March 1. Surprise!

Today held so many fun surprises. Seriously, the day turned out waaay better than my sleep-deprived self expected or deserved.

12.30 AM - Finished Atonement. I knew the twist going into the book, but my feelings at the end were not what I had anticipated.

9.30 AM - At work, found out they were hosting an employee appreciation BBQ. Free lunch. So fabulous!

12.45 PM - Like usual, I parked beneath the Kirkland library to go catch my bus, but had some time and decided to run into the library real fast. Who should be walking towards the entrance at the same moment but my Mom?? Spontaneous Mother-daughter library date! Short, but sweet =)

2.45 PM - After picking up a chai, courtesy of Starbucks today, I found myself in the first honours' class this quarter that I thoroughly enjoyed! Woof was interesting... but not as exciting and enthusiast-sparking as today's. Of course, it helps that the topic was as fabulous a novel as Atonement. The coolest part is that the Lord totally downloaded some exciting ideas for my final paper--which will be on the inherent problems of family narratives, comparing the "factional" To the Lighthouse and fictional Atonement. Very excited about some of the ideas I had today.

One last surprise: even after a flurry of snow and the threat of rain, the day turned out fine--sunny, albeit cold. The mountains showed no proof of their existence--too cloudy for that--but at least the world smiled back at my enthusiasm, rather than douse it--all too typical in Seattle.

I'm so grateful for all of the day's surprises. And I hope it is a good omen for a month of which I have high expectations ;-)

Moments of Samara's day:

"Every morning when I wake up and see that there's a whole new other day, I just go absolutely ape."

- Audrey Hepburn, Paris When it Sizzles

Actually I woke up late this morning and my first words were most likely, "Oh crap!" =/

But after pulling myself together, I was able to get myself out the door at a decent time and headed to work.

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Today I embarked on my first real adventure into the land of Virginia Woolf.

It's intimidating. I've been keeping her at an arms length. Waiting for this match.

But, just a bit of the way into her autobiographical work Moments of Being, I feel honored that I get to read and work with this material.

But it will still be a challenge and I'm half-bracing for, half-excited to engage.

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Today I went Starbucks on the Ave before class.

But as I reached for the door, I had one of those awkward, depth-perception issues.

I missed the door handle, but was already propelling my body backwards.

By the time I came to a stand-still a few feet from the door, I just had to stand there and laugh for a moment before walking my silly self into the coffee shop.

*   *   *

I got another friend hooked on Downton Abbey. 

I'd apologize to Hannah for the pain this will cause her and what it may do to her study time...

But I think its a worthy sacrifice haha.

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I am so, SO excited for all that the Lord has in store for overflow this year.

Tonight at church, we found out that our normal small groups are restructuring and its going to involve so much more time for relationship. This is my gig. I want to live the Good News out with my "Oikos" (I confess, I got so giddy when he used this Greek term, literally "household").

And Jesus really convicted me tonight about doing everything for His glory. I'm praying that keeps developing in my life.

If it's not for His glory, it's not worth doing.

*   *   *

I think we could easily re-name "Congregation Meeting" to "Quarterly Hug-fest."

I must have literally gotten between 15 and 20 hugs tonight.

It did my heart good... and reminded me how much I miss working with Sue Hale =(

All that to say--I have fabulous friends and I love good hugs.

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Finally,

Alex - if you're reading this, you owe me a comment haha =)