favorite quote from the movie -

Horace Vandergelder: Dolly Levi, you are a damned exasperating woman!

Dolly Levi: Why Horace Vandergelder, that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me.

Love it. I think I might be Dolly Levi. Watch the movie and tell me what you think. Or just watch it for fun.

2. Diet Coke. Yes, I'm drinking pop again (refer to previous posts for an explanation why I gave it up). But they offer FREE (as a poor college student I think I'm obligated to automatically partake in free items) pop at my internship, so I drink it to get my fix for the day. Then I don't have to buy cans, just a 2-liter to get me through a week or so. It's a wonderfully cheap way to get my caffeine buzz.

3. The iTouch app, "Lose it!" It's a calorie counter app designed to help people lose weight and it's FREE (and once again the college student obligation applies). But you can input what you ate, even from restaurants or grocery stores, and it tells you how many calories you ate and how many you have left for the day. There is also a way to add exercise and the app tells you how many calories you will burn if you do it for a certain amount of time. It's just wonderful. Check it out. You won't regret it.

I guess that's my life recently. I'm going home this weekend for Father's Day. I'm pretty psyched.

Dad update:

He had his second chemo treatment last Wednesday. So far, his body seems to be responding. My mom called me last week after taking him to a few appointments and had a few encouraging things to say.

-"Susan, he isn't yellow anymore!" It sounds funny to hear, but for the first few weeks after he was diagnosed his skin had a yellow tint to it. Mostly because his liver wasn't functioning right, but now it seems to be doing better (thus a more natural skin tone is emerging). Coincidentally, I remember my dad's favorite color to be yellow.

-I think some of his energy is coming back, which is such a blessing.

-No vomiting...yet. The doctor said everyone can react to it differently, but my dad hates - and I use the word hate with the fullest of intent- throwing up. It could happen, but it hasn't yet which is great.

-The swelling has gone down in his legs, ankles and feet. For a while we thought he might have to buy new pants, but the lack-of-swelling suggests that his liver is getting better.

I think since seeing the progress, his spirits have been lifted some. I think he knew before that he would beat it, but seeing progress sure helps. He's started losing some hair, which was expected, so my mom took him to get it cut a little shorter today so it wouldn't get pulled off as easily when he was laying down on a pillow or in the shower.

Such a nice mom I have. Not many ex-wives would do that, but she's such a compassionate person that it doesn't really surprise me that she took him under her wing.

I think she has started reading my blog, so "Hi, Mom!"

Blessed be Your name

"Praise you in this storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

This song has popped into my head a lot lately. That and "Blessed be your name." I can't help but think it's for a reason and this situation we are enduring with my dad. I feel at such an awkward place in my faith right now. I'm trying daily to trust in God, but sometimes it's just so hard to.

Last weekend I went home to spend time with my family. I'm very grateful to have a job with flexible hours to where I can go home for a long weekend. It was a much needed weekend at home.

Dad had his first chemo treatment last Wednesday. His body handled it very well and he hasn't really seen any aftereffects from the chemicals. One funny (or frustrating depending on who's perspective you get) is that because of the steroids they gave him, he now hiccups instead of coughs. The only time I heard him not hiccup was when he chugged a strawberry-banana smoothie my mom and I made him. (complete with copious amounts of ice cream, half-and-half and egg white protein powder to pack on the calories.)

He's lost probably 20 pounds, but it's a little hard to tell because his legs are swollen since his liver isn't functioning properly. It's strange to look at him and see his face not as full, but his legs fuller. I prefer to picture my dad at his peak.

He rode bikes, completed a marathon and ate healthy. Something he is having to forego for the time being. It's hard for him to eat so differently, I think. But I think he secretly missed eating things like Frosted Mini Wheats and drinking Dr. Pepper (which is still too sweet for his preference at the time being.)

I love my dad for so many reasons, but my current, favorite reason is that he doesn't let his faith waiver. Even though his body is going through this, he has not missed one church service. Though that may be the one thing he does that whole day, he still attends. I'm so proud to be his daughter knowing what a man of God he has become.

He found his faith later in his life, but it was right for him. He was baptized only a few months after I was, but his heart yearns to learn more about God and the Bible everyday. I'll admire him for being a seeker and explorer always. (Remind me that I said that when he plays "20 Questions" the next time I go home.)

Please, please, please- I'm begging you; Continue to pray for my dad. This chemo needs to work. We got some unexpected news that if it doesn't, he may not have many months left on this Earth. And while he is here, he will need to continue treatments for the rest of his life.

This was shocking to me, but we're praying for a miracle and we need a miracle.